The End of the Beginning

Well, as week one draws to a close, i guess its time to reflect on what i have done so far. I've been trained in animal handling on Birds: Hornbill, Chicken, Screech Owl, Dove; Reptiles: Boa Constrictor, Blue Toungued Skink, Alligator Skink, Alligator, Box Turtle; Mammals: Rabbit, Chinchilla, Hedgehog, Guinea Pig, Armadillo, Opossum; Other: Tarantula, Cochroach, Scorpion.....I am sure there are more I am simply forgetting, but it has been so overwhelming to remember how to handle each animal that I almost dont care any more.... We have had a crash course in interpretation, several discussions and tours of the zoo, an overview of the curriculum, and an overnighter where we played the games and sang the songs that we will be using with our campers this summer. Today we get customer service training and then CPR certification. Next week we shadow the experienced camp teachers and get first aid certified. Somewhere in between all of that I have to get a second drug test done for my work at the Gift Shop.... I'm pretty sure i start work there next weekend but the schedule is so confusing!! I really miss home. I keep telling myself that this is a great experience and well worth it, but so far i simply miss Maryland. I miss the park and my lambs and my friends. I miss my summer and what it could have been... I want to be home. I dont like being the youngest one in a house of 15 other girls. I dont like being one of, if not THE youngest in my program.... While it is an honor that they thought i could handle it, i also feel almost like that kid that skipped a grade in school; of course they will do fine academically, but socially they feel left out and looked down on.... UGH!! well, thats all for now. I'm sure it'll get worse before it gets better, but should be over with soon enough... We shall see.

Until Next Time,
~Elena

Day one.... How old am I?

So... i have developed mixed emotions about this job. On the one hand I feel like it is going to be loads of fun, on the other i think its going to frustrate me to the point of no return... Our first day of work we had a tour of the zoo (its so big, i am sure i will get lost at some point) then we had interpretive training (super cheesy) and then animal handling training. The problem with having bosses whose job is to teach little kids it that that mindset never totally leaves.. so when they talk to me, they talk as if i were a 5 year old... I sometimes dont even think they realize they are doing it, but they do all the same... We were hired for a reason. We all have at least somewhat of a clue as to what we are doing, so why not acknowledge that and have some faith. UGH! Today is more animal training. We dont start til 3:30 so this morning i have to go get the first of two drug tests done and then go meet my other boss at the gift shop and fill out paperwork there. I hope today goes ok.... because if they dont stop talking to me like a little kid, idk how i will ever make it through the summer... Maybe it will be better once I get out from under their watchful training eyes and actually teach...

Until Next Time
~Elena
P.S. I got a P for Practice on holding a box turtle.. How stupid is that... ive been holding box turtles since i was like 3..... she said "I just want to be sure that you remember to pick him up the way WE taught you. Like a hamburger." Like a hamburger? Really... Kindergarten all over again.

Welcome to Cincinnati!!!

So, I've been here about 24 hours now and am just now getting the wireless password, or i would have updated sooner. The trip here was incredibly long. I have never driven nearly that far, but i made it. The view throughout Ohio was beautiful. Rolling hills and big patches of farmland. Then i got to the city.... I am going to get soooo lost i am sure.. I could never live here for any extended period of time (without a really good reason). This is simply not my idea of a good time.. Too built.. Too crowded...I moved in and met the other two education interns who will be living in the Hearne (Intern) House with me this summer. There will be 16 girls all together living here once they all arrive in the next few days, but for now the house is rather empty. I share my bedroom with one other girl, and it is a huge room. I could probably sleep my whole family on the floor. It has carpet and shelves and windows... much better than a dorm room, but is kept rather chilly...Today we ventured to the zoo for the first time. It is huge! I havent taken any pictures yet. I have to find a store and buy batteries first.. Well, thats all for now, Wednesday the three out-of- town education interns will be taking on Cincinnati to find the drug testing place... should be interesting...

Until Next Time
~Elena

UPDATE

Ok, so the email went out today, so just in case you got it, and had no clue i was leaving MD for the summer, i will explain. I have been hired at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden as an Education Intern. I will be teaching up to 12 different curriculums to 3-4 different age groups all summer long. I will be living in intern housing near the zoo. I'm kind of nervous, as i have never been away from home for any extended period of time, but need to diversify my resume beyond my life the past 3+ years at Smallwood State Park, so here i go. I have never blogged before, but plan on figuring it out as I go. Enjoy your summer and feel free to email me at ebode@umd.edu.

Always,
~Elena

Ok, so it's up! I am really not too sure how to "blog" or even how much internet access I will have this summmer, but i will update this blog as much as possible in order to keep everyone up to date on my adventure in Cincinnati. I am leaving Maryland Memorial Day weekend, and will return August 22nd. Wish me luck!

Always,
~Elena