The Spinning Ball in the Middle of Space--Week 7

 Happy Earth Day! I'm kind of a nature girl, so I really like Earth Day. I didn't do anything environmentally-oriented today, but I did get out a little bit just to appreciate the breeze, sun, and the green leaves on the trees, so I think that counts!

Anyway, this week was pretty important. I had a meeting on Tuesday for upcoming seniors, all about what to expect living off-campus and how to find the right resources if we have problems. I mean, most of it was pretty self-explanatory, but I suppose it's always good to get a reminder.

I met with my advisor on Wednesday to discuss Fall Term and applying to vet school. The application opens in just five weeks! I'm a bit nervous because it's a big task, but it'll a get done. It was a little sad to have my meeting with Dr. Good because it is my last with him before he leaves for Gustavus. He was very encouraging and complimented me very highly when he said that my "passion for science really shines through." I told him thank you for all of the help he has given me over the past two years. I cannot count the number of times I have come to him all stressed out about classes and life, and he has helped me straighten many things out.

I registered for my classes on Friday. In the fall, I will be taking Physics again (I missed the first trimester this year because of London, so I have to take it in August), Biochemistry, Immunology, and Cadaver Lab. I am excited to take more advanced biology classes. I had Molecular Genetics last term, but I need more before I graduate. Cadaver Lab is just as it sounds...dissecting a real human body! I'm curious to see the pathologies present in the cadaver I will be dissecting with my as-yet-undetermined partner.

I also took my second Physics test of the term on Friday. I felt much more sure of myself and not as stressed about the time as last time.

On Thursday, I learned that I was accepted into Mortar Board for next year. I can't remember if I told you a lot about Mortar Board, but it is a senior national honor society. So, it's like Circle K but for high-achieving fourth-year students. There are about 60 people in the group, so it's composed of the top 10% of the class.

On the subject of my shadowing, it's still going well. I got to meet one of the receptionist's sons on Tuesday. He is a third-year vet student at Oklahoma State, so it was great to hear his stories and get some advice. Like, "Buy a stock in your favorite alcohol." Gems like that. But seriously, I always like knowing more about what my life is going to be like soon. Thursday was my favorite day of shadowing so far. Dr. W went out to a farm and treated four different species while he was there--dogs, cats, horses, and even a llama!! Will wonders never cease? The llama was nice but kind of creeped me out because it was staring at me. The dogs were so sweet. One was an old Golden Retriever named Sam (a girl), a young Yellow Lab named Chloe, and a middle-aged Black Lab named Luther. They were a little unsure of me at first, but I just held out my hand for them to sniff and scratched their heads and ears a little, and then they decided that I was pretty okay. Soon, they were following us to the barn and sticking their noses into my hands for me to pet them. They also kept bringing me their Kong toy so I could throw it and play fetch with them. I got to help Dr. W by holding the dogs and squeezing off the veins in their arms so he could draw blood for heartworm checks. I felt pretty involved and happy that I had a job to do (he forgot his tourniquet at the clinic). But it was such a great experience.

This weekend was really fun because Sarah and I finally finished the Avatar television series. It was absolutely fantastic. Luckily, there is The Legend of Korra, a kind of sequel series, to watch every Saturday, so that helps ease my Avatar withdrawal. Sarah's family was here for Sibling Weekend, so we watched Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol after we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner and then got Whitey's ice cream for dessert. Today, I went bowling at Milan Lanes for the Circle K social (plus we dropped off the Spastic Paralysis money that we raised from the Easter egg fundraiser). Unfortunately, we had to sit through an hour-long Kiwanis meeting before we got to bowl (and we had to leave early because a lot of people had to be back for other obligations by 3:30), but it was still a good time, and I'm glad I went.

As you might have guessed, I have another hectic week ahead. I'm giving my third speech on Tuesday, and I'm still as nervous as I have been for the last two, even though I've been doing stellar in the class. I just can't help it--as soon as I get up there, my heart starts beating like a mile a minute. Even when it's just to read off some notes. It's so weird. I've got a lot of assignments and things to work on, too, like preparing for our mock trial in Oral Advocacy and working on my Darwinian medicine project in Anatomy (I'm doing mine on flat feet/fallen arches). Luckily, Friday is a pay day, which is awesome. Friday is also Relay for Life! A big shout-out and thank you to everyone who has contributed so far! I'm very close to my goal of $100, and it's going to be a great time, like an all-night party with pizza and a DJ and good friends. And it's all for a great cause! Man, I love college.

I'd love to hear if you did anything earthy for Earth Day. Even if you didn't, that's okay. Have a good week, as always!