A Very Emotional Weekend….
Excitement, happiness, Joy, shock, nervousness, sadness… yep we’ve been experiencing them all here the past few days. I got some amazing news a few days ago, news that I’ve been hoping for and waiting for, for the last 8 months. I got accepted into a program called the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program. (EATM). It’s the only program of its kind (it’s been referred to as the Harvard of Animal Training), and they only take 52 students each year. I have only told my family and a few close friends that I applied for it as I didn’t want to say anything unless I knew it was for sure. And now I know. so….. I’m moving to California!!!!!! In 2 MONTHS!!! yikes! and……all by myself.
This has been a lifelong dream of mine – to work with exotic animals and train them. I kind of thought it would always just be a dream, but it’s actually a reality now.
This 2 year program is intense – both academically and hands on. The EATM program is located at Moorpark College in Southern California and they have their own teaching zoo right there. Graduates of the program go on to work at zoos, SeaWorld, sanctuaries, train animals for TV/ Movies, and basically anywhere where animals are. If you know me in real life, you will know how much I love animals and how big a part of my life they have always been.
Getting accepted to this program really is a dream come true for me. I honestly thought I’d have to apply for a couple years before I would get in.
Needless to say I am thrilled! I am just a little stressed and nervous now cause I have to move my entire life to another country in 2 months and I’m not even sure where to start at the moment. How do I just pick up and go, leaving everybody and everything I love behind?
To explain how this all came about, I put together a little mini book:














April 28th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Congratulations!!!!!!!!! That is fabulous!!!!!!! You will be amazing!!!! I wish you all the best :)
April 29th, 2009 at 6:08 am
WOW! Congratulations! That is fantastic!! It is such a wonderful thing to be realizing a Dream!! Love the minibook too!!
Be like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can! (I used to tell my HS students that!LOL!)
Good Luck!
April 29th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Wow thats awesome!
what a privledge and I am so happy that you are pursuing your dreams even though you know the challenges that lie ahead I hope one day I will be able to be that committed and that nothing gets in my way of fulfilling my dreams. Congrats girl and I love the mini book you were able to make. Can’t wait to see all the projects you will do once you move to Cali. Good luck!
April 29th, 2009 at 11:20 am
OMG!! that is amazing Jess. you will love it there and i know will do well. So nice to hear that your dream has come through.. so 2 years..wow. Congrats and best of luck and i love that mini book.
Angie
April 29th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
OMG! Jesse that is awesome, live your life!
April 29th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Holy doodle! That’s an amazing adventure you have before you Jess. Congrats… I am so happy for you. :)
April 29th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Congratulations it sounds like an amazing program and you’ll do fantastic!
..
(__)
April 29th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
How exciting!! Congratulations!!
April 30th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
This is totally awesome. Have a great adventure!
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
very nice…congrat
May 8th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Congratulations Jess!!!I know you will be happy coz you found what your heart wants.I love how you told the story with that minibook.So cute!Wishing you all the best hun!
May 19th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Congrats Jess! That’s AMAZING news! I’m here to help wherever you need it!
July 6th, 2009 at 10:19 am
[...] as I am getting ready to embark on this crazy adventure of mine, my question for you this week is: What is the scariest/ most craziest thing you’ve ever [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Oh congratulations, Jess. I understand how you feel as I am an animal lover too. So happy for you.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Isn’t it wonderful when a dream comes to life? Congratulations Jessica.
August 10th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
[...] The entire story of how I heard of EATM and how I got to be here can be read here [...]