Happy is an understatement :)

I have been horrible at posting this semester, but so many exciting things have been happening that blogging hasn't really been on my mind. I figured it was time for an update though, because today was AWESOME! :)

I received an internship offer at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City, FL! I feel bad to turn down the internship at the marine mammal care center, but this was the internship that I wanted the most out of the five that I applied to so I HAVE to choose this one. I'm really still a little in shock that I got it! I will learn basic marine mammal health care, as well as do a project. I'll also get to do something called "vet camp" once a week where I can teach kids about basic anatomy, do ultrasound demos, and help the kids work through "diagnosing" animals. Gulf World also helps with dolphin and turtle strandings, so I should be able to help out with that too. I am so excited! The area is beautiful, and I'll only be a drive away from my family and friends, so excited about that :) I feel so blessed by God to have this opportunity!

 

On the topic of marine mammals, we finished dissecting the sea lion a few weeks ago and it was so cool! We explored the larynx, thorax, abdomen, and limbs. Their bones are so funny looking - the humerus and femur are really short compared to all of the other limb bones (and they have carpal/tarsal bones and phalanges very similar to ours!) It's pretty neat though how small differences can make them suitable for deep diving. I've gotten to dissect so many cool things this semester - we finished the pony, and we're now working on a mink in special interest anatomy and a HUGE calf in gross anatomy. I am loving the calf!!! For some reason I am way more excited to learn about cows than I was about horses, even though the horse was really cool.

No test this week means I have been taking it a little easy, but I do need to work on some reproductive physiology before I get too behind!