On to 5th Semester...

Another semester down and just three more to go!!!  Finals were just like all the others…too much studying, not enough sleep and running on caffeine.  But the hard work and lack of sleep REALLY paid off, as I was able to get straight A’s… meaning my first 4.0!!  

I left 3 hours after I finished my last final to head home.  Made it to Maimi uneventfully and then had a nice dinner with a few people in our class.  It was SO nice to have real food and a fountain coke.  I then headed to Orlando for the dog show.  I was a nice person and changed seats so a little girl could sit next to her mom, well I forgot to grab my passport out from that seat and didn’t realize it until the next morning.  Called American airlines, the airport and nothing was turned in…Great!! Called to see the process of replacing it…well American called me the next day and said it was found. THANK GOODNESS…not how I wanted to spend my break. I will always remember to check the seat front pocket in front of me AND in the seat I previously moved from!!

My time in Orlando was amazing though.  Enjoyed seeing so many of my dog show friends and seeing some beautiful Dalmatians.  Even got to go in the ring with a VERY pretty puppy!!  Played tourist a few days and went to Epcot and did LOTS of shopping! Good food, great friends, and my mom made all the sleepless nights and hours of studying worth it.

Made it back to California Tuesday evening, had In N Out, got my hair done, and now relaxing.  Have lots of holiday parties, dinners with friend, catching up to do and relazing.  This will be the last time I am in Downey until next December!!

18 Days, Fun and Facebook

Well in 18 days I will be back in America so this is the LAST push.  After 12 quizzes (Essential Vet Skills, Clin Path, Pathology), 11 midterms, and countless hours of lectures all the stands between me and ending my 4^th semester as a vet student is 7 finals (2 lab finals in Path and Clin path and 5 in my classes).   I have worked my butt off, as well as the rest of my classmates, and I hope our grades show for it.

This has been of the most demanding semesters both physically and mentally.  But part of it is my fault, as I have not allowed myself to have proper breaks.  Tonight really reminded me how important it is to put down the books for a few hours and go see a movie, go out to dinner, etc.

Brittany and I went to see Catching Fire tonight and it was absolutely amazing.  It also allowed me for a few hours to forget about school and all the stress that comes along with it.  I need to get away from the computer (and facebook) and just go live a little.  I allowed myself to get too worried about what was going on with the facebook world and let it upset me.  From now on, I am going to spend less of “my breaks” on facebook and I am going to go do something that allows me to enjoy life and this island.  It is funny how much I have let this silly social network affect my happiness and sanity this semester.  I am really going to try to spend less time on it and more time doing things that make me happy.

Any spare hopes and prayers will be appreciated in the next few weeks to come.  I wish my classmates the best of luck as well on these finals. Lets kick butt PINK!!!

Football, Tests, Tutoring, Studying and AFRICA

This is going to be a short post since I REALY need to study…imagine that.  We have mini blocks this Friday.  Mini blocks consist of 2 tests from 2 different subjects Epidemiology and Pathology.  The test is a total of 40 questions (20 from each class) and you have a hour to do it.  I struggled with the last mini blocks and I ran out of time and I had a hard time switching my mind from on class to another.  This one doesn’t help that we have 36 lectures for the 40 questions…Must keep swimming.

Had 2 tests since the past post…MOD (mechanism of Disease) and Clinical pathology.  Missed 2 on each exam for an A on each.  Right now my grades are sitting at 4 A’s and a B.  I would love to keep them this high but I am realistic and finals always get the best of me and I am sure a few of those will drop. 

Yesterday was my favorite day of the semester- Powederpuff Football.  I started playing my first year in college on my sorority’s team and have loved every minute of it.  This semester was NO different.  My teammates were awesome and the coaches really cared.   We didn’t win the entire thing but with a 2-1 record we captured 3^rd out of 3 teams.   Playing also really makes me miss all my AXO sister's back at home.  No one understands the bonds that we share!! I can't wait to see you all in December!

I have to say playing 3 games in 3 hours I am TOTALLY exhausted today!  Good thing I have nothing planned but to study for my mini blocks.

The last but of excitement is….I SENT IN MY DEPOSIT TO GO TO AFRICA!! I will be going on my August break with Wildlife Vets.  The link is http://www.wildlifevets.com/index.php If you want to read anymore about my trip. I still want to be a small animal vet but this is such an amazing opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and gain some valuable experience and of course make some lifelong memories.

Booking my trip also means I will not see America after this break for an entire year and if everything goes right will be the end of my 7^th semester so I will be off this island for good.  I sure hope the fast food industry stays in business without me being home. 

We are about to enter week 11 of classes…4 more weeks of lecture and then finals.  I have a feeling this time is going to fly by.  1 more midterm and 7 finals (2 of our classes have a lab final portion) stands between me and Christmas vacation. 

Vet school isn't anything without a little...Drama

Well, thank you for all your thoughts this past weekend for my pharm exam.  I did extremely well on it, which helps since it was worth 50% of my grade.  In fact, it is my highest grade in vet school thus far.

 I was very excited about my grade and wanted to let my friends back home know so I posted it as a facebook status.  Well, a bunch of my classmates thought it was rude and unprofessional and really attacked me.  In no way was the status meant to make others feel inferior.  I apologized to them, as it was not a post to gloat or put others down but simply to let my friends 3,000 miles away know that I am kicking butt at school. 

Sad we cannot celebrate one’s successes without attacking them.  Was I the best student in undergrad…NO.  Was I on academic probation from time to time…YES…did I attack my friends that were doing well…HELL NO. 

It’s like an agility trail you celebrate for the winner- you don’t go beat your dog because it didn’t run fast enough.   

If you know you did everything in your power to get the grade then you should be happy with the outcome.  But if you slacked, ditched class, watched a movie instead of studying then blame yourself and not attack the people that work their ass off.

I am extremely proud of my accomplishments and I won’t let anyone take that from me.   

 

I am done with that topic. I know those that are mature will accept my apology and put it behind them and those that don't...well no loss to me. 

We have 2 more exams left of the semester (clinical pathology next week and mini blocks the week after that).  Like I said before 4^th is a marathon of exams starting week 3 and going to the end of week 12. 

Brittany and I are watching “Boomer” this week as his mom is going to the states.  I know Kitts will love having a playmate again.  She misses the other Dome Dog (Addie) but I just hope she doesn’t inherit the Border collie’s energy.  

Like I said wish I had more to report but you can tell by white skin I have not seen the beach or sun in a VERY long time. 

Half way done...with 4th semester and the Island of Saint Kitts

Half Way Done...but will NEVER get tired of this view and sunset

Well this weekend marks being half way done with my 4^th semester of vet school but also half way done with being off this island.  For those that don’t know, we spend 7 semesters on this island.  We have 15 weeks of school and then a 2 week break and then back at it for another 15 weeks, etc.  We do have a 3-week break at Christmas but the breaks NEVER seem long enough.  By being in the middle of my 4^th semester I am officially halfway done on this island.  There are times I wish I was anywhere BUT here.  I always tell people it is a great place to visit but a REALLY hard place to live.  Maybe one day when I have more time I will make a post about “island life.” 

I have “booked” my other breaks for the rest of school though.  This December break I am going home (with a few day stop in Orlando Florida to attend the AKC Eukanuba Classic).  I am not showing any dogs but I am super excited to see some old friends and watch the beautiful purebred dogs (sure miss those on this island).  April break  my family is coming to the island for a few days and then we are all going island hoping on a cruise ship this time.  I will be visiting Barbados, Saint Thomas, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, and Saint Kitts (what shall I do here).   Then my August break I will hopefully be in Africa doing a Vets in the Wild program.  I am still figuring out a few details for that trip but SUPER excited.  Now to just pass all my classes!!

I wish my life this semester was more interesting but it has only consisted of studying for endless exams.  We have 5 classes this semester and ALL of them have multiple exams or quizzes.  This means we end up having at least one exam every week (if not 2).  

All we do is study...Not sure why Brittany needs 3 computers though

This semester started our rough with my first experience of mini blocks. Mini blocks is where you have an hour to take 2 exams from 2 different classes each consisting of 20 questions each.  The subjects are Pathology 2 and Epidemiology/Public Health….2 VERY unrelated topics.   I didn’t find it difficult studying for 2 subjects but I had a hard time on the exam switching my brain form on question to another.  Each test was VERY difficult with very wordy questions and very specific details being tested especially in Pathology.  The professor (who we had previously in pathology 1) usually tested on big concepts so that is what I focused on…not the little details.  Well, that is where I got into trouble and sadly missed a few questions.  Also bad about Mini blocks you miss 3 questions and you are already down to a 85%.  I ended up getting a B on epi and a C in path (I haven’t gotten a “C” since my first parasitology exam in 2^nd semester.  Our class average was a 78 (a 73 before we were given a question back. These results certainly kicked me in the butt to study some more.

Next exam was MOD (Mechanism of Disease) which we call our ADD class because it is a bunch of random diseases thrown together.  One day we will learn how the cranial nerves work and the next day about diarrhea and the next about alopecia.  I enjoy the class but there is no flow.  But pulled an A off on that exam so I am happy.

Next exam was Clinical Pathology, which I LOVE.  It is taking blood , urine, etc results and interpreting them.  The actual test  started off quite rough.  We walked into the exam center and the test was laying on desk.  Well, the professor took the WRONG test to be printed and wasn’t sure what we were going to do.  Of course that second 5,000 things flew through my head, we were going to have to take it another day, etc.  Luckily we were able to pull the exams up on the computer and take it that way.  It was hard reading the CBC results and making sure the lines were correct but even with all the test anxiety I only missed 1 question.  I will take that A and run

Next was our 2^nd Epi/Public Health exam…perfect time to raise my grade.  This class shouldn’t be that difficult but this is the first time teaching the class for one of our professors and the other one is completely new to the island all together.  Test went well and got an A on it.

3 days later (today) was our second pathology exam.  I NEEDED to do well to raise my grade from a C.  Well, happy to report I was able to get a B+ on that exam and pull my grade to a solid B.  But that was probably one of the HARDEST tests I have taken here thus far.

I am now on midsemeter break…yeah party time…NO.  We have our pharm exam Tuesday that is worth 50% of our grade.  So this weekend will be locked in my room memorizing all these drugs.

Like I said I wish I had more interesting things to report but my life has been consisted of studying, tutoring, and getting some sleep.  Sadly I have only been to the beach one time this semester (to let Kitts have some fun).

Kitts at our ONLY beach day thus far

Any extra wishes/prayers/ etc will be greatly appreciated for my Tuesday exam.

2 Weeks Done

Kitts enjoys her pool time while I have to study!!

Wow, where have the past 2 weeks gone?  I feel like I just got onto this island and we are already done with 2 weeks (only 13 more to go).

I really like the classes this semester so far.  The classes are a lot more interesting and more vet based…I feel like a real life vet student at times.  My classes include Pharmacology 2, Pathology 2, Clinical Pathology, Mechanism of Disease and Epidemiology. 

School is going great. Trying to keep on top of all the classes is challenging but manageable.  I did get to go on a Catamaran trip this past Saturday which was awesome.  That night was also Mr. Ross where Pink semester won!! It is almost unheard of 6th or 7th semester not winning but hey...Kyle did an awesome job and we won!! 

Work Hard...Play Hard :)

I absolutely LOVE my new place and so does Kitts. It is great to be able to take a hour break from studying, lay outside or jump in the pool. I feel my stress levels have really dropped this semester.  Kitts also has learned how to dive in and out of the pool so she loves it!!

I also have started tutoring physio 2 and pharm this semester.  I hope to use the extra money for my dog show adventure in Orlando in December and my Africa trip next August.

Keeping this post short since I have my first round of mini blocks this Friday (in Pathology 2 and Epidemiology.  Wish me luck!! 

Where did vacation go?

Where did the past 14 days go?

My dogs so happy to see me :)

Well I am waiting at the Miami airport waiting to board my plane to the rock (the term the Rossies use to describe the island).  My break home (aka 14 days) was absolutely amazing!! I did not get much “rest” but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I literally had a lunch/dinner plans, shopping adventures, doctor appointments every day I was back.  Here was the run down of my vacation.

Saturday (left house in Saint Kitts at 6am and landed in LA at 5:30)- we (Brittany and myself) immediately went to In n Out (and it never tasted so good).  My WONDERFUL friend Margaret who I worked with at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital surprised me at the airport.  We then rushed to get a manicure and pedicure.  Brittany, Margaret, my mom, dad, dogs, etc all socialized and ended up going to sleep.

Sunday- we woke up and made our way to El Taco (trip 1 of 4).  I said EL TACO not Del Taco or Taco Bell.  El Taco is the best drive thur Mexican restaurant and I LOVE all their food.  We then packed up, dropped Brittany off at the Fullerton train station so she could visit her family down in San Diego and we headed to Lake Havasu.  We even stopped by Sonic to get a strawberry limeade slush for the road.  We arrived in Havasu a little after 9:00, grabbed dinner and went to bed

Monday- LAKE DAY #1- nothing is more relaxing then getting up, going out on the river and just float.  We stopped by a local restaurant that you can dock the boat and eat at.  I had the most AMAZING cheeseburger there with fried jalapeños, Jack cheese, etc. We got off the lake and ordered food from Mud Sharks (one of my favorite restaurants down there).  They have a homemade creamy Italian salad dressing that taste good on anything.  My dinner consisted of garlic cheese bread and salad….YUM

 

Getting ready to head out on the lake with Bob (our 24 foot Hallet)

Tuesday- LAKE DAY #2- more water fun, went to lunch at Topac (again another restaurant you can dock the boat and go eat. Also went shopping at the Topac mall (ok it is 1 store but yet I can still find something to buy)

Wednesday- Lake Day #3- enjoyed lounging out on the river, playing some volleyball, tubing, etc.  Went out to dinner at an amazing Italian restaurant (best Lobster Ravioli you can find)

Maybe I gained a little weight while at school ;)

Thursday- I drove from Lake Havasu to Downey to La Quinata to Santa Barbara.  After living on an island that is 28 miles by 10 miles this was QUITE a drive for me.  I dropped my sister off in Downey (swung by El Taco- trip 2 of 4) and went to La Quinata to get my hair done.  Tashia does a FANTASITC job and undid 9 months of sun and damage to my hair.  Then drove up to Santa Barbara to spen a few days at the dog show with my second mom Lynda.

Friday & Saturday- I first forgot how early dog shows start (ugh), how much work they are, and how tiring they are BUT I got to see many old friends and make a few new ones.  I even got to show a few dogs (to help people out) and didn’t do too bad.  I went Best of breed from the classes with a Dalmatian and Best Of Winners with the springers.  I played with tons of puppies and REALLY enjoyed myself. Thanks Lynda for letting me crash in your room.

Sunday- DISNEYLAND!!!  I was able to go to Disneyland with a bunch of my old co-workers at the animal hospital.  It was an amazing day filled with screaming roller coasters, amazing shows and parades and it all ended with the earthquake Sunday (8 HUGE scoops of ice cream, 8 toppings, 4 full bananas, whip cream, nuts and 8 cherries).  Between the 4 of us there was NOTHING left.  Bad thing was my iphone decided it did not want to turn on that day so I didn’t get any pictures.

Monday- Monday morning and afternoon was spend shopping!!! First time in a mall in over 9 months!!  I got a lot of cute clothes that I can not wait to wear on the island and also stopped by the apple store to see if they could fix my iphone.  Sadly my it was un fixable and I had to pay the $200 to replace it (this was a VERY expensive trip home).  I then met Shireen and Missy (sorority sisters) up in Pasadena for Sushi.  Missy is getting married in a few weeks and I was suppose to go to the wedding but due to school I am not able to (Another even missed because of the rock) but I enjoyed hearing about all the planning and “things” that will be present at the wedding.  It is going to be absolutely beautiful!!

Tuesday- Doctors…BLAHH!!! The only bad thing about coming home is having to go see all the doctors and dentists.  Everything checked out fine but still would rather have skipped that part.  I did learn I am going to have to get my wisdom teeth out at some point now.  I am hoping I can wait till I am off the rock. I then headed to the mall for some more shopping for me and Kitts (the most spoiled dog ever). My mom sister and I also ate dinner at STACKED which is a modern restaurant that all ordering is done through ipads and you can build your meal (burgers, pizzia, mac and cheese, salad, etc).  I thoroughly enjoyed this place.  Their adult shakes looked AMAZING and will definitely be ordering one of those when I return in December.

Wednesday- my mom and I drove down to see my dog show parents (or mom and dad #2) Lynda and Dave.  We went to my FAVORITE Mexican restaurant and had some rolled tacos and nachos.  I got to see Lynda new litter of springers and they are beautiful.  I love the one she is keeping!! I also go to see a lot of the old dogs I use to show and travel with and her 2 birds as well (Dutch and Cheeto). 

Thursday- I used my computer for the first time since being home and the blue screen of death appeared yet again.  My Dell laptop isn’t even 2 years old and I am already having TONS of issues with it.  Long story short I dropped it off at the computer guy and he said that the fan needed to be replaced, reset to factory settings, etc.  I am so scared of going to the island and having my laptop die so I knew it was time to get a new one.  I had lunch with one of my old sorority advisors Cathy at Green Leaf…AMAZING salad place in Newport and caught up with her.  I don’t know what I enjoyed more a salad that tasted amazing with fresh lettuce and ingredients or the company.  I was then off to the Apple store to buy a laptop I could trust.  After learning about all the products I can happily say I am a proud owner of a 13 inch MacBook Pro…now to just figure out how to use it!!  Dinner we met with Kathy (a different one).  She owned Kipp’s brother Coppper and Flurry’s daughter Kai.  We did a lot of traveling together many years ago and it was fun to talk about those times.  I also had Pumpkin pie (I have been craving it on the island since Thanksgiving but there was none to be found)

Friday- Morning and afternoon was spent doing more shopping.  I met up with Casey, another sorority advisor in Huntington beach and had an amazing cocktail with her as looked upon the pacific ocean.  I even put my toes in the sand.  I live 15 minutes away from the beach and pacific ocean but rarely go.  I think I have been in the ocean more at Saint Kitts than my own home. At night I had a big get together at Lucilles with a bunch of my sorority sisters.  For those that don’t know I worked at Lucilles BBQ for almost 5 years and still miss their food like their fried pickles and flame roasted artichoke.  Huge thanks to Shireen, Novelle, Rachelle, Chantel, and Katie for driving down to see me.

Saturday was spent picking up last minute things I needed, stocking up on all the fast food I could eat and one last pedicure before packing my bags and heading back to the island.  Before my flight my parents, sister and myself went to the Fish Market for dinner and I was sent off in style with Alaskan Snow Crab Legs…YUMMMY!!! Made my LAX flight just fine, slept the entire way here and now waiting to board my last plane to Saint Kitts.  I start school at 8am tomorrow!!

Thanks to all my friends and family that took time out of their busy schedule to stop by and see me or meet me for food, coffee drinks, etc!! I am truly lucky to have all the support from you all!! For the people I didn’t get to see…don’t worry I will be home in 15 weeks and you can not escape me again.

I will post more about my school schedule on a later blog.  Until then- Hello 4^th semester of vet school…lets rock this pink!!! 

1 year done aka 3 semesters

Kitts had a hard time during finals

Well, I have officially passed my 3^rd semester of vet school here at Ross University. I am sure glad 3^rd is over with too since I think it has been the hardest one yet. My grades did not end up too bad either (though I did have many panic attacks through finals). Got an A in pharmacology 1, B+ in virology, and B’s in bacteriology and Pathology 1. Bringing my GPA to a 3.33 average.  My goal is to keep it above a 3.25 so anything extra is icing on the cake.

 Upper semesters all say 2^nd semester is the one to watch out for, well, I disagree.  I think 3^rd semester is extremely difficult.  It is not as much as the exams are tricky (like Reich) but there is TONS of information to be memorized. I am AWFUL at memorizing lots of random facts, I would rather be able to figure out the answer by multi step thinking but this was the case.  Pharmacology requires you to memorize tons of drugs and know WHY you would use them, what species you could use them in, what receptors they work on, what side effects you might see, if there are any contraindications, and any special indications.  Virology you learn about 90+ viruses and their etiology agents, host they affect, how they are spread, if they are zoonotic or reportable, clinical signs, pre patent periods, how to diagnosis them, if there is a vaccine or not, do they cause abortion or the professors favorite SMEDI, etc.  Bacteriology is very similar to virology as you memorize tons of gram positive and negative bacteria in addition to some molds.  Pathology REALLY test your knowledge as you incorporate a lot of previous classes’ information.  You learn tons of diseases and how they present clinically and WHY they present like that (lots of physiology).  You need to know your anatomy so you can understand the radiographs of broken bones in addition to why certain organs are affected in a disease process.  Advice to all the 3^rd semesters is TRY and stay on top of the work.  I know we all say that every semester but if you let 90+ viruses, 80+ bacteria/25+ molds, 50+ drugs, and over 2,000 pathology slides finals will be a VERY stressful time. Also do well on the first set of exams…they will save your grades later.  Out Bacteriology, Pathology and pharmacology first set of exams average were all over 90, second round they were all around 80.  The test get A LOT harder over the semester so do well in the beginning since it will save you later

I have also learned a lot about my studying habits this semester.  I get VERY overwhelmed when there is a large amount of material to be memorized.  I spend more time then I should wondering how am I EVER going to learn all this than actually studying.  I need to work on this.  Also for finals I need to REALLY study for my last final weeks before because by Wednesday afternoon I am beat. Trying to study for the last one is extremely difficult to find ANY motivation.  If I have looked at the material already then I just need to review it will be a lot more helpful.  (Will see if it works)

I also have heard really great things from the physio students I tutored.  I really enjoyed tutoring this semester so I plan on doing it next.  I did bring some of my old notes home this break so I can try and prepare weekly guides to go over which will save me A LOT of time so I can study for my own classes.

Goodbye Dome

After finals Brittany and I got to move into our new place.  It is AMAZING.  There are a few things that need to be worked out but I love it and Kitts is already enjoying the pool. Took my 7 carloads to move all my stuff so I am having a SERIOUS sale when I get back on the island.  Have no idea how I accumulated so much crap. 

 

New House

Kitts is at the pet sitter for break.  It is not hard to get the dog off the island and into the United States.  They just need a health certificate but the trouble would be bringing her back.  Saint Kitts is a rabies free island so in order to bring an animal in you must do 2 rabies titers which can run you about $300 us each after the vet fees, shipping, etc.  I will bring Kitts home when I am finished with school on the island but until then she gets to be an island dog. 

I am really excited to go home and see everyone, hang out and RELAX, and eat enough junk food/fast food to last me 15 more weeks.  Plans thus far are going to Lake Havasu, the Santa Barbara dog show, hair/nails done, LOTS of dinner/lunch dates, Disneyland, Knotts berry farm, and who knows what else.  All I know is it will be a VERY fun 14 days.  

 

My Plans This Break :)

To all my fellow pinks…CONGRATS…WE DID IT…another semester done with.