Tramping through the bush with torches

The internet has been down at our apartment for a few days, but there has been plenty going on down here. We spent Thursday and Friday at the Urgent Pharmacy. They have extended hours (10am-10pm) and are located right next to the Urgent Doctors. With the socialized healthcare, it is difficult to keep non-emergencies out of the emergency room, so the urgent doctors can treat you faster than the local emergency room for an extra fee. Andrea and I are trying to convince her sister to stay out here a little bit longer. It’s been nice to have her out here and we enjoy coming home to a meal on the table.

On Saturday, a local couple, Trev and Bernie, took us out to explore the southern coast. It was quite chilly with a morning temp in the high 30‘s and getting up in the 40‘s in the afternoon. We hiked 7 different trails, saw 3 waterfalls, a blowhole, tons of lava rocks, a lighthouse, and lots and lots of sheep and 6 penguins. Yes that's what I said, we saw penguins in the wild. They were so cute waddling out of the ocean and hopping up in the bushes to feed their babies. This is my token tourist sheep photo which he kindly smiled for.The lava rocks were intriguing as the ocean had worn away at some of them and revealed this beautiful design inside. The beach where we found the lava rocks was deserted except for the lone surfer. It was so beautiful!
During one of our hikes, Trev picked some leaves off a bush and tore it apart for us to taste. We tried it (not the smartest thing we have ever done) and found out that it is a spicy pepper tasting plant. Meghan spit hers out and I luckily had some of my biscuit (cookie) left to cover up the taste. I brought some of the leaves home to toss in with dinner since Trev says he likes to cook with them. It might be nice with dinner, but not really a hiking treat.

I am loving New Zealand!

Chocolate day

Today was another great, but chilly, day in Dunedin as we walked the streets in search of great chocolate. We toured the Cadbury factory (with some nice little samples) and we were pretty much the only 3 people that were fluent in English in our entire tour group of 20. This was an oddity as everyone speaks English here, although it may take me a minute to figure out what they are saying with the heavy English accent.

After our tour of the chocolate factory, we wandered around the University campus. The buildings are gorgeous and the leaves have changed color, so it is quite picturesque. It really is amazing.The cathedrals and train station have beautiful architecture. It feels like there is so much history everywhere around this place.

I’m still fighting this pesky cough that kept me up all last night. I am looking forward to not being sick anymore.

First couple days of rotation

The first two days of our rotation have been pretty fantastic. We took a tour of the college of pharmacy, figured out how their curriculum compares to ours, stopped by a local pharmacy, and nailed down our research project. It’s been a little rough since I have been fighting off a nasty cold that I caught before I left the States. After we come home from our rotation, we’ve been walking the nearby streets (fabulous idea when I sound like I’m hacking up a lung). The first photo is from our walk along the cliff that hugs one side of the beach.


This photo of us at the gate from the beach to our apartment had to be included because Meghan was almost run over by a car during this shot while she was standing in the middle of the road.


Today we walked the hills overlooking the cliff and the city. The houses are amazingly adorable with a strong Victorian influence.

First day in New Zealand

After a long week of finals, packing, and goodbyes, I made it down to New Zealand! Tip #1: Don’t drink black tea after the dinner on the plane as you are about to try to sleep. Not a good idea for someone who barely drinks caffeine. Between the caffeine and the coughing from the bug my immune system has not yet fought off, it was a rough flight but well worth it.

Dunedin is a beautiful place. Our apartment has a full ocean view and the sound of the surf crashing can lull you to sleep. We have a cute little lounge, and a full (but cramped) kitchen. The one downside is our only closet is the smallest one I have ever seen. Most broom closets are larger than this, so Andrea and I will have to be creative in our apartment with very little storage space. During a little exploring along the beachfront after lunch, we found an intriguing sign that made us bundle up a bit tighter.

Tomorrow we head to the University of Otago and meet our preceptor!

T-2 days!

With two days left until I fly out of T-town, the trip preparations are a little overwhelming. By a little overwhelming, I really mean that I am freaking out a little. There are so many loose ends to tie up before I leave, but at least I can be very happy to say that I am done with my last test in pharmacy school ever!

This past weekend in Mexico was a great little getaway before finals and heading to New Zealand. This is the sunset view from the house in San Carlos and the other picture is from the boys fishing trip where they caught a marlin. Amazing! I am so blessed by having so many wonderful people in my life.

Can't believe I am two days away!

White coats!

This is a photo of Andrea and I at our white coat ceremony a few weeks ago.

We are so excited about our rotation in New Zealand! We are both feeling a little overwhelmed because she will be going to Seattle immediately after our NZ rotation and I will be staying for an additional month before making the trek back home. Lots of traveling ahead of us...

The beginning of the end.... or the end of the beginning?

It may be appropriate for me to explain what all this is for those that don't me too well or might not understand the whole pharmacy thing.

First, a little about me. I am a third year student pharmacist attending the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in Tucson, Arizona. I have lived in Tucson for most of my life and am not a big fan of humidity. I love pink. I'm a runner with my first marathon under my belt.

Enough about me... This blog is about the adventures of life. For me, the next year happens to be quite interesting. I'll be starting my rotations 2 weeks from today. First rotation: New Zealand. That's right, I will be taking a little flight in eleven days to take me to one of the most beautiful countries in the world (it also happens to be the only other country in the world that allows direct to consumer advertising). Andrea and I will be living in St. Clair, just south of Dunedin and will be visiting with University of Otago. While we are there, we'll be learning about how the New Zealand health system operates and how the US is similar and different.

Make sure to check back for updates, photos, and all-around entertainment.