Baby It's cold Outside...

So while I was studying for finals, I made a quick post about things that I wanted to discuss at a later date when I got the time...So since Christmas is tomorrow, I figured I'd get the first thing off the list...

The funniest Christmas song to me is Baby It's Cold Outside...here is a video:


And the lyrics:

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

C'mon baby

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh darling, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

Baby it's cold outside

Brr its cold�.
It's cold out there
Cant you stay awhile longer baby
Well�..I really shouldn't...alright

I first heard it last year while shopping (or pretending to shop) in some uppity store...I couldn't help but laugh out loud! I know the sales people must have thought I was crazy. lol. And just like any Christmas song and Carol it has been recorded and rerecorded by everyone! I couldn't really decide which version to put, but I think you get the point.

The funniest/ eek-worthy lines are definitely her asking  "Say what's in this drink" while later on the male character replies "mind if I move closer" "what's the sense in hurting my pride" "baby don't hold out"... wow! This song debuted in the 40s...anyways. At least I can cross one thing off my list..

1. My favorite Christmas song (this year)
2. The fair trade movement
3. The current state of Natural Hair
4. How much is an education really worth?
5. Are the regions of the US really that different and are these particular stereotypes valid?
6. Knowledge as a Commodity
7. What is urban?
8. Consumerism


Until Next Time...

1 semester down, 7 more to go...

So I finished my first semester of Optometry school and I must say that it really was quite a journey. In terms of academics, I am pretty sure that I came out with above a 3.0 this semester!! woohoo!! I just wanted to list 5 things that I could not have made it this semester without...


5. Baked Goods

When I was stressed I definitely baked, whether it was cookies, muffins, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, etc. It made me feel better and they sure did taste good. I'm not sure how I didn't gain a lot of weight, maybe all of the stress balanced it out.





4. Twitter

I know you are probably wondering why Twitter...well..mostly because it reminded me that not everyone's life completely sucked. lol. And it kept me connected to the outside world that is easy to forget when you are in class from 8 to 3, and then study from 4 to 11...It was also a quick, mindless study break every once in a while. And tweets were just something fun to do.



3. School Supplies (Notebooks, Pens, Highlighters)


Honestly in all of my years of schooling, I don't think I have ever been through the amount of school supplies that I went through this semester. I had to throw away several pens because I used all of the ink, went through numerous highlighters, and several notebooks. It was so absolutely absurd to me, but I did what I had to do, whether was recopying all of my notes, several times...drawing diagrams and what not.




2. Coffee!

 As one of my previous post already describes. Coffee was a lifesaver...man! In undergrad I definitely enjoyed coffee, but not every day or in the morning because to be honest, I didn't have that many morning classes in undergrad. But this semester I pretty much had to be in class at 8 am everyday. So coffee provided me that extra jolt that I needed to concentrate in my first class. Also it smelled and tasted so good.



1. My Phone

 This is a way of saying that my family and friends definitely kept me sane. I spoke to my mom soo much. I had a lot of bad days, and whenever I called her she listened to my silly problems. I looked forward to speaking to my sisters every week and my friends were also soo great. Even the random text messages really made me happy. All of this was made possible because of my phone. :-)


Until Next Time...

Thinking vs. Voting

So today I received the Emory Quadrangle...one of Emory's multiple publications to keep alumni (that's me!!) informed about what is going on in the University.Well the dean's letter actually had such a great impact on me, and it summarized how I feel about college and what a "good" university provides...

"In this larger sense, our faculty and students fill every minute of the school year and every square foot of Emory with debate. In classes and conference rooms, offices and labs all over campus, debate is constantly afoot. A good liberal arts college is the world's greatest debate team. In the classroom, faculty go out of their way to present multiple theories and ideas. Critical thinking requires this and follows from it: proposing, sorting, weighing, considering. The point is to examine all truth, new or received, and reach and informed judgment on their merits. 

We are all here to think, in other words, not to take sides and defend them at any cost. 'Thinking' as Robert Frost once noted, 'is not agreeing or disagreeing. That is voting.'" - Dean Robert Paul

As noted above, I think any great collegiate environment is one in which great conversation/debate can be held. This usually arises from differing opinions and background. A main problem I had with a particular professor at my current school is that he presented his opinions in class as "fact." And no one seemed to have an issue with it because their opinions agreed with his. Definitely frustrating. I like the fact that in Emory's vision statement it includes that it is "Inquiry-driven, ethically engaged, and diverse community."

I don't think that I can say my current school can be characterized by any of those adjectives. That is a major problem I had with it this semester. Anyways...I know that professional school is definitely different from Undergrad, but still...in the few classes that aren't purely science facts and memorization. It would have been nice to gain some sort of perspective on the world. There is a lot more that I want to say with this post, so I'll try and finish it later before I start rambling...

Until Next Time...

Scope- 12/21 to 12/27

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

It's not what that someone says that will matter now. It'll be his actions that will give you all the information you need to know. Yes, as it goes, the pressure of the holidays makes people dumb and words sometimes can escape. But oh well, not all that you desire can come to you on a silver platter, so be thankful for the little things -- they'll be far more powerful than talk. 

Until Next Time...

My Coffee Maker and Me

 So my coffee maker has been the single best purchase that I have made this ENTIRE semester. Now that it is finals time...(4 down, 2 to more go)...it has been working several times a day. So this post is dedicated to my A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, black, chic Chefmate (that I got on sale from Target) coffeemaker, that has never let me down, always picks me up in the morning before classes or for some late night studying....

So clearly all this studying has made me lose my mind, but seriously my coffeemaker is great. I just brewed some coffee....Ok back to Neuro Studying..but before I go here are some coffee quotes..


"Suave molecules of Mocha stir up your blood, without causing excess heat; the organ of thought receives from it a feeling of sympathy; work becomes easier and you will sit down without distress to your principal repast which will restore your body and afford you a calm, delicious night.  ~Prince Tallyrand"
This coffee falls into your stomach, and straightway there is a general commotion.  Ideas begin to move like the battalions of the Grand Army of the battlefield, and the battle takes place.  Things remembered arrive at full gallop, ensuing to the wind.  The light cavalry of comparisons deliver a magnificent deploying charge, the artillery of logic hurry up with their train and ammunition, the shafts of with start up like sharpshooters.  Similes arise, the paper is covered with ink; for the struggle commences and is concluded with torrents of black water, just as a battle with powder.  ~Honore de Balzac, "The Pleasures and Pains of Coffee"

Until Next Time...

INFJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judgement)

So I just took the Myers-Briggs test again, and I am an INFJ! Which is the same thing that I was Senior year of high school.. (4 years ago). Thats pretty weird, but at least I am consistent in a weird way. It's also interesting because I really do believe these are my base qualities.


Your Type is
                             INFJ

Introverted	Intuitive	Feeling	Judging
Strength of the preferences %
11	50	75	44

 

Anyways...thanks to Wikipedia, there is a break down of INFJ. It describes me to a "t"...really bizarre.


INFJs tend to be sensitive leaders with a great depth of personality. They are intricately and deeply woven, mysterious, and highly complex, sometimes puzzling even to themselves. They have an orderly view toward the world, but are internally arranged in a complex way that only they can understand. Abstract in communicating, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. With a natural affinity for art, INFJs tend to be creative and easily inspired. Yet they may also do well in the sciences, aided by their intuition.

INFJs are conscientious and value-driven. They seek meaning in relationships, ideas, and events, with an eye toward better understanding themselves and others. Using their intuitive skills, they develop a clear vision, which they then execute decisively to better the lives of others. Like their INTJ counterparts, INFJs regard problems as opportunities to design and implement creative solutions.

INFJs are quiet, private individuals who prefer to exercise their influence behind the scenes. Although very independent, INFJs are intensely interested in the well-being of others. INFJs prefer one-on-one relationships to large groups. Sensitive and complex, they are adept at understanding complicated issues and driven to resolve differences in a cooperative and creative manner.

INFJs have a rich, vivid inner life, which they may be reluctant to share with those around them. Nevertheless, they are congenial in their interactions, and perceptive of the emotions of others. Generally well-liked by their peers, they may often be considered close friends and confidants by most other types. However, they are guarded in expressing their own feelings, especially to new people, and so tend to establish close relationships slowly. INFJs tend to be easily hurt, though they may not reveal this except to their closest companions. INFJs may "silently withdraw as a way of setting limits," rather than expressing their wounded feelings—a behavior that may leave others confused and upset.

^{Until Next Time...}

Scope- 12/14 to 12/21

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Make luxury a part of your life, as you need to set new themes in your psyche that have you reinstating who the true Queen is in your life. Yes, splurge senselessly if you must, as in whatever it takes to shake you into knowing you are at your best in decadence. After all, if you can't set the example, who will? Don't leave the important things up to fate. Take control now! 

Until Next Time...

Life is a Journey...not a Destination

Life is a journey,
Not a destination,
There are no mistakes,
Just chances we’ve taken
Lay down your regrets cause all we have is now

Wake up in the morning
And get out of bed
Start making a mental list in my head
Of all of the things that I am grateful for

Early in the morning
It’s the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my eyes and
I open up my mind and
I wonder how life will surprise me today

Early in the morning
It’s the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my heart and
I’m gon’ do my part and
Make this a positively beautiful day
 
Life is a challenge not a competition
You can still smell the roses and be on a mission
Just take a moment to get in touch with your heart
Sometimes you feel like you’ve got something to prove
Remind yourself that there’s only one you
Just take a moment to give thanks of who you are

-India Arie

Until Next Time...

Just to get it Out of My head...

So it seems as though whenever I have a crazy amount of work to do that is when all of these ideas of random things come to me. Except I have no real time to share, so as I have been studying for finals, there have been many things that I have been thinking about. So I figured I would make a list for later...basically in 5 days after I have taken my 4 finals, so that I can revisit it...and blog about it...eventually, here it goes:

1. My favorite Christmas song (this year)
2. The fair trade movement
3. The current state of Natural Hair
4. How much is an education really worth?
5. Are the regions of the US really that different and are these particular stereotypes valid?
6. Knowledge as a Commodity
7. What is urban?
8. Consumerism


Hmm...that's all for now, back to Anat and Phys studying...I think I might continually edit my list over the next few days. OH and I know I have all kinds of comma misuse and run-on sentences above...eek. Sorry it's finals!

Until Next Time...

Why Me?

Right Now for Saint Louis, MO (63121) Save Location   [ English | Metric ]	Weather for your life Weather Related to... Aches & Pains Air Quality & Pollution Allergies & Pollen Boat & Beach Cold & Flu Fitness & Exercise Flights & Business Travel Golf Weather Health Home Improvement Interstate Driving Forecast Lawn & Garden Outdoor Recreation Pets Schoolday Weather Ski Conditions Skin Protection Sporting Events Vacation & Travel Guide Wedding Planner
Light Snow and Windy 19°F Feels Like 2°F Updated Dec 9 06:45 p.m. CT Saint Louis Live Webcams UV Index: 0 Low Wind: From W at 24 mph gusting to 31 mph Humidity: 58% Pressure: 29.87 in. Dew Point: 9°F Visibility: 3.0 miles Download Now Free Desktop Weather

I should have just gone to Optometry school in Memphis...aaah! What was I thinking? I was so spoiled in Georgia and I didn't even know it. Hopefully I don't DIE when walking home from the library! Oh and can we talk about how the freaking library still has on the A/C...these people are out of their minds...I have on a tank top/t-shirt/hoodie with the hood on/my coat/with some boots on...and if I could write with gloves, I would have those on too! I know I look crazy, but I can't study in my apartment... :( I lied to myself for half a semester... But I seriously complained all day about the weather...like I am mad, and all I keep saying is "IT'S NOT WINTER yet...so why is it snowing?" Seriously why? It's still technically fall! I haven't seen the sun in days.. What happened to global warming, isn't that supposed to be occurring. Anyways...back to studying for finals under these frigid temperatures...geesh I did a lot of blogposts today..hmm..Until Next Time...

Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

So I'm always happy when my lunch breaks falls at 1 pm, that way I can catch Wendy Williams. Well as you probably know, she makes an "Elf Yourself" dance for everyone. Mine is above. I think it is soo cute! lol. I might post it to the side of my blog too! Until Next Time...

100th Post!

Woohoo!!!! It's my 100th post. I am glad that I have kept up with this blog even though this has been a rough semester...Until Next Time...

21 Suggestions for Success...

This pretty generic, but I figured I would share...

21 Suggestions for Success

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.

2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.

3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.

6. Be generous.

7. Have a grateful heart.

8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.

9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12. Commit yourself to quality.

13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

14. Be loyal.

15. Be honest.

16. Be a self-starter.

17. Be decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong.

18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

20. Take good care of those you love.

21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your mom proud.


Until Next Time...

Booty Pop

So I stumbled across this website/product thanks to Twitter. So it's called Booty Pop Panties and it is basically to give you a "larger" ""booty"". So sad...so sad. But the website is hilarious they show lots of Before/After pictures of this chick. Let's just call her Susie or Becky..lol. But yeah they come in all kinds of colors and are $30 a pair. I just don't understand why people can't be happy with their bodies and what they have/don't have. Oh well, I guess I can't relate. lol. Here is a direct quote from the website..

"As a Celebrity wardrobe stylist, one of my biggest problems is that many of my clients do not have enough butt to make their rears look full,round or just do not have a great shape butt. Trust me, not everyone has a booty. I can not seem to find jeans that fit my clients well enough to make their butts look good, they keep complaining about their butts being flat in their jeans. Some are even contemplating getting implants....it does not make sense! When I heard about Booty Pop, I immediately bought a few pairs and brought them to my clients. When they tried them on with their jeans, shorts, slacks or dress pants, they could not believe their eyes and believe that such a cute pair of underwear could make such a miracle. You should have seen the smiles Booty Pop put on their faces, it was like magic! They instantly enhance a butt and my clients swore to never take them off. I do not usually give my tricks of the trade to the public but booty pop is too good to keep to myself. I know booty pop will make many women happy."

Jennifer Rosenblatt

Styled American Idol judge Paula Abdul

Wow...my fav line is "You should have seen the smiles Booty Pop put on their faces, it was like magic!" sigh...Sadness, but hilarious. Off to the library. Until Next Time...

Scope- 12/7-12/13

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Sit back and let the magic unfold. Comfort is the key to knowing if you're in the right place, as things will flow forward naturally if meant to be. Otherwise, if you break out your control freak now, it'll only mess up the vibe and blur you from truly gauging the equality factor of your latest tryst. Yes, to win this round, you're just going to have to let it ride. 

I just took the lab portion of my Neuro exam and I am going to take the lecture portion. I can't dwell on how I did. I just got my Scope (it is Monday after all...I hate Monday exams). My scope is so relevant (as always). Hope everything is enjoying December so far...It "snowed" last night...ugh can't wait to go back home. Ok gotta cram for my test. Until Next Time...

Minority Healthcare Professionals

So I receive a daily Enewsletter from the AOA (American Optometric Association), on updates on news and what not... below is the actual description they provide.

AOA (American Optometric Association) First Look is intended to provide an immediate, unfiltered look at the news that affects optometrists and our patients. 

 I think that I am going to post interesting articles/blurbs that might be interesting and informative. Below is discusses the number of minority doctors...currently it is 6%, honestly when they say minority I am not sure if they are including hispanics/native americans. However there are only 4% African American Optometrists...that is so crazy to me. And it is actually getting worse, because there are only 3% blacks currently enrolled in Optometry school, so that number is going down today. 

Surgeon general calls for more minority doctors.

The AP (12/4, Stobbe) reports that US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin "called for stepped-up efforts in increasing the number of minority physicians" yesterday in one of her first speeches in her new position. Benjamin "noted that the proportion of US physicians who are minorities is only six percent -- the same proportion as a century ago. 'There's something wrong with that,' said Benjamin, speaking at a conference on health disparities at a hotel in downtown Atlanta."

        The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12/4) notes that Benjamin told the group, "Unless the current trend is reversed, our country will see a growing ethnic and racial disconnect between those who receive care and those who provide that care." The "53-year-old graduate of the Morehouse School of Medicine" added that "the recent downward trend in minority admissions follows years of gains in these areas. ... Asked whether the need for more minority medical professionals would be a priority of her time as the nation's highest-ranking health profession, the newly appointed Benjamin told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she has yet to announce her priorities. But she emphasized that it is an important issue." 

Oh another random narrative before I go. So I am in class currently, and maybe 20 minutes ago I was waving my hand around (for at least 4 mins) trying to ask a question and the professor literally called on everyone BUT me. When he called on another classmate he actually said "Can you answer VanB's question first"... Of course the class laughed because EVERYONE, but him (supposedly) saw my hand up. And a classmate next to mine, said to me, I guess racism does exist...Umm yeah I didn't find his comment funny AT ALL...ga-reat. Anyways...Until Next Time...

African Americans and AIDS

Today is December 1st...World AIDS Day. Had it not been for the numerous blogs I read, I think the day may have been forgotten.  It is easy to get caught in the daily "hustle and bustle of life."Although I have an important exam, I figure I'd take the type out to write a quick post, because many people are living with Aids every single day, so most people can at least take a day out to acknowledge the PANDEMIC that Aids currently is. As the graphic says, AIDS has seriously become an "Out of Sight...Out of mind" disease which is extremely problematic. 

By now most people know the basics, it's a retrovirus, etc, etc. (Even did a boring group presentation on it last month), but I wanted to just remind people of the current Epidemiology of Aids, specifically when it comes to the African American community. 

Below I have lots of facts/news from the CDC on AIDS and the African American community! Please read, spread the knowledge and remember that almost half of the people living with AIDS in the US are black, and it is not just "isolated incidents" and that it could just as easily be us or someone we know.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in African American communities is a continuing public health crisis for the United States. At the end of 2006 there were an estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV infection, of which almost half (46%) were black/African American [1]. While blacks represent approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population, they continue to account for a higher proportion of cases at all stages of HIV/AIDS—from infection with HIV to death with AIDS—compared with members of other races and ethnicities [2, 3].

The Numbers

HIV/AIDS in 2007

• Blacks accounted for 51% of the 42, 655 (including children) new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 34 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting [3].
• Blacks accounted for 48% of the 551,932 persons* (including children) living with HIV/AIDS in 34 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting [3].
• For black women living with HIV/AIDS, the most common methods of transmission were high-risk heterosexual contact** and injection drug use [3].
• For black men living with HIV/AIDS, the most common methods of HIV transmission were (in order) [3]:
• sexual contact with other men
• injection drug use
• high-risk heterosexual contact**.

Race/ethnicity of persons (including children) with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2007

Note. Based on data from 34 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

AIDS in 2007

• Blacks accounted for 49% of the estimated 35,962 AIDS cases diagnosed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia [3].
• In 2007, the rates of AIDS diagnoses decreased among blacks but were still higher than the rates of any other race/ethnicity. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for black adults/adolescents were 10 times the rate for whites and nearly 3 times the rate for Hispanics. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for black women was 22 times the rate for white women. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for black men was almost 8 times the rate for white men [3].
• Blacks accounted for 44% of the 455,636* people living with AIDS in the 50 states and District of Columbia [3].
• By the end of 2007, 40% of the 562,793* persons with AIDS who died were black [3].

Prevention Challenges

Like other communities, African Americans face a number of risk factors that contribute to the high rates of HIV infection:

• Sexual risk factors include high-risk sexual contact such as unprotected sex with multiple partners or unprotected sex with persons known to have or be at a high risk for HIV infection. People may be unaware of their partner’s sexual risk factors or have incorrectly assessed them.
• Injection drug use may add to the higher rates of infection for African Americans. In addition to being at risk from sharing unclean needles, causal and chronic illegal substance users may be more likely to engage in unprotected sex under the influence of illegal drugs and/or alcohol [4].
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be experienced at higher rates within the African American community, more so than any other race/ethnicity in the United States. The presence of certain STDs can significantly increase one’s chances of contracting HIV infection. A person who has both HIV infection and certain STDs has a greater chance of spreading HIV infection to others [5].
• Lack of awareness of HIV serostatus is risky for African American men and women. In a recent study of men who have sex with men (MSM) in five cities, 46% of the black MSM were HIV-positive and 67% of those men were unaware of their infection [6].
• Stigma, a “negative social label that identifies people as deviant”, [7] also puts too many African American communities at a high risk of infection. Any behavior deemed deviant (i.e. MSM) has been highly stigmatized. Many at risk for HIV infection fear stigma more than knowing their status, choosing instead to hide their high-risk behavior rather than seek counseling and testing. Therefore they continue to be at risk and may infect others [8].
• The socioeconomic issues associated with poverty, including limited access to high quality healthcare, housing and HIV prevention education may directly or indirectly increase the risk factors for HIV infection [9].

Until Next Time...

Scope- 11/30 to 12/6

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Drama and love don't have to go hand-in-hand. While some obstacles are unavoidable, be prudent with what you are buying as excuses. Sure, it takes work to be in a relationship, but sacrificing your pride and testing your patience don't qualify as such. Draw the line between abuse and understanding and get a leg up on your love life immediately. 

Wow...well I guess I have already taken the necessary actions to get it under control..geesh, why is this so relevant? Until Next Time...

Enthusiasm

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

So I'm back in STL...and I am trying not to wallow in my misery too much...The sun is not shining at all, and i was definitely a stark difference as soon as my plane was come down below the clouds. However now that I am back I am trying to motivate myself to get resume the crazy study grind until Winter Break. I know it is going to be hard, but I am going to live by the above quote. There is no need to be down and out about school...yeah it sucks, but hopefully it will get better. So I will have lots of Enthusiasm these next 3 weeks!!! *mark my word.... (ok at least I will try)!

Oh and I added a "Daily Quotes Widget"...hopefully that will keep me motivated and will be something interesting to read. This is a random sidenote, but who is Ralph Waldo Emerson anyways...he seems to have a lot of quotes...maybe I'll look him up..in Wikipedia of course. Ok I am going to get back to studying for my exam on Wednesday...Until Next Time...

Scope - 11/23 to 11/29

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Remember, you've been screwed over enough times when someone has pitched love on an installment plan. The truth is the debt never gets paid and you are typically left with an overly idealistic hope for a miracle to save the day -- giving more to compensate and wasting precious time all the while. Sure, it'd be beautiful if it ever worked out, but most of the time it doesn't. 

This horoscope is eerily true...I subscribe to " Weekly Friskyscopes" and they always seem to be right on target for the week. I guess I'll continue to share them each week, if I remember. Until Next Time...

Giving Thanks

I have so much to be thankful for...I was initially going to list out things that I am thankful for, but honestly that would take too long! I would honestly say I am happy right now, which I am thankful for it in itself. I am surrounded by amazing people that I love and inspire me everyday (even if they don't know it). I hope everyone enjoys the time with their loved ones. Somehow I got suckered into making "sides" this thanksgiving. That should be interesting...lol. I know everyone eats and enjoys turkey, but honestly the first thing I reach for/get is ham! Yes...I like ham more than turkey, hence the pic! Oh and I usually don't send out mass texts on thanksgiving...but I felt compelled to this year so I did. I think it was important to tell my friends that I was thinking of them, often people underestimate the value of friends.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.  ~Melody Beattie

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.  ~William Arthur Ward

Until Next Time...

Burnout is real...

So people often use the statement that they feel burntout...I used to find myself saying that, but I truly had no idea what that really meant...Until this week. I am so ready to go leave STL and school, but I still have 3 exams left. :( I found some information on Burnout...the signs, symptoms, and what you can do about it. This is probably more therapeautic than complaining/whining/crying on the phone to my mom/friends (even though that has helped)...

What is burnout?

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.
Burnout reduces your productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Eventually, you may feel like you have nothing more to give.

Stress vs. Burnout
Stress				Burnout
Characterized by overengagement				Characterized by disengagement
Emotions are overreactive				Emotions are blunted
Produces urgency and hyperactivity				Produces helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of energy				Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope
Leads to anxiety disorders				Leads to detachment and depression
Primary damage is physical				Primary damage is emotional

Dealing with Burnout: The "Three R" Approach

• Recognize – Watch for the warning signs of burnout
• Reverse – Undo the damage by managing stress and seeking support
• Resilience – Build your resilience to stress by taking care of your physical and emotional health

Burnout prevention tips

• Start the day with a relaxing ritual. Rather jumping out of bed as soon as you wake up, spend at least fifteen minutes meditating, writing in your journal, doing gentle stretches, or reading something that inspires you.
• Adopt healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping habits. When you eat right, engage in regular physical activity, and get plenty of rest, you have the energy and resilience to deal with life’s hassles and demands. 
• Set boundaries. Don’t overextend yourself. Learn how to say “no” to requests on your time. If you find this difficult, remind yourself that saying “no” allows you to say “yes” to the things that you truly want to do.
• Take a daily break from technology. Set a time each day when you completely disconnect. Put away your laptop, turn off your phone, and stop checking email.
• Nourish your creative side. Creativity is a powerful antidote to burnout. Try something new, start a fun project, or resume a favorite hobby. Choose activities that have nothing to do with work.
• Learn how to manage stress. When you’re on the road to burnout, you may feel helpless. But you have a lot more control over stress than you may think. Learning how to manage stress can help you regain your balance. 

Like I said earlier, there are times in undergrad when I may have felt burntout...but I really wasn't, that was nothing compared to how I feel now. I hope I never feel this way again. I just need to take a break, relax, rejuvenate, and get back to it. :sigh: Until Next Time...

Happy Birthday...to ME!

Today I purpose to live My life will shine As the morning sings I walk in liberty Bound in true dreams Manifested promises Chase my forward motion A covered path before me The fruits of my hoping The fruits of my living Today I purpose to love My love will speak With the sound of grace Merciful within mercy The works of my faith Smiles of overflowing Inspire my giving Abundance of joy as rain The fruits of my living

michael john faciane

Until Next Time...

Praise Song for the Day

Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.

All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.

Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.

We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of some one and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.

I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,

picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.

Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.

Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?

Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,

Praise song for walking forward in that light. 

-Elizabeth Alexander (Inaugural Poet)

I meant to write this post a few days ago on Election Day, but I just didn't have time. Most people recognize this poem because it was the "inaugural poem" read by Elizabeth Alexander at President Obama's inauguration. When I first heard it, at Emory's cozy "Harland Cinema" it instantly captivated me and I thought it was so appropriate for the occasion at hand. But everytime I read it...it seems to get even more powerful and take on a new meaning of that particular day that I read it.

Today I am definitely exhaling "praise songs for the day." Honestly, it has been rather difficult to give "praises" for the day, when I feel as though I am barely staying afloat with all the "material" and what not. But even though I have a really big exam coming up tomorrow (Anatomy and Physiology), I am so grateful that I am blessed enough to be in my current situation. My decision is validated even more when we do anything remotely related to the eyes. Just two days ago I ordered my first/second year's equipment. Even though it came up to over $1700 (which I'm using loan money to pay for). It made me really happy.

The fact that I have this opportunity is amazing. It is easy to forget the struggle/plight of others when you are in this academic bubble that is focused more on learn, study, take test...As of last year, it is estimated that ONLY 3% of current practicing optometrists are African American. Did you catch that? 3% that is sooo crazy. However it makes sense since my roommate and I are the only two black people in my class (c/o 2013). I just know that I am doing my very best, while trying to retain some sense of sanity.

In all, I am definitely giving praise songs for the day. Until Next Time...

Schools Stifling Creativity...

So...as CNN as my home page, I saw link that asked whether schools/academia was stifling creativity. Actually is a talk that is part of a lecture series TED Talks Tuesdays:
TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a conference and series of talks which brings together some of the world's best speakers and innovative ideas. It will be featured on CNN every Tuesday.


Wow! SO the talk talk was really profound. I ended up taking notes because he said so many things that really stuck with me and I wanted to share. However I just decided to copy and paste part of the article that summed up the talk (if you don't want to watch the video).

What is the argument? In a nutshell, it's that we're all born with immense natural talents but our institutions, especially education, tend to stifle many of them and as a result we are fomenting a human and an economic disaster.

In education, this vast waste of talent involves a combination of factors. They include a narrow emphasis on certain sorts of academic work; the exile of arts, humanities and physical education programs from schools; arid approaches to teaching math and sciences; an obsessive culture of standardized testing and tight financial pressures to teach to the tests.

The result is a disastrous waste of talent among students and their teachers. To sense the scale of this disaster, you only have to look at the alarming rates of turnover among faculty and the levels of drop out, disaffection, stress and prescription drug use among students. Even for students who stay the course and do well in education, the rules of success have changed irrevocably. Just look at the plummeting value of college degrees.

Reforming these systems is not enough. The truth is that we are caught up in a cultural and economic revolution. This revolution is that is global in scale and unpredictable in nature. To meet it, we need a revolution in the culture of education.

This new culture has to emerge from a richer sense of human ability. To shape it, I believe we have to leave behind the manufacturing principles of industrialism and embrace the organic principles of ecology.

Education is about developing human beings, and human development is not mechanical or linear. It is organic and dynamic.

Like all living forms, we flourish in certain conditions and shrivel in others. Great teachers, great parents and great leaders understand those conditions intuitively; poor ones don't. The answer is not to standardize education, but to personalize and customize it to the needs of each child and community. There is no alternative. There never was.

- Sir Ken Robinson

I found this talk applicable and profound in so many ways. Whew! Well first, since I am in professional school I have found myself leaving behind most things that I "enjoy" in order to learn, retain, and study information for my classes. Currently it is week 11...and I feel like I am coming up against a wall. Not necessarily a crossroads, but I feel like I am struggling in my classes and also struggling with my current lifestyle. I know that most people say you need to sacrifice your time, money and most things now so it can pay off later, but is that how people should live life? Is that how I should live life? What if my time on earth was counting down and I didn't know it...will I want to say the last few things that I did was study for 7 hours for a neuroanatomy exam? Or memorize the arteries/veins in the heart? Or learn where an image is formed when object is placed a certain distance from a mirror? No... I would want to have walked outside and looked at the trees as they turn different shades...or read a really good book..or spent time with my loved ones. 

Well such is life...I really need to get back to studying, but before I go..I want to share a random narrative/dream. So first semester my freshman year at Emory...I decided to take a Modern Dance class. I am not sure what attracted me to it, but I really fell in love with Modern. There was so much that was really freeing about it. I planned on being a dance major/minor, but when it came down to it, I never was...why? Mostly because I could barely handle my first major and try and get into professional school...so I pretty much put something that I really loved and valued to the side. I think that is what the "speaker" was getting at...how we give up so much in order to fit into "mainstream" society.

Often people say follow your passion, but I'm not sure if people really mean it..or is it just a phrase that sounds good? Until Next Time...

9 Words/Phrases Women Use

So I was "browsing" through people's fb pages and I came across this in someone's quote section. All of these statements were true...lol. I thought I would share, (just for giggles).

9 Words/Phrases Women Use:

1. "Fine": This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. "Five Minutes": If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. "Nothing": This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4. "Go Ahead": This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5. "Loud Sigh": This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. "That's Okay": This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. "Thanks": A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.

8. "Whatever": Is a women's way of saying F YOU!

9. "Don't worry about it, I got it": Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3.


Oh did I mention? Happy Halloween! Don't forget to turn your clocks back! Yay for Daylight Savings!

Until Next Time...

Overcoming Worry and Anxiety

Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Until Next Time...

Antsy...

Ok so I'm really antsy right now, but I'm not particularly sure why. There are so many things on my mind, but I'm finding it hard to figure it all out in my head. So today concludes week 9 of Optometry school, and it was actually pretty exciting because we had an equipment fair, to look at and decide on the equipment that we will buy. Keep in mind that I will use this equipment pretty much for the rest of my "career." So it was pretty important that you decided what you wanted now...I thought I knew everything that I wanted, but then at the last minute, I started liking another brand of Ophthalmoscope's, but I think I'll go with my originial choice. (The guy in the pic is holding one).

Anyways... That was a pretty long tangent.. I'm starting to feel "over" Missouri and school right now. Everything is getting mundane, there is only 44 people in my class, and I am tired of seeing the same people every single day in every single class...it's like the same people are doing the same thing everyday, same people asking questions, same people making corny jokes...oh and get this...everyone sits in the exact same seat every single day for all of our classes in the SAME room...Are you getting this?? (I wanted to keep getting saying same so you can see how annoying and repetitive it is..that is what my life has become).

Oh and all of the mundaness really made sense to me, when a classmate accused me of being anti social. I thought it was hilarious...because I didn't want to go out to a bar tonight, that we have already been to, to hang with people I have seen all darn week...actually for the past 9 weeks. Isn't that just like deja vu'....I definitely don't get it. don't know...I'll try and get out into the city or something, but I feel like I don't have time because of all the studying..Oh and my car is messed up right now. I need to get that fixed..like today.

So basically...I need to find some culture events ...plays, festivals, musicals, something...cause this midwest thing is getting old really fast. Until Next Time...