I wonder if the cost of a tooth has gone up with inflation.... or does the tooth fairy visit 20somethings?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
My tooth
... is going to fall out. I'm taking bets on when it's going to happen.
I wonder if the cost of a tooth has gone up with inflation.... or does the tooth fairy visit 20somethings?
I wonder if the cost of a tooth has gone up with inflation.... or does the tooth fairy visit 20somethings?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Cure
As a prospective nursing student, I believe in medicine. I believe in antibiotics. I believe in pain killers. I believe in lysol. Four years of taking Biology classes will do that to you. In almost all of my classes, a bacterium will be mentioned in class and we will quickly go over how dangerous it is for humans, but the conversation always ends with "but we have treatment for that now." It's comforting to know that even scary sounding disorders like tuberculosis and MRSA have very good treatments. Therefore, while I'm a strong believer in a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, regular exercise, and a low-stress environment, I also believe in medicine, surgery, and disinfectants.
I realize that not all people think this way, and maybe I'm naive for feeling this way. My roommate, for example, feels the exact opposite. Where I will run to student health or Patient First at the first sign of a cold for fear that it's something more serious (or maybe in hopes that its an infection instead of a virus so I can just take pills to make me feel better instead of waiting it out), Megan goes for a run to flush it out of her system. She has never had any vaccinations and instead of going to the doctor regularly, she visits the acupuncturist. And then there's my boyfriend, who never took a Tylenol for his frequent headaches prior to dating me. He believes in drinking water and sleeping for a long time. After I bought him a bottle of ibuprofen for 92 cents, he has become much more comfortable when he gets these headaches. Sure, he still drinks water and sleeps, but he's also in less pain when he does this.
I guess I just get confused when I hear so frequently that they want to keep their bodies pure from most medicine to keep it toxin-free. I think that's an excellent way to think... if you live on Pandora. The reality is that we are constantly exposed to carcinogens, extremely harmful bacteria, toxins, and other chemicals. The food we eat is painted with preservatives and pesticides. Maybe fighting fire with fire isn't the best way science could have turned when it comes to illness, but we're currently practicing the "best" possible way of treating disease. I guess as someone who is a strong believer in science and continuing her education to learn more about these practices, I will always believe that the cure lies in a pill bottle or on an operating room table, but maybe there is more than one cure. While "trends" such as the acai berry fad, a glass of red wine a night, cranberry juice flushes, and blueberry and brocolli diets are usually proven quickly to be hardly effective if at all, I suppose it's a nice thought that there is one magical food, vitamin, or diet to make you live for 200 years. I sincerely do hope that a magical cure for every illness is found, but for now I look to the few science geniuses working on cures for cancer, AIDS, and other horrifying death traps.
Either way, I believe there are certain "cures" for everything out there. We just need to figure them out.
I realize that not all people think this way, and maybe I'm naive for feeling this way. My roommate, for example, feels the exact opposite. Where I will run to student health or Patient First at the first sign of a cold for fear that it's something more serious (or maybe in hopes that its an infection instead of a virus so I can just take pills to make me feel better instead of waiting it out), Megan goes for a run to flush it out of her system. She has never had any vaccinations and instead of going to the doctor regularly, she visits the acupuncturist. And then there's my boyfriend, who never took a Tylenol for his frequent headaches prior to dating me. He believes in drinking water and sleeping for a long time. After I bought him a bottle of ibuprofen for 92 cents, he has become much more comfortable when he gets these headaches. Sure, he still drinks water and sleeps, but he's also in less pain when he does this.
I guess I just get confused when I hear so frequently that they want to keep their bodies pure from most medicine to keep it toxin-free. I think that's an excellent way to think... if you live on Pandora. The reality is that we are constantly exposed to carcinogens, extremely harmful bacteria, toxins, and other chemicals. The food we eat is painted with preservatives and pesticides. Maybe fighting fire with fire isn't the best way science could have turned when it comes to illness, but we're currently practicing the "best" possible way of treating disease. I guess as someone who is a strong believer in science and continuing her education to learn more about these practices, I will always believe that the cure lies in a pill bottle or on an operating room table, but maybe there is more than one cure. While "trends" such as the acai berry fad, a glass of red wine a night, cranberry juice flushes, and blueberry and brocolli diets are usually proven quickly to be hardly effective if at all, I suppose it's a nice thought that there is one magical food, vitamin, or diet to make you live for 200 years. I sincerely do hope that a magical cure for every illness is found, but for now I look to the few science geniuses working on cures for cancer, AIDS, and other horrifying death traps.
Either way, I believe there are certain "cures" for everything out there. We just need to figure them out.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Accomplishments
I would like to say that I have a very solid work ethic for someone my age. I've been employed pretty much all the time since I've been 14 years old. At every job, I've always become the best person who works that job and/or gotten a promotion. I know plenty of people in high school who were never employed and completely relied on their parents for money. I'm glad my parents refused to give me money so I could go out and make my own. It helped me break up my time so I could still do well in school, make money, and still have time for other things.
I'm really proud of myself right now for being super productive over winter break. I held down 2 part-time jobs (that had very conflicting schedules which messed up my sleeping pattern) and took 3 credits worth of online classes. I was able to spend time with my boyfriend who is only non-long distance during this time of the year, hang out with my core friends regularly, catch up with old friends, even make some new friends. My family always had time with me, and I even had time to make a trip up to Delaware to visit extended family for the holidays. I exercised, got my Christmas shopping done early, and kept my room (fairly) clean. After taking 5 precious weeks out of a summer where I could have been making money, I paid for a trip to France. And I still have enough money in savings to give to charitable donations and every homeless person I see on the street. I know I'm tooting my own horn here, but as my mom says, if I'm not going to toot it, who will?
It's funny how you don't realize how successful you are until you list all of your accomplishments. Like how I was the number one employee at my college job AND made Dean's List for the first time. I guess it just took this long for me to figure out how to make life work. In a semester's time, I'll be walking across a stage on Wheeler Lawn and shaking hands with Dr. Cormier to accept my diploma. I hope this balance between time, money, education, and other accomplishments is just a preview for how the rest of my life will pan out. I can only hope.
I'm really proud of myself right now for being super productive over winter break. I held down 2 part-time jobs (that had very conflicting schedules which messed up my sleeping pattern) and took 3 credits worth of online classes. I was able to spend time with my boyfriend who is only non-long distance during this time of the year, hang out with my core friends regularly, catch up with old friends, even make some new friends. My family always had time with me, and I even had time to make a trip up to Delaware to visit extended family for the holidays. I exercised, got my Christmas shopping done early, and kept my room (fairly) clean. After taking 5 precious weeks out of a summer where I could have been making money, I paid for a trip to France. And I still have enough money in savings to give to charitable donations and every homeless person I see on the street. I know I'm tooting my own horn here, but as my mom says, if I'm not going to toot it, who will?
It's funny how you don't realize how successful you are until you list all of your accomplishments. Like how I was the number one employee at my college job AND made Dean's List for the first time. I guess it just took this long for me to figure out how to make life work. In a semester's time, I'll be walking across a stage on Wheeler Lawn and shaking hands with Dr. Cormier to accept my diploma. I hope this balance between time, money, education, and other accomplishments is just a preview for how the rest of my life will pan out. I can only hope.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Christmas Carol
For those of you who are illiterate, didn't have a complete childhood (Muppet's Christmas Carol), or are just plain stupid, Ebenezer Scrooge was visited by three ghosts: past, present, and future. As my memory serves me, the Ghost of Christmas Past showed him times he had been hurt and when he started turning into the selfish prick he then became, which the Ghost of Christmas Present illuminated. But it wasn't until the Ghost of Christmas Future when Scrooge saw that he was destined for a lifetime of misery before eventual death that made him change his lifestyle and stop being so mean to poor Bob Cratchett. So this got me thinking (or rather thinking about the following made me think of Ebenezer)... don't we all live in the past, present, and future?
Ebenezer was most affected by the future, which looked the bleakest for him. I find myself straying towards the past. It's such a pointless thought, too. I mean, it's "healthy" to live in the present with a watchful eye on the future, right? The past is the past. It's finished and done with. But even when I was in second grade watching the Muppets portray Charles Dickens' novel, the Ghost of Christmas Past always affected me the most. Watching Ebenezer get his heart ripped out of his chest by some girl made me feel bad for the guy and I vaguely remember thinking his actions were justified even.
The point is, whatever tense you focus on, it's probably good to just do what we've always been taught: learn from the past, live in the present, focus on the future. The past is the past. It cannot be changed no matter what. The present is a constant that everyone needs in their life, so take a look around. Evaluate your life. What do you think? And look to the future. Ebenezer didn't like what he saw, but I like what I see in mine which gives me comfort. So whether it's the past, present, or future that haunts you, accept what can't be changed and do what you can to be happy in the future.
The future can always be changed with present changes that occurred because of the past.
Ebenezer was most affected by the future, which looked the bleakest for him. I find myself straying towards the past. It's such a pointless thought, too. I mean, it's "healthy" to live in the present with a watchful eye on the future, right? The past is the past. It's finished and done with. But even when I was in second grade watching the Muppets portray Charles Dickens' novel, the Ghost of Christmas Past always affected me the most. Watching Ebenezer get his heart ripped out of his chest by some girl made me feel bad for the guy and I vaguely remember thinking his actions were justified even.
The point is, whatever tense you focus on, it's probably good to just do what we've always been taught: learn from the past, live in the present, focus on the future. The past is the past. It cannot be changed no matter what. The present is a constant that everyone needs in their life, so take a look around. Evaluate your life. What do you think? And look to the future. Ebenezer didn't like what he saw, but I like what I see in mine which gives me comfort. So whether it's the past, present, or future that haunts you, accept what can't be changed and do what you can to be happy in the future.
The future can always be changed with present changes that occurred because of the past.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Karma
I guess I have always been a follower of karma, or I'm "karmish" as my family puts it. In the last few years, I've really made a conscious decision to do good for the hell of it. Whether it's holding the elevator for someone (even if they're just going to the second floor), giving money to the homeless, or participating in Angel Tree (like I did tonight). I do believe that all of my giving comes back to me, but I can't really put my finger on a certain event that has probably existed because of karma.
But then I realized--I have everything I could ever really need. I've got great friends both at Longwood and elsewhere. I've got a family who is in excellent health as far as I know. My father is in a line of business that essentially thrives during a recession. I work for a company that will create work for me over the holidays just so I can gain more valuable experience and have spending money for Christmas presents. My grades are good, my relationship is thriving, and all I see in the future is happiness.
Maybe that's why I've suddenly become so into karma. Maybe random acts of kindness don't "magically" cause my life to get better. Maybe I'm just happy and want to share what I can with anyone who comes in contact with me, which makes me even happier. I don't actually care about the mechanics behind my happiness. All I know is that maybe everyone should take a leaf out of the karmish book.
My rotten uncle (RIP) was the most miserable person I ever met. He only cared about himself and money and certainly not charity (God forbid!). He died unhappy and with a lump of cash that he would never use. What is the point of that? Next time you find yourself in a situation where you have just a little bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket, don't spend it on a $5 cup of coffee or a manicure that will chip off in 3 days. Give it to charity. Next time you find yourself bored, donate your time to something that means something to you.
I can't wait for Christmas morning. Not because of my own gifts or even to watch my family and friends open the gifts that I gave them (which I actually do enjoy more than opening my own). I can't wait to think of the two little girls that I picked off of the angel tree. I picture the 6-year-old who wanted a nail set wearing the tiara I bought for her while painting her nails in sparkly pink. Or maybe the 7-year-old who wanted educational games, working on her colorful workbook for first graders wearing the bright dress up make up. I picture them in the sweaters I spent time picking out for them, and I hope they think of me each time they wear their respective sweaters. That is what Christmas is about to me. That's what karma is about. And maybe, if I'm lucky, they'll be able to give to someone in the future.
Now will someone please help me off of this soapbox?
But then I realized--I have everything I could ever really need. I've got great friends both at Longwood and elsewhere. I've got a family who is in excellent health as far as I know. My father is in a line of business that essentially thrives during a recession. I work for a company that will create work for me over the holidays just so I can gain more valuable experience and have spending money for Christmas presents. My grades are good, my relationship is thriving, and all I see in the future is happiness.
Maybe that's why I've suddenly become so into karma. Maybe random acts of kindness don't "magically" cause my life to get better. Maybe I'm just happy and want to share what I can with anyone who comes in contact with me, which makes me even happier. I don't actually care about the mechanics behind my happiness. All I know is that maybe everyone should take a leaf out of the karmish book.
My rotten uncle (RIP) was the most miserable person I ever met. He only cared about himself and money and certainly not charity (God forbid!). He died unhappy and with a lump of cash that he would never use. What is the point of that? Next time you find yourself in a situation where you have just a little bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket, don't spend it on a $5 cup of coffee or a manicure that will chip off in 3 days. Give it to charity. Next time you find yourself bored, donate your time to something that means something to you.
I can't wait for Christmas morning. Not because of my own gifts or even to watch my family and friends open the gifts that I gave them (which I actually do enjoy more than opening my own). I can't wait to think of the two little girls that I picked off of the angel tree. I picture the 6-year-old who wanted a nail set wearing the tiara I bought for her while painting her nails in sparkly pink. Or maybe the 7-year-old who wanted educational games, working on her colorful workbook for first graders wearing the bright dress up make up. I picture them in the sweaters I spent time picking out for them, and I hope they think of me each time they wear their respective sweaters. That is what Christmas is about to me. That's what karma is about. And maybe, if I'm lucky, they'll be able to give to someone in the future.
Now will someone please help me off of this soapbox?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Hell Week
"Hell week" was a term we used in high school theatre. It was the week before the play opened, and essentially when everything went from the beginning stages of learning blocking to perfecting the character. All in a week. Now nevermind that we had been rehearsing for months before, because only about 10% of everything gets done in those months. Everything comes together during the long hours of hell week. And each time hell week began, I always doubted we'd be able to finish putting everything together. But the funny thing is that the audience never knew how unprepared we actually were. Nevermind that the lead didn't know half of his lines the day before, or that the set was still wet with paint. It was still a good show. Barely.
Now that I'm in my final year of college, I'm experiencing another hell week that has nothing to do with theatre, but is still incredibly similar. This is the hell week of college classes. I have three very large assignments due (as well as small ones in between) due by Thursday of this week. For three of the four classes I'm taking, this will determine a significant portion of my grade. No, these projects are definitely not surprises to me. I've been aware of the looming dates for the entire semester, but I suppose I just haven't felt the motivation to get a significant portion done. Now, during hell week, it's not only important to get it all done in time, but to trick the audience (professors) into thinking I've been working on this all semester. And of course, at this point, the end looks grim. Even now with some of it under my belt, I don't feel like I can finish it all in time, but I can only hope that this hell week works out the same way all of my others have. Maybe its luck, maybe its last minute motivation. I don't know what it is. But whatever it is, I hope I can get some so I can pull this off.
Now that I'm in my final year of college, I'm experiencing another hell week that has nothing to do with theatre, but is still incredibly similar. This is the hell week of college classes. I have three very large assignments due (as well as small ones in between) due by Thursday of this week. For three of the four classes I'm taking, this will determine a significant portion of my grade. No, these projects are definitely not surprises to me. I've been aware of the looming dates for the entire semester, but I suppose I just haven't felt the motivation to get a significant portion done. Now, during hell week, it's not only important to get it all done in time, but to trick the audience (professors) into thinking I've been working on this all semester. And of course, at this point, the end looks grim. Even now with some of it under my belt, I don't feel like I can finish it all in time, but I can only hope that this hell week works out the same way all of my others have. Maybe its luck, maybe its last minute motivation. I don't know what it is. But whatever it is, I hope I can get some so I can pull this off.
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