Strangers to friends

   My favorite thing about traveling is meeting new people. And my favorite thing about meeting new people is the way they impact your life. 

 Life is so much different traveling, I can practically walk up to anyone and make a friend. At home I'm pretty sure I'd be ignored, taken advantage of, or looked at as crazy. 

 Truth is you make the best of friends when you travel. Yes, I've only been in Australia for 1 week but I have made a few good friends here. 

  One friend I met last Tuesday at spot X and then met up with her in Byron bay, and I got teary eyed when I said seeya soon to her last night.  She is so cool and I love how her and I instantly connected to eachother.   We now want to plan to visit eachother and then plan to volunteer somewhere together. 

  In addition to Julie, I've also made friends with Swiss aka Remo, James, Krisstie, Dom, Lucas, Laura and so many more.  

 It isn't just Australia I made heaps of friends in. I made good friends with everyone who went to Thailand! I had only known them for 1 week when I got sick and I missed them so much as they did me! I still keep in touch with most of them, especially my group. 

I know many of my Friends back home worry about me talking to "strangers" and hanging out with new friends. I understand their concern of not wanting me to be in danger or be harmed. And that's why I love them, they care about me and love me so much. They are all really true friends. But the only reason that we became friends was because we were once strangers. I also don't think they understand how different and chill the places I have been are. :) but that's okay...

WARNING this post is pretty boring!

   Well we finally made it on the flight to Sydney. Friday was one of the longest days ever!!! Both Elizabeth and I woke up around 7am (10am Jersey time). Neither of us really could sleep any longer. So we got up and explored the hotel a bit.  After we reorganized ourselves a bit and took showers. 

   Around quater to noon. We checked out of the crown plaza and stored our luggage with them as we explored this adorable little town. Then around 1:15 we headed back to the hotel, but decided to keep walking along the bay. It was a beautiful day, so we soaked up all the fresh air and sunshine we could get. Around 3:30 we headedback to SFO airport. 

  We checked our luggage as soon as we got to the airport and got on the air train. Every once in a while we got off at different terminals and explored them. The best was Terminal 2, the one with Virgin airlines.  The Chairs were extreamly comfy, and they had some nice music going on.  We then found a little place to eat. Upon finishing eating we headed back Outside to have our final breath of fresh air until landing in Sydney! 

  We got through security with a minimal wait and ventured off to our gate. After learning that there wasno good  food in our section we walk what felt like miles to a different food court

 Elizabeth and I were both shocked with the little amount of variety in the food and lack of restaurants. I've never seen an airport so big with such little to eat.   

Anyhow, after eating we went back to our gate. We meet a bunch of adorable kids who are now on our flight, and a family willing to show us around their area of Australia. 

Both elizabeth and I slept about 85% of the plane ride, so like the past two days, the flight has been pretty uneventful. 

(I'll share pictures later!) 

1st Day at surfing!

Well to night was my first time being at a party scene. I drank a little bit, but not enough to give me any danger or rvn any effects. I made some great new friends tonight. I already have plans to meet back up with one, Julie, sometime between friday and monday. 

Surfing was a bit easier than expected. And just wicked fun. I'm so proud of myself for not nose diving at all. I even got up on my first lesson. It's actually wicked difficult to get your pop-up right. But i'll continue to work on it as the week progresses. 

     Also. Today I loaded up on the sunscreen and hit the beach, and got fried in the middle of Dcember!! My bum is so burnt it hurts to sit. My armpits (who even knew you could get burnt there?)  are so red and hurt and I have a nice 7cm tan line above the top of my bathing suit line and then everything is just white the rest of the way up. I learned that I need to use sunscreen like every 45 minutes. 

San Fran!

Yesterday (Thursday December 12th), I headed to Newark airport for the fourth time in one year! This time it was with just Elizabeth. We had a 5:30 flight to san Fran to meet our 10:35 plane to Sydney.  Our flight to San Fran was delayed about an hour and 15 minutes leaving us 20 minutes to get to our flight to Sydney. 

 Both my sister and I were prepared to run upon getting off the plane. However United was NOT operating in our favor and we were stuck taxing because a different (United) plane was still at our gate. This caused our UNITED flight to Sydney to leave without us and about 20 other people. We got off the plane at 10:33. We would have had enough time to RUN to the other gate to catch our flight to Sydney that ended up ,leaving  the gate at 10:45.  Elizabeth and I were the (and still are) stuck in San Fran until tonight (friday night) at 10:30. Untied was kind enough to put us up in a semi-okay hotel, and gave us each $21 in food vouchers.  

 The good part is that we got to shower and sleep and charge our phones/ipodsThe bad is that we really wanted to see Aussie and go to our Santa Pub Crawl. But it's what you get when you travel, so i'm taking it all with grace. 

I'm so happy that all my hours of babysitting, dog walks, and dog sits are finally getting rewarded with a nice little adventure down under.

Bella Abby Hillman

Dear Bella Abby,
  Today marks the 9 year anniversary of when we finalized your adoption at St. Hubert's and brought you home. I remember that day so vividly. I got to skip school that day. Partly because we were bringing you home and then partly because we had to go to Janet's funeral. It was a "happy day and a sad day" as I explained it to everyone I knew. Nine years later I look at that day as the turning point in my life.  It's the day you came into my life and changed everything I ever wanted to do.
   I'll never forget letting you loose in the house for the very first time. You went nuts! You ran and ran and ran around the house running into every wall! I then taught you your first "trick", I taught you to jump up on me to get a treat.  Then I walked you around the yard and taught you to go potty in the side yard. And that first night? I set your crate up perfectly for you. I put you in your bed then I set up camp to sleep on the floor right beside your crate. It was one of the first times I knowingly stayed up "late"  (10:30ish) on a school night.
  The joy of bringing you home never fades. I wish I could be that little girl again all excited to bring home my NEW puppy! Molly wasn't the same. She was born at our house. I never got to "bring her home". And no puppy I ever bring home will be the same as you!
  Bella I miss you so much! There isn't a day I go without thinking of you! I miss everything about you, the good, the bad, and everything in between. I miss playing with chasing you in the snow, and watching you dig your holes,or laying with you.
  You Bella, you always knew when I needed you. You hated being cuddled, however when I needed you you always came to me, I never had to come to you. And in the end, I hope I came to you when you needed me the most. I hate that you are gone but I'm happy you aren't in pain. I wish you could come back as a puppy and that I would know who you were! I just miss you so much!
  Today would have been your 9th Birthday. We would celebrate as always with a trip to petmart, begginstrips,  chicken and rice for dinner, and lactate free ice cream for your birthday dessert! So in honor of you today I will have some ice cream for dessert and chicken for dinner!

I love you Bella Abby! I will never forget you! I hope you'll having a ball in heaven!!!!

Love Brigette!

The morning before we got our foster dogs.

November 12, 2013

Today is a beautiful day. It marks the beginning of a beautiful season of caring, love, joy, hope, and lots of hot chocolate.

Why? You ask. Why today? Why not yesterday? or Tomorrow? or in Two Weeks?

It's today because today marks my first snow fall of the season. Well, the first snowfall that stuck! The first snow has something so magical about it! I absolutely LOVE it!

Today, it is beautiful outside! Enjoy your day, and the snow!!

Admitting When You Are Done Can Be tough

I hate admitting this but these past two weeks have sucked! They have sucked, a lot. I have felt so down, guilty, lost, kicked these past two weeks and I finally am ready to admit it.

miss my baby

UGH I MISS HER TOO MUCH

I hate when people feel bad for me. I like to let people know what's going on with me. I am just open like that. I don't tell people because I want their sympathy, or their help or pitty. I tell people because 1. It helps me cope with whatever is going on, and 2 because I find medical things interesting. I tell people because I'm always curious of what is wrong with people, that they may be interested in what is going on with me. I haven't been telling my professors about my arm because I want to get out of work, I tell them if they have to read my hand writing, because I physically can not write (or type) with my right hand and my left handed hand writing is close to that of a preschooler.

The two things I could really use hugs from

 I have felt so guilty the last two weeks for being all self absorbed in my life. I feel horrible that so many people feel bad for me.  I think it is  weird when people feel bad for me. I don't know what to do or how to act. Don' get me wrong, I love when people ask, I just feel guilty when they feel bad for me. I'm not so sure why this happens. It could be because my whole life I have always felt bad for someone else, so I don't like when the tables are turned, it  feels wrong.  

T

missing her  so much!! i hate being so far away

 In addition to feeling guilty I have felt extremely frustrated. With simple tasks, school work, and the doctor and physical therapist.  Unlike the doctor refuses  to believe, I have been using and moving my hand and wrist, just in a modified way which they said was fine. I practice my exercises constantly while I'm walking to class, sitting in class, or eating lunch. I really am trying. I may be trying to hard because sometimes it hurts, and other times I'll go to bed with a high pain level from moving it all day.  I really have been trying and I have been making progress.

I'm not really to sure how to explain everything else, So I'm leaving it at this....

You Will notice ME!!

"I will prove you wrong, if you think I'm all talk, you're in for a shock, 'cause this  dream's too strong and before too long..." ("I was here" Lady Antebellum)

This song has been on my mind a lot these past 2 weeks. 2 weeks ago I was home  and practicing my handstands in my basement. I was also practicing my handstand push-ups, when all the sudden I lost my balance.
 Now you see, when you loose  balance in a handstand you should usually tuck and roll forwards. Well, when you are against the wall this is nearly impossible. So what I did was lift my right hand up and for some reason put it back down with my palm up and fingers facing me. Well, this was stupid because I then rolled my wrist and fell to the right. I heard a snap, a crackle and felt a pop. (**snap crackle pop..rice crisppies*)  I wasn't in any pain so I shook it off, literately, and did another handstand.  My right wrist gave out and I fell on it again and my head bashed into the wall and that is  when I felt the pain.  This all Happened on Sunday.

right after it happened

I went to see my FAVORITE doctor on Monday. Instead of just stopping by to say hi like I was planning, I stopped by for Dr. Heather Varley to check out my hardly-swollen wrist. She took x-rays and determined that it was a sprain.  She splinted it and sent me on my way. After I left teary eyed because: 1. I was in pain and 2. I really was gonna miss Dr. Heather. As she is my favorite and my only Doctor that allows me to call her by her first name.

3 days after it happened

The next day I went back, with my splinted, and a little bit more swollen hand, to school. As the Week progressed my hand became more swollen and bruised. I made an appointment for Tuesday to see the school doctor.  (that was 5 days from Tuesday)  During the weekend my arm became extremely painful and kept me up most of the night.

On Monday I got out of lab early and went to go see Tori. 1. Because I missed her and 2. Because I needed her help to put my hair up. She saw my arm and got super scared. After work she forced me to go to the E.R. I really didn't want to go but at the same time I was happy to finally and hopefully be getting out of pain and to be getting answers.

pealing an apple with one hand

I walked into the ER and I was being seen and given pain meds with in minutes. I had a billion doctors. They all seemed so scared and worried. I really didn't understand why. My hand also became famous, everyone was taking pictures of it. One doctor who got super concerned is now my second favorite doctor in the world, Dr. Michelle.  She was with me a lot and checked on me a lot. I really like her. I hope I get to see her again soon!!! Shes amazing!!! I wish I knew her last name.

Anyways, I got a ton of X-rays and was kept overnight in case it was infected. I was sent home early in the morning. I then went to see a different hand doctor 2xs after I was released.  They finally came to the conclusion that I have a 3rd degree sprain. I was finally taken out of my splints. I have been working on my hand movements a lot this weekend. I have gained almost all movement in my pinky back. I can move my wrist more, and I can sorta bend my fingers now!! I still don't have knuckles, but the doctor doesn't seem to concerned about it, so I'm not ether. She also isn't worried about my busing, so I'm not either.

But yea, Back to "I was Here"
 The phase "I will prove you wrong" has been my come back when people offer me help because they think I can't do something. Like zippering my jacket. I mean I love helpful everyone has been. Especially those times when I get SO frustrated, which has been becoming more frequent!!!

I can't thank Tori and Marissa Enough for everything they have done for me and for taking care off and babysitting me!!!  I hope you know I really mean I'm sorry for being such a cranky, whinny, buttface turnnugget.  And thanks to Casey, for picking me up from the doctors and Travis for taking me and waiting at CVS.  Ashley for Visiting me and helping me. And thanks to Eric for all your help, letting me squeeze your hand, and listing to whinny me, oh and texting me late at night when I was suppose to be sleeping!!!! thanks to EVERYONE in Lane Hall! We are more than hall mates, we are Family!! and lastly thanks to anyone else who has helped me over the last 2 weeks. I love ya'll!!

my hand last night

It's Official....

i'm going to Haiti!

On Freshman move in day I learned that each year at Becker takes 10 students to Haiti to volunteer at the Be Like Brit orphanage. I have wanted to go on this trip since learning about it. Since the earthquake in 2010 it has been a goal of mine to volunteer at an orphanage in Haiti, and now, that goal is going to be met! I'm so excited!!

I am excited to learn about the Haiti culture as well as help with what needs to be done around the orphanage! I'm super excited!

Above is a video made by BeLikeBrit!

The cost of my trip will be $1,000. This includes everything. This amount also includes a small donation. I will be fundraising for my trip along with the other 9 members of the club who will be going on the trip as well. However I would Like to raise enough to give an additional donation the the orphanage!!! I plan on holding some sort of fundraiser around home sometime soon! Until then, I am trying to spread the word that I am working on raising money for my service trip to Haiti. If you would like to donate now you can do so HERE!

I will keep you updated on this journey as well as my fundraising efforts!!

WOW!

I Can't believe it, in 65 days I will be headed to Newark Liberty Airport for the fourth time this year! Since when did I become such a frequent flier at EWR???

My first trip started when I was invited to travel to Disney world in December with a group of friends from my rescue. I know, It's only Disney world, so I didn't Really travel to far. However, if I knew then just how much I would be flying in the next year I would have definitely  started my United miles membership then.  Anyways during that trip there was absolutely NO way I even wanted to get on a plane in the first place. Now, after that statement who would think that I was going to travel half way around the would just 7 months later?

During my second trip I traveled with my parents and Elizabeth, my older sister, again to Florida. But this time is was to see my younger sister, Laura march in the Disney Parade. We also went to universal and sea world. It was a busier trip than the one I had taken just three months prior.

Then just about four months later (to the day), I found my self back again, at Newark Liberty Airport for the Biggest trip of my life so far. My trip to Thailand that is. It was the first time leaving the country. Thankfully it wasn't the first time traveling without my family, however it was the first time flying with absolutely nobody that I knew.  Prior to this trip, the longest I remember being on a plan before are the 2 hour flights to Florida.  I was scared, but excited. I had sorta gotten over my fear of flying, but I was scared to death to fly over a body of water for a long period of time. I did fine though. I survived. I may or may not have cried a bit during all the turbulence, but I'm over it now.

I'm over it and now, I look forwards to flying- that is as long as I'm not feeling sick.  I NEVER want to fly sick, EVER again. It was the worst experience (that I remember) ever! But now that I am healthy I am ready to RUN back through Newark Liberty Airport and hop on the plane to Sydney! I don't mind the long flights anymore. They don't phase me.

The Good news is I will now OFFICIALLY be RUNNING (okay, let's hope I don't have to run) through Newark Liberty Airport again, for the fourth time in a year, on December 12th!! My best Friend's Birthday!!

I Can Not Wait To BE Back!!!

(P.S. Stacey, I promise the next time that I fly on your birthday I will try to make sure that you, my friend, are with me! So, start planing! I was thinking maybe Ireland!)

4 Days!!

It's Official I'll be going home next weekend. (Carly I'm really hoping you don't read this post until after  I surprise you)

So, yes I am going back to Jersey next weekend, although I'm SO excited to see everyone, Molly, and eat real Italian food, I really do not wanna go home. I don't want to miss anything at school.

Although Tori and Marissa pretty much aren't here on the weekends, I'm still gonna miss them so much! And I'm gonna miss Ashley-my Stunday buddy. And I'm really really really gonna miss my hall mates! SO MUCH!! I spend every weekend, all weekend with them.

 I'm gonna miss everything that they are doing, and all the Lane Hall laziness and Craziness that happens on the weekends- Like playing street soccer and our lazy Saturdays spent doing homework and eating.

More so I don't wanna go home because I don't wanna miss out on Paint balling!!

BUT I've finally come to turns with it. The main reason that I am coming home is to get my allergy shots because the stupid Health and Wellness center is closed on Tuesday-the only day they will give me my shots.

What I am looking forwards to this weekend is:
-Seeing STACEY!! I'm extremely excited to see Stacey. I pretty much plan on spending my Whole weekend with her!!! We have big plans!! Red Mango, Starbucks, Pizza, Dinner! I miss  new jersey food!! Especially the Italian food!!

-I'm excited to babysit Clair!!! I miss her I miss working at the preschool!!

-I plan on stopping by adoptions! I can't wait to cuddle with puppies!! SO excited!! I can't tell you how excited I am to cuddle puppies!!

-I plan on meeting Baby Nina as long as baby Nina is ready to meet the world!! Let's hope she is!!

- I plan on off leash Molly a bit this weekend!!

- I plan on visiting my birthday Buddy who may or may not have appendicitis right now. I miss her so much!!

As you can see I plan on doing a lot this weekend!! So in that case I plan on doing a LOT of Homework this week,

College Life=Busy Life

WOW! I can't believe how busy I've been the last few weeks! It's crazy!! Every time I even think about blogging I realize I should be writing some sort of paper instead.
 This past week I actually spent more time in Lane Hall (my Hall) than knight hall. I had a research paper to write so I decided to stay in Lane to write it so that I could focus better. I really did miss everyone in Knight this past week. I spent about an hour or two with them today before they left for lessons and a date.
  So I've basically been super busy that I have no idea what to even write about right now.

I can't believe it's a Friday night and I am the only on ein my room, I've been up her for about 4 1/2 hours now, relaxing, catching up on Grey's and doing a bit of homework. It's only 10:30... Whaat a life I  have right???

Any ways here are a few pictures from the last couple weeks!!!! :)

Who Do You Turn to?

"When Life Leaves you High and Dry," Who will be at your door that night?

Who do you turn to? When you are miles away from your Bestest Friend Ever? When your schedule conflicts with her schedule and your classes are at different times? Who do you turn to when you need someone in person? When don't want anyone to know?? When you want to keep it in yet, you were taught to let it out?

Do you turn to your roommates? Your Hall Mates? Your RA? Your new friends that you only met 4 weeks ago?  Where do you run to when you don't know the area? When your get away space is just to far away to run to? When you can't run to your bestest friends house and wait for her to get home from work so you can talk it out over yogurt.
Who do you Turn to?

Who do you talk to when the person who you have told everything to over the past four years is over 3.5 hours away? When you have built up so much trust and honestly with her? When you know she has helped you through the hellish times of high school. When she gives you the tough love just because she really knows what is best for you.
Who do you turn to?

Who do you talk to when you have no idea what you are feeling? When you are supper happy and friendly on the outside, but you have no idea how you feel on the inside? Even when others ask you what is wrong you have no idea? You don't know how you feel. You don't know if what you feel is what you should feel. When you don't know if what your saying is actually true,but you say it anyways because you have been thinking it, but you really don't think it's an issue? When you feel like in some strange crazy ass way your body just making you feel weird because it wants attention, however you don't really want the attention that comes along with what you are feeling.
Who do you turn to?

When you feel that something is wrong. When you haven't been upset for months, years even then all the sudden you have no idea how you feel. That you don't even know why you act the way you act.

What do you do? Who do you do to?



*************I am perfectly fine. I feel very well, I am happy and I love Becker College.. I love my new friends and I love everything here! My life is great!! I just had a friend experience something like this....she is all good now tho!!!

It's Amazing...

 It's amazing how quickly you can become best friends with one person. It's amazing how fast you can drift away from others. It's amazing how much you can change in a short amount of time.
  When I went to Thailand I quickly  became super close to everyone in the Vet group. We were instant best friends, and Instantly telling each other every detail. It was great. I became just as close if not closer to my Thailand friends as I was to my friends in high school It was great. They were there for me and I will always be here for them, no matter where in the world they may be.

  On the flip side it's crazy how quickly you can loose a relationship that has taken years to build. In the past two weeks I've experienced this in two different ways. The first is that in which I learned that you can't always be sure of your friendships. I learned this when someone I got to know really well in a short period of time, away from our current setting, was a jerk to me. When we first met we became supper close in 2 weeks and I thought the bond would extend into our current situation, regardless of what other people thought about her, however it hasn't. In fact, we have drifted away dramatically. After an offensive text was sent to me from her I gave up trying to go out of my way for her, and trying to bring us back to that closeness. I learned that I just wasn't able to trust her as mush as I thought.
  The second thing I learned in the the past week is that you can take years building up a relationship with someone, and then your relationship will be tested and you will sink, or you will float, It's up to both of you to tread through the tough moments, to understand that you both have changed and things will be different now. Sometime the change will break you and your friend, sometimes the change will make you grow closer. In my case we grew away. It sucks but I guess It's kinda my fault as well.

   Also in the past week I have truly learned who some of my good friends at Becker will be. I know for sure that Marissa will always be there for me. I mean she came to Lane at 1:00 am to cheer me up. Who could ask for a better friend? I feel so grateful to have met her. I know I'll always have Tori  as well. I know I can trust her with my life and I hope she knows she can trust me with hers.  Eric is a great guy, one of the few who truly keep their word. I also learned today that as long as I'm not a b*tch to Mike he will always be here for me if I need him. He is one of the nicest guys I have ever met on my own in a really long time. He is such a gentleman. Just when I starte seeing that the real goal of most of the guys here is sex, I meet one or two who actual know how to be normal and care about a person. So I'm really glad him and I were able to work together today to get to Saint Vincent Hospital to be with Cierra. To be here for Cierra. I have never felt so sick over one being sick, but I really felt it when Cierra got sick. Maybe it's because I know how scary being sick away from home is or maybe it's because I know how much pain she is. Whatever the reason I couldn't sleep last night knowing how much pain Cierra was in, that her family wasn't there and how much her situation really sucks. I feel horrible for her and I just want her to know that I'm here for her. Even if the only thing she wants from me is to bring her chicken fingers and french fries and to hold her hand through the pain.  I'm really happy to be here for her. She is a great person and such a sweetie that Who wouldn't wanna be here for her? I can't wait until she is feeling better, and I hope puppy sitting for me next Saturday will cheer her up a bit.

Well, for now I  must go. I need to walk around and a bit.

Day 7: A Day of Many First- FINALLY DONE

Today was the best and the worst so far. It will be a day that I will NEVER forget. It is the day that I changed my perspective on life. It is the day that I learned the most important lesson so far. The day that I learned how true my new friends are and the amazing bond that we will share and have forever.

So, I'm guessing you'd like to hear about today. Truth is, I accidentally deleted this post when I first wrote it.  But fear not, I remember most of this life changing day. I don't remember a good chunk of it, but I've been filled in on it, and now I'll fill you in. (WARNING THIS IS A LONG POST)

It started like this:
 I woke up in the morning, not feeling like Pdiddy, I felt like my cold was getting worse. And to tell you the truth, I have no idea what PDiddy feels like in the morning. My throat was sore, I had a slight headache and not apatite. BUT unlike when I have a cold in the US and mope around, my spirits were higher than ever. Okay maybe not the highest because I was still super depressed about Winn Dixie. But I didn't let that interfere to much, because I WAS GOING TO PLAY WITH TIGERS.

Yes, I just said tigers. I Brigette Hillman was going to play with tiger cubs! To tell you the truth it wasn't as cool as it sounds......  IT WAS A BILLION times more amazing than it sounds!

When I got up in the morning I was sweaty gross so I jumped in the shower for a cold rinse off and got dressed. I went back upstairs to take my allergy and asthma medicines. I usually don't take my inhalers every day, but I felt that it is better to be safe then sorry when I'm days away from home! After I headed back down with my buds to eat breakfast. I wasn't hungry, at all! I debated not eating at all, but I knew I needed something in the heat, so I forced a yogurt and tried a juice. I have to admit the juice wasn't terrible, it was much better than the coke I had the night before.

I couldn't wait to get on the truck and head out to the Tiger Kingdom. I grabbed my bag, and doubled check to make sure I brought bendryl, my epi, and inhaler ad headed out. (Unlike every other day I never checked to make sure I grabbed a water, regardless of the fact that I was told over and over again to make sure I had water. It wasn't because I didn't want to bring water, It was because I was just to excited to remember That I had never grabbed one at breakfast.) I was actually one of the first on the truck.

  Once reaching the Tiger Kingdom I saw people in with tigers. I filled out and signed my wavier and the next thing I knew we were heading back to the babies. They were absolutely adorable! I didn't care how tight the heat hugged me, I ignored it's hug and pushed through to play with those baby tigers.

The first tigers that we got to play with were about 3-4 months old. I stayed back a bit and let the other girls go first and I took my turn last. Don't get me wrong I still cuddled and pet and played with those kitties but I took my pictures with the babies last. It turned out to be the right choice. because as I was petting and playing with one I was handed a bottle to feed the little guy. YES it's a first, I BOTTLE FED A TIGER!

After the smallest tigers, we headed to the small tigers. I believe those were about 5 months to 12 months old. But they were not small. Not small at all, maybe for a giant they were small, but they were enormous to me! They were super cool  tho. One or two of them were not in the mood to have visitors, so we were told to stay way. Oh my gosh this one that we got to cuddle with first was adorable! he rolled over for a belly rub!!! How adorable, and trusting? He then got up and went in his little tiger pool. The handler splashed him a tad, and we played with him a bit. Eventually he had to pee. And just like any young-ling has, and will do, he peed in the pool. While I was taking a picture with him no less. But his adorableness made up for it!!! How many people here can say they have picture with a peeing Tiger?

After the small tigers we were off to the medium tigers. While waiting to go in their habitat, we had a water break. That was when I first realized that I didn't have a water. I didn't want to speak up because I knew both Hannah and Jane were reminding us all morning to bring a water. I also realized that I lied to Jane when she asked me if I had water. (I really didn't mean to lie, I really wasn't thinking and thought I had brought one from breakfast like I had had been doing all week) So I asked Texas for a few sips of her water.  After all I knew I was sweating and I should replace some of my lost water. I knew that in the heat, the last thing I needed was to not drink any water at all. I knew that I should be drinking even though I had't brought a water, and that Is why I had some of Texas' water. While waiting Kat also gave Hannnah a back massage.

After what seemed like forever we went in with the medium tigers. I believe they were between 16 months and a year.I thought they were fully grown. They were enormous! I couldn't believe that they were not fully grown. It was crazy! I never thought they could get any bigger than the small sized ones. But every time I blinked there would be a larger tiger! It was crazy!! These guys were super mellow, they just slept.

After the tigers every one but Jite wanted to do the Zorbe balls, or the hamster balls on the water in front of the kingdom.  I mean for $3 who wouldn't! Oh my gosh they were so cool! Getting in them I have to admit I was scared that it would have a small hole and would fill up with water and I would die. But as soon as Texas knocked into me I lost that thought. I was never able to get the walking down, but I managed the standing. running, flipping, rolling, and handstands. I even managed to make the fish splash Jite, Jane, and Hannah

Chaing Mai Ram

After coming out of the zorbe balls I was hot. So super hot that I just became so tired and dizzy. I was sweating more than I ever had in my entire life and it wouldn't stop. It almost felt like someone was just pouring water on me My body had become extremely tired and my muscles hurt. I contributed all of this to my workout in a ball with absolutely no circulation. The guys blowing up the zorbe balls blew me off with the ball inflate to cool me ff before I headed over to Hannah and them. After a few minutesi headed to go over to them. I knew if they saw me like that they would tell me to drink, and I didn't want them to know I didn't have water. SO when I finally went over to them, I had some of Maddi's water.

After Kat and Hailey finished, we headed back to the truck and were on our way to a beautiful lunch.

"We had lunch at an orchid farm around 1pm. I had two glasses of water, rice, watermelon, pineapple, and french fries. Then, we drove about an hour to Chiang Dao to visit a cave there. While on the way I took my inhaler. We walked around and took pictures of the temples, (beautiful temples) and then entered the cave. The whole cave is fairly easy walking, lighted by lanterns, and takes about one hour. (Honestly apprt from the animals, I think the caves were my favorite part!) At 4:07, youtook you inhaler and said you was feeling fine and wanted to keep going. Soon after, you told us she felt dizzy(I remember being told that "you look a little green", and my response was "That's because I feel a little green"), and we walked to the exit and were out in a few minutes. Once out, you sat down, and then said you lungs were feeling a little weird. You were conscious and could still open your eyes and talk, but was hot and was having trouble sitting up. We decided to take her to Chiang Dao hospital, which was about a 10 minute drive. Hannah and I carried you to the car and we drove there.

This was were I was put while on fluids, there were no open rooms.

 

Once there, i was groggy and weak, but still able to respond to questions and open your eyes. She stayed able to understand us and communicate with us throughout the whole day at one point using your finger to spell out medications. Eventually the doctors checked your blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen levels, and everything was within normal range. They did put your on oxygen. They had limited facilities and thought everything was stable but weren't doing much more, so we got an ambulance to bring you to Chiang Mai Ram hospital, which is in Chiang Mai and within walking distance of the hostel where we're staying. It was approximately a 1-hour ambulance ride, during which they kept her on oxygen. Which you kept trying to rip out.

the ambulance

At this point, you were only talking a few words at a time and having trouble opening your eyes, although you could understand what we were saying and communicating with nodding. Although all your vitals were still fine, fluids were started immediately. They also did a chest xray and some blood work to check for anything abnormal going on. Throughout all this, your heart and lungs, blood pressure, blood sugar, and oxygen levels remained normal. After about 30 minutes on fluids, you started to talk more easily and in full sentences, and started to keep you eyes open longer. Jane then went back to the hospital (while Hannah and Addam were with me) and we stayed with you and kept you on fluids until you could drink, eat, and walk without feeling dizzy. You were nauseous from the fluids and had a headache, but came home and were able to get to sleep (Hannah and I slept with you downstairs on beds on the floor (so that we'd be near the bathroom if needed)." (mixture from everyone)

Resting up while everyone is at the Market

"Sunday: She's been eating and drinking today, but is very tired. She was clearly dehydrated, but we don't know what else contributed. The weather has been very hot and humid and the caves are in the mountains, so all those things could have contributed to her asthma. I'm planning to keep her drinking, eating, and sleeping today,She's getting lots of love and attention from everyone, and seems to be in good spirits.-Jane"

I sure did get a lot of LOVE!!