snow days

I'd recap my weekend but I think that would be next to impossible. I'll just say this it was filled with snow, snow and more deliciously white snow, cold temperatures, nature, company, food, drink, all things necessary for survival. I survived the weekend. Oh, yes I did. Today is filled with nothing but sunshine.

Yummy

Hmmm, it's definitely been awhile since I've blogged. Sometimes I feel inspired and sometimes I don't. One of those weeks I guess.. I don't mean to neglect my blog, it just happens. It seems lately there's always been something else to tend to. Anyways, we'll see how the next week goes. Hopefully I'll be inspired to update.

So there is a saying that really ruminates with me, it has for such a long time but I feel like I'm finally, finally living by it "my body is my temple". It's amazingly disgusting what people ingest, knowing or not knowing the effect it has on the body. The body that provides you with life; that is a huge part of your being. I wonder how people can live off of some of the things out there. Unfortunately, our society has made it so so so easy to eat unhealthy, feel that there are much more important things to do than exercise, and more and more people are spending more and more time inside. I read today (on Perez no less) that kids 'these days' (haha) learn to use a smart phone younger than they learn to tie their shoes. To me, that is sad. I feel sorry for the kids who get their exercise through the, oh so clever, wi-fit or whatever it's called. There is NO substitute for the great outdoors and NO child of mine will be inside playing some skateboarding game instead of actually being out there skateboarding. So sad. 

Then there's food.. Some people eat McDonald's on a fairly regular basis, or some kind of fast food, or even processed foods at home. Whatever it is, it is probably so bad for the system. I am fueling my body with whole foods and eliminating 95% of the crap and I have to say I have never felt better. My body has more energy, my skin feels better, looks better, my hair is shinier, my whole body just seems to 'work' better. I have more energy. I still have serious problems getting my curious mind to turn off so unfortunately I haven't mastered the art of sleep.. yet. A work in progress.

 

Anyways, think about what it is you put in your temple. Our bodies are so good to us. I want to give back to it. Mmm, broccoli!

Here's a pic of the Rialto Market in Venice. Man, those Italians know what's up!!

Scholarly

Since I procrastinated yesterday and did close to no work I am busily making up for it today. Maybe it's because I just handed in a big paper on Sunday or maybe it's because this week's topic is all about childhood and I am not so interested in working with children. Apparantley, that is even clearer as I find more and more things to do to put off my work!

So here, for your reading entertainment, is one of my short papers I've handed in and received an A for :) It's not that long, I promise.. 

An Overview of Postpartum Psychosis

Childbirth can have an affect on women psychologically and physiologically ranging on a massive spectrum anywhere from pure joy to utter devastation. Personally, it is important for me to be aware of the symptoms of the postnatal conditions as many of the women I associate with, both personally and professionally, and including myself, are at the age where many of us are, or will become pregnant. 

“As many as 60% of all new mothers report feeling tearful, irritable, moody, anxious, and depressed within the first few days after birth” (Sigelman & Rider, 2006, p. 104). This feeling is known as the baby blues and is likely linked to the changes in hormones, the stress related to childbirth as well as the new responsibilities that come with raising a child (Sigelman & Rider, 2006). Approximately 10% of new mothers experience the more serious postnatal depression – an episode of depression post-delivery that can last months (Sigelman & Rider, 2006).  Far more serious still, is the onset of postpartum psychosis (PP), which occurs in 1-2 per 1000 women after childbirth. (Kennedy & Suttenfield, 2009).

The onset of postpartum psychosis is rapid, the patient develops “paranoia, grandiose, or bizarre delusions, mood swings, confused thinking and greatly disorganized behavior that represent a dramatic change from her previous functioning” (Sit, Rothschild & Wisner, p. 353). The data suggests that PP is “an overt presentation of bipolar disorder that is timed to coincide with tremendous hormonal shifts after delivery” (Sit, Rothschild & Wisner, p. 352). The combination of the symptoms can lead to devastating consequences if left untreated. Women with a known history of bipolar disorder or a history of PP within the family are at substantial risk of developing PP themselves (Sit, Rothschild & Wisner). However, in a Swedish study of 892 women hospitalized due to PP about half (n = 436) had no history of psychiatric hospitalization (Hay, p. 130).

Early detection can lead to successful treatment of PP ensuring the safety of both mother and offspring. Once a physician has established a diagnosis he or she should “(1) educate the patient and her family about the illness, (2) rule out organic causes, (3) initiate pharmacotherapy and supportive therapy, and (4) repeatedly assess the patient’s function and safety status” (Sit, Rothschild & Wisner p. 359). The process of psychoeducation is essential. It will enhance the therapeutic alliance; furthermore it will strengthen the patient’s decision-making process about treatment and her feelings of self-efficacy” (Sit, Rothschild & Wisner, p. 359).

Postpartum psychosis is a rare condition when compared to the baby blues or postnatal depression. However, due to the devastating outcomes that could potentially transpire I chose to discuss it hoping that an increased understanding of it within our learning environment could one day prove helpful, even lifesaving.

References

Hay, P. J., (2009). Post-partum psychosis: Which women are at highest risk? PLoS Medicine, 6(2), 130-131.

Kennedy, R.S., Suttenfield, K., (2009). Postpartum depression. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408688

Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E.A. (2006). Life-span human development (5^th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadworth Cengage Learning.

Sit. D., Rothschild. A. J., Wisner, K. L. (2006). A review of postpartum psychosis. Journal of Women’s Health, 15(4), 352-368.

whale love

Three weeks tomorrow I'm headed to a place I have always, always wanted to visit. Lucky for me, this trip materialized out of nowhere about a week ago and I couldn't be more excited!!

My Ma & Pa visited Maui last year for the first time. My Mom begrudgingly 'dragged' my Dad there who didn't think he'd like the American factor. They both ended up LOVING the laid back attitude of the island and quickly booked a small condo on the beach for a month February-March 2011. Because my parents are the bestest and because we have so much fun together they invited me for two weeks. I get my very own place right on the beach. Ahhh, heavenly.

Since my computer and I have the freedom of going absolutely anywhere as long as there is an internet connection, "we've" been enjoying working on the couch at home or in various coffee shops around the city since beginning my Masters a few weeks ago. Soon though, our view is going to get much more spectacular as I will be doing my work from my balcony while sipping an equally spectacular Hawaiian drinky.

February is smack dab in the middle of whale season and it's rumoured that Hawaii is one of the best places in the whole wide world to watch Humpback whales migrate. I'll see them left, right and centre ALL the time. For those of you in Bangladesh or Taiwan, you don't know this, but I LOVE WHALES. Ever since I was little I have been obsessed. I was seven when we went for the first time off the coast of Tofino, I was so, so, so excited... Until, we headed out in one of those sturdy inflatable boats. Well, being seven I wasn't sure about this dingy and cried thinking the whales were going to come and tip us over and EAT US. Ha, so cute I was..

We survived and my love of whales deepened, I had a sweatshirt with whales on it, I had a chart indentifying all the different types, I was a bonified fan of the whales. Now, here I am twenty years later and still as curious as ever.

I am so looking forward to the sun. I am so looking forward to the beach, the ocean. I can't wait to soak up some humidity. I can't wait for runs outside in shorts, sipping drinks on the balcony, hanging with my Mom and Dad and other friends who will be over there. I can't wait for a tropical holiday that came to me much sooner than expected, but mostly, I can't wait for the whales!!!!!

smooooothie

for all of you health nuts here is a delightfully delicious and nutritious smoothie to start your day off right, we all know by now that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I pair this with a piece of Cobb's new "chia" bread and I'm good to go for hours.

1/2 cup soy milk
1/4 cup OJ
1/4 cup water
1/2 banana
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup cranberries
1/2 cup spinach
2 tbsp wheat germ
2 tbsp hemp protein

you can pretty much add anything that you need to use up in your fridge, 1/2 an avocado is a good substitute for the banana or a tomato can be thrown in there.. It might not be as tasty (sugary) as Jugo Juice but it is full of protein and fibre. YUMMY.

dreaming..

..of the future..

4 weeks and counting!

solicited product endorsement

Since I am now working with this incredible woman I cannot call it unsolicited as I have in the past. I love sharing with people the things that I love by way of blogging and she has come up more than a few times over the years on my blog. I have been a HUGE supporter of Jari Love since before her DVDs existed. I believe in everything she stands for and her workouts really do work. I've been doing behind the scenes work for Jari for a few months now and keep getting more and more opportunities to work for her. She really is as amazing in person as she sounds on her DVDs!

Watch this trailor. It is Jari's latest Bootcamp DVD that has just been released. All you need are your weights and a mat and you get a FULL and super fun workout at home.

Animal Love

When my family traveled to Kenya this July one of our first stops was to an elephant orphanage - The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It was a heart warming experience to see infant and adolescent elephants run to their keepers during feeding time, which is what the public can come and experience. These elephants have been rescued from situations from poaching (of their mama's) to getting stuck in the sand. Obviously, rescuing an elephant and flying it to safety is no small feat so this is a huge operation, but so worthwhile.

 These are my shots from our time at the orphanage.

Soon after we returned from Kenya I thought that fostering an elephant would be a nice Christmas present for my family. I spent one evening carefully choosing which one seemed to suit us Corbett's. I ended up choosing Wasin, the youngest who was only three months old. We received (via email to save cost) updates about Wasin, pictures, journal entries by her keeper, who she bonds with and who literally sleeps in a bed beside her at night, as elephants crave and thrive off of love. It was lovely.
Yesterday I received the email below from the Trust and although it is very sad that little Wasin died, it is the circle of life, and it is comforting for everyone to know that she had such a wonderful life full of human and elephant love while it lasted and that there is an organization dedicated to such a worthwhile cause.

Dear Corbett Family,

It is with deep regret that I have to write about the very sad passing of baby Wasin.   Over the years we have accepted the hard way that baby elephants can be fine one day, and dead the next and the sudden and unexpected death of precious baby “Wasin” on the morning of 8th January 2011 was a painful reminder of just that!   We will automatically be making a transfer of your fostering of Wasin to her stable mate and dear friend Mutara, but should any one have a different preference of who you would like to foster in Wasin's memory please let us know and we will be happy to make the adjustments.

Wasin had never been a robust baby, and maybe this was because being so young when she came in she may not have had adequate amounts of her mother's colostrum,  we will never know, but certainly she never really thrived in our care.  Over the many years that we have been rearing the orphaned elephants, several have come in with heart defects which became more apparent with age, others have succumbed to blood embolisms having been confined down wells, and one was born with just one lung which could not provide sufficient oxygen once she was older.   We therefore have to accept that perhaps some orphans are abandoned because they are not sufficiently robust to keep up with the herd – Nature’s way of natural selection to ensure that wild genes are strong – but that said, losing a loved one, irrespective of why, never gets any easier.

Wasin was deeply loved and will be deeply missed by us all, as well as her many foster-parents, whose hearts she stole during her short life.   She had been with us for the past 2 ½ months and was apparently fine the day previous to her death.   But, she unexpectedly took a turn for the worse during the early hours of January 8th 2011 and died later that day at 3.00pm, passing small blood clots indicative of severe gastro enteritis.   She had weathered a long struggle cutting her first molars, which always cause baby elephants difficulty, and which obviously compromised her immune system.   She was simply not sufficiently robust to come through that, despite a couple of courses of antibiotics, but she died surrounded by an outpouring of love and grief.   Rest in Peace precious little Wasin, Somewhere in the Great Somewhere.

These are pictures of our new little orphan baby Mutara.

music, sweet music

One of the best parts about being a student is the procrastination that comes with. I feel like I have the perfect blend of getting school work done and getting other things done like sweeping the floor (moving the couches, coffee table, etc. included), cleaning the fishy's home, spending hours on the phone catching up with friends, and this weekends clincher - a new exercise playlist! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE music more than anything, anything, anything and absolutely cannot stand working out without it. I would rather not run than hear my breathing or my feet hit the pavement (so weird I know but seriously, I cannot stand it). Anyways, I have been 'making do' with a play list I've had since before my travels this summer so I decided what better way to put off that paper about autism and invest a bit in iTunes? So, to all of you who are working hard at not quitting your new years resolutions here is a mix of old and new with my updated "pump me up!" playlist...
 p.s don't make fun of my lame songs, for some unknown reason when Tim McGraw's "My Old Friend" comes on and I'm running or what have you I never switch it.. Such an odd choice.
p.p.s my paper is completed and handed in.

• Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
• Amy Winehouse - Valerie
• Ataris - The Boys of Summer
• Black Eyed Peas - The Time
• Britney Spears - Womanizer
• Bruno Mars - Marry You
• Chris Brown - Forever
• Coldplay - Yellow
• Coldplay - Viva La Vida
• Coldplay - Life in Technicolor ii
• Coldplay - A Message
• David Cook - I'm Alive
• Eminem - Love the Way You Lie
• Feist - Mushaboom
• Feist - 1234
• Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me
• Florence + the Machine - Dog Days Are Over
• Foo Fighters - Best of You
• Goldfinger - Superman
• Goo Goo Dolls - Better Days
• Good Charlotte - I Don't Want to be in Love
• Hot Hot Heat - Goodnight Goodnight
• Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek
• Jay-Z - Hard Knock Life
• Jay-Z - Can I Get a...
• Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind
• Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
• Joel Plaskett Emergency - Nowhere With You
• Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
• K-naan - Wavin' Flag
• K-naan - Take a Minute
• Kanye - Heartless
• Katy Perry - California Gurls
• Katy Perry - Hot N Cold
• Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
• Katy Perry - Firework
• The Killers - Human
• The Killers - Mr. Brightside
• The Killers - Sweet Talk
• Kings of Leon - Fans
• Lady Gaga - Bad Romance 
• Lady Gaga - Poker Face
• Lil Wayne - Let it Rock
• MGMT - Time to Pretend
• Michael Buble - Haven't Met You Yet
• Miike Snow - Animal
• Miike Snow - Burial 
• Miike Snow - Silvia
• Mika - Relax
• Modest Mouse - Float On
• Owl City - Fireflies
• Owl City - Hello Seattle Remix
• Pink - Raise Your Glass
• Pink - So What
• Rihanna - Russian Roulette 
• Seal - Amazing
• Seal - Crazy
• The Shins - Gone for Good
• The Shins - New Slang
• The Shins - Sleeping Lessons
• The Shins - Austraila
• Simon and Garfunkel - Cecilia
• Snow Patrol - You're All I Have
• Snow Patrol - Just Say Yes
• T.I - Live Your Life
• Taio Cruz - Dynamite
• Taylor Swift - Love Story
• Taylor Swift - Speak Now
• Taylor Swift - Dear John
• Taylor Swift - Stay Beautiful 
• Taylor Swift - Our Song
• The Tea Party - Stargazer
• Tim McGraw - My Old Friend
• Train, Hey, Soul Sister
• Vampire Weekend - Horchata
• Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
• The Veronicas - Untouched

ch-ch-ch-changes!

New beginnings, like New Years and such, call for big changes... like a change of blog direction. So as you can see, the blog is in the process of changing direction, just like me.

I keep arguing with the voices in my head whether to keep blogging, stop blogging, open up facebook or not. Those voices are all loud and have very good reasoning. Damn the smartness!

As of now, facebook and I are back on friendly terms (I honestly never thought I'd see the day..) and I am in fact going to continue blogging.

I hope all you random people enjoy hearing about my life, don't think I don't know you're stalking me..! Shout out to Heath and Krissy, at least I know you're stalkers!

LOVE.

RENOVATIONS IN PROGRESS...