tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81823552657124497502023-11-16T17:10:28.259+00:00The Road to Becoming a Royal Dick VetMy adventures living in Scotland and attending Veterinary School.....Capt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-76977144962957055412011-03-02T10:01:00.000+00:002011-03-02T10:01:39.102+00:00London, Baby!Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, it's been rather hectic. My dad came to Edinburgh on February 20th and then we left for London yesterday, March 1st. Travelling with much luggage and the bingos, made for a long day. We stopped in York on the train to stretch our legs and get some eats. Then, it was on to London. We got stopped on the tracks for a problem ahead and I was concerned it was going to be an hours-on-end ordeal, but fortunately it was not.<br />
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We all made it intact, just hungry and tired. We are staying at a flat owned by my old neighbor in Hilton Head. He is from London, but spends most of his time in the US now. His flat is in a prime location, about a block from the Tower Bridge. We are going to head out to do some sightseeing today. Not sure what the day has to offer, but a trip to the bridge, tower and a view of the Thames River is a must.<br />
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Also hoping to meet up with my high school friend for lunch either Thursday or Friday. I did get to see her in Edinburgh when she and her mom were passing through a few months ago. She's been living in London for a couple of years now. <br />
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Tonight, we shall have dinner with the owner of the flat's very dear friend from here. She met us and gave us the keys last night. Oh, that reminds me, I need to write about the cab driver. But, that will have to wait, as I need to go get ready for the day.<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-72097416336202553912011-02-15T01:37:00.001+00:002011-02-15T01:38:09.684+00:00A Quickie......Just to say Happy St. Valentine's Day to everyone! I haven't had a memorable Valentine's Day in years, but it's ok because I do not get too wrapped up in it all. Back in my former life when I was flying, this was always the week me and the other pilot went to our annual simulator training down in Orlando, FL. If you ever want to curse Valentine's Day, trying going to a warm, mega-resort area during the winter with all the love birds and get a decent meal at a decent hour. Rick and I would have been in training all day, go back to our hotel, get ready and head out to dinner only to find.........lots of prom-date-look-alikes clogging up 'our' restaurant. We would always forget what day it was and then notice the corsages. That's when my gag reflex would kick in. It was at least a 2hr ordeal. It would not have been so bad if we didn't have an early schedule, but we always did. <br />
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So yeah, not a huge fan of VD (in any form), but still hoping everyone had a lovely day. <br />
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It's rained/snowed here today and expecting more of the same (probably all rain) tomorrow. Yippee.<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-68364840748767488022011-02-09T12:39:00.000+00:002011-02-09T12:39:17.649+00:00Free Health Care??? Biggest Scam Yet.If there is one thing that boils my blood, it's false advertising. 'Oh, you'll have FREE healthcare in Scotland'... Well, that depends on your definition of free. A tax of 20% on all goods, to start, does not exactly equate to 'free' for me. But, I self admittedly am not very good at math.<br />
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So, all I wanted was my annual gynecological exam, a health form filled out for school and some vaccinations needed for vet school. I first scheduled the gyno exam and was told to discuss my paperwork for the vaccinations when I arrived. Since my appointment was still 2 weeks away, I decided to take my paperwork to my doctor's office so they would have it before my appointment. I already knew I would have to pay for some of the vaccines, but I was fine with that since they are not something everybody needs.<br />
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The half-page form I needed filled out requests the following information:<br />
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Height<br />
Weight<br />
Blood Pressure<br />
Pulse<br />
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And, to describe any abnormalities of the following:<br />
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Eyes<br />
ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)<br />
Neck<br />
Heart<br />
Breast<br />
Abdomen<br />
Rectum<br />
Nervous System<br />
Genitalia<br />
Extremities<br />
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It requires a signature by a physician.<br />
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This is where it gets really interesting. Pay attention. I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but my ob/gyn from the States does a thorough examination in addition to performing a pap smear. Because, yes, I'd really like to know if she finds a lump in my breast that I've missed, an abnormality in my abdomen (like where my ovaries and uterus are located), any swollen lymph nodes, etc. She also would tend to discuss with me relevant issues that may affect my health...my relationships, diet, any major changes in my life, emotional well-being, medications, etc. You know, all the normal stuff, right?<br />
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I am informed by the lovely receptionist that I will need a separate appointment to get this form filled out. Why, I ask? I am getting seen by a gynecologist and fairly certain she/he will be able to easily complete this form. Oh no, it is a nurse and she is ONLY doing a pap smear. Like, as in not even checking ANYTHING else. Wow, really? You are going to have a nurse get me in the stirrups, take a swab, and be done with the deal? Not even she is going to take a peek around while I'm all there for her to see? Nope. Not even throw a stethoscope on my chest/lungs to have a listen? Nope. How about a breast exam. No, not done here.<br />
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I informed them they have never even done a physical on me and do they not practice preventative medicine here? No, they really don't. I said, 'So, you do not do a physical exam to find a baseline on your new patients'. That answer is No again. They said I could have a complementary 'chat' with the nurse and she would do my height, weight, BP and I could drop off a urine sample. Gee, thanks. Do I get a free cup of coffee with that? I told them that I wanted EVERYTHING checked by a doctor because lo and behold, I am NOT a doctor and would really like someone to listen to my heart, look in my ears and make sure their trained eyes do not see anything out of the ordinary. <br />
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They advised me they can help with my request! Alright, I'm now getting somewhere. Yes, I can have all of that and more for a mere £120. That is $200USD to look me over with out even a prick of my skin!!!! After my jaw hit the floor, I said, "So, this really isn't free healthcare, is it?" I had two ladies dealing with my smarty pants by this time and they literally stared at me for 30 seconds before saying, 'Well, our system is different than yours'. You think? I passed on the offer. Not sure what I would have done if they would have said, 'But wait, there's more. For £120 you can have your form filled out and we'll throw in a free colonoscopy. And, if you book your appointment TODAY, we'll give you this handsome 'I survived the NHS (National Healthcare System) t-shirt in either happy, pastel pink or dashing green.'<br />
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Moving on to the vaccinations. I am asked to fill out a form so that they may research exactly what I need. Wait a minute....I am GIVING you a form by the vet school as to EXACTLY what I need. And what I really need, is to make an appointment so that we can get started. The 'consultation' fee to do the research is £25, or $42USD and then I get to pay for all of the vaccinations as well...anywhere from £30-40 per shot. Oh, and it will take them a week to 'research' what I need (it's ON THE FORM) and then I could make an appointment, which will take 1-2 weeks to get in. <Bangs head on desk so hard it starts to bleed profusely>. Oh wait, NOW I can go get my 'free' healthcare to get all stitched up. Perfect system.<br />
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So yeah, Scotland can take their 'free' healthcare and shove it up into a place that I can't get them to look at on me for less than 200 bucks. I'll pass on the free pap smear. I don't trust you to read the results correctly anyways. <br />
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I'm not going to start on my political rant....but, just know that THIS is what happens when the government sticks their nose where they shouldn't. Only the sick are seen here. There is no such thing as preventative care. It's only for the well-to-do. And don't even get me started on dental.<br />
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I am soooooo Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-44650111276258533822011-02-07T22:42:00.002+00:002011-02-07T22:46:21.977+00:00The Doctor is InYou can just go ahead and start calling me Doctor, as in Ph.D-worthy. I have ground-breaking evidence that dogs also need a healthy dose of sunshine to be all that they can be. <br />
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You may have inferred from my last post that I am not enthralled with the weather in Edinburgh. Congrats, you have an IQ of at least 20. With that being said, it has come to my attention that perhaps one of my dear Bingo Boyz is also afflicted with the wintertime blues. I have realised that I actually have years of reliable and overwhelmingly convincing data to prove my thesis that dogs also suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Please follow along my photo research project as we see the transgression of poor Mugsy from a happy, well-adjusted (in most aspects) pooch to one who just wants to sleep the day away and dream of summertime's past.<br />
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Following is the ground-breaking data:<br />
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We must start at The Beginning. We lived at the beach on the coast of sunny, humid and warm South Carolina. The was the start of the Mugger's days on Earth and he enjoyed his time here immensely. He was a very young pup, but early pictures show how he is drawn to the light, much like a newborn piglet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dmngEM60tffGJW28nFlwqIl5oSS-y9RX3tsEuJpNd9uMZ8U5xVNY2Vx1V6joD5hkzSk8a-qhlXIMkKRzhZSeHssrhyphenhyphen6lb3ufoUdGTTdkh2lXctJPKHlhOtRiJ-zx_QTbHNukyFMqA3X8/s1600/mugs+pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dmngEM60tffGJW28nFlwqIl5oSS-y9RX3tsEuJpNd9uMZ8U5xVNY2Vx1V6joD5hkzSk8a-qhlXIMkKRzhZSeHssrhyphenhyphen6lb3ufoUdGTTdkh2lXctJPKHlhOtRiJ-zx_QTbHNukyFMqA3X8/s320/mugs+pup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We moved from SC to the blistering hot desert of Las Vegas, NV. This is where research has shown Mugsy to thrive. The house was one level and had a sliding glass door out to the back yard, which consisted of artificial grass surrounded by a rock garden and a 6ft tall cinder block 'fence'. As I worked from my home, I would wake up and immediately open the slider about 6 inches so the dogs could enjoy the 'cooler' part of the day when the backyard was still shady. It became clear that the Mugger waited until about 10am, when the sun started to shine in the backyard, to make his way out for hours on end. It would easily be 90F by this time. These are a few photos capturing his Heaven on Earth:<br />
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He liked the sun so much, he liked to jump in the pool, take a swim, cool off and then catch some rays.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPz3SmJzBPJfFlvyUDN37SX9jIpR1siMdKKggK0bAG4mfHLNkuasql9xZAL451RWLSHA2Lzxib3vmekVFu-xlFNQpfRwEAYtRBxCsRuNDpSja3LYcjKitBo32qIpuQ3NLz9j46ljJBcRD/s1600/swimmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPz3SmJzBPJfFlvyUDN37SX9jIpR1siMdKKggK0bAG4mfHLNkuasql9xZAL451RWLSHA2Lzxib3vmekVFu-xlFNQpfRwEAYtRBxCsRuNDpSja3LYcjKitBo32qIpuQ3NLz9j46ljJBcRD/s320/swimmer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
He was also so invigorated, he became a tad mischievous. While I was inside hard at work, he dragged all of these items out to his little desert play land...apparently he did not want to come back inside. Ever. He's the bad boy out in the grass. His brother came out with me to assess the damage.<br />
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Sunny and hot Las Vegas was left behind for Richmond, VA for 10 months prior to leaving for the dark depths of Edinburgh. Again, the proof is in the pudding. Didn't matter if he was inside or out. See for yourself:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought I would take the Bingo Boyz to the beach in Hilton Head one last time before we sailed off to Europe. We stayed a month, and of course Mugsy loved every second of his sun-soaked vacation:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, then....it was time to go. We sailed over on the Queen Mary 2 from NY to Southampton, England. Mugsy loved his time on deck when the sun was out:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, we docked in dreary Southampton and I became concerned for our well-being. But, have no fear, Edinburgh was absolutely lovely in August! Check out the puppy basking in the sun:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I advised both of them to take advantage of all the sunshine they could get, because before too long, it would be gone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3_tGTdKIgMeShP2hnt13L3_dJWyUyN_wtajrzy3H7PUax1A0ZChotjIq8_ceeGLo0D_Nhm6xh8ajWA3sac87nHe7KtwDP-TNnr-95iamRyOJXzyqcJ1wHLpYAgaIC3PlQwGuTuu2mgNl/s1600/couchsun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3_tGTdKIgMeShP2hnt13L3_dJWyUyN_wtajrzy3H7PUax1A0ZChotjIq8_ceeGLo0D_Nhm6xh8ajWA3sac87nHe7KtwDP-TNnr-95iamRyOJXzyqcJ1wHLpYAgaIC3PlQwGuTuu2mgNl/s320/couchsun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And unbelievably, they listened....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, winter came and it was dark. Thankfully, dogs are resilient and adapt to their surroundings. So, when given something that vaguely represents the sun, guess who takes advantage of it? From a floor heater:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To my computer desk lamp:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVunxbB-gmZZd2yg7iGeSQNXIIVM2rN5dlCOzC0MQ-0OjF3V2eJTxWc6dH_NrMaVUgXUFuLjFzNtzjRPwgwTja5m4_MoTzk-wCHYzIFxji6HF19ky5dgSxJYtbyidV2VqLSmCiNwX1XF1t/s1600/desklamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVunxbB-gmZZd2yg7iGeSQNXIIVM2rN5dlCOzC0MQ-0OjF3V2eJTxWc6dH_NrMaVUgXUFuLjFzNtzjRPwgwTja5m4_MoTzk-wCHYzIFxji6HF19ky5dgSxJYtbyidV2VqLSmCiNwX1XF1t/s320/desklamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Suffice it to say, winter is in full force and the does not come out often. And, when it does, unfortunately it does not enter into the flat where Mugger can soak it up. So, sadly, this is what he's become:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't even have many pictures of him from this winter, because they are all the same....his eyes closed and sound asleep. I think I have found the solution for the poor little guy, but you will just have to tune in next time for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Till then, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Capt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-21867169519192482542011-01-31T23:28:00.002+00:002011-02-02T20:54:09.869+00:00The Poet Know It<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Robert Louis Stevenson on Edinburgh: "But Edinburgh pays cruelly for her high seat in one of the vilest climates under heaven. She is liable to be beaten upon by all the winds that blow, to be drenched with rain, to be buried in cold sea fogs out of the east, and powdered with the snow as it comes flying southward from the Highland hills. The weather is raw and boisterous in winter, shifty and ungenial in summer, and a downright meteorological purgatory in the spring. The delicate die early, and I, as a survivor, among bleak winds and plumping rain, have been sometimes tempted to envy them their fate. For all who love shelter and the blessings of the sun, who hate dark weather and perpetual tilting against squalls, there could scarcely be found a more unhomely and harassing place of residence.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nuff said. This describes Edinburgh to an absolute Tee!!!! A schoolmate sent this to me after I whined about the weather. I at least now know I am not imagining things and am not alone in my distaste for the dark, dreary, misty, rainy, overcast winter. Blehhh.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In other news, exams are rapidly approaching and everyone is buckling down. It has been study, study, study around here. We have exactly 2 weeks until we begin our 4 days of hell. They have stopped our lectures and all we have this week are a few practicals. Wed and Fri we are off and the other days we have one dissection, one clinical anatomy lab, a trip to a boarding facility, an ultrasound practical and two review sessions - one for cell bio and one for anatomy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last week was great fun. We had another sheep practical in which we got to trim their hooves. The ewes are pretty preggers now and quite heavy, at around 70 kgs. It was not nearly as easy to cast them (get them from standing on all fours, to resting on their backside with full body weight against you), but my partner and I devised a two-man casting system that worked like a charm! We managed to trim up 8 ewes while some 3-4 person groups did half that amount. It was fun stuff. This is what it looks like after you cast a sheep while your partner trims the hooves:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will not be posting much between now and the end of finals, but am definitely thinking of everyone. I do have a few fun things to look forward to in the next couple of weeks. The first is this Friday - it is the Vet School talent show. It is supposed to be a riot and one of the funniest nights of the year. Then, on Sunday, a classmate is hosting a Superbowl Party!! Yay, NFL football....Yay. The following Friday, a few friends are going to cheap movie night. Gotta love student discounts.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ok, it will be a slow month for posts until after exams, but I'll update as much as possible. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over-N-Out </span>Capt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-63911889967249004762011-01-18T23:49:00.000+00:002011-01-18T23:49:28.257+00:00Egads!Oh my....it's been pretty darn busy since starting up the semester a week and a half ago. Last week was absolutely brutal. Talk about being forced into getting back on track with a schedule...sheeesh! I could simply not get enough sleep. I had 3 dissections and volunteered out at the farm last week, making for some very loooong days. I went out Friday night to celebrate a friend's birthday and it all came to a head this weekend. I slept and slept and slept and slept. And slept some more. Me and the Bingos were professional couch potatoes and I felt no shame. The weather was perfect for it though...typical Scotland with overcast skies and periods of rain (really drizzle here). Sooo sleepy. <br />
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Last week was good, just super long days. We started our dog, cat and equine lectures..yay. Like I said, we also did 3 dissections - two of the thorax and began the abdomen. They went very well. A classmate and I volunteered to help out at the sheep farm one afternoon scanning ewes. It was open to all years and about 12 of us showed up. They were scanning (ultra sounding) for pregnancy. We had to go through about 400 ewes (female sheeps). Our job, as students, was to move the sheep from pen to pen, get them up the chute and into the crush for the technician, put a dot of paint on their wool according to how many babes they were carrying and to do anything else that was needed. The norm for an ewe is twins, as she has two teats to milk her babes. We did not mark these. We marked for singles, triplets, quads (had one) and empty (not pregnant). There were very, very few empties. These gals are fertile! You mark them for how many lambs they are carrying so they can feed them appropriately. Also, at lambing time, you would want to take a lamb from the mother of triplets and put it with a single, so everyone gets milk. Ewes will kill lambs that are not theirs, so you have to disguise it in bodily fluid from the mother or one of her lambs. A little disguise, if you will.<br />
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In addition to getting more handling skills under our belts, we also got to observe the screen showing the ultrasound. It was a challenge for me in the beginning to even have a clue what any of the blobs of grey meant. Or even what blob I was supposed to be looking at. Eventually, I had convinced myself that I could see something, but honestly was not sure at all. Occasionally, he would point them out and show us where the head was, followed by a body and where the other lambs were hiding in that black hole of a uterus. That is when I KNEW I was getting it!! I could actually pick them out before he told us sometimes...amazing. We learned that he scans about 120,000 ewes a season at about 50-55 pence (cents in USD) per scan. Wow. Lambing season here for the most part right around Easter. We get a month off at Easter time to go lambing on farms as part of our requirement for our extramural studies. That should be great fun and everyone looks forward to it. <br />
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This week has been just as busy through today. Another dissection on Monday, followed by a Pig practical today. We had to go almost an hour out of town to an agricultural college since we do not have pigs at our school. And, I think I know why.....whew......do they stinkola. There were only 15 of us in our group and then we got split into two smaller ones. My group went to see the sows and piglets first. The welfare regulations here are actually better than in the US for the piggies. Once the sows are ready to farrow (give birth), they are moved to small stalls that only allow the sow to stand up and lie down. There is extra space on either side of her, but this if for the piglets and she is cannot really move around. This is because it is common for the sows to inadvertently crush piglets. There is also a box in the front of the pen the piggies can go into that has heat lamps and is kept very, very warm. We saw a sow in labor and she had just delivered her first baby. It is not uncommon for them to have 8-13 piglets. They are kept in these stalls until the piggies are weaned at 28 days. We got to vaccinate several groups of piglets, which was fun. Oh, did they ever squeal like babies as you held them for whoever was injecting......SQUEEEEEE....right in the ole ear. <br />
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We also got to play with older pigs who were being 'finished off'. This means they fatten em up for slaughter. This is where the stench factor was thousandfold compared to the sows and piglets. They are all housed indoor and it's warm, humid and unbelievably odorous. We were taught how to move the pigs around with a board that is about 3' x 3'. We had to shuffle them from their pen on to a scale. They are crafty big things and will run you over if you are in the way and they decide to go somewhere. The 'Baconers' are over 90kg and ready to become bacon. We had a couple of them in our group. <br />
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All in all, a very good start back. Exams are looming in on us and we are all feeling the pressure. I can't talk about it without getting the shakes.<br />
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Tomorrow is a short day, thank goodness. I'm finished at 11am and will love it.<br />
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Both of the Bingos are snoring, which I absolutely adore. It means they are happy campers and sound asleep. Time to wake em up and head to sleep myself.<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-64522254926226459742011-01-09T22:07:00.000+00:002011-01-09T22:07:17.654+00:00The Fun is OverBreak is finally over and reality hits tomorrow early. I've not been on the best of schedules and am forcing myself to go to bed early tonight. Like, 4 hours earlier than normal. Surprisingly, I am tired. It was a good break, but honestly a bit long for not going anywhere. I'm happy to be going back and cranking up the ole brain again. Tomorrow promises to be a nice, long Monday. Two anatomy lectures on the thorax, followed by an afternoon dry lab on the thorax. Yipppeeee. I should be up to my eyeballs in thorax tomorrow...wait, is that anatomically possible?<br />
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Keeping with my new schedule, I'm...<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-68812338360584619102011-01-03T01:13:00.001+00:002011-01-03T01:14:19.367+00:00HogmanyMy sleeping schedule is getting nice and out of whack. I am going to bed later and later, which of course means I'm waking up later and later. The dogs have actually bought on to the new schedule and are letting me sleep. Unbelievable. I wake up at 7am during the term and we are consistently past 9am these days. Sometimes, I will even take them out and go back to bed. I ended up finally getting my sorry self moving around 11 today! Now, to be fair, I've been staying up quite late...1,2..3am sometimes. I need to make an effort to get back on track asap. So, I will go to bed at 1am and get up at 9am tomorrow and not go back to sleep. Then tomorrow night, I need to be in bed by midnight and up by 830am. It IS still my break, so I do not see any need to stress myself by getting up at 7am between now and the new term, but I will start going to bed at a decent hour.<br />
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Hogmany, or New Year's Eve, is a ginormous celebration here. Of which, I took no part. I was in South Beach FL last year for the big party and had zero chance of topping that wonderful experience, so I decided to stay in. They did fireworks, of course, but I had no idea they would basically be in my front yard. They did some at the castle and apparently more down at my park, The Meadows. I heard them going off and looked out my flat to see amazing stuff. I took a picture to show how close they were. If I had thought more of it, I would have turned my lights off, as there is a glare...but, you get the idea. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9h8eb-eMtCZg9AyOGN-4c0-8l6SoYxCnZ4VqgT7X-_G5xmzrjCX0MfU3JRefogXcfvGEJGYq8q5ksIYIIgnlIebYrrqMiP7PKEormtGVrOoYz5JY-Gp7QGYQGWq0y5lbPHu5rS2TG-FN/s1600/new+years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9h8eb-eMtCZg9AyOGN-4c0-8l6SoYxCnZ4VqgT7X-_G5xmzrjCX0MfU3JRefogXcfvGEJGYq8q5ksIYIIgnlIebYrrqMiP7PKEormtGVrOoYz5JY-Gp7QGYQGWq0y5lbPHu5rS2TG-FN/s400/new+years.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The streets were full of people that night. There was also a big celebration in city centre. They do a procession of torches the night before, which looks incredible.<br />
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And, here is what it looks like from above:<br />
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Finally, a picture of the fireworks at the castle:<br />
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2011 it is. Officially. Hoping this year brings us all good health and happiness. <br />
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I have now officially hit the wall and am calling it a night. Tomorrow is Monday and my goal is to finish up all of my projects for school that are due this month and need the finishing touches put on them. <br />
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Hope everyone is doing well.<br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-62458955495075806502010-12-29T20:04:00.000+00:002010-12-29T20:04:53.439+00:00What is that I Smell??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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Over-N-Out for nowCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-85929758659712846802010-12-28T12:54:00.000+00:002010-12-28T12:54:21.656+00:00Biosecurity AssessmentI 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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<u>Gear Washing:</u> 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.<br />
<br />
<u>Hand Washing</u>: 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.<br />
<br />
<u>Oral Examination</u>: 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Off to get ready and head out for a bit on this rather dreary day....yuck.<br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-30681111246380389452010-12-24T10:21:00.000+00:002010-12-24T10:21:37.480+00:00Christmas Eve and a SurpriseI 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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Well, at least I didn't do my EMS at the Humane Society.......<br />
<br />
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........<br />
<br />
Cheers and Happy Christmas Eve!!<br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-60147485751606254862010-12-20T20:40:00.000+00:002010-12-20T20:40:49.738+00:00Indentured Servant for a WeekToday, 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?<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
With that... tomorrow is a new day and I'll wear warmer clothing.<br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-63641359824019437662010-12-17T14:33:00.000+00:002010-12-17T14:33:50.419+00:00Culled wine and Christmas cheerYou know you are a veterinary student when you start changing words, unbeknownst to you, that reflect what you are studying.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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Merry Christmas to everyone and Safe Travels! <br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-47355872514800827282010-12-12T23:32:00.001+00:002010-12-14T23:02:35.268+00:00Final 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. <br />
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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'. <br />
<br />
My last week's schedule is light and I'm loving it. Here is what it entails:<br />
<br />
Mon -<br />
10-1050 Anatomy lecture - Trunk and Body wall<br />
11-1130 Review with lab partner for Biosecurity Assessment<br />
1210-1300 Meeting on intercalating a degree (getting a master's degree along with vet degree)<br />
1400-1550 Anatomy dissection - Pharynx<br />
<br />
Tues<br />
10-1200 Anatomy dissection - The Body Wall<br />
2-330pm Langhill Farm - Biosecurity Assessment<br />
<br />
Wed<br />
900-950 Lecture - Information Skills<br />
1110-1300 Practical - Clinical Skills<br />
<br />
7pm - Christmas dinner Catholic Student's Union<br />
<br />
Thur<br />
9-950 Lecture Sheep<br />
10-1050 Lecture Pigs<br />
1110-1200 Staff-Student Liaison mtg for Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety<br />
<br />
Fri<br />
9-1050 Professional Studies - Ethics/Current Issues debate<br />
1210-1300 Staff-Student Liaison mtg for Professional Studies<br />
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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.<br />
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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! <br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-75090443096522717602010-12-12T23:00:00.000+00:002010-12-12T23:00:40.493+00:00What I Most Adore about EdinburghThe 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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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....<br />
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Letttttttttttttt's Get Reaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyy to Ruuuuuuuuummmmmmmbbbbbbbbllllllllleeeeee ..............Off to get the beer and popcorn.<br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-54024279662914831522010-12-12T22:42:00.001+00:002010-12-12T22:43:08.274+00:00Boilers and BananasIt'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.<br />
<br />
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:<br />
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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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
I love it when people 'get it'.<br />
<br />
Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-37092724641329573122010-12-06T22:40:00.001+00:002010-12-06T22:50:05.644+00:00And then, the buses stopped runningSo, 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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Here are some pictures of my neighborhood. The first was taken just out of my flat door overlooking my front 'garden'. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8sqax5ZpyN8bS5EyazEYzH9cGuzJYpIVLaoZ5feZ7vNS5ac2t2YMGrJ-y8v__1RZtL8Q6MXH92wWKtJhYGyz63KcMTLZMmL_exKENbXiYHQO6bSe_LLJOhvsgfAPeGoIWDqe9Zhvbyn9/s1600/out+my+front+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8sqax5ZpyN8bS5EyazEYzH9cGuzJYpIVLaoZ5feZ7vNS5ac2t2YMGrJ-y8v__1RZtL8Q6MXH92wWKtJhYGyz63KcMTLZMmL_exKENbXiYHQO6bSe_LLJOhvsgfAPeGoIWDqe9Zhvbyn9/s320/out+my+front+door.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This one is looking down my street towards the Meadows.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp4BELFZF3c3pQ-kj7_PD_ZdzTjjHmqL87scv7KDmSijHeof0y903cayHNe15Jwi5Azht1Okn4ELSTT7X33qxk7piBNM9z71acz6xcIet5M4fTMsji_soNZVic2b6K6M2uuDuQ1Bn8mbK/s1600/down+the+skreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp4BELFZF3c3pQ-kj7_PD_ZdzTjjHmqL87scv7KDmSijHeof0y903cayHNe15Jwi5Azht1Okn4ELSTT7X33qxk7piBNM9z71acz6xcIet5M4fTMsji_soNZVic2b6K6M2uuDuQ1Bn8mbK/s320/down+the+skreet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, my walk to the vet school has been just beautiful:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWaZEJJXbqRkYoZv_KUVmoAQ4hc9YEfTRWjhz86fn1KgopOE07MvRSsdeTlWcWYPzEhqUYoXDdi90opveiMUYNwKGBBf0wrON7cTHA6HqOwaANWmZpZGaEOR1HHL6h9vQnr-T56NIzCDz/s1600/walk+to+SH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWaZEJJXbqRkYoZv_KUVmoAQ4hc9YEfTRWjhz86fn1KgopOE07MvRSsdeTlWcWYPzEhqUYoXDdi90opveiMUYNwKGBBf0wrON7cTHA6HqOwaANWmZpZGaEOR1HHL6h9vQnr-T56NIzCDz/s320/walk+to+SH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me and the Bingo Boyz' park, the Meadows, covered up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxoFbGJcsYSO3kRXvngzobptua7v-BvXThKjlIjdI9d1rq5X_yvzuqtwrZadAyvIutNRZ7m6nbIMFOExlWFouaFZfsLUitCFlIpsufuRh6Aix6wHqt3Gzyo4iy8fZo0oU5xhrdgLKcsLu/s1600/Meadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxoFbGJcsYSO3kRXvngzobptua7v-BvXThKjlIjdI9d1rq5X_yvzuqtwrZadAyvIutNRZ7m6nbIMFOExlWFouaFZfsLUitCFlIpsufuRh6Aix6wHqt3Gzyo4iy8fZo0oU5xhrdgLKcsLu/s320/Meadows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqXzdnOh80oGSypF2aMYT4Y3INHtPAi-3h218idjEPGMRMwNqSiFURdsQ-puXBD72qpr4A8M9RVkzLQKyC5oNDd0d3yyd4-qvBzEKmfETPlsvawaOYCwLYNXdDJ7Xxij_FYcx-oApEhlu/s1600/bones+decorated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqXzdnOh80oGSypF2aMYT4Y3INHtPAi-3h218idjEPGMRMwNqSiFURdsQ-puXBD72qpr4A8M9RVkzLQKyC5oNDd0d3yyd4-qvBzEKmfETPlsvawaOYCwLYNXdDJ7Xxij_FYcx-oApEhlu/s320/bones+decorated.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk5YwfuTmozIRrTDoih7jeN0szMVMtKlpo28BScboz3uheNsvoMX650hMjSNlqgfUYgB8WIa1BIr8R4ofaTvWrK306dcaZBLcm5uALYFjPmmy8IgZsAH2zI-y-3Q-OxbsUdspUS82-8ES/s1600/christmas+bones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk5YwfuTmozIRrTDoih7jeN0szMVMtKlpo28BScboz3uheNsvoMX650hMjSNlqgfUYgB8WIa1BIr8R4ofaTvWrK306dcaZBLcm5uALYFjPmmy8IgZsAH2zI-y-3Q-OxbsUdspUS82-8ES/s320/christmas+bones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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...<br />
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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).<br />
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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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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Wow, I've had diarrhea of the digits tonight. I must get to work.<br />
<br />
Over-N-Out<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Capt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-28357837616524472662010-12-01T14:44:00.001+00:002010-12-01T21:55:51.215+00:00No. 39This is the name of <i>my</i> 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. <br />
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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.<br />
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So, I played the game. I ordered my latte, booted up my little laptop and took <i>my</i> 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 <i>my</i> coffee shop.<br />
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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.<br />
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The best thing about No. 39, is not only is it <i>my</i> coffee shop, but<i> </i>I now have <i>my</i> 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 <i>my</i> 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.<br />
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I walked in and <i>my</i> 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. <br />
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My lesson for the day is to not take anything for granted. And, to write down things that are really important to you :-)<br />
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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 <i>my</i> girl is back tomorrow.<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-39207549372061831602010-11-27T02:02:00.000+00:002010-11-27T02:02:45.454+00:00I Survived....BarelyThat was a tough Thanksgiving away from home...I ain't gonna lie. I think part of the problem was that I lived closer to all of my family last year than I had been in the previous 13. I thought by doing that, it would 'tide me over' for 5 years. Ok, not really, but I thought it would help, not hurt for situations like holidays. Wrong-O. It's amazing that at the ripe old age of 39, I can still be so wrong about so many things. So, yes, I was not happy yesterday. But, yesterday is over and I woke up in a fairly good mood. I had a good morning of lectures ahead and a dissection to end the day. Plus, it IS Friday!!<br />
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And now for the massive surprise....it has SNOWED!!! What?!? I don't even follow the weather here for several reasons. 1. They do the whole UK together and I don't know where they are talking about anyways, 2. They are usually wrong and 3. The weather changes every 10 minutes, so it doesn't matter.<br />
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Now, I love, love, love snow. To look at. Not a fan of trudging around in it and certainly cannot stand it when it turns slushy and gets everything wet and dirty (oh wait, I'm already used to that). However, when it is floating down like tufts of cotton, then I love it. It's just so......romantic. And magical.<br />
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So, imagine my surprise when I tossed my boys in the back garden to find this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mW4KuP94o6skYbe-EvLurt2M_FuLbN8kL8r3UWazhJgCxIyVhEHb-xFHh34F5QLVN7sQFCSeEbewLtLqFI_H4MEaedTYn9B9smJPFi2RFBnsSMhyB2lmLDAzlFvD4iMm3pv5nuAnuAkI/s1600/IMG_2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mW4KuP94o6skYbe-EvLurt2M_FuLbN8kL8r3UWazhJgCxIyVhEHb-xFHh34F5QLVN7sQFCSeEbewLtLqFI_H4MEaedTYn9B9smJPFi2RFBnsSMhyB2lmLDAzlFvD4iMm3pv5nuAnuAkI/s320/IMG_2013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Wow! How pretty. I think we are supposed to get more tomorrow, so more pictures may follow. Speaking of tomorrow, I am very excited. A classmate is having a bunch of us first year US students over to celebrate Thanksgiving. She is cooking two turkeys and I am thrilled. I am very much looking forward to some great eats, giving thanks for all that is a blessing, great eats, socializing a bit, great eats and maybe watching some more snow fall.<br />
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I have just hit the wall and am calling it a night.<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-62013768408492359392010-11-24T23:37:00.000+00:002010-11-24T23:37:06.647+00:00Is This How It's Supposed to Be?Sorry, but I can't help feeling sorry for myself right now. It was bound to happen around the holidays. Even though if feels nowhere remotely like Thanksgiving Eve, I'm sad. I mean, I really do not even realize tomorrow is Turkey Day. There are no circulars in the paper for sales on turkeys, cranberries or pumpkin pies. There is no talk in the office of plans to travel/stay home/cook/bake pies/clean homes/put up guests. There are no plans to drive for hours to the relative's house hosting all of us this year. Nope, there is none of that. And, it makes me sad. <br />
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I guess it's best that there is no big fanfare and celebration here. It would just make it worse. I do not have a four day weekend to really think about all that I'm missing. No, instead I'll be in lecture all morning, followed by a neurotransmission tutorial and then headed to the farm for some good ole' cattle handling again. It's just as well that it will be my busiest day of the week. And, I suppose it's just as well that I won't be gorging on turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sweet potato pie, cornbread and all of the sinful desserts. A few bottles of wine will be drank, buckets of ice cold beer will be consumed and cards will be played into the wee hours of the morning. And, I'll miss it all. <br />
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Happy Thanksgiving to my family and friends. I wish I were there to see you all and join in the merriment. Just know that I love you and am thinkin of ya!<br />
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Gobble Gobble and Cheers!Capt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-52171842448604368602010-11-24T02:00:00.000+00:002010-11-24T02:00:47.115+00:00My Overpriced Paper ShredderIt was bound to happen. It's my fault. It's been raining and overcast for three days and therefore, I have not been able to tire their little behinds out. They had a little too much penned-up energy and the party began probably within 5 minutes of my departure. I have my couch backed up to my desk so that the little BBs (Bingo Boyz) can get on my desk anytime their little hearts desire. I now have a permanent bed on the desk at the insistence of Mugsy. So yes, I have ok'd it for them to spend some time on my desk. <br />
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Therefore, it's not a surprise that when I left my flat yesterday and for a fleeting moment wondered if I should leave the small package of tissues on my desk, that I knew I'd get burned. When I returned, I felt like I had walked into a confetti storm. All I could do was laugh and I knew EXACTLY who was to blame. It may have been a short party of two, but there was one who had the idea and then convinced his brother to join (and that is still questionable). He's been a shredder since day 1. I used to find all kind of paper products underneath my bed. I couldn't really tell what they were because he shreds to the specifications only a massive commercial shredder could....pin size. <br />
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I took a picture of both boys next to part of the damage. Note: neither one looks too remorseful, do they?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o9ZjSe-g8Ew-jbpb8mREw8bWdQjzWDlZLWehGjXX-du-2t9srmaFJalFGQqGnyumrP0b0-b1Uqm9C_VpCLyZq3wpkXlTXf0_dZfbo_G2eGgnWnKQVaUfYl5xRogqT2ZzxtDQwYXQGGPt/s1600/Baaaad+boyz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o9ZjSe-g8Ew-jbpb8mREw8bWdQjzWDlZLWehGjXX-du-2t9srmaFJalFGQqGnyumrP0b0-b1Uqm9C_VpCLyZq3wpkXlTXf0_dZfbo_G2eGgnWnKQVaUfYl5xRogqT2ZzxtDQwYXQGGPt/s320/Baaaad+boyz.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
My floor is white (don't ask), so it's doesn't look as bad as it was. I didn't take a picture of the rest on the black carpet. Nice contrast. Who do you think is guilty? Harley (on left), the perfect gentleman? Or Mugsy, the class clown?<br />
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Well, it only took a few minutes of me sitting down at my desk for the guilty one to bring me his work......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWGZwSvOud_8HKCjKp_WAe99OQ_ulek9VRQ_LM6pclQ_CCTh5nKi1hdDvQgbsdTeujV28a0rly50rVodv6ZEJWCRcr80s8fFafcPo0Phyphenhyphen8fq63_fyCqswQ99P-kvhL1vUfZV0AqjskrnC/s1600/IMG_1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWGZwSvOud_8HKCjKp_WAe99OQ_ulek9VRQ_LM6pclQ_CCTh5nKi1hdDvQgbsdTeujV28a0rly50rVodv6ZEJWCRcr80s8fFafcPo0Phyphenhyphen8fq63_fyCqswQ99P-kvhL1vUfZV0AqjskrnC/s320/IMG_1918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yep, there was no doubt this was the guilty party. Like a kid who just ate a box of doughnuts and has powdered sugar around their mouth:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDSX4swVwp9PLs_IPfzmfOU1JfZfwNleVMTPIFqCTA_UvTiRjzIVvxDURL7o5SjbjWCXims6eFV6T6srdfXlbPJKhdmv7dCjn8-HWDHbr-V7HRPxA0_ryzi73sdjz8za-XlR8muCmf2CT/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDSX4swVwp9PLs_IPfzmfOU1JfZfwNleVMTPIFqCTA_UvTiRjzIVvxDURL7o5SjbjWCXims6eFV6T6srdfXlbPJKhdmv7dCjn8-HWDHbr-V7HRPxA0_ryzi73sdjz8za-XlR8muCmf2CT/s320/IMG_1919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Part of the problem is that the weather was terrible for 3 days (imagine that) and they were bored. The sun came out today, but it's supposed to snow this week....yipes.<br />
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Ok, time to go to bed. It's late, but for the first time we do not have a 9am lecture so I worked late and will sleep an extra hour tomorrow.<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-85074145551654904432010-11-20T22:58:00.027+00:002010-11-24T02:06:24.768+00:00Cattle Wranglin'Another cow practical left me sore again. The first of two Cattle Handling practicals (adults, not babies) was not only a challenge, but a lot of laughs. The goal of this first practical was to learn how to control a cow while it was in a crush so that you can examine it or give it treatment. A crush is a popular device used for cows and is effective in keeping them in place with a fair amount of built-in restraint, but still allows for some movement, so we were taught how to handle them in the crush. A crush looks like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnujhZjIZgEvzmxykafS3mlkbzkkzHnxrMvpTUSoznbHVYCksqm_imkY636734B7eo9mrBXLz2ntI_XqbBX9h4Fvt4lrv_kFqUgjdkbuRvW-vCZfSn2fcSLLC_-L8YorqKQG77DFp-0sZ/s1600/animalhealthciacrush5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnujhZjIZgEvzmxykafS3mlkbzkkzHnxrMvpTUSoznbHVYCksqm_imkY636734B7eo9mrBXLz2ntI_XqbBX9h4Fvt4lrv_kFqUgjdkbuRvW-vCZfSn2fcSLLC_-L8YorqKQG77DFp-0sZ/s320/animalhealthciacrush5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They are relatively secure from side-to-side, but can move their head and neck up/down and side to side. So, you have to get your back up against the crush so you are facing forward and you loop an arm over their nose and under their chin. The idea is to bring their head to the side and get them to 'relax'. We then had to stick our a thumb in the corner of their mouth, which got them opening it, and then you could slide your opposite hand in their mouth at the end of their jaw (to stay away from the dangerous molars). You can use this hand to cover their tongue and then grab it and pull it out one side of their mouth. The idea is to be able to get a good look inside for examination. If all goes well, it's brilliant. After a few students have tried this technique, however, the cows get smart and start to either put their nose to the ground or once you get a hold of them, it's like a roller coaster ride and you better be flexible and hang on.<br />
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We also learned how to insert a gag, which is a device that slides in between their molars on one side of their mouth. It has a loop you put over your wrist just in case the gag goes into the depths of the cow's throat that you cannot reach, then you can simply pull it out! The cows were not too crazy happy about being gagged, but I was successful in getting the monster-head one gagged and a real sweetheart of one as well. <br />
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We were also shown injection sites, how to install a kick guard, how to use a pulley system to lift a leg and some other handling tips. It was an amazingly relevant practical, very well taught and lots of hands on. I was sore by the time I left the farm and felt like I had gone 10 rounds with a heavyweight the next day! It was a great sore. <br />
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I know I've said it before, but I am a huge proponent of these practicals. They keep my eye on the prize and keeps me wanting to study hard and learn more and more. There just does not seem to be enough time in the day for all that I want to read! <br />
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It's now Saturday and I've had such a productive day. Last night and ALL of today, I worked on my anatomy workbook. It is a record of all of our dissections and is quite time consuming. However, it is also a different way to study and reinforcing that I am actually learning so much. <br />
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I'm now catching up on some TV...Ramsey's Best Restaurant is one of my favorites right now. I'm missing my Food Network fix from the US, but they do have Gordon Ramsey (Hell's Kitchen) here and he has a couple of shows. I also am becoming attached to Jamie.......Jamie.....oh, I forget his last name, but he's from the UK and very popular in the US as well. I just finished wathcing a whole series of him trying to save the most unhealthy city in the US...it's in WV.<br />
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That's all for now. Till next time...Over-N-Out.Capt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-28254062158996405552010-11-20T11:18:00.000+00:002010-11-20T11:18:20.305+00:00The Verdict is in....kind ofEnquiring minds want to know about the outcome of my wrist. Wellllll, as it seems to go with scaphoid bones, it's kind of inconclusive at the moment.<br />
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Following is a recount of my first experience dealing with socialized medicine. I took a cab to the hospital with a 'minor injuries' department within their Emergency Room because I was told it may be quicker than going to the hospital nearest me which was all emergencies. I go to the reception and mind you, I have never been sent a hospitalization card from NHS (National Health Service), a confirmation that I'm registered...nothing. My GP had confirmed I was registered, but it still felt weird to check into a hospital without a card and identification of some sort. Nope, just date of birth, name and address given verbally and boom...I was in. The funny part about being in the minor injuries check-in, was there was a sign that basically said all emergencies that came in could be triaged ahead of me....hhhhmmmm. I thought the reason for having a minor injury department was....oh, never mind.<br />
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I brought a book to study and of course this meant I never had time to open it, which was good. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was handled. So, I am first seen by a nurse. Her name badge says 'physiotherapist'. I'm fine with this at this point because I'm sure I'm going to give her my history and then tell her what happened and she's going to send me to x-ray. And, hopefully, I will be seen by a doctor after that to discuss the results. After some poking and prodding, she agreed that I had the clinical signs of a scaphoid fracture and sent me back to the waiting room to wait for the x-ray tech. X-ray tech came and got me shortly thereafter and seemed to position my wrist properly for getting good films of the scaphoid. If the tech doesn't know what they are doing, you won't get a good enough look at the bone, because it can be overshadowed by others.<br />
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Here's where it gets a bit iffy for me. The tech tells me I can go back to the waiting room. I ask her if an orthopaedic surgeon is going to look at it, or a radiologist, or......?? She says they send it up (digitally) to the radiologist. Ok fine. <br />
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I have barely sat down, when my nurse comes and gets me. She has the xrays pulled up on her monitor and tells me everything looks good. Now.....unless the radiologist was sitting at his computer the moment those xrays were sent to him and was available to view them immediately, they were not seen by a doctor. This, I have a problem with. The nurse continued to point out on the xray how the bone looked good and there did not appear to be a fracture. But, she said I do have the clinical signs, so we need to treat it as such. She told me that since I had just injured it on Sunday (this was Wed), there could have been some re-absorption making it hard to see a fracture. Her 'treatment' was for me to keep my splint on for another 10 days (she told me my splint was better than what she could offer me, so I should use my own) and to come back. If I still had symptoms, it was likely there was a fracture since any soft tissue injury should be better by then. So, I go back next Friday. As I was leaving, I asked if I could get a copy of my x-rays to take with me (to send to my surgeon in VA) and she said 'no, they are all on the computer these days and we can't just copy them'. Ok, well that's strange because just last May, I had x-rays taken and they were put on a CD for me to take to my doctor. But, I didn't argue and moved on.<br />
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I was not comfortable with the level of personnel I saw based on my past history and the fact that I need sound and proper medical care for this issue. I know that the worst case scenario is that it's fractured and I am in a splint, so nothing is different there. I am just wondering if any of my other wrist bones were looked at? I mean, I realize I know my body and made a convincing argument, but maybe they should have done just some regular pictures of my wrist to look at the whole thing? I dunno, I guess I left not feeling confident in the care I received, as nice and professional as everyone was. Heck, it was hard for my surgeon to see the fracture in May and he's been doing wrists and hands for like 30 some years. Only when it had healed and he could compare the two, was he confident he had read the first x-ray correctly.<br />
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So, yesterday I called my ortho's office in VA and spoke with a staff member. I asked her if he could look at the x-rays (if they will give me a copy) and she said absolutely. She told me to get them on a CD, he will review and consult with me on the phone. I called the hospital today and asked someone how I could get my films. She said all departments were closed and to call medical records back on Monday. I feel pretty good about my odds of getting a copy now.<br />
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There you have it. The whole story. So, I'm still in the splint which is what I would have expected anyways and thankfully it's my left hand. Also thankfully, I'm not still lifting weights or training in the fighting arts or I'd be extremely frustrated at this point. See, there is some good that comes out of not working out :)<br />
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That's it for now. I'll post about my cattle handling experience this weekend. <br />
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Hope everyone has a great weekend.<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-65445056578737358572010-11-15T22:52:00.000+00:002010-11-15T22:52:09.452+00:00Grrrrrr......Not Again!Yep, pretty sure I did it again. It was all for a good cause, I really NEEDED the exercise. I had a long break from soccer for various reasons, but mainly because it is a haul to get to where most practices are held and by the time I walk/run there, my feet are absolute toast. My feet are hanging on by threads these days. So, I got an email that there was a practice on Sunday in the park right near my flat...Yay. It had rained all morning, so it was nice and muddy. I played better than expected considering my absence and felt great. It was such good soup for my soul. <br />
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Well, it was very messy and slippery, so many of us fell and were muddy messes by the end. We were playing 4 v 4 without a real goalkeeper. Well, my goalie instincts kicked in a few times and I found myself deflecting balls. One particular time I actually went down to block a shot and felt an sudden 'ouch' in my left wrist. I thought, 'that probably wasn't good' and kept playing. A few hours after I got home and the adrenalin was gone, I realized what I had most likely done.....re-fractured my wrist! Yeah, I'm fairly certain of it. If I were a horse and my wrists were my feet, I would surely be euthanized! The bone I've now broken in both wrists is the same one - the scaphoid, or navicular bone. Yep, even coincides with a bone in the horse's foot. Go figure.<br />
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So, I found my splint with thumb spica in my closet and put it on. My ortho surgeon from VA actually told me to bring it here..thank goodness. During lunch, I called my GP here to set up an appointment this week, figuring I'd have to go there and then to an orthopaedic. Nope. Just proceed straight to the ER. Huh? Seriously? I have to go sit in an ER to get an xray? Oh brother, this should be good. I'm really stacked up with vet school this week, but have a half day Wednesday. I may go either Tuesday after dinner, knowing I have an 'easy' day on Wed, or I may go Wed afternoon, which is more likely. I detest this. I will write all about my first experience with socialized medicine after the fact. Wish me luck!<br />
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In other exciting news, we did our first dissection of the dog today! Just part of the head. We do a lot of dissections on the dog cadaver. Today, we took off the skin to reveal the muscles of facial expression. It was quite a delicate little dissection. The muscles lie just under the skin, so you have to be ever so careful not to cut too deep and to not peel the muscles off with the skin. Plus, we had a greyhound and they have thin skin anyway. Tomorrow, we continue with the head and investigate the course and distribution of the superficial nerves of the head. We will also look at superficial lymph nodes, major superficial blood vessels and some glands. We have to keep record of all of our work, so we take lots of pictures. We have to eventually assemble a workbook with either drawings and/or pictures from our labs all labelled. It will be a lot of work, but a great source for revision and to assist us once we get into surgeries. <br />
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Basically, I'm living the dream and loving it!<br />
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Time to wrap it up for tonight and prepare my goods for tomorrow.<br />
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GO SKINS!!!! Monday night football tonight and it will be recorded and waiting for me tomorrow! <br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182355265712449750.post-6208947031725953702010-11-12T07:48:00.000+00:002010-11-12T07:48:28.794+00:00Friday again!This was a short week and so it should not be as much of a surprise that another Friday is here, but it is. <br />
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I just took the Bingo's out and it's rather warmer today, no wind (yet) and not raining! Today is a longer than typical Friday (due to the shortened week), but it's a good schedule. I have two anatomy lectures (joints and cartilage, I believe) followed by an histology practical, then a two hour break. I will come home, take care of the pooches, grab a bite to eat and head back from 2-350pm to the dissection room for our second half of the skull practical. It's a dry lab, not a dissection (those start next week), but still a good time. Yesterday we looked at skulls of the dog, cat, horse, cow and pig. We did a lot of labeling and coloring. Today, should be a test of our knowledge....not graded.<br />
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So, off to get cleaned up and then start my Friday!<br />
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Hope everyone had a great one!<br />
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Over-N-OutCapt.Oh Nohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982511401778503236noreply@blogger.com0