Kayaking

4 miles feels like 20 when you're sea kayaking across a channel between two island.

It was worth it though!

My friend Bryan and I decided to enter this kayak race from St. Kitts to Nevis and back. The whole thing is a fundraiser for some kid's organization thing, I don't really know anything about it though. Anyway, we thought it was only 2 miles total, then we turned up to the event to find out that it is, in fact, four miles.

We didn't win, but we didn't lose, and we had a blast. We were so awesome, we capsized our kayak at the start of the race. Somehow we made a comeback and beat a few teams!  I'm not sure how I am even typing right now though considering how sore my muscles are...

 Pre-race when we were still excited

 The kayaks ready and waiting

Still having fun after just passing the halfway mark at the beach behind us (Nevis).

The finish line is about 2 miles from where this picture is taken at about 10:00 from the bow of my kayak.

It was a gorgeous day!!

My donkey is a bad ass.

Which way do you mean that Laura??

Both.

I did an arthrocentesis today!! Otherwise known as a "joint tap". Basically, I placed a needle in one of his joints and withdrew synovial fluid, then injected antibiotics into it.

Aubie (the donkey) was a stellar patient except for anything involving his jugular. Gotta say, I don't blame him. (This is the bad ass = naughty donkey part)

After surgery, when he recovered from anesthesia I took him back out to the pasture to get some food (sugar cane grass). He walked around a bit, then went right up to the feeder where about 10 other donkeys were and pushed them out of the way to get to his share of grass. It was pretty hilarious actually, watching him throw his hind end around like a bumper car to knock the others off balance and out of his way.  (This is the bad ass = awesomely cool donkey part)

Ahhhh vet school, you make me love you even on crazy 12 hour days like today.

Pictures

that's all.

Banana bread. Even if I can't cook very well on my own, at least I can bake!

Matt's last 20 minutes in St. Kitts. For some reason I like that it is blurry.

Rock climbing for the first time in 8 months = this. But oh how I love it so...

Last Oregon meal for a few months, in the Portland airport.

How terribly pout-y I was sitting in the Portland airport after I realized I had left my iPad and cell phone on the kitchen table... (ooooooops)

How I fixed my boredom: Classic book, new intriguing book, and a super cute book of sudoku puzzles!

I've been trying to take more pictures in St. Kitts considering I only have 90 days left here... but its not going so well. Maybe I'll try harder, when I'm less busy... maybe.

OREGON

it's where I belong.

It's also official, I'll be spending my clinical (4th) year of vet school in Corvallis at Oregon State University! I couldn't be more excited. Thanks for all of your good thoughts and well wishes, they must have worked!

OISK of the week

This week, I found out what happens when your gas tank is filled with water instead of gasoline.

Thankfully, I also have the best mechanic around, and my car is already fixed. Yay!

Right now we're blaming the heavy rains and tropical storms on the contaminated gas, but still... uncool St. Kitts... uncool.

T minus 2 days until clinical placements are confirmed... Yippee!

My sheep from last semester, Rocky, is back to be loved on by me for another 3 months!! (Just don't tell him he'll be castrated in just a few weeks.)

Also, my new donkey is pretty nice! Sort of stoic, I'm liking him so far.

More updates to come soon :)

7th semester

Yesterday I did a physical exam, TB test, and took blood samples from a Green Vervet monkey.

Today I palpated cows to check for pregnancy.

Tomorrow I examine a dog for her upcoming spay.

Thursday I practice connecting two sections of intestines as if part had to be removed for various reasons.

Friday I find out where I will spending the next year of my life.

Hats off to you, 7th semester, for being crazy, exciting, fun and terrifying all in the first two weeks!

Dodging goats can only mean one thing...

I'm back in St. Kitts.

Here are list of my fails/wins for the trip back thus far:

1. My much adored iPad and US cell phone are safely still in the states... on the kitchen table of the Masunari house. Ooooooops. (Fail)

2. Successfully drowned my sorrows regarding #1 at the Portland Airport with a delicious Laurelwood Brewing Co. beer. Om nom noms. (Win)

3. Made it on all of my flights despite falling asleep in front of the wrong gate (twice) AND got both my bags in St. Kitts (Win)

4. Couldn't understand a single word coming out of Points' mouth for the first 10 minutes we were talking. (Fail) But have no fear, it came back quickly after that.

5. Drove on the right side (read: wrong side) of the road for the first 500 or so yards until my passenger pointed out my mistake. Luckily, there was no traffic at that time. (Fail)

6. Successfully dodged goats wandering in the streets. (Win)

Ahhhhh, St. Kitts, how I have not missed you much, but still am glad to be back, I think.

Pictures to come soon. Mainly from the week before Oregon and the trip back to St. Kitts. I only seem to have taken ONE photo during my two weeks in Oregon. (Fail?)

Class tomorrow. Yay!