What my summer weekends used to be like...before vet school.

The start of horse show season...sleepless nights, hotel rooms, aching feet and back, arguing and waiting, all for a lousy 20 cent ribbon. Some people might call it crazy but I call it sheer bliss. The one and only horse show that I was able to attend this year happened over this past weekend. Friday morning I drove to Roscoe, IL to help set up. This all starts with driving the horses and all the equipment to the horse show, dumping it, and then putting it all away. This process can take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours (depending on who is working and what horse show it is). I was impressed with how fast Zack and George set up on Friday. Here is the after picture: (They were too quick for me to take a before picture).

Yes, there are curtains involved, tables, chairs, sometimes fencing and fake plants. We really get into it. Anyway, so after setting up usually comes working the horses. I rode Ace in the ring so he could get used to it and anything that might be considered "scary" to a horse, he could get over it. Usually after working the horses comes the endless tack cleaning but thankfully that was done the previous day at home (meaning the barn). Therefore, I was free to go home and get some rest because Saturday I would be waking up at a time that no one should be waking up at on a Saturday or Sunday.

6:30 AM rolls around Saturday and I am up packing all my things which include: show clothing, hat, blankets, lunch, doggie items, and purse. Now, I am a very efficient person and so most of these things were packed in the car the night before, so there was not that much to do in the morning and hence could sleep in later. My mother and I drive the hour it takes to get there through "exciting" scenery and arrive right on time.

The beautiful Illinois scenery. You have never seen such flatness.
Exciting...I know.

This is what I drove an hour through. That is the horse trailer ahead of me which I was supposed to keep 6 paces back. I didn't know what that meant so I just kept my distance.

To sum up my classes in a nutshell and to non-Saddlebred people this might seem confusing but just go with it. There were 4 different western classes that I went in over the weekend; 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. In both classes on Saturday I got cut off by another horse which wasn't so bad in the first class but in the second class my horse tripped in the process of stopping and fell to his knees with me almost going over his head. I say 'almost' because I didn't fall off because my horse somehow got back up. I swear I had a sign on my back that said 'Please cut me off!' Despite all of this, I got 2nd in the first class and 3rd in the second class.

Sunday morning started pretty much the same way. I was in the first class of the morning and there were 15 horses in with me- 15! That is huge in the tiny ring we had to show in. Ace was more tired that day (makes me wonder what they all do at night) and so we got 5th out of 15. The second class we totally blew because of pilot error and took the wrong canter lead in front of the judge. We did not place in that class. Overall, I thought it was a great show and I am going to have to remember that judge's name because she really liked Ace, despite all that happened in the ring. Unfortunately, I am a terrible picture taker and those are the only 5 pictures I got the whole weekend. Sorry. (Although I must say that is more than what Saskia took on her NY trip.)

I am going to miss yet another show season but I guess it is worth it because in another 2 1/4 years when I start showing again (hopefully with another horse + Ace) they are going to be calling DR. Karen Dangieri as the winner.

Until next time...

Vacation...sort of.

Ahhh...vacation. Even though the high is 40 and it has been raining and cloudy for the past 3 days, it is still vacation to me. The weatherman says it will be better this weekend- we'll see if he's right. (He usually isn't but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt here).

So what have I done since I have been home you might ask? And even if you aren't asking yourself that question I am going to tell you anyway. I have been to the barn to ride my horse and boy! was I sore the next day!! Talk about aches and pains and not being able to move! But it is worth it. We have a show coming up this weekend (hence why I hope the weatherman is correct in his forecast) and I need to kick Ace's butt into shape (and apparently mine too). And don't worry there will be another post coming about the happenings of this weekend and pictures for all of you who ever wondered how a Saddlebred horse show works. I have also been to Olive Garden (of course).

I went to the eye doctor on Monday and boy did he put a glitch in my vacation. Turns out I am having an allergic reaction to the protein build-up on my contacts. So...that means no contacts for 2 weeks! I have to put drops in my eyes q.i.d and get my glasses the correct prescription so at least I can see something for 2 weeks (which happened today). I am hoping my eyes make a quick recovery so I can start wearing my contacts again in St. Kitts because the sun is brutal and I don't have prescription sunglasses. I think what would solve all of my problems is laser eye surgery. Maybe when I am not a poor grad student with thousands of dollars in student loans (which won't be for the next 30 years).

What else have I done on my "vacation?" I went to Walmart. I know it is very exciting stuff. You should stop reading now if you can't handle the excitement. Good ol' Walmart always has what I need (except toothpaste, didn't seem to have the one I want). My mom just loves it when I come home and spends all her money [insert sarcasm here].

And just for you Sas, I got to wear the hat today because it is so freaking cold! Here are some pictures for you.

Me and my lovely hat

Cody and I

He loves it when I love up on him.

And there you have it. My exciting vacation thus far. What is in store for next week? Only time will tell (but there is a definite haircut somewhere in there).

Until next time...

Scuba Certified!

Well, it's official folks! I am now scuba certified! I don't have the card just yet; that will come later. I did my last two dives last Saturday and went all the way down to 60 feet! I saw some pretty cool looking fish and a huge ray that was missing a tail. One girl in the group had an underwater camera so I am hoping to steal some pictures from her and put them up later.

I am gearing up for finals and pretty much eating, sleeping, and breathing Path, Viro, BacT, and Pharm. Yay. What this means to the whopping 5 people who read this blog: There probably won't be another entry until I am home on break because there sure isn't going to be anything exciting going on for the next 11 days. Sorry!

Sas, I just might be wearing and showing off that hat after all! From what I hear it is still 30-40 degrees and snowing in IL! Doesn't that make you want to come visit me even more?!?

Until next time...

19 More Days...

1 quiz, 1 lab final, 4 lecture finals in 19 days and this semester will be OVER!! Also during that time I have to pack, change over cable/internet, insurance and car title and find a time to bring the car back because Kittians don't know how to fix anything! But I am not stressed or anything.

This Saturday, I will officially be scuba certified! I highly doubt they let you go scuba diving in Lake Michigan so Florida (and Saskia) here I come (someday)!

#1 thing I miss (besides Cody, Ace and fam): HOME COOKED MEALS!!! I am looking forward to some good eating. Too bad it will only be April- meaning no corn on the cob. :(

Things to do when I am home:
- Barn
- Shedd Aquarium
- Barn
- Arlington race track
- Barn
- Barn
- LIBERTY horse show!!!
- More barn
- Hang with Dr. Hanover
- Hang with Dr. Dan
- Barn
- Haircut!
- Barn
- Walk Cody everyday!
- Barn
(Did I mention go to the barn?)

And this last part is a reminder to my mother: You are bringing Cody to the airport when you come and pick me up in 19 days!!! (But I am not excited or anything to come home.)

Until next time...

Scuba

I decided to take scuba diving lessons this semester (since I have so much time on my hands). I am taking them through Pro-divers which is a part of Fisherman's Wharf restaurant. The first Saturday of my lessons we learned all the exercises in the Ocean Terrace Inn pool. This past Saturday it was time to try out those exercises in the ocean. We all got on the boat and high-tailed it over to Timothy Beach. At first I was really nervous putting on the equipment and descending in the water. We went down 40-45 feet! Once I was on the bottom, it was like being on the surface but without all the waves. For our first dive we just swam around the wreck and just had fun. I had a little trouble staying on the bottom. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't stay down! As I hit the surface, Terry (who was helping out with the dive) explained to me that I need more weights. After the weights were in, I was golden. Once back on the boat, Auston (our instructor) explained to us that for the second dive we would have to do the exercises we learned in the pool. We got the equipment ready and dove again. I did all my exercises with ease (even mask clearing which is one I do not like) and then we got to swim around again and explore. This time, Auston pointed out a huge baracuda!!! It was great!! It is interesting how the fish just swim around like they don't even notice you are there. I was tempted to reach out and touch one. I am glad I decided to take up scuba diving and I am excited for our next lesson! We are going back to the same place because there are more wrecks that we did not get to see. Should be fun!!

Until next time...

Friday the 13th and VDay all in the same weekend

It's not every year that Friday the 13th and Valentine's Day fall on the same weekend. This year it did and it was the busiest weekend I have had in a while.

Thursday: Girls night out came early this weekend. Colleen and I went to the store to get all the fixings for some homemade sweet and sour chicken. Lipton soup mix, french dressing, and apricot preserves. That is it! And chicken of course. Turned out pretty tasty even with a bit of spillage and burning on the bottom of the stove. Technically it wasn't quite girls night since three guys came over too. But it was practically girls night since two guys were Puerto Rican and take longer than I do to get ready to go out. After dinner, it was off to the St Kitts movie theater to see Bride Wars (yes, shockingly the guys came too). It was a cute movie but probably would not waste the money to see it again. And the good news is I didn't spill any popcorn this time!

Friday: Vball!!! The highlight of my weeks is beach volleyball on Friday afternoons. It is such a great way to unwind. I couldn't stay very long because I had to go home and get ready for one of two parties that weekend. Friday the 13th party at Becca and Kristilee's house complete with decorations, scary food, and music. Emm and I made severed finger cookies which actually turned out pretty well considering we had no clue what we were doing.

Saturday: The busiest day of them all. There was a baby shower in the morning for Jaime, the spouse of Jeremy who is in my class. Caroline and I had to run to the port and pick up a present. Laura put on the party at her house and I must say she is an excellent party-thrower. Right after the baby shower was my first scuba session. I was so excited! We dove right in (no pun intended). We learned all about the equipment and started in on some exercises in the pool. Next week, we are having our first dive in the ocean! I was nervous at first about breathing underwater and I felt like I had to work at it, but by the end I got used to it and felt more comfortable. That night I had to get ready for another party, Vanessa, Anna, and Ron's Valentine's Day party. This party was also complete with decorations, food, and good times.
Sunday: Horseback riding day!!! A first semester, Heather, and I took the ferry over to Nevis for a two hour trail ride. At first we thought we weren't going to make it because the girl in charge sent out the wrong ferry schedule but for some reason I checked the schedule that morning to double check and realized the ferry came a half hour earlier than she said. But we got over there with plenty of time to spare. My horse's name was Homegrown, who was a Thoroughbred born and raised on Nevis. He was a little frisky at times which was fine with me; I didn't mind a little trot and canter here and there. Figuring out a way back to St. Kitts was interesting since the ferry wasn't leaving until 4pm and 5pm. Thankfully there are two ferries that run back and forth. The Seabridge is one where you can take your car over and that runs on the hour. We decided that was our best bet, the only problem was it drops you off that the very end of the island and my car was at the port. So I called up Colleen to save us a few bucks from having to call a taxi and she drove us to get my car.

(And don't worry Mom, I still had time to study this weekend).

Until next time...

February already?

Oh dear... Where do I begin? How did it get to be February already?? Midsemester break is right around the corner. I now have had exams in all of my classes except for one. I have a mini-break until that one comes in about a week and a half. So as a treat to myself, I did a little shopping and beach time. My friend Caroline and I walked all around Basseterre going into every store and trying on clothes. My overall damage was 2 sundresses, a shirt, and a bathing suit. Wednesday night, we got dolled up and went to the Marriott for dinner and then Ziggys. Overall, it was a fun and memorable night.

I got an email from the SAAVMA president the other day telling the student body that carnival cruises was giving a discount to Ross students for a cruise during the April break. Too bad it was a few days too late. I already booked my ticket home! I would have LOVED to take another cruise around the Caribbean!! I am hoping they will offer this again next break or next year.

This weekend should be more worth while than last week because I won't be studying for 2 exams. There is trivia night tomorrow and free drinks at Barry's on Saturday.

I got my scuba packet the other day and have yet to open it because of the exams. I am excited to start reading and learning about scuba and then actually get in the water!

I found a new happy place within the Marriott called the Chameleon. It is filled with LOTS of sparkly things. Caroline and I found it on our shopping endeavors and I was so excited I had to show Laura. (It is now her new happy place too!)

I believe that is it for now...nothing too interesting going on. I will post more later this weekend. Until next time...