Vegas for Volleyball

I was doing so well with my daily posts, and then I got in a rut.

I'm in Vegas right now. Coaching my volleyball team in a big tournament. I'm not a gambler, but I do enjoy seeing all the elaborate hotel designs and all the pretty casino colors and lights.

Staying at The Orleans where there is a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory inside!!

Muffin to Lift the Spirits

Bizarre, frustrating end to my day. But all can be forgotten with the help of a warmed up poppy seed muffin.

Someone else was interested in the muffin too.

Ken Ramirez = Awesome

Day 2 of Ken Ramirez workshop.  (Day 1 photos).  This time at the Oakland Zoo.  Lots of great, great, great information, and some time at lunch to wander around the zoo.  I'm always too pressed for time to walk around when I'm normally there volunteering, so I finally got to wander around and see some the animals that I never get to see.

Mr. (Well Fed) Baboon

Flamingos

Giraffe

Warthog doing some rooting

And a couple notes on Ken Ramirez.

Ken is the executive VP of animal care and animal training at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.  He's being training for 35+ years and has a background in animal behavior and biology.  He occasionally travels the world consulting and educating.  He is an amazing presenter, and anyone who can manage to listen to him will leave feeling as inspired as I have been.

His passion and dedication to his profession are clear and charismatic.  I am SO GLAD that I forked up the $$$ to go listen to him, and I am SO LUCKY that this workshop was local.

He leaves one feeling like the possibilities are endless and that no challenge is impossible to overcome.

Read more and get inspired: http://kenramireztraining.com/

New Friends

Day 1 of a Ken Ramirez Animal Training workshop.  Today we were at Six Flags Animal Kingdom.  We were in a conference room all day except during lunch.  The park was closed to visitors, but some animal management staff let us meet some of the park residents.

6 month old Serval

 

14 year old Mexican Porcupine

SLOTH!

Hungry Sloth

I am a Dog Person

But I do make exceptions.

Electric Soap

The brightness of this soap has always weirded me out!

Baby Giraffe

Today was my first day seeing Maggie out on exhibit.  She was adorable.  Frolicking around and chasing the Eland.  I can't wait to see her grow to be as tall as the rest of the herd.

A Little Much

Hurts to look at it.

It doesn't look real.

It doesn't look comfortable.

No thank you.

What is it ... Part 2

What in the world?

Parting Shot

Squeezing this post in at the end of the day. Bye bye. And good night.

No More Electricity

Candles are making a come back.