Mwenge Wants It

I've had my eye on these for quite sometime. Mwenge, my beta fish, currently resides in a coffee pot, and while it is very spacious, I am quite sure he'd appreciate the upgrade.
And Mwenge would get a new friend! He would also be useful as (I'm not sure you can tell by the picture) they are bookends! So exciting! I first saw these on dooce, but you can buy them from Wrapables.com. Christmas anyone?

A Week of Excitment

This week has been pretty...eventful. To start with, Monday I woke up with bug bites from my toes to my waist. This annoyed me all day and only seemed to get worse through Monday night and into Tuesday. Tuesday I washed all my bed linens and that seems to have taken care of the problem. The bites are so itchy and annoying I couldn't tell if I was getting more or not, so last night I circled them all to see if any new ones appeared. Then I decided since they were all so obvious now I should count them. Well I lost count somewhere around 70! I'm pretty sure I've gotten no new bites and the problem is now under control. There must just have been some bug in my bed. The only problem now is that they itch like crazy. I've been taking Benadryl at night to prevent myself from itching and today when I got home it was overwhelming. I popped a Benadryl and in 45 minutes the room was spinning every time I moved too quickly. I'm much recovered now, but the itching it back in full force. At least the problem is contained now.

Tuesday and Wednesday for my clinical I was in the ER. Tuesday was ok, but Wednesday was quite eventful. I got to insert two foley catheters which doesn't sound so exciting but is a major think you practice and hype up for in nursing school. Then, someone came in CPR in progress and we were allowed to do the chest compressions. While I wasn't happy about it, it was exciting and a great opportunity to practice a needed skill hands on. Way different then "Annie" in the BLS class. The weirdest part was when tje ribs cracked. If you're doing CPR correctly the ribs should crack (after all, you're pushing all your weight into somebody's chest to try and pump blood to their whole body) but the feeling and sound were very weird. It also made me very aware just how much power our little hearts have.

Today, we oriented at a home care agency for community health. It's a very extensive agency with many, many services. Listening to the different nurses speaking about their roles and their passion for advocacy for their patients really got me excited. It reminded my why I went to nursing school in the first place and where my true passion lies. (In case you didn't know, it's to hopefully go to a developing country and provide services and resources to marginalized women and children). I think the community/home care setting is really the area where I'm going to get the best experiences to prepare me for the kind of work I want to do. I think my clinical instructor thought I was a little crazy when I all but begged to go to the AIDS clinics. I'm really looking forward to the semester and it should generate some good stories.

In other news, I'm going to add two new kinds of posts to huruma. One I've been planning for awhile and they're going to be about my favorite, moderately healthy, easy, one-person friendly meals. I've tried cook books, but there are always too many ingredients or too time consuming so I've worked out some of my own (which usually consists of putting everything in one pot/skillet/dish) and I'll share them with you. I don't claim to be gourmet, but they're pretty good and pretty easy and won't cost you too much, time or dollars. The second kind of posts are going to be things I discover that I think are really cool and kind of want. I have a whole folder in my bookmarks of fun things I find and so I figured it's time to share them with someone. Anyway, just some things to look forward to. Happy Friday everyone!

And Many More

Happy 25th Birthday to the original emoticon, the smiley face! It's kind of weird to think that it's older then I am. For this story and lots more fun, interesting news, check out happynews.com. It's sure to put a smile on you digital face. :-)

The Latest and Greatest

I've actually gotten to do a fair amount of reading recently and I wanted to give you a quick rundown on what I've been reading, what's on my to read list, and why.

1. The C.S. Lewis Signature Collection-
It's kind of lousy of me to take the high road on the very first one, but I will. This isn't one book but a collection of 6 of C.S. Lewis' best works. Yes, that's the same guy who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. He also happens to be a great Christian apologetic. I have to say that C.S. Lewis is one of the most intelligent, witty, easy to understand writers I have ever read. Everything he writes just makes me say, "Oh! So that's what that means!" The man is truly brilliant. He answered questions of faith that I didn't even realize I was asking. Best of all, he does it in a way that is simultaneously ingenious and simple. If you've ever had a question of faith, C.S. Lewis is your go-to man. He wasn't one of those people who believed his whole life. He really struggled with his faith and I think we can all find common ground in that. My two personal favorites from the collection are Mere Christianity and The Problem of Pain. I still have one left, A Grief Observed, but I heard it from good authority that it's quite good as well.

2. Living History by Hillary Clinton-
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. It started off a little slow, but quickly became truly fascinating. Hearing everything that went on during Bill Clinton's presidency from Hillary's perspective was insightful and eye-opening. Her passion for women and children's issues really took the forefront. I didn't realize all of the work that Hillary had done on behalf of women and children in this country and abroad. The more I read, the more I resonated with what she had to say. I finished this book with a profound appreciation for Hillary Clinton and the work that she has done and the beliefs that she has worked so hard to champion. Whatever people may say about her, her passion for and knowledge of marginalized people is to be respected.

3. Pathologies of Power by Dr. Paul Farmer-
I know I've talked about this book a few times on this blog, but I have to say I can't get enough of it. There is so much more to some political conflicts then we can ever know. Paul Farmer isn't afraid to tell the truth, whatever it may. No one is safe, liberal or conservative, if they are not on the side of the poor. Farmer carefully defines structural violence and gives tangible, real life examples of how that concept is lived out across the world. Intelligent man, intelligent ideas.

4. Freakonomics by Stephen D. Levitt-
This book answers all those questions you probably never even thought to ask, and maybe some you did. Does reading to your kids matter? They say no. I'm not entirely sure about their research methods (research can be easily manipulated after all and it all depends on how you define your variables). Overwhelming, the book had a definite wow factor. Swimming pools are more likely to kill kids then guns. And abortion is responsible for the drop in the crime rate. Curious? You should defiantly read it.

5. Giving by Bill Clinton-
I just purchased this book from Barnes and Noble over the weekend and I am so excited about reading it. I can't say I've ever really ran out and bought a new book, but this one I did. I really respect Bill Clinton and he talks about Paul Farmer. Too much for me to handle. The book is all about grassroots organizations and individuals who have made a positive difference in the world. I can't think of anything better to read then that. As soon as I'm done, I'll be sure to post a review. In the meantime, enjoy these reviews on Amazon.com.

So there you have it. Four books I read, one I didn't and really want to. Any other recommendations?

The End is Near

This is my nursing pin. My Seton Hall University nursing pin. It's white gold.

This will be pinned to me at my pinning ceremony in roughly 48 days. This means the end is in sight! I looked up the history of nursing pins today and, according to Wikipedia, the ancestor of nursing pins is the Maltese Cross which has been used since the First Crusade. I'm not so fond of this. The pinning ceremony is a nursing tradition that traces its roots back to 1880 and the first Florence Nightingale School of Nursing in America. Nursing pins have become a symbol of professional status as well as a way to declare which nursing school you attended. Each school has their own unique design and coloring. I didn't expect to be as excited about my pin, but when I got it in class on Monday, I completely fell in love. I think it represents everything that all the frustration, all the work, all the lack of sleep, and all the stress has helped me achieve. I can't wait to actually wear it!

An Inside Look

I realized that I have lived in my apartment for over a year now and I have never really shared pictures! Last night, I straightened up a bit and took some. So now you can see where I've been living for the past year. I have to say, I'm generally pretty proud of it. It's decorated mostly with hand-me downs and bargains, but I think it turned out just right. I've tried really hard to include some sentimental things with things from my travels and all the things I need for everyday life. The result makes me happy and I think that's what really matters.

This is what it looks like when you walk in the front door. You can see our balcony through the sliding glass doors. The door to the left of the sliding glass doors is my bathroom.

This is the dining area and the window into the kitchen. Down the hallway is my roommate's bedroom.

This is our kitchen. The L-shape is great and gives us tons of counter space. We kind of went with a coffee theme.

This is my little area. The bathroom is just to the left. I used a curtain on a tension rod to create an attached bathroom/suite feeling to my room. It also adds some privacy when my roommate has friends over. The banner over the door is Indian and was purchased from Overstock.com's WorldStock store.

Here's the wide angle shot of my bedroom. I think you can definitely see the teal and brown theme I have going.

Here's a more up close shot of my bed. The bed platform, night table, and lamp are all from Walmart and the bedspread is IKEA. The artwork is from Tanzania and the Bahamas and the plant is an amaryllis.

I've had this dresser since I was a baby. My parent's bought it from my baby-sitter and refinished it. The orange jewelry stand cost me $1 at Goodwill and the small box/basket in the front was a gift from my friend Sharyn. Her parent's brought it back from Venezuela.

Here's my desk! It was also purchased from Walmart. The candle sticks are from Tanzania and the art on the wall is my name in Chinese, brought back from Hong Kong by Kim and Brandon.

This is my little reading corner. I don't really read here, but it looks nice. The art work is from Congo and Tanzania. The dolls are from Grand Cayman and Tanzania. I bought the stool before I went to college and my mom made that cover for it.

Finally, here's my bathroom. I carried over the teal and brown theme but brightened it and added some mod fun to it. The shower curtain, hooks, towels, and rug are all from ValueCity and the baskets are Longaberger baskets given to me by my mom and used for storage of make-up, hair accessories, and everyday essentials like toothpaste and face wash.


So there it is! My little house. I hope you liked the tour! The biggest lessons I learned from decorating my room where to not be afraid to use things that probably clash in style. I think if you use the things you love, it all comes together somehow. I also learned to re-purpose things. My curtains were intended to be panels on a canopy bed but work perfectly as regular curtains. Goodwill or your own closet are great resources for that. And the best thing? You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great look! Nothing in this room (with the exception of books and electronics) cost more then $100 dollars. That includes the furniture, rug, lamps, and decor. All the art together didn't cost anymore then $30. It's all the framing. Never underestimate the power of a great professional frame! I'm so glad I was able to make my apartment, and more specifically my room, a place that is peaceful and makes me happy!

Cake in a Cup

One of my new favorite foods are cupcakes. I've had a few barbeque/party type events to go to recently and I've decided to make cupcakes my thing. For some people it's some kind of salad or cookies but my thing is officially cupcakes. I think that cupcakes are a generally overlooked food. Everyone loves them but I think we all associate them with elementary school birthdays. Before I started making them I don't think I'd had a cupcake in years. But they're the perfect food. Bite size, you eat it with your fingers, and everyone loves them. I usually try to make some kind of "gourmet" cupcake to make it a little more interesting and adult, but you can't skimp on the sprinkles either.

This Saturday, I made chocolate surprise cupcakes for my church's softball picnic. The other great thing about cupcakes? When you have 12 left over they're really easy to give away. Two to one of the kids, two to my roommate, four for a shut-in and his caregiver, and four for my parents and I have to eat absolutely zero cupcakes before they go bad. Unlike the huge bowl of expensive dip I had left over from the Super Bowl party I went to. The only downside to cupcakes is they probably take a little longer and make a bigger mess then some other options. But I think the work/reward ratio is defiantly in the right proportion when it comes to making cupcakes. They're just so cute, how can they not make you happy?

Now that you know my love for cupcakes, my new link addition will make perfect sense! It's a blog called Cupcakes Take the Cake. It's written by "true cupcake fans" and claims to be "all cupcakes, all the time." Expect some taste tests in the near future.

Your Life is Not Yet Complete

My roommate and I were having childhood flashbacks this evening and watching New Kids on the Block videos on youtube when suddenly, she says, "Have you seen Yatta?" "No," I reply. Well, now I have and you must also. Here it is, the Japanese sensation that is Yatta.

It Continues to Haunt Me

Today was my first day back from class after my month long break so to console myself I didn't pay attention and surfed the Internet. Really I always do that, but I thought I'd attempt a justification. After exhausting my usual reading material, I decided to check housingmaps.com for apartment available in Philadelphia. I'm scrolling through the list, not really seeing too much that's appealing when I come across a listing for a luxury two bedroom in Society Hill. I open it up and what do I find? The amazing apartment with original hardwood floors (listed as such this time) and tons of charm that I previously drooled over in this post! It was just listed again yesterday. This sent me into fresh waves of wanting it and whining about it to everyone that would listen again. It's like it's there, waiting just for me. Or it's there to torture me. I'm not really quite sure which yet. Anyone looking to sublease for two months in Philly?

Without Prejudice?

I just finished watching what could be my new favorite TV show. It's called Without Prejudice? and it airs on the Game Show Network. Each show there is a 5 member panel and 5 contestants. The five member panel has to decide which of the contestants to award $25,000 to. The first vote-out is based on appearances only and then more information is gradually revealed until two are left at which point the panelists get to interview the contestants.

In the show that I watched there was an older white matchmaker, a middle-aged white guy in a wheel chair, a middle-aged white guy who was a gay pastor, a middle-aged white woman who was a Mormon polygamist, and a black college student. It was so interesting to see how the panelists felt about the contestants initially and how their opinions changed as more information was revealed. The panel is very opinionated and the questions asked of the contestants are of a potentially inflammatory nature. Are you religious? How much money do you make? What do you think about gay marriage, prostitution, and the legalization of marijuana? It was amazing to see what actually mattered to the panelists at the beginning that suddenly didn't matter anymore.

I can't really describe to you just how fascinating it was, but you really should watch it. It's a psychology student's dream. You can watch past episodes online or catch the new episodes on GSN on Tuesdays at 9pm. I recommend watching it with a friend. It might spark some lively discussions of your own.