The Not-So-Secret Path

I used to walk to school a lot more. It only takes about 20 minutes at a leisurely pace, and is even faster on a bike. Sometimes if I miss the bus or if the bus is too full in the mornings, I'll ride my bike and it takes less than 10 minutes from leaving to be sitting in class. I often walk back to my apartment with a few of the other students who also live in the area. Having observed many other students walking right into what looked like a stand of trees, we've discovered a shortcut that makes the walk only about 15 minutes at a quick pace. It's close enough that I usually have enough time to go back home for lunch or a quick nap between classes. Don't worry... I take the bus when it starts to get dark, which rarely happens because I like to study in the quiet at home rather than stay at school after classes.

The path takes you over a very small creek and some railroad tracks...


Then, voila, you're in civilization!


I'm still amazed at how lush and green everything here is.

Goodbye Summer

Hello everyone, I have been really busy lately with exams and projects. Although there's even more work to be done, I'm beginning to settle into a (slightly frantic) routine. School is enjoyable.. but it's a lot of work! I don't remember when it last took me more than a month to finish reading a book for leisure.

At any rate, I wasn't in such a rush today after classes and have a picture in front of the pharmacy building, where the majority of my classes are held. As you can see, I'm dressed in my lab coat and professional attire because I've just come out of Pharmacy Practice Lab. That's where we get to practice and apply the concepts we've learned in lectures. I'm looking forward to practicing sterile compounding techniques next week. That will include dressing in disposable shoes, face mask, cap and gown and preparing IV bags like what would be used in hospitals. Except I'll probably just be using sugar and water. In fact, some of the pills that I've counted in lab have smelled suspiciously like peppermint candy on opening the bottles. Don't worry, I'm not going to test my theory any time soon.

It's been getting cold. Gone are the hot muggy 90 degree days with extra humidity, and here are the days that range from 55-70. Seasons change much more quickly here and I'm missing California weather, even if it was a record-breaking 114F over last weekend at home. I'll be sure to take some pictures of the foliage when they start to turn colors. As you can see, the grass at my feet has already started to get covered by leaves.