Plan Your Next Trip

The Pangolin Men

I don't have a lot to write about this week as I have just been planning and prepping for my upcoming trips, while still living in the present ;)  I have also been catching up on some very overdue reading.  I was reminded of an old website that helps me keep track of all the books I have read: Goodreads

I've had a few people ask me how exactly I plan my trips because I'm the type that likes flexibility yet a plan at the same time.So let's start at the beginning!

1) Location
Where do you want to go? I personally have a travel bucket list of countries that I want to visit and what I would like to do in them. I want to go everywhere so narrowing down where to go is always the hardest part for me.
2) Time frame
What is the length of time you have to travel?  Make sure your flight is included in that time frame. Depending on where you are flying out of, it may take you an entire day to travel to your location.
3) Travel advisories
Don't let the media scare you into not traveling to a certain location but be mindful. Check out the Travel Alerts here to ensure your safety.
4) Know your budget
Obviously some places are going to be more expensive than others. Be sure to know how much you're willing to spend and the local conversion rate. Travel rewards credit cards tend to help. They can knock off your international fees which will help save you a little money as well. Speaking of credit cards, be sure to tell your bank that you will be traveling so your card won't get declined. I like to convert a little bit of cash to the local currency as well. Not only does it make a memorable souvenir, it's nice to have on hand for those little local markets that don't take cards.
5) Book Your Flight
There are a ton of websites that can help you look for the cheapest flight. My personal favorites (I do not get paid from these companies; these are my personal opinions): orbtiz.com; google flights; momondo; or the actual airline. I will let you in on a little secret, check for flights on Tuesday afternoons and use the incognito window on your browser in order to get the cheapest option. Although, sometimes last mintue deals are cheap - I personally wouldn't do that for a big trip though.
6) Pick your hotel
What kind of experience are you looking for? Do you want just a place to crash at night or the resort/all inclusive experience? A few websites that can help you out are Airbnb; hostelworld; tripadvisor; or any chain hotels.
7) Vaccines
If you are traveling internationally, chances are you're going to need vaccines. Check out the CDC in order to see the government recommendations.
8) Must-dos 
What do you want to do when you get there? Outdoor activities, see wildlife, museums, historic memorials, food tours, shows? Tripadvisor is a great website to help you find what you are looking for as well as reviews of all the tours. Pinterest, as most people know, is a website I'm constantly on, and it can help you figure out what the "must-dos" in your location are. Make sure to check the distance of the tours and restaurants from your hotels to give you a better idea of what you might be spending on transportation.
9) What Other To Dos?
I always make sure that I check out what local food that you need to try while there.  What better chance to experience the real culture of a place than to immerse yourself in it with the food.  Some people like to bring souvenirs back for themselves as token of remembrance. I know some people like plates, spoons, shot glasses, etc.  I like to bring back the local currency and locally made items. For example, in Costa Rica, I brought back a wooden craving, coffee, and a miniature ox-cart.
11) What to pack 
Be sure to check the local weather, local culture, and local holidays. All of these things will influence what you can and cannot, or should and shouldn't wear in your specific location. For example, the king of Thailand recently died and it's custom to wear all black for a year while the country is in mourning, but yellow on his birthday.
12) Phone
Check with your phone provider to see if you have international calling. Know the phone numbers to your hotels as well as the local emergency services.
13) Ready, Set?
Print your itinerary, grab your passport, charge all your electronics, make sure all your last minute plans at home are finalized. Be prepared with back up plans in case something on your schedule falls through. You need to be flexible when traveling or else you won't enjoy the spontaneity of the adventure!
13) Enjoy!
Bon Voyage! Take lots of pictures and videos!

Stop The Hatred and Be The Change

4 Things SOs Never Ask Vet Professionals
Bird Brains? Just As Bright As Apes

15 Animals Poised To Win The 2016 Presidential Election
I successfully avoided Facebook after the elections because the moment I went on, there was so much outrage and hate. I've never one to rant on social media, and I don't want to start now. However, because of this headache, I will address this one time only. Yes, we are all shocked, but this happens at EVERY SINGLE election. There are always people that are upset about the outcome. I can honestly say I wasn't happy with either candidate so I wasn't going to be thrilled no matter the outcome, but this, what I'm seeing, and hearing is outrageous. There are riots (more like tantrums), derogatory banners flying, friends "defriending" each other, racist comments such as "go back to Africa", comments of "burning in hell" to homosexual people, and rants of wanting to leave this country. This is not the president-elects' doing; this is the American people and frankly it's disgusting. When did you start seeing people as who they voted for and not as the person you've known them to be. No one justified you acting this way. You are making people fear for their lives because of your violence, not the edited comments of a candidate. Half of this country is heartbroken and lost in the frustration and anxiety. Everything you do now is for your future. Is this the future you want to live in?  Is this the change you voted for? We are getting lost in the hype and excitement of the news, that we are forgetting what is actually important.

We all still need to be wholesome to each other. We are all so privileged to be living in THIS COUNTRY at THIS AGE. Did you forget that others, across this world, have no right to complain, hate, judge, and slander the complete heritage of their country. They have no laws protecting them. No hero, no source, and no rightfully chosen leader to save them from a world of pain and struggle. They have no solution, no answer, and no hope of any change of life. They starve, they fade, and they exist, not live. They see the hate we have here in the very country they would love to be a part of. They live and die in a place around this world that you would never ever survive in. The entire world is noticing how weak our souls can be over such a wonderful right that a privileged human being can have. It breaks my heart that I can travel to so many places around this world and yet be forced to stand in the hate and misunderstandings that this country is pouring upon itself.

There is a way forward and away from this madness. Use these frustrations and struggles to motivate you. You can't change what has already happened and worrying about something you can't change will forever be the biggest waste of your time. Be mindful. Be proud that you voted. Smile and feel accomplished for providing to your cause and country. Do you realize how blessed we are to have food to eat, to be able to pray to who or whatever we believe in, to laugh, cry, and feel love. Small changes, little random acts of kindness, empathy for other, forgiveness, and simply loving others....despite their race, religion, beliefs, background, opinions, views, or who they voted for. You voted for change in this country, be that change. Be the acceptance and effort to make the world a better place for each other. We can't control what happens to us, only how we react to it.  Don't let this negativity around us make you hard and cold. Transform the world with your love.

World Series Champs

Well the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series! I wish I could have been there to celebrate, but I celebrated with the delicious Gino's East pizza. In true Chicago fashion, the river was dyed blue during the parade. Gotta love that city! Chicago Cubs World Series 2016

Some post-Halloween pointers:

Vets Urge Dog Owners To Stop Buying Pugs and Bulldogs

I am guilty of this as well; I do think these brachycephalic (squished-faced) breeds are adorable but they are in fact anatomical disasters. 

Dog Tail Docking and Ear Cropping

I'm not one that will do these procedures and the only reason that a few vets are still doing these procedures is because the public is still asking them to.  It surprises me how many people believe that the dogs are actually born looking like that. I personally think your dog looks much better in its natural state.

Living In The Present

Wildlife % Fall
If we don't do anything about this, the numbers are going to continue to decline. I love working with wildlife but the sadly demand isn't there.

St Kitts and Nevis Marine Managed Area
This is such a great thing and a long time coming. Now if we can only get rid of all those lionfish there ;)

More Than 500 Rabbits Dead After Eating Commercial Rabbit Feed
This is why it's so important for veterinarians to know about food labels.  We are animal nutritionists, yet so many vets overlook what is on the labels.  We should always be asking clients what they are feeding their pets.

Countdowns:

 16 days to my exam

24 days to Aruba

 34 days to Thailand

57 days to Christmas

114 days to my birthday 

 235 days to summer

I am usually pride myself in being able to live in the present moment.  However, lately I have been struggling with this since there is so much that I have to look forward to. I constantly have to pull my thoughts back to reality.  I have been researching different ways of practicing mindfulness so I can catch myself even before my mind wanders. For me, taking a detox bath, drinking detox tea, incense, and guided yoga or mediation seems to work. There are so many different mediation guides out there, you have to find one that works for you. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice twenty five years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard for that job, car, house, etc. We have difficulty remembering how to live in the present moment; it's the only moment for us to be alive. Tomorrow is never promised so make it so beautiful that it's worth remembering. There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. The first is yesterday and the second is tomorrow., so today is the right time to love, believe, do, but mostly live.

A Rollarcoaster of 5 years

This week, October 17th marked the 5 year anniversary of when I started this blog. My first post had 32 readers and thanks to you my posts have a tremendous amount more than that.  It all started with me finding out I got into veterinary school and my thinking that I would update my audience through my triumphs and tribulations on this journey.  There has been so many incredible adventures, both positive or negative. I can honestly look back and say that I am not the same person I was when I started writing this. You can see it in my post within the content of what I'm writing. I have since discovered how to add additional pages, my Pinterest board, and even music! I've even had themes, photo challenges, articles, and lists. I will continue to research and find new ways to entertain you. So I thank you for being an avid reader this entire time, even if you only happen to read every other post. Click here to to read my first post: Let's See How This Goes

7 Misconceptions About Alpha Females
Agree with every single one of these.

Dark World Of The Rhino Horn Trade
This is why I'm so passionate about putting a stop to this.  Look back at my South Africa trip here.

US Government To Slaughter 45000 Wild Horses
I would become a vegetarian if it would stop killing non-food animals.

Mike's Passing

Things We Can Learn From Birds
A little article I wrote on the Broadreach blog was officially posted this week

Nicholas Sparks was in Charlotte this past weekend! I was able to go get his new book (Two by Two) signed and get this picture with him. For those that don't know him (which you should), he's the author of several books setting in North Carolina and the following books turned movies: (In order of when the movies were released) Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, The Notebook, The Last Song, Dear John, The Lucky One, Safe Haven, The Lucky One, The Best of Me, The Longest Ride, and The Choice.

LSUs Mike the Tiger Passed Away
After The News Of Mike VIs Death PETA Appears
Mike passed away this week. :(  He wasn't doing well this past weekend so his caretakers decided it was time. Sadly, PETA is already trying to prevent LSU from getting another tiger. If this were a tiger at a zoo or any other enclosure then maybe I would agree with them, but this tiger is treated like royalty. His caretakers know everything about him and how to interpret what he wants. If he doesn't want to get into his mobile cage for the home games, then they don't force him.  There are no tigers treated better than they way they treat the Mikes at LSU.  As I said in my last blog, Mike is the spirit behind LSU, he is what keeps us going.  We all love you Mike.

Mike, The Power of LSU

It's October! Time for fall leaves, fires, hot chocolate, pumpkin flavored everything, and sweaters....well I need to go shopping..... I haven't been in fall weather in a few years!

This week there was more Thailand planning! It's incredibly exciting!

African Grey Parrot - Protected Status
African Grey's have become a protected species due to the large amount of trafficking. "Banning the trade will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to crack down on the poachers."

Montreal Pit Bull Ban Suspended
As you may know, I posted last week about Montreal's Pit Bull ban and what you can do to help. Well, the ban has been suspended. The fight is far from over, as there are still questions about what defines a pitbull.  The major says "you'll know it when you see it." I'm going to have to argue that point, because there are plenty of breeds out there that are questionable, such as Boxers. They get mistaken for pits on a regular basis.  Plus, there are a lot of dogs that still need adopting.

LSU - Mike the Tiger
A friend of mine was just telling me about how he remembered when Mike first came to LSU. This extraordinary cat is what LSU is all about. He is what embodies the students spirit and enthusiasm. Mike is the powerforce behind LSU football and what makes the students scream "Geaux Tigers."  He is a must visit whenever in the Baton Rouge area even if you are not an LSU fan.  Back in May, Mike was sadly diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma. He underwent radiotherapy treatment, but unfortunately a CT scan revealed that the cancer has spread. The LSU team will monitor Mike and make him as comfortable as possible.

VT had a by-week last weekend, but there is a family rivalry this weekend!