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What is there to be celebrated?
As she gears towards the celebration of her 172 birthday, I mutter, confused to confide in her curse of ceaseless disasters. What is she truly celebrating? Her long but fruitless existence leading her children to beg and bootlick as they crumble at the mercy of exploiters. She stumbled, startled at the impediment placed upon her by so-called colonialism. A complete dissolution to her sovereignty. She claimed to be independent when truly dependency is at the avenue of her already weakened appearance-leading her children skedaddling in search for solace. And I wonder, what is there to be...
My case-study on marriage rituals among Christians in India
During my final year of high school, I had conducted a case study to understand the marriage rituals that took place among certain Christian communities in India - such as the Christians of Kerala, Goa and Mizoram - compared to the marriage rituals among Christians in western countries. The objective of my case study was to highlight the noticeable differences in these marriage rituals among the Christian communities in India as opposed to the Christians living in the west. To begin, a questionnaire was sent out to twenty three respondents belonging to Christian communities in both India as...
A gentle reminder for millennials to be kind
Kindness. An act from deep down in the heart human, without want feedback. In this era, I believe kindness can be fake and ignored. Many people misuse kindness. They know what kindness is, but they don't know how to use it, therefore, there are many people using kindness for gaining popularity and getting a good image. One day, I was doing charity work in my community by giving food and clothes to flood victims. My friend asked me to take a photo of him giving food to a child, which he then posted on Instagram. Later, I asked him why he did that and he answered that he wanted everyone to know...
Why cultural competence is crucial in healthcare
American healthcare is full of challenges for patients and medical professionals alike. With affordability concerns, interference from insurance companies, and healthcare staffing shortages, it can be hard to access treatment. An often neglected concern, however, is when doctors and patients have a communication breakdown, failing to realize that they’re on the same team. With health and lives at stake, communication and cultural competence is essential in healthcare. Cultural competence increases empathy and the necessary trust between medical professionals and the patients that rely on them...
A journey to sobriety and recovery after alcohol addiction
Struggling with alcohol addiction is a horrible experience because it can have health, social, and economic consequences in one’s life. Alcoholism is a very serious issue that needs to be treated with professional help before it leads to tremendous consequences that can’t be fixed anymore. It can make you put yourself in many dangerous situations and experience poor overall health, but it can also make you hurt your loved ones. When you are struggling with substance abuse, you are rarely able to realize how much alcohol hurts your body, mind, and soul. You keep letting your loved ones down...
The edge of time, the persistence of imagination
I am not the biggest fan of science. Although it was my favorite subject throughout much of my childhood, a love-hate relationship soon developed during my high school years. I even jokingly labeled myself as “anti-STEM,” much to the dismay of my mother and older sister who are ardent enthusiasts of the field. Although I still believe in the significance of developments under this scholarly discipline, my passion has manifested itself within other fields. One major interest of mine is culture and the forces that shape it, particularly as it relates to the representation of minorities. Being an...
South Asians and the criminal justice system
UPDATE JUNE 2020: After writing this article, a few people reached out to me, pointing out some information that could be misleading. The point of view this article is written in implies that South Asians do not have troubled relationships with police officers or the criminal justice system. While this may be true for those of us who reside in primarily upper middle class neighborhoods, this is not the case for those South Asians who have grown up in predominantly economically-disadvantaged neighborhoods or ethnic enclaves nested in major cities. The South Asian-American identity itself is so...
This is why I am reaching an anti-feminist today
If you ever go to Lima, this is my advice: before heading to Cuzco or Cajamarca, take a bus to a place called Villa María del Triunfo. It is one of our pueblos jóvenes, young towns, where the dust and dirt from unpaved roads are the patina that covers houses rarely taller than two stories high. Ask for a place called Pamplona Alta, and you will be directed to a hill, un cerro. You will see tiny green, blue, yellow houses growing all around the road that leads to the hilltop. Stop when you see a wall, a white vertical line that forbids you and the inhabitants of Pamplona Alta to see what is...
Young people and mental health in a changing world: WMH Day message (2018)
This is a re-published post, originally published in 2018.
The deadly spread of the Anti-Vaccination Movement
In the dawn of the 21st century, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) declared that measles had been eliminated from the United States. This meant that there were no cases of measles transmitted by patients within the US. All measles cases were “imported” from infected non-US patients. This was amazing news made possible by the 97% effective MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. It was a triumphant medical achievement and a true testament to the power of science and research. This was 19 years ago. This year, the CDC announced 695 reported cases from measles in April 2019...
No picture policy ain’t gonna be a problem in this museum
Daerah Istimewa Jogjakarta - Indonesia truly has its own charm and uniqueness with its diverse beauty in nature and attraction. I believe Indonesia is famous for the palace, Parangtritis Beach and Merapi Mountain. There are many discussions about these places and you can find a lot of pictures of them. It can’t be denied that nowadays people travel to have an Instagramable post, but as a result, you might lose the moment. In this opportunity, I’d like to share one of a kind place that might not satisfy your crave to post on social media, but it definitely helps you grow as a person. The place...
Love Vs Money
I had a conversation with your heart
I had a conversation with your heart Beautiful and strong it looked, I went closer and saw that it was bruised all over. I knew it was a strong fighter, fighting in spite of injury But I couldn't see happiness in spite of everyday victory I asked it why it wasn't smiling "Because dissatisfaction is overpowering I am a slave to my master, he thrashes me, he's a bit colder He is ungracious for my presence And looks for happiness in the world's leftover Failing every time, he blames me yet another time, takes no pride in his inner exposure." "How can someone give hate to such a beautiful thing!"...
Better sitting posture, better future: Part 1
I am a student from Fudan University, China. When I was sixteen years old, a friend of mine had serious back pain due to being sedentary and holding harmful postures, and eventually he stayed at home for half a year, which not only delayed his studies, but also prevented him from participating in strenuous activities. Many other students and I also thought that the school seats were contributing to this and inappropriate, so in 2017, some of my classmates and I formed an interest group to study the student seat problem and to propose solutions. This blog wants to warn people to pay attention...
The magical moment
What is a mother? A mother is someone who gives birth to us, loves us, nurtures us, takes care of us, protects us, and brings us up in the most patient and gentle way possible. Someone who makes sacrifices for us her whole life. No matter how the child may be, for a mother, they are the best child in the entire world and the twinkle of her eye. A woman does not only care for the child after they are born, but since the time that they start to grow inside her womb. Women have been blessed with a super power to give birth to a new life; their emotional and physical strength is incomparable to...
Mind
My mind…works like a cave Dark, mildew with ancient treasures marked across the Musky slippery floors. The rumble in my head almost as hollow As the wind that passes through the Tunnels, unmarked by men. Sometimes the wind could chatter and echo through And the voices could grow louder. As darkness engulfs Little creatures scamper away They’ve made a home in there... My mind With statues of a past life With stories left behind as memories With decay, and stones crumpling from age. My mind As the words to this Slowly diminish to a silent buzz As I live through the day.