YOLO? (Don't let this deter you, there is substance to this post)

Disclaimer: Sorry in advance for the randomness/semi jumping around that I do here...

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I'm currently in the midst of what has probably been my most taxing semester in a long long time (hence why I've been m.i.a.). Between grant writing and my community needs assessment course, I have had assignments due every single week in the month of October. So it's been hellish, and while I love October with its pumpkins and leaves and sweaters and fall, I have never been so glad to see a month end. Which, when I think about it a little deeper, makes me really sad and brings me to the point of this post: I'm 23, this is the height of my youth and vivaciousness (and lets face it, looks) and I feel like I'm squandering it.

I will go ahead and make my apologies about this post's title, but when you think about the idea of the phrase "you only live once" isn't that technically true? You live and then you die. And I haven't been doing much living lately, more of a trudging along, lets try and make it through one week at a time. It's pitiful really. And to top that off, I saw this incredibly inspiring documentary last night that made me feel even worse about my terrible attitude.

Girl Rising is the true story of 9 different girls from all around the world, each having faced terrible things like poverty, child slavery, and sexual assault, but who managed to triumph over the adversity that they face. It's a documentary that stresses the importance of educating girls around the world; about how an educated girl can raise the GDP of her country, have healthier children, and live a safer, more productive life. These are girls who have fought the odds in order to go to school and get an education because they value it so much. Meanwhile here I am complaining about school and just wishing it would end.

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I like to watch these documentaries because even though they make me feel like the most selfish person in the world (and let's be honest, Kim Kardashian is way worse than me, who needs a 15 carat diamond engagement ring?!), it also reminds me just how lucky and privileged I am. This dose of gratitude is definitely refreshing in the midst of a crazy time in my life.

I'm a big believer in the adage that everything happens for a reason, whether due to an act of God, fate, or what have you. I know for a fact that there was a reason that I didn't get into a masters of public policy program at UVa (it was so I could come to come to Emory to get my MPH). And there have definitely been romances in my life that I'm so glad were not meant to be. This idea of a master plan for myself has gotten me through some tough times. But what about the kids born into poverty? What about the kids diagnosed with cancer, or who are abused by the very people meant to protect them? These are instances where I can't see that adage holding true, which shakes my faith a little and brings about more of that guilt I've been feeling. So what's a girl to do? Well as my friend and trusty roommate B says,"At least we're going into a field that helps people. Sure we won't make a lot of money, but at the end of the day we can say we have made a little bit of a difference and that we can, which is a hell of a lot more than most people on Wallstreet can say."

The Political Machine

I've said it once, and I will say it again. Politics and political parties make me want to say:

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Because we are sure as hell not getting anything done the way things are now. As I've gotten older the stakes have gotten higher, with the happenings on Capital Hill becoming more interesting/important to me. For a while things like furloughs and budget cuts seemed like some far off problem for someone else, until they literally hit home and affected my family. And now I find the current government shut down personally affecting me; today should've been the day that I restarted my internship from last semester, except now with the government stalemate in D.C. places like the CDC are basically shut down until some resolution is reached.

So while I've got a lot of emotions like the sapster above, mine are a little different. I'm mad and frustrated by the incompetence. I'm pissed off that politics has become more about blocking a bill because it's endorsed by another political party and less about the actual issue at stake. And I'm disgusted at how such a great country as the U. S. of A. can lack a basic guarantee to healthcare, one that every other industrialized nation in the world has. How is it that we spend the most but enjoy middle of the road health?

If you aren't sold on the idea of universal healthcare (if you are still a little confused, it's a complicated thing and I def don't have everything 100% ironed out in my head yet, so head on over to slate.com and read this simple article), I'd suggest reading this gem by Ezekiel Emanuel (yes, Rohm's brother). He presented to my bioethics class first year, first semester at UVA and I've been hooked. It's a simple, well thought out argument about how healthy citizens make a strong nation. And even though some may argue that the rich will end up paying more for things like Obamacare, I guarantee that we are still paying the brunt of things when those who are not insured finally have to go to the ER to seek medical treatment.

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**I am also well aware that this may cause some drama and people to get all mad and feisty with me. Bring it on Biddies, the world needs more intelligent discourse.