Life and Veterinary Adventures

Since my last post, I spent about a month searching for a job. After a few interviews (and job offers) I settled on what happens to be my favorite practice in Chicago. It's a new non-appointment practice in the West Loop. I've shadowed at this practice while still in school, and I knew I really wanted to work here. They weren't hiring until I stumbled upon a Craigslist ad they had posted. I obviously applied right away! I've been working here for about 3 weeks now. At first, it was really stressful learning the ropes and being efficient at the same time. Everything is paperless, so if we do anything, we have to make sure to log it into the computer and put in the charges. I'm also responsible for calculating and prescribing out medications (usually for parasites) which is something I haven't had much practice at since Pharmacology class. I'm also new to digital x-ray, ultrasound, and laser therapy. I've thankfully had some practice with Cornerstone ...

Howie and Giani at my externship I finally did it! I'm done with school and my externship and it feels great. I'm proud of myself for working hard and finishing this demanding program. I can now say I have my Associates degree in applied sciences. The next step is for me to get a job. I was offered a position where I completed my externship, but the pay they offered was less than I was making nannying before I decided to go back to school, so I couldn't justify working there. It's too bad, because I think it would have been a great hospital to start out in, and it was so close to my apartment. I have an interview at another hospital tomorrow, and I'm hoping they will be able to offer me something closer to what I'd like to make. Once I start making some money, I can actually register to take my VTNE (the board exam to become certified). And once I get a job, I think I'll be able to stop stressing about finances, and start stressing about studying and...

Recently, our friends Anton and Megan and their Beagle, Koopa, made the move from Atlanta to Chicago. Megan is attending grad school here, so these newlyweds packed their bags a couple weeks ago and made the long drive to the Windy City.  The three of them stayed with us for two weeks while they searched for an apartment. They wanted something affordable, close to the school, and in a decent neighborhood. After some tough luck, they settled on a cute apartment just across the park from our place.  We had so much fun showing Anton and Megan some of our favorite spots in the city, and even trying out some new spots with them. We also enjoyed exploring more of the park we live so close to. (Something we should do more often.) We spent most evenings on the couch watching Bob's Burgers, and we were more than okay with that.  Our puppies became good buddies. When they saw each other again the other night, after a week of not being roomies, they ...

I recently spent a week up north with some of my family at my great aunt Mayme's house in northern Wisconsin. It's a summer tradition in my family that has been known as "Ladies Camp," even though my little brother Austin has been a part of it since he was a baby. (He is now sixteen.) My uncle JJ even joined us this year. I drove to my mom's so I could carpool with her, Austin, and our dog, Molly. We rode in my mom's work vehicle, which is an HHR covered in a Jelly Belly wrap. Oh, the looks we get. After about 4 more hours of driving, we saw this sign and knew we'd be out of the Jelly Belly mobile very shortly! On one of the first days there, a family of deer wandered into my aunt's yard. I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped away at their faces. I was amazed by how they let me get so close to them before they ran away. We spent a great deal of time on the lake. We read and sunbathed on the d...

I was just on my porch taking some photos of myself for modeling with a local hair salon I work with from time to time. Honey came to hang out with me, so I wanted to post a few of the photos I took. (I know this one is out of focus, but I just can't get enough of that puppy love!) Hope you're all enjoying the sun!

Today I completed my last day at The Children's Farm for my Large Animal Practicum class. It was an extremely hot day with temperatures of over 100 degrees. Luckily, we were dismissed as soon as we finished our skills with our instructors. I just about passed out while working in a humid horse arena practicing tail wraps, leg wraps, IM (intramuscular) injections, and jugular blood draws. We were rewarded with popsicles and Gatorade when we were all done, though! This week has been a lot of fun as well as a lot of hard work. It was a great experience and I love how my classmates work together to get things done. Time to enjoy another break with a few days spent up north with my family before going on my externship! I'll leave you with some cute photos of animals at the farm.

This is the stack of binders and books I've accumulated while being in school. I'm happy to say that I'm now done with classes! It has been so much work. I've lost too many hours of sleep, had an unhealthy level of stress, and I've had to put my social life almost completely on hold. I feel like I can take a deep breath now and relax. Well, almost. Tomorrow I will be on the farm for the Large Animal Practicum course. My class is rotating through there the next few weeks to get our AVMA skills. We took a trip out there last week and I loved it. I'm excited to go back tomorrow. I'll have a week off between then and going back for four more days. I'm most excited to set up a sheep. (Basically, when you sit a sheep on their rump they just kind of relax and I think it's adorable.) I highly recommend checking out The Children's Farm in Palos Park, IL if you're in the area. They're a nonprofit organization dedicated to educat...