Back to the real world

So I had to go back to working in the pharmacy today.  I got up early because I wanted to print off come pictures to bring into work.  I went to rounds for the first time in a while.  We had five patients I could not believe it.  Then we went back to the pharmacy and waited for the coffee cart to come.  I really needed coffee.  So we had our coffee break and then we had a Quaker meeting.  "Its a Maine thing" I was told.  No more talking, no more fun, now the Quaker meeting has begun.  So we had our meeting.  Nothing important happened. 

Then I went to lunch and ate with Reed Thompson the Dentist, Bill and Bill's mom.  That was fun, I got to meet Bill's mom!  She was a very nice woman.  I almost even got the recipe for beer battered halibut from Reed.  Almost being the key word.  I will try again tomorrow.  Then I went back to work and finished the afternoon.  Nothing interesting happened.  But I was kinda sad.  No one asked me to do anything with them tonight.  I hope its just because they thought that I needed to pack but honestly, I really wanted to do something with people.  I am going to miss everyone!  But I guess its for the better. 

After work, I took out a vehicle and headed to Stout's house.  I needed to get my fish so that I could pack it tomorrow and not have to worry about it.  Its going to be a long day tomorrow but it should be fun.  I will get to spend some time in anchorage and that will be really fun!  So I went to Stout's and picked up the fish and then I went to the grocery store and got something for dinner. I missed it in the dining hall.  I wasn't too keen on eating it anyway.  Then I came home and got rid of the trash in my apartment and returned the car.  I made dinner and came here to write this blog.  I had better get back.  I have so much to do!

Signing off!

Leaving for our village visit

So I got up early today to get all of my stuff packed and then to go weigh my suitcase.  I was worried that it would be too heavy and it was so I had to take a few things out but I will get them into the other suitcase I am sure.  I hope.  So Laura and I left for the airport with Luke at 8:25 and then once we got to the airport and checked in and changed my name.  They had me listed as Kim Braley.  They sent us to Levelock first before we went to King Salmon.  The air strip that we landed on was a gravel one and the people that got off of the airplane that was only 8 seats including the two pilots got on ATV's and went home.  Small village Alaska!  Then we went on to King Salmon.  This is actually a larger airport than Dillingham and that is because there are so many tourists that fly in and out of King Salmon. 

Then we had Roland the health aid at King Salmon pick us up at the airport.  We went to the clinic and did our clinic checks.  We had to check outdated medications, the controlled substance log and just talk to the health aids.   Roland was nice but we did get yelled at about the clinics not receiving drugs on time.  But that whole system is kinda screwed up.  Then we had Roland drive us to Naknek.  It was about 15 miles down the road.  He gave us the "grand tour" it took about a minute or so.  He dropped us of at Al and Lou's B&B.  They put us in the trailer.  Yeah you heard me right a trailer.  It was a 70's style trailer.  Kinda funny but hey it worked.  Then Laura and I walked to D&D's restaurant and had lunch.  We were starving and needed to escape the rain.  It was good, I had a French dip.  Then we walked back to the B&B and called the Naknek clinic to come and pick us up so that we could check their clinic. 

The Naknek clinic was the best that we saw.  It was the neatest and the cleanest.  Caroline was very nice but did complain about us as well.  So I was kinda getting used to this.  We chatted for a while and then got a ride to the Cami clinic.  We just wanted to kinda see the operation and meet the people there.  We were also trying to set up appointments for tomorrow so that we could do pill counts for a couple of people.  This was a challenge but we did it.  Then we went back to the B&B and took a nap.  We woke up at about 8 and went to get something to eat.  We went to The Red Dog Inn.  Laura and I ate dinner there.  I had a cheeseburger.  It was good.  Then we were about to have an Alaskan Amber but they were all out.  So we decided to go to a bar that had the amber. 

We went to the fisherman's inn and they had Alaskan Amber.  Which was a good thing.  Laura and I sat down and had a beer and then we played some pool.  Well I tried to play pool.  It was not the prettiest sight.  Then the waiter from the other bar and one of the customers from the other bar walked in.  coincidence I think not!  So we played pool with them for a while.  Then another two guys walked in and we ended up playing pool with them too.  Laura and I didn't get home until late but we had fun. 

Signing off!

The last potluck and Mass

So today was a pretty lazy day.  It was raining all day.  That made me sad but it was good in a way too because I got to stay in my PJ's all day.  I have not done that in so long.  Today I started to pack and tonight I have to finish packing atleast one of my suit cases.  I have to give it to Luke's parents tomorrow.  I also have to pack for my camping trip that I am going on this Monday thru Wednesday.  So I have lots to do tonight. 

I did get a call from my Aunt Connie and she as it turns out is staying in Maine until I get there.  Which I am definitely excited about.  She lives in CT but I have not talked to her in forever.  So that is totally cool.  Then I talked to My Aunt Nancy and she said that I was invited to my welcome home party.  I am glad to be invited to my own party!!!!  I am excited to go home for those reasons and am greatly looking forward to seeing everyone.  If anyone wants to come to my welcome home party, they are more than welcome.  Its on Sunday, Aug 1st.  Email me for directions. 

Then I talked to Laura about our trip more and watched Hope Floats.  Yes I know what you all are thinking but had not seen it in forever.  Then I had to change out of my PJ's because it was time for Church.  We had a potluck and I brought Crackers and Cheese...I didn't feel like cooking on this lazy afternoon. 

So I stayed at the potluck until 7 and it was very nice.  I got to chat with a bunch of people and the food was wicked good.  I definitely enjoyed it.  Then I came back here and am typing this email.  Then I need to go home and pack.  When I drove into the parking lot, I saw that Laura's car was in the front of the hospital and so I was curious and was looking at the hospital and not where I was going and I almost hit a no parking sign.  That would have been very bad.  But I stopped in time.  Hopefully no one saw me! 

Oh by the way, I will try to keep my posts up the clinics have internet. 

Signing off!

3 new things today....I didnt think it was possible!

So i got up early today because there was a chance that I would go on a hike today and I wanted to get breakfast incase I missed lunch.  So I came over to the hospital and wrote yesterday's blog. Then I went back home and read my book for the next three hours.  But I recieved three phone calls in that three hours.  One was from Holly.  It was really nice to talk to her and then the second was from Aaron and he said that we were hiking at 2 and then Laura called and wanted to know if I wanted to go into town.  I said sure! 

So we went to the postoffice.  I had to drop a package off for my Niece Sara, so Susan if you are reading this it should be there in 3 to 4 days.  But before we went to the postoffice we stopped at a garage sale.  I got a cooler.  I was going to either buy one in town or I was going to ask Brooks if I could borrow one of his and mail it back to him but this works out perfectly.  It was only 5 dollars.  Then we went to the farmers market where I had never been before.  I didnt pick up anything but Laura did.  Then we went to another garage sale but didnt buy anything there.  Then we hunted for Val's coffee cart.  I thought that it might be in town but it was not.  Then we checked the airport and it was there.  Very cool.  I got to meet Val's daughter and she kinda reconized me.  I had never met her before but I her mom described me to her Nathan her brother.  He and I are both 23 and Val told me that she wishes her son was graduating pharmacy school in less than a year.  But anyway the coffee was wicked good. 

Then I came home and changed to go hiking.  We hiked Snake Lake Mountain elevation 1585.  It was a fun hike and I have lots of amazing pictures to show for it.  The valley's behind the mountains are amazing.  I cant believe that they exist and are so close to the hosptial.  Then we continued on that road and went to Snake Lake itself.  That was so beautiful.  The water with the mountains lapping at the shore line.  Then we came home.  I took a shower and had dinner.  Well not much of a dinner...nachos but I was not hungry at all.  Then I started to clean and pack all of my stuff up because I need to give Luke's parents my suitcase to take home.  I am very excited about that.  Less mailing for me!  And if I run out of room in my suitcase I think that I can put some stuff in the cooler as well.  Stuff that I dont care if it smells like fish or not!

Then I sat down to read a book, I was going to do some scrapbooking but the TV was not working so I decided to read instead.  I fell asleep so early.  It was good but I left my blinds open and my book was in my hand!

Signing off!

Party for Bill!

So I went to work this morning as usual.  I wasn't late or anything.  Good Job Kris!  It is always a challenge becasue I have been staying up so late.  I was actually up late reading.  Its not like I am doing amazing things.  I am just up late.  Its not time to go to bed when its still light out.  What am I going to do when it gets dark out at 8:30 at home.  Oh well...you take the good with the bad!  But the best thing happened at rounds yesterday.  Last night, a patient was found having sex in his hospital room with his wife.  He was drying out from a detox and everyone voted that if you can have sex you can go home!

I brought my scrapbook for this past year into work so that people could get a look at it.  Val and Ronya and Laura looked at it.  It was prefect for Laura.  I could point out all of the people that I talk about so much and she could put a face with the names.  Then Brooks looked at it and the only comment he made was about the Ryan Center.  He wanted to know what it was. 

Then Laura went to lunch.  So the plan was for Laura on her grand tour of Dillingham to stop by the grocery store and pick up a second cake mix.  Well that was the plan.  But as it turns out she forgot it.  So I went into town on my lunch hour to go get the mix.  Then I left right after work I went to Laura's and made the cake then I went home to change and get my camera.  I had to get  a picture of Bill's cake.  It was really really cool.  I put dental floss on it and then I put some toothbrushes on it.  We were celebrating Bill getting his liscence in AK.  You dont have to be liscences in AK to work for the hospital.  You just need to be liscenced somewhere, kinda like the VA. 

We went to Reed Thompson's house, he's a dentist.  We had deep fried Halibut with homemade tarter sauce and all kinds of other salads, dips, and fun stuff.  It was very nice.  He has a small house but we had alot of fun.  Those dentists are pretty funny.  Now you really wouldn't think that but they are.   Especially when you consider that I dislike my dentist greatly.  I am almost ready to have my teeth worked on up here becasue I like these dentists:)

Then I went home and did a few pages of the scrapbook and read for an hour.  I didnt get to bed until really really late!

Laura's Birthday

So I had this great gift for Laura.  I made a frame out of drift wood and then put our picture in it.  It came out so well!  I was really proud of it.  Then I put it in a box and had John the mail man bring it over like I got a package.  It was awesome.  She was so excited.  Laura really liked her gift. 

Then Laura and I went to do outdates in the ER and they needed to do a conscience sedation.  So I started to do some research and Brooks said go watch.  So I did.  I spent like three hours in the ER.  They sedated the person and then relocated the arm.  It took three tries.  Make sure that if I ever break a bone that they knock me out!  It looked really really really (yeah that's three really's) painful.  But it was nice to hang out.  I was  talking to Allison, Aaron, and Stout.  It was a good learning experience. 

Then I came back to the pharmacy and filled a few prescriptions.  Reed Thompson stopped by, he is a dentist.  We are planning a gathering to celebrate Bill's passing his dentist test.  So it is tomorrow night at Reed's house.  Then it was time to go home, I asked Laura if she wanted to go out to dinner and she did.  So we went to Twin Dragon.  It was good.  I bought her dinner.  Then we when to grocery shopping to get all of the stuff for tomorrow night.  Laura and I decided to make a cake, deviled eggs, and taco dip.  Quite the combo I know!  But Reed is making fried halibut. 

We went back to Laura's to make the food.  We made everything but when we pulled the cake out of the pan it looked so small.  I don't know what happened.  So, Laura is going to grab another one when she goes into town tomorrow and I am going to make it during lunch.  Then we can frost the cake tomorrow night.  That will be fun. 

Now I am going to go home and work more on the scrapbook.  I cant wait until its done!!!!

Signing off!

Can you say scrapbook?

Ok, so today was such a lazy day.  I got up late and didn't get to work until almost 9.  I fell asleep without setting my alarm.  Shocker I know!  But we didn't even do anything really, it was such a slow day.  We did outdates all day.  I made a few IV's and that was about it.  Tomorrow is Laura's birthday and I was trying to figure out what to do for her.  She didn't seem to want to do anything.  She was really down.  So I just let her be. 

Then I went to dinner in the Caf..  It was nothing to be excited about but I was talking to Pat and she and I were talking about what to do with Laura's day.  I decided that I would have a party for her at my apartment.  I wanted to talk to Cher, she is a nurse so I held off making plans until I talked to her. 

Then I went home and worked on my scrapbook and I did absolutely nothing else.  I spent 6 hours working on it.  It is coming out good.  I have 25 pages of the Alaska one done.  I am working hard on it.

Signing off:)

Village visit!

Finally, today I planned everything.  I called and booked the campground, I called and booked the flight for Katami and then Brooks took care of the rest.  I was so happy! 

Work was ok today.  It was really slow and that is driving me nuts.  I want something to do but I want something interesting and its getting kinda boring.  But I have decided that I am going to ask Brooks for another case tomorrow.  I need some more excitement. 

I also found out that I am not going to New Stu with the diabetes educator anymore because of low water levels in New Stu.  But it was nice to get the opportunity to think about it.  Then I found out that Bingo was canceled.  They play bingo above the firestation on Tuesdays.  But they were paving the parking lot so bingo was canceled.  Oh well!

Then Laura and I made plans to go to Joan's house to look after the cat and do taebo and watch a movie but Joan's ex husband is back in town and he is staying there so our plans changed!  I decided that it was not my day to have plans.  So I went home and made some phone calls then I made Laura's Birthday gift.  It was a frame that I made out of drift wood and then I stuck a photo of us in it.  I think it looks great but I am not sure if it will hold up.  I did use super glue though.  We shall see.  Then I cut a bunch of pictures out that I printed on Sunday for my photo album.  I can't to be done with it but that probably will not be until after I get back to Maine.  The sticker portion will definitely not be done.  But we shall see on this as well.  Then I decided to come and write this.  I debated because I didn't really do anything fun but I decided that I had to keep the journal as accurate as possible.

I am off to finish Two Old Women
 
Signing off!

Berry Picking finally!

So I was not even going to come to the pharmacy today to write this email because I was feeling lazy.  But its a good thing I did.  I almost forgot that today was Monday and that I owe everyone an email of my happening this week.  So that is next on my agenda. 
 
I had so much planned last night and I got all of it done.  I was totally psyched.  I wanted to finish printing pictures for my scrapbook, finish the Wealthy Barber and start Two Old Women.  I got it all done.  I was so proud.
 
I got up early this morning and had time to do something to my hair.  Normally I either leave it down or I just tie the front of it up.  But I actually did my hair this morning.  Work was ok.  I am not going to lie, it was pretty tense.  You see Brooks came back from this vacation and we had a situation that needed to be dealt with.  As I mentioned when I was coming up here, I am supposed to go on a village visit and then I was supposed to go to Katami to visit the bears.  Well Luke's parents are in town and they want to go to Katami and visit the bears as well.  So in an effort to accommodate everyone Brooks' told Luke to get his parents and himself all set and then he would work our village visit around them.  Well, I was getting pretty worried about going and that we were not going to make it to the village.  Luke's mom called and made the arrangements for them.  They were going on Thursday.  So I called Brooks at home at like 4:30 and I asked him what that ment for Laura and I.  He said that we could go Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of next week.  Its a three day trip.  So we had four days to play around with which was good. 
 
When I got off the phone, Ronya said that he may pull me aside tomorrow and say something about me calling him at home.  I was getting really upset because I was feeling like the things that I was promised when I came out here were not going to happen.  That is why I needed to call him at home and I will tell him that.  I was hearing Laura who kept saying that we were not going to go and that was what was making me upset.  So I needed for my own sanity to call Brooks and talk to him about it.  I hope he is not mad.  I just have a different way of dealing with problems then he does and I saw the solution immediately but he didn't and it was hard for me to accept it.  So I made the decision for him.  I think that it will all be ok. 
 
After that, Laura and I went to her place and had dinner.  We made tacos.  They were good.  Then we got on line and planned our trip.  I have to call tomorrow to make reservations but other than that we are all set I hope.  Ronya seems to think that Brooks might change his mind but I hope not.  Then I played around with Laura's camera.  She just got a digital and had not even taken it out of the box. 
 
When I got home I decided that I needed to pick some berries or I might never do it.  So I called Aaron and Pat and we went out to pick some berries.  I picked a few blueberries but mostly salmon berries.  Now I bet you are wondering what salmon berries are.  I did too!  They look like raspberries and are slightly bitter.  But they are pretty good.  I picked a whole bunch and had lots of fun.  Thank goodness that Aaron let me use his bug net because they were awful out on the tundra.  I need to get waders that is all there is to it.   Tonight I am going to go home and read some more.  I want to get that book done soon. 
 
Oh so I almost forgot.  I got a package today.  Amy sent me a care package.  It had cream savers, chap stick, reces pieces, a note and a very cute braclet.  I am actually wearing it right now.  Very cool!
 
Signing off!

My visit to the shooting range!

So I got up early today.  I had to go to church.  I worked on my scrapbook and I am proud to say that for the most part my scrapbook for the year is done.  It took a long time to go but it is done.  I just need to buy a few more stickers and put them in but there are very few places to purchase stickers in Dillingham.  So I plan to do that then I get home. 
 
Also before I went to church, I called Maine.  You see there was this baby shower for a cousin of mine and it was today.  I wanted to call and say hi to everyone since I could not call on the fourth of July since I was definitely not near a phone.  It was nice to talk to everyone.  Aunt Nancy even talked about planning a big party for the end of the summer so that I could atleast attend one party.  That makes me happy.  Its always good to know when your family misses you!  Church was good.  The only problem was that I locked my keys in my apartment when left so I had to have security come let me in.  Oh well!
 
Then Laura called me and asked if I wanted to go to the shooting range today.  I was like sure.  Now first of all, the shooting range is at the dump.  Where do you go for fun in Dillingham...The dump.  So we piled in the car and when to Dave and Bill's house.  We needed to get someone for Laura to zero in her gun with.  Then we went to the range.  Laura shot three bullets and then I shot three.  Mine were actually better than hers.  I was military perfect she said.  I call it begininers luck because I have never fired a gun and probably never will again unless we go here again before I leave.  I was proud.
 
We went back to Bill's house and hung out for a while.  He had a pretty good weekend other than sleeping on a beach that had fresh bear tracks last night.  He went really really far up river and ended up needing to stop and rest.  The beach that they stopped on was covered in bears.  Needless to say...He slept with one eye open.  We stayed for a while and then went to go check on Joan's cats.  I had a major allergy attack when the cat decided that it would be a good idea to sit on my head. 
 
Then I did taebo and took a shower, started some laundry, ate dinner and then came here to write this. 
 
Signing off!
 
 

Muddy Gradis!

So I didn't get to write Saturday's entry on Saturday because I got home at 2 am and was not about to come into the pharmacy. 
 
I got up early today because I was going with Laura to bring someone to the airport then we were going to go to the post office, grocery store, tackle shop, and Dave's house.  We made it to the airport and had to wait in line at the post office.  They didn't have any postcard stamps so I had to use 20 cent stamps and 3 cent stamps In case you are curious when you get the postcard.  Then Laura bought bullets at the tackle shop, I got stickers at the grocery store and we skipped Dave's house. 
 
It was a rainy day and I didn't really have any ambition so I decided to stay in and work on my scrapbook.  It is progessing ever so slowly.  I still have lots to do but I am puttering along.  I did stop in the ER on my way to eat both lunch and dinner just to hang out and see Allison.  She was working all by her self in the ER.  We are definitely not a busy hospital!  That was fun we chatted for a little while. 
 
Then at about 6:30, Chris (the enviro intern) called and asked if I wanted to go to the Sea Inn.  Its a bar and they were having a special celebration to end fishing season.  Its called Muddy Gradis.  So we went.  We got there early, at like 9.  That was fine because in Dillingham, if you don't want to get in a fight you leave early.  We got there and Chris forgot his license at home.  So he had to go back and get it.  But then we played pool.  Guess what!  Its only 50 cents here to play pool.  What at deal!  So we played a bunch of games and who ever lost had to wear a balloon hat.  It was funny.  Chris tried so hard, we he didn't really have to try that hard, to sink all of my balls so that I would have to wear the hat.  He did it.  Then it was my turn.  I had to really really try hard to sink all of his balls first.   But I did it.  He had to wear the hat.  You know talking about the game of pool can sound really dirty.  We hung out a little while longer and then left.  We went back to Dr. Hyndmans to watch a movie.  The movie was Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets. 
 
I know this is a big shocker to all of you that I have watched movies with recently but I feel asleep.  What can I say.  I had seen the movie and it was midnight.  Now here too...people can make fun of me for not being able to stay awake for a movie!  So although I fell asleep at midnight, I went home at 2am. 
 
Signing off!
 

Punch drunk pharmacy

No, we were not drunk in the pharmacy, that was later!
 
So we got to work and from the moment that we got to work none of us wanted to be there.  It wasn't like I had better things to do it was just that we didn't want to be there.   But it was ok.  We worked but it was slow.  I went to see Lois, the diabetes educator in the morning to get an idea of what she does in the hospital.  That was really interesting and it gave me some wonderful ideas.   
 
In the afternoon, I brought in snack, it was simple crackers and peanut butter.  We kinda just all hung around and didn't really do anything.  We were so punchy, it was funny.  We were laughing and playing around and joking around.  It was nice!  Luke is finally warming up to me and that is really nice.  He is very shy and we didn't really get a change to talk and get to know each other but this past week as been good.  I do wish that I could stay longer for one reason and that is because I am starting to get to know the people so much better and really interacting with doctors and the pharmacist.  I am having a blast as far as that goes. 
 
So there was something that was really funny that happened today.  I was questioning a doctor and was about to page him when John made a comment and I started talking over the intercom.  I didn't really say more than two words but I about pee'd my pants again.  Laura said that I turned wicked red.  I am pretty sure that you all are not going to find this nearly as funny as I did but it was funny!
 
While we were at work, Luke brought in an Jelly roll that his mom made.  (Did I mention that Luke's parents were visiting?)  So he called her up and put her on speaker phone and invited us all over.  It was so funny.  I was totally peeing my pants!  So we went over for Jelly roll and shots.  It was fun.  Luke's mom cut up cheese and crackers and red pepper jelly and the jelly roll.  We chatted about Maine and then his parents told me that they would take a suit case back for me.  I was totally excited.  They are going to be in Gray (which is right next to my house) and I can get it there. 
 
Then Pat and I went for a walk on the beach to see if we could get some pictures of people pulling up their nets.  I don't have any for my scrapbook yet.  So, we found one women and she was cutting up her fish.  So I got pictures of fish in nets and the cutting process.  Its kinda cool the way that they do it.  Then we went to the grocery store.  I wanted to get Chris a steak for coming to get us at the end of the wood river.  It cost me $11 dollars but I felt so bad that he came to get us that I needed to buy it for him. 

Yeah for aerobics

Ok so they changed the set up for Blogger and I am liking it.  I can choose a font and I can indent and all of this really cool stuff.  Yes the simple things amuse me. 
 
So last night I was pretty homesick and I really don't know why.   I mean its a good thing to be homesick but usually when I am homesick or peoplesick I should say I can just hop on line and talk to someone.  But here everyone is in bed.  By the way, by peoplesick, I mean that I like/need to have people around me.  I have been thinking about it and I think that I would like a roommate again but just one with separate bedrooms.  Its not that I had anything against my former roommates in any way but I have found that I need my alone time sometimes.  Its not very often but sometimes it happens.  So in conclusion, I was homesick yesterday. 
 
But today was a good day.  I got to work with kids today.  I was talking to Lois the diabetes educator about doing stuff that she does and she suggested that I come to the summercise with her today.  It was wonderful.  I got to teach some young children about diabetes and its effects.  With the younger kids we played games and gave them jump ropes and we really got to interact with them.  I actually got to play with Dr. Sedgwick's children and they were wonderful.  Hannah wants to be a doctor just like her dad and she was telling me where the heart is and how it has blood vessels off of it.   She was so cute.  Then in the afternoon we went back to talk to the big kids.  They weren't that big though.  Not the punks that Mike talks about at his camp.  So they wanted to see us test our blood sugars and such.  I tested mine and it was 85.  That is actually good for a non diabetic.  But it was a lot of fun.  I am going to stop up and see Lois tomorrow to get a general idea of what she does on a day to day basis. 
 
The pharmacy was really quite today.  It was Thursday so no clinic but the afternoon was quiet too.  I was surprised.  It gave Luke time to finish his report and get that sent off.  I looked on the LL Bean web site in search of camping stuff and hiking things. 
 
Laura and I went out to dinner tonight at the Muddy Rudder.  My grandmother sent me $20 and I just had to spend it.  Besides it was Lasagna in the caf. tonight and their lasagna sucks in my personal opinion.  So I had a salad, onion rings, and a burger, it was pretty good.  Then Laura and I went aerobic, it was fun but not as much of a workout as the last time.  Then we went to check on Joan's cats and house, everything was fine!  Then we went back to Laura's.  I needed to help her with Goliath.  He needs ear drops but hates them.  He weighs more than I do and is stronger than me so it makes it hard to hold him down.  But we did it.  Then I went to feed Dr. H's gecko and kitty.  Then I came here.  I am going home now to watch a little TV, well atleast the news and maybe do a little scrapbooking, or alteast cutting. 
 
Oh yeah before I go I just wanted to bring up one thing.  I was born the wrong gender.  Well that kinda came out wrong.  But what I mean is that it is such a boys club up here and they only invite the boys to do stuff not the girls.  Brooks invites Luke to go fishing and I bet Luke has been up in his plane but not the girls.  (BTW Christine Wilson would kill me if she heard me say girls and boys instead of women) In addition, Powers took Aaron up in his plane on like the first day he was here.   I was talking to Laura about it and she thinks its cause all the guys around here are married and that their wives who are not up here get jealous etc.  I understand that and would probably no definitely feel the same way but it still bothers me.  I just needed to vent mostly because I want to go flying so badly before I leave and it doesn't look like its going to happen...That makes me sad.  But on the bright side, I am sure that my grandmother is very very happy!
 
Signing off!

A boring day, but needed!

So its only 8pm and I am writing this because I don't really have anything else to do tonight. I could go berry picking, someone found ripe ones or I could go watch a movie at a friends house but I am just kinda chillin. Kinda down today I guess.

I fell asleep last night and it was 11. I fell asleep in my cloths and woke up at 2am, changed and went back to bed. I woke up without even setting my alarm, I was proud. Work was pretty good. I talked to the diabetes lady and asked her if I could follow her around for a day or atleast a morning. She said that that would be fine. I got to help her explain how to use syringes today to a patient. That was good experience. Tomorrow I am going with her to do the summercise program. I hope that is fun as well.

The afternoon was pretty uneventful as well. It was a slow day. All of the boats are out right now because the fish are running. When the fish are running, people forget about their health. They will come see us when the fish are not running.

I did get three cards today. My grandmother sent me a card and with some wedding announcements of some of my friends from back home and one person that I didn't know. Then my aunt Nancy sent me a baby shower invitation that I am not going to be able to go to because I am in AK and my Aunt Rita sent me a card.

I ate dinner and went home and talked to my mom and my grandmother. Then I worked on my scrapbook for a little while, went to Laura's but she was taking a nap and then I went to Dr. Hyndman's to do tae bo and check on the kitty that is still living and the gecko.

Now I am going to go home and work on something that needs to get done before I leave here. I have not decided what that is going to be yet but when I do, I'll tell you tomorrow:)

Signing off!

Del's in the Pharmacy!

Last night I got so much done. I wrote out a bunch of postcards, took off a few of my nails(its so different typing without my nails) and managed to relax a little.

Work was good this morning, when I got to work that was a package waiting for me. It was from Andria and Rob and it was from a store in Newport RI. They have only in RI things. So I got a package of pancake mix, syrup, jam, coffee, and DEL's. So I had Laura bring in her blender and this afternoon we made Del's right in the pharmacy. It was so much fun!

Work was good today, I had to help Luke out today. He has a huge report due tomorrow and he needed to do lots of research for it. So I was pulling charts, tallying drug information questions, and just general help.

After work I went home and called David and thanked him for the care package and then cut out some pictures and played with my scrapbook for a while. I decided that I needed to get out and get some exercise so I went to the gym and walked on the treadmill and then came here to write some emails and this blog.

Signing off!

Cleaning and more cleaning!

So after I got home last night, I took a shower and went to bed. I was definitely not clean but it was the best that I could do. Oh so I have some kinda sad news. I took one of my nails off last night and two off today. I am going to go home and take the rest off as well. I slammed one against the canoe yesterday and it made my nail bleed.
Actually, I cant believe that I have kept them on this long!

So its really weird to type without nails on some of my finger and with nails on others. Have no fear, I will get over it!

So I was late to work this morning. I walked in to med staff just as they were done. It was like 8:20. I later found out that we had no patients in the hospital and it was a slow weekend but still I was bummed that I missed it.

They day went by kinda slow. I was starving at about 11 o'clock and could not wait for lunch when much to my surprise not one but two care packages showed up at the pharmacy. I was totally excited. One was from Mike and it was full of oreo's, aloe, mountain soap, and Jack London's Call of the Wild So I put the oreo's out for everyone to share and the aloe will come in very handy because I got really sunburned yesterday. It doesn't hurt but I want to protect my skin. The other package was from David and Mrs. Urban. Well I atleast got a card from Mrs. Urban. It contained pretzels (which we opened), cheeze its, little debbie snacks, chocolate, snickers, peanut butter cups, wheat thins, a calling card and I feel like there was more but I cant remember it all. Thank you both!!!

I ate lunch and the afternoon passed without much excitement. I did tell Luke that he had a sexy boat. He just got it. I am not quite sure how he took it though. At 5 I went to get dinner and went home. I called my mom and I called Mike. At 6, I went to Laura's and we went to Joan's house to clean all of the canoe's and the mud off of them. Then we brought Keri's canoe back to him. I went in to tell him that it was back and he came out and talked to us for a while. Then we got to see the inside of his place. It was really really nice especially for a bachelor's pad. We talked for a while and then we came home. I went to Dr. King's to do tae bo and then came here. When I get out of here. I am going to go home and take off the rest of my nails and write some postcards.

Signing off!

The dumbest thing I have done so far!

So today we were susposed to canoe the Wood River.

I got up at 8 and ate breakfast, worked on a few pages of the scrapbook and then took a quick nap. At 10, Laura called me and asked when I would be ready. We decided to leave at 11. So we picked up Joan's canoe and then to Keri's house to pick up his canoe. We got them all tied to the car and took off. We waited on Lake road for like 45 minutes. So when we got there we made a few phone calls to see if we could get a ride to pick us up from the end point and drive us to our cars.

Chris said that he would do it so we were all set. We could leave both cars at the Lake and be picked up at the end of Wood River. Wood river empties out into the lake. So we got in our canoe's and took off. Aaron went in the water for a quick swim, we took lots of pictures etc. But one thing that we noticed was that we had to paddle all of the way. We thought that we were going to have a nice easy canoe ride where we could paddle when we wanted. But for the most part it was a hard core paddle.

Laura started getting cranky and that was fine. We were working hard and we had not expected that. Then we stopped to go pee of the river and it was slippery. They are not like the rivers in Maine. This river is fed by the ocean. The banks are so muddy. So we were slipping and sliding but we finally got back in the boat. But Laura started looking for where to go next and we could not really find the exit point. So we started to get worried. We climbed the bank and found out where the point of exit was. Good.

Then we paddled around the corner and got into some rough waters. Nothing dangerous just rough. So it was a really had paddle. It was my turn to be cranky. I was trying my best to steer and couldn't do it. So we stopped paddling and went with the water. We adventually made it out of there. It was a hard fight. But we saw the cannery up ahead and that was where we were susposed to be picked up.

We had told Chris to meet us there at 5. But it was 7. When we got to the shore, we realized that it was low tide. This meant that we were 30 feet from the shoreline. That 30 feet was mud. It was mud up to our thighs. It was quite the challenge. We worked really hard, while Chris was laughing at the shore. Then we got into the back of Hyndman's truck because we were covered in mud and headed up lake road.

There was still constructing vehicles on lake road at 9pm. We had to wait like 45 minutes there in the back of hyndman's truck. Then when we got to Lake road, we went into the water to wash off some of the mud and then loaded the cars and went to pick up the canoes which we had left at the base of the river.

Then we picked up the canoe's and brought them back to Joan's house. Where we left everything. I had Laura drop me off here to do this thing because I am trying to keep up with it. Its my newest goal.

I am going home to take a shower and have a glass of wine.

Signing off!

Cook out!

Today I got up really early even though I didn't really have anything to do. I wanted to get a bunch of things done so I decided that if I got up early and did it all, I could take an afternoon nap. But as it turns out...No nap!

So I got breakfast and came and sat at this computer for 4 count em 4 hours. I wanted to get all of the emailing done that I had been neglecting. I also needed to write a few blogs that I had been neglecting. It all done. If you sent me an email that needed a reply you should have gotten it. If you didn't get a reply that I have not received it. So please sent it again. I want to here from all of you. I love getting the emails and the packages.

Then I had lunch with Aaron and Dr. Loera at the caf. It was not that exciting. I went home and got my tae bo tape but the VCR in the hospital is still not working so I went to Dr. Kings house and used hers. Then I went home and took a shower, got Pat and we went into town to get dinner. I picked up steak and marshmallows. We were going to have a cookout at Joan's house.

Then I got some major scrap booking done. I was psyched about that. I need to get moving, only three weeks left and I have to have my Dillingham book done. Its going to take lots of work!

Then at 6, Laura came to pick me up to go to Joan's house. We got there and started a fire and cooked our steak. It came out really good. Then I got to roast marshmallows. That was wicked fun! Then we just kinda talked and we got back home at 9:30.

That was my day, I am kinda fustrated about something right now and need to talk but I need to talk to a real person. Why isnt the computer a real person!

Signing off!

I went swimmin'!

So I woke up in a much better mood today then yesterday and I got way more sleep. Work was pretty good as well. I finished my salsa and brought that into work. It was pretty good from what I thought but I asked Ronya and she thought that it needed salt, so I added some. It did taste better. Work was pretty good today. Much better than yesterday.

I did think that I was susposed to go over to outpatient today but when I got there Alison was not working so I went back to the pharmacy. That was ok, I was not in the mood anyway. The day went by pretty quickly though. I got to answer a lot of questions and help some patients so it was a really good day. Dr. Powers said that I earned lots of brownie points today. I hope I can use them for a ride on his plane.

Last night after dinner, we went to twin lakes and went swimming. It was really fun. The water was not even that cold. We just swam and played with the volley ball it was really fun. But we got stuck in traffic. Yes I know traffic in dillingham. It crazy! They are paving the road to the lake which is a good thing except that it will cause so many more accidents.

Then we came back to the compound and took showers and then went to the red trailer where arron was staying and played cards and had salsa. It was fun. I got home really really late and I was not expecting to get home at 1am. Oh well!

Signing off!

The kitty passed away!

So Tonight really late the kitty passed away.

Today, was a pretty crappy day. Everyone in the pharmacy was kinda grouchy. I was having a bad day. Doctor Powers asked me question after question and I just could not answer them. I was so fustrated. I felt so dumb. Finally, lunch came and Laura and I went out for Chinese. I decided that I would come back into the pharmacy with a smile. I did and tried really hard to keep it. I think that it helped me to know that all of my other co-workers were grouchy too, so I tried to be really patient and helpful. I also tried to stop being combative and we all know how hard it was for me to do that.

But the day ended and I went home. I got to talk to Andria and my mom and then I just wanted to do taebo. When I got to the gym the VCR would not work. I was pretty bumped about that. So I decided to go see Chris (the guy who is watching Dr. hyndman's house now) and he let me do taebo there. Then I went home and cleaned my apartment and took out the garbage. Then I worked on my scrapbook and went to bed early but I still could not fall asleep!

Signing off!

Dead Kitty Walking!

So while we were at fish camp, we nicknamed the Stanley the cat, dead kitty walking! It is kinda sad because when I went to see the cat today it was almost dead.

My morning started off pretty good. I woke up on time and got to work on time but I was really tired. I had had a bad night's sleep. I kept waking up all night about 8 times in 6 hours. I kept having this dream that Powers and Stout came by my apartment and asked me to go camping with them. So all of my dreams for the whole night were getting ready for the camping trip. It was a long night with no REM sleep.

But today was pretty cool because I was spending the morning in the walk-in clinic. I took physical assessments for a bunch of patients and got to assist on a couple of procedures. It was wicked cool. I am going back on Friday. The procedures part is not stuff that I need to learn but it is nice for a change.

When I got back to the pharmacy in it was pretty slow but Val made coffee and I was wicked excited. It was a nice pick me up but I still crashed and burned in the afternoon. I was exhausted. I almost fell asleep at dinner.

Then I went home and talked to Andria and called my mom. Both were very happy to talk to me. Then I had to go feed Dr. H's cats and Joey the gecko. When I walked into the house I found that the cat had not eaten its food and when I called it, it didn't come. So I went looking for it. I found it in the bathroom and it looked awful. I just picked it up and it was all skin and bones. I didnt know what to do. Laura came over and we called all of the doctors to see what we could do. I really was debating in my head as to whether to put the cat down with some drugs or to just let it die. I am against that for humans but that cat looked like it was in so much pain. I just dont know!

So when Laura came over we were on our way to get three bottles of wine for Bill, Dave, and Keri. So we decided to leave the cat and go get the wine and drop it off. We stopped at Dave and Bill's house. They live in the same house, there are two apartments. Neither of them were home so we just left them sitting there. Then we came back to the hospital to drop Keri's off becasue he was on call. He also offered to give me some fish which I was totally excited about.

I went back to Dr. Hyndman's house to see the cat and it was still alive. I decided to stay until Chris came home. I was about ready to leave at 11 when he walked in. I was exhausted but I didnt want to leave the cat alone. So Chris came home at 11 and I told him what was going on and then went home and went to bed!

Signing off!

One Grouchy Pharmacy Student!

So after I left here last night, I went and did Taebo at the Hyndman's house. Then Pat came over and we watched Harry Potter year 1. I have another person hooked. I got home and printed off some of the pics of our camping trip. I brought them to med staff this morning and it took about 15 minutes for them to go all around the room. Actually, I felt kinda bad because I printed a picture of Dr. Power's butt because it was a funny picture and I was going to show it to Bill but then they went all around the room. After he was like, I didn't realize you took so many pictures. oppps!

Anyway, today was hectic in the pharmacy. Luck came back late, at like 10 is when his plane came in and Brooks had to go pick him up. Then Brooks was in the process of leaving and trying to give us all of our assignments. We also had a new women technician start in the pharmacy to replace Lisa. Her name is Val and she makes really really good coffee!!!!!

After work, Laura and I went to pick up Goliath at the kennel and then we took him for a nice long walk. It was wicked fun. I picked a bunch of flowers and put them in a vase in my apartment. They looked wicked good. David you should be proud.

Then I feed the dying cat and the gecko. The gecko didn't really want to eat but I tried. I thought that the cat might have died because it didn't greet me at the door but it was alive. I was really glad about that. Then Laura, Pat and I went grocery shopping. I didn't buy anything but Laura spend a 100 dollars on a box of food!!! Crazy

I am currently doing laundry and emailing people. I need to get to bed early tonight so I can have more energy than I did this morning. I woke up this morning at 6:15 to my phone ringing. It was someone in RI calling me because my address up here in AK did not have a street address. Which one of you wonderful people sent me a package and gave them my phone number and don't you east coasters remember that there is a time difference.

Just kidding! Actually its nice to know that I have a package coming and I needed to get up early to make Brooks some brownies. It was his Birthday today. But on 5 hours sleep after that huge camping trip. I needed the rest. So early to bed tonight!

Signing off!

What a weekend!

So I got back from my fishing trip today and I had a blast. If you want to hear all about it, again read the days that are associated with the weekend.

So I just had the worst experience that I have ever had in Dillingham. A nurse just walked into the pharmacy and said that they had a guy coding and they told me to come down and observe. I just watched the guy die and there was nothing that anyone could so about it. He died. But I think that the worst part about it is that as I was walking out of the ER they told the wife or the daughter and she just screamed in agony over loosing that person. Those were the worst sounds that I have ever heard.

Sorry to just put this in here like that but I don't have anyone else to tell this too right now. The guy just died. This was the first ever real live death that I have witnessed.

But I need to move on.

So today I got up at 6:30 in the morning. In order to get home safely you needed to catch the tied so we planned it well. We needed to pack up hotel Powers and Stout. They brought so much stuff I never thought that we would get it all back on the two boats that we were leaving on. But alas we did. We were doing great, the water was a little choppy but we were doing fine. Bill did loose his hat though.

When we came to the point at which we were supposed to cross the bay there were some big waves but Bill is an excellent boatsman and he steered us in the right course and we made it safely to shore. Where Dave was waiting for a nice up of coffee for me. It was wonderful because it was mighty cold on that boat. I was soaked again. Keri said that as my going away present he was going to get me a pair of dry pants!

Then we went to Bill's house and unloaded the boat. We then drove back to compound and went to take our showers. We really needed them. It was nice to feel like a girl again! After that, I went to Laura's and we had blueberry waffles for Lunch. They were really really good! I came home and tried to do laundry but someone was using the washers. I called Pat to find out how her weekend went and we decided to go feed the cat and the gecko. Then we went into town to get a video and coffee. I definitely needed coffee.

After that we came home and ate dinner. I called my mom and went to get my camera at Lauras and then came to the hospital to do some email. I will write more about my adventures tomorrow but right now I am just not in the mood.

Signing off!

I will catch a fish today!

We we slept in really late this morning till like 10am. Then we got up and made breakfast. We cooked bacon and eggs and they took forever. I couldn't believe it. The stove really was not working all that well. While we were waiting for the food to cook, the permit people for the camp sites came around. We didn't have one. So we had to buy one. It was $27 dollars per person. It kinda stinks but what are you gonna do.

We took off at about noon and went to a special fish spot that bill had lined up. So we were fishing and I caught my fish. I had a hard time pulling it in but it was fun. I took my picture with it and everything. I was pretty excited. So we decided to bring the fish back to the camp and then we set out again. But no one caught a fish after a couple of hours. We decided to head back to camp it was about 4 pm and take a nap. When we woke up, we were determined to catch more fish. I wanted another one to take home. So Dave came with us to bring us luck. We did catch a couple of fish. Dave caught one first and then Laura caught two off of the front of the boat. We pulled up onto one of the banks and Dave cut the fish right there and then. That way we didn't have to cut it back at shore.

On our way back to camp, we decided to get some more firewood. So we started looking for dead trees. We did find one and they were almost going to chop it down but then they realized that it would probably fall in the water and they decided against that. We also saw a bunch of moose as we were boating back to the camp and we got really close to them. I was very excited. I have tons of good pictures.

When we got back to camp we ate dinner. Moose ribs and blackened salmon. They were both excellent. I had the best meals in Dillingham out on that river! Then I roasted marshmallows and went to bed. By the way, marshmallows made my trip. I told Laura that if she wanted to make my trip that she had to bring marshmallows. She did and I enjoyed them greatly.

Oh and we even got to see fireworks because the camp next to us was setting them off. It was great. They were impressive fireworks at that becasue there were so many.

Signing off!

4:30 in the morning is really really early!

So I woke up at 4 in the morning. Yes that was very early I know!
I wanted to take my last shower for a couple of days. So at 4:30 Laura came and picked me up. We went to Bill's house and loaded all of our stuff in the boat. Dave Powers was also coming with us. He is the Doctor that owns the house that Bill lives in. So we get to the boat harbor and Bill cant find his plugs. Those are required because if you don't plug up the wholes in the bottom. So Dave when to get the ones from his boat. While we were standing at the Doc, Gif this drunk guy starts talking to us and talking and talking. It was funny because he kept trying to bet Bill that his boat would go through three inches of water. He was amusing but typical of Dillingham life!

So we finally get in the water and we head out across the bay. Its pretty calm right now but still kinda scary because you are in the middle of that big open water. After about a half of an hour, it starts to rain and it keeps going. So I put my hood up and put life jackets on my legs to try to keep dry. It was miserable. I remember thinking, can I just go home. Then I started to think about where I could be instead of on this wet boat cold and shivering. I could have been in Anchorage with some friends from the hospital or I could have been home with my family celebrating the fourth of July. But after about an hour of this we saw some moose and eagles and I was feeling a little better. It even stopped raining.

When we got to camp to drop Dave off where he was staying, we went up on shore. It was at Keri Stout's camp with all of his friends from back home in Kentucky. So Bill asked if we could camp there and he said yes. So we set up camp, ate some food, and went fishing. They had this huge camp set up too. It was amazing. These boys camp in style. They had four tents, and two screened in tents for food. They also had two camp stoves to cook on. I was totally impressed.

After we set up a camp, we set out to see some other people that we knew or rather that Bill knew at another camp. We said hi to them and then set off to fish. Bill had a special stop where he wanted to fish. To fish for King Salmon you need to drip your line to the bottom of the river and put salmon eggs on it. Yes I did all of this. City girl touched fish eggs and everything. I am impressed with myself too. So Laura was the only one that caught a fish on that first time through. We just didn't have any luck. Then we went back to the camp for a nap. We needed it. We went out to fish again at about 5 pm. We got caught in this huge rain storm. So yet again I got wet.

We fished a whole lot more and Laura again was the only one who caught a fish. It was about 9pm at night and we were all very hungry. So we went back to the camp to get food. We had Spanish rice and chicken wings. They were pretty good. When the boys got back, they started cooking their meal. There's was far better than ours though. They had moose tenderloin wrapped in bacon with grilled salmon and beans. Laura and I both tried the moose and the salmon and it was extremely good.

Then we went to bed!

Signing off:)

we didnt leave today!

So I woke up late this morning and I was susposed to get up early to finish packing for our camping trip. But I didnt so I decided to do it at lunch.

When I got to work, Laura asked me if I got her message. I was like no. Then she yelled at me for not listening to my messages!
Bill had decided not to go up river tonight we were leaving at 4:30 in the morning on sunday. I was like ok but isnt 4:30 way, way to early!

Work went by slowly and I think that was because I was looking foward to the camping trip. Well for the most part I was looking foward to the camping trip, I will admit I was kinda worried. But I should be ok.

So Chris emailed me today and asked me if I would help him out and watch Dr. Hyndman's cat for him while he was in Anchorage. I agreed. So we met for lunch and he showed me around Dr. H's place. It was pretty messy. I am not going to lie. She has a two cats and one might die while we are taking care of it. She also has a gecko. Its really really cute. I have to cat/gecko sit until wed.

Anyway, after work, I called Pat and asked her if she wanted to do movie night. We went to Dr. Hyndman's house to watch a DVD. We had so much trouble getting the DVD player to work but we adventually got it working. I cleaned the house alittle bit. I couldnt stand it. I needed a vacumed floor.

Then I went home and went to bed. I needed some sleep.

Signing off!

Our Last Game:(

I am very sad today, it was our last game. As I was standing in the outfield today and throwing the rocks out of the playing area I realized that I was really going to miss our adventures in softball. It was something to do 3 nights a week. There is talk of playoffs next week but we'll see. I am not getting my hopes up.

Today was a good day at work, there were no clinics in the morning so we didn't have any patients. I worked on the controlled substance order and worked on the questions that Brooks gave me. When I finished them, we discussed them. I didn't really have a good understanding of atrial fibrillation until we went over it. I was happy that we did go over it. I even asked for another case. I must be pretty crazy!

The apple crisp that I made was really good. I gave some to everyone. Well not he whole hospital but as many people as I could. Pat had never tried it, but she liked it. The afternoon was kinda slow. But one good thing happened. I bought dance fans. These are a native craft that they sometimes sell in the outpatient lobby. They are goreous. I cant wait to show them to everyone.

For dinner, I went to the caf. and they had run out of food. I was totally bumming. I almost called Pat and asked her if she wanted to go out to dinner but I had bought the dance fans today so I didn't want to spend too much money. I decided to stay in. I called my mom and I called Mike. Then we went to the game. The game was fun but not as fun as yesterday. I was really really out of it. We lost but it was only by two runs. Oh well.

Now I am going to go home and pack a little and go to bed. Oh yeah, I am going camping with Bill and Laura this weekend so I will not be writing for a couple of days. Everyone say a prayer that I catch a couple of fish!

Signing off!