In the deep night, in a dark place, I hear voices calling out in heartache;
They are wounded, they are broken, but their spirit rises when awoken.
Chorus
Yes, they may be poor in birth, but, yes, how great each one is worth!
Heal their hearts! Feed their souls! Their lives can be golden if Your love enfolds.
In their dream times, in their visions how they always hunger after freedom,
Every heart, Lord, every dark road, leads them on to reach a new horizon.
Chorus
Lord, where is our freedom?
When will our hope begin
Lord what of the promise you made; when will it come?
We have waited for the time for the truth to live, when justice will shine.
Too long those hands of freed held on and made us bleed!
When will your people breathe? Lord will it come?
Lord what of our children?
Will they always depend on You?
Lord why are they scattered and torn, and their young hearts in chains?
How they hunger for liberty, feel their hatred of poverty.
Let their spirits rise soaring free!
Lord let it come!Our day will come!
Lord where is our freedom?
When will our hope begin?
Lord what of the promise you made; when will it come?
We have waited for the time for the truth to live, when justice will shine.
Too long, those hands of freed held on and made us bleed!
When will your people breathe? Lord will it come?
When will your people breathe? Lord let it come!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I did pass the test! I passed my CNA exam, both parts! Thank God. When I took the woman's pulse, I got a 51, and thought that it was definitely not right, so I just wrote down 58. apparently, the 58 was within two marks of the tester's reading, so I passed! Hurrah! God is truly good.
I am working at a home for severely disabled children for the summer as an activities assistant. I'm going to be posting a few posts on the kids later.
I am working at a home for severely disabled children for the summer as an activities assistant. I'm going to be posting a few posts on the kids later.
Decaloug for Drivers (copied from Catholic.org)
In a June 19 release of the document "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" in the Holy See Press Officer here, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People focused on pastoral care of road users, street children and the homeless and pastoral ministry for the liberation of street women.
The document notes that driving can be a positive spiritual endeavor if drivers accept their responsibilities of living their faith behind the wheel.
“Those who know Jesus Christ are careful on the roads...They don’t only think about themselves, and are not always worried about getting to their destination in a great hurry,” it adds. “They see the people who ‘accompany’ them on the road, each of whom has their own life, their own desire to reach a destination and their own problems. They see everyone as brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of God. This is the attitude that characterizes a Christian driver.”
While acknowledging that “road vehicles give us many advantages” as rapid means of transport, the Vatican document they “may also be abused.”
It points to the some 35 million people who lost their lives in road accidents and to the about 1½ billion who were injured in the 20th century, adding that in 2000 alone there were more than 1.2 million deaths, with 90 percent of accidents estimated to be due to human error.
“The harm caused to the families of those involved in accidents, as well as the protracted consequences for the injured, who all too often are permanently disabled, should also be borne in mind,” it says. “In addition to harm to persons, the enormous damage to material goods should also be taken into account.”
Among unhealthy actions and “unbalanced behavior” that lead to potential accidents, injury and death and certain physical and spiritual danger include: disregard for road signs as “almost a curtailment” of supposed rights; “domination” of other drivers through reckless passing, over-acceleration and/or excessive speed; showing off; driving when physically or mentally incapacitated, under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs or in a state of exhaustion; reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles; road rage; cursing and rudeness.
“For some drivers,” the document says, “the unbalanced behavior is expressed in insignificant ways, whilst in others it may produce serious excesses that depend on character, level of education, an incapacity for self-control and the lack of a sense of responsibility.”
Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, said that the document’s aim "is to guide and coordinate all the ecclesial bodies in the world of the pastoral care of the road, and to encourage and stimulate episcopal conferences of countries in which this form of pastoral care does not exist, to organize it."
"Church and state, each in its own field, must work to create a generalized public awareness on the question of road safety and promote, using all possible means."
Referring to the evangelization of the road, the president of the pontifical council recalled that the church also aims at "the religious formation of car drivers, professional transporters, passengers and all those people who, in one way or another, are associated with roads and railways." In this context, he recalled the fact that in many countries there are "fixed or mobile highway chapels, and pastoral workers who visit motorway service areas and periodically celebrate liturgies there."
The "Ten Commandments" for drivers, as listed in the document, are:
I. You shall not kill.
II. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
III. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
IV. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
V. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination and an occasion of sin.
VI. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
VII. Support the families of accident victims.
VIII. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
IX. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
X. Feel responsible toward others.
The document notes that driving can be a positive spiritual endeavor if drivers accept their responsibilities of living their faith behind the wheel.
“Those who know Jesus Christ are careful on the roads...They don’t only think about themselves, and are not always worried about getting to their destination in a great hurry,” it adds. “They see the people who ‘accompany’ them on the road, each of whom has their own life, their own desire to reach a destination and their own problems. They see everyone as brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of God. This is the attitude that characterizes a Christian driver.”
While acknowledging that “road vehicles give us many advantages” as rapid means of transport, the Vatican document they “may also be abused.”
It points to the some 35 million people who lost their lives in road accidents and to the about 1½ billion who were injured in the 20th century, adding that in 2000 alone there were more than 1.2 million deaths, with 90 percent of accidents estimated to be due to human error.
“The harm caused to the families of those involved in accidents, as well as the protracted consequences for the injured, who all too often are permanently disabled, should also be borne in mind,” it says. “In addition to harm to persons, the enormous damage to material goods should also be taken into account.”
Among unhealthy actions and “unbalanced behavior” that lead to potential accidents, injury and death and certain physical and spiritual danger include: disregard for road signs as “almost a curtailment” of supposed rights; “domination” of other drivers through reckless passing, over-acceleration and/or excessive speed; showing off; driving when physically or mentally incapacitated, under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs or in a state of exhaustion; reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles; road rage; cursing and rudeness.
“For some drivers,” the document says, “the unbalanced behavior is expressed in insignificant ways, whilst in others it may produce serious excesses that depend on character, level of education, an incapacity for self-control and the lack of a sense of responsibility.”
Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, said that the document’s aim "is to guide and coordinate all the ecclesial bodies in the world of the pastoral care of the road, and to encourage and stimulate episcopal conferences of countries in which this form of pastoral care does not exist, to organize it."
"Church and state, each in its own field, must work to create a generalized public awareness on the question of road safety and promote, using all possible means."
Referring to the evangelization of the road, the president of the pontifical council recalled that the church also aims at "the religious formation of car drivers, professional transporters, passengers and all those people who, in one way or another, are associated with roads and railways." In this context, he recalled the fact that in many countries there are "fixed or mobile highway chapels, and pastoral workers who visit motorway service areas and periodically celebrate liturgies there."
The "Ten Commandments" for drivers, as listed in the document, are:
I. You shall not kill.
II. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
III. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
IV. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
V. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination and an occasion of sin.
VI. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
VII. Support the families of accident victims.
VIII. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
IX. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
X. Feel responsible toward others.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
I just got back from taking the Virginia State Board of Nursing Certified Nurses Aid examination. I hate pulses. I can't find radials on anybody, and when I do, the pulses goes away. Darn! I really hope that pulse actually was 58BPM. Sigh.
Other than that, life is pretty dull, with a few high points. Yesterday I got home from work and was greeted by Daniel knocking on my door before I could open it. The big eyed kid was eager to tell me "something horrible happened while you were gone." Peter broke his hand. Today, Bernadette stepped on a bee and her foot has swelled up. I have been coerced into watching Freaky Friday (the old one) so more update later.
Other than that, life is pretty dull, with a few high points. Yesterday I got home from work and was greeted by Daniel knocking on my door before I could open it. The big eyed kid was eager to tell me "something horrible happened while you were gone." Peter broke his hand. Today, Bernadette stepped on a bee and her foot has swelled up. I have been coerced into watching Freaky Friday (the old one) so more update later.
Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
(this song is beautiful, and offers an adventure for the heart into the history of your ancestors if they, like mine, are from Ireland.>
On the first day of January Eighteen Ninety-two,
They opened Ellis Island and they let the people through.
And the first to cross the threshold of the Isle of hope and tears
Was Annie Moore from Ireland who was all of fifteen years.
Chorus
Isle of hope, Isle of tears, Isle of Freedom, Isle of fears,
But it's not the Isle I left behind;
That Isle of hunger, Isle of pain, Isle you'll never see again,
But the Isle of home is always on your mind
In her little bag she carried all her past and history
And her dreams for the future in the Land of Liberty.
And courage is the passport when your old world disappears,
'cause there's no future in the past when you're fifteen years.
When they closed down Ellis Island in nineteen forty-three
Seventeen million people had come there for sanctuary.
And in the springtime when I came here and stepped onto its piers,
I thought of how it must have felt when you're only fifteen years.
The Isle of home is always on your mind.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Loneliness
“At times (more often than I’d like to admit) I get a feeling that I’m totally cut off from the world, that there is no one out in the great big world who cares about me, and no one would miss me if I were to suddenly vanish. I want them to miss me. I want someone to talk to, with whom to share my deeper feelings, but I have no such friend. They would probably be glad not to have to send an extra Christmas card…”
Well, that sort of thinking is a little extreme toward the end, but, it expresses a certain sentiment which all social beings experience at one time or other: loneliness, the feeling that one is alone and has no one to turn to… and not by choice. Loneliness is a kennan knowledge, a knowledge which cannot be known definitions and study, but by experience. It is subjective, hence the word meaning of Lone=alone. Certain persons, by virtue of their unique temperaments, are more prone to loneliness than others, and these temperaments therefore face more difficulties in that they must be careful not to wallow in self-pity, and must make a conscious effort to prevent these thoughts from controlling them.
These persons who are particularly beset by loneliness often forget that the reason behind the loneliness is usually their own doing, is a severely self-centered feeling. Furthermore, loneliness is usually brought on by cutting the self off from one’s fellow men, either in actuality or in the mind. This is not to say that loneliness can be unavoidable, say for instance, in the case that several of his dearest friends have double crossed a certain man and then abandoned him. He is very like to feel not only sadness at the loss of friendships (or that which was perceived as such) but also loneliness, precisely because he finds himself alone. Therefore, loneliness is at times unavoidable and legitimate. At other times, though, it is one of those battles for mastery over one’s failings.
I was in one of my very lonely bouts during a difficult time in school and emotional health (they seem to affect each other overmuch for some strange reason), and my sister called me on the phone. She didn’t know what I was going through, but was excited to offer a reflection that she had recently read. “The basic cause of loneliness is the excessive desire to be loved, for this creates an atmosphere of lovelessness. The more we seek to be loved, the less we are loved. The less we are loved, the less lovable we become. And the less lovable we become, the less capable we become of loving anyone else. Like a bird caught in a net, we deepen our tragedy.” Sort of made a lot of sense, and made me feel sort of, shall me say, ashamed? =D
Cures for loneliness? I submit performing acts of charity, constant mental prayer, and focusing on doing things for other specifically because it helps others and not because you are seeking any reward or returned feelings.
Well, that sort of thinking is a little extreme toward the end, but, it expresses a certain sentiment which all social beings experience at one time or other: loneliness, the feeling that one is alone and has no one to turn to… and not by choice. Loneliness is a kennan knowledge, a knowledge which cannot be known definitions and study, but by experience. It is subjective, hence the word meaning of Lone=alone. Certain persons, by virtue of their unique temperaments, are more prone to loneliness than others, and these temperaments therefore face more difficulties in that they must be careful not to wallow in self-pity, and must make a conscious effort to prevent these thoughts from controlling them.
These persons who are particularly beset by loneliness often forget that the reason behind the loneliness is usually their own doing, is a severely self-centered feeling. Furthermore, loneliness is usually brought on by cutting the self off from one’s fellow men, either in actuality or in the mind. This is not to say that loneliness can be unavoidable, say for instance, in the case that several of his dearest friends have double crossed a certain man and then abandoned him. He is very like to feel not only sadness at the loss of friendships (or that which was perceived as such) but also loneliness, precisely because he finds himself alone. Therefore, loneliness is at times unavoidable and legitimate. At other times, though, it is one of those battles for mastery over one’s failings.
I was in one of my very lonely bouts during a difficult time in school and emotional health (they seem to affect each other overmuch for some strange reason), and my sister called me on the phone. She didn’t know what I was going through, but was excited to offer a reflection that she had recently read. “The basic cause of loneliness is the excessive desire to be loved, for this creates an atmosphere of lovelessness. The more we seek to be loved, the less we are loved. The less we are loved, the less lovable we become. And the less lovable we become, the less capable we become of loving anyone else. Like a bird caught in a net, we deepen our tragedy.” Sort of made a lot of sense, and made me feel sort of, shall me say, ashamed? =D
Cures for loneliness? I submit performing acts of charity, constant mental prayer, and focusing on doing things for other specifically because it helps others and not because you are seeking any reward or returned feelings.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Granny's Condition
Well, my grandmother's condition demands special prayers because she is on her way to the next life. She has been on a ventilator for the past 3 years, 3L of O2 24/7, and now she is no longer eating. (This is actually a normal part of the dying process because blood no longer flows to the stomach as much. The body is shutting off, so it is, at this point, cruel to force them to eat or to put in a feeding tube.) During the ordeals of the last three years, as she has suffered very much and her body has slowly deteriorated, she has returned to the practice of the Faith. She had stopped practicing the Catholic Faith (or any for that matter) 21 years back, and has now turned to God. For the past 2 years my father has brought her communion after mass, and two nights ago, she asked for Holy Viaticum. She has pneumonia (again) and this time, we are told, it can only be managed and not gotten rid of.
My mother is the only one of Granny's 10 children who is practicing any sort of faith, with the possible exception of one Aunt. My Grandfather, who is a Baptist and never converted, is taking the whole thing very hard and is very sad, worn out, and tired all around.
I am certain she is in the last stage of her life. Please keep her, my grandfather, and the rest of the family in your prayers. Offer Rosaries and Masses for her if you are able. Her name is Anne.
Lord, guard all those who will die tonight and allow them to turn to your mercy in the last moments of their life. Give to them peace and comfort, especially those who must die alone. May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
My mother is the only one of Granny's 10 children who is practicing any sort of faith, with the possible exception of one Aunt. My Grandfather, who is a Baptist and never converted, is taking the whole thing very hard and is very sad, worn out, and tired all around.
I am certain she is in the last stage of her life. Please keep her, my grandfather, and the rest of the family in your prayers. Offer Rosaries and Masses for her if you are able. Her name is Anne.
Lord, guard all those who will die tonight and allow them to turn to your mercy in the last moments of their life. Give to them peace and comfort, especially those who must die alone. May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Friday, May 18, 2007
Some favorite slogans and quotes
"When you call me that, smile."
"He's two, but I'm two three."
"You three-faced triple crosser."
"I child-proofed my house, but they still keep getting in."
"Girls are from the dark side, and exist solely to make boys lives difficult and give them a reason to rely on God." Fr. Moss
"When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!"
"I brought you into this world and I can take you out!" (an enraged parent)
"The Soprano, she's a big...ah...well, she carries alot of weight through the Opera. She's about 4 and a half feet tall, lying down. And she comes in from the left side of the stage in a single pile."
"It isn't my fault! I didn't want to be a monster! The gods willed it!"
"You want hair, marry a monkey."
"He's the only man I know who was born at the bottom and went down in the world."
"He's two, but I'm two three."
"You three-faced triple crosser."
"I child-proofed my house, but they still keep getting in."
"Girls are from the dark side, and exist solely to make boys lives difficult and give them a reason to rely on God." Fr. Moss
"When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!"
"I brought you into this world and I can take you out!" (an enraged parent)
"The Soprano, she's a big...ah...well, she carries alot of weight through the Opera. She's about 4 and a half feet tall, lying down. And she comes in from the left side of the stage in a single pile."
"It isn't my fault! I didn't want to be a monster! The gods willed it!"
"You want hair, marry a monkey."
"He's the only man I know who was born at the bottom and went down in the world."
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Well, it is one week into summer break from school. I am finding that jobs are rather evasive little imps, and everything I seem to apply for just sort of disintigrates, or turns out un-get-at-able for one reason or another. I'm hopefull of two, at least.
Break began in a wirl. I lost my powercord to my computer enroute to the Homeland, and it has not yet turned up. I'm hoping it didn't come out at one rest stop or another. That weekend, two of my brothers and my father went off on a boy scout campout in Wakefield. They went to Jamestown (which, by the way, is celebrating it's 400th aniversary!) and had a first rate experience, but all we got to hear about were the knives on display, the latrine, and the racoons at night. Boys are great for details, I'm findin'. =) I started a job hunt, from which I have not rested until today. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. However, I think I've found an in.
It is quite funny to be "free" when one's family is still engaged in attempting to finish the school year. One thing is for sure, that if I will not do Seton with my children. I don't wish them to have as difficult a teenage life as I did, but of course most of that was just my own fault aside from Seton. If I hadn't read so many books, I'd have had an easier life. It is quite a wonderful thing to be free with school. I've reread three of my favorite books (Letzenstein Chronicles by Meriol Trevor) already, and am starting a fourth, more serious book.
I broke my camera in the last week of classes, and have continued to put off doing much in the way of talking with the company to see if they will rectify the situation for me, since I only had it for a few months.
As I was driving home the other day with several of the natives in the car, there was an elderly, heavyset lady walking down the road somewhat unsteadily with her fists planted very firmly on her hips. "You know what she's doing Naomi? That Lady's holding herself together!" How the heck am I supposed to keep them in line if they are so funny. I was not blessed with wit, but they seem to have got my share.
Break began in a wirl. I lost my powercord to my computer enroute to the Homeland, and it has not yet turned up. I'm hoping it didn't come out at one rest stop or another. That weekend, two of my brothers and my father went off on a boy scout campout in Wakefield. They went to Jamestown (which, by the way, is celebrating it's 400th aniversary!) and had a first rate experience, but all we got to hear about were the knives on display, the latrine, and the racoons at night. Boys are great for details, I'm findin'. =) I started a job hunt, from which I have not rested until today. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. However, I think I've found an in.
It is quite funny to be "free" when one's family is still engaged in attempting to finish the school year. One thing is for sure, that if I will not do Seton with my children. I don't wish them to have as difficult a teenage life as I did, but of course most of that was just my own fault aside from Seton. If I hadn't read so many books, I'd have had an easier life. It is quite a wonderful thing to be free with school. I've reread three of my favorite books (Letzenstein Chronicles by Meriol Trevor) already, and am starting a fourth, more serious book.
I broke my camera in the last week of classes, and have continued to put off doing much in the way of talking with the company to see if they will rectify the situation for me, since I only had it for a few months.
As I was driving home the other day with several of the natives in the car, there was an elderly, heavyset lady walking down the road somewhat unsteadily with her fists planted very firmly on her hips. "You know what she's doing Naomi? That Lady's holding herself together!" How the heck am I supposed to keep them in line if they are so funny. I was not blessed with wit, but they seem to have got my share.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Snapshots of my Family
My little sister was doing the laudry with my father one summer evening in the garage. She looked out the door and saw several of our elderly neighbors walking down the road. She turned to my father and said, "Daddy, do you know what that is?" "Well, that's a bunch of our elderly neighbors going for a walk," replied the serious patriarch. The witty gleam infected her eye (it does this periodically, you see). "No, Dad. That's the Antiques Roadshow!" (my poor father was then faced with the familiar scenario of trying to correct his disrespectful child while attempting to check his own laughter.)
My macho little brother (11 years old) walks up to my sister Deborah and says, "Deborah, I'm a man." She responds with a characteristic, "Um...I think you're mistaken. You're a boy, not a man." "I am too a man!" "You are too immature, selfish, small, and irresponsible to be a man..." she proceeds to enlighten the young rascal. He puffs out his chest and responds: "Yeah, well, I'm more of a man than you'll ever be!" Deborah laughs in his face "You're sure right about that, bud!"
Joseph stood up when he had finished his dinner one day and very graciously asked my father, "May I pweeez be exacuted?"
Our little philosopher, Daniel, walked up to my mother one day in his 2nd year and informed my mother, with the serious look of an intellectual behind his batting eyelashes, that "Boys make noise, Mom."
Daniel was running around in the commons area at church when he was three. My parents don't let us do this, so my father scooped him up under one arm, with his head sticking out back and his behind out front. The enraged boy flailed and cried out, "Unhand me!" (this is the point where my father glares at us and says "who taught him that!).
My macho little brother (11 years old) walks up to my sister Deborah and says, "Deborah, I'm a man." She responds with a characteristic, "Um...I think you're mistaken. You're a boy, not a man." "I am too a man!" "You are too immature, selfish, small, and irresponsible to be a man..." she proceeds to enlighten the young rascal. He puffs out his chest and responds: "Yeah, well, I'm more of a man than you'll ever be!" Deborah laughs in his face "You're sure right about that, bud!"
Joseph stood up when he had finished his dinner one day and very graciously asked my father, "May I pweeez be exacuted?"
Our little philosopher, Daniel, walked up to my mother one day in his 2nd year and informed my mother, with the serious look of an intellectual behind his batting eyelashes, that "Boys make noise, Mom."
Daniel was running around in the commons area at church when he was three. My parents don't let us do this, so my father scooped him up under one arm, with his head sticking out back and his behind out front. The enraged boy flailed and cried out, "Unhand me!" (this is the point where my father glares at us and says "who taught him that!).
The Human Heart
Although you may not have been able to tell until right now, I am a Nursing Student, and this will be a nursing post, cheifly about heart function and murmers =). I'm not going to explain in depth how the thing works, but the basic idea is that blood comes into the heart from the Superior and Inferior vena cavea, which join and empty into the right atrium. From the right atrium, the unoxygenated blood is pumped into the left ventrical (which, incidentally, covers most of the front of the heart) and out into the pulmonary artery which travels to the lungs. The oxygenated blood travels back to the heart via the pulmonary vein and into the Left Atrium, from there to the left ventricle, and is then pumped into the aotra. The diagragm below is a little on the crummy side (I don't like the aspect ratios) but I couldn't find a better one. Besides, it's labeled =).There are numerous heart dysrhythmias and dysfunctions, but I'm going to focus only the actual dysfunctions and such and not the conditions they are typical of.
A normal heart sounds sort of like saying "lub dub (pause) lub Dub, etc." Lub is the first heart sound and is termed S1. Dub is the second heart sound and is termed S2.
The first heart sound is denoted as S1, and is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular valves. A split milli-second after their closure, the semilunar valves (those going from the ventricle into the pulmonary artery and the aorta) open and blood rushes out of both chambers. Meanwhile, the atria are filling from the vena cava and the pulmonary vein. The period of atrial filling/ventricular emptying is the period known as systole, the space between the first and second heart sound.
On S2, the sound is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves (the tricuspid and aortic). This begins the period of diastole. Shortly after their closure, the atrioventricular valves open, and the ventricles are filled as the blood is pumped into them from the atria. The valves shut and S1 begins all over again.
In children and young adults, an S3 sound may be heard during diastole, shortly after S2. It is caused by a rapid deceleration of the column of blood against the ventricular wall. In older adults, it usually indicates a pathological change in ventricular compliance. When auscultated with a stethoscope, it sounds like "Kentucky."
An S4 sound is not often heard in normal adults, and marks atrial contraction. It comes right before the S1 sound, and also indicates a pathological change in ventricular contraction. It sounds as if one were saying "Tennessee."
Normally, S1 and S2 are a single sound, but they may be split due to the two valves which are supposed to be closing on that sound not closing together. A split S2, in my experience anyhow, is rather common and usually not pathological (that is, not a case for worry). It often occurs in healthy young adults on inspiration (breathing in) and goes away on expiration (as my sister said, everything goes away when you die, doesn't it ;-P). S1 spilt is an earlier mitral sound and a later tricuspid sound, with the mitral being lounder. This is heard best at the lower the lower left sternal boarder (for those of you who care ;-)), does not vary with respiration, and is often pathological.
Heart murmurs (my old freinds) are caused either by stenosis--a sluggish opening of a valve (blood is flowing through before the valve is completely open, causing turbulance)--or by regurgitation, with blood flowing back into the chamber it has just exited because the valve closed slowly/incompltely. Murmurs, however, are extremely interesting and must have their own post, at a later date.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
More of Victor Borge
One of my favorite clips, and he speaks a summary of Mozart's "Magic Flute" and it is hysterical! The next one is another favorite. In case you don't get the example: "A sentence such as 'I ate a tenderloin with my fork' would be "I nine an elevenderloin with my fivek.'" ;-)
Friday, May 04, 2007
Sometimes I really don't know what to do with myselve, especially like right now.
I feel purposeless, though I know I have a purpose.
I feel meaningless, though I know that there is really meaning in my life and my faith.
I feel lonely and unlovable, though people tell me that I am loved.
I feel ugly and defiled
I am tired, zapped, I look as if I had been drop kicked, rolled down a hill and into a lake, and then forced to march back home 5 miles away in less than 2 hours. I am sleep deprived, malnurished, unreflective, and I don't know myself or my life or anything. I'm a mess, for sure. The only way I could look/feel worse is if I had the plague or some other such illness, and a roomate that hated me, and a dead family...
yes, despite all my focus on me, I forget that I am fulfilling God's will in my life today, and that I've received so many wonderful graces, I couldn't begin to count them.
I heard a short time ago that the thing that stops love is resentment. Perhaps I just need to forgive myself and get on with life.
Besides, there are so many souls who need my prayers and help. My godfather, Don Varella, died this morning. May he rest in peace.
I feel purposeless, though I know I have a purpose.
I feel meaningless, though I know that there is really meaning in my life and my faith.
I feel lonely and unlovable, though people tell me that I am loved.
I feel ugly and defiled
I am tired, zapped, I look as if I had been drop kicked, rolled down a hill and into a lake, and then forced to march back home 5 miles away in less than 2 hours. I am sleep deprived, malnurished, unreflective, and I don't know myself or my life or anything. I'm a mess, for sure. The only way I could look/feel worse is if I had the plague or some other such illness, and a roomate that hated me, and a dead family...
yes, despite all my focus on me, I forget that I am fulfilling God's will in my life today, and that I've received so many wonderful graces, I couldn't begin to count them.
I heard a short time ago that the thing that stops love is resentment. Perhaps I just need to forgive myself and get on with life.
Besides, there are so many souls who need my prayers and help. My godfather, Don Varella, died this morning. May he rest in peace.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Mother Theresa on Humility and Service
(from my concepts and practices of Nursing class on Spiritual Care)
Are we truly humble? When we refuse to judge and criticize others. When we foster kindly thoughts toward others. When we rejoice in the good others accomplish for Jesus. When we find an excuse for the failures of others. When we are happy and cheerful with the poor, the sick, and the dying. When we have joy in the hour of humiliation. Then we are truly humble after the heart of Jesus.
Serve God joyfully. Let there be no sadness in your life: the only true sorrow is sin.
As you grow, you have still to learn. I'm still learning though I am fifty-three years in the convent. I am learning from you. We have to learn from each other. Jesus took a little child and put him in front of the apostles. Love begins here. That little kindness, care, compassion, that is the hidden treasure, the growth in holiness. We know here it is, let us go for it!
People all over the world offer Mary, our mother, beautiful gifts and cover her altar with flowers. We have no material gifts to offer her but let us give her flowers or kindness, the flower of a welcoming smile. On the beautiful fest day, let us crown her with the fragrant flowers of love, gentleness, meekness, and humility toward one another.
Self-knowledge puts us on our knees and it is very necessary for love. For knowledge of God produces love, and knowledge of self produces humility. Self knowledge is a very important thing in our lives. As St. Augustine says, "Fill yourselves first, and then only will you be able to give yourselves to others."
There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. It is a danger if we forget to whom we are doing it. This is where the respect and love and devotion come in, that we give it and do it to God, to Christ and that is why we do it as beautifully as possible. The beautiful experience that we have by serving, we must pass on to people who have not had it. It is one of the great rewards of our work.
We have absolutely no difficulty regarding having to work in countries with many faiths. We treat all people as children of God. They are our brothers and sisters. We show great respect o them. Our work is to encourage these people, Christians as well as non-Christians, to do works of love. Every work of love done with a full heart brings people closer to God.
Are we truly humble? When we refuse to judge and criticize others. When we foster kindly thoughts toward others. When we rejoice in the good others accomplish for Jesus. When we find an excuse for the failures of others. When we are happy and cheerful with the poor, the sick, and the dying. When we have joy in the hour of humiliation. Then we are truly humble after the heart of Jesus.
Serve God joyfully. Let there be no sadness in your life: the only true sorrow is sin.
As you grow, you have still to learn. I'm still learning though I am fifty-three years in the convent. I am learning from you. We have to learn from each other. Jesus took a little child and put him in front of the apostles. Love begins here. That little kindness, care, compassion, that is the hidden treasure, the growth in holiness. We know here it is, let us go for it!
People all over the world offer Mary, our mother, beautiful gifts and cover her altar with flowers. We have no material gifts to offer her but let us give her flowers or kindness, the flower of a welcoming smile. On the beautiful fest day, let us crown her with the fragrant flowers of love, gentleness, meekness, and humility toward one another.
Self-knowledge puts us on our knees and it is very necessary for love. For knowledge of God produces love, and knowledge of self produces humility. Self knowledge is a very important thing in our lives. As St. Augustine says, "Fill yourselves first, and then only will you be able to give yourselves to others."
There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. It is a danger if we forget to whom we are doing it. This is where the respect and love and devotion come in, that we give it and do it to God, to Christ and that is why we do it as beautifully as possible. The beautiful experience that we have by serving, we must pass on to people who have not had it. It is one of the great rewards of our work.
We have absolutely no difficulty regarding having to work in countries with many faiths. We treat all people as children of God. They are our brothers and sisters. We show great respect o them. Our work is to encourage these people, Christians as well as non-Christians, to do works of love. Every work of love done with a full heart brings people closer to God.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Obits: Our Beloved Doughboy
Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy passed away yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma from repeated pokes in the belly.
Doughboy was sent on in a lightly greased cookie sheet. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. They piled the grave site high with flours.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions. Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, who had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.
If this made you smile for even a brief moment, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share your smile with someone else that may be having a crumby day and kneads it.
Doughboy was sent on in a lightly greased cookie sheet. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. They piled the grave site high with flours.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions. Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, who had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.
If this made you smile for even a brief moment, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share your smile with someone else that may be having a crumby day and kneads it.
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