Everybody's working for the weekend

It was a gorgeous day here in the city of Love and Land. We finished off week 6....yes week 6 (holy s#%t eh) with Pathology. We had a bit of class room stuff then back out to the dude ranch to observe some horses. Pretty nice group picture if I don't say so myself.

A couple of girls from the apartments met up at the pool and hot tub for a late night swim. I introduced everyone to a game of S.K.U.N.K, my peeps back home know about this. Basically you throw a ball to each other and if you miss it or throw it to where the recipient can't catch it, you get a letter. Once all your letters are used up you're out. S.K.U.N.K seemed a bit short so instead we played a game of P.A.R.O.T.I.D.O.A.U.R.I.C.U.L.A.R.I.S. (it's the muscle that controls the ear of a horse). This round took a bit longer, but I think Harline would be proud. Kimi won by the way. Here we are soaking in the hot tub after that long round.

Now I thought standing on my head was a pretty useless talent, but Heidi has beaten me where useless talents are concerned. Here she is pulling a piece of floss through her nose and out her mouth.....I think I speak for everyone when I say "gross".

Saturday the roomies and I worked with a local trainer from 9am until 2pm on some additional handling and quieting skills, then we headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Absolutely gorgeous. Lots of wildlife and of course there was still snow on the ground so we made the best of it. Here are the money shots!

Sue setting us up for a pose

"Help me OB1 Kenobi, your my only hope"

Heidi actually looks scared in this shot. Probably because I was holding her very expensive camera on unstable ground.



This snow angel was brought to you at one of the highest points of the mountain.

Snowball fight! I found the perfect spot...lots of coverage.

On the way down the mountain we came across a herd of Elk. These two were having tons of fun.

Tonight we had a potluck out at Rick's house (one of the instructors). He hitched up a couple of horses and ponies and gave everyone a cart ride. I'm extremely stuffed, but it was a great time and Michael even provided some fantastic background music with his guitar. Special happy birthday to Casey "Jersey Girl". You rock!

Night all.

Jessica

Pathology and Family Night

Now today was an all classroom day, yet I've decided to surprise my dedicated blog followers to a quick snippet of today's activities.

Pathology, pathology, pathology....it get easier to type the more you do it. We were with a local vet today learning about equine diseases, bio-chemistry and breeds types. Tomorrow we will continue with her as well as go out and observe some horses, should be fun.

Kimi fired up our big ass BBQ for some burgers, here's Liw attempting to put some cheese on them. I'm surprised firetrucks didn't show up.

Family night. Yes we had family night in my little commune of equine massage therapists. For those that don't know, Liw is addicted to a horse simulated virtual web site called Howrse. She will often rise early before the alarm or stay up after midnight to feed, water or groom her "horses"...notice the quotes. She talks about them like they are real and I take every opportunity to tell her..."they aren't real Liw, they are just computer animated objects and they can't hear you". She just ignores me.


Anyways back to family night, one of Liw's "horses" was due to give birth to twins so while I prepared dessert (see picture below), and yes that is Reese shell I'm holding. Note that all bowls and spoons were in the dishwasher so I improvised and used mugs and forks...it all works.

Liw logged on to Howrse then we all gathered round the computer to witness the birth. I'm going to be honest, I wasn't at all grossed out or had that "high" feeling when a mother gives birth......maybe because IT'S NOT REAL!!!!!! Just kidding Liw, I fully support you and crazy like affection for this site. To make a long story short, Liw named one of the foals after me....Ruby Chubb, which by the way is my hobbit name and if you haven't looked up your hobbit name please log off from my blog as you are not a Lord of the Rings fan and I can't be associated with you.


I'm off to make some phone calls seeing that my room has been booked for a massage....I'm not complaining, I had a wonderful massage last week.



Toodles,

Jess

Anatomy..whoa

Hey all,

The last two days have been great. We've been working on horses and refining our techiques. Yesterday was a gorgeous sunny day, we all had a horse to work "quietly" on. Basically we used the softest touch possible. It was incredible to see 15 horses all standing completely quiet, all in a zoned out kinda way. Three of the girls actually had their horses lay down and roll, it was awesome.

This morning we did much of the same, I worked on two horses, Cowboy and Pawnee (who, if I could, I would bring him home....he's such a sweetheart). Cowboy had to be used for a trail ride so I had to go and get a different horse. I was delighted when Sara asked me to go and get Pawnee. I worked on him in the corral with the other horses, then Sara challenged me and a couple of class mates to take their halters off and see if they would stand and let us work on him......and Pawnee did. Now in all honestly Pawnee is a bit of a "massage whore", he'll stand at the gate or fence if he sees us coming, so he made it pretty easy to work on him.

This afternoon we had our final Anatomy exam, a written component and an oral component. All of us were a bit stressed, but it turns out it was all for nothing. Harline was very gentle with us. I was the first one up for the oral portion. As you can see from the picture, it wasn't going so well, but I pulled through.

Just heading out to meet most of the class for dinner at the Rock Bottom Brewery to celebrate.

Here are a couple of shots from the cattle company that I didn't get a chance to post.

Let me hear it....awwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Still flying high in Colorado
Much love
Jess

Pictures speak louder than words

On Thursday we drove two hours to another dude ranch where we went to work on some horses. We were out in the middle of nowhere, but it was beautiful.

It was a hard day, as you can tell

This is my buddy Prince. I gave him a massage and he was like putty in my hand. Love them big drafts.

On Friday we had Movement class. Here I am walking Icey. He liked my new hat.

Friday night we went to Fort Collins to watch the bull riding. The clown had a thing for foreigners so he posed with Cat and I for a picture. Turns out we'll be in the Rodeo News in two weeks. Must be the new hat.

Save a horse, ride a cowboy

Saturday we met with a custom saddle maker. His saddles are "out of control". Here's a shot of me in his back yard by the river. He too liked my new hat.

This sign was posted over his doorway. Seems appropriate.

Today we took in a Polo match. It was very cool. We found out later that it was just a practice....

....but we wore our big hats anyways.


Tomorrow we are in the classroom all day so I won't bother to blog. I am however addicted to this new web site that sends voice text messages to people. Just know that I'm enjoying sending them as much as you are receiving them.

Start of week six tomorrow.....yikes, the time is flying!

Hugs all round

Jessica

Yeah, O.K so I lied

This post is strickly to for my sister who has lodged a complaint against the fact that I'm chosing not to blog everyday. There Amy are you happy? Now piss off!!!

I know I promised to post some pictures tonight, but it's after 11pm and we just got in from some watching some bull riding and mutton busting in Fort Collins. We have class tomorrow to make up for the holiday Monday so I will do my best to post some pictures of our day up at the Cattle Company as soon as I get home.

Tomorrow will be exactly 3 weeks until we graduate.....the weeks are flying by....crazy.

Until tomorrow, I'll just keep movin' on
Jess

Clownin' around Denver

Hey ya'll. I survived the Memorial Day long weekend but barely. Tracy flew in Friday night and we met up with Kris, (for those that don't know he's my cousin that lives in Denver...and he's a kick ass D.J). Packed in four awesome days which included various nightclubs, seeing the sites of Denver, going to the Drive-In (the new Indiana Jones movie sucks btw) and doing a two hour ride up in the mountains....it was fantastic. My only complaint is that it went by way too quick.

Now it's back to the grind. This is the start of week five so the downward slide has begun. Hard to believe that we are more than half way through.

I've decided to only post something every couple of days. Should something exciting or new arise I'll be sure to inform my faithful followers. The homework is mounting so I need to dedicate more of my night to that.

Here are some pics from the weekend.

Keep it real eh

Jessica

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

Whoa...that was close. Today was an interesting day. The weather started out very dreary and cloudy. We were in the classroom for the entire day with Business class (an excellent class that I'm trying to soak as much information out of). What we didn't know was the while we were watching the rain, thunder and hail fall, a tornado touched down about 30 minutes away from us......I'm gonna pause just for a second........are you friggin' kidding me?? It was a little intense to say the least.

Here are the pictures from yesterday that I promised. Again, those with weak stomach's should not scroll down (Amy)....I'm just kidding, they're not that bad!

They'll be no more blogging for me this week. Tracy flies in tomorrow for the long weekend and we'll be meeting up with Kris to have some fun in Denver. Can't wait.

Have a good weekend and I'll see you on the flip side.

Jessica