I Didn't Know What I Didn't Know

Did you know in films, a lions roar is actually a tiger? Did you know servals can have diabetes? If you didn't, its okay, I didn't either. But now I know. Which is very fitting to how this week went.

I didn't know what I didn't know. But now I do.

Week three was exciting on so many levels. The Sanctuary got in a new production camera that I am stoked to get behind and try out one of these days. My boss and I were enthralled with it, and we lived up to the 'boys and their toys' saying! It was amazing to have someone hand you over a brand-new, out-of-the-box, production camera and say "play around with this and experiment with what it can do". Let's just say there was a lot of googling on the side, but first hand putting the finishing pieces and putting the settings where we need them was a great experience.

Week three also brought the beginning of my projects I am going to be working on. I can't spoil what they are going to be, but all I can say is I'm VERY excited for them but, also know to finish them with an already cut short internship will be a daunting task.

We have a huge marketing push for an upcoming (virtual) event that is going to be this upcoming Wednesday. For the world of non-profits, donors drive the mission and create tangibility to dreams. They are the force that turns wishes into action. In our department we have been doing lots of brainstorming and researching to replace in-person events, meetings with top donors, etc. with virtual fundraising events. Everyday we are going back to the drawing board and looking at how we can both raise money, but also give our supporters the thank you that they deserve.

One more thing I didn't know is how influential working in the non-profit sector is. Everyday at work I know that there is a mission that I am now a part of. I look at the mission every day. It's the bobcats that have been four paw declawed and had their teeth filed down to try to domesticate them. It's the tigers that have arthritis so bad it shows in their gait because their life before the sanctuary comprised completely of concrete enclosures. It's the compassion that has gone into memorializing every single resident that has passed away while at TWS. Working for compassion is so much more driving than working for the American dollar. And that lesson will be essential to one day finding work in a firm or company I can truly get behind and feel supported in.

I also made some SWEET enrichment out of cardboard boxes that will be used for marketing during this next event. Pictures to follow I'm sure!

I stayed around Sandstone this week and just had a relaxing weekend, no adventures to report on this week. I was able to break out the camera on my own personal time and take some pictures around town and of the stars from our backyard; creative therapy to end the week if I say so myself.

In reference to the first image of this series, "Heres the real thing": I love it here and I am so glad I didn't know, what I didn't know.