One Semester Down...

First Dome Home Lunch after moving in!!

Well, I officially passed my first semester of vet school!! Finals were a lot harder than I thought they would be and it seemed each test was getting harder and harder but in the end I am VERY proud of my grades. The unofficial grade report states that I ended up with an A in physiology, a B+ in microanatomy and development, a B in Nutrition and a C+ in Gross anatomy.  I am a little disappointed in my C+ in anatomy since I thought I knew this information VERY well but I will adjust my study habits and be after an A in Gross Anatomy 2 next semester.  I also heard our Microanatomy grades might change since they have not factored in the curve on the final so I am hoping my B+ turns into an A!!  All of the Dome girls made it through to next semester with no problem.  I have heard of 2 people that failed one class so they will take it next semester.  I have not heard of anyone that failed out which is great….GO PINK!!  At Ross, if you fail one class you retake ONLY that class the next semester but because of the rules with government financial aid you are not allowed to receive it when you don’t take enough units.  If you fail more than 1 class you fail out of the school…no second chance.  I sure hope I never have to deal with either of these situations- especially the later!!

But more important, this semester has proved to me that I CAN do this! I want to stick my tongue out at the schools that told me No…but I will keep it professional!!

Rachel is an AMAZING cook..maybe I won't starve living in the Dome Home!!

After finals finished Thursday we officially moved everything into out DOME HOME and I love it there.  I love my roommates, the layout and EVERYTHING about it.  I sure hope it works out cause I refuse to move again for the next 2 years.  Friday was spent running last minute errands around the island, dropping Taylor off at the airport and some beach time.  Saturday we had brunch one last time at the Marriot and then enjoyed some pool time before we headed back to the dome and head home.  Our flight was almost an hour late leaving saint kitts which made it a mad dash for me to get through customs, recheck my luggage, go through security again and make it to my gate in less than 45 minutes…but I made it and I am HOME!!

Rachel's pre final snacks...pepermint bark, turtle brownies and butter cake with snickers...YUM

 

All the dogs were so happy to see me and Flurry has refused to leave my side. All are in great health, good coats though some are a little bit on the heavier side…MOM!!!

Goodbye old room!!

 

Now that I am home it is time to relax, enjoy the holidays and catch up with friends!!

Merry Christmas to all and have a VERY Happy New Year!

Last memory of Saint Kitts 2012...Man with a monkey riding a donkey with sunglasses...only in Saint Kitts!!

 

Last push

Our table during studying

I have officially hit my 100 days on the island!! Time is going by so fast and in 12 days I will be back home enjoying time with my family, friends and of course dogs!! But I still have A LOT to do before I leave the island including finals.

I finally got my anatomy midterm 3 grade back it and it was a low C, defiantly the lowest grade I have gotten thus far.  The class average went down from a 86% to 76% so it was a hard test but I made silly mistakes and could have gotten a B easily.  Oh well, as all vet students say C=DMV!!

My time has been spent studying, studying and more studying!!  Finals are going to be tough so I want to be prepared for them!! I took my first final today in our Intro to Vet Medicine class which is a 2 unit class that is pass/no pass.  We only had to get 20 questions right out of 50 to pass the class so I think I did fine.  I only wish the rest of my exams would be that easy!!  I have a palpation quiz tomorrow in gross anatomy that is worth 5% of our grade but as it stands now I should be going into finals with an A in Microscopic Anatomy and Physiology while having a very high B in nutrition and a midrange B in Gross Anatomy.  I am aiming for 3 A’s and B but we will see.  Back to studying…will update you all once I know my grades.  Good luck to the rest of my Pink Semester...WE GOT THIS!!

Just Keep Swimming

Our Thanksgiving Group-next year we will try to cook it in the Dome Home

Tomorrow marks the 3 month mark of embarking on this amazing adventure and in 3 weeks from tomorrow I will be done with my first semester of vet school and on my way home to celebrate the holidays with my family.

Sorry for the lack of posting the past week was SUPER busy.  As you know we had our 3^rd micro exam the past week and that was sure an interesting exam.  It was a 40 question exam that covered over 800 slides. Everyone that I know walked out of the exam feeling defeated.  Well, long story short 8 questions were thrown out of the exam for multiple reasons so I ended up getting an A.  I guess I can’t complain.

Saturday my AXO big sis flew in to enjoy the island!! It was so good to see her and she delivered LOTS of presents from my mom to remind me of home.  I tried to show her the island as much as possible while still going to class and studying for my exam today.  Not going to lie, it was a VERY stressful week but I hope my big enjoyed the island.  Saturday we drove around a little bit so she could see parts of the island while it was light outside and she even saw the Dome Home that I will be living at next year.  We had an amazing dinner at Rock Lobster.  It was our first time there but we will be back for sure! Our Sunday morning started early with zip lining and then off to shipwreck for some lunch and tanning.  I of course toted my notes along everywhere I went.  Sunday night was spent in the anatomy lab studying.  Monday morning and afternoon I had class and Sam got to go roam around the campus.  We had ritual sushi for dinner and then more anatomy lab. Tuesday we went to port after class and was able to do a little shopping, eat at Sugar Cane and went on a 4 hour island tour.  I had done an island tour during orientation week but it was fun to go back to a few of the places.  Wednesday Sam roamed around the beautiful Marriot while I got to sit in class.  We had dinner at Sprat Net for her last night here.  Thursday she departed and I already miss having her here.  We did not get to do too many things so she will just have to come back again.  Though I LOVED having her here, it is very hard to juggle graduate school and visitors.  I think if other friends are going to come over , I will try for them to come on our semesters breaks or NOT on midterm weeks.

Thursday was thanksgiving but it sure didn’t feel like it.  No thanksgiving break for us down here, class all day AND a VERY hard Anatomy exam the next day.  I did get to celebrate the holiday with my island family at a local restaurant Carabonas .  It was a BEAUITFUL setting out on the beach but the food was not like home.  They had some AMAZING pumpkin soup but the rest was just mediocre.  I truly appreciate the island trying to make the holiday special for us  but I missed my mom’s cooking for sure!! After dinner, we came home and I was actually able to skype with my family at the dinner table.  They even made me a plate (see picture).  It was funny to think that last Thanksgiving I was on my Mexican cruise swimming with dolphins and zip ling in Puerto Vallart and this year I am studying for an exam on a tropical island in the middle of the Caribbean!!  I never said I had a normal life!

My plate at home for Thanksgiving!!

 

But as there is no rest for us, the day after thanksgiving was our 3^rd Anatomy exam at 8 am and boy was it hard!!  I will be waiting on pins and needles for the grades to be posted.  I have a mid B right now in the class and needed a 94 or above on the next exams to get an A but I don’t think that is going to happen on this one.  I made a few silly mistakes but there were some REALLY hard questions too.  Tonight I am taking a mental break from everything.  The stress of school, playing hostess, not enough sleep and too much studying has finally caught up with me and the LAST thing I need is to get sick before finals. 

Tomorrow Brittany, Taylor, Rachel and myself are having a twilight marathon to run through all the previous movies and then going to our island theatre to watch the new movie.  For those that know me…NO I am not a twilight fan one bit but it will be fun to do something besides school.  Rachel promised me she found a drinking game for these movies so I am excited. 

Guess I should add...there is NO black friday shopping here on the island!!

Well, that is all for now…home in22 days!!

Another week finished

Well another week of my first semester of vet school is finished!! I had my nutrition exam this past week and I received an A on it!!  From what I heard from upper semesters, Nutrition is the #1 class that causes students to fail so I am very pleased with my B on the first midterm and now my A.  At this point I have an A in Microscopic Anatomy and Physiology and very high B’s in nutrition and gross anatomy.   All that stands between me and break is 1 micro midterm (next week), 1 anatomy midterm (the week after that), another palpation quiz, and 5 finals!!    Got to just keep pushing along!

My big sis from AXO is coming next Friday to spend some time on the island with me so I am SUPER exited!! I am trying to figure out all the places to take her in such a short amount of time.  I am trying to study TONS this week so I don’t have to stress out too much while she is here.  It will be interesting to see what a masters in advertising thinks of vet school!!

Packages from home and Good Grades

My notes after 5 exams...almost 8 inches thick of pure hand written notes

 

Well, I survived a few more tests (which is a good thing).  Last week I had my anatomy palpation exam and the second midterm.  I got an A on the palpation exam and a B on the second midterm.  I am a little disappointed in the B because I felt like I really knew the information.  I keep getting the hard questions right and overthinking the easy questions.  We still have 2 more exams in anatomy as well as another palpation quiz so I am really going to buckle down for those tests because I really want an A in this class.  This week we had our second of three physiology exams.  I am very proud to announce that I received another A so I maintained my A in this class.  We have a nutrition exam next Wednesday so my weekend will be spent studying for it. I received a B on the first exam so I am really shooting for a high A to bring my grade up.

My life has been pretty much study, sleep, eat repeat.  I am trying to go to the gym more often since I want to get back into shape but I feel so limited on time.  The school has a really nice gym here so I just need the motivation.  Maybe I can convince my good friend Taylor to make me go!!

On Tuesday, Brittany, Rachel, Taylor and myself went to meet our landlord for the dome home.   She was SOOO nice and the dome looks amazing.  I loved living in the dorms this semester and it was a great transition onto the island but I am READY to move off and have a bath tub and oven!!

 

These past 2 weeks have also been amazing because I have gotten 3 care packages from home!! My first one was from my sorority advisor Casey and it was filled with AMAZING candies.  She knew trick or treating would be thin down here so she made sure I had PLENTY of sweets!! I must admit I did give myself a tummy ache from all the candy I ate one night.  The second package to arrive was one from my mom which has TONS of stuff in it!! From my nerf gun, The Spotter, hair pins, slippers, wall art, crock boards, PINK poncho, ink cartridges, some cooking supplies I don't know how to use, passport holder and even an In N Out place mat (which I could have done without).  And lastly a  packaged arrived from my old co-worker and AMAZING friend that had lots of inside jokes between us and work.  LHAH snow is now hanging in my room and my Gold Gym Dalmatian is on top of my printer.  The package also included LOTS of candy and food.  Thank you all for sending me these care packages…it means SOO much to me!!

 

Gold Gym has taken over Saint Kitts...what animal will be lucky enough to wear this!!

 

As I said before, this weekend will be spent studying Nutrition as that test is Wednesday and the week after that is Micro Anatomy again and then we FINALLY have a week off!!! In first semester we have 10 weeks of a test during each week…NOT fun!!  I think we are going to try to go to the beach the weekend and the Marriot brunch…but who knows…it is island life!!

See I really do study!!

 

Just submitted my EcoLife Excursion application for April 2014…Hello Africa!!

I forgot to mention in my last blog that I submitted my EcoLife Excursion application this morning which means I AM GOING TO AFRICA!!! Here is a link to the website if you want to read more about it.

http://www.ecolife.co.za/vets.html

I am now accepting donations to fund this trip!!

Mid Semester Break AKA Half Way Done

Well, I have made it half way through my first semester of vet school!!  After 7 weeks of intense schooling, Ross students get a mid-semester break which consists of having a 3 day weekend (we have Monday off).  It is not much but I will take it!! 

It was beautiful ALL weekend even though our tropical storm only happened a few days ago.  This week was nothing out of the ordinary, class, study, sleep repeat.  I did find out I got a high B on my Microscopic Anatomy exam which I am VERY proud of.  I was not comfortable with the material; it seemed like a lot of memorizing rather than understanding the information.  Also having a thunder storm go on DURING you test so you couldn’t even hear yourself think did not help!! But I will take my B and run!!  So halfway through with nothing lower than a B, I will take that!!

Friday night we planned on going out to dinner and heading out for a night of fun. Well, our dinner was AMAZING.  I need to look up the name of the place but I will DEFINTELY go back.  I had an amazing guva margarita and Rachel and I shared our lobster and steak to create our own surf and turf.  The lobster was probably the best I have had on the island and the steak was really good too.  Then came our dessert course strawberry cheecake, homemade chocolate and banana ice cream, and this AMAZING kiwi and mango frozen custard and vanilla bean dish.  It was all SOOO good.  We all ate too much so instead of having a night out we all came back to my room and passed out…who knew a full bed was enough for 3 girls to fall fast asleep on.

Saturday we were good students and worked on our animal palpation (we have a test Tuesday) and spent a good amount of time in the anatomy lab.  We had Bombay deliver dinner and sat out on the patio eating and enjoying the night.  I am SOOO lucky to have met 3 AMAZING friends down here.

Sunday we went to the Marriott brunch since we couldn’t make it last Sunday because of the storm.  The food was amazing like last time but our server was a little rude.  Oh well, we will still be back.  It is a little taste of home food that I miss.  We then spent the afternoon hanging out at the Marriott beach to work on our tans and study a little. We then headed to another beach to meet up with some other Ross students.  This beach was AMAZING and very private.  Most beaches have restaurants and bars right by so there is a lot of people around.  This beach had its own cove and very quiet and peaceful.  It was all sand so you didn’t have to wear shoes or worry about stepping on sea urchins.  You have to bring all your food, coolers, etc but I definitely want to go back.  We stayed there until sunset and then headed back to the dorms.  Where we all passed out!!

Today, Monday, will be spend studying all day.  We have a palpation test tomorrow and then another anatomy test Friday.  I made a lot of silly mistakes by overthinking questions on the first exam causing me to get a B+ so I am aiming for an A this time.

As I said before, I was on dog walking duty last week.  This consists of being assigned to one to two dogs that you walk twice a day for 30 minutes.  The dogs are kept for a maximum of 2 years and used for a variety of classes here on campus.  I was assigned to Eddie and Sheba who were both VERY good girls.  I was VERY surprised on how well behave the dogs are (better than LOTS I know).  The only downfall of walking duty was trying to plan your day around walking.  In the morning you had to walk them between 6:00 am and 7:30 am.  We start class at 8 so I wanted to be done walking so I had time to go back and shower (you get VERY sweaty walking around here).  Then at night you had to walk between 4:30 and 6:00 pm, which meant I had to be done walking so I had time to shower and go out to dinner.  I didn’t sleep well the entire week cause I felt I was going to over sleep and not get my dogs walked.  But I did my week duty and happy I am done.  I might still have to go over to the kennels some nights and give my 2 girls some extra love!!

Well, I need to get back to studying (even though it is SOO beautiful outside).  Happy Monday!!

Tropical Storm Rafael

 

Wow, what a crazy past few days with my first tropical storm EVER!! But first let me wish all my Alpha Chi Omega Sisters a HAPPY Founders day!!! But back to the storm...

 We knew Thursday night that there was tropical storm headed or way and would probably hit us sometime Friday.  Well, as soon as class let out Friday afternoon and we were halfway back to the dorms, the wind started and there was a down pour that did not stop ALL weekend.  We all know what happens when there is this much rain, flooding, leaks, etc but it is 10 times worse when you r NOT in the United States.  Luckily, I live in the dorms for my first semester and it is probably one of the safest places you can be.  The dorms are hurricane proof but we also have backup generators for when the power goes out.  Friday night was fun to stare out the windows and watch the storm as it passed by but on Saturday a few problems did occur.  MANY of the dorms started to leak causing floods…please look at out “study room.” We compared our ceiling leakage size to those of a mature oocyte.  Saturday evening the power also went out but the generator did not kick in (I think it was tired) so I had my first REAL power outage with no air, internet, light, etc.  I know realize what items I need to purchase in case this happens again (hopefully NOT soon).  My trusty battery operated lantern worked awesome in my time of need but I need a fan I can use to circulate some air (since we can’t open the windows).  Sunday I think we were all undergoing some cabin fever.  Oh, I guess I should mention we were all stuck inside STUDYING since we had a micro exam Monday.   In addition to studying and surviving the storm, it is also my week to dog walk.   Each first semester is assigned a week where they have one or two kennel dogs they walk twice a day for 30 minutes.  Well, my week happened to start in the middle of a tropical storm.  So Sunday I trucked to the kennels (probably a ¼ of a mile) to walk my dog….ok I lied I drove the ¼ mile so I wouldn’t be stuck in the rain walking back (work smarter…not harder).  So now its Monday and we go to our class at 8am in the  rain and then have out exam at 10.  During our exam it was raining cats and dogs and it was VERY hard to concentrate with thunder every 30 seconds.  I finish the exam and decide to stay on campus until our next class at 1:00 so I don’t have to walk through the storm twice.  Well, the entire student body gets a text around 12:00 saying that campus is closed and all classes and activates have been cancelled.  YAHOO…afternoon off!! So I faced the storm headed back to the dorms and met up with Rachel, Taylor and Brittany to watch the Ugly Truth and have a much needed day off!!  Even though campus was closed I still walking dog duties.  But I am proud to say I successively survived my first tropical storm but rumor has it a hurricane might be headed our way…

No they did not wax the floors...that is water

 

On a random note, I got my nutrition test back (the one I was REALLY worried about) and I pulled off a B which I am quite proud of!! The micro exam I took today I am now nervous about, the test was not what I expected and I could NOT concentrate or hear myself think during a thunderstorm…but I guess that is what you get when you go to Ross.


Dog Walking Outfit

I will post another day about my 2 dogs that I am walk and results of my micro exam.  Off to go watch some more rain!!

Damage Downtown

Red Sky...the sunset when your in the middle of a storm

Studying style of a Ross Student

 

First Round Of Exams...DONE

Well, I survived my first Reich exam.  Current and future vet students of Ross understand this statement.  It is not like the nutrition information is difficult and Dr. Reich is a master of the English language.  His tests are VERY tricky which causes a lot of people to not do well. I will be holding my breath until I get my exam grade. To celebrate, we went to CIAO for AMAZING Italian food and some tiramisu.  This test also marks the end of the first set of exams for all of our classes. But since there is no rest at vet school, must start studying for my next exam which is Monday in microscopic anatomy. 

Until my next blog I will leave you with this…I found it on one of my classmate’s Facebook and I think it applies to MANY in the vet field.  ENJOY!!  

I AM an anesthesiologist, an x-ray technician, a maid, a janitor, a surgery assistant, a loving hand, a pharmacist, a teacher, a mortician, a coroner, a shoulder to cry on, a friend to cry with, a sucker for a furry face, a face to lick, a midwife, a delivery nurse, a dental hygienist, a vet's best friend, a pet's best friend, a babysitter, a physical therapist, a mother, a father, a playmate, a chew toy, a protector...

I CAN make the pain go away, save a life, see what's wrong, clean anything, ease a mind, fill a drug order, show the right way, end suffering, give kisses, get kisses, clean teeth and bring someone to do the right thing...

I HAVE a strong stomach, endured countless scars, scratches, and bites, cried with a stranger, cried into the fur of too many lifeless bodies, a big heart, a thoughtful mind, the strength to do the right thing even when it hurts, the ability to fall in love in 5 seconds, and the deepest love for all creatures.

I AM A VET TECH!

1/3 of the way there!!

Blood Sweat and MORE Sweat

 

Hey all-

Well, I am officially 1/3 of the way done with Vet school and I am still loving it!!  I think I have figured out my balance between work and study.  And for those that don’t think we study here.   YES WE DO!!  We study hard and play hard (we just don’t post pictures of us studying).

As you know I had an exam on Wednesday in Physiology which went AWSOME…another A.  So that brings me up to 2 A’s and one high B in my 3 exams.  I will take that! We have another exam this Wednesday in Nutrition.  The material isn’t hard but this exam won’t be easy because of the teacher.  The professor use to write questions for the GRE so he is VERY good at tricking you with the wrong answer.  I will be studying my butt off for this.

Tonight I took part in the Red Semester fundraiser which was a powder-puff football tournament.  When I first signed up I thought the teams would be by semester but it wasn’t.  I was placed on a team with people I had never met and they were all in upper semesters.  Talk about being out of your confront zone.  But these teammates were amazing and we played AWSOME.  We came in 2^nd but we all hustled and communicated and they didn’t pick on the poor first semester!! 

I have to admit I had A LOT of fun playing and sure reminded me of my days when I played AXO flag football.  We ran plays tonight like we ran undergrad like Touchdown Skorni and Bubble Chie…of course we didn’t call them that but I thought it in my head.  I prefer playing in southern California though…this humidity here is KILLING me!!

Events like this make me think about home and make me miss it but I am having a blast here!! No time to be home sick!!  I just keep on making memories.

Tomorrow we are going to the Marriot to eat at the breakfast buffet.  I have not had a “real” breakfast since I got here so I am ready to stuff my face with some pancakes, waffles, eggs, omelets, and BACON!! After the food coma passes I will get back to nutrition!!

Have a great week and good luck to my classmates on their exams…we are in this together!! PS….I am going to be SOAR tomorrow!!

Exam #3

Well, exam #3 is over and I think it went VERY well.  My studying habits are totally different down here then when they were in undergrad. In vet school you are ALWAYS studying!!! In undergrad I could just study the day or two before the exam and be fine…NOT here.  The nice thing here is EVERYONE else is studying so you study too!! 

No big changes down here!! I MUST clean my room though.  I can’t believe how fast my room gets dirty when I have an exam!!  Off to clean it up then heading to Sprat Neck for dinner

Maybe I can do this

 

Well, I made it through my first 2 exams of vet school and I have the confidence I can do this. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was spent studying the anatomy of a dog, cat, cow, donkey, and horse thoracic limb. Friday morning was the big exam and I think I did VERY well.  I know I made 2 really easy mistakes by overthinking the questions. But I am VERY proud of myself on how well I am doing. 

Friday night we had a MUCH needed girl’s night out!!  It was definitely a night for the books and will be talked about for a while.  Saturday was a very much needed ME day spent in bed with sugar food and SVU reruns.  Today, Sunday, was spent studying in the morning and grocery store runs.  We went to 2 grocery stores, IGA has most of everything we needed but Best Buy has the most AMAZING pound cake and cheese bread.  I do miss a lot of the items that are sold in the states but the markets are not that bad here.

On a side note I wish to congratulate my sisters of Alpha Chi Omega, Epsilon Psi, on a VERY successful recruitment and hope they enjoy their new fall class.  I spent 4 wonderful years as a member of this AMAZING chapter and I still wear my letters and pin proudly.  I can’t wait to come back and help with an AXO chapter somewhere in the United States.

Well, the life of a student is never over, we have another exam this Wednesday in physiology.  We actually have an exam every week until the first week of November so no rest for the weary.   Until the next post

One Month Ago

 

 

One month ago I boarded a plane to go to a school I had never seen, on an island I had never been to with people I had never met.  Well, I think it was a great choice!!

Routine has kind of set here; Monday through Friday we attend class and study (breaks for certain shows like Dance Moms and Switched At Birth), Friday night we try to relax a little by watching a movie or going on different adventures, Saturday morning we attend a TA session followed by a trip to the beach, come back Saturday night and study, attend TA sessions Sunday morning, study in the afternoon and go out to eat Sunday night.  This week we went to Shipwreck which was awesome as always and we tried to eat sushi Sunday night but it was closed so we ate at the Marriot instead.  We had Italian at the Marriot which was good.  I had the spaghetti which was ok, another friend ordered the carbonara which was REALLY good.  I was just a little shocked when an add salad cost $11 US dollars!! 

I apologize I didn’t update my blog on the weekend like I usually do…I was busy this weekend studying for my 2 tests this week.  Today (Monday) I had my microanatomy exam and Friday I will have my gross anatomy exam. 

I started off vet school strong with an A on my first exam!!  I am not going to rest on the past because Gross Anatomy will NOT be as easy.  It will be nothing but heavy intense studying till Friday at 8am.  After a few alcoholic beverages might be involved!!

Week 2 of Vet School is DONE

3 of the most AMAZING people I could have met here!!

Well, I have survived another week of vet school.  I am still in shock on how much information in being thrown at us to learn. But I figure if others can get through it, I CAN TOO!! 

Besides class this week, Rachel, Brittney, Taylor and myself started looking at some places to move next semester.  First semester we live on campus in their assisted living houses (don’t call them dorms…people get upset by that).  Out search for housing had its up and downs.  We really wanted a 4 bedroom house so the four of us could live together.  Well, a lot of places were already rented. We only found one 4 bedroom that would be available (will come back to this house).  So, we then started looking at 2 bedrooms that were close to one another.  Tuesday we followed an amazing realtor, Kym to a couple different places.  We really liked Sugar Ridge even though it was a little more than all of us wanted to spend. Wednesday we were able to look at the 4 bedroom house known as the Dome home (no,  I am not joking).  Well, we fell in LOVE with the DOME HOME and we are pretty set on living there.  Who can say they live in a house that shows up when you google it (try it- Dome Home Saint Kitts).

OUR DOME HOME

 

Friday was Rachel’s birthday so we needed to make it special.  After class we blindfolded her and drove her around town so she couldn’t know where we were going.  Well, we really just drove her in a big circle and ended back up on campus to our health center where a hour long massage was waiting for her ….SURPRISE!!  We all got ready to go out to dinner at Rock Lobster.  We heard a rumor that they were closed till October so I called to make reservations and they accepted to them.  When we showed up they were indeed closed…they couldn’t tell me that when I called for reservations??  Oh island life!! So plan B was a good Italian restaurant named Ciao.  I splurged and had the lobster which I was a little disappointed in.  They have spiny lobster on the island and it is not use what I am use to. After dinner we headed to Shiggidy Shack and danced, drank and celebrated being on this wonderful island.  Most of the bars on the island are sand bars so it is all sand…A LOT different than California bars.  The bartender  made us a special house shot for the birthday girl which was AMAZING…still don’t know what was in it.

Amazing Rainbow I woke up to

 

Today is Beach fest…an all day party at one of the popular beaches on the island.  I decided to sit this one out as I need to catch up on studying plus I feel a cold coming on.  I spent this morning in a Microanatomy TA review and now planning on heading to our anatomy lab to study some more.  9 days until my first exam!! 

 

Week In Review

White Coat in Hand

First Day of School

 

Well friends, I survived my first week as a vet student!!  Let’s just say I have studied more this week than I EVER studied in undergraduate.  The material right now is not hard just a lot of memorization.  School started Monday the 3^rd at 8:00 am (did I mention I am not a morning person?).  Monday was filled up by my Gross Anatomy Lab, Macroscopic Anatomy, and nutrition.  We did not have physiology Monday because we had to get ready for our white coat ceremony.  The ceremony was amazing and defiantly got a little misty yes as I realized I was finally here.  One thing that really stuck out in the administration speech was that we were chosen because the administration thought we could complete the challenge of vet school.  They did not select us thinking oh she will only last 2 semesters.  After the white coat ceremony we took TONS of pictures and then headed to Spice Mill for dinner.  The food was AMAZING there and hopefully I can make it back there before the end of the semester. 

The Moms

 

Tuesday and Wednesday was filled with school and studying.  Thursday was a tearful day as my mom and Lynda headed back home after spending the last 2 weeks helping me get adjusted.  They are both so proud of me and I love them so much (and everyone else who has supported me).  Thursday evening I went to semester Olympics were Pink (first semester) was CREAMED by black semester (7^th semester-they are leaving the island).  Then THANK GOD IT IS FRIDAY came where we fit in a few classes, studying, and then off to semester Olympics for the football game.  Pink semester BEAT orange semester (3^rd) and we are tied with red semester 12-12 at halftime.  We have to finish the game later since the lights were not working.

Saturday I spend the morning in afternoon in my anatomy lab studying bones and muscles.  Then Saturday night was Mr. Ross.  Mr. Ross is where a male from each semester is nominated for a beauty pageant.  This semester’s categories were Pet Peeve, Talent, Superhero and musical.  The judges are our professors and many other professors come out and enjoy the show.  Well when you combine boozes, music, and a beauty competition you get the Vegas show Thunder Down Under being performed by students for their professors.  The show was AMAZING and I couldn’t stop laughing at some of the acts.  If I can find any videos I will post them.  We got home around 1:00am but the best thing about being from California is it is only 10:00pm so I was able to talk to my old coworker and amazing friend Margaret for about an hour before going to bed.

And now it is Sunday.  I am straightening up my room and then heading to the beach to study for a few hours. 

Until the next blog…

Last day of relaxation

Well, tomorrow vet school starts and the vacation is over.  This morning part of my orientation group went zip lining which was A LOT of fun.  I have zip lined in Puerto Vallarta so this was not my first time doing it.  The rest of today is going to spend getting organized for all my classes.  It is a little annoying how you have to go to separate websites to get things, one for your classes, one for your teacher notes, etc.  I am sure once I am use to it I will be fine but right now I am like a lost puppy dog.  Tomorrow is my white coat ceremony so if your free PLEASE log on and watch!  Besides that HAPPY SUNDAY!!



Zip Lining



The Catamaran Trip

And what do YOU do for your Vet School's oreintation week?

 

I apologize for the lack of post yesterday, I have been really busy balancing out the necessary school orientation “stuff” and relaxing and enjoying this beautiful island.  Where to start??

Wednesday we spent the morning on campus learning about the island, how to dress, behave, and act in the city, and learned more about our classmates.  Once that was done we took an island tour to see all of the island’s history!! WOW…it was so interesting to say the least.  The tour included the Caribelle Batik which is a botanical gardens with cute boutique, tours through an old sugar cane mill, an old blacksmith shop, walked though the Central Forest Reserve National Park, drove/hiked to the Brimstone Hill Portress and many other wonderful sites.  After the island tour we cleaned up to head down to port for  a campus sponsored BBQ and hand out.  I have an amazing time with my group even though we waited for 3 hours in the chicken line but lets just say we kept ourselves VERY entertained with Fat Tuesday Drinks, dancing, singing, and a few buckets of beer.

Today (Saturday) we had our catamaran trip at 9am where we went to the tip of the island and go to snorkel and hang out some more.  The snorkeling was AWSOME and I saw lots of colorful fish and shells.  Our boat crew was amazing and on the way back to the docks we sang, dance, did the tango line, limbo and of course the maracana dance.  It was an AMAZNG TIME!!  I am so lucky to have met some wonderful girls in my orientation group! After the catamaran we headed to Reggae Beach to meet up with my mom and  Lynda.  The beach was BEAUTIFUL and we finally got to see Wilbur the pig, Mocha the Goat and  the monkeys the beach has adopted.  Tonight I am staying in to organize things for class since I am on this beautiful island to study and go to school.  Tomorrow we are going zip lining and then who knows what in the afternoon.  I hope you enjoy the pictures

Brimstone Hill Portress

Mocha the Goat

Lava rocks

 

More pictures to come later

 

And the adventure continues

Well, there is never a dull moment here!! Lynda got in safe and sound and we got everything done for the car so we could drive it.  I drove the first time on the LEFT side of the road…wow that was INSANE!!  I am sure I will get the hang of it.  Our first trip was to the IGA grocery store which looked very similar to one you would fine in the United States.  I got everything I needed plus some!!  I posted the grocery store bill for you all to enjoy…remember the bill is in EC so you divide by 2.7 so US dollars.  We arrived back to the dorms in one piece and got ready for dinner.  Rachel and Brittany joined Lynda, my mom and I for dinner at Sprat Net…VERY good food.  Then the fun began!!  On our way home we turned into Ross parking lot and the back passenger tire blew.  Well, we called campus security which was AMAZING and they changed the tire and put the spare on.  So the adventure tomorrow includes finding a new tire…but whatever you do DON’T tell my dad about the tire J.

We have an early morning tomorrow so I am off to bed.  Until the next adventure…

They even sell ping pong balls

Wonder if they know what TGI fridays even is

Products and prices

Remember divide by 2.7 for the total price

The total bill...but remember to divde by 2.7

 

I miss toilet seat covers!!

The stairs leading down to the library...please notice the view!!

 

So I am halfway through my 4^th day on the island.  This morning I applied for my student visa, set up my bank account, bought my laundry card and now I am waiting to listen to a speech from the assistant dean.  I feel like I am adjusting quite well and absolutely love it here…no regrets at all.  My mom is on an adventure today to try to pay the ownership change fee for my car…lets see how many places that takes her.  Also my second Mom Lynda is flying in today to see the island and hang out.  I will have the rum punch ready for her.  I think we are going to sprat net tonight for dinner (if it is open).  I do miss some of the conveniences of home like toilet seat covers for public bathroom. The weather has been great here…not too hot or humid. Until the next adventure….

Food at Sprat Net

Food at Sprat Net

 

The Amazing Race

Well today felt like the TV reality show The Amazing Race trying to get my darn car taken care of!!  This morning we got up to start doing the important stuff: student visa, car insurance, student ID’s etc.  The day started out wonderful-not.  I needed to print 2 more documents for my student visa which should have been set up yesterday-NOT.  I could not get the papers to print to save my life for almost an hour.  Finally figured it out and headed to campus. I was able to get my student ID, a free Ross cooler, water delivery set up, more minutes to my phone, drivers licenses and then we ran into trouble…the car insurance!!  I had gotten the paper work from the previous owner which I THOUGHT was complete…not.  The insurance company said I needed to a certain stamp on this piece of paper and in order to get it we needed to head to the police department.  So off we went on this wild goose chase!!  Off to the police department for the stamp once that was done we needed to head to purchase insurance for the car.  We told the car driver where we needed to go and off we went!! Well, the first place we stopped we pulled in and they had moved so off we went to their “new” location.  We arrived there and spent over 30 minutes trying to find the engine size in CC.  Of course the car is at the school because I cannot get the keys until I have insurance and a driver licenses so I can’t check the engine size UGH!!  Well after she called the insurance the girl used LAST year we were able to get the size…finally!! Finally got the insurance and it was $228 US for an entire year.  I had my letter of good driving form my current insurance which I had left at home so I am going back tomorrow to get my rate adjusted.  When we were done with insurance we needed to STILL pay for the transfer of ownership.  Well, that places closes at 3 pm so we have to get it done tomorrow.  We failed the amazing race since we did not get this al done….oh well.

After all the running around, I got back to the dorm room with an hour before dinner.  We went to the restaurant called The Sugar Cane which was REALLY good.  I had my shrimp stuffed crab with mashed potatoes which was AMAZING.  Tomorrow is an early morning so I am off to bed. Good night!!