A Hike!

Ok so today I realized how out of shape I am. It was crazy. I went for a hike with like 20 people from the hospital and they all made it to the top of the second mountain but I only made it up the first, down the first and them back up the first. They were in great shape. I was totally impressed. So I have decided that I need to get in better shape. Walking on straight inclines really doesn't help when you are going up a 2000 Ft plus mountain. But it was a really great experience and I met tons of people from the hospital that I would not have otherwise met.

I also picked up Laura (pharmacist) from the airport today. I saw Linda there as well and probably should have met Luke there too but he left before I could meet him. Then we tried to find some place to have dinner and they were all closed so we went back to Laura's and she made pizza. Don't get too excited, it was from a box.

Oh yeah one other weird thing that happened was that I ran out of glue last night. So I am thinking to myself while packing, I will bring lots of glue so that I don't have to buy some while I am in Alaska so I bought three sticks. Well, wouldn't ya know they were all almost out. So I had to go buy some today anyway. Hopefully my printer comes tomorrow:)

The hike was definitely the high light of my day. I am glad that people invited me. Everyone is so nice here.

Signing off!

I had fun today!

Today was pretty cool. I went to Church. Its called the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and its small only about 60 people were there and if we were new then we had to get up and say our names and where we were from. That was pretty cool. It was a good mass. The priest that presided at the mass was the archbishop of Anchorage. That was pretty cool, as I walked he stopped me and talked to me, he was very nice. There was a potluck after mass but I didn't go. Linda and Brooks (head pharmacist and his wife) didn't go and they were the only people that I knew there. Besides I didn't have anything to share so I decided not to go.

Then in the afternoon I went with Pat to Aleknagik Lake. It was so beautiful. To get there, you drive on the only road that leads anywhere and its like a 20 mile drive on a dirt-pothole filled road. But when you get there it's well worth it. The water was so blue and it just lapped at the mountains. Some of the mountains still had snow on them. But is was gorgeous today, atleast 60. I took lots of pictures, you will have to check those out.

Then I went on a nice walk, oh yeah, before I went on my walk I made pudding. I have been going through some weird cravings up here and that was just one of them, there has also been oreo's and cheese its. Don't forget about the ice cream that is an ever present craving. I had to buy some but I was good and I bought the sugar free kind.

I also completed three scrapbook pages and plan to go home and do more of them. I cant wait for my printer it hopefully comes on Tuesday:)

Signing off!

Ummm....Today was pretty boring!

So not much happened today. I did get to talk to Laura and David today. I called David while he was at Laura's to wish Laura a happy birthday. I didn't think Laura would have her phone on her and I didn't have her home number with me in AK. I first called Mike but he didn't have service so I left a message. It was nice to talk to Laura and David. I do miss everyone loads!

Then I went into town today because I have Laura's (pharmacist) car. I went to the library and I know that doesn't sound that fun but its Dillingham there is not that much to do. It has a museum attached to it as well.
That is what I really went for. I wanted to learn more about the town that I am spending the next ten weeks in. I bought more postcards. I sent round one out...if you didn't get one it will be on round 2.

Then Pat and I (Pat is one of the engineering students) continued our journey in to ACE hardware. Where not only do they have power tools but also underwear, jewerly, and kids toys. Its one of those all inclusive shops. Its like a mall all in one store! That is live in AK.

Actually this is a good time to tell you all about Downtown Dillingham. I am 7 miles away from the town at the hospital. In town, there are pretty much two of everything, two Chinese food restaurants, two grocery stores, two hardware stores, two gas stations, etc. There are no malls or anything resembling a mall. There are no clothing stores and no roads out of the town. The only way to get supplies into the town is to ship them in on a barge or to fly them in. Both pretty expensive. Thus why it costs $8 for a cantaloupe!

Oh one more thing...Rich I need help with my computer. I cant watch DVD's. Something about it windows 2000 not being compatible with my driver. Any thoughts???

Signing off!

And I thought yesterday was busy!

So today was even busier because it was the Friday of a 3 day weekend. It is also graduation in town and the last day of school. The ER should be fun tonight. I feel bad that Mike (med student) is on call. I also got to discharge a patient today. It took like two hours because I had to call anchorage to verify some of his meds and such. It was a great experience.

Then Laura and I went to town to have Chinese food and pick up her car. It just came off the barge. She had it shipped from Seattle. She bought which I was very happy and very thankful for. She is also letting me use her car which I am thrilled about. I don't know what I will do this weekend but the possibilities are more broad with the car as an option. I hope someone asks me to do something.

So I just got back from a two hour walk, I went and walked on the beach and took tons of pictures. They came out pretty good. The sky was still kinda cloudy but it was nice to take pictures. I also got some of my house and the hospital.

Last night I worked on my scrapbook some. You should see my floor, it is covered with stuff I want to put in. I cant wait to show Laura (URI Laura).

Well Signing off!

Busy Day

So today was pretty busy. I don't know if I mentioned it but I had to do a presentation today. There was a diabetes clinic here at the hospital and Luke one of the pharmacists who normally does the presentation was not here so I offered to do it. I had a great time and really got to explain some things to people. They seemed to appreciate it. The really cool think is that I am communicating with people who speak a different language. Some of these people, the elders, don't speak much English. They have their own language. I cant for the life of me remember what it is called but it is an awesome experience. It is also a challenge when you have to use small words and work through a translator thought. But overall the presentation came out well. I was even asked to do more of these presentations at Grandma's House which is a nursing home/assisted living home.

So today we also lost a technician. She decided to leave the pharmacy. Apparently there was a lot of stuff going on before I came and I just kinda walked into it. So, we will be hiring a new technician soon. Just in time for our other technician to leave as well. So let me tell you a little bit about the people that I work with. There are three pharmacist Brooks, the manager, Luke and Laura. Then there are two technicians Lisa and Ronya. Lisa's husband just got a job in Naknek (a village) and is moving in the middle of June and Ronya is the tech that left today. But they apparently already have some interest in the job from other people around the hospital. So in about two weeks we will have a replacement. I liked Ronya, she taught me a lot before she left which I am thankful for. I only wish I had paid more attention so I could do more of what she did.

Laura and I went into town tonight to get groceries. Well she bought and I watched mostly. Its pretty expensive here. We also bought gas. Hang on to your hats, it was $3.50. I know wicked expensive. But its Alaska, you have to expect that. I also bought some wheat Ritz and some cheese for a light evening snack. The food at the hospital leaves something to be desired but it could me much worse and for that I am thankful.

Well that is the scope for right now. Signing off!

Lets go take a steam!

Hi All, Its about 10 PM here and I just got back from Brooks and Linda's house. Brooks is my boss. I went to there house for a steam. A steam is a long standing Native Alaskan tradition where you go into a cedar filled room that is about 200 degrees and you just sit there and keep pouring water on yourself. Its like the Alaskan tea time/social hour. It was amazing, my back feels wonderful and I am very relaxed. Apparently, its a must do! So I did, and will do again I am very sure.

Work was very good today. Tomorrow I am doing a powerpoint presentation on Diabetic medications to a group of patients. Luke, one of the pharmacists normally does this but he is away. We didn't even have the disks to do the presentation so I had to make the whole thing up today. It was very interesting, actually I cant wait for tomorrow to see how it comes out.

The sun came out today and stayed out for the first time since I have been here. It was wonderful to be outside. It definitely does not almost feel like 11 pm.

That's all for now...Write more soon

My first couple of days

So I decided this would be the easiest way to make a journal of all of the things that I am doing here in Alaska. You can talk back to me and tell me what you think and then I can always have this to remember my trip by. So more to come soon.