Come on spring

I'm not going to lie, Spring Semester of 2nd year of vet school absolutely sucks.

It's funny, because it's a combination of things that is making it tricky.  Overall I really like some of the classes and find them really interesting (especially surgery).  But I'm currently taking 30 credits.  THIRTY CREDITS!  That's without taking any electives...  To top that off, in the classes this semester I have so many homework assignments, online quizzes, tutorials, and other random things to do that I've already forgotten to do some, despite actually making a MS Word calendar and checking it practically hourly to make sure I don't forget anything.

A problem I'm about to face is the fact that they gave us 2 weeks off without an exam.  To be fair there were still homeworks and online quizzes etc to do and there's always class to attend, but no exams to cram for.  This put me into a state of zero-f**ks-given and my motivation has never been lower.  This is also partially senioritis (though I'm only in 2nd year) and the desire to just be done with classes.  This will be a problem for me because in the upcoming 2 weeks (checking my calendar here) I have 7 exams, 2 homework assignments due, and 6 quizzes.

I may die.

I'm also not doing as well this semester as I should be.  My grades are not living up to the standards I hold myself to, but again I can't seem to find the motivation to care enough to work on it.

Prime example: I am sitting in a lecture RIGHT NOW, and instead of paying attention I am typing this up.

I'm tired of the cold weather too.  It's hit the 30's a couple times in the past month and both times I took Duke for a bike ride - it was great!  But anything below that and I'm just cold and miserable, and while I take him to the dog park nearly every day to play some fetch on the frozen pond, I can't wait for winter to be over.

I applied for a few internships for the summer (okay 7) and so far have heard back from 3.  Tufts essentially waitlisted me (boo) but both CSU and U of I-Chicago both want to interview me!  That is very exciting because those are my top 2 choices (I would love to spend 10 weeks of my summer hanging out with Jackie :D).  So we'll see how that goes, hopefully I get one!

Being VP of RAM Club (research animal medicine) is probably one of my biggest highlights of my life right now.  If I could devote all of my time just working on that stuff I probably would.  Alex S and I make a great P/VP team, and I'm not going to lie, I'm actually kind of glad that she took over the presidency.  As much as I love what I get to do, she has to deal with all of the coordination/administrativey crap.  I mostly just get to do the fun stuff.

Hah, midway through typing this I thought of more stuff to do for RAM Club and then spent the last hour doing that (again, not paying attention to pharmacology, le sigh).
But I did make this cool logo:

Definitely a good use of my time. 

I should just go home. 

Externship at Mizzou

Well since I had to keep a journal for my externship at the U of Missouri, I decided to just copy and paste it in here for an update.  Enjoy!

Day 1 (12/16/14):

Arrived too early

Talked to Craig - went over program, exciting

Talked to Shelly, got administrative things done

Talked to Aaron Ericsson? about potential research projects (mouse poo ie microbiome or zebrafish behavior)

Met Marcia - offered to drive me to ACUC annual review

Went to ACUC annual review - disagreements, scientist vs vet, very entertaining

Met other externs at OAR, went to VA imaging - like a sales pitch to do a PhD in his lab, very excited about his stuff

Long day, excited for the rest

Contacted Sarah Hooper and Cat Hagan about setting up time - may do some bat bleeding

Day 2 (12/17/14)

Morning watched 2 current resident presentations on mouse strains - some info I knew, some I didn't (liked the history of Jackson Lab), asked a question about audiogenic seizures and cochlear degeneration, then had to leave early

Did the Repro lab - Loved it - but wish there had enough mice for us each to do our own.  was a little frustrating when Ava claimed she did the right testicle but actually did the left.  Would also have been cool to actually insert the pipet into the infundibulum.  The whole concept and procedures were really interesting

Afternoon meeting was cancelled (they were busy ranking candidates for the residency program next year, hope Mitch gets it)

Spent the rest of the afternoon shadowing Dan and picking his brain about his path to residency (since he's a MN grad like me).  Got to see a bunch of adorable dachsund puppies and a muscular dystrophy dog (Captain) and help with blood draw/radiographs.  Also got to see a bat room and a cat room (gave Clavamox to post-spay cats). 

More talking with the current residents (super helpful). 

Day 3 (12/18/14)

Early morning at the swine center.  Shower in facility - that was new!  Had a long productive morning shadowing Megan and Mike Linville.  He was very informative, giving me the tour and the history of the facilities.

Went to the OAR holiday party - lots of good food and company.  Got the chance to talk with more of the vets and residents and watch a fun game being played. 

Following the party went to a live internet cast of primate rounds from Tulane.  Heard about some really interesting cases of granulomatous inflammation in some macaques. 

From there I went to shadowing Jake in the last of the animal facilities where I got to play with dachshund puppies, help restrain one for an ear cleaning and cytology, and looked at some fighting mouse wounds including a mouse who had lost his entire penis and had a random hole in his abdomen that he peed through.  Super weird/gross.  Ended the day looking at the slide from the dog ear and possibly seeing some yeast. 

Day 4 (12/19/14)

Later morning thank goodness.  Started with OAR rounds, basically updates from all the different factions.  Pretty interesting, and since I'd already toured all 3 vet cares I actually knew about all of the cases they talked about, which was fun. 

Talked with Lon and Pat about ACQA and got quizzed on OLAW, USDA, AWA, and The Guide.  Also learned more about the structure of Mizzou's animal stuff.

Met with Dr. Bryda about my research project.  Unfortunately not what I was hoping for - more PCR and benchtop than anything with animals. Still should be a good learning experience. Set up training stuff for Monday.

Joined the other externs for a mouse necropsy/parasitology lab.  Using pet mice - found tapeworms, pinworms, mites, and all sorts of protozoa.  So gross!  Never getting pet mice from a store again.  Very cool and interesting though.

Weekend activities:

Dog park, hiking, Hobbit with first year residents Dan, Jake, and Megan

Day 5 (12/22/14):

Morning came to learn PCR with Miriam (but she'd already finished) so then went over and watched Dr. Men do zygote injections.  Very cool and finicky - he thinks its tedious

Came back to the lab and saw the PCR didn't work.  Set up a new one myself with Miriam's guidance using the Accuprime kit.

Had a window of time so went over to ARC to help Sarah Hooper with bat stuff!  Helped take pictures under UV light and then rehydrating (SQ injections of LRS) and feeding (mealworms!) the bats.  Very cool.

Back to run gel on my PCR to see if it worked.  Started doing the TA cloning on the sample, plated the bacteria for overnight.

Day 6 (12/23/14):

Morning was going to help out with bat stuff again but because of their late night they didn't get started until late.

Spent the morning reading background information about my research project (CRISPR in rats) as well as one of my books about veterinary surgery.  Also emailed the rest of the people I hadn't gotten ahold of yet and scheduled up almost all of the rest of my activities.

In the afternoon I continued working with Anagha on my research project. Unfortunately the previous day's work didn't turn out, so we repeated the TA cloning with positive and negative controls as well as taking into account information from Invitrogen.  Plated the bacteria again and hopefully there will be some growth tomorrow.

Day 7 (12/24/14):

Update with my research project and we had colony growth!  Waiting to set up the next part until next week (since we are both off tomorrow and I'm off on Friday).  Spent the rest of the morning updating my PowerPoint presentation and doing more background reading into the CRISPR technology.

Did send out a text to the remaining first year residents but unfortunately they didn't have much going on either.

Weekend activities:

Drove back up to Minnesota for Christmas with the family

Day 8 (12/29/14):

Long weekend but back in the saddle. Started the morning working on PowerPoint, then got an update from Anagha about the project.  She ran through the next steps of the project and the timeline and we worked out a plan.

Then had a slide review with Dr. Marcia Hart.  Very interesting and informative!  Saw a few interesting cases and got to review some histology. See notes in notebook for more info.

Rat and mouse handling lab with Megan.  Very fun, though not enough mice/rats for us each to have our own.  Megan managed to blind stick a rat vena cava and impress us all, no one else could hit it.   Fun and informative.

Day 9 (12/30/14):

Woke up feeling like I had swallowed a bag of gravel and broken glass, which were currently occupying space in my joints and no sleep.  Elected to not bring my illness into surgical suites (daschund spay/neuters were on the schedule) and attempted to aid my immune system with extra sleep.

Came in the afternoon and had an extended vivarium tour at Discovery Ridge with Jason Huntsperger.  A lot of good information about facility management and design.  Went well over the scheduled time, but very interesting.

Was going to then go to learn about rodent colonoscopy with Sarah Hansen but she had been in other rodent facilities that day so we had to reschedule for Friday.  Finishing the day with some more research into my research project.

Day 10 (12/31/14):

Watched Megan do a mass removal on a MN mini pig - really black mass! 

Then followed Sarah Hansen over to check up on the puppies that were sterilized yesterday, they were all doing well.  Soaked another dog's sore foot and also ran a fecal float on the other puppies in the litter (the ones that didn't get surgery had loose stool).  Didn't see anything on the fecal.

Got a protocol from Pat Farrar to review and set up a meeting time to go over that with her.

Also set up a more concrete plan to meet with Sarah Hansen on Friday for the rodent colonoscopy. 

Got an update from Anagha about my project - basically on hiatus until Monday since we're at a good stopping point and she's taking some days off.

Day 11 (1/1/15):

Helped Megan do her daily checks - first the pig with the mass removal and then the puppies that were recently sterilized. 

Spent the rest of the day out and about Columbia, reading over the animal protocol from Pat Farrar, and working on my project.

Day 12 (1/2/15):

Started the day working with Sarah Hansen all morning.  First I helped her get things ready and watched her do 3 rat colonoscopies.  After that I helped with the necropsies and tissue sample collections along with Nick Harrison. 

We got pizza and then headed over to OAR.

From there, Liz, Dan, Nick, and I went to Middlebush Farm and accompanied Lon Dixon and posse on the ACUC inspection.  Finding expired needles was pretty much the only thing of note (and then the discussion about how and why things like needles expire).

That pretty much summed up the day.  Busy last week coming up but excited as well.

Weekend Activities:

Drove over to St. Louis for the day - visited the zoo and the Arch.

On Sunday went to the dog park and ran into Sarah Hansen with her dog and daughter. 
Day 13 (1/5/15):

Starting my last week fairly slowly.  Slow morning, then had to decide whether to hit up the 2nd year Lab Animal Medicine class or stick around with the other externs and go to a class for the residents on infectious diseases.  Decided to stay here, they talked me into it by reminding me that day 1 they would probably be going over the syllabus for the class, which isn't something I really need to know.

Class is interesting, talking about disease outbreaks and how to handle them. Given a case to look at and questions to address. Talked about approved vendors, how to address the issue with PI's, talking about budget concerns, risks for exceptions, disease transmission, etc.  Basically ended with "do some research and come back on Wednesday with ideas." Interesting class, will get more out of it on Wednesday I think.

I then went to the Pathology PBL class and realized there wasn't much point to being there - all the presentations will be happening next week after I'm gone, but it was nice to meet some new people.

After that I had a meeting with Anagha to discuss my research project and presentation.  She helped me flesh out the presentation a bit more with some more background info on the specific goals of the lab and we discussed future plans for my mini project.

Spent the rest of the afternoon working on my presentation.

Day 14 (1/6/15):

This morning I started off talking to Dana Weir about facility management.  It was a really interesting discussion and not something I had given a lot of thought about until recently.  We ended up going more over the Disease Outbreak PBL that had been discussed with the first year residents yesterday.

Then went to the ACUC meeting, not quite as hot button as the last one but still really interesting and fun to watch.

From there I spent the rest of the day with Beth Ahner and James Cook's lab watching orthopedic surgeries on dogs.  It was really interesting - especially seeing all t he power tools and hammer and chisel in use, not to mention seeing Dr. Cook make a new meniscus out of pig skin.  Very cool stuff, but really long day. 

Also got some feedback from Dr. Bryda about my presentation.  Will have to find some time somehow to talk with Anagha again.  Scheduling this last week has been crazy!

Day 15 (1/7/15)

Crazy busy day.  Started at Disco with Dalila and learning about her role in colony management at the MMRC.  Showed me how to do health checks, wean mice, ear tag, and take tail snips.  For all my mouse background, I was pretty slow at it!  Took a bit longer than expected but still really fun/interesting.

Then went over to the OAR and was hoping to go over my protocol review with Pat but she wasn't around.  Then went to the lab animal lecture that Jake gave about rat biology.  Made me miss my old pet rats!  Was fun hanging out with Megan, Mike, Sarah, and Dan.

Then went out to lunch with them at Panda Express - not terribly vet related but I enjoyed the company.  There's never a good chicken to rice ratio with the food there I find... always too much rice left over.

From there I met up with the other externs at OAR and we walked over to LIDR together for a talk about that facility from Travis.  Very interesting, and a bit odd to me about the security.  You can find tularemia in wild animals, but if a mouse with it goes missing the FBI gets called in.  They also keep mosquitoes there, so learning about their husbandry was grossly fascinating.

We then headed back to the trailer and waited just a little while for a tour from Craig.  Went all over the MU campus and a bit through Columbia.  Very interesting and informative - two of the other externs came a long and it was funny how little one knew about the town she'd been living in for the past 2 1/2 years.  That was really fun and basically ended the day.

Except I got some feedback from Dr Bryda about my presentation so will likely spend the rest of the evening working on that - then an early day tomorrow!

Day 16 (1/8/15):

Early day starting with the pig orthopedic surgeries.  Mostly an observatory role - interesting at first seeing the blood draw from the jugular and watching them put the pig down.  Shaving and scrubbing.  Then in the surgical suite we were basically kicked out, so that was less interesting.  Apparently they had a problem with hypertension?  The other externs and I were called upon to calcluate a CRI fluid rate for Dobutamine. Nick was called away to help Sarah and Liz and Ava were stuck with the calculations.  They got Mike Fink to help out and eventually had it figured out.  I headed out early to hit up the 2nd year Lab Animal Medicine class again.

Managed to find the room and sat in on Marcia's lecture about hamsters and gerbils.  Unsurprisingly, a lot of histo pictures :)

Spent my lunch hour working on my presentation (only got so far last night before I lost steam). 

Did a PCR lab with Dr. Bryda and Miriam.  Pretty basic stuff, and mostly had already gone over it with them for my project, but still good to get another run through and practice stuff.

Following that I polished up my presentation a bit and then had a meeting with Dr. Bryda.  We talked for over an hour about the presentation, how to format it better and add/adjust things, and future directions etc.  After that I went back to my cubicle and spent another 3 hours making her suggested changes.  Practiced it a couple of times and called it a night.

Day 17 (1/9/15) Last day :(

Started the morning off with OAR rounds.  Pretty entertaining, similar to the first time.  Got to hear more about the mouse with the mysterious hole (apparently not so mysterious a problem) and updates about puppies.

Then went to path rounds and questioned everything I ever thought I knew about gram stains.  I swear it was purple for positive and pink for negative... but what do I know.  Pretty  interesting looking at the septic hedgehog organs - the heart I thought was especially cool, though the others were also interesting.

Then it was game time, had to give my presentation.  It did not go as smoothly as when I'd practiced, I got a bit flustered and mixed up and I'm pretty sure I just confused most of the people (and the people who actually knew what I was supposed to be talking about had to correct me on some stuff).  But hey, it's done, and that's what happens when you have a very limited time to try to learn a whole new topic.

Ava and I then went to grab some food, well coffee for her and Chipotle for me.  Delicious. 

Spent some time going over emails and then had my final meeting with Craig.  Kind of sad, but good to recap the program and go through pros and cons.  Then I went around and found people to say goodbye to (Sarah Hansen and Nick, Ava, Marcia, couldn't find Liz). 

Then back here at Megan's, packing up and wondering how 4 weeks went by so quickly - I'm not ready to go back to the cold of Minnesota!

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.