Friday, December 18, 2009
I deleted my Facebook account back in February. After 9 months of being M.I.A, I made a surprising comeback. So now, I find myself constantly logging onto the site just because. It's not like a get any messages or comments every 5 minutes. Lameo Supremo. Who says Lameo Supremo anymore? I guess I do. Oh well.
On another note, I found this funny and kinda disgusting ("kinda" is an understatement) youtube video on LAist.com. These two chics really like their alcohol and I really like their style.
On another note, I found this funny and kinda disgusting ("kinda" is an understatement) youtube video on LAist.com. These two chics really like their alcohol and I really like their style.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Yea, it's been forever since I last wrote a post. Moving on.
Teeth. I went to the dentist the other day. I thought the news was going to be alot worse only because I hadn't gone to the dentist since I was eight years old. My parent's could not afford health insurance so going to the doctor, dentist, etc, was a luxury. Anyways, the good news. So apparently, I have great teeth as the dentist said. And he was more surprised when I told him how long it has been since I last went for a checkup. No cavities, except gum sensitivity. I, basically, wore my gums down by brushing too hard against the surface. I was told to use a child's toothbrush and brush gently on my teeth surface, as well as give my gums a massage with the brush. I religiously brush my teeth in the morning and night, which explains the no cavities and the wearing down of my gums.I am returning to the dentist on the 21st to get the gum fillings that will protect my gums. As a working adult (emphasis on working, because many have been laid off ), I can visit a doctor if I have an ailment or if I simply have an odd cough. In my family, we could only go to a doctor as a last resort, as in you are practically dying type of thing. I feel this guilt every single time I head to the doctor's office because I know that there are many people who cannot afford a doctor/hospital visit. Even today, I really don't go to the doctor unless I have to, while knowingly paying for health care insurance out of my paycheck. I call it the INSURED-GUILT. I guess it's a mentality for those who grew up without healthcare insurance and today can now go a visit a doctor without worrying about the cost. Of course, it's obviously not cheap or free, but it is more affordable than walking in as an "uninsured" patient. Several years ago, my mom was feeling horribly sick. She had nausea and persistent vomiting. She was taken to the supposedly best hospital in the nation. They basically gave her aspirin to relieve her severe headache. They took her to the MRI and conducted a couple of other physical exams on her. The total stay in the hospital was three hours. The total cost was $10,000 dollars. And they still couldn't find anything wrong with my mother. She was sent home the way she came in- sick. Unbelievable. A week later, we received a letter from the hospital telling us that she had to pay her hospital bill in full. There was no way that was going to be possible. So I decided to call the hospital and try to explain the situation. The hospital was rude and said that they couldn't do anything for her-Not even financing or installment payments. The hospital then mentioned that I should contact a health advocate for our type of situation. I did and the hospital owned advocacy organization denied my mother assistance because she fell a little above what they considered the poverty line. It was a frustrating ordeal with no one willing to help or explain anything to us. Well, what ended up happening is that the hospital forced my mother to pay for her medical expenses with her credit card. No assistance whatsoever. This happened about six years ago before the healthcare crisis became the center of anyone's concern. The healthcare reform should be called the healthcare overhaul. Honestly, people will not comprehend the urgency of healthcare reform until they are unlucky enough to experience how unpractical and complicated it is to get medical assistance when you need it the most when you are uninsured.
Teeth. I went to the dentist the other day. I thought the news was going to be alot worse only because I hadn't gone to the dentist since I was eight years old. My parent's could not afford health insurance so going to the doctor, dentist, etc, was a luxury. Anyways, the good news. So apparently, I have great teeth as the dentist said. And he was more surprised when I told him how long it has been since I last went for a checkup. No cavities, except gum sensitivity. I, basically, wore my gums down by brushing too hard against the surface. I was told to use a child's toothbrush and brush gently on my teeth surface, as well as give my gums a massage with the brush. I religiously brush my teeth in the morning and night, which explains the no cavities and the wearing down of my gums.I am returning to the dentist on the 21st to get the gum fillings that will protect my gums. As a working adult (emphasis on working, because many have been laid off ), I can visit a doctor if I have an ailment or if I simply have an odd cough. In my family, we could only go to a doctor as a last resort, as in you are practically dying type of thing. I feel this guilt every single time I head to the doctor's office because I know that there are many people who cannot afford a doctor/hospital visit. Even today, I really don't go to the doctor unless I have to, while knowingly paying for health care insurance out of my paycheck. I call it the INSURED-GUILT. I guess it's a mentality for those who grew up without healthcare insurance and today can now go a visit a doctor without worrying about the cost. Of course, it's obviously not cheap or free, but it is more affordable than walking in as an "uninsured" patient. Several years ago, my mom was feeling horribly sick. She had nausea and persistent vomiting. She was taken to the supposedly best hospital in the nation. They basically gave her aspirin to relieve her severe headache. They took her to the MRI and conducted a couple of other physical exams on her. The total stay in the hospital was three hours. The total cost was $10,000 dollars. And they still couldn't find anything wrong with my mother. She was sent home the way she came in- sick. Unbelievable. A week later, we received a letter from the hospital telling us that she had to pay her hospital bill in full. There was no way that was going to be possible. So I decided to call the hospital and try to explain the situation. The hospital was rude and said that they couldn't do anything for her-Not even financing or installment payments. The hospital then mentioned that I should contact a health advocate for our type of situation. I did and the hospital owned advocacy organization denied my mother assistance because she fell a little above what they considered the poverty line. It was a frustrating ordeal with no one willing to help or explain anything to us. Well, what ended up happening is that the hospital forced my mother to pay for her medical expenses with her credit card. No assistance whatsoever. This happened about six years ago before the healthcare crisis became the center of anyone's concern. The healthcare reform should be called the healthcare overhaul. Honestly, people will not comprehend the urgency of healthcare reform until they are unlucky enough to experience how unpractical and complicated it is to get medical assistance when you need it the most when you are uninsured.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, November 10, 2008
So another week has passed without any blogs. My apologies. I have been kept busy with some depressing news at work, in regards to the economy, the car industry, and our production jobs being put on hold. It only was a matter of time. Which we all know what this means...
And on the lighter note, I am heading to the East Coast for a week.
I am excited to escape my mundane and tiresome life for at least a few days. I look forward to meeting my boyfriend's family for the first time, visiting friends, visiting a couple of universities, and just being somewhere else, somewhere new. I miss traveling and this is a long awaited trip, which will enrich my senses. I will post up pics as soon as I can.
Yipeeeeeee!
And on the lighter note, I am heading to the East Coast for a week.
I am excited to escape my mundane and tiresome life for at least a few days. I look forward to meeting my boyfriend's family for the first time, visiting friends, visiting a couple of universities, and just being somewhere else, somewhere new. I miss traveling and this is a long awaited trip, which will enrich my senses. I will post up pics as soon as I can.
Yipeeeeeee!
Sunday, November 02, 2008
How do you know when you are being lied too? How do you know if someone is simply telling you what you want to hear? Not because they agree with you, but because they only want to shut you up. Seriously, if someone can't muster the strength to really show you, or in this case tell you, what is on their mind- then what is the basis of this so called friendship or relationship? My question for those who run away from confrontation is "What's the big deal?" and I would go on to say "If you do not feel comfortable in stating your opinions (whether right or wrong), then maybe you are wasting your time in pretending to be genuine and honest."And please spare me the afraid to hurt my feelings explanation. Thanks.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
I am in a positive mood tonight. Work was the same old same old. My boss has been kept busy working on his monthly reports, so I've basically got away the minimum today until 4pm. When he asked me to have a report completed by the end of the day, the only thing I hoped for was being able to leave work on time- which I did. I made a stop at the ATM before heading off to the movie theature to meet up with my coworker there. I grabbed a quick dinner and nearly typed a pissed off text to my coworker when I realized he was late...I seriously thought he had ditched me. We had planned this movie theature night for the passed week. Fortunately, he did show up 10minutes into the trailers. And unfortunately, the movie is not worth mentioning. Trust me. After the movie, I called my boyfriend to tell him my thoughts of the movie. 6.5 out of 10 rating to keep the story short.
Yesterday was my first blog in about a week. Last week was bloody hectic at work. So when I would get home, the last thing I wanted to do was go on my computer.And my attempt to put myself to sleep while blogging has worked. I am exhausted. Until tomorrow.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Prostitution...
Filthy. Disgusting. Down-Low dirty.
There's a resurgence of prostitution in my nieghborhood that I haven't seen since I was in high school. Young women. All shapes and sizes prostituting themselves to make a buck. I read once, in a book "Women comprise about 70% of the world's poor." You think about the sex trade in such places like Cambodia or India. But never would I have imagined that I would witness it infront of my house. Just because it's not children being trafficked or because these women willfully choose to do what they do, doesn't make it any less sick? The psychological and physical destruction of an individual no matter what age is morally wrong. Of course, men are not excluded from this statistic, but for the purpose of this blog, I will focus primarily on women.
With the economy down spiraling, there has been an increase of young women donating their eggs to fertility clinics and others who succumb to the streets selling their bodies. The news has a report on this the other night. I,once, considered, donating my eggs to a fertility clinic. The ads were easily found in the college newspaper. I clearly remember, "Earn extra cash and get paid up to $10,000." And in small print, "Preferably, a tall blue eyed blonde with an above average SAT score." I only fit one on the desired characteristics. I was a poor college student in need of some cash. And yes, even if I had fit the profile,I would have been afraid of what would have been the health ramifications of those extensive treatments to ovulate more and what wouldh have happened to me after the long awaited procedure. So I completely understand what goes through alot of women's minds to some extent. But I have to confess, I was not in such desperate need. So yes, I could've donated eggs, but I did not. I simply worked a part time job. But what if that was not an option? What if I had other mouths to feed? These are the questions that many young women have to face in reality.
As I drive home from a late night with my friends, I see these women, not much older than me, on the corner of a busy street.Ironically, they stand infront of my nieghborhood church. Not even hiding the fact that they are selling themselves, they chat amongst themselves. One prostitute, catches my eye. She is a petite black girl, perhaps in her early 20s, smoking a cigarette, while clutching small purse on one side, wearing shiny black pumps, short hair combed to the side, and wearing nothing more than pair of revealing tight shorts. I wonder what goes through her mind. The qouta she has to meet? How cold and tired she feels? I want to ask her. I want to ask her many questions. And I know I would seem like an arrogant ignorant cow. She will think," How dare you question my lifestyle and my work?" or she may say, "Do you think I enjoy this? Why? Because I can't find a job? That's why!" Or simply, "Why do you care? Mind your own business." My stomach turns into a knott as I see a white van pull up. There is a 30 second chat and as fast as the van pulled next to her, she is gone. Another trick. Another dollar closer to the quota.
The next morning, there is a used condom in front of my house. I notice my younger brother kicking it around with his shoe. I scold him for even allowing his shoe to touch it. I have the LAPD's Prostitution and Gambling hotline scribbled in my notebook and I keep telling my boyfriend that I want to call. (I don't know how Prostitution and Gambling can be on the same line and worse,the same number- maybe it's just me.) A part of me knows this isn't the solution. And that my goal is ultimately for asthetic reasons. I want my nieghborhood to return to how it used to be. I want it to be safe and innocent. You know, those really nice nieghborhoods on tv. But in this world today, things aren't what they seem. And honestly, what will my call to LAPD really do, except have them relocate the "business" elsewhere.
Filthy. Disgusting. Down-Low dirty.
There's a resurgence of prostitution in my nieghborhood that I haven't seen since I was in high school. Young women. All shapes and sizes prostituting themselves to make a buck. I read once, in a book "Women comprise about 70% of the world's poor." You think about the sex trade in such places like Cambodia or India. But never would I have imagined that I would witness it infront of my house. Just because it's not children being trafficked or because these women willfully choose to do what they do, doesn't make it any less sick? The psychological and physical destruction of an individual no matter what age is morally wrong. Of course, men are not excluded from this statistic, but for the purpose of this blog, I will focus primarily on women.
With the economy down spiraling, there has been an increase of young women donating their eggs to fertility clinics and others who succumb to the streets selling their bodies. The news has a report on this the other night. I,once, considered, donating my eggs to a fertility clinic. The ads were easily found in the college newspaper. I clearly remember, "Earn extra cash and get paid up to $10,000." And in small print, "Preferably, a tall blue eyed blonde with an above average SAT score." I only fit one on the desired characteristics. I was a poor college student in need of some cash. And yes, even if I had fit the profile,I would have been afraid of what would have been the health ramifications of those extensive treatments to ovulate more and what wouldh have happened to me after the long awaited procedure. So I completely understand what goes through alot of women's minds to some extent. But I have to confess, I was not in such desperate need. So yes, I could've donated eggs, but I did not. I simply worked a part time job. But what if that was not an option? What if I had other mouths to feed? These are the questions that many young women have to face in reality.
As I drive home from a late night with my friends, I see these women, not much older than me, on the corner of a busy street.Ironically, they stand infront of my nieghborhood church. Not even hiding the fact that they are selling themselves, they chat amongst themselves. One prostitute, catches my eye. She is a petite black girl, perhaps in her early 20s, smoking a cigarette, while clutching small purse on one side, wearing shiny black pumps, short hair combed to the side, and wearing nothing more than pair of revealing tight shorts. I wonder what goes through her mind. The qouta she has to meet? How cold and tired she feels? I want to ask her. I want to ask her many questions. And I know I would seem like an arrogant ignorant cow. She will think," How dare you question my lifestyle and my work?" or she may say, "Do you think I enjoy this? Why? Because I can't find a job? That's why!" Or simply, "Why do you care? Mind your own business." My stomach turns into a knott as I see a white van pull up. There is a 30 second chat and as fast as the van pulled next to her, she is gone. Another trick. Another dollar closer to the quota.
The next morning, there is a used condom in front of my house. I notice my younger brother kicking it around with his shoe. I scold him for even allowing his shoe to touch it. I have the LAPD's Prostitution and Gambling hotline scribbled in my notebook and I keep telling my boyfriend that I want to call. (I don't know how Prostitution and Gambling can be on the same line and worse,the same number- maybe it's just me.) A part of me knows this isn't the solution. And that my goal is ultimately for asthetic reasons. I want my nieghborhood to return to how it used to be. I want it to be safe and innocent. You know, those really nice nieghborhoods on tv. But in this world today, things aren't what they seem. And honestly, what will my call to LAPD really do, except have them relocate the "business" elsewhere.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Little About Alethia
My first year out of college has been interesting. Interesting because the future is so uncertain. No one knows where they'll be one year from now or five years from today. Cliche I know, but very true.
(I am watching the news and the Porter Ranch fire is being broadcasted live. All those houses burning down. All those residents. It's so devastating just to watch. They say the fire broke out because of a cigarette butt in a homeless camp. The dry and windy weather is contributing. Porter Ranch is one out of five fires that are occurring at the moment. Such a tragedy.)
I want to one day travel all over the world. I studied abroad before. I went to England, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore. I was a student- things were different. Obviously now, my travel bug is dormant due to financial reasons. I will post up my Europe and South East Asia pictures when I get the chance.
The most important things in my life are my family and close friends. The people that love us remain fixed into our lives.
For now on, I will let my blogging do the telling.
Hi. There are several reasons why I started this blog. And I am not going to state them all completely in this intro. This isn't my first blog ever. I started blogging back in '04, but then life happened. I just like to write. I like to share ideas and opinions, and I don't expect much from this, but a venue to rant on about my day at work or whatever is on my mind.
Alethia
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