Thursday, May 21, 2009
a good job
My vet school graduation was filmed this year and I am tempted to spend the $10 for the dvd when it comes out since I thought some of the speeches were great. Dr. White, our prof speaker, gave advice as always, but he also went off about how we were so lucky to be going in to veterinary medicine since all of us will most likely love our jobs and not think "Crap, I hate Mondays....Wednesday, hump day, and then THANK GOD it is Friday". Sure I will appreciate my time off a lot, but he was right that our career is very rewarding and that most of us will never want to retire unless poor health or something unforseeable occurs. I couldn't agree more. But there are two other possible careers I secretly wouldn't mind either. I will never be good enough, but I would love to be a professional marathon runner, training and running over 150 miles a week, and being pushed to the limit. I also think a second career (or additional career) might involve opening a vegan restaurant. Not all of my creations are restaurant-worthy, but I have gotten enough compliments and rave reviews that I think I could get a staple menu going. But hopefully I just land the perfect vet job and never have to worry about that while still having enough time to make dinner every night and run every day.
love the A/C, hate the money
I did it. I bought a new car. I had over $3000 of repairs needed for my car, so rather then do that I bought a new one. I think I got a good deal too, but it still leaves me with this sinking/nauseating feeling because it is still a lot of money. I traded my 2003 Honda Civic, they took it for $4600, and I got a 2009 Toyota Yaris, with all the features I wanted (power locks and windows, a/c, cruise control and 35mpg on the highway). I also got $1000 off because of being a new college grad. Then I added in the extended 6 year/100K warranty, so when all was said and done my monthly car payment is roughly $220. While it still makes me feel a little sick to my stomach that I just spent this money, I am sure I will be grateful in the 85 degree weather today having A/C again!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
sometimes I feel blessed
Even though I don't believe in god, sometimes I really feel blessed and so lucky to have such amazing people in my life. I have so many close friends, not as many from vet school, but ones that I have been close with since high school. I have an amazing family, and my grandma is one of the kindest people ever. My boyfriend is incredible. And the veterinary school I attended had such outstanding doctors. I was lucky enough to get a job at the wildlife clinic from my first year, and have become very close with the clinic over the years, including doctors, volunteers, and staff. They have also been close with me. And the other night I received the "wildlife award" at awards night. They asked me to come over today and have a "proper good bye" at the clinic. I was expecting some hugs, maybe a small gift, and I brought a cake I made for them as well. I was not expecting a huge award. Elaine, one of the amazing volunteers at the clinic, donates $1000 every year to a student who works tirelessly at the clinic. And this year I was the recipient. On top of it, Elaine and I are both runners, so my gift basket was full of books on and by runners, all signed personally by the author with specific messages to me like "Good luck with all your Boston Marathons in the future" from Lorraine Morel, a famous female marathoner. I was shocked, and so grateful. I spent an hour chatting with them, and Mark Pokras, the clinic director, is going to put me in touch with some zoos/aquarium/wildlife places in Connecticut near me so that I can volunteer a couple days a month as the vet for those places, which will be SO rewarding (Heather, I might get to be a penguin doctor after all). After leaving the clinic and driving home, I truly felt blessed.
Monday, May 18, 2009
damn it feels to be a doctor
actually, it doesn't feel any different, it just feels great being done with school.
This weekend was a whirlwind, but quite a fun one. I got so many errands done last week on my week off. Then this weekend of graduation celebrations started off Friday evening, I had to pick Mark up from work, from there we drove to Grafton for the awards dinner. It was very large, and a lot of profs came, so it was nice chatting with them. Dinner sucked, but it often does at these big country clubs and hotels where they host a lot of our vet school formal events. I received the wildlife award, which came with the newest zoo and wildlife medicine text book, and meant a lot since the people at wildlife have been such a huge part of my life in the last 4 years.
As soon as the awards were over Mark and I booked it back to Boston, since it was his roommate and best friend's bday weekend and he was having a get together at the Bell and Hand, one of the most popular bars in Boston...so sadly when we arrived at 11pm we had to stand in line for half an hour. But it was worth it, and despite being DD I had a great time dancing the night away with Mark and meeting new people as well as becoming more aquainted with Mark's Raytheon co-workers. We left at 2ish, and as we walked down the stairs the lights when on and the bar started closing, so it was good timing.
Saturday Mark really wanted to go to Foxwoods to play some poker and de-stress, and since I didn't have any plans for the day I agreed to accompany him on the long drive. I spent most of my time there reading my novel and a veterinary emergency textbook. Mark won some money, so it was a very stress relieving trip, and we got home around midnight.
Sunday was graduation day. I was super nervous since Mark's sister had told him she had graduation on the same day only a week earlier, and with hers being in Rhode Island I wasn't sure if Mark would make mine in time, but as was the great trend with the weekend, it all worked out. I had wanted to go to her graduation too, but it started right as I would of had to leave for mine to make my set up/rehearsal in time. My family arrived in Medford around 11:30 (mom, grandma, and bro), and we went to lunch in Teele Square. Then we headed to Tufts in Grafton, explored to school store, and then at 2pm I had to leave them to go get my class picture taken and get all lined up.
At 3 it all began, and after skipping my undergrad graduation I was not prepared for all the cheesiness of the graduation, but it was still nice. We had to march in slowly, then there was about an hour of speeches. As the Dean started her intro speech I glanced back and saw my aunt, uncle, and two cousins had made it to join my family, and Mark was running in to the back of the tent, just on time. (I had expected him to be a little late, so that was a lucky plus). The ceremony was cute, if not a little long. Our dairy professor, Dr. Gene White, spoke, and as always, was hilarious! He is such a modern day James Harriot. Then Danielle Diamond, our outspoken classmate going in to the army after school spoke, with a laugh out loud speech. I especially loved her talking about how in first and second year "female students kept dropping off like flies, with more and more coming back from weekends married or engaged, but for single women like me we all know vet school is where single women go to die. Those of us who were single tried to balance our education and budget with just enough savings for a match.com supscription since we all know there is only one Kevin Koerning in vet school." Then we all got our hoods and diplomas (which is huge by the way) and became officially doctors!
After the ceremony my family and I went to Hisa in Westboro for some tasty Japanese, then called it a night. I was EXHAUSTED, but it was such an amazing weekend.
This weekend was a whirlwind, but quite a fun one. I got so many errands done last week on my week off. Then this weekend of graduation celebrations started off Friday evening, I had to pick Mark up from work, from there we drove to Grafton for the awards dinner. It was very large, and a lot of profs came, so it was nice chatting with them. Dinner sucked, but it often does at these big country clubs and hotels where they host a lot of our vet school formal events. I received the wildlife award, which came with the newest zoo and wildlife medicine text book, and meant a lot since the people at wildlife have been such a huge part of my life in the last 4 years.
As soon as the awards were over Mark and I booked it back to Boston, since it was his roommate and best friend's bday weekend and he was having a get together at the Bell and Hand, one of the most popular bars in Boston...so sadly when we arrived at 11pm we had to stand in line for half an hour. But it was worth it, and despite being DD I had a great time dancing the night away with Mark and meeting new people as well as becoming more aquainted with Mark's Raytheon co-workers. We left at 2ish, and as we walked down the stairs the lights when on and the bar started closing, so it was good timing.
Saturday Mark really wanted to go to Foxwoods to play some poker and de-stress, and since I didn't have any plans for the day I agreed to accompany him on the long drive. I spent most of my time there reading my novel and a veterinary emergency textbook. Mark won some money, so it was a very stress relieving trip, and we got home around midnight.
Sunday was graduation day. I was super nervous since Mark's sister had told him she had graduation on the same day only a week earlier, and with hers being in Rhode Island I wasn't sure if Mark would make mine in time, but as was the great trend with the weekend, it all worked out. I had wanted to go to her graduation too, but it started right as I would of had to leave for mine to make my set up/rehearsal in time. My family arrived in Medford around 11:30 (mom, grandma, and bro), and we went to lunch in Teele Square. Then we headed to Tufts in Grafton, explored to school store, and then at 2pm I had to leave them to go get my class picture taken and get all lined up.
At 3 it all began, and after skipping my undergrad graduation I was not prepared for all the cheesiness of the graduation, but it was still nice. We had to march in slowly, then there was about an hour of speeches. As the Dean started her intro speech I glanced back and saw my aunt, uncle, and two cousins had made it to join my family, and Mark was running in to the back of the tent, just on time. (I had expected him to be a little late, so that was a lucky plus). The ceremony was cute, if not a little long. Our dairy professor, Dr. Gene White, spoke, and as always, was hilarious! He is such a modern day James Harriot. Then Danielle Diamond, our outspoken classmate going in to the army after school spoke, with a laugh out loud speech. I especially loved her talking about how in first and second year "female students kept dropping off like flies, with more and more coming back from weekends married or engaged, but for single women like me we all know vet school is where single women go to die. Those of us who were single tried to balance our education and budget with just enough savings for a match.com supscription since we all know there is only one Kevin Koerning in vet school." Then we all got our hoods and diplomas (which is huge by the way) and became officially doctors!
After the ceremony my family and I went to Hisa in Westboro for some tasty Japanese, then called it a night. I was EXHAUSTED, but it was such an amazing weekend.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
updates and parties
An update on the apartment hunting: I picked my favorite, the spacious one BR 2 minutes from one hospital, near south norwalk, with the condition that if I need help my grandmother will help cover any rent I can't afford all of it. I am so happy about that, I know I will enjoy things much more living in a place that I love and can call home.
Last week I finished rotations for good. I was on surgery, and while there were tragedies unrelated to me, I had a great time, and on Friday I neutered one dog, spayed one fat, in heat dog (it was a tough surgery since her uterine vessels were all engorged and friable due to her being in heat) and spayed on tiny little 2# kitten. It was great.
This past weekend was my graduation party, and it went wonderfully. I had decided rather then pick and choose who to invite, I just hit "select all" and invited all my friends on facebook, all 600+. Well, I didn't think much of it until my boyfriend called me a week before and said "My parents are coming to your graduation party" in a shocked voice. Ha! Well, it all worked out GREAT! Heather and Denis came from Montreal. Mark helped Ryan with ice and the grill. Mark's parents had a great time. A vegan friend started stimulating and enjoyable conversations as opposed to the argumentative conversations I was scared of. And Erik, Jenn and Alvaro all made it out from Albany! There were a lot of people there, and I think everyone had a great time. My sunflower shaped cupcakes were DELICIOUS. The rest of the food was awesome. The morning after I went to breakfast with Ryan, Mark, Alvaro, Heather and Denis at SoundBites in Somerville, which was tasty as always.
This week has been hectic despite being free. I went to the dermatologist on Monday, then drove to Albany with my kayak and bike. Went to dinner with the Krauses Monday night, was sad to hear my bro is a little down in the dumps, then back to Medford. Tuesday I had a financial aid meeting in the evening. Then Wednesday I drove to connecticut to sign the lease and start up my electric account. Today I spent an hour on the phone with various student loan lenders, got that squared away and worked out twice. Tomorrow I will be a work out guru again and try to get my iphone, then to the dean's awards dinner at night followed by sean's bday party. This weekend, graduation, will be CRAZY busy and juggling lots, I will be glad when it is over and I am a doctor officially!!!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
apartment hunting
Toady was my first day searching apartments in Connecticut. It really reinforced how much I am going to miss Boston. My first appointment was in Bridgeport. I had heard parts of Bridgeport were shady. I drove up towards the first apartment and just kept driving, cancelling the appointment. I seriously was in the slums, it looked like all run down houses and crack joints, so I skipped that appointment.
The next apartment was in Bridgeport as well. It was a $1100 2BR. The apartment itself was nice, and the landlord was awesome, He was from London and we instantly got along. The street itself looked ok, but all the surrounding streets looked like the first apartment's had, so while I checked out the apartment, I know I won't want to live that close to that neighborhood.
The next two were right next to each other, in Black Rock, a small community on the outskirts of Bridgeport. They were $875 each, both 1BRs. One on the first floor, the other on the second. The neighborhood was ok, reminding me of Washington Ave. or Mystic Ave. in Albany, I guess it was where all the college kids from Fairfield University live. On the outside the apts. looked a little shabby, but on the inside they were nicer. They looked a little dirty, but nothing I couldn't fix with a vacuum when I move in. No washer and dryer. Very decent size. All pets allowed. I feel like if I want to live like a student and save some money, I will live there, but won't be proud of where i live.
The last apartments were all in Norwalk, which is more expensive, but I loved them all. The first was a 1BR, $1200 including heat and hot water, in a small brick building complex. It was spacious. Washer and dryer in the basement. Garage parking. Cats only allowed. But it was on the 4th floor (I would have to hire movers since I don't think Mark and I could handle 4 flights with all my stuff). Beautiful view of the connecticut River behind. The kicker: the last tenant was a smoker and the smell has not disappeared yet.
The next two places were in the same building. It was a 6 unit victorian house just outside of downtown norwalk, in a beautiful area. The place allows pets and has a washer and dryer in the basement and a parking lot. One unit was a $950 studio/loft, with a full kitchen and bathroom. I would have to put my bed up on the loft, and the rest of the studio is adorable, but there is no way I would be able to fit my stuff in it so I would have to use the storage in the basement for a lot of things.
The next was my favorite of the day, of course it was also the most expensive. It was a huge 1BR in the same house, for a total of $1200 (no utilities included). It was just outside of my range I originally was searching for, but I loved it. And if Mark were to actually come and live with me for some time (I know it is not set and I should not get my hopes up, but he is looking for possible jobs) it would be ideal for the two of us.
I need to do some serious thinking. I really want the $1200 1BR in the victorian, but if I am being smart I will take the scrappy 1BR in Black Rock since I will only be in connecticut for one year, and I will save some money doing that. hmmm....
The next apartment was in Bridgeport as well. It was a $1100 2BR. The apartment itself was nice, and the landlord was awesome, He was from London and we instantly got along. The street itself looked ok, but all the surrounding streets looked like the first apartment's had, so while I checked out the apartment, I know I won't want to live that close to that neighborhood.
The next two were right next to each other, in Black Rock, a small community on the outskirts of Bridgeport. They were $875 each, both 1BRs. One on the first floor, the other on the second. The neighborhood was ok, reminding me of Washington Ave. or Mystic Ave. in Albany, I guess it was where all the college kids from Fairfield University live. On the outside the apts. looked a little shabby, but on the inside they were nicer. They looked a little dirty, but nothing I couldn't fix with a vacuum when I move in. No washer and dryer. Very decent size. All pets allowed. I feel like if I want to live like a student and save some money, I will live there, but won't be proud of where i live.
The last apartments were all in Norwalk, which is more expensive, but I loved them all. The first was a 1BR, $1200 including heat and hot water, in a small brick building complex. It was spacious. Washer and dryer in the basement. Garage parking. Cats only allowed. But it was on the 4th floor (I would have to hire movers since I don't think Mark and I could handle 4 flights with all my stuff). Beautiful view of the connecticut River behind. The kicker: the last tenant was a smoker and the smell has not disappeared yet.
The next two places were in the same building. It was a 6 unit victorian house just outside of downtown norwalk, in a beautiful area. The place allows pets and has a washer and dryer in the basement and a parking lot. One unit was a $950 studio/loft, with a full kitchen and bathroom. I would have to put my bed up on the loft, and the rest of the studio is adorable, but there is no way I would be able to fit my stuff in it so I would have to use the storage in the basement for a lot of things.
The next was my favorite of the day, of course it was also the most expensive. It was a huge 1BR in the same house, for a total of $1200 (no utilities included). It was just outside of my range I originally was searching for, but I loved it. And if Mark were to actually come and live with me for some time (I know it is not set and I should not get my hopes up, but he is looking for possible jobs) it would be ideal for the two of us.
I need to do some serious thinking. I really want the $1200 1BR in the victorian, but if I am being smart I will take the scrappy 1BR in Black Rock since I will only be in connecticut for one year, and I will save some money doing that. hmmm....
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