22 September 2010

Just when

I think I can't take it anymore, something unexpected happens for the better:

Last Friday was a rough day.  I wanted to be in the car driving west, but money and work schedules had other plans for me.  I was ready to spend the weekend curled up in a ball in bed watching movies and drinking tea (which isn't all so bad, but for three days straight it might become a little unhealthy) when a classmate called and invited me to come hang out with him and his wife.  We went to a Brewery that I hadn't been to yet then walked aroudn downtown Missoula and checked out a few other spots.  We ended the night at James Bar (one of Casey's favorite spots here) devouring sweet potato tots.  Thanks Billy and Melissa-I'm not sure you know how greatful I am that you called me that night.  It's amazing how a random act of kindness or some positive social interaction can make my mood do a complete turn around.

Fortunate

As of lately, I have really been remembering to count my blessings.  Sure, I am here in a new city getting to know people and continuously having to step outside of my comfort zone.  This may seem like torture at times, but when I stop and put things into perspective it all seems so small.  I am able to go home to a warm, furnished apartment, I can talk on the phone to my friends and family, I can warm up a cup of tea and eat delicious comfort foods, I do not have to worry about the bills (thanks to student loans and assistantships), I am loved, I have dreams, goals and desires. 

So many people out there cannot even claim those luxuries that I often take for granted.  They spend endless hours stressed, hungry, cold, and tired.  This obviously takes a toll on their health.  As my fellow classmates and I explore this topic, a question continues to linger in my head: how do we, as community health educators, fight this battle?  The answer will probably remain unanswered for quite some time...it could possibly remain unanswered until we find another leading determinant of health.  But in the meantime, I believe there needs to be collaboration between social workers, community action agencies, and community health specialists.  It seems silly as health educators to tell people to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day when they are trying to find a place to live or struggle to put any food on the table at all.  I have seen this collaboration in many communities that I have been a part of, it just seems more obvious and necessary on this side of the spectrum (the health side). 

It has been difficult at times over here on my own, but if I remember to count my blessings, I feel so fortunate, optimistic, and most of all, humbled.

15 September 2010

Autumn

Signs that autumn, as it is referred to here in Missoula (not "fall" like I'm used to), is in the air:

...the air is crisp
......I can wear sweat pants to bed
.........pumpkin spice lattes are here at Starbucks
............weekends are spent on the couch with Casey watching football
...............today I made pumpkin-zucchini bread...delicous! (recipe http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/pumpkin-zucchini-bread/Detail.aspx)

Funny

how a kitchen table can make you feel so much more at home.

I found one on craigslist today...now the apartment feels complete!

09 September 2010

Heart disease

Several thoughts went through my head as I watched the driver in front of me throw his hands up in the air (I assume in disgust) at the driver in front of him, honk his horn, and continue to follow extremely close behind them on a 45 mile per hour road for several blocks...

1. Does he really think the person in front of him sees him acting out...and if they can see him, do they care?

2. Is he really solving anything by acting this way?

3. Doesn't he know that stress and hostility are a leading cause of hypertension which can in turn lead to heat disease?

...health is on the brain after two weeks as a community health graduate student :)

06 September 2010

Points

Casey visited for the long weekend...thank goodness.  The two weeks we were apart seemed unbearable toward the end.  Of course, I knew I would get through it...and of course, I did.  But it was nice to have him here.  While he was here, we explored Missoula, and I showed him things about the town that I liked.  I would continue to say "point for Missoula" whenever he or we discovered something we liked.  I love it here, and I am trying to convince him that it would be a nice place to settle down at and start a family. Over the course of the weekend we would say "point for Missoula for the great Farmer's market" or "point for the valley (Lewiston-Clarkston) because it's close to family," etc.  As we sat on the curb Saturday night eating a scoop of home-made ice cream at the Big Dipper near downtown Missoula, Casey said two things that have stuck with me: "point for Missoula because there I don't feel judged here," and "point for Missoula because people are out-and-about doing things." 

He is so right about not feeling like I am constantly being judged in Missoula.  It seems crazy to think this is even possible.  Even in Wallowa County, I feel like I am constantly being judged based on what I wear, who my family is, why I am walking down the street, why I use a reusable shopping bag, etc.  And in Pullman, it was even worse...  But in Missoula, the feeling is different.  I feel like I can go out wearing something I am completely comfortable in, walk down any street in town (yes, even next to a trailor park), and carry flowers or a stack of books in my "chico bag" and nobody will look twice.  It is a great feeling, and it is hard to describe until you feel it for yourself.

And yes, people are out doing things! What an amazing idea! Yes, it is probably different in the winter time when there are several feet of snow, but during the summer the town is alive and vibrant.  We sat and licked our ice cream cones fairly late in the evening and saw several people around down town (some obviously drinking, but some not).  Also when we were out an about Saturday and Sunday during the morning and afternoons, the town was "hopping." People were on-the-go, walking around, visiting shops, walking the trails, riding bikes, visiting the local Saturday and Farmer's markets...and the weather was not even that great.  It is the polar opposite in the valley.  I often wonder where everyone is there.  It is just a completely different attitude toward the ideas of "community," life, family, and well-being. 

Education

It is funny as a graduate student, or maybe just as a person with a strong belief in education and self-pride, to sit in class, or at the bus stop, or on the bus and listen to the conversations of other students. “I hope I can just come to this class, not take it seriously, and get an ‘A’” were the words out of one girls mouth in my 400-level stats class. It will be interesting to see how long she makes it in this class. Or, “I went to the concert last night but don’t remember any of it…I just had a bowl of top ramen to help with my hangover.” Sure, I was there once and into the whole scene of being away from home and staying up late. I can admit that I have never been to a concert and not remembered it, or wanted to slack off in a class but still get an ‘A.’ I’m not judging these students or trying to be critical, it’s just so VERY interesting to me. It makes me wonder what these people want to do in their lives. Who knows, they could make a great social worker or doctor someday…I just hope they have a change of heart before they cut me open 


I do not want to belittle anyone who feels that a college education is not for them. (The man I love is a high school graduate and proud of it that he has found a great job and has a house, all without a college degree). It is just interesting to me that people to set out to get a college degree and then expect it to be given to them or expect it to be easy.

I have always valued education. It was just how I was raised, you could say. I never thought anything about it, really. I go to class, I work hard and give it my best, I do homework in a timely fashion, I ask questions, and that was that! This was the case from my first school experience in Kindergarden through elementary school, through middle school, on through high school and college at WSU, and now in my graduate studies here at UM. I do not know how I would succeed otherwise. Sure, there are times when I don’t really have to give it my best in a course to excel (for example when I did the sixth grade work in fifth grade, and then again when I was in sixth grade, or in my freshman level nutrition class that I took as a senior at WSU), but I still go through the motions-class, homework, exams, clarifying questions, etc. I just enjoy gaining knowledge, and I know that it will “pay off” in the end-I will find a job or career that I like, use the skills and knowledge that I have acquired over the years, and settle down with my family. I guess I could say “different strokes for different folks.” This is just one case where I can’t imagine being a “different folk.”