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.