What a week!

Well this has been quite the week! One that I could have never expected in a million years! I will go on and tell you the crazy part first, and then I will be able to continue to tell you all the wonderful things that did happen, it was just hard to see them with the craziness!

So as some of you may know I was subleasing my apartment in Raleigh because my lease didn't end until July. I thought I had someone all figured out and it ended up all falling through at the last minuet. Due to frantic desperation, we ended up with someone in the apartment who we normally wouldn't have chosen. At first, we all saw this as an opportunity...to reach someone new. This girl's life opened mine and my other roommates eyes to the fact that we live in a bubble. In our world, every one's life is "normal." We may think that it gets crazy sometimes, but really, we have no idea what so many people in this world are struggling with. We did our best to open our arms and lives and take her in. My other roommates, Kara, Amy, and Paige, were so wonderful to her and tried to help her out. Everything seemed to be going at least "OK" until this past Thursday. I was at work and got a call from my mom that this girl who was living in our apartment...our home....had been arrested for breaking and entering into over 12 apartments within the complex! This came as a complete shock. She had been lieing to us this whole time! How could someone do this to us? All of us were only trying to help and somehow we got taken advantage of. I am so thankful that nothing of my roommates was stolen, but this is just something we are going to have to learn to put behind us and move forward. There is nowhere else to go. As much as it hurts and as much as I wish we did things differently from the beginning, I don't ever regret trying to help this girl out. Just because one situation went wrong, doesn't mean I will close my arms to people in need of help in the future. It does make me more cautious, but I would do everything in my power to try and help this girl out again. Isn't that what God calls us to do? We are suppose to be like him, and I'm sure he wouldn't have walked away from this girl, just because she looked different, or had a different life style than us. I know my roommates, my family, and I all did the best we could and we are all trying to move forward from this awful situation. Please keep this girl in your prayers. Just because she made some mistakes, doesn't mean she is any less deserving of our prayers. I know she needs help, and just pray for her.

Ok, so now on to the good news of the week!

FIRST, my wonderful, amazing, hard working dad GOT A JOB!! After being unemployed for so long, he finally got a job offer. Not only did he start last Tuesday, today, he got another job offer!! Now he has to make the decision of which job to take! We never thought we would be having to choose which job he wanted to take. One was enough for us. So thank you for all the many prayers for him. This is such an answered prayer and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time!

SECOND....DRC is getting a new little dolphin!! He is two years old and currently in Louisiana. He was one of the dolphins that was found struggling during the oil spill. He will be arriving at DRC sometime in Feb. so that will be so so exciting!

and last....I went to the old lady bible study again this week and it was just amazing! There was 27 women there and they were all so great! They are hosting a fashion show on Feb. 22 and they asked me to be a model!!! I'm super excited! I'm starting to really build relationships with these women and it is just so fun!

Bear update: So I don't have much on Bear tonight, he's just been his typical wild man at night and lazy cat during the day. I did get this picture of him on top of the fridge!

He was just sitting up there originally and then when I went to take the picture, he started climbing the wall trying to get to the ceiling! haha...he is so strange sometimes! He also has been sleeping up by my head now at night. Its so sweet!

Well the last thing I want to leave you with is the fact I just talked to one of my best friends Jessie Kruse for a long time on the phone tonight and it was so great to hear all the amazing things God is doing in her life. When things get crazy, I tend to forget that God is still doing amazing things, I just get blinded by the craziness! He is so wonderful and amazing and I truly feel so blessed right now to be in the situation I am. People have it a lot worse off than I do, and I have no room to complain about anything. The quote that is on my desk right now says "Happy will always find you." This is so funny I flipped the page to this one because yesterday and earlier today I didn't think "happy" was near me. I was so frustrated, mad, sad...everything but "happy." But after talking to Jessie, Tyler, and my family....I realized how blessed I am. I feel so great to be where I am and to feel confident in what God is doing in my life right now!

Have a wonderful night! :)

Old Ladies....here I come!

Hi Everyone! I know its been a couple of days since I last posted, but I have been so busy I haven't had time to write. I guess thats a good thing :) I want to start off by letting everyone know I went to the Old Lady Bible Study and it was GREAT! The women were so so so nice and welcoming. The youngest one in there (besides me of course) was about 55. The oldest, probably 80ish. haha....it was such a blast! They were all so interested in me and wanted to hear my story. They also fell in love with me when I told them I love mom and grandma figures! I told I enjoyed hanging out with older women and families and they freaked! When I told them I was engaged the reaction was priceless! They all gasped and said "We've got a wedding to plan!" I quickly informed them that the wedding was going to be in NC and not down here in Marathon and the response I got was "well, we have to re-marry you down here then!" They just started a new book and it talks about having the Holy Spirit with you at all times and not just at church. It was really interesting. At the end of the study, we did prayer request and then closed in prayer. But they didn't end just by saying "Amen," they closed all in song! It was the cutest thing ever! They all burst into song and then all together said "Amen." They call themselves sisters in Christ and even have T-shirts! I signed up to order one and what do you know, I was the only size Small! I just felt so great after going there. I really hope I can get to know these ladies and they can scoop me up and treat me like their own daughter! They are hilarious too! I really want to thank everyone who has been praying for me to find a since of community down here. Even though it isn't what I was picturing, God has a funny way of doing things and if I am supposed to be in an old lady bible study, so be it! This was an answered prayer! I also got to meet Pastor Peggy who is the pastor. She was so nice and gave me her cell phone number in case I ever needed anything. I can't wait to continue going and start building relationships with these ladies!

After bible study, I went to visit one of my good friends down here Jamie Stevens. Her and her husband, Patrick, just had a little baby girl on Jan. 6!! She is seriously the most beautiful baby I've ever seen! I hope when Tyler and I have kids (which will be a while, don't worry) they look just like her! Jamie and baby Abbey are doing great. Jamie and Patrick are so great and they have been there for me when I was doing my internship until now! They are such a great couple and I am just so happy for them! I think their family and Tyler and I will be hanging out a lot in the future:) Here is a picture of the sweet girl!





Work at DRC is going great! I am already checked off to feed dolphins on my own! I am getting to do more and getting more of a set schedule so it is helping me have a little bit more structured day. I am getting to do feeds with my boss Linda watching which has been so cool! She is like the best of the best and getting tips and advice from her is so helpful! I have also been narrating on the microphone more. Today I did a "Fun Facts" session and an "In Tune." I am getting pretty comfortable on the mic and getting better everyday!

Bear update: Bear has kept me laughing since I got home today. First, he is just so cute when I walk up to my door. He is always sitting there waiting on me and when he sees me, he just starts meowing and running around! Then he did this on his own...


He got all snuggled up in my blanket and only his head was popping out! haha...he was so cute!

Then! after I got out of the shower, he discover the shower could be fun, so he decided to sit in the shower and let the water from the shower head drip on him. He thought it was the coolest thing and he couldn't figure out where the water was coming from! haha...it was great!

Then! when i went to start fixing my dinner, he remembered how cool (literally) the fridge was! So he decided to jump in there and hang out for a while! What a strange little dude!

Ok, finally....this is the best! He got back in his comfy position in the blanket but the way he positioned himself was hilarious! The first pic is one of him up close....he had his paw stretched out and head propped up! But not only was he just laying there...he was facing the TV perfectly so it looked like he was watching E News!

If you look close and this pic, you can see the TV up in the top left corner. I tried my best to get a pic of him without disturbing his TV time! Oh man, this cat is great and keeps me laughing and smiling all the time!

I also want to say hello and thank you to Patty and Mitch! I hear you all have been reading my blog and laughing at it, so I thought I would give you a shout out! haha...also I hear Patty, you have been watching the bachelor! I watch it too and we need to compare notes! I really like Emily, the pretty blond girl whose fiance died, but I'm just not sure if they get along well or not. I also like the nanny from NC, and Shawntel! Michelle is the creepy weird girl and she def. needs to go! haha ok....we'll catch up on this later :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful night! xoxo

Whats going on at DRC?!

Today was an exciting day at work! We have so much going on! First of all, DRC participated in something called the "Wounded Warriors Ride" which was where all of these wounded men and women who have served in our military got to come and swim with the dolphins! It was so cool to see these men and women and how happy they were just to get to swim with our dolphins! Many of them were missing limbs or had been injured while serving and it really was cool to get to be a part of something so amazing! I also got to feed Pax, Pandora, and Aleta today!! Pax is one of the big boys and lives with Talon, who I got to feed the other day. Pandora and Aleta both live up front and both have one year old babies. I got the feed the moms while Sarah got to feed the kids next me! We had such a good time. Here is a picture of those three from today!

Pax



Pandora


Aleta

It has also been pretty cold here. I know what your thinking....cold in the keys?! yeah right. Now I thought that too, but with the wind blowing it can get very cold, even for me, who isn't used to the heat so far. Since it's been so cold and windy, I haven't been able to wear shorts. I get to wear my "foul weather pants." Many of you have no idea what these look like, so I took a picture of them so you would understand. They are basically waterproof overalls and they keep me warm and dry....they are easy to clean and very comfy! Then you can wear a long sleeve T-shirt or sweatshirt under them and you can be more comfortable out on the docks with the dolphins. What do you think?! haha

Another cool thing going on at work is that we just got a new baby sea lion!! Her name is Lina and she came from California. She came from a stranding facility (which is like an animal shelter) and we took her in because she needed a home! She just got to DRC on Thursday night. Our owner, Mandy, and one of our managers Cheryl, flew to California to meet her and get to know her. They then flew back with her to Miami. Because Lina is new to our facility and we do have other sea lions currently, Lina has to be in quarantine for a little while until they get her acclimated and used to DRC. So she has her own pool and house off to the side. She gets fed her own special fish and we are also doing watches on her to make sure she is OK. I get to do a watch tonight from midnight to 8 in the morning! Luckily I have Saturday off to rest and get back on a normal schedule. I am really excited to do the watch because she is just so cute! Shes about 2 years old and weighs only 70 lbs. About as big as my dog Sadie! Here is a picture of her that Sarah took on her phone today. She swims really fast and only pops up for a min. so its not too good, but you can see how cute she is already!

And finally, the last cool thing happening at work right now is media is everywhere! DRC just published a new research article on imitation in the comparative journal of psychology!! Its a study based on "blindfolded imitation." So what happens is that Tanner gets these things called eye cups put on his eyes. They stay on just by suction and all the dolphin has to do is blink and it pops off. They put these on both of his eyes to blind fold him. Then another trainer asks Kibby to preform a behavior, and then Tanner is asked to imitate what Kibby is doing! They can do this so well and its because of their echolocation. They echo locate on the other dolphin to see what it is doing, and then Tanner copies him. Its pretty cool and we've had the local news, CNN, and military TV filming lately talking about this new research focus! If you google channel 6 news Miami, and then search "dolphin research center," it is the first article that pops up and you can watch the video there too.

Bear update: Bear is currently eating some food right now. Hes been wild again, I guess because its close to 8:30, which is his party time. Here is what I came home to today....

... I guess he spent the day surfing the net.

And then on Wednesday, I went grocery shopping and he tried to help me put up the groceries...or he was trying to get cool.

haha, hey at least he was trying to help!

Well, thats all that has been going on so I hope you all have a wonderful night! I'll be up all night watching Lina, so if you wake up in the middle of the night, you can think of me :)

Busy Busy!

Well hello everyone! Just wanted to give an update about how I am doing. I've now been here in the keys by myself for a week and I'm doing great!

Work at DRC is just great! Last Monday I got to feed AJ, Jax, and Talon! It just felt so natural for me to be down there on the docks with them and just hanging out. I'm not allowed to give them signals yet, these are just free feeds. This means I go down there and the dolphin gets to do whatever they want and I just feed them. Its a great opportunity for me to get to know the dolphins, and the dolphins to start to get to know me. At DRC, all trainers work with all dolphins. So that means I have 22 little gray faces to get to know and they all have to get to know me too....I'm excited to learn more about each one of them and their own personalities. Heres a picture of each of the ones I've gotten to spend time with so far:

Talon

Jax

AJ

I also started work at my second job on Monday. It is going well too. I'm learning how to be a "sales" person and sell rooms. I also didn't realize how much people will try to talk you down in price! Its really crazy how people will call and keep saying "Is that as low as you can go?" and they just don't stop. I also have to memorize each room on all three properties, so that will come with time also. I do get to wear a cool striped shirt just like the ones in Saved by the Bell when they worked at the hotel in the summer....yup looks just like those! haha

It is taking some getting used to working two jobs. I know I can handle it but sometimes it seems very overwhelming! I am just trying to take it one day at a time. It also stinks because this week with training, I had to work on Tuesday morning which was when I was going to try out the old lady bible study :( Hopefully I'll be able to go next week and let you guys know how it goes.

I've also done a lot of catching up with people and that has been so good to hear from so many great friends! I talked to Sarah Bertz for like 30 min. tonight, and then I talked to Lauren Jeffery for a while the other day, and of course keeping up with the old roomies :) Speaking of that....finding someone to live in my room has been like a soap opera!! I thought I had someone and then she cancelled at the last min....well then she thought she found someone else and I was kind of worried about her because I didn't know her at all....the next thing I know, the previous girls called me and told me this new girl had gotten in a car accident and could live there anymore!! Anyway, long story short....this new girl, Sharri, is going to be living in my room and I'm really excited about her. Shes seems really nice and sweet and I think she will get a long great with everyone.

To all my people who are reading this with snow and ice....please be careful! Mom told me this morning before I went to work "be careful, the roads are slick!" haha....not here they aren't!! Today was the hottest day so far or at least it felt like it! I think it reached 78! Right now it is 8:30 at night and 71 degrees....sorry for all you people with 20 degree weather, but I am NOT missing that!

Bear update: Right now Bear is running around my apartment with a paper clamp thing (one of those black ones you use to hold a bunch of papers together with). He gets wild at this time of night. Hes gotten so he wants to eat and drink everything I do, so of course I let him. He loves ramen noodles and cheese itz...and not a fan of oatmeal (he puked that up about 5 min. after he ate it...gross). He also likes to drink water out of my cup and not out of his bowl. Wow, I think I'm spoling him....just a little :)

Have a wonderful night! xoxo

My Roommate Bear

I just had to post this video since I was talking about it in the last post. It's of Bear looking at the computer while I was on it.... sorry about the TV on in the background :)

So that was the other night....now this one is tonight when I was watching the video on my computer. He got all into watching the video of himself! haha...he is seriously hilarious!

Bear LOVES! the computer and he comes running everytime I open my laptop. Here is another picture of him just hanging out looking at himself.

He is a very sweet boy and gets so excited when I come home from work. He's a great roommate ;)

ps. I found out tonight, he LOVES ramen noodles too! haha

More Changes :)

Well hello everyone! I have had quite the exciting past couple of days. I had Tuesday and Wednesday off and then had my second day of work today!

Tuesday was a little bit of a rougher day. I had to take my dad to the airport to fly home and I think it finally hit me, I'm here and no one else is. I felt kind of lonely and sad, but after talking to Tyler, he made me feel a lot better :) He has that special way of saying just what I need to hear when I need to hear it! He also told me that just because I am not living "near" anyone, doesn't mean that I won't have contact with them or just forget about them all together. Then Tuesday night I decided to try out Marathon United Methodist Church. Kara had sent me an e-mail saying she looked at their website and saw they had a "Tuesday night Happy Hour" which was a contemporary worship service. I thought this would be perfect since I have to work on Sunday mornings. Well.....it def. wasn't what I was expecting. I was thinking it was going to be a worship service but really all it is, is a time to come and sit quietly in the sanctuary (in the dark) and listen to music....oh yeah, and there was only 3 other people there! Now even though I thought it was totally weird when I walked in, it ended up being a great time for me to just sit and reflect and have some nice good quiet time, which I hadn't been able to do in a while. After the music was done playing, the 3 others there...Pastor Peggy, Margo, and Wyatt...asked if I wanted to join them in a prayer. It ended up being kind of fun and they informed me of a women's bible study that meets on Tuesday mornings, which I can come to because I have that day off! Although, Margo told me it would be great to have such a "youthful" person there, so I'm not sure how old these women are....but they might be the best network I could ask for! So, that is next Tuesday's plan! I will def. plan to keep you updated on that!

Wednesday, I went to the beach!!!! IN JANUARY!! And didn't freeze...I actually got some sun! That is just too cool!

Then today was my second day of work! I got to be in fish house and then prep meds all by myself already! I also got to have a meeting with Linda, who is basically my boss, and she went over the "plan" for me. Each day I just feel more and more welcome!

I also got a second job today!!! I am going to be working the front desk at the Yellowtail Inn. The owner of this property also owns 2 others called Casa Del Sol, and Bonefish Inn! I was lucky enough to land the job because of the guy who I am living under. He gave my name to his buddy who owns all these places....I really think its going to be the perfect second job for me! I won't have to worry about doing too much because its just sitting at the desk, answering the phones, and checking in guests. Its also right across the street from my street, so I could technically walk to work it is so close! The extra money will be great and I have the time now to do it, so I figured why not try and save while I can! Hopefully I'll be able to learn the computer system pretty fast. I also think this job will come with some pretty sweet benefits, such as having its own Private beach, and maybe getting you guys a deal on some rooms when you come visit me!! :) Here's a couple of pictures of the place! You should def. check it out...

This is just one of the places you can stay! It is preeetttyyy sweet!

Well I must go now because Bear keeps walking over the keyboard and biting at the screen. He likes to chase the mouse and the letters as they type....its pretty funny, but makes writing this a little difficult. Real quick though, I wanted to give you guys a weather update! Its pouring down rain here right now, but its a chilly 69 degrees! :) The high tomorrow is only 67, and people are bringing out the winter coats....I can only hope to feel like that one day!

"Welcome Aboard"

"Welcome aboard" is the phrase I heard all throughout the day today! My first day at the Dolphin Research Center was an absolute blast! I was so excited last night I couldn't sleep, but apparently Bear knew I needed some help sleeping so he slept up by my head! He is so sweet!

It was so nice to be back and get to see everyone again. I already knew most people so everyone was just commenting on how nice it was for me to be back and be joining the family. Here's a little outline of how the day went down...

8:10- I woke up and got all ready for work, including putting on my bathing suite, sunscreen, packing my lunch, and eating some oatmeal.

8:50- Dad dropped me off at DRC

9:15- I joined in fish house and started helping the interns...just like old times. I remembered everything and just fit right back in.

10:00- I watched Sarah, who was my intern coach, do the meds and vitamins. I will eventually be able to do this on my own. Its basically filling each dolphin's med. canister with the correct meds and or vitamins that dolphin is getting.

11:30-around 2- Hung out with trainers, and followed them down onto the docks. I got to pour water for Theresa, Merinea, and Molly, and then hang out with the new little babies, Aleta and her son Delta, and Molly and Calusa. It just felt so natural to be down there with them and I can't wait to start getting to know them individually and learning more about their "dolphin-alities"

2:00-3:00- Met with human resources and went over my new employee handbook! I also got all my new staff clothes including T-shirts, tank tops, long sleeve shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, wetsuit, rash guard, booties, rain coat, and waterproof pants. Everything says "staff" on it!!!

3:00-3:30- I got to help out with the sea lion presentation and get a hug from Karen!

3:30-5- Just helped out with everything I could and went over some more little things I needed to learn. Then I left at 5!

This is what I came home to! I guess he missed me while I was at work :)

So that was basically my day and it was so great! Now I have Tuesday and Wednesday off so I guess more time for me to get settled in! Also, dad and I got to eat at Upper Crust pizza tonight....and can I just say....you people do not know what you're missing!! It is seriously the best pizza I have ever had! Ok, here's a couple pictures from once I got home!

My employee handbook

All my staff clothes

Me with my new sweatshirt after work :) Yes I know I look gross, but that's what happens when you spend most of your day in something called "fish house"

I really just want to thank everyone who was praying and thinking of me today. I got so many sweet text messages and I am just so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family in my life! I was super nervous this morning and I could feel the prayers all throughout the day! I have to take Dad to the airport tomorrow morning and then I'm on my own! A little scary, but I feel much better about it now. Well I must end this post here because I need to focus on watching the new season of the Bachelor that just came on! I am watching it with Bear and thinking of my 3 best friends and how we used to rush home from Bible Study to watch it! I can't wait to have phone dates on Monday nights girls ;) Have a great night!!

I Made It!!!

I made it to the keys all safe and sound!! Dad and Bear survived the long car trip too. We got in on Saturday around 5:00 pm and unloaded the car. Here is what the back of the car looked like...

Once we got in, we did some rearranging but since we were so tired, we decided to go get some food. We tried to go to Dad's favorite pizza place called Upper Crust, but it was closed due to the holiday. :( We ended up in this strange...i mean strangeee, Mexican/seafood place. The fact that they had authentic Mexican and seafood, is a little weird in itself. It is called Lenchos and I had never eaten there before. Besides the atmosphere being a little sketchy, and our waitress being clueless, the food was actually pretty good. I got a combination platter that came with a chicken quesadilla, nachos, and an enchilada. Dad got barbque shrimp wrapped in bacon....another weird combination, but he said it was good! Here are a couple of pictures of what my room looked like yesterday after we unloaded the car...

Today, Dad and I got lunch at Wendys and shockingly the dollar menu is not the "dollar" menu here. My crispy chicken sandwhich was $1, but my jr. cheeseburger was $1.69! And the value fries were $1.30! What is the deal with that? Dad and I also went to the grocery store and stocked me up on groceries! I'm all good to go now. Here is what my room looks like now with a little more unpacking completed....

And Bear is adjusting well too! He slept in the bed with me all night, and then Dad said when he woke up to pee around 7, Bear got in the bed with him until around 10. I think he likes his new beach bum life style :)
Its about 9:00 now, and I better start getting ready for bed because my FIRST DAY OF WORK is tomorrow!!!! I work 9-5 and I'm so so excited but a little nervous too. I wonder what I will do all day? They told me I would get all my DRC clothes, like my staff T-shirt, wet suite, foul weather gear, booties, sweatshirt, etc. That will be really fun and exciting, but I hope I can keep that at work, because my room is about maxed out! Well, I guess I will let you all know how my day at work goes sometime tomorrow. Have a wonderful night :)