Gel Manicure... I'm addicted!
Nov. 20, 2012
The one thing that sucks (excuse me but I had to say it) about working in the hospital is, washing your hands 50 times a day ruins your nails! Before starting medical school, I enjoyed regular manicures and even had acrylic nails for the longest time in college. Yet, I stopped getting manicures in medical school because not only was it a waste of money but it's against the professional dress code to have acrylic nails (really a hygiene no no) or even colored nails at that.
However, now that I'm traveling for residency interviews I had to do something with my nails. Nice nails complete your look in my opinion. But with little time to go to the nail salon every week, I needed something that lasts that isn't acrylic nails. Well, I found exactly what I was looking for after getting a GEL MANICURE!
It's natural and lasts for at least 2 weeks. Yes, its a bit pricey but well worth it! Below is a pic of my no-chip gel manicure after almost 2 weeks. I kept it natural with a light barely there pink to keep it professional for my interviews, but if you ignore my cuticles, my nails look GREAT! And believe me I have washed every dish you could imagine and there is no chip and my nails are shinier than ever. I love it...no better yet I'm addicted. I highly recommend it :)
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| no-chip gel manicure after almost 2 weeks |
P.S. There have been recent reports that the process of getting the manicure can increase your risk of skin cancer, as between coats your hands are placed under a UV light. However, the reports are inconclusive so I'm not quite convinced yet. I'm still looking into it. Until then...can't wait for my next manicure!
Going Natural...Is it for you?
May 13, 2012 ~ 9:44am
Growing up, getting a relaxer was a must! For those who are wondering what a relaxer is...its essentially a chemical based cream placed on the roots of the hair which chemically strips the roots of its natural wave resulting in "bone straight" hair, making the hair more manageable and softer in texture. The results of the relaxer last longer depending on the texture of hair. For those who have a coarser grade of hair, results last about 3 months. But for those with a finer grade of hair, results can last about 5-6 months. The before and after of someone with a relaxer is often astounding. But, the process comes with its cons. The chemical can be very damaging to the hair and scalp, resulting in burns and loss of hair. So, you wonder... why do it? Well again, having more manageable hair is tempting in spite of the possible damage. And if done by a professional or someone experienced in haircare, the risk of damage is minimized. Keyword: minimized. As over time, with repetitive chemical application, your hair is bound to suffer no matter who applies the relaxer.
For years, almost everyone I knew had a relaxer, as having straight, bouncy hair was preferred. Yet, within the past 2-3 years I have seen more people opt out of getting relaxers in favor of going "natural." The idea of going "natural" requires that you not only stop applying a relaxer but also grow out the relaxer, a process that requires frequent trims or cutting of inches to remove the relaxed ends as the new roots at your scalp grow in. I opted to stop relaxing my hair in 2008, as alopecia runs in my family and I suffer from a mild case which is concentrated at my temples. I chose to stop applying chemical to my hair in hopes of slowing down the effects of alopecia, as I began to notice more hair loss at my temples as I continued to relax my hair.
Growing the relaxer out and going natural is no joke. It requires more maintenance because the varying textures of relaxed and natural hair during the growing out process can be damaging in itself and result in hair breakage. However, it can be done! And if you're used to the look of relaxed hair, you can still have the same look without the relaxer if you use the right haircare products. But I will warn you, its work! It's been 4 years since I had a relaxer and my hair is now completely natural. Some who go natural choose to style their hair in kinky curls, soft curls (depending on their texture of hair), dreadlocks, or twists. Although, I like those styles on others, I prefer straight hair. So, when I wash my hair I blow-dry and straighten it using a flat iron.
So the question is... is going natural for you? YES! Whether you prefer to wear your hair curly or straight, it can be done without harsh chemicals. You just have to get your mind ready for putting in the work. But the results are well worth it. Yet, if you know going natural is not for you... there's nothing wrong with that. Just make sure you are taking proper care by using good conditioners and moisturizers in addition to minimizing heat application.
So if you're someone on the fence about going natural, think about it after reading this blog post. In the coming days I plan to post a How-To for going natural, including good haircare products and styling tools that I live by.
Until then...
Soul Searching Sunday: The Bucket List
May 1, 2012~ 6:42am
We've all heard the saying, "life is short." Three words which remind us all to cherish the time we have, as it can be taken at any minute. For 5 month old Avery Canahauti and her parents, they are bringing the saying to fruition. Avery was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atropy (SMA), an incurable neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness ultimately leading to difficulty breathing and death. Avery's life expectancy is 18 months.
Avery's parents recently started a blog in April, following her diagnosis, with the purpose of spreading the word about SMA, a disease with little research, in addition to sharing updates about Avery for family and friends. Yet, it wasn't until Avery's dad decided to create a bucket list for his daughter, that her blog went viral.
I came across this story on CNN and was quick to visit the blog to find out more. The idea of creating a bucket list for Avery was so touching as for me it reiterated the importance of taking hold of life and not letting your circumstances take hold of you. Furthermore, using social media to increase awareness is a wonderful idea and it definitely illustrates how far we have come in technological advances. Avery's blog has over 2 million hits and counting...
I'm rooting for Avery and her family! Check out the link below for more information on SMA and Avery's bucket list.
Boy do I need a bucket list...
Soul Searching Sunday: Poison in Power
March 11, 2012~ 12:07pm
There is poison in power. Some long to be idolized and the praise from others feeds their soul, bringing sustenance to their very being. This poison plaques Joseph Kony, a Ugandan guerrilla group leader and head of the Lord's Resistance Army, also known as the LRA. For about 30 years, Kony has made it his mission to kidnap young boys and girls for the purpose of turning the boys into killing machines and the girls into sex slaves all in the name of power. The children are forced to kill their parents, forcing them to remain with the LRA or become orphans. More than 60,000 children have been abducted and about 2 million people have been displaced since the rebellion started in 1986.
So what purpose does the LRA serve? Kony started the group in 1986, but the group was formerly called the Holy Spirit Movement under the control of Kony's cousin, Alice Lakwena. Lakwena claims to be ordered by the Holy Spirit to overthrow the Ugandan government which was accused of treating the Acholi people ( the people of Kony and Lakwena) unfairly. Resentment against the Ugandan government thickened, and supporters flocked to Lakwena allowing the Holy Spirit Movement to gain momentum. However, a battle won by the government led to Lakwena's exile.
As the Holy Spirit Movement lost a leader and direction, Kony took over as leader and rebranded the movement in 1986, calling it the Lord's Resistance Army. Kony initially stated that the mission of the LRA was to overthrow the government and rule Uganda based on the Ten Commandments. However, he rapidly lost support. Therefore, out of frustration he began to abduct thousands of children to increase its ranks, turning the children into killers and unleashing them on villages. Kony's main mission now is to retain power.
As thousands continue to suffer in Uganda and surrounding African countries, people opposed to such genocide have begin to stand up in the name of justice. Watch the video below for more information on the movement against Kony called Kony 2012. I am a supporter of Kony 2012 because I am a supporter of justice. So you might ask, what does this have to do with soul searching, spirituality, and/or religion... the answer is in the video... Enjoy.
Tips on talking to a loved one about substance abuse
Below you will find tips about talking to someone suffering from addiction. See the post "Another one lost...was addiction to blame?" for more information....
Before you talk to your friend
- Learn about drug and alcohol abuse. You can talk to any of the resources listed below without giving your friend's name.
- Prepare a list of specific problems that have occurred because of your friend's drinking or drug use. Keep these items as concrete as possible. "You're so antisocial when you drink" will not mean as much as, "When you were drunk, you made fun of me and were mean to me. You hurt me." Bring the list with you and keep the conversation focused.
- Choose a private location where you can talk without embarrassment or interruption. Your friend is more likely to hear you in a restaurant booth than at a large table in the Ratty. A talk in your room with the TV and music off will be more successful than one in your friend's room where he can easily create distractions while you talk.
- Feeling nervous about talking to your friend? Click to read success stories from college students.
How to talk to your friend
- Talk to your friend when she is sober. The sooner you can arrange this after a bad episode, the better. Your message will have more impact while your friend is hung over than it will a week later.
- Restrict your comments to what you feel and what you have experienced of your friend's behavior. Express statements that cannot be disputed. Remarks like, "Everyone's disgusted with you," or, "Lily thinks you have a real problem," will probably lead to arguments about Lily's problems or who 'everyone' is. Avoid such generalizations.
- Convey your concern for your friend's well being with specific statements. "I want to talk to you because I am worried about you," or "Our friendship means a lot to me. I don't like to see what's been happening."
- It is important to openly discuss the negative consequences of your friend's drinking or drug use. Use concrete examples from your list. "At the party I was left standing there while you threw up. The next day you were too hung over to write your paper. It makes me sad that these things are happening in your life."
- Emphasize the difference between sober behavior that you like and drinking behavior that you dislike. "You have the most wonderful sense of humor, but when you drink it turns into cruel sarcasm and you're not funny any more. You're mean."
- Be sure to distinguish between the person and the behavior. "I think you're a great person, but the more marijuana you smoke, the less you seem to care about anything."
- Encourage your friend to consult with a professional to talk about his/her alcohol problem. Give them the resources listed below. You can offer to find out more about the resources or go with them to an appointment.
- If you have a friend or family member you really trust, talk to them about what you’re seeing. Their involvement may help.
What NOT to do
- Don't accuse or argue. If your friend gets angry or provokes you, remind yourself to remain calm and to stay focused on your goal -- to be helpful by honestly expressing your concerns. "I understand that you don't like some things I do, either; we can talk about them later. My point now is that when you drink, you're doing dangerous things."
- Don't lecture or moralize. Remain factual, listen, and be nonjudgmental. Remarks like, "You've been acting like a slut," will only elicit defensive anger. Instead say, "You've been hooking up with people you don't like and doing things you regret the next day."
- Don't give up. If your friend seems resistant, you can bring it up later or let them know you're there for them if they ever want to talk.
I know I need to exercise but...
Jan 4, 2011 8:11pm
Many know the importance of exercise, but its the motivation to exercise and stick with it that most have a problem with. I'll be the first to admit that I struggle with maintaining a consistent workout regimen. From school to studying and organizational meetings sometimes there's not enough time in the day to go to the gym. Not to mention that sometimes going to the gym is the last thing you want to do when you have free time!
But when you put all the barriers aside and think about the true health benefits of regular physical activity, you can't beat it. So the best way to establish a consistent exercise regimen is to determine what works for you. According to the CDC, the physical activity recommendation for adults (18-64) is 2 hours and 30 minutes or 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity AND 2 or more days a week of muscle strength training. So technically you need about 30 minutes of cardio 5 times per week and 2 days of strength training.
My personal goal is to workout 5-6 times/ wk and strength train at least 2 times per week. My biggest problem is not getting to the gym but staying interested! Me and the treadmill 5 times a week doesn't work. So, I prefer aerobics classes like kickboxing, step, or cardio interval to stay motivated and I incorporate the elliptical and treadmill on days I don't take aerobics classes. For strength training, I take a strength training class twice a week which allows me to push myself to finish all the reps. So at the end of the day, instead of not exercising... figure out what will motivate you to not only exercise but STICK WITH IT.
For those interested in dance, I highly recommend ZUMBA. It's fun and easy to catch on too, not to mention it incorporates cardio and muscle conditioning which is a double bonus. Its typically an hour long class. Youtube has tons of videos if your curious about the class.
