April? Are you sure?

I mean, if there's still snow on the ground it can't have been that long since my last post in January, right?

WRONG!  It's freaking mid-April and there's snow on the ground and snow in the forecast for tomorrow!  I can't handle this endless winter, it's got me so far down in the dumps. 

So, lots and lots to catch up on. I'll try to just hit the highlights:

Vet school:

I'm in!  I was accepted at the U of MN for the class of 2017.

This was after the interview I had January 24th - my mom came up and we spent the day together.  The interview day was horribly timed, info session at 8am, then nothing for hours, then tour+lunch at noon, my interview was at 1:15 (had to choke down my food after the tour), and there was a final tour at 3:45 but we elected to skip it.  The interview went pretty well (obviously, since I got in).  One of the interviewers was a Gustavus grad who worked in research, so that was helpful - had a few talking points with him.  Found out about my acceptance on February 15th - they called and emailed me.  

As far as the other two schools, Oregon has me on an alternate list (like a waitlist, but unranked) and UW-Madison put me at #45 on their waitlist.  Made the choice pretty easy for me - and I think my friends in the area and Nathan especially were grateful for that decision.

Told my boss about my acceptance, and she was thrilled for me.  I had been dreading telling her (basically handing in my resignation) but all that stress about it was pointless!  Of course now I'm super busy at work since we're trying to tie up my project before I go, but it's still a good feeling knowing your boss cares more about your future and your life than just thinking selfishly about how it would affect their lab.  

Of course I still have pre-reqs I need to complete in order to attend next fall - Chemistry II w/lab and Physics II w/lab.  I'm in both courses right now (8 credits) and I have no idea how I'm finding the time to do all of the homework, study for the tests, do the labs and the lab work, along with everything else.  The chemistry lab is easily the worst part of the whole thing - I'm partnered with two freshmen (18!!) and I feel like I'm babysitting every lab session.  Only about a month left though, just have to stick it out.

I'm also trying to figure out my living situation for next year - looking for a cheap apartment/house to rent that allows dogs (for my future roommate and possibly my future dog) near the St. Paul campus. So that's fun.

Europe:

I'm going!  I set up a route, have found traveling companions, and started booking tickets and hostels, so it's really happening.  Right now the plan is Amsterdam-London-Paris with Nathan (meeting Sarah in London and my mom and sister in Paris), then Paris-Rome-Florence-Venice with Megan and mom, Vienna-Prague with my former coworker Amanda, and finally Berlin-Copenhagen with my friend Michael.  It's going to be an epic trip - from July 3 - mid-August.  Trying to plan that has been a huge ordeal, but it's just on my list of things to get done!

Health:

Well this one has fallen by the wayside a bit.  However, Nathan and I (foolishly?) signed up to participate in the MS150 bike ride from Duluth to the Twin Cities.  That is happening the second weekend in June and we may very well die.  Been trying to start training but it has been extremely difficult with this ridiculous weather we've been having.  Of course that's no excuse to not get to the gym, but it's much easier to convince myself to bike outside when it's nice out than to convince myself to go to the gym at any time.  I also need to fundraise for it - not the crazy amount that my mom and sister (Sara) have to for the 3 day walk for breast cancer, but hey if you reading this want to donate $5 feel free to go here and do it!  It's for a good cause. 

Other news:

Amanda is engaged - getting married on my birthday.

Sisters have been having trouble organizing a good date for Megan's bachelorette party.

Had an Italian exchange student (Fabio) work in our lab for a month - very nice and friendly, had a crazy landlady.

Katie did not get into her Masters of Nursing program - very sad.  Decided to instead try for an Associates in Nursing.

Brian (Nathan's brother) may be moving to the cities after getting a job at Polaris.

Nathan decided to stop fostering for BCRMN after Ocean (Dutch Shepherd) was adopted (not because of her, just so he can put more time and energy into Jackie, who needs it).

Mom and I made some pretty mosaic pieces at a woman's house in St. Paul - mom a light yellow/green themed mirror and myself a peacock.

Mom and dad were thinking of buying a house near St. Paul campus for me and Sara to live in, that idea fizzled out.  

I decided to stop working at Como Zoo - I was having trouble finishing all of my homework and stuff on the weekends when I'd have it.  Just needed that extra time.

I think that's the majority of the highlights.  There are probably some major things I'm missing but it's good enough for now!

In conclusion, STOP SNOWING MINNESOTA, IT'S TIME FOR SPRING!