Journal Entry

Journal Entry #5

January 17, 2004

I have now survived the first week of Candlemas term of the 3rd year of vet school. I actually survived Martinmas term, too...and am quite pleased with my exam scores (but of course those exams were only worth 7.5% of the total grade for the year). This week has been a busy one. Unlike last term, we started with 'real' lectures right from the get-go. We had a pathology lecture every day except Friday, 4 virology lectures, 1 parasitology lecture, and 5 pharmacology lectures (each lecture = one hour). Plus, a 'review of our assessment' in pathology for about an hour.

The weather has been terrible, as expected. Many days it poured down rain and it even hailed (on me when I was walking to the grocery store). Overall, everything is 'back to usual' here in Glasgow. It's nice to see everyone again and it's actually a bit relaxing after such a busy winter break (I was working full time, and our house was painted inside/out and carpeted...plus the holidays). The 'big event' is coming up in a week: the Halfway Dinner. The ticket says "Cocks and Bullocks 2 Ewes Presents the Half Way Dinner at The Buchanan Arms Hotel, Drymen (Smart Dress)". (The class of 2006 is 'cocks and bullocks 2 ewes'). I'm looking forward to the dinner, it's supposed to be very nice (and a worthwhile celebration after all).

I have not decided whether or not to go to the Vet Ball this year, but I'm leaning against the idea. A lot of people in my class will not be going. Oh, I guess I should write about my flight here (this journal entry will not be very structured...sorry!). I left LAX at 12:20pm on a Continental flight that stopped over in Houston. I didn't know that it stopped in Houston, but it was a pleasant surprise (I got to stretch my feet and go to the bathroom -- I normally never get up during a flight). Doug from the 2nd year was on my flight, so this was a nice surprise (someone to talk to during the stopovers). From Houston we flew to Amsterdam (another first for me), and it was a pleasant flight. I didn't sleep except maybe 15 minutes. The food and service were excellent and I watched one movie (it was nice to have individual entertainment systems). Amsterdam's airport was large, and I had to walk a long way to reach my gate. It was good for my legs and circulation though, after 8.5 hours of flying (and sitting). I flew KLM from Amsterdam to Glasgow. My luggage arrived (thankfully) and I had no problems getting through immigration. The weather was freezing cold, windy and rainy. Lovely!

I've had the adventure of visiting a British dentist this week. Soon after I arrived in Glasgow, the gums behind my last bottom molar began to hurt and become inflamed. The swelling even bled overnight and woke me up at odd hours. I was really worried that it was my wisdom tooth coming in (I only have 2 and neither have erupted yet). I finally made an appointment with a dentist because I thought the swelling was an abscess. I took ibuprofen every 8 hours for pain, and I think it took the swelling down too. When I finally got to the dentist, he said it was only a gum infection! I really didn't like this dentist, didn't have a good feeling about him...he didn't even wear gloves (back home my dentists wear gloves and a mask). No medicine was even prescribed...I was just advised to schedule an appointment for teeth cleaning! I declined. A day later, I called a different dentist to schedule an appointment. I hope this one is better (the location is better at least, and there are multiple specialists there). I need some peace of mind that my wisdom teeth are OK (I might even request an x-ray). Can you believe I only had to pay 5.85 pounds for the first dentist's exam? Wow!

I will write more in a few weeks, when more exciting things have happened (like maybe my next dentist appointment).