Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Did You Know....
I learned in Nutrition yesterday that the government allows a certain % of foreign bodies in canned or packaged food. My professor is a food scientist and used to work for Campbell's and she said that there were snakes in the tomatoes; people wouldn't pull out the snakes off the assembly line before the tomatoes were to be processed so the snakes would be boiled in with the tomatoes. Also rat hair and feces were found but they let it go because the final product would test less than 5%.
She then tried to make us feel better by saying, "Don't worry, cooked feces won't kill you."
I don't think very many of us were going to rush out and buy canned food after class.
She then tried to make us feel better by saying, "Don't worry, cooked feces won't kill you."
I don't think very many of us were going to rush out and buy canned food after class.
Introducing Belfast's New Political Commentator: BIG EVA!!!!!!
HopAlong's mom was interviewed on Belfast's local tv news station. Click here on Flippin 365 to see her big debut!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Human Pin Cushion
I had to get my blood drawn and a TB test today for the hospital gig. Stupid me didn't eat anything ALL day and almost fainted. I was lightheaded and my legs felt like jelly. Good thing my dad was with me, he took me to the cafeteria as soon as I ate, I felt much better.
Why I love San Francisco!
Reason #677 why I love my hometown! Free Wifi! You can type a blog post whilst underground on the subway!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Quiet
I love the quiet of early mornings. It feels as if time has stopped and I can have the whole world to myself. This is the time of day where my head is at peace and empty; information seeps into my brain with the ease of osmosis. My most productive studying gets done at this time.
Monday, January 25, 2010
FAFSA, FAFSA, FAFSA!!!
I love saying "FAFSA" but I hate filling these damn things out. They're so tedious and boring! But if you want free money for school, you MUST do it! At least I didn't leave it until the last minute like I usually do.
*FAFSA is the acronym for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. American college students need to fill one out every year in order to qualify for grants and unsubsidized or federal loans.
*FAFSA is the acronym for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. American college students need to fill one out every year in order to qualify for grants and unsubsidized or federal loans.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Round Two: Hospital Intern Program
Received another letter from the hospital today. I made it through round one. Now on to round two which involves a health screening and a PPD test. Hmmph needles!
Friday, January 22, 2010
First Day of School
Winter break was officially over yesterday. My first day of school started for the Spring semester, now my nose is back on the grind. I think it will be an exciting semester!
For my nutrition class, we will be using our own bodies for experimentation. It should be interesting. I will learn a few things and at the same time lose more weight in the process, I hope.
Anyways, if you will excuse me, I have 3 chapters to read in 5 different books. Time to get to work!
For my nutrition class, we will be using our own bodies for experimentation. It should be interesting. I will learn a few things and at the same time lose more weight in the process, I hope.
Anyways, if you will excuse me, I have 3 chapters to read in 5 different books. Time to get to work!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Bye, bye Healthcare Reform! Thanks Massachusetts!
Massachusetts voted a GOP in for Senator and still have their near universal healthcare. MASS has best of both worlds while the rest of the country doesn't have the same benefits as MASS. MASS has nothing to lose voting a GOP in.
From The Irony of Democracy:
Elites --- not masses --- govern the United States. Life in democracy, as in all societies, is shaped by a handful of people. Major political, economic, and social decisions are made by tiny minorities, not the masses of the people.
Elites are the few who have the power; the masses are the many who do not. Power is deciding who gets what, when, and how;it is participation in the decisions that shape our lives;the masses are the many whose lives are shaped by institutions, events and leaders over which they have little direct control....."The division of society into elite and mass is universal," and even a democracy "a few exercise a relatively great weight of power, and the many exercise comparatively little."
Democracy is government "by the people," but the survival of democracy rests the shoulders of elites. This is the irony of democracy: elites must govern wisely if government "by the people" is to survive. The masses do not lead; they follow. They respond to the attitudes, proposals, and behavior of the elites.
In other words, to think that we have a direct hand or say in our government is just an illusion and is an expression of our delusional narcissistic self importance. Therefore, this is why politics is bullshit.
Big Storm, Big Storm!!!
There is a big storm here in California. A few minutes ago, I was sitting in the dark because of a power outtage. My first day of school was today but it was cancelled! Freeways are backed up. Streets are flooded. Mudslides! Accidents, accidents, and more accidents! (Californians can't drive in the rain).
Tornado warnings in some parts of Southern California with 80mph winds. I never knew tornadoes were a possiblity. There was a touchdown in Orange County.
I bet if I told HopAlong he would scoff and say that we're a bunch of weaklings and we don't know bad weather when we see it. He likes to think the weather in Northern Ireland is the worst in the world! ;)
I don't mind the rain so much, California needs the water!
Tornado warnings in some parts of Southern California with 80mph winds. I never knew tornadoes were a possiblity. There was a touchdown in Orange County.
I bet if I told HopAlong he would scoff and say that we're a bunch of weaklings and we don't know bad weather when we see it. He likes to think the weather in Northern Ireland is the worst in the world! ;)
I don't mind the rain so much, California needs the water!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
I have a new found respect for Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN
it makes me wish he accept his nomination for Surgeon General. God help the people of Haiti...
From cnn.com:
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- Earthquake victims, writhing in pain and grasping at life, watched doctors and nurses walk away from a field hospital Friday night after United Nations officials ordered a medical team to evacuate the area out of security concerns.
The only doctor left was CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta. He assessed the needs of the 25 patients, but with no supplies there was little he could do.
And more people, some in critical condition, were trickling in late Friday.
"I've never been in a situation like this. This is quite ridiculous," Gupta said.
With a dearth of medical facilities in Haiti's capital, ambulances had nowhere else to take patients, some who had suffered severe trauma -- amputations and head injuries. Others had suffered a great deal of blood loss, but there were no blood supplies left at the clinic.
Search and rescue must trump security. ... They need to man up and get back in there.
Gupta said some might not survive the night.
He said the Belgian doctors did not want to leave their patients behind but were ordered out by the United Nations, which sent buses to transport them.
"There is concern about riots not far from here -- and this is part of the problem," Gupta said.
There have been scattered reports of violence throughout the capital.
"What is striking to me as a physician is that patients who just had surgery, patients who are critically ill are essentially being left here, nobody to care for them," Gupta said.
Sandra Pierre, a Haitian who has been helping at the makeshift hospital, said the medical staff took most of the supplies with them.
"All the doctors, all the nurses are gone," she said. "They are expected to be back tomorrow. They had no plan on leaving tonight. It was an order that came suddenly."
She told Gupta, "It's just you."
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake flattened Haiti's capital city Tuesday afternoon, affecting as many as 3 million people. Tens of thousands of people are feared dead.
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, lacked adequate medical resources even before the disaster and has been struggling this week to tend to huge numbers of injured. The U.N. clinic, set up under several tents, was a godsend to the few who were lucky to have been brought there.
It was not known whether the medical team would return in daylight.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russell Honoré, who led relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, said the evacuation of the clinic's medical staff was unforgivable.
"Search and rescue must trump security," Honoré said. "I've never seen anything like this before in my life. They need to man up and get back in there."
Honoré drew parallels between the tragedy in New Orleans and in Port-au-Prince. But even in the chaos of Katrina, he said, he had never seen medical staff walk away.
"I find this astonishing these doctors left," he said. "People are scared of the poor."
From cnn.com:
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- Earthquake victims, writhing in pain and grasping at life, watched doctors and nurses walk away from a field hospital Friday night after United Nations officials ordered a medical team to evacuate the area out of security concerns.
The only doctor left was CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta. He assessed the needs of the 25 patients, but with no supplies there was little he could do.
And more people, some in critical condition, were trickling in late Friday.
"I've never been in a situation like this. This is quite ridiculous," Gupta said.
With a dearth of medical facilities in Haiti's capital, ambulances had nowhere else to take patients, some who had suffered severe trauma -- amputations and head injuries. Others had suffered a great deal of blood loss, but there were no blood supplies left at the clinic.
Search and rescue must trump security. ... They need to man up and get back in there.
Gupta said some might not survive the night.
He said the Belgian doctors did not want to leave their patients behind but were ordered out by the United Nations, which sent buses to transport them.
"There is concern about riots not far from here -- and this is part of the problem," Gupta said.
There have been scattered reports of violence throughout the capital.
"What is striking to me as a physician is that patients who just had surgery, patients who are critically ill are essentially being left here, nobody to care for them," Gupta said.
Sandra Pierre, a Haitian who has been helping at the makeshift hospital, said the medical staff took most of the supplies with them.
"All the doctors, all the nurses are gone," she said. "They are expected to be back tomorrow. They had no plan on leaving tonight. It was an order that came suddenly."
She told Gupta, "It's just you."
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake flattened Haiti's capital city Tuesday afternoon, affecting as many as 3 million people. Tens of thousands of people are feared dead.
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, lacked adequate medical resources even before the disaster and has been struggling this week to tend to huge numbers of injured. The U.N. clinic, set up under several tents, was a godsend to the few who were lucky to have been brought there.
It was not known whether the medical team would return in daylight.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russell Honoré, who led relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, said the evacuation of the clinic's medical staff was unforgivable.
"Search and rescue must trump security," Honoré said. "I've never seen anything like this before in my life. They need to man up and get back in there."
Honoré drew parallels between the tragedy in New Orleans and in Port-au-Prince. But even in the chaos of Katrina, he said, he had never seen medical staff walk away.
"I find this astonishing these doctors left," he said. "People are scared of the poor."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What's with the Earthquakes?
On January 9th, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Eureka, Northern California. Thanks to retrofit building regulation codes, there wasn't any major damage. Buildings did not collapse, bridges were intact, and only minor injuries were reported. Although, 20 people out of a total population of 26,097 were displaced.
Last Tuesday, an earthquake hits Haiti with a magnitude of 7.0 on the richter scale. Haiti is devastated and in chaos. 100,000 or more presumed dead and buried under rubble. And thousands upon thousands are displaced and homeless. What is even more devastating is that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and do not have the means to rescue victims and rebuild.
As a native Californian, I can empathize. I experienced many earthquakes in my lifetime. I experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake in '89, 6.9 on the richter scale, not too far off from Haiti. And let me tell you, it was very scary! The earthquake in '89 was a reminder to us Californians that a big one can hit us at any time, and every tremor we felt from 1.0 and up was always a potential for "the big one" in the back of our minds. Before we'd just dismiss them, shrug it off and say, "Oh, well."
The only difference between Haitians and Californians is that Californians are prepared, our buildings are retrofitted, our roads have easy access to expert emergency and rescue crew, our water is hygienic and safe to drink, we have food, medicine, and temporary shelter available. HAITI DOES NOT!
I figure I can keep them in my thoughts and prayers but what good would that do? Well wishes sitting in my comfortable and safe computer chair won't help their situation which is what prompted me to donate to the redcross today.
If you're interested in lending a helping hand, here is a list of organizations accepting donations:
- InterAction has a list of agencies responding and how to donate to them. Find it here:http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
- To donate $10 to the American Red Cross, text Haiti to 90999. The amount will be added to your next phone bill. The organization is also accepting donations through its International Response Fund,http://www.redcross.org
- To donate $5 to Wyclef Jean's Haitian Yele charity, text 501501. The money will be added to your next phone bill.
- To find out how to help the International Rescue Committee, visit http://www.theIRC.org or call toll free, 1-877-REFUGEE.
- To donate through Oxfam's emergency appeal, visit: http://www.oxfam.org.uk
Last Tuesday, an earthquake hits Haiti with a magnitude of 7.0 on the richter scale. Haiti is devastated and in chaos. 100,000 or more presumed dead and buried under rubble. And thousands upon thousands are displaced and homeless. What is even more devastating is that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and do not have the means to rescue victims and rebuild.
As a native Californian, I can empathize. I experienced many earthquakes in my lifetime. I experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake in '89, 6.9 on the richter scale, not too far off from Haiti. And let me tell you, it was very scary! The earthquake in '89 was a reminder to us Californians that a big one can hit us at any time, and every tremor we felt from 1.0 and up was always a potential for "the big one" in the back of our minds. Before we'd just dismiss them, shrug it off and say, "Oh, well."
The only difference between Haitians and Californians is that Californians are prepared, our buildings are retrofitted, our roads have easy access to expert emergency and rescue crew, our water is hygienic and safe to drink, we have food, medicine, and temporary shelter available. HAITI DOES NOT!
I figure I can keep them in my thoughts and prayers but what good would that do? Well wishes sitting in my comfortable and safe computer chair won't help their situation which is what prompted me to donate to the redcross today.
If you're interested in lending a helping hand, here is a list of organizations accepting donations:
- InterAction has a list of agencies responding and how to donate to them. Find it here:http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
- To donate $10 to the American Red Cross, text Haiti to 90999. The amount will be added to your next phone bill. The organization is also accepting donations through its International Response Fund,http://www.redcross.org
- To donate $5 to Wyclef Jean's Haitian Yele charity, text 501501. The money will be added to your next phone bill.
- To find out how to help the International Rescue Committee, visit http://www.theIRC.org or call toll free, 1-877-REFUGEE.
- To donate through Oxfam's emergency appeal, visit: http://www.oxfam.org.uk
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Chills During Working Out = Overheating!
So I decided to up my game and do Pilates and Zumba back to back. Pilates was torture and I was sweating profusely! I thought nothing of it and drank water throughout. Then Zumba class, after 40 minutes I started to feel chills and my skin was clammy, although I was sweating buckets I thought I was going to faint right there so I walked out of class, sat in a cool area and drank gatorade to even out my electrolyte imbalance. I felt ok but I still feel kind of weird, must be just paranoia. This is the first time this has happened to me. Oh well, lesson learned. Drink water, before, during, and after a workout. Next time I'll bring a banana and a sports drink just in case.
Has this ever happened to you?
Here's some helpful info found on sparkpeople.com:
Chills While Running?
Sounds like you may be experiencing the first symptoms before heatstroke hits (especially with chills). water is great but when you are sweating excessively and the body can't keep cool due to high humidity levels (no evaporation is allowed to help cool your down) you need to stop running and get rehydrated with a good electrolyte sports drink such as Gatorade, Powerade, or Accelerade. Drinking too much water and not replacing the lost electrolytes can lead to a potentially fatal condition known as hyponatremia (AKA low blood sodium).
Hope this helps and don't play around with any symptoms that are new, especially in the heat.
Has this ever happened to you?
Here's some helpful info found on sparkpeople.com:
Chills While Running?
Sounds like you may be experiencing the first symptoms before heatstroke hits (especially with chills). water is great but when you are sweating excessively and the body can't keep cool due to high humidity levels (no evaporation is allowed to help cool your down) you need to stop running and get rehydrated with a good electrolyte sports drink such as Gatorade, Powerade, or Accelerade. Drinking too much water and not replacing the lost electrolytes can lead to a potentially fatal condition known as hyponatremia (AKA low blood sodium).
Hope this helps and don't play around with any symptoms that are new, especially in the heat.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sucks To Be in Belfast!
HopAlong emailed me these pics from his iphone. The UK is experiencing the worst cold snap in history and I hear they are ill prepared! Thank goodness I'm in California! (Yes, I am rubbing it in :P)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Hospital Intern Orientation
So I just got back from the hospital orientation. I was surprised that there were so many people, about 50 or so. Most of them were young, most likely doing this for either a requirement for school or to get admitted into nursing, medical, pharmacy,(etc.) school.
At this point, we are prospective applicants and I am assuming they are hoping the overview of the competitive application process will weed people out. They need to do background checks, you need 2 letters of recommendation, write a statement of purpose, a health screening, and an interview. There are alot of departments to work in: ER, Hospice, Maternity, the list goes on. I really hope they have openings for either pharmacy or nutrition department, because these are the two fields of interest I have narrowed down. Although, working in maternity sounds like it would be fun! I hope they don't stick me in some benign position like the gift shop or something. But whatever, at least I've got my foot in the door and can assess whether working in a hospital environment is for me. And also the opportunity to network, network, network!
There is no hands on work with patients of course but some interaction with them. I'm a little nervous about this since this is foreign territory for me. I have a lot of customer service experience working with donors as a fundraiser in my previous work so this should come in handy. The difference is that these are patients not donors and will most likely be in pain, frightened, suffering, and cantankerous. This makes me a bit nervous working with fragile people but at the same time it gives me satisfaction that I, in some way, can comfort them and brighten their day. I also think it would be cool to run around in scrubs! :D
We'll see how it goes. I hope I get accepted. Competition is fierce. There are 50 people to fill 20 spots! Wish me luck!
*New Year's Resolution #3: Help Others. --PENDING!!!!
At this point, we are prospective applicants and I am assuming they are hoping the overview of the competitive application process will weed people out. They need to do background checks, you need 2 letters of recommendation, write a statement of purpose, a health screening, and an interview. There are alot of departments to work in: ER, Hospice, Maternity, the list goes on. I really hope they have openings for either pharmacy or nutrition department, because these are the two fields of interest I have narrowed down. Although, working in maternity sounds like it would be fun! I hope they don't stick me in some benign position like the gift shop or something. But whatever, at least I've got my foot in the door and can assess whether working in a hospital environment is for me. And also the opportunity to network, network, network!
There is no hands on work with patients of course but some interaction with them. I'm a little nervous about this since this is foreign territory for me. I have a lot of customer service experience working with donors as a fundraiser in my previous work so this should come in handy. The difference is that these are patients not donors and will most likely be in pain, frightened, suffering, and cantankerous. This makes me a bit nervous working with fragile people but at the same time it gives me satisfaction that I, in some way, can comfort them and brighten their day. I also think it would be cool to run around in scrubs! :D
We'll see how it goes. I hope I get accepted. Competition is fierce. There are 50 people to fill 20 spots! Wish me luck!
*New Year's Resolution #3: Help Others. --PENDING!!!!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
My First Dance Class in Ages
I attended a zumba class this evening. I was surprised I still have coordination I could get the complicated footwork. The only thing is that I can't maintain it for long because I have no endurance. Boy it's a real workout. I have forgotten how hard dance was. It's much different than running on an elliptical trainer or a treadmill. With dance you use your entire body. On top of that, you have to think about rhythm, coordination, choreography, artistic and emotional expression.
This is my first zumba class and it's really fun. I like the fact they incorporate a lot of latin, hip hop, and BELLYDANCE moves. The class runs twice a week. Hopefully by 6 months I will have fulfilled resolution #4: Be smoking hot!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Welcome to 2010
My goals for this year:
1) Get a job.
2) Bellydance
3) Help Others
4) Be smoking hot!
5) Study my ass off and get the highest marks possible!
6) Be organized and tidy!
7) Stop whining so much
8) Drive everyday
9)Save money
10) Cook from scratch at least once a month
1) Get a job.
2) Bellydance
3) Help Others
4) Be smoking hot!
5) Study my ass off and get the highest marks possible!
6) Be organized and tidy!
7) Stop whining so much
8) Drive everyday
9)Save money
10) Cook from scratch at least once a month
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