The penguins can swim!

So I have my first week done at PETCO and so far so good. I feel pretty confident on the register and even got to walk some aisles a few times the last time I worked (which means I'm one of those annoying people wandering around asking you if you need any help, but then disappear when you are looking for me). i still have lots of training on the computer to go, but it's the good stuff like animal care protocols and such so then I can move on to taking care of the pets there. I think now that I have 2 jobs and can save some money my new goal is to get my own place by September. Sadly, I have only 2 jobs not 3 anymore. Remember Twenty, that silly sports grille that was so slow they weren't giving me any hours, well I let them know about PETCO and they responded with not putting me on the schedule and hired another girl. So I was upset for about 2 and a half minutes until I realized it wasn't even worth being upset over and moved on. Now, I am not really actively looking for another serving job, but if something happens to come up or a friend hears something I may check it out.

In zoo news I got to see the penguins swim this weekend! It was adorable! Even in that small of an area they can swim fast. They have mastered getting in their pool and even diving down, but most of the time it's still a mystery as to how to get out of the pool. That silly ramp just doesn't look appealing I guess. One of the girls seems to rather cuddle with people then swim sometimes...maybe she's a diva penguin. They are just now starting to get their adult coloring so black spots are slowly appearing on their white bellies. I also got to do my favorite area which is hoofstock one day this weekend. Fortunately for me, it was Sunday so all the yards were thawed, muddy, and it was raining. I came scarily close to losing my boot more than once in the puddles o' mud, but happily we will have to wait until another day for that casualty. It was also the first weekend I didn't wear 50 layers to stay warm. Another step in the right direction! Twiga (the pregnant giraffe) has yet to pop so now I am secretly hoping she has it on my birthday...ok or at least within a week of my birthday!

This week I am cleaning stalls out in a horse stable a friends owns. It doesn't take much time and it is actually kinda enjoyable. I am just filling in for someone who is gone this week. The work isn't hard (or it doesn't seem like it to me anyway) and it's a lil extra cash. I have never been around horses a whole lot so that's gotta be good job experience too right? Plus it gets me up in the mornings and then I have the rest of the day to do what needs to be done. I am slowly working on the thesis, but my advisor is busy/out of town until my birthday so there is only so much I can do until then. I have started working out again for many reasons. A few of them being: I missed it, I feel like it's a job requirement to stay in shape so I can do my job well, and it's getting nice outside so it's an excuse to enjoy the weather. I thought it would be rough for a week or two, but it has gone over well and I already feel like I'm sleeping better, have more energy, and can lift heavy things at the zoo easier. Have a good week!!!

I GOT A JOB!!!!

Another week has come and gone and its finally starting to think about being warmer outside! I'm beginning to get really antsy!! So, I got a job at PETCO and started today. I am starting out at the cash register and it's not all that bad. It's easy and I give lots of doggies and other various pets lots of love. This weekend at the zoo was nice. The weather was sunny and pleasant with some of the snow even disappearing. Now this is only a small victory because that means soon instead of walking knee deep in snow I will be walking knee deep in mud and crossing my fingers that I don't get my gator stuck in the mud. I saw the porcupines this weekend which is a rare occasion for me and they all seem healthy and fine. It just reminded me of this fall when one of them was sick and had to be caught every day to be medicated. Every day the quills had to be pulled out of the net. When I was there it was my job. One day I had finished with the net and went about my business and stocking hay at various places in the zoo. I got some hay in my clothes but there was one piece near my belly button that I just couldn't get out. At the end of the day I lifted up my shirt to investigate and somehow thru 3 layers of shirts I had one lone quill stuck in my belly. If you look closely I still have a little dot from where it was. Nothing much exciting happened in the birdhouse this weekend. I did invent and pass out some new toys so hopefully the birdies don't get bored this week without me. Hahaha! :) I did get to watch a training session with Asia, our tiger. It's pretty cool when you see a tiger sit and stand up on command. I drove the Pro-Gator this weekend for the first time in a while and yes I can still drive a stick which is comforting to know. I did have to help catch some swans on Sunday. I think there hiss is worst than Spooks. Speaking of Spooks, he has found a kitty friend here in Moline. Her name is Hallow and she is also black. They are not best friends yet, but it's at least some other animal interaction that goes well.

Everyone have a good week!