Vegas & Boards

I have a minute or two right now to blog (on holiday for Mardi Gras). My first free minute in a long time!

So it's 100% decided that Josh and I will be moving to Vegas after graduation. I still don't know in which clinic I will be working, but I should find that out in a few weeks. We are pretty excited, but I'm starting to become a little scared about being the actual doctor. I've been playing doctor for the last 12 months, but I always had someone to back me up and tell me I was doing the right thing. At least I'll have 4 or 5 other doctors I can ask if I get in a bind. We've already been looking at a place to live in Vegas, and I can't believe the prices on some of those places! We'll be able to have so much more space for the same price as here in BR. I think it's going to be SO fun living in such a big place. Who knows how long we'll say there... we're planning on one year, maybe two. Then it'll be back to AR. I think....

I found out a couple weeks ago that I PASSED NATIONAL BOARDS!!! I could hardly breathe when the woman on the phone said "You Passed".... I was actually sitting down with the LSU SVM photographer going over my senior composite (see below) and a woman from the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association called to tell me I passed. I was trying so hard to focus on what the man was telling me he could do to perfect my picture, but I was just way too squirmy to sit there and talk about a picture. I got out of there as FAST as I could..... hopped on the elevator (alone) and literally jumped up and down and screamed the whole ride down to the first floor. Then I found all my friends, who were also finding out they passed, and we all screamed and jumped up and down and had little mini-parties in the hallway. This continued all day..... I swear... this was one of the best feelings I've ever felt. One of the pictures below ended up being the one I chose... I don't know which one though.... Wish I would have had time to get a hair cut in before the photo was taken... my bangs are aweful. The small animal surgery rotation just doesn't allow for that kind of time.

I'm starting to get REALLY sad about leaving Baton Rouge and all my friends here. I can't believe it's almost over......................................................

Christmas Card!

Our Christmas card this year included our babies... Tini and Bentley.

In case there was any question what was going on in the pictures... Josh and I took turns taking pictures of each other as we loaded the tree onto the top of the car. Tini was "helping" me wrap Christmas presents (note wrapping paper in the background), and Bentley was trying to eat the rare snowflakes that fell in Baton Rouge.

The holidays were a bit different for us this year. I worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we were happy to at least have each other. I know that sounds sappy, but it works. We hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season.

Life Lately

I have been so busy with clinics that I have hardly had enough time to hang out with Josh, much less spend time writing on my blog. But for all 3 people who read this, here is the update on my life.

I spent 2 weeks working at number hospitals in Las Vegas (all owned by the same man), and absolutely loved my time there. Josh and I now face the hard decision of whether to stay in Louisiana, enjoy a Las Vegas adventure, or head back to Arkansas. Any suggestions?

Bentley has started puppy training class. Josh, Bentley and I go together each Thursday night for an hour. Most of what we are learning in the 6 week-long beginner class are things Bentley already knows: sit, lay down, stay etc. Our goal is a well trained canine, and we'll work hard to achieve that.

I take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam in December. If you hear me talkign about "boards" or the "NAVLE" (pronounced nav-lee), I'm referring to this test. It's comprised of 6 section with 60 questions each. I get one hour per section and will be exhausted at the end. So. Please keep this in your prayers!

My Uncle, who fought a long, hard, fight against Myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia for three years, passed away on October 28. I was able to make a trip to Arkansas for the funeral. It felt good to be with my family, but I hate to see my dad be so sad.

Josh and I are hosting Thanksgiving at our home this year. We're excited about having everyone over, and especially excited about the LSU- Arkansas game!! I just hope I can forget about boards long enough to enjoy tailgating!

I have sort of put a hault on decorating... those dang boards again... But after I fell in love with a table cloth at Anthropologie, I knew I just had to have it. The thing is... I just couldn't see myself paying $120.00 for it. Soooo... I asked my oh-so-talented mama to make me one!! I can't wait to debut it at Thanksgiving!

Josh and I after Mike's service.

The FANTASTIC tablecloth! Thanks Mom!

The inspiration...

Bentley's First Swim

We took Bentley to a nearby lake yesterday for his first swim lesson. There were some other older (& bigger) dogs eager to show him how. He absolutely loved it. Of course, I was very nervous about sending my baby out into the big lake alone, so he donned a life jacket for the first swim. He's just too cute!

Josh showing Bentley that the water is safe.

He's figuring it out!

He's so handsome!

My little swimmer!

haha... love that handle!

Bentley and his best friend, Choda

He thinks he can carry this stick....

All the dogs ready to fetch!

This is a more appropriate sized fetching stick!

Bentley thought he could take on Brie... she's double his size! He held his own pretty well, though :)

2nd Anniversary & Bentley's Tricks!

Josh and I celebrated year TWO! Two of very many many more to come. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, and bought ourselves a coffetable + 2 end tables for our home. Happy Anniversary Honey!

Bentley is such a good dog!

Flaminco is the way to go

If anyone remembers my 21st birthday, you might remember the bright blue flamico skirt that I wore. I just love love love ruffles and tiers etc. Well I have finally brought that spanish flare into my home. I love my new guest bathroom. Please come visit and enjoy it with us!!

Colorado is so clean, and it smells nice too!

I recently spent 2 weeks in Colorado staying with my bestie Anna and working as an extern at Banfield, The Pet Hospital. This is a series of hospitals located in PetSmart stores. I wanted to see what corporate medicine is all about, and mainly to decide if I should persue a career in corporate medicine. The answer to that question... probably not, but maybe. Ha! I enjoyed the high standards shared by all Banfield practices, but I don't like that the hospital will put so much focus on profit -so much that they'll send in corporate officials to coach you on how to better sell vetmed. I understand that vetmed is a business like all others, and in order to be successful the hospital must be profitable, but I believe I want to do what is best for the patient (the pet) and the client (the owner). I could go into detail and explain what I mean with all this, but I won't bore you with that. I really enjoyed the doctors that I worked for, and like I said before: the standard of care and the quality of care provided at Banfield is top notch, so I suppose that is the main reason I'm keeping Banfield in the forefront of my mind as I prepare to find a REAL job!

Anna was one of the best hostesses around. And I'm not just saying that b/c she's my best friend from kindergarten. She made me breakfast, she drove me to work, she would make my lunch sometimes, she ran with me, she let me use her car, I used all of her work out clothes... I could go on and on! She even took me up to Estes Park to see the sights. It was so cute. I got so many souveniers from there- Bentley even got his grown up wardrobe from Estes Bark. I just love The Good Dog Company. Anyway- Thanks so much Anna!!!!! Love you BGMoe!

Running along Equalizer Lake in Loveland, CO

Getting ready to make the Hike to Devil's Backbone

Devil's Backbone

Posing for a BFF photo-op!

"Do not leave trail"..... whoops!

Remember "Friendship Rings" from elementary school? This is our modern day version!

Uno!

She won both times!

Shopping around Estes Park

Enjoying dinner with friends.