So long, farewell

Well folks, its about time to say goodbye. I've had a surprisingly fun time writing these posts. They may continue in the future, just probably not as frequent and it might be reincarnated as another blog.  Probably a little less pharmacy talk, and more real life.

But for right now I'm looking to the future. Europe is less than a month away and then ill live out the rest of my summer at Lake Sallie, working at a retail pharmacy. In the fall life will become more than hectic again, BECAUSE PHARMACY SCHOOL! Im so glad I was able to use this blog to document the application process. Im sure ill laugh at myself in a few years, thinking that I was overreacting, but hey, it happens.

See you soon!
ashlyn

The final few

Since countries are so close together in Europe we are able to visit a lot in a very short amount of time. Our last few days we hit several countries. We will visit Switzerland, Luxembourg and Brussels.

In Switzerland we are going to Interlaken, a quaint town located right next to the Swiss Alps. They have very unique buildings, and really have the ski town feel that you would see in Montana! If only i could bring my skis and hit the slopes!

When I say its right next to the Alps, I mean its right next to the Alps. Wow.

I'm not sure what they have in store for us in these cities, my next meeting is next week and I'm hoping we get our full itinerary! 

School is almost done! Summer is on its way! Hip-hip hooray! 

Franceland, Im coming back!

Ahhhh, Franceland.

The summer before my junior year of high school I was very fortunate to be able to visit France with other French students from my high school. Returning back to France has ALWAYS been my dream, I just had no idea that it would be this soon!  Although I'm quite sure that I've forgotten a lot of the French I learned. Sorry, Mrs Hewitt! Im so excited to be re-visiting my favorite sites in France, especially St. Malo. St. Malo, is my all-time favorite place in France, besides being on the shimmering Eiffel Tower at night :)

Here are a few pictures from my first trip, i can't wait to do a lot of throwback pictures to compare then and now!

Behind Notre Dame!

My friend le Tour Eiffel

Point du Hoc in Normandy

This is the center of Paris, they say that if you touch it you will return to Paris one day, how accurate it is :)

The ocean pool that is created at high tide in St. Malo. When the tide goes back out the water remains. It is super busy during the day time but we went out at night and were the only ones there! It was very cold, and a VERY long swim to the diving platform.

Rome, Italy

The next stop on my trip around European continent- Rome, Italy!

This trip is by far the most nerve wracking of our entire trip. Why? Because we're on our own in Rome. Scary, yet so exciting!

During our trip abroad we also get a summer break, in my eyes not really necessary because the ENTIRE TRIP is a vacation! But moving along, we have 4 days and 3 nights to go anywhere we'd like to go. We currently have a group of 11 students that are Rome bound.  Im so thankful that we were able to get a large crew to go, because the more there are the safer we should be. When we're in Rome were staying at someones apartment. Not everyone was comfortable with hostels, and we all agreed this would be the best plan for us.

Were going to try and pack as much as we can into the few days that we have in Rome. Our apartment is located in the center of Rome so we are very close to the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.

We are planning a day trip to visit Florence, Italy. It is a quick trip by train and is a great way for us to see more of what Italy has to offer in just one day!

We also want to visit the Roman Forum, the Spanish steps, any and all ancient ruins, and hopefully the smallest country in the world-- Vatican City! I'm Catholic, and have already been fortunate enough to visit Notre Dame, and I would LOVE to visit the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica.

Im so excited to eat some true Italian food. I already love pasta, pizza, and gelato, so I'm thinking I should just move to Italy now and get a head start ;)

31 days until we leave!

Greece

The first side trip we take during our trip is to Greece!

Our first day there we will get a walking tour of Athens. I love Greek mythology so I'm really excited to see all the ancient ruins on the Acropolis.  Im not sure what the entire game plan for Athens is, but I know that anything i get to see will be fantastic! Athens is just such a historic city and i can't wait to soak it all in :)

It is impossible to think about Greece without thinking about the blue dome roofs, or Mamma Mia for that matter. So thank goodness we are headed to those blue domes right after we leave Athens! Thats right, like the Kardashians we are headed to Santorini! Every picture I look at of Santorini just gives me a sense of calmness. The clear light blue water and the bright cobalt domes create the most amazing atmosphere. All the buildings are so unique, and cute! I've also been told they have the best sunsets in the WORLD, I am a total sunset girl. Personally Lake Sallie in Detroit Lakes holds m record, but i feel that Santorini could give old lake Sal a run for her money. While in Santorini were hoping to get plenty of sun and time in the ocean. My professor told us that Greece will be hot hot hot while we're there. I hope this NoDak girl can handle it!

Here's just a few pictures of Santorini's gorgeous views. I CANNOT wait to soak it all in for myself!

Dublin, Ireland

When I go to Europe I will be staying at UC Dublin in Dublin, Ireland.

UC is pretty much our base camp. I will take all my classes on campus, taught by NDSU professors, and we will be staying in the UC dorms. The dorms are pretty unique, a lot different than what we have here at NDSU. I will be rooming with six people. SIX. Sounds so weird just saying that. But the awesome part? We each have our own bedroom AND bathroom. I think I can handle that.

We will attend class on campus for part of the day, and go out for activities in the evening. The first few days we will have orientation and class. But soon thereafter we have a walking tour of Dublin planned. We will leave and return to Ireland numerous times, taking trips to other countries in the meantime.  During our time in Ireland we will be visiting Causey Farm,  Butler's Chocolates, the Guinness Factory, a traditional Irish Music Pub. We will also take a few day trips to the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle, Waterford, and Blarney. We will also be allowed free days to explore Ireland on our own!

The Cliffs of Moher is grassy plateau region that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. It has been in multiple movies including the Princess Bride and Harry Potter. It looks amazing in every picture I've seen!

Killarney is a town in southwest Ireland that we will be visiting. It is home to many beautiful Abbey's and castles and a gorgeous national park.

This picture is from Killarney National Park

Dingle is another town in southwest Ireland that is apart of the tourist string of towns called the Wild Atlantic Way.

Blarney is home to the legendary Blarney Stone that is said to give you the gift of eloquence if you kiss it!

in every photo I've seen so far you have to lean over like this to kiss it, not quite sure why..

Waterford is home to a major Crystal Factory and is also one of the oldest cities in Ireland.

I'm part Irish so I'm pretty giddy about being able to visit part of my heritage :)

EUROTRIP

I just booked tickets to Rome, Italy. Is this real life.

Yes, it most certainly is, wow. As I mentioned earlier I am studying abroad for part of this summer in Europe for 6 weeks. I think about my trip every single day. Which is why I want to spend my last two blogging weeks laying out my plan of attack for those 6 weeks. We are visiting so many places and countries I can hardly keep track. So for memories sake, Im laying it all out on the blog! Whoop Whoop!

The study abroad program is part of my business minor which will be completed while I am on the trip. I mentioned here.

It's Meredith's fault

Maybe I'm just watching too much Grey's Anatomy, but I've felt a strong pull towards the clinical side of Pharmacy practice these days.

I currently work in a retail pharmacy environment, which I love, but somedays it feels like I am doing the same thing day in and day out. And like I said it could be too much Grey's, but hospital life seems so much more exciting and adventurous, especially in a large hospital. Since I haven't had too much experience besides my local hospital pharmacy, I'm not really sure what the clinical side is like. In a town of 2,000 its usually not too exciting, trust me. Im really hoping that I get the opportunity to work in a hospital pharmacy before I graduate, I know that I will during my rotations in the P4 year, however I'm up for an experience sooner rather than later. We will just have to see where the wind blows.

Ebola Vaccine

While the Ebola pandemic seems to be on its way out the door, the CDC is still in the thick of it.

Currently they are testing a vaccine for Ebola in Sierra Leone. The program is called STRIVE- Sierra Leone Trial to Introduce a Vaccine against Ebola. They are currently in phases 2 and 3 of testing the vaccine that they have developed. They have chosen to test the vaccine in the 5 areas that were hit the hardest by the Ebola virus. The article on the CDC page stated they may extend their area of testing if necessary, as the Ebola virus has been unpredictable in areas of outbreak.

One of the important aspects of this mission is that they are choosing not to use a placebo. Each participant in the trial will receive the vaccine at one point during the study. For some it may be immediate, while others will be in the deferred group. I think its important that every member receives the vaccine, due to the nature of the virus. It is best to protect as many people as possible while testing this vaccine, leaving no one in harms way if the outbreak comes back in full force.

The FDA is a dog lover too.

I'm a dog lover through and through. Puppy love is the best kind of love, so when the FDA released a statement that they are looking to punish companies who release unapproved pet medications I did a little cheer. The FDA is a dog lover too.

I think its important to look out for the health and safety of all animals, and I'm glad the FDA is bringing this into the limelight. Most of the time we think of dogs, cats, etc, as just pets, but for my family and many others pets are FAMILY and treated as such. Pets are occasionally someone's only family, I can't imagine giving my pet a medication that ends up killing them when it is supposed to help them, its a quick way to lose your whole world.

 They're also looking to increase the amount of drugs available for pets!

Double thumbs up!

Yes! Yes! and more Yes!

I read an article from the LA Times today that I absolutely love! It talked about Pharmacists getting out from behind the counter and meeting with their patients face to face. They help them by going through their medication lists, and working on their diet and exercise plans. This is the pharmacist I want to be. I want to be in front of my patients not telling them, but helping them create their own plan for success. It not only creates lasting relationships with patients, but also gives them a more manageable plan of action.

I think is a super important reason that we need to pass the law that gives provider status. Many pharmacists are willing and able to provide these services for their patients. the article stated that 1/3 to a 1/2 of americans do not take their medications correctly. If we can give pharmacists a greater role in the care of their patients we can create better adherence and make their condition more manageable.

Keep on keeping on California! Hope we will be joining you soon in your mission for healthier communities!

Here is the article from the LA Times

Family

My family is amazing. Each and every member of my immediate and extended family has reached out to congratulate me on my acceptance into pharmacy school. Some have been really sweet, and others have been just plain funny. One of my brothers always wants to embarrass me, and thats just what he did. I wanted to remember these posts for years to come. So i wanted to post them here so I can keep track of them. Everything seems to get lost in the Facebook universe these days.

That guy right there is my pharmacy role model!

Biggest brother is always nicer than bigger brother

See what I mean... I love him anyway!

Easter Weekend!

Here's to a couple days off from school! Im ready for another break!

Im currently in Arizona spending a few days with family, and one very particular person. My number one Pharmacy role model: my Grandpa!

Back in his day pharmacy school at NDSU was a little different. You went to school for four years and chose pharmacy as your major. At the end of those four years they told you whether or not you could get your pharmacy, or else you had to start all over and choose something else to major in. Can you imagine?! That would be absolutely terrifying! And a lot of school if you didn't get in! Im hoping to spend the long weekend talking shop with him and picking his brain with my many questions. :)

Happy Easter!

April Fools

Its April Fools Day, and if you don't have any pranks I am here to help!

I save pranks all year long, you never know when you're going to need to prank someone. I love having a good trick up my sleeve. But I've also had my fair share of misses, ill let you in on them too.

My personal favorite is putting saran wrap on any bottle that squeezes in the shower. It makes it SUPER frustrating when you can get anything out of your shampoo bottle, especially when you're running late! hehe

Another fave- Put some bubble wrap under your roommate's rugs. The moment they step on the rug the popping will commence. Bonus points if they have a rug at the foot of their bed, now that would be a wakeup call!

If your roommate loves a glass of OJ in the morning, switch it up a little bit. Switch that OJ packet and mix water with the cheese packet from a box of mac-n-cheese instead. It sounds totally gross so make sure to avoid it yourself!

One prank i am not recommending, food coloring on the tooth brush. It doesn't work very well, especially if they have a white toothbrush. It also ruins the toothbrush, I learned this the hard way. My roommate said it was okay, and she needed a new one anyway, but I still felt really bad. 

So hop to it folks! Pranks are fun, just watch out for the rebuttal! ;)