First Pharmacy Class of 2010 Tahoe Ski Trip

I drove into SF tuesday night after working all day and started class on wednesday at 8am the next day. We were all somewhat hesitant in participating in the Laguna Honda Project, which involves volunteering to visit a resident every other week in the hospital. Dr. Finley assigned each of us to a resident and mine in particular was described as sarcastic and enjoyed mocking people. We were kind of scared about the innappropriate behavior of some of these residents. For example, some residents liked to run away while others were described to behave innappropriately sexually. We will meet them next week and continue visiting them and documenting our experiences for the better or for the worse.
Human metabolism (BC112) or biochemistry is taught by the popular and renowned Tracy Fulton. We heard from the P2 class that she is a really good professor because she cuts out the minute details and regurgitative memorization. She instead supposedly focuses on the important overall concepts.

Advanced organic chemistry (PC113) for the most part does not particularly seem to venture beyond the reaches of our undergrad experiences. The syllabus for the most part is just condensing a year of organic chemistry into a quarter. So, the proper title should have been "Organic Chemistry Review." It is slow so far and she has barely brushed the surface of stereochemistry, optical rotation, and recognition of basic functional groups. A good number of classmates with a masters in organic chemistry were able to waive out of the class.

I allowed myself one last escape before I really had to break into those textbooks...and was it worth it? Yes!
















25 of the more sporty or crazy first year pharmacy students bundled up in our winter jackets and rented 2 suv's to transport the remaining students and their baggage. We drove almost 4 hours to Lake Tahoe. The drive was more like a crawl since it seemed we were not the only ones who realized fresh powder offered the promise of a good slope the next morning. Grabbing In and Out along the way and stopping by an authentic burger joint in Auburn made the trip more enjoyable.


It was my first time in ages since I have ever been to Tahoe and my first time snowboarding. The 2 story UCSF cabin with 2 car garage and driveway was really nice It was equipped with linens, dishes, cookware, games, cleaning supplies, and of course a hot shower after being in the snow the whole day. It was like living in a dorm all over again, except with board games. It really looked like a winter wonderland complete with treacherous mountain ranges and towering pine trees. We took a midnight walk under the full moon that night which was comparable to being surreal. We visited the P2s next door to join in on the festivities. The next morning we managed to get everyone out the door by 8am that morning to Alpine Meadows. Some of us took major tumbles and few attempted the diamond peak ski lift. Whether we were skiing or snowboarding, I think we can all concur that it was a hell of a workout. I wish we had another day, but by 4pm, we had to return to the cabin.


A few of us went with the P2's to Reno to go clubbing and gambling. The more conservative majority spent Saturday night watching Chronicles of Narnia, playing blackjack, and telling fortunes. Before we went to bed, we spontaneously started telling ghost stories in the dark. One particular story scared us straight, which involved her true experience with seeing a ghost. Having heard that after research universities have shaped my core understanding through empirical evidence and the material world was jolting. We had a hell of a time though and really had an opportunity to bond with each other outside of such a stressful school or urban environment. We even had two guests who were significant others of members of the first year class, who fit in quite nicely.