Maria Marcotte

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2010-05-05T03:26:00.000-07:00

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Eating healthy with the aero herb garden by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T03:13:00.001-07:00

Several years ago I got myself onto a health food kick. Through a series of personal tragedies (both my best friend and my father died of heart disease) and some frank talks with my father in law, I decided it was time to grow up and give myself a chance to grow old and feeble and die, boringly, in my 80s.
First on the list was improving my eating habits. My father, god bless him, had never been the healthiest eater. Whether it was chicken wings or ribs or steak, if you could grill it, he'd eat it. It's not like he avoided fruits and vegetables, but in general his favorite stuff was something that he could conceivably have hunted.
My best friend was almost pure carnivore, turning his nose up at anything that was grown (with the notable exception of the potato). His diet, his smoking habit and an unknown defect his one of the valves on his heart combined to due him in at the all-too-young age of twenty eight.
So I set myself on a quest to avoid their fate. Part of it, for me, was quitting smoking. I did this by cordoning off blocs of my life, and bit by bit limiting the time when I could have a cigarette. First it was "no smoking during the day", then "no smoking during the work week", then "no smoking unless you're drinking," and finally "you're not buying cigarettes anymore." Within the span of a year I'd quit.
After that, it was onto my diet. I'd developed a bit of a green thumb - something I'd inherited from my father, ironically - and wanted to put that to good use. As I was and still am pressed for space (living in New York City has lots of perks, but room isn't one of them), the aero herb garden was a natural fit for my new and improved lifestyle.
The aero herb garden has been a big help for me now, several years after the tragedies I endured. Not only has the process of gardening given me a new, fulfilling hobby (seriously, gardening can actually be a lot of fun), but the aero herb garden has given me a steady supply of fresh vegetables and herbs that make any bland meal into a spectacular culinary delight.
And it's paying off. I've droppped twenty five pounds in the last two years, thanks largely to my aero herb garden, and my cholesterol is down around 170 for the first time since I was a teenager. Yes, quitting smoking was the big step. But eating tons of fresh veggies and herbs is nearly as important.

High School Teachers - Our Main Hope in Fighting Adolescent Depression by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T03:07:00.000-07:00

As acronyms go, this one is a little snarky, a little sad: Headsss. Teachers around the country, not to mention social workers, all who deal with adolescents, and are responsible for them in a professional capacity, are taught to pay attention to this little number. It is about how those that need to care for an adolescent in a certain capacity, need to always learn to ask the children in their care, questions that touch a number of areas, all covered by the letters of the acronym. The first, H, of course, is the most important - it stands for Home, for everything that happens there. The E stands, variably, for education and employment that the teenager engages in. The A reminds the caretaker to ask about the activities that interest and involve the child, and the D, about trouble with drugs if there be any. In the end, the three S's stand for safety, sex life, and sadly, suicidal thoughts. Of course, only a few teachers in our educational system usually have the time for such unusually involved questions; but a psychiatrist would surely be required to ask these in any standard case of adolescent depression, or other problems.
A teacher is our first line of defense. A lot of the time, probing questions to a young teenager will be met with an anxious exhortation: "If I tell you, how can I be sure that you won't tell anyone else?" It might be a judgment call with some, but most teachers would say that over the long run, to simply tell the truth helps establish more trust, openness and productivity in any session. Sometimes, a teacher has to ask the parent to provide the child with a bit of privacy, to help the child say it all. And the ground rule, the child has to know, will be that unless the secret shared is something deeply dangerous to the child's life, it won't leave the room.
Once all the formalities are out of the way, most caring teachers essentially begin any kind of questioning with a kind of screening for depression; adolescent depression is shockingly high in the rate at which it occurs. Most young people, are so caught up in their visions of their own resilience and strength, that they will all flat out deny that they need any help for being sad or depressed. However, when the teacher words it differently, using the vernacular of the young, they almost always get better results. A word that seems to work with young people these days, is "Stress". It may not mean to them exactly what it says in the dictionary, but it brings results.
Adolescent depression does not really look like adult depression. A lot of the kids who commit suicide are not depressed in the same way adults are. We may fail to recognize it because it may come through as recklessness - a wish to do whatever comes to their mind at the moment, or anger, or disappointment, or sometimes even as vengefulness. When teachers get these signs from their young students, they need to make their assessment right and see if there is suicide on the horizon. If it is, they can follow the protocol, and create a safety plan with the child whether or not they openly admit to suicidal thoughts. Teachers today are the bulwarks who have been protecting our children. This may not sound very hopeful, considering how poorly paid and overworked they are. But there you have it.

Rest Easier with an Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:51:00.000-07:00

Anyone who suffers from acid reflux (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) undoubtedly experiences a bit of dread at the first onset of symptoms. These vary from person to person, but typically manifest in the form of heartburn, regurgitation, or general stomach discomfort. The symptoms usually signal beginnings of a sleepless night as you try to keep your stomach contents settled. That's not the most enjoyable way to spend an evening, which is why I recommend using an acid reflux wedge pillow instead of a standard bed pillow.
An acid reflux wedge is a long, hard pillow that keeps your torso elevated through the night. This elevation helps lessen the effects of GERD by keeping internal fluids out of your esophagus while you sleep. The result is often a much more restful night, which allows you to wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed in the morning. While an acid reflux wedge won't cure GERD, it can help ease some of the symptoms, so it's definitely worth checking out.
Experts recommend that an acid reflux wedge be at least thirty inches long and six inches high in order to work properly. The pillows should extend all the way down to your lower back, so it might be necessary to take some measurements before buying one. Moreover, since these wedges are generally harder than traditional bed pillows, most folks choose to lay their regular pillow on top of the acid reflux wedge to make things more comfortable. In other words, don't throw out your old pillow just yet!
If these special wedges don't help control nighttime GERD symptoms, other lifestyle changes may be in order. For example, try eating smaller, lighter meals in the evening instead of heavy dinners that will cause you problems throughout the night. Avoid foods that are known to exacerbate GERD symptoms, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, fried foods, caffeine, and chocolate. In addition, you might want to try adding an over-the-counter antacid to your daily routine to see if that helps. If nothing alleviates your pain, it's time to make an appointment with your physician.
But as I said, acid reflux wedge pillows have worked wonders for lots of people, so it can't hurt to try one for yourself. They're available in some department stores, but you'll definitely have a wider range of products and prices to choose from if you shop online. Just remember to verify all measurements and review the web retailer's return policy before submitting your order to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.
If persistent GERD symptoms are preventing you from getting any rest, an acid reflux wedge could be the answer you've been looking for. These pillows can cost anywhere from $40 to $100, which is a relatively small price to pay in exchange for sound sleep!

80s Pop Music: The Beginning of Modern Rock by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:38:00.000-07:00

Modern Rock or Alternative Rock as we know it now began in the 80s with many bands that were considered one-hit wonders or had very short careers. After the implosion of disco music in the late 1970s, music fans were confused and had no one music style that they could call their own. Straight rock music was in a period of big hair bands that played arenas like AC/DC and Judas Priest. This music did not appeal to many people who wanted more melodic pop and rock as opposed to heavy metal music.
One of the first bands to emerge in the 1980s was Tears for Fears. This pop rock duo became instantly famous for their soaring pop melodies like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” a song which is still played today all over the world. They followed up this mammoth hit with “Shout” and “Mad World” and then sort of slipped away from the limelight a few years later.
The Pet Shop Boys cashed in on the 80s pop music phenomenon with their huge worldwide hit “East End Boys”. Also in the same mode was Modern English with “Melt With You”, a really dancy number that is played all over the world to this day. The Simple Minds dominated 80s pop music with their gigantic hit “Don’t You Forget About Me”.
Most music experts agree that Modern Rock or Alternative Rock as we know it today began with bands like Frankie Goes to Hollywood and their catchy dance hit “Relax” or Level 42 (another one hit wonder) with “Something About You”. The Fixx had many great songs during the 80s and started it with “Stand of Fall” and “Red Skies at Night”. Wang Chung gave us “Everybody Wang Chung Tonight” and “To Live and Die in L.A.” while Duran Duran rocked arenas around the world with hits like “Save a Prayer” and “Rio”.
The late 80s pop music scene brought us Squeeze and their big hit “Tempted” as well as U2, who kept rocking with “With or Without You”, “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and many other huge hits. Prince continued rocking with “Raspberry Beret” while the Human League brought us “Don’t You Want Me (Baby)”. Another one hit wonder, Til Tuesday came out with the moody “Voices Carry”, a favorite of Modern Rock FM radio.
One of the best real bands to emerge from 80s pop music was Midnight Oil. These Aussies carried through into the early 90s with their big hit “Beds are Burning” and later “Blue Sky Mining”, among others. Another critically acclaimed singer/songwriter of 80s pop music (and rock) was Peter Gabriel of Journey fame with his hit “In Your Eyes”.
All in all, 80s pop music was fantastic for people who really loved original, melodic songs and spawned a whole new generation of musicians and a style of music that we continue to listen to until this very day. In fact, today’s Alternative Rock musicians owe their musical lives to the pop and rock bands of the 80s who were not afraid to be different and independent. Maria Marcotte

Why a 5 Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage Could be Right for You by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:33:00.000-07:00

A 5 year adjustable rate mortgage may be able to give you the low payment you are seeking. Home buyers are eager these days to purchase homes that are either discounted or have reduced in value due to the housing crisis. To do so they are looking at different types of mortgage products than the conventional ones such as 30 year or 15 year fixed rate mortgage loans. Among these alternative mortgage products home buyers will find the 5 year adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan or the 7 year ARM. These types of loans are attractive for several reasons.
With a 7 year or 5 year adjustable rate mortgage, the borrower pays the monthly payment at the prevailing interest rate which is fixed and will not change for the first 7 or 5 years, whichever he chooses. The longer the fixed term, the higher the rate usually. Payments for this fixed period are usually not amortized and are interest only, which means that the entire payment goes towards interest and none of it goes towards reducing the principal balance amount.
This is attractive in that it helps to lower the monthly payment. For borrowers and home buyers on a fixed income or salary, this helps them to afford a more expensive home or rental property than would have been the case if their payment was based on a 30 year fixed rate, which is fully amortized.
Also if the borrower knows ahead of time that he is going to sell the property within the next few years, why should they pay the higher interest and monthly payment of a 30 year fixed rate? It does not make sense and an ARM could be just the thing for them.
When considering a borrower’s request for financing, banks and lending institutions look at a borrower’s ability to repay the loan. The main thing that they look at is earnings and a borrower’s salary or, if they are self-employed, the borrower’s income tax returns and profit and loss statements as prepared by a CPA. Usually the debt to income ratio (DTI) that the bank will accept should be no greater than 45%. This means that if a borrower has a monthly income of $10,000 for example, then his combined debt, including his housing payment (loan, taxes, insurance, etc.) cannot exceed $4500 in order to qualify for the loan. This is difficult and may require some cutting back by the borrower. Credit cards may need to get paid off, or auto loans in order to qualify
Banks and lenders are very stringent about this requirement and will not make allowances. This is one of the reasons why a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage can be an attractive alternative for many home buyers. Because their monthly payment will be interest only, it will naturally be less than the same loan amount at a fully amortized payment. This could be just the ticket for qualifying.
The downside is that a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage will not stay fixed forever and eventually, after 5 years, will become an adjustable rate. Since we cannot say for certain what rates will be like in 5 years, this is a big gamble and not one that many home buyers will be willing to make.

Things You Need to Know about a 2nd Mortgage by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:28:00.000-07:00

When people think of a 2nd mortgage they usually think of a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), but there are many types of 2nd mortgage products that are offered by lenders.
When purchasing a home, borrowers with good credit, steady, long-term employment and provable income can usually qualify for a first mortgage such as a 30 year fixed rate mortgage loan from a reputable bank or lender. Most lenders, however, will not lend more than 80% of the purchase price and unless the borrower has sufficient funds for a down payment, this can cause a problem and eventually not allow the borrower to purchase the home or property they desire.
Banks and lending institutions offer fixed rate 2nd mortgage products to borrowers with excellent credit ratings to help them to bridge the gap between first mortgage amount and the purchase price. This is sometimes referred to as “gap” lending. Most banks, however, do not allow the total loan-to-value ration (LTV) to be more than 90% or 95%, which means that the borrower will have to come up with at least 5% to 10% of their own money to complete the transaction. This is usually known as the down payment. Banks are extremely tight at the present moment with money lending and regulations are strictly enforced. Lending institutions are requiring borrowers to prove the source of their down payment money and they usually require “seasoning” which means that the money has to have been sitting in the borrower’s account for a certain number of months, sometimes up to a year or more, depending on the lender.
Many times when the bank does not wish to give the borrower a 2nd mortgage, a motivated seller will provide his own 2nd mortgage. This is known in the industry as a “seller carry-back” and is a 2nd mortgage loan that the seller makes directly to the borrower. The seller will register a legal lien based on the signed 2nd mortgage documents and the borrower will make monthly payments directly to the seller. If the borrower defaults on their payments, the seller will have certain legal rights to foreclose, just like a lending institution of bank.
The most common type of 2nd mortgage is, of course, the Home Equity Line of Credit. This HELOC product is offered by most banks and is usually offered to homeowners with excellent credit histories and sufficient equity in their properties. LTV ratios are usually low, less than 70% allowed, but rates can be very attractive. Most of these 2nd mortgage HELOCS are for 10 year terms, with interest only payments and a balloon payment due at the end of the 10 years. Borrowers make payments only on the portion of the HELOC actually used. In the past banks would provide HELOC customers with a checkbook, but these days it is usually a debit card. Homeowners can then use this money to make repairs, remodel, or pay off credit cards.
The preceding has been a summary of available 2nd mortgage products. Please check with your bank or lending institution for more options.

Several Ways You Can Make a 2nd Income by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:23:00.000-07:00

In today’s rough economy with so much unemployment and even greater unreported underemployment, many people are looking for ways to supplement their earnings with a 2nd income. Getting a 2nd income does not always mean having a 2nd job and there are several alternatives that are available for the short and long terms.
The key to securing a 2nd income is to figure out first what it is that you really want to do, stay focused, be persistent and do not give up. First thing you need to do is find out what it is you truly want to do and that means finding out what it is that you are good at. If you like cooking and have a talent for whipping up great tasting food, for example, you could always find a job at a local restaurant or fast food chain. You can be even more creative and make food items at home and sell them to friends and neighbors or at swap meets, flea markets, or your local farmer’s market. I recently went to a Farmer’s Market at a beach town near my home and there were numerous vendors there doing brisk business selling home-made ethnic food items. People love different types of food and will spend money (usually small amounts) to get a variety of them, especially at swap meets, flea markets and other outdoor festivals.
If you like to play music, you may want to consider getting into an established cover band or starting your own group. Some musicians make a great 2nd income playing steady “gigs” (shows) at local bars and restaurants. If it is just you and your guitar, you could play at swap meets, flea markets or your local Farmers Market. I know a few street musicians that make upwards of $30 per hour just doing what they love to do on busy street corners and having a great time.
What if your passion is writing, not music? There are many online blog sites that will pay you to provide them with a steady flow of content. You can also get writing jobs by checking out your local newspaper classified ads or Craigslist. Craigslist is a good source for many types of temporary jobs. Many ad agencies also hire freelance copywriters.
If you are really desperate for that 2nd income, you can always get domestic jobs such as babysitting, nanny work, dog walking, or even elderly care. Once again, Craigslist is a good and valuable free resource to find these types of assignments. They are usually not long lasting jobs, but the money you make can come in handy in a pinch.
A lot of people I know are moonlighting for 2nd incomes and that means taking on a 2nd part-time job, usually in the evenings or on weekends. If you decide to go this route, just make sure it is something that you truly want to do, otherwise you could get tired of it real quick. It is very tiring also and you don’t want to jeopardize your main employment.

2006 Movies: Remembering the Year in Movies by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:21:00.001-07:00

2006 brought us some great independent films as well as some big time Hollywood productions. The following list is in no particular order and is made to highlight some favorite 2006 movies that are worth checking out.
“Volver” directed by Pedro Amodovar and starring Penelope Cruz was certainly by anyone’s standards a terrific movie full of pathos and great acting throughout. It tells the story of a woman who kills her boyfriend to protect her teenaged daughter and then must hide the body while at the same time haunted by the ghost of her dead mother. Original and involving.
“The Illusionist” with Edward Norton starring as an ill-fated magician is one of the most intriguing of the crop of 2006 movies and just one of several about magicians. The story is great but it is the dark and scary mood that will hold your attention.
“Babel” by Alejandro Gonzales Iñárritu and starring Brad Pitt is really engaging and wildly original. Four separate stories blend seamlessly to show what happens during a massive communications breakdown. Tragic and unexpected are words to describe this one of the best 2006 movies.
“Apocalypto” directed by Mel Gibson was not only one of my favorite 2006 movies but also ranks as one of the best adventure films of all time. Starring a bunch of rookies and no-names, this movie shows a period of history that has long been overlooked and never truly depicted faithfully until now. Great flick, go get it!
“The Descent” is a about a group of female cave climbers that get lost deep underground and come upon another world inhabited by freaky albino mutants. Creepy and freaky scary. You will love this one.
“Borat” by Sacha Baron Cohen is quite possibly the most hilarious movie ever made and ranks easily as one of the best of 2006 movies. The title character is a journalist from eastern Europe who comes to the U.S. and sends up and offends just about every institution, race, creed and sex you can imagine.
“Casino Royale” with David Craig as “Bond, James Bond”, became an instant blockbuster and re-vitalized the aging franchise for a whole new generation of 007 buffs. This picture has tremendous stunts and a great plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. Eva Green is alluring and seductive as Bond’s love interest. This is definitely one of the best ever of the James Bond films and stands right up there with the Sean Connery vehicles.
You can see from the short list here that 2006 gave us some much needed entertainment in the form of cool movies. See you at the snack bar!

2005 movies by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:18:00.000-07:00

2005 was a great year for movies. There were a plethora of comedies, action, horror drama and animation movies but only five very well received 2005 movies were nominated for the most prestigious Best Picture of the Year Academy Award. The nominees were announced in February and the 78th Annual Academy Awards ceremony was held on March 5, 2006 in Hollywood, California.
The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio was in the running. This film told the story of Howard Hughes, an aviator and Hollywood film director who suffered from phobias which left him paranoid and anti-social. The all-star cast included Gwen Stefani, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale and Cate Blanchett. The film was produced by Michael Mann and Graham King.
Ray, another bio-pic starring Jamie Foxx was also nominated as best picture of the year. It tells the story of Ray Charles who was a famous pianist who lost his sight at a very early age and went on to become a legend. The film also features Kerry Washington and Regina King. It was produced by Howard Baldwin, Taylor Hackford and Stuart Benjamin.
Finding Neverland told of story of J.M. Barrie, a writer who befriends a family in England. This family inspires him to write the Peter Pan adventures that are so popular today. The film starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, two very acclaimed actors. The film was produced by Nellie Bellflower and Richard N. Gladstein.
Sideways was another nominee in the best picture category. This smaller budget film was not short on laughs as two old college roommates drive to wine country to celebrate one’s last week as a single man. They find romance and danger all while sampling the best wines in the country. The film stars Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh. It was produced by Michael London.
Million Dollar Baby is about a hardened coach who softens to a woman from poverty who is determined to become a professional boxer. This unconventional love story is touching and poignant. The films stars Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. The film was produced by Tom Rosenberg, Albert S. Ruddy and Clint Eastwood. The film was so well received it won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the year.
The film also picked up Academy Awards for Best Director, Clint Eastwood, Best Supporting Actor, Morgan Freeman and Best Actress, Hilary Swank. Since being nominated is such an honor, winning four Academy Awards is quite an accomplishment.

A Blast from the Past – 1920s Fashion by Maria Marcotte

2010-05-05T02:15:00.000-07:00

It can rightly be said that the 1920s ushered in the era of modern fashion. Women fashion for example, moved from the constricting fashions and into the era of short skirts and pants. Men fashion moved from the overly formal style to the wearing of sport clothes. In fact, even in the formal world, modern suits are still based on those worn in the late 20s. With two distinct fashions emerging, the first running from 1920-25 and the other style, commonly associated with the roaring Twenties running from 1925-32, 1920s fashion had taken a turning point that would forever define fashion down to our time.

1920s fashion, as now, defined who people were and where they belonged in society. Clothes during that time were under heavy scrutiny and criticism especially from the feminists of the 20s who felt that revealing dress styles was not acceptable. Consider also another aspect of 1920s fashion. Fashion always has a political side at its core. The 1920s fashion had a political-like revolution. The fact that clothes in the 1920s were readily available to any ‘regular’ person was as a result of the Industrial Age automation apparently. Now that machines could make clothes faster and cheaper, this ushered in the ready-to-wear revolution that was never there before.

The 1920s fashion of the elite in Paris, London and New York were producing low-cost attire and making them available even in rural farms and outposts of the Midwest. A ‘high-class’ girl and a ‘Midwestern’ girl from off the farm could now not be distinguished by their clothes. The political statement that the 1920s fashion made set the world on fire and has continued to influence modern fashion down to our day. This can be seen in the ‘Roaring Twenties’ styles that fashion designers have re-invented into their modern creations. The fact that this age of fashion gave even the regular people ‘style’ which was uncommon in an age influenced by the Victorian status quo is one reason why the 1920s fashion is so inspiring. It can thus be said that the 1920s fashion set the bar of classical style that we still live by. The idea that a woman had a sense of style and individuality had emerged and was reflected in the beauty and elegance of 20s clothing. The Roaring Twenties fashion is everywhere today. If you know what you are looking for, you will likely see the influence of the 1920s fashion the next time the red carpet.

Radio Astronomy Maria Marcotte

2009-05-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

For most of us, the idea of astronomy is something we directly connect to “stargazing”, telescopes and seeing magnificent displays in the heavens. And to be sure, that is the exciting area of astronomy that accounts for it’s huge popularity. So to the uninitiated, the idea of “radio astronomy” seems strange. There are two reasons for that. First is that humans are far more visual than audio oriented. And the second is that radio astronomy doesn’t really involve “listening” to the cosmos except to the extent that scientists who use this sophisticated form of “stargazing” do not rely on visual study to conduct their work.
To appreciate what is really exciting about radio astronomy, first we have to shift how we view astronomy. That is because to professional astronomers, studying the universe is more about frequencies than it is about visual documentation of phenomenon. This takes us back to Physics 101.
Light, obviously, is the physical phenomenon that empowers our ability to use our visual confirmation system, e.g. our eyes to appreciate something, in this case the stars. So when we look up at the heavens, we can see the light emitting from a star or reflecting from a planet or moon. In many cases, if we see a far away star, we are actually seeing it hundreds or thousands of years ago because that is how long it takes for that light to cross the universe and be visible in our sky. That alone is a pretty mind blowing idea.
Now light itself is a pretty strange substance. But to our astronomy scientists, light is just another energy that exists in a certain frequency. Now, we tend to think of frequencies when we talk about sound waves. In scientific terms light, energy and sound are just a few forms of the same thing, frequencies of energy that are emulating from a source.
Now we get to why radio astronomy is so necessary. The range of frequency that light occupies in the big spectrum of frequencies is really pretty small. To put that more bluntly, we can only “see” a tiny part of the universe that is actually there. Now when you look up in the night sky and it is so overwhelming, when you then that we are seeing just a tiny amount of what is actually going on up there, again, our minds can get pretty overwhelmed.
Radio astronomy uses sophisticated sensor equipment to study ALL of the frequencies of energy coming to us from the cosmos. In that way, these scientists can “see” everything that is going on out there and so get a precise idea of how the stars look, behave now and will behave in the future.
For some of us who have heard about radio astronomy, we think of it in terms of “listening” for signs of life in the universe. And yes, SETI, or “the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence” is a part of radio astronomy, albeit a tiny part. But of much greater importance is how radio astronomy has empowered serious astronomers (that is those who get paid to do it) to study stars many light years away, to study black holes which we could never see with our telescopes and to gather research and data about the whole of the universe that otherwise would be impossible to know and understand.
This is important work that is constantly ongoing in the world of astronomy. It is worth keeping up with and learning more about as we have barely scratched the surface in our brief discussion today. But understanding how important radio astronomy is will only deepen and make more meaningful your love and grasp of this big field of knowledge known as astronomy. Maria Marcotte

Counseling for Nursing Assistants Maria Marcotte

2009-05-12T02:41:00.000-07:00

The day to day activities of a Nursing Assistant can be rewarding and draining. Most of us only know that they offer assistance with feeding, dressing, and bathing patients. However, they do so much more. They develop ongoing relationships with the patients as they have more one on one time with them than any other medical staff. They also provide comfort to the patient and their family. They do all they can from reading to them, helping them write letters, and holding their hand as they move from life to death.
Experiencing the negative activities that occur in the Nursing Assistant profession can really take a toll on an individual. It is especially hard when someone they have been caring for takes a turn for the work, becomes terminally ill, or dies. They still have to go on with their other patients, but they can be left feeling empty and at a loss.
Many medical facilities are aware of this issue. With being compassionate comes true feelings of friendship and loss. Counseling is a good way to help Nursing Assistants deal with the events that take place in the working environment. This counseling can be conducted through the employer or at the expense of the Nursing Assistant from an outside resource.
Counseling services offered on site to Nursing Assistants is generally offered free of charge, as long as the information being discussed is work related. The employer may have several paid counselors that only provide services to employees. Others use their counselors to provide services to their employees, patients, and the family and friends of patients. You will need to look into how it is set up at your place of employment for specific details.
These counseling sessions can be ongoing or set up only when a Nursing Assistant feels the need to do so. It is important to understand that the information you discuss with the counselor at your worksite will not be shared with your employer. Too often, Nursing Assistants avoid this type of support and help because they are afraid their boss is going to get a transcript of the entire session. All counseling sessions are held in strict confidentiality. They only time anything is reported is if the counselor feels you are in danger of hurting yourself or others.
Since counseling is important in the medical profession, you may be able to encourage administration at your place of employment to set up services for employees. While they may argue that it is costly and not in the budget, be prepared to discuss the benefits to the overall effectiveness of the staff. Employees with good mental health will do a better job. They will also choose to continue employment longer than staff that needs counseling but does not receive it.
If your employer does not offer counseling services, it is important that you look into an outside resource for such services. The Nursing Assistant field can be draining and emotional. A key to staying on top of the game is to take care of yourself. This means both on a physical and emotional level. In reality, you aren’t going to be effectively caring for patients if you haven’t been taking care of your own needs. Counseling services can be expensive, but most health insurance plans cover them. If yours doesn’t or you don’t have health insurance, check in your area for discount programs and sliding scale fees.
Counseling services for Nursing Assistants is a vital key to staying compassionate and interested in your work. If you let the dark side of the profession consume you, then you will no longer be contributing to the well being of the patients you care for. Being a Nursing Assistant is a great opportunity to care for others and give something of yourself to society. However, it can’t be stressed enough that you must take the opportunity and time to properly meet your own needs. This is one of the biggest reasons so many people in the medical field suffer from burnout. They simply do not take their own needs into consideration at the level they should. Maria Marcotte

Tips For Buying Contact Lenses by Maria Marcotte

2009-05-12T02:39:00.000-07:00

There are some people out there who wonder why people spend money on expensive contact lenses or expensive glasses. If you’ve never worn glasses or contacts, then chances are that you have really good vision. On the other hand, those that don’t have really good vision will need to get either contact lenses or glasses in order to have near perfect vision.
Contact lenses, in most cases, will drastically improve your vision without having to get glasses, which is reason enough to invest in a pair of contacts. They are very lightweight, and they offer you a full range of sight and mobility. Unlike wearing glasses, contacts don’t hang on your face - when you wear them others won’t able to tell. If you wear glasses, you may want to look into getting a pair of contact lenses.
You can buy contact lenses in several different ways. You can order them online, which is what most people tend to do. Companies such as contacts.com offer hundreds of contacts and prescriptions, which they deliver right to your door. When you order online you can get a great price, and then have the contacts brought right to you - with no travel or waiting in line required to get your contact lenses when you need them.
You can also purchase your contacts at your opticians office as well. Buying this way is a great decision if you don’t have access to the Internet. You can also purchase at a local store that sells contacts and glasses, such as Wal-Mart. The prices are great here as well, as they offer a variety of different contacts for those who need them. You can also buy solution here as well, making it well worth the trip to get your contact lenses.
If you shop around, you can normally find some great deals for your lenses. Depending on the brand and type your optician prescribed, the prices will vary. If you are buying the latest and greatest brands of contacts, you can obviously count on the price to be a bit higher. This is to be expected, as contacts cost the most when they first come out and are available for purchase.
Several people who need contacts will want them, although they think bad things and normally don’t end up purchasing them - choosing to go with glasses instead. Contrary to what many think, contacts don’t get stuck behind your eyes, nor do they damage your eyes when you wear them. If this was indeed the case, contacts wouldn’t be legal to sell - or recommended by top opticians.
In order to buy contacts, you’ll need a prescription. When you go to an optician for the fitting process, he will examine your eyes and let you know if you can wear contacts. There are a few types, such as soft and hard. Depending on your eyes, you may have to get a special type of contact lens. The optician will give you his recommendation, and tell you everything you need to know and do for the contacts that he will give you a prescription for.
If your vision is bad, or if you just want to ditch the glasses, you should look into a pair of contact lenses. They are very affordable, easy to take care of, and easy to use. You can wear them during the day, then take them out at night - or get a pair that you can wear night and day. They won’t stick out like glasses, as it is very hard to tell if someone is wearing contacts. With many ways to buy them - contact lenses are the best option for those with not so great vision. Maria Marcotte

Maria Marcotte blog

2009-05-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Maria Marcotte Blog Launch Maria Marcotte has created a new personal blog to express her opinions, ideas, news and more. Maria Marcotte’s blog was mainly created to be an informative website with lots of fun content for all types of readers. Maria Marcotte has many interests and information to share with the world. Maria Marcotte realized that a wordpress blog is the easiest way to express ideas and information online. There are a lot of personal websites like Maria Marcotte’s online. There are blogs of all types and many of them are individuals websites that they create just for fun. This is another reason Maria Marcotte has launched this website, for fun!With over 160,000 new blogs being created each day online Maria Marcotte thought that a personal webspace just for her would be a great idea. Maria Marcotte and thousands of others use wordpress as the platform to manage their online weblogs. Maria V. Marcotte thinks wordpress is simple to use and recommends it highly. Maria Marcotte has years of experience in many niches and has a lot of idea to share. Maria Marcotte will add information to her site regularly and share pictures, videos, and more!If you like reading and learning about subjects other are an authority in Maria Marcotte’s site may offer you some good insight on many topics that Maria Marcotte is well informed in. Take a few minutes a day and browse the new site. Leave comments on articles or contact Maria Marcotte with ideas that you would like to see her blog about.A blog is simply an online journal for many individuals and can act as therapeutic outlet for many. Many doctors say that writing your own blog can help relief the stresses of everyday life. Maria Marcotte will love to see you comment on her blog, she will even add information about your company to her blog by reviewing your website or company. Maria V. Marcotte has written many reviews for a lot of companies. Visit Maria Marcotte’s site MariaMarcotte.com and see what the buzz is all about. Maria Marcotte