polychrome_pen | Entries tagged with pharmacy school

This is probably not such a big deal to some people, but the other day I passed the 25,000 word mark on my Jewel Riders fic.

I posted the last chapter over a year ago to FF.net (and that chapter was about a year after the one before it!). So obviously things have been moving at roughly the rate of frozen molasses. But I realized that I've never written anything this long before.

I started this fic in somewhere in my first year of pharmacy school (somewhere in 2008), and have basically been adding to it bit by bit ever since then. Part of me is amazed it ever even made it to the 25,000 word point, considering how hectic and brain-battering those three years were.

And yet, in a way, if I had never stated pharmacy school, I might never have started this fic.

I've always said that I wanted to write. Story ideas have been kicking around in my head ever since elementary school. Even though most of the writing during my younger years was somehow related to school projects, I always enjoyed it and learned from it. Yet somewhere between trying to always keep up my grades and never having a personal computer to write on (I hate being interrupted/distracted/people looking over my shoulder when I write), I never really actually wrote for myself.

But that changed when I got my pharm school laptop. Such freedom! I could go up to my room and write in peace. Even though I had more school work than ever, having that personal little space really opened up the door to writing again in a very tangible way.

It was also during this time that I really started RPing in the Winx fandom, which - aside from being incredibly fun and rewarding - really reminded me why I loved stories and characters. RPing is great writing practice because it forces you to think on your proverbial feet and get deep down into your character's head. The communal aspect really makes you want to stay with it as well.

Going back to my New Year's Resolution to write more, one of the three writing goals was to finish this fic. I hope to have the next chapter finished perhaps this week, and am really targeting May or June to see if I can have the entire fic finished. After that, I'd like to try my had at a short fic or two (Dragon Flyz, perhaps?) before launching into an original story I've been meaning to put down into words for over a decade.

So to close, as Holly Lisle is so fond of saying: Write With Joy.

Current Mood: accomplished

So before January 2011 is over, I thought it might actually be nice to take a look back at 2010. XD Yes, yes, I know I am very behind on the whole "recap 2010" post, but I thought the last year just brought so many changes that I couldn't go without being revisited a little.

When I think back to January, I was just starting the second half of my clinical rotations to finish up school. It almost feels like another life by this point. My first rotation of that semester was Internal Medicine. I often felt it was an exercise in speed - how much information could I gather and tie together about the patients before having to present in the afternoon? I learned a great deal during those six weeks. It was also my first rotation where there was another student from school with me, and having someone to gripe with was a huge comfort.

The second six-week period saw me going to a community pharmacy attached to the hospital. This was probably my second-favorite rotation (after the Psych rotation I took in 2009). If all community pharmacy work was as rewarding and fulfilling as the time I spent there, the choice between hospital and community would have been much harder. But I also discovered just how tired standing for 8-10 hours a day can be.

For my final rotation, I returned to the hospital where I had done Internal Medicine. However, this time around, it was definitely not a good learning experience. Aside from just wanting to be done with rotations at that point, I found the work to be of little value to my learning. The preceptor was a strange, strange lady who issued the vaguest instructions I've ever heard. Then she had the nerve to call me "needy" during my final evaluation because I asked for further clarification. Is wanting to do something right the first time wrong? NO. ~~Haha...looks like I still have issues regarding that final rotation!~~ Again, I had a student with me who had been with this preceptor before, and she thankfully helped to clarify things for me a great deal. Anyway, I'm seriously glad I didn't get a residency at this facility, because this preceptor was also the residency program director. I'm not sure I could have handled a year of vague instructions and general weirdness.
But in all fairness...this was the rotation where I got to watch open-heart surgery, which was totally rad.

I should also note that all three of my second semester rotations were at a hospital that had off-site parking and a shuttle service - something my fellow students and I absolutely loathed by the end. I can't tell you how many times I had to stand in the cold rain because the shuttle would be driving away as I came out of the parking structure.

After finishing up rotations came review week at school - basically one last chance to sit in our lecture halls again and listen to speakers while everyone chatted and surfed the internet. XD

Of course, after that came Graduation on May 15th, 2010. I officially got my doctorate and finished school. Still, even now - eight months later - it feel weird writing that. School has been my life for...well...my life. Coming out of something so structured into the rather nebulous "real life" has been strange. I miss the comforting solidity and framework of working toward something greater with a purpose. After getting a job (even one that I enjoy) I'm kind of wondering...what next?

So summer was spent studying for my boards from the time I finished graduated until around mid July. I even snuck in a nice vacation to Seattle and the islands in there (visiting the cousin and relaxing with the family). But those interminable days days studying really felt endless. To help keep me sane, I would reward every two hours of studying with an episode of She-Ra (which I completed over the summer), Fantastic Four World's Greatest Heroes, Iron Man Armored Adventures, or Star Trek DS9. It felt like a weird combination of long past summer vacations and taking self-study summer school. XD

Thankfully, I passed both tests on the first go. I've been debating taking the tests to be able to practice in another state, which if I decide to go forward with should be something I undertake sooner rather than later. The further I go on, the harder it will be to force myself back into reviewing the material and going through the rigmarole of taking another test/forms/fees/etc.

Summer also saw an explosion in my toy collecting hobby. Something I attribute to lots of time at home to hunt stores, eBay, and read internet reviews. Also may have had something to do with getting money for graduation. :D ~~Likely pent-up retail therapy after having no income since February after leaving CVS.~~

I got my license on August 5th, 2010. At that point, I gave myself until the end of August to look exclusively for hospital jobs. After thirty-odd applications, by the end of the month I had an interview set up for a not-quite-hospital job (the only non-hospital job I applied for). After that interview, I had set another one up with a hospital (the place I work now). But in the meantime, pharmacy 1 offered me a job (part-time for up to six months, then full time). I asked for an extension to think it over and was up front that I had the second interview. After being offered the job where I am now, I accepted and had to call back pharmacy 1 to decline their offer. That was an incredible weird experience. I've always had to fight for part-time jobs...so having to turn someone down was something I'd never done before.

The time between taking the job offer (early September) and starting the job (October 4th) was another strange period. During that month I looked for apartments (and finally found a decent townhouse!), hunted for furniture, signed tons of papers, packed up my toys/books/life, and watched some more shows. It was a frenetic month to try and get everything ready for the move, and yet I didn't really feel all that stressed. Maybe because I knew I had at least gotten a job, I was able to savor a few of my final days of freedom.

Anyway, work is where I've been ever since October. I still visit home at least once a month (heh...if not more often!). It's hard to leave a place you've lived since second grade, after all.

So I hope that 2011 brings good things. I have plans to do some writing (namely, finish my Jewel Riders fic, writing an original novella, and hopefully doing some Dragon Flyz writing). I also want to really take the time now to develop healthy eating habits and lose some weight. Since I make most all of my food, it should be easier to implement healthier choices more often. And of course, 2011 will see me continue the growth of my toy collection! :D

Current Mood: contemplative

Wow...I can't believe that my last entry here was on March 30th. That just makes me all kinds of sad.

Suffice to say that the last two months have been pretty busy. I finished my last rotation May 7th with being able to watch an awesome open heart surgery from beginning to end. But I was definitely glad to be done with the whole rotations thing. Doing pointless projects and hanging fliers around the hospital was not exactly the best use of my time there. Our class spent a week back at the main campus after rotations doing a board review class, which was mildly helpful.

And May 15th, I graduated with my Doctor of Pharmacy. And almost a month later, I still feel weird as heck when I think about it.

In the ideal world, I would be starting a residency in a few weeks, giving me a leg up later when I would look for good jobs. But as my last entry said, I did not match with a residency program, and am left mildly directionless. So I have put out applications (and so far been turned down) to multiple possibly employers. I can understand why, however. Before I have my license, who will really want to hire me?

So, I have been studying like mad since getting done with school in preparation for taking the first part of my boards on June 17th. After that, I leave the next day on a vacation to Seattle until the 28th, and will hopefully take the second part of the boards a couple of weeks after getting back. To say I am apprehensive about taking these tests is putting it mildly. If you don't pass, you have to wait THREE MONTHS to retake, which in my current jobless state would really, really suck. I want a good employer and some monies, please.

A few months back, I wrote a letter to myself through FutureMe.org for the occasion of my graduation. It went as follows...

Dear FutureMe,
Wow...can you believe that you've finally made it to the end of Pharmacy School? Does it feel like the ending of a horrible nightmare, or are you the tiniest bit nostalgic (like I know you are).
Looking back, how does it feel to have spent the last six years of your life pursuing a goal in higher education that at first you didn't even really want, but then slowly grew to kind of enjoy? At any rate, I bet it feels fucking awesome to be done with UOP and school.
I'm writing this wondering if you'll be ready to embark on a Residency, going to work for CVS, or maybe something entirely different. The road of life is a little foggy at the moment, so I hope the sun shines through for you and things all worked out to their best.
As you move on from Pharmacy school, don't ever let the soul-sucking nature that your career can have affect your dreaming. Like Holly Lisle is so fond of saying, follow your dreams. Get better at piano, write a damn novel, see the world and taste the wine of life for the first time in your life. Don't live the sheltered, tiring existence you have for the last ten years.
And last of all, take care of yourself. Lose weight. Get fit. Become fucking hot, and prove all those dickheads wrong. It's your 10 year reunion in another four years, after all.
Cheers, and the best of everything to you.
~J, 2/1/10

On a non-graduation note, I have been really getting into Barbie Collector lately. My collection has grown from my three Star Trek dolls to around 22 (including some vintage repros that are on their way). This is all very surreal to me. Not only was Barbie/Ken always the kind of "taboo" line for me to collect as a guy, but this is possibly my fastest growth of a collection EVER. I really enjoy the history that this brand has - I mean the fact that it's been around long enough to even have vintage repros really scores points in my "sense of history" category.

But when I pass both board examination, I think I'll reward myself with a new Pullip and Taeyang. I haven't gotten any of them in a long time.

Current Mood: busy

Direct me to it, please?

Well, my hopes were dashed. Looks like I didn't get a residency like I'd hoped. Maybe "dashed" is too strong of a word. I'm not actually sad about NOT having to work super hard for pennies for a year, but I did put a lot of time and effort (and money!) into all those apps and interviews. Now it all just feels like a big fat waste of time. And I would have enjoyed the opportunity to learn lots more.

So I consoled myself by picking up the Twilight Barbies and the Princess and the Frog off of Amazon. XD

But in all seriousness, I feel incredibly directionless now. I had put most of my hopes into getting a residency, and now I'm not really sure what to do. I'm afraid of retail pharmacy - it's incredibly soul-sucking and tiring - but most hospitals don't actually hire that many pharmacists. So I kind of see myself just falling into a retail position by default. Which makes me sad. I should really look up the contact info for some of my pharmacist friends and see if they can't hook me up with some sort of hospital job.

But on a more fun note, I just finished my fifth rotation last week, and they gave me $125 work of gift cards at the end! I was in complete and total shock. And touched, too. I'm going to miss that pharmacy and its crazy antics. One of the cards was for the the theater, so I'm definitely going to go catch How to Train Your Dragon this week. Must support animation in the theaters!

Current Mood: disappointed

So since it's been quite a while since I've last posted anything of importance here, be prepared for a long entry on My Life in the Last Two Months.

Let's start with January:

I started back to Rotations with my Internal Medicine block. Which basically meant that for six weeks I reviewed patient charts looking for screw-ups. Actually, it was pretty interesting and I really do feel that I learned a lot. The big problem that I had with the hospital is that my workstation was in the break room. Now, in the beginning I didn't think this would be so bad - I mean, being right by the coffee is Not Necessarily a Bad Thing. But oh, how wrong I was. Being incessantly asked about the weather (from where I was sitting, the window looked liked a mirror and I couldn't even see anything outside!), and having to listen to the same griping, inane conversations over and over nearly drove me to the brink. Not to mention having to listen to one of the technicians talk on her cell phone all the time. In Russian. There are no words to describe the lack of etiquette there.

But minor problems aside, the preceptor was good and I got to give some presentations to the pharmacy staff about new drugs and medical journal articles, so at the very least I was exposed to some more things.

January also brought me the first of my Pharmacy Residency interviews. This was a County Hospital not far from my parent's home, so if I got the residency I could at least save some money and move back home for a year. I really liked the people I interviewed with, and could really see myself being happy working there...except for the hours. 10-11 hour days, five days a week? Um, no. So that was a definite black eye for that site.

February was nothing if not an eventful month, in so many ways!

I had my second residency interview at the Catholic hospital where I did my Internal Medicine rotation. This is where I would probably be happiest to end up, if only because the hours are normal. I'm really, really over the whole "work tons of hours for nothing!" mentality. The disadvantage of this site, of course, is continuing to have to deal with some of those really annoying employees.

This month also brought the start of a new rotation. I started my Community Pharmacy rotation at a really small, nice little semi-independent pharmacy (which is associated with the hospital I did Internal Medicine at). The customers are way nicer than at CVS, and there's a lot of hospice work involved as well. Plus, the people I work with are a hoot. We laugh every day and have a good time! If only I didn't have to stand all day (which is killing my feet and back), I could really see myself working somewhere like there.

But the big news of February is that I NO LONGER WORK FOR CVS! There is actually a humorous story associated with this. I was at a Career Fair a few weeks ago and right before I was going to interview with CVS (out of courtesy, if nothing else), I was getting a call from my home store. Well, I didn't answer it right away, but at the end of the day, I listened to my messages and it was a call from one of my pharmacists saying "I don't know what you've been told, but we still really need you to work this Sunday." I was like "huh? Wouldn't I normally work on Sunday like every week?" So I gave her a call back, and it turns out our regional manager had been in that week and said that I was no longer working for the company. Which was news to everyone. Including me. Nobody ever called me or anything. Assholes. So AT WORK on that Sunday, I got the call from my manager that I was being let go, basically because I didn't sign with the company ages ago and instead wanted to pursue the option of residency.

And you know what? Once I found out I had all the hours I needed for my license, I didn't really care. CVS was slowly poisoning me the longer I stayed there. It's a bad company that treats their employees like dirt, and aside from the paycheck I don't think I'll miss anything about working for them. It's nice to have my Sundays back, too.

So that's where I am now. Graduation is coming up in two months, and I'm really, really ready to be done with this whole school thing. Six years is a long time to be working toward something. :)

Current Mood: optimistic

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it here, but I've been seriously pursing a Pharmacy Residency. For those who don't know (which is probably everyone seeing as how I didn't even know what it was until a year or so ago XD), a residency in pharmacy is an extra year of paid "study" with a special institution or hospital. So basically you trade half of a normal pharmacist's salary for the opportunity to build your clinical knowledge in order to trade that up for a non-retail pharmacy job later on.

For a long time, I wanted nothing to do with residency. I was (and still am to a degree) very burnt out. Six straight years (year around for the last three) for my doctorate has been grueling, and something that I don't know if I'd repeat if I had to go back to the beginning. The last thing I wanted was an extra year of being not-quite done. But the more I've moved through my Rotations, the more I've found that regular retail pharmacy (like CVS or Walgreens) is really not where I want to work and spend the next thirty five years of my life. I may brain myself on a rock if that's what happens.

Plus, I think that all the dramas of CVS threatening to fire me for not signing their one year post-grad commitment letter might have something to do with pushing me more toward inpatient pharmacy, yes?

So, to take my mind off the stress of interviews, I have been watching Rome, which is a really splendid series. The city that they created for these characters has to be the closest to the living, breathing Rome of the late Republic that has ever been put to screen. I just started season two this evening, and can't wait to see what twists and turns the series takes before it's done!

Also, Bloom, Flora, and Musa arrived today, so my Simba Winx collection is complete! Finally. I seriously don't think I can deal with ordering any more of them. Aside from having horrendously expensive shipping to import, they are just expensive to begin with. The grand total (including shipping) ended up being about $50 per doll. If they weren't so awesome, I probably would have just stayed away.

I passed my Sixth Semester! :D Helloooo, Rotations! But first, Orientation all day tomorrow. Boo.

Plus, I got a Smart Phone to run some clinical drug programs on/replace my old phone, and boy is it shiny!

Current Mood: excited

And got the Plus account. The temptation was just too great - I wanted those extra Userpics like whoa. Still considering what I'll fill them out with, though. XD

School has been nasty lately. Finals start this Wednesday, and for the first time since first semester I'm really afraid of failing. I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall with this material. Repeatedly. I spent thirteen hours studying yesterday. Thirteen hours! I only took a real break around 8 for dinner/Merlin.

Last Tuesday was my final piano lesson before Rotations (haha, if I actually make it there!). I can't believe it's been two years since I started taking lessons. My teacher said I've actually made quite good progress, which was actually really touching. Even though I had to be there at 7:45 am and couldn't always practice as much as I should have, I'm really glad I took lessons. It showed me I can still do something musical in my life, which up to that point was decidedly void of most creative endeavors for several depressing years. If I don't make it to Rotations, I'll definitely start up lesson again. And if I do make it, then I'll start up lessons again after I'm done. I won't let the progress I've made go to waste!

The part of my brain that likes to make contingency plans wonders what I would do for 8 months if I have to go out of the program. Part of me would be really depressed, but another side would be so happy for a break. I know this kind of thinking is a bit defeatist, but I can't help it.
1. I would definitely work more. Monieeees. This would also net me a lot more intern hours.
2. Get in shape/Go to the gym every day. It would really be the perfect opportunity.
3. Chip away at my library.
4. Write a little every day, and finish a story.
5. Take more piano.
6. Maybe take a few fun classes like Italian.
7. Actually spend time with the friends I feel like I never get to see.
8. Travel a bit.
9. Have a life.

But anyway...back to studying!

Current Mood: frustrated
Current Location: School

I had two quizzes today, and neither of them went well. And I'm mad. But not at the poor grades I'll probably receive on them or the teachers. I'm disgusted with myself.

I mean, this is fucking sixth semester of pharmacy school. Rotations starts in August. I should have this stuff down and know how to study. I should be focused and competent, and instead I find myself flailing around like a drowning seaman. Sure, the stuff is hard - I've never had to study Infectious Disease in such detail, or had any kind of finance stuff before, or gone over tons of chemotherapy drugs. But I should not feel so...left behind. So out of control.

It's not like I expect 4.0 anymore, either! I left that behind a long time ago. But I would like good grades - grades that show I'm actually grasping this material. Which I am decidedly not.

I feel like I'm not only fighting to get the material, but to stay awake and concentrated. Lack of sleep and internet access in class are big distractions. I'm downing more caffeine than ever before, too.

It may be time to start staying at school and studying in the library ~~no matter how much I hate doing that~~. Or at the very least, I'm going to have to start turning off my internet during study periods or certain times of the day. I've got to do something, because now there is a mountain of work I have to catch up on if I want to pull decent grades on Midterms.

Sorry for the bitchy rant everyone. This was just really bothering me my whole way home and I had to get it off my chest.

Current Mood: stressed

Do you hear that sound? It's me wheezing my way, the finish line in sight. One one more semester of bookwork to go, then Rotations!
So yeah, I passed all my classes (and with decent grades to boot, yay) and will be moving on to sixth semester in a week and a half. ~~So not enough time to even recover.~~

But seriously, I did NOT need that giant allergy flare up during my Law Final. Thanks a lot, giant wind gusts. I finally took a Benadryl last night to knock myself out and sleep. I sneezed like whoa and my eyes almost continually watered for two days. My lips are cracked and painful from days of mouth breathing. Most unpleasant. :(

So you would think I could enjoy break, right? WRONG. I got to freeze my ass off today in a tiny room sitting on the most uncomfortable chair ever doing CVS Training. Which I still have to finish tomorrow. And then Friday I think I'm going to a class for it about an hour away. And there goes half my break. *sigh*

But things I want to do over the break but most likely won't include:
1. Video Editing
2. Cleaning/Reorganizing my room
3. Watch Winx Season 3
4. Watch BBC Merlin (I've started it already - this show is adorably British. And an interesting Arthurian retelling. Like, Arthur's kind of a jerk. And Merlin's young. And a total goof.)
5. Watch Legend of Himiko
6. Debox/Photograph my Italian Winx
7. Writing - Winx RP and fic, Jewel Riders fic, and Dragon Flyz fic
8. Read/Review Neverthere (for

tanz_fanatika
9. Finish reading Peter and the Starcatchers! And its sequel.
10. Catch up a little on my piles of manga.

Oh, and go see Wicked in SF and my friend's wedding (if you're unlucky you'll get a pic a me in a suit, seeing as I'm in the wedding). Old friends are coming up from Southern California for it though, so it'll be a kind of mini-reunion.

Current Mood: relieved

But I sure feel close.

I am in the throes of finals as of tomorrow morning. But soon. Sooooooooon. This semester will finally be over.

Although my break is already so packed with things it almost makes school look more relaxing. XD
~~Like ohai 16+ hours of CVS/pharmacy computer training! Someone please put me out of my misery now.~~

Current Location: Room

I wanted to thank all of you who weighed in on my Rotations site selection.

I picked Sacramento. :)

So I guess practicality won out over adventure? ~~Is this the theme of my life or something?~~

But I am pleased. There's a good group of us going to Sacramento, which makes me feel better. Granted, Rotations don't start until August, but it's nice to have that out of the way and know where I'll be. (And Sac has a great cardiac hospital too! Like we'll get to observe open heart surgery great. How cool is that?)

Current Mood: hopeful

So I'm hoping you all can weigh in a bit on a problem I'm facing.

Next Monday - the 26th - we choose our sites for Rotations. We will be in these areas for nine months, moving between six different pharmacy practice settings.

Until recently, this wasn't even a decision that I felt needed deciding - it was already practically a done deal that I wanted to go to Loma Linda. But recently, my friends have been trying to sway me to Sacramento.

Here's a bit about each region for you non-California people. :)

Loma Linda
- Smack in the middle of southern California and eight hours away, this regions represents my first true chance to get away from the area I live now. I have several old friends who live down here, as well as the chance at very affordable housing if I live with some friends of my Mom (who went to college down there).
- Also, I like that there's a large Adventist population. And it doesn't hurt that I'd be really close to Disneyland.
- But in a bit way I'm scared to death of being so far away from everything.

Sacramento
- This region is only about an hour's drive north from where I live, and although I wouldn't really be that far away it would still be a very different experience. Housing becomes trickier in this situation, though - I don't know where I would live.
- It would be nice to still be able to come home if I really wanted to. I'm not sure how homesick I might get. Heh.
- Also, the friends I've made in this program are mostly wanting to go there. And they want me to come with them. This is kind of a new concept for me.

I'm very undecided about this still, and probably won't really decide until I pick on Monday. But I would value some outside opinions.

Current Mood: stressed
Current Location: Kitchen
Current Music: Enya - And Winter Came

So I've been pretty notably absent for the last couple of weeks, which is so sad. What can I say? School is already pressing down on me like a two ton walrus. XD

So, updates!

SCHOOL: Hard, yet boring, with a sleep-deprived aftertaste. It's kind of sick when I think that Pharmacy Law might be my most interesting class right now. Though Toxicology is pretty awesome. Poisons!
General Pharmaceutical Care and Renal/Respiratory Care are both hampered by boring-as-dirt teachers, during classes that COULD be interesting into a fight against somnolence.

But we pick Rotations sites in a week. I have number 80 out of 230, so I kind of lucked out, and am hoping I can get my #1 choice. :)

CHOIR: Back in session! We have a new director for the remainder of the season, which I'm really grateful for. What's really weird is that he was our old director's music teacher back in Venezuela. Oh, small world. But I'm really glad I'll at least be able to sing until I leave for Rotations.

PIANO: Chugging along. Still don't get to practice often enough.

READING: Peter and the Starcatchers is the current book, and very fun so far. I'm excited to see how it turns out! But it's definitely not fun to limit myself to about 20 pages a night - makes me feel like I'll never get through it. D:

WATCHING: Outlaw Star and Angel Links. I can't express how much I enjoyed these two anime series. I feel like it's been a long time since I've had such fun watching anime. Maybe it helps that they're, like, 10+ years old. XD Oh me and my nostalgia. ~~To think that series I passed over when they were new are now like unmined gems waiting to be discovered!~~ I think I'm going to be on an old anime kick for a bit now. :)

RANDOM: I'm so excited - I finally ordered more Italian Winx dolls! My Brandon has been lonely for some time now, so I ordered Sky, Stella, Bloom, and Flora. Sky, Stella, and Bloom were all from Tons of Toys, and Flora was from Ebay. All together, the bill came to $191, which was kind of on the pricey side, but on the flip side they're all getting harder to find, so it was better to not wait. :D So excited!

Current Location: Home
Current Music: Sarah Brightman - In the Bleak Midwinter

Well, that's a big relief - I passed all of my classes this last semester, and will be moving on to Semester Five of Pharmacy School come January. :D

Somehow every semester by the time I get to finals, this complete terror at failing out comes over me. I think it's because for some classes, the amount of time I spent studying seems to have no effect on the end grade. And of course, it never helps that the information we're learning is unlike anything I've ever studies before. Seriously, Fourth Semester was pretty brutal, if only because we finally moved into the therapeutics side of pharmacy as opposed to the basic science. But at least it finally feels like I'm learning things that will allow me to actually give good care to the patients at my pharmacy.

But at any rate, I am thoroughly enjoying my break so far. I don't go back until January 5th, which is amazing. It's definitely nice to get out earlier and actually be able to enjoy the Christmas season instead of taking a final three days before Christmas. XD

As usual, I have made a giant list of things I want to accomplish over this break. Here are a few samples:

1. Rewatch Winx Season 2 (already through half of it!)
2. Various writing projects (two Winx fics and continuing the work on my Jewel Riders fic)
3. Reading all my Peter Pan books (the original, Peter Pan in Scarlet, and the two Dave Barry Peter Pan books I have)
4. Sit down and edit some of my old home movies (ready to start this last Saturday, but then I found out the connection on my laptop are not quite right; I need to go hunting for an Firewire adapter)

There are of course, about triple that amount of things on the actual list. We'll see what I can actually get accomplished in four weeks (aside from trying to make up for months of lost sleep and ridding myself of caffeine dependence and dark circles under my eyes lol).

I'm also super excited about the upcoming Sarah Brightman concert that I have tickets for. She's performing on the 16th, and I can't wait! Also, there is a local production of "The Princess and the Pea" that I'm thinking of going to if I can pull someone along with me. :D

Current Mood: relaxed
Current Location: Home
Current Music: Amy Grant - Breath of Heaven

Happy Belated Thanksgiving, f-list! :D My holiday was wonderful, and I hope yours was as well.

So, like the lunatic I am, I ventured out at 5:45 am to fight the crowds for cheap DVDs again this year. However, in a departure from the usual tradition, I didn't start at Staples this year simply due to there being a lack of any good deals. :(

This year's (admittedly small) haul includes:
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
- August Rush
- Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
- Barbie Mariposa and her Butterfly Friends (XD)
- Smallville: Season 3
- 2 GB SD card for my digital camera
- Great corduroy jacket with "wooly" lining/collar

Of course, now I'm super exhausted, but that comes with the territory.

Also, we have Fourth Semester finals coming up next week, so I've spent the last several weeks very immersed in the material for review. This has the secondary effect of slightly ruining the Thanksgiving break, but it'll be worth it to have four blessed weeks off!

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: Home

Nah.

Last weekend was one of the better ones I've had in recent memory (read: didn't spend the whole weekend doing homework).

On Friday, we had presentations from the various regions that are available for third-year rotations (which start this coming August!). I'd LOVE to go to one of the ones in Southern California; not because I like the area so much as that it's really my one chance to get away from home for a little bit. Plus some of my wonderful old friends live down there, and it would be fun to see them again for an extended period of time.

Saturday night, I drug my parents with me to the University Symphony, which I got into for free. They were performing Mozart's 23 piano concerto and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (which for those of you who don't know was the final piece in Disney's Fantasia 2000). As usual, the University symphony was excellent; I really need to go see them a few more times while I can still get in for free with my student ID. :D

Also, I found out at work on Sunday that I had been Mystery Shopped. Much to my ~~relief~~ surprise, I got a perfect score, and a small gift card to a nearby restaurant! Yay for free food. :)

Current Mood: mellow
Current Location: Kitchen

So, as promised, here are some picture of the puppet theater that I recently completed for my committee at school. It represents a good $50-60, and many hours of my (and my parent's) time. I'll hopefully have event pictures with us using it soon, but for now this is what I've got.

( Oops, except you've got to click to actually see the pictures! )

Tell me what you think~! Good or bad!

Current Location: Home
Current Music: Randon classical on the radio

I feel so unfocused right now.

I spent last weekend (right after midterms) in Anaheim attending a Pharmacy conference. The plus side is, of course, I got to go to Disneyland too! And see two of my dear, dear friends from high school who live down there now. And since one of them works for Disneyland, I got to get into the park for free. :D The Happiest Place on Earth (TM) is only made more wonderful when it's free.

So I had a wonderful time, but it's been bad trying to focus this week - I didn't get the rest I usually get after a test week, and have just kind of been dragging. It doesn't help that there's been some interpersonal dramas this week - everyone (including me) has just been a little waspish this semester, and it's starting to really get to me.

Last night I really didn't do any work, and ended up going to Jo-Ann's Fabric and Crafts to get the final supplies for my puppet theatre (which I'll post pictures of when it's complete). I also did the gold paint detailing work on the board (which I think looks terrible, but eh), so that's out of the way. Now all that remains is the strengthen the board and get the curtain sewn. Before Monday. *faints* But the goal was to create something that can be used for several years, and I think I'll have done it. :) I also stopped by Borders (Maple White Mocha goodness!) and found the most amazing thing ever: an X-Men pop up book. In the bargain section.
I don't know who's crackhead mind came up with that (it uses actual comic panels!), but it is without a doubt the most amazing/insane thing I've ever seen. For just $5, I had to have it. I also picked up Prilla's Prize and Fairy Lanterns from the Disney Fairies collection, also for well below retail. ^__^

During this week, instead of studying I've plowed my way through the entire first season of Winx. This is crazy, as the last time I watched the first season, I also went through the whole thing in a week. I swear, ever since I started playing as Brandon in the Winx Club RPG (

winxclubrpg) - and having a marvelous time, I might add - I've been really hungry to watch Winx again. I have to say, I still love the show just as much as when I first started watching it. Stella's lines still make me laugh out loud (like when she says to Flora "Like homeopathy's going to work against dark magic? It's like, 'Don't mess with us or we'll hit you with a daisy and go all herbal on you!'"). In fact, I think this rewatch really renewed my love for Stella as a character.

Granted, though I came to the show late (I didn't start watching it until the third season), Winx will always hold a special place for me because it's what started my "Second Renaissance" of creative endeavors after several "dry" years.

So now I want to pull out my Season 2 DVDs and give those a whirl. :)

Current Location: Home
Current Music: Winx - Opening Song

Tomorrow I finish up the first round of midterms for the 2nd year of Pharmacy school. They will probably not be pretty, due in large to me getting completely sick last week (and therefore not being able to focus on studying). Of course, it doesn't help that the material seems 10x harder than last year; the teachers are piling on the drugs to know!

Also tomorrow I leave to spend the next 2.5 days in Southern California. I'm attending a Pharmacy conference for CSHP (California Society of Health-System Pharmacists), and it's being held at the Disneyland Hotel! So I get to not only go to Conference, but Disneyland as well (and visit my friends down there at the same time)! ^____^ I'm really excited right now.

Except for having a 6-8 hour (depending on LA traffic) drive. Boo. Also, I will be running on approximately no sleep, so yay for Starbucks and energy drinks! XD

Also, I am having a riotous good time playing Brandon (

brandon_rf) in the current Winx Club RPG (

winxclubrpg and the various personal journals). It's my first time RPing ever, and it's very addicting (like, I should be studying, but keep checking if there are any new updates). I think my hotel down in Anaheim will have free wireless, so I should be able to keep up while I'm gone too. :)
Maybe this will give me the impetus to finally sit down and really work on my Brandon/Flora/Mirta friendship fic that's been kicking around in the back of my mind for months.

Well, that would require actually having time to work on writing and doing things like actually updating my Jewel Riders fic on Fanfiction.net. Ah school, you are driving me to a quick grave this year.

Current Mood: bouncy
Current Location: Kitchen
Current Music: Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody #2

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Aqua Regia

apothecary tales and other stories

Entries tagged with pharmacy school

Writing Updates

2010 Year in Review

Long time no post!

That back door...

Catching up.

Residency

Good News!

So I finally caved...

School

Five down, three to go.

I am not dead. Really.

Decisions, Decisions!

Choices

Catching up

End of Semester the Fourth

Black Friday

Too late to post about the weekend?

Puppet Theatre!

Winx! And puppet stuff!

Midterms and Conference