Sunday
Had a good sleep in, stayed in bed til 9:30 trying to get the swelling in my legs and feet to go down, not working- need another trip to the chiropractor. I guess the long days aren’t helping and no nana naps either, life is tough!
Didn’t bother going to the savvy games this time, watched a movie and relaxed in the cabin instead, did some tidying up and organising. Went down to lodge for lunch. Caught up with Kerrin, Gina and Sharon from corporate. They are heading into town to do laundry, I beg, grovel and plead…can I please come too…so we grab all our dirty cloths and head off! Not only do I now have clean clothes but while the washing was washing, they went to the office to use the computers, so I went with them and had a lovely shower…so nice without someone banging on the door every 2 minutes! Then to make it a perfect night, we stopped at DJ’s and had burgers and fries for dinner. Nice!
Got back to the cabin to find all my stuff, which had mysteriously spread itself everywhere, had been moved, and the other beds had been made up…I guess that means I’m expecting company.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
28/8/10
Saturday- Mum’s birthday! Oops actually that means it was yesterday…Love you Mum, hope you had a lovely day! xx And you too Jennie, for last Saturday xx, so sorry, time is just a blur…
Well, it was so nice to just wake up and take my time getting ready for the day. Don't have to be anywhere until 10am for a saddle fitting clinic...
The saddle and posture clinic with Linda was extraordinary! Linda and Letitia ran us through the spiel of not liking the commercial saddles so they decided to start designing and developing their own. Then they brought in four horses and we checked out their conformation and whether they had square shoulders or pointy narrow shoulders, and if they had a hollowed out back or were uphill or down hill. Then they saddled them with their owners saddles, and we took note of how they looked working first on the circle without a ridder, then how they looked being ridden. I wish I’d taken photos but I got so engrossed in what happened when they changed to the Parelli saddles they I completely forgot! I’m not really one to jump on the ’brand’ wagon, but the changes in those horses were amazing! Of course now I want one, but the one I like is still in the prototype stage…me and Lauren will both be giving it a test ride sometime later in the week. Exciting! I did have the presence of mind to take a photo of it, and I think it’s in the new dvd.
Very quiet around the ranch this evening, most people have gone out to listen and dance at the local pub because Tim Sullivan is playing there. I came back to my cabin because a) I was hoping the wireless would be working and I’d be able to make some skype calls and get my blogs uploaded and b) because it’s so cold and rainy outside that it feels like its going to snow and my cabin has a heater!
Well, it was so nice to just wake up and take my time getting ready for the day. Don't have to be anywhere until 10am for a saddle fitting clinic...
The saddle and posture clinic with Linda was extraordinary! Linda and Letitia ran us through the spiel of not liking the commercial saddles so they decided to start designing and developing their own. Then they brought in four horses and we checked out their conformation and whether they had square shoulders or pointy narrow shoulders, and if they had a hollowed out back or were uphill or down hill. Then they saddled them with their owners saddles, and we took note of how they looked working first on the circle without a ridder, then how they looked being ridden. I wish I’d taken photos but I got so engrossed in what happened when they changed to the Parelli saddles they I completely forgot! I’m not really one to jump on the ’brand’ wagon, but the changes in those horses were amazing! Of course now I want one, but the one I like is still in the prototype stage…me and Lauren will both be giving it a test ride sometime later in the week. Exciting! I did have the presence of mind to take a photo of it, and I think it’s in the new dvd.
Very quiet around the ranch this evening, most people have gone out to listen and dance at the local pub because Tim Sullivan is playing there. I came back to my cabin because a) I was hoping the wireless would be working and I’d be able to make some skype calls and get my blogs uploaded and b) because it’s so cold and rainy outside that it feels like its going to snow and my cabin has a heater!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
27/8/10
Friday
Meet at the corporate office at 8:30am. Had a session on where to from here…all about managing student tracking etc. Re-took the policy test…think it went well…Lunch…afternoon sessions on Ambassador program, social media and IT stuff. Finally, our results are ready and we all passed! I wasn’t game to look at my certificate in case it said ‘this isn’t real, just didn’t want you to be left out’…I really didn’t think I’d be able to do it and I considered not getting out of bed and not turning up several times…really glad I made myself do it, hopefully this will be the fire cracker that I need lit under my arse to get me to progress and stop being complacent! Now I have been given the opportunity to run my own Parelli endorsed business, licenced to teach as a Parelli Professional.
We are all invited to a celebratory party at Pat and Linda’s house!
By the way, 1 star means you can teach 1 savvy- On Line. 2 stars means you can teach 2 savvy’s- On line and either Freestyle or Liberty.
Of course there is still plenty to be done, I'm just a Trainee instructor til I've taught 50 hours for free to at least 20 students...anyone want to be a guinea pig?
Meet at the corporate office at 8:30am. Had a session on where to from here…all about managing student tracking etc. Re-took the policy test…think it went well…Lunch…afternoon sessions on Ambassador program, social media and IT stuff. Finally, our results are ready and we all passed! I wasn’t game to look at my certificate in case it said ‘this isn’t real, just didn’t want you to be left out’…I really didn’t think I’d be able to do it and I considered not getting out of bed and not turning up several times…really glad I made myself do it, hopefully this will be the fire cracker that I need lit under my arse to get me to progress and stop being complacent! Now I have been given the opportunity to run my own Parelli endorsed business, licenced to teach as a Parelli Professional.
We are all invited to a celebratory party at Pat and Linda’s house!
By the way, 1 star means you can teach 1 savvy- On Line. 2 stars means you can teach 2 savvy’s- On line and either Freestyle or Liberty.
Of course there is still plenty to be done, I'm just a Trainee instructor til I've taught 50 hours for free to at least 20 students...anyone want to be a guinea pig?
26/8/10
Thursday
Dosed up on Garlic+Horseraddish+Vit C, Ibuprofen and red light…got thru the night, up early thinking if I get there early I can go first before eveyone else gets there to watch…turns out we all had the same idea! Adrenaline kicks in and I go second…Got given the Second game to talk about, the Porkypine game…babble, babble…done! Wasn’t so bad, why did I stress, nowhere near as bad as having to talk about cats needing to copulate before they could ovulate!!! (like I did at uni last term)
Pat turned up to talk to us for the rest of the morning and we were there to watch him teaching the 3 star instructors in the Big Top…so cool! He was very motivating and stressed that the best way to impress him was to do simple things with excellence.
Off to the corporate office for lunch…mmm, pizza…Now it’s time for a lecture on policy, to learn all the answers for that test we took on Tuesday, and will be re-taking tomorrow…they really do want to set us up for success! Again my note taking skills were a huge help.
Theory test time…What are the 10 qualities of a horseman? What are the 8 Principles? What are the 7 keys to success? etc…spew up all my cramming…felt pretty good…system download…sooo tired…dinner at the lodge has to be scoffed tonight because Linda is giving a lesson on contact and we are invited to observe…finished about 10pm…pretty awesome stuff! She saw me, came over and gave me a big hug…said she didn’t know I was here! Other students are looking, I feel special :o)
Off to the cabin…should study policy…too tired…must sleep…
Dosed up on Garlic+Horseraddish+Vit C, Ibuprofen and red light…got thru the night, up early thinking if I get there early I can go first before eveyone else gets there to watch…turns out we all had the same idea! Adrenaline kicks in and I go second…Got given the Second game to talk about, the Porkypine game…babble, babble…done! Wasn’t so bad, why did I stress, nowhere near as bad as having to talk about cats needing to copulate before they could ovulate!!! (like I did at uni last term)
Pat turned up to talk to us for the rest of the morning and we were there to watch him teaching the 3 star instructors in the Big Top…so cool! He was very motivating and stressed that the best way to impress him was to do simple things with excellence.
Off to the corporate office for lunch…mmm, pizza…Now it’s time for a lecture on policy, to learn all the answers for that test we took on Tuesday, and will be re-taking tomorrow…they really do want to set us up for success! Again my note taking skills were a huge help.
Theory test time…What are the 10 qualities of a horseman? What are the 8 Principles? What are the 7 keys to success? etc…spew up all my cramming…felt pretty good…system download…sooo tired…dinner at the lodge has to be scoffed tonight because Linda is giving a lesson on contact and we are invited to observe…finished about 10pm…pretty awesome stuff! She saw me, came over and gave me a big hug…said she didn’t know I was here! Other students are looking, I feel special :o)
Off to the cabin…should study policy…too tired…must sleep…
25/8/10
Simulations at the extern barn…how to teach using simulations so that the student gets an idea of what the horse feels. Students keeps running off saying they were going to do their presentation…I said, what presentation? Apparently we were told yesterday that we had to do a 3 minute presentation on one of the seven games that they would choose for us…so we didn’t know what we were presenting on til we had to do it!! Oh no, public speaking, horror! Don’t want to do it, can’t do it, will have to quit…no, don’t be silly, of course I can do it…wanna puke…ignore it, hope it will go away…cool, we’re out of time…too bad, phew!
Oh NO, those that haven’t done their presentation yet have to turn up at 7am tomorrow to do it! Stress! The rest of the afternoon was at the corporate office again, in the lecture theatre. Guess what? Found out that we are re-taking the Theory test tommorow afternoon…What theory test? I say…the one we did on Monday, they say…I wasn’t here on Monday…. Thankfully they went they reviewed the test in class and my note taking skills, sharpened by a year and a half of being back at Uni, served me well.
Tonight is campfire night again…not in the mood to be social, have to get back to the cabin and study…presentation at 7am…won’t be able to sleep, I just know it…plus I have a really sore throat
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| Team building exercises |
Oh NO, those that haven’t done their presentation yet have to turn up at 7am tomorrow to do it! Stress! The rest of the afternoon was at the corporate office again, in the lecture theatre. Guess what? Found out that we are re-taking the Theory test tommorow afternoon…What theory test? I say…the one we did on Monday, they say…I wasn’t here on Monday…. Thankfully they went they reviewed the test in class and my note taking skills, sharpened by a year and a half of being back at Uni, served me well.
Tonight is campfire night again…not in the mood to be social, have to get back to the cabin and study…presentation at 7am…won’t be able to sleep, I just know it…plus I have a really sore throat
24/8/10
Tuesday
Yay! They are going to allow me to do the Instructor course!!! I missed the first day, yesterday, and first thing we had to do today was a Policy test, yikes! Time to be creative…anyway, they said we’d get to do it again at the end of the week, this test was more to see what we didn’t know so they’d know what to teach us, clever really. Spent the day at the corporate office, information sessions on what, why and how…
Yay! They are going to allow me to do the Instructor course!!! I missed the first day, yesterday, and first thing we had to do today was a Policy test, yikes! Time to be creative…anyway, they said we’d get to do it again at the end of the week, this test was more to see what we didn’t know so they’d know what to teach us, clever really. Spent the day at the corporate office, information sessions on what, why and how…
23/8/2010
Monday
Up at 4am, loaded up at the stables by 5:45am and diverted into Denver in time for peak hour traffic by stupid mobile maps which keep losing signal! Took 2 hours to get thru Denver, peak hour plus road works everywhere…grrrr. Anyway, 10 hours and a diversion thru Tiny Town later, we finally got back to the ranch!
I was so glad to get back to my cabin, it was fun sharing a room with Lauren, but its always a relief to get back to your own space. Went down to the lodge to see what was for dinner, caught up with Karen and Sharon, had a shower and suffice to say, will be hitting the sack very shortly. The wireless signal has been to weak to connect so again these blogs will have to wait another day to be uploaded. Not sure what I’ll be doing tomorrow, Ann had left by the time I got down to the lodge so I’ll just have to get up early enough tomorrow to be able to get a ride to the office if need be.
Up at 4am, loaded up at the stables by 5:45am and diverted into Denver in time for peak hour traffic by stupid mobile maps which keep losing signal! Took 2 hours to get thru Denver, peak hour plus road works everywhere…grrrr. Anyway, 10 hours and a diversion thru Tiny Town later, we finally got back to the ranch!
I was so glad to get back to my cabin, it was fun sharing a room with Lauren, but its always a relief to get back to your own space. Went down to the lodge to see what was for dinner, caught up with Karen and Sharon, had a shower and suffice to say, will be hitting the sack very shortly. The wireless signal has been to weak to connect so again these blogs will have to wait another day to be uploaded. Not sure what I’ll be doing tomorrow, Ann had left by the time I got down to the lodge so I’ll just have to get up early enough tomorrow to be able to get a ride to the office if need be.
22/8/10
Sunday- Competition Day 3
Early start today, first class at 7:30am for Manny and his Freestyle program. He was brilliant and even forgot to grind his teeth! They picked up another blue ribbon, making it 3 for 3. At 9:30am was Peanut doing Maile’s freestyle program from the Bejing Games, the Gold medal performance.
Peanut was the most relaxed she had been for the entire show and did very well, collecting another red ribbon. She had to compete again at 11:30am in another able-bod event. Then it was time to go into town for a celebratory lunch and a cocktail, followed by a nap back at the hotel! We went back in the evening to get everything packed up into the trailer so that in the morning all we had to do was load the horses and go.
This is Susie on the left and Marion on the right...Lauren's grooms.
Took a few photos of the carriage horses that were competing in an event at the fairground as well…aren’t they gorgeous!?
Early start today, first class at 7:30am for Manny and his Freestyle program. He was brilliant and even forgot to grind his teeth! They picked up another blue ribbon, making it 3 for 3. At 9:30am was Peanut doing Maile’s freestyle program from the Bejing Games, the Gold medal performance.
Peanut was the most relaxed she had been for the entire show and did very well, collecting another red ribbon. She had to compete again at 11:30am in another able-bod event. Then it was time to go into town for a celebratory lunch and a cocktail, followed by a nap back at the hotel! We went back in the evening to get everything packed up into the trailer so that in the morning all we had to do was load the horses and go.
Took a few photos of the carriage horses that were competing in an event at the fairground as well…aren’t they gorgeous!?
21/8/10
Saturday- Competition Day 2
First class was Manny at 1:40pm, then Peanut at 4:03pm in an able bodied class.
Thai food for dinner, has veggies and rice and chai ice tea. I remembered all the chargers but alas, forgot the adapter… My phone was flat so only took pics with the video Jac lent me…still working on getting them onto the computer.
First class was Manny at 1:40pm, then Peanut at 4:03pm in an able bodied class.
Thai food for dinner, has veggies and rice and chai ice tea. I remembered all the chargers but alas, forgot the adapter… My phone was flat so only took pics with the video Jac lent me…still working on getting them onto the computer.
20/8/10
Friday- Competition Day 1
Started the day with room service for breakfast, then headed down to the fairground around lunchtime as Lauren didn‘t have a class until 2:30pm. First class was on ’Manny’ or L’Amistade 22, a lovely dark brown gelding. He’s a LBI and has baggage from previous trainers, as a result he grinds his teeth to voice his disapproval. He behaved very well despite hating every minute of it and picked up a blue ribbon.
At 4:30pm it was Peanut’s turn, she is over eger and the most difficult thing for her is the walk as she would rather offer everything else first! She did well too and they picked up a red ribbon. Went into town and had dinner (Mediterranean pizza for me) at a restaurant called Poppy’s which was recommended by some locals we asked in town.
Started the day with room service for breakfast, then headed down to the fairground around lunchtime as Lauren didn‘t have a class until 2:30pm. First class was on ’Manny’ or L’Amistade 22, a lovely dark brown gelding. He’s a LBI and has baggage from previous trainers, as a result he grinds his teeth to voice his disapproval. He behaved very well despite hating every minute of it and picked up a blue ribbon.
At 4:30pm it was Peanut’s turn, she is over eger and the most difficult thing for her is the walk as she would rather offer everything else first! She did well too and they picked up a red ribbon. Went into town and had dinner (Mediterranean pizza for me) at a restaurant called Poppy’s which was recommended by some locals we asked in town.
19/8/10
Thursday
Ok, so I woke up every hour to look at the clock, no… it’s not time to get up yet…finally at 4am I gave up and got up! I was ready by 4:30am so went down to the big top where the truck was waiting. The horses came out looking wide eyed and surprised to be out of bed so early. With all the last minute bits and pieces that always have to be done, we didn’t get away til about 6am. First stop, Macca’s drive thru in the truck with the gooseneck! It didn’t quite work so Susie had to jump out get our food from the window.
A good 7 or 8 hours and few pit stops later, we got to Estes Park Fairground, where the dressage comp was being held. The horses travelled well but looked happy to get off the truck. They ate some lunch in their stalls then after a break Lauren rode them all one after another.
It was a long day, just made it to the hotel in time to get some dinner before the kitchen closed at 9pm. I suppose we could have got room service but we were to hungry and tired to think of it then. Off to sleep.
Ok, so I woke up every hour to look at the clock, no… it’s not time to get up yet…finally at 4am I gave up and got up! I was ready by 4:30am so went down to the big top where the truck was waiting. The horses came out looking wide eyed and surprised to be out of bed so early. With all the last minute bits and pieces that always have to be done, we didn’t get away til about 6am. First stop, Macca’s drive thru in the truck with the gooseneck! It didn’t quite work so Susie had to jump out get our food from the window.
A good 7 or 8 hours and few pit stops later, we got to Estes Park Fairground, where the dressage comp was being held. The horses travelled well but looked happy to get off the truck. They ate some lunch in their stalls then after a break Lauren rode them all one after another.
It was a long day, just made it to the hotel in time to get some dinner before the kitchen closed at 9pm. I suppose we could have got room service but we were to hungry and tired to think of it then. Off to sleep.
18/8/10
Wednesday
Shipping and warehouse work is fun, I got to pick out all the stuff that was ordered, package it up, put it into the FedEx program and print off it’s label. I felt like Santa Claus wrapping and shipping presents! Then the FedEx truck came and collected it all. Sorting the shipping papers is a bit mundane but I tell ya, all in all, I’d swap my job at the council for it in a second…
Today, being Wednesday, is campfire night, so there is heaps of people here for the free BBQ and to watch the Horseman’s Apprentice. I am back at my cabin cos I need to pack my stuff for the 5am departure, I intend to be in bed by 9:30pm, so I’ve only got an hour. I haven’t been able to get internet access up here for the last few days so I’m sorry I’ll be behind in the blogs. Don’t know that I’ll have any internet access while I’m away. Ok, gotta go, lots to do!
Shipping and warehouse work is fun, I got to pick out all the stuff that was ordered, package it up, put it into the FedEx program and print off it’s label. I felt like Santa Claus wrapping and shipping presents! Then the FedEx truck came and collected it all. Sorting the shipping papers is a bit mundane but I tell ya, all in all, I’d swap my job at the council for it in a second…
Today, being Wednesday, is campfire night, so there is heaps of people here for the free BBQ and to watch the Horseman’s Apprentice. I am back at my cabin cos I need to pack my stuff for the 5am departure, I intend to be in bed by 9:30pm, so I’ve only got an hour. I haven’t been able to get internet access up here for the last few days so I’m sorry I’ll be behind in the blogs. Don’t know that I’ll have any internet access while I’m away. Ok, gotta go, lots to do!
17/8/10
Tuesday
Had a great day today! Spent the morning processing audition results, then went down to the warehouse (where all the beautiful, expensive products live). There is the manufacturing area where a lot of the products are made on site, the ones not made onsite are shipped in from other parts of America and assembled on site. The only things produced in China or Taiwan are the DVD’s. This was impressive to me, I don’t mind paying good money for a good quality item, and these products are top notch. Wish I had buckets of money…
Will spend tomorrow in the shipping department, where the ‘picking and packing’ happens. Cool!
Had a great day today! Spent the morning processing audition results, then went down to the warehouse (where all the beautiful, expensive products live). There is the manufacturing area where a lot of the products are made on site, the ones not made onsite are shipped in from other parts of America and assembled on site. The only things produced in China or Taiwan are the DVD’s. This was impressive to me, I don’t mind paying good money for a good quality item, and these products are top notch. Wish I had buckets of money…
Will spend tomorrow in the shipping department, where the ‘picking and packing’ happens. Cool!
Monday, August 16, 2010
No wireless on weekends...
5/8/10
Sunday
Took it easy today, not much going on. Watched a couple of movies on my little computer. No wireless on the weekend by the look of it. Went down to the big top and watched Lauren put Peanut thru her paces. We’re leaving at 5am on Thursday morning to go to the show and will be back either Sunday night or Monday sometime. Had some dinner and now for a early night cos I’m going to corporate hq, leaving at 7:30am.
16/8/10
Monday
Felt like crap today, really bad headache. Had another photocopying project which took up the morning. Went back to the ranch for lunch and started feeling better. Spent the afternoon learning how, then processing audition results. It was similar to some of the stuff we do in the office at MPSC so felt quite comfortable with it all. I would enjoy working there, very casual feel to the office, no angry rate payers…nice!
Just ate some fruit for dinner…and munched on pretzel sticks
Stormed again on my way up the hill...
Sunday
Took it easy today, not much going on. Watched a couple of movies on my little computer. No wireless on the weekend by the look of it. Went down to the big top and watched Lauren put Peanut thru her paces. We’re leaving at 5am on Thursday morning to go to the show and will be back either Sunday night or Monday sometime. Had some dinner and now for a early night cos I’m going to corporate hq, leaving at 7:30am.
This is Maile (pronounced May lee), the gold medal winning horse! Her hock is recovering well.
16/8/10
Monday
Felt like crap today, really bad headache. Had another photocopying project which took up the morning. Went back to the ranch for lunch and started feeling better. Spent the afternoon learning how, then processing audition results. It was similar to some of the stuff we do in the office at MPSC so felt quite comfortable with it all. I would enjoy working there, very casual feel to the office, no angry rate payers…nice!
Just ate some fruit for dinner…and munched on pretzel sticks
Stormed again on my way up the hill...
The cows tried to shelter under my veranda...
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday, 14th Aug
Just as tired today, got up early and raced down to the lodge thinking there would be a cooked breakfast because one of the students had said they do that every second day. Turns out they only do it during the week, not weekends. So will sleep in tomorrow for sure.
Watched the savvy games, got some pics of my friends….
Cassie...
and Sharon....
Also took one of Ann’s horse Bandit....he looked away as I took it.
After lunch I went into town with Karen and Sharon. Found a tack shop full of beautiful but too expensive things. Drove a bit further and found a tack shop more like MacKays with heaps of cheap stuff that was totally ace! Bought some deer skin gloves to replace my ones with holes in, and a new training tool, a short handled stock whip type thing (a leather braided stock whip for $12!). There is soooo much cool stuff in that shop, I wanna go back again!
Stopped at the city market for some more munchies to keep in the cabin and then went to DJ’s (the ‘Malt Shop’) for a milkshake. So full after the milkshake, which is ice-cream in the blender and smothered in whipped cream….that when we got back to the lodge for dinner, we weren’t hungry. Got dinner anyway, as you do when food is free, and ate about half of it- pasta with chicken and tomato sauce and salad.
Time for a movie and bed, me thinks…
Watched the savvy games, got some pics of my friends….
Cassie...
and Sharon....
Also took one of Ann’s horse Bandit....he looked away as I took it.
After lunch I went into town with Karen and Sharon. Found a tack shop full of beautiful but too expensive things. Drove a bit further and found a tack shop more like MacKays with heaps of cheap stuff that was totally ace! Bought some deer skin gloves to replace my ones with holes in, and a new training tool, a short handled stock whip type thing (a leather braided stock whip for $12!). There is soooo much cool stuff in that shop, I wanna go back again!
Stopped at the city market for some more munchies to keep in the cabin and then went to DJ’s (the ‘Malt Shop’) for a milkshake. So full after the milkshake, which is ice-cream in the blender and smothered in whipped cream….that when we got back to the lodge for dinner, we weren’t hungry. Got dinner anyway, as you do when food is free, and ate about half of it- pasta with chicken and tomato sauce and salad.
Time for a movie and bed, me thinks…
Friday, August 13, 2010
End of 1st week of placement!
13/8/10
Friday
What a day! I’m exhausted.
Spent the day over at the head office, met lots of new people, caught up with some familiar faces as well (Sue Shoemark and Chris Corbidge). Got tasked with making up the information folders for the upcoming Ambassadors Program, colour copying, photocopying, sorting, collating several documents into folders for Sunday. Went to the meeting at the end of the day where they discuss the week. I will spend next week there which will be fun I think, the media department, the equipment warehouse, the events department as well as call centre and general admin, all goes on there.
Got bailed up by media wanting to do an interview, at least it sounds like a written piece for their magazine, not a filmed piece for the promo dvd. Got a ride back to the ranch with my 2 new buddies, since they took me to the pub for happy hour, Karen (from South Africa) and Sharon (from UK but moved to Las Vegas). They are social media interns and live at the ranch, so will be my ride for next week…at least we’ve already bonded! I only had 1 tequila margarita, it was very strong and as a write this I just want to go to sleep. So it will be short and sweet…no photo’s today, didn’t take the camera.
Tomorrow (every Saturday morning actually) they will have the Savvy games on, so will have a look and get some pics of my friends with their horses, now that I have some :o)
Friday
What a day! I’m exhausted.
Spent the day over at the head office, met lots of new people, caught up with some familiar faces as well (Sue Shoemark and Chris Corbidge). Got tasked with making up the information folders for the upcoming Ambassadors Program, colour copying, photocopying, sorting, collating several documents into folders for Sunday. Went to the meeting at the end of the day where they discuss the week. I will spend next week there which will be fun I think, the media department, the equipment warehouse, the events department as well as call centre and general admin, all goes on there.
Got bailed up by media wanting to do an interview, at least it sounds like a written piece for their magazine, not a filmed piece for the promo dvd. Got a ride back to the ranch with my 2 new buddies, since they took me to the pub for happy hour, Karen (from South Africa) and Sharon (from UK but moved to Las Vegas). They are social media interns and live at the ranch, so will be my ride for next week…at least we’ve already bonded! I only had 1 tequila margarita, it was very strong and as a write this I just want to go to sleep. So it will be short and sweet…no photo’s today, didn’t take the camera.
Tomorrow (every Saturday morning actually) they will have the Savvy games on, so will have a look and get some pics of my friends with their horses, now that I have some :o)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Day 8
12/8/10
Thursday
A woodland mouse in my Parelli house,
woke me at 3am and I swore.
So I got out of bed and picked up my shoe,
then drove him straight out the door!
Seriously! I was not happy, I’d gone to bed early cos I was so tired and had to get up early. Cute little mousey looking squirrelly thing. Will block up the gap under the door with a towel tonight and hopefully it won’t come in for a snuggle tonight.
Spent the day with the upper end admin team today, which was enlightening. Will be going in to the corporate office tomorrow morning…thought I’d better have a shower…I’d been putting it off as I'd discovered with a squeal of pain (and shock) that their idea of water saving is to install a shower head that acts like a katcha (or whatever its called), a high pressure spray that nearly blasted my skin off. And yes, it was cold! To make it warm you have to turn it on harder! I was struggling to stay on the shower seat. So as you can imagine I was not to keen to have another.
This evening after deciding I had no option but to face another blasting, I discovered (now that my brain was not in shock and I was prepared for what was to come) that the shower nozzle has a pin that goes thru it and when you push it thru one way it stems the flow, and pushed thru the other way gives you maximum blast power, so I was able to control the water at last. Was wondering how I was going to last 6 weeks without showering, thank goodness I won’t have to.
I didn't take any new photos today...sorry...but will throw in a couple, one of the amazing mountainous horizon-line behind my cabin...
and another as I head up the hill to the parking area where my cabin is...its the little red roof in the middlish, off to the right a bit....
Thursday
A woodland mouse in my Parelli house,
woke me at 3am and I swore.
So I got out of bed and picked up my shoe,
then drove him straight out the door!
Seriously! I was not happy, I’d gone to bed early cos I was so tired and had to get up early. Cute little mousey looking squirrelly thing. Will block up the gap under the door with a towel tonight and hopefully it won’t come in for a snuggle tonight.
Spent the day with the upper end admin team today, which was enlightening. Will be going in to the corporate office tomorrow morning…thought I’d better have a shower…I’d been putting it off as I'd discovered with a squeal of pain (and shock) that their idea of water saving is to install a shower head that acts like a katcha (or whatever its called), a high pressure spray that nearly blasted my skin off. And yes, it was cold! To make it warm you have to turn it on harder! I was struggling to stay on the shower seat. So as you can imagine I was not to keen to have another.
This evening after deciding I had no option but to face another blasting, I discovered (now that my brain was not in shock and I was prepared for what was to come) that the shower nozzle has a pin that goes thru it and when you push it thru one way it stems the flow, and pushed thru the other way gives you maximum blast power, so I was able to control the water at last. Was wondering how I was going to last 6 weeks without showering, thank goodness I won’t have to.
I didn't take any new photos today...sorry...but will throw in a couple, one of the amazing mountainous horizon-line behind my cabin...
and another as I head up the hill to the parking area where my cabin is...its the little red roof in the middlish, off to the right a bit....
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Day 7
11/8/10
Wednesday
Interesting day in the office today, I’ve been around long enough for people to start talking to me beyond the normal polite chit chat…some interesting stories coming out, not going to elaborate til I get other points of view. So many holes in the system and I can’t understand how the business has actually functioned with so much lack of organisation?
Pat, Linda and my friend Ann arrived back yesterday afternoon from their tour stop in Fresno, CA. A team of instructors and students travel with them along with a heap of horses…here a part of Pat’s truck fleet…sorry it was getting dark when I went past tonight, will get a better shot tomorrow as these are impressive beasts!
Also took a photo of my office filing handy work, wish I’d taken a before photo! Spent a lot of today going through the library and finding out what’s missing and renumbering DVD’s, CD’s etc in reverse chronological order, so the latest edition of whatever is the easiest to find…looking forward to getting to the corporate office for some real action, haha!
They have a cook here who is doing a wonderful job of producing 3 heafty meals a day…for someone like me who is used to eating maybe the equivalent of one meal spread across the day, I’m thinking it’s time to get some exercise, so yesterday I left the golf cart at my cabin and went down the hill. Took me what felt like ages but decided to do it again tonight! Will start timing how long it takes...pushing up that hill every evening is going to turn me into Superwoman! Maybe 3 or 4 times a week will do. Oh yeah, here’s a picture of my golf cart…
Wednesday
Interesting day in the office today, I’ve been around long enough for people to start talking to me beyond the normal polite chit chat…some interesting stories coming out, not going to elaborate til I get other points of view. So many holes in the system and I can’t understand how the business has actually functioned with so much lack of organisation?
Pat, Linda and my friend Ann arrived back yesterday afternoon from their tour stop in Fresno, CA. A team of instructors and students travel with them along with a heap of horses…here a part of Pat’s truck fleet…sorry it was getting dark when I went past tonight, will get a better shot tomorrow as these are impressive beasts!
Also took a photo of my office filing handy work, wish I’d taken a before photo! Spent a lot of today going through the library and finding out what’s missing and renumbering DVD’s, CD’s etc in reverse chronological order, so the latest edition of whatever is the easiest to find…looking forward to getting to the corporate office for some real action, haha!
They have a cook here who is doing a wonderful job of producing 3 heafty meals a day…for someone like me who is used to eating maybe the equivalent of one meal spread across the day, I’m thinking it’s time to get some exercise, so yesterday I left the golf cart at my cabin and went down the hill. Took me what felt like ages but decided to do it again tonight! Will start timing how long it takes...pushing up that hill every evening is going to turn me into Superwoman! Maybe 3 or 4 times a week will do. Oh yeah, here’s a picture of my golf cart…
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Day 6
10/8/10
Tuesday
Second day in the office, sorted through a truck load of students auditions and assessment tapes/cd’s/dvd’s, and found a lot of photo’s had been sent in. Shame to throw them away, so working on a photo montage. Some had even printed photo’s onto the disc itself, thought they’d make a nice frame. Apparently this stuff normally get’s thrown out after it’s been assessed, thought we should reward the ‘try’ and hang it up in the lodge.
Wrote several pages of notes regarding procedures in the office and lots of questions. Looking forward to going into the Parelli Headquarters corporate office…
Took a photo of my ‘loo with a view’…the woods behind is where that bear lives. Perhaps the cows will keep it away?
Tuesday
Second day in the office, sorted through a truck load of students auditions and assessment tapes/cd’s/dvd’s, and found a lot of photo’s had been sent in. Shame to throw them away, so working on a photo montage. Some had even printed photo’s onto the disc itself, thought they’d make a nice frame. Apparently this stuff normally get’s thrown out after it’s been assessed, thought we should reward the ‘try’ and hang it up in the lodge.
Wrote several pages of notes regarding procedures in the office and lots of questions. Looking forward to going into the Parelli Headquarters corporate office…
Took a photo of my ‘loo with a view’…the woods behind is where that bear lives. Perhaps the cows will keep it away?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day 5
9/8/10
Monday
First day of work placement was good, organised the filing into a logical system. Colour coded main categories and sub categories, added labels etc. Hours are 8am-5pm with an hour break for lunch. Will maybe look at changing my business placement to one week instead of 2 and see if I can get more time with Lauren. She’s happy for me to spend as much time as I can with her. After 5pm is an option. About to go up and watch her give a lesson on one of her horses. The lesson was more of a preparation coaching session for a course demonstration they are giving tomorrow.
I took a photo of my cabin for you...it's the one with the ramp...dah!
Monday
First day of work placement was good, organised the filing into a logical system. Colour coded main categories and sub categories, added labels etc. Hours are 8am-5pm with an hour break for lunch. Will maybe look at changing my business placement to one week instead of 2 and see if I can get more time with Lauren. She’s happy for me to spend as much time as I can with her. After 5pm is an option. About to go up and watch her give a lesson on one of her horses. The lesson was more of a preparation coaching session for a course demonstration they are giving tomorrow.
I took a photo of my cabin for you...it's the one with the ramp...dah!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The story so far...
5/8/10
Thursday
First day at Parelli Ranch. Only 5 hours sleep since travel. not quite ‘with’ it. Met Lauren Barwick, the paralympic gold and silver medalist at Bejing Olympics. Very exciting, she’s going to let me ride her horses. She is going to a show in Denver in a couple of weeks and she asked if I’d like to come as a part of my performance horse placement…LOVE TO! She took me into town to get some food and stuff, cos my luggage hasn’t turned up yet. Early nite.
PS They brought me up my own portaloo! It’s position about 50m across the car park from my cabin and there’s no light, and now the tell me they had to put it far enough away from the bear which lives nearby!
6/8/10
Friday
Luggage turned up today, yay!! Same clothes for the last 4 days- getting a bit stinky. Lauren participating in demos today, got some pics of her saddle, keen to ride in it- she has it set up so she doesn’t need the seatbelt. Hoping to get to ride her back-up horse “Peanut” this afternoon. Her medal horse “Maile” has hurt her hock and is getting it iced every hour to try and help her recover enough for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky next month. She also has stringhalt…yet still won a gold medal!
Talked to Neil Pye this morning, he mentioned doing an interview…eeek! Better write down some thoughts…
Got to ride Peanut! So cool, she feels a bit like Ebony. Just walked and trotted which was enough for now in Lauren’s saddle with no seatbelt, just leg straps. Lauren is going to be coached fo a week by Mary Longdon, interesting…
7/8/10
Saturday
Not whole lot happening today. This morning was a ‘savvy games play day’ and savvy ‘spotlight’ practice. In the afternoon it was pretty quite. Went out for dinner for Lee’s 30th birthday. Tomorrow is check in day for a 2 week Confidence course.!
I thought they were pulling my leg about the bear, but the girls next door said the bear kept getting into their ‘trash can‘, so they had to put up an electric fence to try and keep it out…I really don’t want to run into a bear in the middle of the night :o/
8/8/10
Sunday
I slept in this morning, didn’t get to sleep til about 2am cos I’m trying to go without sleeping pills and thought my body clock had adjusted…it hasn’t. Woke up to lots of trucks driving back and forth as the new course people checked in and brought their trailers up here to park. My cabin is in the middle of the trailer car park…does that make me trailer trash?
Went down the hill and saw Lauren playing with her new horse that she got the day before. Took a photo cos he’s a bit boney and I reckon after a few weeks with her feeding him up and working him, he’ll look like a different horse. Will post the pic when I figure out how.
Other than that, went in to town with Jodie who is from Yacandanda (Albury/Wodonga) and Vicki who’s from England. Got some deep fried zucchini for lunch and did some shopping- a bowl to wash hands and do teeth etc, a gallon of water for same purpose (also for drinking), tissues, band-aids, torch, munchies…Red Vines, Peanut Butter M&M’s, Hershey’s Dark chocolate…need energy!
Now I’m going to try and write up some detailed Personal Learning Objectives so I have a bit of direction tomorrow when I actually start my work placement.
Thursday
First day at Parelli Ranch. Only 5 hours sleep since travel. not quite ‘with’ it. Met Lauren Barwick, the paralympic gold and silver medalist at Bejing Olympics. Very exciting, she’s going to let me ride her horses. She is going to a show in Denver in a couple of weeks and she asked if I’d like to come as a part of my performance horse placement…LOVE TO! She took me into town to get some food and stuff, cos my luggage hasn’t turned up yet. Early nite.
PS They brought me up my own portaloo! It’s position about 50m across the car park from my cabin and there’s no light, and now the tell me they had to put it far enough away from the bear which lives nearby!
6/8/10
Friday
Luggage turned up today, yay!! Same clothes for the last 4 days- getting a bit stinky. Lauren participating in demos today, got some pics of her saddle, keen to ride in it- she has it set up so she doesn’t need the seatbelt. Hoping to get to ride her back-up horse “Peanut” this afternoon. Her medal horse “Maile” has hurt her hock and is getting it iced every hour to try and help her recover enough for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky next month. She also has stringhalt…yet still won a gold medal!
Talked to Neil Pye this morning, he mentioned doing an interview…eeek! Better write down some thoughts…
Got to ride Peanut! So cool, she feels a bit like Ebony. Just walked and trotted which was enough for now in Lauren’s saddle with no seatbelt, just leg straps. Lauren is going to be coached fo a week by Mary Longdon, interesting…
7/8/10
Saturday
Not whole lot happening today. This morning was a ‘savvy games play day’ and savvy ‘spotlight’ practice. In the afternoon it was pretty quite. Went out for dinner for Lee’s 30th birthday. Tomorrow is check in day for a 2 week Confidence course.!
I thought they were pulling my leg about the bear, but the girls next door said the bear kept getting into their ‘trash can‘, so they had to put up an electric fence to try and keep it out…I really don’t want to run into a bear in the middle of the night :o/
8/8/10
Sunday
I slept in this morning, didn’t get to sleep til about 2am cos I’m trying to go without sleeping pills and thought my body clock had adjusted…it hasn’t. Woke up to lots of trucks driving back and forth as the new course people checked in and brought their trailers up here to park. My cabin is in the middle of the trailer car park…does that make me trailer trash?
Went down the hill and saw Lauren playing with her new horse that she got the day before. Took a photo cos he’s a bit boney and I reckon after a few weeks with her feeding him up and working him, he’ll look like a different horse. Will post the pic when I figure out how.
Other than that, went in to town with Jodie who is from Yacandanda (Albury/Wodonga) and Vicki who’s from England. Got some deep fried zucchini for lunch and did some shopping- a bowl to wash hands and do teeth etc, a gallon of water for same purpose (also for drinking), tissues, band-aids, torch, munchies…Red Vines, Peanut Butter M&M’s, Hershey’s Dark chocolate…need energy!
Now I’m going to try and write up some detailed Personal Learning Objectives so I have a bit of direction tomorrow when I actually start my work placement.
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