ABORTION

Abortion is the ending of pregnancy by a medical procedure. This topic is very controversial because a lot of people are against abortion. Catholic people or in general, people that believe in God are opposed to abortion. They believe that life is sacred and inviolable. The majority of religious people believe that a new human life begins as soon as the egg has been fertilized and any interruption of pregnancy is a sin. Abortion is against God’s laws. I am a catholic and I believe in God and life, but I agree that they are some circumstances in which a woman should have the right to choose about her own pregnancy.

For me, circumstances or reasons in which abortion should be acceptable are: when a baby has any genetic malformation or in a case of sexual abuse. I am a pro-life person and I don’t think that interruption of pregnancy on time is a destruction of life. I know people that even though they knew their babies will have a genetic malformation they choose to finish the pregnancy. They take the challenge to take care of their children with special needs, and some of them have done a wonderful job.

In my opinion, this may sound cruel but I do not want to bring children with a genetic malformation into the world because they would suffer from many medical problems. They will also always need someone to take care of them permanently. They would stay in/out of the hospital, and they are controlled with a lot of medicines that cause sleepiness. I don’t think that it is a life for those children. What is going to happen when that child does not have his/her parents? Is there someone to take care of those children as their parents did? Tell me what you think about abortion.

Colombia and the United States

Lately, I've been thinking about the differences and similarities between Colombia and the United States.

Being from Colombia, I have been able to experience two different cultures in my life. Similarities and differences exist between Colombia and the U.S. For instance, the U.S is a country on immigrants, has a multicultural society, and is made up of different races, religions, and political beliefs. In Colombia, however, it is strange to see people from other cultures. The majority of people in Colombia are Catholic. Catholics are against abortion and the death penalty. On the other hand, the U.S. is a Protestant country that allows the death penalty and abortion.

The U.S. is a powerful and wealthy country that offers many great opportunities for its people. People have the opportunity to receive a good education, have laws to govern working conditions, and have availability of good medical coverage. In contrast, Colombia is a poor country and cannot offer its people the same educational, legal, and medical services.

People in the U.S. are concerned about the needs of their children and the elderly. In Colombia, however, I can find people of all ages begging for money or food and sleeping in the streets. Poverty in Colombia is one of the biggest reasons why many people are in the illegal drug business. Colombia is a big producer and exporter of illegal drugs, and the U.S is a major market for these drugs. Both governments, I am happy to say, have been working hard to eliminate the production and sale of illegal drugs.

Technology in the U.S is available everywhere, but in Colombia, there is a need to find resources to upgrade and expand the infrastructure. The U.S is a major exporter and importer of many agricultural products. In the same way, Colombia’s economy has a traditional agricultural base and is known especially for its word-famous coffee and fruit production.

Another similarity between the U.S.  and Colombia is the value of the family. To both cultures, the family is the most basic but important part of our lives. We always want to have good and happy families. Family is the place to share happiness and sadness and encourage ourselves when we are in difficult problems. As a result, we can get over all the problems in our lives and live happily. Also, people in both countries are warm, friendly, and very polite. I have noticed people in U.S. say “thank you” a lot. In Colombia, it is similar the most common expressions are please, could you do me a favor, and thank you.

NUTRITION

Chapters 8,11, and 17 talk a lot about nutrition and how important is to maintain a healthy life. Nutrition is on my mind this week.

Nutrition is the power source that enables the body to function properly and keeps it healthy. The supply of nutrition furnished to the body via intake of various food items, enables it to carry out all the body functions appropriately, thereby enabling it to protect itself from invasion of viruses, bacteria and toxins. From the food consumed, the body absorbs the simple but essential minerals, vitamins, fats, proteins, carbohydrates and water into the bloodstream.

Why is good nutrition so important? Food and the nutrients obtained from food are viral to keep the body healthy and alive. Nutrients are required in order to build and repair cells and body tissues, maintain the organs and bones in optimum working condition and to provide energy, fuel and warmth.

What is a balanced diet? Food can be broken down in to five major groups. These groups are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. The body needs varying amounts of these types of food so that the adequate amount of nutrients is supplied to the body. Each type of food plays a significant role in our body but excesses or deficiencies of certain types of food can also harm the body and produce a negative impact on our health.

Basically, for optimum health a well-balanced diet should include plenty of complex carbohydrates, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, a moderate amount of meat and dairy products, eight glasses of water a day and a limited amount of saturated fats and sugars. A well-balanced diet should also complemented with plenty exercise, a small intake of alcohol and no smoking whatsoever.

DEPRESSION

Lately, I have seen a lot of people where I work suffering from depression. What is depression? Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness. Also, people lose interest in activities that they enjoyed before. Depression affects people’s mind and behavior. Some people become more aggressive while others become reserved and uncommunicable. Depression develops from a variety of physical changes in the human brain, especially a deficiency in the serotonin levels. In addition, people can develop depression because a traumatic event in life such as the loss of a loved one or any abuse. Everyone feels sad or anxious at some point, but if this feeling is persist and affects people daily activities, is important to find somebody to talk about it.

Depression is a serious mental illness and it needs to be treated. Depression can be treated with antidepressants or psychotherapy. Without immediate attention, people are more susceptible to suicidal thoughts. Also, people have a tendency to use drugs or alcohol to deal with symptoms associated with depression. It is important to help people around us that are showing any sign of depression to get a diagnosis and treatment.  It is essential to get an adequate treatment and emotional support in order to overcome depression.

DANCING

Today, I want to talk about my passion, dancing. I am taking Cuban salsa classes in Atlanta on Sundays, and I am also teaching people how to dance different types of Latin music. It is awesome!!!

Dancing is a lot more than just pretty movements to me. It is a way to express myself and communicate with others. It is initialing a dialogue in which words are unnecessary. Dancing means expressing emotions with every part of my body. Ever since I was little, dancing has always been my favorite sport. I come from a Latin country, Colombia. We are one of the countries where dancing is very popular, and it is part of the culture. Being Latina taught me the importance of knowing my body through dance and help me feel the harmony in my body when I hear the music. Dancing is a way to express my feelings and to keep myself active.

Dancing is my passion. Could it be the control of the dancer’s body to executive each move flawlessly that captivates me? Or could it be the look on the dancers’ faces that say they are loving what they are doing? Either way, I absolutely love to dance. It brings such joy to see how the whole body is mixed with sensuality and determination. Dancing embodies passion, grace, and poise. Dancing is a way to communicate with everyone; it does not matter what language they speak or how old they are. It is a way to cross barriers and touch souls. Also, dancing is a way to keep in touch with our culture, pass down our culture’s heritage, and unite people from different ethnicities who share the same passion for dance.

Dancing has been a part of human history since the earliest records of human life. It has been used as a form of art for centuries. Over time, dancing has become an entertainment and an artistic spectacle. Today, dancing is one of the main entertainments for people around the world. Also, it is one of the excuses that people used to lose weight and stay physically and mentally healthy.

Dancing has taught me teamwork and determination. In order to move on, I have to be open-minded and cooperate with people around me. Also, I have to be determined to move on and reach the end. Without determination, it is possible to slack off and interrupt the creative process of the choreography. Dancing for me, it is the expression that connects the body with the mind to create harmonious movements filled with passion and glamour. Some of the qualities that I find in dancing is that help me release tension, remain healthy, improve my coordination, balance, and body rhythm. Besides these qualities, dancing is a way to have fun and escape from my daily routine.

PEDOPHILE

I saw in the news last week a real story about a baby boy that was adopted by a homosexual couple. Australian citizen Mark Newton and his American boyfriend Peter Truong, adopted a boy by paying 8000 dollars to a Russian woman. The sick gay couple started to abuse the boy when he was just twenty months old. Not only did this couple sexually abuse the little boy, but also they allowed eight more men to abuse him while they filmed their pedophilic acts. The police have found hours of videos recording his abuse. Newton was sentenced to 40 years and his partner was sentenced to 30 year of prison in the United States.

I cannot believe this is happening in our world. What is happening with people now? What is happening with the rights of children? We should as adult protect our children not harm them.  Pedophile people should not exist in this world. Their acts are so disgusting and repugnant. This type of sexual abuse causes children to grow up with a lot of psychological and misidentification problems, and many of them commit suicide at a young age.

I don’t think prison is a harsher punishment for pedophiles nor is it the solution to stop pedophiles to continue their disturbing acts. Their minds are so messed up that they are not going to change.  So why do we take the risk that this sad story happen again in another child? For me, the solution should be the death penalty. I know this story can happen in heterosexual environment too, but I do not agree that homosexual people should have the right to adopt children. I do believe that family is represented by a woman and a man, and both figures are fundamental to the child's development.  This story brought tears to my eyes to see how so many humans are causing so much pain to innocent child.

MEDICATIONS

While doing a job as a Medical Assistant, I found a situation that got my attention. People are so addicted to taking medicines, especially narcotics. Narcotics are drugs used to relieve pain and anxiety after a surgery. People do not realize that narcotics can be as addictive as heroin, and they can die from an overdose. Any type of medicine can alter a person’s brain and body.  So why are people taking medicines that their body does not need? Some narcotics that people love to take are: valium, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Methadone, Percocet, Vicodin, Codeine, and Trazodone. People abuse these kinds of drugs every day, and they cannot function without them.

 

I do understand that people really need to use narcotics because of their health condition. On the contrary, some people exacerbated their symptoms with the only purpose to get prescriptions for narcotics. The United States is considered one of the countries in which people are so addicted to pain killers. Besides narcotics, people also became so addicted to antibiotics, antidepressants, and medicine that treat narcolepsy and ADHD, such as Adderall. The problem with the excessive use of certain medicines such as antibiotics is that it kills bacteria and people develop resistance to them. It is important as society to be aware about the side effects and consequences of taking unnecessary medications.

FAMILY

 

Family is a very important part of everyone’s childhood. It is a way for people to grow up with good values, and they keep them from generation to generation. Education stars with the parents, and they have an important role to teach their children to be decent adult with good manners, attitudes, and to be conscience about life. Parents have the responsibility to transmit to their children the respect for themselves as well as for others.

Family is the way for people to build up their own personality, weakness, or strengths. It is a way for people to create their own future successfully. However, some people, unfortunately, do not count on this valuable bond, and they are continuously destroying their life with discouraging behavior.

People that did not grow up with the warmth of a family are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. They have problems adapting to society, and they have a strong propensity to create conflicts where they go. Most of these people have low morals; they do not care about the consequences of their actions. On the other hand, people with a very close connection to their families are more likely to be good parents, friends, husbands, and wives. They care about morals as well as good behavior. They follow rules, and they are able to offer good advice.

To me, family is an essential part of the human being because it is the way children come adults. Also, family is an important tool in our personality in which we can develop a great confidence and self-esteem about ourselves. Family is a part of our heart that nobody can take away from us, and it is a strong bond that will last forever.

PSYCH 2103 NURSING

Why I want to be a Nurse

I was born in a country where half of the major population does not attend school, but instead, they have to work to help support their families and younger siblings. That number is alarming. Colombia is a beautiful and warm country, but the opportunities to work and to study there are very limited; that is why people decide to leave their country to find a better future. Also, education in Colombia is very expensive. Only a small group of people can afford the high costs of tuition and expenses. 

I had the opportunity to leave my country about 6 years ago. When I left my country and moved to the United States, I began to reflect on my life and I was able to understand the suffering of my people and the urge to do something relevant for them, and for myself.  I did not experience any traumatic issue throughout my childhood and adolescence, but the fact that people in the community are still abused in different aspects made me realize the importance of playing a positive role for them.  As I grew up, I continued helping others, and the prospect of doing this through the field of health was a very appealing idea.

I decided I wanted to do something important for the community, especially for those who have to adapt to a new culture, a new language, and a new society, as I did. For that reason, my main goal is to graduate soon as a nurse in order to improve my quality of life and help people with their health problems. Also, it is the opportunity to help people that are still struggling to understand English and the forms in the doctor’s office.

I chose nursing because I love to be involved in anything that deal with health and medicine. I like the possibility to help and comfort people thought my knowledge. I enjoy the idea to help people with their necessities and make them feel better. Also, a career in nursing gives me the possibility to educate people about their medical condition and treatments to improve their health. I love the idea to be useful for doctors and patients with my education and help them with basic but important procedures like drawing blood and taking vital signs, blood pressure, and temperature.  The satisfaction of being able to change the lives of many people that are suffering from different conditions with my help and attention make this career the most rewarding profession.

A Story of Life

I want to share a story of life that changed my mind and thoughts completely.

My sister is the person who most inspired me and helped me learn what life is all about. She taught me to love life. On September 17, 1973, my sister, Gina, was born without complications. She weighed 7 pounds and was 21 inches in length. My parents were happy because my sister seemed to be a normal, healthy little girl. However, her health changed when she was two years old. She started getting tired when she walked; she fell to the ground each time she tried to run, and she began to lose strength in her muscles. Immediately, my parents knew that something was wrong with her legs, and they took her to the best doctors in Colombia. The doctors did several tests to determine the type of illness from which she was suffering. They told my parents that she had Muscular Dystrophy, a group of disorders that involve muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue and get worse over time, and she would die by the age of fifteen.

When my sister was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, my family became worried. A physician had informed us that she would need special care for the rest of her life, and he also said, “Over the years, her body will deteriorate until she loses all movement.” After that terrible day, everything changed in our lives. My parents’ attention and love was only for my sister. I still remember that I felt jealous; however, I did not blame them. She was a sweet girl who everyone enjoyed being around. Despite her walking limitations, she was able to finish elementary school with excellent grades. Also, she graduated as a cosmetologist.

There was one thing I regret while in school, and it was that I felt ashamed of her. The idea of not having a “normal” sister to play with bothered me. I must admit that, at first, I was filled with a great deal of uncertainty as to how it saddened me to see the ignorance I once displayed. I was very immature to think that having a special sister is something that I had to be embarrassed about. We began to spend more time together, and our relationship become closer. Then, I learned that having a special sister was not something shameful.  Now, my sister is 40 years old, and she is married with a wonderful men. She is in a wheelchair and requires a lot of help and attention, but she still can function because of skillful doctors but also because of her amazing positive attitude. She is a natural motivator who always teaches the value of life. I am very blessed to live with her and learn every day the importance of life.

Thinking back, I took everything in daily life for granted. I never even thought about being able to do things like walk, brush my teeth, or go to the bathroom on my own. Now, I see how lucky I am to be able to do these things independently. I learned from my sister that every day I have a choice to live life to the fullest, and there are no obstacles that will stop me to achieve my dreams.

 

Terrorist Attack in France

            France suffered a brutal and terrible terrorism attack on January 7, 2015.  The magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris described the scenario where an extremist group killed around twelve people. Among the ones killed were a famous journalist, coworkers, and police officers. What would be the cause of such a violent act? Is there a religion issue linking to this brutal event? This magazine published a series of Danish cartoons that mocked the prophet Muhammad. Muhammad is considered in Islam to be a messenger and prophet sent by God to guide humanity to the right way. Is there a right way their absurd way? (Wikipedia)

Many Muslims felt like their faith was insulted and mocked by the magazine. These extremists demonstrated how the freedom of speech and expression can condemn people to die. Many extremist groups have been created by the Muslims. The Muslims are world leading ignorant religious leaders that have convinced people that they are on this holly war against the countries of the West.  This war was a result of people not wanting to convert to their religion and ideas. These leaders encourage their followers to make suicidal and terrorist attacks on different countries with the idea that they would be saved and rewarded in the next world by their God.

Do you think these people are acting in this savage way because a religious fanaticism or is there a psychological issues behind all this? In my opinion, it is a physiological problem because religious leaders played and changed the mind of many of their followers. They controlled the minds of the followers in the way that they think killing is acceptable if people do not follow their same religious beliefs. Also, this cruel behavior can be seen as a form of nurture and nature. Nurture because in the majority of Muslim countries people grow up seeing patterns of aggression in their culture where savageness is normal. Nature because they come from a family where aggression is genetically in their blood. I do not think God wants people to kill each other. God is love. Religions fundamentals are based on compassion, love, and respect for others.

 I condemn the use of extremist violence and terror due how these groups demonstrate their presence and how they try to get their demands is repulsive. The fact that they do not care about hurting innocent people, destroying families, and taking away the peace of mind that anybody should have to go anywhere in the world.  These coward actions cannot take the essence of a human being, the freedom of expression and speech.