Perhaps it is my retinas burning, for the sun actually came out for a bit today! Un-friggin-believable. It has been soooo dreary and nasty I was ready to start poking my eyes out with some scissors or something. Good thing I didn't, or I would not have been able to see its brilliance! It didn't visit for too terribly long, but I woke up to it so I was immediately in a great mood. I also got to take the Bingos for a 30 minute walk in the park today....it was fantastic.
Another thing that made me happy was I got to go somewhere today! Another vet student picked me up and we took her bird to Dick Vet for it's check up. Besides the bird taking a massive crap on my jeans leg (I was given the job to hold her for all of 30 seconds), it was a good day. There was a 5th year vet student doing EMS who took the bird's history. The vet finally came in and was lovely. I loved how he quizzed the 5th year on a lot of different things from behaviour matters to nutrition for the bird. Then, my friend decided to get her micro-chipped and after asking and pleading a bit, he agreed to let us watch the procedure, but only after she was anaesthetized. The bird is a young Senegal parrot and therefore not too big. He felt more comfortable putting her under since the needle is rather large and the microchip goes into the pectoral muscle, unlike a dog where it just gets inserted in the scruff of the neck. It was very cool indeed.
On the way home, we stopped by the pet store and I bought the Bingo Boyz some bones and a squeeky toy for Mugsy. He is still squeaking away on that thing and it's about to get put away for the night especially since he is now intentionally putting it places he cannot get it out of and I have to go 'rescue' it after he starts whining..ahhhh. At least I'm able to keep them amused lately.
I suppose I should crack open a book now. I'm feeling like such a slacker, but really did need a few days of nothingness. It's time to get serious about some studying while I have all of this time off and nothing to do.
Over-N-Out for now
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Biosecurity Assessment
I completed my first real practical assessment just before Christmas break. It was on biosecurity and held out at Langhill farm. There were three stations. First you had to get your waterproofs and wellies on and head to a barn for the 'Gear Washing' station. Then, you headed back, took off your waterproofs and went to the 'Hand Washing' station. Lastly, was a short 'Oral Exam' on biosecurity.
Biosecurity is basically preventing the spread of diseases from people and animals. There are enough diseases we can transfer to each other. For instance, I could go to a farm, pick up the nasties from a cow, and if I did not properly wash and disinfect, I could go right home and give it to my dogs, or to the next farm and muck up a herd of cows. So, it is a really basic, but extremely important concept. Think: Foot and Mouth disease. Bad stuff. For this reason, they were very stringent on our technique. We could get a total of 5 marks. 2 for gear washing, 2 for hand washing and 1 for the oral. You needed 3 out of 5 to pass. If you failed any one part, you have to resit in late January.
Gear Washing: For this, we got suited up, and had a bucket of mud to paint on our partner's waterproofs. When our names were called (went in pairs), we approached the washing station. We were given an index card with a dilution problem written on it. We were to work this out in our head so that once we had all of the gunk washed off and it was time to disinfect, we would have known how much disinfectant to add to our water in order to be effective. Now, I'm no math genius, so this part was actually what I was most worried about. Doing long division in my head while concentrating on getting me and my partner properly cleaned off, caused me to sweat a bit. We had 5 minutes to completely wash off, scrub ourselves, disinfect and then hose off. My partner and I managed to do this just fine and then gave our answers for the dilution problem. We both felt we received both marks for gear washing.
Hand Washing: Hand washing sounds oh-so-common-sense-easy and for the most part, it is. We had been given the proper technique a few months prior and if you practiced, it was a piece of cake. There were a couple of things that if you forgot, you immediately failed. One item would have been not thoroughly wetting your hands prior to applying soap. I took my time with the procedure and felt that I did fine on it as I left.
Oral Examination: This was performed in a room one-on-one with the assessor. You were shown a slide of something and then asked a question and given 2 minutes to explain and discuss. Mine revolved around a farmer getting ready to leave for holiday, having a contract sheep shearer come to the farm while he was gone and what advice I would give him for employing this shearer. I felt it went very well.
We received our marks the last day of the semester. I was very well pleased with my 5 marks. A lot of my classmates got 4's (mostly due to not getting dilution correct), there were enough 3's to go around and some flat out failed. I think we have 10 people who have to resit and I'm fairly certain it is mostly due to hand washing, but not positive. They will do fine. It was our first live assessment, so some people may have gotten a case of the nerves and completely blanked out on something.
We have our first major exams coming up in February and I could vomit right now thinking about them. I have to get my study-on big time. I don't want to just eek by and I REALLY do not want to have to be here in August to resit anything.
Off to get ready and head out for a bit on this rather dreary day....yuck.
Over-N-Out
Biosecurity is basically preventing the spread of diseases from people and animals. There are enough diseases we can transfer to each other. For instance, I could go to a farm, pick up the nasties from a cow, and if I did not properly wash and disinfect, I could go right home and give it to my dogs, or to the next farm and muck up a herd of cows. So, it is a really basic, but extremely important concept. Think: Foot and Mouth disease. Bad stuff. For this reason, they were very stringent on our technique. We could get a total of 5 marks. 2 for gear washing, 2 for hand washing and 1 for the oral. You needed 3 out of 5 to pass. If you failed any one part, you have to resit in late January.
Gear Washing: For this, we got suited up, and had a bucket of mud to paint on our partner's waterproofs. When our names were called (went in pairs), we approached the washing station. We were given an index card with a dilution problem written on it. We were to work this out in our head so that once we had all of the gunk washed off and it was time to disinfect, we would have known how much disinfectant to add to our water in order to be effective. Now, I'm no math genius, so this part was actually what I was most worried about. Doing long division in my head while concentrating on getting me and my partner properly cleaned off, caused me to sweat a bit. We had 5 minutes to completely wash off, scrub ourselves, disinfect and then hose off. My partner and I managed to do this just fine and then gave our answers for the dilution problem. We both felt we received both marks for gear washing.
Hand Washing: Hand washing sounds oh-so-common-sense-easy and for the most part, it is. We had been given the proper technique a few months prior and if you practiced, it was a piece of cake. There were a couple of things that if you forgot, you immediately failed. One item would have been not thoroughly wetting your hands prior to applying soap. I took my time with the procedure and felt that I did fine on it as I left.
Oral Examination: This was performed in a room one-on-one with the assessor. You were shown a slide of something and then asked a question and given 2 minutes to explain and discuss. Mine revolved around a farmer getting ready to leave for holiday, having a contract sheep shearer come to the farm while he was gone and what advice I would give him for employing this shearer. I felt it went very well.
We received our marks the last day of the semester. I was very well pleased with my 5 marks. A lot of my classmates got 4's (mostly due to not getting dilution correct), there were enough 3's to go around and some flat out failed. I think we have 10 people who have to resit and I'm fairly certain it is mostly due to hand washing, but not positive. They will do fine. It was our first live assessment, so some people may have gotten a case of the nerves and completely blanked out on something.
We have our first major exams coming up in February and I could vomit right now thinking about them. I have to get my study-on big time. I don't want to just eek by and I REALLY do not want to have to be here in August to resit anything.
Off to get ready and head out for a bit on this rather dreary day....yuck.
Over-N-Out
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve and a Surprise
I cannot wrap my head around it. It seems so surreal that today is Christmas Eve! Today is my last day of my small mammal EMS and I'm actually a bit sad. I know, right? Get ready...for the surprise. It's coming....wait a minute....I have fallen in love with Hermie...........a.....rat. Who would have thunk it? Hermie has won me over. He/she (not sure, thus 'Hermie' for hermaphrodite) just loves running up and down my sweatshirt, in my sleeves and peeking its little head out the end underneath my palm. I have actually committed the first of all no-no's and not only considered adopting this bugger, but actually went out and bought all of the goods....cage and all! Sigh....I'm hopeless. I am now having buyer's remorse before I even have brought it home. I want to believe that the life I can give him is better than what he has...although he seems pretty darn good. Rats are very sociable and intelligent and from 99% of what I've read, should at least live in pairs. I just don't think I have time for two, am concerned about the dogs adjusting (I mean, they ARE bred for ratting!) and am hoping to travel quite a bit this summer. The rescue organization boards these guys and it is pretty easy to find someone to house a cage in their flat for a few weeks, but.....I still just don't know.
So, I'm going to talk to the owner today and have a good think about it. I don't want to take it home and then have to return him for any reason, although that's what 'foster parents' do. Fostering has crossed my mind, but then you take them out of the shop and therefore out of the sight of a potential adopter.
Another huge downside is their lifespan. It's only like 2.5-3 years. Ack...just when you start really getting attached, they croak on you! They are very easy to take care of, but do require interaction every day, as you cannot think they will be happy in their cage forever. I dunno.....this is a tough one for me. I would like to 'borrow' him for 2 weeks or so and see what I'm in for.
Well, at least I didn't do my EMS at the Humane Society.......
Off to get ready to clean cages again. We have made enormous progress on organizing the place and am really proud of how it looks. Now, if we could only talk some motivation into some of the more permanent volunteers to keep it that way. One step at a time........
Cheers and Happy Christmas Eve!!
Over-N-Out
So, I'm going to talk to the owner today and have a good think about it. I don't want to take it home and then have to return him for any reason, although that's what 'foster parents' do. Fostering has crossed my mind, but then you take them out of the shop and therefore out of the sight of a potential adopter.
Another huge downside is their lifespan. It's only like 2.5-3 years. Ack...just when you start really getting attached, they croak on you! They are very easy to take care of, but do require interaction every day, as you cannot think they will be happy in their cage forever. I dunno.....this is a tough one for me. I would like to 'borrow' him for 2 weeks or so and see what I'm in for.
Well, at least I didn't do my EMS at the Humane Society.......
Off to get ready to clean cages again. We have made enormous progress on organizing the place and am really proud of how it looks. Now, if we could only talk some motivation into some of the more permanent volunteers to keep it that way. One step at a time........
Cheers and Happy Christmas Eve!!
Over-N-Out
Monday, December 20, 2010
Indentured Servant for a Week
Today, I officially started my EMS, which stands for Extra Mural Studies. In the UK vet schools, you are required to do a LOT of EMS. Our first two years are comprised of pre-clinical, or animal husbandry, EMS of 12 weeks total. The following 3 years, we have to complete 26 weeks of clinical EMS. Bear in mind, these weeks are all on our own time during breaks and the summer. So, that is 38 weeks total of EMS. Can you say...not enough time to work and make any cashola?
My first 12 weeks, or animal husbandry EMS, is designed to give students an opportunity to handle and learn about different species of animals prior to 'working' on them. We have to do: 2 weeks Cattle (to include 1 week UK dairy), 2 weeks Sheep (to include 1 week UK lambing), 1 week Pigs, 1 week Poultry, 1 week Dogs and Cats, 2 weeks Horses, 1 week Small Mammals, 2 weeks 'Free Choice' and 1 Day livestock market.
Because the students are SO young here due to the difference in education systems, they most likely have not had the animal handling experience that the students in the US have. They basically start vet school out of high school, where we are post grads. We are allowed to apply for a certain amount of exemptions, but there are specific guidelines to qualify. Since I grew up with, showed and managed horses, I applied for exemption for my 2 weeks of horses. I managed to get 2 weeks exemption for my Free Choice. This is fine, it just means I can't use my free choice to investigate something new, or getting more experience in something I am really interested in... I will have to use it doing horses, which I am VERY comfortable handling already. Oh well, I like horses, so that is ok with me. And, I actually have no other experience, so the EMS deal suits me just fine.
I started my 1 week of small mammal EMS today. I am working at a small mammal no-kill rescue organization. Apparently, rabbits are the most neglected animals in the UK. There are approximately 32 at this unit. They also have hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, mice and ferrets. Some of the animals are being boarded over the holidays. What's interesting, is their website states that they do not believe in breeding animals, yet today they accepted 10 baby hamsters from a 'friend' who is a breeder and shows them. Yes, you read correctly....he shows hamsters. So, he kept maybe one or two and dropped off 10 because they were useless to him. They are 4 weeks and adorable, but this obviously goes against what they believe and this is a 'regular' drop off, so I'm a bit confused as to the message being sent. I'm sure there is more to the story, so I'm trying hard not to be judgemental.
The rabbits are absolutely adorable and all seem happy, relaxed and clean. I even held a rat today that was pretty darn cute. I am basically serving the role of cleaner and feeder. I cleaned a ga-dozen cages, fed animals, watered them, swept and mopped the floor and gave moral support to the other 3 vet students. It was absolutely fah-reeeezing in the joint. There is no central heat (and it's verrrry cold here), just a half-working space heater. This is my major complaint, besides the fact that the bathroom was completely and utterly disgusting. We had to pour the nasty, crap water from cleaning the cages in the toilet and it splashes all over it. I will let my bladder perforate before I use that toilet. Plus, there is no light in the bathroom and the sink is literally ripped away from the wall. I really was wishing for some rubber gloves the entire time and will invest in some. I'm not saying I expected cage cleaning to be the most glamorous job, because it's not, but done in a clean and warm surrounding environment is different than what I experienced.
I don't like to complain, because they are doing a great service and the best they can. This is simply me being grossed out about an environment I am not used to and would make some relatively minor changes to improve things greatly. That's all. I don't mind dirty, just not a fan of unclean...make sense? Like, just give me a clean, well-lit area with a big enough sink to clean the nasty stuff properly and not be surrounded in.....funk...and I'll be happy. Got it? Good.
With that... tomorrow is a new day and I'll wear warmer clothing.
Over-N-Out
My first 12 weeks, or animal husbandry EMS, is designed to give students an opportunity to handle and learn about different species of animals prior to 'working' on them. We have to do: 2 weeks Cattle (to include 1 week UK dairy), 2 weeks Sheep (to include 1 week UK lambing), 1 week Pigs, 1 week Poultry, 1 week Dogs and Cats, 2 weeks Horses, 1 week Small Mammals, 2 weeks 'Free Choice' and 1 Day livestock market.
Because the students are SO young here due to the difference in education systems, they most likely have not had the animal handling experience that the students in the US have. They basically start vet school out of high school, where we are post grads. We are allowed to apply for a certain amount of exemptions, but there are specific guidelines to qualify. Since I grew up with, showed and managed horses, I applied for exemption for my 2 weeks of horses. I managed to get 2 weeks exemption for my Free Choice. This is fine, it just means I can't use my free choice to investigate something new, or getting more experience in something I am really interested in... I will have to use it doing horses, which I am VERY comfortable handling already. Oh well, I like horses, so that is ok with me. And, I actually have no other experience, so the EMS deal suits me just fine.
I started my 1 week of small mammal EMS today. I am working at a small mammal no-kill rescue organization. Apparently, rabbits are the most neglected animals in the UK. There are approximately 32 at this unit. They also have hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, mice and ferrets. Some of the animals are being boarded over the holidays. What's interesting, is their website states that they do not believe in breeding animals, yet today they accepted 10 baby hamsters from a 'friend' who is a breeder and shows them. Yes, you read correctly....he shows hamsters. So, he kept maybe one or two and dropped off 10 because they were useless to him. They are 4 weeks and adorable, but this obviously goes against what they believe and this is a 'regular' drop off, so I'm a bit confused as to the message being sent. I'm sure there is more to the story, so I'm trying hard not to be judgemental.
The rabbits are absolutely adorable and all seem happy, relaxed and clean. I even held a rat today that was pretty darn cute. I am basically serving the role of cleaner and feeder. I cleaned a ga-dozen cages, fed animals, watered them, swept and mopped the floor and gave moral support to the other 3 vet students. It was absolutely fah-reeeezing in the joint. There is no central heat (and it's verrrry cold here), just a half-working space heater. This is my major complaint, besides the fact that the bathroom was completely and utterly disgusting. We had to pour the nasty, crap water from cleaning the cages in the toilet and it splashes all over it. I will let my bladder perforate before I use that toilet. Plus, there is no light in the bathroom and the sink is literally ripped away from the wall. I really was wishing for some rubber gloves the entire time and will invest in some. I'm not saying I expected cage cleaning to be the most glamorous job, because it's not, but done in a clean and warm surrounding environment is different than what I experienced.
I don't like to complain, because they are doing a great service and the best they can. This is simply me being grossed out about an environment I am not used to and would make some relatively minor changes to improve things greatly. That's all. I don't mind dirty, just not a fan of unclean...make sense? Like, just give me a clean, well-lit area with a big enough sink to clean the nasty stuff properly and not be surrounded in.....funk...and I'll be happy. Got it? Good.
With that... tomorrow is a new day and I'll wear warmer clothing.
Over-N-Out
Friday, December 17, 2010
Culled wine and Christmas cheer
You know you are a veterinary student when you start changing words, unbeknownst to you, that reflect what you are studying.
Take, for example, the other night. I attended a Christmas party at church where someone brought home-made mulled wine. If you are a true follower (and I hope you are), you know that I discussed this particular evening. Well, it just so happens that the editor-in-chief (ahem, that would be me) almost missed the fact that I wrote 'culled wine' and it almost made it to press.
For those of you that do not recognize this term, let me explain 'culled' for the layman. If we are talking about dairy cows, when you say you are going to cull some of your cows, you are going to get 'rid' of them. This is typically accomplished by euthanasia or slaughter. There are many reasons to cull, including: poor mothering, can no longer produce calves, abnormal teats (therefore is not a productive milker), mastitis, old age, etc. So, when writing about my evening, I wanted to share with everyone that I had had some culled wine. Yeah, that probably doesn't taste nearly as good as what I had.
This brings me to tonite. I went out with some friends to the same 'At the World's End' pub I have previously written about. And, I visited with the same Gray-hem at the store across the way. I popped my head, he had his back to me, and I said 'hiya...could you please tell me where the World's End is?' He started mumbling about how disappointed I was going to be before he even turned around. I mean, I WAS right across the street. When he finally saw me, a huge grin came across his face. I asked him if he remembered who I was (a stupid tourist over the summer asking where the pub was when I could throw a rock at it) and he smiled and said, 'why uv curs I dew. Yew rrrr da wun hew axed me last time'. I took the crowd over to see him again after dinner and we got some more fabulous pictures.
I went to dinner with three classmates and a fiancee. That should be the name of a movie, or something. It's the first time I met him and he is adorable. They make such a cute couple and she is so happy with him here. They leave for a whirlwind tour of Germany and other parts for the next 3 weeks, so I'm sad to see them go tomorrow. I look forward to hanging out when they return in January.
It was pretty darn cold tonite. We went down to the German Market and had a blast. We drank some mulled wine (just called it 'culled' again first...)and played on a trampoline. Many, many belly laughs were had and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Downtown has some lovely decorations and I am getting in the Christmas spirit.
Tomorrow will be bittersweet. I will be wishing many of my classmates a Merry Christmas and at the same time, saying good bye to some new friends for a bit.
Merry Christmas to everyone and Safe Travels!
Over-N-Out
Take, for example, the other night. I attended a Christmas party at church where someone brought home-made mulled wine. If you are a true follower (and I hope you are), you know that I discussed this particular evening. Well, it just so happens that the editor-in-chief (ahem, that would be me) almost missed the fact that I wrote 'culled wine' and it almost made it to press.
For those of you that do not recognize this term, let me explain 'culled' for the layman. If we are talking about dairy cows, when you say you are going to cull some of your cows, you are going to get 'rid' of them. This is typically accomplished by euthanasia or slaughter. There are many reasons to cull, including: poor mothering, can no longer produce calves, abnormal teats (therefore is not a productive milker), mastitis, old age, etc. So, when writing about my evening, I wanted to share with everyone that I had had some culled wine. Yeah, that probably doesn't taste nearly as good as what I had.
This brings me to tonite. I went out with some friends to the same 'At the World's End' pub I have previously written about. And, I visited with the same Gray-hem at the store across the way. I popped my head, he had his back to me, and I said 'hiya...could you please tell me where the World's End is?' He started mumbling about how disappointed I was going to be before he even turned around. I mean, I WAS right across the street. When he finally saw me, a huge grin came across his face. I asked him if he remembered who I was (a stupid tourist over the summer asking where the pub was when I could throw a rock at it) and he smiled and said, 'why uv curs I dew. Yew rrrr da wun hew axed me last time'. I took the crowd over to see him again after dinner and we got some more fabulous pictures.
I went to dinner with three classmates and a fiancee. That should be the name of a movie, or something. It's the first time I met him and he is adorable. They make such a cute couple and she is so happy with him here. They leave for a whirlwind tour of Germany and other parts for the next 3 weeks, so I'm sad to see them go tomorrow. I look forward to hanging out when they return in January.
It was pretty darn cold tonite. We went down to the German Market and had a blast. We drank some mulled wine (just called it 'culled' again first...)and played on a trampoline. Many, many belly laughs were had and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Downtown has some lovely decorations and I am getting in the Christmas spirit.
Tomorrow will be bittersweet. I will be wishing many of my classmates a Merry Christmas and at the same time, saying good bye to some new friends for a bit.
Merry Christmas to everyone and Safe Travels!
Over-N-Out
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Final Week of the Semester!
I truly cannot believe it. I am one week away from completing my first semester of veterinary school! It has been a lot of work and I'm looking forward to the 'break'. The exam system is completely different here, so it won't necessarily be a break complete from studying, but it will be devoid of any lectures, new projects, meetings and practicals. You see, my US counterparts are finished/finishing up their final exams for all of their first semester classes before they leave for Christmas break. We, on the other hand, do not have exams for our first semester classes until February! In the US, they have had tests weekly leading up to the finals, whereas we will have only been graded on a few lab projects prior to taking our exams. Sooooo, I will be studying my tail off during break. I will also be doing one week of EMS (Extra Mural Studies) for small mammals. I'm scheduled to do that Dec.20th - 24th.
My other major item to accomplish over break is finding and buying a car! I cannot wait to have my wings again. I really need at times to be able to load the Bingo Boyz in a vehicle and just go drive somewhere. I amlooking forward to all that a car will give me, other than the headache of owning a car here. They are not exactly vehicle-friendly in the UK. At all. I need it to keep my sanity, frankly, so it is worth every penny in tax, parking permits, inspections and petrol. As they say, 'Freedom is not free'.
My last week's schedule is light and I'm loving it. Here is what it entails:
Mon -
10-1050 Anatomy lecture - Trunk and Body wall
11-1130 Review with lab partner for Biosecurity Assessment
1210-1300 Meeting on intercalating a degree (getting a master's degree along with vet degree)
1400-1550 Anatomy dissection - Pharynx
Tues
10-1200 Anatomy dissection - The Body Wall
2-330pm Langhill Farm - Biosecurity Assessment
Wed
900-950 Lecture - Information Skills
1110-1300 Practical - Clinical Skills
7pm - Christmas dinner Catholic Student's Union
Thur
9-950 Lecture Sheep
10-1050 Lecture Pigs
1110-1200 Staff-Student Liaison mtg for Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety
Fri
9-1050 Professional Studies - Ethics/Current Issues debate
1210-1300 Staff-Student Liaison mtg for Professional Studies
Overall, a very easy week considering what we have been doing. Most students are going home and leaving anywhere from Friday, Dec. 17th to the 20th. We are supposed to get an arctic storm towards the weekend again. I just pray all of my classmates can make it home safely and do not have any issues with transportation.
Sunday night and watching UFC fights, so I'm very happy. I also made a great decision tonight. It was between working out and going to mass. As much as I need to work out, I chose the latter and am so happy I did. A workout could not have given me that much satisfaction. Plus, we had a little Christmas get together afterwards and it was lovely. Someone made mulled wine. It was warm and delicious!
Over-N-Out
My other major item to accomplish over break is finding and buying a car! I cannot wait to have my wings again. I really need at times to be able to load the Bingo Boyz in a vehicle and just go drive somewhere. I amlooking forward to all that a car will give me, other than the headache of owning a car here. They are not exactly vehicle-friendly in the UK. At all. I need it to keep my sanity, frankly, so it is worth every penny in tax, parking permits, inspections and petrol. As they say, 'Freedom is not free'.
My last week's schedule is light and I'm loving it. Here is what it entails:
Mon -
10-1050 Anatomy lecture - Trunk and Body wall
11-1130 Review with lab partner for Biosecurity Assessment
1210-1300 Meeting on intercalating a degree (getting a master's degree along with vet degree)
1400-1550 Anatomy dissection - Pharynx
Tues
10-1200 Anatomy dissection - The Body Wall
2-330pm Langhill Farm - Biosecurity Assessment
Wed
900-950 Lecture - Information Skills
1110-1300 Practical - Clinical Skills
7pm - Christmas dinner Catholic Student's Union
Thur
9-950 Lecture Sheep
10-1050 Lecture Pigs
1110-1200 Staff-Student Liaison mtg for Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety
Fri
9-1050 Professional Studies - Ethics/Current Issues debate
1210-1300 Staff-Student Liaison mtg for Professional Studies
Overall, a very easy week considering what we have been doing. Most students are going home and leaving anywhere from Friday, Dec. 17th to the 20th. We are supposed to get an arctic storm towards the weekend again. I just pray all of my classmates can make it home safely and do not have any issues with transportation.
Sunday night and watching UFC fights, so I'm very happy. I also made a great decision tonight. It was between working out and going to mass. As much as I need to work out, I chose the latter and am so happy I did. A workout could not have given me that much satisfaction. Plus, we had a little Christmas get together afterwards and it was lovely. Someone made mulled wine. It was warm and delicious!
Over-N-Out
What I Most Adore about Edinburgh
The UFC, baby! I am a ginormous Mixed Martial Arts (MMA/cage-fighting) fan as those nearest and dearest to me know. I spent a small part of my net worth on pay per view UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fights over the years. My biggest complaint is the TV programming here (or lack thereof), so this is a complete shocker. I did buck up and get the TV package that included ESPN. Not the ESPN I'm used to, by the way. The advertised 'football' games got me hook, line and sinker only to find out it's soccer 'football' not U.S. college of NFL football. Well, we do get Monday Night Football, but that's IT.
So, imagine my complete delight when I realized the UFC fights are on ESPN here for FREE!!!!!!!! Utter disbelief. Absolutely thrilled. I squealed like a little girl when I figured this out.
So, UFC 124 is now on my TV from Saturday night and I am going to spend the next 2 hours watching it. I might glance at some anatomy on the side....
Letttttttttttttt's Get Reaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyy to Ruuuuuuuuummmmmmmbbbbbbbbllllllllleeeeee ..............Off to get the beer and popcorn.
Over-N-Out
So, imagine my complete delight when I realized the UFC fights are on ESPN here for FREE!!!!!!!! Utter disbelief. Absolutely thrilled. I squealed like a little girl when I figured this out.
So, UFC 124 is now on my TV from Saturday night and I am going to spend the next 2 hours watching it. I might glance at some anatomy on the side....
Letttttttttttttt's Get Reaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyy to Ruuuuuuuuummmmmmmbbbbbbbbllllllllleeeeee ..............Off to get the beer and popcorn.
Over-N-Out
Boilers and Bananas
It's been a long week, I must admit. And, I'm glad it is over. My boiler decided to take a leave of absence on Thursday morning. This is the day I had dreaded all week because I was stacked up. I had several lectures, a meeting for the staff-student liaison committee I'm a member of, followed by a 3 hour frog dissection/muscle contraction lab. Loooong day. So, to start it off with realizing my boiler (central heat) was inoperative, was rather discouraging (and cold). Mind you, it's been really, really cold lately. I turn my boiler off at night because there really isn't a thermostat here and I'd rather breathe cold air than hot as dream away each night. In the morning just after I arise (still dark, btw), I first flip on the two switches for my boiler. One switch is for hot water (seriously weirds me out) and the second for my central heat. I can see the pilot light fire up and hear the water start to course through the veins of my radiators. This unit is in my kitchen, where you can feel the draft blowing straight under the door from my back yard. This door is advantageous when I'm cooking because there is a smoke alarm directly above my stovetop, which likes to go off with the smallest wisps of smoke. My kitchen is so small, if I open the door, cold air flows directly under the smoke alarm, daring it to go off. 'Galley kitchen' is a serious stretch. I suppose it's a good thing that no one has wasted space on my lifestyle where kitchens are for making drinks.
But, I digress. So, said boiler went on holiday and being cold enough to ice over my bedside glass of water from the night before, I decided to call my landlord rather than leave for anatomy lecture. She instructed me to call the company that installed the boiler and turns out they don't want to show up until the next day. I'm not quite accustomed to service without a smile, so I try other companies with the same result. The roads have been bad for so long, it's been unbelievably cold and I know no one....so, I'm stuck. Until.....my landlord notifies me she got in touch with a personal friend who is a plumber and he will come over the same day. He did and finally figured out the fan had given up, thereby shutting down the boiler. All fine and good, but he couldn't get the part until the next day. So, he left me with two space heaters..thank God. This should give some indication of how chilly willy it was:
Friday morning I go to two lectures and then run home to meet the plumber. He showed up about 10 minutes after I should have left for anatomy dissection, but I was hugely grateful and was not going to complain. I got home after 530 pm and find the flat warmer...yay. I also find the pilot light out..ut oh. It's now Friday night and I am not optimistic he will answer his phone. Not only does he answer, but when I remind him I now don't have any heaters, he tells me he will come back out. He brought his cute little 4 yr old girl and checked out my system. The radiators got fiery hot and the pilot light kept extinguishing. Bottom line...it was finally running as it should and never had. The radiators get to a certain temp and then the system shuts down so it doesn't overheat. It has never gotten this warm, so I was concerned. All was good and he left.
That was the end to a good day. I also had an encouraging event happen that morning. Every morning, I stop by a fruit market that is owned by some Pakistani's and get a banana. It's really bizarre that there are so many fruit stores because it's obviously not the best place to grow fruit year round. They display their fruit out on the sidewalk every day and they also have a decent sized inside area. There is consistently two 'Fruit Connection' vans parked on the street seemingly all day unloading fruit. It doesn't quite add up, honestly. With the bad weather, however, I've noticed it hasn't been there as much and the banana supply was dwindling noticeably.
I'm such a regular, it's gotten to the point that regardless of what size banana I put on the scale, it's always '20 pence please'. They know I don't like the really ripe ones and want a firm, just-turned-kind-of-yellow banana for my walk to school. So, waking up to a freezing flat on Friday morning (I didn't trust keeping the two space heaters plugged in all night), I was not in the best of moods especially since everything had to go like clockwork. So, imagine my disappointment when I went to my banana section to find only really ripe, brown and yellow, baby bananas. The owner saw me fishing around, came over, broke off two bananas and said, 'Here. You go.' I went to protest and he kind of shushed me away. I thanked him and was off. That made my day. I really appreciated the gesture.
I love it when people 'get it'.
Over-N-Out
But, I digress. So, said boiler went on holiday and being cold enough to ice over my bedside glass of water from the night before, I decided to call my landlord rather than leave for anatomy lecture. She instructed me to call the company that installed the boiler and turns out they don't want to show up until the next day. I'm not quite accustomed to service without a smile, so I try other companies with the same result. The roads have been bad for so long, it's been unbelievably cold and I know no one....so, I'm stuck. Until.....my landlord notifies me she got in touch with a personal friend who is a plumber and he will come over the same day. He did and finally figured out the fan had given up, thereby shutting down the boiler. All fine and good, but he couldn't get the part until the next day. So, he left me with two space heaters..thank God. This should give some indication of how chilly willy it was:
Friday morning I go to two lectures and then run home to meet the plumber. He showed up about 10 minutes after I should have left for anatomy dissection, but I was hugely grateful and was not going to complain. I got home after 530 pm and find the flat warmer...yay. I also find the pilot light out..ut oh. It's now Friday night and I am not optimistic he will answer his phone. Not only does he answer, but when I remind him I now don't have any heaters, he tells me he will come back out. He brought his cute little 4 yr old girl and checked out my system. The radiators got fiery hot and the pilot light kept extinguishing. Bottom line...it was finally running as it should and never had. The radiators get to a certain temp and then the system shuts down so it doesn't overheat. It has never gotten this warm, so I was concerned. All was good and he left.
That was the end to a good day. I also had an encouraging event happen that morning. Every morning, I stop by a fruit market that is owned by some Pakistani's and get a banana. It's really bizarre that there are so many fruit stores because it's obviously not the best place to grow fruit year round. They display their fruit out on the sidewalk every day and they also have a decent sized inside area. There is consistently two 'Fruit Connection' vans parked on the street seemingly all day unloading fruit. It doesn't quite add up, honestly. With the bad weather, however, I've noticed it hasn't been there as much and the banana supply was dwindling noticeably.
I'm such a regular, it's gotten to the point that regardless of what size banana I put on the scale, it's always '20 pence please'. They know I don't like the really ripe ones and want a firm, just-turned-kind-of-yellow banana for my walk to school. So, waking up to a freezing flat on Friday morning (I didn't trust keeping the two space heaters plugged in all night), I was not in the best of moods especially since everything had to go like clockwork. So, imagine my disappointment when I went to my banana section to find only really ripe, brown and yellow, baby bananas. The owner saw me fishing around, came over, broke off two bananas and said, 'Here. You go.' I went to protest and he kind of shushed me away. I thanked him and was off. That made my day. I really appreciated the gesture.
I love it when people 'get it'.
Over-N-Out
Monday, December 6, 2010
And then, the buses stopped running
So, I know it's been snowing for about a week and I have yet to blog about it and show the pictures. Today, for the first time, all of the buses just stopped running! It was kind of strange because it started snowing a week ago Saturday and today's snow snuck up on us. It snowed a bit each day until this past weekend, when the sun actually came out to play for a bit. It was cold though. I really did not even know it was supposed to snow and then it started and didn't stop.
Interestingly, only 2 afternoon labs/practicals were cancelled. The first one was a dissection that we made up two days later and the second was a practical out at the farm. As I think I've mentioned, we are moving out to Easter Bush campus next year, as they are completing the project now. 3rd-5th year students are already out there in the older facilities. However, 1st and 2nd years are in the city at Summerhall. Easter Bush is a bit 'out in the country' and all of their classes were basically cancelled the entire week, whereas ours were 98% on.
Here are some pictures of my neighborhood. The first was taken just out of my flat door overlooking my front 'garden'.
This one is looking down my street towards the Meadows.
The snow removal system here is not the best, to say the least. I saw all of about 2 plows all week and the footpaths were essentially never cleared or shoveled. It's kind of strange, but the sidewalks are basically ice covered with packed snow. Which, once the packed snow gets even more packed, it becomes icy again. They use sand some, but this only creates brown slush about 6 inches thick, which is no good either. The side streets in my rather busy neighborhood did not see a plow. In all fairness, this weather is not typical here.
I was amazed we had virtually an uninterrupted schedule last week considering staff and students come from all over (even from around Easter Bush). I'm glad we don't have a ton of classes to make up because frankly there is no time, but I did feel badly for those having to commute, as I've heard some horror stories.
Our class did manage to decorate Summerhall for Christmas. Each year of classes has certain duties assigned to them, one being to decorate for Christmas. First year students always are responsible for this, as we are for putting on the Christmas party. A great job was done and many smiles were had in the dissection room, as the Christmas spirit was alive (but not kicking...yuck yuck yuck):
Speaking of Anatomy, we turned our Anatomy workbooks in today. Whew, that was a LOT of work. Basically, it's a record of all the dissections, a few histology labs and a few dry labs we've done up to this point. I took pictures of the end result of dissections, downloaded the pictures and labelled all structures that we could identify. It came out really good and I'm very proud of it. I could not have/would not have put this much effort into this project as a younger student. Many of my peers were up literally all night printing, labelling and putting on the finishing touches. That was me 20 years ago! I was on the ball and did not procrastinate for once and it came out beautifully. We have to do a Volume 2 and our first required entry is our histology lab we did today on the skin, so I'm going to get to work on it now so I can stay ahead of the game. My first volume was 79 pages if that tells you anything...
Oh, we had our first Clinical Skills Lab today. It was basic stuff, but I learned. We discussed items we would need for future clinical classes such as: clean lab coat (as opposed to using our nasty dissection room coat), digital thermometer, pen torch (light), notebook and pen, and stethoscope. We did the beginnings of how to do a physical assessment of a dog. We learned how to SOAP a dog. This acronym stands for Subjective (what you see ie. attitude, physical appearance), Objective (What you actually feel, ie Temp, Respiration, Heart Rate), Assessment (list of 'problems', what your 'assessment' is of the situation. Not a diagnosis) and a Plan (What are you going to do next. ie. order labs, send home, check 4hrs post op).
The session was given by an equine senior lecturer here who is a specialist in his field. I met him in NY at our reception last February, as he was a speaker on behalf of the Dick Vet. There was another speaker there, who concentrates on small animals, and together they were absolutely hysterical.
The introduction to clinical skills today was just that and mostly a group discussion. What was fabulous, was that he threw in some real clinical items and got us thinking as vets...already. Not that we know cow patties from horse dung, but he really drove home the point that in a few short years, after a massive learning curve, we WILL know these things. He also was apologetically adamant on driving home professionalism, what it means and how we are already in the profession. He emphasized what a small community vet med really is and gave advice that I felt was crucial. I hope my colleagues heard him. Very interactive and just what I needed today. I am also looking forward to working with him in the years to come, as I think his teaching style speaks to me very well.
Wow, I've had diarrhea of the digits tonight. I must get to work.
Over-N-Out
Interestingly, only 2 afternoon labs/practicals were cancelled. The first one was a dissection that we made up two days later and the second was a practical out at the farm. As I think I've mentioned, we are moving out to Easter Bush campus next year, as they are completing the project now. 3rd-5th year students are already out there in the older facilities. However, 1st and 2nd years are in the city at Summerhall. Easter Bush is a bit 'out in the country' and all of their classes were basically cancelled the entire week, whereas ours were 98% on.
Here are some pictures of my neighborhood. The first was taken just out of my flat door overlooking my front 'garden'.
This one is looking down my street towards the Meadows.
And, my walk to the vet school has been just beautiful:
Notice the pathway in the middle. Ok, it's snowing and covered up...I get it. But, it has remained this way for over a week and we have not had blizzards, just a few inches here or there.
Me and the Bingo Boyz' park, the Meadows, covered up:
I was amazed we had virtually an uninterrupted schedule last week considering staff and students come from all over (even from around Easter Bush). I'm glad we don't have a ton of classes to make up because frankly there is no time, but I did feel badly for those having to commute, as I've heard some horror stories.
Our class did manage to decorate Summerhall for Christmas. Each year of classes has certain duties assigned to them, one being to decorate for Christmas. First year students always are responsible for this, as we are for putting on the Christmas party. A great job was done and many smiles were had in the dissection room, as the Christmas spirit was alive (but not kicking...yuck yuck yuck):
Speaking of Anatomy, we turned our Anatomy workbooks in today. Whew, that was a LOT of work. Basically, it's a record of all the dissections, a few histology labs and a few dry labs we've done up to this point. I took pictures of the end result of dissections, downloaded the pictures and labelled all structures that we could identify. It came out really good and I'm very proud of it. I could not have/would not have put this much effort into this project as a younger student. Many of my peers were up literally all night printing, labelling and putting on the finishing touches. That was me 20 years ago! I was on the ball and did not procrastinate for once and it came out beautifully. We have to do a Volume 2 and our first required entry is our histology lab we did today on the skin, so I'm going to get to work on it now so I can stay ahead of the game. My first volume was 79 pages if that tells you anything...
Oh, we had our first Clinical Skills Lab today. It was basic stuff, but I learned. We discussed items we would need for future clinical classes such as: clean lab coat (as opposed to using our nasty dissection room coat), digital thermometer, pen torch (light), notebook and pen, and stethoscope. We did the beginnings of how to do a physical assessment of a dog. We learned how to SOAP a dog. This acronym stands for Subjective (what you see ie. attitude, physical appearance), Objective (What you actually feel, ie Temp, Respiration, Heart Rate), Assessment (list of 'problems', what your 'assessment' is of the situation. Not a diagnosis) and a Plan (What are you going to do next. ie. order labs, send home, check 4hrs post op).
The session was given by an equine senior lecturer here who is a specialist in his field. I met him in NY at our reception last February, as he was a speaker on behalf of the Dick Vet. There was another speaker there, who concentrates on small animals, and together they were absolutely hysterical.
The introduction to clinical skills today was just that and mostly a group discussion. What was fabulous, was that he threw in some real clinical items and got us thinking as vets...already. Not that we know cow patties from horse dung, but he really drove home the point that in a few short years, after a massive learning curve, we WILL know these things. He also was apologetically adamant on driving home professionalism, what it means and how we are already in the profession. He emphasized what a small community vet med really is and gave advice that I felt was crucial. I hope my colleagues heard him. Very interactive and just what I needed today. I am also looking forward to working with him in the years to come, as I think his teaching style speaks to me very well.
Wow, I've had diarrhea of the digits tonight. I must get to work.
Over-N-Out
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
No. 39
This is the name of my coffee shop. It is conveniently located 2 blocks from my flat. A quaint coffee shop with a mini deli, painted red. I found my shop during a time of great need. It was the beginning of September and I had just moved into my flat. I did not have internet for a few weeks, so in search of an 'internet cafe' I went. The sign on the door advertised free wi-fi for their customers. So, I did what all desperate Americans trying to communicate with loved ones back home would do....I became a customer.
The really interesting thing about most places here, is that you get one price to eat in and another for take-away, with take away being less expensive. I am not certain of the real reason for this, but I do have my thoughts. You would almost think it the other way around if you were in the US, due to tips and the fact that drinks bring in a larger profit margin than food. So, the longer you sit, the more you eat/drink, the higher the tab and the more you tip. But, since you really don't tip here and space is very limited, I think it is the reverse logic.. Thus, they want you to get your bum out the door, otherwise, you will pay the premium. Plus, if you order a coffee for sit in, they bring it to you in a pretty clear glass mug with a sweet biscuit, a cute little spoon and some sugar.
So, I played the game. I ordered my latte, booted up my little laptop and took my seat at the counter looking out the big window on to the street and lost myself in the world wide web. It just so happens that I am a loyal person almost to a fault. I could not simply take and not give back (even though I was a paying customer), so it quickly became my coffee shop.
It also is coincidental that I walk right past No. 39 on my way home from the vet school every day. I am finding it increasingly impossible to not swing in and get my latte. I used to allow myself only two a week and I have quickly moved on to justifying a daily dose of caffeine awesomeness. I do deserve it. I work hard AND I NEED my midday bump. The coffee here is quite good and gives a lot of bang for the buck. Or, pound for the pound......baht-a-boom.
The best thing about No. 39, is not only is it my coffee shop, but I now have my very own latte-maker. She is a sweet thing, of Spanish descent with a Scottish accent. She is the nurturing type and she knows what I like. Golden. It took us a few attempts to determine exactly what my drink of choice would be. We tried Americano, regular coffee, cappucino and ended up at the latte. Then, it was a matter of how many sugars, because you do not add your own and they do not carry splenda. The order came to be a 'skinny latte with 2.5 sugars'. Although, I didn't know this until today because I never actually had to 'order'. You see, we figured out the perfect formula and then it was set. Every time afterwards, I would walk in and she would ask, 'Latte, take away?' Why yes, thank you. She'd whip it up, I'd have 1.80 quid waiting for her and off I went. This has gone on for months. Until today.
I walked in and my girl was not there! After the initial panic subsided, I figured I could still manage to order. The owner knows my drink also, but had to ask me how many sugars. I don't know...that's why I have a personal latte maker, for crying out loud. We figured on 2 and it was not enough, so he added a wee bit. His was not as hot as hers and simply just not as good. Hers is made with true love and it can be tasted.
My lesson for the day is to not take anything for granted. And, to write down things that are really important to you :-)
I have just finished my less-than-perfect latte and need to take advantage of my caffeine buzz by getting some work done. I hope my girl is back tomorrow.
Over-N-Out
The really interesting thing about most places here, is that you get one price to eat in and another for take-away, with take away being less expensive. I am not certain of the real reason for this, but I do have my thoughts. You would almost think it the other way around if you were in the US, due to tips and the fact that drinks bring in a larger profit margin than food. So, the longer you sit, the more you eat/drink, the higher the tab and the more you tip. But, since you really don't tip here and space is very limited, I think it is the reverse logic.. Thus, they want you to get your bum out the door, otherwise, you will pay the premium. Plus, if you order a coffee for sit in, they bring it to you in a pretty clear glass mug with a sweet biscuit, a cute little spoon and some sugar.
So, I played the game. I ordered my latte, booted up my little laptop and took my seat at the counter looking out the big window on to the street and lost myself in the world wide web. It just so happens that I am a loyal person almost to a fault. I could not simply take and not give back (even though I was a paying customer), so it quickly became my coffee shop.
It also is coincidental that I walk right past No. 39 on my way home from the vet school every day. I am finding it increasingly impossible to not swing in and get my latte. I used to allow myself only two a week and I have quickly moved on to justifying a daily dose of caffeine awesomeness. I do deserve it. I work hard AND I NEED my midday bump. The coffee here is quite good and gives a lot of bang for the buck. Or, pound for the pound......baht-a-boom.
The best thing about No. 39, is not only is it my coffee shop, but I now have my very own latte-maker. She is a sweet thing, of Spanish descent with a Scottish accent. She is the nurturing type and she knows what I like. Golden. It took us a few attempts to determine exactly what my drink of choice would be. We tried Americano, regular coffee, cappucino and ended up at the latte. Then, it was a matter of how many sugars, because you do not add your own and they do not carry splenda. The order came to be a 'skinny latte with 2.5 sugars'. Although, I didn't know this until today because I never actually had to 'order'. You see, we figured out the perfect formula and then it was set. Every time afterwards, I would walk in and she would ask, 'Latte, take away?' Why yes, thank you. She'd whip it up, I'd have 1.80 quid waiting for her and off I went. This has gone on for months. Until today.
I walked in and my girl was not there! After the initial panic subsided, I figured I could still manage to order. The owner knows my drink also, but had to ask me how many sugars. I don't know...that's why I have a personal latte maker, for crying out loud. We figured on 2 and it was not enough, so he added a wee bit. His was not as hot as hers and simply just not as good. Hers is made with true love and it can be tasted.
My lesson for the day is to not take anything for granted. And, to write down things that are really important to you :-)
I have just finished my less-than-perfect latte and need to take advantage of my caffeine buzz by getting some work done. I hope my girl is back tomorrow.
Over-N-Out
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