#zoojob

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Field season is in full swing!

My mom is visiting for a week which means my fridge is full of delicious food and I’ve certainly been indulging.

Going to the gym whenever I can but tbh it’s been difficult with my mom here aaand field season. I’m sure I’ll get back to routine but I could prob use a break rn anyway.

It was my husband’s (that word still feels so weird!) birthday last week. We hosted our first little party at our house. Which meant I spent at least 3 days before rushing around like crazy getting a bunch of home projects done. I’m so excited with how the house is turning out tho, it’s slower progress than I expected but definitely progress! Also I looked super cute (and strong!) in the new outfit I got for the party.

I love my little life here in the mountains so much, sometimes I just need to take a second to stop and breathe and remember how amazing all of this is.

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Hi! It’s been awhile! Was contemplating not even coming back to this site but here I am.

Field season is over, and I’m getting really focused and honed in at the gym. It’s hard to balance workouts and field work.. it’s hard to balance anything and field work really.. so this is a nice routine I’m starting to build.

Getting lots of saddle time with my trail crew, including one 7+ hour ride to a brewery that was quite the adventure. The days are getting shorter though and that means these rides are becoming less frequent.

I’ve had more time for the pup too! A few lovely fall hikes and some romps at the dog park. We went for our first run in what feels like a life time (maybe since May?!) and she did so so good

Work is still busy tho and I’m so stressed about a big event this weekend. Next week is a well deserved vacation so I just have to make it through Saturday. Oh and there are now baby lions at work so it doesn’t all suck. Actually I’m still just completely obsessed with my job and I had a great quarterly performance review and I just really really cannot believe I’m lucky enough to get to do what I do.

I’ve also gained a decent amount of weight :/ not ideal but I’ve realized that it tends to happen during field season. I remember feeling the exact same way this time last year and I managed to lose weight in the winter. I actually think this off season will be even more dramatic as I enter this new gym phase. I have just never felt this much excitement about going to the gym. Or this much comfort once I’m at the gym. It kinda feels like a 2nd home, I have a routine now, I’m really hitting my groove and most importantly I’m enjoying what I’m doing.

So yeah overall life is great, not much has changed. A few areas to improve on tho:

- eating habits. Im slowly making progress towards not snacking as much at night. Eating less processed foods too.

- drink more water dammit!!

- my relationship with s. We’re not exactly bad, things are fine I guess? But we’ve had some communication issues and overall it’s our first year of marriage and I want us to be jiving and having fun and it just feels like we’re doing our own thing and too comfortable in this routine.

- less screen time! Jfc I’ve never been addicted to my phone like this before and it’s concerning

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Field season is coming to an end! One more long camping trip to go. Last week’s trip was certainly an adventure.

I brought s along and it’s always so validating having him recognize how hard (and incredible) my job is. We did 20+ miles in 2 days with some tough bushwhacks and horrible weather. It was peak fall one day and then we got our 1st coating of snow the next!! We ended up packing and leaving a day earlier since I was prepared for the rain and hail but not quite for a few inches of snow. Still it was such a good trip exploring a new part of the state.

Haven’t had too much time off in between field work, but the day or two in between trips I’ve spent at the gym and barn. I switched horses and this new one is an incredible trail horse, I’m excited for the adventures to come. Meeting this group of ladies at the barn has been the highlight of my summer. Last weekend we galloped in a big field and then rode to the taphouse for wine slushies. Still hoping to squeeze in one more day of swimming with the horses in the lake before summer truly ends.

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hey!! I just found your blog, and I was wondering what your job is?? I'm currently looking for a new career path, and your job looks incredible :)

I’m obsessed with my job! I’m a research coordinator and right now it’s field season which just means I spend my time hiking in gorgeous places and collecting data on cute animals for conservation purposes. Previously I have also worked as an educator at a zoo and a naturalist on a whale watch boat and I loved those jobs too

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Worked hard and played hard last week. Went on one of my longest work hikes (14.5 miles) and then went on one of my longest mountain bike rides the next day (14.5miles), before going back in the field the day after.

It felt good to push my body, to realize I have more in the tank, even when I’m tired and it would be easier to rest, I can keep going. But on the rare days off I’m resting hard. Kitten snuggles and catching up on tv shows. Eating good food. Sleeping. Getting ready for the next adventure.

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Today was meh and I’ve been feeling like I just haven’t been doing enough (plus I’m feeling bloated and gross) but looking back at the past week or so I’ve actually accomplished so much. And I felt so lean and strong just a week ago in those pics, I know these current feelings are just temporary.

S planned a weekend getaway to a new part of the state, we brought our pup, stayed an adorable Airbnb, drove through some gorgeous mountain passes and ate ice cream/explored a cute town.

Ran a 10k that I did no prepare for at all and I crushed it??! Ran 1min 30sec faster avg pace than last year at this race! Tbh I think I could’ve done even better, I was waiting to feel exhausted or for my knee to hurt or something to go wrong but around mile 5 I realized I actually felt great and pushed it a bit for the last mile.

OH and I bought new skis!!! I’ve been thinking about getting another pair for 3+ years now and I’m thrilled that I finally found the perfect pair. They’re beautiful, they’re playful and I really think they’ll take me up a level in skiing. Now I just have to wait like 9months to actually use them..

Also field season has officially started and work has been a lot. I think most of my negative feelings are bc of work. I feel like I’ve made small mistakes or have needed my coworkers to step up for me, it’s minor but I’m trying really hard and it’s frustrating that I still feel a step behind. It’s going to be an adjustment getting back into fieldwork schedule and I haven’t handled it well this week, fell out of my routine and didn’t go to the gym or barn for what feels like forever (it’s been 5 days), plus my eating has been weird with lots of snacking and sugar/processed quick foods. I need to figure out how to manage field work and life better or else it’s going to be a long 6 months.

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Some of the many wildflowers and wildlife seen this week

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Last week’s work trip. Incredible views, tough bushwacking, and a magical campsite. And the wildlife!!! So many moose, coyotes & eagles!!

Field season is coming to an end, only a few more trips left and it’s bittersweet. What an adventure this has all been.