And just like that...

...it's all done! I am simultaneously bewildered and elated to announce that I have (barring any unforeseen circumstances!) officially finished semester one of school. That means that I am exhausted, puffy-eyed, a little worse for the wear, and 1/10 of a veterinarian.

I wrote physiology today and it went better than I thought it would. I was terrified for this one, so of course it had to be last, drawing the pain out to the bitter end, haha. It still felt a little surreal to sit outside in the beautiful autumn sun at the campus tavern and just chat with wonderful friends, and then head home to walk the dogs, who have gotten the short end of the stick lately. I took Chester and Dixie out for a really nice long amble, and it felt like late summer in Vancouver- warm but with a light breeze. Picture the smell of wood smoke to that, and you're getting there. The dogs were absolutely thrilled and it makes me really happy to see them so happy. It really brings home the idea that animals want to be where their people are. Chester and Dixie would be happy living in a box on the street, as long as they were with Iain and I. It's nice to have confirmation though that they are happy and settled, despite the stressful, expensive, time-consuming process of getting them here. Iain and I stressed about it constantly and worried about their ages (Chester and Dixie are turning 12 and 10 this year, respectively), their health (Chester with his mystery neuropathy), and whether it would be unfair for them to have to adapt to a new country, new climate, new lifestyle. As always though, they've risen to the occasion and made the most out of everything, as dogs always do. Ultimately, we knew that either all of us come to Australia, or none of us do. They are family, and they go where we go.

Now, onto my next projects. I have three weeks here in Perth to revise and submit another draft of my Steller sea lion manuscript, which was accepted pending major revision (emphasis on the "major revision" part) to a journal. I am hoping that after the semester I just had, it will seem like a cakewalk to make the changes necessary and send it back to the editor before leaving for Bali. I also have my birthday to look forward to, and it's so great that I get to spend it with Iain, Geoff, and others here who are not away for the winter break. I think too that I am going to do some touristy things here that I haven't done yet due to a chronic lack of time. Maybe a trip to Rotto (Rottnest Island) is in order? We are also hoping to go camping somewhere up north for a few days. It feels crazy to be living in a place where there is perpetual camping, all year round- usually Iain and I have to finish up in late September if we're lucky, and by late April we're chomping at the bit to go play outside in tents. Here, you can go all year...ALL YEAR! Too bad vet students are pitifully time-poor.

I feel a real sense of relief having the first semester done and out of the way. A lot of people say it's one of the worst parts of the whole degree (though it depends who you ask!), and I can see why that might be. Not only have I started vet school, but Iain and I have moved across the world and settled in a brand new place. We didn't have our dogs or a solid place to live for the first month, so we spent all of our spare time house hunting and trying to look like responsible, reliable tenants. It's nice to see where we were 4 months ago, and where we are now. Speaking of which, I have to go- I have friends coming over for pizza and wine. Let the celebrations begin! Lots to be happy, grateful, and proud about. Those of you in the northern hemisphere- see you very soon! xoxo