So yesterday I was hangin out with LV under this big shady fig tree...and a coati hung out with us for hours and hours. I got to see coatis twice in two days AND this one let me get really close to him!
I have seen this individual before... he hangs out at the campground all the time. Being close to tourists has made him brave or something because he wasn't shy at all and didn't try to run away! While the capuchins napped in the sun, he foraged on the ground for a while and then climbed up in the tree and had a nap too. I got lots of great photos *cough* coati balls *cough* and some neat videos too!
Here is a video of him saying hi to me. He was literally close enough for me to reach out and touch. They look like little raccoon bears.
:)
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Co-wah'-tee
So there's this huge herd of coatis that has been seen roaming around the park lately. I have been hoping that I would stumble upon them at some point and get a photo for all of you peeps. Coatis are cool. They're like a cross between a raccoon, a cat, and a teddy bear, and they're pretty big and can climb trees too!
Well the other day I found them! The british spider monkey chick and I were at her dorm (which is basically just a tiny little house a short walk down the road) looking for the lid to an epi-pen that she had accidentally stabbed her hand with (long story). We went through to the back of the building and there were probably at least 30 coatis out there. I have seen a few coatis here and there in the forest, but they are usually in groups of no more than five. Also, each time I have seen them they were really shy and ran away before I could get close.
When I found the herd I ran back and got my camera, but by the time I returned, they had already started to leave. I got a quick video of one as it was walking away. You can see a bunch of its buddies off in the distance. Now imagine that...times 10! They were everywhere! Anyway, i'll try catch the whole herd on film next time.
The moral of this story is: always carry your camera with you. Always.
xox
Day
Well the other day I found them! The british spider monkey chick and I were at her dorm (which is basically just a tiny little house a short walk down the road) looking for the lid to an epi-pen that she had accidentally stabbed her hand with (long story). We went through to the back of the building and there were probably at least 30 coatis out there. I have seen a few coatis here and there in the forest, but they are usually in groups of no more than five. Also, each time I have seen them they were really shy and ran away before I could get close.
When I found the herd I ran back and got my camera, but by the time I returned, they had already started to leave. I got a quick video of one as it was walking away. You can see a bunch of its buddies off in the distance. Now imagine that...times 10! They were everywhere! Anyway, i'll try catch the whole herd on film next time.
The moral of this story is: always carry your camera with you. Always.
xox
Day
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Santa Rosa: Take 2
So I made it back safely to Santa Rosa. My little vacation in Canada was great: I got my interview done; I got a pedicure and now my feets are all pretty again; I got to relax with some retail therapy and do a bunch of shopping; I got to eat all kinds of delicious food that I can't get here; AND I got to see all my awesome peeps, my family, as well as my sweet Neko dog. The trip totally rejuvenated me. I'm ready for anything that monkeyschool can throw at me! BRING IT!
I love Costa Rica. As soon as I got off the plane, this wave of happiness washed over me. I love the forest, and the people, and the fact that there are animals everywhere I look. I am excited to get back and hang with my monkey family too! The PHD student gave me a day to rest from flying - but tomorrow its back to the forest! YAY!
My trip back was really good. On the flight from Houston to Liberia, I sat next to a cool young family who is here on their first vacation out of the states. I talked with them for a while about monkeys and fun places in Costa Rica to travel - and it turns out their youngest son William is aspiring to be a primatologist! What an awesome kid! After we landed, I gave them my blog address and they took a picture of me and William together. Perhaps I will see him again someday when i'm a primate vet and he's all grown up and publishing his own research papers! I hope the whole family has a fantastic time here and that the monkeys aren't shy!
To finish off this post, here is a list of things that I will miss about Canada:
That's all for now! Time for lunch.
xoxox
Dayna
I love Costa Rica. As soon as I got off the plane, this wave of happiness washed over me. I love the forest, and the people, and the fact that there are animals everywhere I look. I am excited to get back and hang with my monkey family too! The PHD student gave me a day to rest from flying - but tomorrow its back to the forest! YAY!
My trip back was really good. On the flight from Houston to Liberia, I sat next to a cool young family who is here on their first vacation out of the states. I talked with them for a while about monkeys and fun places in Costa Rica to travel - and it turns out their youngest son William is aspiring to be a primatologist! What an awesome kid! After we landed, I gave them my blog address and they took a picture of me and William together. Perhaps I will see him again someday when i'm a primate vet and he's all grown up and publishing his own research papers! I hope the whole family has a fantastic time here and that the monkeys aren't shy!
To finish off this post, here is a list of things that I will miss about Canada:
- long hot showers. mmmmm
- internet that doesn't fail when im in the middle of a good skype conversation. sigh
- good hair days (with no sweating)
- not having to pick bugs out of my bed
- being able to flush toilet paper (it goes into the wastebasket here.)
- my peeps. it was great to see you guys
That's all for now! Time for lunch.
xoxox
Dayna
Monday, March 22, 2010
airport randoms
So i'm half way back to Costa Rica. I have a 5 hour layover in the houston airport. I took some photos while I waited. One of the photos has been modified in a way that makes me giggle. Can you find it?
<3 Day
<3 Day
Sunday, March 21, 2010
the interview ass kicking
Ok... so I totally kicked the interview in the ass. I think that part went GREAT! I made a lot of the interviewers laugh and smile and two of them even commented that I really appeared to be enjoying myself and having a good time. (This is kind of a big deal, cause many of the students are literally on the verge of tears while going through the interviews). So...go me!
However, I do not feel good about the essay part. They asked about current issues that production animal/rural vets have to face...and I didn't know what to say. I was ready to talk about the school and/or my qualifications for attending the school (either that or monkey balls). I did not do well. We were supposed to write 750 words, and I think I got about 500 actual words written. Terrible. I like to think I am not completely terrible at writing...so its a little disappointing that I didn't kick the essay in the ass too.
Now I get to wait. They score all the different areas, and the students with the highest scores are the ones who get the invites to attend vet school. My grades are great, my interview went great, my references are great, and my essay sucked ass. The interview and the grades are weighted the highest...so I really really hope its enough. Overall I feel pretty good about my chances - and I really do think I would make a great vet. Keep your fingers crossed for me ok?
Today is my last day in Canada. I am back in Edmonton right now and today I plan to: drink coffee, maybe do a little more shopping, snuggle my dog, and relax. I have to be at the airport at 3am...and my flight leaves at 6am. Then its back home to the jungle I go! MOAR MONKEYBALLS! WOO!
Ok, well I just thought i'd update you. Im going to go drink my coffee now.
<3 <3
Day
However, I do not feel good about the essay part. They asked about current issues that production animal/rural vets have to face...and I didn't know what to say. I was ready to talk about the school and/or my qualifications for attending the school (either that or monkey balls). I did not do well. We were supposed to write 750 words, and I think I got about 500 actual words written. Terrible. I like to think I am not completely terrible at writing...so its a little disappointing that I didn't kick the essay in the ass too.
Now I get to wait. They score all the different areas, and the students with the highest scores are the ones who get the invites to attend vet school. My grades are great, my interview went great, my references are great, and my essay sucked ass. The interview and the grades are weighted the highest...so I really really hope its enough. Overall I feel pretty good about my chances - and I really do think I would make a great vet. Keep your fingers crossed for me ok?
Today is my last day in Canada. I am back in Edmonton right now and today I plan to: drink coffee, maybe do a little more shopping, snuggle my dog, and relax. I have to be at the airport at 3am...and my flight leaves at 6am. Then its back home to the jungle I go! MOAR MONKEYBALLS! WOO!
Ok, well I just thought i'd update you. Im going to go drink my coffee now.
<3 <3
Day
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