Wednesday, February 04, 2004
What's Up
Well, I think things are falling into place piece by piece. I'm not stressing too much about classes this semester--Anatomy seem much more straightforward the second time around. As much as I liked Dr. Oluoch, and as much as I like "visualizing" stuff, Anatomy was my least favorite subject last semester because I would be in the lab for six hours on a Saturday only to feel at the end of the day like I had learned very little. I seem to learn more in less time now--maybe I've become more efficient, maybe these animals are easier to dissect, or maybe it's just easier when you already understand the basic terminology.
As far as the other classes go, I'm very interested in these topics, so classes are fun.
And I did find a job, about ten hours a week, flexible schedule, and I get to work independently. What is the job, you ask? Well, let's just say I'm a "rodent technician" for the new division of biosecurity here at the veterinary college.
I'm trying to get involved with more extracurriculars, yet not spread myslef too thin. I'm:
- still working the wildlife ward
- a member of the Veterinary Student Outreach Program (VSOP) that educates the public about the wonderful world of veterinary medicine
- giving tours of the school over some lunch hours
- on the ISVMA Employment Committee. It's a new committee dedicating to help students explore career tracks and find jobs. We're going to the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) Conference in two weekends to set up interviews with employers and the soon-to-graduate 4th-year students
- a "Spring Banquet chairperson"-- I think it involves posting flyers around the school or something. . .
- attending a holistic treatments seminar this weekend
I'm meeting with a professor on Friday to discuss a summer research opportunity studying nematodes that affect river ecosystems (namely the frogs and birds, I think). A great opportunity to get some field research experience and to see what conservation medicine is really like.
In addition, I'm playing acoustic open mics on occasional Tuesdays at Espresso Royale. It's the only open mic in town that starts before 9 p.m., which is good for an old geezer at heart like me (and the only place that has a blues-singing bunny). Occasional Thursdays will be jam sessions-- a lot of GD, CCR tunes. And my watercolor paintings are going to pay my way to the SCAVMA Syposium trip (to Tennessee) in March. So now I have to work on some more.
E.W. and I have been talking about having an art party or a "stitch and bitch" quilting session before summer, to gather the artsy fartsy vet students together--may coincide with her housewarming party.
I was right--the busier I am, the better I am at keeping my sh** together.
