"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!!