Blown away

Soooo much wind! Dirt gets blown into my room even with the windows closed... siigh. I don't mind it being cold, but the wind just makes things so much more unpleasant :( Oh, but did I not predict this happening? Monday was beauuutiful, and here we are... cold cold cold! And so windy that biking into the wind gets me nowhere.

Ryan told me that I post a lot. Is that bad? I have yet to decide.

In other news, Munchausen by proxy. Don't do it. In the Child Health class, we were learning about seizures in children, and we talked about a case where a mother was telling her kid to shake like he was having a seizure... Wow. Having a parent tell you that you're sick and tells you to act out symptoms just to get attention, that just sounds like a miserable childhood.

Check this slideshow out! It's a really cool prize that Nikon gives out to photography in science... Super nerdy, but they're beautiful.

To close for the day, I wrote a poem about Alzheimer's Disease for my neuron death class... Enjoy!

Amyloid precursor protein,

Oh what a fiend!

As a protein transmembrane,

We find it in the brain,

A mutation in APP

Can cause familial AD!

Plaques of the beta-amyloid peptide

Are found in the brains of those who died

Particularly in those with AD.

But if you analyzed your pee,

You may find the soluble kind there,

For it seems to be present everywhere!

Well, now I'm scared!

With memories, so well I have fared!

But, I have not hit my head, folks,

Nor have I had any strokes!

Even more reasons to listen to my mother,

For this specific one, there is no other...

I think I have a lower risk,

But, I must always wear a helmet, tsk tsk!

As for protective factors,

Maybe it helps for us to be actors!

We'll find out in Thursday's class,

When it's sure to be a blast!

P.S. Some good articles for your Wednesday:

Smiling is makes you feel good (duh--I could have told you that).

I love brussel sprouts.

Animals are awesome.

I totally forgot that we don't have a Surgeon General...

This drink sounds delicious... savory!

Why I cringe while watching football. (The Associated Press version HERE)

--A note on this last article:

[NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell] also highlighted the "88 Plan," named for former star John Mackey, who wore number 88 and now lives in an assisted-living facility because he suffers from dementia. Under the plan, the NFL gives up to $88,000 a year to former players who need nursing-home care due to brain injuries.

Really?? $88,000 a year to make up for giving people dementia and depression and paralysis, among other things? That's great compensation, good job NFL! Glad to see that football players are being paid to ruin the rest of their lives just so you can pay them more money to make up for what horrible things the sport has done to them for mere entertainment.