best day ever!

Today was such a wonderful day at work! I RECEIVED MY WHISTLE!! I know to most of you, you're thinking, "what does that mean?" or "so...." but in the dolphin trainer world (which I know most of you would love to be in...haha) that is a huge step in moving forward in the business. Here is the full story...

This morning I was in fish house. That means I was working in the fish house until about 11 am. Before I went into fish house, there was no note on the board for me. After I get out of fish house, I see there is a big note on the board that says, "LD, MJ, see Linda." Laura (who is LD) is also a new trainer and we are about on the same level. She started earlier than me, but I kind of had a leg up since I was an intern. We have been working together a lot lately. Laura and I were so nervous all day. We thought we were in trouble and didn't know what to do. Everyone around the office was telling us, "yeah right, its probably just to see how yall are doing." Finally the time came Linda called us into her office. It was right about 2:15 pm. She brought us in her office and began telling us how great of a job we had been doing and that she wanted to get us helping on some programs soon. I thought that was the good news. I was like, "OK! Sounds great!" and then she proceeded to tell us the only way we could help with programs was if we had "these!!" and then she brought out 2 whistles! I was SO EXCITED! I almost started crying. We walked out of the office and everyone started cheering and saying "congratulations" to us. It was the best feeling!

So now that I have a whistle, I will be able to tell the dolphins if they did their behavior correctly or not. Before, I used to just free feed, which was just feeding them and letting them choose what to do. Now, I can ask for behaviors and start learning how to train!

After I got my whistle, Linda asked me if I wanted to get in the water with Merina, one of our new mommy dolphins! I got to get in the water and practice behaviors with her. Then, Sarah let me do a hug and get lots of rubs and kisses from her in water! That was really awesome too!

To finish off such a wonderful day, I got to do a session with Kibby and use my whistle! Linda said my bridging was good and it seemed like I knew what I was doing. I'm glad it comes so natural to me :) Now i just get to practice blowing my whistle and talking with it in my mouth....haha. Here is a picture of me at work right after putting it on!

I look so official right?? haha

Finally, only 8 more days until my roommates get here!!! wahooo! Kara, Amy, and Paige, I cannot wait for yall to get here! Were going to have a blast!!!

Alright, well that is all for my wonderful day. Now I am working at the hotel just hanging out. It is so busy here lately. All 3 properties have been booked full for the past 3 nights! I'm glad business is picking up! I hope everyone has a wonderful night!

What a Great Week!

What a wonderful past week and a half I have had! My visit with Tyler was so wonderful and then to have my mom, Laurie, and Alli come the next day was awesome! We packed as much stuff as we could into the few days they were here. They came up to Dolphin Research Center each day to see me at work some. Then the three of them spent the rest of their day at the beach at the hotel I work at. It worked out so great and we just had so much fun! I got to take them down onto the dock to meet AJ, Jax, and Kibby. Here is a picture of them with Kibby!

We also got a chance to go to Sunset Park (which is the park Tyler proposed at) to watch the Sunset. It was so beautiful! The park was pretty crowded which was a first for me, and then once the sun set, everyone started cheering and yelling "do it again!" haha....it was really nice and would be cool if it could just "do it again..." Here is us on the dock at the park!

So as you can imagine, it was little crowded in the shoebox, but we actually made it work really well! I slept in my own bed, mom slept on the trundle bed, Laurie slept on the futon, and Alli slept on an air mattress. It was nice because each morning, they put the air mattress up and rolled the trundle bed under the bed and we actually had more space than before! Here is a picture of what my room looked like each night!

The best part of that picture is Bear! He is on the trundle bed with his butt up in the air and his eyes are glowing! haha...He would get so excited each night we started up the beds out because he thought the beds were all for him! He especially loved the air mattress that Alli slept on. He would do his crazy cat dance on it and then pounce on it from in the bathroom. It was really funny.

We also got to eat out at some very nice restaurants! Thursday night we had pizza from Upper Crust, Friday night we ate at the Keys Fisheries, Saturday night we ate at Cabana Breezes, and then Sunday we ate at the Island! All of them were so yummy!

On their last day at DRC they all 3 got to paint a T-shirt! Here are the final products :)

They all look so great! I had such a wonderful time with them and am so happy they were able to take the time to come visit me! They also got this sweet picture of me narrating on the microphone! I look so into it :)

Well I kind of already gave my BEAR UPDATE, but he LOVED having more people here. You could tell he loved the attention and getting to spend time with someone else besides me! haha...Here is a cute picture I took of him in the bathroom. He has gotten so he loves to get in the shower after I get out, and drink the water. It is really odd but he sits outside of the shower waiting for me to get out. Once I'm out, he runs in and starts drinking!

Finally, the other day at DRC I got to wear my rash guard because we had some media people on site. It was the first time I got to wear it and I thought I looked nice and official. I'm wearing over my bathing suite, don't worry. Tyler thought I was in my underwear, but its just a bathing suite! haha...

Well I think that is about it for today. I haven't had to work at the hotel this whole time I've had company so that has been really nice but I start back tonight. I'm glad I get to start back up again because it keeps me busy and the extra money is great! Hope everyone is doing well and I'll try to write again soon :)

Visitors!!!!

First, I want to apologize for not updating you guys as often. When I get busy I tend to forget to even get on here. I also want to say sorry for the lack of pictures from Tyler's visit. We didn't take any pictures together while he was here...so sorry in advance :(

Tyler came and visited from last Friday until this Wednesday!! We had such a blast together! I was so excited for him to come up to DRC and see me at work. He got to come down on the docks with me and watch me feed AJ and Jax, which was so fun!!! In order to save money, we stayed in a cooked every night except Valentine's Night. We had such a great time just spending time together and doing everyday life things together like cooking and going to work! On Valentine's Day we went to Outback! haha...just because were moving to the keys, doesn't mean Tyler's favorite restaurants change. We had a wonderful visit and I am so happy he made it here and back home all safe and sound. On my way back from the dropping him off at the airport I was so sad, so I went shopping! I bought a new pair of running shoes which I tried out today! They are so wonderful. They are Nike Air Max....and they are like silver and teal! Very puuurrrttyyy :) I also went to KHOLES and looked at all the Lauren Conrade clothes they have there. It was so tempting to be in normal stores again! But I made it back home all safe and only a little sad.

It really helps me get my mind off of missing Tyler because my mom, Laurie, and Alex are on their way to visit me right now!!! I am so so excited to see them and I think we are going to have such a wonderful time! It will be a little more people in my little shoebox, but I think we can make it work. I'm sure Bear is thinking "who are all these people in my house?!" haha

Here are a couple of pictures I got from work. Its me playing with Delta! He is seriously the cutest thing! I will just go down there and play with him for 20-30 min. randomly in the day! We play fetch, he brings me sea grass, and he loves balls and rings! haha....he also loves to give kisses and backrubs so that is always fun too! For those of you who don't know....Delta is only 1 year old and he is Aleta's baby boy! He is just so funny to watch!

Well that is going to be about it for tonight! I don't have a Bear update :( He's been really good lately and like I said, with Tyler being here...things were just kind of crazy! And they will stay crazy since mom, Laurie, and Alex are all coming into town.

I got to go because I need to go pick up some pizza I ordered for them. I ordered it from Upper Crust!! I haven't had it since Dad helped me move!! Its sooo good and I am looking forward to it :) I promise I'll write a more detailed post after all my company leaves!

ps. might I just say though....it sure is nice to have company :)

Getting settled in....

Well I've been here over a month now and all I can say is that I LOVE it! I feel so wonderful here and am so happy with where I am at right now. I love my job and my life here in Marathon! I'm doing so wonderful and just can't wait for everyone to come visit me!

I've been able to talk to Meredith, Kara, and Amy a lot latley too. I miss those girls so much and can't wait for them to come down for their spring break! We've got another wedding to plan! Its also just been nice to call and catch up. We talk about the bachelor and the Kardashians a lot. It makes me feel like I'm right back in the apartment.

I got an awesome Valentine's Day package from my mom, dad, and Drew today. I miss them a lot. Mom sent me V-day decorations (of course), V-day socks (of course...), V-day dish towels (again, of course), and trail mix!! With no raisns or marshmellows!!! I've decided that is by far my favorite snack. She says I'm suppose to share it with Tyler, but I'm not sure it will last that long! Here is my door after decorating....


It's so cute...and will be a nice welcome for Tyler :) While I was out there....Bear was wondering what I was doing and I couldn't help but take this picture of him.

hahaha....hes so curious and interested in everything I am doing.

I am also getting excited because Tyler gets here on Friday!! His flight gets into Ft. Lauderdale at 8:18. It will take me about 2.5 hours to get there so I should have time to come home from work, change, and then leave to go get him. I am getting so anxious! We have lots of fun stuff planned and he is going to be able to come up to DRC and watch me with the dolphins! I'm really excited for him to see me at work. The weather is supposed to be nice too. Saturday is supposed to be "cold" with a high of 71...but by Tues. and Wed. the high is like 79! Yay for living in warm weather :)

My schedule has been a little flipped with me doing some over night watches and then with working at the hotel in the morning. I am glad the over night watches are over and I will be back to my normal schedule on Thursday. I was able to get some cute pictures of little Louie while doing my watch. Here is playing with his "chicken." It's his favorite toy that came with him from New Orleans.

AHH! he is just so cute! He is doing great and learning so fast! He's one smart little guy!

Bear Update: Bear has been....well quite overwhemling sometimes. He started getting into more stuff while I'm gone at work and he loves rugs! He'll pull them around the room and make a big mess with them. But he has been pretty cute too...He likes to determine what to watch on TV....

He is pretty picky, but watching TV is one of his favorite things to do. We watch E News together every night at 7! haha.



And he also likes to hog the bed when he can!

But I do love him and he really is a great roommate and he keeps me company!

Well I don't have much else to say except I hope everyone is keeping warm and trying to enjoy the winter (even though I bet it is really hard). I heard there is more snow headed torwards everyone so be careful and know you always have a warm, sunny place to come visit if you need to!

CONGRATULATIONS MERE!!!!!

All I have to say is....WEDDING NUMBER 3 IS COMING SOON!!!

MEREDITH BROOKE ELLIS IS ENGAGED!!!!

Mere, I am so so happy for you and Casey and you guys deserve everything that is headed your way! I still can't believe this is happening! I love you so so much and I wish I was there to celebrate with you. Can't wait to see you in March when you come to visit!!

New Dolphin Video

You can skip the first min. and half if you want....

...Just What I Needed!

After a crazy week last week....a nice slow relaxing week was just what I needed! First I just want to officially welcome my little brother Drew to the Wolfpack!!!!! He found out he got accepted to State and me and the rest of my family are so happy for him!! CONGRAGULATIONS DREWBY!!! I am so so proud of you and can't wait for you to start making your mark :)

The rest of this week has been great so far!! Tuesday I had off from both of my jobs! When does that ever happen?? I went to bible study in the morning (which is still going great and I love it more each week) and then I went to the beach. This is a picture I took while I was laying there...

I am still amazed I live here! The view never gets old and I just feel so lucky to be here. When I see a view like that, I know that God exsists....I mean who else could create something so beautiful? I laid out on the beach for a total of 2 hours. I was only going to stay for an hour, but it was the perfect time to catch up with some wonderful friends of mine! I talked to Kara for a while and she told me this picture looks like a screen saver....haha. Then I found out even more exciting news! Meredith Ellis got accepted to UNC's prgram for Physical Therapy!!! I am soooo proud of her! She has worked so hard and deserves this more than any one else I know! God's work is just falling into place for her and it is so cool to watch. CONGRAGULATIONS MERE!!! So by the time I got done talking with them...and my mom....I realized I had been out there for 2 hours. Now at a normal beach, I wouldn't be worried, but because the sun is so strong here...I knew I was in for it. I got home and realized I was a lobster! I am still feeling the pain today :(

Other good news this week is that on Monday, Tyler went to pick up these!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHH! I can't believe we have our wedding bands!! I am so excited!! They are so beautiful and I can't wait to wear mine!

At DRC, we are getting a new little dolphin! He was one that was stranded during the oil spill and he arrives on Friday! Guess what this means....more over night watches for me! I have to spend the night there 3 nights!! What am I going to do?! And I have to miss the superbowl....what a bummer :( Oh well, at least he is super cute! After this post, I'll post a video link of him at the facility he is at right now. You can fast forward to about 1:30 into the video because they talk about the turtles they have there also.

Bear Update: Well I am at work right now, but I'm sure Bear is at home sleeping. Because I had all day Tuesday off and Wednesday morning off, he was probably like "why are you here so much all of a sudden?" haha....I did do laundry this morning and like always, he tried to help me out the best he could...

Then, he was playing with this crinkle ball and he kept batting it under the dresser, and then would lay there and meow at it until I came over and got the ball out. Then, 5 min. later, he was meowing again. So I came up with a solution of how to stop this problem...

haha....I thought it was pretty nifty. I'm sure I'll come home to the towels all over the floor and his ball will be under there, but it worked for a little while.

Well....like I said before, a nice relaxing week with good things happening was just what I needed. I am also getting very excited because Tyler comes to visit on Friday the 11!! Thats only 8 days until I get to see him!!!! I can't wait! Thanks again for reading and I hope you have a wonderful night tonight :)