long eyelashes and a velvet nose

update: i bought her. or, have committed to buying her. at first i was freaking out a little. mark called me this morning and said someone else was offering to buy her and pick her up today so did i want her or not and i was just like uhhhhhhh yes. so then i hung up and started crying i don't know why. i was shaking. i think i was just really overwhelmed. i mean, i've been riding since i was born, taking lessons for 17 years, and my family could never afford a horse for me. all the other kids had horses but i always had to ride my coaches horses or my friends' horses. i had horses that i loved and even a few horses that i leased but i've never had one to take care of and call my own and it's a really big deal. but i know i chose the perfect one for me. i've always felt like oreo and i were exactly alike. if i were a horse, i'd be oreo and if she were a human, she'd be me. i think after a few hours it's starting to sink in and i'm getting really really excited :) i've also decided to apply for government temp jobs in order to finance this big event.

big decision

today the love of my young life, and one of my best friends, was offered to me at the price of $1000 or make me an offer. either i buy her, or she is getting sold to strangers, and i'll never see her again. buying a horse is like getting an expensive puppy. it's a big commitment. especially for someone who is going to be traveling for the next few years like i am. i can afford it, but it would be a purely sentimental purchase. i've known and loved her for the past 6 years, but have been especially close to her for the past 3 or 4. i have to decide in the next few days whether to make this little lady a permanent fixture in my life for the next decade and a half ish. i love her more than words can even describe. she is the sweetest most fun and loving soul on the planet and the thought of her leaving is gut wrenching enough for me to fork out a grand and end up with a pony. ugh i don't know what to do but i think i kind of do.



oreo and i competing at the nepean national equestrian park in 2007

in my life

things are just fantastic lately. maybe even more so than usual. today is the last day of the worst diet in history (no sugar, flour, yeast or dairy for 12 days!) and i have but one exam left until being done school forever. i've been buying all sorts of new treats and trinkets for myself even though i don't have a real job. i've started a lovely parrot on my arm which is getting coloured in a week and a day.

christmas is my second favorite season next to summer and everything feels all warm and fuzzy. mostly christmas parties with friends but even staying home by myself with movies and blankets. last night i watched home alone and cried happy tears when the next door neighbour reunites with his estranged son. then i enjoyed a late night surprise phone call with an old friend who i'll get to start seeing much more of in the near future. friends and ponies are going to make today just as great. i also got every issue of this in the mail today! i know what i'm doing this evening :)

enjoy this silly dog picture and have a great day!

amputation

today i had the privilege of observing some minor surgery done on the leg of a ring-billed gull. the poor guy came in recently with his leg basically dangling by a thread. they wrapped it to try to get it to set together but nothing was happening so they decided this morning that his best bet for a good life would be amputation of the lower leg. there was only skin and a bit of tendon to cut through, but i still felt ill when i saw that they would be using scissors while the gull was fully awake! birds are incredibly resilient creatures and never cease to amazing me with how well they deal with injury. there was a fair bit of bleeding but some stitches and lots of pressure took care of that after a few minutes and he was wrapped up and should be able to be released come spring. just another interesting day on the job!

the leg before shot.



stitching up the remaining leg



already standing and eating only minutes later

best of bird songs

the lyre bird shows us why birds are the most amazing by imitating every sound he's ever heard to impress the ladies. i am supposed to be cramming for my ornithology final right now and this is probably not the best way.

growing up

i finally did it. today, i finished the entire series of beverly hills 90210, all 10 seasons. it's taken me about a year and a half from beginning to end and i did the last two seasons in just over a week. the past few nights some of the characters in my dreams included dylan, kelly and donna so i think it probably is best that i start to move on but i am a little sad it's done. i really love this show. 

who i voted for

i love these girls and i hope one of them wins but it's probably going to be nico unfortunately. this is the first time i've voted in 8 years of watching reality tv. i'm very invested. dancing moves me.