Hi! I'm Lydia Wilson and I am a senior from Austin, TX studying biochemistry. I have actually changed my major twice, so third time's a charm with biochemistry. It is a miracle that I stayed on track to graduate in 4 years with how many different majors I have had and how many classes I took that I ended up not needing. Sadly though, I have no interest in pursuing a career is research- or medicine-based, but my major is not entirely futile. I love animals, plain and simple. More so, I love helping animals. Last semester I began volunteering at a local non-profit animal shelter, and my experience there really opened my eyes to what I am passionate about and what I want to have a career in. Though I have no solidified plans as of right now, after I graduate I would like to work at an animal shelter back in Austin that I got involved with over the winter break for about a year while I prepare for graduate exams. The goal is for me to receive a DVM and work in veterinary medicine, which would put my biochemistry background to use while still working in a field I am passionate about. But I would be just as happy working with animals in any capacity.
Right now I only have one pet, a 12-year-old piebald dachshund named Ace. Leaving him home while I came back to Norman was such a difficult thing to do. He doesn’t usually sleep in my room when I am home, but I think he could tell that I would be leaving soon, so he would not leave my side day or not. Seeing that was a bittersweet feeling. Ace used to have a twin brother, who was actually my dog while Ace belonged to my twin sister. But, it has just been Ace for a while now. Well, until recently that is. My sister adopted a sweet three-legged puppy named SÃsà a few months ago, so Ace has had someone to play with and keep him busy in his old age. At the animal shelter I volunteer with, I primarily play with the cats and kittens and show them some much needed love. They do not get as much attention as the dogs. I’ve never liked the question “are you a dog or cat person?” because I wouldn’t consider myself either. I love both equally, and I just love all (most) animals in general.
Because of what I chose to title this blog post, I wanted to stay on the subject of animals while sprinkling in some other facts about myself here and there. But other fun facts about me that I can't subtly include are that I love musical theatre and am involved in a campus event centered around musicals; I love to travel and have visited more countries than I have states in the US; and I’m a big foodie. I used to be the pickiest eater, but I’ve grown to become more adventurous with the foods that I try.
I hope that gives some insight into who I am!
Hi Lydia! I think it's interesting that you changed your major a few times, but you also have a very clear focus on animals for your career. I am a microbiology senior, so I bet we have taken a lot of the same classes over the years! I agree that your biochem background will probably help a lot in your pursuit of a DVM. Good luck and best wishes with all that after you graduate!
ReplyDeleteHi there, Lydia! I completely understand you and changing your major! I came into OU pre-med, then psych, and now I am HES and pre-ot. It can be a wild ride, but I am glad you have a focus and a passion you are working towards with animals. I am glad that you are a person who will show them love no matter cat, dog, or any other animal! I wish I liked cats more, but being allergic hinders that as I become a sneezing red eyed mess around them. Well I hope you enjoy this class and have a safe and wonderful semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia! I am right there with you, I am going to graduate in May with a Medical Sciences degree that was set up to help me apply for medical school or PA school and now have no desire to pursue a degree in medicine. Your dog is also so sweet! I got a dog back in September and do not know what I would do without her!
ReplyDeleteHey Lydia,
ReplyDeleteI think that is amazing that you have taken so many classes and changing majors and still be able to graduate in 4 years on track. I think that you are doing a great things to follow what you really passionate about and that is amazing. Loving animals and be able to take care of all kind of animals must be tough, but I bet that you will do amazing at it. I always say this to others: Do whatever that you loves, because that is what make you happy.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteYour love for animals shows through! I can tell by your writing how deeply you feel by them and I love the image you used for your pet :)
I wish you the very best in the future with what you do and medicine is all about helping people so at the end of the day you are saving animal lives and making a difference in this world! It is nice to meet you!
Hi Lydia! I am also a biochemistry major! However I am intending to apply for medical school. I love animals as well and have loved them ever since I was little. I love how you volunteered and found what you were passionate about and what to pursue a career in! I can't imagine how hard it was to leave your dog Ace.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI'm from Austin too, Lydia! I guess you were following all the nightmare news during the winter storm last week... incredible. I was there one week when they had a boil water notice because of flooding, but this was no-power boil-water and all kinds of disasters rolled into one. I hope your family did okay during that whole crisis!
And I hear you about your love of animals: I think part of the reason I work on animal fables and stories is because I really want to have hundreds of pets, but of course that is not practical... so instead I can immerse myself in a world of hundreds of animal stories.
It's been so hard for musicians and musical performances of all kinds during the pandemic but I am finally starting to feel hopeful now that more and more people are getting vaccinated. I knew so many people who were able to get their covid shot in Norman at that big IMMY event on Monday this week. Slowly but surely we will get to do more and more things, and live music and musical theater is something everyone will be so glad to have come back again for sure!
Hello Lydia! Figuring out what we want to do for our future can be super stressful and confusing. I think there is nothing wrong with trying to figure what makes you happy! I am super happy for you that you have found something you are so passionate about and enjoy doing. I think it is so important to have interest in the things we do. I am wishing you the best for you!
ReplyDeleteHey Lydia!
ReplyDeleteI am a senior as well. At least you have not changed your major five times haha! I love animals as well. I feel like working with animals everyday would be more of a therapeutic job. That actually sounds wonderful. I recently got my first pet before COVID-19 happened. He was a yorkie that we named Milo. He is the best little friend one could ever have. I used to be picky as well, but now I love to try all sorts of foods.
Hi Lydia! I can totally relate to loving too many things and not knowing what to choose! I can also relate to having a love of animals being the one real constant in life... I've got a dog at home too, and its been really hard not to see her all the time and cuddle on the couch! Nothing like dogs to make you miss home, right?
ReplyDeleteHey Lydia :)
ReplyDeleteI loved that I got to read about your experience with animals and your interest in pursuing helping animals as a career! Ace is so adorable!! He really does look terrified of the car in that photo, just taking a little rest haha. I am interested to see if you use your love for animals throughout your stories in Indian Epics since a lot of stories do have characters that are not quite human.
Hi Lydia!
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that you stuck with college after changing majors! So many people would have just given up, so I am proud that you decided to stick with it! I hope you find what you want to do. In my opinion, I think you would make a great Vet since you love animals so much! I hope you having a good semester and are not missing your sweet Ace too much.
Hi Lydia!
ReplyDeleteI am also a huge animal lover just like you! I have two older dogs back home in Dallas that I hate leaving, but here in Norman I have my very own one year old australian shepherd named Kodak. He definitely keeps me busy but he is my best friend and I would not trade that for the world. Like you, I also love all animals. I never understand when people hate cats so much but love dogs and vice versa. I love them all! I used to want to be a veterinarian too, before I realized the medical world is not for me haha. Good luck to you in your future!
Hi Lydia!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've been able to figure out what you truly love, even if it means you won't be doing what everyone expected you to with your major. I think it's so important for us to understand that it's okay to change your mind or not do what others expect of us, just because we decided on a certain major/degree. College is hard enough as it is, and the pressure to choose a field for the rest of our lives at such young age is daunting.
Anyway, your dachshund Ace looks just like my aunt's dog Daisy, who sadly passed away recently. She was around 15 years old, I think, and I remember always thinking how beautiful her coat was, but I never knew there was a name for it! Now I know. :)
Hey Lydia! I think it’s awesome that you want to work with animals. I also can’t choose to be just a cat or dog person. I love both, and I always want to have both! I hope you get to see Ace again soon. I always miss my pets when I’m in Norman, too. I think that that you being to more countries than US states is an awesome fun fact, and I hope that I get to leave the US to see some new places soon, too! Best of luck with the rest of your semester, and give those shelter kittens some love on my behalf. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Lydia! I probably can't say much because we know each other so well, but I will say that I am so happy that you have been happy lately working at the animal shelter and thinking about a DVM. I know you will do great at both! I also love the pictures of your adorable dogs. I hope I can meet them someday! I hope the rest of the semester goes well for you. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Lydia,
ReplyDeleteAMEN to the dogs or cats question. They both deserve love. I used to be vehemently anti-cat because of the havoc they wreck on bird populations (specifically quail), but I've grown to love a stray mackerel tabby tom cat my family has adopted named Mr. Henry. You might think you've met cool cats... but lemme tell ya. Henry is simultaneously the most chill and ferocious cat I've ever met. He acts like a dog and loves cuddles and will snuggle up to sunbathe with my bird-dog Daisy. He also likes to take naps on my chest and play chase, so he's a big lover.... except when he goes to the woods... He's killed pack rats as big as bricks, squirrels, mice, birds, and even a Kestrel. oh henry....