Medicine @ MindSay 
health
Last year I was almost dead set on becoming something in the medical career. I love watching medical shows (House) and especially medical documentaries (i.e. about OCD, conjoined twins, progeria, etc).
However, I've analyzed my life and realized with my laziness and lack of motivation for schoolwork, I cannot become anything in the medical career. Just because I am fascinated with the human body and different conditions, does not mean I am cut out to become a physician. It takes discipline, love of ALL people and able to control people when they are in hysterics/a mad fit of rage/etc, being able to work long hours, MANY years of school along with top marks, and not being grossed out by normal things.
When it comes to myself, I obviously lack discipline, I am not a fan of children (although I honestly love people...especially my friends. I care deeply about all of you...really, I do), I am lazy and therefore would not be able to work long hours, I do not want to be in school for too many more years (and again due to my laziness I have shit marks), and I get grossed out when I see someone bleeding in real life.
What it comes down to, is that last year, I thought I wanted to be in the medical career, but after realizing the above things, I changed my mind. I looked at my interests and decided that history would be much better suited to me, despite the fact it may be hard to find jobs here in T-BAY. I'm sure I will find something though. There are problems with every career path.
However, my main problem standing in my way is my laziness in school. I used to be a straight-A student, but after I went through a bad fit of depression a few years ago, I stopped caring, and stopped doing regular homework. As a result, today I am several weeks behind in all my courses, and brutally failing. I have very difficult courses (2 University courses and 2 advanced placement courses. Maths and Sciences, no doubt) and have dug my self a deep, deep hole in less than 2 months. I have no idea how I'm going to get from failing to above a 70% average before exams…especially with the fact that today I found out that only the first half my Calculus course counts towards my mark, meaning that I got to do extremely well on the last few assignments/quizzes/tests and the exam in order to get a passing mark. It will be hell, but it's something I got to do.
But now that I realize what I want to do in University, I'm asking myself "Why am I taking the extremely hard courses and not doing any work and failing when I could take easy courses, not do any work and pass?" It's obviously because last year I thought I was going into the medical career, but I really should have changed my semester around in September, and then I wouldn't be in this situation. And I wouldn't have to deal with the stuck up, rich, preppy kids either. They keep asking me "What is your mark, Kristal? What did you get on your test, Kristal?" etc etc. I always say, "I don't discuss marks." because it's really none of their business. This therefore poses the question "Why ask if you don't care?" (Hence the title of this blog.) Because really, they are not friends with me, I don't talk to them (and vice versa), and my mark has nothing to do with them. I believe they are asking in order to feel a sense of superiority against me. I don't know if they realize I'm failing (they prob. do) but really, they should be concerned about their own mark, not mine. I feel shitty enough for being selfish and not doing anything, I don't need them laughing at me along the way.
High school is bullshit. It's shit years in which the problems we face do not matter in the long run. Sure, things like pregnancies will affect those girls who get pregnant, but really, 90% of the people in my classes are caught up in the world of sports, student council meetings, drinking with friends and homework, and complain when a teacher they have tries to teach like a university professor to get them prepared for real life. It annoys me that they live in this protective little bubble of meaningless gossip, and unleash their "problems" unto other people.
I'm just glad that I got out of that group many years ago. I believe my friends really do understand the real world, and understand real problems. Of course we all bitch about our problems, but I really do think all my friends problems are true and really matter: they aren't about a basketball game, they are about illness, poverty and drug use. Of course we all worry about friends (myself included) but I believe in order to really be a high school student that's prepared for real life once they get out, we must know and experience bits of reality outside our shell. Of course, we all must enjoy friends: that's the fun! But we mustn’t be ignorant either.
I love you guys, truly and deeply. I'm so glad you face reality instead of ignore it. Don't ever lose that about you.
-Kristal St. Jean
They will have extended supervision/probation for 10 years. In a way of tribute to Kara, they each will serve 30 days of county jail for the next six years - adding up to about 6 months of jail time for both of them. The judge's feeling was that they should be able to raise their remaining three children. Additionally, he felt the risk to the community is low.
And of course you know I think this is crap, worse than a slap on the wrist. Just another example of people getting away with murder. Oh, excuse me, it was second degree reckless homicide.
http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/63630282.html
http://www.waow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11267974
After I last wrote, we were getting ready to go see my mom in Jacksonville,NC where she is in a nursing home...That morning we got up to a flooded basement...so, we had to stay,, called insurance, and plumber...Both came out that day and next day...with the insurance check we got we made an extra house payment..God works in mysterious ways! now we are only one month behind...but they continue to not want to help us..just this week we were again denied for the loan mod...they told us as long as we were behind and in the hole each month we would never qualify!! What??makes no sense...we were told that was why people like us could qualify for it..job loss, behind on payments,etc...That's what Obama said!! its so frustrating!! Our second mortgage co. gave us a loan mod in 2 days!!! and we were behind with them too!! what's up with that?? who do you contact to find out if your mortgage co is jerking you around??/ they have to report to someone do they not?? sigh----
Good news is I got a job yesterday...Its part time like I wanted, no nights and no weekends..and only about 3-4 hrs a day, but every bit helps..I'm on Emergency unemployment now and my understanding is that that runs out in Oct... so we are still fighting to save our house as it stands now... oh and our first mortgage told us we needed to pare our bills down since we are in the hole every month..ok, well, we went to a credit manager and He told us there was no where to cut back!! we are paying only what we have to right now-utilities,insurance,gas,food,stuff like that that you cant pare back.. other good news, my husband and my daughter got some help to be able to go to Doctor and get meds now...Ours is no cost to go to Doctor and daughter has to pay $5 each visit.Husband is diabetic, so he got his meds for free and my daughter is on a couple of meds that are free now too..that is a big help there..and our past doctor bills were covered and paid also which was almost at $1000.00.....now just owe the dentist $500.00...dont know when that will get paid...as no extra money at all. And here in NC taxes went up!! are they trying to kill us??? Our property taxes we owe this year are almost $2000.00!!!!! and sales taxes went up too... and now Duke Energy is wanting to raise its cost??? great...people are struggling..what do they want?our blood??? Christmas this year will be bleak..I just basically want my family together.. still trying to figure that out..with property taxes due right in Jan. that kills us..Christmas isnt about getting anyway..its about Christ and his birth.. we love each other and have fun as a family..that's what matters..The Black Friday list has already come out...those that have $ to spend-have at it...we don't.... yesterday in the mail we get 3 different letters from the county ..we owe $5 per cat we now have ..taxes on our animals!! I thought we came to America to flee Taxes on everything !! and for Religious freedom!! good grief... tax this, raise this, what next???
have I said enough??? No wonder I was depressed earlier this week...
I was going to leave for the beach today with 3 good friends. they were going to take care of me so I could go.yesterday evening we get a call from one of them, my really good friend(I call her my Sis!) and her Dad was in ICU.. She had to call 911 earlier as he fell twice...so weak.... he had been sick all week but thought he was getting better... he was so dehydrated that they had to use a force bag to get the fluids in him. he took 4 bags I think..anyway, the rest of us told her we were not leaving her behind to go on to the beach..She wanted us to go on..can you believe that??She is so unselfish..I told her to shut up!! we were staying to be with her and the beach would still be there whenever...She couldn't help it that her dad got so ill...they weren't even sure he'd pull through last night! and she wanted us to go on.. No way!!my husband and I went over to hospital after she called and stayed. we took her to get something to eat. she went to be with her mom last night. her mom is diabetic and confined to the house..She has to be carried several times a week to receive dialysis. And she needs constant care..my friend is an only child so everything falls on her. She is a wife, and mother to two teens herself and works.. talk about having a full plate.. she does..
anyway I talked to her about 9 this morning and her dad stablizied during the night. they want to move him into a room out of ICU and regulate his meds. he lost so much weight...Will find out more later this afternoon..
my daughter started College in late August and she has adjusted well. Its our local community college, but she is doing great!! She has already aced a couple of tests! next fall she will transfer to UNCC. She has a new "Boy friend" lol says she doesn't want to be involved with anyone right now and they are just friends. I like him he is very nice.
Son has new girlfriend this year at Appalachian. he loves his apartment and having his own room!
I'm glad they are both settling in well.
well gotta run for now..maybe I will post again before another month rolls by! or two!
After 15....yes, 15 hours of deliberation, we have a verdict!!! At around 3:30 pm this afternoon, the jury in the case against Dale Neumann came back with a verdict. Finally. I was seriously afraid that it would be a hung jury and it would start all over again with a new jury. But, no, the jury finally was able to come to a consensus.
And a GOOD one at that. We the jury, find Dale Neumann.....an idiot. No, unfortunately that's not against the law, even though it should be. He was found GUILTY of second degree reckless homicide, in the death of his 11 year old daughter!! :D <---- smiles at the verdict, not the death of his daughter. I didn't celebrate as loudly as I did when his wife was convicted because I feel like ass today, but I still am thrilled with the verdict.
When the guilty verdict was read, he showed NO emotion. What does that tell you? A gag order is still in effect, meaning that no one from the prosecutors office, defense attorney, Dale Neumann himself, are allowed to comment. But, as he left the courtroom, Neumann was heard humming a song and seen carrying his Bible. Sentencing is in October at the same time as his wife's. They both are out on bail right now and will continue to be.
Apparently because of these two trials, the county's budget is in the red and will need to dip into an emergency fund. The county taxpayers paid $30k for attorney and jury expenses before Dale Neumann's verdict was read, and the Clerk of Courts says that they would likely end up contributing to the emergency fund as well. And, when you think about it, the taxpayers are also paying for both Neumann's prison time. We're bending over and taking it in the ass for them killing their daughter. Doesn't seem like true justice, does it?
You can read more or watch video at WSAW.com.
Today closing statements were given in the trial against 47 year old Dale Neumann. He is being tried for second degree reckless homicide in the death of his daughter Kara, 11. She died from untreated diabetes in March 2008. His wife, Leilani, was convicted of the same charges in May 2009.
The prosecutor said that the failure to obtain medical treatment was a substantial factor in causing Kara's death. He said that she'd been limp like a rag doll and comatose the entire morning of her death and there had been plenty of time to save her life; according to testimony by medical personnel, she didn't have the normal appearance of a child at all. The prosecutor stated that diabetes is easily treated and untreated diabetes results in death (which is why I take my insulin!!). He argued that Neumann did nothing to put an end to Kara's suffering and misery, and while he had medical training as a former deputy sheriff, he minimized his daughter's condition. The prosecutor emphasized that Neumann made Kara's illness a test of his own faith and asked the jury to find Neumann guilty of second degree reckless homicide.
The defense attorney said the state hasn't proven basic elements of the case; he said that dispatch helped cause Kara's death by not initially sending an ambulance after being told of Kara's comatose state. He also says that the state didn't bring one witness to prove Neumann was phony or aware his actions of faith healing would cause Kara's death.
The prosecutor rebutted to the closing argument stating that Kara lying there for hours and hours and not being given medical treatment was a substantial factor. The prosecutor then tells the jury that they should find the great bodily harm reason to convict, if they can't convict on Neumann's awareness she would die.
The jury started deliberating around 10:30 am. It got to be around dinner time and it was announced they had not reached a verdict. They chose to keep going for a while before taking a dinner break. Around 7 they took a break for dinner, and it was around 8:30 pm they interrupted television to announce that the jury would be sequestered for the evening in a hotel and in the morning they would go back to the courthouse to return to deliberations. It seems the jury is at an impasse. Deadlocked. Cannot come to a unanimous decision.
In Leilani's trial, they reached a verdict in around 4 hours. This time? 10 hours and nothing. The bastard is gonna get off, and why? Perhaps because he ranted like a crazy man on the stand. I've never been on a jury, but I know that the more people that have to make a decision on something, the more difficult. You have conflicting personalities from different backgrounds and ways of thinking. What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall in that jury room. I suppose no one will really know until afterward when the jurors are more able to talk about things that may have swayed their decision.
Hopefully the next time I blog about this, it will be with a verdict. Even more, to announce a guilty verdict.
It's not right to just sit and pray when a child is dying, especially from something that is very curable.
Showing 1 - 5. [ Next ]
