NEW BLOG ADDRESS

http://web.mac.com/mperry79

I have converted to the cult of the Mac with my new computer and am now publishing my blog with iWeb

-M

Fade to black

My computer screen has decided to stop working, the computer itself seems to be making the normal churning noises. So tomorrow I will take it somewhere to see what can be done, hopefully it's not the end for the poor old Dell.

-M

If you're viewing, thanks for sticking with my lack of blogging.

Some posts have all their captions/descriptions there are more to be added to graduation week and the x-country trip, but I must go to bed, I have a early herd check in the a.m. and must leave the house by 6 am.

-M

Only in California

Alicia, my classmate from vet school is practicing in Merced only 1 1/2 hours north of Visalia. During the first few weeks in California before our practice and on-call schedules heated up, we got together on the weekends to debrief about our weeks, co-workers, clientele, etc... In the past few weeks we've only been chatting on the phone, but this weekend Alicia & Verna will travel south to visit Visalia and go to Sequoia National Park =-)

For one of the early get togethers, we meet halfway between Merced & Visalia, in Fresno. Alicia chose the location, which was cultural, to say the least. We had some extremely authentic Mexican food - I must start working on my Spanish, I'm so inept in California without it.

After dinner, on the way back to the cars, this sign caught our eyes.

Alicia & Greg getting maximum exposure to the harmful substances contained within this parking garage in Fresno.

The Work Truck

To those of you who received my new address postcard, this picture should look quite familiar. A few of my postcards were returned to sender, so I got to see what they looked like, and I was quite pleased with the way they turned out.

This is my work truck, a 2002 Ford F-250 extended cab, with a Bowie vet box, parked in front of my apartment. Since setting my sights on becoming a large animal veterinarian, I've look forward to the day when I would get the keys to my very own practice vehicle. I've been enjoying my truck thus far, it doesn't have a name yet, but it does have good radio reception and a CD player. The brakes are a little dicey, but that could be because I'm used to the cat-like reflexes of my new Honda. The truck is trustworthy thus far, getting me to and from calls and back home at night. The clinic owns the truck, pays the insurance and I fill it up with gas at the clinic - perks of the job.

Sometimes people passing me or being passed by me, look surprised to see a girl behind the wheel and when I'm singing loudly, dancing in my seat to the radio, I think they are further perplexed.

A place to call my own

The apartment search from across the country was mildly difficult, but it the end, it worked out great! The wife, of the large animal associate who Greg & I had replaced at Lone Oak, helped me find housing in Visalia. She came across a management company that manages a bunch of apartments in a housing development and she looked at a few of the apartments and thought that 2603 was the best, so I took it, after only seeing a few pictures in an email that she sent me. She also went to the extent to visit other complexes in town and gave me the pros and cons of each.

In the end, my apartment is only 10 minutes from work when I drive the speed limit. I have my own garage and a parking spot next to my garage for my work truck. I have a little back lawn and a back patio. The former tenant was kind enough to grow full-sized and cherry tomatoes that were coming ripe just as I moved in. She also planted a variety of herbs, that have recently gone to flower, they were sort of lost on me, given the fact that I have yet to give into something called cooking(?)
The back patio. I envision a table with 2 chairs coming soon, I just haven't found a set I like yet.
The driveway with neighbors (Pam & Anna's) garage, then my garage next. The open space parallel to my garage is where I pull my truck in at night - it abuts my back lawn.
My own garage, it keeps the dust and dirt of the valley off my car.

Backyard views

The herb garden that the previous tenant planted. This has become quite overgrown in the past 2 months and I'm thinking of pulling them out. I wanted to replace them with some hardy, but pretty plants - any suggestions before I brave the nurseries?
Tomato plants
The manicured back lawn - the front lawn looks about the same. When I was signing the lease, I was under the impression that I would be responsible for maintaining the lawn and landscaping, but fortunately the sprinklers are on automatic timers and the management company, has a crew that comes in weekly and takes care of the lawns - phew!

I'd imagine that have to maintain this lawn year-round, I'll take a picture again in February, and we'll have to see if it's changed at all. The Central San Joaquin Valley of California is unique in it's sustained consistency in weather, since June 16th, I've woken up each morning to blue skies with sun. It's like the movie Groundhog Day, but luckily I go to different herd checks each day, so I know that time is moving forward. I asked my bosses when it was going to rain and they laughed. I'm thinking about using my vacation days to visit Seattle =-)

Cherry tomatoes from the backyard, very sweet, very tasty - thank-you former tenant for your forethought, I appreciate it. And for those vet girls, you'll recognize Tina's salad spinner, thanks Tina!

Westward Ho!

Pinckney Road Goodbyes

Houghton Gal Farewell

One Last Dr. Guard BBQ

The Dairy Bitches

Schoellkopf Stadium Graduation Ceremony

Hooding Ceremony

"Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence."

Ladies Night Karaoke/Carrie’s Bachelorette Party

It all started off as an innocent dinner invitation from Tina & Jess to Carrie & myself, it ended up being a full dinner and gifts for the bride-to-be. Carrie was very confused when Jess, Tina and I started walking purposefully to the back of the restaurant and all the other girls were waiting for her expectantly. The dinner was followed by yet more Senior Week festivities, Ladies Night Karaoke at The Haunt. We did a lot of singing/screaming and there are some pictures that I just can’t share with you.

Wine Tour

The Senior Week festivities continued on Tuesday with a charter bus wine tour to selected vineyards along Seneca Lake. I won’t mention names, oh, yes I will, Tina seasoned wine connoisseur extraordinaire was unable to join us for the festivities, given her indulgences at the Staler Hotel bar the previous evening, and Marlo ended up getting a speeding ticket en route to the bus departure spot because she was LATE, some things never ever change.

Senior Week

The final week of vet school prior to graduation at Cornell is Senior Week set aside for festivities that bring together the entire vet school class. The week was pretty much filled with one barbeque after another and we saw so much of our classmates, that there were times when you couldn’t wait for it to end. But on a more nostalgic note there were times to reflect on the four years and how far we really did all come in our learning and friendships. Our class started with 86 individuals and I believe that we graduated 81 veterinarians. It’s a number small enough that you know everyone and groups are formed, some may call them cliques, but I was fortunate to find a group of girls that made the experience much more than just academic.

The week started with the Honor Banquet where distinguished individuals from our class received awards based on primarily their academic achievements. I succeeded in spilling the mango sauce that was on my chicken on my dress within the first 5 bites of my dinner, some things never change. I did receive an award strangely not associated with my intended career path at all, the Pfizer Clinical Proficiency Award for Small Animal Dermatology – go figure? The award included a gift certificate to purchase veterinary textbooks, for which I’m excited. The event was held at the Staler Hotel located on Cornell’s campus, our table kept the wine flowing and we even moved the party downstairs to the hotel bar once the awards ceremony had concluded – a classy bunch.

Showering the Bride

I couldn’t help but posting a few pictures from Carrie’s bridal shower. The shower was held in Syracuse and brought together a good mix of Carrie’s friends from vet school, high school and college. We had good eats, presents, games and an appearance by “flat Garth.” Carrie’s crafty mom constructed a life-size replica of Garth, so that while he was still deployed in Iraq, so that he could join in the festivities. “Flat Garth” provided much entertainment for Carrie & I at our Pinckney Road apartment, but the fun was brought to an end when the “real” Garth came home and disposed of “flat Garth” stating that he was creepy. After the shower I got to experience trying on dresses with my fellow bridesmaids, the offerings from David’s Bridal were hideous and we ended up with some amazing Anne Taylor options in the end (see above).

Another Houghton Wedding

Just before Senior Week and Graduation festivities I was able to sneak away to Lancaster, Pennsylvania for the weekend to witness the union of my friends Steve & Nicole. It was a wonderful reunion of friends and their growing families. This was my 25th wedding attendance, I'm becoming a pro at this wedding thing. It was good to catch up with friends who have moved, married, travelled, had children, changed jobs, finished school, gone back to school, and some who have just stayed the same. Phil & Heidi - still newlyweds
Cathy Heidi, Amy & Hannah - Houghton Supermodels 3 Anna Maria & Abigail - the waifs turned mothers or vice versa.

A Horsechick gets Hitched

Easter weekend, my good friend and fellow horsechick from Camp Brookwoods/Deer Run got married in Greenville, South Carolina. It was a whirlwind weekend, flying from Albany to Greenville. In the midst of the weekend I was also studying for my California boards exam, so I wasn't able to partake in all the festivities. I did attend the bridal luncheon, wedding ceremony and lovely reception, where I got to meet Melanie's Sweet Briar sisters.

Melanie & I travelled together to South Africa to attend our friend/horsechick friend Suzie's wedding. Unfortunately, Suzie was unable to attend Melanie's as I hear she expecting (congrats Suz, you were missed).
The pre-wedding bridal portrait - stunning (minus the reflection of the lights, camera, & window). This custom is something that is lost on girls/brides from the north.

The cake

And, cupcakes!

And, white chocolate wedding bells!

Just a small taste of the numerous bouquets of flowers at the reception.

Mark & Melanie cutting the cake.

The bride & I.

Easter in B'ville

Upon returning from Melanie's wedding I was able to fit in Easter dinner with my family. Then it was back to school, back to Ithaca.

Matthew is bigger every time I see him, he's definitely a Perry.

Tatiana & I in our Easter best.

Ralph - contemplative and always concerned.

Finally, all of the pictures from my cross-country trek this spring have been posted. =-)

See below.

Dubuque Visit #2

On my trip home, I stopped in for visit #2 with the Collins Family. This time I got a drive-by tour of the city and a personal tour of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. After seeing what lives in the depths of the mighty Mississippi, I've thought better of swimming in that river. Now that's a BIG fish!

Mark Twain, Calvin & I

Badlands, South Dakota

On the way back east from Mount Rushmore I got off the Highway in South Dakota to do a quick drive through Badlands National Park. South Dakota was flat and extremely boring state, anyone who has had the great fortune of driving through this fine state is familiar with the hundreds of signs for Wall Drug. I gave into the peer pressure and stopped at Wall Drug, I was a bit disappointed to discover that it is primarily a retail tourist trap.

Only a warning sign, I actually didn't have the pleasure of seeing any.

More wildlife Another Wall Drug billboard...

Sadly, I only have time to post pictures, there's lots of captions to go along with the images, so stay tuned.

Crazy Horse Monument

Glass Beads

Mt. Rushmore

Colorado Sunset

Grand Canyon

Los Vegas International Speedway

Drive to the Grand Canyon

Three Rivers, California

Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks

Big Trees

Sequoia National Park - Foothills

Land of Fruit & Nuts - Central Valley, California

Lone Oak