Ryan left today for Virginia. He'll be there for the summer for an internship. I had to say goodbye to him at the zoo so I didn't really have time to get sad. But on my way home, I was getting pretty sad. At least I'll see him in 2 weeks. Today he came by the zoo to do a dolphin pet. After one of the dolphin shows he got to stay behind, go on stage, and pet Tapeko, the 22 year old female. He got to pet her quite a bit. I got pictures for people to see. I was really happy that he got to experience something I'm so passionate about.

Yesterday we drove up to Willow Creek Church. This place is huge. It was the Saturday service and there were over 1000 people there . Plus there were more people because there is a service for 18-20-something year olds, but they place is so big we couldn't find that meeting place. The church had a bookstore, food court, and coffee shop. Insane! I really enjoyed the service, but it's too far of a drive every week.

Ryan is in Chicago visiting for the week. He got here on Monday. Tuesday I had the day off so we took the train downtown with my uncle. We first went to his office located in the IBM building. Then Ryan and I went to the art institute and navy pier. I'm not big into art, but it was free and cool to see some paintings from artists that are well known to even novices like me.

Today Ryan came to the zoo. He watched a dolphin show and was able to see me help with the Pinniped feeds. He got to see a walrus kiss me. She missed a couple times and instead blew fish scales on the side of my face. He also got to me pet a fur seal and put vasaline on a walrus. He got pictures of this stuff which should be cool.

Well, time to take a shower and get these fish scales off of me. Check ya later.

Chinook's transport went well. He's done it before, so he knew what was going on. Hopefully now he is happily swimming in the pool at the Minnesota Zoo. Hopefully we will be reuinited next winter.

I apologize if I repeat things in these blogs. I also have to keep a journal for the internship so I probably will fail to remember where and when I wrote certain things. Today is my second day off. I have tomorrow off also, but I have to go in at 3 am tomorrow/tonight because we are transporting a dolphin to the minnesota zoo. Bye bye, Chinook. This doesn't happen everyday so I'm just going in to observe. Yesterday I got kissed by a walrus. She's blind so she got my shoulder instead of my cheek. I also got to pet a fur seal...very silky feeling. The only not fun part so far is dealing with stupid people who come to the dolphin shows. there's about 1 everytime who isn't happy because we won't let them in without tickets or something, but that's the rules. I guess that's it for now. Ta-ta.

Here I am writing from the windy city, chicago. I arrived here on Sunday. I was able to attend my cousin, Mark's, orchestra concert. Yesterday I started my internship at the Brookfield Zoo and had a wonderful first day. I did a lot of observing during feeding times. During the Pinneped (seals, sea lions, walruses) feeds I got to pet a cute little harbor seal, apply vasaline to a walrus' flippers, and push on a walrus' belly. Those are HUGE animals! Then I got to pet two dolphins. Needless to say, I was loving it. The day flew by...you are constantly running from one thing to the next. The most memorable part was walking near the dolphin pool right when I got there, a dolphin was chilling there, rolled over, and looked right at me. Nothing can beat that. And I also got initiated by being thrown into an empty sea lion pool. The other intern was also thrown in an empty dolphin pool also so now I know to bring extra clothes. Now tonight I am going to my cousin, Rick's, last home baseball game. mark will be playing the national anthem on his clarinet. I just wish it was warmer today.

Yesterday there were a couple of us from IV sitting around. We were talking about funny things that Josh does. Then we all stopped and realized we were talking about him as if he were no longer with us, because we were talking in the past tense. It was pretty funny, but I guess you had to be there.

I leave for Chapter Focus Week in an hours. I'll be gone a week, so no updates anytime soon. Peace.

Well, finals are over. Yipee! My comparative exam was anything but easy. At least it's over!

I love spring. Today it was beautiful out. All the trees have bloomed and there are tulips all over campus. Beautiful. And they smell wonderful. Now I am at work for 4 hours. I guess this multi-colored, dizzying carpet is just as beautiful as those trees and flowers.

Finals stink! I actually am on the home stretch. I only have one left, but it's my hardest one...comparative vertebrate anatomy. And to make matters worse, it's cumulative. But I keep telling myself that this is the last day that I have to study this semester, so I might as well study hard.

It was funny... last night a bunch of us went to the Cabin to get pizza and celebrate internships, jobs, assistantships, awards, graduation, etc. We all had to leave by 10 pm because we all had to go home and study. Party poopers!

I need to get some dinner (while I watch American idol of course) and then hit the books some more.

Today is the Sunday before finals. Ryan and I went to church. This is the last time we will be there when Pastor Don is there. After church me, Ryan, Don, and Shelley went to Bennegin's. It stinks that they got moved to a different church. We will really miss them. We said we'd try to coordinate trips so we are visiting the family in the U.P. at the same time. Get ready mom...you'll be cooking a lot!

I also had my final Bible study party today. I have to admit I'm glad it's done. I had a great two years leading Bible study, but my time is up. I'm really glad I did it, although I really did not want to do it two years ago. But, you can't argue with God when He wants you to do something.

Well, I guess I should get studying some more. Physical science, here I come.