A Chicken Sandwich with a Side of Hate?

In case you have been living under a rock for the last few weeks, there is this huge controversy concerning Chick-Fil-A in which Dan Cathy, president of the company and son of the founder and CEO Truett Cathy, has stated that he was "guilty as charged" when it comes to the support of family and marriage in the biblical sense. This has LGBT people and their supporters up-in-arms over the huge issue.

I'll admit it: at first, I was kinda like, "So...what is the big deal? I'm in support of the traditional family (as I am in one), and that doesn't make me bigoted. Everyone is entitled to their opinion."

Then, I found this out that they had been giving money to pro-traditional family groups, and I was like, "Ok..."

Then, I found out one of those groups is a certified anti-gay hate group under the Southern Poverty Law Center, and I was like, "Oh, no!"

That's right: the Family Research Council (FRC) preaches that gays are pedophiles and that homosexuality should be made illegal and gays should be exported out of the U.S. They use false claims against homosexuals in order to keep them from claiming equal rights, much like what was done to African Americans after the Civil War through the Civil Rights era.

I used go to Chick-Fil-A very often; however, I will no longer be frequenting an establishment that supports an organization with such an ignorant and intolerant ideology.

NFL Player Commits Suicide

O.J. Murdock, receiver for the Tennessee Titans, reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Tampa, FL this morning. He was discovered in his car and taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead at 10:43 am.

Murdock signed with the Titans last year as an undrafted free agent, but spent the entire season on the injured reserve list after injuring his Achilles tendon during training.

Murdock's agent said that Murdock was excited about his opportunities when he last spoke to him a week and a half ago. This goes to show that you can never know what is really going on in a person's life: a person may seem ok on the outside, but may be miserable on the inside. Murdock chose to deal--or not deal--with his misery by ending his life.

No one really knows what prompted Murdock to commit suicide, but anyone who is in a bad place in their lives should know that there is always a way out--not by killing yourself, however. Things will get worse before they get better, but know that it will get better.

No one should feel the despair that Murdock felt--the despair that made him feel that he needed to die. I feel for his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

Bullying: Part II

There is a viral video of a bus monitor for a school in NY being verbally abused by a group of adolescent boys that she was watching during a bus ride home, and it is heart-breaking. This goes to show that bullying doesn't just happen to adolescents. There are also adults that bully other adults: I was bullied by my former boss while working at my first job out of pharmacy school.

Adults also may bully other children: I was bullied by my 5th-grade teacher.

As horrible as it is, bullying will always exist as long as there are crazy people in this world...

Field Stones: The Interview

I was eating lunch at Panera Bread where I sat near two guys: one was dressed-up, the other was in casual attire. The casual guy talked the whole time, mostly about himself. As I was listening to their conversation, it was apparent that it was a job interview, and the casual guy was the owner of a restaurant. He had what looked like the other guy's resume on the table. I thought to myself: What an odd place to have an interview, since it was in such a public and loud place. The casual guy, who kept talking the whole entire time, wouldn't let the other guy talk; and then, when the other guy tried to answer his questions, he kept interrupting him. I wanted to tell the other guy, "He is talking too much, and that's a red flag. Do not work for him."

Field Stones: The Homeless Woman

So, I am taking this 6-week writing class called The Write Motivation, and it has been one of the best things I have done. It is because of this class that I have finally found the motivation to start writing in my blog again (yay!).

Anyway, in the class they takes about "field stones," which are passages about things that get our attention and can be used in later work. Here is one that I shared with the class and was described by one of the teachers as "brilliant:"

Today (5/31/12), as I was on my way to work, I saw a lady with a formal dress on with pants, and she was pushing a cart full of stuff. Her dress was sleeveless and purple with sequins, and it came down past her knees to her shins. The pants were khaki-colored. She was obviously homeless. I though to myself: 'as ridiculous as she looks, at least she had clothes to wear...'

A Mean Doctor

Ok, so most of you know that I am a pharmacist, right? Well, because of my profession, I have to deal and interact with other healthcare professionals: doctors, nurses, CMAs, other pharmacists, etc. Most have been great to work with; others...not so much, especially some of the doctors I have dealt with. For example, during my Internal Medicine rotation while in pharmacy school I was on a team with one of the most arrogant residents that I have ever met. He made my rotation harder than it already was--and it was hard.

Well, at my job, there is a doctor there that I know that I am not going to get along with because she has the nastiest attitude and is very unapproachable. I have complained and bitched about her attitude so much that, finally, one of my techs told me what is really going on with her.

Apparently, she has worked there before, According to my techs who have been working there for ages, she was never rude or snippy (like she is now), and was very patient while she was there previously. Something very tragic had happened to her that has altered her mental state. She had even told my tech that she was no longer the same person that she was before.

Now that I know this about her, I really feel sorry for her. It is not her fault that she is the way that she is now, and I see her in a different light. Although I believe that no one should take their problems out on anyone, her situation is different. I will try my best to be nice to her, although she is very rude to me. it will take all of my might to accomplish this without saying anything mean to her, but I will try. That is all that I can do.

To be honest, I still do not think we will get along...

The Healthcare Dilemma

I just spent $128 for five medications (yes, I require a boat-load of meds to function--and that wasn't even all of it), and that is with insurance! I work for a clinic that serves indigent patients, and they complain about having to pay $4 for generics and $10 for brands--you cannot beat that! Even if someone were to get 10 brand-name prescriptions, it still would not add up to what I have to pay every month for my prescriptions. It's amazing how ungrateful people are...

I understand that I am well-off compared to my patients, but $4 for all generics that we provide (some of which aren't even on Walmart's $4 list) and $10 for brands that normally would cost hundreds of dollars at any other pharmacy is a like highway robbery. The price of healthcare in this country is absolutely outrageous! That is way President Obama is trying to reform the country's healthcare system.

According to whitehouse.gov, the Affordable Care Act (coined "Obamacare" by the haters, aka the GOP) "will reduce the deficit by $210 billion in this decade and by more than $1 trillion over the following 10 years. And a family of four would save as much as $2,300 on their premiums in 2014 compared to what they would have paid without reform." This was found to be true by the Congressional Budget Office.

Some people think that The Affordable Care Act is about socialized medicine that the government will be running when, in fact, this legislation "puts people, not health insurance companies or government, in charge of health care. The new law strengthens the existing employer-based health insurance market while making the market fair for consumers by implementing landmark consumer protections. Families and individuals that don't have access to affordable coverage can receive tax credits to help them purchase coverage in the private health insurance market. There is no government-sponsored, public, or 'single payer' plan in the law" (yes, I am directly quoting from the website because I am being lazy--they say it better than I ever could anyway...).

There are a lot more myths out there about this new law, but I just wanted to cover the main ones. I am excited for this reform because, finally, every American will have access to the quality healthcare that everyone is entitled to without having to pay out the butt or make tough decisions like eating dinner or buying must-needed blood pressure medication. Quit drinking the hateraid, and research the facts for yourselves...

Going Natural: Part II

As of today, I am six months sober (that means I have been relaxer-free--don't get it twisted...). If I were to cut off all of my relaxed locks at this time, I would have accumulated enough new growth to sport a small afro--too bad I am not. I am hoping for some more growth by June so I may do it at that time--I just don't want to worry about my hair during the summer time, especially since my husband and I plan on going on a cruise with some friends. We shall see (to be continued)....

Sleep, Interrupted

It is 2:30 am on a work night, and I am up doing laundry and writing this blog post. What gives?

I use to be the best sleeper--as soon as my head hit the pillow I would be knocked out. I could even sleep with the tv on. Insomniacs would be so jealous. Now, not so much...

I guess I must've went to bed too early--like, before 9 pm (yeah, that's early for me). I don't know...but now I have been up since before 2 am. However, I think the real reason is this new medication that I am on. Ever since I've started taking it about 3 weeks ago my sleep pattern has been so irratic: it would be either too hard for me to get to sleep, or I would go to sleep and wake up several times in the night, or both.

In the past, I would try to take a Benadryl to help me sleep. It doesn't work so well anymore...

I learned in pharmacy school that when having trouble sleeping, it is best to try to practice good "sleep hygiene" before trying any prescription medications. This included not drinking caffeine or working out close to bedtime, not reading or doing any other activities except for sleeping and love-making in the bed, and some other things that I cannot recall right at this moment.

That is why I am in the living room writing this post right now. I am also trying not to disurb my husband (which I probably did anyway because, well, who does laundry in the middle of the night? Oops...).

I guess it might be time to suck it up and ask my doctor for some Ambien.

Do you have trouble sleeping? If so, what strategies have you tried, if any?

The Death of Whitney Houston

I found out about the pop legend's death while on a Valentine's dinner date with my husband: my brother had sent a text message with the bad news, and I almost choked on my appetizer! The news was very heavy on my heart, and I just had to tell someone else. While I saw everyone laughing and having a good time I wanted to stand up and scream, "Excuse me...can I have everyone's attention, please? Whitney Houston just died. You may now carry on with your dinner." Luckly, I'd decided not to spoil every else's evening...

Whitney Houston was always one of my favorite artists. Every since the first time I heard her single, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"--I must've been about 5 years old--I knew I loved her as an artist. Practically every song that she put out before and after that have been a hit. To name a few: "How Will I Know," "Saving All My Love for You," and, the classic, "I Will Always Love You" from The Bodyguard soundtrack.

Speaking of The Bodyguard, Whitney was also a pretty descent actress. I've never seen the movie, but I did see her in Waiting to Exhale, and her performance was greater than amateur. Prior to death, she was also to produce and star in a remake of the 1976 movie Sparkle.


It is now coming out that the singer died from a deadly combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs and alcohol. Judging from her turbulent battle with drugs and alcohol while married to Bobby Brown, this is not a huge shocker. And, while I was deeply saddened by the news of her passing, I was definitely not surprised.

Since her death, I have been hearing a lot of her songs on the radio in the car, on Pandora at work, etc. Every time I hear her beautiful voice I say to myself, "Why, Whitney, WHY?!"


Maybe I'll make a point to see The Bodyguard now...




Were you shocked by Whitney's death? What are some of your favorite songs of hers?

Having Depression

On the night of February 1st, 2012, I was admitted into the ER for two suicide attempts--yes, I said two. The night before that I had ingested 10 cyclobenzaprine tablets and chased it with a full glass of vodka after having an embarrassing confrontation with one of my co-workers. When I woke up the next morning I was disappointed, but I slept all day--my husband even took off of work to take care of me.

That next night, when I became sober and alert, I was looking for more drugs and alcohol to take myself out with. That is when I figured out that my husband had hid all of my drugs and alcohol; however, I had some samples of aripiprazole that my new psychiatrist had given me, and I had it in my purse. Still in suicidal mode, I took all seven of the 2 mg pills (even though I knew that it wouldn't kill me--it was all I had). This is when I realied that I needed help. I told my husband, and he called EMS, who transported me into the ER that night. I was admitted into the psychiatric ward the following afternoon.

This is not the first time that this has happened. As a matter of fact, I had been battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation as long as I can remember; however, I have only been treated for it recently. Being verbally abused by family members, peers, and teachers would make anyone depressed. Not to mention that I was called ugly on a daily basis from elementary school all the way through high school. An abusive relationship during college is what landed me into the psych ward for the first time.

Along with depression comes anxiety and irritability. I've noticed having anxiety problems as a child. I would get easily upset if a "friend" left me out of something or said something that I didn't like, which caused me to ruin friendships and make my peers dislike me.

Because of the abuse and disrespect that I had experienced when I was young, I am overly sensitive and defensive when I perceive someone is disrespecting me (perceive being the opporative word of the sentence). Since I did not stand up for myself like I should have back then, I tend to overcompensate and get outrageously upset if I feel like someone is being nasty toward me or is criticizing me. I have a tendency to act--or react--immaturely by cussing or name-calling because I did not get the chance to defend myself as a child. I have been seeing a counselor to work on this part of myself.

My depression took a turn for the worst after the birth of my first child. It seems that everything just kinda spun out of control. I started drinking more, and my marriage started falling apart. That is when I finally got treated. I was stable on my medications for a couple of years, until after I had my second child. I gave up taking one of my meds so that I could breastfeed--that did not work out. After a month, I was put back on it and had to stop breastfeeding. After that, things have kinda been "out-of-wack."

People who are depressed are not crazy--they are people who just want to be understood and loved for who they are, good or bad. The people I have met during my recent hospital stay are a few of the sweetest, nicest, most caring and generous people that I have ever met. Although I was ready to go home, I enjoyed the time I have spent with those people. Because we were experiencing similar disorders, we all understood where each other were coming from, and we were at a place where we could be ourselves without being judged. Being around people just like yourself who understand what you are going through, especially when you think the world has turned its back on you because of the baggage that comes with being depressed, is a good feeling.

Right now I feel great. I feel like I am in control again, and hopefully, I won't have to experience another episode like that again...

Bullying

image via www.wikipedia.org

An African American teen in Washington State was awarded $100,000 from his school district for the years of racist and homophobic bullying he endured in middle school and high school. When he complained went to school officials, they did little, if anything, to help him.

Since the suicide of many bullied teens have been thrust into the media spotlight, bulling has been a major issue in recent years. Being bullied myself, I think this sets a great precedent for other school systems to do more to protect their students from this type of abuse.

Speaking personally, bullying leaves a lasting, negative impression on the individual and leads them to despair. I even attempted suicide myself in middle school because of constant harassment and bullying. I never reached out to anyone, not even school officials, because I didn't think they would care; however, now I wish that I did trust someone with the anguish I felt as a kid.

I think that this settlement is good because it shows that school officials should be held responsible for making sure their students are safe. If someone is telling them that they are being bullied, especially at the extent that this particular teen was bullied, they should  do whatever it takes to put a stop to it, even if it means punishing the bullies if they do not stop. If school officials choose to twiddle their thumbs on the subject, they should be punished as well.

Have you been bullied or witnessed someone being bullied? What did you do?

Birth Control Mandate

image via http://www.pharmacynewsflash.com/

Apparently, there is this huge debate on the Obama administration requiring insurance companies to cover birth control methods. Catholics, Republicans, and conservatives are up in arms over the situation, calling it "an unambiguous attack on religious freedom."

Ok, I am Catholic, but I am a moderate. I see nothing wrong with mandating that insurance companies cover birth control. As a matter of fact, it would be cheaper for everyone than raising a child. If conservatives want to help raise unwanted babies because women could not afford their birth control, be my guest.

Which bring me to my next point: conservatives are so anti-welfare and anti-abortion, but they don't want people to have the resources to prevent themselves from being in that situation, i.e. free birth control. Does that sound irrational to anyone else besides me? I, too, am pro-life, but I am not anti-contraception (does that make sense: anti-against conception?). I don't under stand why conservatives are so against insurance companies covering birth control. It's not like anyone is forcing them to get it; but, let the people who want to to prevent unwanted pregnancies have that opportunity if they can't otherwise afford it.

What do you think about this mandate: should insurance companies be required to cover contraceptive methods?

Going Natural

Four months ago I made a life-changing decision. It was hard, but I knew it was time to let go of a nasty habit.

I've had an addiction for 20 years now -- ever since I was 9 and in the 4th grade. Ever since then, I would go, faithfully, every 6 weeks to my pusher for more and more of this good stuff; however, after I had my second child I knew I had to stop. I noticed my hair thinning out, and I had had enough.

So, I declared Septemeber 1st, 2011 as the last time I go to her. I had to learn to be strong. I kept having withdrawals -- and still do -- but I try not to let them consume me. I know that, in time, this decision will be one of the best that I have made yet.

I finally decided to quit the "creamy crack" and go natural.

Actually, I wanted to go natural a while ago -- like, in college -- but I always thought that I would have to shave my head and "start over," if you will. My head is not shaped to be bald. It wasn't until recently -- actually, after I got my last relaxer -- that I found out that I did not have to do any of that. Therefore, eight weeks after I got the relaxer, I have started going to a stylist that specializes in natural hair and get something called a "flexy set," and I will get it re-done bi-weekly until my natural growth gets long enough, and I can cut my relaxed ends off.

The people that I know who are natural say that to roughest part is the "in-between," which is where I am at right now. I cannot wait until my hair grows out and I can show off my natural, soft, curly texture (to be continued)...

The Finger Wag Heard Around the Nation

Jan Brewer--the infamous governor of Arizona, a Republican, and outspoken opponent of President Obama--received a bunch of flack last week for a still picture showing an exchange between her and the president in which she is seen pointing her finger at him.

Let me just saw this: as much as I cannot stand this wrinkly-faced, tales-from-the-crypt-looking bitch woman and her politics, I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt on this one. This is a picture, not a video--there is no telling what the exchange was about. And, hey, she may talk with her hands a lot...I know I do, especially when I am trying to make a point. I am just not trying to assume things...remember last time when people assumed stuff about what Michelle Obama whispered into her husband's ear during a 9/11 memorial service? They were wrong!

Although I do believe that President Obama is the most disrespected president of our time, I do not think that she intentionally tried to be disrespectful.

Do you think that Governor Brewer was trying to be disrespectful when she pointed her finger at the president?

One Teacher's Strict Potty Policy

One fifth-grade teacher in New York, sick and tired of her students' "excessive" potty breaks, has decided to put a stop to it by implementing a strict potty policy in which each student is allotted three potty passes -- get this -- a week! And if they have all of their passes at the end of the week, then they are awarded a prize in the form of a small toy.

I think the intentions of this teacher were good, but the execution was bad: excessive bathroom breaks can be disruptive and takes away from class time -- but only 3 bathroom passes a week?! Come on, that's not even enough for me. These little 5th-graders have smaller bladders than grown adults. I wonder how many times she uses the bathroom a day...

A better solution would be to give the students 3 passes a day maybe...but I don't think it is appropriate to reward them for not using their bathroom passes. It's quite dangerous, really: not emptying one's bladder when it is full for a while can cause urinary tract infections (UTI's). Yeah, sure they'll get a fun toy, but UTI's are definitely not fun.

When angry parents complained to the Department of Education, they issued a statement saying that is not a school policy but an individual teacher's own policy, and the principal has put a stop to it.

What do you think about this teacher's policy? Should students get rewarded for not taking bathroom breaks?

Paula Deen and Diabetes

Apparently, famous southern chef and restaurateur, Paula Deen, has come out and said that she has diabetes.

Did anyone not see that coming?

Ms. Deen -- who has written 5 cookbooks and is known for her high fat, salt, and sugar recipes such as the Lady's Brunch Burger (which I like to call the heart attack hamburger) -- has been keeping the southern tradition of unhealthy eating alive.

Being in the health profession, I am an advocate for good health. As a matter of fact, learning what I did in pharmacy school has scared me into leading a healthier lifestyle (stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure...oh my!). People like Ms. Deen and her collection of southern-fried mess recipes are not making it any easier for people to get on the healthy track, especially in the south. With the amount of butter and lard that most if her recipes call for, it is a wonder why she hasn't developed diabetes earlier than 3 years ago (yes, she has had it for 3 years, but we are just now finding out about it -- go figure.). These recipes of hers, although delicious (from what I've heard, anyway), are irresponsible and a detriment to the people who follow her.

...But, maybe this is a blessing in disguise, a wake-up call to the American people who thrive on this kind of food. Maybe she can be used has an example -- Hey! Try out my recipes and get just like me: overweight and insulin-resistant! -- which, I would hope, would turn most people off. Who knows...

So now she is putting out healthier, diabetes-friendly recipes. It's a shame that it took that diagnosis for that to be possible.

Do you think Paula Deen should ditch her high-fat recipes?