Wednesday, February 25, 2015

My Rotation: Agape Pharmacy

To become a licensed pharmacist, we have to get a certain number of intern hours while we are in school. Each semester, my school has us go on rotation at various pharmacies and the rotations usually last about 6 weeks before we move on to the next one. For the past 6 weeks, I have been interning at Agape Pharmacy in Downtown Columbia, SC.

 I love it because it's like 3 pharmacies in one. 

Upstairs is considered the 'billing' department. 

Downstairs is considered the mail order pharmacy. It was like a little factory! In the middle the pharmacy technicians counted the medications, then on the outskirts, there were various pharmacists who were checking the orders for drug interactions, efficacy etc.

On the other side of that counter is the retail pharmacy which is just like your typical Rite Aid or CVS. I couldn't take pictures of the front because there was always a customer there. I loved this particular rotation because it was different and so unique. There were about 10 pharmacists in the building at any given time which is huge considering there are no more than 2 in a typical retail pharmacy. There was always something going and which kept everyone on their toes for sure :)

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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Our Love Story: The Beginning


Happy Tuesday y'all! Today I am linking up to show a little and tell a bit about how Keith and I met :)

Proverbs: 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
 God has a crazy sense of humor ya know? He will give you exactly what you ask for so be sure to be specific ;).
The day I met Keith I knew he was special. I know, I know, that sounds so cliche but really, I did! No, it wasn't love at first site but it was something.

Rewind back to July 12, 2008. Clemson University Freshman orientation. I had signed up for the very last session of the summer because a. I had an awesome job as a camp counselor that summer with some of the most amazing littles ever! and b. because the last thing I wanted to do was go to a weird place, sit in pointless sessions for two whole days and be talked to death about how college was 'hard but manageable'. So needless to say, once the day finally rolled around, I was not a happy camper. My mom was supposed to come with me but at the last minute decided it would be better for me to go on my own since she wouldn't be at college with me. Grrr! Despite the fact that you have to pay for these things and you have to pay extra if you plan on bringing a guest, my mom would not budge. She did have a point... but still! To this day, I strongly believe she and Jesus had had a talk at some point and he decided to give her a little sneak peak into what he had in store for me. 

So, there I was, riding solo up to Clemson. Once I got there, I was immediately homesick. The place was huge (there were about 3500 freshman that got accepted that year---which was actually lower than usual; and there are about 20,000 students enrolled each year), I wanted to be back home, making money, and everyone seemed like they'd already knew each other. Awesome. The Orientation Ambassadors, (which I later became one) shuffled us around from session to session and I kinda felt like I was going in slow motion. I couldn't believe I was being forced had to do this. This is stupid, I thought, I will never get anything out of it, I thought, I can not wait to get back home and withdraw my application yep, definitely withdrawing it and going to the University of South Carolina--I mean its practically in my backyard, I thought. (looking back I can kind of see God rolling on the floor laughing and shaking his head and my crazy thoughts). The last session of the first day, was inside of Tillman hall.


 Everyone was gathered outside waiting for it to start. All 250 of us. I saw this random guy kind sitting all alone on one of the steps outside and I thought well I might as well go talk to him so I can say I met at least one friend. But I am just going to say "hey" that's it. Nothing else. Then I will walk away. 
Well, I did say 'hey' and the guy looked up and I got butterflies. Yes. butterflies...He smiled and said 'hey how are you'. And we struck up a conversation that lasted the rest of the night, into the social that the ambassadors decided to put on for us. I found out he was from a tiny town and I was from a big city...that we were born during the same month of the same year only 13 days apart...and that his mom had decided that very same morning that she didn't want to attend the orientation either. Creepy. (insert God nodding his head saying be still, I got this ;)).  The social ended at about 11 pm and at the end of it we went our separate ways. That was it. I remember thinking wow, I didn't even get his phone number...oh well.

Welp, I didn't withdraw my application and began my Freshman year that August. Keith and I lived on two opposite ends of campus and only saw each other maybe 3 times out of the entire year. We'd see each other in passing and it was kind of like 2 ships passing in the night. Fast forward to sophmore year, Keith just so happened to be living in an apartment with 2 of my very, very best guy friends..and I thought what a coincidence. When we finally spoke it was kinda like picking up where we left off. We started dating that very same August and have been inseparable ever since.





Keith and I ofter talk about the 'what ifs': What if our moms did decide to come with us? What if I had followed through and transferred back home? What if God wouldn't have intervened and forced our paths to cross? Crazy. I could not imagine life without this guy. We balance each other out for sure.  He stays up late with me, and is always willing to give me a good pep talk whether I agree or don't agree {which, if I'm being honest, I rarely ever do :) } and is always understanding...especially when I am running off fumes and decide to take my tiredness out on him ;).  Since we began dating,  we have both graduated from Clemson with engineering and biology degrees, have adopted one sweet fur baby and have had so many adventures. Of course our relationship is far farrr from roses and daffodils. We definitely have our ups and downs just like the next couple but through everything I am so glad we continue to put each other second and God first.




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Monday, February 16, 2015

#Iconfess

Happy Monday y'all!
Today I am so excited to be linking up with E and Heather  to confess some of my most recent epic fails challenging moments. Be sure to check out their lists too! :)
~ONE~
#Iconfess, I did not get a lottery ticket last week. I kinda feel like I'm the only person in America who didn't. Even though the powerball jackpot was super high.
 ~TWO~

Last month, Keith and I went out for my birthday to a swanky little restaurant in downtown Charleston called Michael's on the Alley. And a couple of awkward moments happen to us that night: 
  1.  This little candle was pretty much our only light #awkward or romantic...depending on how you look at it I suppose. 
  2. Overall, it was a pretty good experience.  HOWEVER, it took forever and 10 days to get our food! Really it took about an hour. Not even kidding. We watched as everyone around us got their yummy looking food. And I'm sure they saw us looking #awkward.
  3. Keith had ordered a filet and I ordered a NY strip. So when the waiter finally brought it out we were ready to eat with out even really looking at it. (After all, it was almost pitch black inside)  We both looked down at our food and started giving it some major side eye. I looked down and thought, hmm.. I know its super dark in here but this totally does not look like a New York strip. Then I look over at Keith who is already cutting in to his steak and giving it the same expression I was giving mine. We called the waiter over, who swore up and down and around the world that these were in fact our steaks and all we needed to do was try them. Meanwhile, the couple at the next table over is giving us some major 'what the what' looks haha. Our poor waiter came back 5 seconds later, red as a beet saying this in fact was not our food, it was instead the couple's next to us.  Actually, mine was not even a steak but rather a sword fish filet. #awkward.Despite the fact that Keith had already cut into his we had to give it up to the couple next to us, the ones who were shooting daggers at us with their eyes. #Iconfess I wasn't sure how to feel at that point but I did feel really bad about the poor waiter and the fact that I didn't even realize I was about to eat a completly different food group
~THREE~ 
#Iconfess he struggle is real in the mornings for me. Some mornings are better than others. The other day I was running super late to class so I decided to make breakfast on the go. In a cup.


~FOUR~ 
#Iconfess I can not get this sweet boy to take a good picture with me! This picture is post birthday celebration. Almost every picture I take with Cubby looks just like this. He sits still until we pull out the camera then he takes off. sigh He's so photogenic. :) 

Tomorrow I will be sharing the story of how Keith and I met. Here's a little hint, it had something to do with super hot, super sticky July day at Freshman orientation.
 Stay tuned :)
I hope y'all have a good week!


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Thursday, February 12, 2015

La Clinica Gratis

My school is big on service and each year we have an allotted amount of community service hours we have to get. Last week a few of my classmates and I went to volunteer at a free clinic near our school called La Clinica Gratis. Before starting pharmacy school, I had never been to a free clinic before. This one is unique because it is for both Spanish speaking and English speaking patients. The professor who we were shadowing spoke both Spanish and English and I was so grateful.

That door led into the counseling area where each patient would come in and sit down and we'd get to tell them about their medications. This was my favorite part. I love being able to practice what I'm learning in school and the patients are so nice. Many of them have been coming to the free clinic for a long time and know their medications backwards and forwards but they still let us counsel them. :) Also, having my professor their, who is already a pharmacist took some of the pressure off knowing that she'd correct us if we were unsure about something. 

The waiting area


It even had a little children's corner :)

 Behind the counseling area was an actual office set and ready for medical exams. 


I love being able to volunteer and give back but especially going to places such as La Clinica Gratis.

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Friday, February 6, 2015

First blog award :)


Ok so this post has been a long time coming. I was nominated for the Leibster award by one of my sweet friends from Clemson a couple weeks ago but life has be so crazy that I am just getting around to publishing it haha!  Be sure to check out her blog here. Thanks so much Brenley!

This is an award being passed around to upcoming bloggers. Here are the rules: 
  • Acknowledge and thank the blog who nominated you.
  • Post the award image on your blog.
  • Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
  • List 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Nominate some blogs to receive the award.
  • Let the bloggers know that you nominated them.
  • Give them 11 questions to answer.
Questions:
 -One-
What made you decide to start a blog?
I love to write! More on this in a few weeks y'all will have to stay tuned :) 
-Two- 
What is the most rewarding thing about blogging? 
The blogging community is huge and I love it! I have really enjoyed meeting new people, reading their stories, being able to relate to them. 
 -Three-
What is the most challenging part of being a blogger?
More on this in the upcoming post. I'm a tease, I know hehe :)  
-Four-
What is your favorite thing to cook?
Since I am not the best cook in the world, I love anything that involves being in the kitchen with my mama. She usually is there to talk me through whatever we're making and it comes complete with a story or ten about that one time she burnt something or another :) My favorite thing we make is Banana Pudding. Yum!
-Five-
What is your favorite movie of all time?
The Help 
Love this movie! The book is even better. 

-Six-
Which holiday is your favorite?
Easter. There is nothing better than celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. So thankful he died so that I could live.  Although Christmas comes in at a pretty close second.
-Seven-
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
A pediatrician or a teacher
-Eight-
What would be your dream job now?
A pharmacist :)
-Nine- 
What is your favorite dessert?
Brownies! 
-Ten-
 If you could travel anywhere, where would that be?  
Australia! Dream destination  
-Eleven-
Who would you take along on your trip?
My sweet puppy Cubby! Because he'd be ready to go the fastest :)  

Random Facts about me
  1. I had perfect attendance from kinder all the way through 12th grade
  2. I hardly ever get sick...I won't say never but there has to be a really bad bug in order for it to catch me :) --that kinda explains number one.
  3. I played flute and piccalo in my high school's marching band
  4. My boyfriend Keith and I met at freshman Orientation 
  5. I am an extrovert
  6. I hate math..and it hates me
  7. I love to read
  8. My mom made me save up as much money as I could and agreed to match whatever I had in order for me to buy my car (Now that's what I call building character hahah)
  9. I have never been on a plane. 
  10. I didn't start wearing makeup until I was 23
  11. I love to talk! Seriously. At one point I thought I had a slight problem with talking so much :)
I am nominating


My Questions for you:

1)  What made you decide to start a blog?
2)   Who is your role model?
3)   What is the most challenging part of being a blogger?
4)  Where is your favorite restaurant?
5)   What is your favorite dessert?
6)   If you could take a trip to anywhere, where would it be?
7)   What are 3 things you can not live without?
8)  What is your favorite Holiday?
9)   What is your favorite book?
10)  When your were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
11)  What would be your dream job now?

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Monday, February 2, 2015

Favorite Costumes from Miss Universe 2015


Last night was the Super Bowl and man what a game! We had a little get together for the game and I took zero pictures ha! But I love being able to get together with family and friends and talk about the game and commercials. I loved them all. So since I didn't take any pics from this Sunday, I thought I'd recap the Miss Universe pageant from last Sunday :)
I love pageants. I love the glitz and glam and especially the stories that come with many of the contestants. Up until my sophomore year at Clemson, I participated in several pageants and even won a few which was always pretty exciting. Last Sunday, the Miss Universe pageant came on and I was genuinely impressed by the costumes. I love the opening numbers and getting to see each woman represent her country and this year was no exception. It seemed to me that they stepped up the game for the costumes this year. Here are a few of my favorites...
Jevon King//Miss Trinidad and Tobago. 
This girl rocked this! It was so colorful and vibrant 
Photo: Johnny Louis/Getty Images
 Josefin Donat//Miss Germany
This one was probably my ultimate favorite. When she opened up the cape, and said her introduction, the balloons also starting floating away! Love.
Photo:  Larry Marano/Getty Images
 Miss Guatemala// Ana Montufar Urrutia. 
Gorg!

Not all of the contestants had super elaborate costumes.
Photo:  Picture: AP Photo/J Pat Carter
 Zoe Metthez How cute is Miss Switzerland (Zoe Metthez) ?! Love!

 
Doron Matalon//Miss Israel  
 I loved Miss Israel's dress. Super simple and elegant.

Let me just say I. admire. these. girls! Seriously. I can not imagine being in a swim suit with millions watching. Each year we watch, and each year I am envious of these girls and their seemingly perfect figures! I use the term 'perfect' loosely because it was so interesting to see what each country's definition of 'beauty' is. Some of the contestants were skinny and some weren't; some had long hair while others had short. This is one of the reasons I absolutely adore these types of pageants becuase they seem to encourage the contestants to be themselves. I love it that the organization as a whole encourages the contestants to come as they are so they can exhibit their natural beauty rather than getting caught up in all the inevitable fluff that presents itself.

 
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