Corey Ortiz's Diary
2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
My name is Corey Ortiz, and I work as an export transportation planner in the supply chain management department at Alcoa Davenport Works in Iowa.
The day that the email came across that I’d been accepted for the Belize expedition, I was in complete disbelief. I think my coworkers were also in disbelief from witnessing my unique dancing skills. I was in so much shock that I soon realized that I did not even know where Belize was. So I quickly ran back to my computer to find out exactly were Belize was located.
The first picture that had popped up showed nothing but clear water and palm trees. I knew right then that this trip was going to be an opportunity of a lifetime. After regaining my composure, I had began to read the complete email and realized that I’d be doing research and monitoring the Barrier Reef. Are you kidding me? Could it get any better? Not only will I be traveling to this beautiful country, but I will also be spending most of the time snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean Ocean. Needless to say, it did not take very long to accept the offer.
Since my acceptance to the Belize expedition, I have been trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible about this foreign country that I’d soon be visiting. I think I have already read every book with Belize on the title at my local library so that I’d have a basic understanding of the culture and the people of Belize. I was in shock to learn that it was the only country in the region where the native language was English. Also, I was in awe of the beautiful and spectacular scenery, from the tropical forest to the underwater wildlife.
I am very excited to have this opportunity and am very humbled at the same time. Now that I have already booked my plane ticket, all that is left is the fun part...getting my shots! Whatever it takes to get me on that plane, I am willing to do it.
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Davenport Alcoan Corey Ortiz talks about why he volunteered to be an Alcoa Earthwatch fellow. (Video clip courtesy WQAD-TV).
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Earthwatch Institute
Learn more about this international nonprofit, which supports scientific field research worldwide.
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Sustainable Southern Belize
Learn more about the expedition and its scientists.
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