Monday, November 15, 2010

Family

This entry is dedicated solely to my family. They are the most important people in my life and i wouldn't be me without them.

Jackson- you are such a butthead but such a great person at the same time. You know how to push my buttons more than anyone i know. You also know how to make me laugh. You are always finding a way to make the best of a situation; you see opportunities where other people don't and that is amazing. Your quick, witty remarks can either piss me off or make me laugh. You'd probably say they piss me off more often than not, but even when they do i still wonder how you got so clever. I know you probably think it's weird for me to say all this about you but you need to know it. I miss you more than you know and love you so much. Thanks for being my smart-ass little brother. Love you fo eya and eya.

Booth- tall and silent. That's how a lot of people see you. Or maybe just mom...But you are smart, patient, and thoughtful. You have the ability to know when to say the right thing whether it makes other people smile, laugh, or think. You always get a wonderful reaction because no one ever expects it from you. You used to be the mediator between jackson and me but now we can all be together without trying to kill one another. I know that i can talk to you about anything. I am so thankful and lucky to have you as my brother. I love you tons.
To both of you: the times that we have all sat together, just the three of us, have been so much fun. I remember so many times where i would come home from somewhere to find you two in the kitchen and we would all start talking about random things. Or meandering over into your room when i was bored to sit down and talk with you two about school, or how mad mom and dad made us sometimes. I can't wait to see you both next week, and face it, you are going to have to hug me. I love you guys a lot and will always be here for you whether you need me or not.

Nana, you are the best grandmother i could have ever asked for. I have done so many fun things with you and you have passed so much of your wisdom on to me. You are always supportive and encouraging me to do what i love. You are so sweet and kind. I love you more than words can say and always will. Thank you for shaping me into the person i am today. I truly love you.

Mom, you know how i feel about you. You are one of my best friends which is pretty rare for a daughter to be able to say. If you ever need a reminder of how much i love you, read through all of your birthday cards, and mother's day cards because i know they will pass on my love. Thank you for making me, me and teaching me all the things i know. Thank you for making me confident and thoughtful. Thank you for always listening even while you were half asleep in bed. Thank you for giving me advice when i need it, and thank you for pushing me to follow my dreams and chase after what i want. I love you to the moon and back infinity times.

Dad, i love you so much. It's weird the connection a father and a daughter have...it's something truly extraordinary. I know that you are always there for me and want to make sure i never go through things alone. You have taught me to be strong, and witty (some might call me a smart-ass). You showed me that sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do in order to get to the things you love. You have taught me how to be steadfast and not care what other people think. Please know that no matter what ever happens, i love you always. I would never have wanted anybody else as a dad but you. I will be your sweetpea forever.

All of you are my world, and i couldn't live without you. No matter what, you will always come first because you are my family.
"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent, unspeakable memories."

I love you guys.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Oh Wow

Colic surgery, new horse, better riding, lots of laughs, and numerous adventures. These are all things (condensed of course) that have happened since i last wrote.
I got to watch a colic surgery on a horse i was in no way attached to which was wonderful in a strange way. It was a wednesday (our days "off" but really, the days we take for field trips/adventures) and i got out of the shower to learn from Suzie that we were going to get a tour of the Chino Hills Equine hospital. I was really excited. To keep up with tradition, we stopped to get doughnuts. The only reason i wanted to fill you in on this side trip is because i want to remember that Mama's Doughnuts has the best coconut doughnut ever. Alright, moving on. The tour was absolutely fascinating. I got to see the operating rooms, the recovery rooms, the barn where all the patients were, the lab, the x-ray room, the tools that were used, and the list goes on and on. Joe, the generous man who gave us the tour, explained to us how a typical surgery went. As we were getting ready to leave, we ran into one of the doctors that Suzie knows and he invited us to sit in on a colic surgery that was going to be preformed in a half hour. Little did i know, that in the next four hours i would see so much. We dubiously ate lunch beforehand and luckily didn't live to regret it. As i sat above in the viewing room i thought to myself how surreal the whole thing was; it wasn't natural for a horse to be lying on a bed with its legs in the air, having surgery on its stomach. That was the hardest part for me. Overall, however, it was very fascinating. I would go on to describe the surgery in full, but it would be bore you. It was so interesting in person. The doctor did a great job at being thorough and giving advice to the owner. He ended up re-secting the large intestine by cutting most of it out. Before he did that he made sure to examine every inch of the small intestine which, mind you, is only 67 feet long. No big deal. It was intriguing. Even though i can handle the blood aspect of it, I could never be an equine vet because i would get too attached to the horses and not be able to look at it from an objective angle. I admire the people who are there though, that takes a decent amount of strength. Hopefully, i will never see them again, unless we go back and visit.

Technically, I got a new horse for the next year and a half! She is truly suzie's but, she is my project for the rest of the time i'm here. She got here yesterday morning and is adorable. Her name is Vega (pronounced "Bega") after the plane Amelia Earhart flew. She's an andalusian/thoroughbred cross with bay coloring and black socks and a black dorsal marking down her back. She has soft eyes and a sweet disposition. At least so far. Apparently she might be a little bit of a problem child to start but i'm sure after i spend some time training her, she will be adored by many. Hope so. She is only 1 1/2 years old. I get to start riding her in the spring and show her before i leave. I can't wait! I will post pictures and write about my success, or failures, with her. I am sure there will be many bites, kicks, and lessons to learn. So exciting!
Having raven here is indescribable. I still can't get over seeing him every morning when i wake up and walk out of my room. He is always blowing me away with his willingness to try the new things i ask of him when we work. He is proud that an old dog can learn new tricks. He is starting to feel different when i ride him and it's so cool to think that it's only been three weeks. I love him.

It's a love hate relationship with the kittens. They have tripled in size since i got them and their energy has sky rocketed. Tomorrow night they are being exiled into a stall. I can't wait to actually sleep, even though i'll miss them cuddling up to me and purring in my ear. Like i said, love hate.

Can i just say that i am so overwhelmed/ecstatic/anxious/happy/thrilled that i get to visit home for thanksgiving!!! I cannot wait to see my family, my home, my friends, and the familiar things i miss. I can't wait to meet my parents at the airport, drive on 35W to see the skyline, drive down my alley, drag my suitcase through my backyard, open my back door, smell the wonderful smell of my home, catch up with my brothers, run upstairs, plop down on my bed and take in the fact that i will get to see my friends in the next 24 hours. Only two and a half more weeks! Wow, that is going to go by insanely fast.

Is it annoying if i say how lucky i am again? If it is, too bad. I'm so damn lucky.

Until next time....
love,
greer