Class, Study, Eat, Study, Sleep...wash, rinse, repeat

Well, it has been my biggest fear, that I would not be able to update my blog, and it came true. I’ll have to back fill as I have time...So I can’t remember everything in detail but not too many “interesting” things have really happened. I go to class, study, eat, study, go to sleep, wash, rinse, repeat. So far I haven’t even been able to sneak a workout in. Just finished my first round of exams and have grades for the first 2. I’m pleased with how I have done so far but there is always room for improvement. Over the last 16 days we have had 4 exams, Microanatomy first, then Physiology, Gross Anatomy, and Nutrition today. So I have been studying like mad to make sure I do well. Everything is interesting and applicable so its relatively easy to do the assignments but as I was forewarned there is just so much material being thrown at you all at once. I love it though! I have wanted to be a student again for so long and I am trying to soak up every minute of it.
Highlight of last week: I found the path to the beach from campus!!! It goes on a steep decline through the woods (which remind me of the woods at home) and there’s even a swing hanging from one of the trees. It opens up to a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea and a rocky beach. After closer inspection we found some cute little crabs that hang out on the rocks and there are some beautiful shells. This will definitely be added to one of my study spots!
Another highlight of last week was that I finally broke down and bought a kindle fire. My big sister gave me a huge collection of ebooks and it is helpful to use during prosections (although I have to try to keep it as clean as possible). So I have a new toy and I love it!
I had my first experience with the infamous St Kitts centipede this evening. As I was taking a nap I felt a pinch on my pinky toe. Immediately I knew it couldn’t be the rabbits, so that meant the lil bugar snuck into my bed. I jumped out of my bed (because these guys also can sting and are venemous) rounded up the rabbits, put on a pair of shoes, grabbed my can of BOP and slowly took off the covers. I went for it, I unloaded the can of BOP as he literally jumped off the bed I continued spraying...I couldn’t let him get away. It was either him or me and I was holding the can of BOP (highly potent pesticide/insecticide). Next I had to call all of my neighbors to come for the viewing of the body...too much fun for one sleepy student! Good night!

Study study study

Studying for my first vet school exam...self explanatory. I will update everyone with the happenings of the last 4 weeks as soon as I finish this first exam...promise :-)

Packing!!! Ahhhhhh!!!

I just want to transplant everything from here to there, can I just do that??? I love packing and moving, but this trip I can’t take everything, so the hardest part for me is figuring out what to bring, what is the most cost effective, what will be good comfort items, what will I need the most, and what will fit. I spent a good 4 hours packing my bags rearranging and trying to fit in some last minute snacks :-) The remainder of my Christmas Eve was spent putting up [even more] Christmas lights on the house and climbing up a 15’ ladder to decorate our outside Christmas Tree. Then we fixed dinner and opened our traditional one gift for Christmas Eve. Now I must go to sleep so Santa brings me lots of packable items! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Gratuitous pictures of my Caribbean Christmas Bunnies...



Fred tryin to look gangster in his Santa hat...



Betcha didn't know there were two bunnies present at the birth of Jesus...


(or that baby Jesus can be depicted by a cabbage patch doll :-) )

I hate goodbyes

Moving day...well, I got moved out of my apartment in Rocky Mount, thanks to my sister and the three lil ones. Wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. The worst part was having to say goodbye :’-( The mere thought of not being able to see those 3 cute little faces whenever I want to is hard to deal with. Living 1.5 miles away from family has been what has kept me sane through the last 3 years. I will miss my sister and her family tremendously...my heart is breaking...

Gettin down to the nitty gritty

Welp, its gettin real real...only one more night of work after tonight then off to the mountains I go. This weekend was kinda crazy, I worked friday night until 2am the drove through the night to SC for Christmas with my family. Arrived in SC around 7a then unloaded and got a 2 hour nap. Then the festivities began including lunch opening presents, a hike through the woods and lots of quality time :-)

Got the USDA endorsement on the health certificates for the rabbits today, cheaper than expected, so I got them a 10 bag of food. Did some packing up and undecorating for Christmas :-( But the Christmas tree is still up! Tomorrow’s the day to see how much of this stuff will fit in my car, hopefully all of it will but the truth will be revealed tomorrow.

Why do I keep waking up on the floor???

It’s winding down...I’m sleeping on an air mattress after taking my bed to a new home (along with one of my tvs). The apartment is slowing emptying, and the rabbits are getting more and more concerned. They nervously chewed on the air mattress causing a gushing leak, therefore I woke up on the floor. Exhausted and only thinking about sleep I pumped the air mattress up more only to wake up on the floor 2 hours later. Oh well, it forced me to get up and start packing again. Only 8 more nights of work and 19 days left in the States. My to do list is dwindling (ever so slightly). I still have some Christmas Shopping to do along with packing up the apartment and fitting everything into my car :-/

Oh yeah, I got my stethoscope!!!



Thank you Riverside Veterinary Hospital and Dr. Cameron for your generous donation (helping me pay for my stethoscope). I will have and use it continually remembering those who have helped me along the way!!!

Did I mention I love Christmas???

Two Christmas Parties and lots of fun!!! So time is winding down here in the US and I have so much stuff to do. I received my luggage tags from Ross yesterday, yayyyyy!!! I got my tracking number for my barrels today, my immigration letter came in the mail today (although I had received it by email on Thursday). Got my battery back up (UPS) from Dell (a solid 13.1 # to fit in my carry on :-/ ) My check has cleared for my Guide to the Dissection of the Dog book (bought from a current student). Monday is my appointment with Dr. Leonatti to get the rabbits’ physical exams and bloodwork drawn and get the ball rolling on all of their paperwork. They keep talking about all of the money we will need once we arrive on the island and its really disconcerting...enough for 10 meals during the week, then some information states to have 2 months worth of money for expenses (food, rent, etc.). Ahhhhh!!! I hope I have enough money?!?!?!? I forgot to mention that I got a “big sister” on the island, a first semester to help guide me along. I received a call from my financial aid advisor which freaked me out at first but when I called her back it was just to inform me that everything was set to go, just awaiting my refund disbursement in January. I put my car up for sale on craigslist. I am awaiting my stethoscope just ordered by Riverside Vet, so excited I can’t wait til it gets here. I also just ordered my magic jack... Found out that a friend will let me borrow their truck (Thanks Doug and Robin!!!) to take my bed to Norma in Wilmington (for safe keeping for the next 28 months) which relieves alot of stress in looking for a rental car and the financial burden. Had my last Sunday in Rocky Mount, went to Englewood for my last Sunday morning service :-( Then out to lunch with the Daytons’ and Williams’. I have my apartment walk through on Wednesday and need to clean up... Busy busy...