Hello there ladies and gentlemen!
Sitting outdoors, cool breeze, full moon, babbling water fountain, delicious Indian food, and conversation about the vet clinic... If that isn't close to a perfect night I don't know what is! The Indian restaurant was in African Mall, which I hadn't been to before. Someone told me it about it and Norah and I decided we needed to investigate. After leaving the clinic we took a taxi for 20 pula because it was too late to walk. We also took a cab back to UB for 20 pula. In all I spent 83 pula tonight ($12), but I'm using it as a birthday celebration! Plus, that food was amazinggggg!
Today was a typical Friday. I had class at 8am, rested in the library for an hour and then went to lab at 10am. We loaded up on a little bus and headed for Kgale hill. Once there we made 10x10 meter squares and counted the number of trees/stumps present. We were looking to see the impact of humans on the area, mainly tree's cut for firewood. It wasn't difficult and it was nice to get out and enjoy the afternoon. I do not think I'm cut out to be an ecologist. All that data collection and such seems too boring to me. When we were counting trees, I was just like "yeah... there looks to be about 20... does that sound good? sure let's go with that!" This philosophy will definitely not help any research project! I'm glad I'm taking this class because it is opening my eyes to a whole other field of knowledge!
The traffic getting back to UB was horrible so we ran a little late. I got back to my dorm around 1:30, ate lunch, and crashed for a bit before heading to the vet clinic. Today, at the vet clinic I saw three, 5 day old, puppies get their tail docked. I do not agree with tail docking or ear cropping but I had never seen it done. They clipped the hair around the tail, cut the tail off, cauterized the wound, and then added a few sutures. There was no anesthesia used. They do not use anesthesia if the puppies eyes are closed. If the eyes are opened, they wait for 3 months of age and then use some anesthesia. I can't say I agree with this.... I feel like they deserve some kind of pain relief. In the other arguments defense, the puppies did not scream any louder or differently when the tail was cut or skin cauterized. It yelled from the moment it was picked up until it was placed back in it's box. I do not wish to see that process again anytime soon. I hope that I don't have to perform tail docs and ear crops in the future. If it is needed for some medical reason, I want to provide pain relief. Still, I think this was an educational experience. Today, I also got to administer vaccines and deworm five Rottweiler puppies. SO CUTE! It's hard to beat puppies. Do you think anyone would notice a puppy in my dorm??? Surely not....
Side note: Students from Botswana who qualify are sponsored to attend vet school abroad. They then have to work at leave five years in Botswana. Plus, each student here at UB is sponsored by the government. They do not pay to come to school. They get a stipend for books and food. I think they eventually are supposed to pay some money back when they start working but I'm not really sure how that works. Also, in Australia, going to university and vet school is sponsored by the government. Then when you begin working, you start paying them back. This mean that there aren't any student loans. If a student from Australia wanted to go to vet school abroad, they would have to pay for it upfront because they can't get student loans. Different right?
Last night, I decided I was tired of the usual room things and went to the dining hall. I was actually craving pap! While waiting in line and started talking to two girls behind me. First, they asked me if I could hook them up with any of the white boys here. Then they asked if I saw famous people all the time in America. This isn't the first time I've been asked this question. I always try to explain how big the US is and how famous people aren't actually that prominent. It's interesting to hear the stereotypes about the US.
Yesterday, I had my first Intro to mammalian physiology lab. They had many different skeletons laid out on the table and you had to go around and write down observations about each one. At the end of the lab, your group turned in one paper. The lab itself was a bit boring to me, but I did meet some pretty cool people in my group. I now have to write a lab report describing around 12 mammals, including details about their teeth, bones, adaptive traits and such and how it helps them fit their niche. Oh boy.
The days are getting to be quite toasty here. But, we aren't even to hot yet! People are still walking around in sweatshirts and such and I'm running around in jeans and a t-shirt and feeling warm! I'm going to be one hot, sweaty mess by the time that summer rolls around. Thank goodness for deodorant! I think that investing in a fan will be mandatory for sleeping at night.
Well cool peeps, That's it for now. I'm going to go read more blogs and try and plan my trip for when school gets out and Emma comes to visit! woot woot!
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