Intro Part 1: Hydrophilic - Is that even a word?!

Yes, actually it is a word, and not one I made up. See official-looking dictionary definition below:

Def. hydrophilic [hahy-druh-fil-ik] adj: Having a strong affinity for water.
Usually it is a word used by chemists to describe a "water loving" substance that absorbs, dissolves in, or is attracted to water. When in water, I neither absorb it nor do I dissolve (my fingers just get pruny), though I am attracted to it. In this introductory post, I'll share what makes me, my upcoming mission, and hopefully you, hydrophilic.

     Without a doubt, my affinity for water began with swimming. I could ramble for quite some time, espousing the virtues and health benefits of swimming, but I will spare you. The key thing is it's fun, and water allows for all sorts of fun. In the ocean, the right combination of tide and swell give us waves to surf. We ski on water, both in lakes and in the mountains on freshly fallen snow. Equipped with scuba gear under the surface, we can effectively fly through the medium, moving freely in all three dimensions.

For those of you less interested in active water sports and more into observing nature's power and beauty: The power cannot be denied when you consider thunderstorms, ocean waves, and giant waterfalls. The beauty can be less evident, but found easily when you know to associate water with snowflakes, sunsets, and rainbows (especially ones of the full-on double nature). From water comes life, and in our oceans, lakes, and rivers, we find thousands of life forms to fascinate us (and to eat).

Nerdy science types may find it interesting that not only is water our most common substance, but some properties make it the most special: it has a high specific heat, allowing it to regulate our body temperature and cool our car engines; it exhibits the mysterious climbing effects of capillary action found in our veins and in plants; it has the ability to dissolve about half of all known chemical elements, making it the "universal solvent" we clean with, and the substance able carry vital minerals and nutrients in rivers and our bodies. It's the only substance found existing as solid, liquid, and gas at Earth's ordinary temperatures; and over time, it has sculpted the surface of our planet.

If history is your thing, you're certainly impressed by the ingenious ways humans have harnessed the power of water throughout the ages, from the first known dam in Jordan in 3000 BC, to the amazing water collection system designed by the Incas at Machu Picchu. In America, water in the form of steam power triggered the industrial revolution which would raise standards of living across the world by eliminating much physical hardship, bringing about a new system of mass production, and introducing the use of locomotives.

     Even if you never learned to swim, have no inclination to visit fish in their natural habitats, or don't care much about science and history, I trust you have some affinity for water, since we humans depend on it every day to drink, wash, grow food, manufacture products, and make water balloons.

The key is not only having water, but having the right amount. The author, Barbara Kingsolver put it well when she said, "Our deepest dread is the threat of having too little… or too much." So in my search for volunteer placements, I looked for projects that address water scarcity and disaster relief. I am not sure if things will turn out the way I've planned, but I hope you stick around see how this hydrophilic mission goes. Thanks for making it through my first post.