Gia's Journal

[Giovanna Palladino]

B I O | P L O T . P A G E | R E L A T I O N S H I P S | C E L L . P H O N E | T R A C K E R

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Journal Entry One,

May 20, 2011 Finally done. Finally free. The first of many pages! I'll keep this one short and sweet. Lila and I are off to the airport! Finally leaving this dreaded city!!! Plus, I think she has a surprise for my birthday. I can't believe I'm going to be 22. Yikes! I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

created by the lion of BTN and OTE

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Two,

May 21, 2011 We're here! Miami, Florida! Not that this was our actual goal, but Lila has some family here that she wanted to visit. Also she wanted to spend the weekend and relax and hit the beach and bars around town before we venture off on our journey. I can't really argue with her since she's funded the trip thus far, but not to worry! I shall contribute, my research partner back in NYC said he will send me everything I need before heading to the everglades. I'll write some more later, I'm being dragged away, til then. I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Three,

May 25, 2011 It's Wednesday, I'm slightly annoyed that we stayed longer than I initially anticipate but we are finally on the road. Johnathan has sent me the information I needed. And although I probably shouldn't say it, I'm slightly glad I'm getting away from him. Don't get me wrong, I like him, I just think he likes me much more than I do. It was difficult to convince him that it'd be best for him to stay back while I went to the Everglades, but somehow I managed to do so. I just want to get there already. Lila made all the arrangements, we're renting a small house for a month that is in walking distance to the park. Hopefully we should get there soon, I think it's only about an hour away from Miami. Lila's coming back with the food. I'll write some more tonight after we get settled in. Til then, I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Four,

May 25, 2011 Finally some time to myself. Lila has been on my case since she got in the car. Normally, I wouldn't hold back a thing from her, but for some odd reason I can't find myself to tell her my true feelings for Johnathan. He's just a bit, needy. And quite frankly it's starting to get annoying. I'm 22 years old, and he's talking about marriage! We've only been seeing each other for a few months. Granted we have known each other a while. We met my freshman year, and he was a teaching assistant. He somehow managed to end up in almost all of my classes and even labs. At first it was cute, then it just was, odd. Anyways, enough about him. I'm as far as I possibly can be from him. So until I have to check in with him, I'm going to refrain from thinking or even talking about him. For now, I'll head to bed, I want to get up nice and early tomorrow to start my day! I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Five,

May 26, 2011 It's 6 am and I'm up before everyone and anything. Which is exactly what I need. It's so peaceful and quiet. In midst of all the chaos that happened yesterday, I had almost forgotten it was my birthday. I don't really care much really. Lila and I celebrated it in Miami, but the pressing thing is, before bed she wished me a happy birthday, which was odd cause she didn't say anything all day, and on top of that she told me she's going to be giving me my present today. I'm started to get worried. I thought the present was Miami, but apparently it wasn't. Anyways, enough about that for now. I'm getting everything ready for today. I've got all my papers, and information I need, along with two bags of equipment that Johnathan had sent to this address. I told Lila last night that I'd go by myself today, just to get a feel over the area and what not. Plus to be honest she's more useful here. She's never been one for science, which is fine, we make a better team this way. She picks up my slack and I pick up hers. We complement each other well even though we are different. I'm so fortunate to have her in my life. Done with breakfast, the suns starting to peak threw the shades, I must go! I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Six,

May 26, 2011 It's been a long day, and I would much prefer to just go to sleep, but I can't since someone is in my bed! I'm so annoyed. Today was going so well. I got a nice section mapped out for where I'd like to set up. Everything went down hill when I came back for lunch. Lila's surprise for me, was much of a surprise! Johnathan. Her surprise to me was Johnathan! I still can't believe it. I'm so, so, ANGRY! And of course he was happy as can be, but I was not, and Lila could tell instantaneously. The annoying thing was anytime I tried to get a moment alone with her, he would just have to be there. He couldn't leave me a long for a second cause he "missed me too much". SO ANNOYING! Lila passed out, and Johnathan is sleeping in my bed, waiting for me, but I think I'll just sleep on the couch. I'm going to have to find a way to talk to Lila tomorrow. He really needs to leave. Anyways, I need to sleep. I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Seven,

May 30, 2011 It's Sunday. I haven't gotten a moment alone since Johnathan arrived, and luckily he is gone. It didn't really end well, but luckily it ended. I couldn't take it any more and I snapped. I told Lila everything, and she felt horrible for having him come down. I can't really be mad at her though because in all fairness she had no idea how I felt. Johnathan didn't take it so well, but agreed to stay in touch due to our research together. We both agreed though, after the Everglades we would go our separate ways and do other work. I am greatly relieved. Now it's just me and my best friend, for the next month, here, in Florida, and hour away from Miami. How bad can that really be?! Til next time... I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Eight,

June 6, 2011 It's been exactly a week, and this has been the first time I have had time to write. Well, in my personal journal it is. I have detailed accounts of everything from my hot days in the Everglades. Stacks and stacks of notes, but I'm not writing to talk about that, I've done enough of that during the day. I've been feeling better about the whole Johnathan thing, and he's surprisingly been handling it well. Lila is enjoying it here, and has been taking frequent trips to Miami. I promised her this weekend I'd go with her just to take a break. It's been a while since I have shifted, and it's starting to get to me. I'm debating whether to go tomorrow while I'm working, or tonight. I haven't decided, but I need to go soon. I'm hesitant about walking around as a dog with no leash or collar. I really don't need to get caught. Ugh, so many things to worry about. This is why I miss you Lina, you always knew what to do. I guess I'll try to get some rest. 'Til next time. I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Nine,

June 7, 2011 Lila has left me for this entire week. Which at first I was hesitant about, but she convinced me not to worry. She is off with some guy she met doing God knows what. I can't really say much, she's been nothing but supportive of me and this trip so far. I just want her to be smart and safe is all. Luckily for me, I can now roam free in the house doing whatever I wish. I've been experimenting with newer animals, more specifically larger ones. This morning I tried and alligator, which was interesting. This afternoon I tried a python. My inspiration clearly coming from my work. I still haven't found an animal that I like. Lina had always told me that you would know it instantaneously. I guess until then I'll keep trying different things. Well back to the park! I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia

[Giovanna Palladino]

Journal Entry Ten,

June 8, 2011 It's only been a day and I'm going insane. Note to self, I don't like being alone. Don't get me wrong, time to yourself here and there is great, but truly being alone is such a depressing thought. I thought I'd be writing in this journal much more than I am. My research journal on the other hand is full of notes and I'm almost in need of another one. Just being out there doing what I love is fascinating, and just makes me beyond happy. I do however want Lila to come back soon. Until then, I guess perhaps I'll work on getting to know myself a little bit better. I'll always take care of myself Lina. Gia