Hi everyone
I have recently taken up learning German, i thought it would be easier than it actually is. I am currently doing 2hrs of taught study per week, I am supposed to be doing 2 hours of self study also, but I am finding this a challenge at the moment.
This week had been one of the most tiring weeks ever, I have just had so much to do everyday, I just dont seem to have the time to do much else except work at the moment.
I am very much looking forward to going to see my family this weekend, as I haven't been home for a while will be a nice weekend, besides the fact that I also have work to do.
Laura
Thursday 31 October 2013
Saturday 26 October 2013
Day out at the zoo
Hi everyone
I went to Whipsnade zoo today with my dad, both of us had never been there before. It was a little expensive but worth it, the zoo is large and takes quite a long time to walk around. The guide book and map were rather helpful especially as the zoo does cover a large area and there are different ways you can walk around.
As I study a virus found in elephants, I really wanted to see the new baby elephant that they have, adorable:
I thought the elephant enclosure was excellent, with both inside and outside areas, with plenty of enrichment items.
I am very impressed at all the enclosures at this zoo, the new giraffe heights recently opened, I thought was a lovely touch, enabling giraffe viewing from a different level. Whipsnade has a variety of animals which I had either not seen before (and I have been to quite a few zoos) or that I have seen very rarely. One specific example is the wolverine, I was very impressed with how this enclosure is set out as it enables viewing of a quite secretive animal, which was a joy as I have only seen one once before.
It was nice to see a pride of African lions, as the zoos I have been to tend to have Asian lions, I enjoyed how close you could see them, there was also a display of lion related items with a member of staff to explain them.
The cheetah exhibit was also a nice experience, it is found in the passage through Asia section, the exhibit looked nice and clean, and the cheetahs seemed happy and content. The covered viewing area, contains very good information boards, and on the way out of the cheetah area there are some games for children (and adults). The cheetah family sat proud and it was nice to see such a nice family.
There are also a variety of other activities to do, such as there is a steam train, play area for children, shops and a cafe. The discovery centre was also very good, with a variety of repties, fish and amphibians. We ate at the cafe, I had spaghetti and my dad had fish cakes, both of which were very nice. Overall we both enjoyed our day out at the zoo.
Hope you all had a nice day too :)
Find me on twitter: https://twitter.com/Giddypig1987
I went to Whipsnade zoo today with my dad, both of us had never been there before. It was a little expensive but worth it, the zoo is large and takes quite a long time to walk around. The guide book and map were rather helpful especially as the zoo does cover a large area and there are different ways you can walk around.
I am very impressed at all the enclosures at this zoo, the new giraffe heights recently opened, I thought was a lovely touch, enabling giraffe viewing from a different level. Whipsnade has a variety of animals which I had either not seen before (and I have been to quite a few zoos) or that I have seen very rarely. One specific example is the wolverine, I was very impressed with how this enclosure is set out as it enables viewing of a quite secretive animal, which was a joy as I have only seen one once before.
Hope you all had a nice day too :)
Find me on twitter: https://twitter.com/Giddypig1987
Now on twitter
Hi everyone
I am now on twitter if you wish to follow me please go to https://twitter.com/Giddypig1987
I will be tweeting various things on there
:)
I am now on twitter if you wish to follow me please go to https://twitter.com/Giddypig1987
I will be tweeting various things on there
:)
Friday 25 October 2013
Demonstrating and tissue culture
Hi everyone
So in the past couple of weeks:
1. Demonstrating:
I have begun to do some demonstrating on animal handling, I am assisting in an undergraduate class where they learn about handling and the requirements of rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. I have so far found that I am extremely fond of guinea pigs, I feel that I would like to have one again one day. I used to own a guinea pig his name was Sir Eat a lot. Which i think described his personality perfectly, we got him from a small zoo in Derbyshire when it closed down in 2000. Anyway enough about my previous guinea pig.
I am enjoying demonstrating, its nice to see how the undergrads are so enthusiastic, and wanting to learn and handle the animals. I am also learning a lot about these animals, especially about chinchillas, I had never handled a chinchilla before until I was trained for this work. I think its important not to talk down to the students, which I thought I would have a problem with but in the end it has been ok. Many of them have pets at home and they already understand a bit about the animals.
So from doing this kind of demonstrating I have so far learned, the requirements for keeping rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, how to sex them and common diseases/illnesses and problems.
2. Tissue culture
Ok, so I have started to do some tissue culture which has been eventful. I have managed not to infect any of them yet and none of them have had to be thrown away yet.... watch this space.
3. Life outside uni
Since i last posted, I have moved house to be closer to uni which has been been great and very helpful as now I dont have a long commute as I did before.
So in the past couple of weeks:
1. Demonstrating:
I have begun to do some demonstrating on animal handling, I am assisting in an undergraduate class where they learn about handling and the requirements of rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. I have so far found that I am extremely fond of guinea pigs, I feel that I would like to have one again one day. I used to own a guinea pig his name was Sir Eat a lot. Which i think described his personality perfectly, we got him from a small zoo in Derbyshire when it closed down in 2000. Anyway enough about my previous guinea pig.
I am enjoying demonstrating, its nice to see how the undergrads are so enthusiastic, and wanting to learn and handle the animals. I am also learning a lot about these animals, especially about chinchillas, I had never handled a chinchilla before until I was trained for this work. I think its important not to talk down to the students, which I thought I would have a problem with but in the end it has been ok. Many of them have pets at home and they already understand a bit about the animals.
So from doing this kind of demonstrating I have so far learned, the requirements for keeping rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, how to sex them and common diseases/illnesses and problems.
2. Tissue culture
Ok, so I have started to do some tissue culture which has been eventful. I have managed not to infect any of them yet and none of them have had to be thrown away yet.... watch this space.
3. Life outside uni
Since i last posted, I have moved house to be closer to uni which has been been great and very helpful as now I dont have a long commute as I did before.
Tuesday 1 October 2013
Its been a while...
Hi everyone
Sorry I haven't posted for a while, my life has been a bit hectic over the past few months. So I have now started more intensely on my laboratory work and have started to get some results which is great. I also have my first year viva coming up this week, which I am very nervous about but I am sure I will be fine. For those of you that do not know what a viva is, basically an assessor sits down and asks you questions about your work, to make sure you understand what you are doing and what you intend to do etc...
I have handed in around 10,000 words of my literature review my previous post stated I had completed 4000 well the first chunk is now handed in as part of my first year assessment.
I did mention in my previous post I would start to discuss the virus I am studying, the virus is called Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus it is found in elephants, and can be fatal, I am working with a number of Asian elephants in various locations.
If you would like more detailed information about the virus please see:
http://eehvinfo.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_endotheliotropic_herpesvirus
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/AnimalCare/EEHV/default.cfm
I am thoroughly enjoying my lab work, it great being able to feel like a real scientist and really contributing to something.
I have found a number of interesting articles etc.. recently:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23545291 - Ok this one is just adorable
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24171876
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24234927
Recently I have visited Dudley Zoo, UK (NOT as part of my research just as a day out), I thought this zoo was good value for money as it includes going around Dudley castle as well. I managed to get some nice photos, especially of the flamingos which were for a friend. The Zoo was pretty easy to access it is right in the centre of Dudley. I realise I am pretty much writing a review for the zoo, but I have been to a number of Zoos within the UK and thought I would write a summary when I have been, and maybe some people will find it useful.
Have a nice day :)
Sorry I haven't posted for a while, my life has been a bit hectic over the past few months. So I have now started more intensely on my laboratory work and have started to get some results which is great. I also have my first year viva coming up this week, which I am very nervous about but I am sure I will be fine. For those of you that do not know what a viva is, basically an assessor sits down and asks you questions about your work, to make sure you understand what you are doing and what you intend to do etc...
I have handed in around 10,000 words of my literature review my previous post stated I had completed 4000 well the first chunk is now handed in as part of my first year assessment.
I did mention in my previous post I would start to discuss the virus I am studying, the virus is called Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus it is found in elephants, and can be fatal, I am working with a number of Asian elephants in various locations.
If you would like more detailed information about the virus please see:
http://eehvinfo.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_endotheliotropic_herpesvirus
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/AnimalCare/EEHV/default.cfm
I am thoroughly enjoying my lab work, it great being able to feel like a real scientist and really contributing to something.
I have found a number of interesting articles etc.. recently:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23545291 - Ok this one is just adorable
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24171876
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24234927
Recently I have visited Dudley Zoo, UK (NOT as part of my research just as a day out), I thought this zoo was good value for money as it includes going around Dudley castle as well. I managed to get some nice photos, especially of the flamingos which were for a friend. The Zoo was pretty easy to access it is right in the centre of Dudley. I realise I am pretty much writing a review for the zoo, but I have been to a number of Zoos within the UK and thought I would write a summary when I have been, and maybe some people will find it useful.
Have a nice day :)
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