My Journey: First Stop Chicago

(Backstory: I saved up for a year in order to go on the trip of a lifetime. I travelled to the UK by myself for three weeks. I didn't know anyone, or anything about the places I was traveling to. (Except, I was named after one town I planned to stay in.) Anyhoodle, this post and subsequent posts will be out my awesomely epic journey, and how it changed me for the better.)

Me in Chicago! I have never had so much trouble with airports and plans as I have on this journey! The flight from TOL to CHI had quite a bit of turbulence…YAY! Right? Wrong. I never experienced any turbulences on the flights to NY/D.C./Florida. I. was. terrified! I quickly started saying my prayers (silently of course. I didn’t want people to think I was a nut case or something). By the way, I should probably start saying those formal prayers more often; I had some (a.k.a a lot of) trouble remembering the words. Ha, but I’m a Catholic, can’t expect to much from me!

Anywho, so like I said, I was finally in Chicago. Well, I’m just chilling waiting for my flight to arrive. I had a five hour layover, you see. With about 2 hours before my flight was meant to arrive, I notice on the board my flight was no longer there. I checked with the woman at the gate, and she confirm my flight was cancelled and that I needed to go down the hall to peak to someone….. Well, down the hall was no one. No one of any help to me that is. No one was at customer service and all the other gate keepers were pointing me in different directions with very vague instructions. Eventually, someone told me I was transferred to the 9pm flight to London. Ok, at least I have a flight now……six hours away. That makes my layover a grand total of 9 hours thus far, with no internet, games, movies, or actual food. I was beyond annoyed.

Well when I was walking around, trying to find Jamba Juice, I walked along with a janitor. We passed a young baby, feeding their baby. I instantly was like, “AWWW”, silently though. The janitor, who didn’t speak much English from what I gathered, turned around and smile at me, nodding towards them. It was strange, having that connection. It was just a passing moment, and somehow it made me warm inside. It’s hard to explain; just knowing that such things are universal, it warmed my heart of awhile and made me feel not so alone anymore. 

Around 8pm, I check to make sure my flight wasn’t cancelled like last time. The flight wasn’t showing up on the board again. So I run over to a gate keeper and ask about it. He said it was a flight delay for two more hours. Meh. When I finally got one the actual plane at 11pm, after waiting 12 hours with little sleep, little nourishment, and a big cold with no meds,  the caption came on and announced, “Sorry folks, there seems to be trouble with the turbulence thingy. We are troubleshooting it now. They have told me, uhhh, about 45 minutes or so. We’ll keep you on the plane, since that’s easier than evacuating everyone. uhhh, just take a nap….” Meh Meh WHAT?! I was piiiiissssed. 

But Kerry, what happened to your connecting lfights in London? Well, when  landed in London, I had exactly one hour and five minutes to run across the largest airport in the UK, and check in. I had to go through three to four different customs stations. I had to literally run, caring my coat and two now very heavy carry-ons, to the complete opposite side of the airport. I knocked over a little boy and a man on the way. To them, I am very sorry. They called last call for my flight twice, and my name specifically, over the pa before I got to the gate. Luckily, I made it. I was completely out of breath and drenched in sweat, but I did not miss my connecting flight. 

Once I arrived in Cork, I was detained. That was awesome and a half. The old gentleman that checked the non-euro passports was very curious of us trying to visit Ireland. Most of the travelers he let through after a few questions. Not Kerry Keyes! I had to wait an hour, and then be grilled by this guy about all of my plans for the next two weeks. And he went in circles with his questioning, to see if I’d slip up anywhere. I showed him all the confirmation emails from airports and tourist offices….even then, he had questions and would give a crazy look towards me. Afterall I went through, there’s no denying that I gave him sass after that hour. He finally left me go. 

First thing I did after I left the airport? Checked into my bar/hostel and had me some drinks. 

Pictures from Cork soon to come! 

Plan B: Cause Plan A F**ked Us

            Plan B is a form of emergency contraceptive; it is a concentrated dose of progesterone.  Progesterone is a steroid hormone that, in women, has effects on the uterus and vagina. Progesterone helps the endometrium in the uterus be more receptive to egg for implantation. Progesterone also helps raise one’s body heat. Both of which help one’s body get pregnant. Progesterone also thickens the vaginal walls, making the journey of sperm through the vagina more difficult.  If the levels of this hormone drop, along with the hormone estrogen, then ovulation occurs. If there is no fertile egg and implantation of such egg, menstruation occurs. Hormonal contraceptives maintain a high level of these hormones so that ovulation does not occur. However, contraceptive is not human proof, so mistakes happen. The condom breaks, or falls off. The woman might forget to take the pill the day of intercourse, or the following day. In such cases, emergency contraceptives might be necessary, if pregnancy is not ideal.

There are a few different kinds of emergency contraceptives; Plan B is just one of them. As stated previously, Plan B is a high concentration of progesterone, which thickens the vagina’s mucus leading to difficulty with fertilization. Plan B does this effectively the day after; however, if one waits to take it, its effectiveness decrease with each day. After three days, it will not work. If fertilization and implantation already occurred, this contraceptive will not help with “getting rid of the problem”. It will not harm the embryo, but it will hurt one’s pocket (being worth fifty dollars for one pill). Taking this contraceptive may hurt in other ways, since there are side effects including nausea and pain.

I myself have taken this pill before, and more than once. Every time, the side effects changed slightly. The first time I took it, I was sixteen and in my first serious relationship. The condom broke, and I was never good at remembering to take my birth control pills. we started to freak out. We saw a commercial for this emergency contraceptive, and decided it would be better (and cheaper) to get this than wait and see if we have a baby. Well, one cannot obtain Plan B over the counter, unless one is seventeen or older. So, I had my then boyfriend purchase it for me. Although being a male, he was nineteen, so the CVS pharmacy sold it to him. Almost immediately after taking the pill, I began to feel extremely nauseous. I had sever abdominal cramping. I was very fatigue. I looked on the box for the warning of side effects; I had them all. The worst part was, when I was sixteen, Plan B came in two different pills. One you took immediately, and other you waited twelve hours to take. I felt all the side affects for the second time, when I had to take pill number two.  Afterwards, I was very careful of making sure we were protected, not just out of fear of baby, but out of fear of Plan B.

I did, however, have to take it again. As previously stated, I took it about three times in my life, with side effects being different each time. While I had all the side effects each time, they ranged in severity. The most recent time I took Plan B,  I feel a little abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue. The biggest side effect I experienced was a delayed period. I had taken Plan B closer to the seventy-two hour deadline, as opposed to taking it immediately after intercourse with fail contraceptives. I didn’t receive my period for almost eight weeks afterwards. There was spotting in-between then, but I didn’t receive a normal period for two months. This is not a very common side effect, but it is one of Plan B. 

To sum up, Plan B is an emergency contraception composed of concentrated progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that thickens the vaginal walls, so that sperm cannot travel through, preventing fertilization. Progesterone is in regular birth control pills, as well. Birth control pills keep the hormone levels high so ovulation does not occur; once these levels lower after a few days, menstruation will occur. One can take Plan B if one’s regular birth control, i.e. condoms or birth control pills, fails. There are side effects of Plan B including but not limited to nausea, abdominal cramping and fatigue, all of which I personally experienced with additional side affects when I took Plan B.

Cardiovascular Fitness: Recipe for a Happy Heart and Body

Cardiovascular fitness refers to the health of one’s heart and blood vessels. The word cardiovascular means exactly that. “Cardio” refers to heart and “vascular” references blood vessels (Cardiovascular Fitness).  More specifically, cardiovascular fitness is the “capacity of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscles and the capacity of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement” (Smith). Essentially, when one performs a cardio workout, one is “enhac[ing] the ability of the heart and lungs” to do their functions, supply blood and oxygen respectively (Mercer). Furthermore, this also means that when performing a cardio workout, one is “enhac[ing] the muscle’s ability” to provide energy and movement (Mercer).

There are several reasons one should care about cardio fitness and if these systems are working properly. By definition, cardio fitness helps with the functioning of cardiovascular system, as well as the muscular system. Moreover, other health benefits exist.  Being physically active lowers the risk for disease, like cardiac, arterial, and vascular disease, hypertension, obesity and stroke (Smith). Additionally, cardiovascular fitness is linked with longevity and immunity (Mercer). Cardio fitness helps prevent heart diseases like cardiac, arterial and vascular disease because of how the heart is worked during cardio. With air coming to the lungs, the blood in the capillaries of the lungs absorbs the oxygen and carries it to the heart. The heart then pumps the oxygenated blood to the muscles and other systems. When one exercises, one causes the heart to pump at a higher rate while pumping more volume of blood as well. Over time, this causes the heart to become stronger, more efficient, and overall healthier (Cardiovascular Fitness).  Cardio fitness helps prevent hypertension (i.e. high blood pressure) because it improves circulation of blood flow while improving the heart (Horowitz).  Another benefit of cardio was discovered in 1995, in a Harvard study, which found “a distinct link between cardiovascular fitness and longevity” (Mercer). Essentially, the study looked at Harvard alumni over many years and noted that those who exercised lived healthier and longer lives as opposed to those who did not.  Cardio fitness does help one live healthier; it improves one’s immune system even. University of Miami preformed studies on AIDS patients, and concluded that exercise had a “profound impact” on the patients’ well being (Mercer).  It was also found that exercise impacted the health of elderly as well (Mercer). There are other health benefits, such as lowered cholesterol and increased endorphins, which cause one to feel calm or even happier than before exercise (Mercer).

After noting the benefits of cardio, one should note what consists of cardio. According to the article Cardiovascular Fitness, there are three stages: warm-up, the actual workout, then the cool down. The warm-up is a slow, low-impact motion, like walking for instance, and should last only for a few minutes. This is to prevent one’s cardiovascular system from the shock of an immediate and intense workout (Cardiovascular Fitness). The workout is an activity that “challenges the heart and lungs, thereby causing them to work hard than at rest” (Mercer). When working out, one’s heart rate should be elevated to a target heart rate, which could be calculated by subtracting one’s age from 220 and then calculate what 60 percent of that number is, and what 85 percent of that number is (Mercer). Activities that do this include, but are not limited to: running, or jogging, biking, swimming, skiing, or dancing (ex: Zumba) (Mercer). After these activities, one should “cool down” by keep moving in some fashion, such as calming walking around for a few minutes (Cardiovascular Fitness).

Cardio fitness is not limited just working out. It involves healthy diet and adding rest and relaxation time (Smith). Eating healthy is very important to maintaining a healthy heart, immune system and a healthy weight. There are ways to check to see if one has incorporated a healthy diet into their lifestyle. For instance, one may check the food pyramid to see if one is consuming appropriate amounts of grains, fruits, vegetables, and sweets. Adding time to relax, rest and distress helps also with immune system and longevity. According to an Adult Development and Aging course I am participating in, chronic stress leads to shorter longevity. Working out, and adding time to relieve stress would help with that. In short, working out for 30 minutes five times a week is not all that is needed to be healthy and to improve cardio fitness.

            There is a distinction between workouts. Aerobic exercise is when the workout is steady, and the heart and lungs have enough time to supply oxygen to the muscles. These exercises include swimming, jogging and walking (Cardiovascular Fitness). Anaerobic exercise is the other type of exercise. This is exercise is short, fast and the heart and lungs do not have time to supply oxygen to the body. These exercises, opposed to aerobic exercise, which can be done over longer periods of time, can only be done in short intervals. These exercise include activities such as 50-yard dash (Cardiovascular Fitness).

            Personally, I do a variety of things that help me with my cardio fitness. I try to maintain a well balanced diet. I check to see if I have adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables in my daily meals. I run two days a week. I participate in a Zumba class occasionally. I also participate in strength building programs, like Pilates classes. I also go for long quickened walks with my puppy on non rainy days. As far as my goals, I can now walk up stairs without feeling winded. I have started to slim down a little bit, not as much as I wanted though. My other goal is to improve strength, and I plan to increase my involvement in exercises like Pilates to do so.

References

“Cardiovascular Fitness” http://mabryonline.org/blogs/spannagel/images/CARDIOVASCULAR

             %20FITNESS.pdf

Horowitz, Marcel. "Exercising When You Have High Blood Pressure." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. 21 Sept. 2009. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/safe-exercise-tips>.

Mercer, Lisa. "Cardiovascular Fitness - What Is the Importance of It?" Health and Fitness, Diet and Weightloss. Love to Know Exercise. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.health-and-fitness-needs.com/cardiovascular-fitness.html>.

Smith, Jack. "Cardiovascular Fitness." Weight Loss- Some Facts About Weight Loss. 11 June 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://weightlossabouthere.com/cardiovascular-fitness/>.

The Future Me

I have often thought of where I would be when I am seventy.  I never thought I would be were I am though. You see, I am not the average old woman, who stayed where she raised her family and helped out with the grandchildren. While I do like spending time with my family, there was always a part of me that wanted more. I had such a strong wonderlust. So, I travelled. I toured France and Spain, much like I did when I was young. I visited amazing sights like Egypt and Morocco, fished and dined in Japan. I recently decided to settle down, in Italy. If I had not fallen in love with the views, I surely fell in love with the food.

            Italy is a wonderful place. Every morning I go down the street to my favorite little bakery. I spend an hour or two there, enjoying my breakfast while I look into the courtyard, watching children play before they run off to school. Then I take a stroll around the main streets, visiting friends in the market place, and coffee shops. I thought as I grew older, my addiction to a fabulous cappuccino who disappear; such is not the case. My first friends in this country I met in a coffee shop, like most other places I travelled. I may run errands, and do minor house hold chores after my walk. Then, in the evening, my gentleman friend visits. We have dinner, drink wine, and enjoy each other’s company almost every night. We have been together for nearly eight years now.

            While my life today may resemble one similar to a younger woman, there are some changes that I had to get use to. The wrinkles on my face, hands and feet. The increase of grey in my hair, and the decrease of redness. Other than those small changes, plus the addition ten pounds I have gained either due to muscle loss or all of this wonder food I am accustomed to now, I look relatively the same. For that, I am thankful.  I enjoy my life; it certainly was not what I pictured for myself when I was twenty, and thinking of my elder years. 

Robert Frost once wrote:

Two roads diverged in a wood and I- I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference. 

My life has never been easy. I’m always given obstacles it seems, since I was little practically. Many do not even know the majority of them. At times, I do hate it. At others, I realize how much I am better for it. I definitely have traveled a path less traveled. And it certainly has made all the difference. 

Stop Hating

  
     Why is there such a reason to hate on people these days? Why does one insist on focusing on the negatives? Even when they say they aren't, one knows they are. One may say they are not effected; yet, whenever someone mentions their name, one has an overwhelming emotion come over them. Whether they admit it to another human being is a different story. Hate is toxic. Hate is consuming. Why would one waste so much energy on someone? Why focus on being toxic? Now, this is not to say that everyone should be best friends. That's simply too idealistic hippy-esque for me. But, that is to say one does need to try and be more positive around those you are less fond of. If you try to be more positive, even around people who are not, that hatred feeling will go away. Will you be more fond of those people? No....well, most likely not anyways. But you will be happier. Happier with yourself, and happier with the world. Try not to focus on hate. Hate is toxic. Hate is consuming. Stop the hating. 

Anarchy: The Way to Go

An example that demonstrates anarchy is in the movie, Accepted. Bartleby Gaines decides to create a new college when he is not accepted to any existing colleges. At first Bartleby was obeying the system; he tried to get into a recognized institute by following their process. When that strategy did not work, he decided to exit the system to which he disagreed with. As metaphorically “retreating to the mountains”, he retreated to an abandoned building out of the way. He then notices issues with other colleges, how they restrict students’ intellect, and how students punish others for not fitting in. So Bartleby now cannot simply obey nor can he simply leave; he is too aware of problem the current system creates. Bartleby quickly realizes he cannot destroy the entire system of higher education; so he fights it by working within their system. He appears before an accreditation board, describes his individual college and the reasons why it is important for this college to be approved. It goes against the common educational experience, opening the doors for innovation. He explains what is wrong with the current situation, and how his particular institute can address the problems.  He follows their process for accreditation; yet, he still revised the system because of how his college individual processes on its own campus. Bartleby challenges the process, while working with the process to improve it. In the end, Bartleby did what was morally right.  While this example deals with education, the focus of this paper is the law.

There are many ways of looking at law. Is it right? Is it fair? Should we obey? Should fight? In order to answer these questions, one must answer the question, “Is the law, or authority legitimate?” Knowledge of a law’s legitimacy aids in one’s discussion making to obey, disobey and protest in order to improve it, or disobey and leave the law’s limits. If a law is indeed legitimate, there is a moral obligation to obey it, to support it, and to not interfere with it.  One obeys the law by simply not breaking it.  One supports it by paying taxes and teaching younger generations to follow such laws. One does not interfere with authority and law, for instance, when one refuses to lie to the police during an investigation. One knows if an authority is legitimate if the request in not immoral, if it is made by a legitimate process (i.e. due process). Anarchists argue that state commands could not be legitimate and must be broken, with good cause.  The anarchist position is controversial; however, there is some validity to their stance.

There are three reasons to obey. One should obey the law if it is morally right. If it is moral, one is obligated to. One could obey the law they fear the law. One fears the law because the law has power to punish those who disobey the law without justification. One may also obey the law through submission. One simply lies to oneself about the laws morality, pretending it is moral so that one can easily follow it.  To anarchists, this logic is unacceptable.  Not only is it unacceptable, it is immoral not to sincerely judge the law. If it is morally sound request from the state, then obey; if it is wrong, then do not obey. If one does not stop to question it first, one is acting immorally. To “go against the system”, one may take a few different paths. One may fight the law, and revise the system from within. One may destroy the system entirely, and replace it with a new system. Or, one may simply exit the state’s jurisdiction that is confined by the system.

Law and the authority that creates law, although not one hundred percent right, still carry a higher moral weight than if one simply exited society to live off their own rules. This perspective is the Service View. This theory is very Utilitarianism in thought, since it is numbered based. For instance, my actions, when I rule myself, meet my needs and morality about eighty-nine percent of the time; yet, if I obey the law, percentage rises to ninety-five percent of the time.

Since I appear to be more successful when obeying authority as opposed to disobeying it, I therefore should obey it one hundred percent of the time. This decision, according to this view, is the only logical decision. There are several issues with this argument. If the state decides the numbers, not me or another high level being; this leaves room for the state to deceive society by proving false numbers. Furthermore, the law is not one hundred percent right; following the law one hundred percent of the time may lower my percentage. It is morally wrong to simply follow without question due to this fact. It is still morally wrong to exit the law territory without of trying to correct the wrong.  Fighting and revising must take place before one can leave.  One may leave when there is proof that revisions have not addressed the problem, there are still signs of insincerity and when continuing to fight causes for harm than good. For instance, if one continuous fights, eventually people stop listening to the message. Furthermore, if one focuses on the fight for too long, one may lose sight on other important aspects of the situation. Time then is better spent leaving, or creating a new jurisdiction.

            In conclusion, when looking at law there are several choices: obey, fight and revise, destroy and leave. One should obey if the law is legitimate, and the law does not ask for an immoral action. One could also obey out of fear of punishment, or ignorance of the law’s immorality. One may destroy the law, and start a new system if one finds the current law unjust. One may fight the law and revise it from within the system. One may also leave the law’s jurisdiction, but only if one has tried to correct the law. To leave beforehand is immoral, as well.