Samantha Turtle, Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA

sararingham sara.ringham@gmail.com Posted Apr 1, 2008, 7:51 am	Today I was reborn as a toyvoyager. Sara doesn't know my real birthday so that can't be put in, I just know I'm ready to start seeing the world! Where's my first place to visit? Does anyone know? I'd love to be near beaches and see lots of marine life, so does anyone in those areas want to host me? I'm not too heavy, this is what I look like... As you can see I'm pretty small, pretty light, although I'm kind of long (at 21cms) I'm still pretty small for what I really am... Sara says she's going to look for a good first host for me. I hope to visit you soon! Let's do everything to make me happy again! :-)
sararingham sara.ringham@gmail.com Posted Apr 3, 2008, 6:35 am	I'm about to be sent out to my first host in California. I wonder what I'll see there, I have had a few days to connect with mom and a few of the other toyvoyagers, but most of us are off on our way now, some to see the rest of the world, some to see the rest of Australia - I hope they have fun! Mom thought of a funny story she thought she's share. The day before I arrived at her home she was watching a show called Border Patrol where they inspect suspicious packages that come into Australia... and she made a passing comment about how it would be funny to see one of her toyvoyagers or soon to be toyvoyagers (me) pass through quarantine and get inspected... ...and little did she know, at that exact time I was being inspected myself. They opened up my very dark bag - I wasn't in there very long but I poked my head out to see hoping to see a smiling face looking in at me, instead I had some strange people with gloves take me out and pad me down. I wonder why they thought I could be suspicious! I then got put right back in my bag with some paperwork - which I can't read but Sara says it's just something about "What not to bring into Australia". Then they put a bright yellow sticker on my package saying that I had indeed been inspected. What a strange journey I've had! I even got to see the inner workings of Australia's quarantine... :-) Too bad I didn't get any photos of that! I'll talk to everyone soon, I'm going back to the United States! See you in California! <3
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 24, 2008, 5:32 am	I have arrived in California, and was greeted by some wonderfully nice toys! Izzy, my host has been so busy taking us on adventures she forgot to update! oops! Here I am being greeted by Snuggles, Little Teddy, Pearly and Twilight
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 24, 2008, 5:40 am	Izzy went to the bay area to visit her family and stopped with us at the Carquinez Strait. There we stopped at a look out point to see the Carquinez bridge, Mare Island and the straits that feed into San Fransisco bay. it was so beautiful out, and we learned about Al Zampa, who was one of the men who helped build the bridge! Izzy's grandfather worked on the bridge to and was friends with Mr. Zampa. Mare island was an old Navel yard where they build ships! But it looked pretty quiet when we were there. We also stopped at a nursery that specializes in native California plants. It was so dirty though, we stayed in the car, but Izzy took a picture of the plants for us!
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 24, 2008, 5:47 am	After our trip to the bay area we took some time off to sleep. Izzy wanted to join us but she has homework! Anywho, today we decided to go to the BIG mall in Sacramento, the Arden Fair mall! One of my fellow voyagers, Little Teddy's goal is to go to a Hello Kitty Store, and so we took him! its was so fun! but we got in trouble for having camera's. In the main part of the mall they had funny benches that looked like cats and pyramids! Weird! No turtles though, to bad.
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 24, 2008, 5:50 am	So as soon as we got back home, we were off again to help Izzy house sit for her friend. We watched alot of TV and ate junk food. We also met a nice cat statue, but she didn't say much
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 26, 2008, 6:12 am	I got to go to a goat show mom! It was AMAZING! Their were African Pygmy goats, the little petting zoo kind, everywhere! About 200 of them. Izzy showed some of hers to, and I even got to meet the Grand Champion Doe! (which is a girl) who was Izzy's! I got my picture with her, her names Pandora. We also got to sit in a stall just like a goat and Teddy and Snuggles put me in a milking station, which is a device to keep the goats still while milking or grooming them! the goats were so cute!
pollunga Posted Apr 28, 2008, 6:35 am	Hi Mom! I got to my new host today! She is very nice and she and my last host are really good friends! We all hung out for a little while and I was able to visit with some other TV's. We decided to go back to Ishah's house (my new host) and have some barbeque dinner. I called shot gun and got the front seat! Bear was a little disappointed and then he drooled all over the place. After dropping the dog off at home we stopped at the grocery store to get some hamburger meat. The big "S" must surely be for "Samantha". I found this delicious looking dessert but we decided not to get it because one of the TV's coming to dinner is on a diet and trying to get in shape. His name is Scott and he is a lobster. He has nice abs. We thought this was a great place for a group shot. It just fit the moment. After dinner we decided to go for a good game of hangman. The answer was "goldfish", which Ishah has a lot of. My first day in Citrus Heights was fun. Ishah is going to show me where she works soon and I'll let you know how it goes. She says there are turtles there! I can't wait to talk to them.
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 28, 2008, 5:54 pm	So today started off nice and quiet. Izzy took us to a library where she let us read magazines while she studied. it was very nice, and quiet. After a bit of that we headed out to the park thats part of the library property. it was so beautiful!
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 28, 2008, 5:59 pm	Luau! I was invited to watch Izzy's friend Bon and Kate dance in a traditional Hawai'in Luau! It was put on by the Hui of Sacramento. They had a long boat out to show, and so much food and dancing! Those Polyniasian dancers are really good! I wish i could move my hips like that! After a great show, we went to a resterant for some water to help hydrate our dancing friends. We had so much fun and were so full when we came home!!
magickzzl guardianicewolf@hotmail.com Posted Apr 29, 2008, 4:33 am	As a good bye to Izzy, she showed me all her animals! I got to meet sheep and horses and goats and.. a turtle! Izzy forgot to get a picture of me with Tortallini the red eared slider earlier! now Im off to Pollunga
pollunga Posted Apr 30, 2008, 11:36 pm	Yesterday I got to go to work with Ishah! It was a lot of fun. I got to meet some really cool animals too! 1. We got there bright and early. 2. I met some red-eared slider turtles! They were really nice and told me about how every morning Ishah or one of her co-workers feeds them raw fish! That's be heaven! Hand fed raw fish everyday! 3. Next I was introduced to a ball python, sometimes they are called "royal pythons". This one is just a baby, he will grow to be 5 feet long! 4. For breakfast I had a meal with the iguanas. It was yummy greens with some strawberry-mush. I made a huge mess. 5. For lunch it was such a nice day we went and ate outside. Ishah has a current fascination with Terry Pratchett and she read us some chapters from "Color of Magic". The man is a genius. 6. We went and fed the fish and up swam a funny looking dog! His name is Will Turner and he is a Dog Faced Puffer. we chatted through the glass for a few minutes. Turns out he is very friendly and likes to be hand fed krill (kind of like shrimp). I tell you, it'd be great to live at Petco, all these people seeing to your every need. 7. This is Louie, he is a Jenday conure. He didn't say much, but he whistled at me! 8. While Ishah finished up her work day, I stayed in the break room and red up on Akitas.
pollunga Posted May 22, 2008, 2:34 am	It's been terribly boring around here. Ishah has been studying for finals and hasn't taken me anywhere! But luckily there are a few other voyagers here and we have kept ourselves busy. It has been so hot here in California too! I tried to go for a swim but the only pool of water I could find was this betta's home and I didn't fit anyways. We decided to play hide and seek on one of the days. I had the best spot. They never found me. Turns out that after three hours they had given up looking and went and watched a movie without me! We played Nintendo DS for awhile, but with each of us controlling different aspects of the controls, it didn't work too well. Soon we go bored and decided to snoop around the house. Ishah was at work and it was the perfect time to look around! Someone left a wallet on the table, we helped ourselves. For the last few days we have just been running around the house wreaking havoc and then blaming it on the cats. I think we are going to go on a trip soon. I sure hope so!
pollunga Posted May 25, 2008, 2:12 am	This last weekend we went to San Fransisco! We visited China Town, Pier 39, and Japan Town. It was really windy so Ishah didn't take us out too much because once we almost got blown away! But we took pictures on the way there and crossing the Bay Bridge. At Pier 39 we got a picture with Alcatraz behind us. It's an island with an old prison on it!
pollunga Posted May 27, 2008, 12:49 am	Well, I am off to my next host. I got all packed up today and Tuffy and Abeeku helped me into my envelope. I am so excited to seem ore of the world!
flyingmonkeys Posted May 28, 2008, 4:31 am	Just arrived and already met Lord Vader . Tomorrow , I am off on a beach adventure!
flyingmonkeys Posted May 29, 2008, 1:11 pm	Well, what a fun beach day. A storm was kicking up for later in the day, but we had fun in the am. Got to meet a jelly in a tide pool, and the kids built a me in the sand! WHen i got home , i hung out on the humane trophy zebra butt!
flyingmonkeys Posted May 29, 2008, 7:55 pm	Busy day today! Got to go to the ocean isle sea turtle museum , and ocean isle beach! Met some sea urchins, some fellow sea turtles, real and fluffy, met some young hatchlings on their way to the sea. Met a parrot fish, a few sea stars, and even took a potty break in an out house! I got a little of the captain morgan in me , and posed on the dingy. Tonight, I am off to a concert with AJ CASE, a rap star in Myrtle Beach. My hostess is pushy, so I might get to lay a few tracks down behind the scenes. Here's hoping!
flyingmonkeys Posted May 30, 2008, 1:35 pm	Met up with AJ Case, and got in the studio! Played a little guitar, laid down some tracks, rapped a little and worked the sound board. I was up pretty late last  night, so I am going to take a snooze on the beach today.
flyingmonkeys Posted Jun 1, 2008, 2:21 am	Went to a double-header baseball game today, The dodgers vs the seahawks. Stopped to take a drink. Got in the batting line up, but never got to bat. Subbed in for the ball once, argued a few plays with the umps, and operated the score board! The seahawks won 11-10! I think I might just have been their good luck charm! I hassled the  pitcher too!
flyingmonkeys Posted Jun 6, 2008, 4:47 am	Busy week this week! Baseball games, tennis signups, and it was hot! 105 degrees!!!! Got to go to the park in Leland today , slid on the high slide, climbed the monkey bars, swung a little. Ran the bases a bit and grabbed the best seat in the bleachers. I am visiting historic southport this weekend to see civil war stuff !
flyingmonkeys Posted Jun 11, 2008, 2:54 pm	Mayday ! Mayday! Flying Monkey down! Flying Monkey Down! One of the monkeys has got .........an ear infection!  I  caught it too! We had to visit the Pediatrician, and I had a physical and a shot! I should start to feel better tomorrow though, then we can go have some fun!
flyingmonkeys Posted Jun 12, 2008, 5:01 pm	Checked out the swamp and marsh today. Had to make a pit stop at the potties. Got REALLY weird looks from the old guy on a golf cart ( unofficial park busy body and ranger) . Stopped by vereen and posed with the angel statue. Good times.
flyingmonkeys Posted Jun 13, 2008, 11:21 pm	Got my tan on today. Met Nixie, a fellow traveler. Ran into a sand crab and a whelk. No worries, we released the whelk and the crab after posing!
flyingmonkeys Posted Jul 3, 2008, 9:28 pm	Well, I had a good time at the beach, and now I am off on my next adventure! On my way to West Virginia! My host family took me and some friends out for a goodbye party, then off in the mail I went! Can't wait to see where I turn up next!  Hung out at Hard Rock Myrtle Beach and Ripleys Aquarium
MissMelissa Posted Jul 6, 2008, 12:43 am	Hello! I've arrived in West Virginia. Sadly, I just missed the 4th of July fireworks last night, but Melissa promised a little tomfoolery and hijinks to ensue this evening. THE CARNIVAL IS IN TOWN! Don't get too excited, Melissa tells me. I don't know what that means yet, but she mumbled something about it perpetuating the West Virginia stereotype. I don't know what that is, yet, though.....Hopefully by tomorrow, I'll have lots of things to show you! Until Next Time, Samantha Turtle
MissMelissa Posted Jul 7, 2008, 1:25 am	Bad news...The carnival must have packed up and moved on in the middle of the night because when we went, it was like there had never been a carnival. Melissa says it would not have been a very good first impression of my new temporary home anyway. So this morning while my hosts watched a movie, I looked around outside, just waiting to get out. It's very woodsy! Then Melissa showed me her bug collection. Yes, her bug collection. She swears up and down that they all died of "natural" causes, but I don't know if I trust her yet. I mean, how can a whole carnival disappear one night? But she promised me that they were found that way, and she has just preserved them until they are properly identified and her entomology kit arrives. What a nerd! Anyway, the point of this is that Ronnie, Hammie, Sandi Rose and I will be going on our own bug hunting adventure this evening. Lightning bugs! I'll report the details (as long as the lightning bugs don't just all mysteriously disappear like the carnival did  ) Until Next Time, Samantha Turtle
MissMelissa Posted Jul 7, 2008, 10:17 pm	Hello! Our hunt was quite successful last night and we had a great time. Melissa made good on her word, and I think I can stop being so suspicious... All four of us caught a lightning bug! We brought them inside to check them out and then let them go. But before we did, we caught one glowing! (which is trickier to catch on film than one might think...) They were fairly nice, considering the circumstances, but were glad to be set free. Until Next Time, Samantha Turtle
MissMelissa Posted Jul 14, 2008, 11:39 pm	Been wondering what I've been up to? Well, not too much. Actually, Melissa's been so busy with school that she hasn't had any fun. Sadly, that means I haven't had any fun.  A whole lot of 'hitting the books' and not much else. Although in a rare stroke of genius, Melissa decided to try to make a moss terrarium and I got to help! Until Next Time, Samantha Turtle
MissMelissa Posted Jul 15, 2008, 3:14 am	Hello! Melissa finally took me on an adventure to McDonough Park. We went in search of a turtle friend... The park is a 277 acre wildlife reserve in Vienna. You can expect to see lots of animals and birds while you're there. Coincidentally, the first thing that we saw was a lovely little family of deer. These little fawns still have their spots, so they're just babies. The park consists of a bunch of trails that all go around this marsh area. Looks like a perfect spot to see a turtle, huh? These geese were making a lot of ruckus. Honking and flapping all over the place. No wonder the turtles were hiding! Then we explored the other pond thing with all of the bird nests built above it. Melissa dared me to jump in to find some turtle friends. Hmmm. No, I don't think that I will...I've grown rather accustomed to the air conditioning and daytime television. The geese decided to form a roadblock to barricade us in. They said if I give them my wallet, they'll let us go. Luckily, Melissa was able to distract them with some bread crumbs. Melissa couldn't work my mug into this shot without blurring up the butterfly, so I thought it best to sit this one out. The sun started to set, so we went back home. You know how horror movies start...A girl and a turtle in the woods...I didn't see any turtles, but I met a bunch of fun animals anyway! Until Next Time, Samantha Turtle
MissMelissa Posted Jul 25, 2008, 5:12 pm	Melissa took us to work with her today. She works at an independent record store. And it was a pretty slow night, so I got to hang out with her all evening. Here I am on the counter of the store. The stickers, I'm told, are the only thing keeping the counter together. I got to peruse through the cds, but there were a lot of them, so I didn't see all of them. I did find the Turtles, my all-time favorite band. I was pretty bored, so Melissa put me to work answering the phone. We both forgot that humans can't hear turtlese, so that was short-lived. Finally, I was allowed to gaze on Melissa's pride and joy, her Hall & Oates clock. She made it on another really slow day here and it has captivated the hearts of many men since then. Until Next Time, Samantha Turtle

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