who's soonger??

Tuesday, November 7th.

Soonger's been busy as of late! Over the weekend, I had to dedicate time towards our annual pharmacy variety show (aka the 'Phollies'). Each class council had to do a skit-- my class did a very perverted Dating Game. Two parts-- first half had 1 guy and 3 bachelorettes and the second half was 3 bachelors and a 6'2" guy in drag. It was pharmacy related questions-- something like, "What would be your prescription for love?" Some questions were cheesy but we spiced up some of the answers!

The cast party after the second night was cool. We went over to this place called the Bedford Ballroom on Bloor St. Nice place-- very comfy feel to it. I couldn't stay late for my class had a midterm on Monday!

On Sunday, I had to put together my group's write up on Parkinson's for our therapeutics class on Wednesday. We couldn't find problems with the people's drug regimen so we made our report based upon medicines used. I know there will be a bunch of people in the class who will be pissed. Oh well... After that, I had to run over to Roberts Field for an ultimate frisbee game. Our team made playoffs so I had to represent. Of course we had to play the #1 ranked team in the other division. We got our arses kicked-- 12-0. It was contested but very lop-sided.

Yesterday morning was the exam. I stayed up quite late preparing for it. So much reading material over so little time. Well, when the dust settled, I figured I did somewhat okay. I figure I did no worse than the average student in the class. We'll see how he marks it.

In the evening, I was split between two venues. First, the OPA (Ontario Pharmacists' Association) came out to recruit us claiming the benefits of joining their organization. The president, Sal Cemino, came to pay a visit. He's from Windsor and I worked with him over at South Windsor a few times.

Afterwards, I went over to the Delta Chelsea for the annual CSHP (hospital pharmacists) awards night. My team won the poster competition and CSHP donated the prize-- free registration to PDW (professional development weekend for pharmacy students) next January as well as air fare! Great to schmooze with people. Good food there as well!

Today, I got my grad pictures taken today. I can't believe how fast and easy it was. They'll send me the proofs in 3 week's time. Then I can bring them home for mom to choose (if she so wants to purchase any...)

Tonight I have to attend a very brief meeting then I have to finish up a paper for my research course due on Wednesday. If I'm fast, I should be able to run over to the AC and go for a swim. Haven't done that in well over a month. Pants are starting to feel a little snug so I'd better get back on the health kick...

Tomorrow I have the Shoppers banquet for fourth years. They'll be schmoozing us for employment opportunities in the near future. Also they will hold interviews at the end of the month. I feel no pressure from them-- after all, it is the associates who hire people and I know the good associates in Windsor. (I love having leverage over the corporation types...)

Other things I have in mind: I'd like to go for a couple more test drives before I go home to Windsor. I'd like to take a Lexus ES300, Audi A4 and a Nissan Maxima out before I go back home to Windsor to try out a Volvo S60.

Bad things happen in bunches

Saturday, November 18

Let me tell you that when things start to look a little brighter, they start to get worse. My last midterm was about a week ago and I've been relaxing for a bit. There were a couple of recruitment events I had planned last week that went as good as to be expected and so I was quite happy by that.

I was in such good spirits that I even thought about going home this weekend. Then I remembered that it was Charlene's birthday today-- she even went out of her way to give me a personal invitation (much to her chagrin) so me bailing on her would have not been cool. Also had to attend a soccer game-- our men's intramural soccer team was in the championships against our bitter rivals-- dentisry!

To make a long story short-- my friend's father passed away yesterday evening. My friend Mike called me this morning at 8:30 to tell me. My friend in pharmacy-- she just found out a very young close relative may have Crohn's disease. That is some bad news in such a short period of time!

I tried calling my friend but apparently he and his wife are on their way back home to Windsor. I'll try to call the residence some time tomorrow or the day after. They are going through so much right now. I think it's best that they take care of each other for the time being. It's unfortunate, but I don't think I can make it down for the funeral-- they guy was so young-- I don't even think he was 50. Goes to show you how fragile life really is...

Midweek Madness

Wednesday, November 22.

Let me tell you it's been quite a crazy day. Stayed up late yesterday to do work on my take-home portion of my practical exam (professional practice) and had to read up on chronic renal failure. Stayed up pretty late for my group was being called up for questioning.

Rolled out of bed this morning around 8:15 for breakfast and a shower. Then I had to make sure everything was cool for lunch. First, I had therapeutics class. I entered as class announcements were being made and I realized that I was the only person in my group there! Well, in a matter of 2 minutes, the other 3 members of my group who came in, arrived. That was quite disturbing at first. As the class progressed, I noticed that our facilitator for CRF was ignoring our group (we are in competition with other groups on this topic-- this way our prof encourages people to attend and answer questions for marks!)

Let me tell you that not being picked by the facilitator is one of the most frustrating things in the world. She would see that we want to answer the questions but intentionally does not want to pick us, even though no one wanted to answer the question... argh! Two other groups got the lion's share of the answers. I spoke to our professor about what happened (she was there) and she will take that into consideration.

Lunch time was sponsored by a chain drug store. It was their recruitment luncheon. They were not very prepared. What are you going to do? It's seems like deja-vu-- a pair of presenters earlier last week didn't seem all that impressive, either.

Tomorrow-- I have my assignment due as well as finishing up that health systems report due on Friday before I go home. Thursday also is my test drive day-- I just called them now and they said it's going to be busy during the afternoon. Just called Janet and she told me she'll go if I go. I'll speak to my friend Patrick to see if he still wants to go or not. Lots to think about.

Have a lunch to attend on Friday. It coincides with a lecture I scheduled with the people in charge of the written portion of the licensure exam. What to do? I have to attend the lunch to meet my preceptor for the Toronto hospital.

My train ticket is purchased to go home this weekend. I told home the train will arrive Fri night @ 8pm (scheduled) but I don't expect it to roll into town until 8:30 to be on the safe side. This weekend I have to do a little reading-- have a test on Monday which I'm not very concerned about. It's open book and no one fails it.

Week of Recruiters

Thursday, November 23.

Allow me to say it's been a week of hectic events! Monday was the American chain stores Rite-Aid and K-Mart corporations. It was over at the Hart House and there was quite a number of people interested in what they had to say (and offer!). I was more impressed by the K-Mart presentation. It was a shame that most people stayed for the Rite-Aid presentation, ate the free pizza and then left. I found the K-Mart people to be much friendlier, not to say that the Rite-Aid people weren't nice people. I'll probably go over to the States some time next year to check out their facilities. Plus I now have a contact in the Rite-Aid corporation actually working in one of their Livonia stores-- friend of friend.

On Wednesday, I wrote about my multiple events. I was shocked to hear about the PharmaPlus presentation that I missed. My classmates who went were shocked to see what kind of numbers they had to offer. Well, I'm glad they told me-- it provides me with much insight into what I have to look forward to. Plus it gives me a little leverage with what I can ask (and expect) when I return to Windsor.

Today I went for my interview with a national chain grocery store. The people were very friendly and straightforward. I answered things very politically correctly, so I think they'll be contacting me very quickly. There's no way I will be signing any sort of contract with anyone without seeking the advice of family and a lawyer. Plus it's much too early in the game to be thinking about working for someone FULL-TIME. There's a lot of people who want to talk to myself and my classmates. There's a lot of money being thrown around now-- let the dust settle and see what companies have to offer.

The talk I had organized for tomorrow has been cancelled due to the person having layngitis. I have to find an alternate time next week. Great!

Good to be home...

Saturday, November 25.

Got up at my usual 8-8:15 wake up time. Did some readings (old snail-mail) last night until 1 since I couldn't go to sleep around 12. What did I do? Let's see... got up and brushed my teeth. (good start) Went downstairs to the kitchen and read a little of the newspaper (National Post) with my mom.

Then I went outside to take the dog out for his visit to the backyard. He just peed at his usual spots. Then I went on the 'net to check for songs. Got my brother his silly Ricky Martin song. Will put it on a CD in December when I bring my computer back. Also found a couple more tunes for my dad with his classic 70's tunes he so enjoys.

Went and picked up Mike to go test driving this morning around 10. We went over to the local Volvo dealership and the guy over there passed the keys off to me and off we went. The car is not the same one as I'm looking for-- the demo car is the base model (168 hp). I'm interested in the turbo-charged engine (T5). The passing power of the base is not that bad but lacks pep. The S60 handles much differently than my mom's S70. For the better? It's different but still a nice ride. I was a little surprised at it. It was exciting. The T5 has 248 horsepower-- a beast of an engine. We also went over to the BMW dealer since my brother is interested in the 325xi (4 wheel drive). It's about the same $$$ as the Volvo S60 but has the extra-pretencious moniker to it.

Still haven't had a chance to go out with the fellas yet. We're doing that this evening. I'll page my brother, who will be attending an event over at the Windsor Racetrack. Don't know why he's going but he's going out (which is good).

Since I've been home, I did eat a very nice dim sum lunch. My bro paid (tax deductible). My mom had to go grocery shopping. Then my bro and I went to the mall. I got my Secret Santa buddy her stinky $10 gift cert from Famous players. She can go see a movie on me. Still haven't found anything for Steph yet.

Went to Shoppers Drug Mart (my X-mas job) to pay a visit. Needed to pick up my pictures. Also some other things commonly found in a pharmacy. (No need for details, don't you think?) I also spoke to Alka this afternoon-- she spent an hour on the phone telling people to write-up stuff for the yearbook. She also told me about the Eaton's experience (or lack thereof). For those not from Toronto, it was the grand-reopening of one of the largest department stores in Canada. It's pricey in there, isn't it? The current ads are aimed towards yuppie-upper class people. Guess they're trying to attract the people who would shop at the upscale stores like A/X.

Well, that's about it. My mom is cooking this evening. Should get off the telephone now. Imran tried calling me this afternoon while I was out and now I should try and return his call.