Time to reflect on the year…
January 2009, I started vet school. Something I worked so hard for was finally materializing and it was an exciting and new start for me. It was like starting high school all over again, the bad and good parts!
April 2009, I finished my first semester of vet school and it was pretty tough but I did it – there were things that needed fixin’ but I was still really motivated. Going home for that break was a little weird because I was so glad to be home, but I just don’t think I really knew to appreciate it completely yet.
May 2009, 2nd semester begins – we were all forewarned that this would be the worst semester ever and it undoubtable was worse than 1st, but I did it. I did it and fostered a bunch of animals on top of it so when it was over I felt like Superwoman. I ended that semester significantly more successful than the previous so I was really proud of myself… proud that I fixed what needed to be fixed and also took on things that I shouldn’t have and still came out on top. Going home was a great reward after that.
August 2009, I now knew how to enjoy my time at home and got fat while doing it! I also spent a week at the VOSM, which was a great experience. I love that place and it embodies everything I want to do in the future, so that was a great jolt of motivation for when I returned to the island.
September 2009, 3rd semester starts and there I was thinking it was going to be smooth sailing… which it mostly was because we only had those two exams per class! But, I’ve never felt so much stress + panic during finals day-in and day-out before in my life. That could NOT have been healthy. I couldn’t even feel relief until the grades were released on Saturday, December 19th! That’s a long time to be surging with stress without breathing freely… by far, that was the most mentally stressing semester for me.
December 2009, I’m treasuring the time I’ve spent here on break… still am. A couple times, I let myself think about the day I leave and it really bothers me. All the other breaks, the moment my heart sinks is when the airplane wheels lift off the runway. It’s usually never fully real until that moment… but now, I already have that bottoming-out feeling just thinking about it. This is a pretty important break just because I won’t be returning to U.S. soil until April/May 2011. That’s kind of a scary thought… so much could happen until then!
I’m excited for 2010, but I hope it goes by fast and uneventfully. I already want to come home and I haven’t even left yet. Thankfully, Doobie & Manny will be going back to the island with me… after a painstaking process of getting their import permits, back/forths with the USDA and MULTIPLE visits to the clinic for their rabies titers and health certificates. Man, the process in itself is a turn-off to wanting to bring your pets to St. Kitts… but, I’m really counting on them to help ease the reality that we’re STUCK until 2011.
One thing I miss about the island – seeing the Tula-la kitty, I am excited to see her again. Of couse my fosters too, Mia and Tobey (yes, his name says Dylan on the website).
Oddly, I’m looking forward to seeing Tobey again… now that school’s over, it’ll be nice to see his perpetually happy face. Doobie’s going to have to play nice with Tobey until I can find him a new foster home, but at the same time, I feel this is a good thing and I can use this as an opportunity to work on Doobie and his socialization skills with other dogs.
I usually make resolutions for the new year but I’m pretty sure I’ve never successfully completed any of them… of course, there’s the usual: hit the gym frequently and consistently, eat healthier, stop being a bitch, etc.
In 2010, I just want to resolve to keep kicking ass in school, help some people along the way, continue to be the world’s best dog owner and enjoy my time wisely. It’s been completely overdone, but it’s never been more true… life is what you make of it. I stuck myself on that island voluntarily and I will be damned if I don’t leave there with lots of stories to share when I get back in 2011.