Forty Days: Day 33

Guess what! I graduated from college…AGAIN!

For those who do not know, a pharmacy graduate from a foreign school (that is, outside U.S.) can only take the pharmacy board exam in the U.S. after he/she has completed a certain number of hours of internship in a community pharmacy in the state where he/she wishes to practice his/her pharmacy profession. But before he/she could have the internship, he/she should pass the Foreign Pharmacy Equivalency Exam (FPGEE) first. And before he/she could take the FPGEE, he/she should first be a graduate of a 5-year BS Pharmacy program from an accredited foreign school.

Here in my country, the BS Pharmacy program consists only of 4 academic years. Among the numerous schools of pharmacy in the country, only one university offers the 5^th year, and that is the university here in Ovada where I just graduated from.

Thank You, Lord. I can take the FPGEE now.

Forty Days: Day 32

“Hard work gets you to the top; attitude keeps you there,” said the student who delivered his speech during the Recognition Night in our school just a while ago.

Medal

Mommy arrived here in Ovada today, just in time for the Recognition Night and our graduation for tomorrow. Well, as you can see, I got a medal from that recognition night. So did Audrey and Kpop Lover (though Kpop Lover wasn’t able to receive it because she’s in Bangkok right now). Audrey and Kpop Lover, congratulations to you both! Hooray for us three!

Aside from the medal, I honestly thought there was a cash prize. Well, there wasn’t. But it’s alright. At the very least, my earnest desire for cash brought me to where I am tonight. I’m the best clinical pharmacy intern, you know.

Forty Days: Day 11

Just came home tonight from our dinner with Dr. P.Q., our Toxicology professor in college. He flew over to Ovada this morning along with two students to collect data for their research study regarding the competency of clinical pharmacists here in the Philippines. He said they’re doing it in collaboration with UCSF’s School of Pharmacy. Wow that’s cool!

It was so nice to have seen him again. He was still as energetic and lively and admirable as before. The only difference was that this time he didn’t talk anymore of poisons and antidotes, but of clinical pharmacy and the endless opportunities waiting for us in the U.S. I never thought he knew those things. He even mentioned something about the newest trend of pharmacy in the US—the “emergency pharmacy,” which as of now, is only being practiced at the University of Rochester in New York. All you need is a year and a half of training in order to become an emergency pharmacist, and you’ll be guaranteed to earn a whopping $200 per hour! Now, that’s inspiring!

Scared. Frightened. Worried. Preoccupied.

Name it. Name all possible synonyms. Combine all of them and you will arrive at exactly what I’m feeling right now. I have never been admitted in a hospital before, and I don’t have plans of being so. But this fever just won’t go away! My co-intern who is a medical doctor just told me to go downstairs and get a CBC. She’s suspecting that I have dengue fever. Oh no. No way, please! I’ll be flying home this Saturday. No way I would be confined here! I’m certain I don’t have dengue fever. Five days of clinical internship have no power to bring me down! I’ll be well tonight! Nada es imposible!