Managing it when times get tough...

Happy Fathers Day!

Richard is still pretty sick and unfortunately is going to have a low key Father's day this year. I will make it up to him next year. I must say that I am getting a little worried, but everyone is a little too busy
to focus on the negative. (They have ruled out Strep, Mono, and did a chest X-Ray, but since he has had Tb already... they think it is a very rare virus... but no one in the house has been affected by it... what could it be?) I keep trying to force Ricky to go back to the doctor, but he is being stubborn so I don't know what else to do.

Speaking of stubborn people, I really do seem to have far too many of those in my life! My mom is unemployed again. To make a long story short, it is really hard holding a job in Las Vegas if you are a housekeeper, well it is just really hard for immigrants to find work.

But, I don't want to make this entry into a rant about stubborn immigrants and abuse in the housekeeping labor industry, I will save it for another day.

Last night, we went out for father's day early, since Richard had to work tonight. We saw "How to train a Dragon" at the Tropicana Cinema. (It sure is an emotional cartoon! Or I am the only one who constantly tears up watching Disney or Pixar movies) Entertainment for 5 people at the cost of $6 is amazing. OK, well it cost a little bit more, but only because you can't go to a movie without candy and popcorn. I almost got sucked into paying for Toy Story 3 Imax version (and it would have been courtesy of Lucy, thanks a lot for the gift), but I am very fortunate to have understanding kids who enjoy being at movie theatres more than they do about "keeping up with the Joneses"!

I am over half done with my summer session 2 classes, amazing. I hope I make it. I got a B on my first Anatomy exam, and a not so good score in Biochemistry. I think I may have overestimated my performance or may need to go in to find out if there were any grading mistakes.

.

These days, putting food on the table, attending my classes and getting a couple hours of study time is more than I can ask for. Well, my mom always told me, "roitch ma pel" which translates to, "done for now".

I am trying to be tough, but it has been a very stressful month. I can't wait to close this undergraduate chapter in my life. The busier I get, the less time I have for my friends and even more so acquaintances. I unfortunately can't prioritize much but myself, my family and my children.

I must say, again... I am very fortunate to have great friends. Sarah and Jan have been very supportive and compassionate. Sarah donated loads of "nectar" for my wine rack, and fluids with OH groups for the fridge (for storage until after graduation of course) ;-) I really enjoy the colors it brings to my kitchen. Jan has been helping an enormous amount in saving my mom from packing up and leaving town, it means a lot to me and I hope we can figure out a good way to solve this problem.

Well, that's all I am going to say right now.. back to studying for Biochemistry...

Rathany the "Matriarch"

It is pretty funny that I have been referred to this by Ricky and my friend Jan.
Micromanaging 3 kids and the rest of my family both near and far, I think I have earned this title. :)
It's a wonder I don't have time for my friends anymore. Pile on challenging schoolwork and a part time job, I am pretty surprised I am still sane.

It is true, I do have a pretty hectic life dealing with sick and hungry people who are constantly misbehaving and need to be dominated constantly.

Ricky has been battling a pretty bad flu. It started 7 days ago with a very high fever. It has been going still and is barely subsiding. I took him to ER at Sunrise on Friday and to our surprise our student medical doctor happened to be an old friend of a friend from school. After taking 1 lb of blood work, x-rays, swabs, and ekg's they decided to conclude that it was a rare flu virus and sent him home with pain meds and steroids.

I have been working on nipping in butt the "picky eating" syndrome. All of my kids have it and I have been working hard to beat it out of them.
I really hope he gets better soon! His throat really makes him the most pickiest baby of them all!

You know the only people who are always sure about the proper way to raise children? Those who've never had any.

My life is interestingly different these day. While at work I get a phone call from my niece, "Ming Ny, can I go play outside?" I wasn't sure how to respond to this. I didn't really want her to be somewhere I wasn't there to supervise, but I also didn't want her to be so bored at home and feel trapped. So I asked her, where do you want to go?" She said, "just outside by the door to play with my friend" I was relieved and said, "Yes, that is fine but be inside by 6:30pm, I said sternly. When I got home I found a crowd of other children by my house. Apparently, other parents don't force their kids to be right by their door and don't really supervise their children after school. It made me feel a little old and overprotective but I chuckled to myself and walked inside my house. Later that night I planned to take the kids on some errands. Before we set off on our voyage to 1. the library to return and pick up some books, 2. the grocery store to pick up food and snacks, and 3. home for quiet time, I asked them to finish their homework and help me make a grocery list. We stopped at Lied library for a short time to return some books and pick up some books for Ricky. On the drive there Tiana was giving Kyle a site by site tour of everything we passed on the way there. I was pretty impressed until I realized that she was speaking exactly the same way I did when I gave her the tour on the way to the library. What a great memory they have! I felt a little scared because now I really have to pay close attention to how I speak.

While we were at the grocery store, I was determined to buy only the items we had on the list. On the way to the bread aisle, they found baked goods. They were nice enough not to demand that I buy them anything, but were super clever, they tapped me and asked me if I wanted to see "which cookie they liked the most." As they described the different kinds of cookies they have tried, I couldn't control myself and bought 2 boxes of cookies. The fresh chocolate chip cookies seemed harmless, and I have no idea how I got talked into the "Chocolate Chip Snack Cakes" by little Debbies, but it happened. (When I got home I had to hide them, mostly because I don't want Ricky to find them)

I picked up the rest of the groceries and made sure to get enough fruits and vegetables for everyone to share for the rest of the week. When we got home I allowed the kids to have some cookies and milk before they went to bed. They of course asked to have 2 cookies each, which I caved into as well. Herbie really liked the milk and cookies and he had about half a cookie and some milk and passed right out. Earlier when we were at the store, I somehow got convinced to buy crystal light mix. It had some vitamins and minerals so I figured it was ok, and the kids were very happy to have something other than water to drink. They "rock paper scissored" for which flavor they could bring home and Kyle won. I felt bad for Tiana and told her she could have an extra cookie since she didn't get to choose the flavor for their drinks. She again mimicked me by saying, "No, if you eat too much junk food you can get a stomach ache and get sick, I don't want more cookies." I was very proud :)

The Yo-Yo Dieter's Rant

Japan Rapid Weight Loss:

There really is no such thing as a miracle weight loss pill. I am pretty sure I have confirmed it.

Sure you can find an appetite suppressant that will destroy your appetite for a couple days.

You can can order them anywhere, I ordered mine off EBay and had them shipped from China. I waited 1 month for them to arrive and anticipated their arrival. In the mean time I had day dreams of a beautiful thin lean body.  My good friend Sarah (who by the way is already thin and hot) had been raving for weeks about the magic of these pills. She sent out rumors that she had witnessed first hand other women who became super hot and thin and all they claimed they ever did was take a miracle weight loss pill. Japan Rapid Weight loss! I did the research, made sure to order the real pills, and waited for them to arrive.

Did the pills work?

Yes, they worked. They killed my appetite. I lost 10 lbs. After that, I couldn't stand taking them anymore. I received them in the middle of last semester. I started them in March. After 3 days of being on them. I lost a couple pounds a day. They made me feel very weird. My vision was constantly blurred. I couldn't concentrate. My mouth was dry. I was very edgy and moody! I definitely could not study for exams in this condition so I quit taking them. I decided to save them for after finals.

After finals, I started taking them again while going to Bikram Yoga. I had gained the 10 lbs that I had lost previously during finals weeks. I tend to carb load when I study and when I get stressed out. So once I began focusing on weight loss again, the 10 lbs was very easy to lose. Then I started working more and stressing out more and stopped taking the weight loss pills because I was tired of being on them. So I stand 5'3 135 lbs now. I don't know what I want to do. I don't want to order anymore weight loss pills.

Right now, having 2 preteens who love candy and junk food, it is really hard to focus on eating healthy. I should be in control of what these kids eat, but nowadays their teachers give them candy, how do you control that?! What can I say, I am inexperienced 26 year old mom of 3. I can barely control what my 1 year old puts in his mouth  because his grandparents tend to feed him whatever they want. I decided against obsessing about being a perfect parent and just focusing on keeping the kids happy. I encourage them to eat well, drink lots of water, cut down on candy and engage in fun activities with them as often as possible. I have done art projects with them demonstrating the consequences of bad diet. They don't have a very strong attention span, so when I begin to rant about the scientific effects of bad diet their minds begin to drift away, but I still rant hoping that at least 50% of what I say actually sinks in over time. Engaging and motivating them first hand is the only way they learn so I try to do as much as I can with them even with my busy schedule. However, I have learned to simply allow them to make independant choices on a lot of things, and  quit hounding them in hopes that they make good decisions on their own.

It is not easy to reverse a lifetime of bad habits. I rarely have time to cook, so I eat whatever is available. So did the kids, they couldn't reject their mom's cooking! Meats cooked with fat, and vegetable stew made in beef broth that is made with mono sodium glutamate (MSG). The other day I asked my dad to make Pho, he said we have all the ingredients except MSG. I was pretty sure we had a big bag of MSG somewhere since I was positive I vowed NEVER to used it anymore. My dad said, "It's gone". I stopped breating for a few seconds, and then realized that I had been eating MSG all of my life. I don't consider myself very healthy, but I know my dads cooking is delicious. He said, "You guys have been eating MSG all of your lives, do you think my cooking would taste nearly as good without it?" I began to breath again and called my mom up to bring some MSG. I had to cave in because the only thing on my mind was Pho, yummy delicious Pho.
My parents are pretty stubborn so telling them that MSG is very bad for you is like telling them that ghosts don't exist! Impossible when they still have nightmares from being haunted by ghosts while living in concentration camps in Thailand and the jungles of Cambodia.
What I have learned:
It is not worth it to take diet pills that suppress your appetite for a short period of time. Sooner or later, your body will adjust to the pills and it won't work anymore. The side effects that have not been studied will soon hit you when you least expect it and can't do much to reverse the effects. Soon enough you body will begin to crave all of the crap you used to eat. Definitely take things slow. Everything that is done right takes time and patience.
Handling Failure:
I am currently 5'3, 135. I weighed myself after having a bowl of cereal this morning. I would be happy to lose 10 more lbs, but I feel it is taking a toll on my body and sanity to constantly fight to be skinny. I am happy to have been able to work full time and get 17 hours of OT these past weeks. Summer session II will begin again and I will be stressing out, carb loading and no longer have time to prepare my own meals and go to Bikram. Thank goodness I got extra hours from work during my summer break. I had no idea how I was going to come up with summer tuition and books, since I maxed out my financial aid during the year. But, my June paycheck should help make seeing the light at the end of the tunnel a bit easier.

Is Spring over already? Yay! Mother's Day 2010...

Summer is now here. Spring 2010 is done.

I can't believe so much has happened since last year.
It has been a very challenging semester. Taking 13 credits and being a mother was really hard.
Believe it or not, it has been a month and I have been mothering 3 children. My niece and nephew are a
new addition to the family.

I really enjoy their company but it has been a challenge. We have already been struggling to make ends meet and now we have two more mouths to feed, entertain, and love as they travel down their road through life.
My new addition is only temporary until my sister get's back on her feet, but I really want them to have stability in their lives and hope they have a nice experience here in Las Vegas.

I recently enrolled them at a nearby school. Jean Peterson Elementary. So far it seems as if they really enjoy the school, but the school is nearby a really rough neighborhood and I am very worried. The children have enjoyed going to a baseball games with fireworks (rolling down the grassy hill with 100 other nine and ten year olds, a sight you have to have seen to witness on your own to truly be awed), running around the Springs Preserve, being dragged to Lied Library on study sessions at the library with their Ming Ny (me), and on frequent trips to our pool.

This summer I do plan complete the last courses before I graduate (I am so nervous). It hasn't gone so well as finding time to study, attend classes, and be there for my children is very hard. Although I would like to point out that I have outperformed 2/3 of my closest peers who don't have kids or as many financial responsibilities. I have great friends who have lent a helping hand in many ways to make things work, and I appreciate all of their help.

Thank you Latoya McCurdy. Your kindness and generosity in offering emergency childcare to Herbie and loads and loads of 18 month old boy's clothing have been very helpful. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help. Congratulations to William McCurdy, your husband for his high achievements in Organic Chemistry and in receiving the special award at UNLV for his adversities and hard work, he deserves it! Will- I hope you had fun during Orgo Bootcamp and Power Hour! Sorry for  being a bad boot camp leader, we should have made you the leader but what can I say, I have dominance issues ;) I really enjoyed the time we spent laughing and making this past semester memorable! Go go power hour! Yeah! (I just wanted it make it as fruity as possible, j/k)

Thank you Jan, for being there for our family. Thank you for listening to us and giving us your support. Without you, I would not have made it through all of this.
Thank you Sarah Breaux, for being my supportive friend and lab partner in crime ;-). We just need to keep doing more and more Bikram and Mint and we'd be truly living the life. Let's get A's next semester! Bro doggies unite! ;-)

Thank you Lucy Grijalva, for being patient and supportive. You are very kind. Happy Mothers Day to you.

Of course, the biggest thanks goes to my mother and father. It has been very hard for them to provide me with the support they wanted to, but they have done so much this past year. From coaching Herbie to walk, to helping out around the house and keeping order around the kids, cooking delicious meals, buying groceries for us from time to time. I would not be able to do with without them.

Today was Mothers day. Herbie got me a cute card and some tulips (don't worry Ricky you are next). My niece and nephew got me an awesome card and decorated a cake for me and their mom. Everyone is happy and asleep and I am very happy to have this time to update my blog.

Each day is a new challenge and I am very lucky to be surrounded by great people with big hearts. However, most of all I want to acknowledge Richard. His hard work and dedication in his new job and his undying love for me is kind and I appreciate everything he has done for me this year. It has been a bumpy road, with cranky sleepless study nights, and stressful family drama. You have been patient, the same patient loving person I fell in love with. I thank you for working harder to make our family strong and happy. Congratulations daddy on your recent promotion, and thank you for being the coolest and most unselfish "uncle" Ricky, and being wonderful daddy to Herbie. (This doesn't get you off the hook for leaving your uncleaned popcorn maker out all over my kitchen counter on Mother's Day!)

Cell Physiology Professor Van Breukelen

This was a very hard class. It's a 400 level and 600 level course. Understanding the physiology of the cell. Cell signaling pathways, communication, and organelle function, in the greatest detail ever! Yet what you learn is that we don't know very much, and there are still mechanisms that we have no clue how it works. One thing that I learned that I will never forget is the ever so interesting phosphatidylinositol, and ubiquitin degradation :)

Tips:

Record the lectures
Write everything down he writes on the board
Take extremely good notes
Study the figures

Organic Chemistry Professor Pradip Bhomik

If you like to sleep. Don't like headaches. Enjoy your weekends. This class is not for you.
Organic Chemistry is an extremely demanding course. Practice makes perfect in this class. I think every Organic Chemistry course taken anywhere is a challenge, but if you were taking it with me Fall 2009, you knew the kinds of emotional roller coasters there were.
This class is insane. The tests are painful. I remember walking out of my first exam really happy that I studied effectively, and I thought I did a good job. I got sick immediately after I recieved my exam. I have never felt like vomiting, and my heart closing up after seeing my exam score. I could see the looks on my fellow students as they recieved their exams. People were scoring less than 50% on their exams. My first exam score I recieved a 44%. I studied for hours! Days! I practiced, I read all the chapters assigned. I did all of my homework with understanding. What happened! I felt so hopeless. After I got my grade I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I felt like a loser. My friend Sarah and I both scored pretty awful scores, and I immediately decided to go to the academic success center. There we met the best Organic Chemistry tutor ever: Alan Stephens. Without Alan I would have failed the course.

We also met some other students in our course who had recieved pretty awful scores as well. So I felt better. I am so thankful there is a place like the Academic Success Center. They really saved me. The subsequent exams were just as painful to study for and take. I did discover the beauty of Organic chemistry and can't wait to enjoy Organic Chemistry II, with Bhomik again :)

Here are some tips:
A lot of people have old Exams, Professor Bhomik has been teaching at UNLV for a very long time, and his test look the same every year. Yes it is helpful to use his old exams to study, but if you don't know what you are practicing and don't practice with understanding, you will Fail. I promise that you will fail without practice. This is not an easy A or easy B class.

You can go to class everyday, take good notes. Do the homework and still FAIL.
I would highly suggest the academic success center. They have great tutors.
I bought Orgo Cards from Borders. They are great, but I didn't use them.