Introduction ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ : )
Hello! My name is Christian. My major is biology and I transferred into OU from a small school in Memphis. Originally my major was Civil Engineering, but it took me about a month to realize I really didn't enjoy those classes and I did not want to think about concrete the rest of my life. I picked biology for the simple reason that it was the subject that interested me the most; I really had no idea what I would want to do with a degree in biology. It's still been hard for me to truly decide what I'd like to do after college, seeing as I always knew I wouldn't want to do medical school or some other long, arduous program. Just recently I have become more fascinated with the growing field of biotechnology. I'm looking to move in that direction after I graduate. This summer I got a job doing research at OMRF. Although I love the work I get to do there, I'm not sure if I want to commit to working in a lab in the long-term just yet.
Growing up, I loved sports. I was on competitive teams for basketball and baseball. It wasn't uncommon for my teams to travel across Oklahoma and sometimes into adjacent states. As I grew up, I started to get more into tennis. This was the sport I took the most serious once I was in high school. Though I always thought it would be really cool, I never definitely wanted to dedicate my time to becoming a college athlete. I continue to occasionally play basketball and tennis, just much more casually. Nowadays, my favorite sport to play would probably be table tennis (if you count that as a sport). When I was young I dabbled in musical instruments--mostly piano and guitar--but I never really got super into either of them. Just recently I have tried to pick up the guitar again, and I have been loving it! I hope to continue playing throughout the semester :)One of my favorite things to do ever is travel. I have been blessed to travel to quite a few places in my life. This is because my grandfather, who used to go all around the world when he was a young lad in the navy, loves to travel. I have been lucky enough to be his travel companion on quite a few trips by now. I definitely think I took a lot of the traveling for granted as I was fairly young. I know I would appreciate it much more now. Two summers ago, my family went to Alaska to see the house where my dad and grandpa used to live when my grandpa was stationed there in the navy. This was a really cool and special experience. The wilderness and mountains in Alaska are breathtaking. I now can see why Alaska is commonly called the Last Frontier.
I really love animals, especially dogs. I have one dog (it's really a family dog but I consider her mine/ours) named Maisie. Maisie is an Australian Shepherd. She is very energetic and playful. We got her as a puppy and she was a handful for awhile, though she has now settled down quite a bit. My dad has taken it upon himself to train Maisie, as he sees she is very intelligent and thinks it would be unfair to let that potential to go to waste. While she can be a pill sometimes, she is an absolute blast to have around. I'm grateful for the new addition to the family :)
Hi Christian,
ReplyDeleteI was also a biology major, but I've always been fascinated by the field of biotechnology. Ultimately, I think you made the better decision to not do medical school, and go forward with another path with biotechnology! I've always wondered how Alaska was, it's been on the list of places to visit ever since I was younger! I'm sure it was breathtaking indeed, and absolutely beautiful as well.
Maisie is so cute! Agh, I wish could have a dog, but I think I would be the type to forget to feed them, so I think it would be best for the me to stay away from owning one. Sigh. Anyways, it was nice talking to you and I look forward to seeing more from you this upcoming semester!
Hi Christian, I am a microbiology major and I too underwent a change in interest. I have always been facsinated with surgery and I wanted to be a reconstructive plastic surgeon, I liked microbiology so I chose that as my undergrad but the more and more I learned about that I decided I did not want the lifestyle of a surgeon and decided to do something I became more passionate about, Epidemiology and genetics.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about sports but I do play for OU's Curling team and would love to learn more about other sports. I LOVE dogs and my boyfriend's favorite breed is Aussies, I too have a soft spot for Aussies although a BIG portion of my heart is reserved for my Great Dane mix Archie.
Hi Christian :) I think it's awesome you're a biology major. I'm a professional writing major, so kind of the exact opposite. I admire how you can not only understand science but have a passion for it in ways I can't really understand. I do, however, know what it's like to move from a small college to OU. Like you, OU also helped me find a major I was really passionate about (PW is my 3rd).
ReplyDeleteAlaska is on my travel list, and it's good to know it's as beautiful and amazing as I've heard from online. Mountains and forests are by far my favorite landscapes, and it doesn't hurt that it gets pretty cold there, too. I definitely wish I could've gotten to travel more when I was younger, but I'm crossing my fingers that travel will resume relatively soon.
Maisie is adorable! Australian shepherds are so cute, and her blue eyes are gorgeous!
I need to expand my emoticon vocabulary with ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ like in your post title, Christian! I'm basically a :-) person and that's about it... for example, I could start using ◕‿◕ (which always makes me think of a smiling frog). Anyway, it is fun to meet you again this semester; the second time around I can appreciate the Introduction so much more because it is connected to an actual person and not just a name! And Australian shepherds are the best: they are such quick learners and fun to be around. Maybe Maisie can make an appearance in some stories that you write this semester! Especially during the pandemic now, we need all the good pet energy that we can get. Plus happy emoticons! ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ﾉ
ReplyDeleteHey Christian,
ReplyDeleteIts good to meet you! First of all, I am so thankful that you shared a picture of your pup! She is absolutely precious! I think it is very interesting that you are a biology major taking this class, I am always excited to see new people in my upper level English courses! I also really love travelling, and I'm actually (hopefully) planning a trip to Alaska soon! I would love to ask you about your travels, where is your favorite place that you've visited? For me, I think my favorite place I have ever visited is actually really close to home! One of my favorite places to go is the Ozark Mountains in Northwest Arkansas!
Hey Christian, it is really good that you realized that you did not want to civil engineering. It's definitely easier to switch when you're still in school rather than after graduation. I hope biology works out for you! Travelling is always really fun, do you think you'll be going back to Alaska anytime? Your dog looks very cute! Be sure to give her lots of love from all of us!
ReplyDeleteHey Christian!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you found a major that suits you. I feel like a lot of people regret not switching majors after they graduate, and by then it becomes much more difficult. I also love to travel! I've been to Alaska as well and wow its beautiful there. That's so cool that your dad and grandfather used to live there. Also, your dog is so cute!
Hey Christian!!
ReplyDeleteThe thought of med school is an intimidating one for sure. I'm a HES major so I totally understand your passion towards biology! I'm currently headed towards PA school (hopefully hahah) and even though its only 2 years, it'll sure be a huge hand full when i eventually get there. It makes me happy that you got to travel with your grandpa, my grandpa was actually a helicopter pilot in the Army! Some of my favorite memories are traveling with him and spending time with him, and since I recently lost him I am especially holding the memories closer and closer! Being able to see where your grandparents used to live is also really cool, mine grew in a teeny town, Mountain Park Oklahoma. We've driven down their a few times and seen their old farms, which were right across the street. The history in their houses and towns is insane to think about!
Hi Christian,
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you are from Memphis! I also really enjoy tennis and even table tennis in the right moment. I'm so jealous that you were able to travel to Alaska because I bet it is beautiful there, like you said. Where in Alaska did you travel to? Finally, Maisie is adorable! Her eyes are so blue.
Have a great day!
Hey Christian!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find something that you really enjoy doing with biology! It can be super tough to figure stuff like that out, but a biology degree can lead you down so many paths, so I'm hopeful that you'll find something soon! Your dog looks precious–my dog is kind of a spaz too, but that just makes them more fun to be around haha (most of the time). I hope you have a great semester!
Hey Christian,
ReplyDeleteI also am a huge fan of sports! I played competitive football and basketball throughout my years. I played baseball when I was younger but at our first ever scrimmage for kid pitch the first guy at bat got hit straight in the teeth with a ball. After I witnessed that I decided that baseball was not for me. I am not a biology major but I have taken similar classes and love learning about science. I am sure you will find multiple job opportunities after college!
Hello Christian,
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to meet you. I commend you for chasing what you love and and quitting what you don't, I did the same thing when I changed from Architecture to Journalism. It is so awesome that you have a relationship with your grandfather like that and that you get to travel to some awesome places! I started playing the guitar in 8th grade but stopped after a few years, but I would really like to get back into it and you have inspired me to do so. I too have a dog, mine is a pug, Australian shepherd, border collie mix and she is my entire life, I do not know what I would do without her. I look forward to reading your stories the rest of the semester!
Hi Christian,
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that you are from Memphis! I am actually going to be there soon for a bachelorette party, as my best friend is getting married and I am her maid of honor, so if you know of any locations for that let me know, haha! I have taken lots of bio classes here and have loved them, so I hope you are too. If you want some really cool research to get into for new avenues of interest in bio besides pre-health, you should reach out to Dr. Gaffin. His research is over neurology but he uses scorpions, and it sounds insane.
Hi Christian!
ReplyDeleteIt’s nice to learn about you! What made you transfer from Memphis to OU? I also know the feeling of not knowing exactly what I want to do after undergrad and with a biology degree. But it’s great that you’re experiencing potential career fields, so you’ll have options when you make a decision! Your dog is so gorgeous! How old is she? She looks like a fun dog to train and play with. Hope you have a great rest of the semester!
Hi Christian!
ReplyDeleteI can understand the shift in majors, I don't know if I'd want to spend my life thinking about concrete either!
I think it's cool that you've dabbled in so many things, and I understand having trouble settling on just doing one main thing with your life.
Also, your dog was an absolutely adorable puppy!
Hello, I feel as if everyone changes there major at some point, but I also think it is okay to not know exactly what you want to do yet. Whenever you find that one thing you do want to do for the rest of your life you will know it. I also grew up playing sports and I was lucky to be able to travel through sports and would love to be able to travel on my own now. Good luck on the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHey Christian, it’s nice to meet you! I am also a transfer student, so I know what you mean. I transferred over from Texas Tech my freshman year of college, so I hope you’re enjoying OU as much as I am! That’s awesome that you have been to Alaska. My favorite thing to do is fish, so I have always wanted to travel up there and do some fishing! It was nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteHi, Christian! I totally feel the desire to change majors even if you don't know what you'd do after. I started out as a business a major and now I'm a Creative Media Production major and I'm not quite sure where I'm going after graduation. Your dog is absolutely adorable and I'm so jealous of your travels. I bet Alaska would blow me away.
ReplyDeleteHi Christian! I think it's so cool that you've been to Alaska! I've taken a few trips with my parents, but COVID has really put a damper on my travel plans. I'm glad that you have been able to make so many good memories! And thanks for including the picture of your dog! She looks so cute!! I remember just how hard it is to train a dog, so best of luck with her training!
ReplyDeleteHi Christian, It was a pleasure to read your introduction. It's awesome to know that you have been to Alaska. It's actually on my bucket list for next year, I hope this covid over will be over by then. Your dog looks so cute, her blue eyes got me staring at her for a while. And i am glad you found a major that suits you. Not everything we do makes us want to continue with that, i hope you are enjoying biology major now.
ReplyDeleteHi Christian!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice meeting you! Interesting to hear you transferred from a small school in Memphis. A long time ago I spent a semester near Nashville at MTSU. I majored in Music Business way back then but that turned out to not really be my thing! I'm glad you made it to OU and found a major you like!
-Eli