A Win for Historic Healing: The Neti Pot Story

As you all might have been seeing, my blogs have had a common "sick person" theme, with the sick person being me. This respiratory infection has taken me through hills and valleys of fun times, and its turbulence is still here today! On Monday, I got an appointment at the doctor's office. It was pretty routine, but they didn't prescribe any antibiotics, just some Mucinex and cough suppressant pills. Palliative care basically. The Mucinex helped loosen everything up, but then...yeah, it just wasn't the best. On Tuesday, I woke up feeling like someone gave me a crude tonsillectomy with a rusty knife AND I was stuffed up like mad! Today is Wednesday, and I had to miss clinical because of this thing, and it is too far. Something was just not right. Why am I still sick even though I'm on 15 million meds?

So after getting frustrated that my mouth was dry because I couldn't breathe out of my nose, my friend Emily texted me about something, and then we started to get on the subject of Neti Pots. Now, a Neti Pot is a device I saw used by my mom, but it looked completely ridiculous when she did it (she preferred the freak out method of expelling the solution, somewhat like seizing, but even more gross). It is an ancient remedy for nasal congestion in ancient India, and was widely used for cleansing rituals. It was designed to irrigate the sinuses and remedy the spirit. In modern times it is a small pot that you fill with warm water and saline solution, like this: 

And you take it and pour this solution into one nostril and it then comes around your nasal cavity and out the other while you breathe through your mouth and exhale through your nose. The pressure takes the solution up and clears and loosens everything up and makes it all come out. Yes, it is messy at first. Yes, it's weird. But, I was up for anything.

I went to Wal-Mart and bought the Naso-Flo "irrigation pot" (about 17.50 with tax) and brought it home.

The directions are really helpful complete with diagrams and specific written instructions on how to operate this device. I put in the 240 mL of warm water into the pot with a premixed package of saline solution and stirred with a shake, capped the pot, and gave it a whirl. Now, I won't gross you out by explaining how the process went, but I can tell you that my nose feels completely clear, with no pain involved. Funny, considering I've been taking medication all week for this infection! 

Why won't more Americans try this? Well, it's possible that we have taken a little too much pride in our medicinal accomplishments. Now, don't get me wrong, I AM in nursing school after all, but I think that we defer to pharmacological treatments more often. Plus, I mean, it's gross, right? Well, honestly when I have a cold and can't do anything for 5 days, I think that I am willing to deal with a little saline solution in my nose.

From now on, this is definitely my new preferred method! 

Why SVU is the Best Show Ever

Let me just start out this story by explaining the context. I am super duper sick. I got some kind of upper respiratory infection complete with body aches and fever. I had plans this weekend to do my homework, go on a date, spend time with my friends, and go to church. However, hurricane Ursula (ugliest name I could come up with on the fly) came on Friday and all of those were put on hold. It's funny how being sick can just halt everything. I literally got sick every time I opened up my textbooks, meaning NOTHING was going to happen.

What is my default activity? Watching SVU on Netflix. This show has been my favorite since I was in 6th grade. It is legitimately the most messed up/beautiful show on television if you take a step back and look at it. I mean, the whole premise is a psycho and twisted plot to say the least, as well as detectives who get WAY too emotionally involved in the cases. You watch the show at first and are appalled by why it's even allowed on TV, then you figure out the fact that you love following this show until the end. No one wants to turn the channel off when the verdict is about to be read. It's completely normal to almost feel completely emotionally invested in these episodes, and it's like YOU'RE the detective. Plus who could forget the fact that there is always a twist. I've seen ever episode multiple times and I don't know if I could be that creative for 12 seasons (I don't consider the last 2 seasons SVU anymore, considering it's a tacky and tasteless copy of CSI). The characters are so wonderful and they are truly awesome. I mean look at this:

Elliot Stabler: He prefers to kick open doors instead of knocking, and who can argue with that? His Irish Catholic background comes through with how strict he is about his detective skills. He cares too much about his cases, and it gets him into trouble a lot of times, especially about kids. He's not afraid of letting someone know that they are in deep by him saying something along the lines of, "I'm watching you," or "I smell you." He's also really good with victims. Pretty much the best combo.

Olivia Benson: She's a hot mess. She has hard-lined convictions and cares for victims and almost always takes everything personal. She likes to relate everything back to how she doesn't have a father and likes to let everyone know it. Elliot and Liv run the show.

John Munch: Conspiracy theories galore. He has a lot of loopy insight that gets a lot of heat, but I think it's awesome. Plus, he has a lot of sass while working with his counterpart Finn Tutuola.

Finn Tutuola: How can you NOT love this guy? He adds a ghetto flair to every line he's given. Like, "Dass messed up," or "Ain't chall sposed to be at skoo?" He is one of those guys that is legitimately the best. His character has been in Brooklyn Narcotics for a very long time, so don't get it twisted, he is totally down. The best episodes are when he's working alongside with the drug police, it's like he's transformed.

Dr. Huang: Love this guy. He comes in and states the obvious all the time. Like, "She probably has issues with her father," and you're automatically on the road to the case being solved. He can evaluate and pinpoint people's issues by talking with them. Plus, he says it in a cool tone of voice you can't resist. Note: he IS the voice of Shang in Mulan. 

Captain Cragen: Eh, his character is pretty stagnate, and definitely runs the show and continues to deal with the risky moves everyone takes.

I basically love this show, it's not a huge deal, but it's so wonderful.

Nursing School: The Program in Which You Have the Best of Friends

It's not a big deal or anything, but in nursing school they tell you that you have to spend at least 10 hours a day with the material, and boy do they mean it. It's not a simple, "I can take a sick day," kind of situation, but one in which you are completely immersed and form an unhealthy relationship with everything. Let me explain in the most relatable way possible, though no way I can spin it sounds appealing.

My textbooks all have authors that wrote them (obv), but it's no longer a matter of what the title is, but the books becoming a person you spend huge amounts of time with. I mean, to be quite honest I spend more time with these made up entities than I do my own boyfriend or any of my friends (which I'm not exactly excited about having to do). They're starting to become people, and just like a real group of friends, they have their own distinct personalities. Here are some notable examples:

Abrams is the kind of guy that knows he's smart, but loves to help people get on his level. He coaches you along so you feel like you aren't being judged by everything he says. He doesn't just say, "Simply put," and follow it with a slew of Arabic that no one can understand. He says "Simply put," and follows it with things that are...well...simple. You always want Abrams in your study group.

Porth however, is that kid that grew up being a genius in everything and never let anyone forget it. If you thought something wrong, he will let you know right away, and you feel like a complete idiot, like, oh yeah, that's right, how could I forget atrial fibrillation it's common sense...no one likes to talk to him for anything.

Potter and Perry are the guys that hang out together and you almost never want to ask them any question. They're those guys that when you ask them a simple question like, "Why would you cover up a patient when examining their stomach?" will respond in five thousand different ways or scenarios, when you basically got the gist with the first sentence when it said that they need their modesty protected. I mean, we get that. No one is going to question that. They always will talk your ear off, so plan on spending a lot of time with them, or tune them out.

Brunner and Suddarth are kind of like Potter and Perry in that they really like to drive the point home. They are also those guys that watch the news a lot and soak up all the statistics. If you want any information on what anyone says about anyone, they will let you know. I can tell that they've been itching for the chance to test their knowledge base on everyone, and definitely jump at the opportunity to have a geek fest with you. You love it, but you also hate it, but you also love it. 

Jarvis is my girl though! She is so stinking cute. I imagine she'd be the one always posting on Facebook with pictures of her everywhere. She loves showing you what to do instead of telling you. When you first meet her you have to understand that she likes to whip out a med term every other word, but you get used to it and love her for it. She is a pretty laid back chick and can always give you a thought or two, and I feel like I spend the most time with her. We kick it.

Hence why nursing is the best school choice of insane people. I love it.

A Journey to Never Never Land: The Run of a Lifetime

Yesterday was the first day in all 8 years of running that I actually remembered enjoying. When I was twelve years old, my mom forced me to run track, and I've been basically running on and off ever since (whether or not I'm good is still up for debate). I remember hating every second of trying on shoes and practicing and collapsing and being dehydrated. But then recently, I was told by the doctor that I would probably never run again due to the fact that my lower back is comparable with some old folks, which was a huge blow to my psyche. I remember bawling my eyes out in the doctor when I heard the news. I mean, I love running, in that "your relationship does your more harm than good," or "your love is my drug" kind of way. I never was that guy who got the runner's high, but it was a great way to detach from my thoughts and just gallop into the sunset...figuratively speaking.

After finishing up a 2 hour torture session of pathophysiology (a class I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy), I decided to lace up my new shoes and run for a bit. Normally what I've been doing is walking 5 minutes, running 10 and walking 5. Yesterday for some reason my body was seemingly saying, "You should probably run 25 minutes without stopping, and I won't even warn you." So I did, I ran to the other college the town over and around their campus, I waved to people, I got some weird looks, I busted a move. But you know what the great part of it was? God didn't let me feel any pain in my back, NONE. I don't know if it was my endorphins or if my spine just decided to have its discs work again, but I was truly liberated! I was in this Never Never Land of pain free movement, and it was liberating. I circled back and ran to my town and felt invincible.

I am so grateful that I was able to do that again, and now I can say that I have truly experienced this thing called "rest" (yes, even while running). Let me just tell you, beating the odds is great! 

How Television Has Managed To Bring Back Neighborly Communication, No Matter How Awkward

I said it. Television is HELPING something. Look at your common sitcoms, Big Bang Theory, New Girl or whichever others, and you see that people are encouraging face-to-face communication. It seems as though the norm is to pick up the phone and call someone rather than text them, go to their house instead of creeping on their facebook. I am now seeing a retroactive shift in this real communication. Perhaps it's due to the fact that no one really feels that close through just a text or call anymore. We can thank our know-it-all parents and grandparents for that, what with their, "In my day..." and "Why don't you just go over there?"'s. I have personally seen an increase in people deciding to make real effort in their time with people, which is encouraging, however, I believe that there are some traits that we may have forgotten as a society that makes this neighborly communication hilarious albeit invasive. I'll give you a few examples from my life and living in my new apartment in a college town:

1. My mailman: Now he deserves a whole webpage, for he is a true gem. No we don't text or call, but he always makes sure to keep the conversations super weird and lovely when dropping off my cable bills. For instance, one time I was sitting in the courtyard in a chair, reading my Hemingway, when this gentlemen...let's call him Dave, decides to come up and ask with feigned-tentative mannerisms, "Apartment 9?" to which I replied, "Yes, that's me." He proceeded to hold the stack of papers out at arms length, as if touching an alligator (and believe me, I did not smell bad, so that was weird), saying, "It's a bill, don't hurt me!" and running away. I was significantly confused. Or how about the other time in which he stopped by to deliver a package and got so excited that I was really there that he high-fived me, ran away, then forgot he needed a signature. There are many more notable examples, however for the sake of the argument, let's just conclude that coming into this newfound communication is causing a bit of craziness with the adjustment.

2. Friends: We actually hang out now! It's crazy to think of how many times I was told to put away my cell phone in high school, and got offended by it! OFFENDED! I would freak out for the mere fact that someone told me to stop talking to my friends. Whole conversations happened over text. Miscommunication was crazy. We hung out maybe once a week at most, and when we did hang out, we were texting other people. Somehow this wasn't satisfying though (maybe it's an accessibility thing, who knows?), and now people are pushing towards actually hanging out. I can find myself wondering, now of course that I'm used to human interaction again, what was the appeal of hanging out with 2000 people at once? I can hardly focus when I have two people asking me for homework help! And let's not forget about the boundary issues. For crying out loud, a simple knock is out the window, considering that texting requires no warning, so why should your showing-up be any different? I however, am the biggest perpetrator in this aspect. My church is very tight-knit, and it's to the point that I almost get offended if someone's door is locked, which I suppose might be linked to the texting.

3. Professors: I think that this will be the area that will be the hardest to overcome. In no aspect do I find a teacher NOT intimidating. Nonetheless, I've learned that visiting their office is a quicker and more fulfilling response than an email. They are more apt to help you with that case and are willing to give you better grades. We of course think their office hours are somewhat obligatory, but in actuality, professors love them. They find joy in getting to know the nerdy kids in their class. We think they might breathe fire on us. It's a divide we'll conquer one day, but for now, anonymity is key.

Long story short, thank you television, for inadvertently teaching us the true colors of friendship (hope you get the reference).

The Brown Leather Boots

Pinterest is the devil. He used to use the magazines predominantly to put out the burning desires for things I'll never need. Now he has decided that it's much more accessible to have people pin these supposed "must-have" outfits on their Pinterest accounts. I can't even lie when I say that I have become a bit attached to my account (though I haven't checked it for a few days), what with designing my dream wedding (with would in actuality clash if put together), picking out jewelry I'll never be able to afford, pinning crafts I only wish I had the time to do, and a slew of other random goodies. Literally, slew of goodies. However, this aside, I think that girl-world is turning into one big pinterest reference. If you are not "up to pinterest" you are "uncool" or "out of touch", I'm realizing. It makes one stay up to speed on what is hip based on what's being pinned and how one adheres to it.

This brings me to my next point. The brown boots. Pinterest says that it is essential that one incorporates these boots into every outfit for fall. As you know from my previous post, I'm not a fan of fall. However, pinterest makes it seem as though fall is a great time of year, so I, being a girl, must agree. Pinterest convinced me not only that my outfits will be slammin' with these new beauties, but that fall will be bearable. Not just any boots, but genuine leather, knee highs, with socks poking up from under. Probably about 100+ dollars in price. At first, I thought it was just a mere trend on the website, but then I started noticing nursing students...NURSING STUDENTS (we're not the most fashion forward, nor do we elect style over comfort) slowly starting to own and don these essential items.

It all traces back to the theory that when crowds are gathered, one is more inclined to give into pressure. This is no different. With all the beautiful outfits, accessories, and crafts to be done with these boots, it only makes sense to own them, right? WRONG. Or at least it should be. Long story short, I caved. I now own a pair of knee high faux leather beautiful boots. Pinterest made me do it. Let's see if they really are the "all things to all men" item how they're advertised.

Wanted: Relief From Drastic Climate Change

As some may have guessed, I am from the tundra of the Midwest--Illinois. This state has prepared me to take what half percent or so that I might possess of viking and placed a keen survival instinct deep in my brain. However, sometimes this drop of fortuitous ancestry has left me ill-prepared for the horrendous nature that is the first feel of fall. Illinois boasts four very distinct seasons, what with its scorching summers and freezing winters, and the in betweens--fall and spring? well they do their own unpredictable patterns. That's probably a win-win for evolution (if you buy into that, I certainly do not), considering not a single organisms knows its happening...the climate change that is.

I have lived all 20 years of my life in this state and have just drawn a conclusion that there is no conclusive, nailed down, or prepared time in which the weather decides to change or how it will change. In 2011 (last year), it seemed to be warm forever. In fact, I remember going to a final in just a tshirt and yoga pants! However, this year is proving to be an especially freezing one.  I've had to don mittens indoors far too many times than I'd like to imagine, and I'm not ashamed to note that I also have Amazon open in another tab looking for heated blankets online.

Main point of the story, friends, is to always prepare for the apocalypse that is the yearly climate change. Here are some of my very favorite fall warmth tips:

Keep a tea cupboard stocked with your favorite flavors, just in case!
Have a good pair of mittens
microfleece socks so your toes don't freeze
heated blankets to snuggle and read with
Turn on space heaters while waiting for central heat to work.
grandpa sweaters...because they're awesome

Oh no, I'm turning into that lady talking about the weather. Maybe I should try to clean my house.

Until next time!

An Ode to the Denny's Gentleman

I have come to realize upon leaving my humble bubble of a hometown almost 2.5 years ago that people in fairytales exist in most unexpected places. Journeying to the lost kingdom of Denny's, one would not expect a most excellent knight to be working at the Denny's right off campus. Our first encounter was back in 2011, on a fateful Friday night. I knew the instant he retorted, "No sir, please do not fuss, it is our pleasure to serve you," to our friend's apology. That moment on, it would seem that everything would align that we would always have him as our waiter if it was our choice to enter past 10. He chooses to don an overly polite vernacular, and uses it in such a manner that one is transformed to the times of old.

This is for you Bartholomew**
Of all the waiters in this town
You, gentleman, surpass them all
Not a request too grand,
nor a deed too small.

You kneel down to serve
not a request strikes your nerves
Upon asking for chocolate chips,
you, like a servant, offer your hands with gratitude,
asking "Doth thou carest for any syrup dip?"

Your deeds don't go unnoticed,
your head can be held high,
for like a valiant knight,
your shift is nigh

Your love overflows like the water you insist on pouring in our cups.
How can we thank you enough?

 **name changed because this is very much a real person.