When Obsession Meets School

Sitting in front of a computer at orientation, my mind was so scrambled as I tried to choose my classes from the very slim pick. Thanks to my procrastination I had waited untill the last minute to apply to school and therefore had to suffer with the crappy classes that no one wanted. I had no idea that the unneeded "Environmental Biology of Southwest Florida," would turn out to be a gateway to my obsession.

Every Friday we sit in a room listening to my teacher lecture about every single ecosystem, animal and threat to our Florida environment. Last Friday was different though. Last Friday I was able to emerse myself in my addiction. To finally be able to sink my toes in the sand and smell the fresh salt air on a class feild trip to Bunche Beach.

It was heaven to me. My classmates got to share my obsession for a couple hours as low tide let us frolick with every tiny organism usually overlooked by a family trip to some tourist beach. As I walked all the way out to where the water would usually be well over my head I looked down and picked up a small hermit crab. He freaked out a little bit but soon got comfortable enough in the cup of my hand to peak his head out and say hello. I also got a chance to find something I have been dying to find for some time now. As soon as I felt the waves touch my feet I glanced down, there it was. A crown conch shell... and with the snail still inside!

Never before have I gotten to give in to my guilty pleasure during class. Even though it was just a class that I picked to fill my schedule, im glad I did. Because I learned something else that day... no matter how much you think you may know about the beach, the ocean or what lives in it, you will never know everything. It like a new experience everytime.