I fit in so well at the barns... I smell exactly like a cow.

The weekend was absolutely great. It was some kind of holiday that I can’t recall, so we also had Monday off. It seemed like Denmark, the country itself wanted everyone to go out and enjoy this three day weekend. The weather was flawless: high 70’s all three days, blue skies, shining sun; it was just perfect. Since I had just gotten my bike, I spent most of my weekend biking around Viborg and the country surrounding it. It’s really beautiful around here. I love seeing the animals and the farm land, but there are also little woods and lakes. Very scenic. I also took a walk around the south lake one of the days. I got a little sun burnt, but it was totally worth it. It’s great living so close to such a relaxing place.

Nothing I can think of has been negative so far. I suppose, the crazy weather here kind of sucks. The weekend weather was wonderful, but the rest of the week won’t be as nice. The winds are picking up, rain clouds coming back around, and of course, the temperature is dropping. I just hope it doesn’t get too windy, anything else is fine.

I’ve actually been learning a lot about the work I’m going to be doing. In fact, I got to do some of this work just yesterday. We’re doing work about protein absorption in different veins and arteries in the cow’s body. The cows are fitted with multiple catheters along with a rumen fistula. We take blood samples from the catheters, but they all have to be taken simultaneously. This is pretty tough, you have to hold four big syringes in one hand, draw back with the other hand, and then empty the blood into the proper test tube. Niels, the man running this experiment, somehow found me competent enough to trust me to do this all on my own, which was a big honor, seeing as I’ve only been here a week! It was great to finally get in there. I learned a lot about how to work the catheters and about their system of organization for the samples taken. While we’re not taking samples I help Pia, the main woman that works with the cows, with whatever she needs. Usually I spend my days washing the cows or brushing them while I’m down at the barns. I really like working with Pia, she’s a character. Working with everyone here is great; I’m growing so fond of everyone. Someone suggested to me that I could do my own project while I’m here, except I don’t even have an idea of how people think up projects in the first place. I am no genius; I’ll be the first to say. Maybe Niels will give me some ideas; that man is like a super scientist.