Make a wish and may your dreams come true!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Birthday part duex! Happy Amy Day!
Not to be forgotten, today is Amy's birthday! September gives us back-to-back birthday wonderfulness. Happy birthday, Amy! I have officially decided that next September we need to try and get together to celebrate the two of you and your wonderful presence in the world.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Happy Birthday Blanca!
Happiest of birthday wishes to our Brownsville Archer Sister, the one, the only, the beautiful Blanca!! I wish we could all be together to celebrate your birthday. At least we'll always have the internet!
I hope your birthday wishes come true :)
Friday, September 12, 2014
The Gray Zone
Tonight's social at school was called the "Brewsters Social" and co-host with Dr. Spike, an ethics professor at UT. After almost everyone had left, a few officers and I stood around Dr. Spike commenting on the success of the social and discussing ethics. Dr. Spike explained, "It can be difficult teaching ethics because some students want a 'it's right or it's wrong' answer. But often it's not that way. Life is interesting because usually there isn't an obvious answer." Life is rarely black and white. Most of the time it's gray.
His words lingered in my mind as the conversation continued. I thought back to my last post when I posted about not having a plan for after graduation. I suppose Dr. Spike is right, life would be less interesting if I knew what I was going to be doing next.
In addition to class, work, and the social, I also attended a TEDMED talk hosted on our campus. It was being live streamed from Washington DC. The talk was called "Don't Talk About It" and discussed sensitive and controversial ways of looking at problems in health. Many of the speakers also questioned the ethics of our health system.
Nostalgic about my summer in DC, I listened attentively in the school auditorium but secretly wished I could have been there in person. Even over ITV the stories were powerful and each message was tied to the idea that we should think "outside the box" and approach things in an atypical way.
Caught in a memory, I found myself on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial gazing at the reflection pool and Washington Monument in the horizon. Our Archer Center professor's words were suddenly booming through my mind, "You have to look at what everyone else looks at and see what no one else sees."
I felt as though each speaker on the TEDMED talk was doing that by providing us with a unique perspective and shed light on topics most feel uncomfortable discussing. There are very clearly issues in our preventative health and our health care system. The other details such as why the system fails and how to fix the broken system aren't as clear. Those answers are more like gray, than black and white.
Attempting to "look at what everyone is looking at and trying to see what no one else sees",...
The uncertainty in life is stressful. And frightening. But it is also exciting. And empowering. It can be discouraging. Yet it can be confidence building by transitioning through change. There are many times when uncertainty is unwelcome however, there are other times when uncertainty produces unexpected creativity and growth.
As an author, Alissa Finerman, on Positively Positive wrote in 2012, "Many people condition their mind to view a change in their situation as a bad thing when in reality it’s neutral. The event only takes on a positive or negative spin when we classify it. Typically, we are excited for “positive” events and uncomfortable with “negative” events because they fall outside our comfort zone. Feeling unsure or being in the uncertain phase is similar to being outside your comfort zone. People who turn ideas into action agree that the magic happens outside your comfort zone."
It seems that we need an element of uncertainty in both our personal and professional life because it’s the fuel that helps us reach for our highest potential. Uncertainty requires courage, strength, patience, and, most importantly, flexibility. Each of these can become lesser or greater and it all depends on our mindset during our circumstances.
You and I both look at the "gray zone" in our lives. You might see threats. I, on the other hand,... I see opportunities.
His words lingered in my mind as the conversation continued. I thought back to my last post when I posted about not having a plan for after graduation. I suppose Dr. Spike is right, life would be less interesting if I knew what I was going to be doing next.
In addition to class, work, and the social, I also attended a TEDMED talk hosted on our campus. It was being live streamed from Washington DC. The talk was called "Don't Talk About It" and discussed sensitive and controversial ways of looking at problems in health. Many of the speakers also questioned the ethics of our health system.
Nostalgic about my summer in DC, I listened attentively in the school auditorium but secretly wished I could have been there in person. Even over ITV the stories were powerful and each message was tied to the idea that we should think "outside the box" and approach things in an atypical way.
Caught in a memory, I found myself on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial gazing at the reflection pool and Washington Monument in the horizon. Our Archer Center professor's words were suddenly booming through my mind, "You have to look at what everyone else looks at and see what no one else sees."
I felt as though each speaker on the TEDMED talk was doing that by providing us with a unique perspective and shed light on topics most feel uncomfortable discussing. There are very clearly issues in our preventative health and our health care system. The other details such as why the system fails and how to fix the broken system aren't as clear. Those answers are more like gray, than black and white.
Attempting to "look at what everyone is looking at and trying to see what no one else sees",...
As an author, Alissa Finerman, on Positively Positive wrote in 2012, "Many people condition their mind to view a change in their situation as a bad thing when in reality it’s neutral. The event only takes on a positive or negative spin when we classify it. Typically, we are excited for “positive” events and uncomfortable with “negative” events because they fall outside our comfort zone. Feeling unsure or being in the uncertain phase is similar to being outside your comfort zone. People who turn ideas into action agree that the magic happens outside your comfort zone."
It seems that we need an element of uncertainty in both our personal and professional life because it’s the fuel that helps us reach for our highest potential. Uncertainty requires courage, strength, patience, and, most importantly, flexibility. Each of these can become lesser or greater and it all depends on our mindset during our circumstances.
You and I both look at the "gray zone" in our lives. You might see threats. I, on the other hand,... I see opportunities.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
"Wounded Healer"
I was assigned a reading, Fostering Public Health Leadership by Howard Koh and Martha Jacobsen, for class this week and I found a quote from the article to be very interesting:
"Leaders in public health are generally driven by a profound and fundamental sense of mission. A sense of purpose motivates them to leave the comfort of the sidelines and wade into controversy, despite the uncertainty of outcomes. Many are ‘wounded healers’ who have suffered greatly but channel their pain into power for the common good. Their souls swell with both the passion and compassion of those who have seen suffering and want to stop it."
I have been repeatedly asked by curious family and friends, "What are you doing next?" I have had an incredibly hard time answering that question. And while I do have a number of options I am considering, I find it helpful to attain some "stillness" in all the chaos and demands of the world, to think about why and how I even got this far. I think it's at least partially because I am a "wounded healer." I have a number of...let's just call them unfortunate experiences in life so far. The best "wounded healer" example I can give you deals with death. In 2007, my best friend Morgan was killed by a drunk driver. Until that point in my life I had never known that kind of despair and loss. I was frustrated and angry because the whole thing could have been avoided. From that day forward, I believed in prevention. Not only did I believe in it, I advocated for it. As the quote also states, I did many presentations and media interviews in the midst of controversy and criticism. Believe it or not, there are individuals out there who don't feel there is "anything wrong" with booze cruising or driving after drinking/while intoxicated.
I liked the last line of the quote the best: "their souls swell with both the passion and compassion of those who have seen suffering and want to stop it." Everyone you meet is afraid of something, has lost something, and loves something, right? I think we all also have something that excites us. I am genuinely eager to help others, to relate to others, to grow myself, solve problems, seek resources, create change, end suffering, and the list goes on.
After spending a summer in DC and listening to many backgrounds of influential leaders, one of the most valuable pieces of wisdom left behind was that it's very rare for a person to have a direct path to the "perfect" job. By choice or not, life is messy, complicated, and things change. I noticed that each person had an element of their passion that remained constant through every job and every opportunity. Based on that discovery, I think, as I begin applying for things I should not be asking "Do I fit this description?" but rather "Does this description fit me and does this (job/university/program) allow me to insert elements of my passion?"
The article states though, "successful leaders must move beyond passion. In regularly tapping the realms of social strategy, political will and interpersonal skill, these individuals must also develop sophisticated, tactical leadership techniques that extend beyond running any single organization."
I cannot tell you what I will be doing this time next year. I can't even tell you in which city, state, or country I will be in. All I know is that as long as I keep working on building my skill set, following my heart and head...where ever I am will be right where I am supposed to be. Though struggling a bit to develop a concrete plan, I am eager to watch my life unfold!
"Leaders in public health are generally driven by a profound and fundamental sense of mission. A sense of purpose motivates them to leave the comfort of the sidelines and wade into controversy, despite the uncertainty of outcomes. Many are ‘wounded healers’ who have suffered greatly but channel their pain into power for the common good. Their souls swell with both the passion and compassion of those who have seen suffering and want to stop it."
I have been repeatedly asked by curious family and friends, "What are you doing next?" I have had an incredibly hard time answering that question. And while I do have a number of options I am considering, I find it helpful to attain some "stillness" in all the chaos and demands of the world, to think about why and how I even got this far. I think it's at least partially because I am a "wounded healer." I have a number of...let's just call them unfortunate experiences in life so far. The best "wounded healer" example I can give you deals with death. In 2007, my best friend Morgan was killed by a drunk driver. Until that point in my life I had never known that kind of despair and loss. I was frustrated and angry because the whole thing could have been avoided. From that day forward, I believed in prevention. Not only did I believe in it, I advocated for it. As the quote also states, I did many presentations and media interviews in the midst of controversy and criticism. Believe it or not, there are individuals out there who don't feel there is "anything wrong" with booze cruising or driving after drinking/while intoxicated. I liked the last line of the quote the best: "their souls swell with both the passion and compassion of those who have seen suffering and want to stop it." Everyone you meet is afraid of something, has lost something, and loves something, right? I think we all also have something that excites us. I am genuinely eager to help others, to relate to others, to grow myself, solve problems, seek resources, create change, end suffering, and the list goes on.
After spending a summer in DC and listening to many backgrounds of influential leaders, one of the most valuable pieces of wisdom left behind was that it's very rare for a person to have a direct path to the "perfect" job. By choice or not, life is messy, complicated, and things change. I noticed that each person had an element of their passion that remained constant through every job and every opportunity. Based on that discovery, I think, as I begin applying for things I should not be asking "Do I fit this description?" but rather "Does this description fit me and does this (job/university/program) allow me to insert elements of my passion?"
The article states though, "successful leaders must move beyond passion. In regularly tapping the realms of social strategy, political will and interpersonal skill, these individuals must also develop sophisticated, tactical leadership techniques that extend beyond running any single organization."
I cannot tell you what I will be doing this time next year. I can't even tell you in which city, state, or country I will be in. All I know is that as long as I keep working on building my skill set, following my heart and head...where ever I am will be right where I am supposed to be. Though struggling a bit to develop a concrete plan, I am eager to watch my life unfold!
Amy's Week 1 Update
I have been a little hesitant to write my first blog post. I am a
little nervous, even with all of my social media experience I got this
summer while interning at the National Women's Health Network. ;)
My week has been exhausting in the best way possible. I have met far more people than I will ever remember the names of (this is my apology in advance), submitted assignments, gave speeches, hosted events, gone to meeting after meeting after meeting, and worked at my new job!
Saturday, September 6
Highlights: I had a awesome night out with friend!
Low-lights: I got caught in a Texas torrential downpour on the interstate while in seven lanes of traffic
Newsworthy: Smoking is banned in more than eight out of 10 U.S. homes - nearly twice as many as two decades ago, according to a new government study.
Friday, September5
Highlights: I made my first call to a study participant and received a book I ordered in the book, Lean In.
Low-lights: I have been thinking for over five minutes and I can't think of anything. My biggest struggle today was actually walking in my black edge shoes (DC friends, you know exactly which one these are because I tripped more often than usual in them).
Newsworthy: As stated on the radio, "There is a video you have to see! A dog wears a spider costume and it'll scare your pants off!"
Thursday, September 4
Highlights: I gave a speech with perfect marks, ate Chipotle and with the help of my fellow officers, hosted a hugely success student social and met many energetic first year students!
Low-lights: I got so busy that I missed a meeting.
Newsworthy: The University of Nebraska Medical Center will be admitting and treating an American missionary patient with Ebola.
Wednesday, September 3
Highlights: I was "cleared" at my new job so now I can begin calling study participants and collecting data!
Low-lights: I saw three cockroaches when checking my mail. Gross, gross, gross!
Newsworthy: Japan's Prime Minister picked 5 women for new Cabinet, tying record, to promote female leadership
Tuesday, September 2
Highlights: I passed my Ethics quiz and watched a beautiful sunset! Oh, and I cooked a delicious vegetable medley inspired by my DC roommate, Tharani.
Low-lights: My apartment building was graffiti-ed Monday night. Up until this point I felt I had lived in one of the safest, cleanest apartment complexes.
Newsworthy: TEDMED is going to do a live stream of a presentation from Washington DC in the SPH Auditorium next week.
Monday, September 1
Highlights: I Skyped with my family in Nebraska! Baby Sophia is learning or at least trying to jump (or that's what we think she was doing...maybe she was just being silly)
Low-lights: It's the not even the second week of class and I am already plagued with hundreds of pages of reading. Hello, Graduate School!
Newsworthy: My school, the University of Texas Health Science in Houston School of Public Health, welcomed the new Interim Dean.
My week has been exhausting in the best way possible. I have met far more people than I will ever remember the names of (this is my apology in advance), submitted assignments, gave speeches, hosted events, gone to meeting after meeting after meeting, and worked at my new job!
Saturday, September 6Highlights: I had a awesome night out with friend!
Low-lights: I got caught in a Texas torrential downpour on the interstate while in seven lanes of traffic
Newsworthy: Smoking is banned in more than eight out of 10 U.S. homes - nearly twice as many as two decades ago, according to a new government study.
Highlights: I made my first call to a study participant and received a book I ordered in the book, Lean In.
Low-lights: I have been thinking for over five minutes and I can't think of anything. My biggest struggle today was actually walking in my black edge shoes (DC friends, you know exactly which one these are because I tripped more often than usual in them).
Newsworthy: As stated on the radio, "There is a video you have to see! A dog wears a spider costume and it'll scare your pants off!"
Thursday, September 4Highlights: I gave a speech with perfect marks, ate Chipotle and with the help of my fellow officers, hosted a hugely success student social and met many energetic first year students!
Low-lights: I got so busy that I missed a meeting.
Newsworthy: The University of Nebraska Medical Center will be admitting and treating an American missionary patient with Ebola.
Wednesday, September 3Highlights: I was "cleared" at my new job so now I can begin calling study participants and collecting data!
Low-lights: I saw three cockroaches when checking my mail. Gross, gross, gross!
Newsworthy: Japan's Prime Minister picked 5 women for new Cabinet, tying record, to promote female leadership
Tuesday, September 2Highlights: I passed my Ethics quiz and watched a beautiful sunset! Oh, and I cooked a delicious vegetable medley inspired by my DC roommate, Tharani.
Low-lights: My apartment building was graffiti-ed Monday night. Up until this point I felt I had lived in one of the safest, cleanest apartment complexes.
Newsworthy: TEDMED is going to do a live stream of a presentation from Washington DC in the SPH Auditorium next week.
Highlights: I Skyped with my family in Nebraska! Baby Sophia is learning or at least trying to jump (or that's what we think she was doing...maybe she was just being silly)
Low-lights: It's the not even the second week of class and I am already plagued with hundreds of pages of reading. Hello, Graduate School!
Newsworthy: My school, the University of Texas Health Science in Houston School of Public Health, welcomed the new Interim Dean.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Welcome
On behalf of my Archer Center Sisters, I would like to welcome you to our blog!
Today marks the first day of our adventure together!
Prior to moving to Washington DC, I did not know Blanca, Sara, Tharani. When you live with someone for three months, how much you know about a person changes very quickly. We all happened be housed in 233 so I was able to spend quality time with each of them. This summer, we had seven additional roommates living in 233 and seven more classmates who lived elsewhere, however, only four of us decided to continue to be connected through this necklace.
Tharani was one of my bedroom roommates. She probably knows more about my sleeping habits, my makeup routine, and how many times I change my outfit before I leave, better than anyone else in Texas. I loved it when Tharani would spontaneously start dancing! Tharani is, by far, one of the sweetest girls I have ever met.
Blanca and I, both Libras, relate to each other on many things but the most surprising are on past relationships, ways of perceiving and interpreting the world, as well as taste in music. I loved it when Blanca would give hugs and our Chipotle dates! Blanca is, by far, one of the most contemplative girls I have ever met.
Sara and I share a fiery passion for women's rights and women's healthcare. We can also identify with each other's struggles. I loved when we would share our disgust for certain politicians decisions and squeal with excitement for the things happening which advanced women's rights/health! Sara is, by far, one of the most interesting girls I have ever met.
I hope you enjoy our adventures with the necklace and check back often (or subscribe to get our blog posts sent directly to your email) to read about our experiences. I anticipate that you can expect a mixture of thoughtful reflections, witty remarks, deliberations using hashtags, insider jokes and phrases from the summer, as well as the the "good" posts along with the "bad" posts. And, with the help from our professors this summer, minimal passive voice. Welcome and thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Amy
Today marks the first day of our adventure together!
Prior to moving to Washington DC, I did not know Blanca, Sara, Tharani. When you live with someone for three months, how much you know about a person changes very quickly. We all happened be housed in 233 so I was able to spend quality time with each of them. This summer, we had seven additional roommates living in 233 and seven more classmates who lived elsewhere, however, only four of us decided to continue to be connected through this necklace.
Tharani was one of my bedroom roommates. She probably knows more about my sleeping habits, my makeup routine, and how many times I change my outfit before I leave, better than anyone else in Texas. I loved it when Tharani would spontaneously start dancing! Tharani is, by far, one of the sweetest girls I have ever met.
Blanca and I, both Libras, relate to each other on many things but the most surprising are on past relationships, ways of perceiving and interpreting the world, as well as taste in music. I loved it when Blanca would give hugs and our Chipotle dates! Blanca is, by far, one of the most contemplative girls I have ever met.
Sara and I share a fiery passion for women's rights and women's healthcare. We can also identify with each other's struggles. I loved when we would share our disgust for certain politicians decisions and squeal with excitement for the things happening which advanced women's rights/health! Sara is, by far, one of the most interesting girls I have ever met.
I hope you enjoy our adventures with the necklace and check back often (or subscribe to get our blog posts sent directly to your email) to read about our experiences. I anticipate that you can expect a mixture of thoughtful reflections, witty remarks, deliberations using hashtags, insider jokes and phrases from the summer, as well as the the "good" posts along with the "bad" posts. And, with the help from our professors this summer, minimal passive voice. Welcome and thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Amy
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