Working the Mind and Body

Why is it that when Dr. Working misplaces something, it’s some sort of emergency?  Dude, I don’t know where you put your hospital ID, workout shorts, clogs etc.  Keep track of your stuff.

So, I’m late but pregnancy tests are negative. Um, isn’t it supposed to be one or the other?

I got a dissertation completion fellowship!  Now, um, I have to complete it

So yeah, I need to get working.  I am wasting all this time on the internet and am not doing enough dissertation work!

I ran my half marathon.  It was hard, but I’m glad that I did it!

So, I really don’t care about McGreevy, Spitzer or Patterson’s sexual histories and relations that much.  I’d like to see some other news.

Yesterday, I submitted a grant proposal, something for a conference and a draft to my committee.  I deserve to relax.  However, I invited people over for dinner tonight.  It will be fun once they’re here, but, um, I need to cook something.

I’m changing the meme a bit because, you know, that’s how I roll.

1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person (or in this case, young women/girls) should accomplish before turning 18

This I am changing to young women/girls rather than 18 because I think age is artificial.

3. At the end of your blog, choose 6 people to get tagged and list their names.
4. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.

Six Things I think Young Women and Girls Should Accomplish/Have

1. An Education. I really think it’s important for women and girls to be educated and be able to support themselves. Obviously, one can’t get a law degree by 18, but I think that the foundation for this starts young. I see too many young women (and their families) who assume that the girl is going to stay home after kids anyway, so they steer women into less demanding careers. That’s not to say that all women need to be surgeons, but you should be able to support yourself if something happens, even if you choose not to.
2. A Spiritual Identity. Oftentimes, young people grow up in a particular spiritual tradition and don’t really think about why they are what they are. I think it’s important to start thinking about this when you’re young so that you can use your spirituality to guide your decisions. A lot of times, this introspection can lead to different things
3. Self-identity. I wasn’t sure what to call this one. I think that young people (women in particular) are subject to following the crowd or going with the flow and perhaps losing themselves. They might get caught up in peer pressure etc. I think parents (and the community at large) could do a lot to help women in this regard. I wish I’d had more self-confidence when younger to know that it’s okay to choose the less popular option :).
4. Healthy habits. There’s a huge obsession with diet and exercise, but it’s often focused on being thin, rather than on good habits in general. I had horrible habits when I was younger, and my mom encouraged a bit of a crash-dieting philosophy, which probably messed up my relationship with food. Healthy eating and exercise habits should start young so that it’s second nature. Take the time to learn how to cook healthy foods and find an exercise you enjoy.
5. Being able to care for yourself. I think everyone should know how to do basic things: cook, clean, know how to balance a checkbook, know how to invest. So, this is a combination of housekeeping (which is annoying, but has to be done) and also the financial side of managing your money and finances. I think saving is a good habit to get into when young, but a lot of people don’t know how to go about doing it. In particular, I see a lot of women who just leave the finances to their husbands and have no idea how to plan for the future. If you start learning about things when young, it won’t be so overwhelming when doing things like buying your first house and starting your 401(k) later.
6. Don’t wait until after marriage (I’m not advocating the haram here - I’m talking about other things). Find something you love to do - and then do it. This can be anything - travel, running a marathon etc. I think people (women in particular) put off doing things until after they are married. My advice to women would be to do it now! I traveled a lot and did things before marriage, but I sort of felt like my life was in a holding pattern when I finished my education and was working (maybe because of parental and societal pressure). I wish I’d enjoyed that time a little more and not stressed out as much (Monkey, I am looking at you because I see a lot of myself in your posts :)).

I don’t blog that much anymore, so I don’t know if I have six faithful readers to tag! Anyway, I’d love it if the ladies and gentlemen who used to comment (TFL, Monkey, RageyOne, Samosa, Ruby, Kiki, Jag, Mousehunter, Haleem and anyone I’ve forgotten) would do it :).

I just bought a whole bunch of desk accessories and a new pen from Levenger and set it all up.  I caught a good sale too, which is always good.  I love my desk area now.  Yes, I am a geek, so sue me!  But, um, I guess I should now utilize my new toys so that I can be productive and finish this dissertation!

Yes, he has a bad cold and it’s like the apocalypse or perhaps the bubonic plague.  Nevermind that I was sick with the same thing last week and managed to continue with my activities of daily living.  Bless his heart.