I'm currently taking a Vet Assistant class at community college. Why?

1)  I've always been interested in veterinary medicine, and have wanted to explore that interest for some time. And for the first time since I was in my 20s, I have a work schedule which actually allows for getting to a night class on a regular basis. (BARELY allows it some days, but I can do it.)

2)  I'm hedging my bets in terms of possible future job-hunting. I don't plan to leave my current job any time soon, but there's always the possiblity of the company going under, or of having to move and not being able to find a place close enough for a reasonable commute.

3) I'm mulling over the idea of trying for a Veterinary Technician degree, and if I can pass this course it would be useful in getting accepted. To clarify that:  a Vet Tech is roughly the veterinary equivalent of a nurse, and to be one you have to get accepted into a program at an accredited college and earn a 2-year degree. A vet assistant is the veterinary equivalent of a nurse's aide, although in many practices they do everything a Vet Tech does other than draw blood. Passing muster in the non-degree Vet Assistant training is a step up in being included in the approximately 30% of applicants who are accepted into the Vet Tech program each year.

So anyhow - part of my grades in the classes I'm taking now are based on participation in written discussions. Each week, the instructor posts one or more discussion topics, and the class is expected to discuss them a la Usenet.

Being me, I usually put a fair amount of time and effort into my discussion posts, and the questions often make me stop and think about things. So I had this "Hmm!" moment the other night that with some editing, they'd be decent blog material, as well....

You have been warned.