Herpetology...

is the study of Reptiles and Amphibians. Remember when I had that epiphany about volunteering until I could find a job? Well, I've completed my first week at Cabrillo National Monument, where I help capture, measure and record lizards and snakes found on the peninsula. All this info is entered into a computer so we can see trends in the population of herps in the preserve. Sadly most species on the Island seem to be leaving due to developement and loss of resources and habitat. I had a lot of fun and I actually felt useful. I'm very proud that I was able to ID each lizard correctly every time! (Finally school pays off) Here are some pictures of my adventures so far....I definitely plan on helping Tracey next month.

Lighthouse that I think is pretty and old (my two favorite things)

An example of an array. The reptiles run down the hill,

hit this fence and have to run along it until they fall into...

a pitfall trap (i.e. a bucket in the ground! GO SCIENCE!)

One of our captures. He's a juvenile Orange Throated Whiptail

( Cnemidophorus hyperythrus).

Tracey, our fearless leader, processing the specimen. He gets "tagged" (each toe is clipped corresponding to a number chart), measured, weighed, a tissue sample if he's big enough, then released.

Two Weddings and a Road Trip.

Just before Mike left for the CBP Academy, and I mean just before he left, we attended the sealing of two our of dearest friends in the Newport Beach Temple and went on a Road Trip to Idaho to attend the sealing of Mike's cousin, Monica, to her Fiance, Eric. So I thought I'd post some pictures 'n stuff.


On August 22nd, Mike and Stevi were sealed, a moment they had been waiting for for over a year. Mike and I were so honored that they invited us. It was beautiful, especially when they were sealed to their daughter, Zoe, for time and all eternity. They are such a cute family. Mike and Mike share more than just a name, believe me, they are so alike, that sometimes, it's scary. And Stevi is one of those girls who makes you feel right at home, like you've known her forever and you can tell her anything. We love them!











We drove up to Idaho, on the following Monday for Monica and Eric's sealing in the new Idaho Falls Temple. The drive was long (26 hours round trip) and the turn around quick (we only stayed one whole day) but it was well worth it to be with the family during the most special moment of the sealing. They were the first couple to be sealed in that Temple, and it was such a blessing to be able to be there with the family. It was also the last time we'd be able to see Jeff before he leaves on his mission to Hawaii. The Thomson's are one of the most amazing families I've ever met. I feel so lucky to be a part of it. They are warm, and kind, and good, and not to mention hilarious! You can see a lot of Uncle Don in Michael. We saw some of the sights of Twin Falls while we were there and had a great time visiting. We hope to go back soon, when we can spend more time and have some serious outdoor fun!

Update

Mike is now at the Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico. He left yesterday at like 4:30 in the AM. Sorry, I was so distracted by the thought of him being gone, that I never got pictures of him as he left or anything. Plus he got a cold (of course) a couple days ago and was in no mood for pictures. I'm on my own now for about 10 weeks. Mike's first couple of days have gone good. He's very nervous about all the studying and drill Sergent type screaming but I think he'll be fine.

I, on the other hand, am no good on my own. The last time Mike was out of town (for only 3 days, mind you) I thought that someone was trying to break into our apartment. I noticed a lot of rustling in the tree right outside our balcony and I thought someone was climbing it to get on the patio. My heart was racing, I could barely breath, I was scared out of my mind. I was literally screaming "I can see you, I know you're out there, I'm calling the cops right now..." I had dialed 911 and everything. After a couple of seconds and no response from the would be intruder, I got up the courage to walk over and turn on the patio light. I noticed two flashes of white and what sounded like whispering. Then all of a sudden two white, pointed faces looked through the leaves at me. My attackers? Nothing more that two Opossums fighting in the tree...they looked at me like I was an idiot and scampered away. See, told ya, I'm no good on my own.

I plan to work, finish my last math class, find a new home in SD, pack up the apartment, loose more weight and find a new job while Mike is away. Gotta keep busy lest my imagination gets the best of me!

Great News

Read Mike's post below...

So Mike's post was a little short and to the point so I'll elaborate a little. He (or should I say We) started the application process for the Border Patrol back in March. It was the most arduous task I've ever had to go through. I mean the amount of paper work was astounding. Mike passed the physical, written and psychological tests with flying colors and they finally called him on Friday. I'm so proud of him. He reports the the academy on the 3rd and it's all the way in New Mexico. He has to take a Spanish test when he gets there...that we are confident he will pass. Then training begins...then hopefully ends on the 20th of Nov. I'm not gonna lie...I'm terrified at the thought of being separated for that long. We haven't been apart for more than a week since we started dating back in '04. Plus he's going to come back all battle hardened or whatever...with the "Sorry honey, I can't tell you what I did today or I'd have to kill you" routine.

Mike also didn't mention how excited he is to be doing a job that really means something and makes a difference. He'll also get to use his Spanish and immerse himself in the Latin culture that he grew to love so much on his mission in Chile. It's a really great opportunity and that makes it all worth the trouble and scarryness.

He will be stationed in Imperial Beach. Yes...that means we will be moving further South eventually. I'm excited for the new adventure but a little overwhelmed by the suddenness of this. It will be fun and scary to move to a new place. I've lived here since I was 13 and there ain't much to figure out in Temecula, lemme tell ya. But I have been dreaming of living in San Diego since high school. (Mike's also proud that he could help make this dream come true).

I'll post more as we find out more and I'll try to get some pics of his newly shorn head!

im out

finally no more ultra steam. dont get me wrong, it was a job and niki and i have been ok but man it was crappy. i got the call from border patrol and am due to report to new mexico on september 3rd. im confident that i will pass the spanish test so i should be back on november 20th. asi que portense bien, cuidense y chaoito

Inspiring

I really love watching the Olympics. I mean, I'm not a huge sports watcher but maybe if they showed something besides football, baseball or basketball on TV, I would be. Plus the whole world comes together despite all our differences. I love to see the culture too, so many beautiful places and people. You gotta love it! I even like what President Bush is doing there and you know I'm not his biggest fan. (Great now my phone is tapped for sure). I'm not the biggest fan of China's human rights records either. Mike is watching Michael Phelps swim and win gold after gold (Did you see the mens 4x100, he is amazing) and I'm loving the gymnastics team. GO USA!

Baby steps to a dream...

I graduated from Cal Poly, Pomona this summer with a Bachelors Degree in Zoology. It took eight, yes 8, years to accomplish this. I know that may seem like a long time to most, in fact I am often asked if I have a Masters or PHD... I don't. As of right now I don't plan on getting one. Maybe someday when I'm old and my kids are grown and I'm bored I'll go back to school. But for now the job hunt has officially begun.

So my big dream has always been to work with animals. Yes, I was the kid that always brought home stray animals and was constantly begging for crazy things like snakes, spiders, horses, and rodents. My Aunt Loly always humored me and taught me a lot about caring for all things great and small, (she has the same problem). I've bottle fed kittens, nursed baby birds back to health, worked for a Vet, found strays good homes, and have generally tried to do my part for the animal kingdom by living as green as I can.

I applied for every known position at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Denied. Why? Apparently they want experience and so the story goes...how do you get experience when you can't get a job? Volunteer work!

Brilliant. I like to work with animals and I can make a difference. (People, don't even get me started on the importance of getting out there and causing change) So, I e-mailed half the state and finally... I'm gonna start Volunteering at Cabrillo National Monument. Taking surveys of reptile populations, field work, being outdoors...what a dream come true. Seriously.