Woo hoo!
Vaccine Scare Shows How Emotions Can Trump Facts
A very good reminder to all! And a very nice, simple explanation of why we were so quick to believe the study: it gave hope. Glad I was able to study this topic just after taking my Child Health course. Dr. Adams must be happy.
Powel Favors Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
I better not get blue balled on this ish. I had faith in health care. Don’t do this to me again. I know I’ve been saying that Obama’s supporters need to be thrown a bone, but don’t just get me worked up.
Not sure if Einstein really said that “the most powerful force in the universe is compound interest”, but whomever did say it is a genius.
I’ve decided to make loan payments instead of straightening my hair. This decision should make me feel good. But getting your hair done REALLY makes you feel good.. and paying monies but not receiving anything tangible in return feels like poop.
Whatever, here’s to my most recent loan payments!! (boooo..)
After a month of winter vacation, I have finally caught up with my various email accounts. I should never let it reach this point ever again. Fortunately, LeeBen set me up on Thunderbird v. 3.0 to facilitate the process. Phewwwwf. The pile-up of emails was reflective of how lazy I was this break.
Last week, I hung out with friends in downtown Santa Cruz. I was thoroughly impressed by one of my friends who attends UCSC. Despite, presumably, frequenting the area and thus having a higher exposure to homeless people than me, he was not desensitized. Actually, this friend of mine was very clearly troubled when he was asked for cigarettes, change, or food and had to decline. He’s the slickdeals-ing kind of guy, so took home some leftovers. But when I man asked him for his food, my friend gave it up–saying that his only problem was that he should have given it to a person he thought appeared to need it more. It was a very surprising and pleasant display of humanity (though my friend experienced distraught feelings–I took it that he felt distraught because he sympathized greatly). The reflection of kindness made me happy. He’s a good person. I like my friend.
It also got me thinking about my own reaction towards homeless people. And how I most frequently ignore homeless people–and how this treatment different from (read: worse than) the treatment I would give to most other strangers. With the reminder of my friend’s humanity, hopefully I can work towards increasing my own capacity for respect.
Virtual Visit Over the Web May Expand Access to Doctors
An interesting service that can compliment regular annual (or more frequent, depending on the patient) appointments. Could encourage dialogue among involved parties. But I agree that physicals require.. physicals. I just think it would be a wonderful service to supplement but not replace appointments. Hopefully we can increase awareness of one’s health this way–as it will require less hassle presumably.
For Rural Adults, Health Care Is Wishful Thinking
This is important!! Many of constituents in strongly Republican or conservative states need to realize that this health care reform is for THEM. The rest of us need to realize how terrible it is that we live in the richest and poorest country at the same time. Let’s fix this.
Ban Lifted On Federal Funding For Needle Exchange
THANK YOU, OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. This is the sort of bone you occasionally need to throw out to your supporters. This is a great step towards improving a marginalized yet significant portion of our population. The science (and common sense) supports needle exchange programs. I am excited that more funding can be given to the programs that have been strapped by limited city/county/state budgets. We can reach more people and reduce the spread of communicable diseases by spreading the word that clean needles should be accessible! FTW!!!!!
I was determined to attend either UC Berkeley or UCLA during my senior year of high school. Stanford was that surprise that then made me make a decision between UC Berkeley and Stanford. But I realize that the people I know at UCLA are people for whom I have great respect and love. Every time I go there to visit them, or hang out with them in the Bay, I am reminded just how awesome they are. Maybe UCLA is a magnet for such great people. If that’s the case, I hope to go to UCLA in my future!