It\u2019s been over a month since I left the Vale BLM office, so now; I find its time to reflect.
\nThe skills and knowledge I gained from the work I did and the individuals I met have become part of me. They have made me a more confidant and experienced person. However, the field techniques, the plant names, the navigational skills are not what I think of now when I look back. When I think Vale\u2026 the desert is what I will forever remember.<\/p>\n
I recently moved to the forested mountains of Colorado. Though they are beautiful, I miss the vastness of the high Oregon desert. I miss being able to see for hundreds of miles every day. I miss the sparse but strong plants I spent the summer looking for. The rolling hills, short fragrant sagebrush, and dancing shadows of the desert awakened in me an incredible sense of oneness with the land I worked with everyday throughout the summer. The vast Oregon land gave me a sense of place and belonging.<\/p>\n
Its funny that when I started my internship I thought \u201coh wow, this is my first \u2018real job\u2019, my entrance into the \u2018real world\u2019\u201d, what I entered into was a world where I experienced what I hope the rest of my life will be based on; studying and experiencing natural life, and working to protect it. The desert has made me question and reflect on my existence, my purpose, and my place. I hope to return to the desert shortly to find more answers\u2026 and discover more questions.<\/p>\n
Since I couldn\u2019t say it as well myself, a quote by Rumi.<\/p>\n
Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth. (Rumi)
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