Goodbye 2015

From the Tetons to Laramie, from Delaware to Wyoming, from Laramie back to Jackson, and now, to the Gunks - 2015 has been one heck of a year for me! I think one of my biggest accomplishments and biggest challenges was moving to Laramie and finishing my Masters. Laramie was definitely a challenging place for me - being in the same place as previous love (especially in a small town), buckling down to finish the masters, and finding my niche (again) was really a big mental, physical, and emotional battle. But I have pushed myself to overcome, cope, tolerate, and make the best of those challenges; I have learned to rely on myself in ways that I did not think I could. I learned to open up and let new people into my life. I have gotten to know myself inside and out to where I have developed a love and level of respect for myself that I did not give to myself before.

This past year really has paid off in more ways than one. And looking back at not just this past year but the last two years has really given me a lot to reflect on. Leaving the comforts of my home and beloved home state to a place where I did not know anyone, anything, or my barrings of Wyoming really have given me some valid proof that I have grown and learned a lot (and am still learning and growing every day). From the past two years, specifically this year, I have seen what the world and new places can provide me as long as I am open to receiving it (and will continue to work toward that openness). 2015, you found me love in some many ways - through the natural world; through science; through art; through losing some friends, but gaining some awesome new ones; through seeing some awesome wildlife and views; through trying new activities (like climbing and snowboarding); and much, much more.

Through the roller coaster that was 2015, I am truly grateful for how it has panned out and have many things to be proud of. I am proud that I obtained a new title to my name and can be called a 'Master' of something. I am proud that people trusted part of their vacation to me giving them positive and memorable tours in two of the most beautiful places in Wyoming (and in fact, the country). I am proud that I stood up to myself and others to go for my dream job (even if that meany moving from one beautiful place to another). I am proud and incredibly grateful for the friendships and relationships that have crossed paths with me - for those people that I have met in 2015 really helped shape me to who I am (no matter the time frame). I am so proud and incredibly blessed to have friends and family to support and back me on the decisions I have made and given me the space to learn from them and allow me to experience things for myself.

I have grown a lot from 2015 and I can only hope that 2016 will do the same. Here's to a New Year and a New Beginning in a New Place!

As I reflect back on my 2015 Blog Entries, my phone full of thousands of photos, and my computer. Here are some things that I am incredibly proud of, thankful for, and happy to have experienced in 2015! Enjoy!

Happy New Year! See you all in 2016!
TheChristyBel

Some of the Bestest Friends

Some Awesome Times in the Snow!

Being MASTER ChristyBel

ChristyBel, the wildlife tour guide

Viewing Moose All Day, Everyday, in the Tetons

Moving to the Shawangunks Ridge
New Paltz, NY

Having Days OFF and Spendings with Friends!

Mr. Ted the Cat!

Being Reunited with Gil

Of Course, Marc :)

December Highlights

Soren Helping Me Release Pond Creatures Back into the Pond!

Just taking some time to post some of my favorite moments from December. I know that the last of the year's entries are short, sweet, and full of pictures with less content. I totally have been slacking on providing a lot of verbal meat with many of my entries. Work has definitely kept me busy and away from really focusing on my blog. So, I promise that I'll give you all more than just pictures come the new year! Until then, enjoy some highlights that December brought me here in the Gunks! Pretty excited for 2016 to come! Are you?!

TheChristyBel

Coordinating & assisting with the 2015 Mohonk Preserve Christmas Bird Count

Marc's Parents Came to Visit Us in New Paltz

StoneFly Find for Pond Keepers

Gillian Taking Over My Cell Phone

Ruffed Grouse Find During a Awosting Lake Field Trip

Pond Keepers at Violet Avenue Elementary School

Pond Keepers Creature Creations at Phoenicia Elementary

Due to Some Warm December Temperatures, We Discovered Some Chestnut Oak Acorns Sprouting!
Pretty Scary How Climate Change is Pretty Visible Before Our Eyes!

Delaware for Christmas

For the wintery holidays, Marc and I spent a few days down in Delaware. It was super nice to spend time back at home, relax, and not worry or think about work! We spent the week touring around Delaware (we saw a Longwood Gardens Christmas, Baldwin's Book Barn, HomeGrown, Ashland Nature Center, Newark's Main Street, and old friends), working on homemade gifts, and watching the Star Wars films (yes, that is right, watching all 6 films and the new one)! It was a long, lovely week of being home. Here are some highlights of the Christmas holiday!

Happy Christmas, Everyone! I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday!

TheChristyBel

Merry Christmas from Marc the Christmas Jew!

Marc and I at Longwood Gardens

Beautiful Decorations at Longwood

A Succulent Christmas Tree
I want this for next year!

The Foxfire Crew - Christmas 2015
From Left to Right: Zach F., Sean B (Brother), Marc, theChristyBel, Michael, Megan, Shawn, and Zach

Before Heading Back to New Paltz, We Stopped in AP!
My Asbury Park Ladies
From Left to Right: Krista, theChristyBel, and Kelsey

November Highlights

Here are some highlights from this past month! Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Garter Snake Getting Some Sun From the Unusually Warm November Temperatures

Walking Stick!

A Trip to NYC's Museum of Natural History

FDR's House for the NatureAccess Conference

Collecting Weather During Really Foggy Mornings on Mohonk Lake

My Parents Came to Visit and Check Out New Paltz

Thanksgiving 2015

2015 has given me an endless list of things to be thankful for: earning a Masters, leading wildlife tours, getting a big girl job, teaching programs, becoming a better scientist, the new friendships, reuniting with old friends, coming back east, gaining more self-confidence, Ted the cat, my family, Marc, and so much more. I will not go and describe the many blessings that this year has given me, but I am incredibly thankful for what has been placed in my hand.

This year for the holidays, we travelled to Long Island to spend Thanksgiving with his cousins, Barry, Liz, Beth, Jen, and Lynn. It was super nice to have a relaxing holiday with his family! We also tried out a new cookie recipe that everyone seemed to enjoy!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and holiday!

TheChristybel

Ted the Cat

The first picture of Ted!

So, Marc and I have a new addition for our family! His name is Ted the Cat! Since we moved back to the Tetons, we have been looking for a furry friend to hang with us but never found the right one or had the perfect time to adopt. Now that we are in one place and have a home, we thought it was the perfect time to find a furry friend!

While I was at work, my executive director was asking around the office if anyone wanted a cat. His daughter had a neighbor that had moved away and left two cats behind. I immediately asked Glenn to send me the picture of the cats. And instantly fell in love. I forwarded the picture to Marc and asked if we wanted to check this cat out! Marc agreed and I texted Erin (Glenn's daughter) to set up a go-see.

The cat was from Kingston, so we travelled about 45-minutes up there to visit with the cats. One of the two had already been adopted, so it was just one left looking for a new home.

As soon as we stopped over to meet this cat, he instantly meowed and approached us with welcome and love. So much cuddling! I even sat on the floor and he crawled into my lap. He totally won us over in the first 5-minutes of meeting him.

Our First Picture Together!

We were definitely hooked. We took the weekend to talk it over, but by the following week, I drove up and brought him home! The next day, Marc brought this kitty to the animal hospital to get a check up, update him on his shot, and also, to get neutered. While that was all happening, we came to find out that Mr. Cat had feline-HIV and feline Leukemia. This was really sad to hear. This meant we could not get another cat for a friend or allow him to go outside, as he could transmit the diseases to other cats (they are not contractable to humans). They even asked if we wanted them to not wake him up?!!? Are you kidding me? Just because he was tested positive for these two cat diseases. We of course said NO! We would rather have him be a house cat than put down an animal.

Other than being diagnosed with feline HIV and feline Leukemia, he is a healthy, happy cat. Oh, and the name, Ted. We did not really choose the name, he somewhat acquired it. When Marc brought him in for his check up, the hospital asked for a name. So Marc placed 'TBD' on the form. When we came in to pick up the cat, the lady at the desk said, 'Oh you're here for Ted!' and we both look at each other and say, 'Ted?' Then we realized that she definitely ready TBD has TED. Oh man. So, the name just stuck. Now he is Ted. He does live up to the name, Ted. Similar to the teddy bear movie - super cute, but can be a total butthead at times. So yes, the name definitely sticks.

Ted has been such a cute little addition to our trio! He loves to cuddle, does not at all bite or scratch, is pretty much litter box trained, and does not scratch up the house. Although he does have some learning curves with some things. He also is still learning to be an inside cat and get used to toys, feeding times, sleeping times, and bathroom time. But he is super cute and we love him!

Enjoy some pictures of him!

TheChristyBel

Loves to Play Hide and Seek

Loves to Sleep and Cuddle

Love to Cuddle with Us!

Did we mention loves to cuddle!

Constantly Needs to Touch Us!

My Two Favorite Boys!

Happy Kitty!

Puppets with theChristyBel

Today, Marc and I travelled to Woodstock for the day. The original Woodstock is about an hour north of New Paltz. The town was filled with really cute farmer's/flea markets and shops. So here is a tidbit from what we found: puppets in a bookstore.

Marc & A Squirrel

TheChristyBel and an Owl

October at Mohonk Preserve

October has been helping me get up to speed with more things that are the Mohonk Preserve and the Shawangunks. Over this past month, I have been getting more familiar with many of the educational programs, finding really cool natural history tidbits, and having some fun experiencing the many colors of the fall foliage turning! Check out some of the October highlights!

TheChristyBel

 

Some of my students making some great progress on making fire during Lenape Lifeways!

Really Interesting Mushroom Off the Side of the Highway During the Road Clean Up

Road Clean Up

Black Rat Snake Hiding in the Lenape Longhouse

Mikey Schaefer Presenting His Movie, Force

Mohonk Red Witch Hazel

Birch Trees in the Fall!

East Coast Foliage = Best Color Scheme

Using Our Wood Stove!

Phenology Project's Fruit & Seed Workshop

Identifying Types of Fruits & Seeds

Damselfly Visits During Water Programs

Common Milkweed All Over the Foothills

Obligatory Fall Foliage Shot at Split Rock at Coxing Kill Trailhead

Huge Giant Water Bugs

Fall Foliage Turning on the Shawangunk Ridge