The Fun Has Arrived!

I just took the last test! It is crazy and has not yet sunk in that I am finished, well I guess after this blog I will technically be "finished." After a year of hard work, somewhat of a social life, and tons of tests; as of May 15, I will officially have my Master's in Pharmacology. This month has been slow as far as school is concerned with most of the weeks focused on our presentation based classes, but as far as the rest of my life, I've been doing a lot.

Kristen, Robert (we are on a first name basis), Cait and Me
at Prom of Champions 2015

Early this month, I volunteered for Prom of Champions. It is an event put on by Children's Hospital to give terminally ill children the ability to attend prom. The children were given a night to remember: dresses were provided and makeup was done for the girls, the boys were given tuxes and each got to ride in a limo to the prom. It was such an amazing event and I can't wait to do it again next year. Oh, we also got to meet Robert Meachem and find out how much he enjoys doing this event for the kids. He has done it for the past five years and says he will always come back. It is really great to see the faces of the children when they get to meet someone famous or an idol they may look up to. Again, I had such a great time volunteering and will definitely be making it a yearly occurrence.

Cait, Sewann and Me at the UNO Health Fair

This month Cait and I also volunteered at the UNO Health Fair. We not only helped set up and clean up but also got to represent this program at the fair with Sewann. Many people were interested in what the program has to offer and I believe, as students, we were able to give them some good insight.

Armed with a Master's I am now headed to medical school. This program has really taught me a lot and I can't wait to start the next chapter in my life.

April Volunteer Hours: 13 hours
Total hours: 35 hours 

Marching On...

So the big NBME Pharmacology Shelf exam is over! Thank goodness. The month of March has been pretty slow compared to the rest of this program. Our classes have changed to mostly presentation and discussion based, therefore the studying has been kept to a minimum. Of course, there is still that one class, Cell Control Mechanisms; we still have tests in that course. Actually there is one today at 1pm... Getting some last minute cramming in at work after this post.

March and April are some of my favorite months. Besides the pollen and allergies the weather gets really pretty and above all... CRAWFISH! I love crawfish! I mean, I am from New Orleans so how could I not. For those of you not from New Orleans, I must implore that you try crawfish at one point. I know some great places to get them or there is always a crawfish boil somewhere. I'm looking forward to this weekend as I do every year. Why, you ask. Well because my family traditionally has a crawfish boil on Good Friday and Troy's family has a crawfish boil on Holy Saturday :-) Soooo much crawfish!!

Look how good those crawfish look. We cleaned the table!

Time is flying by and it doesn't seem to be slowing. Graduation is right around the corner... Speaking of that I should probably go get my graduation gown soon. Until next month...

Small Month Yet Big Things Happening

Is it really almost March… So the time is really flying by this semester. We have already had two block tests and our first Cell Control test. However, we have just entered into the last block of the semester for Med Pharm and Principles and what an interesting block we will end on. In the Psychiatry block, we are learning about mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and a little more about anxiety.

Me and two of my best friends at Endymion. Yes, that is me with purple hair

But don’t let me fool you; the tests have not ended. Not only do we still have two more Cell Control tests, we also have to prepare for the pharmacology shelf exam administered in the middle of March. Yippee! One test that involves all of the drugs we have been learning since the beginning of this program. This one is going to be a biggie… 100+ questions; I can’t wait.

I got some really great news this month. I received my acceptance letter to LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and I am super excited. It's been a long journey but it makes it that much sweeter! My family and friends have been very supportive throughout the years and are just as excited as I am. This program has been a great experience and I believe it has truly prepared me for this next step in my life.

With the Mardi Gras break over, its back to studying for this shelf exam... Or just beginning.

Total Hours: 2

Back Into the Swing of Things

Part of our group posing by the banana boxes

It's that time again... Christmas vacation came and went and we are surely back in the swing of things. We even had our first test already. Study, work, study, work, study, work, it seems like a never-ending cycle. I am still working at PJ's Coffee in Elmwood which makes my life a little hectic. However it's really great because I get the perk of free coffee; and as most of us "pharmers" are aware: coffee is a necessity.

Even with the busy life I lead, I have still found time to volunteer this month. A few of us started volunteering for Second Harvest Food Bank. Our first time at the warehouse, we were sorting, packing and assembling boxes of food to be given to those in need. It was a great night, and we even got some Five Guy's after. I don't know why I torture myself; it's just that the burgers and fries really hit the spot. Curse you inventor of Five Guy's, whoever you are!

We reserved a spot for all of our
(and future pharmer volunteers) nametags.

Now I know there are still a few weeks to go and two tests; but I'm not going to lie, I am ready for Mardi Gras! Laissez le bon temps rouler!


Total Hours: 17

The End is Near

Well at least for this semester... Tomorrow is our last test and as much as I have enjoyed this program I am ready for a break. This semester has been hectic to say the least; with weddings, class, work and volunteering I have had a full schedule. Soon the new year will be here and I can't wait for the exciting new challenges that lie ahead. To everyone who reads this, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See ya next year!

Volunteer Hours Summary
Habitat for Humanity - 2 Saturdays - 16 hours
American Cancer Society Belles and Beaus Ball - 4 Hours
Autism Speaks Walk - 2 Hours
Women Under Study Clinic - 9 hours

Almost There!

One more test to go! I can't believe we are almost done this first semester. It has been challenging at times, but I've pushed through it. This month was crazy! From weddings, to surgeries, to buying a house; let's just say you only live once.

My sister got married in October and my best friend got married in November just two more weddings left (out of 8 I might add), but they aren't until January so I get a little break. Weddings are great, especially in New Orleans, and I am so happy for those people's weddings who I have had the pleasure of being a part of. 

Weddings are just one part of this crazy month. In the beginning of this program, around August, I sprained my ankle while "studying." Well, it was after I was finished studying and my foot was still asleep. Silly me tried to walk and well its hard to walk when you can't feel your feet. If you know me at all, this is typical of my everyday life; I am pretty clumsy. However, this turned sour really quick when I realized I couldn't move my ankle. To the emergency room I go, to find out its "just a sprain," thank God. But three months later we found out it was a little more than "just a sprain" and required a minor, non-invasive surgery to get me back on my feet. Today I am in recovery, and hoping to be back on my feet soon.

Cait and I after Autism Speaks Walk. It was a little chilly

Just before my surgery, the good news landed; we finally found the house. After 2 years of looking, the perfect little 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house popped up and we snagged it. It needs a little TLC but with my creativity and, of course, Pinterest DIY projects I think this house is going to be perfect. 

With all of this going on, its crazy that I have found some time to volunteer but I have. I volunteered at the Autism Speaks walk and also participated in the walk itself. I have also helped at a local clinic and will continue to help there as the year comes to an end. The Women Under Study Clinic is devoted to improving the study of women's health and disease. At the clinic, I contact patients to discuss their ability to participate in certain trials, I help organize patient files and other office administrative duties, and I also act as a liaison between our office and the doctors around the city who participate in these trials.

It has been a great month in all aspects of life!

Volunteering
Autism Speaks Walk - 2 hours
Women Under Study - 6 hours

Another Day Another Pharm

Wow I can't believe it's been another month. We just finished the renal block where they just added another class, molecular and cellular pharm. I'm glad the test is over, another one under the belt.

This month I gave my presentation for advances, it seemed to go well at least Dr. Kadowitz said we got an A++. Our paper was on diabetes and I learned a lot which helped prepare me for the renal block exam. 

Team bonding at Habitat for Humanity was great, yet again. This time we did a lot at the main Habitat warehouse. We tested out a lot of tools, I didn't know how to work a table saw, but now I do. 

I also attended and volunteered at the American Cancer Society Belles and Beaus Ball. They honored many cancer survivors and we had a great time meeting many of them. 

This month flew by so fast but I'm ready for what the future has in store.

American Cancer Society Ball - 4 hours

Habitat for Humanity - 8 hours