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February 29, 2008
Noah's Ark
It's that weird day - February 29th- today. It's kind of like daylight savings time in the fall where this magical hour comes as a gift from the government. I remember this really good Pete and Pete episode about daylight savings. I miss that show.
It's been a busy week. I went to the Capitol Monday night to a hearing for my field experience. It was a chaotic whirlwind of black and gray suits, whispering people and formalities. There was a strange energy in the room. I was trying hard to pay attention but at times, there was too much activity going on. People-watching was super fun, though. And after it was all over, I wasn't really even sure what happened. I will be following the bill though and see where it goes.
There was a really great Eugenics lecture this week. Harriet Washington, the woman who wrote Medical Apartheid guest spoke Thursday. Her talk was completely engaging and her field of research fascinating. She studies medical experimentation done to African Americans in American history. Aside from the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, I had no idea of the level of maltreatment of African Americans. She said that distrust of physicians and medical culture from the last 300 years may be connected to the reason there are so many health disparities between American blacks and non-blacks. I look forward to reading her book once the semester is over...
Last week I saw Mahjongg at the 7th Street Entry. They were completely bizarre, loud and dissonant. Saturday I saw some local bands including The Blind Shake. Last night I saw Quintron and The Black Lips. Quintron was strange. I can't say their music was actually good, but it was a fun show and after their set they performed a puppet show. It was also bad in a way but also really cool in a way. Regardless, it was entertaining. The Black Lips were awesome except that they were kind of divas, always asking for more something in their monitors. Also, I think one of the dudes had a grill. It was shining underneath the stage lights and pretty funny.
February 28, 2008
Flu? Perhaps
There's a little irony in me having the flu right now (or whatever this is that is making me feel this bad). I mean, a public health student, who knows all about the benefit of vaccines, herd mentality and the like, and I still didn't get a flu shot (in my defense, this year they've been shown to have limited effectiveness, but they'll be better next year). This week I have been struggling to bounce back, but this morning this bug laid me out on the mat. I got up and took some Non-Drowsy Tylenol flu pills, only to find out that when they said Non-Drowsy they really meant Ultra-Drowsy. I'm having a hard time even concentrating on writing this blog, let alone doing school work. Anyway, things are going to get interesting in about an hour when I am scheduled to call my advisor to go through my master's project interview script as a trial run (he will play the role of a CEO that I will interview eventually, and I the interviewer). Maybe I'll preface the interview with "By the way, my head feels detached from the rest of my body."
So thanks to this I've been putting off work that needs to be done pronto. Looks like the weekend is going to be a busy one and I'll just have to crank some stuff out then. I'm going back to LaLa land now. Take care of yourselves.
See you around the blog.
ramblings of exhaustion
Sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been busy busy busy with juggling about a million-item to-do list and some initial moments of panic:
Points of interest:
-I finally got an email from the graduate school notifying me that my application for the MA in Health Journalism/ Communications program is complete, so that's a relief as there was a bit of a harried transcript request process initially...huge relief
--I leave to perform in Budapest this coming Monday and panicked when my passport mysteriously vanished from where I had last placed it. It turns out that I moved it to another location, but completely forgot about it.....the silly things we do when we're a bit stressed out
Here are some pics from the TWISTER marathon that I was a part of the other weekend--they're pretty fun!
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=175601844&albumId=1187210
http://www.intermediaarts.org/pages/special/love_rox/gallery.php
http://home.citypages.com/slideshow/index.php?gallery=37598&type=1&page=0
http://blogs.citypages.com/ctg/2008/02/twist_and_creat.php
So, judging from this posting you can see that I am a little scattered with trying to get ready for leaving the country for the week, trying to tie up loose ends with school assignments, etc etc etc
Happy March (Spring is almost here!)
February 25, 2008
And the Winner is...
Christie Martin is surprised by some of the winners of the Oscars!
Christie is grateful for thoughtful friends who bring over awesome movies (a.k.a. Once) two nights before the Academy Awards!
Entertainment of the week:
Teatro del Pueblo
Political Theatre Festival
February 14 – March 2, 2008
Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
www.intermediaarts.org
Minneapolis/St. Paul Happenings:
To see movies that were nominated for an Oscar, go to:
http://movies.citypages.com/showtimes/
To see the winners, please keep reading my blog…
Word of the Day, Monday February 25, 2008 (dictionary.com):
lissom \LISS-uhm\, adjective; also lissome:
1. Limber; supple; flexible.
2. Light and quick in action; nimble; agile; active.
Week at-a-glance (weather.com):
Today Feb 25
Cloudy
32°/16° 20%
Get the Latest Flu Reports
Tue Feb 26
Partly Cloudy
23°/12° 20%
Wed Feb 27
Partly Cloudy
24°/15° 10%
Thu Feb 28
Snow Shower
27°/21° 60%
Learn to Keep Heating Costs Down
Fri Feb 29
Flurries / Wind
26°/8° 30%
Sat Mar 1
Partly Cloudy
26°/22° 20%
Sun Mar 2
Few Snow Showers
32°/19° 30%
Learn How Cold Affects Your Health
Mon Mar 3
AM Clouds / PM Sun
25°/11° 10%
Continue reading "And the Winner is..." »
February 22, 2008
THE PLAGUE!
Ok, I didn't have the plague, but I was really, really sick for a while. I'm not sure exactly what was going around (I finally went into urgent care last Sunday and was given antibiotics and other stuff for bronchitis), but it was by far the worst cold/flu/infection I've had in years! I hope none of you got it! So, needless to say, it kind of put a damper on my fun plans for last weekend. But, I did manage to get out of bed long enough to go to Rossi's Blue Star, an upscale restaurant/JAZZ CLUB in downtown Minneapolis for a friend's birthday. They have live music almost every night and it's a great atmosphere. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed it, even though I was sick. The music and food were great (be prepared for a cover charge though - for Saturday it was $10, regardless if you ordered food and drinks). If you are looking to have a great night out without care for money, I highly recommend it!
I also met with my thesis/plan B advisor this week and the ball is definitely rolling on my project. I've written up the literature review and methods and should (hopefully) have some results after this weekend! While I'm definitely not going to defend before spring break (which was my very ambitious goal during the fall), I can't see why I won't be able to be done by the end of finals. I went out to dinner tonight with a friend of mine that is getting married to meet/hang out with the other bridesmaids, but the rest of the weekend I am buckling down and working on this paper!
On a complete side note, I went into Macy's today (yeah, I'm a retail therapy kinda gal) and found they are having a buy-one-get-one free sale on their women's clearance coats (probably men's too, I just didn't check). It was AWESOME! My roommate and I each got really nice pea coats for $40 each. I definitely recommend heading out there this weekend if you have a chance! If you're not the shopping type, spend a few minutes outside this weekend - it feels like a heat wave and sun is always great... spring, here we come! Have a good weekend.
The Liars
Yikes. My first Biostats online Excel exam is available this weekend. I've been doing all right on my homework and stuff but a test on Excel intimidates me a little. Especially alone. I have no friends to double-check things with because it's a test. I think I'm so un-confident about it because it's one of those classes where I'm never really sure I'm right. It's not like chemistry class where the calculations will be within a range that seems reasonable for what I'm looking or like a class where there is certain stuff I need to study and can memorize. I never seem to know for sure if it's well done. Anyway, classes are still sailing smoothly. Besides a couple of tests for Biostats and one project for Community Health Assessment, I really only have my weekly assignments that I have figured out and final papers. Not so bad.
My field experience has been pretty interesting. Working with dietetics means really awesome food. I had a meeting with the group at someone's house last weekend and she made seafood stew and chocolate cake that still makes me salivate when I think about it. In fact, I think I'm going to look into what it would take to become a Registered Dietitian. I'm not sure if it'd be an entire addition to the MPH or like an extra year or what, but I'm really interested in it. OOOH, And I get to go to the Capitol on Monday night to listen to a hearing about licensing and natropaths. I will have more to report next week.
I don't care what anyone says, I think instant pudding made with soy milk that doesn't really ever solidify takes really, really good. It's kind of more between chocolate milk and pudding but you still have to eat it with a spoon. It's easiest to just chill it out in the fridge in the measuring cup. Little tip from me to you.
I'm not even sure what I did last weekend. Oh yeah, last Friday I saw some performance art at the Walker Art Museum called Hey Girl. It was definitely the most beautiful piece of theatre I've ever seen. It was an hour performance with no dialogue or narrative but it consisted of so many strong images it didn't need any. There were many moments that will be stuck in my head for my lifetime. Then I went to the Varsity to see the band Times New Viking. They're this noise rock garage band from Ohio with voices like sand and glue. They were really awesome. They opened for Super Furry Animals, who I don't know well. I stuck around for a few songs, but I wasn't really digging it. Monday night I saw A Place to Bury Strangers and Holy Fuck at the Triple Rock. It was a loud and great show. I had to wear ear plugs it was so loud. But awesome.
A bar between the U and downtown called Maxwells' caught on fire the other day. I drove past it tonight and it looked like an abandoned ice palace. Since it's been so freaking cold, the water from the hoses froze all around it. There are long icicles hanging from the windows, flags, sign and street signs and the entire burned building is covered in a layer of ice. If you're around here, so see it soon because it may get warm enough to thaw things out in like a month or so.
No, but really, today it was about 20ish degrees but the sun was out. It felt like spring. I took off a layer of gloves and loosened up my scarf. I was giddy.
February 21, 2008
[ field experience anxiety??? come discuss.... ]
****************************************************
Please mark February 27th on your calendar for a
Field Experience Website Demo and Panel Discussion!
****************************************************
Come hear students share their field experiences working in the Minnesota Department of Health, American Cancer Society, the University of Virginia Medical Center, and international experiences in Japan and India.
The Informational Session will also feature a demonstration of the newly developed field experience website that contains many helpful resources.
****Food will be provided****
PANELISTS INCLUDE:
Hashir Hamza, MHA
Kristen Harrison, Epi
Andrea Jones, Epi
Ruthie Luna, Epi
Schelomo Marmor, PHAP
Mandi Proue, MCH
Renzo Amaya Torres, CHE
All students and faculty are welcome!
R.S.V.P. If you plan to attend, please email sphfield@umn.edu.
What: Field Experience Informational Session
When: Wednesday, February 27th
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Where: A-301 Mayo
Yours truly,
Amenah A. Babar
Field Experience Associate
MPH Candidate
Epidemiology and Community Health
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Job!
Well after a phone interview on last Thursday that I thought didn't exactly put my best foot forward, I was called on Monday to say that I got the job! It's with a fellowship in Wisconsin, and while my placement is yet to be finalized, I hope to be working on state health policy. This is a great opportunity for me for two reasons (among others): 1) A fellowship allows me to be working but also will supply me with some extra on the job training; great for me as I don't have a whole lot of experience in the real world of public health, outside of what I did for my summer field experience. 2) There is a lot going on in Wisconsin as far as health policy goes. As one professor said to me "Minnesota likes to think of itself as the state with the most health policy work going on (and to a degree it does have a lot going on) but Wisconsin is really where the action is." Very exciting for me. And also quite a relief to know and now I don't have to worry about it so I can just concentrate on graduating by May. I'll let you all know more about what I''ll be doing for the next two years when I find out where my placement will be.
As for school, I've been in 'calm before the storm mode' for about a week. There hasn't been a whole lot going on recently in school work, but that will change abruptly. In the next two weeks I will begin conducting key actor interviews for my master's project, finishing a midway report on medical devices on the market for treating obesity, completing some last-minute tasks for the conference that I am working for (which is on March 6th), and also keeping up with anything Ethics or Social & Behavioral wants to throw at me. Should be an intense ride for two weeks, but what else is new?
Ethics has been going alright; however, it's one of those classes that I wish was in person for the sake of discussion. We are supposed to post our thoughts on a given case study as an assignment, and it is interesting to read those, but I think in person we would have some better conversations. Same goes for Social & Behavioral, where I am still trying to master the art of online group projects. It's like passing notes around and hoping a good product comes out at the end. So far so good.
Despite the freezediculous (new word Websters) temperatures of late (I think we've been above freezing one time in the last month), I have been going out and seeing friends. Last weekend a friend that I worked with at the same candy shop in high school (check it out here: http://beerntsens.com/) visited the cities. Hadn't seen her in six years, so it was a lot of fun just checking up. We went to the Herkimer to accomplish this. You may remember the Herkimer being mentioned in this blog numerous times last semester, as it was THE Packer bar where I would go to watch the games. Then last night I visited my friend who was recently given a corporate apartment for her work in Minneapolis, right by Lake Calhoun no less (not bad at all). Anyway, she wanted to get together for dinner and wanted to cook, so she gave me a grocery list to pick up and she would cook. What a deal!
Well I'll be in Chicago for the weekend seeing some friends, and then back for a nerdy two weeks. Well, exciting to me at least.
See you around the blog.
February 18, 2008
[ of destiny ]
"Let us then, be up and doing. With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
There's something dreadfully exciting about not knowing what tomorrow may bring. And yet so….exasperatingly…restless. Take next year for example. Who knows where my feet will take me next? There are so many limitless possible paths.....yet, so much is dependent on factors that are seemingly out of my control. The feeling is something reminiscent of my senior year, when I submitted some applications to jobs, grad school, and considered my future. I had no idea I would end up in the middle of Montana doing research—a year that turned the tides in a direction I would never have anticipated. Like finding love. In a time which I had stubbornly declared to be on a journey of independence. I suppose it is precisely in declarations such as that in which one is most likely to be bamboozled by the thing that one runs from. And yes, you read correctly. I’m breaking the silence with the four letter word. Hey its post-Valentine’s day. And for the first time, I have a real valentine.There's so much more, but we'll save that for later.....:D But...*sigh*.... he is 1000 miles away…
The thing is, age steals proximal relation to the paths already traveled, and I find myself struggling to remember how it is I got here. Perhaps a clue about where I will go lies in this memory. In my social epi class, we grapple with social determinants of health—and Professor Oakes suggests that “where we get started” relates to “where we are going”. Our future, our present is so rooted in our past. Although, our past does not predestinate our destiny, it certainly may predict it.
I must say, the past two paragraphs are so enigmatic and abstract. And a tad experimental--grammatically speaking...I have been stretching my none-sense neurons...So, the story is I’m waiting to hear back from Phd programs in social epi….And I probably should make some sort of plan B- like apply to some job or fellowship. But the truth is, as much as I’m shrugging it off as ‘out of my hand’, I can not—I refuse to—let a piece of paper direct my future. If not now, tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, the next day. Yes. I am that determined. When you know it is your destiny…when you know you can’t shake it from your system…it becomes just that real….If not for myself, I owe it to the ones who got me here in the first place.
February 17, 2008
My Wisdom Tooth!!!
My wisdom tooth is slowly yet vigorously killing me second by second. I will probably have it taken out tomorrow after my Emerging Infectious Disease class. I have a presentation for this class tomorrow morning, with my status right now, I don’t think I can really talk. For those of us who have to deal with wisdom teeth, too too bad for us! Well that’s my highlight so far!
I went to the Upper Midwest Food Show at the Minneapolis Convention center today; I have never seen and ate so much food in my life. There were hundreds of food vendors that show case their products. I was there with the Minnesota Environmental Health Association (MEHA); our booth was full of public health promotional products from the old days, some signs were from the 1920s. There were so much food, but because of my tooth, I was not able to eat as much as I wish I would have. This is a four day show, so if you are interested to attend, I can tell you that it is worth it.
I am very excited now that I figured out what I want to work on for my master project and a clear possible research track for my PhD studies. I was totally stressed and quite depressed these past several weeks because of this lost direction. Now that I have figured out what I am passionate about I will be able to speed up my process.
My internship at the City of St. Louis Park is going very well so far. I am so fortunate to have my mentor continuously supporting me; he is such a wise and kind person. The people at my internship are very nice and friendly. I am learning so much already; I will be shadowing some of the food inspectors this coming week. Last week was my first time help in with an inspection at a motel in St. Louis Park. It was a unique experience; we looked at every corners of the motel. This first time experience will never be forgotten~ One other thing I feel like I have to share with you about St. Louis Park, this has nothing to do with what I do for my internship, however if you like to shop brand name clothing then this is good information. There are two outlet shops on in this city that you can find brand names clothing for super good price. I have been spending quite amount of money these days from these two shops. They have random merchandises such as clothing, purses, shoes, house appliances…etc.
Well, have a beautiful and loving week!
Mmmmmmmm...Batata!
Christie Martin is relaxing.
Christie is grateful for friends who know how to cook.
Entertainment of the week:
CNN
American Idol
The Moment of Truth
Minneapolis/St. Paul Happenings:
Readings and Lectures at
University of Minnesota Bookstore
300 Washington Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN
Giovanna Dell'Orto (author of The Hidden Power of the American Dream)
Tuesday, February 19, 4:00pm
Lynne Cox (author of "Grayson")
Tuesday, February 19, 7:00pm
Price: Free
Go to http://calendar.citypages.com/section/readings-lectures/ for more information
Word of the Day, Sunday February 17, 2008 (dictionary.com):
pestiferous \pes-TIF-uh-ruhs\, adjective:
1. Bearing or bringing disease.
2. Infected with or contaminated by a pestilential disease.
3. Morally evil or dangerous to society; pernicious.
4. Bothersome; troublesome; annoying.
Week at-a-glance (weather.com):
Mon Feb 18
Scattered Flurries
7°/-3° 30%
Learn to Keep Heating Costs Down
Tue Feb 19
Mostly Cloudy
14°/-5° 20%
Wed Feb 20
Partly Cloudy
7°/-2° 10%
Thu Feb 21
Sunny
16°/8° 10%
Learn How Cold Affects Your Health
Fri Feb 22
Few Snow Showers
28°/17° 30%
Sat Feb 23
Snow Shower
30°/22° 40%
Sun Feb 24
Few Snow Showers
32°/16° 30%
Continue reading "Mmmmmmmm...Batata!" »
Tasty: Tour de Twin Cities
So I thought I would have a theme to this blog entry this time: Twin Cities delights for the 'Epicurious' because today was inspired by fantastic food and a trip to the Holyland--in Northeast, Minneapolis--of course....I have spent umpteen years living in Minneapolis seeing the brand of Mediterranean delights of 'Holyland', and never being told that its brand is also a market and deli in Northeast Minneapolis. I am officially jealous of those who live near Central Avenue. I highly recommend it since I am obsessed with hummos, falafel and tahini....delicious...
While I am on the topic of delectable edibles, I would like to share with anyone and everyone my friend's blog called '200ATE,' in which she is photographing everything she eats for the entire year, and let me assure you that she has been diligent in her undertaking because I have been at plenty of meals with her and that camera is never absent. It's a fantastic blog to be inspired (and possibly be shamed since she is definitely what one could call an epicure) and amazed at how beautiful a diet can be: http://2000ate.blogspot.com/
She also goes to some pretty hip spots...
So, with all that said, here are some of the delicious--and perhaps lesser known--gems that are part (or now part of) my repertory:
My Favs:
Kopplins Coffee www.kopplinscoffee.com (seriously, the best coffee in the state--no joke)
The Rogue Chocalatier http://www.roguechocolatier.com/
Holyland
Crema Cafe
Sample Room
Psycho Suzie's
Cafe Maud
Sonny's Icecream
Happy Eating!
February 15, 2008
Chasing Dinosaurs
I'm watching a BBC show. Not listening to music. I am really sort of obsessed with paleontology. The BBC has a great series called "Walking With" and then you insert "Monsters"..."Dinosaurs"..."Caveman"...etc. They're really, really cool. Also, I suggest Netflixing the BBC "Planet Earth" series. BBC shows are awesome.
So this year's legislative session started this week and I'm learning that that is exciting. My field experience is getting me into the actual policy part of my education. I'm starting to feel like a real grown up. I get to go to the Capitol in March for a whole day in a few weeks and really get to dive into the exciting policy-making procedures. I still think that I've picked a career that will interest me, engage me and still allow me to pursue my other interests in life. I'm very happy (still!) with the Administration and Policy major.
Classes are still ok. Biostats and I are starting to understand each other a little better. I feel much more confidant with Excel and feel the importance of learning the concepts the class presents. Community Health Assessment is still enigmatic. It's fun to hang with my cohort there though. I have some really cool people in my major. My eugenics class is still fascinating. After about 11 hours of work and class on Thursdays, it's actually nice to sit in a nice classroom in the law building and watch gruesome films. The only thing I dislike is it alters my walk home. I have to walk over the bridge parallel to the 35W hole. It's really, really cold walking over that bridge late at night in February in Minnesota. Hopefully, the nasty cold is behind us just starting today. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 30 degrees!! Balmy, I say.
So now for the fun stuff I've been up to. Last weekend I saw Daniel Johnston at First Avenue. I can't say it was 'good', but it was awesome. This guy is a living legend. I splurged and got a 'Hi, How are you?' T-shirt. The next night I saw an amateur fight at my boxing gym. It was the first fight I've ever seen. Some were more exciting than others but it was somewhat inspiring and maybe I'll spar someday... Then Monday I saw Cat Power at First Avenue again. It wasn't good at all. For a $25 ticket, I expected some old depressing, raw music from the late '90's. No such luck. She did mostly Jukebox stuff which is like over-polished lounge music. Less than ideal for me. Disappointing. There are a lot of good shows coming up, though. In fact, my brother and his girlfriend are coming up from Columbia, Missouri for a good local show in a couple weeks. I haven't seen him since December and he's one of my very favorite people in the whole world, so I'm looking forward to that. Ward off the snow that weekend!
And now the work comes...
Hi everyone,
After a low-key week last week, things started moving this week. I have assignments for my classes (and they're not easy!) and we've started discussing projects. My boss returned from the conference and has work for me AND I need to keep working on my master's project. I was planning to finish and defend by May anyway (because I really want to graduate), but as I signed my contract for my job this week (YEAH) I was reminded of how it is IMPERATIVE that I finish my thesis on time. For some reason that makes it seem more stressful, even though it is the same timeline I have always planned on. After talking with some of my friends in the program, we are starting to figure out why people graduate late. For one, it can be hard to meet with your advisor when you'd like - they are so helpful but SO busy. Plus, even when you are close to finished, you have to be able to coordinate at least four schedules for the defense (and again, they are all busy!) Not to mention that you have to write up a paper and put together a 25 minutes presentation after completing the projec.t But I am going to get it done...and not just the last week of May, but earlier so I can enjoy a vacation BEFORE I start working. I can't believe I am starting a real job - after I signed my offer I started reading through the benefits packets and information and it is overwhelming...I think I will need someone to interpret it for me!
Well, I suppose I should get back to trying to be productive, especially since I have a fun weekend planned (oops!) I will let you know all about it next week! Have a great weekend!
February 13, 2008
Oops!
I have been so incredibly busy of late that I completely forgot out my ambassadorial blogging duties--oops
Currently, I am knee deep in my STATA User's manual trying to discern various statistical programming commands and other statistical tests all for my masters project, which--when all the paperwork and red tape is cleared---should be analyzing a statewide AIDS resource/prevention hotline data. For the time being, though, I am teaching myself how to use STATA because SAS and I do NOT get along. ..In fact, SAS and I hate each other.... a lot
Other than various reading, writing, and arithmatic duties, I haven't been doing much this past week in the way of fun. I feel like the doldrums of winter are starting to kick in as it's the time when even the thought of having to put on a coat makes me slightly agitated and my hat feels itchy every time I put it on. Oh well, soon we'll all be complaining about the humidity and heat come July
Happy Valentines Day
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Last modified on Monday Jul 02, 2007