072

This Sunday I went to my first Christmas church service at Sugar Creek in Texas. Not saying I haven't attended a Christmas service before, but this year, Christmas fell on a Sunday. There was a lot of singing, praise was infused with classic Christmas songs, prose, special performances and the pastor gave the message. I don't even remember the pastor's name and am embarrassed to say I don't remember much of the message either but it was probably about the nativity scene.

A duet came on the stage and sang this song. The lyrics are about how Christ could have had the choice to enter the world with all pomp and circumstance - all of heaven's power at his fingertips! He could have descended upon us like a rushing wind, a furious storm, or a blazing fire but no, Christ came like a winter slow, quiet, soft and slow in the form of a baby. One of us. Grace came to us in the night, nestled in a manger. It's really beautiful when I think about it. A powerful, awe-inspiring being, God in the flesh, reduced to the form of a crying babe to be with us and to save us. Light finally came to scatter the shadows.

We ended the service by candlelight. There was probably close to 500 of us in that room each holding a small lit candle singing "Silent Night". The scene was very still and quiet like a winter snow. 

071 Friends I Can't Wait to Meet Revisited

It’s been about a year and half since I wrote this post about people I am looking forward to meet in my future. I am revisiting this list because not only have I met these friends I have added more.

Nomadic Herdsman: Ok, the likelihood I am going to run into one of these guys is low but after reading The Alchemist, who wouldn't want to meet a shepherd boy turned adventurer in search of his dreams? Can you imagine the stories and seeds of wisdom just frothing out like a root beer float? I'll meet you Santiago at the Pyramids.
-----> (Update 12.23.11) Ana Laura Gonzales; it took me awhile to realize this one but my Pequena is a living embodiment of Paulo Coelho’s Santiago. She has a Personal Legend and the universe is conspiring to help her achieve it!

Prophetic Artist: Amy Shain (07.30.10)

Wine Aficionado: Stephen Anthony Lee (05.31.10)

Knight: ---

Parkour Dude: ---

Recent additions:
 
Boy with the Bread: Aka Peeta Mellark from Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games Trilogy. I adore this character. He’s kind, witty, charming and self-sacrificing. And he can bake bread and paint! HE’S SO GENUINE! Even though he is a fictional character, somewhere in the world a personality like him exists. What a friend he would make!

A prince: I’ve always wanted to meet someone royal just to say I have!
-----> (Update 09.18.2011) Prince Henry Ankrah; my very own mentee! Who would have known? And such a godly man as well. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Chioma Ankrah!

Walking Sunshine: This friend is the sort of person who radiates warmth and light by merely standing in their presence. You feel strengthened by their light like sunrays and you know a conversation with them will leave you with a smile and feeling better.
-----> (Update 12.23.2011) an individual who was also right under my nose! Thank you Miss Hanna Sung for entering my life and reminding me of how much I am in love with my Jesus.

070

Little blogger, how have I neglected you!

I come with no comics, interning stories, or any sort of the ramblings that I usually write about but I come with the Doggelganger - a New Zealand pet adoption agency that matches your face with a dog you resemble most!

One day, one day, you will be mine Merlin. 

069

A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Al was going over his lecture on antidepressants. Sometimes when I am in class, the lecture passes by like how adults talk in Charlie Brown. I honestly try to stay engaged in lecture most of the time, but there are days when the lecture is especially boring.

Dr. Al has been one of my favorite professors in pharmacy school so far, next to Dr. Chan and Dr. Guo. He always makes me laugh and that day in lecture was no different. Let me introduce to you, melatonin, or how Dr. Al puts it, "The Hormone of Darkness".

Less than 10 days, and I will be done with my first year of pharmacy school. Aaaah yeeea!

068

Today I feel inadequate.

067

Today was my last day of community IPPE and it was so bittersweet. It is amazing how 160 hours have flown by so quickly yet so slowly at the same time. Even though it was my last day, Gregg wasn't even there. So I will have to drive back up to get my affidavit signed anyway. A Pacific alum named Chris was the RPh for the day. He had tattoos all over his arms and showed me pictures of his other tattoos on his chest too. If you could imagine what a pharmacist should look like, he definitely was not that.

Chris is quite the chatterbox as well. I am pretty sure he broke some sort of confidentiality while divulging his nephew's personal life to me who I so happen to know. When we weren't talking about pharmacy, our conversations dabbled in music, raising a family, religion, and Dr. Floriddia.

Even more impressive, I was able to have these conversations while filling AND making calls...LIKE A BOSS. I felt my last day was a good way to end my last days at the Laguna Blvd CVS. I will miss you Gregg, Gordon, Crystal, Carla, Ronish, and Cindy. You guys make an amazing pharmacy team and I have learned so much from all of you.

I will be heading into my geriatrics IPPE next semester which I am looking forward too but I know it will present its own unique challenges. My friend Daniel, who just finished his geriatrics IPPE, told me a depressing story on his last day. He was talking with one of the nurses and a patient comes in asking where his wife was. The nurse calmly replied, "Remember, she passed away?" He had forgotten that his wife has died just a few weeks before. That story just breaks my heart and I really hope I will have the strength to stay positive.

066 beautiful things

I heard this song during Easter service this year and I heard it again on the radio yesterday. As much as I try to imitate nature when I paint or draw things, it is never as close to the real deal. I can only aspire to be as great of an artist as the original Creator himself. He makes beautiful things out of dust. He makes beautiful things out of us.

065

Grace is the overflowing favor of God, and you can always count on it being available to draw upon when needed. "...in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses" - that is where our patience is tested (2 Corinthians 6:4). It is not a question of praying and asking God to help you, it is taking the grace of God now. We tend to make prayer the preparation for our service, yet it is never than in the Bible. Prayer is the practice of drawing on the grace of God. Don't say, "I will endure this until I can get away and pray." Pray now - and draw on the grace of God in your moment of need.

In all things, display in your life a drawing on the grace of God, which will show evidence to yourself and to other that you are a miracle of His. Let circumstances take you where they will, but keep drawing on the grace of God in whatever condition you may find yourself. One of the greatest proofs that you are drawing on the grace of God is that you can be totally humiliated before others without displaying even the slightest trace of anything but His grace.

Excerpt taken from my My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers, June 26.

It is amazing the amount of God's grace that has been poured into, over, and all around me all my life. And even more throughout college and pharmacy school. It really is true that his grace and provision will always be more than enough. Today, while I was in the office, I found out I received two scholarships toward my pharmacy education. The first thing I did when I found out was thank God and then I called my parents to let them know the good news. I am immensely grateful and as I sit here, all I can think about all the blessings that have taken the form of people, opportunities, gifts, and memories that God has filled my life with.

064

I am feeling much better now.

---

I'm in pharmacy school and I would like to think I have matured a little since my days as a wee freshman in college. But some things don't change.

Last week I went into the pharmacy for the first time since midterms started and as I was doing the usual dispensing, consulting, and doing my intern thang, I pull out a label for Cialis. Awhile back, I wrote an entry on this prescription drug and I mentioned to Gregg how the first question he told me to research pertained to this drug. Not content to leave the conversation as it was, he told me to look up its duration of action and how often a patient can use this drug on my handy-dandy smartphone that I bought recently. After much scrambling, I managed to find the literature and report to him my answer.

As I was putting away baskets, he tells me, "You need to face reality".

Me: "...huh?"

Gregg: "Some people do it everyday".

Me:
Fortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to consult a patient on Cialis yet but I imagine I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face. I'm not trying to laugh at the poor guy's flaccidness or anything, I just don't think I have reached that level of maturity yet.

I then proceeded to have the most awkward conversation with my preceptor about drinking, clubbing, and sex. He also told me how I would be a bitter person by the time I reach his age as a pharmacist. I told him, "My spirit will never be crushed!" And then Gregg, being the ball of sunshine he is, tells me, "10 years from now, I am going to come to your pharmacy and poop on your counter and leave it there. Let's see if you'll be happy then"

Gregg, I will bag your poop and gladly consult you how to properly dispose of it.

063

I feel abandoned and despite my best efforts to get out of this feeling, ironically, abandonment won't leave me.

Hebrews 13:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”

062

The pharmacy was quite pleasant last Thursday and I had a very enjoyable and productive day. Gregg's task for me that day was to go through all the OTC aisles and write down every product I would recommend for certain disease states. It nearly took the entire day and I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of OTC and homeopathic remedies available. But it was definitely good to go through these products and now I can recommend ANY OTC! BUAHAHAH. I just need to go over the consultations and review their active ingredients...boo.

Back at school, I am taking an independent elective course that our group has lovingly called P.R.O.V.E: Pacific Rx Outreach Video Education (or something like that, we honestly just wanted a cool sounding acronym and everything else fell into place). The premise of the elective is to create patient education videos on drugs for certain disease states in a way that makes medical jargon make sense and show how your pharmacist is an awesome resource! Most importantly, we want to make these videos accessible to our patients who may not have the best health literacy so we plan on translating them in a variety of languages and focusing the videos on certain ethnic populations by incorporating familiar cultural aspects into our projects. ANYWAY, our first disease state we're tackling is diabetes and my job is the illustrator and finding information on glucose meters and test strips. So now this is where I tie in all the stuff I have been researching into the pharmacy setting...

The highlight of my most recent visit to the pharmacy was when I had finally reached the pharmacy counter to look up the diabetic meters and test strips. One of the techs was helping a customer in finding a lancet but instead, she was holding a glucose meter. She saw me, gave me a look of desperation, and left me there holding the glucose meter, my notebook, and a blank stare from the customer. In my head I was thinking, "Now is the the time to P.R.O.V.E my knowledge of diabetic devices!!!" Sure enough I explained to the patient what she was looking for and pointed her to the correct product. I felt like I was spewing rainbows because I was so glad to put my knowledge to use.

Bottom line: It feels good to help people.

061

Back in the pharmacy after a much needed and well-deserved break. To my surprise, I had a very good day because Gregg wasn’t there to ridicule and squash my self-esteem. In fact, it was very much the opposite today. Since Gregg is on vacation, a floater RPh came in to cover. He introduced himself as Gamal and instinctively I asked if he was Arabic and sure enough he is AND he added that he’s Egyptian! I think my eyes lighted up right there and then. Of course I shared with him how I went to Egypt the summer before and what I did there. Any free moment I had, I would drop as much Arabic I could member and Gamal would just laugh, I am pretty sure he was thinking, “who does this Asian girl think she is speaking my language?” I would like to think his incredulousness quickly turned into admiration because he even commented how good my accent was. Aaaw yeeyeaaah.

My ego inflated even more as the day progressed especially after this conversation.

RPh: On the phone talking to someone, “Yes, thank you Gameel” Hangs up the phone and turns to me, “Do you know what that means?”

Me: Gameel? Yah, it means beautiful.

RPh: I bet you got called that a lot while you were in Egypt.

I just laughed and this picture ran through my mind.

With my confidence reaching o infinity and beyond, I decided to be more assertive today. Whenever the tech would call for a consultation, I would just walk on over to the consultation window and do my intern thang. I was making calls like crazy while printing and filling. I was a multi-tasking machine. I had a new experience today too! AN ANGRY CUSTOMER! A customer called in today to see if we had an item in in stock. Unfortunately, I could not find his full list of prescription under the name he was providing me. I told him I would call him back because I was taking awhile (CVS computers are very slow). Even after searching and asking for help, I couldn’t find his prescription in the system. I called him back asking if he had called at a different pharmacy. With a huge exasperated sigh, he said “I’LL BE OVER IN TWO MINUTES”. At first I felt like an ant embracing its untimely demise under a large shoe but then I told myself, “NO, ANTOINETTE. YOU ARE DA BOMB TODAY!” Sure enough, in about 10 minutes, the customer came into the store and the tech calls my name, “Antoinette, you are being requested” I strut over (more like politely shuffle to the register) and offer my assistance to the customer. To make a long story short, he went by a different name in the system, the misunderstanding was resolved and we became best friends forever. He got his meds that he needed and he did not yell at me at all! The power of effective communication!

060 milk challenge

Over the course of my college career, I have noticed that I have become bloated and unpleasant whenever I consume milk products. And when I do, about an hour later I am running to the bathroom atop the porcelain queen in super saiyan mode. You could say that I have built up a mild case of lactose intolerance. I drank milk all the time when I was younger and it baffles me why it is such a problem now. If the enzymes required to break down lactose existed before, I am pretty sure they lie dormant somewhere in my body. A genetics book could explain this phenomenon but I'd rather experiment. This past week I have been chugging down milk in order to induce the enzyme lactase to reform in my body. It hasn't been so bad because I gradually drank milk in small quantities this past semester. This one time I ordered a small mocha, forgetting that they put milk in it, and within the hour, I ran out of the lecture to the bathroom. The funny thing is, my professor was talking about lactose intolerance at that point. I made sure to draw an illustration next to my notes for memories' sake.

Raging diarrhea is not fun. BUT, this past week has not been so bad. Not one day of diarrhea, just a few burps here and there. I think this experiment may be a success.

059 Ana Laura

The picture to the right is of my pequeña, Ana Laura, taken from her Facebook. She is currently studying abroad in Argentina.

When I first met her, I thought to myself, "We have nothing in common - I don't know how this is going to work out". It also didn't help that her boyfriend (at the time) painted a tainted image of me because we shared a class together and claimed that I was sooooo "bossy". Whatever. I would hear of complaints that this girl would never make it to her tour times, events, etc. As her Grande, I felt partially responsible for the lack of commitment to the job and told myself that I would talk to her about quitting. But I changed my mind because I felt I wasn't close enough to really have the right to say these things to her and I am very glad I didn't.

A chicken pot pie, broken gifts, many "MVIB's", and three years later, this lady and I share something very unique that I would never have imagined.

Despite her small stature, Ana Laura is a force to be reckoned with. Strong, intelligent, beautiful, dramatic, and a dreamer are some of the words that can describe her. I may not always agree with some of her life decisions but it always seems to turn out for the better and in the process, she has grown into a more mature woman that I could ever aspire to be. I wrote her a letter in one of my journals while I was in Egypt that I wanted to post up on this blog, but I can't seem to find it. In the letter, I wrote to her saying how I was so proud of her and that everything she has gone through is a beautiful struggle that is a testament to her character and growth.

Ana Laura is one of those people who you can't forget. And if you do, you're missing out on one of the greatest adventures of all.

058

About a week ago, I spent an afternoon at my friend's ranch. One of the many highlights of the day was jumping off some rocks into a cool pool of water that coursed its way through their family's land. The experience was something out of a book, like A Separate Peace, but without anyone dying. It was so surreal.

After returning to campus, even though I was physically at school, my mind was still back in Oakdale, where I had just spent a great day with my friends. My mind was replaying the day's events of walking through a herd of cows, jumping into freezing water, flying kites, and simply enjoying nature. It's sad for me to say that I once thought places like this did not exist anymore and I could only read about it in books. I don't mean to say that there is not enough nature around for me to enjoy. What I mean is that this day was a very intimate experience shared among a group of 18 friends and only us, no tourists, no outsiders, simply friends.

At times where I was walking by myself, I would think, "God, this place is beautiful. You made this. Thanks".

That day was the best way to start off my spring break. I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to go back but I sure would like to come back.

Credits to Yvonne Mai for the photograph. BOY'S CLUB! :o)

057 sodium challenge

As an aspiring pharmacist, I plan to lead a healthy lifestyle incorporating exercise, healthy food, and limiting bad habits. I feel it is important to practice what I preach. When I tell my future patients "Have you thought about quitting smoking?" "Don't forget to exercise," "It is important to eat/drink less sugar/caffeine," etc, I best be doing the same.

One of the interns that I work with at CVS asked me if I have heard of the sodium challenge. I told her "No." and asked her to explain to me what it is. In one of her pharmacy classes, the professor explained to the class that as a health practitioner, we tell our patients to lead healthy lifestyles along with their medication. We recommend life style changes such as exercising more, limiting caffeine, fatty foods, and sodium intake. It's easier said than done.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy adult should consume no more than 2.3 g of sodium. The less the better. My friend's professor challenged the class to consume no more than 2 g of sodium every day for one week. When my friend described this challenge I thought in my head, "PIECE OF sodium-free CAKE!" So I went ahead and did the challenge and finished last Monday. I haven't had the opportunity to write about this experience until now though.

OH. MY. GOODNESS. The first few days were extremely challenging because it seemed about everything in my pantry had about a block of salt in it. I remember feeling faint and famished for the first few days because I didn't know what I could eat! But as I did a little more research into the sorts of food I should be eating and with the help of calorie count, the week got progressively easier. Less salt does not mean less food.

Overall, it was a very challenging week for me but I am glad I was able to experience what some people have to be concerned about everyday of their lives within that one week. I feel for you my future renal-failure patients and I hope that when I am consulting you in the future, I will be able to empathize with you. You're not in it alone. We never are. And if you don't have ideas for low-sodium meals, I'll be able to help you. :o) Live long and prosper.

056

As of today, I have completed 76 hours of my IPPEs. I can't believe I have been interning for that long. Gregg still manages to make me feel like an imbecile but I had a good day at the pharmacy.

Answering patient questions and making recommendations are my favorite things to do in the pharmacy. Today, a mom and her son came in asking for a recommendation about itch cream. Apparently, the son had an awful rash in the crease of his arm from scratching it so often. The son refused to see a doctor and had been using neosporin to help with the itching but to no avail, the rash had gotten progressively worse. My initial thought was, "Why the hell are you using neosporin for a rash?" I directed them to the anti-itch cream and made some recommendations but made it a point to go see his doctor. Then he asked me if we carried witch hazel, which is normally used as an astringent for oozing rashes. He apparently heard from some magazine that it's good to treat baggy eyes. I stared at this self-conscious high school boy and then I stared at his prominent eye bags. I don't remember Bandy teaching us anything about baggy eyes but I recommended him to gently rub a soft toothbrush around his under-eyes to stimulate blood flow around his eyes to reduce the appearance of the bags and then I politely pointed him towards the direction of the cosmetics aisle to look for a concealer if he was really that concerned. Oh boys will be boys...

I also know what a yeast infection looks like now. After reconstituting an erythromycin cream for a patient, I asked Gregg to help me make those fancy swirls in the cream to make it look "pharmaceutically elegant" as he likes to put it and he bluntly tells me, "No matter what you do to that cream, it's still going to look like a yeast infection". I think I barfed in my mouth a little. I replied back, "I don't know what a yeast infection looks like." He responds by telling me that I'm a good girl and to be wary when I meet a dirty boy, lawlz. After looking at the cream, in my opinion, a yeast infection looks like cottage cheese.

055 egypt

Photograph from the article "Mubarak Toppled" on The Economist

It is a significant day in history for the country of Egypt. Today marks the end of a thirty year reign of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Who knew that a group of passionate youths yearning for change and the power of the internet would ignite such political unrest. I feel that this revolution is a great testament for those who underestimate those who seek great change. I feel that as people, we always strive to come back to harmony. Just like when we hunger, we yearn to be full because we knew that we once were satisfied. Hunger points to the fact that food exists. Likewise, Egypt's political revolution is an indication of a time that once was good and all was right. I can only pray and hope that this change will lead to radical new leadership that will lead the nation to greater heights, especially for the Copts. Rabena maak.

054

Heart by Pinky-VuDuu

The heart is said to be autorhythmic because it stimulates itself to contract at regular intervals. If the heart is removed from the body and maintained under physiological conditions with the proper nutrients and temperature, it will continue to beat autorhythmically for a long time. (Seeley 690)

How cool is that? Our heart is so resilient that even when taken out of the body, it will continue to beat at its own pace. The brain doesn't control the rate at which our heart beats. Our bodies are so amazing!

053

Had a miserable time at IPPE's today. I don't know how my preceptor does it, but he manages to make me feel like a complete imbecile every single time. Gregg, despite your sour face and efforts to crush my spirit, I will still remain a happy little chipmunk. For Super Bowl Sunday, it was surprisingly busier than normal, but it wasn't too bad. Nothing really remarkable happened other than learning more about the CVS system.

I realized I really enjoy driving along I-5 up and down to and from Elk Grove. It's so straight and relaxing. I enjoy cranking up my radio and singing out loud. Such a pleasant 45 minutes lost in my own thoughts.

Since it is Super Bowl Sunday, I managed to arrive in time for the closing ceremony as the field exploded into confetti. I was rooting for the Packers, but I secretly wanted the Steelers to win because of that "Black and Yellow" song. This coming week, the weather is going to be sunny. Such a nice change from the doom and gloom of last week. Necesito estudiar ahora!

052

There is a new pharmacist at the pharmacy I am interning at. His name is Brendan. He is from Massachusetts. Recently moved to California this past summer. 24. And has beeeeaaautiful eyelashes that I envy lol He is so incredibly chill. I always ask myself, "Why isn't Gregg more relaxed? Why does he always have to look at me like 'Are you seriously going to do that'?" I guess it's because Brendan is still young and hasn't been jaded by the world and the evils of CVS that Gregg so vehemently spits upon and reminds me about every time I am working with him.

I actually like the CVS system of scanning and inventory checking. It is a hella efficient. More so than the out-patient pharmacy that I volunteered at last year. Yes, the system does not help the patient-pharmacist relationship at all but I can see the system improving. I HAVE HOPE!

Somehow, I managed to gash the space between my thumb and pointer with a dispensing spatula while I was dispensing prescriptions today. What idiot does that? Oh me. Did a consultation, made phone calls galore, restocked, found out all the clerks are all older than me when I thought they were all younger than me. Dude, I would be so lost without the techs. I wish I had a shirt that says "I <3 PharmTechs" to show my appreciation for them. First time I left exactly at closing time. I didn't know what to do with myself, except go home.

Another day of work tomorrow. I'll be missing the Super Bowl with the Boy's Club. I hope they save me food.

051 my baptism

Matthew 3:13-16

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Today is my second birthday because I made the choice to be baptized at my church in Stockton. The first church that I went to when I started college. The first church where I didn't have to ask for the approval of my parents if I could attend. My freshman small group leaders were there to immerse me in the waters. I can't even articulate the immense joy that I felt as I was raised out of the waters. My best friend came up the night before to spend time with me for a few short hours. My parents and friends who live almost 2 hours away, woke up early to drive all the way to Stockton to come and celebrate with me. My friend, who doesn't even believe in God came. People even told me the great extent at what they had to do so they could come and see. I was asked to share a brief testimony and why I chose to be baptized. I definitely was crying and still crying as I entered the waters. When did I become such a cry baby? haha I'm incredibly blessed to be surrounded by friends and family like these but even more blessed to have a Creator who would look upon me and tell me that He is well pleased.

050

The convenient thing about keeping a blog about my life, pharmacy experience, and everything in between is that I am required to turn in a reflection about my IPPE experience once I am done with my 80 hours this semester. Today marks my 30th hour of pharmacy experience. Gregg was not present so I felt much more relaxed. Gordon was the pharmacist for today and I realize he is much more of a pleasant person to be around. I did a consultation, made lots of phone calls, and dispensed for most of the day. So nice and relaxing. I feel like I am learning the intricacies of the CVS system better. Learned that Gordon is Mormon. He also played basketball and football in high school.

I'm getting over my paranoia of making phone calls to patients. Now that I actually know how to use the computers, there's less fear of sounding like an idiot on the phone.

At CVS, they have continuing education for the pharmacists almost every two months. Gordon didn't seem too pleased to be doing it during the slow hours.

My eyes get really dry after working a full 8 hours. Also, my car hydroplaned off the freeway entrance and my right headlight is totally blown out along with some ugly scratches on the nose of my car. It didn't help that the car kept making suspicious noises throughout the 30+ mile drive and my phone battery died. Sad times.

049

January must be the month to blog for me because I have been pretty consistent this past week. Today I am celebrating my 2nd day of being 22. I realize that my past two entries have been about my birthday, which may seem like I am making more of a big hoopla over being 22 than I should have when I turned 21. Which isn't the case. I celebrate my 22nd year with such enthusiasm because my 21st year following up to my 22nd was so freaking amazing. When I look back this year, I think "Damn, I did good". The equivalent of my feelings right now would be close to graduating or the completion of a masterpiece.

I thank God for giving me His unlimited strength to work, pledge, and make the decision to break up with my boyfriend.

I thank God for showing me His wonders by letting me globetrot to four different continents.

I thank God for revealing Himself in people I should aspire to be more like and to pursue.

I thank God for surrounding me in fertile soil so that I may be constantly growing.

I thank God everyday.

A couple of days ago I asked a friend who recently turned 22 as well how it felt to be another year older. He begrudgingly replied, "There's nothing to look forward to anymore. Twenty-one was IT." His response made me sad because I wish he would have lived his 21st year like it was his birthday everyday (minus the alcohol). This year is my golden year and I am going to live it like it is.

048

Today is my golden birthday and it has been a glorious day. I am so thankful for the amazing company, calls, texts, and messages that I have received today and even more grateful for the friendships and experiences these have filled these past twenty-two years.

Twenty-one was an AMAZING age for me and I know twenty-two will be just the same. WOOHOO!

047

When it comes to food, a saying that I enjoy living by is "Don't knock it before you try it" profoundly said by my good friend Harrison. I have tried many a-wonderful foods because of this saying. Take this picture of a casserole my roommate made for me as seen above. Last year, Jaclynn had asked me if I wanted to try some casserole she made out of bacon, tater tots, cheddar cheese and eggs. I disgustingly said, "I don't eat casseroles" but I reluctantly tried it anyway. As I bit into this heart-attack-in-a-casserole, I was sent into a paradise of cheddar cheese waterfalls, prancing bacon ponies, and potato fields that shimmered in the shining sun. Yah, it was damn delicious.

This year, I asked her to make the casserole again for my 22nd birthday. Much to my delight, after a short morning of classes, I come back greeted by the savory aroma of delicious casserole. Never again will I hate on food that I haven't tried.

046

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

This place is so temporary. I've been blessed, for the most part, with amazing roommates since day one at college. I've heard of the saying, "Because you can never have too much of a good thing" and in this case, it either kills you or is taken away from you someway, somehow. This is me being selfish because I know these circumstances will lead them to greater heights but I cannot help but already miss them even though two of them are still here. Thinking out loud, I wish we both shared a love for pharmacy, I wish we both passed PHRM113, I wish I had all the money in the world to pay for your housing. I am wishing for many things right now.

045

My preceptor's name at my IPPE site is Gregg. Note the extra "g" at the end of his name. I guess his parents wanted to be original by adding an extra letter. It must be annoying correcting people when they mispell Gregg as Greg. When I see the name "Gregg", all I think of is an angry egg. GRRRRR-egg.

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On my second day of interning, my preceptor asked me a PK question: "Out of the three male erectile dysfunctional (ED) drugs, which one has the greatest bioavailability and half life?" Out of Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, Cialis is the winner with a half life of up to 17.5 hours. It's effects can last up to 36 hours! I even filled Cialis today in the pharmacy. Amazing.

044

Yesterday I gave my first consultation at the pharmacy. It was a prescription for amoxicillin for a little boy named Jameson. After I went through the consult, he cutely and politely said, "Thank you!" I think I just melted right there because I felt I made a difference in the world. Haha. It was a long 8 hour day. My preceptor got me to do reconstitutions, consultations, filling, answering OTC questions and galore. He gave me some homework to do too. Out of the three erectile dysfunction treatments (Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra), which one has the greatest bioavailability and longest half life? I've only had 6 classes of pharmacokinetics since the semester started and we just started talking about drug elimination and distribution. I feel stupid most of the time because of my lack of working in a pharmacy experience but I have a feeling I will be learning so much from my preceptor.

I've also noticed that my comics are slowly showing more personality than the usual formless blobmen that I draw. Hurray for creativity!

043

First week of class came and went. With it came new rules and expectations. I will seriously come to the PHRM 121 final naked...if given a million dollars haha but seriously, the rules are so ridiculous.

Also, yesterday was my first day of IPPEs at CVS Pharmacy in Elk Grove. My preceptor, Gregg, is a man jaded by the evils of CVS. Despite his less than optimistic outlook for the future of his pharmacy, his stern and strict attitude is going to keep me on my toes and I have a feeling my experience in a real pharmacy setting will be positive. First day, I got to do everything: work the register, scan waiting bins, dispense prescription, administer flu shots, guide customers around the OTC section, I even would have had the opportunity to consult if I was more confident in my abilities - but for now, I am going to listen and learn.

042

Bye-bye 2010 and hello 2011!

Guess who spent their new years at the happiest place on earth? That's right, I did. The last time I went to Disneyland was my senior year in high school and I thought that after that, I was too old to enjoy the magic of Disney. I was so terribly wrong. The feelings of adventure and excitement were the same as when I was thirteen as I drove through the Temple of Doom with Indiana Jones. Giddy-ness and laughter radiated from my face as I went to meet Flynn Rider aka Eugene Fitzherbert from Tangled. My chest puffed in victory as I beat my cousin in midway games. Tears filled my eyes as I basked in the wonderful glow of the World of Color water show. Disney, you never cease to amaze me.

I can't believe that I had lost faith in Disney when I just had lost faith in my imagination.

I am going to quote my cousin right now because his words are my thoughts exactly:

Disney embraces all the values that should be promoted in life. Disney pushes us to follow our hearts and always try to achieve our dreams. For those who hate on Disney, you must lead a sad life indeed because there never has been more of a happy place than Disneyland. - Steven

What a great way to greet the new year.