Finals Finally Done

I am done with the semester!

I am glad to be done because this semester was brutal including my entire finals week. Finals week was long as I had a final Monday and Tuesday afternoon, two finals on Thursday starting at 7:30 am and one final on Friday starting at 7:30am.

My classes this semester, Pharmacokinetics, Therapeutics, Pharmaceutical Drug Actions, Non-Prescription Medications, Pharmacy Skills and Applications, and Corporate Governance, were all challenging in a different way. I appreciate that I learned a tremendous amount this semester through all the stress and hard work of the classes. I spent a lot of time studying, preparing and working on each class for exams, papers, group projects, presentations, practicals, quizzes, and group assignments. This semester also included over 45 hours of out of mandatory class practical work at clinics, vaccine days, and teaching english to refugees. I was kept busy working part time as a pharmacy intern at Walgreens, working as a TA for a pharmacy class, and blogging here! Along with all my activities, clubs, church work and meetings I had a jam packed schedule everyday and each weekend.

I am EXTREMELY HAPPY to be done with the semester and finally get some time back for myself.

HOWEVER, I am also sad that another year is done. I only have 2 more years until I am done, graduated and moving into a professional career. I know I am not completely ready to be done with school and practicing as a pharmacist. I am not ready to be done with college life yet. School goes by so fast, faster than I every thought or wanted. The older I get the faster the time goes by. I wish I could slow life down and spend a little more time enjoying it.

So as much as I am thrilled that the semester is done, I am upset that life is going by in a flash. My dream is to be able to control time so that I can slow down life as I want to. I will be taking advantage of this summer by slowing life down and enjoying every moment!

Guess Where I am?

Finally after waiting almost two months, I am visiting my niece in St. Louis! I wanted to see her since she was born but never had the right situation to travel from school to see her. With classes done for the semester and summer practically here, I made the trip through the storm yesterday.

All I can say is...it is ALL Worth it! She is the cutest baby! No matter if she is crying, laughing, eating or sleeping she is precious and irresistible in every way. The goos and the gaas are amazing. Everything about her is miraculous including how much she has grown in 2 months, how strong she is, and how one smile from her can make the world peaceful. Her smile, curly hair, tiny toes, miniature hands, mini fingers, and beautiful blue eyes all make her the most adorable baby. I have given her a bath, changed her diapers, fed her and am still not sick of it all.

Babies are wonders in themselves because they make you realize what life really means and what it is all about. Babies themselves are complex in their body, growth rates, and abilities to survive however they are the so simple. They only eat, sleep and go to the bathroom yet they are miracles. They make you understand what is important in life and how simple life really should be. Breathing, eating and loving are so simple yet are the most important parts of life. Babies make you realize the awe that life is and how precious every moment is. I am so happy to spend time with my niece and I love her so much for everything she is and everything she teaches me. Thank you Emily!

Too Bad Drugs Only Go So Far

Of course I had to get a cold the weekend before finals. Murphy's law...when you are the busiest or have the most to worry about you will inevitably get more to worry about or be put in a situation that makes life just a little bit harder at the time. It is not easy trying to focus on at this crucial time in the semester when my head is full of snot and I am burning up like a rotisserie chicken. I should not be complaining since many other people are dealing with much more difficult hardships in their life.

I have been trying numerous remedies and medicines to scare this cold away including nasal washes, loading up on vitamin C, cold compresses, honey infused drinks, lots of fluids (which makes it worse because then I have to go to the bathroom every 15min), Tylenol, ibuprofen, psuedoephedrine, sleep (which I am just not getting), and many more. I am feeling better as one symptom disappears and is replaced with another. However, I wish there was one magic remedy to make me feel 100% better in a matter of hours. As a studying pharmacist I should know better. Colds are just there and not much will help remedy them. They are self-limiting so time will help me feel better soon.

In the mean time I am also hoping to find that one magic remedy that will make me extra smart, have a great memory, and do well on my examines....I will let you know when I find that remedy!

In Memory...

Friday evening, Drake lost a fantastic teacher and the world lost a phenomenal teacher. The cancer that took him on the roller coaster ride of his life started 4 years ago and ended Friday, May 9, 2009. With only good thoughts, prayers and memories for his family, friends and him.

The wake was this afternoon and was completely full, with not a spot to move...just shows how loved and influential this man was for students, family and his profession. The funeral is tomorrow and I expect no less.

It was an honor to know you, learn from you and be apart of your enthusiastic life.

Dr. Lon Larson
May 9, 2009

To read a little bit about his life and achievements visit this web page that Drake University has written:

http://www.drake.edu/news/db/official/archive.php?article=4329

Don't Scare Everyone!

As a health professional in training, I have been hearing more about H1N1 treatments and trying to stay up to date on disease information. The reason that this flu seems worse is because it is new and because it can affect all populations (not just the young and old as the traditional flu attacks). The scare is something to recognize but not be frightened of. The swine flu is a version of the flu. Prevention is key and treatment as soon as symptoms arise is important.

So why are so many people freaking out?

The other day at work my manager almost refused to stay at work because our store had no face masks and had run out of hand sanitizer. She asked another employee to check the local stores for supplies so she could feel safer. The local Walmart and other stores were out of hand sanitizer and face masks as well. Our next requirement was to sanitize the counters every 30min and stay farther from patients than normal. She almost thought about requiring each employee to buy and bring in their own facemasks to work. While working we were not allowed to refer to the flu as the "swine flu" but as H1N1. The manager kept telling employees and patients that H1N1 was the correct name and by calling it the swine flu we were hurting our own economy as well as the science of disease.

That same day, the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, told her council members (me being one of them) that the college was a vital resource for the city of Des Moines and that we would need to act promptly if called upon by health officials. We were on the emergency call list. This response seemed a little less extreme than my manager's but still somewhat exaggerated considering at that point there had been no cases in Iowa yet.

I work at a pharmacy and understand that prevention, cleanliness and caution are all important to stop the spread of the flu. However, if health professionals are getting crazy about the disease then think how the patients will react? If people start walking into every clinic or store they would only get more frightened if everyone there was wearing a mask and spraying Lysol everywhere. By starting rumors that our economy will begin to fall because of the flus name is only going to end people into greater panic. Health authorities need to stay calm while being cautious in order to effectively manage such outbreaks. The public needs to stay educated, ready and realistic.

Looking for Golf Clubs!

I have never golfed or even held a golf club in my hand until this past semester. A Drake Alum left a large grant for Drake to cosponsor a "Golf for Business and Life" program. It allowed students to take golf lessons and hear corporate executives/planners discuss golf and business in everyday life. I took part in this class because I had never golfed and figured now would be a better time than never. I got 10 lessons of golf and they were all great fun!

I am by no means a pro. I would not even consider myself an amateur at this point. The first day of lessons was really embarrassing as I missed hitting the ball a few dozen times, hit the ball off in all directions, and barely got the ball to role anywhere. I was frustrated but kept going to the lessons because the instructor was so encouraging and I enjoyed the friends I got to golf with. As the lessons progressed my missed shots became fewer and my good shots became greater. The few good shots I hit each lesson kept me going back for more. I learned golf has nothing to do with strength, as most other sports do and as I am used to. It is all about coordination and mentality.

Now my lessons are done and I miss them already. I would love to continue playing some golf throughout the summer and into the future just to stay up on my game and relieve some stress. A round of golf is not too expensive at the cheaper golf courses, about the same amount as a movie nowadays. The only problem is I need some clubs to play with. I talked to my instructor and we decided some mens clubs would probably suit me best. I have been seeking some on Craigslist and garage sales. Used would be the best for me now since I am not super serious or really good.

I am not picky, so if you know anyone that has got some used clubs that they want to get rid of or sell at a cheap price....let me know!

There have got to be some lonely clubs out there.....I will find them and continue to better myself (embarrass myself) on the golf course!