the vet's office

I love my job because of the interesting people I meet, but today was really a highlight. I got a behind-the-scenes tour of the cat and dog hospital that just opened a couple of blocks from my office. I stayed to see a dental extraction performed on a cat ... everything from the shaving, heart monitor, IV catheter, and anesthesia to the two extractions. I knew vet school was challenging because the doctors need to know about all animals, but they also need to do labs, surgeries, and dental work.

When I was in school, I volunteered in a hospital in telemetry, post-op, labor & delivery, and ER, so I've seen all kinds of procedures, but never on a cat or dog! They said they'd call me if anything really interesting came in, like a splenectomy. I said I'd take them up on that offer :).

joshua tree

This weekend I got the chance to rock-climb outdoors for a change. The weather was unexpectedly pleasant for January, but I still learned that rocks are cold in the morning, brrrrr! I'm way too delicate and thin-skinned (got lots of cuts and bruises) and afraid of heights for this sport, but I'm totally addicted and can't wait to go again.

Afterward, we hiked up Ryan Mountain for a 360 degree view of Joshua Tree.















joshua trees for which the national park (and u2 album) is named




















my first outdoor rock-climbing adventure















view from the summit of ryan mountain















view from the dashboard

watching it live

I don't normally watch the Rose Parade on television. When I do, I usually fall asleep, but I decided this year was the year I see it live. My friends and I woke up in the dark after only a few hours of sleep to drive down to Pasadena and stake out a spot behind the die-hards who camped out all night. It was such a great experience! Now I know why parents drag their sleepy kids to watch this 120 year old tradition. The floats were amazing (the only things not allowed on a float are paint and artificial flowers) and the marching bands were spectacular. I'm up for doing it again, maybe (maybe!) even camping out.




















air force B-2 Spirit flew overhead before the parade















sierra madre rose float association "bollywood dreams" and the pink furry hat that's in half my pictures















aguilas doradas marching band from pueblas, mexico















odd fellows and rebekahs "going to the fair"




















the jack in the box "jack-o-licious" float parked in front of us for a while when one of the floats ahead stopped due to technical difficulties