Of the topics and information that we have covered this semester in the course, what has been the most impactful or interesting?
This question is actually a really hard one to answer. I feel like I have learned so much through the semester but to me what has been the most impactful was the topics on personal health and nutrition. I really enjoyed reading the chapter (9) discussing it as well as the chapters leading past it about heart disease. This was really the most effective chapters to me personally and I really took away a lot about my own personal health and the amount of nutrition I was missing in my diet. I really enjoyed reading about different cultures of women and the customs of each culture and how different they were. I will take away with me an open mind and an open heart about different ideas and beliefs because women of all races and ethnicities go through their own hardships and thats important to remember.
Sara Abbasi
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Blog 14 Assault
What can a woman do to reduce her risk of assault?
I think first thing a woman can do is buy herself pepper spray. If nothing else, having something on you can always help if you are being attacked. My brother bought me one to put on my key chain and to have some in my house and in my purse. He also bought me a taser which I mainly used on drunk people per request =).Never the less, I seemed to be a little prepared. Among having actual physical objects, I was taught to always be aware of my surrounding. When you are out anywhere, by yourself or not, look around. Keep yourself aware because sometimes you might catch something you otherwise would not have noticed, like a car following you or someone staring a bit too long. I also have an older car so every time I get in I lock my doors immediately. I do this because if you are sitting a red light, stop sign, or behind a train someone can run up and jump in your car before you know it.
I try to always be with someone no matter what because muggings usually only happen when you are alone so try to go to the store with someone you know. And always lock your doors, car and home. I have seen countless entry's of perpetrators because people left their front or back door unlocked. We can only do so much to protect ourselves, especially as women. I am not promoting the use of guns, but personally I go to the range and practice because I want to be prepared no matter what. I hope that if any kind of advice or training is offered, you guys will take it. It is so important to protect yourself and their are so many people out there that will and can hurt you. SO stay alert and prepared, always.
Sara Abbasi
I think first thing a woman can do is buy herself pepper spray. If nothing else, having something on you can always help if you are being attacked. My brother bought me one to put on my key chain and to have some in my house and in my purse. He also bought me a taser which I mainly used on drunk people per request =).Never the less, I seemed to be a little prepared. Among having actual physical objects, I was taught to always be aware of my surrounding. When you are out anywhere, by yourself or not, look around. Keep yourself aware because sometimes you might catch something you otherwise would not have noticed, like a car following you or someone staring a bit too long. I also have an older car so every time I get in I lock my doors immediately. I do this because if you are sitting a red light, stop sign, or behind a train someone can run up and jump in your car before you know it.
I try to always be with someone no matter what because muggings usually only happen when you are alone so try to go to the store with someone you know. And always lock your doors, car and home. I have seen countless entry's of perpetrators because people left their front or back door unlocked. We can only do so much to protect ourselves, especially as women. I am not promoting the use of guns, but personally I go to the range and practice because I want to be prepared no matter what. I hope that if any kind of advice or training is offered, you guys will take it. It is so important to protect yourself and their are so many people out there that will and can hurt you. SO stay alert and prepared, always.
Sara Abbasi
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Blog 13 Drug Addicts
Is it better to put drug addicts in jail or to send them to mandatory drug treatment programs?
Drug addicts are people who have lost their way and cant seem to find a way back, out of their situation. Drugs are such a powerful thing, which is why people get addicted to them in the first place. What starts out as a innocent curiosity can sometimes lead to a women prostituting for more or a man hurting someone to get more drugs. Its a dark and sad place to be addicted to something and people who took the chance to get high off of anything, especially the harder more dangerous drugs, need help. I think drug addicts, to a point, should be given mandatory drug treatment programs. They should have the chance and opportunity to receive help because addiction is a powerful thing. What would you want if you were addicted to meth and you wanted to get sober or you found your health declining rapidly because of it? You would want the chance to get away from it. Everyone should have a chance to get sober and drug treatments can not only help, but provide a safe place for doing so. It can provide the person with the support they need because if you send someone to jail, what do they get out of it? Maybe a little fear? Mostly, they don't get anything from jail because their is no support, no care, nothing to help them, no one to educate them, and it's pretty much a place drug addicts aren't scared of.
There comes a point where I do think jail is necessary. after so many times in treatment, a person just doesn't want to change. I think jail can provide the discipline to make them change, simple because they have no choice and they cant leave when they want like in rehab. I am thankful I never got into drugs. I have seen people die from it, my cousin actually. He was only 26 years old. People should have the opportunity to get sober. Once that has passed and they still keep doing it, it becomes a discipline problem and jail is the place for poor decisions. I truly believe people want to change, I just don't think they should be given 4 opportunities in rehab to so.
Sara Abbasi
Drug addicts are people who have lost their way and cant seem to find a way back, out of their situation. Drugs are such a powerful thing, which is why people get addicted to them in the first place. What starts out as a innocent curiosity can sometimes lead to a women prostituting for more or a man hurting someone to get more drugs. Its a dark and sad place to be addicted to something and people who took the chance to get high off of anything, especially the harder more dangerous drugs, need help. I think drug addicts, to a point, should be given mandatory drug treatment programs. They should have the chance and opportunity to receive help because addiction is a powerful thing. What would you want if you were addicted to meth and you wanted to get sober or you found your health declining rapidly because of it? You would want the chance to get away from it. Everyone should have a chance to get sober and drug treatments can not only help, but provide a safe place for doing so. It can provide the person with the support they need because if you send someone to jail, what do they get out of it? Maybe a little fear? Mostly, they don't get anything from jail because their is no support, no care, nothing to help them, no one to educate them, and it's pretty much a place drug addicts aren't scared of.
There comes a point where I do think jail is necessary. after so many times in treatment, a person just doesn't want to change. I think jail can provide the discipline to make them change, simple because they have no choice and they cant leave when they want like in rehab. I am thankful I never got into drugs. I have seen people die from it, my cousin actually. He was only 26 years old. People should have the opportunity to get sober. Once that has passed and they still keep doing it, it becomes a discipline problem and jail is the place for poor decisions. I truly believe people want to change, I just don't think they should be given 4 opportunities in rehab to so.
Sara Abbasi
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Blog 12: Mental Illness
Have you ever known someone with a mental illness? How did/does the illness impact his/her life? What have you learned about this mental illness just from knowing them?
I have known a woman, a friend of mine, who suffers from depression. Although she is recently married with a child, its seems like nothing is ever good enough. She is actually a really funny outgoing girl but the more you get to know her, the more you find out how unhappy she is. Its like she puts on a happy face at work and then after words you realize there was something weird about it. Like she forced it. So one day I asked her, are you ok? Is there something going on? And she told me that she was unhappy at home. When she described her life to me, I didn't see what the big deal was. But then she said she had to go to the doctor to get medication... for depression. She has been suffering from it since high school where is was really bad. She said the medication changed the way she acted and felt and that she didn't like it but that she knew she needed it.
Sometimes I try to give her advice on how to put her self in another persons shoes, or I try to help her see that situation is not as bad as it seems and she just cannot change the way she thinks. Its bad. End of story. Thats how she views things. I think the best thing I can do is to not get mad at her or give up on her. I want to always help her see the bright side and to know that sometimes intentions or acts of kindness are just that... kind! I think depression affects a lot of people. And What makes me so willing to help and be nice and calm with her is that I personally know what it felt like to not want to get out of bed. I knew what it felt like to literally stop feeling anything but sad... and angry. It was terrible because you end up pushing away the people you love and you don't even know you are doing anything wrong. All you know is that YOU feel sad and that it must be your life and the people in it. A to someone depressed... it seems as though no one understands how you feel. So I know what it is like to feel like this, to live with it. If you know someone, even if you aren't good friends, take a chance to ask them how their day was and to make them laugh. Sometimes its the little things that make you realize how unhappy you've been and how you want to change. I encourage everyone to extend a hand out and care... really care about the people in your life. No matter how close they are to you... everyone needs to know there are people out there who really care.
Sara Abbasi
I have known a woman, a friend of mine, who suffers from depression. Although she is recently married with a child, its seems like nothing is ever good enough. She is actually a really funny outgoing girl but the more you get to know her, the more you find out how unhappy she is. Its like she puts on a happy face at work and then after words you realize there was something weird about it. Like she forced it. So one day I asked her, are you ok? Is there something going on? And she told me that she was unhappy at home. When she described her life to me, I didn't see what the big deal was. But then she said she had to go to the doctor to get medication... for depression. She has been suffering from it since high school where is was really bad. She said the medication changed the way she acted and felt and that she didn't like it but that she knew she needed it.
Sometimes I try to give her advice on how to put her self in another persons shoes, or I try to help her see that situation is not as bad as it seems and she just cannot change the way she thinks. Its bad. End of story. Thats how she views things. I think the best thing I can do is to not get mad at her or give up on her. I want to always help her see the bright side and to know that sometimes intentions or acts of kindness are just that... kind! I think depression affects a lot of people. And What makes me so willing to help and be nice and calm with her is that I personally know what it felt like to not want to get out of bed. I knew what it felt like to literally stop feeling anything but sad... and angry. It was terrible because you end up pushing away the people you love and you don't even know you are doing anything wrong. All you know is that YOU feel sad and that it must be your life and the people in it. A to someone depressed... it seems as though no one understands how you feel. So I know what it is like to feel like this, to live with it. If you know someone, even if you aren't good friends, take a chance to ask them how their day was and to make them laugh. Sometimes its the little things that make you realize how unhappy you've been and how you want to change. I encourage everyone to extend a hand out and care... really care about the people in your life. No matter how close they are to you... everyone needs to know there are people out there who really care.
Sara Abbasi
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Blog # 11 Our Future, Our Choice?
If everyone lived "with our future in mind", do you think that we would live differently? (different habits, behaviors, etc).
I think for the most part, people live in the present. Live for now, worry about it later... but later comes all too soon for most. We realize that living can sometimes mean forgetting to take care of ourselves. If I lived for my future in mind, maybe I wouldn't go out and have so many drinks with my friends when I get the chance and maybe I would choose to give up soft drinks because no good comes from drinking them. Although it isn't often that I do this... I dont have my future in mind. My body, mind, and soul are living in the now and later I realize I may not have made the best choices. If everyone lived with their future in mind, things would DEFIANTLY be different. We wouldn't think twice about making the best decisions for our selves and for the people who are apart of our lives. Maybe there would be less premature babies and less drug addicts or maybe heart disease would lose its number one spot and we would see that change can take place, change for the better. Maybe we wouldn't let the little things get to us and build weight on our shoulders because in the end, it was never really worth getting mad over. Relationships may take a turn for the best, less cheating and more loving and listening. Although I can't say only good would come of it, I know that living first and thinking later is what's easy and most of us are pretty lazy, therefore the choices we make reflect like mirrors back at us all too soon. What goes around comes around and if we could make better habits of thinking about our future and the future of our friends, family, and children... we would take two steps forwards.
Living is so important. Nothing should stop someone from living a full, happy, and healthy life. But what seems to last and stick with us, are the memories of the decisions we made... and no one should regret what they did. Thinking with the future in mind, I personally would make better decisions. I personally have made better decisions like choosing not to cheat on my boyfriend who cheated on me. When I thought about it, I never wanted to look back and be like him. I wanted to be better and when I thought it out... I just couldnt do it. I also found myself forgiving a lot of people I had held a grudge against for so many years. I think the weight was getting to heavy and when I let it go... I felt like I had made the best decision of my life. Not because it was right, but because I taught myself how to forgive and what it feels like to let go. I have made a lot of decisions that weren't right, many of them I have learned from. But if I take anything with me, its that we get one chance, and I want to leave foot prints... big ones.
Sara Abbasi
*Music for thought: The Hush Sound- You Are the Moon
I think for the most part, people live in the present. Live for now, worry about it later... but later comes all too soon for most. We realize that living can sometimes mean forgetting to take care of ourselves. If I lived for my future in mind, maybe I wouldn't go out and have so many drinks with my friends when I get the chance and maybe I would choose to give up soft drinks because no good comes from drinking them. Although it isn't often that I do this... I dont have my future in mind. My body, mind, and soul are living in the now and later I realize I may not have made the best choices. If everyone lived with their future in mind, things would DEFIANTLY be different. We wouldn't think twice about making the best decisions for our selves and for the people who are apart of our lives. Maybe there would be less premature babies and less drug addicts or maybe heart disease would lose its number one spot and we would see that change can take place, change for the better. Maybe we wouldn't let the little things get to us and build weight on our shoulders because in the end, it was never really worth getting mad over. Relationships may take a turn for the best, less cheating and more loving and listening. Although I can't say only good would come of it, I know that living first and thinking later is what's easy and most of us are pretty lazy, therefore the choices we make reflect like mirrors back at us all too soon. What goes around comes around and if we could make better habits of thinking about our future and the future of our friends, family, and children... we would take two steps forwards.
Living is so important. Nothing should stop someone from living a full, happy, and healthy life. But what seems to last and stick with us, are the memories of the decisions we made... and no one should regret what they did. Thinking with the future in mind, I personally would make better decisions. I personally have made better decisions like choosing not to cheat on my boyfriend who cheated on me. When I thought about it, I never wanted to look back and be like him. I wanted to be better and when I thought it out... I just couldnt do it. I also found myself forgiving a lot of people I had held a grudge against for so many years. I think the weight was getting to heavy and when I let it go... I felt like I had made the best decision of my life. Not because it was right, but because I taught myself how to forgive and what it feels like to let go. I have made a lot of decisions that weren't right, many of them I have learned from. But if I take anything with me, its that we get one chance, and I want to leave foot prints... big ones.
Sara Abbasi
*Music for thought: The Hush Sound- You Are the Moon
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Blog 10 Heart Disease
Is heart disease common in your family? What are some of the environmental, physical, cultural, socioeconomical, and educational factors that impact the prevalence of this disease?
Heart Disease is very common in my family. My grandmother and great grandmother both passed away from heart disease. I know all too well the risk factors associated with heart disease and I also know the lifestyle they led is what caused them to eventually lead into heart failure. Both women in my family were smokers, about two packs a day, and ate good Ole southern food. They were not active in a way that allowed them to get their heart rate up through exercise and this is what probably led to heart disease. Because I know this, my mother has been an advocate for health in our family and has tried to teach me to live a lifestyle that protects my heart. I eat homemade healthy food ( most of the time), I play soccer (which my mom got me in to), and I do NOT smoke and rarely do I drink. These were all very important to my mother and she educated me on why these behaviors are so important to my health specifically. Some factors that I know I should avoid are no smoking, heating healthy, staying active, keeping up with yearly doctor visits, avoiding too much alcohol, and staying informed on any new ways to prevent heart disease. The best thing for me to focus on is prevention because I know in the future I my chances of getting heart disease will increase. Its really odd to think I can prevent something as terrible as heart disease from taking my life or reducing my life expectancy.
I am currently dating a guy who was born with congenital heart defects and even at his age (24), he feels that effects but cannot yet do anything about it. He had a cardiac catheter procedure done, but they were unsuccessful in fixing his SA node as well as the hole in his heart. As minor as this seems compared to other heart problems, this makes a huge difference in the way he feels when he exercises and I couldn't imagine feeling the way he does. Because heart disease is the leading cause of death, I feel compelled to help him lead a healthier life and make better choices when it comes to diet and exercise. I have seen a change in him, but I still get worried that one day, one of us will be diagnosed with this debilitating disease and then what?
Heart Disease is tricky that way. Maybe you can do everything right and still get it wrong somehow and end up with heart disease. Hopefully, the changes I am making in my life will ultimately lead to a longer, happier, healthier life.
Sara Abbasi
Heart Disease is very common in my family. My grandmother and great grandmother both passed away from heart disease. I know all too well the risk factors associated with heart disease and I also know the lifestyle they led is what caused them to eventually lead into heart failure. Both women in my family were smokers, about two packs a day, and ate good Ole southern food. They were not active in a way that allowed them to get their heart rate up through exercise and this is what probably led to heart disease. Because I know this, my mother has been an advocate for health in our family and has tried to teach me to live a lifestyle that protects my heart. I eat homemade healthy food ( most of the time), I play soccer (which my mom got me in to), and I do NOT smoke and rarely do I drink. These were all very important to my mother and she educated me on why these behaviors are so important to my health specifically. Some factors that I know I should avoid are no smoking, heating healthy, staying active, keeping up with yearly doctor visits, avoiding too much alcohol, and staying informed on any new ways to prevent heart disease. The best thing for me to focus on is prevention because I know in the future I my chances of getting heart disease will increase. Its really odd to think I can prevent something as terrible as heart disease from taking my life or reducing my life expectancy.
I am currently dating a guy who was born with congenital heart defects and even at his age (24), he feels that effects but cannot yet do anything about it. He had a cardiac catheter procedure done, but they were unsuccessful in fixing his SA node as well as the hole in his heart. As minor as this seems compared to other heart problems, this makes a huge difference in the way he feels when he exercises and I couldn't imagine feeling the way he does. Because heart disease is the leading cause of death, I feel compelled to help him lead a healthier life and make better choices when it comes to diet and exercise. I have seen a change in him, but I still get worried that one day, one of us will be diagnosed with this debilitating disease and then what?
Heart Disease is tricky that way. Maybe you can do everything right and still get it wrong somehow and end up with heart disease. Hopefully, the changes I am making in my life will ultimately lead to a longer, happier, healthier life.
Sara Abbasi
Friday, October 29, 2010
Blog 9 Exercise Challenges
What are the biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet that you face? How are these challenges going to change for you over the next five years?
Exercise used to be a second thought to me. You know when you go to the gym and its just not fun for you so you get bored and don't give it your all? I never had that because my form of exercise was always playing soccer, something I enjoy and take pride in. Now, after a few years of college, I have found myself outside of anything I have ever known. I actually have to work to stay fit! And it feels like work to me...
I have taken on a challenge. I will develop a lifestyle I enjoy. That means I need to stay active any way I can. Therefore, I found out about my companies indoor soccer team and I joined it. I was really nervous because I knew no matter how much I ran, I was not going to be fit enough or ready for this new season. I was also scared because well... it was a mens league.
The biggest challenge in my life right now and forever will be having the discipline to stay active and having the time to do it 3 or more times a week. I don't have a family right now but I can only imagine how that will impact my life. But some times I just have to think about the statistics of heart disease or problems associated with living a sedentary lifestyle and I get enough motivation to get my butt off the couch (or bed) and go for a run. AND IT FEELS GREAT. I always feel so good after a run. I get to to put on my headphones and relax. It sounds crazy right... elevated heart rate and relaxed? Its actually a feeling I relate back to being a child and being carefree. There gets a point where it isn't always easy to run given Houston's weather or what I had for lunch but never the less, no matter what, I always feel great after words. And I had nothing to loose by going for a run. 30 minutes for myself is worth it and everyone should have 30 minutes to relax, get away, and do something! For me, in the next 5 years, I plan on joining a womens soccer team. Partly because the happiest part of my life was playing with my girls and partly because guys play rough! 2 torn ligaments and I'm thinking maybe I should stop. I see myself at least trying to live an active life and no matter what, in the future, I will always remember and keep in mind the small things that make staying active so worth it.
Sara Abbasi
Exercise used to be a second thought to me. You know when you go to the gym and its just not fun for you so you get bored and don't give it your all? I never had that because my form of exercise was always playing soccer, something I enjoy and take pride in. Now, after a few years of college, I have found myself outside of anything I have ever known. I actually have to work to stay fit! And it feels like work to me...
I have taken on a challenge. I will develop a lifestyle I enjoy. That means I need to stay active any way I can. Therefore, I found out about my companies indoor soccer team and I joined it. I was really nervous because I knew no matter how much I ran, I was not going to be fit enough or ready for this new season. I was also scared because well... it was a mens league.
The biggest challenge in my life right now and forever will be having the discipline to stay active and having the time to do it 3 or more times a week. I don't have a family right now but I can only imagine how that will impact my life. But some times I just have to think about the statistics of heart disease or problems associated with living a sedentary lifestyle and I get enough motivation to get my butt off the couch (or bed) and go for a run. AND IT FEELS GREAT. I always feel so good after a run. I get to to put on my headphones and relax. It sounds crazy right... elevated heart rate and relaxed? Its actually a feeling I relate back to being a child and being carefree. There gets a point where it isn't always easy to run given Houston's weather or what I had for lunch but never the less, no matter what, I always feel great after words. And I had nothing to loose by going for a run. 30 minutes for myself is worth it and everyone should have 30 minutes to relax, get away, and do something! For me, in the next 5 years, I plan on joining a womens soccer team. Partly because the happiest part of my life was playing with my girls and partly because guys play rough! 2 torn ligaments and I'm thinking maybe I should stop. I see myself at least trying to live an active life and no matter what, in the future, I will always remember and keep in mind the small things that make staying active so worth it.
Sara Abbasi
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