McNutt!

I love Iowa football. I absolutely bleed black and gold through my veins and with games like the one tonight you realize how great passion for sports is. I was unable to watch the Michigan St. game tonight and was forced to listen by radio "old school". I never realized how exciting it makes the game. You visualize everything and it takes on a whole new dimension. It was a brutal game without a doubt. Hard hitting, in the trenches football. For three and a half quarters it was a battle that had Iowa up 9-6 with field goals being the only decider in the game. Iowa had been stopped twice with 1st and goal and Michigan St. was able to take it down the field with a touchdown. 1:48 left and I am praying that Stanzi can give us a miracle. He completes a pass here, a pass there and all of a sudden Iowa is breathing at the goal line. Three missed chance and Iowa has a fourth down with only :02 seconds left. I am praying with my head down hoping for anything. A slant, McNutt grabs the ball and Touchdown! Iowa wins! Iowa wins! My heart is out of my chest and my head is missing the ceiling by cm. One of the greatest feelings I have ever had with my beloved Hawkeyes. The only other game higher then this was 2004's Captial One Bowl hail mary win. 8-0 for the first time in school history. "In heaven there is no beer, thats why we drink it here, and when were gone from here, our friends will be drinking all our beer!"

To supplement this amazing experience two of my best friend's daughter is arriving tonight. I wish them all the best and pray for a safe and healthy delivery. I can't wait to meet Annalyn when I visit. I already love her to death. She is the best of luck and I wish Mervyn and Jessica the happiest of congratulations. It truley is an amazing night!

An Exciting Week

It has been quite a whirlwind of a week for me. There was the Food and Wine Festival on Saturday, Mickeys Not So Scary party on Sunday and my own personal weekend the past two days. On top of all of this Iowa is 7-0 for the first time since 1985 and have managed to make their way into the the top 10 for the first time since I can remember. Things are good in my life and I have no complaints. So I thought I would just recap my adventures that I have had as of late.

Every year Epcot has a Food and Wine Festival in the fall. Not only do many of the countries that are already in the World Showcase give samplings of dishes and drink from their borders but other countries are brought in as well: Spain, Brazil, and Ireland. It is an incredible atmosphere especially if you enjoy trying new varieties of taste which, since my Europe trip last year, I try to take advantage of whenever I can. Favorites of the this years festival included: Cheddar Cheese Soup and Spicy Sausage with Polenta from Montreal, Canada, Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie from Cork Ireland, and Cabernet Braised Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes from Paris France. This is not to mention all the fantastic beer I was able to try which is one of my favorite things to do (Abita Amber Ale from N.Orleans topped my list). Even with all the fantastic tastings the best part was to experience it all with friends. With my roommates and neighbors I dressed from head to toe as a brazillian tour group and enjoyed every minute of it. Even with a cold breeze that came in the memories will be enjoyed.






As fantastic as the festival was it was not the end of the weekend by far. Sunday night was Mickey's Not So Scary Party at the Magic Kingdom. This is a private party for those who wish to buy a separate ticket for an after hours event where there is trick or treating, special fireworks and an amazing parade. It was so much fun. Being able to be a kid again running around saying "trick or treat" and getting a bag full of candy. The parade was incredible with great music and performers including a basset hound, the headless horseman galloping on stead and graveyard dancers scraping the streets with sparks flying. Craziness.



And so another week approaches and more fun will hopefully ensue. Iowa plays Michigan St. on Saturday so root on the Hawkeyes for that next victory.

Pigs and Pinot

This season of Top Chef is absolutely amazing. The challenges are all entertaining and they have brought in great celebrity judges. The best part of the season however has been the contestants. They are all legit chefs who are incredibly talented. My predictions for the final four: the two brothers, Kevin the beard man, and Jennifer who works for Eric Ripert. Regardless of what the challenges are for these chefs I am very excited to see what they will be cooking. I really don't think that any season can touch this one so far.

Here's the thing with Top Chef though. It was one of those shows that was always Melissa a mine's. We started watching it together, would always chat throughout and pick are favorites. When that all ended the show was one of those things that I couldn't go back to. I missed my Top Chef buddy and didn't feel like watching it anymore. But time passes, new seasons start and you find new friends to watch your shows with. You just have to let those things go and stop hanging on to the past. Just another step in the process.

Sammy

There are many reasons why I love living in Orlando and working for Disney. But Yesterday was a very unique day that most people will never get to experience.

Most people don't exactly know what it is I do as an Educational Presenter. I have many responsibilities which include: teaching about a variety of different insect species (tarantulas, scorpions and even dung beetles) in the morning, running the kids discovery club which teach kids about different animals through games and activities, and acting out scripted presentations throughout the day. Each responsibility has its own positives and negatives and every once in awhile I do get a little down on the repetitive nature of my job. There are however those days in which I have a really great day that recharges my spirit so to speak.

Once a month part of my job is to attend different seminars that relate to different fields in zoology and animal sciences. Yesterday I attended the Zoo Keeping seminar which was to discuss what keepers do day to day and how to get into the field. I have to admit that my career interest weren't exactly into the meeting but it was a change of pace to the normal day. But after the slideshow and the questions they droped the bomb. We were going to go out and see the Rhino barn. Thats right backstage visiting the area where the White Rhinos were taken care of. Very cool stuff. But that wasn't it as the tour was wrapping up our keeper showed us Sammy the rhino, a 35 year old male rhino who was hungry for a treat. Not only did I get to see this amazing animal up close but was able to pet him and pat him down. I couldn't believe it. As a education and history major this was not exactly something I was ever expecting post college, but it was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

New Beginnings

Life can be challenging, overwhelming, and difficult. In the last year I feel as though I went through all three phases and barely made it to where I am today. I could never truly explain this chapter in full detail; it's just too hard to put in words. As difficult as it was, I survived. I did so with the help of incredible friends, both old and new, who helped ease my mind and lift my spirits (Super Bowl Parties, Las Vegas Spring Break, and those nights at the Meet Rack). I am very blessed to have these amazing people in my life.

Now that I've addressed that period of time, it is important to know that I am good. I feel good about where I am, who I am, and where I am going. Even though my job only lasts for a short period of time it has already taught me so many new lessons about being an educator. I have become very passionate about conservation and have begun to take the route into this informal education field. I always pictured myself in a classroom teaching history and government, but now I want to challenge myself. I want to inspire change. I love the freedom that informal education grants you. You can teach and inspire in so many different ways and are not limited. The classroom will always be there for me. I have my degree and teaching certificate and look forward to that day when it is time. As for now I have already applied and interviewed for a higher education position at the Animal Kingdom and hope to continue my career within Disney Education.
















I titled this blog Act II: Adult Life. My goal is to document my experiences as I transition from college to life after and give a recap of my experiences in the coming years. Regardless of what happens, it should be one interesting read.