I successfully completed my PGY1 residency! Some highlights of the end of the year include getting a great evaluation on my Neonatal ICU rotation, my coresident's going away party with all of our friends here, and our end of the year party during which my coresident and I thanked all of our preceptors for all the non-pharmacy things they taught us this year (we all had a good laugh). I also volunteered at my church's VBS one week, which was a great experience. The kids were so fun, and it made me realize how much I enjoy spending time with children. One girl and I even had a secret handshake.
After I received my residency certificate, I made my way to California where I spend 4 days with my grandparents in Newport Beach. I went shopping, laid out and read at the beach and pool, and ran at the beach. Newport Beach is one of my favorite places to be (surprise, surprise). My grandpa and I also did our classics such as going to Laguna for lunch by the beach and lunch at the Nordstrom Cafe.
On July 4th, I headed to Missouri for a week and a half of spending time with family and trying to see as many people as possible. I celebrated Independence Day with my girlfriends from high school plus some of the guys from our class. The next day we headed to KC to have dinner with my dad's brother and his family, and I stayed the night with my college roommate Mary in her new apartment. It was a little taste of post-residency life! The next night I stayed at Kayla's new house and we headed to the Niangua River in South Missouri for our 2nd float trip with Kathryn, Kayla, Natalie and LeDawn. The river was low so we had to paddle a lot, but we still had fun. On Monday I saw another college roommate Kristen, and Tuesday we got together with my cousins and their little kiddos. They're growing so fast, and it was fun to play with them. Wednesday we had dinner in St Joe with my cousin Hallie who is hilarious. We had a lot of laughs. Thursday I had muffins from Francine's with Marty and Gary, lunch with Megan and Rachel, and dinner at my grandparents' (with the potato salad I requested). Friday my friend Kyle from pharmacy school picked me up and we headed to KC to hang out with my college friends Kevin, Jordan, Brad, Rachel, Brenden, Molly, York, and Mary. The Royal's game was surprisingly out of reasonably priced tickets so we just played yard games and watched the game at the guy's house. I stayed with Kayla that night which was nice to get some one-on-one time with my BFF, and Saturday morning I had breakfast with my Jacob's Well friends Emily, Ellen, and Amanda. In between social events I biked with my mom, ran with my parents, and walked the dog with my family in the cemetery behind our house. It was a great trip! It's always hard to come back to the Northeast. I have good friends here, but I do miss my friends and family at home.
Tomorrow marks day one of PGY2. I'm a little nervous, but I am excited that it is my last year before becoming a full fledge pediatric clinical pharmacist! I'm not sure what life holds after PGY2, but I'm excited about the possibilities. Just like when I applied for residencies- the whole country is open!
I appreciate all of the support I received during PGY1, and I promise to keep you updated in year 2!
