Siletz Valley
Small animal nutrition class came to an end. I rounded up some journals and vet school application guides, had the vet school info poster added to the horse bones, dog skull, and half horse hoof in my car, and headed out for Siletz Valley School. Today was their career fair, and I volunteered to present veterinary medicine.
It was a very scenic drive -- out through the countryside, evergreens abounding (except for the sadly clear-cut areas), "blue skies smilin' at me" (not in the Valentine's Day sort of way, for any of you who know the song.)
I had gotten directions from Mapquest but initially figured I wouldn't use them as they appeared to lead over some semi-non-existent roads out in the forest. I thought Hwy 229 would be faster. However, someone else told me that the back way would be faster, and knowing no other back way I decided to try Mapquest's.
I found Pioneer Mountain Loop (the very term "loop" made it seem a bad choice) and followed it.... until it came back out on the hwy where I had started. I was supposed to take PM Loop, turn ambiguously "Right", take a slight left, take Camp 12 Loop (another umpromising name) to Hwy 229 which goes into Siletz. That whole list of directions was to occur in about 6 miles. Sadly, I didn't find the ambiguous right (maybe it was someone's private drive -- I need to go back and see).
I arrived late at the fair (!! :(( ), but still had some positive interactions with the students. Some were quiet, others very talkative (like "once I saw a chicken that was half-eaten and there were a bunch of eggs inside it" or "once a horse died and my dog ate its foot" or "have you ever seen any sick rottweilers?" or "how many animals do vets save every year?"). I showed 'em the bones, talked about laminitis in horses, told them vets are teachers, talked about the role of vets in public health. Some of the children actually paid attention.
Toward the end this girl came over, sat in my seat (which I wasn't using anyway) and asked if she could use my stethoscope. She proceeded to try to listen to her heart (and declare that it must not be beating), then made noises into it and made a couple other children listen (if you haven't ever experienced that, it HURTS the ears). I confiscated the scope.
I think I prefer interactions with people I know I can continue to have a relationship with -- what is one short encounter? -- but it was good over all.
Some interesting comments from the children (They are so candid! It's great.):
"Why do you smile all the time?" (My response: "Maybe I can't help it" -- which is true aside from some herculean effort -- sort of -- and completely true when I am not focusing on not smiling.)
"Why do you wear that on your head?"
I answered, and the girl "thought" maybe I wore it to keep the blood out of my hair when I work on animals. Actually, I guess I wear it because I am already covered in blood.
Another girl: "why do you wear that on your head?", and then went on to say "I'm not used to being around people like that."
I had wondered how weird they would feel about me, but it didn't seem to make them shy.
***
I was so close to the ocean and had a few minutes before I needed to head back for work, so I went to Newport. I took a scenic drive around part of Yaquina Bay, then parked at the historic bayfront and took a stroll to see the sea lions. It's sort of strange touristing by myself, much more fun to have someone else (e.g. my brother) along, but it was quirky and fun to go alone. I got some salt water taffy to be the quintessential Newport tourister.
It was a very scenic drive -- out through the countryside, evergreens abounding (except for the sadly clear-cut areas), "blue skies smilin' at me" (not in the Valentine's Day sort of way, for any of you who know the song.)
I had gotten directions from Mapquest but initially figured I wouldn't use them as they appeared to lead over some semi-non-existent roads out in the forest. I thought Hwy 229 would be faster. However, someone else told me that the back way would be faster, and knowing no other back way I decided to try Mapquest's.
I found Pioneer Mountain Loop (the very term "loop" made it seem a bad choice) and followed it.... until it came back out on the hwy where I had started. I was supposed to take PM Loop, turn ambiguously "Right", take a slight left, take Camp 12 Loop (another umpromising name) to Hwy 229 which goes into Siletz. That whole list of directions was to occur in about 6 miles. Sadly, I didn't find the ambiguous right (maybe it was someone's private drive -- I need to go back and see).
I arrived late at the fair (!! :(( ), but still had some positive interactions with the students. Some were quiet, others very talkative (like "once I saw a chicken that was half-eaten and there were a bunch of eggs inside it" or "once a horse died and my dog ate its foot" or "have you ever seen any sick rottweilers?" or "how many animals do vets save every year?"). I showed 'em the bones, talked about laminitis in horses, told them vets are teachers, talked about the role of vets in public health. Some of the children actually paid attention.
Toward the end this girl came over, sat in my seat (which I wasn't using anyway) and asked if she could use my stethoscope. She proceeded to try to listen to her heart (and declare that it must not be beating), then made noises into it and made a couple other children listen (if you haven't ever experienced that, it HURTS the ears). I confiscated the scope.
I think I prefer interactions with people I know I can continue to have a relationship with -- what is one short encounter? -- but it was good over all.
Some interesting comments from the children (They are so candid! It's great.):
"Why do you smile all the time?" (My response: "Maybe I can't help it" -- which is true aside from some herculean effort -- sort of -- and completely true when I am not focusing on not smiling.)
"Why do you wear that on your head?"
I answered, and the girl "thought" maybe I wore it to keep the blood out of my hair when I work on animals. Actually, I guess I wear it because I am already covered in blood.
Another girl: "why do you wear that on your head?", and then went on to say "I'm not used to being around people like that."
I had wondered how weird they would feel about me, but it didn't seem to make them shy.
I was so close to the ocean and had a few minutes before I needed to head back for work, so I went to Newport. I took a scenic drive around part of Yaquina Bay, then parked at the historic bayfront and took a stroll to see the sea lions. It's sort of strange touristing by myself, much more fun to have someone else (e.g. my brother) along, but it was quirky and fun to go alone. I got some salt water taffy to be the quintessential Newport tourister.
posted by Claire at 18:27
2 Comments:
I like how you said - "I guess I wear it because I am already covered in blood." Funny how little kids' comments can really make us see things in a new light isn't it?
It's really cool that you volunteered - in my mind you're one of the best suited for that out of our class, simply because you are so cheerful :)
I wonder how many thought inventions have been created from strange twists people make on the comments of others.
You are too kind... If I do another career fair you should come too -- the kids would love you.
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