Post 101 - The Next Chapter

It escaped my notice that my last blog post was my 100th. To anyone who has read them all, my hat is off to you. (And I could suggest some books and other sites that would have been a better use of your time ;)

For my 101st post, it seems fitting to talk about the next chapter of my life. I suppose it really began when I found out last year that I was being laid off. When I got the job at the church, it seemed to be a culmination of education, experience and desire; I fully anticipated staying there for the foreseeable future. It was not to be.

As I searched for both a job and a vocational direction, I kept running across nursing jobs. Initially it was simply an observation, but I began thinking about it as an option for me. I started college as a psych/pre-med double major, so it's wasn't something snatched from the clear blue. And I've always found medicine, and anatomy & physiology and other sciences fascinating. After attending informational meetings at several schools, I began to feel increasingly comfortable with the idea. It seemed a good blend of working with my hands, helping people and stimulating that scientific part of my brain. As I ran the idea past others, more often that not, the response was "Hmm, wow, never would've thought of that. But now that you mention it, I think you'd be a great nurse." Confirmation...of a sort, at least.

So, after a Bachelor's and two years of grad school, I've returned to school, taking classes here at a city college in pursuit of an Associate's in Nursing which will allow me to take the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse. I hope I am close to finally getting a job again after a long dry season (thank you to our loving family which has so generously helped us out during this time). It seems likely that it will be in direct care, either social services or healthcare.

Long-term, I have to say that I have a real burden for Africa. After visiting Kenya and Uganda last year, I would like to go back on a regular basis, and the idea of doing medical missions trips as an RN excites me. It's tough to say where my family and I will be led in the five years (possibly less but not substantially) it will take to get my degree, but I suspect Africa will be a part of our life in some way or another.

So what about that creative part of me? For now I'm enjoying doing design work for my wife's photography business. We make a great team. Even if that were all I did, I think I could be content, but that creativity comes out regardless. I pray that I will be used and content.

Headlines - Offending Those On Both Sides of the Aisle

Thoughts, in brief, on recent news:

HEALTHCARE - Frankly, the administration's plan is bunk. Whatever noble aims may be there, they are compromised by the other junk that's included (including federal funding of abortion). It should be read (that would be a good start, Congresspersons) then scrapped. But don't scrap the whole debate. Let's actually have a debate not some ABCNBCCBSETC-sponsored infomercial with the President.

We do need massive reform of how health insurance is handled in this country. Already we have Medicare and Medicaid to help protect the most vulnerable populations, but there are tens of thousands who go bankrupt or have lifelong financial woes because of catastrophic illness and accidents. Instead of government-run healthcare for all that is going to increase waiting periods, diminish patient/doctor input in their care, and bankrupt the government while increasing it's control over our lives, let's look at more targeted but effective measures. Let's look at tort reform to rein in medical malpractice awards, eliminate "pre-existing condition" prohibitions, allow greater freedom to purchase health insurance from anywhere to expand risk pools and keep costs down, and focus on making catastrophic health insurance affordable/available for everyone.

NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT - It appears that President Obama recently violated Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution by signing a treaty with Russia to reduce our nuclear arsenal by a third without "the Advice and Consent of the Senate". Regardless of the constitutionality, I think this is an admirable goal. Equally as important, or perhaps more important, however, is securing the world's nuclear weapons and material. If we want a world safer from the nuclear threat, this should really be the focus. Simply adjusting our arsenal from Maximum Overkill to Impressive Overkill is not particularly meaningful, even if it's a move in the right direction.

SARAH PALIN - I don't have any strong opinions about her stepping down as governor. I'm amazed she juggles everything she does. When she first came on the scene, I'll admit I was excited. Women in government are a good thing, and I like to see those outside the Beltway have a voice in politics. It's refreshing. Palin is an appealing person in many ways, but I have to say that I don't think she's presidential material. While many of the attacks on her have been unfair, I've taken those with a grain of salt but still found her wanting. Hopefully she'll stay involved in politics; it's good to have more "average Joes and Janes" in politics, but I think it would be a bit of a waste for her to pursue higher office. Just being realistic, folks.

WATERBOARDING - Enhanced Interrogation Technique or torture? It sure depends on whose description you read. I've read some that seem so benign as to be laughable, and I understand why some people roll their eyes at critics of the practice. But I've also read descriptions and seen videos that I suspect are more accurate. Based on those, I'd definitely say it's torture. Should we ever use it? That's a whole other debate, but I believe torture dehumanizes the torturer and the tortured alike.