Rabbits at the Playground

So here's my little sweatheart of a bunny, Pookie. He is an elderly rabbit now, age 8 yrs and 2 months [the avg lifespan is 10 yrs]. About a week or so ago he went on a playdate with my cousin's rabbit, Cinnamon, at the local elementary school. Pookie is the black rabbit on the left and Cinnamon, who's about 4 yrs younger, is the beige rabbit on the right.

Pookie and Cinnamon seemed to enjoy themselves and the freedom of wandering around the wood chip playground. Pookie went climbing up the stairs of the playground fort. We even took them sliding with us, as well as go swinging on the baby swing. See here, they're even holding paws!

No doubt about it... Pookie is my pride and joy! With quite the personality I might add.

Introduction

So, I've actually been out of college for awhile now. Prior to February 2009, I was a high school chemistry teacher. Recently, I quit teaching and moved into the world of research. But before I get to that... let me give you a quick update. I received a BS Chemistry and a MEd in Secondary Ed from Lehigh. After a fabulous student teaching experience during my Masters program, I decided that I would pursue teaching. I didn't even apply for chemical industry positions or grad school. So teaching was completely by choice... and not some "Those who can't do, teach" crap. For the past 4.5 yrs I taught at Randolph High. While it is my alma mater, Randolph has changed since I was there... as well as the education system becoming drastically different. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, not so much the politics of the school.

So why the career change? Well, I suppose it's because a great opportunity fell on my lap. Didn't go searching for this, or perhaps in a way I did. I worked with the Rutgers energy group over the summer as a lab technician (sorta). For the most part it was enjoyable and I learned bits and pieces here and there. The next thing I knew, I was offered a full time research scientist postion. I'm Rutgers employed, with Rutgers state benefits. life is much different from teaching, but I'll leave that for another post.