Seems like it was just two weeks ago that I was saying I was two weeks down and now I have only one week to go. Where does the time go? Apologies to anyone who has writen me and I haven't responded. The plan is to tend to emails during break.

Next week is finals week and all my professors blessed us with the news that the tests would NOT be cummulative. Horray! All my final presentations, papers, short stories, etc. went off without a hitch and it looks like my GPA will be right where I'd like it. (Little tip for those who use muscle testing in their lives..... it works for multiple choice exams and while doing research. I did a little experiement with it this semester because, hey, sometimes you just can't cover or retain a gazillion facts. I started muscle testing the questions I didn't know answers to and turns out I passed with B+ and above on all my exams.) I'm not suggesting you don't study, but it seems there is something to tapping into collective consciousness to succeed in school too! More on that as school goes along...... assuming I don't get burned at the stake for bringing up something so "woo-woo". :)

My classes were pretty cool this semester. I ended up particulalry liking the nuerophysiology part of my Childhood Behavior course. Pretty cool how the brain develops and works! Turns out I will graduate in May after 5 classes next semester. Yay! Then on to pre-req's for vet school. I discovered (completely by chance) that UNLV has an Animal Behavior course with several other mammalian/animal physiology, immunology, and related biology courses. For those of you who can not understand my excitement (you probably have an Ag school in your state), UNLV is in LAS VEGAS. Las Vegas.... our college takes pride in being the lead provider of Leisure studies so that our casinos can be stocked full of edumacated cocktail waitresses and card dealers. Feel my pain?

Next semester gets even better because I get to do directed study and I have found a professor who has agreed to direct my self-made class on the psychological benefits of animals on humans. I get to create the curriculum and will be addressing how having a childhood pet effects child development, equine-assisted psychotherapy, the healing power of animals in hospice, hospitals, foster care, etc. and probably something on canine and equine programs in prisons. Should be fun.

I've been volunteering in a vet clinic during spay-nueter clinics for the local human societies to gain clinical hours and experience. I love the doctor and gals I work with and it feels like the hours there pass in minutes. Nothing like being in the flow! I generally assist in post-op.... removing intubation, catheters, checking vitals, cleaning surgery wound, checking for other injuries, helping the animals to wake up, etc.  They've let me take part in things most aspiring vets would kill for and I truly appreciate Dr. Henderson for being so gracious.

This past week I was allowed to observe an amputation on a stray kitty who had a severely broken leg (probably from a car) and removing the leg was going to save her life. (Think: Grey's Anatomy surgury gallery but for animals). It probably would have been sad to see her loose a leg but knowing she would get another chance at life as a result of the surgery was exhilarating. The surgery was a true art. Finding (and stoppping) the main blood flow to the leg was such a delicate manuever. One slight cut in the wrong area and she would have bled out. It was fascinating to watch the doctor gently unearth the tiny life-giving vein and then prepare it for its new function. The goal was then to prepare to give her the best possible use of what will now just be a counter balance. Watching her recover reminded me of how much I take for granted in my own life and how much I will be able to make a difference as a veterinarian.

Speaking of making a difference.... in the two and a half months I have been helping with the spay clinics, we have spayed and neutered over 600 feral felines. Since research estimates that a pair of breeding cats having two litters per year can potentially produce 420,000 cats in a seven year period, then we have reduced the cat over-population in our valley by millions of animals per year. Now those are some amazing numbers.....something it feels really good to be a part of.

Well, enough diversion from studying. Better sign off for now. Will chat more over the holiday. Wishing you all a fantastic day

Boy, if these toys had been available when I was a girl, Santa would have been in trouble! This one goes out to all the little future veterinarians, marine biologists, animal rescuers, and animal lovers in the world.....creating compassion through play.