"When I Grow Up..."

A pivotal, yet inconsequential, moment in my life was during my Fifth Grade {1994-1995} Classes' trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia. Not only was my current and long lasting, {as in from our fifth grade class together until high school!} crush there, everyday for me to see, but I found my destiny. You see, like just about every other classmate of mine on that trip, we all decided we wanted to become "Marine Biologists" by the end of the trip.

Let me explain further. I said inconsequential as the only true desire of my heart was to be a wife and mommy. I just wanted to be this without actually being it. Make sense?

Back to Jekyll Island... We went on trips thru marshes. Walked out on piers and fished for oysters. Stayed out after dark and watched gum or something like that make sparks. See. Not important.

You see, my fascination came with only one thing. The Sea Turtles. We were told about the females going ashore to lay their nest full of eggs and when the time came, those little sea turtles hatched and waddled their way back to the ocean to thrive and grow. Unfortunately, and fortunately, nature is evil and the sea turtles existence is getting close to being in trouble. Certain breeds already are. We were made aware of groups that exist solely to 'assist' these little sea turtle hatching's back to the great big blue with the hopes that they grow and thrive and become parents themselves. These beautiful creatures were the only reason I wanted to become a Marine Biologist...

Thankfully. I know now of several organizations that offer volunteer opportunities and go figure, being a Marine Biologist is not required. In fact. Reader's Digest devoted a section in their June 2009 issue on the Top 40 places to vacation for less. This is the section that interested me most for this particular contribution...

Wassaw Island, Georgia. "At the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge, part of Georgia's barrier islands, you can help tag loggerhead sea turtles when they crawl out of the sea to lay their eggs. Cost is $750 a week, including transportation to and from the island, a bunk in a rustic cabin, and all meals. Plus, you can sleep late: Beach patrols take place at night. Don't forget to write off your experience as a charitable contribution." By Pam Grout, author, the 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life.

How amazing of an experience would this be?!?! I was in Heaven just reading about it... I can only imagine to actually partake in such an event how I would feel! And come on! You can write it off as a Charitable Contribution!!!! hahaha! That's the best excuse ever to take a vacation!!! :-) Now I just need to save up the money to get to Wassaw on top of the $750 needed to participate in this Volunteer opportunity.