Day 29

 So I haven't had a chance to update my blog very much because we are working 12 hour days now that the fair has started. The mornings consist of alot of husbandry and preparation for the first show and the afternoons consist of 4 30-45min shows 7 days a week. The first week of shows were a little slow but the crowds were surprisingly big. Our stadium can fit 5000 people i think and yesturday,it was a tuesday, we filled  a little over half that. Supposly the school system here gives kids a day off to see the fair. I think that is sooo weird.  It also helped that the OU and TexasU game was on saturday. It was a sea of red and orange drunk people. But it was great to see from the ferris wheel. I was sending the score back to the backstage crew as I was riding the ferris wheel. Overall, a successful first week at the fair.
 I have learned so much this far in to the internship like how to unload and load different species of birds, proper diets, husbandry, how things work behind the scenes during shows, proper training techniques and that every bird is different when it comes to their personalities. Granted that the days are really long, I still love being there.  One of my favorites jobs that I have is releasing birds from the texas star ferris wheel. The adrenline that builds during the release of the birds is huge. I posted two videos that were recorded this week of the release of two birds, Mason the harris hawk and Lakota the Lutisitc Redtail Hawk. So if you are interested in seeing a release just click :-)

Last night was great because I got to sit in a room with world renown trainers and pick their brains. Steve began his lecture of " The secrets of training". So far its extremely interesting. I think we are going to continue the lesson on thursday.

Alot of things have happened since the last time I update my blog. But for the most part my day schedule stays the same. I am having an amazing time here in dallas and I love working with everyone here. But reality is setting in. I am heading back to va beach in 16 days and a month after that I will have no job, no house, and will be offically divorced. I am to the point where I just want to stay here in texas. Life is perfect here for me and I dont want to leave. Finding jobs in the animal training world is so hard but I know this is exactly what I want to do as a career. So I am working my butt off to prove to the NEI staff that I am a valuable investment to their company and just maybe I can get a start with them or someone they know. I just cant imagine doing anything else with my life. I am trying to stay as positive as possible but sometimes the weight of this divorce brings me down.  I guess its just one obstacle that will take time to get over.

To make matters worse the attack of the student loans are coming out in full power. I think they call my phone 15 times a day. They are not understanding that I have no income right now. But the only help they can offer me is to pay a large sum and then I have to still pay in November. Ahh!

Well time to go do laundry :-)  But if anyone wants to send me cards or packages I am going to post my Address on here

Katherine Byers (RM 212)
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
7900 Brooksriver Drive
Dallas, TX 75247

 I love and Miss everyone and I look forward to sitting down with everyone to share my dallas stories.  Thanks everyone for your cards. I love them and I am starting a nice collection on my wall.
More updates to come...