Perfecting the Personal Statement

Personal statements are often the most difficult part of the VMCAS process. You have to impress a lot of people in a very short piece of writing. I was lucky, because I was an English major, so I was fairly comfortable in writing my personal statements. I will post my own personal statement below, if you need an example. In addition, here are my tips for writing your perfect personal statement:

1. Start Early.
I cannot stress this enough. It is way too easy for you to focus on other areas of your application, and then before you know it, there's a week left until VMCAS closes and the panic sets in. Start your personal statements before you even put your grades in. Having at least a rough draft will help reduce the stress of the application, and being able to take a break to revise is a Godsend when you are exhausted from entering four years of coursework.

2. Revise, Revise, Revise.
Do NOT EVER submit your first draft of your statement. Read it over and over, several times a week. Ask yourself, does this flow well? Does it answer the question at hand? Does it show my capabilities in the best way possible? One technique I used when I was teaching my students about writing was to free write. In this method, you pretty much word-vomit everything you can think of onto the paper or computer, without thinking about grammar or spelling. This will help you have all of your thoughts down. Then, take a highlighter and mark the most important things that you want to mention in your statement. Finally, piece it together and you have a statement!

3. Narrow your Focus
This might be the hardest part of the entire process. There are a million things you want to tell the admissions committee, but you are limited on space, so it is crucial that you discuss only the most important things. Focus on a specific moment in your experience, or a lesson that you learned. Having one focused idea that is clearly stated and put into a well-written essay is better than listing every accomplishment you have achieved.

4. Get Feedback
Have as many people as possible read your essay. Go to your colleges' writing center, have your professors, parents, friends, siblings, mentors,EVERYONE read through your essay. Make sure that they have the objectives as well, so they will know what is expected in the personal statement. It can be embarrassing to have others read your work, but it is important to make sure that you are putting the best example of yourself forward, and who better than the people who know you best to read your work?

5. Proofread
This is pretty much a restatement of #2, but that shows how incredibly important proper revision is in the writing process. Another trick I taught my students was to read the paper aloud. This will often help you catch errors in your grammar, because your eyes will move slower as you read aloud. Go slowly and make sure you have proper spelling and grammar throughout your paper. You don't want the admissions committee to focus on your improper use of affect/effect rather than your experience saving a life.

Those are my top tips for writing the personal statement, and, as promised, here is my first rough draft of my personal statement.
Most  girls find bugs disgusting and shy away from these creepy creatures. I was not that child. With the exception of June bugs, which are still my worst fear, I found insects to be fascinating. I remember when my mother would weed the flower gardens, I would lift up the large stones she had used as a border and see what gross things I could find underneath. I was never afraid to remove ticks or leeches when we went camping or swimming, and I loved to watch the worms emerge from the soil during thunderstorms. My interest in the disgusting grew as I became more interested in other animals and the creatures that could harm them. When our Labrador was diagnosed with Lyme disease, I began learning more about ticks, and consequently, the bacteria and parasites that inhabit them. I had always been intrigued with the medical field, and considered becoming a medical examiner or death investigator when I grew older. I even completed my high school health project on how a body decomposes following death.  My real passion for animal parasites flourished during the summer of 2011, when I discovered a colony of feral cats living in an abandoned building in my town. I began trapping the colony residents, sterilizing and releasing the adults, and taming the kittens and adopting them out through the Animal Humane Society, where I was a volunteer. My project became known as Feral to Sterile, and I gained public support through a fundraising page. My hands-on experience with parasites began when I noticed all of the kittens had worms, and several kittens had cuterebras, botfly larva, living in their skin. Dr. Jessica Dinham, whom I was shadowing with weekly, showed me how to remove the maggots, and treat the worms with medication. In our endeavor together, we encountered maggots, roundworms, fleas, ticks, and an especially stubborn tapeworm, that took weeks to kill.  During this time, I decided that I wanted to learn as much as I could about parasites, bacteria, and fungi. I took a Microbiology class, and aced it. I also enjoyed watching Monsters Inside Me, a television show about people who have battled parasitic infections. I had been working in a pharmacy for several years, and knew several anti-parasitic drugs, but never encountered patients who needed them. After being hired at Unity Hospital, I began learning more about infectious disease, and I became more interested in public health. The pharmacists I work with are wonderful with explaining various drugs and treatments, and I am allowed to have hands-on learning with identifying the drugs necessary to treat a variety of diseases, including an occasional worm. In addition, shadowing with Dr. Dinham at the veterinary clinic has been a great experience that has strengthened my clinical skills. As part of my Animal Biology course, I completed a research project outlining the trend in Lyme disease diagnoses within the patients at the veterinary clinic. This project allowed me to graph the increase in Lyme diagnosis, and develop an educational pamphlet for owners to encourage parasite prevention. Because of my experience in dealing with human patients with serious illness, I know that studying parasitology or infectious disease would be an ideal balance of working with animals, which are my passion, and people, whom I have grown to really enjoy working with during my time working in pharmacies.  With a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, in a clinic or hospital I will be able to diagnose and prescribe medications and treatments for ill animals, and work with the owners to educate and develop better prevention protocols for potential infections.  As a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, my goals would either be to work in a lab or research facility, in order to develop new treatments, or to work in a specialty area of an animal hospital, or potentially with the Center for Disease Control to manage potential outbreaks of infections. It is important to recognize the overlap of infectious disease between animals and humans, and working within public health presents opportunity to improve the health of animals and humans. With my background in teaching, which I had done for two years prior to deciding to apply to vet school, I have acquired communication skills that will be vital to working with pet owners. In addition, I hope to eventually return to teaching within a veterinary program when I am older so that I may pass on my knowledge to the future of veterinary science. Furthermore, my experience in working with animals that have had parasitic infections has prepared me for the less-than-pretty side of veterinary medicine. The field of veterinary medicine requires a strong heart, an open mind, and a high degree of professionalism. All of these things I have developed under the supervision of skilled veterinarians and pharmacists, and I hope to continue to develop these skills as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Interview 101

Getting the interview invite is one of the most exciting parts of applying to vet school. Although I have only ever received one interview, I said from the beginning, "If I can make it to the interview, I can get into that school." That may sound pompous or pretentious, but I truly feel that way.

I didn't get into vet school because of my grades.

 I got here because of my interview skills, which are a reflection of my personality, and my experiences with work/volunteering. The interview is your chance to showcase those things and allow the school to see who you are as a candidate. I have had several job interviews, and the one thing each interviewer has told me was that they admired my personality. It was because of my personality that I often was offered jobs that I wasn't entirely qualified for.

Case point, I was the least qualified person that applied to the hospital, but the pharmacy manager told me that I was chosen because I had such a special personality. Now, this could all be entirely false, but I like to think that I have social skills that are at a superior level, and when combined with my intellect and grasp of the English language, I can reason my way through any situation.

That being said, I have assembled some interview tips for you all to consider:

1. Be genuine.
 I hate the term, "be yourself", because there are different versions of yourself. I certainly act differently at home with my family than I do when I am in a professional setting. If I were to always be myself, I would probably be visiting HR quite often. Instead, I like the term, genuine. This means you should be a reflection of the person you want to be. In the same aspect, don't try to be something you are not. If you aren't interested in research, don't claim that you want to seek an internship in public health. Interviewers are able to see when you are putting on an act, so don't try to pretend to be someone you aren't.

2. Be honest, for the most part.
 There are certain areas where you should never ever lie, such as, your experiences, job history, and volunteer opportunities. BUT, that doesn't mean that you can't exaggerate your skill sets within those areas. No one is completely honest in an interview; we want to make ourselves look the best we can, especially when we are competing for a coveted spot. Therefore, be honest, but avoid mentioning any negative in your interview.

3. Do your Research.
It is important to know the company/school you are interviewing with. By having information about the school ahead of time, you can frame your answers to mention why that school is the right one for you. For example, say they want to know whether you intend to pursue small animal or large animal medicine. If you are interviewing at a school such as Iowa, you could mention that you are interested in working with pigs, especially since there is a large Swine Research Center in Ames.

4. Bouncing off #3, Ask Questions.
This will allow you to in some ways control your interview, and in the case of my interview, it almost felt as though I was asking them why I should pick their school over another. Ask what that school has to offer in comparison to other schools. Ask how the classes are framed. Ask what clubs are offered for students. Ask about housing, and study groups. Having an active interest in the school shows that you are serious about attending there, and will also help you make a decision, should you be so blessed to receive several offers.

5. Wear a SUIT.
 One thing that bothered me about my interview group was that some students dressed in business casual attire. While this probably has nothing to do with their decision, wearing a suit shows that you are already acting in a professional manner. My school requires students to dress business casual, and when they see suits, they know that you are interviewing for something. A suit is an example of your professionalism.

Men, have your suit tailored to fit you well, and you will be able to use that for many years. Shine your shoes, and invest in a nice tie clip and cuff links. Dressing well will help you feel confident.

Ladies, knee length skirts, but nothing short. No low-cut tops under your jackets, and make sure the jacket fits you well. Tailoring can make a pencil skirt look amazing on anyone. Also, wear appropriate shoes. No stilettos or open-toed sandals. Make sure you can walk in them for two reasons: 1) They may take you on a walking tour of the campus and you will be on your feet for awhile and 2) No one wants to see you teetering around like a newborn calf (or a freshman girl on frat row). Keep your hair well groomed, and neutral makeup. Minimal jewelry and accessories as well. A few classic pieces will be fine.

Those are my top tips for doing well in the vet school interviews. Most of all, have fun and make friends!

Vet School Essentials: First Year

Vet school is tough, you will hear that frequently from the moment you decide you are going to apply, until well after you've been accepted and enrolled in your classes. It can be hard to pack up your entire life and move into a professional career, especially if you are just coming out of undergrad. What is professional school like? Do you really need textbooks? What about a calculator? Notebooks? It can be confusing, and fortunately, many schools have forums and Facebook groups for incoming students to join and they can have all these questions answered. But if you're not into social media, fear not. I'll tell you what I think are the essentials for your first year in vet school.

iPad: or some sort of tablet or laptop. This will be a life saver in lecture, as well as outside of lecture. You can download all the power points into a note-taking app such as One Note or Notability (I prefer Notability), and then highlight, add notes, or customize the presentations for your studying. Many students take notes directly on their electronic device. I am old school, and still hand write my notes, but I always have my iPad open with the lecture slides pulled up in case I miss something, because professors sometimes speak FAST.

Notebooks: For those of you who are like me, and learn best by hand writing your notes, notebooks are crucial. Now, any cheap notebook will suffice, so don't worry about getting the fancy five-subject notebooks, because chances are, you are going to have a LOT of notes. I actually went through an entire three subject notebook for one class in one quarter because I took so many notes, and often re-wrote my notes to help me remember. Because I used so much paper, the cheap notebooks were a better investment for second quarter.

Writing Supplies: Pencils are great, but they tend to smear, so I write my notes in pen. Actually several pens. I like to color code notes, and often will go over my notes when I study by underlining or boxing concepts and key ideas to remember. Highlighters are also excellent tools for color coding your notes, and highlighting texts. However, keep some #2 pencils on hand for those pesky scantrons!

Whiteboard: Whiteboards are great for quizzing your friends, and testing yourself with drawing out pathways for biochemistry, or blood vessels and nerves for anatomy. I use a small one during study group, but having a large one at home is great if you want to draw out larger maps or pathways. Have a collection of different colored dry erase markers to make your maps easy to navigate.

Textbooks: Okay, confession: I never bought the textbooks for classes. For the most part, the exam information was presented in class. However, the textbooks are a great source if you don't understand a concept and are looking for clarification , or if you are looking for additional information on a subject. So if you feel like you might even consider using the textbook, go for it and buy them. And buy them on Amazon, because they are cheaper!

Backpack: While backpacks don't necessarily look the most professional, they are the most practical for students who have large, heavy textbooks to carry, ie: vet students. Do yourself, and your back, a favor and use one with two straps rather than a messenger bag or tote. Your shoulders will thank you!

Planner: I don't care if you are the most organized person on Earth, having a planner will SAVE your life in vet school. Unlike undergrad, your classes rarely meet at the same time every week, and for many schools, some classes last only a few weeks and begin in the middle of the term. Being able to know when and where you need to be is always a good way to succeed in vet school. You can use an electronic device (I use iCal), or an old fashioned book-style planner. I keep my class schedule in the iCal, but use my other planner for everything else. I make my to-do lists daily, and keep track of all my exams, simulations, and volunteer events that way.

Printer: I really think this is a good investment for students. Sure you can print at the library, but having a printer at home comes in really handy for printing last minute things, especially if you are a night owl like myself. Having one with a scanner might come in handy as well, because you can scan notes into the computer and add them to Notability or OneNote.

Good Snacks: Okay, this is a little random, but I am a big snacker. I like to eat something every couple of hours. Not only does this help you stay awake in class, it keeps your blood sugar from dropping, and keeps your mind focused on lecture rather than lunch. I think whatever you like to eat is considered a good snack, as long as it isn't messy, have loud wrappers, or capable of stinking up a lecture hall. My favorite snacks for class are trail mixes, protein bars, and fruit or vegetables.

Good Bedding: I'm a huge advocate of the nap, and thanks to polyphasic sleep cycles, I take a lot of naps. Sleep is especially important in vet school, because it helps you maintain your mental health as well as your physical health. I refuse to sacrifice sleep unless I absolutely have to, and I make it a priority to ensure that I am well rested. The key to good sleep, in my book, is having good bedding. That means investing in a high quality mattress, and having sheets with a thread count of at least 400 (the higher the better). Also, have supportive pillows so you don't wake up with a headache or stiff neck. In addition, black out curtains have been an amazing investment, especially in sunny Arizona!

Scrubs: Chances are, you will probably have an anatomy lab. Scrubs are great for anatomy lab because they are comfortable, relatively inexpensive, and easy to clean. Your school may have a preference on color, but most are usually open in regard to brand. My favorite brands are Butter Soft and Urbane. I think the quality is excellent, but they are also really soft. Also, take the time to invest in some comfortable shoes. As ugly as they are, Danskos have saved my life when it comes to standing for long periods of time, plus they are easy to clean. And let's face it-anatomy lab is gross, and stuff is gonna get on your shoes.

Stethoscope: This is a necessary tool for all veterinarians to have, so invest in one early on so you can become comfortable with using one. I have the Littman Cardiology III, and it is awesome.

Penlight: You will need this for physical exams, and they are cheap, so pick one up early so you don't forget.

Watch: NOT Digital. I made that mistake, and it is incredibly hard to count six seconds if your using a digital watch. But it works nonetheless, it just takes me a little longer to calculate heart rates.

Those are the most crucial supplies I think first year vet students should have. What school supplies can't you live without?

Life Update

Okay, so I am sure many of you are wondering why I can't manage to keep up with this blog. I promise I am going to be better and stop neglecting you! But a lot has happened in the last three months, and I needed to focus my energy in other areas. But I'm back, and ready to roll with a whole new set of posts.

First off, I'm MOVING.

I know, I just moved to Arizona three months ago, so why am I moving already? Well, my advice to you all is to always look at the apartment or house you intend to rent. Get a feel for who the neighbors are, and take the time to ask current residents what they think of the complex. I did none of those things, and I really made a mistake in choosing my apartment for vet school.

My upstairs neighbor has been a nightmare from day 1. He seemed decent at first, but I noticed that my two dogs were extremely uneasy around him, and I started coming home at random times to check on them. Several times I observed my neighbor standing in front of my windows waving his arms and yelling at the dogs to make them bark. Once they were barking, he would tap on the window and curse at them for barking.

 One time, I was home and caught him peering through the window looking for the dogs. I tried to brush off these incidents, but after catching him cursing at the dogs and peering into my home, I had to complain to the complex. They issued a cease and desist, but he seemed to only become upset that I had complained and proceeded to yell at the dogs every time he passed the window.

When another neighbor, an elderly man, confronted him for driving erratically around the parking lot, he lashed out and threatened physical harm to the old man. It was at that point I decided that I needed to move. The complex refused to waive the lease break fees, despite this being an issue of my safety. I spoke to the local police and notified them of the situation as well, so they could be aware of any incidents that may occur.

 This whole experience caused a lot of stress and affected my ability to study. Instead of being able to enjoy my apartment, I live with cardboard over the windows, and spend most of the time in the bedroom. The neighbor has only gotten more violent and tried to annoy me further by stomping around his apartment, moving furniture, and making noise at all hours of the night. Because I could no longer focus on school and I constantly feared that he would hurt my dogs or myself, I chose to break the lease. I will be moving on the 24th to a complex right next to school, and will actually be living right by my friend Kelly.

 Although this is an expensive decision, I feel that my safety and my dogs' safety is most important, and I no longer feel safe here. Because I am currently living off loans, I can no longer afford to go home for the holidays, which breaks my heart, but my family kindly understands why I had to make this decision. They started a fundraising page for me to help me pay off the rental complex.

 If you would like to help, please consider donating or sharing this page with your friends and family. I would appreciate any little bit of help, especially if it meant that I could go back to Minnesota for Christmas.

To view the fundraising page click here.

Secondly, one of my dogs became deathly ill at the beginning of October. One afternoon, she began vomiting. Now, Georgia is a pig when she eats, so vomiting is nothing out of the ordinary for her. However, she continued to vomit every half hour for about four hours (on my couch, of course. Still working on getting the smell out). Then, she began urinating frequently, very large piles of clear urine. I called the Companion Animal Clinic at Midwestern, where I go to school, and after speaking to the veterinarians on staff, they told me to bring her in right away because her symptoms were so serious.

 When I put her on the scale, I saw she was down to 12lbs. When we moved, she weighed 17lbs, meaning she had lost 5lbs in only two months. This was concerning, especially when we observed how dehydrated she was. The tech, Sean, (who was AMAZING, by the way) immediately took her back and got her on subcutaneous fluids and took blood and urine. The vet examined her and chose to put her on amoxicillin to begin dealing with any infection that may be present, and also gave us some cerenia, which was to help with her nausea. We also got some canned food to stimulate her appetite and help her start eating.

The next 24 hours were horrible. She continued to urinate every few minutes, and couldn't get comfortable. Finally, Dr. Bennett called with the blood and urine results. She diagnosed Georgia with pyelonephritis, which is an infection of the kidneys. They found both E.Coli and Klebsiella bacteria in her urine in amounts over 100,000 per ml, which is indicative of a very serious infection. She also had proteins in her urine, meaning her kidneys were really not working as they ought to be. We switched her to Baytril, which would battle both bacteria, especially the Klebsiella, which is known to be a resistant bacteria to many antibiotics.

The vet put her on a month of medications and wanted to see her in a month to recheck her blood and urine. I made her appointment for November 9th. She seemed to get a lot better, but her appetite still wasn't that great, and she seemed almost depressed during this time.

 On the evening of the 7th, Georgia could not settle down and get comfortable, and that continued into the night of the 8th. She began pacing and wandering around the bedroom every five minutes, and at one point seemed to be weaving her head and stumbling. She fell about four times before I made her sit next to me and I held her while she slept for about an hour and a half before she began pacing again. Needless to say, neither of us got any sleep. When I brought her to the vet the next morning, she was down to 9lbs. To go from 17lbs to 9lbs in three months is bad, but to go from 12lbs to 9lbs in four weeks is horrible. Her muscles had begun wasting, and she was exhausted.

 However, her bloodwork and urine cultures all came back normal, so she was on the mend. She will be on a kidney health diet from now on, which is a prescription diet. We are hoping that she will gain about 3-5lbs back and she seems to be eating the new diet well, especially the canned food.

Waiting for the doctor

Her hump of fluids. She jiggled when she walked! But she felt a lot better after she got re-hydrated 

She finally started snuggling with me, so I knew she was starting to feel better!

Lots of rest, food, and television. She watched a lot of COPS and Law and Order SVU

Hopefully we won't have to see one of these for awhile now!

These two issues caused a lot of stress and anxiety for me during the past quarter of school. I am hoping that next quarter will be much less stressful, and that I can finally be happy and maybe begin to enjoy Arizona a little.

Another issue that has caused me stress has been my parents divorce. I debated a lot whether I wanted to bring this to public and discuss it, but I figured maybe someone else is going through this, and I want them to know that they are not alone.

Although I am an adult, this was one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with. My parents never got along when I was a kid, and I remember praying they would get a divorce many times. Unfortunately, timing was not on my side, and they finally decided that a divorce would be a good idea, right when I got accepted to vet school.

 I was angry about that for a long time, and I guess I am still angry, and I will be in therapy for awhile to handle my emotions with this. I couldn't understand why this had to happen right when I was getting ready to pack up and leave my home. I felt like they were breaking up the only home I had ever known. I will admit, it made it a lot easier to leave because I just wanted to be away from the bitterness and constant fights.

 My final months in Minnesota were the hardest times I have ever gone through. The fighting was vicious, and loud, and I cried more in those months than I have my entire life. I cried most of the trip down here, even. Anyway, I was angry and felt that I could not enjoy what little time I had left in Minnesota. With my mom buying a new house, and packing up the entire house, I felt pushed aside. I felt like she was taking this moment of joy away from me.

 I held a lot of things in during the past few years, and I'm only starting to deal with my thoughts now that I am on my own. I feel strange because I want to go home, but there isn't a home to go to. My room is empty-I took everything with me. My dad lives in a relatively empty house. It's weird. Another thing that makes me anxious about going home is figuring out how to deal with my parents. I love both of my parents. I'm closer to my dad, but I still want to be supportive of my mom too. I don't know how to balance my time between my parents. I don't know where I will sleep when I return to Minnesota.

 It is hard when parents run each other down in front of their children. I found a newspaper article that really summed it up nicely, I'll post it:

I found those a long time ago, and kept them to remind me that this is a common thing. There are millions of other kids that go through this too. So if your parents are fighting or divorcing, it will be okay. Please don't feel alone. And most of all, don't hold the hurt inside. Talk to someone. So many of my friends have let me vent to them and cry to them, and I honestly don't know how I would have made it though without them there to hold me up.

 And parents, if you are in a relationship, marriage, situation in which you find yourself hating the parent of your child, please remember these things. When you put down your child's father or mother, you are insulting that child. Half of that person is in your child. Don't make your child feel like they are bad too. It's damaging. If you are hurting, go seek help from a therapist. But lashing out against your co-parent in front of your child is not acceptable. Your child shouldn't have to feel forced into the middle. Don't put them there.

 Anyway, that was what was going on with my life the past few months. I hope you forgive me for my lack of posts, but I am back and ready to roll!

First Finals

Well, I survived the first quarter of vet school. I'm officially 1/12th of a DVM! My first quarter was tougher than I expected, I'm not going to lie. A lot of unnecessary stress came from my living situation (which I will explain in a separate post), as well as stress with my family in Minnesota. I am relieved to be finished with the first quarter and am looking forward to a fresh start.

That is one thing I always loved about school, new semesters brought the opportunity to start over and correct the mistakes you made in the past. Plus, new school supplies! (does anyone else love school supplies as much as I do?) As part of the new quarter, I am setting some goals for myself to help me do better:

1. Write Notes in Class.
Before, I mainly just typed notes on my iPad with the Notability app. It is a great way to take notes, but I am the type of person that really retains information better when I write it out by hand. That being said, I also want to make the effort to not write every detail of what is on the power point, but rather use the lecture time to focus and take notes on what the professor is actually saying.

2. Preview the Lectures Before Class
Bouncing off Goal 1, I want to try to write out some notes from the power points before class, then add to them in class. That way, I am more familiar with the information, and I can better understand it and ask questions in class if I have any.

3. Study in Groups
I had previously been studying with an awesome group of girls, but I wasn't performing as well on exams as I wanted to, and I think a lot of the reason was that my study methods were not efficient. I was relying on writing things several times and repeating the information, and listening to others repeat the information. However, I was never prepared for the exam questions. During finals, I met up with a different group that had prepared note cards with questions and we asked the questions back and forth, and that really improved my grades on the finals. That being said, I think it is important to mention that everyone studies in a different way, and that you should never feel pressured to study with a group just because they are your friends if their method doesn't work for you. I was so worried that I would offend my friends by not studying with them, but in the end, they were supportive and really understood that I needed to study in a different way from them. We are still close friends and I am looking forward to hanging out with them outside of studying.

4. Make Notecards
Again, bouncing off my previous goal, making notecards is a form of active learning that has always helped me, but I was making them in the wrong way. For instance, I was writing things down, but not phrasing them as questions. Thinking of questions helps you anticipate what the exam will be like, and I think that can minimize a lot of anxiety that is associated with the exams.

5. Stay Ahead
The biggest issue I had this past quarter was that I didn't listen to the Dean when he said, do NOT get behind in your classes. The way our schedule was set up, we had one exam per week, usually on a Monday, so the entire week I studied only for that class. Sure, I was prepared for that class, but I got waaaaay behind in my other courses so when it came time to study for those exams, I had to go back and pretty much re-learn the material. Advice: LISTEN TO YOUR DEAN. They have been where you are, and they know what they are talking about. Plus, they want you to succeed and they want to help you as much as possible. My goal going forward is to really focus on looking at that days lectures and making my notecards, and then looking at the next days lecture to prepare. This may be a little more time consuming, but it will help prepare for the exam while not neglecting the other courses.

Vet school is hard, they weren't lying. But it can be fun, too. With a little preparation, finals don't have to be scary.

How did your first semesters or quarters go?

White Coat: The Official Welcome To Vet School

So, again, I am sorry this is overdue, and I will get around to explaining myself at some point. But today I want to share one of the biggest moments that vet students will ever experience: the White Coat Ceremony.

Midwestern University's Class of 2019 White Coat Ceremony took place on October 2,2015. This was the moment when we lined up, and our Deans helped us into the coats that would mark our official acceptance into the professional world of Veterinary Medicine. I'll admit, I was a little nervous that I would trip, but everything went well. I don't have much to say, other than I'm happy to be part of this class, and I am looking forward to the next time I get to cross that stage, as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

The End of a Quarter

First off, I need to apologize for my lack of posts. There have been some personal things happening that are taking a toll on my mental health, as well as my physical health. I will explain everything in a later post, but for now I want to tell you all about the end of first quarter.

 In less than two weeks I will be 1/12 of the way through vet school. While that seems like a small fraction, it is crucial to focus on the small victories in this ever-so-stressful field. With finals week just around the corner, I think it is important to discuss some strategies for maintaining motivation, as well as sanity during this time.

Finals Survival Tip 1: Get Organized.
Throughout the quarter, we were fortunate enough to only have one exam per week to study for, but finals week (also known as hell week) consists of four exams in four days. The key to not losing your mind is to organize your materials and make a plan. I am a huge fan of making lists, so I make lists of all the lectures I need to study, then schedule them all in my planner. And yes, I do still use a non-electronic planner to manage myself for the most part. I write down what I need to study/complete each day, and plan around every event I can think of. I may even tend to go overboard and schedule in when I am doing laundry and when I am cleaning the apartment. And you better believe I scheduled when I am planning to work on this blog. Scheduling is the key to not becoming too overwhelmed.

Finals Survival Tip 2: Balance Your Schedule
Don't schedule an entire day of studying anatomy. You will only get burned out and frustrated. The best study methods require studying every subject, every day. Now this doesn't mean you don't get to take breaks, but try to work on each subject for a couple hours (or whatever time you do have), and make sure to switch to a different course if you become bored or frustrated with the current subject.

Finals Survival Tip 3: Take Breaks
The fastest way to burning out during finals time is to study 14 hours a day, without taking time for yourself. If you start to get tired, get up and have a snack, walk the dog, or hell, take a little nap. You're probably not going to retain very much with a tired brain anyway, so there is no sense in wasting time trying to force yourself to study. I will admit, this took me some time to get used to practicing, and I am so happy that I allow myself to have some free time each day. For instance, as I write this, I'm watching my favorite show and having some popcorn and doggy cuddles. When the show is over, I might go back to working on physiology, but I may also just relax and go to bed early. You may wonder, how is that possible? Shouldn't I be spending as much time as possibly reviewing for finals, and I ask you, why? I have two weeks to prepare, and I am taking a few lectures each day to review. I'm not going to sacrifice my health (mental or physical) to cram for an exam. I think too many students do this, and it harms them in the long run. With all of the drama that has been happening recently, I've learned that health is far more important than a grade, and as hard as that is to put into practice, I think the benefits of practicing that mindfulness outweigh the risks of being stressed.

Finals Survival Tip 4: Get Help
If you aren't understanding something, now is the time when you need to seek help from your classmates, professors, or tutors. The earlier you address your confusion, the better off your studying will go. Every topic seems to build on the last, and there is quite a lot of cross-over in first year veterinary courses. If your physiology professor isn't helpful, try asking your anatomy professor, or vice versa. The faculty are there to help you, and they want you to succeed. One thing I love about my school is that there is a strict open door policy with the faculty. If you have a question and their door is open, you are free to come in and talk to them at any time- there are no office hours. This shows how dedicated the faculty are to helping students succeed, and they know how difficult the material is, they had to learn it a lot better than we need to learn it. So don't be afraid, ask your questions and get help early.

Finals Survival Tip 5: Remember Why You Started
When things get tough, it is important to look back at why you started this journey. We all made this choice to go to vet school (and there will be plenty of times when we question this decision, I know) so we need to be able to handle the bad times with the good times. Maybe you wanted to be a veterinarian because you love animals, or maybe you wanted to make a difference, or maybe you are just in it for the money (wait, what money?). The point is, we all came to the same decision, and we are all in this together. Embrace your vet school family. These students will be our colleagues one day. They will be the people we call for advice, the people we refer our clients to when we are stuck on a patient's diagnosis, and the people we will invite to our wedding. Remember that, and know that we are all in the same boat, but we all have an oar to row with.

I hope this post helps you during your finals week. What methods help you face this challenge?

Thoughts on Finances and Mental Health

This week we had two lectures on financial planning. Midwestern is unique in that they provide veterinary students with financial advice and resources the very first quarter of classes. They even have assignments for us to complete in which we construct a budget for ourselves, and then follow up with us next year to see how we did. This was an excellent tool in beginning to think of how to conquer the $300,000+ debt I am accruing. 

My head is currently swimming with information about IRAs, investments, stocks, bonds, and budgeting for post-graduation and retirement. But one thing about today's lecture really stood out to me as a clear issue within the veterinary/business/financial field.

The financial adviser that spoke to us mentioned the importance of obtaining disability insurance once we graduated. With the physical risks involved, especially in those who choose to work in large animal medicine, it makes sense that we should safeguard ourselves in case anything might happen. However, he mentioned that the AVMA GHLIT (Group Health and Life Insurance Trust Programs) offer disability insurance to veterinarians. Awesome, right? 

Except for the details in the fine print which state (in layman's terms): If you are disabled and unable to work in your current position, they will pay you disability, but you cannot return to work in the veterinary field. 

uh, WHAT? Isn't the point of disability insurance to protect you if you are injured on the job, and then help you return to your job? Essentially, if an equine vet was, say, kicked in the head and could no longer handle the physical demands of the job, he or she could not work in a small animal practice, work in another low-key veterinary environment, or even teach within veterinary academia.

Now, the AVMA is awesome for a variety of sources, but I wouldn't trust them to insure me once I am practicing. Thankfully, Mr. Bonnett explained a variety of other options for insuring ourselves after graduation, but again, I was shocked when he told us to watch out for our medical history.

We rely on physicians to help us maintain our health, but who knew that our medical history could prevent us from being insured? Mr. Bonnett said that conditions listed in our medical history could put us at risk of being denied insurance at all. Mainly, things concerning mental health.

This is where I grew angry. How can insurance companies NOT protect us when we work in a field in which mental health is a growing concern. We all know of the term "Compassion Fatigue", but for some veterinary professionals, we are more inclined to be predisposed to mental disorders.

Veterinary students have the third highest rate of suicide in professional programs. Veterinarians are in the top ten professions with high risk of suicides. With the recent suicide of Dr. Sophia Yin, as well as several student suicides throughout the United States and the UK, dialogues concerning mental health are finally being brought to light. It seems to me that with the high risk of mental disorders prevalent in the veterinary community, more needs to be done to protect us, but also to bring awareness to the issue, rather than stigmatizing it and hiding it from discussion.

Mental health conditions are not something that we should ever be afraid to disclose or seek help for. 

Yet insurance companies force us to hide our struggles in order to be protected, and that only worsens the problem.

I'm going to get really personal here, so I hope that is okay, and I hope that if any of you are struggling, you will find the courage and hope to get help. I suffer from moderate to severe anxiety and depression. I don't take medications for this currently, for the very reason that many professionals never seek help: it puts us at risk of losing our insurance benefits, because we have a "pre-existing" condition. With this information presented to me today, I became scared. What if I can't get help when I really need it? Vet school is stressful. We are sleep deprived, our brains are fried, we have very little social lives, and we take a full load of difficult science-based classes. Right now, I am managing. But what if things get worse? Sure, we have counseling available on campus (which is an excellent resource; I recommend therapy for EVERYONE), but what if I need more help? What if my panic attacks become regular, and I need a medication to help me LIVE? Why should I be punished for trying to live like everyone else? 

The problem we face as veterinary students (and honestly, as adults), is that mental health has become a topic that no one discusses. But it is something that needs to be addressed, and talked about, and we need to make resources available for everyone that needs them. We can prevent suicide. We don't have to suffer alone, either. 

I don't know what I can expect as far as insurance when I get out of school, but I do know that I'm not willing to sacrifice my mental health to obtain it. 

Diving in Deep

Well, I have officially been a vet student for nearly a month, and it seems that time has flown by. Classes run from between 8-9 am until 4-5 pm, and I have grown to really appreciate the hour long lunch break each day. Although I live about five miles from campus, I manage to run home to walk the dogs and grab a bite to eat before heading back to class. The one downside to having the break is that I tend to nod off in whichever class follows lunch. (oops!)

Sonja likes having me around for lunch

 The first weeks of classes went well. I'm taking Veterinary Anatomy, Veterinary Physiology, Veterinary Biochemistry, and Practice of Veterinary Medicine. I have to say that so far, my favorite class is Practice of Veterinary Medicine, because we are already learning clinical skills that we will use every day in practice.

Our first PVM skills lab: Running a code and CPR

Jerry is in cardiac arrest!

 100 compressions per minute

Intubation is key in making sure your patient has oxygen. (Thanks, Bryan!)

                                                        

Dallas is a healthy pup, and a very friendly patient. 

                                                                 
While PVM has been a blast, the exams in the basic sciences have been tough, I will admit. I've had exams in Anatomy and Physiology, and I have a Biochemistry exam on Monday. I actually have an exam every Monday until finals week (goodbye weekends!)

The instuctors here at Midwestern are truly phenomenal. They have a strict open-door policy, meaning you can go to them any time for clarification or help with any of the concepts covered in class. In addition, they are genuinely happy with their careers, and want each student to succeed. My favorite is Dr. Graves. He lectured a few times in PVM, and he is perhaps the funniest person I have ever met. Here are a few candid bits from class I jotted down:

In addition to being in class nearly 40 hours per week, I've also joined several clubs as well as a study group with two other students. The first club I joined was SCAVMA, which is the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association. I am looking forward to learning more about this club and all of the benefits it will offer. I also am a member of SAVS (Student Association of Veterinary Surgery), SCAAFP (Student Chapter of the American Association of Feline Practitioners), and will be joining ECC (Emergency and Critical Care) club next week.

Two Saturdays ago, I went with SAVS to The Carillons Senior Community in Sun City, Arizona. We performed basic grooming and practiced our physical exams on the resident's pets. I really enjoyed visiting with the residents there. So many of them are well into their 80's and 90's and are still so active. I hope that I am that busy when I get to that age!

Ready to do physicals and trim some nails!

Most of my weeknights are spent making notecards and study guides for the upcoming exams, but I make sure to set aside time to play with my dogs and relax. The most important thing that I have learned so far is that if you stay on top of your studying and review your material every night, you don't have to spend a lot of time stressing about the exam over the weekend. On Saturday evenings, my study group meets and we order dinner and casually go through all of the material. I even bring my dogs along to hang out.

I'm looking forward to what the next few weeks will bring, and I will keep you updated on anything new and exciting here at vet school!

Welcome to the College of Veterinary Medicine

Loving the pawprint lanyard!

 Well, I survived my first day of orientation. We technically have already had two days of orientation, but the first day was for several programs and covered all of the logistical stuff like financial aid, health insurance, library and security. Today was the official CVM orientation. We met together in small groups, and got to know each other a little better. I am an introvert. Sure, I am friendly and silly, but usually only once I am comfortable around someone. That being said, this was definitely an instance of finding comfort fast.

Representing my undergraduate school: University of Minnesota. Go Gophers!

This was the only photo I managed during orientation...bad blogger!

 Meeting my vet school comrades was easier than I expected. I think that is because all of us are so much alike, and we share many common interests. Although, I have to admit that ice-breaker games can really throw me off guard. For instance, they asked us what our favorite TV show was. I completely blanked, and they then asked the worst question possible: "Well, what was the last show you watched?" I totally had to admit to binge watching the Kardashians. I was completely mortified. Of course, looking back, I should have said COPS or American Horror Story or anything, ANYTHING but the Kardashians. I'm pretty sure my classmates think I am an idiot now.

Nonetheless, the rest of the day went swimmingly. I've noticed that I am a bit older than the vast majority of my classmates, but I think that I bring experience to the table perhaps more than fresh biochemistry and organic chemistry knowledge. I did meet a girl who did well in both Organic and Biochem, so I will definitely be making her a study buddy in the near future.

Our first homework assignment was to write a letter to ourselves that we would receive on graduation day. I remember doing this in high school, and I still have my letter. I actually read it recently when I found it as I was unpacking. In my high school letter, I wrote about hoping things remained a certain way, and I hoped I was still doing certain things. This time, I chose to ask myself questions and compare my answers at the end of school to how I felt today. I also highlighted specific memories about the application process I wanted to remember. I am excited to read this again in four years, when I am officially a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

That still freaks me out a bit.

Navigating VMCAS: Top Ten Tidbits

If there is anything that will challenge your commitment to vet school, it is VMCAS. The Veterinary Medical College Application Service can be intimidating. Any application that gives students five months to complete is bound to be tedious. I've made a brief list of tips to help pre-vet students navigate and complete their applications.

1. Start early! Do NOT wait until September to begin your application. There is a reason it is available in June. Try to get a head start on it, so you aren't overwhelmed with the amount of information you will be required to enter and complete.

2. Go slowly. If you begin early, you will have plenty of time to complete the application. Try tackling a small bit of the application daily. Don't try to enter your coursework all in one day. By breaking the application into small sections, you will be much less overwhelmed by the amount of information you are required to report.

3. Write your personal statement first. This is probably one of the most important parts of the application. This is what schools will read to get to know you. This essay will determine how the application committee will view you as a potential student. The personal statement can determine whether you receive an interview invitation, especially if your grades are not as high as other students. Start writing this right away.

4. Revise, revise, revise. Going off of #3, have everyone you know read your statement and give you feedback. While it can be intimidating to have people read your writing, it is vital that your statement be as clear as possible, with no grammatical errors. If you are still an undergrad, visit your school's writing center. Tutors will be able to help you with your word choice, grammar, and give you feedback on areas that you should expand.

5. Find your eLORs right away, and stay in touch with them. Make sure that whoever you ask to write a recommendation for you is someone who knows you well. Make sure that you have a professional relationship with them, and make sure to follow up with them to ensure that they submit their letters in a timely manner. There is an option for students to read their eLORs, but it may be beneficial to waive the rights to read these. This will show that you have confidence in those who are writing your recommendations.

6. Get your transcripts right away. Have ALL of your transcripts together and ready to mail before summer is over. If you have attended several schools, the easiest way to ensure that all of your transcripts make it to VMCAS is to have the transcripts mailed directly to you, and then you have the option to mail one envelope with several transcripts directly to VMCAS. This will help lower the risk of losing a transcript in transit.

7. Know the requirements for each school you are applying to. Not all schools have the same pre-requisites, so make sure that you know what each school expects BEFORE you decide to pay the fees to apply there. For example, I only applied to schools that did not require Organic Chemistry II, because that was a class I did not want to take. Similarly, I only took the classes that were required for each school. This saves time and money.

8. Watch out for additional applications. Some schools have supplemental applications that require additional essays or recommendations. Make sure to know which schools you are applying to have these additional applications, and complete them as soon as possible.

9. Be prepared to pay fees. In addition to VMCAS fees, (which I think are between $150-200 per school), you may also be required to pay a fee directly to the school itself. These fees can range from $50-200, per school. Expect to pay at least several hundred dollars in fees alone, considering the fees required to obtain your transcripts as well as the fees paid to both VMCAS and each school.

10. Take your GRE early! This is perhaps one of the most important things about VMCAS, There is no special test to be accepted to vet school. Instead, the Graduate Record Exam is used. This test is centered around basic English and Math, with an Analytical Writing section as well. Most schools do not look at the writing portion, but it is something to prepare for nonetheless. GRE scores take several weeks to process, so plan to take the GRE at least four to six months before the application cycle ends. The earlier you schedule your exam, the better chance you have to schedule a re-test in the event your scores are not as high as you expected.

I hope these tips have been helpful to you. Leave any additional questions in the comments and I will answer them!

Deciding to Pursue Vet Med

One of the biggest questions people asked me when I was applying to vet school was: "How did you know vet school was right for you?" Certainly, choosing to pursue any doctorate program is a heavy decision, but vet school is financially perhaps the most expensive, as well as one of the most difficult programs to get into.

My decision to apply to vet school came later than a lot of students. Growing up, I always loved animals and wanted to work with them, but there were several factors that prevented me from beginning this path from an undergraduate level. I majored in English Language and Literature, as well as obtained a degree in German Language. I thought teaching would provide me with a stable career with room to pursue higher education throughout my life. After six months of teaching, I realized that this was not a career I could be happy with, despite the steady income and hours. Veterinary Medicine was the only thing that really kept my interest and I could only see myself working in the medical field.

I was accepted to Midwestern University at the age of 26. I think that by waiting until I was older before applying had the benefit of allowing me to learn how to be an adult. I can't imagine beginning a doctorate program immediately following undergrad. For me, this was the best option. I was able to pay down some debt, while learning how to manage time and money.

The best advice that I can give pre-vet students is to take your time before committing to vet school. Make sure that you are emotionally and physically capable of handling the stress that comes with entering medical school. The veterinarian's  job outlook is different from the human doctor's outlook. We typically work worse hours, while being paid much much less. That is one misconception many people have about veterinarians. Everyone assumes that we all will make six figures from the moment we pass our boards, but in reality, even if we land a high paying job, we have a higher average debt than most other doctoral graduates. That being said, choosing this career is not for the faint at heart. It is a path that must be prepared for well ahead of ever entering a classroom.

Choosing to pursue veterinary medicine was something that I did not take lightly, but it was one of he best decisions I have ever made in my life.

Settling In

Moving away from home is tough- they don't tell you that when you're a kid. Maybe that's because as kids we want nothing more than to be away from home, and away from our parents. I found that as I got into my mid twenties, I wanted to be closer to my family. I want to take care of my parents as they age, and I want to be there for them. But it is important to also live my own life, and to follow my own passions in life. This meant moving across the country, and leaving behind the people I love. I'm fortunate enough in that I have a brother about 20 miles away, which is close enough for me to have support, while still being forced to make friends in my own area.

Settling into Arizona life has been interesting. I love Minnesota, and never pictured myself ever leaving long-term, despite everyone at work telling me once I experience an Arizona winter, I may never come back to the land of ice and snow. I told them I had to come back, otherwise my mukluks might go to waste.

There are things about Minnesota I will miss:

1.    Thunderstorms. While Arizona has rain, Minnesota has the severe weather and tornadoes that come with the humidity in the air. 
2. The first snowfall. It is so beautiful. And crisp. And clean. And silent. 
3. The four seasons. Despite the six months of winter, we do experience four different seasons. Spring has the greenery and blossoms. Summer has the sunshine and thunderstorms. Fall has the GORGEOUS changing colors, and winter has the beautiful snow-perfect for Christmas.
4. Having a doggy door. While being forced to walk the dogs several times a day is great for my health, being woken up every day at the crack of dawn is going to get old pretty fast.
5. Dunn Brothers and Caribou coffee. Thank God there is Dutch Brothers down here, or I may die.
6. My co-workers at the hospital! And of course, my family and pets.

But there are also things I won't miss:

1. The ENDLESS winter that happens right around January/February, and lasts til at least April.
2. Scraping ice off my car in -20 degrees.
3. Being woken up by people in the house.
4. Having to worry about waking anyone up during my late-night snack binges.

The key thing to surviving a cross-country move is to stay busy and focused on something other than what you miss. One thing that has helped me immensely is having to organize and unpack my things. I find that if I put on some music and start cleaning or arranging things, time flies by. Having to take the dogs out is also something that has been a positive distraction. In addition, having to navigate my new surroundings has kept me busy. I know that once classes start, I will be a slave to medicine, so I am trying to enjoy my free time now while I have it.

Tune in for another post soon! And if there are any topics regarding moving/vet school/grad school you would like to see me write about, leave a comment below!
                  

Saying Goodbye and Finding Comfort

Most people move away from home when they first go to college. I spent my first year in a dorm, then primarily lived with my parents until I made the move to Arizona. That being said, I think it is safe to assume that I have never really been away from home. I wish I could attribute this to my Eastern European culture, but sadly, the reason I lived at home for so long was that living on your own in Minnesota is EXPENSIVE. Actually, living on your own anywhere is expensive. Although I had a decent paying job, my student loan payments were almost as much as renting or owning a home. If it weren't for doctorate loans, I wouldn't be able to live in the place I live in now. Anyway, more on expenses in another post.

Saying goodbye to my dad was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am exceptionally close to my dad, and the thought of him leaving last Sunday morning shattered my heart. I broke down Saturday night when I looked my dad straight in the eye and sobbed, "I want to go HOME!" Only, this was my home now. I knew I would have to get used to being on my own if I was ever going to be successful in vet school. Still, watching my dad leave tore my heart right out of my chest.

Each day gets easier, I have to admit. But I still find myself in moments of extreme melancholy. Fortunately, we are in the days of iPhones, and I can call/text/FaceTime my dad any time I need. That is comforting to me. I found more comfort as I was unpacking after my dad had left, I was going through old birthday cards and bits and bobs I chose to keep over the years. In one birthday card, my dad had written, "Love You, Dad" which was somewhat unique because he usually just signs "Dad" rather than writing anything else. It was written so beautifully, and I found comfort in having his handwriting close. Plus, he never says "I love you" but always "Love you", both in text and verbally.

So, this past Friday I went to a tattoo shop and put my dad's writing on permanently. I cannot even describe the joy I feel when I look at this piece. It is so beautiful and comforting and  I had wanted a tattoo for my dad since I was in my late teens.

Sinful Skin Tattoo in Glendale. I saw Aaron, and he was great!

He was able to photocopy the exact writing and use it as a stencil. This is my dad's actual writing, not the artist's tracing.

I absolutely love the placement of this tattoo! (Biggie does too)

Close-up of the image

The next morning- so in LOVE with it!

My dad's reaction. Priceless!

This was only the first step in beginning to settle in and really find myself as a person. I am happy that the first step was a large one, and one that I will be able to remember forever. Now I have to get my dad to get a tattoo!

Backlog: Moving Cross-Country Day 4 (the Home Stretch)

I quickly decided that Flagstaff is probably my favorite city that I've been to throughout this road trip. Even as I write this several days after moving to Glendale, I still love Flagstaff. Perhaps that is because it is like Minnesota in a way. It's normally about 30 degrees cooler than the valley, and there are pine trees everywhere. It has that "up north" feel that Minnesotans love. Many of us choose to vacation in what we call "up north", which is basically any place north of central Minnesota, all the way up to the Canadian border. One of my favorite places in Minnesota is Duluth, which is along lake Superior, about three hours north of my hometown. Flagstaff reminded me of Duluth, and I said several times that I would move to Flagstaff in a heartbeat.

Gorgeous view from the hotel

Because we were about a day ahead of time, we had time to really relax around the hotel before setting off for Glendale. This gave us time to have breakfast. I had some yogurt and several cups of coffee, because I knew it would be a long day of driving, and then moving into my apartment. My dad and I walked the dogs and talked about all the changes that were happening at home and in Arizona. Despite enjoying the walk with my dad, I could feel anxiety building inside me.

We washed the blanket that Sonja had soiled, then headed off towards Glendale. The drive through northern Arizona was breathtaking. My dad admired the canyons and mountains, and commented on all the pine trees. I was hoping to see an elk, but that didn't happen (dang!) The roads were curved and hilly, so I didn't take any photos- safety first!

We stopped at a rest stop between Flagstaff and Sedona, where I was able to walk for a bit and take some photos of the landscape. I saw some kind of coyote creature, as well as a tarantula, which was thankfully deceased.

What have I gotten myself into?

This guy was about the size of my palm. haha WAS...

Panoramic view from the rest stop

I had permission to receive my apartment keys a day early, so we picked up my brother in Scottsdale and headed to my complex in Glendale. After a few hiccups with electric and down payment, I finally walked into my apartment for the first time. I completed the walk-through via video and started to unpack the basic necessities. I didn't take any photos because we were so busy, but I will be sure to post some as soon as I am finished establishing myself here.

After a dinner of pizza, we went to bed to await another day of unpacking and shopping.

After four days of driving, I was home...kind of.

Backlog: Moving Cross-Country Day 3

I woke up in New Mexico to grey skies and a dry throat. After hitting up the hotel's breakfast bar for a yogurt cup and cinnamon roll, we headed back to the car for a long day of southwest driving. 

New Mexico was a beautiful state; my dad fell in love with the colorful landscape and laid-back feeling the scenery provided. New Mexico was the perfect blend of prairie-plus-mountain. I really enjoyed the drive as well. As we got closer to the Mexican border, signs dotted the highway warning us to avoid picking up hitchhikers. The local correctional facility had posted these to deter drivers from transporting potential illegal immigrants. 

The sign reads: Please do not pick up hitch-hikers in this area. Thank you. Springer Correctional Facility

You can see the mountains emerging in the distance

The further into New Mexico we drove, the prairies began to be replaced with stunning rock formations. We passed through a city called Las Vegas, which was adorable, but nothing like the Las Vegas most people are familiar with. Had we more time, I would have liked to explore this town, but sadly, we were on a mission to get to Arizona. It was during this day I began to feel a pressure in my chest. I didn't know what was causing my unease, but I tried to brush it off and make the most of the drive. Sonja must have sensed my anxiety, because she took the opportunity to have a wee on the blanket in the back seat...Oops.

Getting closer to the border of Arizona

Eventually, we made it to the Arizona border. Native American shops and attractions welcomed us as we drove into the state. After cruising through a rainstorm, we arrived in Flagstaff for our final hotel. In my previous night's insomnia, I took the opportunity to book a hotel in advance, and made the executive decision to stop in Flagstaff, although we could have made it to Glendale within that day. Because we were slightly ahead of time, I wanted to see some of Flagstaff, because I had always been told that it was similar to Minnesota. We settled into our hotel, suggested by my sister-in-law Ashley, where Georgia's anxiety got the best of her and she had a bit of an accident in the hotel room... Oops, again.

Native American attraction just outside Arizona

Made it

We had Chinese for dinner, and I gave the dogs a bath with some lavender doggy shampoo purchased at the Wal-mart near the hotel. Feeling clean and calm, the dogs settled down and actually slept the best in this final hotel. I still was battling my chest pains and insomnia, but distracted myself by watching Animal Planet. 

Sonja clearly felt bad for weeing in the car

All clean and ready for bed!

It was hard to believe that we would be in my new home the very next day...