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Why is it that all the important things are the most difficult?

1) Healthcare: "What is that, your head is bleeding profusely? Okay, we'll be sure to get you some help right away. Who is your insurance provider? No insurance? Well, that's a whole different story... please fill out these 23 forms, give us a deposit of $500.00, which is just a deposit and you will be sent a bill later for anything else, and obtain a referral from your primary care physician. Oh, and also, we need to see all of your medical records. You need to get ahold of those and get us a copy. Then the doctor will get to you at his next earliest convenience. Next!"

Seriously, in other countries, health care is nationalized and you don't have to pay even one single penny in order to get care. Why? Maybe because it makes sense! What is something that all people need, whether rich or poor? Health care! It just seems so crazy that those who are ill or are struggling medically are the ones that have the biggest most insurmountable bills to pay. They can't pay them because they can't work as much because they need health care! Plus, the hoops that a perosn needs to jump through to even obtain the care that they need are ludicrous. Doctors spend 5 minutes with a patient and charge $300. Then they send them to a specialist that says "I don't know," and sends them away. That is after the patient had to wait a month and a half just to get their appointment and pay a crazy amount.

Rest of blog coming soon...

The Worst Kind

I am the worst kind of goal-setter. I am one of the people who actually believe that I will devote myself to accomplishing the goal and push through the hard times in order to reach the sweet glory that is another accomplishment in life. I am also one of the people who either forgets about said goal or gives up, while still feeling like someday I will reach it.

In other news... Iran is crazy right now. Hearing about what is happening there is strange because here in America, we can't possibly know how they feel. Not only in America, but many other places on this earth, don't have to revolt and rise up in order to get what they think is fair. Although protests and movements similar to this have happened in the past, when I'm sitting in my apartment with a job, an education, friends, family, and freedom, I have to admit that thinking about people risking their lives to get what they think is right makes me feel somewhat guilty, but also helps me to realize how extremely lucky we all are.

My friend is fighting a tough battle right now, so I'd just like to say- Cancer sucks.

Who Are You Talking To?

I trekked over to the library today- just me, my proof of living in this city, and my legs to carry me. I got my new library card and I am officially able to check out some wonderful summer books. A little peculiar though, as I walked in the door, there was a teenage boy walking out and talking, a bit angrily, to... absolutely no one. I thought for a moment he was looking back and talking to the women sitting inside the library, but I realized, after seeing him looking and talking half way down the street, that he was obviously aggravated with an imaginary person.

So, after I got my library card, I started to scan the aisles and getting the lay of the land. While meandering, I heard a loud snoring sound. I walked a little further and realized that, yes, there was a man listening to his headphones and falling asleep while sitting at a table in the library. Really? He must have been REALLY tired. Hah.

Graduation

Today I graduated with my Associate's of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree (AAOT), which basically means I got an associate's degree for my first two years in college and now I can go on to a university to finish up my last two years of my Bachelor's. I was very proud to graduate, but it does put a little damper on it considering that I have to take 2 online summer classes in order to officially receive my diploma. No summer break for me, but that's okay, i'm just glad that i've come so close to reaching my goal.

My next goal: My Bachelor's Degree in English. I'm excited to get started at a new, bigger school and to get to focus on English-type classes. I feel like I will have the opprotunity to become a much better writer and to read a lot of interesting literature. I have a side goal (just like a side dish to an entree) also, which is to get more involved with school or school activities because that is something I didn't do in high school. Maybe i'll join a club or do some sort of activity, but I would love to make a better connection than I have in the past.

One goal pretty much down, now on to the next one.

Summer Reading!

I am so excited to start reading this summer. I don't have time to read recreational books during the school year because I have to read so many text books just for my classes, so summer is my time to read, read, read! Although, I am taking some credits over the summer, I don't actually have to go into class, so that saves a lot of time for reading fun books!

I am also looking forward to getting out and doing things! Summer always seems to be a transformational time for me. At the end of every summer, I always feel like I have grown leaps and bounds. I think it has something to do with the ease of getting out and interacting with nature and physical activity; it gives me a boost and reminds me that I am determined and can meet any challenge that I want to.

Yay for summer activities and reading. Now I just have to remember to take my form back to the library so I can get a card and check out some books. Let's get summer started!

Inspiring Stories

Everyone should go read the stories on this blog: http://sixtwothreetries.blogspot.com/.

I can't believe how many inspirational and truly strong people there are. This blog only tells the story of a handful of them, yet I am still amazed. It is really interesting how sports and athleticism can lead people to be so dedicated and to persevere even when they are faced with such hardships. What is this tie that we all have with physical and mental toughness? It is obviously a great thing and leads people to be even stronger than they would have been otherwise. These stories remind me how we all have capabilities beyond what we perceive we have.

Some of the stories talk about people breaking numerous bones and fighting back through rehabilitation, surgery, and other hurdles, only to get injured again and then have to fight the same battle. Although most of us would feel like we should give up at this point, they didn't. These stories inspired me- not only in my journey to physical fitness, but also just in my journey through life. We could all push a little harder, put in the extra effort, and from the looks of it, gain quite a bit in return.

Blueberry Muffins!

I made blueberry muffins today! Supposedly, they are a "healthy version" of blueberry muffins, because the recipe said so. I'm going to act like I know for sure that they are healthy and eat them. :) They have banana in the as well, which was a good use of our bananas that are far too mushy to eat. Overall, they taste pretty okay. They aren't spectacular, but they'll do.