MLK Day

I got back from PA on Sunday and was dreading having to get up early and go to work after a travel day.  I was then pleasantly surprised when I remembered that Monday was MLK day! YAYYY! Somer and Steve planned a hike in Lillington with their friend Kelly and his sister.  Justin and I were invited and were very excited to join. It was about an hour drive but was a BEAUTIFUL day!  We had a blast walking and talking and it made the 5 miles go by so fast! 

This was the "waterfall" we hiked to.

The crew

Must do a selfie :)

 After the hike we found a taco stand and had a delicious lunch/dinner.  We had to leave by 5 so that we could come back and shower so we could make it to the NCSU vs Maryland game. Justin got tickets because it was the last time we would every play us. They are leaving our conference this year.  We had nosebleed tickets because the game was so expensive- but I didn't care! I was excited to get to go to a game- can you believe that I haven't been to a single basketball game and I was a student for 8 years?!?  Right before half time a guy from the PNC area came and gave us student tickets for section 113....whoa! So cool!  

New view!

Fake smile Justin but ill take what I can get.

We had a blast at the game. We came out playing great and then kinda trickled off. But then at the second half we pulled it out and it turned out to be a great game- we won!  What a fun MLK day. Now off to face the new week! Thank goodness its a short week. We are going to Hickory this weekend to move some of our furniture and to celebrate Mom's birthday! Post to follow :)

Piggy Camp

Last week I took a mini externship and took a trip to PA.  A fourth year student got me in contact with this opportunity and I made my way up there. A veterinarian from NC Dr. Kristie Mazacchio specialize sin pot bellied pigs and makes a trip up to Ross Mill Farm frequently.

 Ross Mill Farm is a sanctuary for pot bellied pigs. They also are the starters of PPN- Pig Placement Network. They are a matchmaking service for pigs that need adoption and owners that want to adopt a pig across the country. It is a great place that does great things for pigs.  Over the 5 days I learned routine pot bellied pig work, and also what equipment I would need for working on them. It was so much fun!  Here are some pictures from my week!

This is Susan the sanctuary's owner with Louise the "teacup" pig. Yes he was marketed as a teacup when he was born. People- there is NO SUCH THING as a teacup pig. They all get to be 60-120 lbs as an adult. BUYER BEWARE!!!

This shows the layout of the barn. They have a space inside where they can nest and make their bed.  They also have a doggie door where they can go outside into a run.

Such a cutie!

A time for resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! I love the holidays and then the new year it is a time to reflect and be around people that are important to you. Looking back on 2013 we sure did have a big year. I finally graduated and am no longer in school!! Then after that we went to Europe for a celebratory trip and we got engaged! What a year!
Next year will be even bigger....two of my friends also got engaged in 2013 and we will all be getting married next year.  So we will have lots of parties and weddings.

I always find that if you state your resolutions it will help you stick to them. This year my goals are simple and few:

1) stop drinking sodas...all sodas - diet included

2) avoid processed foods

3) get fit for the wedding and my overall health

4) divorce my smart phone when I am in company of my friends- spend time with those presently around me.

I think these all have a large impact on my life but are simple enough they can be followed. Good luck everyone with your news years resolutions!!

The nutcracker

Early in the holiday season Justin mentioned he bought tickets to go see the Nutcracker in DC. I was so excited :) he does such a good having the ideas to go see things like this! The plan was to drive up Saturday morning and see the show Saturday night. We got a surprise because I found out I really didn't have to be at work Friday and Justin went in for an hour and got all his work done. So we dropped off our munchin with her favorite auntie Laurie and we were off to DC. We were happy to find out that Tim and Sara were around and we planned on staying with them. We got there in the evening and sat around catching up till early in the morning and watching Anthony Bordain parts unknown. We got up in the  morning and Tim and Sara took us to this small amazing restaurant called Foode for brunch. Tim and Sara both had the chicken and waffles and I hate to say it but I kicked Beasley's ass...Justin had a chicken and feta omlet and I had the chicken biscuit...the chicken was so awesome - seasoned just right. If you ever go up to Feedricksburg go there!! Just go early because they only have a limited amount of food and they will run out. Afterward we walked around downtown Fredricksburg. It is such a cool little town.

This was literally a store dedicated to cats...Steve would have been in heaven :) 

Their cats laid in the window all day :)

I thought this sign was too funny not to document.

We went by a cupcake shop and of course had to go in and sample the local fare :)

They put the icing on fresh so you could get any combination of icing and cake. Then they had a sprinkle bar...yum

Sara and Tim both got a big cupcake and got a sugar rush from all the icing! 

Their Christmas tree was so cute they had tea cups as ornaments... We thought it would be a bad idea with Petrie.

Then it was time to head back change and go to DC. Once we got there the recommended dinner restaurant had a 2.5 hour wait...needless to say we didn't have that kind of time. So I broke my cardinal rule and we ended up at Mozarts German restaurant. And I'm glad I did it was yummy! 

Justin got a liter of dark beer and ate curry wurst. I got the largest schnitzel I ever saw and a mixed salad plate...never seen those in the states..it was yummy!!!

Then we had to run to the theater because the show actually started at 7 and we thought all along it was 7:30!!! Eek!

The theater was beautiful.

The show itself was amazing. It was so much fun. After an uneventful drive back we enjoyed a night with Tim and Sara playing a board game. Before we left they made us a yummy breakfast. It was a great Christmas present because not only did we see the Nutcracker but we also got to spend the weekend with friends we don't normally get to see :) 

Happy holidays!

Christmas :)

As much as I like cowabunga I love coming home and sleeping in my own bed after a week in hotel beds!!! I slept like a baby Saturday night. After an eventful day at work Monday Justin and I were off to Hickory. We got a late start but I wanted to wake up at home on Christmas...(remember that in Germany Christmas is celebrated on the 24th). After sleeping in  Mom and I went to the barn to ride where Dana graciously let me ride Dayton (I rode him for a whole summer before I started vet school and he is one of my favorites!!) Mom rode Ace who looks great, I also hopped on her and she feels so fantastic. I realized a few things that afternoon....I miss riding with Mom, I miss riding with people in general, and I miss getting to actually ride not just plod along....I'm very very very excited to move home for that reason!!!

While I was at the barn Justin took Dad to go unload the car of stuff from the house to the new house. I was not able to see the house this time...but maybe it's better that way...as soon as we got back to Raleigh all Justin could say is can we move in noooow???

The evening rolled around and we put up the luminaries which are a tradition in our neighborhood. Not only are they lovely but they also bring the whole neighborhood out of their homes. While we put them up our neighbors came over and we invited them in and had a lovely evening with wine cheese and homemade German Christmas cookies!! 

As soon as everyone had their fill they left and we got the fondue ready. It is tradition in our family to eat fondue then go open a few presents and them go eat some more. This year there weren't that many presents and we stuffed ourselves so much at the first round that there wasn't multiple rounds. Dad got us despicable me 2...and since he wanted to see it that night it really was a present for everyone :)

We only made it half way through before I stared falling asleep.

The next morning was an early one to make it to Thomasville for Christmas morning! We had our coffee and Terri had an amazing quiche ready when we got there...one of the Goochs tradition I can count on :) 

Its fun to open presents with such a big family in a big circle...I only ever got that when my cousins came for the holidays or when we went to Germany. 

Then everyone sat down to an amazing meal, my parents even came up and it was vey special. D'Neil always picks up a smoked pork shoulder and it is always AWESOME!! After we ate very one sat around talking for a long time. While we were talking all the dogs found good laps to snuggle on.

Then everyone dispersed and I was exhausted I thought I was getting sick so I grabbed my best snuggle buddy (Roxy) and crashed in the guest room for 2 hours!!

Then it was back to Raleigh. I hope every one enjoyed their time with their family even if you are having to celebrate Christmas late because you had to work. Love you all- merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is around the corner

Being on cowabunga I have been surrounded by snow! Which always gets everyone in the Christmas spirit!

This photo is in northern PA on a deer farm. It was very exciting...this guy has about 150 animals and sold them to game preserves. He breeds them to have large racks. 

This is from one animal the lower is the 2 year old rack the top is his 3 year old rack!!! Wow!

It was very cool but my favorite part wa Pancake who was bottle fed and therefore very friendly!

So seeing the deer and the snow has really made me wish I was home more before Christmas. This year Justin and I both have to work Monday. I in fact have a research project where I will be tied up all day Monday. So my parents were going to come up but our older cat Toby isn't doing great so Justin and I decided we are going to head to Hickory Christmas Eve. For those of you that don't know my family has always celebrated on Christmas because that is the German tradition. We will then head to Thomasville to spend Christmas day with Justin's family. 

Christmas is my favorite holiday so I'm sad I feel like I will only have a few days to get into the Christmas spirit. Ho ho ho everyone! Merry Christmas!!

Cowabunga

Yup you read that right...cowabunga! For those that don't know what it is the vet school has an annual trip where we rent a 50 passenger bus and go tour different beef and dairy operations. We also have non-bovine stops...this year that includes a white tailed deer farm and Hershey PA!!! Woot!! We left early this morning and will be back the Saturday before Christmas. I was lucky enough to be asked to go as faculty this year. I went twice in vet school - I was not able to go my their year because my Oma passed away and we went to Germany for the funeral, and during my fourth year I couldn't go because of rotations. I'm excited for a fun week!

Our first stop is the beautiful Shenandoah valley! So beautiful!