A Snail’s Start: Opalescent Nudibranch

SUBJECT: Nudibranch

A sea snail (hermissenda crassicomis) without a shell that lives in the kelp forest in Monterey, CA

 

 

 

 

This beautiful creature is found in many habitats from the cold rocky ground of kelp forest (49 degrees F) to warm bays and estuaries in the Gulf of California and even Japan.

It eats small stuff on the ground, most notably sea anemones and its own babies (it does not discriminate, so run babies run!…crawl)

Oh, and it stings. If you couldn’t already tell by its vivid bright colors (amongst camouflaged cameo creatures in the kelp forest). It’s because it eats creatures that have stinging cells (like the anemones) and inherits these weapons to use as their own.

 

STORY:

Yesterday, Wednesday, as I stood in the bart (SF’s metro system) back home, I noticed that my summer purse (the one that’s totally appropriate for a sunnier residency such as San Jose) was totally inappropriate for San Francisco (a tan shoulder bag with colorful half-dollar sized flowers all over). No one else had purses or sidebags with any variety of colors or prints (which is odd considering the diversity of outfits the residents don). After thinking about it, I conclude that it’s because people don’t want their valuables to stick out in the city (like a target for purse snatchers). So, to better blend in with the city folk, I found a solid colored purse so I could better camouflage and fit in with the rest of San Francisco.

 

It’s been like that most of the week. Slowly absorbing information at work, slowly observing how residents dress, slowly discovering where to buy fresh food, and even slower trying to figure out what to do after work.

 

Oh, did I mention that my projects have changed again?

Now I am working on 3 main projects: one on Belize, one on small scale fisheries, and one on shrimp trawling in upper Gulf of California (Vaquitas). My roles in 2 of these projects changed, but I think they’re going to be steady after this week.

 

I also found out that one of my old college friend’s twin sister works in EDF. That was unexpected.

 

REFLECTION:

While it’s fun standing out, that’s not the point when trying to integrate into a society and into a new organization. I expected this to happen regardless that I am doing my internship in the US (versus in Palau or Chad) because every place in the world has its own flavor.

As I start to blend in, it means I am adapting, and my snail’s speed will increase as I understand my projects better (improving my efficiency), I find my favorite food places, start making local friends, and finding my niche of activities outside of work.

I will then become SUPER SNAIL!