'Typical Pia!!'

I can’t really say much about student life here, because I honestly don’t know, as I’m not exactly sure who is working and who is a student. So... but, the work atmosphere is so much different here. I really enjoy it. Everything is really laid back, no one’s ever hovering over you dogging you on to finish your work. You go at your own pace. And no one here seems to just be working to get done; they’re genuinely interested in what they’re doing, and coming to work every day isn’t a chore. Personally, back home, I always hated going to work. But not here. The atmosphere is so much different. More welcoming in a sense. I like it a lot here; I sure am gonna miss it!

I must say, I’m meeting the greatest people. Everyone I work with is so chipper and full of life; it’s really a breath of fresh air. I’m so fond of them all; I guess I’ll go through them... Niels, the head of the group, I swear he never stops. That man has a mean power walk; I kinda jog to keep up with him. He’s got so many ideas and he’s just brilliant. Niels is always happy to share this knowledge. Birgit is a very quiet lady. She’s so quick and efficient with what she does, especially in the lab. She’s such a reliable person; if I ever mess something up, which is very often, she’s always there to help... if you can track her down! Who else would remind me about coffee breaks? Anne has so much energy! Always bright eyed and bushy tailed, as they say. She always does sound effects when she talks, it’s so funny. And she’s the cutest mom ever. Her kids are so funny, especially her son! I love hearing stories about him. Pia is just a riot. She reminds me a lot of one of my best friends back home. She’s so laid back, and reminds me a lot of myself. She likes looking for shortcuts to things, which is one of my very favorite things to do. She’s got attitude, I love it! She always makes me laugh, I love joking around with her. Marie, I feel like I’m only just getting to know her. She’s pretty reserved, but a very smart girl. The more I get to know her the more I really like spending time with her. She’s got a really kick ass dog too, cute little guy! Those are just a few of the lively characters in my every day life. I work with Mogens quite often as well. He’s just a great person, very trusting and kind. He’s got a lot of patience, for which I am glad, because when I take tail vein samples with him, I always manage to mess something up. He’s very eager to include me in things; I feel like, always showing me new things, like taking out infusion devices from the stomach of a cow the other day. And I loooove his family to boot. His girls are too cute for words! And then there’s Peter! I haven’t spent very much time with Peter, as I’m not in the building so much, but whenever I do see him he manages to make my day. He’s so optimistic about everything! I just love talking to him. Oh that Peter, what a goof…

Can I talk about the cows too? Is that very lame? Doesn’t matter I suppose, but I feel I should include them. In the main barns we’ve got nine cows. They’re all just lovely, but I’m quite taken with a few in particular. My favorite has to be no. 01. I just love her! She’s like, the ‘cuddliest’ cow ever. She loves it when you scratch her on the butt, and she’ll tilt her head down and her eyes get all buggy. Oh it’s hilarious! If I’m ever petting another cow, Pia comes up behind me and says, ‘I think someone’s jealous…’ I know right away and I just laugh and look at 01, because she’s staring me down as if she’s trying to beckon me over. Her one of her catheters is in the wrong place, we’ve found, so they were going to put her down. However, by some stroke of luck Niels has decided to let her live. I’m happy. My little cow =) no.14 is another one of my favorites. She’s got a very curious tongue. Some days, if you stick your head too close to her she will lick you across the face. It’s kind of gross, but charming at the same time. And she does this thing where she just stands around and wags her tongue around. Omg it’s so funny! She does it for hours! Weird cow. Then there’s no. 05. This cow let me tell you, she’s something else. Everyone calls her Ms. Bull, and it’s so fitting. She’s like, a tomboy cow. She’s biiiig, and she’s got such attitude. Some people she just doesn’t like and others she’s nice to. I think I got lucky, because she rather likes me… well, on days when she’s in a good mood anyways. She can be so sweet though.
AND MY CALVES! Oh the baby cows are so cute. I love them love them love them. I’m kind of glad I’m leaving when I am so I won’t get so attached, haha, because I know they’re not destined to live to long. Speaking of, my favorite calf, no. 29 died on Sunday night. I named him White. He was such a pretty little guy. What a sad day! Thankfully I still have little no. 21, I call him Alfalfa. Like the Little Rascals movie. I love his pink nose! Little cows... I gave them all buzz cuts the other day, of course taking some creative liberty… Let’s just say the calves I shaved are definitely the most interesting ones.

There are also my roommates and the people at the Kollegium that I’ve also gotten to know. I’ve befriended a lot of people from different countries and cultures. I really like talking to them and listening to their points of view on a lot of aspects. Everyone is so different, and it’s a great experience conversing with them. I’ve also met Kasey, who Dr. Hurley had told me about before. She’s just great. She’s so confident, full of life and ideas. Just a walking, talking party. I hope I can keep in touch with her, and everyone else as well when I get back home.

Honestly, I haven’t really thought about setting goals. I’m not really the type of person to do so; I much rather prefer to just roll with whatever comes at me. I do dislike planning of any kind. Well, I guess one goal I had was to ride my bike to work. I definitely accomplished this. Take that everyone who doubted me! HA! However, there have been things that I have achieved that I really wanted to, like getting the hang of living on my own. I also really wanted to get some practical experience working with cattle, as I had never done so before. Thankfully, I’ve found that I enjoy it a lot. More over, I wanted to meet new people and learn from them. And that, I must say, I’ve definitely done, and I really couldn’t be happier.

I can’t believe I only have a few days left in Viborg! Oh how depressing, I kind of don’t want to leave! I don’t miss home at all, haha, sorry mom and dad! If I had my dog I could chill here for a while longer. But I am so excited to travel to Poland to see my family, so I’m looking forward to that at the end of the week!