Week 2 of Semester 2--Deception!

What an epic title, huh?  :P  The truth of the matter is that things don't seem so bad just yet... although I'm warned that everyone goes into it thinking that.

Anatomy II so far has been a review of the reproductive system in dogs and cats, and then we simply have to apply the differences to cows and horses.  Avian anatomy is pretty basic, after you'd been working with birds for years (although I've gotta say I'm glad that Dr. Clements is back to teach it--she seems the most bird-savvy of the anatomy team).  We've got a quiz Monday of week 3, so I hope it goes well.

Physiology II is with Dr. Reich... and, well, it all makes sense when you think of what we learned in Physiology I.  It's just applying it to the renal system... so you just have to take into account that the body tries to maintain homeostasis and get rid of waste products through it.  I've been to Gretchen's TA session too, and it just seems to all make sense...

Parasitology isn't too horrible yet--we've covered Dirofilaria immitis (the heartworm), Spirocerca lupi (esophageal worms), Toxocara canis/cati/leonina (roundworms), and Ancylostoma caninum/braziliense (hookworms--aren't they interesting looking little guys?).  We also spent practically a whole week going over the life cycles of the basic families of parasites...

Immunology was another deceptive one--I didn't think I got it at first (especially when he went into an hour about haptens)... but after going to the TA session, it all made sense.  From what I hear, any detail in his notes is fair game for a test, though.

Otherwise, it's just been a week of club meetings and make-up lectures and the AVMA site visit.  The Unknown (my volleyball team) had their first scrimmage game on Friday, but Lexi and I had a make-up lecture with Reich, so we missed it.  Apparently, we lost, but that's why we're in the B-league--we're in it just for the fun of it. 

I finally got my car fixed (the head gasket that had blown last semester)... only to have the tire go flat on me and Lexi while we were out with some friends getting Indian food at the Thursday buffet.  I'm glad I learned how to change a tire, and that Lexi also knew what to do, because it would've taken at least an hour for the Ross Security to make their way out to us, I'm sure.  Luckily, it was a cheap fix, and she's back on the road again.  I'm back to being the object of many people's envy--I have a working car with an A/C and a radio.

Saturday was the BratFest... and I've said it last time--beer, bratwurst, and women in bikinis on the beach.  Every American male's dream.  ;)  It was worth it though--the food was good and I learned how to play cornhole.  (Yeah, I know... the name makes me still smirk too.)

... weekend went away far too fast.  :(

Week 1 of Semester 2--Movin' on Up!

Winter break went well... just very busy running around visiting everyone back home (and to those I missed, I'm sorry... much love... just not enough time in the day!). It was nice to go back to the frigid cold in Boston, but it was also nice to come back to some peace and quiet on the island before classes started.

Well, I've made it--semester 2 is now looming over the black class. (I'm not sure if I'd mentioned it before--each semester has a class color, and we rock 'em out at school-wide events to show our class pride. I'm currently in the black class... my first class was pink... so I tend to wear both. The pinkies still consider me one of 'em.)

The schedule for us is a little more relaxed:

• Physiology II -- Monday-Friday from 8:00-8:50am
• Parasitology -- Lectures Monday and Wednesday-Friday from 9:00-9:50am and then lab Tuesdays from 3:00-5:00pm
• Immunology -- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:10-12:00pm
• Anatomy II -- Lectures Tuesdays 11:10-12:00pm and labs Monday and Wednesday-Friday from 1:10-3:00pm

We have breaks every day from 10:10-11:00am and get some nice spare time to ourselves on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's less credits than last term (only 18), but I'm told it's a doozy. We'll see how things go... but they don't seem so bad yet. I've taken on a position as an A/V representative, so that I can help fix any of the microphone/powerpoint/sound problems that the instructors have while teaching--it's an easy "job" and I'll get a stipend at the end, so I figured what could it hurt?

Clubs are picking up, and I've been put into several staff positions...

• P.A.W.S. -- The rescue group I've been in since day 1. Still webdesigner... but with the new president, there seems to be more work ahead of us and more collaboration with other groups and clubs on campus.
• AAFP -- The American Association of Feline Practitioners... yeah, I'm still in the "cat club." My roommate has elected me the vice president this time.
• Scuba Club -- No change there.
• Holistic Club -- I was informed that they've been more active over the last semester, so I figured I'd give them another try... I mean, I want to do acupuncture after all... and it'd be nice to hear about the lectures earlier.
  
• ZEW Club -- The Zoo/Exotics/Wildlife club. I've stepped down as a zoo feeder (due to time constraints), but I'll still attend meetings and whatnot.
• ABC -- The Animal Behavior Club. This was a new one just started last term, and they had asked me to become a trainer and coordinator to start a Flyball league down here.
  

Last night was the Mr. RUSVM pageant again... and it was SO much better this time (I hadn't gone last semester because I was still in the "this sucks" phase of repeating the term). I wasn't sure who I had wanted to win--black (2nd semester... for obvious reasons), pink (3rd semester... once again, for obvious reasons... and Warren was just HILARIOUS with his ribbon-dancing routine for the talent portion), blue (4th semester... Brendan dressed up as Frankenfurter from the Rocky Horror Picture Show for his "favorite movie" theme portion), orange (5th semester... Richard was just AWESOME. He was the roommate that moved out of the house I'm currently living in. He's an excellent dancer, and he has a great sense of humor--if he hadn't gone to vet school, he'd be a hibachi chef and steal the ladies on dates), or purple (7th semester... Frank was my orientation leader, and he's pretty funny... I just don't think I ever want to see him dress up as Ariel ever again, even if it IS his favorite Disney princess). Orange won first place; pink won second; and purple won third... so at least my top 3 all placed. I hope I can find some pictures on Facebook soon enough to steal (and of course, provide proper credit to the original photographer).

Tomorrow marks the first day of our AVMA-site visit... basically, the big-wigs are coming to tour the campus and interview students and make sure we're doing as well as we claim... and if it goes well, we'll be an accredited university. This basically means we're on-par with American veterinary schools and don't have to take the ECFVG or PAVE exams (which would cost an additional $6000-10,000). Fingers crossed... we'll know for sure in March. You can learn more here.

I believe I've chewed your ear off enough... so until next week!