Hey-o it's over, and about to begin

Fall 2008
College:				Nursing
Major:				Junior Division Nursing
Student Type:				Continuing
Academic Standing:				Good Standing
Additional Standing:				Scholar
Subject	Course	Level	Title					Grade	Credit Hours	Quality Points	R
NUR	302	UG	NURSING & HEALTH PROMOTION					B	3.000	9.000
NUR	303	UG	HEALTH ASSESSMENT					B	3.000	9.000
NUR	304	UG	APP PATHOPHYSIOLOGY LIFESPAN					B	3.000	9.000
NUR	310	UG	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE NURS I					B+	6.000	18.000
				Attempt Hours	Passed Hours	Earned Hours	GPA Hours	Quality Points	GPA
Current Term:				15.000	15.000	15.000	15.000	45.000	3.000
Cumulative:				40.000	40.000	40.000	40.000	130.000	3.250
TRANSCRIPT TOTALS (UNDERGRADUATE)
				Attempt Hours	Passed Hours	Earned Hours	GPA Hours	Quality Points	GPA
Total Institution:				40.000	40.000	40.000	40.000	130.000	3.250
Total Transfer:				0.000	0.000	41.000	0.000	0.000	0.000
Overall:				40.000	40.000	81.000	40.000	130.000	3.250

The tidings of the season to you!

Merry Christmas!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel,

in the grime of a stable,

under the brilliance of a star,

you came.

One day all the universe

will acknowledge your Love

which is boundless

and enduring

and dwelling forever,

Amen.

chronicling a lovely c h r i s t m a s

Photos by Tyler Pierce 

(excepting 7 and 8)

holiday spirits!

foods ::

cocktail weenies

spinach spankies

candied nuts

celery sticks with pimento cheese

celery sticks with garlic cream cheese

veggie tray with homemade low-fat dip

2-layer yellow cake with buttercream frosting

Mullin spiced apple cider

Perrier sparkling water with raspberries

Swiss Miss hot chocolate

grocery list ::

3 liter bottles of Perrier (7)

2 gallons of apple cider (5)

2 packages of Mullin Spices (4)

jar of pimentos (2)

pack of celery (3)

pack of sugar snap peas (4)

3 bell peppers (5)

once lemon (1)

package of frozen raspberries (4)

cream cheese (2)

shredded cheddar cheese (4)

ice

....equals joyous times :]

Let's play here and now

I could hate him for making me question

I could hate him for imposing his own dream

-remind me again, why must I conform mine

(because it is not so crisply defined in years and situations?)

I could hate him for his increasing urgency and my lowered resistance.

No I'm sorry I don't have my life figured out.

There's no aligned dominos in a knock-down trail

There's no aces in their spaces

There is no symmetry.

This is what I am.

This is what I'm developing from

a young girl riddled with fear of the future

Yes I'm trying.

Let's just say I'm attempting with all my might.

A glorious warmth in his arms and kiss, apart it's all submerged

Today/tomorrow/sincerely I thank God for...

showers

myself?

music

giving shots

writing, blogger

pretty colors of thread

internet

slushies

Schuy, D, and Louie

paintings, photography

His strength carrying me through

beautifulness

piano

singing uninhibited

joyous holidays

my bedroom, bathroom

naptimes

family

best friend/boyfriend

ability to learn

my job and subsequent paycheck

ghetto mobile

smiling

Survive and prosper

Advair 500/50mcg, one puff twice daily

314.99 (60.24 w/ insurance)

 

Maxair Autohaler 400 puffs total, two puffs four times daily, fifteen minutes prior to exercise and PRN

177.99 (23.64 w/ insurance)

Ocella tablet, one daily

173.89 (35.84 w/ insurance)

 

Prednisone 20mg tablets, one tablet three times daily for twenty days

11.99 (0.65 w/ insurance)

 

SMZ/TMP tablets, one daily

32.89 (2.34 2/ insurance)

I'll write you a poem, dripping

You're the peanut to my butter

-You're the cheese to my macaroni

You're the chocolate to my strawberry

-You're the ranch to my chicken

You're the popcorn to my favorite movie

-You're the soda to my burger and fries

You're the bright sunshine when I wake up

-You're the blanket I could cuddle with

You're the reason for my random smile

-You're the music in my ears

You are the beat to my heart

-You are the love of my life

You're the only thing I want or need in this world

To whom it may concern

MyMy parents began home schooling me at age seven, and I remained home schooled until my graduation at age 16.  Throughout my education, my parents always emphasized the primary importance of learning and understanding, not just rote memorizing. They instilled in me the desire to comprehend new material so I can better utilize it later in life. I enrolled in Calhoun Community College’s dual enrollment program my senior year so I could complete my high school course requirements and also receive college credit. I loved the college experience and enjoyed all my classes.

I have many varied interests which include, but are not limited to, USTA tennis, local community theatre, TeenPact for Alabama, Alabama Music Teacher's Association statewide piano competitions, YMCA exercise classes, Huntsville Times Teen Page, sewing societies, dance instruction, and Kingdom Life Fellowship Church. I have volunteered extendedly at Constitution Village, Fantasy Playhouse, Lincoln Village ministries and on governmental campaigns.  I know these hobbies and pursuits will benefit me in my academic major and in pursuing a well-rounded outlook on life.

In May of 2006 I graduated high school from Excalibur Christian Home School Group with a high school GPA of 4.0 and a college dual enrollment GPA of 3.5 and 18 college credit hours. I was accepted as a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Dean's List.  I received Redstone Arsenal's Calhoun Community College $2000 scholarship and continued my education at Calhoun until Spring 2007. I transferred Fall 2007 to University of Alabama at Huntsville. Now I have completed 84 academic hours and maintain a GPA of 3.4.

My declared field of study is Nursing, with the possibility of continuing education in graduate studies. Since I was young, I wished to enter a vocation where I may communicate with people and assist them all I can. Nursing is a field I feel called into as a career and way of life, and working on a pediatric floor is my first career goal. Receiving a scholarship can set that goal within reach through financial assistance.  In the following two years I will strive to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the UAH Nursing Department. 

Thank you for your consideration!

Shine

Who cares what we’ve earned?

Somebody’s sold all the truth that you’ve yearned.

Remember when we used to shine?

And had no fear of sense or time.

When it creeps up on you

 

You can’t cry when there’s nothing to feel

No one’s noticed our loneliness

Remember when we used to tease

And made us scream eternal joy

 

I believed that you’d always be here

‘Cause once you promised a life with no fear

Please don’t break my ideals

And say what’s fake was always real

 

I was the one and only

Take me back again

-Muse

Fall in your lap

spring/grasp/tilt/h o l d  o n.

This is it?

I thought... well

Not this

But how can I ask for more?

A short observation on healthcare and tomorrow

When deciding to vote for a candidate, there are numerous topics to research. Most Americans scrutinize the topics they consider personally important, or that would significantly influence their culture, lifestyle and habits. When I approached the candidates from a health care perspective, it became very confusing. This topic directly affects my future career as a nurse. Health care problems are being addressed through several different policies, according to each candidate’s position. Yet since I agree with a couple of policies from each candidate, it was necessary to sort through which policies I consider important and effective for the problems.

Health care for everyone is fundamental in my worldview. I desire for all people of all ages to have access to healthcare. McCain specifically states that every American deserves healthcare, including alternate treatment settings and cost-effective measures. Obama stresses healthcare for the underprivileged and children, requiring mandatory health insurance for minors in particular.

Regulation of healthcare safety is also a concern. Obama emphasizes hospital responsibility with compulsory federal regulations, including RN/patient ratios. McCain emphasizes consumer knowledge on treatment options and outcomes, and providing Medicare payments for diagnostic visits and disease prevention measures.

Healthcare would only be effective if it were affordable. Obama revealed a detailed plan for affordable healthcare that incorporated national public health insurance with income-related subsidies called the National Health Insurance Exchange. Also, he desires to expand Medicaid, and would require employers to offer an insurance program to all employees. McCain addressed the issue through a Guaranteed Access Model that is state-based, with financial assistance for lower-income peoples and premium-limitations on insurance companies. McCain’s approach to employer insurance is to drop favorable tax treatment of businesses, and instead provide a tax refund to individuals and families for private insurance coverage.

In considering healthcare professionals education, Obama supports loan-repayments, reimbursements, training grants, and $4000/yearly tuition credit for all student nurses. Although tuition credit would be a great assistance to student nurses, I consider it an inequitable neglect towards other students who are pursuing engineering, biology, chemistry, and other fields that contribute directly to healthcare in our nation.

When deciding which candidate’s policies would be best for nursing only, Barack Obama demonstrates the most supportive policies for the nursing profession. However, the majority of his healthcare strategy incorporates a national infrastructure that requires enormous government funding. Obama does not address how this funding will be obtained, presumably from increased federal taxes.

When considering the candidates’ political policies regarding general healthcare, I am supportive of McCain’s course of actions. Limiting insurance premiums, emphasizing prevention of disease through testing and education, providing state insurance plans, and a tax refund for private insurance coverage are the strategies I wish to see implemented. These would allow for freedom of individual responsibility with support for the underprivileged, without the formation of a national healthcare insurance set up.

References:

American Nurse’s Association (2008, August 18). Documents. ANA Policy and 2008

Presidential Candidates Obama & McCain. Retrieved http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAPoliticalPower/Election2008/2008Presidential/PresEndorseProcess/ANAPolicyand2008PresidentialCandidates.aspx

 

McCain, John (2008, October 12). Healthcare. Straight Talk on
Health System Reform. Retrieved

http://www.johnmccain.com/content/default.aspx?guid=8475c713-a541-4b97-a2aa-800e35da37bb

 

Obama, Barack (2008, October 12). Healthcare. Obama-Biden Health Care Plan.

Retrieved http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf

 

-K R

Remove the scales from our eyes

God, put an end to evil; avenging God, show your colors! Judge of the earth, take your stand; throw the book at the arrogant. 

God, the wicked get away with murder—how long will you let this go on? They brag and boast and crow about their crimes! 

They walk all over your people, God, exploit and abuse your precious people. They take out anyone who gets in their way; if they can't use them, they kill them. They think, "God isn't looking, Jacob's God is out to lunch." 

Well, think again, you idiots, fools—how long before you get smart? Do you think Ear-Maker doesn't hear, Eye-Shaper doesn't see? Do you think the trainer of nations doesn't correct, the teacher of Adam doesn't know? God knows, all right--knows your stupidity, sees your shallowness. 

How blessed the man you train, God, the woman you instruct in your Word, Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil, while a jail is being built for the wicked. God will never walk away from his people, never desert his precious people. Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right. 

Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up. 

Can Misrule have anything in common with you? Can Troublemaker pretend to be on your side? They ganged up on good people, plotted behind the backs of the innocent. But God became my hideout, God was my high mountain retreat, then boomeranged their evil back on them: for their evil ways he wiped them out, our God cleaned them out for good.

-Psalm 94

I'm going to try

Thrown in the middle of

not terror, really

if there is a feeling worse it's apathy

when you can't pursue what you desire

you fill the void with "rightness"

that logic will prod you in

that voices of reason will praise

they confirm the emptiness, no doubt

Thrown in the middle of

not attachment, really

if there's a feeling worse it's complacency

when you scream at night from indecision

you rage against walls with questions

that would be answered if

that could be explained it

you dropped the chains of reality, no doubt

There's nothing but a sad shallow goal

There's nothing to embrace at night

There's nothing I desire

And I dare to include my love in this

And I dare beg for his understanding

And I continue through the straight and narrow

As slowly like a mist at twilight

I lose my beautiful deadly rabbit hole

dream

Hideaway

Take the sky for example
A canvas of a billion suns
But our local hero shines them out by day
Safe for the winking of a Venus or Mars

Even the stars
Sometimes fade to gray
Even the stars
Hideaway

I see the bare moon raise it's big bald head
I see my friends play the fool
I'll make my own way in the wide world
Just know I don't want to wander too far

Even the stars
Sometimes fade to gray
Even the stars
Hideaway

Some call me all kinds of names
Some say I don't play the right kind of game
I try to be honest, I try to be kind
And honestly leave when I know that it's time
I know that it's time

Hear a phoebe sing his only song
The summer's day is hovering
I'll write my full heart troubles while I can burst
Out the windows of our traveling car

Even the stars
Sometimes fade.....

-The Weepies

a futuristic list containing a ray of motherly aspiration

Alexander
Alice
Ari
Beatrix
Demi
Ella
Elisha
Emily
Frances
James
Jaden
Jem
Jewel
Jules
Julia
Katherine
Katrina
Keaton
Killian
Ives
Lane
Liam
Leigh
Louis
Mary
Rea
Rin
Sara
Schuyler
Sean
William

Trusted

It was a gift
and I held it in my hands
regulated with a pulse of exposed emotions
it was firm
but pliable underneath my influence
perhaps a word, a tone, a glance could make it cease -
- so great was the responsibility
- greater than I wish to admit

It was a gift
and I locked it up, tight
trying maybe saving it from the murder I could....commit

maybe

One day, a recall
One day you'll take back(heart)
A swift searing pain
A recoil of raw emotions

and I'll realise with a wry stretched smile
what happens when your love kills
and though it was a gift I'll return it

and I will know it(heart) like my own(heart)
because so long it had been mine(heart)

and it'll still be regulated with the pulse of denied emotions

And you will blame me.

The blame:
It's termination
It's wretched hurt
It's pallid beat -
damn it 
It's blood should never
It's blood could never
Be on my hands

- because it was a gift.

11.1.2006

Diagnostic Puppy Love

Is this temporary
Is this obsession
Is this rediculous
Is this lust
Is this running heedless
Is this insane
Is this far too soon
Is this much too deep
Is this rebellion
Is this adoration
Is this perfect
Is this blindly flawed
Is this real
Is this right
Is this

Love [one year and seven months flying blind toward the sun]

2.14.2007

Please read

Growing up on a healthy diet of faeries, stories, Arthurian legends, Shakespeare, greek gods, and true romance in its purest sense, I like to hear commentary by fellow fairy-tale lovers. I particularly enjoy this post by Aine.

http://recoveringhelen.blogspot.com/2008/08/real-fairy-tales-vs-4-tenet-romantic.html

If you do, if you don't

Let’s get out, let’s get out of here.
I’ll go at it alone if I have to, but I need you there.
I’m honest with nobody else -
Whether or not I make it there is will itself.
And I’m honest with only myself -
I can’t afford to lose you now, not in this hell.
But I’ll stay with you!

I’m a mess and so a wreck, a poor excuse without you near to keep me in check.
So take me out, and take me anywhere!
I’m out of touch with everything and I don’t care.
So I must be out of my mind.
The offer I have to give to you is all my time, so I’ll stay with you.

We sing over and over
....And baby I'm a waste of time

-Cartel

Build god

It's these substandard motels on the (lalalalala) corner of 4th and Fremont Street.
Appealing only because they are just that un-appealing
Any practiced catholic would cross themselves upon entering.
The rooms have a hint of asbestos and maybe just a dash of formaldehyde,
And the habit of decomposing right before your very (lalalala) eyes.

Along with the people inside
What a wonderful caricature of intimacy
Inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy

Tonight tenants range from: a lawyer and a virgin
Accessorizing with a rosary tucked inside her lingerie
She's getting a job at the firm come Monday.
The Mrs. will stay with the cheating attorney
Moonlighting aside, she really needs his money.
Oh, wonderful caricature of intimacy.

Yeah

And not to mention, the constable, and his proposition, for that "virgin"
Yes, the one the lawyer met with on "strictly business"
As he said to the Mrs. Well, only hours before,
After he had left, she was fixing her face in a compact.
There was a terrible crash between her and the badge
She spilled her purse and her bag, and held a "purse" of a different kind.

Along with the people inside
What a wonderful caricature of intimacy
Inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy

There are no raindrops on roses and girls in white dresses.
It's sleeping with roaches and taking best guesses
At the shade of the sheets and before all the stains
And a few more of your least favorite things.

What a wonderful caricature of intimacy

Summer playlists

Only Human:
Jason Mraz-We Sing We Dance We Steal Things.
Jack Johnson-In Between Dreams
John Mayer-Continuum
Norah Jones-Come Away With Me, Feels Like Home
KT Tunstall-Eye to the Telescope, Drastic Fantastic
Paul McCartney-Chaos and Creation, Memory Almost Full

Untitled:
Panic at the Disco-Pretty.Odd.
Portal-Still Alive (single)
Juno-Original Soundtrack
Moulin Rouge-Original Soundtrack

Slow Beauty:
Rufus Wainwright-Poses, Want One, Want Two
Sarah McLachlan-Afterglow, Fumbling Towards Ecstacy, Surfacing
Fiona Apple-Extraordinary Machine, Tidal
Fine Frenzy-One Cell in the Sea
Aqualung-Strange and Beautiful, Memory Man

Beyond the Neighborhood:
The Shins-Chutes Too Narrow, Oh Inverted World, Wincing the Night Away
Snow Patrol-Eyes Open, Final Straw
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin-Pershing
Athlete-Beyond the Neighborhood, Tourist, Vehicles and Animals

Back Then Right Now:
Queen-Greatest Hits
Van Morrison-Brown Eyed Girl (single)
George Thorogood-Who Do You Love (single), Bad to the Bone (single)
Creedance Clearwater Revival-Have You Ever Seen the Rain (single),
Down on the Corner (single), Up Around the Bend (single),
Susie Q (single)
Don McLean-American Pie (single)
Rolling Stones-Paint It Black (single)
ABBA-Greatest Hits

More than Music:
Danny Elfman-Sernada Schizophrana
Pan's Labyrinth-Original Soundtrack
Fellowship of the Ring/Return of the King-Original Soundtrack
The Secret Garden-Original Soundtrack

There's the line you must draw, the line you must cross

With a deep breath and a prayer
take a plunge / no shifting doubt and drowning fear.
If I reveal myself to you, would you be gentle?
I'm new to this, and I'm treading tentively on unwashed sand.
There's always potential abandonment / crash and burn.
Yet here I stand.

So this is what it feels like and why the poets die.

I could kill for something like this.

"How long could it last?"
"What will you teach me?"
"Where will we go?"
"Do I trust you?"

Yes.

(I used to be afraid of losing my heart.
Now I'm only afraid of losing you.)

12.4.06

Bold as Love

Anger, he smiles towering in shiny metallic purple armor
Queen Jealousy, envy waits behind him, her fiery green gown sneers at the grassy ground
Blue are the life-going waters taken for granted, they quietly understand.
The once happy turquoise armies lay opposite ready
But wonder why the fight is on.

But they're all bold as love
Yeah, they're all bold as love
They're all bold as love
Just ask the axis

My red is so confident that he flashes trophies of war and ribbons of euphoria
Orange is young, full of daring but very unsteady for the first go around
My yellow in this case is not so mellow, in fact I'm trying to say it's frightened like me
And all these emotions of mine keep holding me from
Giving my life to a rainbow like you

I'm bold, bold as love
Just ask the axis
Yeah he knows, he knows everything
I'm bold, bold as love

-John Mayer

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

happiness
relief
excitement
contentment
love

joyness!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lonely

doesn't deserve to be capitalized

it hurts

undefined, lost, give up?

Origin > Greek, "Katheros", meaning pure

Defining characteristics > unpredictability, joy, empathy

Loves > writing, music, Jesus, the boys, mom and dad, melodies, lyrics, modeling, photos, sewing, Gammy, Granny, Grandmamma, PawPaw, designing, caring, loving, touching, David, manga, poetry, antiques, vintage, details, patterns, nature, creating, freedom, schedules, organization, chaos, the infinite, friends, sponteneaity, posing, windows, bubble baths, change, kissing, trips downtown, parks, life, art, great heights, driving, money, beauty, giving, volunteering, children, noise, personalities, learning, running away, exercise, yoga, traveling, clothes, movement, loving, thinking, performing, security, mercy.



Now what?

Cigarettes and chocolate milk
these are just a couple of my cravings.
Everything it seems I like's a little bit stronger, a little bit thicker
a little bit harmful for me.

If I should buy jellybeans, have to eat them all in just one sitting.
Everything it seems I like's a little bit sweeter, a little bit fatter
a little bit harmful for me.

And then there's those other things, which for several reasons we won't mention.
Everything about them is a little bit stranger, a little bit harder
a little bit deadly.

It isn't very smart. . .
Tends to make one part so broken-hearted

Sitting here remembering me.
Always been a shoe made for the city.
Go ahead, accuse me of just singing about places
with scrappy boys faces have general run of the town.

Playing with prodigal songs takes a lot of sentimental valiums
Can't expect the world to be your raggedy andy
While running on empty, you little old doll with a frown.

You got to keep in the game, maintaining mystique while facing forward.
I suggest a reading of 'a lesson in tightropes' or 'surfing your high hopes'
or 'adios kansas'.

It isn't very smart. . .
Tends to make one part so broken-hearted.

Still there's not a show on my back, holes or a friendly intervention.
I'm just a little bit heiress, a little bit irish a little bit tower of pisa whenever I see you.
So please be kind if I'm a mess!
. . . Cigarettes and chocolate milk

Don't ever change, don't ever worry because I'm coming back home tomorrow.
To 14th Street where I won't hurry
Where I'll learn how to save not just borrow and they'll be rainbows and we will finally know.

Why'd you have to break all my heart - Couldn't you have saved a little bit of it?
Why'd you have to break all my heart - Couldn't you have saved a minor part?

-Rufus Wainwright

You could do better

When I was young lying in the grass. I felt so safe in a warming bath
of sunlight, of sunlight.
Vast open sky could do no harm, like an embrace the lover's arms.
In sunlight, in sunlight.

With every year that came to pass.
More clouds appeared, the sky went black.
And there was no sunlight, no sunlight.
Anymore...

It disappeared with the same speed.
With idealistic timing the optimist died inside of me.

No sunlight, no sunlight.

It disappeared with the same speed.
With idealistic timing the optimist died inside of me.

Your kept in an open cage so your free to leave or stay.
Sometimes you get confused.
There's a hint that I'm trying to give you.

The longer you think the less you know what to do.

It's hard to see your way out when you live in a fallacy house.
You don't realize that the windows were open the whole time.

We're starting to feel
We stayed together out of fear
Of dying alone
I've been slipping through the years
My old clothes don't fit like they once did
So they hang like ghosts
Of the people I've been

It's like my heart can't take
My fall in love every day
And I feel like a fool

I have to face the truth
That no one could ever look at me like you do
Like I'm something worth holding on to

These times I think of leaving
But it's something I'll never do

'Cause you can do better than me
But I can't do better than you

-Death Cab for Cutie

Current pursuits

Guidance in a seance

Elaborate on the increasing territorial aggression in contemporary rap lyrics

Research the correlation between the rising percentage of Autism diagnosis in America and mandatory vaccinations for toddlers and adolescents

Blowing one bubble-gum bubble inside another

Deny every step I take/every step I hate but still take

Record the fees, the fees, the other fees - I don't even want to be here!

3 dresses, 1 tank top, pair of flip-flops, 1 skirt, 2 bras, 3 panties, more make-up, 3 prescriptions filled
=W A S T E D money=

Dang amaretto sours are amazing, though

Student Information

Current Program
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Level:	Undergraduate
Program:	BSN in Nursing
Admit Term:	Fall 2007
Admit Type:	Transfer
Catalog Term:	Fall 2007
College:	Nursing
Major and Department:	Lower Division Nursing, Nursing
Academic Standing:	Good Standing

Undergraduate Course work

CRN	Subject	Course	Section	Course Title	Campus	Final Grade	GPA Hours
11559	BYS	314	01	ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II	Main	B+	4.000
10833	NUR	306	02	ETHICAL/LEGAL ASPECTS HLTH CAR	Main	B+	3.000
11677	NUR	450	01	ISSUES IN TRANSPLANTATION	Main	A	3.000
10689	PHL	202	03	INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS	Main	A-	3.000

Undergraduate Summary

		Attempted	Earned	GPA Hours	Quality Points	GPA
Current Term:		13.000	13.000	13.000	45.000	3.462
Cumulative:		25.000	25.000	25.000	85.000	3.400
Transfer:		0.000	38.000	0.000	0.000	0.000
Overall:		25.000	63.000	25.000	85.000	3.400

Starlight

Far away
This ship has taken me far away
Far away from the memories of the people who care if I live or die

Starlight

I will be chasing a starlight until the end of my life
I don't know if it's worth it anymore

Hold you in my arms
I just wanted to hold you in my arms

My life
You electrify my life
Let's conspire to re-ignite all the souls that would die just to feel alive

I'll never let you go
If you promise not to fade away
Never fade away

Our hopes and expectations
Black holes and revelations

Our hopes and expectations
Black holes and revelations

Far away
This ship has taken me far away
Far away from the memories of the people who care if I live or die

I'll never let you go
If you promise not to fade away
Never fade away

Our hopes and expectations
Black holes and revelations

Our hopes and expectations
Black holes and revelations

Hold you in my arms
I just wanted to hold you in my arms

I just wanted to hold

-Muse

Exploration of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy:

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) involves a disruption of the action potential transmission in peripheral nerves, either through the deterioration of the axon, axonopathy, or the deterioration of the myelin sheath, myelinopathy. This causes tingling sensations, numbing, temperature disparity or pain in the digits and limbs of the patient. The first form of genetic PN includes genetic code mutations, and the second form of PN is acquired by chemicals, toxins, nutritional deficiency, and tumors. Although many acquired causes can be identified for PN, diabetes mellitus is the most frequently diagnosed (Daousi et al 2006). “Peripheral Neuropathy can be the result of genetics, chronic disease, environmental toxins, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, or side effects of certain medications. Among chronic diseases, diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of PN” (Head, 2006). The focus of this paper is to explore axonopathy and myelinopathy within the context of acquired diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which, according to Koopman et al 2006, represents “a serious public health concern.”

Nervous tissues consist of highly-specialized cells that conduct action potentials to and from the central and peripheral nervous systems. A neuron is the basic cell of the system and it is composed of a neural cell body that extends into an axon. This axon is swathed in a myelin material from Schwann cell membranes that facilitate the conduction of an action potential. “During the wrapping process, the cytoplasm is squeezed from between the adjacent layers of Schwann cell membranes, so that when the process is completed a tight coil of plasma membrane material (protein-lipoid material) encompasses the axon” (Marieb and Mitchell, 2007). This axon and myelin have an exact composition and overall proportion for optimum conductivity, “maximum insulating ability, and maximum protection. Myelin is composed mainly of lipid, but also contains a number of myelin-specific structural proteins” (van Gemert & Killeen, 1997). Due to the specifications of the axon and myelin, neuropathy can result from any chemical, tumor, nutritional deficiency, or toxic tampering.

Acquired PN develops during a continuous or intermittent exposure to a damaging substance or nutritional deficiency through vasoconstriction. A damaging substance such as a radical or toxin can attack the axon first and myelin secondary, causing axonopathy, or attack the myelin alone, causing myelinopathy. Axonopathy and myelinopathy are distinguished by the specific effects of the attacking substance, or by the specific effects of a hindrance on the neuron’s health. A tumor growth can cause nutritional and vascular deficiency in axonopathy and myelinopathy, which stymies the neuron’s ability for action potential conduction.

Axonopathy and myelinopathy are jointly involved in diabetic neuropathy. Both disorders inhibit the proper conduction of an action potential leading to neuropathic symptoms, and the effects are acute. Symptoms are pain, numbness, loss of temperature differentiation, loss of reflex, loss of balance, inflammation, erectile dysfunction, and inability to distinguish small objects by touch are commonly exhibited. These issues, especially the pain, greatly affect the patient’s quality of life. Seventy-five percent of diabetic patients report moderate to severe pain as a primary symptom of diabetic neuropathies, according to Cocito et al 2006.

In diabetic axonopathy, demyelination is a secondary event to the destruction of the axon. “Axonal degeneration is the primary event, and this eventually results in fiber loss with the attendant removal of the myelin sheath” (Spencer and Shaumburg, 1978). The axon destruction is caused by vasoconstriction, and soon neuronal hypoxia and ischemia develops. Also, osmotic stress caused by free-floating polyls and metabolic toxins develops around the axon during the diabetic hyperglycemic state.

Diabetic myelinopathy affects a broad spectrum of distal nerves at a time, demonstrating that “primary demyelination would be scattered. . . not limited to any one nerve fiber.” (Spencer and Shaumburg, 1978). There are two basic types of primary demeylinators that cause myelinopathy. “Some demyelinating chemicals seem to leave intact the myelinating cells (Schwann cells), while others damage the myelinating cells as well as the myelin. The significance between the two is that with the myelinating cells still intact, repair of the myelin sheath is possible. “Regeneration of the myelin layers can occur, and in some cases occurs at the same time other axons are undergoing toxic demyelination” (van Gemert & Killeen, 1997).

Regeneration of axons and myelin sheath relies on length of exposure, what factors were attacked to cause the neuropathy, and the “trophic support” that remains intact. “Trophic support in a general sense encompasses any proteins or group of proteins that could influence the survival of the axon” (Madison, Robinson and Chadaram, 2007). Proteins include growth factors such as neurotrophin-3, glia-derived neurotrophic factor, and fibroblast growth factors. “Recent studies have shown the development of oligondendrocytes and the synthesis of myelin are extensively controlled by growth factors” (van Gemert & Killeen, 1997). Research involving growth protein supplementing in diabetic patients that could improve the regeneration of deteriorated or un-functional neurons.

Diabetes mellenitus affects 20.8 million, or 7%, of children and adults in the United States, with an estimation of 6.2 million people living undiagnosed, according to the American Diabetes Association. The statistics cited for the proportion of diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy range from 21% to 63.9%, compared to 10% in patients without diabetes (Koopman et al 2006; Janghorbani et al 2006; Head, 2006). Since diabetes is incurable, and since the symptoms directly deteriorate peripheral nerves, these statistics are alarming. Factors that affect neuropathic regression include diabetic duration, age, body mass index, metabolic control, hemodynamic vascularation factors, oxidative stress, and duration of hypertension.

According to Jarmuzewska et al 2006, hypertension serves as the primary inducer of diabetic neuropathy, and diabetes duration and metabolic imbalance are involved in its progression. According to Sawant et al 2007, oxidative stress on neurons by free-radical formation and a defect in antidioxidant defenses will induce also neuropathy. “An imbalance between the generation and savaging of these free radicals leads to ‘oxidative stress’, which may be associated. . . with nerve damage leading to diabetic neuropathy” (Sawant et al 2007). The accumulation of glucose and glycosylated proteins can produce damaging toxins which generate up to 50 times the nerve-damaging free radicals. “Not only are nerve cells more likely to be destroyed in a hyperglycemic environment, but repair mechanisms are also defective” (Head, 2007).

Diabetic control is paramount in maintaining nerve function and staving off extensive peripheral neuropathy. Glucose-level management through insulin therapy and hypertension reduction through anti-depressant therapy are two primary methods. Maintaining both these factors in a diabetic patient should be accompanied with a nutritious diet to improve the immune-system’s ability to irradiate free-radicals, states Jarmuzewska et al 2006. Metabolic control is stressed by Janghorbani et al 2006 as a necessity for PN prevention by not allowing the hyperglycemic environment to thrive. In regards to the patient’s quality of life, Dousi et al 2006 maintains that the pain in diabetic PN remains under-treated due to the reluctance of medical staff to prescribe the appropriate strength of pain-killers for the patient’s relief.

In chronic diabetic neuropathy, symptoms improved over five years of therapies and diabetes-controlling medicine in 23% of diabetic patients (Daousi et al 2006). Diabetic patients with PN are treated with a variety of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmics, opioid and non-opioid analgesics, and aldose reductase inhibitors to preempt the many symptoms of PN. Cocito et al 2006 maintained that pain was the primary symptom that lowered the patient’s quality of life, and recommended that appropriate pain-killers should be administered. The quality of life increased overall when diabetic patients complied with rigorous glucose-control and a strict diet that fostered the immune-system’s ability to eradicate free radicals and damaging substances while improving neural vascularation.

PN proves to be a complex medical issue, primarily due to the myriad of ways the neural tissue can be damaged, particularly by diabetes mellitus. Simplistically stated, the neuron with its action potential pathway in the peripheral nervous system can be effortlessly destroyed in the glucose-saturated and immune-deficient diabetic host – what remains undetermined are the precise causative factors and the interplay between each other and the neuron. Regeneration of the neuron and reacquisition of neural function after deterioration is a delicate process that can occur only if the myelinating cells and trophic support remain intact. The quality of life for diabetic patients can be promoted through a stringent medical and dietary regimen that manages glucose levels and through minimizing the PN symptoms by sufficient pain-killing drugs.

Dr. Bishop of the University of Alabama in Huntsville states that future research should involve using growth factors to foster trophic support in neurons. Other further research should involve reducing oxidative stress by preventing the formation of free radicals and toxic metabolic by-products and averting chronic hypertension in diabetic patients.

References

American Diabetes Association. Data retrieved April 9, 2008.

http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp.

Bishop, A. (2008). Professor of Biology, University of Alabama in Huntsville. Interview.

Cocito, D., Paolasso, I., Pazzaglia, C., Tavella, A., Poglio, F., Ciamaritaro, P. (2006).

Pain affects the quality of life of neuropathic patients. Neural Science, 27, 155-160.

Daousi, C., Benbow, J., Woodward, A., MacFarlene, I (2006). The natural history of

chronic painful peripheral neuropathy in a community diabetes population. Diabetic Medicine, 23, 1021-1024.

Head, K (2006). Peripheral Neuropathy: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Alternative

Therapies. Alternative Medicine Review, 11, 294-320.

Janghorbani, M., Kachooei, A., Ghorbani A., Chitsaz, A., Izadi, M, et al (2006).

Peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Isfan, Iran: prevalence and

risk factors. Acta Neurol Scand, 114, 384-391.

Jarmuzewska, E., Ghidoni, A., Mandoni, A (2007). Hipertensión and Sensorimotor

Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes. European Neurology, 57, 91-95.

Koopman, R., Mainous, G III, Liszka, H., Colwell, J., Slate, E., Carnmolla, M. et al

(2006). Evidence of Nephropathy and Peripheral Neuropathy in US Adults with Undiagnosed Diabetes. Annals of Family Medicine, 4, 427-431.

Madison, R., Robinson, A., Chadaram, S. (2007). The specificity of motor neurone

regeneration (preferential reinnervation). Scandinavian Physiological Society, 189, 201-206.

Marieb, E., Mitchell, S (2007). Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual.

Pearson-Benjamin Cummings, Ninth Edition, 257-259.

Spencer, P. and Schaumburg, H (1978). Distal Axonopathy: One Common Type of

Neurotoxic Lesion. Environmental Health Perspectives, 26, 97-105.

Sawant, J., Vhora, U., and Moulick, N. (2007). Association of Poor Glycemic Control

with Increased Lipid Peroxidation and Reduced Antidioxidant Vitamin Status in

Diabetic Neuropathy. Internet Journal of Endocrinology, 3(3), 2-2.

Van Gemert, M., and Killeen, J (1997). Chemically Induced Myelinopathies.

International Journal of Toxicology, 17, 231-275.

Street Map

I would like to think our paths are straight
Disconnected from choices we make
That there is no reason why it can't be like you said

One day it's gonna happen
I dont know when I'll be on your street
But I know one day it's gonna happen
You're gonna be swept off your feet

I would like someone to make a map
Mark my home and draw some lines that match
All of the reasons why it can be like you said

I dont know when / I dont know why

It's not your fault you didn't see it coming
90 miles an hour
Gone so fast and now you're left with nothing at all.

It's not your fault
I give up every part of you that they could spare
Mixed between the petrol and the one lie
And it's code

It's not your fault
Something
You made up to your bedroom every night
Leaves us chasing memories and trying to understand
We can't wait
But their still eyes
And now that your gone to some place
I can't save you because the brightest lights are closing in on us.

I'm not gone
What the hell just happened here?

Take me over

If I had the chance to start again
Then you would be the one I'd come and find
Like the poster of Berlin on my wall
Maybe there's a chance our walls might fall

It's all about your cries and kisses
Those first steps that I can't calculate
I need some more of you to take me over

I know I because I cant calculate
How to respect you
How to start again

It's all about you

I'm nowhere without you
We don't go breaking down - I feel like nothing ever will
We don't go breaking down - I feel like nothing ever will
We will never go breaking down - I feel like nothing
Just wanna be with you
My baby
Just wanna be with you

I'm counting up the cost of time
And when I waste some time away

And all that I've seen means nothing to me without you

So when I see you next we'll make the most of it,
Tell the sun to start moving again,
The taste of your kiss I still got on my lips,
And ill take you there with me

Trading air once more from the start
I can open up a thousand paper cuts
People hear what they want to hear but they wont change a thing

And all I needed was this one to get me back on my way
It wasn't long before I realised there was no time to waste
There was soul all around me
Everybody let go
It wasnt long before we realised
There was no time to waste

He sees the flames in her tears
Sketching on her skin and he knows
That it's come to an end
And it's no point pretending it's not

And it's a long way down, a long way down from here.

-Athlete

Everything you need to launch

5’8” / 130lbs

Sing: Alto/Mezzo Soprano.

Dance: Talented but limited training. Highly capable of learning any stage choreography.

Experience: EFFIE in “Maltese Falcon” (RT); BELLE/CAROLER in “Christmas Carol” ’07 (FP); HELENA in “Midsummer Nights’ Dream” (SOTM); BELLE/CAROLER/GHOST of FUTURE in “Christmas Carol” ’06 (FP); BONNIE (ELECTRA WOMAN) in “Captain Fantastic!” (RT); EXTRA in “Like Moles, Like Rats” (Kooroc Films); JO in “A Little Woman Christmas” (Excalibur Drama Club); SISTER/DANCER in “Cinderella” (FP); MAID in “Lady Windermere’s Fan” (TH); Fantasy Players (FP); MERMAID in “Peter Pan” (FP). Performances in multiple productions of ‘Shakespearean Shorts’ 2004-‘08 with roles including Witch II, Bottom the Weaver, Verges, Sexton, and Ursula.

Preferred Roles: Comedic to serious and everything in between. Fond of mature roles and pursuing character development.

Noteworthy: Currently taking voice from Von Lederstenger at International Voice Studio. Participated in many choirs and chorale productions. Can sing Italian, church Latin and character voice. Piano instruction with Lisa Belk from 2002-2007. 2007 Judges’ Choice Best Performance Wings Award (‘Ghost of Christmas Future’). 2005 Nomination for Judges’ Choice Best Youth Performance. Received “Overall Outstanding” in piano performance at the statewide AMTA Music Festival in Montevallo 2004 and 2005.