I Got A Dead Penguin For Christmas

-


    My long-time friends of nearly 30 years or more, meet almost monthly for dinner. Last week, we had our belated Christmas get-together (Thank you, COVID-19, for a third year in a row) at Olive Garden in Chesterfield, Missouri. Once I *finally* arrived, we exchanged our gifts. Charissa, so thoughtfully, gave us each a bracelet with a small animal charm - a penguin for me, an elephant for Nichelle and a shark for Nisa.  These were to remind us to check on our geotracked animals through an app! So exciting! 

So after dinner, I wanted to check on my penguin, Neo. The card says in summary, "... Neo is a young male who nests under medium sized bushes that have thorns and leaves. His bush provides him cover from the sun and aerial predators such as seagulls." When I use the QR code I can see how many miles Neo has swum, I can see how he darts back and forth in the ocean when he swims, I can see where he walks on the beach and gets back into the water. I can see everywhere Neo swims in the bay. I can see where he was last swimming in the water....

A message appears on my screen and I read out loud because all three of them are listening to me talk and brag about MY Neo, MY penguin, "The tracking device for this animal has not received updates since 1/12/23." I think for a second, it's 1/19/23.

It's been seven days.

I look at Nisa who has placed a few fingers in front of her mouth tilting her head, opening her eyes wide, to *help* me figure this out... I blurt out, "You mean Neo is dead!......Neo was eaten by a shark!?  My Christmas present is dead?! I got a dead penguin for Christmas?!

Charissa's head goes down, "I didn't think about that the animal might die before they received them as gifts..."

Nichelle, "Only you, Tracey, would this happen to!"

I am gasping for air. "My penguin is gone!  My poor Neo! Do I bury the post card? Every time I look at the bracelet, RIP Neo, I will think of you. What do I do now?"

Another message comes across the screen, "Would you like to follow Waterfront, another penguin?"

"Waterfront?! I just got introduced to Neo, and I have his picture, I am holding his postcard, and I see his nest, and I know where he likes to swim. I just got attached to him! Now he is already dead and I am in mourning. How can you expect me to just switch so fast? Neo is not replaceable!"

At this point, we are hysterically laughing. I am congested and I cannot breathe. "I am suffocating. I am going to die. I am coming, Neo!"

****

Waterfront - is a male penguin and is not like most penguins. He left his colony and started his own Waterfront neighborhood. Penguins usually do not venture out on their own. He separated his new area about 600 meters from the main colony. His new place is on a nice slope where penguins can nest  facing the ocean and walk to the ocean quickly for food. He found a great place to raise families.

Waterfront was released on December 15th, 2022 and as of today 1/25/23 he has swum 95 miles and he is still swimming.....



_______

No animals were hurt during this event. We actually do not know if Neo was eaten by a shark. The tracking device could have come off while he was swimming, or another penquin could have "removed" it. No one really knows. I have been told if Neo was eaten by shark the device may have darted out into the Atlantic and the tracker would have shown that. Who knows. But, I love you, Neo!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Alternatives to Holiday Parties in Schools

-
Holiday parties in schools can be a very fun time.  It is a break from the daily routine of class. Students get to socialize freely.  There are no restrictions on time usage. However, there are many problems that arise due to parties. For those with food allergies and religious concerns, room parties can be isolating.  Peanut, gluten, sugar consumption concerns, and others which can be found in party food is a great concern, sometimes it is life threatening. With the growing concern of obesity rates of children, removing this unnecessary calorie consumption needs to be considered. In addition, with so many families of different religious affiliations, the origins of the room parties cause problems in schools. Even when the Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day parties are renamed Fall, Winter and Spring parties, families often see them as the same parties, just renamed. Next, besides the food concerns and religious contradictions, the children who cannot participate as the
Read more

PBL vs. PBL: Project Based Learning vs. Problem Based Learning, What's the Diff?

-
PBL vs. PBL Project-Based Learning vs. Problem-Based Learning Is there a difference? Yes! Project-Based Learning is a learning process in which students learn through completing projects that revolve around real world problems. Project-Based Learning is when a problem is presented to a student, group of students or a class, and they discuss possible solutions. Project Based learning is focusing on the problem, identifying affected parties, and determining a solution to resolve the problem. Now, the solution could lead into a prototype, working model, poster displaying solution ideas, writing letters, making web pages, informing the public, and more.  Project-Based learning can also occur when student(s) identify their OWN problem to study, or identify their own problems in a given topic. Project-based learning span over time - a few weeks and up to a school year. Examples of Project-Based Learning are science projects that address a question students have and the student c
Read more

Welcome!

-
Welcome to my blog of random educational, gifted, STEM, and life topics!  Here is a little bit about me. See if we have anything in common and decide if you want to hang out here! I am a teacher of 26 years..... yes, 26 years.... Where has the time gone? At the present time I am a PEGS teacher. PEGS stands for Program for the Exceptionally Gifted Student. More on the PEGS program later.  I have taught in regular 4th and 5th grade classrooms. I have also been an instructional technology specialist. I really enjoy teaching math, science, social studies and writing.  I incorporate STEM/STEAM as much as possible. PBL units are a part of my year curriculum, as well.  Games make their way into our educational program, too. My husband and I have a senior and a freshman in high school. We enjoy exploring our state and country traveling by car (well, my husband may not since he does the driving) because we see so much more of our great state of Missouri and of the USA. This fall marks m
Read more