It's 29.8 degrees

right now.


From my window - yes, I've flowers just outside my window again!


Bright sun-shiney blue skies with the ocassional gentle breeze that tousles the leaves. The nights are at times cool and then humid and still again. Autumn here is quite like an extension of summer. It doesn't get particularly cooler, I was told. Unlike in NZ which by now will be much cooler and the trees a characteristic dreamy fall-shade.

Done for the lectures of today. Some revision now for Anatomy lab quiz tomorrow. Then pizza night with flatmates. Yup, Tuesday nights are pizza nights here. Eagle Boys dish out their large pizza at only A$4.99 each, cool! :)

Busselton. Enroute to Margaret River.

Busselton Jetty - the longest in WA.

Fishing


Cormorants - the fishing birds.


Mr Pelican - such a cool guy!

From Cottlesloe to Scarborough

before settling at Floreat Beach. A little patch of doggy haven.

Been in Perth since 3 Feb...

and found time to get this blog up after almost a month. And then again, it has been mostly pix cos I haven't been writing much. Cos...yup, I've sorta let vet school days caught up to my neck! :)

I felt the pace from day 1, mostly cos a large part of the cohort are entering vet school straight after their Biomedical year last year, so most of the stuff is like revision to them. For the smaller portion of international students like me, we come from diverse backgrounds with differing experience both academically and on the job.

Today is the Monday of Week 4, and I'm having abit of luxury time sorting out my photo collection and penning down my thoughts here cos Biochem lab ended early!

I have not been writing much at all since I arrive, largely due to the full timetable we're on. It's 3 full days and 2 halfdays. And that sorta makes me feel disconnected to my surroundings and my days here, cos I realise, in a way, I integrate faster into a new environment if I write deeply about it. The reflecting of each day and the capturing of each scene that catches the eye - it keeps me connected to the present moments and grounds my soul to the acceptance that I am now on a new land. Keeps the mind from muddling back to the past or wandering anxiously into the future.

The experiences in Perth so far have been quite different from that in New Zealand last year. I won't compare them here but I guess, as each day unfolds and as I reflect and write about it, I would come to see the greater plan in store. As I remember the wise words spoken - if your dream consists of you and just you alone, it is just too small a dream. There IS a purpose why we are where we are, right this moment. And if we make up our mind, to seize today, to live in the now, that purpose will live on in its unveiling.

Visited RSPCA on Saturday

with some of my classmates. Similar to the one I've been to in Canberra, the compounds are clean and neat. Not particularly huge as I would expect. There are 3 rows of kennels open for viewing and a few more under quarantine. The cattery is another story altogether. Here, the level of aircon comfort and colourful, pretty frills are a welcome sight. The kitty play area will delight any human toddler anytime. If I'm a kitty, hmm...I won't mind staying on here!




To the kennels and dogrun

Sally

Indy, a 4-month old Kelpie cross. All she wants is to get as close to you as she can. A belly rub will be a bonus! Actually, it's the same for most of the animals up for adoption - all they want through the metal grills is a kind touch, a scratch, a face fluff. And should it be the day their wish is fulfilled - a wonderful new family to go home with.


Unique colouring for a Shar Pei x Kelpie

Jack the good-looking Kelpie cross. His sister, Jill, is in another kennel.


The kennel is of a substantial size, with a raised up sleeping platform at the furthest end (left hand side), which is a good idea as it provides a dry, clean spot for snoozes when the kennel is wet from washing or soiled by the dog.


Little Tiger look-alikes. I do miss our burly Tiger back home!



Kitty wonderland - spot the kitties if u can.

Kasey - the king 8-year old longtime resident. He is HUGE.



Marshmallow, our Spider-Cat!

Feathers and wine at Swan Valley ...

Pretty pink Cockatoos



... and the ocassional goofy Alpaca. Met him at an Egg Farm - he looks like a Bob. :)

Meeting Roger,

our Greyhound for anatomy palpation. We palpated him for his scapular spine, acromion, humerus, carpus etc.. A good boy, eager for treats.

The Greyhound racing industry is yet another controversial animal scene, wrought with 'high waste' as I heard it said once. Akin to horse racing, think about what happens to the many old, slow, injured racers once past their prime. I reserve my comments till I get to know more indepth of the actual scene.

A good patient

at the clinic, out for her evening sun. She looks stern but that's just a front. Give her a pat and she'll willingly belly-up for a rub! :)

The vet building and farms

Well-fed sturdy looking moo moos


Another goofy alpaca

See the cow peeing in the background

It sure doesn't come in drips!

Finally, having some free time

to post some shots of WA, its surroundings of flora and fauna. Temperature is a cool of 22 degrees. Here are some scenes to share for now.


Scenes from the Village

Black Carnaby Cockatoos

Visiting churches

New Holland Honeyeater on Banksia plant


Bunny wandering free

Bindi - a rescued Bull Mastiff x Rhodesian Ridgeback staying in the Village - she reminds me of Puppy Boy! Very food driven. :)