Wow.

In a little over two weeks I will be back in Jersey. It is so hard to believe that just a short time ago I was biting my nails over leaving home for 3 months and now I have tears in the back of my eyes from not wanting to leave. This has been such a whirlwind. I am not going to write too many more blogs. I am going to follow this one up with a few short ones summarizing my time here. I know that the next two weeks will be insane, busy, stressful, incredible, educational, and every other adjective I can think of. I have me amazing people and have formed friendships which I hope will last forever. I have developed new tools that I can use when working with and training animals. And I have had the opportunity to work with some pretty incredible whales. Writing that last sentence sent a chill through me. My college advisor once asked me what I planned on doing after graduation. I said my usual reply, marine mammal trainer. He turned to his computer and asked me what my back-up plan was for when that didnt happen. I had no answer. I still have no answer. Sure it wont happen immediately. I can see myself going back to the kennel or working at PETCO as a dog trainer or working at a zoo or aquarium with other animals. But this is the final goal. I hate that I am getting all sappy, I make fun of people for this. But it is hard not too when I have been living my dream for 3 months and soon I will back in school working at a job I hate (except for the beloved horses I work with). I am so excited for what my future holds for me, but no matter where my life take me I will always remember where I began.

Thank You All--Lindsey, Justin, Kate, Kelly, Sasha, Kim, Kristine, each and every one of the volunteers (Lila, Barret, Bill, Hilary, Kayla, and Ray), and of course the most amazing whales in the world-Juno, Kela, and Naku