Summer in West Lala Land

First of all, I am still a Purdue DVM Class of 2015 alternate. My guess is I will be finishing my undergrad work, rather than starting my vet school career.  I am perfectly fine with this. I knew all along that either way, I would be at Purdue. Boiler up! Nothing wrong with that. I have already started my second application for vet school and this time around, I intend on applying to Purdue again, as well as Iowa and Michigan. Iowa and Michigan both look like really good schools and the more I research them, the more I am drawn to them. The only problem really is out of state tuition. Yuck. I guess we will just have to wait and see where I get in and where I don't. I can already tell I am not stressing as much this time around about the application Which is good. I put together a binder to keep everything organized (since I am applying to more than one school this time) and have made many checklists. I would say it's overwhelming, but it's really not. I've done this once before, I can do it!

Summer at Purdue has been a good experience. When I got back from Romania, I stayed here and began working.  I wasn't exactly sure what that would look like the first week, but I quickly slipped into a "schedule." Quotations because, well, every week is different! Between the Homestead 120 calf study, the SIPAC calves and our new lactating cow study at the Purdue Dairy plus working with mice, biomed pigs and sheep in Animal House, I keep busy.  Lucky for me, life here hasn't been only work. There are a lot of my friends (and some new ones!) around and that's been good. There is usually someone to hang out with when I find the time, if that's a whole group cooking dinner or one on one at Greyhouse Coffee... Oh! And my favorite midweek activity is the Wednesday night Bible study at Campus House.

Still contemplating what my Romania page is going to look like....

Been playing my guitar a lot. Just by myself pretty much, but I have another friend now hooked on trying to learn with me. It's been quite entertaining! I think I'm getting better? :)

Summer Reading List
-Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen - great book! haven't seen the movie yet
-Fated by somone... - not recommended at all. not sure how I finished it
-Running with the Demon by Terry Brooks - always like this author. I predicted the ending though
In the works...
-Bonjour Blanc: A Journey Through Haiti
-Lineage of Grace
-The Remarkable Story of Job
-A Knight of the Word

That's all for now. Off to church!

Yup... Still waiting

April 15th has come and gone.  Some people I know have received phone calls and gotten accepted into vet school.  I am not one of them.  I keep reminding myself that it could still happen, I could still get that phone call.  I mean, the summer has only just begun.  Plus, I will be at Purdue either way next fall.  I can always apply again, right? Right.

But man, do I just want an answer NOW!  But that is the total opposite of the mentality I need to have.  There's a reason I am being made to wait.  Perhaps it's because this is simply not my year.  Maybe it's something more.  What am I supposed to see through the smoke? Hmm...

In the meantime, I'm preparing to leave the country. Physically and mentally checking out of America for a while.  I will be spending 3 weeks in Romania, starting Monday, learning all I can soak up about the culture, life and agriculture over there.  This is promising to be a very cool and worthwhile experience.  Both from the perspective as a Purdue student, but also as an aspiring production veterinarian with an interest in international agriculture and advocacy.  Wow.  I don't think I've put those words together in that way before, but it does pretty well sum up me at this point in time with my academic career.

When contemplating things like my career path, I can't help but pray about it and ask God, "Is this Your path for me?"  Finding, acting and living for Him is my number one priority.  Using my talents, gifts, interests and passion for Him wherever that may lead me. Romania? Ok Haiti again? Hmm...

Oh yea, I do have another opportunity to travel to Haiti.  I've been on the fence about this decision for quite some time and I can not pinpoint a reason as to way. How about a pro-con list.

Pros:  another opportunity to serve in this devastated country, opportunity to love people, opportunity to educated about agriculture, chance to make a difference with projects that will be a continual tie with Purdue, academic credit

Cons:  chunk out of my Christmas break, financial cost (although airfare will be paid for)

Hmm, that's all I have for now.  Writing it out really helps.  Maybe if I come back in a few days, I can think over it again.

Thanks for reading if you have made it this far!

Destruction of Post-it notes

My method for getting things done is largely comprised of making lists and writing post-it notes.  Sometimes, the wall here in front of my computer may as well be wall papered with the amount of sticky notes up there.  Anyway, lately I have been awesome-ly efficient at getting things accomplished and throwing those suckers away.  Today alone, I took down 4 post-its, each with a task written on it!  I get the same sense of enjoyment whenever I mark tasks of my list, which resides next to my computer (it is also a Post-it, only with lines).  Call me a nerd, oh well

I have just added a tab, as you can see above.  "Romania Maymester 2011."  I am pretty excited about this trip, the opportunity itself and the team of people I get to go with.  Look forward to reading more about it after wards!

In vet school news, I am still waiting, but I will reiterate that that is okay.  The deadline for acceptances is coming up (April 15th) and I assume the will beginning filling spots from the alternate list after that point.  Could I get a call next week?  It's a possibility.  Could I get a call in August?  That is possible too.  Guess we will just have to wait and see! :)

Uncertain Position

"You have been placed on our list of alternatives for the DVM Class of 2015. We realize this puts you in an uncertain position with us."

Yes, this means I am on the waiting list.  Honestly though, I'm getting pretty good at waiting. It's almost been a full year since the beginning of the VMCAS application itself.  So much work for such little pay! At least so far.

But I am not worried.  I know I will get were God wants me to be as long as I give up the troubles of this life to Him.  I only live day to day by His grace!  I don't know what my future looks like, but I know I can trust in Him with it.  I mean, he created me, after all.

Some verses that have really spoken into my life this week:

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." ~Proverbs 16:9

"For I know the plans for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."  ~Proverbs 3:5-6

And above all else...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." ~2 Cornithians 12:9

And lastly, some pictures from spring break. Jacksonville, FL. Clear blue skies, 70's everyday. Isn't Creation wonderful?

Breath... Breath....

This is what I'm having to tell myself lately. Been waiting on the vet school decision to happen. Some people I know have already received calls from the dean to let them know about their acceptance to the Class of 2015. But just some people! They are dragging this process out across several days! If you want to kill a Type A personality pre-veter, that's how you do it.

Something I keep reminding myself about is this. I am a junior. I have a senior year in ANSC if I don't get into vet school. God has bigger plans for me than anything I can imagine.  Maybe admittance to vet school this year isn't in that plan. Whatever He has in order for me is better.

It's still very difficult. I just want to know something.

In the meantime, here is a picture of my Jack-jack and her cat friend.

Sigh of Relief

The vet interview is complete!

And I feel good about it.  It sucks that one conversation has so much pressure on it.  They really just want to get to know you!  My interview was fairly short, which surprised me.  Fairly generic questions, nothing overly challenging about veterinary medicine (after all, I'm not a doctor yet!). 

And now we wait! Should hear back sometime in March??

Focus

I've heard of people choosing a "one word" as their New Years Resolution. So why not? My word is FOCUS.

It feels like a fresh start. Clean slate. New year, new semester. Of course, I still have my wonderful Purdue friends, housemates and great boyfriend. They are the support system I desperately need sometimes (neigh, most of the time). Most of all though, I need to focus on relying on God. This is going to be a big thing for my this year, especially as I wait for that veterinary decision letter. I think I have a plan, but it would be very naive of me to expect things to happen that way. God's plan is the only plan for me and sometimes I forget.

I'm feeling quite optimistic about this semester. As of the first day! I think that I will be able to be more motivated in my classes because, thus far, I like them (except Physics!). But who knows, maybe my optimism in Genetics, Biochemistry and Meat Science will make me enjoy Physics too (what a stretch, but hey, I said I'm feeling optimistic!).

In 403 news, we are reading through the entire Word over the course of the year. I know I will need focus and dedication to keep up with this. I have already fallen behind...

In veterinary news, my interview is in less than 2 weeks!  Today, I have a mock interview to practice questions. I have also talked with people in veterinary medicine about the interview process searching for tips and words of encouragement. I'm staying positive about the whole ordeal. No need really to freak out, that would be stupid. I'm simply trying to prepare myself as much as I can between now and then. It's still very exciting though!