During a seminar course this morning I found myself asking question after question. Not that this is something new, however after the class, I asked the professor, also being one of my advisors , if I had been asking too many questions and diverting the conversation. Posed with this question, he gallantly answered "no, you are a skeptic... and I should be able to inform you..." Hearing the word skeptic somewhat offended me, but I tried to think about it more logically, replying "I see myself more as simply trying to rationalize the the use of the topic."

As I proceeded onto my next course, in which I am one of the few students voicing my 'skepticism', I recalled how at a young age I continuously inquired, trying to understand the world around me and posing question after question to my peers. Although this was often not welcomed and eventually conditioned me to limit my inquiries, it was also the main reason I entered into the field of science. It is here that questions spur research and they are the foundation of the scientific community.

Therefore, as the second course ended and I had asked many more questions, I realized.... I am a scientist, perhaps not a geologist, but one who is looking for answers. Answers to understand the world around me and ultimately to be used to help decrease the strain and negative impacts on the earth we are all apart of.... and I will not stop until they have all been answered!