Well, as soon as I made that last post, something had to happen! I got a call from Walt Disney World Casting today and was offered a full-time role in Frontierland attractions at the Magic Kingdom! So if anyone takes a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth and finds themselves in Frontierland, be sure to say hi! :D

I keep forgetting to keep this updated...

Working at the zoo was fantastic! I worked with a wide variety of mammal species, got some great experience, and had a lot of fun.

But my life never stays the same for long, and I've packed up and moved back to Florida! Still looking at zookeeping and marine mammal training, and there's quite a few options down here. In the meantime, I once again have Walt Disney World right in my backyard. And yes, I did move here because of Walt Disney World. ;) They have plenty of job opportunities for zookeepers, too, that's my excuse. ;) I'm glad to be back near the magic, and looking forward to what life brings next!

I've finally been offered a paid job at the zoo! It's not with the marine mammals, but it's just as cool! I'm now working in the Southeast Asia exhibits, with tigers, tapirs, gibbons, otters, and more. I'm really having a blast getting to know a new group of animals. They certainly keep me on my toes! No photos yet, though - someday!

The internship is done...

Life has changed again! I finished my internship, and had an absolute blast. It was a great learning experience, and I got to do so many things that I've always dreamed of. I still volunteer there, to keep a foot in the door and to keep having fun! The photo on the left was from the last day of my internship, when I was feeding one of our walruses. He was a good boy! Now I just have to find a Real Job. Ha! Easier said than done, but not for lack of trying! ;)

Update!

Okay, so life has changed considerably since my last post, so it's time for an update!

-I'm back in the Pacific Northwest, and have managed to survive everything that Mother Nature has thrown at us this year. I survived the rainiest month on record in Seattle, the first snow storm, the windstorm (although I lost power for a week), and the second snow storm (although my poor car didn't make it up the hill, and my hour-long commute became nine hours).

-I started working at Half Price Books, which has been fantastic. I'm surrounded by great books, management that really cares for it's employees, and a lot of co-workers who are just as excited about books as I am.

-I also took on a full-time internship at the Point Defiance Zoo, which has been amazing. I'm getting the chance to work with the animals I've always dreamed of - belugas, polar bears, sea otters, harbor seals, and more! The photo on the post is one that I took of Blizzard during our January snow storm. (Click on the photo to be taken to a larger version and the rest of the polar bear photos!)

-I am trying to get back into birding and photography, where I can find the time. It's going into migration season, and I'm hoping to get a big (500mm) new lens for my camera soon! (Yay, tax refunds!)

-I am suffering HUGE Disney withdrawls. My crack has been taken away from me. The thought of running back to work at Walt Disney World again is never far from my mind. Someday...

A little introduction for those who don't know me: I'm Kirsten! A few random facts, to get to know me ('cause let's face it, regular bios are boring):
-I have never had anything close to vocal training, but I'll still shamelessly belt out songs in the car, and sometimes even roll down my window and subject the world to it.
-I have been a character both with Disney and SeaWorld.
-I have wanted to work with dolphins ever since I can remember, and have been obsessed with killer whales ever since I first saw Free Willy.
-I can recite the speech given by Walt Disney on the opening day of Disneyland, July 17, 1955.
-My favorite book is Gregory Maguire's "Wicked."
-I learned how to use a Russian Swing while working stage crew for a Cirque-style show
-I learned to SCUBA dive in Puget Sound (Seattle area). I froze.
-I went skiing once when it was below zero. I froze.
-My favorite moment in all of Disneyland and Walt Disney World is the last minute and a half of Fantasmic. It's sheer magic, power, and Mickey!

I keep my regular journal at http://xfkirsten.livejournal.com. Ramblings about all things Disney (especially Disneyland, my home-away-from-home!), life working with wild animals, and ranting about that guy driving next to me on the freeway that doesn't know how to stay in his own lane.