New Beginnings, New Blog

I've decided to leave this blog and start a new one chronicling my adventures in pharmacy school :)

Check it out! And thank you for listening :)

Pharmacy Adventures

I really shouldn't be blogging...

... because I've been up since 6:30AM
... have to wake up at 7AM tomorrow (technically this) morning
... had to watch 15-year-olds all day
... dealt with phone-call pranks from said 15-year-olds
... couldn't sleep because Beatty towers is so damn cold.



So I won't :)

Changing schools is complicated.

For my own mental organization, here is a list of everything I have done/have to do to to transition into UNC:

-Send high school transcripts (why? I have no idea)
-Send UF transcripts
-Send BCC transcripts (for my ONE class I took in high school, blah)
-Send AP exam scores
-Get 2 TB tests done after March 31st, and 1 to 3 weeks apart
-Get a Varicella titer* (since I've had the chicken pox before)
-Get a Hepatitis B titer*
-Send immunization results/records to the University
-Send immunization results/records to School of Pharmacy (yes, it is separate)
-Set up utilities in new apartment
-Get renter's insurance (required?!)
-Transfer car to my name
-Get car insurance
-Set up store transfer to a CVS in Chapel Hill
-Apply for promotion to intern at CVS in Chapel Hill
-Buy textbooks
-Buy a clicker for class (noooo, not these again!)
-Read Anatomy of Hope for summer reading (to be discussed with faculty adviser at beginning of class, WHAT?!)
-Obtain UNC One Card (going to miss using my Gator1 =[ )
-Complete plagiarism training module
-Complete OSHA training

Oh and I forgot... I still have to pack up my life!!!

The only way to get through this list is one-by-one. Luckily (heh) I have done a lot of things on this list already. So no worries, right?

*Titers test for immunity of something. So since I am claiming to have had the chicken pox, and didn't get a vaccine, I need a titer to test if I actually am immune.

Where did all of my pictures go?

Well, I got at Google+ account. And they had an album of all my blog pictures.

I deleted it because I didn't want that album there, but I had NO IDEA that it would delete my pictures on the blog!

Rawr.

What's on your fridge?

The phrase "fridge-worthy" definitely applies in my family. Growing up, there were always good grades from report cards on the fridge.


Looks normal right? But what you haven't seen is the ENTIRE fridge. Since before I can remember, we have been collecting magnets. Anywhere and everywhere any part of the family travels to (states, countries, tourist places, etc.), there is a magnet.

Check it out...

We're starting to run out of room haha.

A closer look at some:

It's actually a lot of fun to take the time to look at them all and reminisce the memories attached to the magnets.

What's on your family fridge?

Challenges of Days 4 & 5

Challenge Day 4: Turn on the Charm

Yesterday I was supposed to be really nice to Errol and not nag or be cranky. Unfortunately, I had a really shitty day at work and was very tired so we still ended up bickering :(

--------------

Challenge Day 5: Eat Sustainable Fish

While I don't know if they use fish grown in sustainable environments, Errol took me to dinner at Ichiban Sushi next to Las Margaritas. Delicious 12-piece sashimi and 2 rolls! Perfect amount of food for 2 [hungry] people :)

I think I could do this challenge every day if I had the money!

Challenge of the Day: Eat Low-Pesticide Produce

Day 3: Eat Low-Pesticide Produce

How I will do this...

1) Yesterday while I was home, I went to a local produce place that sells really cheap, farmer's market-style fruits and vegetables to make guacamole. Avocados were $0.99 compared to Publix's $1.99, so I stocked up! The tomatoes were also heirloom and beautiful. So I made some for lunch today!

2) Have some organic salad mix from Publix I'll have for dinner.

The only thing is I'll have to eat some Mac 'N Cheese too... but technically that isn't produce :)

Challenge of the Day: Wear a Bike Helmet

Day 2: Wear a Bike Helmet

I don't own a bike, so consider this challenge fulfilled!

Callenge of the Day: Set Summer Goals

I discovered a new website that I have been sifting through (credits to marthastewart.com).

http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/

And one of the things they have is called "Challenge of the Day" and being the official first day of summer (technically it was over 30 minutes ago, but whatever. let's pretend it's still June 21st), I thought I'd give it a shot!

Day 1: Set Summer Goals

My goal (which has been my goal all summer) is to lose 10 pounds by the first day of pharmacy school. I will do this by...

1) Exercising once a day for at least 30 minutes. This will include working :)
2) Chew slower. Savor the smell, look, and taste of each bite.
3) Smaller portions by using smaller plates.
4) Don't snack right before dinner

Good luck to me, haha.

One month away...

I'm exactly 31 days until the day I have been scheduled to move to Chapel Hill, NC and start the next chapter in my life.

I never think that I have done enough in the time I have. And I guess that means that I don't savor the moments in my life. But looking back, I really had lots of valuable and cherished experiences throughout my time at University of Florida.

And even this summer, despite not going to Europe, I have still been able to make the most of my free time with lots of trips and (wishing I had more) work.

And now I get to do one of my favorite things: planning, making lists, imagining. I get to plan a move to a new apartment with my boyfriend (eek!), make lists of what I want to buy for my new place and what to throw out/not bring, and imagine the possibilities of a new school and new experiences.

On my current shopping list are new cookbooks, and after spending hours at Books-A-Million (because I can't buy a book on Amazon.com without seeing it first!), I have decided to buy (when I get the money):

1) The Illustrated Kitchen Bible
This has amazing pictures for EVERY recipe, which is key for me. And the amount of pictures does not deter from the amount of recipes! I found that to be an issue with a lot of the larger cookbooks. And the best part is, I didn't come across any recipe that I didn't think I could do.


2) Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook
This book has step-by-step pictures for lots of things that I'm still learning! Things like How To Braise, How To Bake And Roast Vegetables, How To Butterfly And Stuff, How To Stew, How To Make Custard, and so much more! You can never go wrong with Martha :)



3) The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl
Thank you Megan for introducing me to Ree Drummond! I love her blog, and can't wait for her cooking show on Food Network!!! This adds the comfort food aspect of this cookbook collection. I want to make EVERYTHING in here, and most of these recipes are not found in the others that I want.



4) And I'm still looking for a beginner's Indian food guide, but at the moment I'm looking at these two:

OR

5) In the Small Kitchen
I think I might get this just because it's so fun! It's by 2 women in their 20's for "quarter-lifers" with categories like: Getting Started which introduces the equipment, the pantry and the market; Cooking for one (which easily doubles for two); Potlucking; Cocktail Parties; Dating & Food; Brunch; Giving; The Dinner Party; Leftovers; One Year Closer to Thirty. It also has chapters on Acknowledgment; Meals, Menus, and a Year's Worth of Occasions.


Now I can't go crazy with the amount of books!

But I think that these will be a good start.

Las Vegas Strip: Urban Outfitters

On the last day of the trip (not blogging in chronological order, obviously), we walked around a bit on the Strip before our 10:40PM flight.

One of the most entertaining parts for me was the walk through Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. It's basically a mile long of restaurants and shops, filled with tons of amazing ones!

And the best one was the non-clothing area of Urban Outfitters:

Some fun books!

(went to a Food Truck festival during the trip!)

Fell in love with this coobook and all other Phaidon publishings!

For all of my stoner friends out there...

I mean no offense to any family who has done this before :)

The best collection of journals I've seen! I wanted each one :)

On the right side, you write; and on the left side are quotes relating to the journal (this case, sleep deprivation)

On the bottom of each journal is a book-specific rating of the day (this one for "My Dysfunctions)

Would you consider this a book? :)

Amaaaaazing. So tempted to buy this

For all you Angry Bird lovers!

*LIKE*

The best tape dispenser I've ever seen

I want to go to an Urban Outfitters again just to see all of their stuff! Can't afford their clothes even though I love them, but this was just so entertaining!

Pharm Phrustration of the Day

People think that even though there aren't customers in line, we're not busy.

So they come up to our registers with carts filled with all of their crap and say:
"You guys busy? Can I pay here? There's a line up front"

Yes we're busy, but all I can say is "Yes, you can pay here."

But what I'm really thinking is "Get your lazy ass back up to the front and wait in line like everyone else. This is the PHARMACY where you pick up your PRESCRIPTIONS. I have other shit to do."

And those include:
1) Filling hundreds of prescriptions
2) Typing dozens of prescriptions
3) Doing business activities (won't go into details)
4) Answering phone calls
5) Helping drive-thru

I could have been doing all of the above while I help the annoying person with over $100 worth of front store items, who thinks that all I do is ring people out.

Unless we're sitting and talking to each other, not looking at a computer, or on a phone, don't assume we're not doing anything.

Thank you!

Pharm Phrustration of the Day

This morning a girl came in, not looking any older than 11 or 12 years old with a friend.

She had a baby in her arms. And was picking up an antibiotic for her.

Yes, it was her daughter. And she is 3 months old.

Las Vegas Strip: Caesar's Palace and Bellagio

We went to the Strip multiple times during the trip, so this is just the first round :)

This isn't the real Caesar's Palace is it?

I've been to Caesar's Palace multiple times and in never ceases to amaze me with the artistry and glamor of the place. This is my trip to Europe without leaving the continent.

The Forum Shops are filled with the most glamorous and expensive stores you could imagine. There are so many European stores with names I've never heard of before. But my sister, mom and I definitely helped ourselves to channeling Sarah Jessica Parker and tried on some Choos :)

I tried on $1310 pair of Choos... nbd.

From the outside:

From the casino:

The new mommy is still beautiful :)

If I 1) had money 2) had room in my suitcase 3) lost weight, I would have bought everything in this store.

There's just a Rolls Royce chillin' out in the valet... nbd.

I feel like Ocean's 11 made the Bellagio water fountain show so popular, and rightly so! I could stay here all night and let myself become immersed in the water and the music.

Here's my dad's video of the show we saw:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=2140851445018

There are even more stores inside the hotel, including Chanel, Gucci, and more. This is actually where my mom bought her Chanel sunglasses for $_00. No pictures from insde on this trip, no time!

Tip: If you are on a tight budget (aka student), gamble off the strip. Every hotel in Vegas has a casino, but the trick is their minimums are much lower ($3-$5 Blackjack, eyooo!). On the strip they are $15-$50 (unless you want to be a highroller)

Vegas Vacay Day 2: Zion National Park, Utah

On the 2nd day of the Vegas Vacation, we took a mini road-trip to Zion National Park in Hurricane, Utah. It was about a 2.5-hour drive from Vegas to Hurricane, which really wasn't bad at all. I slept most of the way because I still hadn't had much time to rest. The weather was perfectly clear, with a temperature in the 90's. However, the air was dry so it was bearable. Definitely need multiple bottles of water, though!

It was so beautiful! But there were even some beautiful sites on our drive there through Arizona:

That was just the drive there! Only Floridians would be so amazed by this... haha.

Entrance to Zion National Park:

Some information signs with the beautiful landscape

Gift Shop

Everyone seemed to have hats... we wanted one too!
We are definitely not hikers, so they had a really great shuttle that took us to many of the main sites. You could get off at whichever stop, and buses came (each way) every 10 minutes. Perfect to take pictures and go to the next stop!

The views were absolutely spectacular. These rocks have a lot of names (dubbed by their Mormon travelers). The great canyons were carved by the Virgin River (which is why you see in later pictures a place called "Virgin Trading Post". My pictures can get a little bit repetitive, so here are some of my favorites:
After a rare rainfall (less than a foot each year!), the water is stored within the rocks and pass through little pores. This allows plant-life to thrive, as shown here:
I really liked these flowers! They were like little crowns.

After spending a few hours at the park, we went to a little town right outside of the park called Springdale. There were a couple of tourist-y things we could do and some cute gift shops.


We got some ice cream after a hot day of "hiking". And there were some cute and interesting items inside the shop.

Camera focused only on the middle, but these adorable measuring spoons say:
A Dash of Joy
A Pinch of Friends
A Spoonful of Family
A Heapful of Love

After Springdale, we were on our way back to Sin City. But we saw this place along the highway and had to stop! (Again, it's called "Virgin" Trading post because of the Virgin River that created the canyons in Zion National Park)

Inside was even more interesting...


I think these might be hot...
And after those interesting images, I'll end with my favorite one :)

Interesting fact I learned: Grand Canyon and the canyons in Zion National Park are formed from the same Colorado Plateau