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| June 2007 »
I passed my boating course test just fine, as did the rest of the interns. They gave us the weekend off and we started really getting a chance to do things on Monday.
We finished putting up the fencing that keeps the terrapins off the the side of the roads and it went faster than I thought (well i didn't put any fence in; I got to walk to the ends of the road and collapse the fencing so the sides of the road could get mowed).
I learned how to drive the two boats the rest of the afternoon.
Tuesday I learned how to dig up nest enclosures even thought all the hatchlings are gone (if they hatched) we pulled them up and got to see egg shells. The new nesting terrapins are going to start nesting soon and if we see one we are supposed to watch her and make sure we enclose her nest so predators stay away.
Wensday we all went to theDelaware Bay to see some shore birds and the horseshoe crabs. The main bird they were looking for were rednots (i am not to good with birds but have been learning a little more about them and how to tell them apart). Later that night we went to Cape May Point to do a horseshoe Census which is done for a survey for the state and they get volenteers to help so the wetlands institute helps as well. We only saw 20, but the other group that went out found 950 (i don't remember what beach they went to).
the sunset over the dunes at Cape May Point
the sunset over the ocean at Cape May Point
(i had to add these!! it was sooo pretty)
This is horseshoe crabs when spawning...I took this at the end of the night when a few of us took a walk to the dock at the institute...sometimes there can be two or three males attached to one female (thats why they look clumped together)
I had to add this! the whole reason we walked to the dock was to release a baby terrapin! i know the picture is kind of blurry but in my defense it was dark and my camera batteries were dying. The darker image in the pic is the baby turtle (look more to the top). Better terrapin pictures as soon as I get some.
Today we went to an island called money island (no idea where I was) to catch rednots with a group of people from Australia who have been researching them for 10 years. Well it was hot, with lots of bugs that like to fly around your head. We were there for about 5 hours and didn't catch a single bird. The group went to a different beach and we all went home since we didn't think we were going to be there that long: we all ran out of water and were very hungry.
So I have been doing this for a week and I feel like i thas been three weeks. I like it.
if anyone has any questions feel free to ask!! I have learned so much in the past week soon I will be an expert on terrapins (well kinda but hey close enough!)
Tricia <3
Today I started my internship! At first I was really nervous and excited all at once. They have dormitory style housing available and I was really scared that everyone but me was going to be living there and I would end up being the odd person out. That so wasn’t the case since most people are commuting anyway.
Since it was the first day they gave us breakfast lunch and dinner but that will never really happen again. First we meet the staff, then the researchers. They had us do and ice breaker and ask another intern a question, then we had to stand in front of everyone and introduce that person (I hate ice breakers). I won’t start to tell you about the other interns yet since I really don’t remember all of their names.
Something funny happened today too. It reminded me of a SPC moment. Most bio majors know that sometimes Gannon Hall (the science building) has strange smells, chemicals, things can catch on fire, you know, fun science stuff. Nothing serious has ever actually happened but they do things for safety measures. Well as all the interns are sitting in the library getting ready to listen about the institute someone comes in and said: "Lab 3 is on fire we have to go outside." They had no idea why since that particular lab is no longer a lab but an office.
Here's what happened: the township decided to run tests by blowing smoke through pipes to see if they were in working order. This explained why that room was smoking since that sink had not been used in many years. The fire department did think to tell the institute they were running this test.
The researchers seem like a great group of people that have actually found out some really interesting things about Terrapin Turtles. These turtles are specially adapted to live in the salt marshes from Maine to Florida. These animals rise from the water to lay their eggs on land but when they do this they usually end up getting hit by cars. Part of my internship will be to help put up fencing on the coastal causeways (the roads that connect the islands to the main lands), and to go out a few times a week to do what is called turtle patrols. Turtle patrols are done at 12am and 5am and the purpose is to find terrapins on the road that have been hit so that we can extract the eggs. The eggs are incubated then released back in to wild about a year after hatching. There are lots of different research projects going on aside from just turtles such as a beach survey, horseshoe crab census, and lest turn (a shore bird) research.
As interns we are supposed to work a little on each project throughout the summer as well as come up with our own research project to work on (with the help of other interns and the researchers). The first week will be tricky just getting used to how things work but I am really excited to do this for the summer. I love doing research but I guess that just is because I have always had an interest in it. The hard part is actually thinking of my own research and the boring part is doing all the background research on it.
Even though I am interning I am working at Fashion Bug again too. This is a women’s clothing store where I worked last summer and over winter break this year. They seemed happy to have me come and told me they would work with my hours so I will be able to work and be an intern. I need to work to make money to pay for the gas to get me to the unpaid internship.
Oh! And I forgot that pollen sucks and I currently have a slightly stuffy/runny nose and a scratchy throat. One of the perks of living in a city, no allergies.
Pictures of the Wetlands Institute next time! And maybe a Terrapin Turtle if I can. Hopefully some of the other interns as well.
<3 Tricia
Well, my week home has been pretty interesting so far. When I got to Los Angeles last week the first thing I did was see my sister since she picked me up from the airport. I got home and my brother was dead asleep because of his surgery. I would show a picture but it's kinda gross, you honestly don't want to see it. After a few hours of being home I got to eat real Mexican food. It made me happy. I love Mexican food (or just food for me... =)).
The rest of the week was a blur except for Friday. My sister had called me on Thursday to ask if we should get a new cat. She said it was a few weeks old and needed to be fed from a bottle. I immediately said yes and on Friday she brought it home. It is such a cute kitten. It really is like taking care of a baby since I have to feed it with a bottle and wipe it so it can use the bathroom. Apparently it simulates the mother licking its behind. It sounds gross but it's actually kinda funny and interesting. We named the cat Simba since it is a yellow tabby cat. That same night, a neighbor came by since she found a bird in her yard. It was really scared but we took the bird in and gave it a home. We went to Petsmart on Saturday and had all the intentions of just buying a cage. We came out of the store with the cage and another new bird. We have yet to name them so any suggestions will be appreciated. =) Now with all the new pets we have a total of two dogs, three cats, four birds, and a snake. My house is seriously a zoo!
My kitty Simba
The new birds, they are so cute!
Saturday was really fun. We went out to San Pedro and ate a lot of seafood. We had a pound of shrimp, 2 large fish, and 2 dozen oysters. We seriously went all out. I would have taken a picture but we went at the food super fast. After we were done eating, we walked around and they had a mini carnival kinda thing. We played one of the games and won two fish. Unfortunately, by the time we got home they died, but we had a fun time.
San Pedro... we're almost there!
We're in San Pedro! yay!
We went to the Pan Pacific village. Basically, you pick out your own seafood there.
This place is so popular, especially on the weekends.
My daddy and I =)
My brother's girlfriend Jessica and my niece Roxanne.
My mom and my oldest sister
My brother making his serious face
My mom wastes no time to go for the food!
While we were walking around we saw a helicopter... really cool.
My parents and I with the fisherman in front of Port O'Call.
The fish that we won at the carnival! too bad they died.
Sunday we spent most of the day at home and hung out as a family. I missed these times. We watched TV together and had tons of fun just sitting around the house. I had to go take my MCAT diagnostic test on Monday and it was kind of difficult. I officially start the class tomorrow so now I have to get prepared for all the studying that I have to do over the summer. Oh man, it'll be a challenge but I am up for it!
Today I seriously spent the day watching season 2 of Grey's Anatomy. I am trying to catch up with all the episodes before season 4 begins. I blame my brother and his girlfriend for getting me hooked. It's a really goos show and I love medical shows. Well, I must be off to do my laundry!
=) Andie
Unlike most other students at SPC, I'm not going home for the summer. It's now a week since people started returning home, and I'm still on campus, going about a sort-of normal schedule. This week, I've been either at the president's office making the big $$$ (not really, but I like pretending that work-study makes me rich) or I've been helping out with Senior Week activities. Senior Week is the week between the last final exam and the commencement ceremony for all of SPC's fresh graduates, and the college holds a number of fun day events for the seniors who choose to stay on-campus until commencement. Yesterday was the day in the park, which was rather chilly, as well as a cruise, and today a group is going out to Dorney Park. Tomorrow is the Baccalaureate Mass, and Sunday is commencement itself (where I'll be bearing a flag for the ceremony, which is awesome because I get to be on-stage).
I would go to Dorney Park, but I am flat-out exhausted from this school year. While college isn't as back-breaking as I thought it would be, when you add in clubs and other obligations (for me, the student newspaper was a huge time investment), then you are looking at roughly an 8-5 work day each day. After eight months of this, I just want to burrow in my bed and stay there about a week.
Even then, I'm too antsy to stay in one location for long. So I have work study to go to, as I mentioned, and next week is the start of my summer class in computer science. This weekend, I want to buy myself a GRE study book so I can be somewhat prepared for the exam in the fall, and I need to start seriously looking at graduate schools as well. I never imagined that I would say this, but I really want to stay in the Jersey City area beyond my graduation from SPC, so I'm going to work hard to try to get into a psychology graduate program in NYC, like Fordham. Later in the summer is O-Team, but I'll talk about that as the time draws nearer.
I do have more free time now, thankfully, which I use to hang out with my friends, write fiction, and to wander in the city. And for those of you who are fans of the singer Rufus Wainwright, one of my wanderings ended up with me in the third row of one of his free concerts in the city. The Barnes and Noble in Union Square, which is probably my favorite place on the planet, hosts a number of free book readings, signings, and performances (I've seen Jimmy Carter, Tom Wolfe, Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Salman Rushdee there, and I'm going to see Al Gore next week). I had to get to the store three hours in advance in order to get a seat, but WOW, I got one of the best seats in the house. Of course, Rufus was -amazing- live, and it is so obvious that he puts his soul into his music, and he is completely adorable (I'm very sorry that I don't have any pictures, but my camera hasn't been behaving lately).
I have a number of other singers and bands I want to see this summer, including Bright Eyes, Muse, and maybe even The Police if I can gather enough money. Have I ever mentioned that I'm obsessed with music? And free things?
I am super excited to be going home. I really missed being with my family, even though I never show it. I am currently waiting at the Newark Airport to board my flight. It's supposed to be sunny with a high of 85 degrees. Just like how I remember it. I can't wait to go to the beach, see my friends, and most of all, see my family. My brother Manny just got tympanoplasty, or eardrum surgery, since he had a hole in his eardrum and had problems with infections. Gross, I know but at least I get to play nurse for a couple of weeks. Also, my dad and I plan on going up to Northern California to visit some family. I miss them so much and the last time I really saw them all was in 2002 so I am definitely due for a visit. I have so many plans for the summer and I hope that I have enough time to do everything. Don't worry, I will still be updating this blog =).
I wish I could say I was done with finals but I still have one more. My professor was very accommodating because I scheduled my flight for the same time as his final. He said that he would email me the final so I can complete it and email it back to him. I believe that was very fair of him. Thanks Dr. Franklin! =)
I still can't believe that I am officially a senior and only have one more year left at St. Peter's. Time sure went by too fast. This year went by too fast. There were times when I was frustrated and times when I was super happy. I will never forget the memories I have of my junior year. Now I will be older (and hopefully wiser) to everything.
Well, I want to end this entry in Clinton tradition (with a quote... not necessarily from a musical)
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.�- Hal Borland
Still waiting at the airport!
Andie =)
So after a long day I finally made it home. It feels good to be back in South Jersey where everything looks so familiar. Unpacking is always a project so this year I decided to throw things out before I started to unpack. I haven’t called my friends yet since I still feel like I am on school mode. I always have torn feelings about being home. I love my hometown and my friends here, and my family so much. At the same time I feel so sad leaving everyone at school.
They have too become like family. We live together all the time and we fight and get annoyed but we get over it. If you are mad at someone there is no getting away from like you can when you are at home. These are people you share meals with, hang out with, take care of when each other doesn’t feel good. We are there for each other when an event is needed to go to and our parents can’t be there. It’s a different bond that I have with my friends from home. I don’t want to get all sappy and gushy but it’s always something I think about when I have to leave, even now so that when I go back next year I know it is going to be the last time I move and move out.
On the upside it feels like a ton of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders now that I know finals are over!! No more school for a whole summer and this break will be much needed. It’s scary to know that I am officially a senior! So pretty much my summer will be filled with my internship, studying for GRE’s, and getting a part time job. I start my internship on the 23rd, one week from Wednesday; it’s at The Wetlands Institute: The Coastal Conservation Research Program. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I will let everyone know how is everything with it is going through out the summer. The internship is unpaid so I need to get a part time job too. Last summer and over winter break I worked at Fashion Bug (a women’s clothing store), and loved it, so I hope they will let me work full time with really flexible hours since the internship will take up most of my time but I still need to make a dew bucks. Hope everyone has a great summer. See you all in the Fall!!
Tricia <3
Gina: This past Monday was SPC's Junior-Senior Formal, which is an annual event where the upperclassmen dress up, dine, and dance before the start of Finals. Those three hot ladies above are your Class of 2008 bloggers, all posing together in their finest. Tricia to the left in her under-the-sea teal dress (very fitting for a marine biology dork), Andie to the right in her demure brown gown, and myself in the middle, in the kimono that my dear ol' momma made for me.
Of course, there was more to Formal than our beautiful faces. There were many other beautiful faces to see too! Onward to more pictures!
Gina: If you come to SPC just to meet good looking college women, I wouldn't blame you..
Andie: There were multiple cameras taking pictures at the same time so half of us are looking at one and the other half are looking at the others... but we still look so cute! =)
Tricia: Megan went inside and yelled "group pictures outside" and we all pretty much came running
Gina: Say hi to the college's new student senate president Megan Craven (in the coral dress) and the Class of 2008 president Priscilla Marion (in the yellow). Priscilla did the brunt of the work involved with making Formal run as wonderfully as it did, which we are all infinitely grateful. Tricia: Pris did an awsome job...she said that next year she wants to top it!
Andie: Chris was the best date ever! We had so much fun together. Tricia: and you guys were so cute
Tricia: I love Megan so much!! we had a great time (as we always do) we have tons of pictures of the two of us but this one is definatly a favorite
Tricia: These are my roomates!!!! this is the best picture since is definatly captures all of our personalitys in one picture...i love it!! Left to right- Erica, Me, Kelli, Marjory
Tricia: Yea my dress breaks up the red...lol
Gina: Kelli Ann, on the far right, unfortunately broke our shiny-dress streak.
Gina: It was too dark for me to take a great photo of the dance floor/dinner room, but it was huge and gorgeous. It was really fun to see so many familiar faces really enjoying themselves. If only I had the chance to dance off all of my meals...
Andie: You can barely see me on the dance floor but I definitely did not leave it for too long. I danced more that night than anything! =)
Tricia: yea its dark but trust me the room was great and dancing with all my friends was a definate plus
Andie: Priscilla and I with one of the waiters. He made us laugh so hard. =)
Gina: Myself and Mike Smith, one of my favorite partners in crime. The kimono came off after I realized that dancing and two layers of heavy brocade fabric didn't mix well.
Tricia: i am a Mike Smith fan i must say...he is smart and funny (if you get his humor)
Andie: Some of the bio majors! I, of course, am missing because I was bouncing around the place. =)
Tricia: a personal favorite of mine i must say...i didn't sit with them but out of all of the bio majors these are my particular favorite!
Gina: ALL HAIL THE GREAT ICE PEACOCK!
Tricia: too bad ice melts...it was cool rotation around the finger food table. All in all it was a great night with great food, dancing and most important great friends!
Andie: I had so much fun that night. I danced with pretty much everyone and enjoyed having some fun before all of my finals. But remember, make sure your shoes are comfortable or you will end up with blisters... like I did. They were definitely worth it =).
Yesterday was a lot of fun. After volunteering to give tours earlier that morning I was ready to hang out. Palooza is an all day out door barb-b-q, 1pm to 9pm, that has different bands come and play. A month ago we had a battle of the bands and the top two bands go to play on the stage yesterday with the winning band getting to close out the end of the night. They also have other bands come and play too. Most of the bands that played yesterday have friends who are here at school.
Jenny and I
Megs, Jenny, Pris, and I volunteered to grill the food since we all wanted to come and hang out but that type of music isn’t really our thing to just sit and watch. We had a great time doing it too. Aside from the fact that we all pretty much have no hair left on our hands it was a good time. It was cool to get the chance to see people come and go hang out for a little.
Drea, Me, Andie
After all the food was gone we all pretty much smelled of charcoal and lighter fluid so we ran back to our rooms to take showers. We all went back with the chance to actually get to hang out with people so that was a good time. After the concert was over Pris had to go sit the front desk of Vets so Megs and I sat with her to keep company till 11pm. We were hungry so and went to VIP Dinner for awhile to get some food since we barely ate all day even though we were grilling. Last night I stayed in Megs apartment since I was so tired for being on the go all day and there was a ton of people hanging out in my apartment last night. So all in all it was a pretty fun day. Today I need to finish up some last minute homework and tomorrow is the last day of class for the year!!!! Finals start on Wednesdays so the year is almost officially over.
FYI: Tomorrow is also formal!
-Tricia <3
So May 2nd was Pris’s 21st birthday!! At 12am as soon as the clock turned her roommates ran to say happy birthday and gave her birthday presents and such. Even though it was her birthday she was a champ and went to class. It was awesome that a whole bunch of us went out to NYC for dinner. It was Mexican restaurant called Chevy’s, which Pris picked out herself.
Her first legal drink was a Peach Margarita.
The food was awesome. Everyone of age bought drinks, well I didn’t since I was sick and I am still taking medicine for my ear so I didn’t want to chance having a drink with it. Jolie and I stuck to soda but we all toasted to Pris.
She is an amazing person and does so much for all of us so it was nice to take her out for her birthday. While she was at the bathroom we had ordered something special for her to drink that made her laugh. The waiters at the restaurant brought out ice cream and sang to her and they also gave her a sombrero that she got to keep. In typical Erica fashion she ended up taking the margarita glass that Pris was drinking from. When we got back to school she wrapped it up in tissue paper and we went over to give her presents. I bought her “Dear John� by Nicholas Sparks since he is an author that I love and I know she has read some of his books too and this would be one she would like. So all in all it was a great night for a great friend.
Megan and I at dinner
-Tricia
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