The Fabulous Year of Change

One could say I've changed... I'd like to say I've blossomed. Laugh if you must.

It’s been a while.

No, that’s an understatement. It’s been year. And a day. (OK, not quite… but you catch my drift.)

I’m getting ready to graduate the program I was so eager to begin. I completed my first triathlon. I’ve practically overhauled my entire philosophy on fitness, food, and wellness. From what I hear, I’m one of few nursing students that walk away from the experience healthier.
In that same vein, I had to come to grips with a devastating eating disorder and confess it to my parents. (Who knows if they even take me seriously?) Had an amazing experience, and discovered great joy, in singing with my church’s worship band; my relationship with God has strengthened and is continually maturing. In fact, today I started discipleship classes with my mother! (THAT should be interesting…)

In this midst of this awakening, I’m finding that I’m much smarter than I give myself credit; I’m more mature than people twice my age; I’ve been blessed with many abilities to understand, adapt, discern, empathize… the list goes on. I couldn’t be more grateful!

If it sounds like I’m being a bit of a braggart, then please forgive my doing so, but that’s exactly what’s going on here. For once, I’m giving myself credit, and perhaps that’s the greatest gift that my education has given me. With graduation fast approaching, I may have a very real chance of being the top graduate in my rotation. Who knows if that will actually happen, as I’m sure there are others in the night class that have done phenomenally well, themselves… BUT even finishing this program is major to me. Who never finishes anything. Ever. (I mean, come on… I couldn’t keep up with a blog!)
To have even the possibility of finishing at or near the top after the rocky start I had in college is truly a testament to what I am capable of. (“…through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13 YES, I went there.)

Do you happen to remember that I’m an elitist?

Well, I must comment on this while I have the forum. You see, in the thousands of dollars and countless hours I spent at UTSA trying to pass a few select courses (others I let fall by the wayside just because I was… dumb), I think I met maybe one professor that I truly appreciated. In probably just about the same amount of time (total), and about as much money, I’ve met at least five instructors that have made a big influence on me. On one campus. At my disposal. And one, I daresay, is a genius… and she has personally told me that she will accept nothing less than medical school from me.

Screw the fact that none of the credits I’ve earned at Kaplan will transfer to mainstream academic. ‘Cause you know what? THAT boost of confidence, THAT letter of recommendation, especially from THAT level of professional… completely priceless. I’m honored, truly. While I won’t name names, those that have learned from her know exactly who I’m talking about. So thank you.

With that, though, I do believe I need to sleep. Pediatrics exam in the AM. Let’s hope I didn’t jinx myself. haha
I’m going to leave you with my latest inspiration obsession. ❤

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Satisfaction Through Education

I love the nursing profession... never will I be a doctor to disrespect a nurse!

I’m back in school, y’all!

Now, some may say that my choice of institution of higher education is unacceptable. Believe me, if ever there was an internal elitist, I’d be her. I don’t care where you’ve been or what you’ve done, so long as you’re a decent human being with a sense of purpose, but I, myself, had better be involved in everything high-end, or else I’m nothing… in my mind, obviously.

What I’m finding at Kaplan College is that I’m being allowed to ask questions again! I was never able to do that in a university without being made to feel stupid… unless I was in AFROTC classes, and then, I was just too afraid to ask anything. No, this feels like a community college at a higher level of commitment. Let’s chalk that last part up to the amount of money we’re all spending, though! haha

Tomorrow (today) is our first exam: therapeutic communication and vital signs. Anyone care to tell me that I don’t know my material? Didn’t think so.
HOWEVER, you’d never know it by looking at my study guides! Drove me nuts today! I missed five questions on my first study guide, and then another ten on my second (though, in all fairness, I did not complete the second study guide and only graded what I’d done for informational purposes… will correct it and replace grade, thank goodness!).

Seriously, with the way my grades went south my last semester in university, some two years ago, any kind of nursing degree program needs to see a sharp, but consistent, upward trend in my comprehension and performance. This is not such a good start, wouldn’t you agree??? Furthermore, what will any given medical school think?! I mean, that’s my ultimate goal! Surgeons aren’t just hatched overnight, you know!!!

So, with all this in mind I’ve decided to really give myself a little bit of a break on the first exam. Honestly, there are six exams in this first course alone, so SOMETHING’S got to come along later on in the quarter that will only be benefitted by my stumbling at this early juncture.

ENOUGH VENTING! 🙂
The point of this blog-thingie is this:  THIS is what I was missing in my life.

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

Forget dating, forget friends (though I love you all dearly!), forget money, performance (though I also love that dearly)… MEDICINE and LEARNING are simply what allow me to thrive. Like I tell anyone who meets me, it’s just in my blood. (Don’t take that literally, either.)

Ever since moving back in with my parents in early September, before starting school, I was feeling a certain cloak of dread, that things would never change, and my cross-country moves were all in vain. Despite my efforts to attempt being upbeat, it simply wasn’t happening. I talked to spiritual counselors online, I made a new friend with widely different but respectable perspectives, I prayed all the time, I was reading my Bible looking for answers. Something simply wasn’t in place.

NOW I KNOW WHY!!!

My brain isn’t clouded by emotional stresses of a relationship, no drama, no craziness, but only my thirst for knowledge. I may not be able to sleep right this second, but let’s chalk that up to excitement, shall we??? I still have to push myself to study… often… but it’s absolutely worth it, because I’m learning exactly what I WANT to learn.

*sigh of relief*

Isn’t finding your life’s purpose exhilarating?!

P.S.
In addition to being in an exciting environment of learning, I’ve joined http://www.sparkpeople.com. BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT! What a motivator. And it’s FREE!!!

Complacency and Its Supporters

My blogs (all three of them) thus far have been rather wordy. Not this one!

Lately I’ve noticed the lack of generation of new ideas or original thought in my fellow Americans. Why are we accepting mediocrity for the world we live in?

YOU HAVE BECOME A SUPPORTER OF COMPLACENCY.

My problem with this is: if you know something is wrong with any given situation, why are you not the one to stand up and say so? Change it? Tell the one in charge to take a hike, and take over yourself?

I am not the most eloquent speaker or writer, but at least I am starting to voice my ideas and opinions. The more I do, the more I am inclined to continue on my own personal path to greatness, so that I may be able to make an impact in my specific area of interest. Imagine if we all did such a thing; what a different world it would be!

So, instead of re-electing those who are already in a position of authority, overturn them! The (very wealthy) leaders we have in our government have NO IDEA the struggles of the average working citizen… and we are supposed to be a nation governed BY the people, FOR the people. We are not to keep lining the pockets of the wealthy and snobby… we are to create fair and just laws, rules, and regulations so that ALL may flourish, based on the principles set forth by our founding fathers.

Such principles include: respect for others’ ideas, encouragement of free thought, the beauty of being free, and celebrating the unity in being unique.

I would now like to encourage thoughtful, respectful commenting and dialogue. I am very much so looking forward to receiving feedback!

The Great Decline/Nation of Nitwits

*** DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to be a fantastic writer. Only opinionated. And angry. ***

'Nuff said.

I read an article the other day entitled “Putting Our Brains on Hold” written by a Bob Herbert for NYTimes.com. Mr. Herbert brings up a very interesting point in that our nation once truly valued education, but I think he fails to fully explore it.

My take:
If one were ever to take a moment to read The United States Constitution, I think he or she would find that it is a beautiful, well thought-out, masterfully written piece, balanced between law and reason, and fully supported by eloquent use of the English language. (Go figure.)

Our nation was not a nation founded on slander-laden campaigns for office, scantily clad celebrities (or wannabes, as truth my have it), or media-driven war. In fact, our founding fathers were scholars; highly respected members of society that were chosen to be leaders because of their education and feel for the needs of the public. While some may have been wealthier than your average citizen, many that contributed to the structure of the government were not. The idea of democracy and the foundation of our government was carefully thought out, even to include checks and balances on each branch so that one entity may not become more powerful than another. The federal government worked hand-in-hand with the states instead of over them, so that more may be accomplished… and much was.

So what’s happened with today’s government? Where in the Constitution was it mandated that the federal government stick its nose into every single matter concerning the People? And why in the world do we, as citizens, allow it? Furthermore, are we even able to look at today’s “leaders” and respect them? Seriously, what have they done?

I’ve witnessed the obscenity that is government-regulated healthcare firsthand. Every day I walk into work at a pharmacy with certifiably fantastic pharmacists, and they’re bound hand-and-foot by the stupid insurance companies that have NOTHING to do with the individual patient’s care. Hm… maybe that’s because insurance companies are NOT providers of healthcare procedures or counseling. If you were to call an insurance agent and ask the individual his or her professional opinion on any given medical problem, you’d likely get hung up on. They probably don’t know anymore than the average medical consumer about healthcare… with the exception of cost or how to play the system!!!!!!!
DO NOT misunderstand me: I completely agree with some form of regulation and standardization of care, but I do NOT agree with the outrageous and BLATANT scheming of the insurance and pharmaceutical companies with the federal government. Decision-making government officials are not healthcare experts for a reason. Their interest is in “law”, not medicine. How many political science majors do you know that would skip out on a debate in order to, say, watch a wound debridement? Exactly.

All of this ties into my ever-burgeoning pet peeve: my generation.

Instead of Generation X, Y, or Z, let’s go with something a little bit more appropriate.
GENERATION APATHY.

Generations that follow my own even go beyond that, which is a veritable mindf***.
Where is your passion? Why is the collective mindset that we are only put on this earth to make money and acquire stuff?
What in the world has happened to a nation founded by scholars that we now care more about what Snooki has to say… about ANYTHING?!
People: she’s a low-class, too-tanned, uneducated skank ho that needs to get a handle on her drinking. Who honestly gives a rat’s behind about the high school-like drama on those stupid reality shows about “who kissed who” and “I can’t believe what she’s wearing!”. You know, there are much more important things going on in the world that involve a few more brain cells.
Or, wait, have you killed all of those brain cells by constantly popping your cousin’s Xanax, drinking 5 Hour Energy, and smoking “medical” marijuana?

Call it cliche, but DO YOU KNOW THERE ARE STARVING PEOPLE IN AFRICA? INDIA? OUR OWN DAMN COUNTRY?!

The bottom line is this:
America is doomed. Nothing will bring us back from this downward spiral into idiocy and selfishness. Without a passion for others, or even the slightest yearning for knowledge, there is absolutely  NO WAY that America will stay the #1 superpower. No, China has us in its clutches, and we’re all going down. One blog isn’t going to invoke a revolution; I’m not stupid. If one person, though, can see that the passion being put into this letter is something of a blessing and a curse, thank Jesus.

For further reading, give “The Summoned Self” by David Brooks for NYTimes.com a try. I can’t be the only one that feels that I have a purpose to fulfill on earth. You have no idea how frustrating actually feeling is… unless you’re one of the people I need to meet and collaborate with.

This little “blog” thing is flawed, anyway! I have neither the patience, nor the time, to sit down here and spill my entire thought-process into my Mac. There’s just no way. I’m hoping that you will comment and ask questions, though, for clarification. In fact, I prefer that this little rant remain raw, so that anyone who has half a brain that reads this will have no other choice BUT to hit me with a “WTH?” and allow me to further elaborate on some of the MANY issues I barely even tapped on.

***

At this point, I’m wracking my brain trying to figure out how to make this blurb more clear. In truth, I don’t know how. There are a million different ideas swimming around in there that I simply cannot put into words right now. All I know is that I am furious with anyone who’s content to sit back and watch this train wreck happen. I’m furious with the government, I’m furious with our “role models”, I’m furious with my generation, and all the generations that follow. There has been no progress, there has been no change for the better. As God as my witness, and my mentor, I will not sit back and be satisfied with my surroundings… I’m going to get off of my ass and do something.

Prescriptions, People, and the Poop They Give Their Bodies

I’ve been racking my brains the past few weeks trying to figure out how in the world to word this. My notes are endless, and seemingly nonsensical… so I think I’m just gonna have to wing it. Please bear with me, as this may be rather scattered… this is a huge topic to wing anything on!

Look: the reason why we’re all sick, all the time, is because our bodies’ defenses have been weakened by all of the crap we shove into our bodies, day-in and day-out. Plain and simple.

Medical advances have afforded the worldwide population HUGE wins in the category of Man v. Bacteria. Any arguments? Didn’t think so.
The truth is, sometimes science goes too far, and us laymen in the general population are eager to eat anything that science throws our way. It’s time we all start doing our research.
The human body is a fascinating, perfectly designed organism. It is able to heal itself, efficiently keep itself essentially waste-free, designed for protection from the elements, and is able to adapt according to temperature, etc. You know, within reason. Even Superman had kryptonite, mmk?
When we start introducing synthetic hormones, enzymes, and chemicals to the bloodstream, however, problems arise. For the most part, the waste management program going on within our organs is sufficient to rid the body of excess salt, protein, acid, etc. It’s when we start overloading the system that the efficiency slows. Kind of like what would happen if your boss gave you the work of five people to do, and expected the same results as if you were only doing your own job. Unfair, right?

So, as Americans, we’re taught that pretty much anything can be solved by reaching for the medicine cabinet, and it normally does work for a while! However, unbeknownst to us, our bodies have been staging a coups.
The main organs involved in metabolizing and processing chemicals and foreign substances are the kidneys and liver. Ever heard of liver failure in a lifelong, heavy drinker? That’s something called liver cirrhosis… the liver worked as hard as it could for years and years, then shot up the white flag, clearly wearing its battle wounds.

Yup, battle scars, alright!

In essence, the same goes for lifelong pill-poppers; only that will also involve the kidneys, and the damage to the liver will be far less significant. Also possible: raised blood pressure, elevated heart rate, stomach ulcers, acid reflux, water retention… and when food is involved, things like weight gain, diabetes, arteriosclerosis… need I go on? Our bodies simply are not made to deal with a never-ending flow of preservatives, chemicals, faux-hormones, and the like.

Now please, before there’s any kind of backlash:
I am not a physician (yet). I am not claiming to be a licensed physician, nor am I diagnosing ANYTHING. This is my opinion, speculation, and thought-process.

I want you to think about this, though: The unnerving upswing in the trend of chronic illnesses can be associated with…?
That’s right! The unnerving upswing in the trend of prescription drug use. Hm.

Also: Did you know the United States is the ONLY country that allows pharmaceutical company advertisement?
*hint* This is part of the healthcare cost problem! (More on that when I skewer the FDA in an upcoming post)

One must also consider that the population has grown increasingly more sedentary, eating more packaged, sodium-laden foods, and has every convenience at their fingertips. I’m not excluding myself, either; my phone should probably be surgically attached to my right hand!
The point I am trying to make is, do your research and think a little. Do you honestly need an Advil PM to get to sleep? Is your sniffling truly cause for downing half a bottle of DayQuil? Hot dogs: really?
Try looking into a few homeopathic remedies every so often. It’ll save you money, and teach your body to start fending for itself again. Put down that antimicrobial, antibacterial, makes-your-papercuts-sting hand gel, too! It’s unnecessary to sanitize your hands all the time! Most germs can enter your body, and your body will learn to fight them naturally. If your body is never exposed to germs, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of short-term illness.
Take note: I did just take some of the heat off of the drug-usage. The FDA need not put me on their Most Wanted list… yet.
Why, did I mention food, too? DUH. Dairy products, meat, eggs, chicken, fish… all laden with antibiotics, growth-hormones, sodium for preservation and color… Lord only knows what else! Eat healthier. It’s not that hard. Fruits, veggies, tofu (won’t kill you)… just be sure to wash them well to remove pesticides and chemical residue. There’s no escaping ALL chemicals. Oh, and drink filtered water! It sure beats liquid corn syrup (soda, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light…). Gross.

*sigh* SO — I doubt that made a whole lot of sense, but that’s the gist.

My philosophies:
Medications should be a last resort, and as short-term as possible.
Have your cake and eat it, too… just not all the time.
Working up a sweat lets you know you’re definitely still breathing!

Got it? 🙂

Oh, and I love this book. For obvious reasons.

Read. It.

First post: Sophistication

I’m new to this, but my parents always said I had a knack for writing, so I figured I’d give it a try.I’m a twenty-three year old with a lot of opinions and I just need an outlet. So here I am!

so-phis-ti-cat-ed: [suh-fis-ti-key-tid] adjective

1. (of a person, ideas, tastes, manners, etc.) altered by education, experience, etc., so as to be worldly-wise; not naive

2. pleasing or satisfactory to the tastes of sophisticates

3. deceptive; misleading

4. complex or intricate, as a system, process, piece of machinery, or  the like

5. of, for, or reflecting educated taste, knowledgeable use, etc.

This morning, sitting in church, Pastor Terry was talking about sophistication and Christianity, and how they don’t relate to one another.

Really? They can’t coexist peacefully with one another?

It drives me nuts that “scholars” lean toward Darwinism or the Big Bang Theory. Those of you who call yourselves scholars should be ashamed. Take another look!

I love science; the human body and medicine are my favorite subjects, without question; but the thought that this perfect creation and all that makes it up just came from a little dust and/or evolved from monkey cells out of nothingness is disheartening. Depressing, even.
Look at the structure and function of our cells: our body has the ability to generate its own electricity and convert sugar to fuel. All of the little blood cells in our body move in a stream of plasma… this viscous fluid made up of water and electrolytes, etc. Our skin can regenerate itself, our eyes are more fascinating than the latest camera (which can never compare to our own lens capability), our hair is literally protein extracted from what we consume…
Did NATURE honestly create something this perfect? Is nature actually capable of creating, or is it really just responding to what is?

God is responsible for this perfection.

I am comforted and humbled knowing that this Master Creator, Literary Genius, Physicist Extraordinaire, Omnipotent, All-Knowing, Supreme Being loves and cares for ME more than anything else. All He wants is for me to acknowledge, love, trust, and know Him so that I may one day rejoin His Kingdom.

Do you know any expert more impressive than He? Are your connections with your friend-who-knows-this-guy-that-knows-the-cousin-of-Miley-Cyrus more important than where you’ll be spending eternity?

Our society is so twisted and becoming more and more shameful by the day. I’m embarrassed to even admit the generation I belong to because of how idiotic most of my peers are.
To my peers reading: Pull your heads out of your butts. Seriously. Pull the stupid earbuds out, take off your blinders, and take notice to what’s going on around you. Apocalypse is imminent. What have you done to help your fellow man? Do you care about anyone other than yourself? Try going to a homeless shelter once and seeing how the other side lives. Maybe your brand new Nike hi-tops (which are disgusting and so 80s) won’t matter so much then, knowing that you’re fortunate enough to have shoes. Pick up a book for once and learn about how healthcare or the government works. Vote!

EDUCATE YOURSELF.

The truth is: the more educated one becomes, the more logical it should become to cultivate a relationship with Christ. Share your knowledge with those that don’t know Him and make the world a more tolerable place to live until we all go home. It’s time to stop being mongrels and start being SOPHISTICATED.