Monday, December 7, 2009




This Christmas is a time to remember things that are precious to us. This year I am giving a tribute to Denver the Wonder Cat. This will be my first Christmas without him. I remember every year when my brother Timmy and I were banished to our rooms to wait for Santa denver indulged himself in a full pack of stimulating cat nip. After a night of unwise decisions he went into a deep sleep to regain himself for the next morning. The next day he knew it was Christmas for him too. He would cuddle up on the couch jim the other cat and wait until presents were done to take a long nap with others. He enjoyed egg nog, ice cream and and the zipper area of pants. He was my cat for over 17 years and he will be missed this year as the snowflakes fall and the tree lights shine.


Ozzie has some big paws to fill.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

my inner spice girl.


I'm just feelin like this today...

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Women in the 21st century


I am involved with a gender and communications class at University of Nebraska at Omaha and have been involved with many eye-opening facts about women in the workplace. Today we discussed the role of women in the sciences. Dominating with men for thousands of years women are finally being able to compete and accomplish in the science world. Found from the 4000 years of Women in Science website it says, "Dr. Jane Lubchenco, one of the nation's most prominent marine biologists, will head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the new Obama administration."

Althought this is a major accomplishment for many women the ways of teaching have men very "male oriented." The statistics of women in the sciences are very low as well as science teachers at the full professor level. The text, Gendered Lives by Julia Woods states that, "75% of full professors are male." (2009). This proves that women in the sciences are not done with their efforts.

I also found out from an old blog my mother (golden thoughts) brought to my attention about women dressing in the science workplace, particularly a labratory. She talked about a women who was persistently getting her chest started at. Comments that were left were about what to do about the abuse. One male stated that the woman dressed too revealing and that clearing this up might help the problem. I found out that one of the responses to this post was a picture of a women in a birka. Although very funny a lot of women are having to be serious scientists while still being feminine. What is drawing the line? On Austin's Athiesm Blog he talks about an article found at: http://atheism.about.com/b/2005/11/22/women-to-blame-for-being-raped.htm, where women were blamed for their own rape because they were dressed too provocatively. How do women still keep their professional composure without losing their attractiveness? I feel like we have a line that we draw in our heads but the reality is for myself, that men are going to look regardless. What is sexual harassment and professionalism and where is the line?

This post made me think of my mother (check out her blog Golden Thoughts) at the ASN conference in San Diego today (If i don't get the details right change them mom!). Today I felt a sense of pride in the things that she has accomplished. She is smart and proud contrary to the school mates in high school portrayed her she is cool. She was constantly made fun of and dissuaded from science but she has grown a single statistic of a promising accomplishment of women in the sciences. Although, it is hard when she leaves to go out of town for the family she made me proud today because she really is accomplishing something great by going on those trips.

A Happy Halloween mother and love you.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Class in the 21st century...


So. I found that the internet is becoming more than just a quick outlet for research papers. The internet is becoming a form of virtual reality. Right now in my Computer Mediated Communications class we are getting on secondlife and running around with our avatars (or characters) and having class. It's actually pretty cool. There are different cities with shops, videos, games, clothes, shoes, clubs, you name it. Is this the new revolution? Are classrooms just an old fashioned way or are there still benefits to them with all the technology today? I think that classrooms are a better means of communication but not necessarily learning. With this virtual reality means of "play" or a form of a game, we can learn things without feeling like we are doing work.

pretty awesome huh?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Diabetes and the cost. $$$$$$$

So I haven't blogged in a while and because my mother is freaking out I will post. Lately working at the American Diabetes Association I have learned something frightening! The fact is 1/3 people will get diabetes after year 2000 and even worse 1/2 minorities will get it. Even more frightening the cost will sky ROCKET! The cost per year for most chronic diseases is approximately $ 12,000 million according to the American Diabetes Association article "Economic costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2007," this cost just for diabetes is approximately $64 million. This does not even account for productivity loss in money for these diseases. We all pay for it and we all suffer through it. The only cure I believe is a social recovery in lifestyle and the mission of research and curing the disease. We can have our health benefits but could lose our job like Starbucks did this year causing 6,000 employees the loss of their job because they found out in 2005 they were spending more on benefits for health than coffee according to "The Burden of Chronic Disease on Business & U.S. Competitiveness." This scares me when it comes to getting a job and my past. Because I have a chronic health history will I be able to get a job in the future? What are your thoughts?

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Diabetes in action

When having an internship at the American Diabetes Association, one finds these videos exciting. Especially when I'm related to him! Check out omaha's Diabetes Center. Over 24 million Americans have this uncurable disease and 54 million will get diabetes if we don't get the word out! For more information you can go to www.diabetes.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVPY8EuAPZ0

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Cooking my own food

As a college student we all know how ramen makes the bottom of our food pyramid. Tonight however, I used my cullinary skills and created grub, which never happens. I made italian sausage with peppers, thyme, basil, oregano, and diced tomatoes which some olive oil and fudge brownies with peanut butter in the middle. I'm what some would say proud when I found out that my boyfriend's parents picked my dishes over theirs.

My only question is what is the best way to find a cheap way to make these masterpieces on a server budget and where does one find the time to complete them when i have say, an internship and class?

All and all it was rather impressive how my brownie points were rewarded. :)