I'm up early and that's because it is #NationalFossilDay! I was introduced to my first set of fossils when I was in the 2nd grade. A 4th grade teacher invited to her classroom where I toured her personal fossil collection. Afterwards, she gave me a crinoid stem to keep.

That experience was a powerful moment in my life. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I knew I had to pursue Paleontology. I was hooked! I later found my first fossil behind a dumped pile of shale behind a teaching trailer during recess. I taught myself what to look for.

Years later, I'm pursuing Paleontology. Being exposed to fossils at a time where I had no resources besides books around me literally changed my life. It was a window to worlds that fade into the abyss of deep time. I wanted to go deeper and get lost in it. I did just that!