Has The Time Come?

I have to be honest with you, I have nothing of importance to say these days. I am officially a very boring person. I work and go to school all week. Then on the weekends I spend my time sleeping in, taking naps, and eating.

What has my life come to? The college life I guess.

You know you are working yourself too hard when you fall asleep on your books and homework frequently. I often wake up in a panic and run to the mirror to make sure half a page of my anesthesiology book isn't now located on my right cheek. You laugh, but it has happened to me before.

Hopefully this weekend I'll do something worthy to blog about. And hopefully your life is more interesting then mine right now.

Peace out!

The Cycle of Life

Yesterday was a very interesting day for me. It started out with a bunch of nerves of the unknown of what I was going to see or do with my school. Early in the morning we all met at an animal shelter, and I knew then that today was the day I'd be dealing with cats who were euthanized. It instantly made my stomach turn in knots. I think we all are afraid of death, and what little we know or understand about it. I wasn't sure what to expect.

Although, this day took a turn that I wasn't expecting. When their vet tech brought in the cat for us to work on the room was filled with silence. It was a very respectful silence. In the first few moments I thought about the cats life and what it may have seen or done in its lifetime. I felt a lot of respect for the animal, and gratitude that I was able to practice medicine on him to make me a better vet tech. There is something about holding a lifeless animal in your hands for the first time that changes you.

Later on in the day we placed catheters, which was my first time. Actually I found myself to be a lot more nervous about placing a catheter then intubating a cat. I was very lucky that on my first try I was successful. I am always so proud of myself and the animal I am working on, that I have to take a picture.


He got a lot of free rubs and a cute blue bandage out of the deal. Pretty great if you ask me, he was loving all the attention!

After a long day at the clinic and work I felt exhausted when I got home. As soon as I had a chance I was vegetating in front of the TV for a little R and R. Before too long I had a visitor who insisted on cuddling with me.


It is interesting how life comes full circle. I was reminded of it all yesterday.

Dear Mom,

Why do I always seem to write you when I feel down in the dumps? I need to work on writing you more happy letters of excitement and adventure! So, I'll let you know when that happens in my life. Right now it's just crazy life. Everyone has their battles and I am defiantly fighting mine.

I just wanted to say that I miss you today. A little more then on the normal day too. I just wish we could talk, and I could get a hug. I really do believe that would make me feel a million times better. I'm getting nervous and anxious about school to the point where its consuming my mind. That is ridiculous! I really don't want to be haunted by it either. Last night I had this ridiculous nightmare that kept me awake terrified about school. It doesn't help that tomorrow I am going to the local shelter to watch stray cats be euthanized, and then practice intubating on their lifeless bodies. I'm pretty terrified to do that. At least the cats are being used for educational purposes.

Anyway, I don't want to think about that now. I just want to feel your love and support, especially for the next two days.

I think I can. I think I can.

Love you mommy!

-Rachel

2011 [So Far]

New Years Eve:

Brandon and I kicked off the new year right! We went to the melting pot together, which I think will have to be a tradition of ours. It's nice to get out to a nice place at least once a year. After our fabulous dinner, we went to the wise guys comedy show with Trent and Amelia. Then after laughing until my sides hurt we headed to our place to play games until midnight. I must be getting old because as soon as the clock stroke midnight, I was seriously ready for some shut eye!

Brandon's Job:

We are in a pickle right now. He went full time (yay), but it is at night (boo). So we never really see each other during the weeks again (boo). However, there is a good chance in February he will become a driver, because while driving during the holidays the supervisors were impressed with him (yay). He just found out however if he sticks with this new full time job at night, he won't be able to be promoted to a driver until next year (BOOOOO!) So now we are forced to make a choice on if he should stay full time or not and cross our fingers he gets a driving position soon. I really thought we were done going back and forth with his work, but apparently it is just beginning.

My School/Work:

I started new classes this semester which are anesthesiology and small animal surgery. My first day of school was yesterday, which I had to take a break from our four hour lecture to cry in the bathroom for a while. I feel very overwhelmed with how demanding these new classes are. I'm trying to have my head up, but seriously I'm not sure how the hell I'm going to make it for the next 12 weeks - pray for me! As far as work goes, because my new school schedule is in the day time, I get to work three 10 hour shifts and two 5 hour shifts. Today is my first 10 hour day at work, and I hope I can get use to this quickly. I feel as though I am whining about my life when really to others it is most likely not a big deal. I'm just trying to take things a day at a time and somehow not shoot myself in the foot while being at it. Did I mention in my new class I have to practice incubating on a freshly euthanized cat? Yeah, I might throw up and cry just thinking about it.

Life over all:

Like I said, I'm just trying to do the best I can with everything going on. I keep telling myself if Brandon and I work hard, somehow, someway things will sort themselves out. I think in the mean time I'll start myself on some anti anxiety medication so hopefully I don't think the sky is falling down every day. Take my word for it kids, worrying all the time is not the way to go! 2011 is off to a shaky start, but I still have high hopes that this could be the best year of my life.

Cheers!