Rotation Stop #4...Emmetsburg Iowa!

Where is Emmetsburg???? That what I thought when I found out I was going to this town for a rotation. It is in northwest Iowa, near Lake Okoboji, Algona and only 30 minutes from Minnesota!

I knew I was going to a small town, but how small I did not really know. I know that many people live in small towns throughout the US that may be much smaller than Emmetsburg but I come from a suburb of Chicago so the smallest town I have ever been in for an extended period of time has been about 60,000 residents.


So Emmetsburg is a shock to the system.

*Population: ~5,000 (about 1/3 elderly)
*Only 2 stop lights in the whole town
*Two small food stores in the town
*One very small home goods store (like a Kmart)
*About 8 different antique shops
*Two bars in town
*Lots of old men in overalls or plaid shirts
*More pick up trucks than families
*EVERYONE waves 'hi' to EVERYONE they see. If you do not wave...you are considered a jerk and they know you are from out of town.
*EVERYONE knows everyone's name and personal business
*Most people have lived in the town or near the town most of their life
*No common stores (walmart, starbucks, walgreens, etc.)...but there is one McDonald's

Well there is one really great redeeming factor: Five Island Lake. It is beautiful and I do not have one of these near the town I grew up in, so it is a special piece of the town.
















So, I am not sure what I will do with myself for the next five weeks but I think I will make lots of friends, get into the lake a few times, visit the casino (of all things, this small town has one nearby), find some small town things to do and just catch up on my blogging!

My Hard Work on Rotations!

Independent Pharmcy Vs Chain Pharmacy

How my independent pharmacy experience differs from my chain pharmacy experiences.

*Consistently fully staffed to meet ALL patient needs at an independent pharmacy.
*Specialized products (vet, hormone, child, doses, etc) available at an independent pharmacy.
*Stronger community connection at an independent pharmacy.
*More time to provide information and care at an independent pharmacy.
*Better trusted resource for drug information among physicians and patients at an independent pharmacy.
*Stronger patient/pharmacist relationships with more patients at an independent pharmacy.
*Ability to make own decisions and choices about patient care or business ongoings at an independent pharmacy.
*Stronger focus of patient well being at an independent pharmacy.
*Stronger family and welcoming atmosphere at an independent pharmacy.

-More resources at a chain pharmacy.
-Better employee benefits from a chain pharmacy.
-Stronger name recognition with a chain pharmacy.
-More service options at a chain pharmacy.
-More flexible location placement for employees and more locations for patients at a chain pharmacy.
-More patients to contact at a chain pharmacy.

What NOT to Bring to College

There are more than enough places and people that give you suggestions on what to bring to college, that students could fill an 18 wheel semi-truck if they actually listened to all the advice. So I want to offer some different advice. Too many students bring too many things to college that they do not need, that end up costing too much, going to waste, taking up room or being stolen. So here is my list of what not to bring to college:

1. An expensive stereo, tv, jewelry, heirloom, or lots of money etc...you get the point. Other people are not afraid to snag something if they think it looks nice. Things get ruined easily when your not looking.

2. An extra LARGE tv. In your dorm room, you might end up sleeping on top of it or under your roommates bed if there is no room left.

3. An expensive laptop. A laptop is a very useful tool in college but you will use and abuse it so much that you will eventually need a new one, so do not spend thousands.

4. Cable tv. Nowadays you can watch tv shows streaming online, download entire seasons of your favorite show or easily download a movie/Redbox it for cheap.

5. Lots of decorations. You and your roommate will have to agree on how the room looks and it may not always be exactly what you invision when you bought all your decor.

6. A car. Especially your first year or so. A car just gets in the way, costs more money and will be used by your friends more than you. You can gain a lot of friends this way but for the wrong reasons as they use up all your gas. You really can walk, bike or blade to many more places than you think...plus it is an extra way to keep off the pounds!

7. Lots of shoes, clothes or teddy bears. You will just not have enough room for as much as you kept at your house unless you are moving into your own house on campus.

8. New text books. It is a waste of money to get new books because used books or older editions of the book are exactly the same at half the price. Or you could borrow or buy books from students older than you who would give you a great deal!

9. A printer. Most schools charge you as apart of your tuition to print in the library so take advantage of what you paid for. If they did not charge you, it usually ends up costing less to just print in the library than always getting ink every month after everyone on your hall will use it up.

10. A pet. You have barely enough time to worry about yourself let alone another living thing. You are trying to learn about yourself in college, I promise you will not miss your goldfish too much.

How to Avoid the Freshman 15

It is not always easy to pass up the ice cream bar in the dinning hall when you get to college and could have pizza and ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So instead of repeating every other website's advice and common knowledge for healthy lifestyles including "eating nutritiously", "avoiding excessively fatty foods" and "portion control" I would like to offer some other easy to incorporate tips that may help you stay healthy at your new home away from home.

1. Get in some extra steps each day
----Walk to and from class
----Walk around while on the phone with friends and family from home
----Take the stairs rather than the elevator
----Take walks around town with friends to get to know the area
----Walk to anything that is close enough (ex. the store, the post office, the redbox, the bar, etc)
----Use a pedometer if you need an extra incentive

2. Work out once in while
----Find friends that may want to work out with you a few days a week
----Find some fun fitness classes on your campus
----Get someone to teach you a new activity such as racket ball, golf, bowling, etc

3. Join an intramural sport for some extra movement or start a new intramural league with your favorite activity

4. Use a yoga ball as a desk chair (if you have a stable back) for better posture and a tighter midsection

5. Go out dancing on a Friday night before or after the extra beers

6. Plan fun outdoor activities for the weekends such as hiking, bike rides, swimming, boating, etc.

Any other ideas???

Shh...Don't tell the Northsiders

I am a:

WHITE SOX FAN!!

I got to see them last night with the family.

Of course, they WON!!

6-1 against the Twins! So sorry Minnesota, that is what you get for coming to Chicago!

Thanks guys...keep it up, another World Series is around the corner!

Advice From My Preceptor

My preceptor who happens to own the independent pharmacy that I am at right now gave me this advice two days after getting to know me.

*Keep your bubbly personality because it is infectious

*Keep your 'go getter' attitude as it will get you more than you bargain for

*Keep up your passion for learning as you will always have more to learn

*Continue to never rest on your lorals and always seek improvement

*Stay light hearted as work should never get too serious

*Keep your top notch people skills as they will not only help you at work but in life

*Continue to be open, honest and loud as the only wheel that gets fixed is the squeeky wheel!

What a FUN Night!

Thanks to all the girls who joined me last night to celebrate one of my Best Friends last few weeks as a single lady. The bachlorette party was fun, frisky and fabulous thanks to all of the friends and moms that attended or helped out! The pole dancing class was a great workout and novel experience for us all. The gifts and games were funny and scandolous. The bars were outrageous and exciting. You girls rock!

Thanks:

Micaela
Gina
Barb S.

Barb H.

Sarah

Jenna

Ellen

Taylor

Eliza

Jessie

Katie

Rachel

The Bride to Be: Laura!

Our Knights in Shinning Armor: Andrew and Dan