I am happy to finally report that we have bought a car!
This post was suppose to be happy and up beat, and I planned to explain the whole car buying experience. I have planned on sharing pictures, but after the horrible day I had today. I need to use this as a venting ground and to compare the vasting different ways two companies conduct business.
It all started last thrusday when Graham came home saying that He had gone by a dealership that a co-worker had recommended. he had found a 2000 kia sportage under 75000 miles on it. He had already called the mechanic and was making arrangements to get in there. The dealership agreed to take it to the mechanic in the morning for us since we didn't have any way of our own to get it there. Graham was going to call the mechanic when he got off work around 2pm and go from there. I had to work on friday, so I told Graham to call me at work. I gave graham money he could use to buy the car if the mechanic said it was a good deal. So around 3pm while i was just sitting down to get lunch at work, Graham came by the office and said that the mechanic still had not looked and it yet. I was a little upset, but I had to get back to work. Graham went home and called the dealership to let them know what was going on. I don't know what happen nor when it happened, but a few hour later the mechanic finally called. The dealership gave Graham a ride to the mechanic so he could pick up the car and drive it back to the dealership. Graham called me at work saying that the dealership had to have a copy of my id since we were using a check to pay. The dealership was driving him over to my work to meet me and get a copy of it. So, they came by and a gave him the copy, I asked a few questions and thanked him fo rhis help. Then, a little while later Graham called my office again needing my SS#, I gave it. Then Graham came by my office again around 7or8pm saying that i had to sign abunch of a papers. He asked me if there was any way I could get off early since the dealership closed at 9, but I got of at 9. Graham called and talked to the dealership and they agreed to bring the papers over to my office for me to sign there. Unfortunately, we got busy at my office. I could not get off on time. I was trying my hardest to pass off everything to my co-workers coming on the night shift. Graham and the dealership salesman had to wait about 20 mins or so until i would break free and clock out. I apologsized up and down for making him wait. I thanked him over and over for going out of his way to help us out. He was so kind and he didn't mind the wait. I was uber impressed with this guy and recommend him to anyone.
A vast opposite comparsion to what I experienceed today at the before mentioned mechanic. Because Graham has to work every day from 6a-2p and the shop opens at 8am. I had to wake up early and ride with graham to work so I could take by the mechanic to get a few minor repairs fixed. So, i got to the mechanic about 8:45a. I had an estimate that they had made for Graham earlier. We were going to get back wheel seal fixed and fixed the wheel bearing, then check for any oil leaks. I told the woman i was going to wait for it there to get done instead of leaving and coming back. So i sat down expecting to be there a few hours, but i planned on being able to pick Graham up from work at 2p. Finally, around 1ish, i was informed that they were trying to find the oil leak and was thanked for being patient after i starting pacing the small area(aka three chairs) they call a waiting room. So, then about 2pm, the tech finally gave the paper to the "desk person" who informed me that the oil was leaking from two places in the back of then engine. mind you, this is after i had spen 5 hours waiting-i was tired, hungry, and thirsty. The desk person informed me that it would be another so much $ to replace these things and that there was a discount if they were replaced at the same place. So, i said fine replace them, I asked how much longer i would wait- anohter hour or so i asked? No, the mechanic tech said around 4 or 5pm.(2or 3hours more!) So, i sad fine and sat back down, and gave them the "evil" one the best i could. When, i had finally defrosted a liitle, i went back to reading. Around 5pm, i got up and tried o get the attention of the desk person-now a lady. About 10mins or so, she reported back to me that the tech was not finished and did not plan on being finished by 5:30- when they closed. So, i stressed to her that i needed to get home and that i needed my car for the next day. So, then she when back to talk to the tech, she came back to infom me that the car would not start. I was taken aback. But, I drove it here this morning, it started then, I have been here all day- I have to get home, i need by car, I told the woman. She didn't seem to care. Well, it would start and there is nothing I can do, we close at 5:30pm was her response, oh and she said that I could call a taxi to get home. I was hot, all I wanted to do was cuss the woman out and make the tech fix my car that he had broken. I told the woman, so I have to leave my car here until he fixes the car that he broke and until then I am ou of luck. Her reply-yeah. Oh, my gosh, she tried to offer me a ride with one her male techs to give me a ride home. There was no way, I getting in the car with a man a had never meet before. So, i called myself a taxi and stormed out the building as soon as it got there. I paid $13.50 in a taxi fare to get home. Graham waled in a few minutes after i got home, i told him all about it. He was not happy. I told him that we are never ever going back there once we get our car back from them. I called my parents and told them want happen and they got upset too. So Graham is going to handle to the rest of the story-i am still too angry at these people! They are going to reimburse me for that taxi fare. On friday, hopefully i will have the rest of the story to inform everyone
to be continued........
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Situation Update
I know my last post was pretty heavy last week. I just wanted to give an update on my situation. I have talked to the head technician about what I was thinking and we talked. She says it is my decision and she was to make sure I make an informed decision. I talked and discussed with the doctor and the other tech I was working with last week. This doctor is one of the one's that I really love to work with. I respect her opinion and advice. I have thought about what everyone has said and prayed about it. I believe my next move is to look for a full-time job at a day clinic. I will work at my current one until I can find one that God provides for me. I got my resume all ready and I am going to go pound the pavement. I am going to go by one today. I am at peace with this decision. I feel like this is what God is telling me what I need to do. So, thats what is where I am now.
In better news, we are very close to getting a car of our own. Graham is calling a man back today about a car. I keep looking every day. Graham has a mechanic that he wants to use, so we will have one very soon. Then we can get some better furniture for our place. Within the next few months, we should make our apartment look more like a home instead of living place.
Thanks for everyone's prayers.
In better news, we are very close to getting a car of our own. Graham is calling a man back today about a car. I keep looking every day. Graham has a mechanic that he wants to use, so we will have one very soon. Then we can get some better furniture for our place. Within the next few months, we should make our apartment look more like a home instead of living place.
Thanks for everyone's prayers.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Honestly....
Something keeps eating at me for the last little while, but I was not sure if it was due to the fact that I have been kinda depressed. The thing is that I miss day practice. I feel like I am not happy at my job nor is there any job behind working. I miss routine and regular work hours. I am tired all the time. My sleep cycles have been totally screwed up. I have not been able to go out to any church meeting or outings because i am either working or too tired to go out. And not having a car does not help that situation. But I have kinda started in the middle of the situation. There is this doctor at the clinic Dr. A(names left out). She graduated veterinary school last year. She is high instensive and high maintenance. By her own words, she is type A personality. She gets stressed very easily when it gets busy. When she gets stressed, she takes it out by cursing, yelling, and screaming, at anyone near her. I have gotten my fair share of tongue lashings from her and so has everyone else. She keeps telling me that I am not doing things fast enough even though I am going as fast as I can. She can be cold, snappy, and gnarky at times. A few nights ago, during an laceration repair, I asked her if I could turn down the anesthesia gas level because the patients heart rate was decreasing. She snapped back that I was in charge of anesthesia, and in not so any words to leaver her alone and not ask questions. On monday night, I was prepping for another laceration repair, we were discussing which suture material she wanted to use. The size she wanted to use we were out of so she asked for the size smaller and the size larger. During the surgery, she asked for the size that we were out of, I reminded her that we were out of that size and that we had the size smaller and larger. She huffed, sighed, and barked which one she wanted. She always complaining about something. She goes on raids at least once every time she works. She complains when the clinic is too slow, too busy, if we are out of anything, or anything else she can think of. I hate working with her. I always look on the schedule and see how many times I will be working with her. I dread working with her. I get to work stressed out and I wish for time to go by faster so I can be done working with her. There is two doctors I love working with. They have been out of vet school 10+ years. They get stressed and frazzled, but they don't take their stress out on us.
On Monday night, I had a " update on how I am doing" talk with the head tech. She said that "my technical skills are not where the need to be" Since it is an emergency clinic, things that I could learn over my first year out of tech school. I have to have down within 3-6 months of employment there. This is about the 2-3 time she has told me this. I think I have improved, and I asked her that if she thinks I hav improved and she said only a little. So, thought about what she said while I was at work monday and what has been eating me. I don't know if I was made for emergency clinic. I know that I never wanted to work at emergency clinic. Not only do I have to deal with emergency situations, high instensive patients, stressed owners/clients, but also aout 5 different doctors and what they want and like. So there is no consistency. I like consistency and routine. I don't know if there is some kind of reason that is causing me not to get to the point that the head tech wants me at. Or if God is trying to tell me that my time at this clinic is up and that I should look for another job. I have great respect for the head tech. She has been working in this field for a long time and has great patience with training new techs like me. I don't want it to seem like I am giving up nor do I want her to give up on me. But she can be scattered brained and weird sometimes. And even though she has a husband and kids, it seems like her own life is her work. I like to have a social life outside of work. I don't want work to be my whole life like it has been for the past few months. I don't want my job to define me. I am really stressed out about this. I don't know if I should like the head tech know what I am thinking. When I agreed to the job, I agreed to work up to 1 year. I have been thinking that I would stick it out at this clinic for a year and then look somewhere else. I have only been out of school 5 months and have been employed there 4 months. I know I am inexperienced and I am unsure if another clinic would hire me due to the fact of my inexperience. I know have to have a job. But i also know that God knows where I am suppose to be. I am praying that He will tell me what He wants me to do and that the right door will open. I know God has moved me to AK for a reason, and I don't want to make another BIG move AGAIN. I am updating my resume. There is a day pracitice about two blocks away that I have been wanting to check out ever since I saw it was there. I know my first 7 months of CO were very similiar, but once I found the right church and friends to connect with everything worked out. I am just stressed. I know God will take care of me, but I am not sure what to do.
Hopefully, my next post will be more positive
On Monday night, I had a " update on how I am doing" talk with the head tech. She said that "my technical skills are not where the need to be" Since it is an emergency clinic, things that I could learn over my first year out of tech school. I have to have down within 3-6 months of employment there. This is about the 2-3 time she has told me this. I think I have improved, and I asked her that if she thinks I hav improved and she said only a little. So, thought about what she said while I was at work monday and what has been eating me. I don't know if I was made for emergency clinic. I know that I never wanted to work at emergency clinic. Not only do I have to deal with emergency situations, high instensive patients, stressed owners/clients, but also aout 5 different doctors and what they want and like. So there is no consistency. I like consistency and routine. I don't know if there is some kind of reason that is causing me not to get to the point that the head tech wants me at. Or if God is trying to tell me that my time at this clinic is up and that I should look for another job. I have great respect for the head tech. She has been working in this field for a long time and has great patience with training new techs like me. I don't want it to seem like I am giving up nor do I want her to give up on me. But she can be scattered brained and weird sometimes. And even though she has a husband and kids, it seems like her own life is her work. I like to have a social life outside of work. I don't want work to be my whole life like it has been for the past few months. I don't want my job to define me. I am really stressed out about this. I don't know if I should like the head tech know what I am thinking. When I agreed to the job, I agreed to work up to 1 year. I have been thinking that I would stick it out at this clinic for a year and then look somewhere else. I have only been out of school 5 months and have been employed there 4 months. I know I am inexperienced and I am unsure if another clinic would hire me due to the fact of my inexperience. I know have to have a job. But i also know that God knows where I am suppose to be. I am praying that He will tell me what He wants me to do and that the right door will open. I know God has moved me to AK for a reason, and I don't want to make another BIG move AGAIN. I am updating my resume. There is a day pracitice about two blocks away that I have been wanting to check out ever since I saw it was there. I know my first 7 months of CO were very similiar, but once I found the right church and friends to connect with everything worked out. I am just stressed. I know God will take care of me, but I am not sure what to do.
Hopefully, my next post will be more positive
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
July Update
I know I haven't updated everyone for several weeks. Like I said in my last post, we did have to give the car back that we were borrowing. So, Graham bought a bike so he could get to work. I walk the 2 miles to work from our apartment. We have been saving money all month to buy a car. We are finally getting close to having the amount that we wanted to spend on a car. Hopefully, within the month of August we will be able to find a car. We are very excited about having the freedom of a car again!
It has been kinda hard to get out and do "fun" things since we can't get there. We are struggling to find a church group and friends. I don't like asking for rides from people that I don't know or have good relationships with. I don't like feeling like a burden on people. I have had trouble getting to the church that is right down the road from us because I have worked every weekend. It is hard to stay awake at service when I get off 9am(usually closer to 9:15-9:30) and walk 2miles back trying to make before service starts @ 10am. Then having to go back to work later on that same night.
This past month, it has just been like it was when I first moved to Denver. I was living in Aurora, and didn't have a car nor friends. Thankfully, this time is going to be shorter than that point in my life which lasted about 6months.
I am still loving my job. I haven't really worked on any strange or exotic pets lately. It has mostly been dogs and cats.
Sorry, we are kinda in a mundane, boring part of our lives. We are working and saving money.
Hopefully, my next post would be more exciting
It has been kinda hard to get out and do "fun" things since we can't get there. We are struggling to find a church group and friends. I don't like asking for rides from people that I don't know or have good relationships with. I don't like feeling like a burden on people. I have had trouble getting to the church that is right down the road from us because I have worked every weekend. It is hard to stay awake at service when I get off 9am(usually closer to 9:15-9:30) and walk 2miles back trying to make before service starts @ 10am. Then having to go back to work later on that same night.
This past month, it has just been like it was when I first moved to Denver. I was living in Aurora, and didn't have a car nor friends. Thankfully, this time is going to be shorter than that point in my life which lasted about 6months.
I am still loving my job. I haven't really worked on any strange or exotic pets lately. It has mostly been dogs and cats.
Sorry, we are kinda in a mundane, boring part of our lives. We are working and saving money.
Hopefully, my next post would be more exciting
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Going Back in Time
I decided this morning that I would catch ya'll up and what has been going on up here in the wilderness:8).
The major development in the past week was that we had to give up the car that we were borrowing last friday. The church needed it back so they asked for the car back. It was kinda a blow. I don't really like going back to not having a car. It was not really fun for the few months in CO. It really limits the area that you have access to. And waiting for a bus forever is never fun either. Just trying to do to simple errands like going to the grocery store is a hassle. Thankfully, this time around, I live walking distance from a grocery store so that helps. I also can walk to work and walk to the new church I have been going to. Graham bought a bike so that he could get to work and back. We are looking to buy a car soon. I am looking a craigslist and looking around for cars for sale. I have found some that look like possiblities. Graham asked around and found some mechanics too. So, hopefully we can find something pretty soon.
We have not been up to any adventures lately, mainly because we have been trying to have money. I have been sick since last wednesday. I have been down and out since then. I went to work friday and saturday night. I told my boss I couldn't work sunday night, after seeing how sick I was she was not going to let me work sunday night anyway. I have a very bad headaches, fever, running nose, etc.. I got home sunday morning. I took a very long hot shower and took some medicine. I went to sleep around 11am. I kinda woke up around 7pm, but then went back to sleep and Graham came in and checked on me around 9pm. I woke up and ate some dinner. I went back to bed around 10pm. The last few days, I am feeling better but I still have a pretty bad cough. Right now, my ears feel like they need to pop. But, I am still feeling alot better. Graham has been making fun of me because I have just been laying around the apartment sleeping and watching tv/movies. He thinks i need to go out and walk and "sweat out the toxins." I don't believe that putting physical strain on already sick body is a good thing. But, i might go out for a small walk this afternoon if I am still feeling ok. Graham is excited because not only is he finally driving at his job(driving the Office Depot truck), but he is going to go on full-time next week. So he is happy about making more money. He has been talking that he does what to get back into the army. He says he doesn't like living like a civilian
In July, I am going to crack down on my studies for my board exam on august 1st. I don't want to have to retake the test. I have been studying for a long time. I only have to make a 70 to pass. According to rumors, the board exam is easier that the cpe I took back in dec at school and about 80% of the bel-rea students who take the board pass the first time.
Thats about what has been going on... stay tuned for hopefully more exciting adeventures to come
The major development in the past week was that we had to give up the car that we were borrowing last friday. The church needed it back so they asked for the car back. It was kinda a blow. I don't really like going back to not having a car. It was not really fun for the few months in CO. It really limits the area that you have access to. And waiting for a bus forever is never fun either. Just trying to do to simple errands like going to the grocery store is a hassle. Thankfully, this time around, I live walking distance from a grocery store so that helps. I also can walk to work and walk to the new church I have been going to. Graham bought a bike so that he could get to work and back. We are looking to buy a car soon. I am looking a craigslist and looking around for cars for sale. I have found some that look like possiblities. Graham asked around and found some mechanics too. So, hopefully we can find something pretty soon.
We have not been up to any adventures lately, mainly because we have been trying to have money. I have been sick since last wednesday. I have been down and out since then. I went to work friday and saturday night. I told my boss I couldn't work sunday night, after seeing how sick I was she was not going to let me work sunday night anyway. I have a very bad headaches, fever, running nose, etc.. I got home sunday morning. I took a very long hot shower and took some medicine. I went to sleep around 11am. I kinda woke up around 7pm, but then went back to sleep and Graham came in and checked on me around 9pm. I woke up and ate some dinner. I went back to bed around 10pm. The last few days, I am feeling better but I still have a pretty bad cough. Right now, my ears feel like they need to pop. But, I am still feeling alot better. Graham has been making fun of me because I have just been laying around the apartment sleeping and watching tv/movies. He thinks i need to go out and walk and "sweat out the toxins." I don't believe that putting physical strain on already sick body is a good thing. But, i might go out for a small walk this afternoon if I am still feeling ok. Graham is excited because not only is he finally driving at his job(driving the Office Depot truck), but he is going to go on full-time next week. So he is happy about making more money. He has been talking that he does what to get back into the army. He says he doesn't like living like a civilian
In July, I am going to crack down on my studies for my board exam on august 1st. I don't want to have to retake the test. I have been studying for a long time. I only have to make a 70 to pass. According to rumors, the board exam is easier that the cpe I took back in dec at school and about 80% of the bel-rea students who take the board pass the first time.
Thats about what has been going on... stay tuned for hopefully more exciting adeventures to come
Thursday, June 16, 2011
IN 25 Years....
With my 25th Birthday today, it has me reflective on my life thus far and my life yet to come.........
It all began while I was in high school. I started to work towards my goal of becoming a veterinarian. I was in a school program called YAP, Youth Apprenticeship Program. I was able to be in this program for the last two semesters of my high school career. Each of those semesters I was able to spend the time I would have spent in a classroom at a veterinary clinic. Because I was in this program for two semesters, I was able to shadow at two different veterinary offices. I graduate in the top 50 of my class in May 2004. In August of 2004, I started my first semester of college at ABAC in Tifton, GA(Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College). During this semester, my grandfather passed away. This is was really hard on my family and me.( This was four years after my other grandfather and my great-grandmother had passed away when I was a freshmen in high school) I was really close to my grandfather so hard to be away from home during the healing time. I just got some resolve that I wanted to make him proud and reach my goal. In Jan 2005, a month after my grandfather passed, my brother got married to the coolest sister-in-law anyone could ask for in life. So, I had alot of emotional and spiritual things to deal with during the next year while I lived away from home. In May 2006, I finished my last semester at ABAC and moved back home. I got my A.S. in Veterinary Medicine that month too. In August 2006, I started VSU(Valdosta State University) and I got a part-time job at a local veterinarian's office as a kennel tech. I was really excited to be getting experience that I knew would help me in my future goals. I spent the next two years working and going to school. I spent alot time working and studying and not alot of time hanging out with my friends. I was able to develop some friendships during that time. In March 2008, my first niece, Stevie was born. I was so happy to be able to be at the hospital to welcome her into this world. In August 2008, I submitted my application to VMCAS(veterinary medical college application services) to six different veterinary schools. In Dec 2008, I graduated with my B.S in biology and I also got my first rejection from one of the schools I applied to. Over the next few months, I continued to work part-time and waited to hear the news from the rest of the schools I applied to. Slowly over the course of about 3-4 months, I got my notifications from the remaining schools. I got wait listed for one and the last four I got rejected from. This last rejection letter came in March 2009 from UGA. I took it really hard. The door to my life's dream was shut and I didn't know what I was doing to do with my life. I had planned my life out, but I had not let God plan it out. I was in just a broken and shattered state. I remember after I read the UGA letter, I tore it into pieces. My dad hugged me for little while, and I went upstairs and cried on my bed for the next several hours. I keep asking God why He would do this to me, why He would close this door after I had worked for so long and so hard. I received that letter on a saturday and I was not able to verbalize to anyone what it said until monday when I told my mom. I scribbled it on a note and slipped it to my then boss when I was leaving work that monday. I knew she would let everyone at the office know since I wasn't at a place to tell anyone yet. It took a few days for the shock of everything to sink in. The devil was kicking hard and kept bombarding me with thought like I had let everyone down, that I was less of person, I was not good enough. I was ashamed and embarrassed. God brought to my attention to scenes from the movie Facing the Giants, The first is when the head coach asks his wife in the field where he is reading his bible, if she would still love God even if God doesn't give her any children. And the second scene is a little later in the movie, when she comes out of the doctor's office after hearing some bad news, she leans over the truck and tells God that she would still love Him. My spirit didn't want to give up on God, but my flesh sure did. I thought of some options that I could do, I could stay at my current part-time job and wait until the next year and apply again. I could just quit everything and abandon my dreams and goals that I had worked so long and hard towards obtaining, or I could just trust God and know that everything was going to be okay. On my day off the week after I received the letter, I went out for a walk which at that time I didnt really do regularly. God and I had a long conversation and I cried for most of time. Finally, I told God that I would still love him even if I never got into vet school. When I got back inside, my mom sat with me and we talked for awhile. After some more talks with my parents and lots of prayer, I started looking around for vet tech schools to begin applying. I started doing some research and emailing different schools. Most of the schools all told me the same thing that their application deadlines had passed for that year and that I would need to wait and reapply the following year. After a few days of searching, God placed in on my heart to look for schools in Colorado. I contacted several schools that I found. The next day I got an email back from an admission advisor here at Bel-Rea. She told me that I met and exceeded all the qualifications for enrollment, and that the deadlines for applications had not passed. I still had time to get all my application into the school. She sent me an application package in the mail. So, the next few days I got all my transcripts, essays, and all my other papers together. I went ahead and mailed them off to her and waited for the application package. I got in about a week later. I filled it out and mailed it off to the school the next day. Once she received it, she sent me a email telling me that I unofficially accepted into the school and that the she was waiting for officially confirmation. A few days later, I got a phone call from her telling me that I was officially accepted in the school. I was so excited! I hung up the phone and started dancing around. Luckily, I was housesitting for some family friends so no one saw me looking like a happy fool. I immediately called my parents who were out-of-town for some conference. I told them the news. I talked to them for while. I hung up the phone with them and immediately called my work. I told my coworker who answered the phone(It was a small office so everyone knew everyone else and at this point I had been employed there for almost 3 years). She was excited, and by the time I got into work that afternoon everyone at the office knew my good news. So I spent April 2009 getting ready to move across the country- finding a place to live, figuring out what I needed to bring, trying to look for a church etc. In that month, I got a letter from Bel-Rea telling me that they had a record number of applicants for the Fall 2009 in which I was planning to enroll. The letter asked for any applicants that if they could move to the summer 2009 start date, but the school had to know by April 30. I told me parents and they said that if I could find a place to live that it was okay with them. So, I went into a search for anything I could find. In a few days, I found a house in Aurora that owners rented out the rooms. I show it to my parents who thought it was ok. I contacted the owners and I had the room. I contacted the school and moved up my plans by three months. In May/June 2009, I spent my time working, packing, and saying goodbye to friends, family, and coworkers. The second week of June 2009, my parents and I cramped into my grandmother's minivan that I had packed full and set off to CO. It was hard to be so far away from home with no family, no friends, and no car. Luckily, my aunt was visiting some of her in-laws here in Denver the week after I moved here. I was able to spend time with her and see different sites of Denver. At the end of June 2009, I started my first quarter at Bel-Rea, because of all the education I already had I was able to skip about five classes and take second quarter classes. From June until August 2009, I got back into the routine of doing schoolwork and studying and adjusting to the quarter system from the semester system. I got to know some people at school. I was having trouble finding a church and all of the places I checked out just didn't really "click." I found one, and I went there for about a month or so since it was the only place I really could get to from my house on the bus. After that, I started going to another church that was over a hour bus ride from my house. I went there for about a month or so too. I went to their college group for a couple of weeks. At the end of August 2009, I started my second quarter here at school. At the end of Oct 2009, I was able to get a car. I was so happy to have the freedom of a car again! So from August 2009- Dec 2009 I worked on my second quarter. I checked out a new church right before I left for christmas in dec. It clicked! Once, I got back in Jan 2010, I checked out a college aged small group. Fast forward to Nov 2010, I was working on my 7th quarter here at Bel-Rea. In Dec 2010, I took my biggest test up to that point-my CPE(clinical profiency exam). Although, the test was pass or fail, I had to make a 70 or greater to pass. This test was an cumulation of everything I learned at Bel-Rea. If I didn't pass, I would have to repeat the latest quarter completely over and take the CPE over once more. If you didn't pass on the second go around, you weer dismissed from the program and could never re-apply. So, albeit, I was really nervous going into the test. I knew I that I understand the material, but I was scard that my nerves would get the better of me and I would miss read a question or misspell something. So the day of the test came on a thrusday, I woke up around 3 or 4 in the morning, I couldn't go back to sleep. I studied some more and make sure I had all my paperwork together. Then about 7 or so, I got ready to go to the school. The tests started at 9am. I had to be there at 8am. We had about two breaks during the tests after we got done with the first two rooms. I finally got done around 1 or 2pm. I went to my car and called my parents, my grandmother, and a few of my friends. I waited for a few hours on campus for the grades to be posted. Finally, they got posted! All, I had to make was a 70. I wanted a 90 so bad jsut so I could say I made an A on the CPE. Well, I made an 88. Two points shy! It still gets me that i was two points away from my goal. But I passed and that was all that mattered! I went out later on that evening with some friends. I was in a state of euphoria. I had done it and I had finished all the class work with a 4.0! In Jan 2011, I started by 10 week internship rotation at Kipling Veterinary Hospital in Lakewood, CO. I had a pretty rough schedule because not only was I at my intern site for 40 hours a week, but I also worked a my job at Special Friends Veterinary Clinic two nights a week for 3 hours. For two nights a week, I left my place around 6am and I returned around 11pm-12am. My fellow intern and I swayed schedules mid-way through the 10-week. After the swap, I had wednesdays and thrusday mornings off. I was so grateful for that. I could rest. My wallet also took a big cut during this time. I learned quickly how to have a budget and stick to it. I lived on about 90 dollars every two weeks. I would get so excited when I got exra money from different places because that meant I could go to the grocery store. I didn't love living like that, but it has helped me learn many things. During that 10-weeks, I started applying for a job after graduation. I started looking around Denver, then expanded to the whole state of CO, and then finally to other states. I saw on ad on the CACVT website(CO Association of CVTs) for a tech position in Anchorage, AK. I first thought no way, but God pressed on my spirit to apply. So I did, and through the next few weeks I apply to other places as well, I stayed in comunciation with the people from AK. In March 14 2011, I graduated from Bel-Rea. My parents came out to Denver for the weekend, we got to go do some fun things around Denver. Then, I found out about on March 17, that I had been accepted for the position in AK. I had about 2 weeks to get everything together so that I could get up here to get to work. I had to sell my car, get plane tickets, get packed up, sell/donate/throw away anything that I was not taking with me, and find a place to live. On March 31, I left CO and headed here to AK. I arrived here on April 1, 2011. I started working on April 5, 2011. It was been a wild ride. I would have never imagined where my life has taken me. Here, I am 25, with a great job and a great apartment. I am still saving money for my own car. I have found one great church that meets in a the pastors house and it is really good. In the last 2 weeks, I have found another church that is about a 3min walk away. Graham and I have been to one of there generation meeting. I really liked it, even though these meetings invite people from middle aged kids to college age young adults. I have been in contact with the pastor involved, He has told me that this church plans on splitting the college-age group into there separate group this fall. I have been to two sunday services and I liked them as well. I am happy where I am and I am excited to see what God has for me in the future.
It all began while I was in high school. I started to work towards my goal of becoming a veterinarian. I was in a school program called YAP, Youth Apprenticeship Program. I was able to be in this program for the last two semesters of my high school career. Each of those semesters I was able to spend the time I would have spent in a classroom at a veterinary clinic. Because I was in this program for two semesters, I was able to shadow at two different veterinary offices. I graduate in the top 50 of my class in May 2004. In August of 2004, I started my first semester of college at ABAC in Tifton, GA(Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College). During this semester, my grandfather passed away. This is was really hard on my family and me.( This was four years after my other grandfather and my great-grandmother had passed away when I was a freshmen in high school) I was really close to my grandfather so hard to be away from home during the healing time. I just got some resolve that I wanted to make him proud and reach my goal. In Jan 2005, a month after my grandfather passed, my brother got married to the coolest sister-in-law anyone could ask for in life. So, I had alot of emotional and spiritual things to deal with during the next year while I lived away from home. In May 2006, I finished my last semester at ABAC and moved back home. I got my A.S. in Veterinary Medicine that month too. In August 2006, I started VSU(Valdosta State University) and I got a part-time job at a local veterinarian's office as a kennel tech. I was really excited to be getting experience that I knew would help me in my future goals. I spent the next two years working and going to school. I spent alot time working and studying and not alot of time hanging out with my friends. I was able to develop some friendships during that time. In March 2008, my first niece, Stevie was born. I was so happy to be able to be at the hospital to welcome her into this world. In August 2008, I submitted my application to VMCAS(veterinary medical college application services) to six different veterinary schools. In Dec 2008, I graduated with my B.S in biology and I also got my first rejection from one of the schools I applied to. Over the next few months, I continued to work part-time and waited to hear the news from the rest of the schools I applied to. Slowly over the course of about 3-4 months, I got my notifications from the remaining schools. I got wait listed for one and the last four I got rejected from. This last rejection letter came in March 2009 from UGA. I took it really hard. The door to my life's dream was shut and I didn't know what I was doing to do with my life. I had planned my life out, but I had not let God plan it out. I was in just a broken and shattered state. I remember after I read the UGA letter, I tore it into pieces. My dad hugged me for little while, and I went upstairs and cried on my bed for the next several hours. I keep asking God why He would do this to me, why He would close this door after I had worked for so long and so hard. I received that letter on a saturday and I was not able to verbalize to anyone what it said until monday when I told my mom. I scribbled it on a note and slipped it to my then boss when I was leaving work that monday. I knew she would let everyone at the office know since I wasn't at a place to tell anyone yet. It took a few days for the shock of everything to sink in. The devil was kicking hard and kept bombarding me with thought like I had let everyone down, that I was less of person, I was not good enough. I was ashamed and embarrassed. God brought to my attention to scenes from the movie Facing the Giants, The first is when the head coach asks his wife in the field where he is reading his bible, if she would still love God even if God doesn't give her any children. And the second scene is a little later in the movie, when she comes out of the doctor's office after hearing some bad news, she leans over the truck and tells God that she would still love Him. My spirit didn't want to give up on God, but my flesh sure did. I thought of some options that I could do, I could stay at my current part-time job and wait until the next year and apply again. I could just quit everything and abandon my dreams and goals that I had worked so long and hard towards obtaining, or I could just trust God and know that everything was going to be okay. On my day off the week after I received the letter, I went out for a walk which at that time I didnt really do regularly. God and I had a long conversation and I cried for most of time. Finally, I told God that I would still love him even if I never got into vet school. When I got back inside, my mom sat with me and we talked for awhile. After some more talks with my parents and lots of prayer, I started looking around for vet tech schools to begin applying. I started doing some research and emailing different schools. Most of the schools all told me the same thing that their application deadlines had passed for that year and that I would need to wait and reapply the following year. After a few days of searching, God placed in on my heart to look for schools in Colorado. I contacted several schools that I found. The next day I got an email back from an admission advisor here at Bel-Rea. She told me that I met and exceeded all the qualifications for enrollment, and that the deadlines for applications had not passed. I still had time to get all my application into the school. She sent me an application package in the mail. So, the next few days I got all my transcripts, essays, and all my other papers together. I went ahead and mailed them off to her and waited for the application package. I got in about a week later. I filled it out and mailed it off to the school the next day. Once she received it, she sent me a email telling me that I unofficially accepted into the school and that the she was waiting for officially confirmation. A few days later, I got a phone call from her telling me that I was officially accepted in the school. I was so excited! I hung up the phone and started dancing around. Luckily, I was housesitting for some family friends so no one saw me looking like a happy fool. I immediately called my parents who were out-of-town for some conference. I told them the news. I talked to them for while. I hung up the phone with them and immediately called my work. I told my coworker who answered the phone(It was a small office so everyone knew everyone else and at this point I had been employed there for almost 3 years). She was excited, and by the time I got into work that afternoon everyone at the office knew my good news. So I spent April 2009 getting ready to move across the country- finding a place to live, figuring out what I needed to bring, trying to look for a church etc. In that month, I got a letter from Bel-Rea telling me that they had a record number of applicants for the Fall 2009 in which I was planning to enroll. The letter asked for any applicants that if they could move to the summer 2009 start date, but the school had to know by April 30. I told me parents and they said that if I could find a place to live that it was okay with them. So, I went into a search for anything I could find. In a few days, I found a house in Aurora that owners rented out the rooms. I show it to my parents who thought it was ok. I contacted the owners and I had the room. I contacted the school and moved up my plans by three months. In May/June 2009, I spent my time working, packing, and saying goodbye to friends, family, and coworkers. The second week of June 2009, my parents and I cramped into my grandmother's minivan that I had packed full and set off to CO. It was hard to be so far away from home with no family, no friends, and no car. Luckily, my aunt was visiting some of her in-laws here in Denver the week after I moved here. I was able to spend time with her and see different sites of Denver. At the end of June 2009, I started my first quarter at Bel-Rea, because of all the education I already had I was able to skip about five classes and take second quarter classes. From June until August 2009, I got back into the routine of doing schoolwork and studying and adjusting to the quarter system from the semester system. I got to know some people at school. I was having trouble finding a church and all of the places I checked out just didn't really "click." I found one, and I went there for about a month or so since it was the only place I really could get to from my house on the bus. After that, I started going to another church that was over a hour bus ride from my house. I went there for about a month or so too. I went to their college group for a couple of weeks. At the end of August 2009, I started my second quarter here at school. At the end of Oct 2009, I was able to get a car. I was so happy to have the freedom of a car again! So from August 2009- Dec 2009 I worked on my second quarter. I checked out a new church right before I left for christmas in dec. It clicked! Once, I got back in Jan 2010, I checked out a college aged small group. Fast forward to Nov 2010, I was working on my 7th quarter here at Bel-Rea. In Dec 2010, I took my biggest test up to that point-my CPE(clinical profiency exam). Although, the test was pass or fail, I had to make a 70 or greater to pass. This test was an cumulation of everything I learned at Bel-Rea. If I didn't pass, I would have to repeat the latest quarter completely over and take the CPE over once more. If you didn't pass on the second go around, you weer dismissed from the program and could never re-apply. So, albeit, I was really nervous going into the test. I knew I that I understand the material, but I was scard that my nerves would get the better of me and I would miss read a question or misspell something. So the day of the test came on a thrusday, I woke up around 3 or 4 in the morning, I couldn't go back to sleep. I studied some more and make sure I had all my paperwork together. Then about 7 or so, I got ready to go to the school. The tests started at 9am. I had to be there at 8am. We had about two breaks during the tests after we got done with the first two rooms. I finally got done around 1 or 2pm. I went to my car and called my parents, my grandmother, and a few of my friends. I waited for a few hours on campus for the grades to be posted. Finally, they got posted! All, I had to make was a 70. I wanted a 90 so bad jsut so I could say I made an A on the CPE. Well, I made an 88. Two points shy! It still gets me that i was two points away from my goal. But I passed and that was all that mattered! I went out later on that evening with some friends. I was in a state of euphoria. I had done it and I had finished all the class work with a 4.0! In Jan 2011, I started by 10 week internship rotation at Kipling Veterinary Hospital in Lakewood, CO. I had a pretty rough schedule because not only was I at my intern site for 40 hours a week, but I also worked a my job at Special Friends Veterinary Clinic two nights a week for 3 hours. For two nights a week, I left my place around 6am and I returned around 11pm-12am. My fellow intern and I swayed schedules mid-way through the 10-week. After the swap, I had wednesdays and thrusday mornings off. I was so grateful for that. I could rest. My wallet also took a big cut during this time. I learned quickly how to have a budget and stick to it. I lived on about 90 dollars every two weeks. I would get so excited when I got exra money from different places because that meant I could go to the grocery store. I didn't love living like that, but it has helped me learn many things. During that 10-weeks, I started applying for a job after graduation. I started looking around Denver, then expanded to the whole state of CO, and then finally to other states. I saw on ad on the CACVT website(CO Association of CVTs) for a tech position in Anchorage, AK. I first thought no way, but God pressed on my spirit to apply. So I did, and through the next few weeks I apply to other places as well, I stayed in comunciation with the people from AK. In March 14 2011, I graduated from Bel-Rea. My parents came out to Denver for the weekend, we got to go do some fun things around Denver. Then, I found out about on March 17, that I had been accepted for the position in AK. I had about 2 weeks to get everything together so that I could get up here to get to work. I had to sell my car, get plane tickets, get packed up, sell/donate/throw away anything that I was not taking with me, and find a place to live. On March 31, I left CO and headed here to AK. I arrived here on April 1, 2011. I started working on April 5, 2011. It was been a wild ride. I would have never imagined where my life has taken me. Here, I am 25, with a great job and a great apartment. I am still saving money for my own car. I have found one great church that meets in a the pastors house and it is really good. In the last 2 weeks, I have found another church that is about a 3min walk away. Graham and I have been to one of there generation meeting. I really liked it, even though these meetings invite people from middle aged kids to college age young adults. I have been in contact with the pastor involved, He has told me that this church plans on splitting the college-age group into there separate group this fall. I have been to two sunday services and I liked them as well. I am happy where I am and I am excited to see what God has for me in the future.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
What a Day!
I know I have been a laxed about keeping everyone informed of my activities in the last little bit. But, to be honest I have not done anything, but work and sleep. I was working from sunday night to wednesday morning. By thrusday night, i was still very tired and didn't want to go out. Plus, with Graham working nights it was hard for me to go out when he had the car. This month I have moved to working from Fri night to monday morning. I will be able to be more awake during the week this month. Anyway,
today Graham and I went out to the downtown market that is held every weekend til about Sept. It was fun. It is fun to look at all the vendors and sample some of the food. Then, we went to the frozen yogurt shop in the downtown mall. I got a milkshake and Graham tried out the King Bowl. I did get a picture of it, but I haven't uploaded it yet. It was a waffle cone shaped in a bowl with the top dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. We then went on the renassiance festival. It was really fun. Graham was wearing his batman jacket so all the characters were attracted to him. We played some of the games-we go prizes for just playing. I got Graham a funny mask for a one game where he tried to toss bean bags through cutouts. Then another, we both tried to throw darts to pop ballons on cutouts. I got to pick out a bracelet for that one. We watched some of the shows, walked around the "living village"-information area about how the peasants of that time era actually lived- In this village, there was a candlemaker, blacksmith, metal worker, surgeon, house builder, ale maker, and etc. They explained their tools and how they would make their livelihood.-and we walked around the other booths. We talked to the othe characters and "town folk." Graham got a giant turkey leg which he couldn't finish at the fair so we brought it home. It tasted really good. It was a really fun day to be outside even though it was overcast, a little cold, and drizzled a few times. It was nice to get out of the apartment.
Now, I am planning on some fun things to do for my birthday in a few weeks. I know, i am going to go to the special screening of The Lord of the Rings extended editions in theaters. See fandango.com for more info, but it is a three week event started with the 1st movie on June 14th. I am thinking of possible going hiking but that depends on the weather and Grahams schedule. I am hoping to meet some new people in the nex few weeks as I am able to go and investigate churchs and church groups. So maybe I can get ideas from them. I have also started to ask around at work for fun ideas too.
Anyway, I need to get some sleep before I go to work later on tonight.
today Graham and I went out to the downtown market that is held every weekend til about Sept. It was fun. It is fun to look at all the vendors and sample some of the food. Then, we went to the frozen yogurt shop in the downtown mall. I got a milkshake and Graham tried out the King Bowl. I did get a picture of it, but I haven't uploaded it yet. It was a waffle cone shaped in a bowl with the top dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. We then went on the renassiance festival. It was really fun. Graham was wearing his batman jacket so all the characters were attracted to him. We played some of the games-we go prizes for just playing. I got Graham a funny mask for a one game where he tried to toss bean bags through cutouts. Then another, we both tried to throw darts to pop ballons on cutouts. I got to pick out a bracelet for that one. We watched some of the shows, walked around the "living village"-information area about how the peasants of that time era actually lived- In this village, there was a candlemaker, blacksmith, metal worker, surgeon, house builder, ale maker, and etc. They explained their tools and how they would make their livelihood.-and we walked around the other booths. We talked to the othe characters and "town folk." Graham got a giant turkey leg which he couldn't finish at the fair so we brought it home. It tasted really good. It was a really fun day to be outside even though it was overcast, a little cold, and drizzled a few times. It was nice to get out of the apartment.
Now, I am planning on some fun things to do for my birthday in a few weeks. I know, i am going to go to the special screening of The Lord of the Rings extended editions in theaters. See fandango.com for more info, but it is a three week event started with the 1st movie on June 14th. I am thinking of possible going hiking but that depends on the weather and Grahams schedule. I am hoping to meet some new people in the nex few weeks as I am able to go and investigate churchs and church groups. So maybe I can get ideas from them. I have also started to ask around at work for fun ideas too.
Anyway, I need to get some sleep before I go to work later on tonight.
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