What to do?

I'm on a mild-mannered job search right now. 

I'm looking... sort of. I look over job postings on a few hospital websites and apply when I can. I have literally no idea what I'm looking to do, at least not as far as what a job title might say or where to find such a job. I know what I want, or at the very least what I do not want. 

This calls for a list.

• I want a job where I can learn.
• I want to be part of a team, with people who discuss things and ask questions and act.
• I want to help people. I'd like to help in a healthcare field. I'd like to help people who need help.
• I do not mind getting dirty or gross stuff. Today I cleaned up puke. Twice. (Separate pukers even!) I do not mind this whatsoever. I'm strong-stomached, weak-nosed and (to be very honest) I get paid more than most of the other puke-cleaning candidates so I should glove-up and take care of the puke.
• I like to organize things. I worked late today just to create files (though my color-coded system was thwarted by a lack of green file folders). I'm good at organizing things. I use a delightfully smart system of folders on my PC's desktop. Seriously.
• I like a challenge. 
• And I also don't mind stupid work including answering phones, lifeguarding, or organizing mal-organized things.
• I work well with people - people who cry, people who whine, people who are stupid, people who are confused, people who are upset. 
• I'm very capable at communicating. I can make dweeby newsletters, write letters, create "Lice Alert" signs, edit a newspaper, etc...
• Also, at this very moment I'm sipping wine out of a monogrammed glass with a letter "R" on it. That is because I'm rad.

So, anyone hiring?

How to have an A+ summer

The biology class I'm taking is both simple and challenging for me. Science makes sense to me, but I need to really listen, write it all down, read it out, re-explain it, think it through to get it. Very nerdy, yes.

We received our grades from our first test - a tough set of essays and a rather random mix of true/false question. Out of 112 points possible (including bonuses) I got 100! An A!

After looking over the tests we started learning about antioxidants (we're done with carbs, proteins and fats). We learned about how evil, yucky ozone and other nasty free radicals which cause aging, disease and just mess up your cells like crazy. Antioxidants come in berries, avocados, coffee and other good stuff. Free radicals come all manner of cells that lose an electron. 

I'm still learning about antioxidants, so I might not be spot-on about every bit of this. But I do know that the ultra-violet radiation from the son gets wrapped up with ozone and causes skin cancer, wrinkles and nasty damage. 

This means I'll keep spraying SPF 45 while I'm outside, continue to slather myself in SPF 40 every morning (rain or shine) to kick these free radicals' tails. You should too.

Pass the SPF 50!

Happy June

So much going on, friends!

• I'm taking Biology 107 at Truman College (a 20-minute walk from home!). It's hard with all sorts of science, but I really love it so far. I'm learning about evil trans fats, why kinked fat molecules wreck you, calories, and lots more! It's a little weird to study, but it's also pretty neat.
• I'm actually still running a bit. At least I'm running enough to leave my iPod Shuffle in my shorts' pocket, wash and dry it. But - it still works!!! Amazing. I want to write to Apple, but I'm a little embarrassed to admit I did such a bad job checking pockets.
• Two weekends ago and this weekend I'm camping! Whoo-hoo! I love camping and I'm psyched to spend some time outside.
• We're a little delinquent with the whole digital cable thing, but I'm on it! After camping, running and class. Promise.

Terrorism

I won't go on and on about it, promise.

Attacking licensed medical doctors performing legal medical procedures on people who ask for them is terrorism. 

It's also terrorism to attack clinics where women (and, in some cases, children and men) receive medical services. It's terrorism to harass doctors, nurses, clinic staff, and the people who come to clinics for healthcare.

Whether you support choice or not, whether you'd want your sister or your mother or your friend or yourself to be able to see a doctor in safety. You'd want to be able to receive whatever services you needed - according to medical science and conversations with your doctor. The idea that it'd be dangerous to go to a clinic to talk to a doctor about birth control or ask for an abortion is frightening.

The fact that a brave doctor was murdered in his church is terrorism. And we shouldn't stand for it. Dr. George Tiller was brave enough to do for women what so few others would. He was brave enough to stand up to protesters, pass them each day and to push back when asshole Bill O'Reilly mentioned him on the O'Reilly Factor 28 times. 

We owe it to Dr. Tiller to push back too, and to fight terrorism like this - especially when it hits a place where we go to feel safe.