Yesterday was my first stressful day at the center.  It wasn't terrible but you all know how the "learning the new job" mistakes always happen and it just so happens I made one major mistake on my first busy day in the ticket booth haha lucky me.  It worked out though since Marcie is awesome at her job and fixed it right up for me.  Basically I overcharged a few accounts by putting them in as commercial tours instead of motorcoaches.  Even though it was kind of crazy because I didn't quite know how to do everything perfectly it was nice to have a busy day in the booth so I can get ready for when summer really starts to pick up.  I definitely prefer interning and working outside but the great thing about gift shop and ticket booth is talking to all the visitors and having all sorts of conversations with them.  One older couple came up to the booth and this guy told me he had a donation for us.  Then he holds up this shaggy looking cat he had...he thought he was so funny and it made me laugh even more.  I told him I don't think she would fill up our big bears ; )  Marcie's bday was yesterday so Alexis made some real yummy fruit tarts and Kat and Scott got her a cake.  I had to take a picture because it's SO Marcie and how funny is a cake that says "Boom Town"  I did the 12 am feeding with Claire and checked out the two new moose calves.  They're so cute!  One of them has an infection in one of his eyes so hopefully that clears up soon!  They're thinking of putting all three moose calfs on display in the enclosure the musk ox are in.  Visitors will for sure love that.

On my day off today Erin, MT, Nikki, Sarah, Nicki and I went on one of the field trip the center does for the interns to Whittier for the 26 Glacier Cruise.  On the way to Whittier you have to go through a tunnel (the longest tunnel in the U.S.) that's 2.5 miles through a mountain.  Good thing I'm not super claustrophobic.  The cruise was so relaxing and not only did we see beautiful landscape and glaciers but since the weather was cold and rainy a fair amount of sea life.  A few porpoises swam along with the boat and we saw sea otters, seals, and mountain goats.  THANK GOD there weren't any sea lions on the island they supposedly love to stay on...I may or may not have an irrational fear of them.  At the end of the tour we saw a huge colony/nesting site of some birds (I'll have to ask our bird lover Claire what kind they were again) on the side of the mountain.  It was a pretty cool site.  

When we got back the center had a meet and greet/meeting to go over basic rules, the wood bison project,  the B.E.A.R.S. (bear education awareness research sanctuary) project, and introductions.  Staff made some great points about the center.  I liked what Jordan said about how it's more important to get across to people the importance of conservation rather than throwing out a bunch of facts at people.  I've been really worried about getting all the details right when the bigger picture is more important.  Ethan also made a great point saying how we are playing important roles in people's lifetime experiences.  According to stats people come to Alaska for 3 things: mountains, glaciers, and wildlife.  The number one thing they remember is the people.  Not everyone is lucky enough to come to Alaska or the center and it's a really neat thing to know your a part of their experience here.  Basically I went into the meeting dragging my feet because I was exhausted from the day and had a 4 page paper to write for my class that's due tomorrow on a book I didn't read and came out of it feeling pumped for the season and luckier than ever to have the opportunity to work here.  I think by far the most amazing thing about this place is the wood bison project.  It's the greatest conservation contribution to the U.S. in this century and the center is literally playing a major role in making big changes.  If you don't know much about wood bison (I sure didn't before I came here) they became extinct in Alaska not biologically but because of man from hunting and Alaska Fish and Game along with the AWCC and many supporters are working to restore them in the U.S.  They've bred and tested the wood bison here, getting them from Canada after a couple people spotted them there, and will be reintroducing them to the wild in the near future in three different locations: Minto (sp?) , Yukon Flats, and Innoko.  It's pretty amazing the work and effort people have put into this project despite all the bridges they've had to  (and continue to) cross.  

Well it's off to bed...FINALLY finished this paper for my class and I've got a 4 am bottle feeding coming up soon.  Missin all my Michiganders!