And in real time...

While I'm slowly updating posts from well over a year ago, I'll give a quickie that's more in real time.

Life is hard.

New job (okay I started in May so not that new but whatever) working at an emergency veterinary clinic.  My job mostly entails answering the phone, checking in clients, making them sign paperwork, and begging for money at the end.  Basically all of the things I want to avoid about vet med by going into lab animal.  So that's fun...

Went on an epic road trip this summer (did I already write about this?? I don't even know) with Megan and Sara.  Drove from Rochester to Lincoln, NE to Glenwood Springs, CO to Las Vegas, NV to San Diego, CA to Flagstaff, AZ to Georgetown, CO and back home.  It was amazing, rafting in Colorado, drinking in Vegas, going to the zoo and whale watching in San Diego, and seeing the amazing Grand Canyon.  Plus lots of driving.  It was super fun.

In August I got a dog!

Yep, his name is Duke of Weselton, he's a black lab-shepherd mix, and he's insane.  We just graduated basic obedience last week, and he has more energy than Nathan's dog Jackie and Belle combined, which is saying something.

So that's pretty special.

Year two of vet school is well under way and I'm struggling to keep my head above water, or care enough to keep swimming.  It's been rough, we'll see how this year goes.

I managed to set myself up with an internship at the University of Missouri over winter break, so that should be fun.  Also been doing a lot of work as the VP of the Research Animal Medicine Club - booking lunchtime speakers and tours and food and things.

Busy life man.  And here I am, procrastinating.

Italy Part 1: Rome

July 17:
Stupid early morning.  We brought our bags down the night before so just hauling the little stuff down in the morning.  Shuttle/taxi got there around 5 minutes late - we were the first stop.  Picked up 1 dude then went to pick up 2 more but they weren't ready (Meg got a snippy reply when she went to see).  Thanks to them, got to Orly at 5:40am, then had to find our gate.  Shuttled to the plane and then fly to Rome.  Waited for the bags and then decided to take a shuttle bus to Termini station (5 euro each).  Arrived, super short walk to the hostel and they let us up the elevator and into our room!  Took a 2-3 hour nap (necessary!) and then dressed for church-friendly and headed to the restaurant suggested by our hostess for some delicious sparkling wine and pasta.  Then off to Termini and the metro line A to Spagna (Spanish Steps) for a tour at 5:30.  We arrived stupid early again and now waiting (bought postcards 20 for 1 euro and a fan for 2 euros). Very hot.  Finally found the tour - she had a mic and speaker!  Went to Spanish square (steps were French!), 2 old columns with Mary and Saint Paul on top, 2 churches, the Pantheon - largest dome, and the Trevi Fountain.  Lots of Pagan turned Christian stuff!  Good tour.  Walked back down a street full of vendors and artists and watched a woman use spray paint and stencils to create beauty for 10 euros.  Finally decided to get one - gave her creative freedom and it paid off big time - gorgeous.  Creepy towel man outside but shower then bed.

July 18:
Alarm off at 8am so we'd be ready for our breakfast set up in the kitchen at 8:30 - cereal, hot chocolate, croissant (filled), yogurt, etc.  Dressed and out the door (after herding cats mom & Megan) around 9:30.  Walked to the Colosseum (my map skills) and then trying to find where to meet our tour guide (at reserved tickets).  Had a short tour (with our own handheld speakers!) and then wandered some more and through the Constantine exhibit. Headed over to Palatino/Roman Forum and had to walk/wander a long way to find the entrance due to some construction.  Wandered around the area but very hot, very little shade/breeze, and barely any information on what we were looking at.  Finally walked home for a lovely 3 hour nap.  Got up and headed out to the Hard Rock Cafe for food.  Had to wait awhile for a table but not as long as predicted.  Claudio took our order then switched to Elena.  I had half a BBQ bacon cheeseburger and Meg & mom split twisted mac and a smaller burger.  Headed home and stopped at outdoor market - found out we should buy leather in Florence. Also stopped at a supermarket and got chicken, chips, and cookies to make a lunch.  Showered, read, talked to Brian for awhile about pride, Megan got snuggly, and finally sleep ~2am.

July 19:
8am wake up, breakfast, & out the door by 9am.  Brief "argument" about bus vs. metro, got on the metro to "Ottaviano."  Then walking a ways to Museo Vaticano and being worried about being late and in the wrong place (again!).  Got to skip a huge queue and got our tickets at the meeting point.  Our tour guide "Margarita"? gave us speakers/headphones.  Tour of the Vatican Gardens.  Very quiet and peaceful and lots of shade plus history of the Vatican.  Then walked through the museum (da Vinci, Raphael, Dali) to the Sistine Chapel.  I thought the ceiling in the church on our free tour was more impressive!  We took the wrong exit out of the Sistine Chapel so had to backtrack to get to the right one.  Then found a nice little souvenir shop run by nuns and I got a pin.  Sat outside on a bench and ate our packed sandwiches, chips, and cookies.  Debated going up the Dome - 7 euros and 300 steps or 5 euros and 500 steps, decided not to.  Then into St. Peter's Basilica, touched the worn feet, wandered around.  Finally home through the square and back on the metro.  Read, took a nap, now mom and Megan are shopping.  Yay alone time, but I miss Nathan.  They brought back pizza and wine from the same restaurant as before, then bedtime.

July 20:
Got to "sleep in"!  Alarm @ 8:30, out of bed ~9am for breakfast.  Dawdled a bit and headed out ~11am (in & out to potty!).  Then decided to do a trip advisor walking tour of baths/temples, etc.  Saw the circus, some old bridges over the Tiber (62 BC!) and the Marcello Teatro (like a smaller Colosseum).  Also saw a face from the 1st century - w/ "Mouth of Truth."  Then decided to walk/shop for shoes up towards the Spanish steps and then over to Barberini.  Then walked home from there - tried to stop in a McD's for a toilet but a long unmoving line.   Finally back to our usual restaurant for pizza and bruschetta (free!).  Meg and I walked down to the laundromat to check it out and on the way stopped in a lingerie shop.  Cheap stuff - awkward though!  Laundromat was too pricey - will try in Florence.  Now home - after trying to find mom to let us in.  Short nap break.  Got up and mom and Megan went to try to find a WWII free museum (was closed unfortunately) while I Skyped with Nathan and took a shower.  They got back and mom and I went to the train station to get my Euro pass stamped - waited in the wrong line then got to the right line and ran home for my passport.  Then got it stamped, stopped at McD's for Coke and shakes (1 euro) then home.

Rome Summary:
Nice place, fountains everywhere - overwhelming amount of super old (BC) structures.  Not as big as I was expecting - fairly walkable.  Metro not great and I was afraid of using buses - couldn't buy tickets on the bus.  Super hot until the thunderstorm then better so long as you stay out of the sun.  The Colosseum was impressive, the Roman Forum not so much (probably because no info/tour).  The Vatican was both over and underwhelming.  Too many people!  Very glad for online ticket purchases. Calm in the garden but then super crowded in the museum/Sistine Chapel.  Sistine was less impressive than a church on our free tour.  Never found good shoes for Megan.  Hopefully in Florence we can find good leather products.  Food was good but really only ate at one restaurant besides the Hard Rock Cafe.  No cannolis yet.  Hostel has been great - WiFi, clean, old locks/keys, Don't feel like I missed anything.
"Ancient City"
3.5 out of 5 stars

Paris Part 2

July 15, 2013:
Back to the hostel and met up with the family and made a plan for the day.  We walked up and down a boulevard (can't read the name of it in my handwriting) (full of tourist shops and sex shops). Then stopped outside the Moulin Rouge for a tour (DiscoverWalks with Lulu). Fun Montmartre tour (artists etc). Ended at the Sacre Coeur - hot! Wandered around and dipped our feet (walked into) a wonderful ice cold fountain. Then to Abbessess road (nun) and a small bakery where we picked up baguettes with fromage (cheese), an eclair for Megan, and chocolate tarts for mom and I. We hopped on the metro for a quick toilet/wine pick up from the hostel and then to a nearby park.  We sat on a bench, ate food, enjoyed the sights (pigeons trying to mate and a couple of people making out hardcore).  Also, when resting before the tour we saw a drag queen walk by.  Now, probably going to head home soon. I headed home and left Megan and mom in the park - showered and got sheets for our new room in 502 - so many stairs! Mom and Megan got back and we all napped for a couple of hours. Then dressed and off on the metro (after horrible WiFi time) to the Hard Rock Cafe. Got a pin, a table at the bar, chicken tenders, and soda. Hung out for awhile - met some Canadians who had a cousin try out for the Wild, then off to the metro and home and bed.  Read more Dragonswings and missed Nathan...

July 16:
Early morning - alarm started at 8am but I didn't get up until 8:45.  Slow start, but got on the metro (after our last breakfast) and to the Arc de Triomphe by 10am.  Of course then we didn't even go up it... waste of an early morning!  Walked down the Champs Elysees and stopped at the McDonald's - got some tasty macaroons and used the restroom.  Before then we stopped at a street artist and got a painting - I talked the guy down from 35 to 10 euros! Then kept walking - went into some shops and the Disney store.  Long walk toward the Notre Dame - stopped for some leftover baguettes and to enjoy the Seine.  Got to the Notre Dame - huge line.  Asked for info and the tour meets at the big horse statue.  So here we wait until 2:30pm.  Finally had the tour - great info.  Some outside and then cut the queue and inside galore - the south rose window has been restored more and is thicker because of the Seine than the north rose (which has 75% of its original material).  Good tour, then back to the hostel for naps.  Now trying to get packed up for a super early day tomorrow.  After packing we headed out to walk back up to the Sacre Coeur - 233 steps (mom counted).  Few more tourist shops - I got a Chat Noir print.  Picked up a hot dog and "croque mon sieur" and walked home for bed - not much since alarms were set for 3:45am.

Paris Summary:
Here for a long time and definitely didn't need more.  The hostel was easily the worst so far - the staff was hot and cold. The WiFi was always awful, the lounge wasn't very comfortable, and way too many stairs!  Breakfast was okay - good hot chocolate. For the city - had a mix of experiences. Some very nice people (helped unstick my bag) and some less so. Good bakery smells to awful urine/poo smells.  Playgrounds by the Seine, Louvre was way too big to see in one go but didn't want to go more.  Eiffel Tower was great and going early was the best idea. The fireworks on Bastille Day were amazing - I think worth the 3 hour wait. The metro was pretty easy to use and stations everywhere.  Still a lot of walking! Had good luck with the food (crepes!).  Not very handicap accessible.
"City of Stairs"
3 out of 5 stars

Paris Part 1

I'm going to update the rest of this so it is immortalized on the internet, but obviously I'm no longer in Europe.  So the rest of it will not be italicized, but still straight from my journal :)

July 11, 2013:
Train to Paris through the Chunnel (got a blurry pic going in).  Off at Gare du Nord then onto the metro - and I got stuck in the turnstyle!  Tried to call for help - no luck.  Some nice guy gave us his ticket then helped shove Nathan's bag over.  Got to the hostel then up to 4th floor room 407.  Now relaxing after a shower.  Hanging in hostel lobby - not super useful host, terrible WiFi - tried to call mom but crappy.  After awhile we headed up the hill and a ton of stairs to the Sacre Coeur.  Took pictures, tons of market-type stuff around and hawkers, great views of Paris.  Stopped for a nice meal at Le Deli.  18.5 euros each for appetizer, entree, and dessert.  I had ravioli, salmon, and chocolate cake and it was delicious!  Nathan's was not as great.  We then walked around, took more pictures, then headed home and to bed.

July 12:
We elected to sleep in this morning but were rudely awoken by cleaners knocking,  We indicated the room was occupied but that just inspired them to take out their keys and try to get in!  That wasn't fun, but they finally gave up.  Got up, packed, and headed down to check out (~11:30am).  Set up our luggage in the luggage room and went to the metro to figure out day passes.  Was pretty easy - then walked around and finally got back to the hostel to wait for mom and Megan.  They arrived!  Got dad's phone, put their bags in the room (after they changed), then wandered around Montmartre for a bit.  Bought some stuff for lunch at the supermarket, then got a bit turned around heading home.  Finally made it, checked in, and mom and Megan took a nap while I set up dad's phone.  Then we all headed over to the Lourve.  Megan, Nathan, and I got in for free and it was 12 euros for mom.  Saw the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, and tons of other famous art work.  Finally headed out to the Palais Royal, walked through the mediocre garden (where is all the grass?) and then went on a food hunt. Eventually stopped at Le Royal Cafe - another "formulae" meal: ravioli and delicious chocolate mousse.  Drank tons of water - very thirsty and footsore.  Met some Minnesota girls and got our pictures taken.  Finally a long walk back to the metro and home.  Crappy WiFi, but bedtime anyway.

July 13:
Early morning (8am) - a good breakfast with hot chocolate and croissants.  Then out to the opera to the Discover Walks tour.  2 French women "Louise and Lauren", lesser known landmarks, 1 hour 30 minute tour.  Ended at the obelisk.  Not as good as Sandemann's.  Tried to find the Batobus stop - wandered around 1 km in the wrong direction, but we figured it out and headed back (played some games along the water while we wandered). Got on and found seats and busted out the lunch we packed (sandwiches and chips).  Enjoying the ride and the views.  We got off at the Eiffel tower and were disappointed at the huge  lines.  Bought some ice cream and back on the Batobus (after Megan got some mini towers) to the Notre Dame.  Wandered over a bridge covered in locks and walked over to the Cathedral and another huge line! Back on the Batobus (and some napping) then off to the Champs Elysees stop and a long walk to the Arc de Triomphe.  Passed a lot of fancy shops and a McDonald's.  Then (couldn't get near the Arc) a very long walk back to the Eiffel Tower. Got some food (a cheesy hot dog and coke) and then checked out the still super long lines, but now the top level was closed. We all decided to try for early tomorrow morning or Monday.  Now back on the Batobus to the Orsay to jump on the metro home.  Unfortunately there wasn't actually a metro stop there so we had to go find one.  Got home, jumped on WiFi and realized there was a "block party" by the firemen for Bastille Day tonight 1 km away from 9pm to 4am.  So we changed and limped over.  Donations in a barrel and entertainment cheesing up singing Elvis and Tina Turner etc.  Finally our feet hurt too much and we headed home and bedtime.

July 14 (Bastille Day):
Very early morning - up at 7am! Shower, breakfast, and out the door by 8am.  On the metro, 2 transfers (the #6 train was aboveground!) to Bir Hakeim.  Short walk to the Eiffel Tower - arrived around 8:45am.  Bit of a line already, got in and got tickets and up to the top!  Everyone (but me) surprised at the height.  Bit crowded but got pics of major landmarks like the Arc in the morning haze.  Back down to 2nd floor for more pics then saw a mini air show!  Tons of military jets with the first ones trailing red, white, and blue smoke.  Nathan had fun, but then we finally headed down to the ground and went and got delicious Nutella filled crepes!  Watched them make it - Nathan got strawberries in his and Megan and I were just Nutella.  Delicious.  Now back on the Batobus - helicopter fleet went by and just now more jets trailing colored smoke.  Rode to the St. Germaine stop and walked over to the Ponts des Arts (the real lock bridge).  Then saw a sign for St. Germaine Church and headed there - but we got the wrong church!  Still was pretty inside.  Then we hit up some tourist shops and Nathan and I headed back while the other two continued shopping.  Had some ticket issues on the metro but eventually got home.  Hung out downstairs and used WiFi and ate leftover cheese and breakfast breads.  Megan and mom got back and we all went up for a nap (though I read for a bit first).  Got ready and went on a walk looking for a park - found a sandwichery but kept walking.  Went to a bar by the hostel for happy hour drinks - tequila sunrises and Nathan's lime thing, I could barely drink mine. I ran back to get my phone and then we tried (and failed) to find the sandwich place again.  Jumped on the metro to the Eiffel Tower for fireworks.  Got a decent spot on some stairs.  Nathan and I went off for food first and got some iffy sandwiches, now Megan and mom are food-hunting.  Awesome fireworks and music, Megan and Nathan got us home on the 12, overall great late night.

July 15:
Okay so we got up around 9am and got dressed (Nathan showered).  Went down for a quick breakfast then back up to pack up.  Nathan grabbed his bag and then we all went to the post office for stamps.  Then Nathan and I jumped on the metro to Gare du Nord (while Megan and mom went exploring).  Said goodbye as Nathan went on to the airport and I back to the hostel.

Going to cut this off here as this is where my traveling companion roster loses its first member (and I'm getting a little tired of typing/reading my tiny handwriting).  Will return to finish Paris (and the rest of the trip) eventually!

I know its been awhile, but I need to vent

This is going to be a long angry post, but please bear with me.

As many of you know, I have been in the process of applying for an Army scholarship, the HPSP.  If I got it my tuition would be covered for the next three years in exchange for service after graduation.  I started working with the recruiters in May, filling out the immense application, submitting all the necessary paperwork, going in multiple times to talk to them and make sure I submitted everything.  And I did.  Unfortunately I was too honest, fessing up to my childhood "asthma", requiring my medical records from childhood to be sent.  Due to a miscommunication, my old clinic sent them every single medical record instead of just the ones pertaining to the "asthma", meaning the army had to go through a hundred pages of medical records instead of the usual 10-20.  It shouldn't have been a problem, since they had all of these records by October, but someone somewhere screwed me over.  Basically, a different department reviews the medical records and then clears you for a physical. The physical results become part of your application (along with the 60 pages of application, motivation essay, copies of identification, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc). My application has been done (with some minor essay revisions because I wrote too much for the form) since early March.  I was waiting to be cleared for a physical.  More people started applying for this same scholarship in February, and were also waiting on a physical. The deadline approaching, I started calling my recruiters almost daily worrying about getting the physical in on time.  They told me that there was nothing to do but wait for MEPS to clear me and they would ask for an exemption waiver to try to buy some time.

Well folks, I got the call today, and the exemption did not go through.  After a year of work and effort I'm getting rejected from this scholarship not based on anything to do with me, not because I failed to submit information on my end, but because the system failed to get their shit done on time.  I did everything right, and I'm getting screwed, and getting screwed out of tens of thousands of dollars.  I might not have gotten the scholarship, it is competitive, but I won't even get a chance now due to sheer bureaucracy and incompetence.