Memorial Day



Thanks to all those who have served and their families.

Looking at other countries around the world fighting for their freedom I realize how lucky we are. I am free to go to school, have my own thoughts, express them openly, and make mistakes without being persecuted for them.

Extreme Couponing

Extreme Couponing, has anyone seen this, because after listening to a couple people at work talk about the show and saying how much they love it, it made me want to get cable TV again. Everybody has seen the people on TV who go into a store and buy $100 worth of groceries for less than a $1. Well, I guess TLC has taken it to a new level and shows people who make it an obsession and full-time job. They don't pay for anything.

This kind of mental illness reality TV I can handle, like Hoarders or Intervention. You can keep the Bachelor, House Wives of whatever city and those Jersey people. Although, I think those whiny Jersey people have some mental health problems too.

Yes, I have been called cheap a few times over the years, although I prefer the word thrifty. You know a Costco, Target somewhat thrifty kind of a person. Being in school full-time doesn't help either with the money situation, and if I can get a coupon or good deal, I’m there.

The funny thing is that most of the people who call others cheap, are usually cheap themselves and in some kind of denial. Coupons are a good thing and there is a reason companies spend money putting them out there.

OK, these are a different kinds of extreme couponing, but feel free to use them.

Bombing for Peace is Like...........

Sometimes in class you just shut your mouth or wish you would have when certain discussion happen, and there have been some good ones over the years, when I just sit back and bite my tongue wanting to say something. As practitioners in the health care field they say listening is sometime the hardest thing to do. So last night I put in my quick two cents, then told myself to shut-up as the class got into all kinds of different political and health care funding talk. However, I need to get out of my system what I wanted to say.

Certain politicians instead of going after Wall Street billionaire stealing from the middle class, still want to cut programs like teenage pregnancy prevention and family planning. Yes, that includes Planned Parenthood. Where a huge 3% does actually go towards abortion, but that mean 96% apparently, does not. Instead, it is used for things like education, contraception, cancer screening, STD prevention and treatment, and other health issues along with family planning.  You can read their annual report here.  If politicians want to stick by their belief that is fine, I can even respect it at times.

However, some of these same politicians also want to cut programs like women, infant, children (WIC) and Head Start for low-income families with children.

Therefore, these individuals want to take away alternatives and figuratively force women to have the babies, but they don't want to do anything to help them once they do?

It seemed a little hypocritical and does not make sense to me, it also reminding me of the old saying,

Bombing for Peace

 is like

Fucking for Virginity

People should really read the law of Title X

People are People

Over the years of reading blogs, I have see individuals complaining about how they feel like their clinicals or community work is akin to free labor. Maybe they had a bad day; however, I hope I don't become jaded like that, because one of the best experiences I am having right now is volunteering at a free clinic.

In reality, some of why I am enjoying it so much has to do with the years of dealing with stupid hospital politics, catering to patients and families and documenting everything. Yes, I know it is important to chart positive flatus.

As for this clinic, it is very basic and just above street level care with volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and most importantly interpreters. I love my interpreter, because she understands my weird sense of humor. Anyway, they operate in donated spaces and even out of an elementary school gym one night a week. These are not places for checkups or handing out pain meds; we have signs everywhere letting patients know there are no pain meds on site. These uninsured individuals who cannot afford to see anyone for things like uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, and they just need a little help and maybe a prescription.

No politics, no bean counters, no egos and no kissing ass, just basic care for people who fell through the cracks.

Things work out

It feels like things are finally starting to fall into place, in the academic world anyway. The bachelor’s degree will be done next month and the acceptance letter to start the graduate program in September has been confirmed. In addition, there is financial seminar next weekend, to learning where the money is coming from, one stress I do not want to deal with.


Even though my finals and papers are coming due, graduate school is right around the corner, my sisters and I are starting a lawsuit against our stepmother and I have no health insurance, my stress level is really low right now.

Maybe it is time to start dating again after a self-imposed hiatus, or go visit some distant family to ratchet up the stress and release of some cortisol.

A Real Mother's Day

What would every mother like for Mother’s Day, maybe a complete and professional makeover of her hair and makeup?

Well, that is what happened in the city yesterday to 25 women, but these women were not part of a win a makeover for your Mother on Mother's day contest.

No, these 25 Mothers called one of the local shelters home and next week they will be receiving job training and interview skills. When you have children, the last place you plan to call home is a shelter. Therefore, although I wish all mothers a happy mother’s day, I wish these ones a little bit more of one.

Happy Mothers Day - Sort of

One day all our Mothers will be this age, so let's enjoy them while we can.