The Ending of Something Wonderful

I guess it is time to say goodbye to this program and the amazing people that are in it. It is truly bittersweet. Here is the last HMP assignment that I will ever do:

Pica..Pica..Pica-CHU!

The more I learn about Pica and its mysterious origin, the more interesting it is to me. Recently, I read an article that explains the nature of this disease in full details. Some interesting facts that I discovered is that although no specific data exist regarding the racial predilection of pica, the practice is reported to be more common among certain cultural and geographic populations. For example, geophagia is accepted culturally among some families of African lineage and is reported to be problematic in 70% of the provinces in Turkey. Also, pica is observed more commonly during the second and third years of life and is considered developmentally inappropriate in children older than 18-24 months. Research suggests that pica occurs in 25%-33% of young children and 20% of children seen in mental health clinics. Overall, this article was another helpful source!

"Eating Disorder, Pica." Emedicine. Medscape, 4 June 2009. Web. 24

Mar. 2011. < http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/914765-

overview >.

Q and A

1. What part of the newspaper do you read first?

When I read a newspaper, I usually go straight for the world news section first because I simply find it most important in a newspaper. Being aware of world news makes me appreciate what we have. Also, I like to be informed and be more globally connected to other nations.

2. What are three books you’ve read in the past year?

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (This has to be one of my favorites. I highly recommend this!)

Family Ties by Clarice Lispector

The Golden Apples by E. Welty

3. As a child, what did you do in your free time?

When I was younger, I liked to be outside and do spontaneous things such as go on “adventures to the unknown forest” with my friends and ride my bike around the neighborhood. Also, being the little child that I was, television was my addiction—shows such as The Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Powderpuff Girls, Spongebob Squarepants, and Power Rangers were some of my favorites. I also had a diary back in the days…maybe that is the reason why I blog so much nowadays. I remembered eating a lot and chasing after ice cream trucks… (good memories). I guess I was a hyperactive little kid. I also remembered a lot of dress-up moments, water fights, jumping on piles of leaves shenanigans, chasing after fireflies, and etc. Just reminiscing about my childhood makes me want to be five again.

4. What’s a goal that has been on your list for a few years?

I think the one goal that I’ve always wanted to achieve is to own a motorcycle and know how to ride it well. I guess you could say that I like to live life on the edge. I don’t know why I’m such a junkie for an adrenaline rush but there is something about riding a motorcycle that is so...out of my comfort zone. I know the dangerousness of motorcycles but I couldn’t help it!

5. What do you actually do with your free time?

This is a funny question…what free time? Haha. Being in the International Baccalaureate program consumes most of my time, especially when I have a very intensive volunteering schedule. But, when I do have some free time, I like to do what relaxes me such as reading, blogging, jogging, walk around the park, and hanging out with some awesome friends.

6. What types of activities energize you?

Any activities that make me move my body and enjoy nature such as hiking. I like to be out-door and anything that involves enjoying nature, then I get really excited!

7. What famous people intrigue you?

Gandhi, Oprah Winfrey, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and the list goes on…

Look Between the Lines...

One of my favorite quotes has to be this one:

"The world is never just black and white, right or wrong, one way or another. Try and see things from as many points of view as possible."

I believe life is not definite--it is quite complex and ambiguous. By limiting yourself to only two options, you won't see the beauty of life itself. I am a very open-minded person, and I believe that everything is that much more fascinating if everyone tries to look at situations, ideas, and etc. from different perspectives!

A Picture is worth a thousand words...

Johnson students with the First Lady

The entire group!

It was a very cool experience to say the least! I felt like I was going through a tour in a museum--everything was so antiqued and polished that I was afraid of ruining its beauty by a simple stroke of the hand. The mansion's architecture was so historical and mesmerizing--ever piece was so detailed and symbolic. Moreover, the First Lady's hospitality also complemented the overall experience because she made it very comfortable and at ease.

Advices from the Experienced

I was reading several blogs by Gretchin Rubin, but I couldn't find anything that stood out to me until I read her blog, "The Things That Go Wrong Often Make the Best Memories--and Further Secrets of Adulthood". This blog had a very personal approach and voice to it; her personality shined as she gave spontaneous and random advices about life and her experiences of adulthood. I find it comical and very informed about the necessity of living. Her wisdom has definitely made my eyes open to the complexity and intricacy of aging!

Advices such as these makes me contemplate and ponder:

If you don't really want something, getting it won't make you happy.

It’s enormously helpful, and surprisingly difficult, to grasp the obvious.

(I believe they are very thought-provoking, no? ^_^)

In the Making

I am having a hard time debating on how to organize my presentation into an intriguing format. Researching about my essential question and gathering information and facts was easy but narrowing it down to a specific category was very difficult. I am still thinking about alternatives about my presentation and how I want to present it. I want to present an informative and in-depth presentation and not a boring, meticulous one. Hopefully I will figure something soon! Wish me luck!

Empathy

According to A Whole New Mind by Dan Pink, there are six essential elements that one should possess in order to thrive in this new era, and they are:

1. Design
2. Story
3. Symphony
4. Empathy
5. Play
6. Meaning

After watching Dan Pink's interview with Oprah about his new book, A Whole New Mind, I took the Empathy Quotient quiz to see how empathetic I am.

Q:How empathetic are you?

A: Based from the test, I got 65 which translated to I am above empathetic.

Q:Do you agree with the findings of the test?

A: I agree with this result because I am really self-aware of my character.

Q:Can you believe you can be taught empathy?

A: I think I agree with Dan Pink's sentiment on this question. Yes and No. Through parenting, kids can possibly learn empathy at a young age because their parents believe that being empathetic is a necessity in one's character. On the other hand, I think that empathy can also be inborn in one's personality. I think you can argue either way.

Q:Please mention someone (you don't have to give their specific name)you think shows empathy citing why you consider them to be an empathetic person and name someone you know (do NOT identify) is lacking in empathy citing examples of their lack of empathy.

A: The one person that shows extreme empathy for others is one of my good friends. She is the listener in our group. She is someone who you would go to for a deep conversation or problem. Essentially, her caring, compassionate, understanding, and kind personality makes me think that she is super empathetic. On the other hand, I also know a friend who is not empathetic at all. She displays an ego-centric persona; someone who cares for her well-being more than others, and she loves being the center of the attention. She ultimately has traits that make her not empathetic.

Pure Fasincation

Recently, I read an article, "Understanding Pica Behavior: A Review for Clinical and Education". What I find so intriguing about this particular article is the absurd facts about Pica. It is surreal that pregnant ladies have cravings for soil, clay, bricks, and charcoal. It states that Africa women consume soil during their pregnancies because they believe in the "soil's magical potential to ensure future offspring." This cultural tradition and belief flabbergasted me. Moreover, Pica is highly associated with other Developmental Disabilities (DD) such as the Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic disorder resulting in mental retardation and hyperphagia, a disorder of compulsive overeating. After reading this article, I want to know more about the associations Pica have with other disorders. Nonetheless, I learned so many interesting and fascinating facts and information that will definitely help me prepare for my final HMP project.

Works Cited

"Pica Eating Disorder Causes, Treatments: Pica Syndrome Symptoms." Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Common Illnesses. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.

"Pica: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine-National Institutes of Health. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.

"Stiegler, Lillian. "Understanding Pica Behavior: A Review for Clinical and Education Professionals." Accessmylibrary.com. Gales. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.