Stupid ice...

I know it doesn't look like much, but tell that to my ass! In 23 years of living in Sydney, I've never seen ice on our driveway. Too bad I didn't see it today either until I slipped on it, while holding a cage containing Ruby and Peter. Then I saw it. Sitting on it with a wet, sore backside and a bleeding elbow. Ouch. I haven't been this banged up since I was a kid running on an asphalt playground. Could I hate Winter more? *Sigh.* I don't know how people in Europe and North America stay standing. Seriously! Why don't they have an epidemic of broken tailbones?
But life must go on, so we went to the Vet (again.) Then I went to get medicine for the fish (I'm having great luck with pets lately, aren't I?) Which turned the tank green. The filter also decided not to work and I had to do a little emergency maintenance (all the while in pain!)
Went to buy groceries and get a new phone charger (which doesn't even work!), Went out again to get prescriptions for Opi.
Came home, cooked enchiladas, which according to my family were too spicy. But they look cute so I posted a picture anyway.

Ice on the roof....

I spent the first few days of holidays working. Oh joy. Can't I go to class and have a break from the job I do not like? Guess not.
This morning it was -1 degrees Celsius in our front yard. 3, in the backyard. And we had ice on the roof. Now I know Canadians are laughing at me, but that's the closest thing to snow we're gonna get here. I wish Summer would come back though. I'm sick of freezing cold tap water hurting my hands, the extra pain of stubbing a toe that is already cold, the ice my Dad has to wash off the car for me ;), and that painful moment one has to be naked before showering.
I made a blueberry pie tonight too, as you can see. I'm trying to cook more now that I have a little more time. It was good, except the bit I dropped on the floor and stepped in. But of course that's gonna happen with something purple and gooey, isn't it?

On my mind: What a bizarre day!!

Today was my last day of the Certificate II Animal Studies course. I'm still unsure as to whether I'm continuing next with studies next semester, or delaying that until later. It largely depends on whether I'm accepted into the course without work in the industry. It's a bit of a lose-lose situation: It's hard to do the course work without a job, yet it's harder to get a job if you're not currently studying! So I figured I'd apply for part time and if I get in I'll try to do it with work experience while looking for a job in a clinic, and if I don't, I'll look for work and see how much other experience I can get in the next 6 months!! Either way, I'm sure I'll have plenty to do. The thing is, the college admin have proved themselves completely incompetent this week, first by sending everyone who applied the wrong letter, then by telling us we'd get another one early this week (err...we haven't yet and it's Thursday!) and today by sending me a transcript that doesn't even make sense or mention the subjects I've done. *Sigh.*
On another note, our afternoon classes were canceled today. The teacher we were meant to meet who would have been teaching Vet Nursing next semester had a heart attack in the library and passed away this morning. All the staff were pretty much in shock, understandably. I didn't know him but I just keep thinking about his poor family, and I pray that he's in a better place now. It's horrible but gives perspective; even if I don't know what I'm doing with my life, I still have it. I still got to come home today to my family and my babies. We should always be thankful for that, it can be taken away so quickly and randomly.

Also; Australia has its first female Prime Minister? It's so random, we didn't even have an election. I'm not sure how I feel about the whole "we vote for parties, not individuals" thing...because now he have a leader that the people of our country did not choose. But hey, apparently we're having an election soon anyway. I'm clueless about politics so I can't really say whether I support what she stands for or not. I do propose that we paint Australia pink and create a law that toilet seats must stay down, though. :P It's funny, I was saying to Dad it's kind of cool from a feminist point of view, proof that a woman can and should be allowed to do anything a man can.. but my next question was why doesn't she have a husband and kids? I guess I'm one of those who'd be quite happy to spend my life popping out kids and cooking.. doesn't make me much of a feminist, does it LOL? Ahh whatever.

Happy Birthday, Belle!

My youngest baby is 2 today!!! (Well, actually, I think Henri is younger but I don't know for sure since I adopted him lol.) We went to the Vet yesterday so she has more antibiotics and hopefully will feel better soon and stop vomiting. She now has her own cage too, no more sharing with Valentine.
Wow so much is going on, with people being pregnant and engaged this past week! Lots to be happy about! =D

They are...everything. :)

A little tribute to my small fuzzies.. I may complain when they they poo (and even more when they don't and it costs $400 to fix!) Or when they eat anything that fits in their beaks. And when they wake me up at 4am.
But in the end, animals are so much better than people! They don't judge or hate. They love and have perfect loyalty. They're so much simpler than we are. Humans mess up the world. People have agendas and complexities, while a dog just wants to smell your butt.
My 7 little sweethearts have been there to hug me when nobody else was around to comfort me. They've tolerated being poked and prodded for my homework. They make me laugh and smile everyday.
They're the greatest blessing, and I can't believe there are people out there who don't appreciate and take care of them. On the way to class on Tuesday I saw a tiny little dog walking all alone on the side of a main road. I pulled into the next store driveway and got out to look for it, but by then I couldn't see it anywhere, and I was running late and had Missy in the car so I had to go. I really hope it's still alive and that it's owner or someone else found it and is taking care of it. I get it that animals escape and it's an accident and it's awful, but often it is preventable and people don't seem to care. That's what upsets me.
Last night I finally finished my last assignment. In the middle of it, the Vet called and asked if he could have some of Ruby and Pete's poo. I swear, I laughed so hard. But apparently the good bacteria in it can help to nourish a little baby rabbit he's treating, so of course we'd do anything to help!! :)
Today's class was surprisingly hard. Our teacher was asking us to write down goals for a year, 5 years, 10 years away. I can't think past the end of the week. So much depends on things out of my control right now and I don't want to get all anxious about it. I don't want to plan and be dissappointed that life doesn't care what I want. Already learned that lesson. Most of all, I don't want to picture a future without Opi being there. He barely said a word to me this morning and tonight, he's not having a good day. Mama's upset too, and I don't know what to say to her so I end up saying stupid things I can't believe I said. I need sleep, I'm so tired. I should clean up and go to bed now. oxoxo

Missy's first day at school...

I took Missy to class with me today, as our topic was birds. She doesn't really enjoy the car, or understand why she's not allowed to sit on me while I'm driving. Once we got there though, she was fine. Better behaved than I had dared to expect, remembering the exhausted expressions on my classmates faces when they brought their pets! She only flew around the room once (wing clipping fail, thanks Vet), pooped once narrowly missing any humans, and sat on just about everyone, making them pat her head. She really liked that, and the video on birds we watched which she squeaked along to. We left at lunchtime since my assignments were already done and the rest of the class was just finalising that.

That was a long weekend???

Friday- completed 2 log books.
Saturday- 2 assignments.
Sunday- Provide Info Assignment. Evil assignment. So painfully long and boring. And then I lost half of it and had to do it all over again. I literally worked on it for 11 hours straight, until 7am. I don't think I've ever had a real all-nighter like that before. I must say I didn't enjoy it.
Monday- Thanks for having a Birthday, Queen. You know that's the only reason Australia is still part of the Commonwealth, right? We don't actually care what you think... Did another assignment today, and almost got through the final one but not quite. It's frustrating because I have no time and I'm so tired and then I feel like it's all not perfect enough. I've made 8 pamphlets in the past 24 hours... and I never ever want to see a pamphlet again.

I really want...

One of these. A satin Peruvian guinea pig. I've been thinking about this since Tuesday LOL. I've never had a really fancy pet before. But then I was reading about how they pee in their fur and they're actually really rare and hard to get, and then I was looking at adoption sites and feeling bad for all the lil guinea pigs with no homes... *sigh.* I definitely want one. It may not be the most logical thing, but it's gotta be easier than a sheep, or a dog, or a turtle which I also want...

Day 6 of Work Experience...

There were quite a few hospital cases, but not much to do. Just the necessary paperwork, a form, took a cat's temperature (sorry cat!) some basic cleaning, instruments, folding towels etc. I took Missy with me to get her wing clipped so that I can take her in to class with me on Tuesday. She was very excited and a little scared about the early morning car trip, new environment, all that...so she had to go into the isolation room and sleep most the day because she was scaring the cats...ain't that every bird's goal?? Haha. Well she didn't bite me while I held her for the clipping, and she still likes me, so we're all good!! We came home after that and I've been cleaning, washing, went grocery shopping, and...we have an oven again so...cooking dinner!! Oh and accomplishment of the day? I cut Ruby and Pete's nails...all of them...all by myself!!! I just didn't take crap this time haha and we did it, one paw at a time! :P

Day 5 of Work Experience..

I watched consults today. Dogs with injured legs, cats needing injections, a budgie, an injured rainbow lorrikeet etc. That was from 8 until 12, and just when we were getting ready to go home, we had to do emergency surgery to stitch up a poor little dog that had a hole bitten in it's face by another dog. So I got home late and again, have not started my assignments. I'd best be going.
BTW Opi is so cute. He said he likes it when I shake his hand. I don't shake his hand, so I'm guessing he means hold his hand. He also managed to sign his name after hours of trying and said "I did it, hug me!" Aww. <3

Raiiiinnn...

It's been raining for over a week. I've well and truly given up on washing the car, with the places I drive. Through puddles, over sticks... past a sign on the side of a highway that says "Good eating pineapples." Huh? Lol. I also drove past a Mushroom association. Who even knew that was a thing??
Opi cried all morning. I had to go to class anyway, but he spent the day talking with Mum and Ellie. For some reason he's suddenly realized he's dying. I don't know why, since the Doctor did tell him before. It's awful to see him so distressed.
On the way home, I dropped all of my class books, folder, first aid kit and assignments in a puddle, which reealllly pissed me off. Then I couldn't get the de-mister to work in the car on a road where there was no place to pull over which was seriously scary for a while!
I'm trying to catch up now with the million Celine things I'm behind on. Such an eventful week! I need to do assignments tomorrow and Sunday even though I just want to sleeeeep cause I now have work experience on Saturday. This is not working very well LOL! Cause on Monday the whole thing starts allll over again.

Day 4 of Work Experience...

I started the paperwork and research today. Did more computer data entry, restocking, cleaning, spent some time with a sweet Border Collie waiting for his owner, and watched a dental on a Cavalier Spaniel. That was about it, left at lunch time and came home to tend to my own babies.
Opi hasn't been so good the past few days either, so helping Mama has kept me a little busier than usual. She gave me some info to read tonight about the final stages of cancer and dying... it was hard to read that. And it's hard to see him suffering, weak and confused and have no idea how long he has...days? weeks? He had a Doctor and nurse come to see him today, they don't know either, they said it's so individual and unpredictable. It got me thinking...we humans, and animals, are all God's creatures... why is it ok to "end an animal's suffering" and "be humane" euthanising it, but it's not ok to do the same for a person? Or, on the flip side, maybe we shouldn't be allowed to do it to animals, because it's not our place to decide when they should go? I'm not sure of my view on any of that, it's just a bit for thought. But never tell me it's because we're better than we are. Maybe more intelligent and we took over the world, but dang, as a species, we are NOT better.

Excursion..

Today we had a class excursion to the AWL shelter. Thankfully, we didn't see anything die and it didn't seem like a sad place to be- that was probably my worst fear about going- that I'd get emotional, or end up coming home with an extra pet I really am not in a position to handle!! But I must say it got me thinking. It is awful to think that so many of those dogs and cats are homeless, most because their owners just didn't want to be responsible. Plus, to think of all the ones who were euthanized because they had no chance of re-homing. Why do people think animals are disposable objects? Why don't they understand that yes, if you fail to care for and train your pet, it WILL act up? And WHY don't they love them? Imperfections and all, I believe animals can bring out the best in us. They teach us patience and nurturing, they give us unconditional affection and laughter. They complete our families. Next time you pass a pet store and look at the cute little face in the window, think before you act.. Think of the average $40 000 it will cost you to care for that dog over a 10 year period. Think of the hours you'll have to spend training it, the illnesses you will have to nurse it through, the things it may destroy in your home... can you do all that and still love this creature unconditionally?
When I got home I watched the Dog Whisperer episode on puppy mills. Wow. That was sad. I had no idea how many of these places operate, locking dogs in tiny cages where they spin in circles going crazy, covered in their own poo and wee...never allowed out, never allowed any fun or freedom... dogs only 2 years old who have had 4 litters forced out of them already. And these are the places supplying pet stores. I know from today that there are many sweet dogs just waiting for you at the pound, if you want one. Someday when it's the right time for me to get one, that's where I'll go.
Apart from the seriousness of today I'm frustrated that I now have more worksheet assessments to do. :S And a Jack Russell puppy jumped on me and I fell in the mud. We also watched a behavioral assessment, looked at the premises and walked dogs.