I'm finishing up my degree for my Bachelors degree in Nursing and spending 2 fun filled days in what's affectionately termed "The Armpit of Michigan" Flint. The class is Environmental Science II and today myself and one other lucky individual get to tramp around in the wetlands collecting water samples from the Flint River.

Flint used to be a bustling metropolis until the car manufacturers, sick no doubt of the union heavy politics, pulled up stakes and moved elsewhere. Right or wrong, depending on your point of view, Flint is struggling mightily under poverty, unemployment and a weak governmental infrastructure.

I'm just here for the science.

Since I've been here, I've been stopped 4 times by impoverished individuals (also known as panhandlers) looking for spare change for: 1) The bus. 2) A meal 3) no reason given. 4) an umbrella. Now, the first three I've heard before. But an umbrella? Guess who I gave change to? You guessed it. The bus fare guy. I even watched him get on the bus.

I truly believe in helping my fellow man. But how much change does anyone carry on them anymore? In this age of creditdebit cards, it's gotta be a rough way to make a living.

Well, time to head out and collect some water! Wish me luck that the Mosquitos and snakes don't make a meal out of this poor lion.