Introduction to a Biologist
Hello!
I'm Kenzie, and I'm a Biology and English Writing double-major. This semester is my last one at OU, so I'm excited to be ending with a class like this one! My favorite class that I took last semester was probably Advanced Fiction Writing, because it gave me an excuse to write fiction during the school year, and I love to overanalyze stories. But I'd say my biggest accomplishment from last semester was turning in a 25-page research essay at the end of the semester for one of my classes--and I even turned it in on time!
Outside of school-related things you might want to learn about me, I love pretty much any good story, so it's hard for me to pick favorites oftentimes. Right now, my favorite book is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (it makes me cry every time I read it!) by J.K. Rowling, and my favorite movie is Spider-Man: Homecoming (my first Marvel movie!). Recently, though, I've been reading The Waning Age, by S.E. Grove and I watched The Firm the other day. My all-time favorite T.V. show is either Star Wars Rebels or Star Trek: Voyager (don't make me pick!), but I've been trying out the new WandaVision show on Disney+ right now.
Writing and enjoying stories are definitely some of my biggest passions, but for my future career, I'd like to do something in Biology. I've loved animals ever since I was little, and although I thought I wanted to be a vet for a long time, I've figured out that animal research is more of my speed. During my undergraduate career, I have been researching with the Herpetology Department at the Sam Noble Museum, where I've been studying amphibians and reptiles. I plan to continue doing Herpetology research in a master's program next Fall. After that, I'm not quite sure. My dream job would probably be to live and work in a national park, studying the wildlife there, while writing Young Adult fiction in the evenings under the light of the stars--or something dreamy like that.
I also want a lot of pets someday, but right now my apartment doesn't allow pets. Going home over the breaks has been fun because I not only get to see my family, but also my family's pets! Here is a picture of the newest edition, a puppy that my parents got last semester:
I'm looking forward to this class!
Hi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteThis is my last semester at OU as well. I am a Microbiology major and I wonder if we have ever had any classes together. I think it's interesting that you're a double major in fields that are very different. I think it's inspiring how one day you aspire to do something with both in the future.
I highly recommend WandaVision on Disney+; you won't regret it. I feel like it's somewhat different in the way Marvel does most of their production, but it is for sure interesting.
Oh, how great to meet a writing major in this class, Kenzie! I've tried to design the class so that it is fun and useful for people who haven't done creative writing since elementary school... and then for someone like you, you're ready to just go go go and use this class as a total storytelling playground. And oh my gosh: STAR TREK. I was just saying in today's announcements how I have grown up with that show, and it is so impressive to see how it keeps re-inventing itself in new ways. Voyager is one of my favorites of the series (but honestly, I love them all, even the goofy animated series from the early 1970s that I watched when I was little: it had some fabulous episodes, believe it or not!). So, it's all possible storytelling stuff in this class: animals in nature, animals in outer space... I am so curious to see which direction your imagination will take you!
ReplyDeleteGood evening Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your story The Lumberjack, the Clouded Leopard and the Boy, I must say I am not too surprised that you're a writing major. I can see that you have experience and enjoy writing, so I'm looking forward to reading more of your stories.
Good luck getting your master's degree and with your future career!
Howdy Kenzie! I'm also very interested in reading more of your stories as this semester unfolds - with both your writing background, and your background in biology and interest in animals, I can't wait to see how these two skill sets intersect in your storytelling.
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie! I get so excited when I meet biology majors. That was my favorite class in high school (which was 10 years ago now, but I digress). I love Marine Biology (which I know is different), and I've had fish tanks for many years. I also wanted to work in a national park when I was younger, but that plan fell through for me. I think your dream job sounds wonderful, and I'm so excited on your behalf that you're pursing it. I hope you have an amazing semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteYour intro blog kind of blew me away – from what I know about those two majors, they're not the easiest, but you sound like you're killing them both! I'm super excited to read your work throughout the semester because of your background in English. Also, your puppy is by far one of the sweetest things I've ever seen – I'm in love. Good luck with your future endeavors and in your last semester!
Hey Kenzie,
ReplyDeleteOne your dog is the cutest thing ever and if I had time for a dog I hope it would be as cute as yours. I hope you continue to post cute updates on him because having that in my weekly feed would be awesome! Also, love that you're bio just like me! It's nice to know I am not suffering alone through classes especially given that they're online right now, feels like I am the only one suffering and the saying goes that misery loves company it's nice to know others are working hard too! Keep up the great work!
Hi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteIt’s me again. You seem very passionate about animals and writing, which I think is awesome. Those are two completely different fields, and it’s amazing that you can do both. I hope you are able explore the wildlife and get a novel published in your future. Side note- Ryker is absolutely precious.
Good luck on the rest of your journey!
Hey Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely sound like you enjoy reading and writing stories, and so this class sounds perfect for you! I can't wait to read some of your stories! I have never been much of a reader or writer, so this class has made me go out of my comfort zone a bit! I think it's awesome that you are passionate about animal research, and your dream job sounds very cool! It would be so fun to just watch and observe wildlife in their natural environments and express creativity during the night under the stars! I think you'll get there one day for sure! Hope you have a great semester!
Hi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteA double major in Biology and English writing sounds difficult! I hope you are enjoying it. A 25 page research paper sounds insane! Kudos to you for getting it in on time. I have also been watching the new WandaVision show on Disney+. However, I mostly use Disney+ to watch The Mandalorian! I wish you good luck on your last semester at OU!
Cady
Hi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteIt was so exciting to get to know you through this post :) you can really tell you have a passion for writing and enjoy it so much -I can't wait to read some of your stories! I am a huge huge huge Harry Potter fan and I cry watching the movies every. single. time. (my boyfriend makes fun of me for it!) I really hope your love for animals is shown through your storybook ideas because I would love to read about what you could come up with for that. Your puppy is also so adorable. If theres one pet in the entire world you could have what would it be?
Hi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteI have also spent a lot of time with biology in my undergrad career, as I'm a pre-med student, but I was on the different side. It would be really interesting to work more with the research and animals than just more of a pre-req checklist. Also, I must admit, I haven't been to the Sam Noble museum yet.. I need to go before graduation!
Hey Kenzie! After reading your story The Killing of the Dragon, I can totally see that you are a writing major! Your stories are as great or even better than some of the published authors I have read. Reading is something that I really enjoy doing in my past time and also find it hard to choose a favorite story. Also, your family's puppy is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie! I am so excited to read your work now that I see you are an English writing major! I can tell you enjoy writing and I bet this class has been super fun for you thus far! Your dog is absolutely adorable give Ryker a pet for me! Have a great semester and I can't wait to read your work.
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie! So nice to meet you! I wish we could've met sometime in undergrand, I feel that we're both so similar and would've been great friends. I love biology and writing, too. Do you ever feel like life is just too short for all the things we'd like to do? I'm holding out hope that we get multiple lives and can eventually complete all that we'd like to have done in one life. I thought about becoming a vet because I also love animals, but I chose dentistry instead. I'm hoping that on the side I can write a novel or something and keep up my writing. I bet you could do that too with being a vet!
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteI am also graduating this May! I am glad I have not had to write any research papers like that 25 page one that you did, that is quite impressive. I have never been one to read a book, but I do love movies. The marvel franchise has a good assortment of movies that are all worth a watch, but my favorite movies are the prequal trilogy of Star Wars. Your dog is pretty cute, it would be really hard to go without my pets as you do.
Hey Kenzie,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your last semester! I am also graduating in May and I am so ready and not ready at the same time. It changes daily. Spider-Man: Homecoming is an excellent movie and a great first Marvel movie! Oh, speaking to my heart when you say Star Wars Rebels is in the running for your favorite TV show. I love everything Star Wars and the show is incredible. Wandavision is also a wonderful show! What did you think about the final episode? I thought it ended great but it didn't feel as large as I thought it would. I might watch it again and see if I feel differently. National parks are absolutely incredible and I hope you get to live out that dream soon, Kenzie.
Hey Kenzie,
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed by your combination of majors, those are a pair which are not often seen with one another! In addition to that, they are both quite difficult in terms of reading and/or writing material! I have no idea how you managed to keep any social life in your years here at OU, let alone time to read books and watch shows/movies as fun and interesting as the ones you mentioned above! Also, I didn't even know there was a Herpetology Department at the Sam Noble Museum, and I have been there many times. It makes absolute sense- with the dinos and such- but I just never noticed. Are you excited to be done with your undergrad or nervous? It's my last semester too and I am quaking in my boots about next fall and the start of grad studies! Prayers for an awesome last semester!
Hi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteWas Spiderman: Homecoming really your first Marvel movie? I hope you enjoyed it and saw more! The series is definitely an enjoyable ride from start to finish. I've heard good things about Star Wars: Rebels, and have been planning to watch it since I'm a really big fan of the Clone Wars TV series. It's one of my favorite pieces of Star Wars media.
Hi Kenzie, I enjoyed reading your introduction and learning more about you! I also loved the Harry Potter series but unfortunately, I haven’t gone back to read it since I was a kid. I also want a pet in the future as I’ve never had one before. I hope you enjoy your last semester here and good luck on whatever you decide to do in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie! Wow, a 25 page paper? I truly do not know if I could ever do that, so that is a huge accomplishment! I am a huge Harry Potter fan, my favorite book is probably Order of Phoenix but my favorite movie is Goblet of Fire, even though it makes me sob at the end. If you haven't already, The Firm is sooo good in book form. The movie is also really good, but there's so much more detail in the book! Cute puppy! My dogs are definitely the reason I go home most of the time.
ReplyDeleteHave a great last semester!
Kenzie,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I want to congratulate you on this being your last semester! I am a biology major as well and next semester will be my final. I am nervous about the capstone course and the huge paper that has to be done. I like the Harry Potter movies but I have never read any of the books. However, my favorite of the series is Prisoner of Azkaban. I hope you accomplish your dream of working with wildlife and writing under the stars! Also, that puppy is super cute!
Hi Kenzie,
ReplyDeleteI also love animals! I wanted to be a wildlife biologist when I was younger, but my parents said there wasn’t money in doing that. My uncle apparently was a wildlife biologist, but he had to get a job in an airplane factory instead to afford his house or something. I don’t really know; my uncle doesn’t talk to me anymore. Anyways, animals seem to like me for some reason. I can mimic a few noises like clicks and hisses. I actually hiss when startled now from spending so much time raising kittens.
Kenzie, I saw a video last night about animal testing. I know that's not what you're talking about when you say research. It was dramatized with a andromorphic rabbit. It was so sad because it wasn't in my face about it all. It was just matter-of-fact, like the rabbit accepted the testing as a part of his life. I think I'll share it in the wall or whatever.
ReplyDeleteWriting and national parking sounds awesome. Both sound appealing to me sometimes.
Hi Kenzie!
ReplyDeleteI think it's so cool that your majors contrast each other like this! It's always nice to have a balance.
I was also a fan of the Harry Potter books and Deathly Hallows in particular was my favorite. You have great taste in movies as well!
I admire that you have a fantasy dream job and a practical one, as I am in the same boat. For me it's being a chef vs. being an engineer.
We're nearing the end of the semester so, congratulations on being a soon-to-be graduate!