The Halfway Point--Week 6

Technically, the halfway point of this term was at the beginning of this week, but I sort of forgot to mention it, so I thought I'd give some time to it here. It is notable because this term has just gone by so quickly. Part of me still feels like I just moved in to Heimdall a week or so ago, yet I have lived with Devon and Sarah for an astounding five months. Where did the time go? I feel like I have known them forever, particularly Sarah. She has quickly become one of my favorite people, and I am so fortunate to have met her (I already knew Devon from freshman year...in fact, we met during Orientation Weekend, so very early on). Anyway, this has been an amazing year. Maybe I should save this for another post, but it's been on my mind lately, especially since today is the day of house tours for sophomores. They get to go around campus and see all of the TLAs. It reminds me that I do not get to live here next year. I have to move out in five weeks. It almost hurts because I feel like, by the end of the year, I will have lost three roommates: Hannah, Sarah, and Devon. My roommates for next year are fine; we get along pretty well, but I do not think I will make as good of friends with them as I have with the girls I have met this year. This has arguably been the best year of my college career, even though I have barely seen my best college friend. I have made many new friends, friends I hope to spend more time with next year. But for now, I will enjoy the time I have left in Heimdall.

I found out that I got an A on both my Anatomy test and Physics test. The A in Physics was particularly shocking because I think it is the best I have done on a Physics exam since I began taking the class in Winter Term. I also did really, really well on my Public Policy Speech--74/75, plus I got an extra point for staying to listen to the last speech (which went over the class period by about five minutes), so I really got a 75/75 on the speech. I am honestly so surprised because public speaking does not come easily to me. So, everything is going stellar in the academic department. This makes me feel very calm and unworried, which helps me remain focused.

I was glad to get back to my internship on Thursday. Dr. W and I spent most of the time seeing pigs. First, we went to a commercial hog farm, where Dr. W drew blood from 30 different pigs (3 pigs each from 10 pens, 5 pens on either side of the main hallway). He told me that he collects these samples as a way to assess the overall health of the herd. If one sample reveals infection, it is likely that many more pigs are sick, too. Dr. W admitted to finding the task boring and somewhat tedious, but I think it is so cool how something so small and seemingly minor has a huge impact on food safety and the health of hundreds of people. That's what I love about veterinary medicine--it's the little things that make a huge difference, and each and every thing a vet does matters. Our second stop was at a small hobby farm with show pigs. One of the pigs had circle virus, which made him/her lethargic and caused his/her eyes to swell up. Dr. W gave the pig a Vitamin B injection and supplied the farmer with some pills to help make him/her more comfortable. I enjoyed seeing all of the pigs today because even the industrial pigs were curious and wanted to sniff me. This tells me that they were being very well cared for. They protested a lot when they were getting their blood drawn, and it was interesting to see how restless the other pigs nearby got when one of their own was being held against his or her will. Yet I could tell that the herdsman who was working with them really has a passion for them; he would stoop down occasionally to scratch an ear or pat a head. It always warms my heart to see such connections between humans and animals (I am writing about the human-animal bond in my personal statement because it really undergirds a lot of the reasons why I want to be a veterinarian).

Friday was my first 5K since last spring (my third official 5K). I felt really unprepared for it because I haven't been running as much as I used to. However, I must really have been pushing myself because I totally smoked my old time. I think the last time I ran a 5K, I got something like 38 minutes, but this time, I made it in 34:14. I even walk-jogged twice (up the very steep Slough Path and up the last gradual incline near the end of the race--I was so tired and just couldn't make it going up to speed). There were so many times when I wanted to quit, but I knew that if I did, I would hate myself. I was encouraged along the way by two of my classmates, and that really helped because I often am more motivated by the support of others than my own support (I feel like I will work harder if I know other people besides myself are counting on me). Anyway, I saved my race number and wrote down the name of the race and the time so I wouldn't forget this very epic PR. I hope to run in another race this coming week on Thursday. I have to make sure that Circle K will pay for this one (the AIDE for AIDS 5K), otherwise I can't run it because it is a $20 registration fee. After the race, I got some water, a banana, and bagels with cream cheese. It was a very satisfying meal and really helped me feel better after such strenuous activity.

The rest of the weekend has been mainly homework and watching more Avatar with Sarah. Last night, we went to Hy-Vee and got Chinese for dinner and watched a lot of episodes. It was so much fun, especially since there was a raging thunderstorm going on outside. It is always comforting to know that I am safe when something that scary is going on around me.

Yesterday morning, I worked the breakfast table with Heather for the TriBeta District Convention. It was a really good time because we basically just chatted like we always do. I even got a super awesome TriBeta bracelet for my efforts (plus two points to put me at 13 for the year--I got four for being gone all Fall Term in London).

TriBeta swag! The three B's can stand for the motto (BLEPEIN BASIN BIOU or "to see the foundation of life") or for life in three different environments (land or BALANOS, which means "acorn;" air or BOUDETASE, which means "little bird;" and water or BOAX, which means "fish").

                            

                            It says "Biological Honor Society"--I couldn't get a good snapshot.

 Today, Sarah and I are going to Tolkien Society (a club for Lord of the Rings fans, although it's mostly just geek social hour) during the house tours, so we won't be here to see the sophomores, but we have had to do a lot of cleaning up around here to make it presentable. It seems that our house is very desirable. I guess it is when you think about it; three single rooms, lots of space, cute design, good location, the works. I am just glad that this was the first year it was used for student residence, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been able to live here.

About the week ahead: on Tuesday of this week, I have a meeting for juniors called "Transitions." It's something we all have to do if we want to live off-campus next year. I'm guessing they think we need some instruction about how to live independently, but I think I've got that down pretty well after spending time in a TLA. My guess is that the people who really need to hear it won't show up. On Wednesday, I am meeting my advisor for the last time before he goes away to Gustavus. I register for my Fall classes on Friday, and I'm really hoping all goes well. I have very little wiggle room if I don't get into the classes I need, particularly because it is my senior year and the only classes I have left are ones that I absolutely need to graduate and to qualify for acceptance into vet school. Thursday will hopefully be the 5K if I can get Circle K to pay my registration fee, and Friday is my second test in Physics. I am feeling better about this one because I know I can do well, even under as much pressure as I was under last time. Sarah's family is coming next weekend for Siblings Weekend, so it will be good to see them again. Sunday is the Circle K/Kiwanis Bowl-a-thon to raise money for spastic paralysis (a form of cerebral palsy). I am going to be bowling with some of my fellow CKers, so I'm looking forward to it. It is exciting because for the rest of the year, I get to attend Exec Board meetings, even though my duties don't officially start until next year. I love being really involved with Circle K because the organization has been such a big part of my life for the past couple of years. I will always look fondly on that day when I decided to attend my first Circle K meeting, and the rest from there is history.

Have a great week!