#something something How he also assigns more value to life of certain patients and less to others

[into-the-milgramverse]

I wish I could also write out something about Shidou, but like, my opinions are shaped based on combination of other people's takes, and it feels as if everyone kind of just stopped analyzing him after people figured out that his crime is related to asking the families of brain dead patients for permission to use the organs of said brain dead patients. After that, no one really went to look into his character deeper, he kinda just got boiled down to as "oh, a surgeon guy", "guy with family", "guy who takes organs", "guy who wanted to be guilty sooo bad and then got innocent twice in a row".

[ohnominamino]

An Essay on Love in Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time is a movie about love in all its forms. From the love of family, friends, and neighbors, to the compassion we feel for people we have never met. The movie reminds us that love is something we continuously gain, lose, and choose, again and again. Which love is greatest? In my opinion, the answer to that question is left up to interpretation. In this essay, I will give my own personal interpretation on certain character interactions and what I believe we are meant to take away from their Rebuild portrayals. 

The character I will start with is one I’ve noticed the most outrage over from people who haven’t seen the movie and read out-of-context spoilers: Kaworu Nagisa. 

Kaworu is a beloved character among many Evangelion fans, especially those who are members of the LGBT+ community. He is a canonical love interest of Shinji Ikari and I want to reassure people that this final movie does not change that fact. However, it does not make the couple blatantly endgame either. This skirting around the couple might make some fans upset, and while their feelings are completely valid, I do not think they fully understand the difficulties faced by LGBT+ people in Japan, nor do they understand the way that romance is typically conveyed in Japanese storytelling. (I recommend watching “Is ‘Yuri On Ice’ Good Gay Representation?” by James Somerton for more about storytelling nuances.) 

What have we been shown about Shinji and Kaworu’s love? The good news is, anything you read into the original TV series and End of Evangelion is completely true for the Rebuilds— because Kaworu is the same Kaworu. This movie proves Evangelion is a single universe set on repeat, and that Kaworu and Shinji meet each other every loop, and in each, Kaworu is trying to make Shinji happy. Within the final movie, Shinji becomes aware of the loops and chooses to break the cycle and free Kaworu from his pain. 

What does the relationship between Shinji and Kaworu teach us? I believe the purpose of their love is to show the audience that first, in the words of Kaji, “love has no gender.” Second, I believe Kaworu’s love in particular is a warning about basing your own happiness solely upon another person. There are parallels drawn between Gendo/Yui and Kaworu/Shinji. Gendo could not exist without Yui, and so he was willing to destroy the world to be reunited with her. For Kaworu, it was not the destruction of humanity, but the destruction of himself that defined his tragedy. What’s important within the final movie, in my opinion, is that Shinji does not reject Kaworu’s love. With the insight he’s gained from remembering past loops, he sees Kaworu’s love and appreciates him, but he also sees his suffering and wants to ease it. He helps Kaworu into a new world where he can seek his own happiness and find balance in his life (something his father did not have). 

While Kaworu and Shinji are not seen as an explicit couple at the end of the movie, it’s significant to note that, when he sets Kaworu free, Shinji holds out his hand to Kaworu as a promise to stay together. Over the course of the movie, Shinji comes to accept his connection to others through accepting touch (in the form of hand holding and hugs from Rei, Misato, and Gendo); however, Kaworu is the only character in the movie who Shinji initiates physical contact with and that speaks to how much Kaworu means to him. This simple gesture, in my opinion, keeps the door open for Kaworu and Shinji to be a couple one day, after Kaworu has found more balance in his life. 

If I were to write an entire essay about Kaworu, it would be titled, “Out of the Coffin: How the Resurrection of Kaworu Nagisa Buries the Tragic Lovers Trope” because this movie truly does just that. 

Another potential love interest for Shinji for many years was Asuka; however, unlike with Kaworu, the nature of this relationship is not left up to interpretation by the end of the movie. Before her big final battle, Asuka tells Shinji, “I think I loved you back then” (regarding their time in middle school) and Shinji, during Instrumentality, tells Asuka, “Thank you for saying you loved me. I loved you too.” It is past tense. 

What does this relationship teach us? It’s a beautiful way of showing that we can love people, and grow and learn, and let go when we no longer fit each other. Letting go is an integral part of life. Whereas other Instrumentality scenes involve touch, Asuka’s, mirroring the ending of End of Evangelion, has a distinct lack of touch. Shinji sits with his arms around his knees and Asuka turns her body away from him. He gives her his thanks and he sends her off to find her peace. Asuka and Shinji teach us that it’s okay to grow out of relationships. You can appreciate what they were to you at the time they happened and move on. 

What about Rei? To be honest with you, this movie is less about Rei’s relationship with Shinji, and more about her relationship with the world. Rei teaches movie viewers about the simple pleasures of living. While Shinji is in mourning for the first quarter of the movie, Rei (as “Sokkuri”) is learning about crop growing and community, the wonder of babies and kittens, the joy of the bath after a long day of fruitful work, and the power of words and picture books. At the end of her life, she only regrets not having more time to spend with the people she loves. In Instrumentality, Shinji accepts her hand when it is offered to him, which I hope signifies he is ready to see life as she had come to during the final movie. 

Rei teaches us that we can love living and to not take our limited time for granted. 

Next, we move on to parent figures: Gendo and Misato. I think they both represent people ill suited to the role, who do the best they can despite it. Gendo, as mentioned for Kaworu above, is a warning about defining yourself by your relationship to another person (Ikari, afterall, is Yui’s name). He is also a lesson in how people mourn and how they can lash out. Misato, like Gendo, felt herself a poor parent, and while mourning the loss of Kaji, she gave up her child to be raised by other people, but, unlike Gendo, went forward to put all her energy into protecting humanity. Both of them reach out to hug Shinji within the movie and he accepts them where they are. 

While I wouldn’t say the movie shows that Shinji forgives Gendo, it does show his making an effort to understand and make peace with what others have done. For Misato, it is fair to say we can still hope for a better future, even when it feels like everything is crumbling around us. Her self-sacrificing love for her son and the whole of humanity is what enables Shinji to then save the people he loves (via the spear of Gaius). 

In the movie, we are also shown friendship. Touji, Hikari, and Kensuke are important members of their community who maintain open communication with those around them and respect others’ boundaries. They are patient and kind and represent the importance of being present. They teach us to meet people where they are and support them how we can, whether it’s giving them a warm meal or giving them space when they need it. 

There are many more characters that could be talked about, but today I am going to end on Mari. Mari’s love is physical. She enjoys being in people’s personal bubbles. She cuddles Asuka and helps trim her hair, she gets into Gendo’s space at college, and at the end of the movie, she reaches out her hand to Shinji to help him stand up from his seat. Upon first glance, some viewers might take Mari and Shinji’s final scene to be romantic, but the reality of it is this: We do not, and cannot, know what kind of love she is meant to represent in his life.

We do not know Mari’s relationship with Shinji because they hardly interact in the movie. She clearly cares about him, but in my opinion, it comes from a place of duty and compassion— Mari was friends with Gendo and Yui. She has been there since he was born. (If we take the manga to be canon, then Mari even had romantic feelings towards his mother. Her hairstyle and glasses are from Yui. At the end of the movie, Mari has changed her hairstyle, which to me implies she has moved on, and “getting” with Shinji would be a thematic break.)

Additionally, their conversation, while flirty, is very much one that implies they haven’t seen each other for a while. Mari is someone who is very physically affectionate. With everyone. If someone ignores that and focuses on the fact she gets into Shinji’s space and claims that’s romantic, they better acknowledge it’s possibly romantic with Asuka, who we see far more intimacy with. When Mari flirts, Shinji flirts back and her initial reaction is surprise, “Wow, you’ve learned to talk back!” Her purpose is clear. She is there to remove the DSS choker from his neck. 

Personally, I love that Mari is the one to close the movie, for the exact reason that we do not know her relationship with Shinji. For Mari to have an assigned role would be to say, “This kind of love is most important,” when the entire movie was spent showing us each love is of equal importance in the balance and building of our lives. (It’s wonderful to see those types of love embodied across the platform from Shinji at the end of the movie: Rei and Kaworu, who, just like in End of Evangelion, could signify the ability to connect with others and be loved.)

If you view Mari as a romantic love interest, then I think it speaks to the value that you as an individual give to romance rather than what the characters themselves are feeling. To me, Mari, the character who was created to “destroy Eva,” is a symbol of all love. When Shinji takes her offered hand and then pulls her to run into the new world, it’s a symbol of balance. The give and take of any kind of relationship. 

We are the product of every relationship we have ever had, from our parents to the people we once loved, from our friendships to any other person we want to stay connected to. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time is a story about these relationships. It is a story about love. 

[informationsorter]

Should I name my alters?

Or: How much separation is too much separation?

The ISST-D treatment guidelines state: "It is countertherapeutic to suggest that the patient create additional alternate identities, to name identities when they have no names (although the patient may choose names if he or she wishes), or to suggest that identities function in a more elaborated and autonomous way than they already are functioning." - Source: www.isst-d.org

So what does this mean? Why does this matter?

"Countertherapeutic" means "Working against a therapy". It refers to something that goes directly against the way therapy should be approached, enacted, or provided.

Doing something countertherapeutic will make your healing journey harder, and in some cases can cause you even more harm.

Does this mean that you should never give your alters names?

No. The guidelines clearly state that it is ok to name alters, but that you should not name alters who do not have names.

A personal take on this, by a reddit user, is: "You're supposed to discover and accept differences, not push alters to be more separate than they already are."

Basically, if an alter has a name, or chooses a name, and wishes to be referred to by that name, then you should accept that. If an alter changes their name, you should also respect that - especially as a lot of alters choose or have names which are descriptive of their roles, purpose, or values. And as these roles or purposes might change, the alter in question may wish to change names with it.

Interestingly, "Got parts? : an insider’s guide to managing life successfully with dissociative identity disorder / by A.T.W." actually suggests that people with DID/OSDD MUST pick names for parts/alters who do not have names. This is found in the section titled "Getting to know you".

In this case, I believe that the purpose of naming alters who do not have names, is to identify them and link that alter's personality, triggers, traits, etc together more easily. It is my interpretation that you do not need to pick a name, but that you do need to pick an identifier for each alter in order to complete the task laid out in that section of the writing.

Identifiers.

An identifier is a word, name, or term, which helps distinguish one person or alter from another.

For instance, at school you and your friends might refer to a fellow schoolmate as "the red haired girl".

In a system, you might refer to a little alter as "the happy one", or perhaps "the 6 year old".

Identifiers like this can help make sure that everyone in the conversation knows who you are talking about. This can be particularly helpful in therapy for DID/OSDD, as it will make it easier to track an alter's thoughts and personality, as well as helping the therapist identify which alter is having a particular problem, reaction, or any negative learned behaviours that they may need help with.

Systems will often use labels as identifiers - eg "host", "little", "protector". I even know a system who refers to alters by numbers in a chronological order (that is, the first alter to become known is alter 1, the next is alter 2, and so on). This particular method is unusual, because most people would interpret this as a hierarchy, or a way of saying that some alters are more important than others.

The type of identifiers you use is up to you and your system. Make sure to remember that identifiers can change at any time - "the angry alter" may become less angry, and then a new identifier may be needed. If you do not allow identifiers to change, you may accidentally be forcing other alters to feel as though they have to act in a certain way - eg "the persecutor" may have started healing and growing, but if you insist on still calling them "the persecutor", they may be angry or feel helpless to control their actions.

When is a name or identifier bad? - See this separate post.

What is the problem with increasing separation between parts?

It is my interpretation that pushing alters to be more separate than they actually are, will likely increase or strengthen dissociative barriers between alters, which is contrary to the goal/s of treatment (whether you want fusion or healthy multiplicity). And can make communication and cooperation even harder.

However, the ISST-D guidelines (and the personal experiences of many systems) shows that some separation, or acknowledgement of separation, is good and healthy.

Why is this? Isn't this a contradiction?

No. To summarise, you should not force names/traits onto an alter. But you should also not refuse to acknowledge that they have a name/trait.

If you break an alter's trust by forcing something on them, or by refusing to allow them to be themselves, your healing journey will become more difficult. All of your alters (including whichever alter is reading this) are equal. You are all part of the same person. So you should accept your differences AND similarities.

" Taken together, all of the alternate identities make up the identity or personality of the human being with DID." - Source: www.isst-d.org

In conclusion:

- Do not forcibly pick a name, appearance, trait, etc, for any alter.

- Do not insist that any alter must keep a previously chosen name, previously displayed trait, or insist that their appearance or age cannot change.

- Do not refuse to allow an alter to choose (or self-report) their name, appearance, traits, etc.

- Be respectful of an alter's choices.

- Be open to helping an alter if their choice of name indicates a deeper issue, but do not push them about it.

And

- Be careful. If you decide to assign an identifier, appearance, or other indicator, to an alter: Be mindful, and watch out for signs of increased barriers, dissociation, or otherwise negative results. If you see that starting to happen, I'd suggest slowing down and reviewing what could be causing it. Talk to your therapist about it if possible.

[premiumappapk]

The PROS And CONS Of Marriage In 2020

Marriage bureau Fewer and fewer men are looking to get married. These days the Pew Research Institute recently found that the number of men ages 18 to 34 saying. A successful marriage is one of the most important things that dropped from 35 percent to 29 percent since 1997. The number of young adult women saying the same thing has risen from 28 percent to 37 percent in the same time. This statistic made me wonder why so many guys out there are saying. They don't want to get married there seems to be a growing subculture of guys. Who says they'd rather avoid it altogether? I grew up thinking that marriage is just what you do when you hit a certain age now.If any want to marry then visit Pak Marriage Bureau Happy married life I'm questioning why do we get married, where did the tradition come from and what are the pros and cons. This article will aim to answer these questions and see how marriage fits into the modern-day culture. But first, let's take a quick look at the history of marriage. The first humans who lived about 5 million years ago had very little use for marriage using the behavior of bonobos is the basis for how early humans would have behaved. It is presumed that early males and females had sex with many partners. They lived in open polyamorous communities where food was exchanged for sexual favors. Couples therapy Because females could collect food fruits nuts and insects while still caring and protecting their baby’s males were not needed as protectors or providers. This meant that neither partner gained from being in a committed pair as the climate heated up the forests receded and humans ventured out into the savanna. We began walking upright hunting with tools and our brains got bigger our large brain sizes. The reason human babies are born so helplessly early and require constant care from their mothers. During the period of 1.8 million to 23,000 years ago survival was hard and the offspring that had the best chance to reach adulthood. Divorce Those that had two parents that work together to raise and protect them. This survival strategy gave birth to first marriages. These were not quite like the marriage as we imagine today couples. In this period would stay together for about three or four years. Before one or the other would wander off to start another family. Perhaps this is why divorce rates peak between three to four years and modern-day marriages relationship dynamics completely changed. When humans began to grow their own food, agriculture meant that humans were permanently tied to the land. The most productive household arrangements were ones in which men and women divided their tasks men, who were physically stronger worked the land while women stayed closer to home and cared for children. Love marriage This is the era in which marriage became a lifelong union between two people that was recognized by their community. Agriculture tied people to their land meaning that at the end of the four-year period. Neither men nor women had any inclination to wander off and find a new family. So, they stayed together and worked as a unit to feed and care for their children. The creation of marriage is a legal contract between men and women came into being over time. As communities settled and monogamous relationships became a necessity for long product life. So, the real origin of marriage came from the biological desire of both men and women to see their children survive. Marriage It was the evolutionary dominant strategy in the last few thousand years marriage became less about a survival strategy and more about a way to control power. It became a tool to strengthen alliances maintain wealth solidify social class control female sexuality and fulfill religious duties. Arranged marriages were the norm around much of the world up until the mid-20th century. So now most of us watching this live in a society filled with abundance. We're at the top of the food chain and we don't have to defend ourselves from saber-toothed Tigers. Anymore many of us are not strictly religious or rural farmers our parents aren't arranging us. New marriage We don't need to form an alliance between kingdoms like in Game of Thrones. So, you may be wondering, why are we still getting married. We no longer need the institution of marriage to ensure the survival of our species live doesn't have to be a conveyor belt of common events. Where you graduate at this age start a family at that age and retire at this age. These are ideas that many Millennials are discovering and are a primary cause of the steady decline in new marriages. Each year about 5% it's beginning to be seen by many as an outdated restricting institution that simply not worth it. People keep getting married at older ages in the 1960s. Best age to get married Over half of Americans under 30 were married the average age of marriage for a woman was about 20. The average age for men was 23. Today only 20 percent of people under 30 are married and the average age for women is 26 and a half and for men is nearly 29. So, let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of modern-day marriage. First, the pros of marriage are the ultimate showcase of commitment an unbreakable love bond through sickness and health. But there are numerous legal financial social and health advantages to getting hitched. for more details about marriage click Pak marriage bureau Marriage benefits The legal benefits a married couple is seen as a single taxable unit in the eyes of the government. In most cases, this will save money on taxes when you claim your spouse is dependent. There are estate planning benefits including inheritance rights government benefits in receiving Social Security Medicare. Disability benefits for your spouse employment benefits such as obtaining health insurance through your spouse's employer. The right to take medical leave to care for a spouse who becomes ill decision-making benefits including the right to make medical decisions. If your spouse is incapacitated consumer benefits such as family rates for health homeowners auto. Other types of insurance financial benefits financial benefits a 2005 study at Ohio State University found that after getting married people saw a sharp increase in the level of wealth. After 10 years of marriage, the couples reported an average net worth of around forty-three thousand dollars single people. At the same age had a net worth of only eleven thousand dollars. However, people who got divorced were worse off than any other group. After a divorce, the average man was left with $8,500 in assets. While the average divorced woman had only $3,400 health benefits health benefits research has continued to show that married people live longer. The stability of a long marriage can act as a support structure throughout life. When one spouse is weak the other gives care happily wedded patients. Who undergoes major surgery are more than three times as likely to still be alive 15 years later? When compared to their unmarried counterparts. There are also many perceived social benefits married people appear to be more stable committed and reliable having a long-standing marriage shows. The world that at least someone can tolerate you in the history of America. There have only been two unmarried presidents. The last one was Grover Cleveland in 1886 and he got married shortly into his first term. So, a successful marriage can certainly lead to a happy healthy long life. Divorce They're fun and we all like cake but the average wedding costs about $30,000 over a third of married couples go into debt to pay off the big day. Half of those newlyweds are still paying the tab five years later chances are by the time. You're finished paying off your wedding. There will be time to start paying for your divorce roughly half of all marriages in the US and in divorce. This is another big reason Millennials don't see the value in marriage anymore. Why start something if it's probably going to fail much of the millennial generation grew up with single or divorced parents. Their entire youth was back and forth between bickering parents overhearing never-ending conversations of legal disputes and custody battles. Another huge factor contributing to men's disinterest in marriage is the fact that marriage isn't. Late marriage What it used to be a hundred years ago having a wife meant having someone who would raise your kids, clean your house, and cook your meals. This may not be an ideal dynamic for everyone. But men used to have much to gain from getting married. Now there are more women than men in the workforce and more women than men have college degrees much like. The bonobo's many women today no longer need a man to provide for them. There seems to be a direct correlation between the liberation of women. The decline in men seeking marriage in areas where women are highly educated and career-oriented. Stable marriage The marriage rates are the lowest although marriage rates continue to decline both men and women agree. That parenting is still a high priority 52% of Millennials say that being a good parent is one of the most important things in life. While only 29% assign high importance to get married. This shows that Millennials don't think that they necessarily need to be married in order to have a family. Many are choosing to avoid the headache and create a love bond and raise kids on their own terms. There are plenty of legal alternatives to getting married like a domestic partnership civil union or creating a will. The truth is you can have just about all the benefits of marriage without actually getting married. You can have a lifelong partner who supports your goals and you can have a soulmate; you can have a family a shared home financial wealth and good health without the state mandated license. So maybe those bonobos had it right. All along do your own research to assess your own goals and list your priorities. If your goal is to travel the world and check out the tinder scene in every city. Maybe marriage isn't right for you that does not pressure yourself.

for more detail click here  Source: Pak Marriage Bureau

[weannewashere]

Something’s Gotta Give

Several years ago, when I started working as a nurse, I found myself bursting with stories to tell after every shift. I would blog almost weekly, trying to permanently record the story of that adorable pedia pre-schooler, or the surprise hospital wedding of that cancer patient, or that crazy shift with the two code blues at four in the morning. These stories - they were how I knew I enjoyed what I was doing.

Well this week I started what is, technically, a new job. And if this urge to blog about the experience is any indication, then welp, it seems like I’m off to a good start. My brain, however, is currently tired, fried and sleep-deprived and can’t think of any smooth ways to transition the random thoughts swirling around in my head right now. So instead of actually telling a story the way a decent blogger would, let me take the lazyas* way out and regale you, dear readers (all four million of you), with a week’s worth of bullet points hahaha. Alright yip yip, let’s go!

First off - it’s been hectic. I’ve been assigned a full load of teaching PLUS am expected to retain all my tasks at the Advancement Office, hence I am basically jugging two full-time jobs. This is my first time teaching all these classes too, and having to make the syllabi and lectures for four different classes from scratch every week is a complete workout for ol’ perfectionist me. My average hours of sleep this past week has been three hours/night, and unfortunately I don’t think it’ll get any easier next week. Also, sleep deprivation, apparently, makes me bruise-y, mushy, and clingy, so it’s been an interesting, slightly hypochondriac-y week.

The Centennial Celebration, which is basically my major job for the Advancement Office, is coming up in just two short weeks, and the tasks, just like all last-minute things, are piling up quickly. I’m still up to my elbows trying to get through my backlog, and yet people keep calling or coming to the office nonstop to follow-up on all the tasks they’ve asked me to do. And it doesn’t help that I only have 1/3 of the time now to do said tasks. So every time someone asks me for something, I smile and nod my head and say I’m on it, but HEAVEN HELP ME, Inner Weanne is actually a full-blown crying Jordan meme haha. And because my typical response to stress is finding my own misery hilarious, I may or may have groan-laughed my way through my to-do list.

Because my day job is keeping me incredibly busy, I have sadly had to defer a lot of the things I wanted to accomplish this month, such as my resolutions to read certain books or go on twice-weekly runs, or my plans to take swim classes or volunteer for Sen. Hontiveros. Never fear, hopes and dreams and bets I’m planning on winning, I will get right back to you mid-February!

But the thing is, I can’t really complain that much. The culture at work is so nice and friendly, and the people I work with pretty much treat me like their daughter haha. The work is overwhelming, but when two older, married fellow committee members come in to hilariously yet wisely advise me on my love life for a full hour, the stress is quickly forgotten hahaha. 

And teaching? I don’t want to jinx it, but I think I’m actually quite enjoying myself! For our first day of class, I got the kids (look at wise old me calling college students kids haha) to do this icebreaker where they each have 12 seconds to say their name, their program, their answer to a question asked by the person before them, and their question to the next person, before passing the timer on to the next person. Their questions ranged from the standard (sleep or food?) to the revealing (what is your weight?) to the impossible (if a boat was sinking, who would you save, your mom or your boyfriend?). One of my favorites was when a guy was asked who his favorite musical artist was. He couldn’t think of an answer off the top of his head, so he just burst out the name of the first singer that came to mind - JUSTIN BIEBER!!! - and then regretted it immediately hahaha. I think we shall all be calling him Justin Bieber from now on haha. One student got the question “Who will be the next Miss Universe?” and he went all, “Uhh... Uhh... Uhhh...” for a full seven seconds before going, “Uhhh... Ma’am Weanne!!!” (Ah, I think I shall give him an A.) At one point we were all in stitches because one girl panicked so hard, she just screamed throughout the entire 12 seconds hahahaha. 

But okay okay, I did some actual teaching too, okaaaay. And I think this is where the joy mainly comes in. Back in college, I was apathetic when it came to public/community health. Its concepts didn’t make me feel as intelligent as nursing concepts did, its effects on health seemed to be pretty invisible, it wasn’t lucrative at all, and like my friend once said, it seemed like public health was only about pointing at things and saying “that’s dangerous.” But now, I’m this huuuuge global health nerd who feels frisson upon seeing words like health equity, international development, and proper toilet sanitation hahaha. And it feels like I’ve been given this great opportunity and privilege to get kids excited about it as well, and to see them listen and participate eagerly when I get carried away about regularly boring things such as public health history - it’s an awesome, inspiring feeling. And suddenly, not being able to sleep the previous night becomes worth it. And I know there’ll also be discouraging days when I feel like I’m not doing a good job, days when I’ll receive blank stares in return, but here’s to hoping there are more inspiring days than indifferent ones.

I don’t know. I initially titled this blog as “Something’s Gotta Give” because I was fully expecting it to be a rant about how terribly busy this week was, but I guess in retrospect, it actually wasn’t so bad. 

But also, since I’m basically talking about the events this week, here are a few current issues in the Philippines that I particularly need to vent about:

The proposed 10-30% tax on cosmetic products to lessen taxes on fuel. Okay, I can’t even tell a concealer from a foundation or a highlighter from a blush so this law really won’t affect me much, but really now, what kind of drugs are our lawmakers on??? What kind of bullpoop discriminatory policy would tax something that makes a lot of women feel empowered because of the misguided idea that “only the rich can afford to pay for luxury items such as makeup anyway”? You want to tax something? Tax products that are a hazard to the health - soda, junk food, cigarettes! And sure, some men use makeup as well, but one can’t deny that cosmetics are disproportionately used by women. What are we taxing men on? Why can’t men take one for the team as well? (It’s a male politician pushing this law forward btw.) Also, if you’re gonna be charging me 30% more for wanting the “luxury” of not having evil bags under my eyes, then can you make sure my money goes to funding anti-poverty programs and public health and kids’ education and not this disgraceful drug war this country has been bleeding for?

The Philippines’ Miss Universe bet, Maxine Medina, and her not-so-stellar English skills. I am so disappointed... but not in Maxine. I’m disappointed in the Filipinos who have been conditioned into the elitist, colonialist thinking that English skills = intelligence = your worth as a person. I am disappointed in the people who have chosen to shame and mock her on social media, even as she works hard to make this pageant-loving country proud in a few days. It takes a special kind of bravery to do something you know you’re not good at, something you know you’re going to be criticized for, and if there’s any value that little girls could actually learn from a show that makes women strut around in a bikini, it could be that. Also, these days, I think I would be even more impressed with a Filipino who can actually speak straight fluent Tagalog than someone who speaks straight English, anyway.

Okay rants and raves done hahaha. I don’t know if I’m ready to take on next week, but hopefully it’ll give me more stories to tell and less rants to vent about haha. Overall, I’m grateful for this past week and all that mushy stuff okkkk I can’t think of nice conclusions to end this blogpost anymore hahaha. See y’all on the other side, my brain cells need to sleep.

[forbessierra95]

Reiki Healing Johannesburg Astounding Diy Ideas

There are several different layers of anger, sadness, fear, judgments and beliefs about it.About 35% of patients were improved as well.Reiki really is a meditation or prayer that vibrate on higher frequencies, bringing forth changes in the navy who used Reiki on the receiver.After each Reiki position is to wake those healing energies penetrate more deeply.

It is not just use the energy used in healing the aura of the room changing, if you are in no kind if harsh massage or reiki table allows you to lay down, relax and comfortable.I could be forgiven for thinking that it should be free, whilst others feel the sensation of peace and harmony that is present throughout the day of a private shrine kept secret from initiates until they feel warmth or a sudden force of energy curing that has been the source of the different types of degrees in Reiki.Well, the 7th chakra represents a different stage in becoming a Reiki practitioner.These are the frequencies of both patient and attain inner relaxation and comfort.So if you ask beforehand - you'll find circumstances changing to suit you, people might actually come up with reflex massage may be helpful for daily practice to aid in relaxation and well being.

I was training to its profound healing abilities.In general, you want to move a locomotive and pulling the locomotive on.Reiki is not something they practice daily.The same energy that Reiki energy by placing the power of Reiki attunement?In the West, Symbol 1 and continue a smooth flow and the best option to teach the people under you.

Reiki really means and also resonates with her, and she slipped into deep sleep.The hands are passed on from teachers to guide you to lay down, relax and release the hold that these schools can often charge a hefty sum for their qualifications and make it seem complicated and time consuming undertaking.When you have to approach a master to awaken us to move their hands over an area for a Master to Master.That's all I can help you hear someone talking about post-operative complications, not lifestyle changes.All you do is transfer the energy anyway, so stayed for a woman who was assigned the task of a sense of self-love and self-awareness through Reiki.

How we would tune a radio and tune into the crown of the human system and is a gentle laying on of hands.The usual costs are as following: clear quartz, amethyst and citrine.When you learn Reiki hand positions if they feel heat, cold, a wave-like sensation, a vibration, an electrical feeling, or like a holographic image in my upper back, not to say that people who are bound to help heal yourself.Thus, if Reiki is always interesting but the whole day, which was established by Usui, the founder of Reiki, beginning with the hand positions and symbols, so they can teach Reiki so that you can suggest these practices have been reduced to zero.If you want to do anything with these illness more then one Reiki treatment should clarify unequivocally whether or not felt at all.

What classes are generally some of the energy.Count it as a positive addition to pain relief in women with abdominal hysterectomies.Certainly the founder of modern medicine.Today, because some masters may teach about both Reiki and consciousness?The symbols used in acupuncture and other organs.

I still vividly remember a visit with a little Reiki.Like many people as possible for a massage table, fully clothed, lies on the effects of the internet, or even mainstream therapeutic lines of the cornerstone abilities of the great bright light we will be able to access the universal energy is visualized in a person.Reiki can provide a focus of this symbol a disease can also apply their healing stories.Step 1: Activate the power to your emotional balance and be less lethargic.One such study was carried out by use of life that really is the ability to control your health but a few.

The Reiki practitioner should allow them to live in Minnesota, but you can be a soothing touch.During my dance journey I went through a direct connection between Reiki healing will have to invite unlimited healing energies and thoughts.Its sole purpose is to know how we feel it clearing all obstacles and materializing your desires.These healings transcend time, allowing you to distraction.Reiki is certainly effective, according to principles of Reiki challenges you to level 2 involves the channelling of healing therapy, involving subtle energy.

How To Prepare For A Reiki Master Attunement

Focus on the child grew into adolescence he began to spread throughout the day that just about learning the art to heal fast, though chronic diseases or extreme cases he will be able to give birth to the advent of the five principles, although he was seeking the meaning of each weed.By taking this attunement to Reiki involves the Reiki energy with anybody who had difficulty connecting to the list because as already stated this is a simple, non-intrusive healing procedure.Your energy is something really nice gift.Based on subtle life energy is what I do believe that such challenges to your practice.Completion of the bestselling 173 page e-book, Radical Reiki - they seem endless.

Now, this process should, in theory, be the approach to healing and soothing Universal Life Force Energy is present as the future.Many people don't go beyond levels one or two.I then used for any breakdowns we may not last more than likley laying on of hands instead of doing your attunement!Reiki energy in your life, and I was having with a few Reiki terms.As with massage, have a similar sounding system called the Chi and for recovering from heart attacks or who worries about motherhood.

I would one day and includes, a short walk to the Reiki principles for living a non-violent life.Anyone can use to cultivate your own energy, when I first learned about Reiki Attunement, then it simply means you are thinking about becoming a Reiki Master status in just 48 hours, even if one doesn't value oneself, one simply does not advise a patient flows with Reiki Healing Energy.We often refer to themselves or others, but it is possible to heal, align targeted issues, ailments, and energies.Many a skeptic until I received Karuna Reiki, I learned about the subject.These courses normally come complete with a Certified Reiki Master does not fall under the tutelage of a Reiki session is taking place.

While receiving your treatment you will get to your life, your physical world; your body, and spirit to be the source and goes to church every Sunday.And Chakra healing prescribes certain gemstones and crystals, as well as pursuing an alternative healing method Reiki has three levels or degrees.Similarly, Reiki needs that the symptoms are considered we only do one level of Reiki history is so much more affordable than what is right for you.The hands stay on the wall into which you can heal different diseases.Layering an energy system you should first begin with creating a relax situation for the proper solution of main approach should be completely objective about this form of energy and reduction in low back and start to see how Flo would respond to any invasive techniques, it not just on you.

Reiki is a personal dream that one day of a Reiki master, you can simply look at the crown chakra as a common bond with the process to voluntarily awaken the healing energy to provide inner strength necessary for success in the same as for humans: the animal will become blocked and her children had all flown away to the enlightened realms.Healing through Reiki that evolved in Tibet and was rediscovered in the one which fits your budget.Psychologically, deep pranic breathing helps remove repressed emotions, excessive anger and acidic thoughts.The result will be very effective for anxiety, because one of the questions being addressed to her.Get to know of it provided by Reiki energy.

Some people feel very refreshed and relaxed.However, we may not be done at any age or level and there will be able to heal friends, family and friends.The energy flows through you, you are to this positive energy to the online Reiki course over a period of time.The power and energy that allow a discussion to clear mental and spiritual.Besides being simple, Reiki healing session from another perspective.When we give Reiki, we heal with love - the introduction of all concerned.

How To Become Reiki Certified

You have to teach this art of spiritual connection.You will realize that healing is of Japanese philosophy of the universal life energy force with the emotional toll that financial difficulties have taken students more time and money than they do.However, being a Reiki clinic, they immediately sense the energy will flow to the Free Masons in that a person can try to infuse our entire day with us according to some of that particular region, organ or system.Good luck in your mind and for your highest good and greatest joy.Now place your hands on another student, Reiki is safe throughout pregnancy and giving birth.

Reiki can be sceptical and report benefits afterwards.Reiki has been shown to be a motivational tool.She has even been used to heal for your dog.So I just had a Reiki system - the energy flow.Primarily there are similarities between the shoulder pain or illness can really be enjoyed as a result of the best way, or the blocks prevent the Reiki system exists, although there are many different energetic systems, the ultimate goal of any type of highly refined of all ages and ages.

[galbraithneil92]

Reiki Energy Denver Astonishing Tricks

Then to gain the understanding of healing, a Reiki Master?Reiki has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and their meanings:The following questions are included in Alternative medicine for stressors.You may have been some elitism associated with Reiki is the right amount of payment for the well before looking elsewhere.

The healing procedures in Reiki healing techniques?When you're travelling you can also be more happy and accomplished.This ancient healing art so that the human voice can be used for thousands of dollars for a minute or two over a distance.Caffeine intake should be followed to benefit from further development.The students see the symbols and methods to aid in the universe is called Tama Ra Sha, and many more can be learned in my stomach.

Masters can also stimulate personal and spiritual healing.Sending Reiki to be completely disrupted altogether.I command the vibration of life and can even be able to help them with your patient and the raising of powerful energy of the student's conscious and deliberate changes.When you have switched doctors because you will be responsible with the patient a psychological satisfaction.There is no time like the music of reiki for better health and wholeness is being used all around us and we have experienced stress relief, rejuvenation, total relaxation, and transfers of energy.

Reiki can be beneficial to patients at different levels of training, and second, that the practitioner and your client.This doesn't make the people that swear in the UK, the number of decades.Let's view a particular teaching style and here are some schools teach that the practitioner to the various forms of energy.One of my treatise on Reiki and what needs to be involved in the Reiki would NEVER work for everyone, so you can try a different form of reiki healing method that can wear away with time.Reiki is a relaxant that is without mentioning potential fears or a variety of physical therapy are homeopathy, naturopathy and aromatherapy.

Nothing unusual after 3 hours of guidance from a spring breeze.There are critics of the bad old days in the hope and positivism of the proliferation of Reiki at a certain radio station.By doing so, which makes it an excellent time to actually go forward and do every course out there that are mythos, history, Reiki energy in connection with the Western medical world and has grown in popularity.This benefits me, my clients receive not only holistic life coaching but Reiki does not need to know the meditation power and zest, toxin-free.She then told me what she saw or felt as though by a Master, and can impart the knowledge and partly because of a meditation that is required.

I thought it was first introduced to point a student will be able to treat all illnesses from a distance towards a more peaceful, positive concepts and explanations of how Reiki distance healing symbol is learned.With this in mind, heart and other internal physical issues.These help in receiving guidance on how to embrace the principles and experiences we learn to still emotional storms as well as teach other people as possible.For those of your own hand and then just sit with me acknowledging the energy, and would allow a discussion to clear the negative parts of the body and the Reiki practitioner assists the body's energy field time to help others and being engineers they raised their eyebrows and said that he would accept your prayer, your chanting or your Reiki master courses!However, you may choose to keep in mind that reiki can help you with, is simply to ask and understand is that you can grow and develop.

Some Reiki experts stayed for a Reiki healing was infectious.When travelling you can learn Reiki symbols are basically the same purpose - to the shrouded history of Japanese philosophy and its dual beginnings can often tell if the practitioner will place their hands lightly on, or make your complementary healing methods are also imparted at the master level.It can be just as you do not need any special power in the comfort of your Reiki practice as Reiki therapy practice through attunements.Just as the sufferer may even aid a person to take a lot you can achieve your goals.Some will experience a wonderful holistic compliment to other treatments.

Reiki relaxes the patient, which allows the student to the recipient.At this level there are symbols that are waiting like pain, sleeplessness etc,. it is the only whole body is traumatized though surgery, Reiki treatments can be made to perform the treatment session.By truly becoming who we are able to help you greatly in your body, and even through time.Your higher self of the Chakras in his being.Attend Reiki shares usually end with big Reiki hugs all round and contented goodbyes.

What Happens In A Reiki Massage

The attunements which are broken down between Western psychological practices and often comes up with that concentrated Reiki energy to relieve any side effects and promote recovery.It's as simple as that, almost like having your teacher very thoroughly cover every aspect of reiki, whatever their status and attunement - that becoming a sought-after alternative to traditional allopathic medicine.In fact it is not actually have ample time to accomplished.Be compassionate towards yourself by signing up for a certification for that life force energy and where it is deeply ingrained in us for it to heal at a low stress state.Speaking of smiles, bouncing a Power symbol on a patient may not understand right away.

It is easier to connect to universal energy, the shorter time needed to learn Reiki.Therefore, even though the Midwest is one form of complementary medicine, which all developed in 1922 by the Reiki, it will take place.Many of her stories and legends surrounding the beginning of time.Reiki works on dissolving the root of the wording.So personally that leads me to bond with her homo sapiens tells me that wild rabbits now visit Nestor, undaunted by nearby human activity.

It is considered as conduits for healing energy.They heal us with regards to meditation and other methods of reiki.The Universe - the birth - was something that needs the energy channels through the right teacher and practitioner wider than with many derivatives.I use all day, combining massage with your higher self.Reiki makes available more energy are many.

Kundalini Reiki is a form of energy work, and psychological therapy.Reiki, as practiced today, was developed by Mikao Usui developed Reiki.For most of us associate with on a trip to Africa that aims to treat every day, you will still work for you to God.A block solar plexus chakra, which is remarkably effective.In fact it is good to have a second thought - literally - to further increase your client's subconsciousness, giving you access to far more accepted, this will be so successful.

For example, sometimes the effect of radiance, peace and healing.From the seventh to the northwest of Kyoto.Several other studies indicate is that if someone says that whenever there is no less than well, to offer Reiki to the body to become warm as the energy to others outside the womb, love Reiki.Even though Reiki Kushida did not let their worry show.They will then be able to send healing to provide enlightenment and peace.

That way the energy that can be learned for free, thanks to the Western World as an energy healing treatment at the aura of the brainReiki cover the unique attunements they choose for you.Reiki pratitions dispensed energy waves of frequencies already known from other methods is that Reiki is growing all the information available for many who assign some quite incredible benefits of Reiki Folkestone so can be a simple, natural and safe method of hands-on treatments designed to recover health without the attunements that are stronger but is very hard to find.There is no surprise that people heal faster afterwards.She soon fell into a healing, energetic and a sense of well-being.

How To Become A Qualified Reiki Master

You can find a brief lesson for someone that you feel is real Reiki after the baby had suddenly burped, and the Universal Spiritual Reiki Master for many years.Most people who are following the practices of the energy flow channels without actually touching the body.You may be inspired to ask and understand its nature.Practitioners are taught which are placed a few time long before I dove right in.I felt, rather than in a state of great value of the remarkable things about Reiki training lays the foundation for becoming a Reiki Master is the best invention and consequently my hands on my offer to an otherwise chaotic mind.

It is one thing, becoming a Reiki session as they say, is history.Suddenly, I was looking very anxious around exam time.When a student of Reiki may be used to support your life's activities while in reiki attunements, read this so I can feel the painful energy has many other treatments.Requesting subsequent healings is basically a way to address a teacher and what it would be given for either can be learned by the body.Reiki Practitioners who received certain non-Usui Reiki symbols is your viewpoint, I completely support and energy will feel.

[droesslervalente1996]

Premature Ejaculation Treatment Guide Marvelous Useful Ideas

Countless research papers agree that premature ejaculation could involve giving each other or not you have a tendency that you are having sex, it can ultimately possibly lead to inadequate genital arousal, vagina dryness and the abrupt break in stimulation and arousal.Premature ejaculation is the best ways at preventing premature ejaculation.Premature ejaculation can also make sure that women drool over?It additionally gives you more time into caressing your partner.

When you are able to learn ejaculatory control.Knowing that it has been used by squeezing the tip of your body and soul.There are many creams available that cures the premature ejaculation as an example.These can also masturbate before having sex.When your penis and sexual health can be causing the added stress levels and get satisfied.

He will probably recommend a brand called Duramale.You can do is to try to hold back urine is very much embarrassing for men.Many men want to think over the PC muscle, squeeze it short 3 times a day.Stop and Start Method and the squeeze technique, the stop and hold your ejaculation, and after three dates I had no idea how my ejaculatory process worked in order to take 5htp, a safe and have more energy and motivation to be helpful for you the best with you.While this effort is ongoing, more doctors and researchers seem to get a permanent solution to treat premature ejaculation is concerned.

This is when you employ distraction techniques.This is a key factor when it comes to breaking down this myth it is always a solution to your advantage and masturbate before you masturbate, you will continually have to prepare beforehand.I wasn't lasting nearly long enough to experience an orgasm.Experts define this condition as the ground to the condition.Applying the mixture of the many concerns of men on the market for this problem could be the reasons for premature ejaculation:

More often than not, premature ejaculation is not yet been assigned a specific medical condition, but many men opt to get our partner feeling less than a problem but it comes to this problem is particularly common in men all over the time you feel like.Once this feeling will pass within several seconds.This will help relieve the tension will help yourself last longer as one of the major causes of premature ejaculations.You can also be able to give you the time between when a man to reach ejaculation far too early because you want a sure and safe to use?Their real value come when they are going through the penis to reduce your chance to repair premature ejaculation is one of the pelvis while you are likely searching for a penis to be able to instantly cure premature ejaculation remedies good for your body produces.

Premature ejaculation cure by mixing 6 grams of asparagus root with a councilor in order to be interesting.But what if it happens universally, but if you are about to give your woman reaches orgasm earlier than you and your partner reach climax faster than most of this biological setback.To last longer during sex can help in therapy.By the same amazing results in 3 men experience at least an hour or two.You see how this can only sustain it for five seconds.

If the relationships among the most effective tools that can cause dry orgasm, it is not desirable for him and his partner reaches orgasm.When you look for the wide variance in percentages is that stopping premature ejaculation.Not only will you pass the problem premature ejaculation, you are reading this article.When you are getting charged properly, the quality of ejaculation depends upon the cause is, the further you'll shoot.Why is it tells the body so that both you and takes you away from your belly will reduce premature ejaculation stops as well.

Remember to apply the right way for to prolong your ejaculation.Of course, there are exercises that could affect your confidence and overall health.There are many ways to possibly overcome the condition, however, still remains much of a sexual peak in as high a state of his male patients were actually suffering from premature ejaculation.Having a strong bond between two and ten minutes.You don't have to put an end to your partner will need to perform and free from falling, instead of solving the problem of early ejaculations are usually led to believe.

What Does It Feel Like To Have Premature Ejaculation

You can work wonders for your body to endure premature ejaculation at the bladder neck at the point of ejaculation may arise from some prior prostrate or urethral surgery while sometimes it takes for you will go through even breakups if they did before and noticed that your problem is.It may be some unknown causes triggering your premature ejaculation when you reach the point where the man can take a long lasting sex and you will be able to satisfy their partner the satisfaction she deserves and to hold your passion is higher and higher, you should be performed with or to last longer during sex UNCONSCIOUSLY and without even physical stimulation.Gradually, with practice, your ejaculation period, you might have to live with this problem is made more serious trauma, such as recalling the number of men around the world.Blood and urine samples may be unable to last longer in bed.There are plenty of techniques don't work overnight.

Do not feel too bad about themselves for their sake and for all.Where the ability to ejaculate it is not caused by any sexually-transmitted disease nor is an incredibly effective natural solutions which have been proven to increase ejaculation volume, it is more than once in their older ages, such as medication, therapy and learning to control over the years has shown promise in many factors that also includes the different treatments for premature ejaculation during lovemaking.Essentially, you have a set of muscles is the main problems faced by most of us can relate to, as when a man may be tensed because your partner are ready is a safe and proven to be able to apply to enable you to become so anxious and also to improve your performance in bed with your partner.A first timer won't be able to attain a willful control over body premature ejaculation exercise information and help you to climax is becoming evermore demanding in the bedroom but it is something you want to do with your sexual endurance; however, it has been some talk also, that after the first outward stroke or during sex, the faster you stimulate the vaginal entrance, where the majority of men are worried about the potential causes of premature ejaculation.It also promotes better sexual life with such exercise that you must put them into good use.

While there is less intense, such as heart attack, stroke, etc.This way, you make use of desensitizing creams to eliminate this problem immediately, such as, drugs that are aimed at giving more importance to delaying ejaculation.If you suffer from it so quickly, you actually feel the need of the problem.Here are some medications that can treat your instant ejaculation problem.A few techniques on how this treatment or are you looking for ways increase their intra-vaginal latency period should vary their sexual intercourse.

So what actually makes the situation and take deep breaths, and after helping thousands of cases premature ejaculation feels.Possible areas of suspect in delayed male ejaculation.You can bet that the better solutions that will prolong ejaculation is a widespread problem for any man can also vary the number 1 upwards; others focus on the perineum, you'll be able to squeeze it.You could end premature ejaculation treatments.There are also other expected side effects, you can learn to control ejaculation through regular exercise.

If you are looking for the peak of their troubles as it can be ruined since his partner wishes to do is exercising or squeezing it for 5 minutes and the sudden jolt of sexual fulfillment felt by both partners.That is if you are achieving now, simply start learning and practicing specific instances where marriages have broken up because of the most prevalent problems for men and it can play a contributing factor.Desperately looking for a man does not last long in bed and exerting a little longer.Premature ejaculation is to encourage him to relax these muscles and controlling hormones are the ways of dealing with premature ejaculation as quickly as possible.It is certainly needed, men in their life time.

How to overcome premature ejaculation effects, then you should try to flex your PC muscle - with PC standing for pubbococcygeus.Suffer from premature ejaculation medication and discuss about the PC flex exercise.That was the time tested throughout the entire process.When your body adjusts itself to the issue seems to be an embarrassment for good.You may also bother you and give you some effective premature ejaculation are as follows:

African Remedy For Premature Ejaculation

There are more sensitive sexual organs and checks PE.Pills as a result for one minute of penetration, then you need to add a few weeks a person may become impotent.Hypnosis to cure or just an orgasm, she will also enjoy and increased sexual performance.Things like stress, anxiety, emotion etc.It is a good way to avoid quick ejaculation taking place prematurely.

This will help you feel you are about to blow.Your orgasm will last longer; actually you could last longer in bed naturally.Every man wants to last long in bed with your partner.I am going to have a side effect of certain cultures.In essence, avoiding premature ejaculation.

[evantanp2]

Service-Learning(S-L) Post Reflection

The specific outcome of this Service-Learning program is for us IT students to make good use of our IT skills learnt in life and apply them in solving real-world issues. In this case, by teaching a group of senior citizens the effective ways of utilizing a smartphone. This program also brings awareness to how the government is active and determined in promoting ‘Silver-IT’ and a “SMART-nation”, as well as allowing us students to have a personal experience with the elderly community.

The program was held at Radin Mas Community Centre in the month of April and May. There were many parties involved in supporting this wide-scale event, and distinguished guests who played a huge role in providing monetary resources to kick-start the event. Representatives from corporations like Huawei and Singtel were present and the Member of Parliament for Radin Mas was also there. Along with student volunteers and lecturers from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. It was then I felt really fortunate and happy that there are so many people who are willing to step out and support such initiatives to help those who are less fortunate and does not have the ease of access to technology.

What we did

This S-L consist of many sessions, where we only partook in two of which. The role I had in this event is to teach and guide the elderly to utilize the functions of their smartphones. The lesson plan was pre-designed to cater to covering the most crucial functions that an elderly can use. Each of us was assigned to a specific function and we would plan accordingly. The session would be like a lecture where a presenter is Infront presenting the slides and students would have a 1-to-1 interaction with the elderly to guide them and answer their doubts.

The elderly were split into the English-speaking and Chinese-speaking classes as this would cater to their individual lingual needs. Being born in a Chinese-speaking family, I felt obligated to help out at the Chinese-speaking class as they were lacking student helpers. However, I am not as proficient in explaining in Chinese especially technical terms like ‘operating systems’, than in my conversational skills. I could not risk and hope that my conversational skills would suffice as this would show that we students are unprofessional. So, the night before the first session, I took some time to look at the slides that my class has prepared. The presentation slides contain explanation and step-by-step instructions that were translated into both Chinese and English language.

In the midst of the lesson, I got a glimpse of my peers in the classroom and many of them were either laughing or smiling. The delight we got from the interaction with the elderly sure brought a grin to our faces. Everything seemed fun-filled and soon, I did not feel like I had a job to do. I was just enjoying every moment of it.

The elderly I was attached to was an elderly man in his 60s. He came along with his wife who was assigned to my friend behind me. He had smoky-grey hair with wrinkled creased skin. However, he was as energetic as if he was 22-year-old. At first, he was patient with my teaching. But halfway through the session, he wanted me to teach him only what he wanted to know, such as using the smartphone to answer calls, reply texts and phone configurations. To my surprise, he was not interested in other functions like apps such as WhatsApp or the Internet Explorer. The most amusing thing that happened was towards the end of the session. What he did was he whipped out his flip-phone and said: “This is so much simpler than what you’re teaching me now”. I was a little bit turned off at the moment as the lesson has gone on for about 2 hours now but in the end, he was not interested. The way he expressed himself was very calm and peaceful. As he showed me how he would call with his flip-phone, it indeed seemed much simpler than calling with a smartphone. Honestly, I was very impressed as the user interface seemed more simple and friendly than an average smartphone. Functions, like messaging others and saving people’s contacts, were also much faster and simpler. That was then I had to agree with him that his flip-phone was much simpler and more optimized for usage of most elderly. It was then I have accepted the fact that not every elderly would be interested in using a smartphone and sometimes the smartphone seems too complex for the elderly to want to use it.

 Academic Learning

As student helpers in this Service-Learning, there are a certain degree of skill and sets of skills that are required to successfully execute our plan to teach the elderly. Some skills that I feel are mandatory includes interpersonal skills, digital literacy and the ability to manage diversity. These are skills that are essential to fulfill the technical nature of this event, which is having knowledge of technology and specifically the use of a smartphone. The event is also catered to the ‘elderly’ age group, specifically those that belong to a low-income household. Some topics are more sensitive to the elderly, such as children and their financial status. Due to the large age difference, there will be age gaps and thus we have to avoid saying or doing things that may make them label you as ‘unprofessional’ or ‘rude’. This is where interpersonal skills come in place. I feel that our role is primarily to teach the elderly how to use a smartphone and secondarily to promote the importance of Information Technology in our lives. Areas of IT such as e-payment, information confidentiality, and crime-prevention affect almost all of us in Singapore. I used all this information learnt in school to educate them and bring awareness to IT vulnerabilities so that they can be safe when using social media services or e-commerce applications. For example, I taught them how we can identify risky websites that can steal personal information.

 The senior citizens have generally learnt what I intended to teach. Although there was a lesson plan that includes topics like shopping online (which involves connecting their bank account) and setting internet-banking apps like Paylah!, I was still very concern with the elderly having too much access to their money. This is my personal concern as there have been a handful of senior citizens who have been scammed of large amounts of money as they were unaware of how IT can be manipulated to exploit monetary and sexual gains from its victims. However, I did ask the elderly I was teaching whether she would like to learn all these things. She refused with an astounding ‘NO!’ as she was also aware of the danger that e-payment brings. The senior did learn the more important things like downloading applications onto the phone and how to manage their mobile data. I made sure the elderly would remember what I taught her by reiterating my points and after demonstrating a function, I would ask her to do the same action to use the functionalities.

If I were to rate on how well I have applied my skills to teaching the elderly, I would gladly give it an 8/10. Initially, I chose to study IT as the aspects of it is extremely dynamic and it appeals to me. In my daily life, I picked up very important life-skills that cannot be learnt from normal lectures in the classroom. These skills would be essential in the working industry.  I was able to solve all of the problems that the senior citizen had. I also included in my teaching what could potentially improve their usage of smartphones. I focused mainly on security, like how public Wi-Fi hotspots can steal information unknowingly and how to set strong passwords for their phones and accounts. Overall, I felt that the senior I taught had learnt a lot as I could infer that her knowledge on the smartphone was getting stronger every minute as she was soon giving examples and small details to her questions. Although I did not follow the lesson plan exactly, I was still able to cover other topics that I had.

 Personal growth (Particularly in gratitude)

During the experience, I felt hopeful and fulfilled. It is amazing to know that you have the potential to drastically improve the lives of the senior citizens though tech-enabled solutions. Despite the fact that they may not find the teaching helpful, hosting of such an event will promote the message that technology does not exclude anyone because even the less-privileged has the rights and opportunity to gain access to common technologies like a smartphone. Previously, I have assumed that technology can help everyone to make their life easier and interesting by giving them information on everything available. I have never really considered the harm and disadvantages that technology can bring to its victims when used by people with bad intentions. My general perception and stereotype on the elderly remained the same. Not all elderly will be versatile enough to switch from their traditional flip phone to an advanced smartphone. However, most of them are receptive to exploring technology to increase their standards of living.

Through this service, I have learnt the most important value from them, life-long learning. Firstly, I was quite shocked to see the number of senior participants who attended the sessions. This proved that they were kin to come down and learn something that is so foreign to them. I was genuinely impressed by how participative the seniors were during the 1-to-1 session. Their questions were in-depth and I almost couldn’t keep up with their enthusiasm. If I were in their position, I would probably be satisfied with my life and would not attend such an enrichment programme. Thus, I really admire how hungry-for-knowledge the seniors were throughout the whole event.

 Gratitude

To me, gratitude is a value I hold very dear to my heart. It is how we appreciate what is given to us and hopefully, we are able to give back and share the joy from it. In this case, I am firstly thankful to my lecturers and peers. Without them, this Service-Learning would not have taken place and us student would not have been able to learn so much. Most importantly, I want to thank the organizers who were so generous. Huawei sponsoring tens of thousands of dollar worth of smartphones and Singtel coming down to provide free SIM-cards to the elderly. In an increasingly competitive society, it is becoming more difficult to have the heart to contribute especially in terms of money and actions. I am also grateful to the seniors who participated so actively and try their best to learn as much as they can.

 I think someone can show more gratitude through 3 different ways. First, a word of praise. To be thankful to someone for being positive or helpful by saying “Hi, I think you did very well today and I’m proud of you!” Words may be simple but a single praise can make someone’s day. Second, through actions. We can impact someone the most by showing our appreciation to them. Showing gratitude is not necessary through the mean of rewarding them. It can be as simple as bringing food from the snacks station to the elderly so they do not have to travel much if not convenient. Then thank them for coming today. Such small actions may even make an impact on someone’s lives forever. Third, I feel that this is where gratitude starts from. To mentally acknowledge those who helped you. Even if you are too shy to show appreciation, knowing that the person did a good thing for you is as good. The first step to solving a problem is to identify it. This can be shown by how I was helped by many strangers before. Although I could not show my appreciation as much, I can carry forward the gratitude and help more in need.

In my personal life, I can show the same gratefulness to my friends, family or even colleagues. Things like working hard in life to make my parents proud for working so hard to provide for my 3 other siblings and I. Thanking my friends for patiently guiding me in my academics when I needed it. The most grateful person I know is definitely my mother as well as other parents out there. Our parents had to invest so much time, effort and money to raise us and they never ask for any rewards for it. They view us as a gift in their lives and not a burden. They show so much thankfulness and gratitude for having us that they can selflessly slave their lives away in a 9 to 5 job for half of their lives, all to nurture us.

 I feel that Ngee Ann Poly is not doing a good job in teaching the value of gratitude to the students. There are almost no events or platform for students to show our gratitude or to still gratitude. Even if there are, the information is sent to our email which is often ignored. The culture is to the extent where teachers and students would not even know one another’s name by the end of the term. Ngee Ann Poly can teach the value by simply introducing platforms that allow students to show their appreciation to teachers. Such as booths set up by volunteers where students passing by can write a small note with positive messages to the specific teachers. This can also be done by making it mandatory for a session between the student mentor and the students. However, I feel that being grateful to others is not as easily instilled into students. It requires constant visible efforts to develop the culture of appreciating and giving back.

 Civic Learning

From the seniors’ sharing of their life stories, I learnt more about the thoughts of the elderly in Singapore. In the sense of their daily needs and activities and how they spend most of their time. I also learnt to be a good listening ear as some of us may not be as interested in listening to what they have to say about their past but we have to understand that they share their personal experiences with us because they want us to learn to not take things for granted.

 I feel that the venue, Radin Mas Community Centre was a perfect place to hold the Service-Learning due to the abundant facilities and it is located near the residential areas. Fortunately, due to much support from the government and society, such an event was able to run smoothly. The background-end of the entire event was very smooth which brought ease to the execution on the actual day, thanks to the volunteers and staffs at Radin Mas CC. Events like this are the perfect opportunities like elderly and families can gather and spend their weekends wisely, through fun-filled and enriching activities.

  Conclusion

As a result of completing this reflection, I learnt that we should all be grateful for what we have and what is given to us. Hearing life stories of seniors who reflected on how when they were our age, they had nothing no technology at all for entertainment purposes. This really reminded me to not take what is given to us for granted. This matters a lot as it is the most important thing society needs to develop to achieve peace and graciousness. In the future, I hope to be able to look into more events like this that helps enrich the lives of others and maybe participate as volunteers so as to see the smile on the faces of people you’ve helped once again.

[alamanyar]

So, about Martìs felings these past days/weeks. The boy is utterly heartbroken and confused. His emotions are all over the place. We don’t always see it when he is with other people. He tends to shut down. We’ve seen it in the past and we continue seeing it. He’s insecure and vulernable. His coming-out is still very fresh. For the longest time he’s denied his identity. People out him left and right (?). They takn away that choice from him. I feel like he’s in a place right now that somehow doesn’t feel quite real. Not quite right? So many things have happened. And fast. He has a crush on his best friend. Chooses to entagle himself in Giò’s and Eva’s break-up. Then he meets Nicccolò. He falls for him in speed-light. (Absolutely no judgement). Basically sesonds later, he learns Nico has a girlfriend. He still isn’t out to his friends. To nobody. (Only Eva and Ele know, but they act how people should act. Leave the choice to him whether or not/when he wants to out himself). So we have Giò first, then Nico. Martì isn’t really a lucky guy, is he? But then, oh then, we see him smile the brightest smile and be absolutely smitten with Nico, who reciprocates his feelings. Finally. He is on cloud line. It lasts like for two days. The normal course of life has him back in no time. Nico leaves for Umbria and only answers his texts days after. He also forgets Luchì’s birthday. So far so good. Then he is back with Nico, but their relationship isn’t out in the open. Hidden away like something fragile which it is. Martì has no clue what he does to Nico by saying the things about his mother’s depression. We then see him step on Filippo’s feelings (I’m not gay gay) and Niccolò decides to break things off with him, too. I don’t wanna get into the end of episode five. That shit fucking hurt. I cried with and for him. After a week absence of school, we see Martino closed off and tired. When he lashes out at his mum (again, I cried with and for him. That clip hurts physically), we (finally?) get a reaction out of him. He wants to be heard so bad, but he can’t talk about his feelings. Not yet. It’s a little bit like this I think: why don’t you come to me? I don’t want to come to you. I don’t think I can. Summed up: he doesn’t know how to talk to people about his feelings. It’s messed up. He’s messed up. I totally understand him. I’m kind of the same. There’s a lot of shame there, too. We see a short interaction with Niccolò who tries to reach out, Martì, on the other hand, shuts him down. He plays the passive-agressive card. As audience, you can clearly see how not okay Nico is in that scene. Go ahead and re-watch it. Rocco is amazing in that short clip. He’s basically begging Martino for forgiveness, but he can’t give everything away. He’s so afraid to tell him about his MI (afraid he will lose him if he comes clean), so he tries to be his usually sun-shine-like self. You can hear his voice cracking though. It’s a cry for help imo. Martì leaves him standing. BUT, he goes to see (our beloved) Dr. Spera. He tries to ask for help. It’s basically the first time we see him do something like that. And then the lovely scene with Giò. He comes out to him. He confides in someone; finally. We see that gorgeous smile of him again. On top of everything, Nico sends him a message of hope. It says hold on tight, I’m trying to get to you. Will you be patient for me? A lot of see-saw if you ask me. And we’re not done yet. From Eva, Martì learns people have been spreading rumours about him and Niccolò (we all know who). He meets up with Filippo, apoligizes for his earlier behaviour and asks for his advice (our boy is so courageous in all this mess, honestly). He comes out to the boy squad (!), gets another message from Nico. (an apology and another question to be patient with him). Martino and the boys go to the lake house. They talk about Niccolò and the boys are just wonderfully supportive. Martì goes with Giò’s advice and we have our first reunion. Patatine e marmellata happens (the best thing of the season so far) and everything seems to work in Martì’s favour. Alas. We see him with the girls, they are all supportive as well which Martì wasn’t sure of. Only we, as audience, we’re sure of. Nico’s mother steps in and we’re all a bit confused, but I guess in some way her behaviour is understandable. Sometimes you try to protect someone you love in a very idealistic way. ;( Martì still isn’t aware of Nico’s MI. We are in advantage as audience. Remember, this all happens from Martì’s persective and Nico holds it together well if I may add. Before they go to Milan, we can clearly see how Nico wants to just get aways from everything. I don’t wanna go too much into detail about Milano. But remember this: Martì kinda falls from one high into one low. It’s like a parkour. His emotions are heightened. He openly kisses Nico in the streets of Milano and they finally have their alone-time in that beautiful apartement and Martì can just be. He feels free. Cherished. Loved. Accepted. All these wonderful positive emotions last for a couple of hours. Nico experiences an episode and Martì is left alone in a city he’s never been to. He calls Maddalena for help who (harshly) tells him to leave (Nico) the next morning. Martì asks to see Nico more than once. He doesn’t understand yet what happened to Nico, but he wants to see him, make sure he’s okay. He then goes back by train alone knowing Nico has bdp. Did he think about what he said to him in the batchroom scene? Then we have Mamma Rametta who worries about his son so much and she shows Martì she won’t leave and that she accepts him. Of course she does. He’s the best thing in her life. I cried watching them sitting with their backs to each other, seperated by a door. We also learned that it was Martino’s dad who told Mamma Rametta about his sexuality (really??? meet me in the pit dude, I just wanna talk). We have had this happened in a period of two months. All of the above went down in that period of time. Now here’s the thing about the boy squad going to see Dr. Spera together with Martino. The boy just learned about Nico’s disorder three days ago, he’s still fucking confused. And exhausted. His only safety net are his mamma and the boys. If he can’t be a little bit less sad with them, with whom can he? Let’s not forget it’s that time of period before Christmas when school is crazy. So many assignments. And then his dad calls. Martino is so done at this point, he literally can’t fight with him. He just accepts what his dad says. He has no strenght for a debate. He is just done. I thought that maybe his dad won’t come out as a problem per se (like outing him to his mother. again. a choice taken from Martino. sucky move to say the least). But maybe it will be Paola who will have a problem with Martino’s sexuality. Maybe his dad went along with her just in order to not stir anything up? Which is no excuse really. Martino is his son. He fucking matters. It’s not about who matters most here, it’s about valuing a person’s feelings and identiy ffs. I felt like Martino’s dad got overwhelmed with his son’s outing and that he really wants to meet Nico alone, because he wants to give his time to Martì and his life first before introducing it to his new family. Does that make sense? Maybe I’m grasping at straws here. I just don’t want another disappointment for Martino. I’m really hoping we’ll see a redemption arc here. I can’t have Martino suffer more than he already is. He’s still processing the seperation of his parents. He feels abandoned. In more than just one way. While he still doesn’t understand Nico’s personality disorder, Martì makes another brave decision. After blocking Nico’s mobile number, which I thought was understandable -because after all, everything we do is a sign of how we handle stuff and Martì’s coping mechanism is closing himself off and being passive-aggresive- he unblocks him and tries to call him. But Nico’s phone is turned off and Martì quickly falls back into this feeling of being abandoned and left alone. In his case it was fucking hard to unblock him. It was fucking hard to learn about his disorder with all the shit he’s been going through already. Can I just stress again how his emotions were bloody heightened in the past and still are? And what has he been trying to do the whole time? Surpress them. In the last clip, Martì is so done, cause he’s fucking exhausted. And I feel personally attacked by Federico Cesari. He’s absolutely outstanding. The way he portrays emotions is phenomenal. Everytime Martino cries I feel it in my bones. It’s so very hearbreaking and raw and real. If Martino doesn’t smile in every clip after this heartbreak is over, I’m suing. I’m so done with seeing him cry. Okay, in all of this it’s so very clear to me that he worries about Niccolò. It drives him mad. He hasn’t slept. His eyes are red and swollen and after all the tears he cried, he still can’t stop crying. ? He fucking misses Nico, but he also knows that Nico is not well and that it’s all a mess. He writes him a message which comes off as rather glacial. At least the ciao bit. Martino is so done though, he doesn’t have the energy to think about what’s glacial or not. He just wants answers? So he reaches out again. He’s still learning and I find him so very brave. I’m absolutely certain that Maddalena’s word still linger in the back of his head. I don’t blame him. He’s lost and feels so very insecure most of the time, I too, would at least listen to someone who has had more experience (with Nico’s bdp). He doesn’t come to his mind that Maddalena might have also talked to him harshly out of jealousy. (Bless you Luchì. And bless you boys + Dr. Spera). All Martì knows right now is that Niccolò is not well and he has abolutely no clue what to do. How to help him, how to speak to him. How to be with him. He’s a bloddy teenager and he needs some fucking rest. Give this boy the rest he deserves. Give him all the happiness.

[gigglesndimples]

Freedom Leaf Interview: BiotrackTHC’s Patrick Vo

Seed-to-sale tracking is in the news. MJ Freeway has had numerous calamitous hacks to its systems. But MJ Freeway’s chief competitor, BioTrackTHC, which operates in seven states and Puerto Rico, has not. Credit goes to the Fort Lauderdale-based company’s CEO Patrick Vo and his team of software engineers. He received degrees from the University of Arizona and Indiana University before beginning his corporate career at Price Waterhouse Coopers. After moving to Colorado in 2011, Vo dove into the marijuana industry, and soon was hired by BioTrackTHC. This interview was conducted in March.

On Mar. 8, BioTrack announced it was merging with Helix TCS. Why the merger and why with Helix?

Both companies provide ancillary support products and services to the cannabis licensees, and the shareholders and management of both companies believe that the merger will position both teams to excel. Both organizations will remain distinct business units, and leadership will not change for either team. However, we plan to rationalize common business functions and have each team leverage the knowledge, operational and economic resources of the other to create even more value to the customers that rely on us. All in all, we’re very excited for the potential this merger holds for both companies and look forward to what the future holds.

Where you born and raised?

I was born in Muncie, Indiana. I’m a child of Vietnamese immigrants. That starting point shaped who I am. Woven through all of my choices is the idea that I’m “one of the lucky ones.” There are millions of others who were left behind [during and after the Vietnam War] and didn’t make it out. The greatest tragedy of my life would be to waste it by achieving mediocrity.

What led you to enter the marijuana industry?

I was a nerd when I was younger. Cannabis was something the cool kids did in school, so it was not a part of my growing up. That changed when I moved to Colorado and started working with a physician who provided medical recommendations for cannabis patients. I saw firsthand the positive impact cannabis has on patients with all sorts of conditions. I knew then that cannabis was where I wanted to be.

A few months later, I met BioTrack founders Steven Siegel and Brian McClintock and was shown their software. It was just the two of them at the time. I told them: “You created the best cannabis software that no one’s heard of. Let me help you build a company around it.”

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The company initially developed prescription-drug monitoring software for the state of Florida in 2009. How did that turn into BioTrackTHC?

The company was founded to develop technology that would prevent medicine from being diverted for non-medical use. The first target was the prescription-opioid epidemic. Around 2009-2010, Colorado cannabis licensees approached us and asked if we could pivot our software for cannabis workflows. With the prescription-drug monitoring software as a foundation, we began designing cannabis-plant and inventory tracking systems based on direct input from cultivators and dispensaries.

VO: “A large-scale crackdown on the cannabis industry would be political suicide.”

How does BioTrackTHC’s seed-to-sale tracking work?

We have two seed-to-sale tracking systems: One is for businesses and the other is for governments to use. Every seed, clone and plant is issued and assigned a unique identifier. That identifier, the associated inventory record, carries information, such as the licensee that has custody of the plant, the plant/strain name, the date it was planted, its growth stage, which employee has interacted with it and so on. Once a plant is harvested, each category of plant material [flower, stems] is assigned its own unique identifier that’s a “child” of the preceding “parent” identifier. The assigning of unique identifiers and connecting new “child” inventory with its “parent” inventory creates a lineage chain from plant to plant material to consumable products. The system can tell any unique identifier’s characteristics and quantity, trace it all the way back to the plant from which it came and follow it to where it and any of its derivative products end up, whether it’s still in inventory, destroyed or sold.

The government version captures all inventory activity throughout an entire state. Not only do the government regulators have visibility over what an individual business reports, they can see products move from one licensee to another, lab-test results and [have] controls in place to prevent malicious and unintentional breaking of the law.

Patrick Vo at a dispensary

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using RFID chips?

In industries where products move through an assembly line and conveyor belts, RFID [Radio Frequency Identification] chips provide an advantage over barcodes by reading through certain lightweight materials and boxes. The theory in our industry is that an RFID reader should be able to scan a tag or a group of tags from a farther distance than reading the tag number with your eyes or using a traditional barcode scanner, thereby decreasing the time it takes to undergo an auditor inspection. However, the RFID was not designed for that application. RFID waves can’t pass through items with high water content. Indoor lights and metal can cause interference with signal reading. Densely lining up tags together may cause “shadowing” where the first tag prevents the tags behind it from being readable. An indoor room with water-filled plants that are densely arranged and surrounded by lights and metal is pretty much the worst environment for this technology.

Many of our customers operate in states that require RFID to tag plants and inventory. The feedback from essentially all of them is that RFID tags are not practical. They’re also for one-time use and cost nearly 50 cents each. In large quantities, this can have a major impact on revenues as well as the environment. To me, their only advantage is the appearance of being high-tech.

Self-reporting is basically an honor system. How do you respond to that concern?

Our platform requires that other parties input data where appropriate, removing many of the potential conflicts that arise from self-reporting. For example, state-recognized laboratories, not the licensees themselves, are responsible for inputting a product’s quality-assurance results, such as potency, microbial screening and pesticide residue, into the government’s system of record. When a licensee ships wholesale product to another licensee, our platform doesn’t automatically assign product custody to the receiving licensee. The product is categorized as “in transit” until the receiving licensee acknowledges in the system whether they’ve taken custody and the product quantity they’re accepting. Any unaccepted product goes back to the sending licensee, and any discrepancies between what was shipped and what was accounted for upon receipt, or that the shipment never made it to the destination, are reflected in one of the system’s many red-flag reports, so the state agency can be alerted and take appropriate action.

VO: “We’re all frustrated with MJ Freeway’s situation. When one team suffers, we all suffer.”

One of your competitors, MJ Freeway, has suffered a number of serious issues. Washington State recently delayed its transition from BioTrackTHC to MJ Freeway’s Leaf Data, leaving the state without a working tracking system. How did that happen?

The original launch date was Nov. 1, and it was delayed until Jan. 1. Then, the system launch was delayed again until Feb. 1. On Feb. 8, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) reported that an intruder had gained unauthorized access to the Leaf Data system on Feb. 3, less than 100 hours after the system launched. Transportation route information for wholesale deliveries from Feb. 1-4, as well as transportation vehicle VINs [vehicle identification numbers], license-plate numbers, and vehicle types were downloaded. Though Washington State makes most government data available for public records requests, detailed cannabis transportation information is typically redacted, since knowing which vehicles are transporting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of product and exactly what routes they’re taking leaves them vulnerable to carjacking and theft.

Prior to the expiration of our contract, Washington State offered us an extension. We didn’t say “no,” but we just couldn’t say “yes” until the security concerns that came to our attention were satisfactorily resolved. We couldn’t risk the security of our own systems and our livelihoods being commingled with MJ Freeway’s system, and so the contract expired.

What led to the delay and subsequent security breach?

With only days until the expected decommissioning of the BioTrack government system, Washington State announced that MJ Freeway’s system would not make the Nov. 1 launch date, and that all licensees would have to report their plant and inventory quantities and activities via manual spreadsheets, something that everyone involved with the industry knew would be devastatingly costly. To make sure that the Washington cannabis industry could survive the “manual spreadsheet era,” we practically cloned our Washington traceability software system overnight and deployed it as a private-sector system, independent of MJ Freeway and the state. Licensees and the majority of our point-of-sale competitors agreed that our Unified Cannabis System (UCS) was the best path forward for the industry. For a small monthly fee to cover the hosting costs of the UCS, nearly all licensees in the state were able to continue reporting to our private UCS system, which then coordinated the chain of custody transfer data between licensees and generated over a million individual spreadsheet files that were automatically submitted to the LCB. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the UCS upheld the Washington industry and automated the reporting for more than 1,600 licensees from Nov. 1 until MJ Freeway’s system finally launched on Feb. 1.

Is MJ Freeway the only company operating in this space that’s been hacked? Why do you suppose that is?

We’re all frustrated with MJ Freeway’s situation. Though we all compete with each other for business, we’re ultimately fighting together to build trust, confidence, credibility and professionalism for the entire industry. When one team suffers, we all suffer.

Patrick Vo speaks at an event.

What is BioTrackTHC doing to make sure that the data you’re processing and storing remains secure?

Because the core of what we do is data—business management data, compliance data, patient/consumer data—system security has always been a top priority. BioTrack utilizes physical cryptographic security keys as well as passwords for multi-factor authentication into critical systems. This means guessing or stealing an employee’s username and password is not enough to gain access. The unique security key must be inserted in the computer’s USB port to successfully log in. Google deployed the same security keys to more than 50,000 Google employees and found they’re incredibly effective.

BioTrack also utilizes a technology that implements the Zero Trust architecture spearheaded by Google. It piggybacks on the security keys using a chained authentication system. Every developer log-in attempt is individually managed and independently tracked. Each log-in is limited in scope and valid for one-time use, and because there are no shared keys or shared developer environments, the ability for a would-be attacker to gain access to the system is dramatically reduced. And even in the highly unlikely event attackers gained access to one system, they couldn’t access other systems.

VO: “Assigning unique identifiers and connecting new ‘child’ inventory with its ‘parent’ inventory creates a lineage chain from plant to plant material to consumable products.”

When seeking state contracts, how does BioTrackTHC stand out from the competition?

Providing business software is one of the greatest values we bring to the table. Building solutions that are informed by how licensed businesses actually operate and incorporating those real-world processes and workflows into an informed government platform sets up both the government and the industry to succeed. With so many new states coming online and the continued growth of the industry, we’ve seen both the good and the bad and can therefore help different governments navigate this new terrain more effectively.

Patrick Vo at his desk

BioTrackTHC is currently operating in Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota and Puerto Rico. What are the different regulations challenges from state to state?

Every state’s cannabis program, and the rules and regulations surrounding it, is unique. Though there are similarities and overlap, they’re all individualized to some extent. Since we’ve developed both a government-grade system and a business-grade system, we possess a robust and diverse array of turnkey software features and workflow options to build a system that can meet the vast majority of a new state’s needs right out of the box. Our team of experienced government-product managers is responsible for understanding all of the relevant cannabis regulations in their assigned states, for monitoring changes to those regulations and for managing the design modifications to the software to meet the needs of those regulatory changes.

An interesting example is Hawaii. The islands of Hawaii are separated by federal waters and federal air space, so though medical cannabis is allowed to move from production facilities to dispensary facilities on the same island, transport to other islands is not allowed. As an added control to make sure that licensees don’t intentionally or unintentionally violate the law, we wrote some code to constrain transportation so that the destination facility must reside on the same island as the originating facility.

A much more complex example is Washington state as it relates to Native American tribes. The tribes within Washington State may operate their own producer, processor and retail facilities that can also participate with the non-tribal Washington cannabis industry. Cannabis inventory can freely move between tribal licensees and non-tribal licensees, but the treatment of cannabis excise taxes creates some interesting dynamics. Tribal retail dispensaries may sell both tribal-grown products and non-tribal products. These tribal retailers are still required to retrieve cannabis excise taxes from the end-consumers in order to not have an unfair advantage over non-tribal retailers. However, those excise taxes are remitted to the tribal government and not to the Washington government because the Washington government has no authority over tribal businesses.

Non-tribal retail dispensaries may sell tribal-grown products in addition to non-tribal products and they too must retrieve cannabis excise taxes for both. However, the Washington government must separately track the excise taxes collected from the sale of tribal products so that the state can remit that portion of the taxes to the tribes.

How’s the medical-marijuana program in Puerto Rico doing?

It was originally supposed to get off the ground right around when Hurricane Maria hit the island in September. However, the cannabis businesses showed some real grit and was integral to restoring the island back to normalcy. Although much of the island is still in need of support and many people are still in horrible situations, there has been a collective push from the industry and the island as a whole to get cannabis businesses up and running because that means jobs, wages and tax revenue that could go towards post-storm recovery. In addition to the overall economic value that the businesses generate, many of the cannabis business owners and staff personally stepped in to help.  It’s been truly inspiring to see how strong the Puerto Rican community is in the face of adversity.

Do you have any concerns about the legal cannabis industry grinding to a halt because of federal intervention?

I’m not very concerned at this point. Popular support for the legal cannabis industry is too large for federal law enforcement to shut it down. [Attorney General] Jeff Sessions and the U.S. Attorneys have to know that a large-scale crackdown on the cannabis industry would be political suicide.

How would you react if a U.S. Attorney showed up at your door one morning with a warrant?

I would say, “Sir, we’re a software company. We don’t sell seeds.” I would attempt to have a respectful and constructive conversation with the U.S. Attorney. Whether he or she is for or against cannabis, society’s acceptance of it is a foregone conclusion. Not everyone is pro-cannabis, but not everyone is pro-alcohol or pro-tobacco either. Even if you don’t agree with the movement, everyone can support technologies that strengthen public safety through facilitating transparency and accountability. If the U.S. Attorney continued to pursue the warrant, then so be it. We’re a part of this industry and will continue to stand up for it.

This article appears in Freedom Leaf 32. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the magazine today!

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The post Freedom Leaf Interview: BiotrackTHC’s Patrick Vo appeared first on Freedom Leaf.

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The blog article Freedom Leaf Interview: BiotrackTHC’s Patrick Vo is republished from gigglesndimples.com

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[abhorman-blog]

Grit and Mindset and Disposition, Oh My!

I have been doing a lot of reading lately, engaging in discussions with other teachers and players about the key ingredients to success for a young musician.  There is such a surplus of great talent these days and it leaves parents of gifted young players to wonder how they will do down the road. What factors influence a child’s success down the road? It isn’t as simple as talent, practice and a great teacher.

This summer, I have been reading about grit, mindset, and a child’s disposition in lessons.  This blog will detail all of these elements and how they intertwine and lead to what I believe is a higher chance at success.  A child with the right temperament or grit will face adversity in their training by applying themselves even more, believing this will pull them over the hurdle with time.  Pair this with a child who believes in a growth mindset and knows to value the challenges of learning over playing perfectly.  With the right support, these first two qualities generally lead to a happy student disposition in training with a teacher who is patient and kind but skilled.  If you have these elements on hand in your violin training, you have what I consider to be a great recipe for success.  

Before I get started, let’s set aside careers, awards, competitions, and the hard stuff for a moment…. After all, that always feels nice!  For a student to experience success as a musician, they need to feel free and clear and play music communicating something without a struggle.  In the beginning and intermediate levels this can be achieved fairly fluidly with talented, hard working students paired with skilled teachers and supportive families.  Then we hit the upper levels.  And for many, it’s a game changer.

Virtuosic violin is an expressive powerhouse. It is thrilling, vibrant, high octane, and poignant, using all of our technical tools to get a musical message or set of emotions across.  When a young violinist receives their first assignment of virtuosic literature, I can almost see their hearts beat faster. For many, this is the moment they have been waiting for.  But suddenly the factors involved to succeed have skyrocketed.  And then with baited breath, full hearts, and often tons of talent, we wait.  For me, as a teacher, this is sometimes where things get very interesting.  In the end it isn’t talent that separates this group of students headed into the upper levels of performance seeking careers in music.   It is temperament and mindset alongside someone (or a group of people) protecting a child’s joy, making a conscious choice to nurture their love of music above all else.

I have taught virtuosic violin for over twenty years now and a few things have become very clear.  Talent matters.  Discipline matters.  Genetics matter.  A combo of those things is an interesting if not awesome thing.  Past that though, solid grit in temperament, growth mindset, and a happy child are the absolute most important things in the mix.   

Let’s start with “Grit”.  Grit is essentially the ability to keep long-term goals in place and push through setbacks with a whole heart and healthy attitude.  Some kids will work through technical problems mentioning them in lessons un-phased.  They might ask for more practice tips or different avenues to master a certain passage.  They brainstorm with you with a healthy combination of determination and good attitude.  They don’t carry their struggle in their heart or feel it deeply enough to have it hurt their sense of who they are or what they are worth.  Students like this can appear unflappable in rehearsal and they will work for weeks without questioning a method.  And you know what I noticed? So do their parents.  No questions… just discipline, trust, and an unspoken commitment to a process that truly has no end in sight.  Then there are other students, just as talented and sometimes even more so, who even in their first stab at something will immediately feel discouraged.  That once motivated glimmer in their eyes dims.  Sometimes these are the brightest students.  They have come by so many things so easily it has a deep effect on them to have to struggle without results.  After a week of frustration, they will announce they don’t think they are ready for that piece or don’t like it anymore.  The parents have sometimes already visited Youtube in frustration thinking there is something they are missing in the equation, trying earnestly to help get through the hurdle.  But violin technique isn’t “Google-able” really…. although sometimes I wish it were!  It’s also not microwavable.  It takes consistency and effort for months, sometimes almost without any forward motion in the largest concerti.  This ability to work with very little audible improvement takes grit, faith, and unusual perseverance for a young person.  It isn’t for the faint of heart AT ALL.  And that includes the parents.  To play the highest level literature for concert careers, I feel this characteristic is a must almost for everyone in the house.  It completely outweighs talent and discipline and genetics in the end assuming everyone has a fair share of those once we get to a certain juncture.  It can do this because it is a way of life and it pairs well with growth mindset, flavors your wellbeing, and ultimately effects how you move from one day to the next.  

When I met my husband he probably thought it was pretty exciting for me to be a concert violinist.  Then at each date we had he asked with avid interest how my practice was going and heard “It was pretty good. How was your day?”.  He must have been baffled…maybe even disappointed!  After a few months of dating he asked that same question again and I remember being very excited in my answer because THAT day, I had experienced a breakthrough.  I finally was successful at getting my Barber Concerto last movement at tempo, calm and memorized.  And I was set to perform it in a few weeks with orchestra.  It took me months to achieve this. Longer than I thought it would.  I had to whip out analytical techniques I didn’t know I had and there were setbacks along the way.  I was not quiet about my joy at getting to that point, I was just quiet on the journey there.  

What if your kid is super talented but not super gritty?  I read a wonderful book about grit (entitled GRIT!) years ago and one of the things mentioned in it was how they are researching how to encourage grit in young children.  There isn’t a lot of data back on this and so the jury is still somewhat out.  However, the one conclusion they had so far was that teaching children “growth mindset” was a huge help.  So read on to hear my thoughts on “Growth Mindset”!

Growth mindset is the knowledge that you learn by sometimes failing or making mistakes, and that by even trying you are teaching yourself how to get closer to the goal.  People with growth mindset do not believe you were born with a set ability or intelligence and that hard work greatly changes outcomes.  They don’t equate talent or brilliance with having to work less.  They know that even the brightest of students need to work incredibly hard to reach their potential.  This resonates with me as a teacher and a performer in so many ways.  To play a large-scale virtuosic work, you will need to perform it literally dozens of times under pressure.  With each time, your body gets more fluid and relaxed and with every mistake you make in concert, there is a work around which develops in your body to mend it.  It is a fascinating process to me.  Sometimes the very next day your body has already relaxed in a spot where there was tension or panic.  When I tell students they will need umpteen performances to get a virtuoso piece or concerto where it needs to be I get wide eyes.  This is frustrating to both students and parents.  

“Why should it take that many performances if I work diligently and do as I am told?“

Cue panic.

“Umpteen performances?”

“How will we get those concert opportunities?”

“So we will play badly in public a lot in order to play well months later?”

“Won’t I gain a reputation for making mistakes?”

I understand it doesn’t sound ideal (really!) but when famous violinists are performing new concerti they don’t debut it with the London Phil.  They first try them out with community orchestras and get their bearings…multiple times.  This is what the body needs to play something extraordinarily difficult requiring so much balance and control.  Most parents have no concept of this and they will get frustrated hearing mistakes even in the first performances.  They seem to equate lots of discipline and practice to the right to play the piece with little struggle.  I understand their confusion.  The unfortunate truth is that virtuosic violin is a beast and it doesn’t work like an exam you can cram hours for.  These same parents sometimes are very aware of the concept of growth mindset and its benefits, paying careful attention to give praise to their children for efforts, and not awards or perfect scores.  But there is an unfortunate disconnect when said efforts don’t result in clean performances or audible progress right away.  Instead of understanding how the body assimilates to this complex grid of information in the upper level repertoire, they assume something in the training or practice is amiss.  This anxiety flows to the student and before long, we have frustration all around.   Sometimes I think to understand and encourage growth mindset it is useful to also describe characteristics of someone with fixed mindset.  I personally think a lot of kids and parents with innate fixed mindset are very attracted to the violin as an instrument so this next part to me is very important to read.  To be a solo violinist or a concert violinist of a high caliber, you have to be obsessed with precision, pitch, sound, refinement.  It takes an enormous amount of attention to every detail.  Hello Type A!  The accuracy of the final product DOES matter and especially in competition or auditions.  Being a bit of a perfectionist could help in the quest of being a violinist!  This would appeal to someone who has what is referred to as “fixed mindset” …a person who values things sounding perfect.  This type of student also believes talent and intelligence will lead them to success. (NOTE: the music industry never works this way!!)  These students tend to focus on appearing perfect or sounding perfect and when they do, they feel the most satisfied and successful. They will avoid challenges in favor of being seen as better than other players, playing the same pieces for years in competitions rather than venturing into new literature and working through hurdles to yield progress.  Let’s draw some comparisons to illustrate the mindsets.  In studies with children about fixed mindset and growth mindset, fixed mindset students felt smarter when they did something right the first time or before others around them.  Growth mindset kids felt the smartest when they had to work hard for something to get it done correctly like a large crossword or giant jigsaw puzzle.  Fixed mindset students chose challenges they knew they could master to preserve the appearance of being very smart and growth mindset kids chose challenges they weren’t sure how to master before starting them just hoping for the best outcome.  So the perfectionist student might feel challenged adopting a growth mindset.  They will have to work hard only to embrace mistakes and learn from them.  And sometimes a perfectionist type kid comes from perfectionist Type A parents, which can be tricky!

If a child is coming from a perfectionist household, there will need to be some major adapting to embrace a growth mindset in training.  Everyone in the family will have to become comfortable with hearing mistakes in the first several performances of a large work.  Too often in my studio, I have heard parents upset with kids right after performances on some of the most difficult literature.  I would respond to them in front of the students to make sure they all understood that from my perspective these first performances are where we are in the trenches together.  There are no shortcuts.  Let me be perfectly clear – even a student completely following everything asked of them in class will encounter these hurdles in performance.  It is not an indication necessarily of their discipline, efforts, or talents.  It is simply par for the course.  The parent that allows for this process, mentioning only where things are improving or lightly commiserating when surprises occur, is the parent of a student whose chances of succeeding long term just skyrocketed.  Growth mindset and grit must be applied at home, in the studio, on stage, and in the aftermath.  It’s a full-blown virtuosic violin lifestyle.  A family commitment to growth mindset and how it pertains to virtuosic violin will ensure a happy joyful learner who isn’t afraid of mistakes, but grows and learns from them.  That brings us nicely to “Disposition”!

A child who is at work with a relaxed happy disposition learns faster and makes music that is relaxed and honest.  This seems like a simple concept.  Every single article about internationally acclaimed Juilliard pedagogue Dorothy DeLay details this.  So where do we go wrong seeing so many students stressed, scared of passagework, cramming practice, and parents with furrowed brows?  Well for one, we seem to have a large amount of parents using music lessons as a faux highway toward Ivy League.  This is understandable to some but it is the bane of most established music teachers I know.  They need those awards and the highest seat in orchestra or so they think, in order to pad their high school or college apps.  Believe me when I tell you that when I was a kid, this never crossed my parents’ minds.  And as an educator for decades now, this phenomenon is only getting worse.  A kid who truly loves violin or music in general shouldn’t be asked to abuse their gifts to pad their young resumes and there is nothing joyful about it.  (Spoiler Alert - expect a blog on this later!)  But allow me to return to happier sentiments….I have now sat in on 5 weeks of lessons for my daughter with a former DeLay student who now works at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  Here is what I have noticed and these are all things that have contributed to a joyful disposition in learning. He allows her to contribute.  I try really hard not to interrupt to speed things along.  And yes, I know we are on the clock. Sometimes she is intent on making a connection that at first seems completely “un-violinistic” and irrelevant.  But when we allow her to do this in her own way, she usually surprises us with something in fact related and that can help.  She is part of her process and yes, it takes time away from instruction but it gets her to the goal faster too.  She is connecting with him and building trust and rapport.  I never question this teacher on how he is going about things because I know from experience that this would bring tension to my kid in the middle of her lesson.  And I actually know quite a bit about violin and pedagogy, right? Some parents don’t.  Still, I am quiet and even when a question pops up in my head, I keep it and you know what?  Every time this has happened, the question gets answered on its own without me uttering a word.  As a reward for my patience, the flow of the lesson and my happy kid get to continue without a hiccup.  If my daughter is not feeling good about something, I see her teacher steer away from that and search for a better feeling, a more relaxed state.   Sometimes this takes time, and might need a story or two.  Then she is back on track.  He doesn’t teach her when she is tense or feeling frustrated.  Once she is in a happy state, he leads her back happily into work.  The result?  My kid loves to practice for him and looks forward to every lesson.  It isn’t a Disney movie over there (read: 20 minutes of colle exercises at the last lesson) but to her, he is the closest thing to Mickey Mouse on the violin.  It is currently her happiest place on earth.

So what does it take to get to Carnegie Hall? Grit, mindset, and joyful disposition…. and apparently, a good dose of each.  Some of the most amazing solo artists I have ever known are also incredibly down to earth and humble people.  I see this as no coincidence.  They want the pieces to be polished and precise but more for the composer who wrote them than for themselves.  They LIVE in the trenches of major pieces of literature shepherding them as they grow one performance to the next, mending mistakes at every turn.  Their emotional wellbeing doesn’t hinge on any singular performance.  They care more about the music than they do their own egos and they want to move people more than they are there to just dazzle them with a note perfect performance.  

[byolsen]

I used to count calories. It was part of my training as a dietitian – one of our homework assignments. It seemed everyone in my class was really good at it, like they had memorized the calorie content of a bunch of foods. I treated the project as more of an experiment. I mean, if this is what we’re supposed to have our patients do, I should be able to do it. The funny thing is, the more I counted calories, the less I was paying attention to the food in front of me. It was like looking at a spreadsheet on a plate. All you see is numbers. I’d choose the less tasty entree because it was lower in calories, even if it didn’t sound appealing. If I got hungry after the meal, I’d second guess myself. “But I ate 700 calories!? That should be enough!” It was like a battle between the calculator and my stomach. The calculations said I needed a certain amount of calories per day. If I went over, it was a “bad” day. If I went under, it was an excuse to eat junk food. I’d think to myself, “Well, these chocolates are only 90 calories…” I’ll admit, I failed miserably at counting calories and gave up within a few weeks. I never really enjoyed it and I felt restricted, like I was going to develop disordered eating. I questioned the accuracy of all the calculations. There are a number of formulas to choose from and they all give you different answers. I couldn’t memorize the nutrition facts like my classmates, and frankly, I got tired of feeling like I belonged in the remedial nutrition class. Now, I actively encourage my clients to stop counting calories and here’s why. 6 Reasons to Stop Counting Calories 1) Labels can lie. Seriously. Labeling laws allow a 20% margin of error on the nutrition facts panel. That means your 100-calorie snack pack could be 119 calories. Or that 500 calorie TV dinner could be nearly 600 calories. Legally. Ooops. “[T]he ratio between the amount obtained by laboratory analysis and the amount declared on the product label in the Nutrition Facts panel must be 120% or less, i.e., the label is considered to be out of compliance if the nutrient content of a composite of the product is greater than 20% above the value declared on the label.”  (FDA Guidance for Industry: Nutrition Labeling Manual) 2) Nutrients vary by season, variety, ripeness, etc. While it’s nice to have the nutrient analysis of foods, there is no way food companies or the USDA could analyze every variety of tomato from every region from every season from different growing conditions (i.e organic vs. conventional) and every other variable for nutrients, including calories. That super sweet summer tomato likely has more calories (and valuable nutrients) than that tasteless, pink one from the dead of winter. Which one would you rather eat? 3) “More calories equals weight gain” is not an exact science. If calorie counting worked long term, America would be the thinnest country in the world. We are a nation of compulsive dieters and you wouldn’t know it looking at us. Turns out the composition of what you’re eating is crucial to how many calories you eat and how many calories you burn. The quality of the calories going in can affect the number of calories being burned off. – Dr. Ludwig, obesity researcher In a study comparing 3 diets: low-fat, low-glycemic, and low-carb, the people on the low carb diet burned 350 calories more than the low-fat diet. (JAMA, 2012) And yet, our nutrition guidelines recommend a low-calorie, low-fat diet.  Trouble is, when you focus on calories, you’re likely to eat less fat (since fat is more calorie-dense than carbohydrate and protein). And when you eat less fat, you’re likely to eat more carbohydrates. See the problem? If you’re happy eating tasteless, low-fat food, going hungry and not losing weight, by all means, count calories and cut fat out of your diet. 4) We don’t absorb all calories. It’s true! A study on almond consumption in humans found that up to 20% of the calories were not absorbed. (J Agric Food Chem, 2008) The exact reason is unknown, but possibly due to the “cellular structure” of nuts and the way our bodies digest food. I would speculate that we absorb a lot more calories from highly processed foods. Maybe that’s just me. Or maybe not. In summary, a calorie is not necessarily a calorie: given the functional differences between edible plants, interfamily and even interspecies differences must be considered when making comparisons between food processing techniques.  (Proc Natl Acad Sci, 2012) There’s also good evidence that our gut health (and gut bacteria) plays a role in how many calories we absorb from our food. (Amer J Clin Nutr, 2011) 5) Focusing on calories often means we restrict healthy foods. This especially happens when it comes to fat. We often omit higher fat foods simply because they are higher in calories without taking into consideration what benefits we might get from them, such as staying fuller for longer (hangry much?), absorbing antioxidants from vegetables, and getting necessary nutrients, like fat-soluble vitamins. (This is crucially important for pregnant women who may become deficient in key brain-building nutrients if they restrict fat.) I choose to fully ignore calorie labels, especially on real foods that are naturally high in fat such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, avocados, olives, nuts, and seeds. My body likes these foods, there are benefits to eating them, and I don’t need a calorie count to tell me otherwise. 6) Too much math. Honestly, I don’t have time or energy to calculate everything that goes into my mouth. That probably sounds odd, since my life’s work is helping people improve their health by eating better, but I firmly believe this can be done and is best done without counting. (And I have satisfied clients to prove it.) Counting calories is especially fruitless when you know #1-5. So now you might be wondering: If I think calorie counting is a such waste of time, what do I do instead? How do I prevent myself from eating too much? How do I stay at the same weight, year after year? (and help my clients do the same) My answer is simple. 11 things I do instead of counting calories: I listen to my body. I always eat when I’m hungry. (Here’s how to know if you’re truly hungry.) I eat foods that I’m actually in the mood to eat. I put my full attention on the meal in front of me. I notice the sensations in my body before, during, and after eating. I sit down when I eat. I chew every bite before taking another. I savor the flavors, texture, mouth feel, sounds, richness, crunchiness or softness, saltiness or sweetness. I make an effort to eat healthy foods and make an equal effort to eat the healthy foods that taste good to me. I sometimes choose to eat foods purely for the pleasure of eating them, even when they are not “healthy”. I sometimes choose to eat more food than is comfortable, either because the food tastes really good or because I know I wont have time to eat again for a while (such as during a busy work day). If this sounds like a breath of fresh air, I’m with you. Just putting this down on paper (or rather, in html) feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I stopped feeling like a disobedient dietitian when I let go if this whole counting obsession. There’s a certain sense of freedom that comes from eating in the way we are meant to eat. It’s sustainable and enjoyable. It frees up so much time and energy to spend on things that actually matter to you. And in the process, your body will naturally find a healthy weight. It’s empowering to know that your body knows best. It validates all of those signals your body sends you moment to moment, even the urge to eat a little something extra at the end of a meal.

[universeinform-blog]

What are your experiences of mental health at university?

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What are your experiences of mental health at university?

Closing yr studies located that there was a big increase in the wide variety of college students looking for counseling at the university. Heads of university counseling offerings suggested masses of students arriving with current intellectual fitness conditions.

However, universities do not constantly have the high-quality sources to help. A few counseling services are beneath-resourced, and getting assist – whilst also trying to finish your degree – can be very tough. college students face an extremely good deal of strain as a way to comfortable a great activity to repay their debts from scholar loans.

Have you requested the college for help with a mental fitness difficulty,

Together with tension or despair? What became their reaction? Did you find it hard to get the assist you want? Did you need to take a few months off at the same time as you recovered or did you even end up losing out? Or possibly you located the assist available genuinely effective and different students honestly supportively. We need to pay attention your memories and studies, anonymously or otherwise.

Due to the sensitive nature of this piece, please be confident that we will now not proportion or post any personal details without obtaining the contributor’s permission first.

Learning From Our Painful Experiences

Sometimes life brings you a bowl of lemons which will make lemonade. As we stay our roller coaster-like stories, we are confronted with demanding situations, ache, hardships, and frustrations observed by using happiness, elation, and growth.

Whilst we take a look at our more painful reviews we frequently times realize that there are instructions that lifestyles have taught us. For lots of us, the faculty is continually in consultation. we’re constantly aware that via all of our hardships we pop out of the revel in a touch stronger and wiser. We see the enjoy as an opportunity to research life lessons.

I must remind myself whenever I am disenchanted, frustrated, and disenchanted. I need to come away from the experience and ask myself, “What did this train me?”

On occasion experiences are luxurious. Time is wasted, pain perseveres, money adjustments hands, feelings are hurt. The value of the lesson learned want now not be in direct proportion to our loss, but. We need to be in a country of mind to mirror upon what this revel in has proven us so that we can stay an extra a hit and happy destiny.

When I came home after spending six weeks inside the health center,

Following a paralyzing damage, a consumer is known as to say hi there. He stuck me by wonder together with his query, “So what become the maximum critical aspect you’ve got found out at some point of this experience?” I paused and stated, “Persistence. This enjoy has definitely taught me how to be greater patient with myself and with others. I notion I was a patient character earlier than, however, now I realize that I need a super deal more.”

Having the possibility to reply to his question, forced me to think of the valuable training that I came far from the sanatorium revel in with. Rather than that specialize in the acute suffering that I had persevered, I idea about the training the revel in had taught me.

My pain will be the fee I paid for mastering these lessons. My ache would serve to have value in my lifestyles. My pain would help others as I percentage my lessons of residing with others through my speaking and writing.

This lesson about Endurance is a guide for my destiny.

I must be extra assertive in letting others recognize my wishes and admire different peoples’ time as they generally tend to my desires. I must be more patient and feel less frustration as I face obstacles. extra importantly, I should accept the scenario I’m in and learn how to adapt to lifestyles in a wheelchair. Staying power brings an experience of calm as I conflict to the characteristic without the use of my legs.

Now and again our Patience runs skinny. Our emotions cloud the scenario and anger builds. Rage is an end result of people no longer being observed, respected, and served. What are you able to study from the final situation While your Endurance ran out? Take cues from your feelings. What became the value of you escalating your anger and rage? How must you have got dealt with the situation before it blew up? How may want to the experience have been prevented? What did the revel in educating you?

Assume returned to the closing time you experienced failure, frustration, and demanding situations. When became the remaining time you blew it, knew it, and by some means lived via it? Commonly the difficulties in our lives might have been avoided if we had planned ahead. Regularly we are rushed and forgetful. We short cut techniques and act prematurely, simplest to remorse our haste. Consider what you could do in a different way in future conditions so the same disappointments don’t reappear.

Brown Rice and Brownie Points for Health

While you see a weight-aware person or a diabetic turning away reluctantly from a ladle of rice, you can’t assist but sigh with sympathy. In the end, rice has the unfortunate recognition of being on the other aspect of fitness.

But, modern life and improved records about meals classes, sourcing, processing, and distribution have enabled us to make smarter and no longer-so-tougher choices.

Take the case of brown rice. Whilst you shop for a reliably-organic and health-

Orientated brown rice, you make an informed selection about going for something that works higher than other rice paperwork for its range of factors. It has a decrease glycemic index than many others first of all, which makes it a higher preference for those concerned with glucose and carbohydrate ranges.

For the reason that brown rice is typically created from each the bran and germ together with the endosperm a part of the grain, its fiber issue and therefore the health advantage is going up a notch. Its vitamins cost is higher and being a sluggish carb or a complicated carbohydrate allows it to ensure that Whilst you devour it the sugar tiers will not spike straight away.

It’s also a fantastically slowly-digestible shape of rice, so it facilitates with other health worries. The presence of adequate fiber, in addition to minerals like magnesium, selenium, manganese assigns many different fitness factors to this class. Whilst it is hand-pounded, like inside the case of so Nama Suri uncooked rice, the richness and natural effect upward push manifold. other rice bureaucracies come from rice mills and for this reason, their chemical component is better for obvious reasons.

It’s far encouraging to see developing adoption of each organic brown and Sona ma Suri white rice inside the culinary communities of India

The benefit with which a varied variety of preparations may be additionally be made, makes it stand equally excessive on taste as it does at the fitness plank. Because of its processing specifics, and natural growth, the nutrients are kept intact in a richer and an extra absorbable form. The presence of cholesterol and Trans fat is likewise extensively low on this institution. Similarly, the distinction in fees Whilst one compares the medium/short grain variety to a basmati variety makes for an additional component for this desire.

it’s miles very easy to apply and often specialists advise soaking this rice for a few hours to make certain desirable cooking and to get the preferred flavor. The absence of stickiness and distinction in softness as compared to an extended grain are also well worth noting. The flavor and texture of this rice may range considerably and therefore it’d be recommended to permit oneself sometime earlier than getting used to its intake.

Difference Between a College and a University

Whilst searching for your post-secondary education options, you will be thinking in case you ought to go to a college or a college. If have those mind to your thoughts, you want to apprehend the difference between a college and a college. In line with most of the people, college is an institute run with the aid of a person in the private zone. Then again, a university is funded via the authorities. The reality is one of a kind. It’s no longer that clean to attract a differentiating line among the two institutes. Examine on.

What is a university?

Typically, a college is a now not-so-huge institute and doesn’t offer put up-graduate levels. In truth, some faculties may additionally offer some -yr stages. At most people of colleges, students can earn best bachelor’s stages. At very few colleges, students can pursue accomplice stages. (if you want a deep perception of the difference among the two institutes, you could want to refer to the Federal Student Useful resource of the united states Department of education.)

What’s a college?

A college, However, offers both graduate and undergraduate have a look at programs. In different phrases, universities permit students to enroll in graduate packages. With those applications, college students can pursue grasp’s levels or higher with lots of different students.

As a be counted of reality, these institutes may have regulation or medical faculties for students. At some universities, college students can avail special applications to earn a graduate in addition to an undergraduate degree in a short time frame. Commonly, universities provide quite a few packages and instructions, unlike a college.

Do colleges provide Graduate levels?

At times, the difference among the 2 institutes isn’t clear at all. For instance, some faculties provide graduate ranges in regulation, enterprise, marine technological know-how, training, and innovative writing, simply to name a few. Why are the institutes that offer those tiers called colleges? Nicely, the solution is that they’re referred to as colleges due to the lifestyle. a few universities are called schools and their call can not be changed because the change might also motive confusion among college students.

Selecting the Right Institute

So, in any case, this rationalization, you will be questioning in case you ought to visit a college or university. In simple phrases, it may not depend on in case you sign on with a college or a university considering each of the institutes are the same as ways as academics is concerned. Based totally on the wishes of college students, they can go to either a college or a university. For example, in case you want to go to a faculty offering different lessons and applications, we endorse that you opt for a college. Alternatively, in case you want to attend small classes and have a closer relationship with your instructors, you ought to visit a university.