The UGH(ERY)

I probably should really consider how grammatical and punctual this post is, however: I didn't major in English, Literature, or Writing. So, excuse me in advance.

Now, that I've gotten that out of the way.

I was sitting up surfing the web, trying to navigate google plus and trending topics. And what do I happen to stubble upon? The Trayvon Martin Trial and I will admitt, I am nosey and I should have never even clicked on that tab. But, I did and I was hurt. Greatly.

Generally, I'm a big supporter of the notion that "people can agree to disagree."

I get it! Some people feel that Zimmerman is right and some think he is wrong and vice versa and upside down and side ways. And I'm not discounting that or any of the issues in this case. However, there are profound ones surrounding it: Stand your ground, racism, media, government, black on black crime and so much that it truly is heart breaking...

I think as a people we should stand together,(black, white, african, asian, hispanic) and strive to foster a healthier population of people. Let's instill in our children some core morals and values and beliefs.

Shame on Money, and shame on the media and anyone for that matter who tries to turn this situation into a race thing. Because here's the thing, maybe it is a race thing. Maybe there would have been a different turn of events if Trayvon was white or hispanic or maybe not. But, that doesn't change the fact that he is gone, and it doesn't help this situation. It just makes it bigger and uglier and messier and nastier and makes more divided and a nation. Instead of more united as humane beings. We have all and probably will all, experience some type of injustice at least once in our lifetime. It's not fair, it's life. It happens! It shouldn't! But it does.

This situation is already unfortunate enough without any additions.

Question: Why are black people mad about someone of another race killing a black person and black on black crime is the norm  in some areas?

I'm not sure anyone can answer that, but what I want to say is this. Killing, murder, death...It's all final. As in no coming back from it. But why hasn't Chicago drawn attention? Because not enough people care enough about it. It's not profitable. It's normal. It's not worth talking about. It's not viewed as injustice. People haven't gotten angry enough.

We as a society have to get so mad about certain things that we bring attention to it. We make the media care. We make it profitable. Not just a white thing or a white thing or me or you thing but an us thing.

This is such a tangent, but just like reality tv. All of the violence and womenizing garbage they put up there. It's sickening, it doesn't seem real and it gives our children nothing positive to grasp. But they don't stop dumping it up there. Why? Ratings, Money, and profit margin. If it wasn't interesting and no one was watching, if they couldn't make money from it, then you wouldn't see it.

Race...
"Black people are the most racist population in the country"

I mean what do you say to something like that. I don't consider myself racist. I like all people. But I know many african american people who will turn nothing into something and that something into something more and that to something racial. Oppression... There are going to be people who dislike an whole race off of the past, or sterotypes and just whatever.  But instead of allowing ourselves to be sucked into a whirlwind of oppression lets exceed that. How do we do this? I'm not sure, but I think a start would be by not buying into it. Because if I offer it and you buy it then I'm going to continue to sell it.

Character...

Good people do bad things and bad people do good things. The devil was once an angel. All of us were once young (still are young), and how many questionable things have we done in our lives and I won't say immoral or unethical because that type of terminology scares some people. The point is, it happens we all make mistakes no matter how big or small, old or young. For we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory. And we all have a past. The one thing I try to live by is this: every breathe I take while I'm on this earth is another day to make things right. I'm not perfect but I'm real. Character is the only thing that you have for yourself. A reputation can be made and broken and remade again. Your character however, is who you are. Or at the least who you strive inside to be.

The most hurtful of the things for me to see is the hatred. From all people. It just really is an uncalming feeling

I mean I plan to...

Weight loss, why is this such a complex situation for me. I mean it should be relatively easy. But it's not! I get so frustrated and disgusted with myself all the time. It makes absolutely NO sense. I saw a quote that said "When you want to succeed as bad as you breathe, then you will be successful."

So then, I began to question myself. Like am I serious about losing weight? And to be honest, I found that answer to be no. I mean, who am I kidding here. I weigh one hundred and some odd pounds ( I haven't loss complete sense). If I really wanted to lose weight I would get my life and lose a good 40 pounds and would be relatively healthy.

I said that to say this: I don't have any life threatening condition that is caused by my weight, I'm not putting a child in danger by being overweight, and I mean I look bad but I don't look that bad. I mostly want to look good. I don't want to lose it bad enough.

But that's when it hit me. Just because I don't have a life threatening health condition right now doesn't mean I won't and can't develop one. And just because, I don't look that bad doesn't mean I don't look bad at all.

 The most successful people that I see who really win the weight loss battle, aren't the ones who want to look like beyonce. It's the people who get angry and say "Hey, I lost someone or I need to be around, or I just want to be fit. Rather most importantly healthy.

Get my life. That's what I need to do. I need to develop a healthy lifestyle not only for myself but for Emsley and my family. I can do a whole lot more, be a whole lot more and I'm worth a whole lot more if I'm alive versus dead (this may be debatable).

I mean I plan to make this a reality instead of a back and forth fight for reality.

My Response...

I'm not sure if you all are aware or not that I have a contact form linked to this blog, if ever you have a question or topic or maybe you just want to say hey, please feel free to use that.

This post is to respond to a young lady who emailed me about pharmacy school. I have several posts that I have written about some of my experiences with pharmacy school what I suggest, how to study and things of that nature so it may be beneficial to take a look at those.

It is important to take into consideration that each pharmacy school has different curriculum and I started pharmacy school 3 months post partum.

To your first question what types of books should you read?

I was really unsure of how to answer this question because I could not make heads or tails of what your current academic level is. I think if you are interested in pharmacy it wouldn't be a bad idea to get familiar with some of the magazines that are out: pharmacy times, pharmacy today, and countless others... there are blogs and organizations like NCPA,  and APHA that offer valuable content. If you are looking for materials to prepare for the pcat I suggest kaplan they have an amazing review book and I would take time and go through that. The key to the pcat is practice, introducing yourself to different questions and the Right answers and time. Time is a BIG factor with the pcat.

You also mentioned being worried about catching up.

 My advice to you would be: you seem like a good student you are using resources to get prepared. I would take this time to relax if you are waiting to enter school in fall. You will not fall behind. During the school year STAY ON TOP OF YOUR WORK. Look at something everyday no matter what. One of my friends is a morning person so every morning from 5 am to 7 am she reviews and 30 minutes before she goes to bed. Just that little bit of extra looking over material helps. That is the most effective thing that I can tell you to do because it works.  Teachers will tell you even if you start pharmacy school with a doctorate in chemistry it will not be more beneficial, you all start on the same playing field. Your work ethic and study habits will do the most for you.

My first year went like this:

Fall,
Introduction to pharmacy practice
A&P
Pharmaceutical Care
Pharmaceutics
P.Chem

Spring
Pharmaceutical care 2
Pharmaceutics 2
Med Chem
BioStats

For those courses, professors didn't really use text books they gave out packets and did powerpoints and put material on blackboard. Purchasing text books wasn't really necessary. I say that to say this, save your money and wait until you start classes and ask your professors if you need to purchase the textbooks, it will save you lots of money.

ADVICE
-study always
-you will need to try different techniques (visual, written, listening)
-find a job in the pharmacy (it will help ALOT)
-buy a dry erase board ( a big one)
-find a comfy study area
-find a comfy study area in the library
-make time for your health (gym, eating)
-make healthy study snacks
-save all materials given(after each year file them away)
-learn don't memorize
-learn top 200 drugs before your rotations
-look at material everyday even if you don't feel like it
-have a set time to study and don't let anything interrupt that
-try to find a study group but if you can't study alone
-start preparing for a test the day you learn material
-stay on top or fall behind
-give yourself breaks
-you go to school for education not friends
-rest
-get in bed by midnight ALWAYS
-ask questions
-don't be nervous you got this

P.S.
I say this to be motivational and not cocky. I have a 1 year old daughter I started school 3 months after I had her via csection. Go to school and do what you need to do. My first semester I made the dean's list. Out of both semesters 10 people of 65 had failed a course and 2 people had dropped out. I wasn't in either category. Put your mind to it and do it. I'm not speaking ill or trying to praise myself. Through God all things are possible and never let anything come in between you and your dream.

Anything else just email me. I'll be sure to respond