Weblog

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

  • Uterine Cramps During Exercise

    Provided that you have a uterus, have you ever experienced cramps during aerobic exercise such as running?

    My sister and I both have but a Google search turns up nothing. 

    Just out of curiosity, have you ever experienced this (not during menstruation)?  Does anyone know why this would happen given that it is a different type of muscle compared to voluntary muscles?

Sunday, 17 May 2009

  • Currently
    Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind
    By V. S. Ramachandran, Sandra Blakeslee
    see related

    Brains and Souls and Judgment (oh my?)

    It's late and I think too much and lately I've taken up the habit of keeping the TV on at a low volume at night just to drown out my thoughts so I can sleep.

    This is ridiculous but is your brain your soul?  Are they one in the same but one has tangible anatomical meaning and the other one has purely symbolic and religious significance?  Does one exist in this current dimension and the other is tangible on another plane of existence?

    What is a soul, even?  My feeling is that it represents a person and his or her personality and general goodness.  It's what comes in contact with God (although studies have shown that the temporal lobes play a significant role in religious experience as stated in Dr. Ramachandran's book here).

    Yet there are so many parts of the brain that factor into one's emotions and personality and there are structures that, if altered in an accident, forever alter a person's personality (ie. the famous case of Phineas Gage).  If someone's personality is so altered and it causes them to become severely emotionally disturbed beyond any conscious control, is his or her soul defective?  What about people who are born with disordered amygdalae?  Is the worth of their souls judged for circumstances beyond their control or is this sort of judgment only reserved for those with fully intact systems that are fully capable of making rational choices?  How many people even have fully intact systems anyway since about one in four of American adults suffers from a recognized mental disorder nowadays?

    So, what?  Are they the same or not?

    Granted, it's 1:30 in the morning and I've had a migraine all day and this book is pretty out of date.  And I'm not a cognitive neuroscientist.  I suspect none of this really makes sense but...don't you ever wonder?

    What do you think?

Friday, 08 May 2009

  • DONE

    I've thought about more interesting things to think about, believe me-- it's not like I don't have anything to say; I'm just too damn lazy to type it all out lately.

    Anyway, yesterday was my last final.  I'll be honest in saying I truly did not really study for any of my finals this semester but still managed to get on the Dean's List which was my goal.

    Also yesterday I interviewed for the graduate assistantship in the office in which I work.  It was awkward but I tried really hard to sell myself.  Two years ago when I applied for the job it was for the sole purpose of one day having a leg up on the competition for this assistantship.  Today my supervisor handed me a letter saying that I got the assistantship which provides a full tuition waiver (in other words, almost-free school, fees not included) and a semi-monthly stipend in exchange for 10 hours of work weekly.  I knew the stipend would be small which is fine; Julia, the current GA, said she received about $430 semi-monthly which is still pretty sweet.  Because of departmental cutbacks, though, I'll be receiving nearly half: $262.  It has the potential of growing if the department is granted more money but who knows.  I'm disappointed but still super grateful for even having gotten the GA and any stipend at all.  I'm lucky I have that opportunity.  A problem is that, as graduate clinicians, outside of gradute assistantships we aren't allowed to have a second job (unless you go behind their backs and keep it a secret).  I'll just have to figure out how to get some loans, I guess because there's no way that's covering the bills.

    Another good thing is that I scored an interview at a nice Italian restaurant (all thanks to my friend Chris, obviously to whom I may possibly owe my firstborn?) Monday afternoon.  Hopefully I can secure that seasonal job and save up some money for next year-- not to mention I need to expand upon my barely-clinic-professional wardrobe.  Smelly, falling-apart $10 flats from Charlotte Russe won't cut it anymore.  It sounds superficial but it's actually not when they are bacteria-ridden and disgusting.  Sorry.

    So tomorrow is my commencement ceremony.  I technically don't graduate until August (and probably won't get my diploma until September or October) because I have one more class (finite mathematics, unfortunately) to squeeze in-- this starts May 18th.  About a month later my first graduate research class begins (it's online, fortunately).  There's a rule that says an undergraduate in his or her last semester is allowed to take up to 6 graduate credits with consent-- that's how I got around that one because I still have a deficiency (Aural Rehab-- easy) to finish up in the fall.  This probably makes no sense.

    So this is my life lately.  I feel like things will be a little more smooth sailing once I can secure some income again.  Isn't that the story for just about everybody, though?  I feel really fortunate and thank God everyday for it.  Sure, I'm a little worried about the money situation but I truly believe that things will work out somehow.  Does this mean I'm no longer a pessimist?

    In shitty news, one of my best friends moved to California.  Good for her but sad for those of us who will be missing her.  Ashley and Kevin should plan on being bugged this summer.  Also, we need to find better bars in the area.


Sunday, 19 April 2009

  • Whey Fluff

    There was a time that I ate whey everyday.  I'd make protein shakes or put it in my iced coffee (I did! It sounds disgusting because it kind of...well, it was weird) and constantly looked for ways to incorporate more...whey.

    One day I mixed lite Cool Whip and vanilla Designer Whey and voilà!  Magic.

    I don't know what it is but when you mix the protein and whip together it thickens and takes on the consistency of marshmallow fluff and has a lovely vanilla flavor (or chocolate or strawberry...depending upon which flavor of Designer Whey you might get).

    It's a great fruit dip.  I'm not a fan of nutterfluff sandwiches myself, but I'm guessing you could use this concoction with peanut butter.  Same principle except this would provide an extra protein punch.

    This is more of an FYI than a recipe I guess because there aren't specific amounts.  Just keep adding whey to the whip until desired consistency is reached.

Saturday, 18 April 2009

  • Visit honeybises's Xanga Site
    • Name: Kristen
    • Birthday: 3/7/1987
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 7/3/2003
    • True

Weblog Archives

Don't worry - your calendar is here… to see it in action just click "Save" above and refresh the page.