TU Tuesday #3

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Healthy-Eating-Are-Pomegranates-a-Miracle-Fruit-2189305.php#ixzz1bvSGMJDB

Healthy Eating: Are Pomegranates a Miracle Fruit?

"...grows a pomegranate tree on his property. His crop is so bountiful..."
bountiful: Large in quantity; abundant. 


"Pomegranates are great tossed into salads or used in myriad of recipes, from appetizers through desserts."

myriad: A countless or extremely great number.


"True grenadine syrup, a mainstay of many cocktails..."
grenadine: A sweet syrup made from pomegranates; mainstay: A thing on which something else is based or depends

"I know that one of the daunting barriers that keep people from buying a pomegranate is that they have no idea what to do with one."

daunting: Seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating


"And when you finally do break into the skin, you're met with hundreds of seeds encased in a spongy mass, which for the uninitiated looks far from appetizing."
uninitiated: Without special knowledge or experience

This article basically describes and praises pomergranates, "Except for some, pomegranates are the nectar of the gods. The seeds are really arils, a yummy sac of juice that encases a tiny edible seed. Bite into an aril and you're met with a one-of-a-kind sensation: A burst of juice, sweet yet slightly tart." These phrases were specifically chosen to emphasize the importance and greatness of this fruit. The author writes about a pomegranate grower, "Tjerandsen lives in Sonoma County, Calif., and grows a pomegranate tree on his property. His crop is so bountiful...". And he also says, "True grenadine syrup, a mainstay of many cocktails, is simply a mix of pomegranate juice and sugar, although it is now commonly mixed with cherry, raspberry or blackberry juice. Unsweetened pomegranate juice adds tartness to beverages, glazes, sauces, dressings and desserts", This acts in describing the uses of the fruit.


When first glancing at a pomegranate people are often turned away from its' rough appearance and texture,  and once "you finally do break into the skin, you're met with hundreds of seeds encased in a spongy mass, which for the uninitiated looks far from appetizing." The appearance also leads people to feeling "that one of the daunting barriers that keep people from buying a pomegranate is that they have no idea what to do with one". But soon after you realize, "The seeds are really arils, a yummy sac of juice that encases a tiny edible seed. Bite into an aril and you're met with a one-of-a-kind sensation: A burst of juice, sweet yet slightly tart." And there are so many uses for this godly fruit, for example: "True grenadine syrup, a mainstay of many cocktails, is simply a mix of pomegranate juice and sugar, although it is now commonly mixed with cherry, raspberry or blackberry juice. Unsweetened pomegranate juice adds tartness to beverages, glazes, sauces, dressings and desserts" and, "The Pomegranate Council suggests adding the fruit to centerpieces, wreaths and garland, or used as place cards at the table." This fruit is also very abundant, and once the pomegranate tree is planted,  this "crop is so bountiful".

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0590316818?ie=UTF8&tag=top.100-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0590316818


When I look at the cover of this book I think of my six year old brother, Colby. This book was given to him by me in his early stages of life (1.5-2 years of age). He obviously couldn't read at that age but I -young and ambitious at the time- wanted to be the one to teach him how to read. At 10 years old, I was like 'Mother Duck'. Constantly wanting to be his favorite, and the one that would teach him everything he needs to know. Not knowing enough myself, I just gave him a book so he could begin his learning early in life.
In the book, the characters -dinosaurs- all have little remedies that they carry out prier to going to bed. Each dinosaur has a different number (representing number of items, time, etc) relating to the actions they take before going to bed. The books helps children read, count, and is a great fictional story.
I remembered many books from the list we were given, but this one stood out to me the most because it related to my youngest brother. I do not remember any of my other siblings developments because we are all  so close in age, but with Colby I got to see it all. Him learn to walk, talk, run, throw a ball, read, be potty trained. You name it, I was there, and I am so happy that I get to be a part of this little guys life constantly making him be the best person he can be, and making the best choices he can make.

V = Virginia University

I would want to attend based on...

1) Reputation: "The University of Virginia School of Medicine has a long tradition of excellence in a highly collaborative atmosphere within the School, the Health System, across the grounds, and throughout the Commonwealth and beyond." And about "195 Physicians from the University of Virginia are on the list for being among the best in the nation for 2010-2011", and "Only about 5 percent of U.S. doctors in more than 40 medical subspecialties are selected for each Best Doctors list, which comes out every two years."

2) Teaching: "Members of the Division of General Surgery have won Medical School and University Teaching Awards, received NIH grant support, and have spoken at national and international symposiums on a wide range of topics.  All members of the Division of General Surgery are either American Board of Surgery diplomats or are Board eligible." This school also received an award/ recognition, "CONGRATULATIONS to the UVA Department of Surgery for being the 2011 recipient of the Mulholland Society Departmental Teaching Award!", And "The faculty members in the Division of General Surgery are fully responsible for the clinical care and disposition of their patients. Additionally, the academic mission places strong emphasis on resident exposure in the operating room, clinics and in the research setting. To that end, the Division of General Surgery strongly believes that the Resident is a supervised colleague of the faculty member. All faculty members work to increase the individual resident's sense of responsibility in the workup and ultimate disposition in patient care. Surgical cases and clinic exposure to patients are supervised by attending faculty members. As such, the resident who obtains the level of Chief Resident has excellent credentials in patient management, clinical understanding of disease processes, as well as a background in research in a specialized area. All members of the Division of General Surgery are actively involved in resident teaching conferences and case presentations."

3) Opportunities to learn from experience: "In the Division of General Surgery, the average caseload for an attending surgeon exceeds 300 major procedures a year. Each attending has one or two clinics per week." And, "The educational goals of the surgery clerkship are to provide the third year medical student with an exposure to common surgical problems, develop basic clinical decision-making skills in this patient population applicable to future practice, provide technical skills appropriate for third year students, and provide students an experience that allows them to evaluate surgery as a future career choice."

4) Research: "Currently the Department of Surgery recruits five categorical residents for a five year program which includes the options for two additional years in the research laboratories. The Department of Surgery currently has seven divisions; Cardiothoracic,  Vascular Surgery, General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Pediatric Surgery, Transplant Surgery, and Trauma/Acute Care Surgery." And, "There is a strong tradition of research among the residents at the University of Virginia.  All residents are required to participate in at least one month of dedicated research time.  Some residents may elect to spend a single month during the third clinical year.  Most residents spend one to three years working in a basic or clinical science laboratory."

5) Financial Aid: "The financial aid budgets provide for a comprehensive living allowance to cover room and board, clothing, transportation, routine health care and recreation for the months when you are actually enrolled in school." 

I would not want to attend based on...

1) Scholarships: Most scholarships are offered to certain groups of people, groups of people that I do not fall under, 

"American Association of University Women

The AAUW offers scholarships of $5,000 to $18,000 to female med students in M3 or M4 from minority groups including Black/African Americans, Mexican/Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Native Alaskan Amercans and Asian/Pacific Islander Americans.

Application requirements include an online application, a narrative autobiography, career/professional goals, a detailed budget, 3 letters of recommendation (one from your med school dean), official transcripts and a $35 nonrefundable fee.

Deadline:  January each year for the following year.  Thus, you must apply during M2 or M3.

Minority Scholars Awards

Twelve $10,000 scholarships are awarded annually to medical school students who are permanent residents or citizens of the U.S.  Eligible students from traditionally underrepresented groups in the medical profession include African American/Black, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino and must currently be in M1 or M2.  Each medical school is invited to submit up to two nominees.

Deadline:  mid-April each year.

Ida Foreman Fleisher Fund (Jewish women)

Scholarships range from $2,000 to $8,000 to assist women, preferably Jewish, to obtain professional educations.  Source - Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. 

Application requirements - three copies of each document: 

1)Ida Foreman Fleisher application, 2)Personal Mission Statement, 3)FAFSA,

4)Recent transcripts and 5)Letter of recommendation (one original and 2 copies).

For Jewish men and women:  The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia also offers interest-free loans (Albert Strickler Memorial Fund and Samual and Sara Feinman Fund) for up to $5,000 for medical students, preferably Jewish, and one loan fund (Feinman) is for students from Greater Philadelphia.

Deadline:   Each year in mid-May."

2) Cost:

TOTAL ALL COSTS

First Year (10 months)

62,600

Second Year (12 months)

65,992

Third Year (12 months)

64,608

Fourth Year (9 months)

58,404

3) Distance from home: "The School of Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville", “University of Virginia

1215 Lee Street

Charlottesville, VA 22908-0816", 

And this location is "541 mi, 9 hours" from my current home.

Information taken from... 

-http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/surgery

-http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/surgery/Page%20-%202010-2011%20Best%20Doctors%20in%20America.pdf

-http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/surgery/services/division-of-general-surgery

-http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/surgery/surgery-clerkship 

-http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/administration/office-of-the-dean/about

-http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/education/medical-students/financial-aid/scholarship-bulletin-board

Vintage Photo

Maricopa child

"It was taken in 1907 by Edward S. Curtis.

The picture presents the Maricopa child seated in large basket."

When I see this picture, at first I think 'cute'. This child is obviously very young, and the confused or agitated look on his face is priceless. This picture also makes me wonder; Why is this little boy within the large basket? Is that a way that this type of people at their time carried around their children? If so, I find it fascinating that these people in the early 1900's were innovative enough to find a different way to support and carry their children. Rather than carrying the child within their arms. Or, did the child just simply walk into the basket? And why? Was there something interesting within the basket? I can see a blanket, but I am unsure if that is just what the child was wearing prior to entering the basket or if it was in the basket before he entered. I also notice the amount of clothing the baby is wearing. Why so little clothing? Is the overall temperature very warm? Are the Maricopa people located close to the equator? Where exactly are they? Were they nomadic? Or did they stay within one location grow crops, build families, and call that home?  My eye was also attracted to the way the baby's body is; tense, tight, aware, cautious. I am guessing the basket wasn't as sturdy as the child had assumed and it began to tip just a tad. Therefore leaving the baby to compensate by shifting his weight, and regaining his balance by hinging his hands to the edges of the basket. The child's face is -as I said before- confused or agitated. Why does he have this facial expression? Who is the boy looking at? Is maybe what/ who he is looking at the reason why he is in the basket? Next I looked at the texture of the basket, what is this basket made out of? Wood? Threads? A mixture of components? Is the basket comfortable for the child? Was the material used in abundance and of great use to the people? Located on the basket is a design or array of symbols. What was used to make these symbols? What do these symbols mean? Do the pictures just look pretty? Or do they actually have meaning? If so (they have meaning), was this meaning sacred? Religious? The designs are very beautiful and look like they may have taken a lot of time, were these people great artists? Was this one of the Maricopa peoples' main interests or goals (to create a society full of culture)? Overall the picture said a lot about the people; their possible culture, their location of living, the overall climate of this place, the innovation and intelligence that these people acquired. I am very happy to have chosen this picture, because I was able to question the photo and learn some things about the Maricopa people. 

picture: http://www.old-picture.com/indians/Maricopa-Child.htm

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

"My name is Alaynah Harlow, the Alaynah Harlow, about whom you have read in newspapers and magazines, about whom you talk so much at your dinner affairs and cocktail parties, the notorious and legendary."


I stand there on a higher ledge above her. With closed fists, a straight face, and my arms arranged forcefully at my side, bent at a ninety degree angle.
"Please don't flatter yourself", She said sitting below me with her back turned and her head leaning over her shoulder to see me as she spoke. Her phrase was filled with a tad of sarcasm and an expression that seemed to show she was annoyed.
"Excuse me? Don't be so jealous" I said with a jocular tone and a more relaxed posture. 
"Even if I was jealous, which I am not, I would not be jealous of you!" She said this with such a stern tone and believability, that I almost believed the false statement leaving her rose colored lips.
"Oh don't bother, my dear young sister, it's okay to be. Believe me I can't blame you. I mean look at me." I said with a small smirk following the superficial statement.
"Of what? Look at what? The small success that you see to be so great?!" I could now see the anger slowly building up deep within her.
"Please, sis, do not call my success small. I have become a star! A celebrity! Famous! Bound to be transient as the fans line up to receive my name signed on their valued items!" I said this with such positivity and confidence.
"You are anything but."
"I beg to differ; I have dreamed big and achieved greatness. You know now that I think of it that may be the problem..."
"What?! A problem?! Where?" She looks around in a serious manner, hoping this would prove a point, "because I do not see one anywhere."
"Do not pretend...It is not hidden. To me it's in plain sight." Still on the ledge, I remove my arms from my side and lift them to about shoulders length. My arms still bent, with my palms up, now shrugging my shoulders.
"(Of coarse)...OF COARSE!" First saying it with a whisper, but now yelling. Not holding back the anger, but letting it roam free. Poisoning the air that it touches, surrounding us both.
"Calm down, please, just calm down. There is really no need for this behavior."
"No need? NO NEED?! To you anything that has to do with something other than yourself has 'no need!'" She said taking two fingers from both hands and bending them to emphasize the words 'no' and 'need'. She was quoting me and I just became more confused, and slightly angry. What does she mean? What is up with her today? Where has my sister gone? Shouldn't she be happy for me?
"Hey! What are you talking about?"
"Now YOU stop pretending! You have always been in the limelight, center stage. I'm just so sorry that you have lost one of your fans from your big ol' fan club that you pride yourself so much on." Her sarcasm was now in great abundance, every sentence was filled with it. She was so serious, but yet couldn't hold back the sarcasm that filled her personality.
"I am not pretending...I just do not understand." 
"Yep, I knew it! Oblivious to the whole situation, Ms. Alaynah Harlow, now looks like the victim as her crazy sister accuses her of devious affairs. I can see it now, right on the cover page of magazines." I just stared back at her young, beautiful face. I felt like I barely knew my baby sister anymore, she had let this anger consume her, and she was willing to push me away to cope.
Finally I said something, "Listen I am truly sorry. I did not know that you felt this way." Although I knew she didn't want me to, I stepped down from the ledge and walked over to her. I sat down beside her and patted her back. Sincerely I just sat there watching her as she stared at the ground speechless. This would take time; she had bottled up all of these feelings, until the bottle finally was filled and could not fit anymore. She was not broken, just cracked. The bottle needed to be fixed. 
"I just..." She tried to speak but her speech had come to a halt as waterfalls of tears came to her eyes.
"Now listen, it's okay. I am sorry and here for you know. Talk. Talk as much as you need to. To me. I am here. And as much as your problems may have been caused by me, I am here. And I'm not leaving till this is solved." Her face all red and puffy, saddened but also touched. She just looked up and watched me, stared right into my eyes, and waited. "I am not leaving. Sorry I was not here before, but I am now. And I am not going. So talk."
"Okay, okay..." She paused to regather her thoughts, and then momentarily began speaking again. "I-I guess I am just surprised. There is a heart in there. Deep down you do care. Mom and Dad had always loved you the most. You were the prettier one, the more charismatic one, the more successful one. I think I was waiting for my time, that time to shine. But I did just that. I waited, and never made it happen."
"You still have time! You are young, and determined, and one of the most honest people I know. You are filled with personality, and so you hit a little bump in the road. I did too. We all do. The real choice is whether you decide to sit there and mope around or get back up on your feet and show the world that you're ready to fight." 
I surprised myself then with the wisdom that left me there. The sorrow in my sister's eyes must have just flipped the switch of wisdom. I loved this girl, and hated to see her upset, I'm just glad she still has a chance and now knows to never give up but to keep fighting. To keep going until you have found yourself and are not only satisfied, but are thriving off of what life has given you.

TU Tuesday BLOG

http://blog.timesunion.com/success/stop-being-a-positive-thinker/1448/

Basically this man, Ron Renaud, is trying to inform his readers by speaking in a rhetorical manner. He compares and contrasts to ways of thinking, reality and positivity. "The primary goal of the positive thinker is to stay positive—to be encouraged. The reality thinkers’ primary devotion is to identify reality—what actually is." Renaud also says, "The key to all happiness, achievement and meaningful action is tied to your ability to stop thinking positively..." While I feel thinking positively at times helps with many situations. If someone is feeling down thinking positive or trying to pick up the mood can change ones' perspective on the situation. Maybe make you look at it in a whole new way, a way that would have not been open to them if they did not try this new way of thinking. Although Renaud clearly states that he is more on 'team reality', he doesn't turn down positive thinking; he just feels reality thinking is more of a 'problem-solving' attitude rather than a 'let's-pretend-the-problems-not-there' attitude. "The point isn’t, that negative thinking is good.  Let’s not be base.  The point isn’t that having a positive attitude is bad.  Of course it’s good.  What we have here is an issue of priority and order." I feel that Renaud uses his evidence in a relevant and sufficient way. I agree with Renaud, I feel reality thinking can help one be more successful. I am a reality thinker. I see a problem, and then try to fix it. I am completely comfortable with myself, and try to move forward. I try my best to look at the broader picture, and create a plan step-by-step. "When you do this you can soberly see what is and decide how you want to engage anything/anyone.  That, of course, is the key to being the creative force in your life or a perpetual victim."

TU TUESDAYS #1

Basically this article is stating a new method of teaching. This method involves using simulation dummies to teach doctors. "These mannequins are so sophisticated," Verdile said. "You can alter their ability to breathe, their blood pressure, their heart rate. You can make them cry. You can make them sob." The dummies act out many scenarios that can help medical students learn through experience. These dummies can act out scenarios like, child birth, cardiac arrest, and vomiting blood. The dummies also have dilating eyes, heartbeats, blood pressure, and sweat, blood, and tears. These scenarios can help future doctors practice spinal taps, robotic surgery, pelvic exams, intubations, catheterizations, tracheotomy, and endoscopy. This particular college, Albany Medical College, spent $200,000 to $500,000 for each dummies. And they now have four "sim men" and one "sim baby". I find this article very interesting particularly because, I plan on being a surgeon and it's fascinating to see the direction that medicine is heading in and the things that i may be doing when i am a medical student."The ability to mimic real-life physiology is really exciting," Verdile said. "The students get to understand the physiology and anatomy, and now the pharmacology, before they ever get to the bedside."

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Smart-dummies-make-better-doctors-2211345.php

1) Will this new method really help doctors feel more comfortable and knowledgeable when first starting out around patients?

2) Is the dummy worth all the money? 

3) Is practicing on real humans better for learning? 

4) Who created the idea for the use of dummies rather than humans?

5) Is this the future for medical science?

Haiku

deep red sun setting

our relaxed lips gently touch

your brown eyes meet mine

Opinion Prompt 2 - The private life of celebrities should remain private.

I agree with this statement because I feel that celebrities are people too! And some people seem forget that sometimes (for example; paparazzi or the people that feed the paparazzi work by buying their stories, which are loaded in magazines full of gossip and rumors). All celebrities have the right to their privacy, they have the right to a life that isn’t constantly used to create a story and get money off of it. Just like us. Celebrities to me got their job because they are talented in their line of work, not because their everyday lives are interesting. For example Lindsay Lohan, she started out as a talented young girl staring in recurring roles in movies and television shows (like the parent trap, mean girls, etc.) but later in her life she hit a bump in the road and found drugs and alcohol to coup. He stories are always in the news; making front pages and having huge spreads within magazines. She didn’t get a chance to fix what she had started with a simple mistake. And now years later she is still paying the price all because the people (paparazzi) would not just leave her alone and let her reset and restart. They seem to always be there when she makes a mistake, and they will just not give this girl a break. And Charlie Sheen, he was a successful actor. Having a lead acting role in the hit TV shows “Two and a Half Men”. Charlie was also found doing drugs, I don’t know the reasons why, but I know he did them. He was exposed to interviews and included in stories within magazines. All this press was making him feel ashamed and not able to help himself. He was put on interviews saying things that only furthered people’s entertainment. TV was taking stabs at this man (“The Roast of Charlie Sheen”) all laughing at him because he made a big mistake. I just see it as everyone makes mistakes; and the only difference between our mistakes and a celebrities mistake, is that with celebrities the whole world knows. And that is not okay to be putting their lives on paper because we aren’t helping these people when we mock them, or ask them why it happened. They don’t know why it happened, it just did. And the best things for them to do when they make a mistake is step back for a bit and fix it, not put it in the people magazines so they become ashamed.