Ups and downs of a new block

Well, we are definitely deep into this third block. Classes seem to be going alright- they are just long and I'm still exhausted when I get home. We had our first anatomy exam this block and I survived. Did quite well on the written part and still waiting for the practical, which hopefully I pulled off a B or C. GI phys has been a breeze since I'm averaging a 99 on the exams, currently. So, no complaints there!! Glad to have one easy thing. Our first nutrition exam is Friday and I need to get my but in gear to study. It is a boring and dull class- I've had a nutrition class before, so at least that should help. Everything seems familiar, at least.

My rescue pup, Bailee, that I got in November doesn't seem to be working out. I have arranged for the rescue to take her back- she will be leaving on Saturday. I feel like I've failed, but she is just not meant to be with me. She does great with Beamer, though, and I feel awful for taking his playmate away. She's been doing well with everything up until week two of this block she tried chewing herself out of her crate, making herself bleed in the process. She got a hold of some papers beside the crate and messed them all up (all thankfully, unchewed). I now leave her out of the crate since I don't want her to hurt herself anymore, but she's now becoming destructive. These past few days I've come home and something has been chewed up. Today, it was something of importance- one of Beamer's ribbons we had won at a show. Nothing up till now has been significant, though. I just can't 'dog proof' more than I already have at this point. Beamer is great when left alone, but I think Bailee just panics due to separation anxiety. So, I've decided that the best home for her is going to be someone who can be home with her most of the day. It is unfortunate, but I definitely felt like once I had made the decision, that it was the right one.

First week back

Well, to sum it up easily- this block blows. We are there so late this block and the hardest thing, as my big said, was finding time to do everything. At least 3 days a week are really late days (5 or 6pm). You are exhausted after you get home and all you want to do is just eat and then sleep. Classes so far- not going to be very fun or exciting. We've got Large animal anatomy, GI physiology, nutrition, microanatomy, developmental anatomy, and clinical skills. The latter two of the bunch should be the most exciting for me. I love embryology, so developmental should be awesome. Clinical skills is an easy pass/fail class that we get to learn to handle all animals! The first lab was fun and I'm looking forward to more.
After one week (or rather 4 days of class) I was already exhausted. This week starting, I am already exhausted. All I want is a decent short day I can come home and take a nap.

This weekend was a TON of fun (and last weekend, too). I helped out with out-of-state interviews for the incoming class. I never thought it would be so enjoyable, but I spent most of my free time at the vet school this weekend (mostly by choice- minus going to the anatomy lab since we've already got an anatomy exam this week... eek!!) Anyway- this weekend we had an interviewee stay with us, and that was a ton of fun. She was super awesome and even bought me dinner! I also met up with someone I knew from Virginia Tech. I basically took these two under my wing this weekend to show them around and show them how awesome Mizzou was. My roomies and I went out to dinner to Mongolian  Friday night after they arrived. Then we went to give them a private tour. They both had interviews the next day (back to back, actually) so my roomies and I were there helping out with that for half the day. Then, for dinner, about 5 interviewees, myself, a 4th year and her husband, and finally a 3rd year all went out to dinner at Flat branch! We had a ton of fun (including walking around downtown waiting for our table).

The interviewees I was talking with seemed to love it here. I hoped to give them the same impression I had and to show them how much I love going to school out here. I think it safe to say that everyone who was there that night, if they get an acceptance (which I'm sure they will) will be coming to Mizzou next year! Sunday I also went in to help out with interviews and met someone from SDN!  I can't wait to help out again with interviews the next year. It was definitely a highlight for me and I think really brightened up this block starting. I was exhausted from all the events of this weekend, and I didn't get much studying done as I had hoped, but it was SO worth it.

Now I'm working on a few applications for potential jobs this summer- the research program here (VRSP) is what I'm hoping to do and have a few people in mind. I'm meeting with someone tomorrow who is doing cancer research in goldens! I am also applying for the banfield student job program... because... well, just because. Though, the closest ones are in St. Louis and that means living over there for 6 weeks this summer. BUT, it is nice to have it as an option, so I figured why not apply. Again, I am banking on the VRSP program this summer- it pays nicely ($3600!) and sounds like a ton of fun.

Other than that, I'm just trying to survive this block (and the next) until block 5, which is the 'easy' block. I hate these really late days, and so do the dogs. Some mornings it will be dark when I leave and then dark when I get home. Then I have so much to catch up on for the day, I don't have time to walk them (plus, it is dark and cold outside...). I hope they understand. On the plus side- I left Bailee alone for 10+ hours today out of her crate (since she decided to chew a big hole in it last week) and she did amazingly perfect! Very proud of her!!

Winter break done

Wow- I can't believe that my break is basically over. I made it back to Columbia after a long two day drive. I stayed the night in Louisville, KY last night. The dogs did great- again. Bailee is PERFECT in the car. Beamer, on the other hand, needs some Benadryl to help him out. But he ended up doing alright.

Break was a lot busier than I was hoping it would be. I was only actually home for about two weeks (at my house). Saw basically all my family and friends there. The holidays are always a crazy time. I had a very nice Christmas! I'm not as poor as I once was. My mom got me a beautiful stethoscope!! Plus a few games among other things. I was definitely glad to spend time with my mom while I was home. She is one of my best friends and I do miss her a ton when I'm out here.
The other highlight of my break was going down to visit my two amazing wives over new years. I hadn't seen one since June and the other since Comic-con in July. It was SO amazing to see both of them and I am already heartbroken about leaving and not knowing when I'll see them again. Not knowing my summer schedule makes it impossible to make plans at the moment.
One of my lovely wives had an amazing New Year's Eve party- I drank a lot and had a ton of fun. Played Cards Against Humanity, which is an awesome game; especially while drunk. Hooked up with a friend of my lovely wives in a cold basement LOL. That was interesting, to say the least!

The only other thing I really want to mention is whenever I see my wives again, my feelings towards one of them (the one who had the party) always re-emerge very strongly. I've had a crush on her for two years now. I always love seeing her and we are best of friends. Of course, she does know that I am deeply in love with her. I've told her if she ever changes her mind, to let me know. She's straight, and of course, I will never make a move on my feelings  (as much as I want to). I respect her too much as a friend for that. Oh, but do I wish...

(PS- I know that my wives read this... so I needed to stop myself before I got out of hand xD)