Well Fuckity fuck fuck ;)

Yes, I admit it. I love a good curse word. Always have I must say. Not all the time, but the f bomb might just slip out occasionally. Hehe. I remember one time my best friend and I during our high school years had a cussin incident. Just happened to be with the cops. Did not spy them. They overheard us I assume because they accused us of not being very lady like. Guilty. Shrug. I also witnessed my son at the ripe age of two, drop his cup and say, "ohh shit" like it was nothin. I have tried to curb my usage of said words. Sometimes I regress, for shame!!!

However, I do enjoy how fuck, motherfucker, and what the hell, roll off my tongue at times. Yes, yes, I do.

I Felt Like Things Would Be Alright

Cosmic dance

So intense
I am on another plane of existence.
One of pure feeling and neurological impulses. Mind streaming serotonin and adrenaline.
Neurons firing in a pattern that hits me with the full force
of the
millions of years that it took to become
me.

SCHOOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!

Apathy is Dead in Iran

Green: colour of solidarity

Do we even remeber our 2000 elections??

Iran elections: Mousavi joins hundreds of thousands of supporters at rally in Tehran
"God willing, we will take back our rights," Mousavi shouted from the roof of a car amid a vast sea of Iranians, young and old, who packed into central Tehran to protest Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.

CLICK HERE:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/jun/16/twitter-middleeast

Video feed on Twitter.

Twitter delays maintenance to support Iranian protests
Micro-blogging service Twitter has delayed downtime because of the role it is playing in post-election protests in Iran

My 100th post!!

Remembrance

Father
Grandfather
Doctor
Confidant
Husband
Humble warrior of woman's rights.

What shall we remember of this day?
All the ones who laughed at the thought?
Our ideology of life does not include murder.
Yet
Four since 1993
Terrorized by a jihad
That promises death and destruction
Of their enemies.

One man
Who upheld a legal procedure
helping women
giving privacy
Choice
Afraid for his patients
If anything happened to him.

One man
Who loved his wife
Made his children laugh
Watched his grandchildren with awe
Wonder
Life

A Poem For A Student Lost

Written by my friend and co-worker LaVonne Chue
A former student at the school I work at passed away(16). I did not know her, but know her younger siblings(1st grade). However, this has affected many wonderful people I work with at the school. It is incredibly sad, but through support, I am hoping for some calm and understanding. Please keep them in your thoughts. Peace.

I wish you knew
Tomorrow would be better.
That life is full of disappointment
and victories.
I wish you knew how your smile
was so contagious
and your bright eyes put people at ease.


I wish you had a chanceto experience more.
Love, independence, responsibility
and your own power.
I wish we knew
you were hurting inside.
You put on such a
Strong front.


I wish I knew
How I could have helped.
How can we see
what is in your thoughts behind the brown eyes and perfect smile.


How can we create a spark of light
When the world is dark and desperate.


I wish you knew
How losing you
Will make me try harder
Make me think smarter
about the world and how words
will change a mind
and how a little compliment
might warm a saddened heart.


I wish you new,
I wish we knew,
I wish you weren’t gone.

What happens when you forget how to communicate?

I know this. I have done this. Why can't I remember? This mini-article refocused me. Actually, NVC is harder than you would think. I took a class. Had index cards to help me. Soon, it faded into the background. It's tough to keep up NVC when those around you do not understand, or just don't respond to your patience. Or, they just don't respond in kind. However, it's about stating what you observe, feel, need and request. So, ultimately, you have stayed peaceful and got it off your chest. Plus, the other person feels empathy and resolve with you.

Unfortunately, I let another have a bit of power over me. Thus, the non-violent communication went out the window. I was hurt, and I responded. Almost like the fight or flight went off in my brain.

Today, I can remember and stay focused on understanding, love and compassion.


Peace to you!!




The Non-Violent Communication Process

The+Non-Violent+Communication+Process

To arrive at a mutual desire to give from the heart, we focus the light of consciousness on four areas–referred to as the four components of the NVC (non-violent communication) model.


First, we observe what is actually happening in a situation: what are we observing others saying or doing that is either enriching or not enriching our life? The trick is to be able to articulate this observation without introducing any judgment or evaluation–to simply say what people are doing that we either like or don’t like.
Four components of NVC:


1. observation

2. feeling

3. needs

4. request


Next, we state how we feel when we observe this action: are we hurt, scared, joyful, amused, irritated, etc.? And thirdly, we say what needs of ours are connected to the feelings we have identified. An awareness of these three components is present when we use NVC to clearly and honestly express how we are.


For example, a mother might express these three pieces to her teenage son by saying, “Felix, when I see two balls of soiled socks under the coffee table and another three next to the TV, I feel irritated because I am needing more order in the rooms which we share in common.”


She would follow immediately with the fourth component–a very specific request: “Would you be willing to put your socks in your room or in the washing machine?” This fourth component addresses what we are wanting from the other person that would enrich our lives or make life more wonderful for us.


Thus, part of NVC is to express these four pieces of information very clearly, whether verbally or by other means. The other aspect of this communication consists of receiving the same four pieces of information from others. We connect with them by first sensing what they are observing, feeling, and needing, and then discover what would enrich their lives by receiving the fourth piece, their request. As we keep our attention focused on the areas mentioned, and help others do likewise, we establish a flow of communication, back and forth, until compassion manifests naturally: what I am observing, feeling, and needing; what I am requesting to enrich my life; what you are observing, feeling, and needing; what you are requesting to enrich your life.

Bright, Bright, sun Shiny Day!

Up early for the last game of the season.

Playing and hangin out in the yard. Action shot!

The dog and I. Love the sun, need a tan!

My lovely and yummy lettuce varieties!!!

Goldie loves the grass!! Isn't she cute?? G took this picture.

Bees are awesome. Thanks to them, we get these!!

Following the command, "go get G Goldie, get um!!"

Little mushrooms in the sun.

Kickin it in the yard on a sunny day. Much love.

Breastfeeding and The Swine (H1N1) Flu! YES!!!

Does breastfeeding protect babies from this new flu virus?
There are many ways that breastfeeding and breast milk protect babies’ health. Since this is a new virus, we don’t know yet about protection specific against it. Mothers pass on protective antibodies to their baby during breastfeeding. Antibodies are a type of protein made by the immune system in the body. Antibodies help fight off infection.

Flu can be very serious in young babies. Babies who are not breastfed get sick from infections like the flu more often and more severely than babies who are breastfed.
Should I stop breastfeeding my baby if I think I have come in contact with the flu?

No. Because mothers make antibodies to fight diseases they come in contact with, their milk is custom-made to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well. This is really important in young babies when their immune system is still developing. Breastfeeding also helps the baby to develop his own ability to fight off diseases.

Is it ok to breastfeed my baby if I am sick?
Yes. This is really important.
Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill. Ideally babies less than about 6 months of age should get their feedings from breast milk. Breastfeed early and often. Limit formula feeds as much as possible. This will help protect your baby from infection.
If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump and have someone give the expressed milk to your baby.

If my baby is sick, is it okay to breastfeed?

Yes. One of the best things you can do for your sick baby is keep breastfeeding.
Do not stop breastfeeding if your baby is ill. Give your baby many chances to breastfeed throughout the illness. Babies who are sick need more fluids than when they are well. The fluid babies get from breast milk is better than anything else, even better than water, juice, or Pedialyte® because it also helps protect your baby’s immune system.
If your baby is too sick to breastfeed, he or she can drink your milk from a cup, bottle, syringe, or eye-dropper.

If no expressed milk is available, you can give your baby milk donated by other mothers to a HMBANA-certified milk bank.

Is it okay to take medicine to treat or prevent novel H1N1 flu while breastfeeding?
Yes. Mothers who are breastfeeding should continue to nurse their babies while being treated for the flu.
Please check back to the CDC H1N1 website often for the most recent updates

gotta have a laugh

Neurological Differences

Heightened Level Of Amygdala Activity May Cause Social Deficits In Autism
ScienceDaily (2009-03-24) -- An increased pattern of brain activity in the amygdalas of adults with autism that may be linked to the social deficits that typically are associated with the disorder. Previous research has shown that abnormal growth patterns in the amygdala are commonly found among young children diagnosed with autism. ... > read full article

"This is another piece of evidence that there is something wrong with the amygdala in autism that contributes to social impairment. These results help refine our understanding of functional abnormalities in autism and are a new way of thinking about social dysfunction in autism," said Kleinhans'

I prefer differences rather tham abnormality. However, there is a striking difference between people with autism in regards to the amygdala and social interaction.

A MOTHER'S RESPONSE:

http://autism.change.org/blog/view/the_amygdala_and_autism

The Amygdala and Autism
by Kristina Chew
Published March 25, 2009 @ 02:15PM PST
Numerous articles about autism research in neuroscience, genetics, and other fields are regularly published. Some of them are presented in press releases and news articles, often with some indication of how the research might contribute to the creation of new treatments (such as medications) for those with autism. I turn to these studies principally to learn a bit more about how things are for Charlie; about why some of his struggles seem to arise "out of the blue" and for reasons that aren't immediately explainable.
The American Journal of Psychiatry has recently published a study about autism and hyperactivity and overarousal in the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure of the human brain that is linked with a person's mental and emotional states. In studying 19 individuals with autism and 20 adults who were not on the spectrum, researchers from the University of Washington found that, when looking at a series of human faces, "..... brain activation in adults with autism remains elevated long after similar brain regions of typically developed adults have stopped being activated," as noted in Science Daily. Further:
The amygdala is popularly associated with the "fight-or-flight response" in dangerous situations. But it has other functions, including identifying faces and situations and evaluating social information such as emotions.
The new research shows that brain activation in adults with autism remains elevated long after similar brain regions of typically developed adults have stopped being activated when exposed to a series of pictures of human faces. A decrease in activation over time to the same type of information is called neural habituation and is connected with learning, according to Natalia Kleinhans, lead author of the new study and a UW research assistant professor of radiology.
............................."If you consider that habituation reflects learning in as simple a task as looking at a face, slowness to habituate in people with autism may contribute even more markedly to difficulty with more complex social interactions and social cognition. If the brain is not reacting typically to a static face with a neutral expression, you can imagine how difficult it may be for someone with autism to pick up more subtle social cues."
It's this noting of "hyperarousal" and overactivation in response to "socially relevant stimuli" that draws my attention. Sometimes it seems that there are only extremes to things with Charlie. One moment no one could be happier, more excited, jumping up and down and all huge smiles; the next, he might be down on the ground wailing and miserable. Sometimes we use the word "mood swings" to explain these, but I've wondered if something else might be afoot----that there's some connections that aren't happening, that are taking too long too happen, that happen too suddenly and all at once.
We actually are taking Charlie to a different neurologist today. His current neurologist----whom we have seen for so long and with whom all three of us have a good rapport----is wonderful. But we've felt that we have to keep looking into everything for Charlie and, in particular, to look more closely at his medications and the potential effects of the changes brought with adolescence.
Last night I worked my way through the 17-page new patient form and dug out old reports, behavior intervention plans, and IEPs and reviewed them: A lot of paperwork on this kid, that's for sure and yet how little we still know and seek to learn in whatever ways possible---you never can stop trying

pain eases

I have the beginning of a migraine. The left side is pulsating, the back of my head and neck are searching for answers. Yet again, damn serotonin.

The pain is actually welcome tonight. Dulls the other pain that plagues me. It's a bit better. I don't feel like someone kicked me in the stomach, but the questions might never be answered, so why bother. It's amazing how you can become lost. Drunkenly lost. Glass half-full lost.

Reminds me that I am still here, alive and feeling, face in the sun.

Tonight, the pain eases, with pain. Tomorrow, the pain may return, but I will prevail. Even through my empathic ways.

the future holds

gullible. Raw emotion. You let people in. You feel safe. Open more and more. Only to find they close the door. Leave you in the cold. Wanting all the words and explanations to rain down on you. Soak you until you comprehend the reasoning behind the irrational behavior you feel done to you.

Old lady with cats. Except I am not too fond of cats. Other peoples cats, yes. For me, not so much. My future. The crazy old single lady with a hundred cats. If I start now, could I have enough? Wait. Stuffed animal cats. That's it. The crazy 'ol lady with her hundred stuffed animal cats. Not self-pity, just truth. Empathetic. Emotional. Sole provider. Stability. Needs. One day.

Which one could it be?? The new adjective in my life

Akward

 /ˈɔkwərd/ [awk-werd]
–adjective
1.
lacking skill or dexterity; clumsy.
2.
lacking grace or ease in movement: an awkward gesture; an awkward dancer.
3.
lacking social graces or manners: a simple, awkward frontiersman.
4.
not well planned or designed for easy or effective use: an awkward instrument; an awkward method.
5.
requiring caution; somewhat hazardous; dangerous: an awkward turn in the road.
6.
hard to deal with; difficult; requiring skill, tact, or the like: an awkward situation; an awkward customer.
7.
embarrassing or inconvenient; caused by lack of social grace: an awkward moment
8.
Obsolete. untoward; perverse.

Dreams

It is the immensity, I believe. The hugeness of things below. The darkness of dreams~Gaiman
Dreams are free, so free your dreams. ~Astrid Alauda

Dreams are illustrations... from the book your soul is writing about you. ~Marsha Norman

World Autism Awareness Day April 2, 2009

Click here->Walk for Autism!

Click here
Come and look at this site

A little whine

sighhhhhh.

(La Vie Est Injuste)

Stomach flu stay away!!

Evil little bugs!!!!

Not again! No! I will not allow it! I cannot get the flu again. This would be the third time. I am doing EVERYTHING in my power to keep heathy. I am telling my body it cannot get sick

No flu!!!!

Today in 1692

Click here:

Wichcraft Hysteria

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

It is also notable to remember the witches trials in Europe, particularly England. Many widows and midwifes were targeted for their land, and their knowledge and standing in the community. They were the healers and spiritual guidance for the villages. The widows lost their land, the midwives lost their right to practice. This was due to new policies requiring schooling for childbirth. At this time, women were not allowed to enter medical training schools. Of course, midwives continued under secret, but they were weeded out during this time.

Witches, in any land, are the seekers and healers. They are knowledgeable in the natural world and how to use this knowledge to heal and bring balance. The stereotype of today is one from the christian church to try and discredit traditional medicine and women as powerful healers.

Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima is a coming of age story, but also brings forth Ultima, who is a curandera.

I am also interested in the book

The women they suffer, they love, they give life.

They are wondrous creatures who's amazing ability to enchant causes distress and hysteria.