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Sunday, 30 August 2009

final farewells

My last few days at Sea World were filled with fun beluga moments as I finally got to work out some playtime before I left. Let's see how much I can recall...

I received multiple kisses from Martha, got to help feed Oliver, received and gave some kisses to/from Luna (as well as a hug and some reinforcing fish for her good behaviors), laid out next to Martha and then gave her a backrub before a little photo shoot session which felt like awkward prom pictures... haha, it was fun. I'm ready to go back and play some more.

Too bad my scheme for smuggling a baby beluga through airport security to stowaway in French pool didn't work out. Maybe next summer?

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

more moments of beluga awesomeness

Quinu is SO adorable! Today during our first show she's just chillin' underwater away from Seku(sp?), her mom, and her trainer watching us while we're doing our second hybrid. Then, during our last show, she's out in the middle of the pool by herself showing off by spinning around in an upright circle directly in front of us. I wish I had video footage of these antics... she's just so darn cute!

Another moment which cracked me up was when one of the trainers on stage tossed a fish into the water while we were in the circle around Seku and Quinu, and Seku suctioned that thing down while underwater right in front of me. Crazy awesome.

Still hoping for a playdate with one of the belugas before I leave... I haven't even gotten a kiss yet! Time is running out!

Thursday, 30 July 2009

Currently
Baby Beluga
By Raffi
see related
Baby beluga love

Quinu is capturing my heart with her little antics. Since witnessing her playfulness with Oliver which I mentioned last time, I've slowly become more and more fond of her. During the show a few times, I've looked right at her while we do our last vertical in the circle and sink underwater and she's chillin' by her mama watching me.

The most adorable moment, however, was when she came up to the glass yesterday during meet and greet. She was looking at me and just being extra cute, then she starts spitting water over the glass at me! I looked at her and said something to the effect of, "ah, I just love you." She responded by looking back at me and shaking her head. lol

The littlest baby beluga is also pretty playful for how young she is, especially. She loves to swim on the surface flipped over on her back and rubs herself on one of the edges in the pool (probably because she's molting, but it's still pretty cute).

Anyways, enough discussion of my little beluga friends. I need to get ready for my day so that I can go play with them!

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

Ooh, beluga

Hannah, you were right. There have been a number of crazy little moments that need to be documented... hopefully, I'll be able to recall them all. I've just been so busy lately! Here goes...

A week or so ago, Oliver and Quinu were a bit playful backstage. Oliver was dragging this red piece of fabric around and generally having a grand old time by himself... well, Quinu shows up, swipes it and takes off around the pool, Oliver chases after her and eventually retrieves it when it slides off. haha, playful belugas are so entertaining to watch!

I'm starting to lose count, but there have been at least three instances where I've almost run over a whale in the pool. The baby belugas tend to split from their trainers every once in awhile, and yesterday Quinu literally swam directly in front of me while I was eggbeatering (treading water... synchro style ).

The newest baby beluga is still super adorable and she's starting to molt for the first time, so she's got patches of darker and lighter skin. Ah! I just want to jump in the pool and hug her! (But I won't because I would be breaking protocol and get in big trouble... *sigh*) Speaking of jumping in the back pools though... during our last show yesterday, one of the main back pools was empty right before the finale, so Karli and I asked permission before jumping in and pretending to be belugas. haha, we swam down to the bottom and looked over at the belugas in the adjacent pool... ah, it was awesome.

Okay, I think that's all the beluga news I've got for the moment. I love my job.

Monday, 29 June 2009

Beginning the beluga blogs :)

This is dedicated to Hannah DeRegibus. I hope my words will live up to your high expectations.

Oh, and just to preface this post for anyone who may NOT be aware... I'm working as a performer at Sea World this summer as a synchronized swimmer. Now, let me begin...

In addition to my usual daily thought process about how much I love my job, I had a moment of "wow, this is a truly awesome job" this afternoon. As I was swimming underwater at the beginning of my second show today, I looked down and saw a beluga (I think it was Luna) casually swimming around underneath me. There's just something about being in the water with mammals large enough to squish me on the bottom of the pool even though they're sweet as can be. It's basically amazing.

My other fun moments from the day include hiding behind a column and peeking out at Martha and talking to Oliver, a baby beluga about a year and a half old (?).Oliver is really playful and likes to come hang out behind the stage between the last two sections of the show. Sometimes he stretches out on his side and waves with his side flipper, or pokes his head up and just kind of tilts his head... ah! it's so cute!

Anyways, that's what I've got for now. More moments from my summer adventures to come, I'm sure!