Avast matey, thar be squalls ahead!!

I haven't wanted to write anything recently.  Mostly because, either I thought I should be studying, or the fact that I wasn't studying  had me filled with guilt and thus, I didn't want to write about that either.  So here we are smack dab in the middle of week 2.  I had a very delayed slap in the face.
I had all the best plans and methods and several resources piled up high, and yet, there wasn't any learning happening on my end. Why?  I wasn't doing the nitty gritty, deep in the trenches work.  Memorization is about repetition, not osmosis of thought.  So I think it was important for my group and I to have a mini-panic attack and then move forward.  I am glad it happened now and not 6 weeks from now. 

Today we had our introduction to physical exam.  There were some successes and some difficulty.  I couldn't find the pulse on a a little Norwich terrier.  Obviously, he was alive, but, he just wouldn't give it up, pulse wise. I plan to practice on my own fuzzies.  I never want to tell a client, "well your pet seems to be alive, but I just can't tell for sure. 

I tell this to all you now, I will have all my important structures memorized by next week. You are all my witnesses and thus I am held accountable to all 2 of you that read this! Feel free to ask me, "So what are the major muscles in the leg and what do they do?" Go ahead, I dare you!!!!

Enough of my sob story, the waters may be rough, but at least I've found a boat.

Orientated and out of the gate

Orientation and all the pomp and ceremony is done for now.  A lot of games and info and just plain blah blah blah filled our week last week.  Some of it was helpful, some of it was exhausting.  Overall, the basic message was, its going to be tough, but you can do it.  I believe that.  I had an out of sorts day on Tuesday of last week, and then, it went away.  Thus far, I haven't been nervous or doubting or any of those useless negative emotions.  I am sure they will come around again, but for now, they're at bay. 

I did decide to get an annual Disneyland pass.  Yes, I'm aware of how much they cost and that I am a poor student.  I was also told by many different faculty and staff, find something you like to do and do it so that you stay sane.  I'm not sure if it bodes well that a place that has a "mad tea party" is a place I find enjoyable and relaxing.  All in all, I am happy with my decision.  I always said, if I got into Western, I'd end up studying occasionally at the Corner Cafe.  I still plan to do so. 

Today was the first day that we got to work.  So far our poor fake doggy, is a limping mess, which is a sure sign of studying the muscular skeletal system.  Gotta start somewhere. 

Given that its nearly one, I think its time for bed. Tomorrow holds more introductions and much more learning.  Time to sleep off the slight soreness that is my first in a series of 3 rabies vaccines. Night, all.

Eve before the journey begins

This is to be my introductory post.  Some of you may remember I attempted a blog before but without it being anchored in something, like going to Veterinary school, it was just nothing but my thoughts and potential complaints and thus not very interesting(at least in my opinion). 

So, here I am. Back again, beginning my professional journey into becoming a Veterinarian.  I wrestled with when to start this, because anyone who has had to jump through the hoops of applying to a medical program knows that the journey often begins with GRE's or MCATs and application fees. Later, its the interviews and then of course the waiting.  The horrible uncertain period of your life where you haven't the foggiest idea of what you'll be doing the next year.  But, I have spared you all that agony.  Tomorrow, is the first day of orientation, the first introduction into a very intense experience. 

 I will do my best to do the experience justice, however I can't promise it will always be about Veterinary medicine. No one is only what they do, and I have no intention of only being what I study.  I hope there will be outings with friends and the husband; trips to Disneyland and funny moments when you're having a quiet moment at home.  Thus "Wandering through Vet school"  If you stay with me long enough, you may just see what it looks like to transform into a Doctor. 

Now to begin...