Catching up!

Well.  It has been a while since I have posted anything & I definitely have some updates.
Back in October I switching my volunteer work.  I am still volunteering for the VA Aquarium, however instead of working at the main building I am now volunteering with the Stranding Center.  This is a much better fit for me, and I am really enjoying it!  The best thing about them that I enjoy and hope to continue with in the future is their primary goal after rescue is rehab and release.  In addition they do research to ensure they understand what is happening in the marine mammal community.  Here is a link to them:
VA Aquarium Stranding Team
Much of what I do for them includes feeding and cleaning.  But occasionally I get to do some much more wonderful, amazing things.  Some examples of this include: in October I was called to see if I could help with a dolphin stranding; I wasn't available, but was excited for the opportunity.  In November I got to participate in the pick up of a live Loggerhead turtle!  The turtle was named Turkey due to the time of year it was picked up (of course, I suggested Hokie!).  It was really a wonderful experience.  I rode with another volunteer and a staff member to go pick it up.  We got it back to the stranding center and once there, they needed to get fluids into him, so I got to hold Turkey up by supporting his head in one hand and holding his shell and the bulk of his weight up towards my body with the other hand.  S/He is still in the stranding center recovering well from pneumonia and cold shock.
Then in December, I got to participate in a seal necropsy.  It was the first large animal necropsy I had ever been involved in and it was SUPER cool!  I really thought it was very interesting and was glad to learn that I had no problems stomaching it either.  That's a good thing, since I am sure to have more of these in my future.  I just recently learned that the team has a new patient in house: a young harbor seal named Puddy.  I hope that he will still be there when I am in next time.
I have a few more updates, so I will post again in the next few days.
Happy New Years Eve!

manatee returned to wild in Mandarin

 1,650-pound mammal was rehabilitated from injuries suffered earlier this year because of the cold.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid10363234001?bctid=628246178001

Working it out

Well, I have been plugging away at my studies.  It has been paying off; so far I have all As!  And I plan to keep them there.  I also started doing some volunteer work that will be beneficial to my goal.  It has been fun and definitely a learning experience for me.  Based on what I have done so far I have been able to gain a better grasp on the speciality I'd like to focus on, and that would be rescue, rehab/release and research.  With this in mind I am going to switch my volunteer time to working with a stranding team.  I am very excited about this!
I have also started to look into research opportunities, and found some interesting programs where you do research as an independent study, which would in turn allow me to use it for college credit.  I like this idea very much - killing two birds with one stone :)  I am going to chase this idea down, for sure.
And finally, I had a great day shadowing the staff veterinarian for the VA Aquarium.  I followed as he checked on the sea turtles, harbor seals, sea rays, river otters, birds, etc.  It was truly amazing to see and I hope I get to shadow again soon.  I am also still looking for volunteer opportunities with a vet practice or clinic.  I hope that some of my current volunteer work may help lead me to some work with a vet.
That's the latest!

Beautiful Baby Blue Whale Caught on film. Amazing!!!!

A baby blue whale (shown with photographer) filmed off Costa Rica may be the first to have been photographed underwater and adds to evidence that a blue whale hot spot in the Pacific Ocean is a birthing ground for the endangered species.

10,000 walruses forces ashore:
http://www.care2.com/causes/global-warming/blog/10-000-walruses-forced-ashore-in-alaska/

This is awful!

brief update...

... I have started classes.  It is a whole different experience being in class 10 years after graduating, and I am enjoying it!  I am still working on pulling together all the moving parts, such as volunteer work, study time and (of course) fitting in football.
Even trying to orchestrate this scheduling of everything is keeping me busy.  I will post again soon with more details!

An education

Here's an update post-VT trip on the feedback acquired and what the road ahead looks like.  The trip to meet with the VT Vet school admissions counselor was a success!  I learned exactly was I need to do to be a competitive candidate.  The summary of these tasks include: (re)taking classes, getting straight A's in these classes, doing volunteer work with a vet, getting animal experience and doing biomedical research.  Eh! No Biggie, right!  All of this before I even submit an application.   :) 
So I have gotten started!!  No time to waste.  I am enrolled in classes this Fall and am going to volunteer at the Virginia Aquarium as well as EVMS (for now).  As the admissions counselor said, it's an achievable goal, but only I can do to hard work to get there - so I am starting to check off the list.
I have also beginning to look into other certifications that I may be able to acquire, since I am looking to get into such a specialized field.  I have come across a few interesting projects, and am hopeful to find more.  Quite a exciting road ahead!

Vote for Noah's Ark - $$ to save animals in the Gulf

Help fund Project Noah's Ark - raising money to save the animals in the gulf coast affected by the oil spill.  As of today they are in 18th place, and only the top few get any funding.  Voting goes through August 31.  Click below to vote:

http://gulf.refresheverything.com/projectnoahsark

Hokie road trip!

On to the next adventure!  Tomorrow morning I am headed to the Virginia Tech campus.  I am leaving early in the AM to get into town for a 1:30 meeting with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Admissions Counselor.  I will learn details about what exactly is required to get admitted into vet school, and how that translates to me specifically.  I know for sure that I will need to take some classes, so I am hoping to get clarity around that.  I'm also looking to gain ideas for other experiences that will be considered both relevant to admissions as well as helping elevate my chances of acceptance.  

I am looking forward to gaining info that will help me move forward towards my new career path.  I'm also excited to be on the VT campus, visit some of my old haunts and walk around a bit.  Overall, I think it will be an awesome trip with a positive outcome guaranteed.

The perfect job?

On June 30, I applied for what I considered to be a perfect entry role into this new career change.  Although it was lower pay, it wasn't too low.  It was a great way to start getting experience at the same time as getting paid.  And the job sounded like something I'd be interested in; Working on a marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response team.
Well, now over a month later, I suppose there is still a glimmer of hope, but I think it's safe to say that it's not looking very good for this position.  The job posting (which I just reviewed) shows that they are still 'Reviewing Applications'.  Hence, the job has not yet been filled.  However, when I contacted someone at the workplace, the indication was given to me that interviews have already been conducted.
Rather then wait to hear about this job any longer, I think it's time for me to start looking for other opportunities.   I may look into volunteer positions at this some company.  But for the immediate future, I think I will just do my own marine mammal research and see what I can learn in the field.
Here I come beach!

I love manatees : Oil spill could trigger massive rescue effort of Florida's manatees

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Experts estimate manatee population in Gulf at about 5,000
• Officials, groups planning for the worst if oil encroaches
• Rescue efforts could include cleaning manatees, physically moving them
• "It's never been done," rescuer says

Baby turtles released in Florida

Check out this CNN video

Here's the deal

So, about me & this blog.  I am in the midst of changing careers; not jobs- careers.  Have you ever done that before?  I haven't!  Now don't get me wrong, I have changes jobs multiple times.  In fact, I have been accused of being a 'job hopper' in the past.  No fear of that now - I am changing careers.
After coming back from vacation, do you ever go into the vacation haze?  When you look at you career, or whatever it is that you spend the most of time out of your daily like, and think WTF!?  What am I doing and why can't I live in vacation land?  Am I actually making my life more enjoyable, less enjoyable or numb enough to get by?  Am I making the world a better place, worse place or am I adding to both side of the pendulum enough to even it out?  Am I simply gliding thru the gray?  Well, I had many of these epiphany moments and let them slide right on by.  Even worse, I always recognized that I WAS living in the gray.  After many years of contemplating the vacation haze I am now truly ready to take action.  Although I am not naive that living in vacation land is not real, for now my goal is to lean towards the whiter portion of the gray.
For the longest time I followed the yellow brick road.  Right after graduating college with the degree aimed at helping me achieve my dream job I moved to the DC area.  Once there I took a temporary job to help me get over the hump and pay the bills.  I figured I would continue looking for a more appealing job in my field of choice and it would all work out.  Well, my career of choice is working with marine mammals and my temporary field was in retail.  Mind the Gap.
And now over ten years later, upon reaching the wizard I realized not only that he isn't real but also that my wish is to actually enjoy the work I'm doing and find some fulfillment in doing it!  Either way you look at it, it's time for me to take control and carve my own path.
Now I'm taking steps to really try and make it happen.  I thought it would be fun, possibly therapeutic and interesting to chronicle my efforts during this transition.  At the least, I will be able to look back and have a record of what happened for when my memory fails.  At the most, maybe some of you out there will be able to relate on some level.
I'll let you know how it goes.

PS - here's my adorable pup - he will be helping me along the way.

Day one, blog one

And so it begins... starting a blog!
For fun, to chronicle the happenings & to see what the fuss it all about.
Let's see how it goes!