New Job, New Life

March 7th I moved to Springfield, Missouri to begin a job with the Missouri Department of Conservation as a naturalist. I now work at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. To put it very plainly, I love it. I love my job.

Every day I learn more and I get to interact with so many people and talk about something that I love, the outdoors.

The pivotal point was when I ran by the library on my way home from work. I had removed my name tag for a bit of anonymity. I walked into the library and took a seat at a computer, across from me a young girl looked up and said "Hi Ms. Jordi". I've been recognized. Her friend asked who I was and she said "oh she's the teacher lady at the Nature Center, she's cool". Yes, I am cool.

This isn't about my ego, this is about the fact that a young girl paid attention enough to recognize me. This means a young girl heard what I had to say, and hopefully took what I had to say to heart.

I wouldn't be where I am today or who I am today if I hadn't had an excellent middle school science teacher. Mrs. Butler showed me that it was okay to be inquisitive, something I fear most people avoid for fear of looking foolish. Mrs. Butler was excited about science and her excitement was contagious. I hope to be the same way. I hope that I am able to reach people by sharing my excitement for the outdoors, science, nature and life. I avoid saying things like: that's gross, that's boring/lame/stupid/ugly, or I don't like this thing/place/animal/idea. Yes of course I have my preferences but I believe people learn by example.

I want people to be comfortable with asking me questions. I think people often shy away from asking questions because they fear being wrong....BUT It is okay to be wrong! It is okay to make a mistake! If you don't ask how will you learn?

I hope to never be one of those people who thinks they know everything. I can always learn more. If you think I'm wrong I'll double check my information. No one is perfect and I don't want to misinform. I never want to be one of those who hears something once and writes it off as law, information is changing and needs to be kept up with.

But in short.

I love my job.

Things I like: Salamanders

Western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula)

Well, it has been a while. I've been so busy living life that I really haven't had time to blog. So to start back up, I'll start with another Things I Like entry.soooo.

Things I like: Salamanders!!!!!

I've been fascinated with salamanders for quite some time. However, my obsession with salamanders didn't really start until around 2004 when I learned about Giant salamanders. Giant salamanders are members of the Cryptobranchidae family and include the Ozark and Eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleghaniensis spp.), as well as the Chinese and Japan

ese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus/japonicus). I was fascinated with the hellbender and that fascination quickly moved on to a sincere love for the Japanese giant salamander which can reach 5 ft in length and can weigh up to 77 lbs. This interest in Japanese salamanders prompted me to take Japanese classes so that I could increase my chances of seeing one, in Japan.

I have now been to Japan and I did see a Japanese giant salamander (in an aquarium) but my love for salamanders still exists. Recently I went on a herpetology field trip where we caught, examined and released a variety of amphibians and reptiles.

Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum)

Right now I'm itching to get out of doors and to do some night time scouting for salamanders laying eggs. Unfortunately the weather has been so odd I'm not sure when exactly I should head out. Yesterday it was 70, today it snowed. Who knows. I might take a night hike and see if I hear Spring peepers and if I do then I'll look around for salamanders laying eggs, traveling to and from breeding ponds and for other night time creatures.

Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Now don't get me wrong, I have an affection for all reptiles and amphibians, it's just that salamanders hold a special place in my heart.

Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)