Vicarious Vacations
Spain, Australia, Hawaii, white water rafting, and a road trip to see the family. All of those sound like some pretty fun vacations (yes, seeing the family CAN be put in the “fun” vacation category). All of those are also trips that my friends and pharmacy patients have taken this summer. Yes, they were off on those sweet vacations while I “slaved away” inside the store, filling prescriptions, counseling patients, and living vicariously through others’ vacations.
Before you call me a whiner, sitting here typing my blog with tears running down my cheeks as I dream of a summer getaway, you must know that I am not here to complain. I knew when I got into this pharmacy gig that the next few years were going to be a lot of work. Whether it’s less time to take a weekend trip because I have a Medchem test on a Monday, or not getting a chance to take a trip to Chicago during a summer filled with a rotation and an internship, I know that I am making a sacrifice to take care of my education.
Besides, it’s not all that bad. One of the other technicians at the pharmacy always makes it her business (although some may call it “nosy”) to ask where a patient is going when they come in for a “vacation” supply of their meds. She explained to me that she wasn’t being nosy, but rather just living vicariously through other folks’ fun vacations. I personally thought that was a novel idea, plus when we saw the excitement on the faces of the summer travelers, it sort of got us excited for their trip.
So, as you all enjoy your summer trips across the country or even around the world, remember to tell your friends about your travels. You never know who may need to take a “vicarious” vacation along with you. As we toil away at our summer jobs, summer school, or any other task that keeps us away from the fun in the sun, feel free to let us in on a little of the fun so that we can take in a little of your vacation ourselves.
On that note, go ahead and feel free to drop a comment if you took an awesome vacation somewhere, are planning on it, or, if you are like me, are spending your summer break right in one spot. Take care, and don’t look now, but it is just a mere few weeks until we get back to campus. Get excited!