who's soonger??

Back in Windsor

Tuesday, May 16th.

After a long absence, I am back in Windsor. Gave myself only 1 day to relax and unpack from Toronto to start up working. You know what the worst part is? I'm not getting paid!

While I've been in town, I've tried to get back to life at home. It's a good thing-- after a while, rez life can really stink. Home is where all my stuff is. Plus... I can get a good night's rest without a bunch of 19 yr old punks waking me up in the middle of the night.

Also have been trying to fix up this pathetic webpage. The code is in the rough but I'm working on my personal scans page. To those Cindy fans, you'll have to apologize. I haven't been collecting and scanning every issue with Cindy just on the cover isn't worth it. After all, I'm without PAY for this month. Wait until June for me to afford to buy magazines.

Hope you like what I've posted so far. This whole website is long overdue for a complete makeover...

First day on the job...

Saturday, May 20th.

Well... it was my first day on the Claritin job. The day started rather early-- my bro took off for SF this morning at 6. Luckily, I didn't have to drive over to the airport so I slept in. Did manage to wake my sorry butt up at 10 to get a badly needed haircut.

Due to inflationary pressures, the cost of a haircut at the barber (NOT hairstylist) costs $10 in Windsor. Keep in mind, I don't allow any barber to cut my hair-- only the same Italian barber that's been clipping my hair since I was 14. The cost is not an issue-- he cuts it right every time and quickly.

For lunch, my aunt over in the east end invited us over for a Singaporean / Malaysian treat-- poh-peah. Basically, it's equivalent to a Chinese version of a soft taco. The main difference-- the ingredients are mainly vegetarian with some shredded fish cake as toppings.

I was able to rush back to my house, get changed and get my gear ready to my first site-- University Mall. It's down the road from my house so getting there wasn't a problem. Didn't take long for me to setup my booth and have the literature and samples all laid out nice and pretty.

The number of patrons visiting the Shopper's was steady. I did speak to several American people (the dead giveaway for people from Michigan: they say dallar as to opposed to dollar). The pharmacists on duty were very flexible with what I was allowed to counsel people on. Perhaps it was the fact I come from U of T that gave me a shred of credibility... In any case, I am confident I didn't B.S. too many people and none of the advice / recommendations I made could have killed any one. The key: I asked if they had any allergies to meds and if I wasn't confortable, I would have them see the pharmacist...

I look forward to doing more sites in the future-- looks like a fun job so as long as I follow the script. If the pharmacy I visit is dead, then I guess I'll have to schmooze with the pharmacist for a job next year!

Also have to assign some time to help out a friend fix up her computer. It was 3 years ago (the time we were both accepted into pharmacy) that I last touched that computer. Looks like it's time that a complete overhaul is performed. Hope Renee will have everything all backed up before I come over and format the hard drive.

Things on the agenda to do: actually fix the pages as opposed to saying I would fix things, write some e-mail to the peeps in T.O., make some serious stock purchases if prices continue to decline, update my school computer.

Webpage fixed!

Monday, May 22nd.

A happy Victoria Day to the Canadians out there. And a happy Memorial Day to the Yankees out there. A rather uneventful day in Chez Soong. I did some major repairs to this webpage. I have converted all the main scans pages to the new format. I did like the old layout (a template from the Internet Explorer 3 days) but it was time to make use of the new HTML standard.

Take a look and see at Geocities did it. I like it-- I hope you like it too!

Over the weekend, I had a chance to write some friends who I've neglected to contact in a couple of weeks. Have yet to hear from a few of them. I did receive a very humourous e-mail from my friend, Charlene. It was in response to a personals ad that I stumbled across late one evening and I thought she would appreciate it as much as I did! If you are the least bit curious what I found, take a look at this!!!

My plans for this evening, I have to cut the front lawn grass. My aunt was kind enough to help my dad out with some of the layout of the plants in front, so I have to do the finishing touches by giving the lawn a long deserved cut. I think once that's done, it'll rain so that I don't have to worry about watering...

Hospital rotation...

Wednesday, May 24th.

My first day in a hospital setting was a good experience. It was a world of difference compared to that of the community setting. I was early (for a change) and the director spoke to me for about a half hour. I've known him since high school-- he was in OAC when I was in grade 9. He also knows my brother when my brother covered a walk-in clinic-- he would work the pharmacy. He's put on some weight since I last saw him a couple years back. I told him that his wife must be taking good care of him!

The pharmacist taking me in was a former faculty member back at U of T. Christine is trying to incorporate me into the pharmacy program at the hospital. My day was full of new activities-- going upstairs to the floor observing drug therapy (such as TPN -- total parenteral nutrition) and resolving non-formulary drug orders.

I took an hour lunch break (I'm getting too used to this!) so I went to the Penalty Box for its city-famous "Chicken Delight"-- it's chicken breast chunks stuffed in a pita with veggies, served with side-fries.

There was enough time for me to go over to the Chrysler dealership across the street to take a look at the lot. I picked up a brochure on the new Intrepids. Personally I like the Sebring better but there was no printed information for me to pick up. I did not like the fact that I was not approached by one sales representative. That's the last time I go to that place for my business! (As if I would lower myself and purchase an American car...)

The rest of the afternoon was spent downstairs in the basement (where the pharmacy is located) where they sign off on all the prescriptions. I also did a little research on the Micromedex database comparing efficacy and safety of Adalat and captopril to control post-partum hypertension. (FYI: they are both safe to use in a breast-feeding mother...) I can see why people are attracted to work in a hospital pharmacy-- you can actually see where you can apply your knowledge in everyday activities. This contrasts the feelings expressed by the pharmacist that I met last Saturday on my Claritin allergy day.

Tomorrow-- it's more of the same thing. I was supposed to go see the premiere of Mission: Impossible 2 tonight but I almost forgot that I have to meet up with my preceptor to reflect on what I've done and what I have left to do to wrap up my SPT rotation!

One week to go...

Friday, May 26th.

One more week of SPT and I can start making money!!! I have to honestly say, it's been quite a good learning experience. Sure, there are some crappy activities and questions you have to research and do but in the most part, it makes you think. Depending on your work environment and your preceptor, what you learn from this training is dependent on your willingness to participate and perform.

I can say that I am not a superstar, on any aspect, but I think I can handle my own for the most part. This week, I was in the hospital for a couple of days. The pharmacist who I followed was a former teacher so her way of questioning me and showing me the ropes was geared towards me. The experience was so good that I can say that the world of hospital pharmacy looks positive compared to the initial negative attitude I once had.

I spent Wednesday and Thursday in the hospital. I think I wrote on Wednesday. Thursday was a continuation of Wednesday-- I sat in on hospital rounds-- it was an interesting talk on the various patients. I also ran into a high school classmate's mother-- she's a chaplain and it was good seeing her. I didn't recognize her at first-- she recognized me.

Friday, I was back in the community pharmacy. That was quite a day-- lots for me to do. Lots of transfers and my preceptor had me counselling patients on a multitude of medicines. As opposed to telling me what to say, he asked me what the meds are for and what I should think about with respect to side effects and onset of action. Next week, I'm promoted to performing more counselling with a feedback sheet.