Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
WTF???
Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin, is found in 60% of newborn babies. It is caused by elevated levels of bilirubin, which is a byproduct of dead red blood cells. It only costs $1 to test newborns for bilirubin levels. A good reason to test the 60% of newborns with yellow skin is that it could possibly lead to kernicterus, brain damage that will affect the baby for the rest of his/her life.
What upsets me is that the American Association of Pediatrics fails to take jaundice seriously, stating that they do not want to exhibit an "alarmist" approach to such a rare possibility of brain damage. Although about 40 of the 4 million babies born annually in the U.S. are affected with kernicterus, these 40 babies could have had a chance to live a normal lifestyle. Instead, they are inflicted with cerebral palsy (permanent brain damage) and lack the ability to live independently.
Cal, a 12-year old boy with kernicterus once told his mom, "When I grow up, I want to be the best daddy in the world-but if I have a baby, I'm afraid I'll drop it."
A prospective indicator of brain damage is a compelling reason to be a bit alarmist, no matter how "rare" this occurence is.
What upsets me is that the American Association of Pediatrics fails to take jaundice seriously, stating that they do not want to exhibit an "alarmist" approach to such a rare possibility of brain damage. Although about 40 of the 4 million babies born annually in the U.S. are affected with kernicterus, these 40 babies could have had a chance to live a normal lifestyle. Instead, they are inflicted with cerebral palsy (permanent brain damage) and lack the ability to live independently.
Cal, a 12-year old boy with kernicterus once told his mom, "When I grow up, I want to be the best daddy in the world-but if I have a baby, I'm afraid I'll drop it."
A prospective indicator of brain damage is a compelling reason to be a bit alarmist, no matter how "rare" this occurence is.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Stupid Girl
She was smiling, thinking everyone liked her.
If only she knew the twisted things that run through their heads.
If only she knew the twisted things that run through their heads.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
For some reason, this makes me really sad
Setting: University Center, 10PM
Characters: Two 'nerdy' boys.
Boy 1: "You weigh maybe 140?"
Boy 2: "No, I don't, but thank you for saying that, it really boasts my confidence level."
Characters: Two 'nerdy' boys.
Boy 1: "You weigh maybe 140?"
Boy 2: "No, I don't, but thank you for saying that, it really boasts my confidence level."
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Raje3 Yit3amar Libnan
That song used to be such an inspiration about hopes to start my life in Lebanon...
When their is such deep division in such a diverse country, I ask myself:
"How the hell can this issue be resolved?"
Do the southern Lebanese really believe that their actions will lead to fruitful results?
Will smashing vehicles, polluting the environment, and shuting down the country help them achieve their goals?
Why doesn't Nasrallah go out in the street and help them destroy Lebanon?
They proclaim themselves to be Muslims, but their behaviour is far from Quranic doctrine.
Lets brace ourselves and see what's yet to come.
When their is such deep division in such a diverse country, I ask myself:
"How the hell can this issue be resolved?"
Do the southern Lebanese really believe that their actions will lead to fruitful results?
Will smashing vehicles, polluting the environment, and shuting down the country help them achieve their goals?
Why doesn't Nasrallah go out in the street and help them destroy Lebanon?
They proclaim themselves to be Muslims, but their behaviour is far from Quranic doctrine.
Lets brace ourselves and see what's yet to come.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Encounter
It was a frigid day and my shoulders were burning from the heavy books I carried from the parking lot across the bridge. I noticed him near the corner of the large fountain. He held his silver metal stick, trying to get a feel to where he was. He was lost.
"Excuse me," I said. He turned immediately at me with those shiny blue sports sunglasses.
"Can I help you find a place?"
As we walked, I learned that he was looking for the other fountain on campus. The sound of the metal stick tapping against the concrete sounded vaguely familiar. As we headed to the fountain that lead to the bridge that led to his dorm, he almost ran into a tree, shrubs, and stairs.
He was strikingly handsome.
"What's your name?," I asked.
"Jesus," he extended his hand. I shook it and replied, "I'm Zeina."
Our walk ended and I wished I could've walked more with him.
There are some people you meet who do not say one word to you but influence you in ways unimaginable.
I wonder if he got home safely.
"Excuse me," I said. He turned immediately at me with those shiny blue sports sunglasses.
"Can I help you find a place?"
As we walked, I learned that he was looking for the other fountain on campus. The sound of the metal stick tapping against the concrete sounded vaguely familiar. As we headed to the fountain that lead to the bridge that led to his dorm, he almost ran into a tree, shrubs, and stairs.
He was strikingly handsome.
"What's your name?," I asked.
"Jesus," he extended his hand. I shook it and replied, "I'm Zeina."
Our walk ended and I wished I could've walked more with him.
There are some people you meet who do not say one word to you but influence you in ways unimaginable.
I wonder if he got home safely.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Aint Boy Crazy No Mo
As of January 1st, I shall abstain from men in any form or fashion.
Exception to this declaration is extended to but not limited by long-time, established male friends and/or classmates.
I am doing this to cleanse myself of my recent (adolescent-present year) preoccupation with the beloved opposite gender.
I feel in control, impowered, and liberated.
My goal will be one year, let's see how it will go!
Exception to this declaration is extended to but not limited by long-time, established male friends and/or classmates.
I am doing this to cleanse myself of my recent (adolescent-present year) preoccupation with the beloved opposite gender.
I feel in control, impowered, and liberated.
My goal will be one year, let's see how it will go!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Dear X,
After our talk, I realized that your view of women is as antiquated as cavemen running around firecamps. Your comments such as, "Our women don't...(fill in blank here)" proves that you are a mysogistic bastard who deserves to dwell in a bottom-less pit of hell.
As much as I would like to say that I hate you, I won't. You are influenced by your environment, wealthy men who run around the city with their tongues dragging behind them, their minds fixed in a trance of lust.It may also be your father, who always treated your mother as sub-human, yelling at her, sometimes even striking her, for simple things like not heating the food right. You don't know this, but she (a woman) is the one who keeps your family together.
Maybe one day you will rub off the goo in your eyes and see that a woman's autonomy is necessary for a properly functioning child, that child is you.
As much as I would like to say that I hate you, I won't. You are influenced by your environment, wealthy men who run around the city with their tongues dragging behind them, their minds fixed in a trance of lust.It may also be your father, who always treated your mother as sub-human, yelling at her, sometimes even striking her, for simple things like not heating the food right. You don't know this, but she (a woman) is the one who keeps your family together.
Maybe one day you will rub off the goo in your eyes and see that a woman's autonomy is necessary for a properly functioning child, that child is you.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
To Africa? or Not to Africa? that is the question
My feelings and compassion towards women with fistula continues to burn and the voice resonates inside me..."Go, Zeina, go to Niger"
My itnerary is here, the ticket is payed for, my vaccines are prepared....
and I will decline the trip tomorrow.
I have come to realize that dreams come with dangerous realities...
The risks outweigh the benefits ...I hope I am making the right decision.
Disappointment is up to my nose.
My itnerary is here, the ticket is payed for, my vaccines are prepared....
and I will decline the trip tomorrow.
I have come to realize that dreams come with dangerous realities...
The risks outweigh the benefits ...I hope I am making the right decision.
Disappointment is up to my nose.
Friday, January 05, 2007
beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervour, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind.
and when the drums of war reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism, will offer up all the rights unto the leader, and gladly so.
and when the drums of war reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism, will offer up all the rights unto the leader, and gladly so.
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