Good things just seem to happen to me.

There’s a lot in my head right now, a lot floating around, and I’m trying to interpret it all– trying to figure out what is important to share and what isn’t. I wanted to tell you all about the good fortune I that is coming upon me.

First, there are the gifts. I have received so many gifts recently, it makes me smile to think of it. Today, I got a ride home from an old friend and a co-worker who stopped by the bus stop while I was waiting. “Where you headed?” I told them, and they said, “Get in!” so I did. I rode to my destination with friends. However, I must add that I’ve learned one really important rule: Never trust a man who brakes with his left foot. *chuckle* I’ve been given homemade cookies from a classmate. A beautiful jade plant from one of the facilities guys. A homemade pumpkin muffin from one of our nurses. Good advice from my mentor… so many gifts!!! And you know what else? I realized that people are REALLY nice to me at work. I pass people in the hall, and I get smiles, constantly. People ask me how my day is or how school is going… people who I don’t really even know. They care, and they smile. Gifts…

I have been given an enormous gift from one of my teachers. My behavioral neuroscience teacher is going to have me help him with research. Real, genuine, publishable research in the field of neuroscience. He is going to treat me like a grad student– one who needs to do the research for their thesis. I’m not going to be a grad student– and I’m starting as an undergrad student… I’m being given an opportunity that will make me even more valuable as a medical school applicant. I am already working on helping my doctor write a journal article that he is publishing. My doc trusts me and my writing skills! He has given me the reins and has asked me to steer the ship in the right direction. I’ve been doing some homework on it, and I know how to get it published. Now, when I’m performing my own research, I will know how to get that published, too. I think I did mention some time ago that one of my main goals is to become published. Eeeeeee!!! <— that’s me squealing with delight!

There are so many good things happening…

So, here’s another tidbit update! BPA. BPA stands for Bisphenol-A. It is a chemical that acts as a false estrogen in our bodies. BPA has been found to cause cancer: colon, breast, etc. BPA has been found to cause pre-mature puberty. It can cause hormonal bursts and swings… it’s acts like estrogen, but our bodies are not producing it. How do we get BPA in our blood? Well, that’s where it becomes a little messy. BPA is a common chemical found in polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastics are what Nalgene is made of. Baby bottles. Up until last month, Deep Rock bottles… If you know me, you’ll know that my security blanket used to be my Nalgene. I went nowhere without it. BPA leeches into the fluids in the container when the plastic is heated. Like in the sunlight. Or if there is a hot fluid in the bottle. I found this all out when I was doing some research on my PMS. I happened upon a website that wasn’t selling anything, and it said that one of the easiest ways to decrease or eliminate pre-menstrual syndrome was to eliminate polycarbonates from your life. Of course, I was thoroughly disinterested in this– my beloved Nalgene couldn’t possibly have been making me sick!!! However, I continued to research, because like all scientists, I felt that I should learn more about it before ditching my “blankie.” So I looked… and I found a major campaign against Nalgene that is working towards Nalgene de-toxifying their bottles. I found that there are many doctors recommending that new parents NOT feed their child from polycarbonate baby bottles. I ran the idea by my mentor, who is an organic chemist. At first, he too was skeptical. Polycarbonate bottles were designed by chemists because they are relatively inert… but not more than a week later, he emailed me the transcripts from another research project: Polycarbonate materials containing BPA have been found to leech small amounts of BPA into the fluids contained in them. The debate was detailed. The problem: a plastics committee funded some more research and found that the amount that is leeching into our fluids isn’t enough to cause harm in humans… the amounts that have been found to cause problems in living creatures have been dramatically greater doses, in rats. However, being a critical thinker means that you consider the source of funding in any project– especially when you consider that there are at least two completely opposing sides… now why on earth would a plastics committee find that the amounts of BPA leeching into our fluids we consume weren’t harmful????? Why??? Perhaps it’s because the very funding was generated… by the sales of polycarbonate materials!! Fascinating. So, at the encouragement of my mentor, I decided to participate in my own experiment. I ditched my Nalgene bottle almost three months ago. My findings: considerably fewer and less extreme PMS symptoms. I have had two relatively uneventful cycles. No neediness. No dramatic mood swings. No wanting a puppy. No major cramping. No feeling like I’m alien! Yay for not feeling like an alien. Now, there could be a few causes for this change in my experience– one could be that I gave up my Nalgene. I ditched my poison. Other reasons could be that I’m at a different place in my life where I’m now satisfied and confident in my woman-ness. Another could be that it’s all in my head. Regardless of the “cause” or “causes,” I am ecstatic to report that I feel great! I feel wonderful! Magnificent! Yay for easy cycles.

What else… Work is going well. School is going well… school is a major challenge for me this semester. In spite of that, I’m still full-throttle, and I’ve become comfortable with my new routine. I feel good about it, in spite of my “failings.” I realize that my failings are only roadblocks that I must conquer. I’m not distracted from my goals. I continue, working as hard at achieving my goals as I’ve ever. I am feeling the momentum picking me up, and I’m getting a running start for the hurdles before me. I am traveling at full speed, head on, preparing for the next leap of faith required to surpass my next hurdle, even, never losing steam.

Good things keep happening to me.

I’m finding comfort and calm. I’m feeling joyful and lucky. I can’t believe how perfect it all is sometimes… I am on top of my world!!

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