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Thursday, November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

The Trench Boys
Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on all the blessings in life, and I have many.

I'm thankful for landing in a career that I find fulfilling and exciting with opportunities to learn new things and meet new people.  This year my job took me to Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Guam, Rapa Nui, mainland Chile, and the United Nations to advocate for ocean protections.  I continue to work at the intersection of science and community to drive policy, and increasingly I am able to fold art and culture into this equation.  The people who surround me are inspiring, untiring, and committed to making this world a better place.

I received recognition from my peers and colleagues for my work this year (in trophy form), which I have found to be mostly humbling and embarrassing.  When I was younger I hungered for recognition, but these days I'm more comfortable with it being given to others.  I'm never the smartest or hardest working person in any room, and any credit I get belongs to the people I work with more than anything.  Honestly, the best part about winning an award is being nominated by your friends.

I've got a great wife and together we share an amazing marriage.  Life is always entertaining and exciting with Edz around.  I enjoy sharing our mundane moments on social media with the hashtag #ConversationsWithMyWife.  The feedback I get is that you enjoy them, too. 

We had a bit of a health scare back in March, so I'm thankful for modern medicine and health insurance this year.  I've never really needed it until this year, and I'm glad we had access to it.  The doctors and nurses at the George Washington University Hospital saved Edz' life. I was on Easter Island when she went to the hospital, and rush as I tried, it took me nearly two days to get back to Washington, DC.  In my absence, Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan really showed what a class act he is and how much he cares.  He was at the hospital when Edz woke up from surgery -- her only family in the city -- and was there when my mom arrived from Florida a few hours later.  Agnes and Stefan were also super and comforted Edz through one of the worst days of our lives.

I lost some of my heroes this year, and I was thankful that I was able to know them and have them as a part of my life.  I will carry on with their mission and will share the lessons they shared with me.

Tony, climate champion and Pacific icon
 
Rob, skinny Canadian dude with a love of sharks