Best Wishes Everyone!

Congratulations to the graduating class of Spring 2012!

If you aren't graduating well than it's summer and your time will come. I wanted my last post on this bog to be mainly personal. I will not reference to any outside sources or credible authors just me, myself and I.

I came to CSUMB in Fall of 2008 almost fours years ago! I was originally suppose to be part of the graduating class of Spring 2012 but unfortunately things didn't work out the way I wanted. I had a plan and we all know when plans don't go accordingly, we have to come up with a plan b. As a child many of us remember that infamous question, "Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?" There were numerous times I was asked this question and by multiple people. One thing is for sure my answer was always was the same, "I want to be a teacher!" That was always my answer ever since I was around five years-old.

In high school, I continue pursuing this goal and declared myself as a Liberal Studies major for all the colleges I applied to. Once I got to to college things changed. I took a few Liberal Studies and it was great. The professors were great, always kind and friendly but I felt I wasn't being challenged. I felt something was missing. I began questioning myself, questioning my passion. Why did I really want to become a teacher? Teachers are great don't get me wrong but I felt I had potential to do other great things instead. I wanted to become a teacher because they were there when I needed them the most. Some of the most influential people in my life have been teachers and I felt I could be a role model to students just like some teacher were mine. I've always been a humanitarian at heart and decided to look into social work my second year of college. I learned more about the Collaborative Health and Human Services major and it just seemed like a great matched for me. I really wanted to do more then just teach I wanted to serve my community in a way not many people can. Social workers just like teachers are underpaid, I feel they do so much and aren't rewarded financially as much as other professions, yet the reward they get from knowing they made a difference in someone's life is sufficient.

I ended up changing my major by the end of my second year in college. I decided to do a dual concentration in social work and community health to be more diverse and along with that I began considering a minor. That's where this class comes into place. I'm taking this course to fulfill one of the outcomes for the Pre-Law minor. When I was an Intern at Monterey County Department of Social & Employment Services at the Court Unit I did a lot of networking. One of the attorney's offered me an internship but at the time I just didn't have enough time to agree to it. He was a family attorney, and that made me discover the potential to combine the social services field with the law.

I am so thankful to have decided to add this minor. All my HCOM professors have really taught me some great stuff! My HCOM peers have been kind and welcoming of me as CHHS major. I am only a semester away from graduating! I would just like to wish everyone to have a great summer! We all deserve some peace and whatever the future hold for you, I truly wish you the best of luck!

You Can't Always Trust Men in Uniform

When you hear the word, "police", what comes to mind? Someone pulling you over giving you a ticket because you broke the law, donuts and coffee, a law abiding citizen who is more or less a hero in disguise? To be honest, I have never been a fond of police officers but that's just because of my previous experience with them, or better said lack of of experience with them. It seemed to me they were never around when I needed them earlier in life, instead they came around well as an inconvenience to my life. I came across this article from Los Angeles' Times that truly touched me, "Video portrays violent death of Kelly Thomas" by Richard Winton. Finding this article may add to my bias about my feeling towards cops, yet the evidence presented are facts followed by my feelings on those facts about an incident that took place almost a year ago in Fullerton, California. I warn you in advance that the videos I have included a link to are violently graphic.

A mentally ill homeless man named Kelly Thomas was brutally beaten to death by two police officers, Michael Ramos and Joseph Wolfe. The two men are being charged, Ramos with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, and Wolfe with involuntary manslaughter and excessive force in connection with the July 5 2011 beating of Thomas, who died five days later. The defense attorneys where claiming, to portray Thomas' medical treatment as the reason for Thomas' death rather than the officers' actions. I was appalled by this argument. Its unbelievable that even with evidence through witnesses and videos of the excessive use of force on Thomas, the officers are not taking accountability for their actions instead they blame the medical team. It's unfortunate that behavior from police officers like these cause such distrust for police officers among our communities.

I will follow up with this case and see what the outcome of the two officers are. If the jury isn't touched by  Thomas father stating, "The hardest part of the video and audio "is the sounds of my son calling out," or by the numerous evidence provided in court thanks to today's technology everywhere, I 'm not sure what will convince the jury to allow the defendants to pay the consequences. While watching the videos I did not see an uncooperative man trying to cause harm to the police officers or anyone else for that matter. I saw a young man calling for help. It was evident to me this man needed psychological help. How do you feel about this case? Do you think police officers are unethical due to their power? I can see the connection to today's class topic in reference to "control" and "power" from higher authorities for our own safety but just like I shared in class, I think sometimes people manipulate the situation and take advantage when they can. When someone's life is taken it is no loger a question of whether it was ethical for police officers to react the way they  did, instead it is a matter of the criminal law.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is one of the oldest expressions around.  But does an apple really keep you away from the doctor? Are apples the solution to all our health problems? Will an apple a day keep the doctor away? by Amy Hunter is an article that I came across one of my favorite TV networks, TLC that answer all of these questions! To be honest I'm not sure how credible Ms. Hunter is which is why I would recommend you do some additionally research but the second part of my post is based on facts from the CDC.

According to Hunter, "The first printed mention of this saying can be found in the February 1866 issue of the publication "Notes and Queries." The publication printed the proverb like this: "Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread". Since then some truth has been proven to the saying. An apple serves for multiple purposes to you body that really can help. Such health benefits include, "acts as a toothbrush, cleaning teeth and killing bacteria in the mouth, which may reduce the risk of tooth decay. They're also low in calorie density, one of the trademarks of a healthy food. When a food is low in calorie density you can eat good size portions of the food for relatively few calories. In addition, apples are affordable and readily available" (Hunter, para. 3). Below is a summary of key health benefits provided by the apple.

• Pectin -- lowers both blood pressure and glucose levels, LDL, or "bad" cholesterol in the body. Pectin, like other forms of fiber, helps maintain the health of the digestive system. A
• Boron -- A nutrient found in abundance in apples, boron supports strong bones and a healthy brain.
• Quercetin -- A flavonoid, this nutrient shows promise for reducing the risk of various cancers, including cancers in the lungs and breast.
• Vitamin C -- Vitamin C boosts immunity, which helps maintain overall health.
• Phytonutrients -- Apples are rich in a variety of phytonutrients, including vitamins A and E and beta carotene. These compounds fight damage from free radicals and can have a profound affect on health, including reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and asthma.

The article further discusses how apples are great but there is more to keeping a healthy body then just dieting which made me think about the importance of regularly going to the doctor for check ups even if you are one of those who likes to eat an apple a day. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, shares a little about  National Women's Health Week, May 13-19, 2012, which is "an annual observance to encourage women to make their health a priority and take simple steps for a safer and healthier life". With that I'd like to take a detour from the apple a day to taking more action like getting annual checkups.

I am not the best role model for what I am preaching but I know that taking about my physically health is as equally as important as taking care of my mental health. As a women, I would like to share the importance of getting check ups for problems that are more prone to women. Breast cancer is the first that comes to mine and well as cervical cancer. This link from Planned Parenthood is very informative and I would recommend for women who would like to inform themselves more on the issue. I have learned that an apple a day is a good start to keep the doctor away but I have also learned that we need to see our doctors once in a while to detect any life threatening health problems!

National Foster Care Month

I came across this National Foster Care Month short article through the U.S Department of Health and Human Service (USDHHS). I wanted to bring this topic up because, well I just think more people should be informed about it. As an aspiring social worker, my thoughts on this may be somewhat bias, but personally going "through the system" also brings more of a personal perspective to this issue.

According to the U.S Department of Health & Human Services, "National Foster Care Month is a time to renew our commitment to ensuring a bright future for the more than 400,000 children and youth in foster care and celebrate all those who make a meaningful difference in their lives. This year's focus, Achieving Well-Being With Children and Youth in Care, provides resources to support child welfare professionals as they seek to build well-being postpermanency; with transitioning youth; through support in sibling connections; through support in school & community; and through trauma-informed child welfare systems." To fulfill this purpose, USDHHS encourages the following:

•     Access resources about achieving well-being with children and youth in care
•     Gain perspective and be inspired by Real-Life Stories
•     Spread the word with our widgets, sample emails, and social media messages

This is a topic that is dear and near to my heart which is why I would like to share with you this video of someone sharing their story. You may note that in this case this individual had a successful intervention from the foster care system, yet the website also shares some stories of people who have struggled with the system. I have seen this happen as an intern for social services. Learning about this makes me consider in the future adopting a child. I had a rough childhood and if I had the resources and my partner would share the same thoughts on this, adoption would be something to consider. Even if I don't adopt, I would like to somewhat contribute to helping youth in foster care. There are flaws to the system such as, providing enough resources and support when a foster child becomes an adult, assessing the competence of foster parents, and separation between siblings.

For example, unfortunately by the time the children become legal adults and turn 18 or 21 they are on their own. Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago states, "The transition to adulthood has become a more ambiguous and complex period for all youth, yet it may be particularly difficult for youth aging out of the child welfare system. Whereas many youth move gradually toward independent adulthood, foster youth “aging out” of care lose the support of the child welfare system when they reach a particular age of majority, during a period when they may be particularly at risk for engagement in crime". I feel that the child welfare is taking a step in the right direction by doing research to access the effectiveness of the current foster care system.

Are you Sleep-Deprived?

Sleep is one of my favorite things to do but I don't get much sleep as I would like. The article, many US workers sleep-deprived: CDC Transportation workers among those getting the least shuteye, researchers say by Stephen Reinberg explores the dangerous of lack of sleep among many Americans.

According to the The National Sleep Foundation, it recommends that adults sleep between seven to nine hours a night. Unfortunately about 44 percent of night shift workers get too little sleep, compared to about 29 percent of people working the day shift. Also, certain industries seem to lack more sleep. The study states that nearly 70 percent of those working night shifts in transportation and warehousing are sleep-deprived.

"Working nights and sleeping during the day, in particular, disrupts the natural sleep cycle, called circadian rhythm, Luckhaupt said.Workers who don't get enough sleep are more likely to get injured on the job and make mistakes that could injure them and their co-workers, according to the report. Over time, insufficient sleep can also affect overall health, resulting in cardiovascular problems, obesity, diabetes and depression" (Reinberg, S.)

When I read this, I thought about my father who is a former truck driver. I always knew he had a tough job but nver to this extent. I can definitely see the correlation of certain jobs and lack of sleep such as  truckers. It is so important they get enough sleep because they have to drive for so many hours throughout the day. I can see where if someone does not get enough sleep, they can easily get into an accident while driving. When I was younger I asked my dad about his sleep habit because of work and he had explained to me that sleep was important for his job which is why he had a bed in the truck and was required to log his nuumber of hours of sleep for work regulations.

Research and studies like these consequences for lack of sleep. I think it's important to jeep this in mind when we are working so hard, especuially as college studnts. Nevertheless, I undestand how hard it can be to actually get seven to nine hours of sleep on a daily basis. I care about my sleep that I have sacrificed most of my social life while at school because there isn't simply enough hours in a day to get everything done.