Introducing the newest member of the Steemit Community

Hello all! I am new to the Steemit Community and would like to introduce myself.

My name is Andrew. I'm 24 years old. I grew up in a small town of about 6,000 people called Medical Lake, just outside of Spokane, Washington, in the USA. My dad is a recreational therapist and my mom works as a social worker. I hunted for bugs and other creepy crawlies and swimming creatures during the summer in the ponds and forest and lake I grew up around. I was very bright and did well in school - participating in sports, joining clubs, playing in band, and taking advanced classes. I pursued leadership and community service opportunities as well. I loved my high school experience and milked it for all it was worth.

I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 4 and have always had struggles focusing on important things without getting distracted. I have grown a lot and learned a lot about myself from the successes and failures I have had in managing my life and the unique challenges I have faced. However, there are also a lot of positive aspects about myself that wouldn't exist if I didn't have ADHD and so I embrace the energy and enthusiasm that make me unique and give me passion in life.

I currently live in Spokane with my wife Nory. I enjoy running and tennis, playing chess, I still love animals, and I work as a caregiver taking care of old people. The great outdoors is my favorite playground, when I have the time to escape there. Writing is my best form of expression. I am atheist but am friends with many Christians and also some Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus. I don't believe any religion holds the truth, but I am still respectful of others' beliefs and like to make friends with people from diverse backgrounds. I judge based on character, regardless of creed.

For five years I was in a long distance relationship with a girlfriend from the Philippines, and I was just married two and a half months ago to her here in the USA. I love her with all my heart and am completely devoted to her. We began our long distance relationship on March 26th, 2012, but until we got married, most of that time we were apart so it was very difficult. In fact I only visited her three times, for a total of one month each visit. I am lucky to have finally closed the distance, and we are now building a future together here in the United States.

I am very interested in science and I am a double major in biology and psychology in college, but I am taking a break from school right now to work. My long term goals include a masters degree in entomology or herpetology and a PhD in some biological field, perhaps environmental biology or ecology or evolutionary biology or genetics. Eventually, after I have pursued science as a career, I would love to retire and become a teacher because I have a passion for teaching other people. In fact, I currently tutor on the side because it keeps me busy and my mind engaged.

I recently have begun breeding reptiles, mainly snakes. I love the big snakes most from among all reptiles, they are amazing creatures. As such, I own a two Burmese pythons, two ball pythons, a bearded dragon, two scorpions, and a tarantula. I have always had a passion for and fascination with invertebrates (arthropods most prominently), reptiles and amphibians. I love the uniqueness and variety of all these creatures. I will never become bored admiring them. I love keeping (and now breeding) reptiles most from among these animals because they are so rewarding to interact with.

I hope to travel once I have completed school and once Nory and I have saved up enough to explore other countries. I look forward to experiencing the world and all the wonderful people and places it contains. I have friends from all walks of life and from many different countries around the world. In fact, my best friend is a girl from Vietnam named Serafina. I was lucky enough to immerse myself in the Philippines three times while visiting Nory, and my experience makes me yearn to see so much more of what the world has to offer.

I think the earth is a beautiful thing, and I am greatly saddened by the destruction we humans have caused to it. I hope that my future pursuits in biology will allow me to rectify some of the wrongs that other members of the human race have committed against this great planet of ours. I absolutely love the incredible biodiversity that can be found all around us. Each living being is a little miracle. I want to preserve those little miracles that are in danger of being lost forever. Everyone should be able to admire the beauty that life has to offer.

My ultimate goal in life is to die happy and satisfied knowing that the world is a better place because I have lived.

Thank you all for reading!