MCAT Dates

My finger got itchy today.  Clicked on KAPLAN prep test course which starts December 2 and ends March 27th.

Of course, that got my itchy clicky finger going to AMCAS.org and clicking on MCAT dates.

My mind didn't stop there, I actually went through all of it, selected a date/time, then got to the payment information page...

and stopped.

Soooo very close!

Yep, That Was Therapeutic!

Many years ago, someone once told me, "If your life is crap, go volunteer.  Change your perspective."

I didn't get it then, even though I volunteered often.  I eventually understood as I found the right opportunity that was the right fit with me (and my quirkiness).

Today, I went back to BAKAS.  http://www.bakasridingcenter.com/

Maybe - the tobiano paint - has issues.  She is quirky.  And she weighs about a ton.  She doesn't like to have people move to quickly toward her, likes having a calming presence beside her on the halter.  The farm hand's choice today was me.

Many years ago, I had a tobiano paint - Trixie Bar Poco.  A green horse with an inexperienced rider, she threw me into a log, knocked me out with a hawk cawing and a rabbit squealing in terror.  When I came to, I had severe concussion (which is what I blame my memory loss on :D), and moderate to severe back sprain.  Vicodin became my friend for a few days.  I never rode Trixie again but I worked on building trust with her.

Similarly, I treated Maybe today.  As she was brushed by others, she pulled her ears back, pulled her head up, looked at me. I'd whisper it was alright, she was fine.  No one would hurt her.  Slowly her head came back down.  Slowly, maybe I'm building the trust with her.

Next was Susie.  Susie is a Percheron.  Big, bold, black as night, gorgeous.  And lame.  She has ringbone apparently, a disease much like osteoporosis in humans.  No longer able to be ridden, she gets groomed.  And she, like so many others who just need to be loved, stole my heart.

With open sores on her rump the size of half-dollars (some of you might know what those are!), and a calm, easy temperament, she was washed, groomed and turned out.  Her mane made her look like one hot mess; brushing it out, she simply stood still and let me take care of it.

It was after turning her out to pasture, with fly spray and a gentle pat on the chest, I was told the group had considered euthanizing her because of the pain she'd been in.  The sores on her rump akin to bed sores in a human.  She'd been laying down too long and the sores became oozing messes.  Thankfully, she's healed and is not looking at that grim future right now.

My calling has always been to those in need of help.  I'm always drawn to those less fortunate and those in acute pain, or those simply suffering long term ailments.

Susie needs a home to become a lawn ornament.  Somewhere she can live out her days as a loved companion, blessed to be brushed and groomed and beloved.

See, volunteering is awesome!  Sometimes... maybe most times, it's not about what I give to the organization but rather, what I get in return.  And honestly, this particular organization and my volunteering there, is selfish on my part.

I get so much back.  Today was no different.  AWESOME!

(And yes... I'm looking for a place to board Susie and make her mine.)

Back To The Barn

My weekend will be spent trying to gather a whole lotta documents for issues related to my parents.  Of course, since I've moved to sunny Tampa, I've also found time for the pool, the ocean, the patio, the...

Yes, I still love it here~~  are you kidding me??  But the best part?

Not knowing a soul beyond my son has forced me to meet and get involved.  So, a few weeks ago I volunteered at an equestrian stable for handicapped folks.  And this weekend, I'm going back.  Brush the horses, muck stalls, relax.  Give back.

It's not what I say that defines me (or anyone else), its what I do.  In private.

Yes, I miss school. But the drama that started before my 2nd midterm last spring, and dropped my solid A in biochem to a B has not abated.

Being around the horses lets me forget for awhile how much I miss certain aspects of my life last year.  Being around the horses keeps me focused on the present, not ruminating in the past of "what if"s for nothing good, ever comes of that.

Make it a great day!

I Smell

Like horses.  Big horses, small horses, and sweat.  (I smell pretty good, actually, even with sweat! - haha)

BAKAS Equestrian Center for handicapped individuals caters to self-esteem and fun for everyone, even the volunteers.  The event was part of the United Way day of the company I work for.  We could choose events, sign up, show up, and pitch in.

I'm not sure I liked being there.  My morning involved horses, and walking them, and helping kids and young adults with various disabilities.  I think when they asked for volunteers to help on the first horse, I spasmed and my arm shot up.  Too slow to pull it back down, I *had* to walk with the horse, and a young person named Bobby.

Bobby has Trisomy-21 or some other such chromosomal mutation.  Riding for 21 years, the love of the horse made his smile very broad, his cheerful swinging of his arms, and the eventual kiss on the horse's nose, all I needed to see the sheer happiness.

Dust in the eye, so to speak.

Next up, raking mulch around the bushes of the barn (no snakes!!! whoo hoo!!!).

Then back to riders.  Next up was Sam.  Sam was non-verbal.  Pointing, laughing, looking and trying to smile; but no words.  Until, the horse - well mannered Maybe - swished her tail, and I nickered to her (I hate horses, you know; smelly things they are; cannot imagine where my fine Ariat boots came from, or that tack in my garage).  But Sam was happy, and then Sam got tired.  Like Bobby, a kiss on the nose, and a pat on the neck of the mare.

Dust in the eyes, so to speak.

At the end, was a small wisp of a person named Batman.  Obviously at this point, you should know gender and names may, or may not, have been changed.  Batman made me look away.  Not because of his disability, but because of his ability!

Autism is my guess.  High functioning but autistic.  Cherubic, kind, piercing blue eyes.  

"Walk on," Batman said.  And the horse with a nicker started her slow pace.

"Halt" Batman uttered, and Maybe stopped.  We counted balls (part of the game the people play on the horses), Batman threw his dice which told him how many balls and rings to pick up.

Counting.  One, two, three... eventually, 20 from the last person holding the game toys.

"Batman," I asked, "What do we say?"  I meant to the horse, but little Batman, at age 4 or 5, having the most piercing blue eyes, and the kindest soul said,

"Thank you."

Dust in the eyes.

Perfect day for this horsewoman.  In a barn, with the horses, and youngsters who just want to be loved with parents who just want to understand.

Cannot wait to go back!!

http://www.bakasridingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Bakas_Golf_Tournament.pdf

Just in case you want to sponsor a hole at the annual golf tournament.

And just in case you really wondered if I liked being there today, I LOVED it.  Not sure I ever stopped smiling and truly, if I could have stayed even longer and groomed the horses, or helped with the afternoon, I would have.

Sheer joy!

My Very Talented Friend - Olivia

My birthday was a few weeks ago and with great fanfare, my friend Olivia arrived.  Coming off her long plane ride, she was bubbly, I was excited.  Happy to see her!

She and I met this past school year while "loving" ochem.  She with her myriad of pen colors to highlight that which was important and that which was not, me with my online purchase of balls and sticks; we survived by working problems, talking through solutions...

or rather, we survived because we did not know how to do otherwise.

At the end of the school year when I hesitantly said my journey to med school had probably ended in May with biochem (got a dreaded "B"), she laughed and said, "WE SURVIVED OCHEM!  You cannot give up now!"

Laughing we said we should have shirts made... for my birthday, what you see below is hers.  She had it done for me, and for her.  There are only two of them in the world, and I think, I might have to get mine framed.

Her work could be sold.  Look at the details - the molecules, the boat out on the ocean of water molecules... really, take a good hard look.

And she wonders if she's talented!!!

Typical pre-med :)

Hope you're enjoying a fabulous holiday weekend!