6th Semester OVER

The most awful semester is OVER (ok pretty close tie to 3^rd semester). 

I will post more details about the end of the semester but no time because…I AM OFF to Africa!!!

I will be sure to post LOTS of photos

Ahhhhhhhhh

This blog is going to be short because I should really be studying.  

"The Rossie"

Block 3 went well and was able to continue my goal of nothing below a B.  Sadly my VPF (Veterinarian Professional Foundation) was my lowest grade of the semester with an 80. I made really dumb mistakes and some of the questions I could not figure out what they were asking with double negatives in the questions.  I feel like this class could be amazing dealing with issues such as talking with clients, how to pay student loans off, when/how to register for the NAVLE, how you could lose you license, etc but the tests are extremely hard and I still find myself searching the web for endless hours trying to find answers to all these questions.

After block 3, I celebrated and treated myself to getting my hair done for Africa.  I finally have some blonde highlights put in my hair and I LOVE them. It was nice to have the change from the “natural ombre” that we all get on this island for being in the sun a lot.  

We also celebrated the 4^th of July on the island but we did have to go to class that Friday.  Though it is an American holiday the island does a great job of providing firework shows and selling fireworks (and yes they are the illegal kind that go up in the air).  Holidays sure make you miss home and all the traditions you do on that day.  Many of my 4^th of July were spent with my “crazy” Muller St neighbors lighting fireworks and praying we didn’t burn a roof or tree this year.  Crazy to think about this is the “last 4^th” I will be on the island for. 

And since this is 6^th semester another block is coming soon…though this is the LAST one.  Block 4 is really going to test my knowledge as we are still a week away but have TONS of new information to be tested on.  As well in the span of 7 days I will have my anesthesia oral review exam, block 4 and my Rossie.  For those that don’t know, the Rossie is a mock spay that must be done in 45 minutes that includes ligating both ovaries and uterus, closing the body wall, doing a simple continuous pattern in the SQ and doing skin sutures…AHHHHH.  Some thing comes natural to me…suturing is not one (guess I should have practiced sewing more in Home Economics class). The oral anesthesia review is where a professor will ask you to set up different an anesthesia machine based on different patients as well as ask you to leak check the system, calculate bag size, flow rate, and hypothetical questions to fix a problem. In order to pass 6^th semester you must pass all your classes as well as 3 of the 4 surgery task.  I already passed my aseptic technique early this semester so it is just the rossie (divided into 2 parts) and the oral anesthesia review. Stressed does not even begin to describe it.

Alright back to studying…32 days till Africa…154 days till the last day of 7^th semester

Lots of hard work and good news :)

Work Hard...Sleep/Tan Harder

Another two weeks of 6^th semester is finished. I have a lot to celebrate these past 2 weeks as well.

Blocks went well and I was able to raise all of my grades in all my classes. I also got my aseptic exam back and I passed.  Under the comments section, the instructor stated, “Overall your performance was excellent. Remember that you do not want to reach over any open sterile field. You reached over your pack and gown pack when it was already open and you were not sterile. Keep your fingertips covered by the towel when drying. You contaminated the hand that you were using to dry on the proximal part of your forearm.” Lastly, we got out PAVE results back.  The PAVE is used as an practice exam for the NAVLE (the national exam I will have to take in a year in order to practice in the United States).  Well, I hope I get the same results in a year as my PAVE because I PASSED it!!

Before our aseptic exam...Doctors or Cafeteria workers

I have to thank ALL my friends who brought Brittany and I food, took Kitts on play dates, and sent messages of encouragement.   I couldn't have survived blocks without you!!

With all the hard work, it was time for fun!! Karen, Brittany and I went to the movies Friday night and saw The Fault in Our Stars.  There was not a dry eye coming out of the movie.  It was defiantly a reality check for me.  I had been missing tons of family friends and pets back home, irritated with different things on the island and just wanting to go home. But this movie really made me think of how lucky I was and all this “other” stuff really doesn’t matter.  I really needed to get away from the books and I am going to try taking a break more often. 

After the color run

 I laid out Saturday afternoon since how white my skin is does not indicate I live on a tropical island. Then it was time for our semester’s fundraiser a 5k Color Run.  I am no shape to run a 5k so I volunteered to throw color at the runners.  It was so much fun and even though I wasn’t running I was covered in color (and Kitts too).  

Kitts after the Color Run

 

Kitts LOVES her new look

  Planning on making waffles tomorrow and relaxing tomorrow by the pool with some notes.

Midsemester break is next week, which marks the half way point.  I haven’t made plans yet but I am certain something fun will happen.

59 days till Africa and 179 until I graduate from the island.

4 Weeks done...11 more to go

20 days since the last blog ...I am getting better at updating this thing!!

We just finished our 4^th week of 6^th semester and I am already exhausted!! If I am this tired in 6^th, I can only image how 7^th semester and clinics will be!!

Due to all the rain in the first week, we had to finish up kickball and football this week in the 2^nd week as well as Mr. Ross round 2. Pink ended up winning kickball and coming in 2^nd overall.  Mr. Ross was a lot of fun and not 1 drop of rain.  We didn’t place but as always it was a very fun event.

Working Mr. Ross...Loved all the pink bow-ties

 Now that all the “fun and games” are done it was time to get back into study mode and tackling the semester. The main thing that makes people dread 6^th semester is “Blocks.”  Instead of having each test separate, on a different day/week, for each of your classes, in 6^th all 3 classes have their test on the same day in the same hour and half time.  It is 20 questions per subject and you can go in whatever order you want.  Lets just say after my first experience I am NOT a fan of studying or taking them. There are just a lot of little nitty gritty details to memorize for each class (Small animal medicine, large animal medicine, and Small animal surgery).  Test grades turned out pretty good (kept my goal of nothing below a B) but I am already dreading the next set which are in 9 days.

I also completed my large animal isolation protocol video which is required in 6^th.  Pretty much you have to film yourself following proper isolation protocols for treating a horse/cow/etc.  This includes putting on double set of gloves properly, disposable coveralls, boot covers and then taking them off.  You don’t realize how hard it is to stand on 1 foot when you are super nervous.  I also completed writing discharge instructions for a cat with ring worm.  It was nice not only applying the medical aspect of veterinarian medicine but also the practicality if it.  There are a few different ways you can treat a cat but then you also have to think what will the owner be able to do.  Is it easier to give it a pill once a day or ask the owner to bathe it twice a week, change its food to accommodate a new medication, etc.  I guess it is up to the owner

There is a lot of random projects/written assignments you have to do in 6^th, my advice to future students....Get them done as soon as possible so you don’t have to worry about them later while you are trying to get ready for finals/another set of blocks/etc.

Besides studying I was able to go to the Marriot and bet on the Preakness with Brittany. It is great having a roommate that knows 1) so much about horses 2) so much about horse racing.  It is very interesting comparing everything that happens in “their world” to “my” dog show world…minus the betting part.  Even though I picked California Chrome to win…the payout sucked!! It wouldn’t have even bought me a #1 at In n Out.

Talking about In N Out..this is what happens when you call home

Friday Brittany, Haley and myself went out to dinner to celebrate the end of the first blocks but first we went up to Timothy Hill to take some fun photos.  When else are we all going to be dressed up again??

These coming 2 weeks are going to be busy.  I have my aseptic exam this Thursday.  On this exam I must show I know how to wash, gown, glove, drape/clamp a patient, and accept a scalpel blade, saline and suture without “breaking” and contaminating my patient. I keep having nightmares of accepting the scalpel blade and shaking so bad when I go to put it on the holder that I cut my hand off.  LOTS of practicing will go on before Thursday!! And after Thursday we have our second round of blocks Monday.

Let the “fun” continue!!

Ready Set Go...6th Semester

Yes again another month with out a post…where does time go?

5^th semesters finals were like all the others…not enough sleep, too many power points, and not enough time.  I never remember being “that tired” that early in the final week.  After some tests I wanted to cry and after some I wanted to laugh but they are DONE and I passed and made the President's list with my GPA!!

End of the finals meant family coming to the island and the CRUISE. My mom and sister came down Monday at finals but stayed at the Marriot so I could study.  My dad flew down Thursday once finals were finished.  I was able to play tour guide with my family and take them to all of the “hot spots” on the island.  We got to go Shipwreck, Reggae, Lobster fest, Rock lobster, Ritual Sushi, horseback riding through the rainforest, night watch for sea turtles, brimstone and so much more. I hope my family enjoyed the island just as much as I do (when I am not studying) 

Cruise time...that was our boat

We left Sunday morning early to go to Puerto Rico to get on our 7-day Caribbean cruise and this is where the fun began.  We flew seaborne  there since we did not want to use LIAT (with their awful reputation).  Well seaborne lost out luggage too (I swear it is the Saint Kitts airport that can not put the luggage on the right plane).  We literally arrived to our cruise with what was in our carry ons…NOT a fun way to start the cruise.  Through our trip insurance we did have $500 a person for delay of luggage but the problem was it was Easter Sunday we left and NO stores were open.  We were able to pick up some essentials at a Walgreens but I was just hoping the bags would come soon!!

Some of our clothing options at Walgreens for the Cruise

Contents of my carry on...2 dresses, 1 bathing suit 1 bra and panty and a pair a flip flop

After many phone calls, etc we were able to get our luggage in Saint Thomas after being gone for 48 hours (thank goodness we got it before formal night or we wouldn’t have been going in robes).  

At Senior Frogs in Saint Thomas...we didn't know if we had luggage yet or not so we made friends at the bar and the waitress "balloon tied" us together...at least they had luggage

  Each island was amazing and had their own special personality.  We visited Saint Thomas, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Saint Martin.  Saint Martin is still my favorite of them.  I will have to do a separate post about all the islands and the fund stuff we did at them.

Having fun in Puerto Rico

After the cruise my sister and dad flew home from Puerto Rico.  It was hard saying goodbye to them as I won’t see them until December but I know the time will fly by.  My mom and I stayed a few extra days in Puerto Rico so I could do some “American Shopping.”  I certainly loved their Plaza De Americana and found tons of things I needed (or wanted).  I have to admit I was very naive about how developed Puerto Rico was after living on an island that is a developing country.  They had Wal-Mart, tons of American chain foods like McDonalds, Cheesecake factory, Olive Garden, etc, Petco, TJ Max, Marshalls.  One thing that was not fun was trying to drive around that place though.  My mom and I have gone on many adventures from showing dogs and have driven in many different cities, states, countries, etc but have never been so LOST as in Puerto Rico. My mom and I left Puerto Rico on Wednesday to come enjoy a few days in Saint Kitts before the semester started.  Seaborne did NOT lose our luggage this time (thanks goodness).

Playing tourist on Saint Kitts with Kitts

 Sara (one of my very good friends/roommate/sorority sister) came in Saturday to enjoy the island for a week as well.  I got to be student by morning and tourist by night which was amazing but very tiring.  I hope she had a fun time seeing “my home.”  I know Kitts will miss snuggling with her on the air mattress.

Sara and I LITB <3

My mom left the Wednesday after school started and even more tears were shed.  Don’t worry you will see me in less then 250 days (unless you want to meet me in Arica)

Monday we started school.  My classes this semester are Small Animal Medicine 2, Large Animal Medicine 1, Small Animal Surgery and Veterinarian Professional Foundation 2 as well as taking The Rossie (a “spay” done on a sweatshirt module).

Classes already seem challenging and I MUST stay on top of them.  6^th semester has block exams which means all your midterms are the same day in a hour and half time.  It is like studying for finals 4 times.  I am NOT looking forward to it.

Mr. Ross was also Saturday which TONS of my classmates put tons of work into it since our semester was the hosts.  I had signed up to bartend to help out (putting my Lucilles days as a cocktail waitress back to use).  Well the weather did NOT cooperate and after down pour after down pour, the event wad cancelled.  We are hoping to redo the event so we can crown our Mr. Ross…but I guess we shall wait and see.

Week 2 starts tomorrow and I already feel so far behind.  I will try to update this more (I feel like I say this every post too).  Until then…let the countdown to Africa begin!!

Half way done…already

Half way done with the semester...time to celebrate!!

Well, this weekend marks the half way mark for my 5^th semester and the one day I get off the entire semester.  We don’t get any of the US holidays off here…President’s day, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, etc so we get the Monday of our 8^th week off instead.  It is amazing what one day off can mean to a over worked, under slept vet student!  Last semester our midsemester break was celebrated by studying for our Pharm 2 midterm worth 50% of our grade…glad it was NOT the case this semester.

So 5^th semester is awesome.  The schedule is even better…in my opinion.  We start class at 8am everyday (not my favorite) BUT if you don’t have lab you are done by 12:00.  Allows for time to lay out (and study), run errands, etc.  Classes are interesting and grades are going well too.  I got my first 100% on a vet school exam in Small Animal Medicine (been stuck missing 1 a bunch of times).  I also pulled off a B+ on a very hard Anesthesiology exam.  We had our toxicology and Diagnostic imaging midterm this past week so grades aren’t posted yet.  Toxicology midterm was SUPER challenging and hoping to get a B on it.  The class has a reputation of either being hard or easy depending on the class attendance and participation.  Sadly a lot of people ditch the class for various reasons (another class exam coming up, boring class, can learn it on their own, etc).  Well, the difficulty in the exam hopefully will change some people’s minds…or maybe not…who knows.   DI midterm went well.  So now it is a waiting game for grades.  My goal is just to try MY best and keep my GPA high so I can hopefully get into a good school for clinicals.  I had to get my class rank for a few scholarships I am applying for my trip to Africa and out of 136 students I am number 20 overall. 

5^th semester is also the time people start saying where they WANT to go for clinicals.  Of course some schools are more fought over then others and there are schools that NO ONE really wants to go to.  Our class is no different  with a high number of people wanting Colorado, North Carolina and Florida.  Right now I really have NO idea where I want to go.  With my GPA and class rank I have many option open to me (but I could be #1 in my class and not get my top picks).  My heart right now tells me that I want to do small animal reproduction so I am trying to look into schools that offer it as a rotation for my clinical year and then possibly do an internship/residency/externship.  Right now I don’t have a place that I REALLY want to go but more like places I really hope I DON’T go.  But like I said earlier…I have no control over it…you can be #1 in your class and not get your top choice. 

I did play my 5th semester of powederpuff as well...we came in 3rd...but I didn't break anything so that was good!!  It was kind of thrown together last minute and we didn't have time to practice as a team until the day of the tournament but still had TONS of fun.  

 

I did get to celebrate my 25^th birthday on the island this past week. Celebrated with a huge blow out party, with 5 kegs, strip pole, and a stripper…ok those that know me KNOW that I am lying.  The week of my birthday we had 2 exams to study for so my roommate and I opted for a quick takeout meal from my favorite Italian restaurant on the island, CIAO.  Brittany did get my a pair of GORCEOUS Juicy earring and a hand drawing sketch of Kitts.  We then had a WONDERFUL dinner with great friends Saturday night at Marshalls.  The food was great and the company was even better!! We then went to the casino where I gambled away and actually ended up winning $160.  One final birthday gift to myself was a new vacuum on the island (what 25 year old doesn’t want one). 

Happy B-day to me!!

  Besides that life is the same on this island.  Enjoying my  5^th semester as much as I can because life is about to get REALLY busy once 6^th and 7^th come around!

Don't worry...I am being SAFE

It is funny how people have read my last blog and felt how “unsafe” it was.  Well, I wrote that story since that is what happens in Saint Kitts. The locals are kind and want to help out here. If I EVER felt unsafe, I would have been out of there in a heartbeat.  So don’t worry friends back at home I am safe and using my brain!!

Another Only in Saint Kitts moment happened this morning going to school.  When an accident occurs on the island you DON’T move your cars!! It doesn’t matter if you are blocking all lanes…you DON’T move it.  This happened this morning on the way to school (don’t worry I was NOT in the accident).  But my 10-minute drive did turn into a 45 minute- made it feel like Los Angels traffic during rush hour.

It would be so much easier if they just moved the cars over to the side of the road but NOPE you can’t here until the police arrive.

Alright almost done with week 3 here…I am studying lots and getting ready for exam to come. And to all my “moms” out there…don’t worry I am being safe!!

Only In Saint Kitts

Many of us that live on the island often use the saying “Only in Saint Kitts.”  Some things that go on here are unheard of in the states but we honestly don’t think about it while on the island.  I had another “only in saint kitts moment” today.

Let me tell you a little background story on my right front car window.  One day I role it down to talk to someone and it won’t go back up. GRRRR!! The mechanic who I usually use and trust is off island until the other semester so I go to one that a friend recommends.  (remember this is Saint Kitts we have a lot of back yard mechanics so trying to find a good one is HARD).  I go to him, drop my car off and return at the end of the day.  He says that my regulator has gone out so I just need to order another one and have it fixed.  No big deal.  Well this is where the fun starts.

I bring the part down from the states.  Remember this is an island so if we need a piece or something they usually don’t have it so we get it shipped in.  BUT if we send it via the mail it goes through customs and gets taxed almost 80%.  So most students just put it in their luggage and fly it in (so customs can’t tax it). 

I then go to the mechanic I trust to fix the window…well this is where the trouble is.  He goes to fix it and the previous mechanic stripped EVERYTHING from the window and the only thing holding up the window is a 2x4 piece of wood!! UGH!!  Also the regulator I bought doesn’t work because the window had been previous replaced and the “wheels” don’t match the regulator I got….UGH!!

I then called the old mechanic and ask him where all the parts are for my window…now he doesn’t know who I am, what car, or where the parts are…LOST cause!!

So now the trusted mechanic gives me the names of the “new” parts I need and where I could order them from (since no one can bring me the parts for 15 weeks).

Well my window fell down again so I needed to get this fixed.  Having a “down” window is NOT good when you live on a tropical island where it rains every day and theft is high (I know of a special “window poncho” I use).

Now jump to today (remind you this has now been about 10 months).  I head to the business to see about ordering the parts.  It is called TDC on the island but is like a pep boys in the states.  First I want an opinion of THEIR mechanic of what parts I needed before I ordered them.  Well the first appointment would be in a week and then it takes 4-6 weeks to get the parts.  Since I was there I was also wanted a few other things looked at and to have someone put my window back up.  Well needless to say they were all SUPER rude they kept doing was giving me the price for all the parts.  While in line the guy behinds me says he is a mechanic and his spot is right down the road that he would look at it and see if he could help.  So what do I do when I man asks me to follow him down the road…I run the other way….NOT. I want my window fixed!! I finish up at TDC, make an appointment to get the car looked at and see what “they” think is needed.  In sum the parts they said I need are going to cost almost $700 US just to order (no wonder the first mechanic pretty much “stole” a working motor off of it).

Ok mom here is where you stop reading…

So it is daylight and I can see the guys shop so I follow him down there so he can look at my window. He takes it off and just laughs at what is left.  There is not much that he can do but tell me in order to save some $$ I can go to the junk yard to see if they have the parts.  But “Crucial” yes that is his name fixes my window to go back up, drills in the 2x4 so the window will stay up.  I asked him if I could pay him for his help and he said Nope that I just have to share a beer with him.  So what do I do…drink a beer with him and talk to him about the island, his family, etc. 

So my window is still not fixed (but has a solid 2x4 in it) but Crucial is going to call a few of the junk yards to see if they have the parts. 

Thought I would share my only in saint kitts moment…go to one store, costumer has you follow them to your shop, fix your window with a 2x4, and pay by drinking a beer with him. 

This is my life

Alive and Still a Vet student

Beach day with the pups...Boomer's mom had to run back to the USA so we are watching him for a few days

Sorry for going MIA on the blog.  I was having too much fun on break and this semester started off WAY to quick!!

Family on Christmas

Home was amazing!! I have the best family and friends I could ask for.  Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy day to have lunch/dinner/drinks or just hang out.  I am sorry I didn’t get to see everyone while I was home so that just means that you have to come visit me on the island!!  If all goes as plan the next time I am “home” I will be done with vet school on the island.  My April break my family is coming down here and we are doing a Caribbean cruise and the following break I will be in Africa.  All these seem so far away but I know time will fly by.

Spoiled island pup with all her collars!!

Trip back to the island was pretty uneventful.  I did take a $800 voucher to stay a few more hours in Miami since our plane was over booked.  Got a great lunch with fellow classmates and then started the journey down here.

I LOVE the schedule for 5^th semester.  If we don’t have a lab we are done by noon.  LOTS of time to run errands, lay out by the pool, oh and STUDY.  My classes this semester are Small Animal Medicine (YEAH!!!), Toxicology,  Diagnostic Imaging and Anesthesiology.  I finally am starting to feel like a real doctor!!

Well, we are about to go into our 3^rd week of school (where did time go??).  We had a quiz last week but don’t have our first midterm for a few more weeks.  Time to just stay on top of the material.  I am also tutoring a few classes this semester, one being Pathology 2.  There test is in 5 days so been trying to prepare them all for it. 

I was able to go to the beach a few times (Kitt’s favorite) and a few of the semester Olympic games (where pink got 2^nd).   But besides that I have just been keeping up on my classes and enjoying the island!!

Next post I promise to have something more exciting.