So this is my last blog post of the semester. It's been a long, arduous journey thus far but I can say I have learned many things. Mainly, I have learned that, at 17, I was just not ready to start my freshmen year of college. After taking some time off and returning at 21, I think I'm at just the right age/time in my life where I'm ready to take this thing seriously.
This semester has proven trying to my patience and certainly my mental well being but I have to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. And although I did have a tendency to put off my blog posts until the end of the week (and sometimes right down to the last hour!) I always enjoyed writing them. I learned so much from doing the necessary research to write about many of my topics.
I will walk away from this English class, and this blog, with a better understanding of children, the food I eat, the things I like to do, and the country in which I live. I hope to be able to keep posting, at least every now and then, as I continue to further my education. I would definitely like to read some of my classmates blogs and am hoping that many of them continue to write regularly. I certainly cannot promise two posts a week (I mean who am I kidding? If they aren't mandatory I probably won't do them :D) but I think I would still like to have this blog as an area in which to express myself creatively.
They, although I'm unsure who "they" are, say that keeping a diary helps to enrich one's life. According to "them", if you keep a diary you are more likely to take mental notes of moments as they are happening, to better remember them so you can write about them later. Perhaps this blog will no longer serve as an arena for me to write about food, perhaps now I can use it as a place to express my feelings. To write about my daily comings and goings.
I've had a wonderful semester and I have appreciated everything that I've learned from my teachers, my classmates and myself. I hope everyone in ENG 102 can say the same.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Caleb
When I was nine years old, in the fourth grade, I met my best friend. I was the resident "new kid" at school that year and then, after Christmas break, there was another "new kid." He was tall and gangly with brown hair and brown eyes. He was goofy and outgoing and we were both relatively friend-less in this strange new school. We instantly became inseparable. During that time, I was a painfully shy, very quiet little girl. Caleb, my new best friend, was not. He had no trouble at all talking to people and I must credit him with bringing me out of my shell.
As time passed, our bond grew stronger. I remember in the sixth grade, we had a lot of big fights on the playground. Sometimes we'd go a couple of days without talking, but we always found our way back to one another in a short amount of time. Then we entered Junior High, perhaps one of the most awkward phases in a young person's life. As we both went through puberty, I watched my best friend grow tall, handsome, and his voice got deeper. Girls started noticing Caleb more but we only had eyes for each other. We tried "going out" once or twice, but our soul mate connection was deeper than your average romantic, Junior High boyfriend/girlfriend thing.
As high school approached, we were still the best of friends. Driver's licenses, boyfriends, girlfriends, new friends; none of that could come between us. Our bond was only growing stronger. In our very conservative, close minded (see also: redneck) hometown, we clung to each other. Our friendship was a life preserver in an ocean of people who didn't understand us. We became "Sam and Caleb", the two class clowns with the sense of humor that no one else ever really "got." Our weekends consisted of seeing all the new movies together, discussing books, crushes, teachers, and life.
When we graduated, we both went to different colleges in different states, but remained just as close. We were in constant contact throughout these new, scary phases of life. We shared our first loves, first heartbreaks, first losses, and every new victory. Short trips to see each other over long weekends and extended breaks were always fantastic. To this day, when we see each other, no matter how many months have passed since our last visit, it's as if nothing has ever changed. In this crazy thing called life, my friendship with Caleb is constant. I know that he will always have my back and he knows that I will always have his. We have a history. We've known one another for thirteen years. We've known each other not just in that casual high school friend way, but in a way like no other. We understand each other like no one else can.
This weekend, Caleb will be graduating college. Tonight, I will take the six and a half hour long trek to see him, to be there for him in this milestone moment. In our lives, there will be many more milestones, and for all of them, we will be right there by each other. We will continue to share in our losses and our victories. Time has proven that nothing can come between us. No matter what troubles we face, our friendship has always been a beacon in the night, beckoning us home to a place of familiarity.
Caleb is truly one of the best people I know. He's kind and considerate, sensitive and hilarious, handsome and not at all arrogant. He cares deeply for his family and his friends. He is smarter than he even knows. He is organized and driven. He has the best sense of humor. He makes me laugh like no one else can, when no one else can. I know that, whatever he decides to do with his life, he will be very successful. I feel extremely lucky to be so close to him, to truly call him my "best friend." Sometimes, we tend to throw that phrase, "best friend", around loosely, but not me. When I think of "best friend", it's Caleb's face I see, it's his laugh I hear. I love him and I'm so proud of him. He was the first boy to ever tell me that I am beautiful. I would like to dedicate this post to him, because he, too, is beautiful. Inside and out, Caleb is a beautiful person with the kindest soul I've ever known. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
As time passed, our bond grew stronger. I remember in the sixth grade, we had a lot of big fights on the playground. Sometimes we'd go a couple of days without talking, but we always found our way back to one another in a short amount of time. Then we entered Junior High, perhaps one of the most awkward phases in a young person's life. As we both went through puberty, I watched my best friend grow tall, handsome, and his voice got deeper. Girls started noticing Caleb more but we only had eyes for each other. We tried "going out" once or twice, but our soul mate connection was deeper than your average romantic, Junior High boyfriend/girlfriend thing.
As high school approached, we were still the best of friends. Driver's licenses, boyfriends, girlfriends, new friends; none of that could come between us. Our bond was only growing stronger. In our very conservative, close minded (see also: redneck) hometown, we clung to each other. Our friendship was a life preserver in an ocean of people who didn't understand us. We became "Sam and Caleb", the two class clowns with the sense of humor that no one else ever really "got." Our weekends consisted of seeing all the new movies together, discussing books, crushes, teachers, and life.
When we graduated, we both went to different colleges in different states, but remained just as close. We were in constant contact throughout these new, scary phases of life. We shared our first loves, first heartbreaks, first losses, and every new victory. Short trips to see each other over long weekends and extended breaks were always fantastic. To this day, when we see each other, no matter how many months have passed since our last visit, it's as if nothing has ever changed. In this crazy thing called life, my friendship with Caleb is constant. I know that he will always have my back and he knows that I will always have his. We have a history. We've known one another for thirteen years. We've known each other not just in that casual high school friend way, but in a way like no other. We understand each other like no one else can.
This weekend, Caleb will be graduating college. Tonight, I will take the six and a half hour long trek to see him, to be there for him in this milestone moment. In our lives, there will be many more milestones, and for all of them, we will be right there by each other. We will continue to share in our losses and our victories. Time has proven that nothing can come between us. No matter what troubles we face, our friendship has always been a beacon in the night, beckoning us home to a place of familiarity.
Caleb is truly one of the best people I know. He's kind and considerate, sensitive and hilarious, handsome and not at all arrogant. He cares deeply for his family and his friends. He is smarter than he even knows. He is organized and driven. He has the best sense of humor. He makes me laugh like no one else can, when no one else can. I know that, whatever he decides to do with his life, he will be very successful. I feel extremely lucky to be so close to him, to truly call him my "best friend." Sometimes, we tend to throw that phrase, "best friend", around loosely, but not me. When I think of "best friend", it's Caleb's face I see, it's his laugh I hear. I love him and I'm so proud of him. He was the first boy to ever tell me that I am beautiful. I would like to dedicate this post to him, because he, too, is beautiful. Inside and out, Caleb is a beautiful person with the kindest soul I've ever known. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman
After a long day of writing papers, studying for finals, and pondering the meaning of life, I get a headache. It's only natural, using all that brain power, all that intense concentration. Headaches are a part of life and ever since I was a young girl, I have suffered from chronic headaches. So what do I do when I have a headache? Yeah, like almost everyone in the world, I reach for a bottle of Tylenol or ibuprofen, basically I go for the Acetaminophin. Pop a couple of those and relief is on the way! But wait! What about the other effects that this drug can have on me? Now back in the 1970's long term usage of Tylenol was linked to liver disease, but this research is outdated. According to this Medicine Net article, Tylenol's long term usage rarely causes liver disease in people with normal, healthy livers, but (yes there's always a but) Tylenol (Acetaminpohin) can cause an elevation of liver enzymes, causing injury to the liver. This gives me pause about reaching for the Tylenol next time I have a headache. But what else can I do, you might find yourself asking. Well, let me tell you about some natural remedies to everyday aches, pains, and sleeping problems.
One of the most easily found herbs that can remedy a headache is ginger. Ginger can be found at your local super market and even at your favorite Japanese restaurant. According to the research I found here, ginger inhibits platelet aggregation and, as a result, drinking ginger tea can help cure a migraine. Not only is ginger helpful in the prevention and treatment of headaches, ginger can help with a plethora of different ailments. For instance, ginger, because of its volatile oils and phenol compounds, can help cure motion sickness and nausea in pregnant women. Preliminary studies have even shown that ginger may help lower cholesterol and prevent blood from clotting.
So what about those of us who have trouble sleeping? I don't know if you know this, but chronic use of sleep aids can cause dependency and even insomnia. There is hope, though, with this herbal remedy! That herb is melatonin. Melatonin is found in the brain and its secretion in the body spikes at night, allowing us to fall asleep. Melatonin can also be found in health food stores and, sometimes, your local supermarket. This research shows that melatonin induces sleepiness and even lowers one's body temperature which could further aid in sleepiness. Taking melatonin about two hours before your usual bedtime can help you fall asleep, and stay asleep, easier.
Echinacea is another natural remedy to many common aches, pains and even bug bites. Echinacea is a plant found in North America and has been used for many years. This website informs me that it was even used to treat scarlet, blood poisoning, and syphilis in the past. The wonderful thing about echinacea is that it can be used in place of antibiotics. This is good new for people, like myself, who do not like to take antibiotics. Echinacea has been approved to treat urinary tract infections, broncitis, hay fever, and even hemorrhoids.
So maybe you're a skeptic when it comes to natural remedies, but I swear by ginger! Echinacea and melatonin, too! Next time you're feeling sick, anxious, or you're having trouble sleeping, instead of reaching for Tylenol PM or other similar medications, try a natural remedy!
One of the most easily found herbs that can remedy a headache is ginger. Ginger can be found at your local super market and even at your favorite Japanese restaurant. According to the research I found here, ginger inhibits platelet aggregation and, as a result, drinking ginger tea can help cure a migraine. Not only is ginger helpful in the prevention and treatment of headaches, ginger can help with a plethora of different ailments. For instance, ginger, because of its volatile oils and phenol compounds, can help cure motion sickness and nausea in pregnant women. Preliminary studies have even shown that ginger may help lower cholesterol and prevent blood from clotting.
So what about those of us who have trouble sleeping? I don't know if you know this, but chronic use of sleep aids can cause dependency and even insomnia. There is hope, though, with this herbal remedy! That herb is melatonin. Melatonin is found in the brain and its secretion in the body spikes at night, allowing us to fall asleep. Melatonin can also be found in health food stores and, sometimes, your local supermarket. This research shows that melatonin induces sleepiness and even lowers one's body temperature which could further aid in sleepiness. Taking melatonin about two hours before your usual bedtime can help you fall asleep, and stay asleep, easier.
Echinacea is another natural remedy to many common aches, pains and even bug bites. Echinacea is a plant found in North America and has been used for many years. This website informs me that it was even used to treat scarlet, blood poisoning, and syphilis in the past. The wonderful thing about echinacea is that it can be used in place of antibiotics. This is good new for people, like myself, who do not like to take antibiotics. Echinacea has been approved to treat urinary tract infections, broncitis, hay fever, and even hemorrhoids.
So maybe you're a skeptic when it comes to natural remedies, but I swear by ginger! Echinacea and melatonin, too! Next time you're feeling sick, anxious, or you're having trouble sleeping, instead of reaching for Tylenol PM or other similar medications, try a natural remedy!
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