Chloe's Blog

 My Tortoise, Molly     Last September, I decided to take a big step in my life and become the mother of a baby Russian tortoise. Although I had done a lot of research, caring for a tortoise, especially a baby, takes work. They require exercise, the proper diet, vitamin supplements, correcting heating and lighting, bi-weekly baths, and almost constant supervision. For the first year I had Molly, I felt as though I was constantly fighting natural selection. She loved jumping off cliffs, such as my bed or the desk, and she was constantly flipping herself onto her back (which can cause them to overheat if under their lamp). Additionally, Molly's favorite food is rocks. As her mother, who would like to avoid invasive surgery, I have to keep a constant watch over her when she's outside to ensure she does not eat any hazardous snacks. Although being a tortoise mom is a lot of work, I love Molly and am so grateful to have her in my life.  The day I got Molly Diagnosed Sassy...

I thoroughly enjoyed reading My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem. The book was primarily written in the form of short stories about her experiences with people she had met on the road. The brief encounters kept me engaged while reading Steinem’s narrative. One of my favorite stories was about a boy who had experienced abuse in his early years. He was attending university and worked at the school’s hotel. He opened up to Steinem about his past and how his connections with others had allowed him to break free from the cycle of abuse. Stories like these are impactful and enforce that you never know someone’s past. It was also exciting to read about the variation within her experiences. For example, Steinem met a female taxi driver who had assumed jobs not usually taken by men, and in the same chapter, a racist taxi driver was screaming at pedestrians on the street. Each experience was unique and carried with it a lesson for the readers.  As referenced above, my favorite chapter was ...

  WOAH! What’s that?! A guide to some amazing mammals you might come across in Southern California  Introduction     What comes to mind when I say the word “mammal?” You might think of elephants, whales, tigers, or even us! Mammals are a diverse group of animals located all over the world. People are often drawn to the cuteness of panda bears or the stunning stature of a giraffe and forget that incredible mammalian species live in our backyard.      As a pre-veterinary student, I have worked with several species, including polar bears, howler monkeys, and sea lions. I explored my interest in animals by taking the mammalogy class at USC. I learned about different mammalian groups and their ecological niches , or "the role an organism plays in a community" (National Geographic Society). I found the course so captivating that I became a teaching assistant for the class and have taught for the past two semesters.    ...