Review: 'Turtle: The Incredible Journey'

I had the opportunity to see Turtle: The Incredible Journey today courtesy of SeaWorld marketing.  This documentary definitely delivered on the 'Incredible' part of the title.  The movie follows the perilous life of a baby loggerhead sea turtle from the moment she breaks from her egg through 21-years later. 

SeaWorld Productions partnered with Emmy Award winning director, Nick Stringer, to provide dramatic visualization and a compelling story narrated by Miranda Richardson (aka Rita Skeeter from the Harry Potter films).  True to SeaWorld's mission statement, the film dropped not-subtle messages of marine conservation.  In addition, the film has a 3-D version, which provides complete immersion into the ocean world.  Viewers find themselves holding their breath as the waves crash into the camera, but feel equally as comfortable as the variety of whales, dolphins, and fish swim through the blue abyss.

Why would anyone want to watch an 81-minute documentary about a turtle? Because you love marine life and you like a compelling story.  I'm fairly certain the crew did not follow the same turtle around for 21-years, but that is not the point. The point is to connect with the 'character' and to feel the urge to clean up trash, sign a petition, and save the one ocean that we all have in common. The story goes beyond one turtle, it's a story about all the ocean animals and the challenges they all must face by mother nature alone.  Then you add the human factor and survival is bleak.


Overall, I rate this movie as a B, as the content will not appeal to all crowds.  However, if you're going to see it, see it on the big screen.

And then I rescued a turtle.

I guess I'm a wildlife warrior as I have rescued two non-mammal this week.  Chris and I were walking Charger in the neighborhood when we saw a giant turtle in the middle of the road.

We have a lot of little ponds here, so we think it left one to get to the other side. This guy would have never made it across the road with the traffic.

Luckily, Charger had not pooped, so I had two doggy poop bags. Now I tried some scare tactics to get it to run, only for it to hide even more. When I tried to move it, the backlegs stuck in the ground.  Meanwhile my ever brave brother and dog just stood there laughing/staring inquisitively.  Ever helpful Chris was yelling at me to just pick it up, but it was quite heavy.  I actually thought it may have already been run over and didn't want it's guts to spill out.  Chris assured me he saw no blood and it probably would not be moving if it did get run over.  So after a minute, I pulled it off the ground and ran the turtle across the street towards the next pond.  Off it ran!  Once Charger saw that it was actually not a rock she starting barking like crazy.

I felt good.  I have seen far too many turtles dead on the side of the road. This one I was able to identify as a Florida softshell turtle.  May it live long and prosper.
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On a side note: Charger gets her ovaries taken out on Wednesday.  When asked, my dad would rather have me spayed than Charger.

I speak Parseltongue

I find that the most wildlife I see since living in Florida ends up either in my backyard or dead in my pool. Recently a baby snake got stuck in the pool.  The poor thing swam around for days trying to get out.

Sadly the last time this happen, my dad got to the snake first and bashed its brains out.  I favor living things, so I felt guilty that I did not react sooner.

Today I got my redemption. Again, the poor baby snake was swimming for days, finally it was in a position for me to catch. So today, I got a bucket and told the snake "come with me if you want to live." Without a blink it swam into the bucket. I kindly asked the snake not to jump out until I was ready and thank god it didn't. 

When I got to the grassy area of my backyard, I told the snake. "On three, get out of the bucket and preferably snake away from my feet." I put the bucket down and in a flash he was gone! I felt really good for helping the snake out. Hopefully, it won't come back.

My mom was surprised how smoothly it all went. Now in hindsight, it probably is not the best idea to handle snakes in buckets without a glove and in flip flops, especially baby snakes. I can't seem to identify what type of snake it was online. Meh, a life saved I suppose.

All my friends are gone!

Ok not all my friends, but the amount of people who evacuated the state of Florida this past month is crazy. I wish I were among them.

• Jenny moved to Baltimore and got a Guest Service manager job at the Baltimore Zoo! Jenny was my trainer in Guest Services and definitely one of my first friends in Florida. Jenny and I had a lot in common because we both grew up and went to school up north. We also always joked that another month and another one of our acquaintances would be engaged.
• Delacy left again for Ohio, with the intention of not coming back. Delacy is also one of my first friends in Florida and took care of me at work. 
• Alex from the Science Center is moving to Wisconsin to be with her beloved. Alex was my breath of fresh air. I always surrounded myself with smart enthusiastic people in NY and Boston and longed to have that back in my life. Alex and Sarah would be so nerdy/cool/funny, when we hung out, I was just happy being me. It's definitely a happiness that I've been missing since leaving Boston. I will most definitely miss laughing like an idiot with Alex.
• Brian left today for Pennsylvania. Brian and I were in the same training class, but we did not become super good friends until I started dating Johnny and he was Johnny's roommate. Brian would be my work vent buddy. I loved that he would drag us homebodies out to do things whether it be sushi or a bar. 

I am so thankful to have had these people in my life.  And leave with these lyrics from Wicked "For Good"

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

My school rules

Now that I've finished my first semester back at school, while working full-time, I have developed some habits and rules that making getting through it the second time a lot easier. Granted, my current school is much less rigorous than BU was, but needless to say, the effort must still be there. I have lofty expectations.

1. Complete all assignments a week in advance. Time flies by when you're working and going to school. If you know when your deadlines are, then you will have ample time to complete them. 
2. Reading is important, but reading the chapter summaries are even more important. Reading takes a long time, you can either read the whole thing and not absorb anything or read parts and get the bigger picture. 
3. Never lose points for spelling and grammar. With technology these days, you almost have to try to not spell something correctly. 
4. Always show up and take notes. It always surprises me how many people do not come to class and then if they do they just sit there. I have the worst memory, and have to write everything down. I rate showing up, higher than reading. 
5. Review your notes within 24-hours of class. I don't do this all the time, but it helps to really sink in the material so you don't have to study as hard for the tests.
6. OMG keep a calendar. As I discussed in "Even dolphins run out of time." I would never end up anywhere, if I didn't know where to go and what to do when I get there. 
7. Always have a pen or two on hand. This is more of a life rule. You never know when someone will call and tell you something you need to remember. 
8. Budget!!! School finances sneak up on you. 
9. Finally, keep your eye on the bigger goal. So many times, I thought, why am I doing this?? It's because I want a better life for myself and I enjoy learning. 

Good luck!

A new goal

I'm starting to become obsessed with writing. Victor has coaxed me into writing in my written journal just my thoughts. I try to post here interesting things that I want preserved for the public in case of tragedy.


About a month or two ago, I found a "five-year one line journal." I regret not buying it because it seems like such a cute and good idea. Obviously, I have a journal now; but I would definitely wants something like this in the future. http://www.amazon.com/Day-5-Year-Journal-Potter-Style/dp/0307719774/ref=pd_sim_b_4. This is just a cool way to interact with writing and keep good memories.

In class today, Attorney Gordon talked about an honor society for Paralegal students with exceptional academic ability. It's called Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX). Since I'm in such a small program only one or two people per graduating semester get picked. I have set this as my goal to achieve. Nothing will prove to me more that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I joked from time to time that I will be valedictorian, but I really want to do it and do it right. This is part of my goal of no longer being second best. Well 1.5 years left to prove my stuff.

10 things you shouldn't say to a customer service person

I've heard a lot of crazy things in my life as a customer service agent.  Here is a list of the top 10 things that do not help your case and will probably make me judge you.

1. "I have 200 friends on facebook and I'm going to be sure to tell them never to go to ____" Wow, only 200 friends.  That's the problem with social media these days, most people think they're more important than they really are.  So you have 200 friend, one or two may actually read your posts while the other 198 don't give a shit. 
2. "I can't believe your office isn't open 24-hours a day." What a noble idea to help the economy, but let me ask you this, would you like to stay up until the wee hours working? Neither do I. 
3. "I know ____, he's the owner of the company."  Oh really?! Then why are you calling me instead of him. Again, if you're so important and on his radar, then by all means go through that channel and leave me alone. 
4. "My kid has (insert mental of physical handicap) and I can't believe you treated us this way. I'm going to write to the ADA."  If we were doing something illegal, I would know.  The ADA says "reasonable accommodations," not special treatment. I understand that in some cases you may need extra assistance, but don't milk it. You're ruining it for the people that truly need help.
5. "I only want to speak to a supervisor." Believe it or not, I have the same authority as my supervisor. In fact, my supervisor is just there to make sure I don't hang myself while listening to rant.  So don't start off on the wrong foot by belittling me. 
6. "Well, no one ever told me...." Sounds like a personal problem.  Why don't you try taking some responsibility for your actions.  I don't just show up places and expect them to tell me everything I need to know.  You would end up more mad if you had to take a class every time you tried to go somewhere or do something.  A little tiny bit of effort on your part goes a long way.
7. "That will be the last time I EVER visit you, I'm going to (competitor)" Bye! I'm pretty sure you'll be back though, the next time your kids beg to come visit. And I KNOW you'll be back if I give you free stuff. Sucker.
8. "I paid in cash and have no receipt, but I swear I'm not lying" Hello red flag.  You see yourself as a brilliant actor. I see you as a mother fucking scammer. Stop wasting my time.
9. "Hi, I'm standing outside the customer service area and they're not helping me." The mommy vs daddy routine works sometimes, but most times it means that you didn't get the answer you want because what you want goes against our rules. Calling us, isn't going to help you. Talk to the people in front of you.
10. "I think I should be compensated for my pain and suffering." May I please bring this into perspective.  In your mind you may have suffered, but you should be thanking your lucky stars that you are not enslaved, sick, destitute, starving.  Instead of wasting your money on self-indulgence, why don't you do something that matters.