The one where we learn about Braveheart. . .

"Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!"

So this weekend, my roommate and I went to Stirling to explore the castle and see the Wallace Monument.  It was really interesting to learn a bit about Scottish history (of which I know surprisingly little).  There were more than 16 battles for Stirling Castle between the Scots and Brits.  In 1297, William Wallace (Braveheart) led the Scots to victory on the Stirling bridge, visible from the castle.

So green!

The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestry -- anyone recognise as the tapestry in front of the Room of Requirement? 

Bridge between the palace and the Great Hall.

The Star Pyramid

The town of Stirling was so quaint.  I can't wait to go back and possible stay over night. 

Today we had another class on skin histology (which while I find it interesting, I'm sure you will not) and three classes on the equine industry and reduction of disease risk factors.  I actually really enjoyed the horse lectures, especially considering that I know next to nothing about horses.  They started with the basics (thank goodness!) and did a great job summarising the role of the horse in the UK.

Horses are measured by hands.  A horse is defined as having a height greater or equal to 14.3 hands where as a pony is 14.2 hands or shorter.

Measure to the withers as indicated

We also learned the different breeds and terminology for horses based on stage of life and reproductive capabilities.  So many different terms compared to cats and dogs.  It's kind of like a different language.

Today I booked my train tickets to go lambing.  We are taking a train through Edinburgh to Darlington on the 10th of March and will return the 25th of March.  We will start the first few days by calving the Belgian Blue cows.  These cows are double muscled and all calves need to be pulled (assisted in exiting the birth canal).  These cows can weigh more than 2500 pounds and calves can be around 100 pounds!!!!  Then we will move on to the lambing of pedigree sheep!

Big ass cow :)

And for your entertainment; a video about sheep that we vet students found hilarious:

Start of term 2!

Classes started on Wednesday and so far seem to be pretty good.  We had a couple of classes on Nitrogen metabolism, skin histology, thermoregulation and started some embryology.  I have decided that I LOVE embryology (early development of the embryo) and can't wait to get to reproduction next year :)

Gastrulation 

I haven't done much this weekend -- just trying to keep up with notes and attempting (not very well, I may add) to study for our rescheduled biomolec exam this week.

This week I will be going out to the farm to review cattle and sheep handling and then going back to campus to review dog and cat handling.  Tomorrow we start our equine classes!  I know virtually nothing about horses and I am excited to learn.  We are getting a lot more practical experience this term too.  We have a class this week on blood smears (something I learned working as a tech).  In two week we start our surgical approaches lectures!

Looks like this term is shaping up to be even better than last term!

Happy Hogmanay!!

Well everyone, I'm back in Glasgow again.  Gearing up for term two (just under two months long)!  We will only have classes through the beginning of March after which we have a one month spring break.  I will be using the first two weeks to go lambing and calving with a friend down in England.  The last two weeks will hopefully be spent visiting a friend in Spain.  After break we have a month of review sessions and study time and then exams in May!  Crazy.

I'm very excited for 2012 to start.  I rang in the New Year at a friends get together here in Glasgow and had a blast.  In the UK, especially Scotland, the New Year celebrations are intense!  So much so that they have their own name for it: Hogmanay.  And they also have January 2nd off as a bank holiday!  There were fireworks set off all over (they are legal here and I'm not talking about the wimpy backyard fireworks) and paper lanterns released.  Think the end of the Hangover 2.

Paper lanterns

Yes, this movie.

Today I went to Edinburgh for the day (just an hour train ride away) with my friends and explored the city.  We walked up the Royal Mile, saw the castle, and looked over the ocean. 

Edinburgh Castle

Royal Mile

We also had a very yummy lunch at a pub called "Dirty Dick's."  No joke.   It was great and the pub had such character.  

Yes, those are pots and tankards on the ceiling.

The inside

Outside.

Afterwards we went on a tour of the Mary King's Close.  A close is essentially a small street or walkway that separated buildings.  About 300 years ago, some buildings adjacent to the Royal Mile were demolished to make room for a trading centre.  However, only the top of the buildings were demolished thus creating an underground city.  This was blocked off during the plague and reopened later allowing people to live underneath the city!  It was quite an interesting tour with some very, well, crazy Scottish facts.  

Well, classes start on Wednesday and we have our rescheduled Biomolec exam next week.  My roommates and I are planning on going to Stirling next weekend to go see the castle and explore the town to celebrate finishing the exam.  I'll post pictures if we go.