Nothing But Biochemistry Down Here...

I've been gone a couple of days. Miss me??? I've got my second biochemistry exam tomorrow morning. Since my last post, I've been regurgitating this stuff night and day. So far so good. I have been putting in a lot of time and have basically shut the rest of the world out. I've been stuck in a biochemistry hole (hence, the ostrich in the ground). I've answered the phone for three people and that's it. I apologize to those of you who called and had to speak with the mailbox. I love you!!! I promise I will get back to you tomorrow evening.

So right now I'm on campus in a lecture room. I've been here for three hours. I like studying in the classroom because it keeps me awake (I like to sleep at home) and it gives me access to the chalkboard. There are a million (exaggeration) processes that I have to know for this exam and it helps if I just throw them all on the board. So that's what I've been up to this morning. I plan on getting back to it and around 7:30pm, I will call it quits. I'll get a LONG shower, put it in the bed, pray on it, and see how it goes in the morning. Cross your fingers, your toes, pray... whatever you do. Later!!

So Much To Say...

And yet, I'm at a loss for words.

I am still in shock from what happened last night. We elected the first African-American president in our history. It is impossible to overstate what that means to this nation. I can't even explain how that feels. I'm sure I'll get my thoughts together and bring you something better later on. Right now, I'm just overwhelmed. I woke up this morning and just laid in bed for a minute. No cheers, no yelling, just a simple smile. Look at us??? Look what our country just did? I've been smiling ever since. I walked down the street like I was the best thing since sliced bread. I am so proud to be not just an African American today, but an American. I had my doubts going into this election. I didn't believe our country was ready and here we are. Isn't that amazing?

I've gotten a million emails from last night up to this morning with a little something to say about this monumental occasion. I decided to share just a small portion of one. Charles M. Blow's article in the New York Times says this.

"History will record this as the night [last night] the souls of black folk, living and dead, wept - and laughed, screamed and danced - releasing 400 years of pent of emotion... Whether or not you agree with Barack Obama's politics, there is no denying that this election represents a seminal moment in the African-America narrative and a giant leap forward on the road to America's racial reconciliation. In fact everyone, regardless of race, should feel free to shed a tear and be proud of how far our country has come".

I am VERY PROUD and you should be also.

And the Winner Is

America... let me introduce to you to the

44th President of the United States of America...

Barack Obama

War of Peanutland

Ok men... this is it. We've come to that point. The time to test our training, our skills, and our will. It's time to take back our land... to reclaim what is rightfully ours. This is our land and we will not be removed from it. Can you smell victory? Can you taste victory? I can feel victory in the air!!!! On my command, we fight... we win... ATTACK!!!!!

That is the speech General Antibody just gave his troops. In case you haven't figured it out, I am talking about my antibodies waging a war on the virus that has apparently found residence in my body. As the day has progressed, I am feeling more ill. I am convinced that my immune system is under attack. I am sick.

This is definitely not the best time for this to be happening. I needed to survive until Turkey time. Geez. Oh well... it is what it is. I have decided to forfeit the rest of today. I've going to get a nice combo of drugs and rest to send as aid for the troops. Go... Fight... Win!!!!

Not One Week... One Day

Long Lines at the Poll

Hey, I'm up. I went to bed at 11pm and rolled over about 30 minutes ago with a cough that won't permit me to return to slumber. Still coughing later? Pull out the drugs!!! We'll see.

So I wanted to talk a little about the poll lines. Early voting has seen wait times of up to 6 hours during this election. Many are getting frustrated and leaving. NO!!! Your vote matters!!! Go back! But can you blame some of them? This bothers me some. I don't think it is fair to some voters. While I am still young and able to stand around for hours to cast my vote, many others are not. You have to consider the older population, those with children and those with medical conditions that simply cannot stand in a line for this amount of time. Heck, I'm young and all, but I can't say 6 hours wouldn't have gotten to me either. Thank goodness for absentee voting. Anyway... I went on CNN just to catch up on the news and ended listening to Munir Venjenk, an older gentlemen from Florida. Here's what he had to say.

"... I think the present system of early voting is prejudiced against older people. I am 84 years old. I waited for an hour and a quarter yesterday. When I got to a certain point, they said it was an addition two hours to wait. People in their middle 80's cannot stand for three hours. And I think this will discourage many people from early voting."

I agree. Older folks are just as entitled to cast their vote as anyone else but if they are physically unable to bear the conditions that are presented, are we not denying them their right? Just something to think about.

There needs to be a better system in place. My grandmother is 87 and I know that 3 hrs of standing would not cut it. What is she supposed to do? Of course she wants to vote, but should she stand there to the point of swollen feet and fatigue. Granted some polling places have seats available and with friendly line neighbors, spots can be held until the actual voting time comes. This is generally the case in smaller cities and towns. What about in larger communities? You also have to consider the line wrapped around the building outside. Where can those people sit?

I don't think it would break the bank to improve the polling places. Maybe a number system with an speaker set up outside. Call 20 folks at a time. People can go chill in their cars. Or heck, get those buzzer things that restaurants have. You can go nap in your car and when your buzzer goes off... get up and go vote. I'm sure those ideas are silly to some, but we have to start somewhere.

I don't have any plans to be an official advocate or anything; I'm just stirring the pot. I want to get those of you who are actively fighting for voter rights to start thinking of ideas to fix the problem. Hurry up before I get old!!!!

Biochem Break

Exam two is right around the corner (a week from Monday). While I didn't do horrible on the first exam, I really want to pick up my game for these last two ones. I want a kick ass GPA when I get out this program. So what have I been doing the weekend??? Biochem study!!! I'm currently taking a break because my mind started wandering. Instead of fighting it and reading a passage four and five times in a row, I decided to come drop of few words here.

Aren't you guys excited for next week? I am. This time next week we will know without a doubt who the next president will be. Please oh please, let it be Obama.

Oh yeah... yesterday was Halloween. Happy belated to you all. Did I do anything? Take a guess. No. I've got to hold all my celebrating till Veteran's Day. I'll get a day or two of relief and then back to the grind until Turkey week. I cannot wait.

Ok, break over. I'm going to get some caffeine and finish up phospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, hormone action and g-protein coupled receptors before I get under the sheets.