June 2012

Hey Everybody, Sorry it's been so long. Last time I wrote I was about to meet all the staff here at the zoo... Well it has been 3 months. I think I will feel like the new person for a long, long time. I'm learning a lot all of the time. It's mostly about how things are ran here. I can definitely tell that the animals are getting used to me. The zebras usually were very stand-offish while I fed them, but now they approach their feeders before I'm out of their stall. I've had to get used to going in with the bongos. Now we are friends. The giraffes are a hoot. I get slapped in the head almost everyday by Chioke, the male giraffe. They're really fun, and I enjoy seeing them. The supervisor and I chatted on Monday. I am the main Cheetah person for sure. They are really fun, and I am hoping to get training them soon. There are 3 cheetahs: Kimbaya, Ellis, and Crybaby. We have had some babies at the zoo this season. There are 2 baby sheep ( whatever they're called lol), 2 baby goats, 2 red panda babies, and a mini horse (Tango). We did have a crane's nest of the African Crowned Cranes... but a giraffe stepped on it :/ maybe they will have another clutch again since it's early in the summer. Other than that, I am working on getting to know everyone. One of the keepers says I may be taking her place as the funny one in the group... haha!! I'm just more free-wheeling with my dorkiness. HAHA Sioux Falls is still treating me well. I got lost 3 times today, but those are 3 more adventures I got to have. :) It was 99 today, and my day off to stay in A/C. Until a friend from college came to visit, and she dragged me to the zoo. Haha Since I last blogged, I moved in with Nate. We moved into a house in a quiet neighborhood. It's 4 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath and has a deck and washer/dryer and dishwasher! It's coming together. It needs a lot of landscaping to be done, but it'll get there. My parents have already came to visit twice, and Vinnie got to come along once too. They surprised me at the zoo one day. It was an amazing surprise! Besides the house, we got a PUPPY!! His name is Marty. He is a lab mix. The mom was a lab, and the dad was a stray. He is almost 5 months old, so we have had him almost 3 months. As of last night, he graduated puppy kindegarten! We are so proud :D Well that's all I really have for today, But I promise I will ttys, Nessa

Long Needed Update from Sioux Falls

Why Hello... Finally,
This post is long overdue. For a while there, I didn't have too much to update on I thought. Sioux Falls is a great city! My mom and I were even talking today about how much safer it is here than in Minot surprisingly enough. I really like how large of a city it is and the Falls Park is so pretty! The Falls Park is the park that Nate brought me to on our Christmas together :) I have been living with Nate and his family for the past two months that I've been here. Can you believe it's been 2 months already? I've enjoyed being here and his family has really taken me in and made me feel so very welcomed. I love being here with Nate. I look forward to seeing him everyday when he gets home. Believe me, I don't take that for granted. It's so much better than seeing him for a couple days here or there every now and then. When I first got here, it took only a couple days, and I got hired at Applebee's. It really wouldn't be a bad place to work if people had people skills. There are a few kind people there but wow how rude the rest of the people are. I finally gave up trying to get to know people. But happily, my last day at Applebee's is this sunday.
Have no fear, my first day at the Great Plains Zoo as the newest FULL TIME ZOOKEEPER! I am very excited to say that after two interviews and being contacted by the Director of Animal Care to apply for the position, that I have been chosen to be the Savannah keeper. I will be caring for Zebras, Giraffes, Cranes, Cheetahs etc. Tomorrow, well today I guess it is by this time of night, I am meeting with my supervisor and the rest of the staff! I'm so nervous! I'm excited for this next leg of my adventure through life :)
I will update soon!
Love!

2+0+1+2= A Year Not Yet Written

Hope all of you had a great new years holiday and Christmas! Hard to believe it is 2012, but that's also very exciting! Big changes are coming. Change is in the air! I was very lucky in having been able to head home for Thanksgiving and then Christmas, but not before making it to Nate's home to meet his family. Nate is my boyfriend and is from Sioux Falls, SD. I'm sure most of you saw on facebook that him and I are a couple. He is so sweet and amazing that I couldn't be luckier! :) He is 24 also and an engineer. His family is very kind and welcoming. What a relief after being so nervous! lol I spent Dec 22nd-the morn of Dec 24th at his home. Nate made me a tie-big enough for two people, a picture frame of us two, a jewelry box engraved, and a bracelet with both of your sets of initials engraved! He definately surprised me! Then he had a great, perfect date planned during my visit to SF! :)Then he was able to join my family for Christmas evening and the day after. The night after Christmas, both sets of our parents met even, and that went very very well. We were both really happy it went so well. In fact, I enjoyed Sioux Falls so much that after a lot of thought I decided that I will be moving there come the 20th of this month. Living there allows me to be there with my boyfriend, be 3 hours from home, 3 hours from Fargo, and I'm hoping to volunteer at the zoo there. So why not?! I'm very excited and ready to move!! :)
Even with moving, I am still applying and will remain applying. But I'm still waiting to hear from Fort Worth Zoo as to if I got the position or not. I interviewed with them on Dec 1st. So fingers crossed! The zoo here in minot promised that they'd call me when I was able to come back. I hope they keep that promise. But we will see how this year pans out.
While I was home, my grandma unfortunately had a stroke they think. I'm glad I was home, so I could go visit her in the hospital. She was supposed to be sent to the nursing home right after I left for physical therapy.
Besides all of that, not to much happened since last time... well I'll write soon, but it'll be from Sioux Falls, SD!!
Love,
V

Goodbye Flip Flops, Hello Boots

Heya,
Surprised I'm writing already? Heck I'm surprised myself. lol There isn't a ton to catch up on in the last two weeks. It snowed a good 6 inches last night. That was a surprise to go out into! Wish I had windows that overlooked the street, so I could have an idea of how bad it is. ha My windows face a building.
Bella and I are still in Minot. I am more than ready to move. Just sent an app to California. I'm so ready to have a job I love. Met with the director of the zoo today. Yeah another ten months to 18 months before they might be getting animals back. Does that sound like an eternity or is it just me? But anyways, sending out apps as fast as I can. Thanksgiving will be good, so I can spend some time with the family.... I miss them so much. Vinnie I saying words already. Feels like yesterday he was born. I've been away for far too long. Only nine days til I go home! It'd be great if it were only 8! haha And then it's Christmas! Already listening to the music and watching the movies for background noise. Just don't know what I want for Christmas!! jeesh who has that problem ever??
Well I suppose that's pretty much it for now. Hope you all are warm and safe.
Love mucha siempre (always)

Sonrie en los tiempos malos y buenos...

Hola mi familia y mis amigos!
Hope you are all well! As always, where has time gone? So much to update you all on, where to begin?! Well first and foremost, the water has receeded! The town is once again dry and has been thoroughly stripped down. The amount of debris that came from the flood area was remarkable and took forever to clean up! Still today you can find random things on the curbs. Things are moving MUCH slower at the zoo than anticipated. From the sounds of it FEMA has been quite difficult to work with. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to help clean up the grassy areas of the zoo yet unlike I was promised. Doesn't look like us, zookeepers, will be helping with the clean up much at all.
Today, Maya, my toucan I have been training, was transported to Delaware. :( I know it's for the best, so she can stay warm this winter. They'll be keeping the North Zoo at around 50 degrees, which is WAY too cold for a toucan who needs it around 70. So she got shipped off to a training facility. I hope they're impressed with her! She targets, is patient for varied reinforcement, and comes when you say "here"!!!! That is HUGE for her and I!! I gave her as many kisses and hugs as I could yesterday. We even took pictures....




It was extremely hard to let this precious bird to leave. Correction: it was so very, very difficult to leave this smart, beautiful bird. I sort of took a deep breath and left. Hope to see her again someday!

Other than that, I am working working at the ice arena now for my main job. I drive the zamboni on my own these days without any difficulties. They trust me with it HA I hardly see the workers that gave me a hard time before, and next week I am gonna have a skating party to actually put working at the arena to a benefit. I can have people skate for free after hours. I just have to zamboni. So next time one of you is in town... ;)
As for Space Aliens, I am soon to become a Team Leader to be on my way to being manager. Too bad I'm not satisfied staying at a restaurant.
I sent out two more applications tonight. Last week, I traveled to Miami, Florida of all places for a swim test with the Miami Seaquarium!!!! The test didn't go so hot. My front stroke wasn't as strong as they wanted. This was embarassing, but I have the experience and now know what to expect. I saved my trip though and had a blast (even though I was by myself). I was more than nervous going to miami on my own, not to mention renting a car, getting the hotel room, finding my way around, and finding places to eat. I had such a good time! Hey, for the 2nd year in a row, I got to wear shorts in October! How amazing! Not to mention, I got to see an ORCA, MANATEES, and use my spanish more than my english :D You guys can't even imagine how excited I was to actually get to use my spanish!! And may I add, I did quite well at it :) Heck, to even check out of the hotel, I had to use my spanish. Such a cute old man :) hehehe All in all, miami didn't go as planned at all. But I'm so happy I went. I proved to myself I could go on a trip by myself completely, and I needed to leave Minot. No matter how bad of a morning I had, I swear when I stepped on the beach the water took my worries away just like the sand at my feet.... It felt good ;) Even made a friend from Cuba! haha His name was Rodrigo. he has my e-mail so we will see if he writes me. lol
NDSU homecoming was an absolute blast. Kristi had her baby shower (which she had her baby on Halloween!!). The Bison stomped all over our opponents, and I got to see my friends again. I am so happy to have gotten to see my friends, who I miss all the time. Wish we could all live together again.


I'm already listening to christmas music. haha I love it! Even have my grinch pajama pants on ;) Good thing Corey likes Christmas music since he is staying at my apt cause of his nose surgery. Poor guy had a deviated septum. I'm in charge of his meds-lmao is that smart? haha just kidding. The guy has to put up with me for a week.
Anyways, I'm so excited for Thanksgiving! 19 days and counting til I go home!! WOOOOT!
Well folks it's super late here, so I will try to write soon.
Call anytime, any of you,
Love,
Nessa

It's Been a Summer! Happy 8th Birthday, Mia!

Hey All,
It's been too long. These days it's been crazy, but I'm makin time to let ya know what's up! Well all summer we have kept the zoo animals that we hadn't found temporary homes for up at the warehouse still. No worries, they get the best care imaginable. Unfortunately winter is fast approaching (Gen chem freshman year Dr. Jacobson anyone?? haha). Therefore we need to get the birds out of the warehouse and off to a temporarily new home. The warehouse does have heat, but the birds need to be at a higher temp than the rest of the collection. In the end, we will have mostly North American animals who are used to chilly temps. I have been training Maya, the female toucan, for almost two weeks. She's doing great! I'm so proud of her! She targetted yesterday and today. With a target, you can do anything! I'm excited :)
Unfortunately my only time at the zoo anymore is training Maya, as of last week I had to start at the ice arena. It's extremely hard and depressing not to be with the animals all the time. Some people have told me they know how it feels, but I imagine they don't. The ice arena staff isn't exactly saying, "bienvenidos" and welcoming me in. The two ladies I met are pretty nice compared to two of the guys. Let's just say I would prefer not to hear anymore of "Oh I Broke a Nail, the Day's Over" jokes. Hopefully I'll gain some respect from them soon, or it's gonna be one long ( and I mean loooonnnng winter). Have no fear, I have been keeping my eyes out and applying! Of course it sure would help if the postal service would make sure that it makes it to the right zip code. Oy vey... lol One good thing aobut the ice arena is I get to skate for free and get to meet hockey players haha (they stink SO bad after practice! haha)
Other than work, life's been pretty busy. My parents surprised me for my birthday!! It was seriously the best gift I've ever gotten. The fall weather always makes me homesick, so it was amazing to see them! They drove 11 hours just to surprise me for my birthday and spend the weekend with me!! For the nights, I spent going out with my girls from the zoo and the next night went out with people from Space Aliens, my 2nd job. My parents are amazing and told me to go out because it was planned already. It was a great weekend!
Today is Amelia's birthday! She turned 8 today already. Jeez does it make me feel old! haha I wish I could have been there. The weekend before Mitch and Amy got married, so I had to decide. I will make it home for Mia's birthday next year :) I love that little girl so much! Her and that brother of hers are adorable! Vinnie is walking now and says, "uh-oh." I feel like a mom, I'm so proud. LOL
Yesterday was Minot State University's homecoming (the Beavers?!). They had a Keg and Eggs party at one of the clubs at 8am yesterday. Oh my god was it crazy! I went just to see. Curiousity got the best of me, and my friend invited me to go of course. She had a very drunken day she said lol. I left at noon, and they were all still hitting it hard! Next weekend is NDSU homecoming. These beavers need to see how it's done! haha
Well that's all for today. Perhaps tomorrow (yes tomorrow), I'll be able to write some more.
Nessa

Mother Nature, you are so mean....

Hi Everyone,
What a whirlwind of a month!! I'm sure most of you have heard about the Minot flood. Mouse River Flood Fight 2011 is what they are calling it. Most important things to note are 1) I am safe, 2) my apartment is not in an evacuation zone, 3) the animals are safe, and 4) I still have a job.
Things started a month ago. We had been hearing about a possible flood, but was usual, no one was really taking it serious. Well Memorial Day was chaotic with us getting 5 inches of rain that day. The Ground hornbill shelter in their exhibit was flooding. The kookaburras were soaked. They all got pulled inside in the pouring rain so they didn't get sick. The golf carts were even stalling out in the water, there was so much. I didn't think anything of it.
The next day we all got called in for a mandatory meeting... or so I thought. I got there, and I learned we had to evacuate the zoo. Now this evacuation was to evacuate the animals to either a place they could be "safe" on zoo grounds or to a warehouse north of town (which has been dubbed the "North Zoo"). At this point, the river isn't supposed to crest any higher than the infamous '69 flood. So 90% of our animals are removed from the zoo completely. The animals to stay were the primates since they could climb high enough in their outside exhibits, reptiles, lamb, dik diks, and outreach animals (which would be moved the next day to NZ). Over the day and night, the giraffes, bears, cats, bison and bongos are shipped off to other zoos. It took a total of 20 hours to get everything moved. I was there for 18 hours. I didn't leave until 5:45am the next morning,it was a long long day. The reason we shipped them is because it was impossible to keep giraffes in the warehouse and gravely unsafe to keep cats (we have lions, tigers, snow/amur leopards) and bears (3 of them) in pens meant for cattle from the fair grounds. Our original plan was to evacuate to the fair grounds until we learned they were to go under too.
So for three weeks half of the crew worked up at NZ and half at the Main Zoo (MZ). Things were looking up. The river seemed to go down, and we were hoping to go back to the zoo soon. Then Monday happened. The park director told us that we had to get out... NOW. so the last 10% of the animals were evacuated to the NZ along with everything they could grab from pictures to toys to rakes that were left behind to mop buckets etc. Every announcement on the radio seemed to estimate the river higher and higher. Remember how the river wasn't supposed to surpass the '69 flood levels? Now it was predicted to go 5 feet higher than '69 and 7 feet higher than 1881. Keep in mind the city has totally gone into hysteria at this point. People are buying out the water bottles.... National Guard, who has been here since the beginning, is getting at least 400 more soldiers to help and are directing all major intersections.... The evacuation zones are now mandatory evacuations.... People have until 10 pm on thursday to get out. Well that soon changed to 6pm... So then comes wednesday- people are hauling butt to get out. All the time knowing that if the sirens go off it means that the water has breached the dikes. 1pm Wednesday, they went off. People really couldn't believe it.
Thursday comes when Mitch (co-worker) and I brought the penguins to Como Zoo. They were getting too stressed, it needed to happen. They had a good ride and were happy to see a big pool when they got there. They will be on exhibit after their quarantine period. You should go and see those gorgeous faces! :)There are 13 of them!
While we were gone, the National Guard closed down part of Broadway, our main road to go North-South. Now people have to drive on the bypass, which takes 2 hours on average to drive. This on a normal base takes maybe 10 min. As of Saturday, our water is contaminated they thinkr so all water is to be boiled before using. NOW as of today, Monday, water lines have broken in town. So now we are under an emergency water conservation order. The joke amungst the zoo is we are waiting for the volcano and earthquake. ha. ha.

THANK YOU EVERYONE for all of your texts and calls to make sure I am ok!! Many of you offered me a place to stay, which I would have taken up on if I didn't have to be here for the animals.

But all in all... the animals are ok as am I. The water is still one block away from my apartment downtown. The water is receeding as of today. So fingers crossed it goes away asap!

The zoo is pretty much closed indefinately. After the water goes away, then there is clean-up. So far my job is safe. It's just sad and stressful.
You're all welcome to call! During evacuation of the zoo, I didn't have time really to talk and explain, but I do now!

Love you all,
Nessa