Cream

I wonder what I would do if one day Ryan’s hair will start falling. I would still love him of course but I am so used to of seeing him with hair. There are a lot of reasons for hair loss. Some people thought that it is hereditary but it could also be due to low testosterone. Sometimes people take testosterone for granted. It doesn't seem as important as the other parts of the body but it is. It is very essential to the developing body as well. Thankfully, there is a testosterone cream that can be very helpful with impotence, hair loss and decreased sex drive.

In December

When I inquired about papa’s possible health insurance cost a year ago, it was almost $300.00 a month. It was quiet a lot for us but we did not care because we just want him to have his own health insurance. It gives me the peace of mind that he is protected. After paying for two month’s worth, we got an email telling us that they have denied him of coverage because he has a pre-existing condition. I was really disappointed but what can I do?

Maybe when he is two years here, we can finally shop around and compare. That company was the only company that gave 6 months of residency while the rest is two years. I wonder how much is the cost of term insurance now a days. It’s been a year since I looked around. I hope to finally get Papa his insurance this coming December.

My Little Girl

Got to love this picture. My sister Ging-ging put some make-up on Frankie's face while I was in the market with my Iya Mylee. When I got home, he rushed to the front door and showed me his face. My son looks so cute with his eye shadow. Now I wish my next child will be a girl.

Moving

My friend and her husband just got back from their vacation at North Carolina. She got me some key chains and showed me a lot of pictures of the beautiful North Carolina. She has mentioned to me that they have decided to move to North Carolina. That is also the reason why they went to make sure that the apartment they are going to rent is all set.

They will both leave their jobs here, but they are happy with their decision because they will be closer to her husband’s parents. My friend’s in laws are old, and they don’t want to stay in a nursing home, so they will be there to also help out. The first thing that she things that they need to do is look into the North Carolina health insurance since they will lose their insurance with their jobs. They intend to look for a job once they get settled. I am going to miss her but I am happy for them. I wish them the best.

Natural

I thought men need testosterone for body building only then I realize how wrong I was. Men need testosterone for so many reasons. It is responsible for the development of the reproductive system in men. In fact, its deficiency could be related to having a hard time losing weight or not getting some good muscles no matter what you do. It could also be responsible for mood swings and a feeling of depression at times, but the good new is there is natural testosterone that men could take.

School Is Over

I have never taken a summer class before, but I heard it could be really rough since the 16 weeks class during the regular semester is condense to 8 weeks meeting two times a week instead of once a week. I have to say, I don't want to do it anymore if I have a choice. It was really rough. Until now I still don't know how I did it and was able to pull an A both for speech and Astro. My weekly date with Ryan every Saturday to the library really helped a lot because I get to study and finish things that I was supposed to do and when I go home, I am ready to play with Frankie.

I hope and pray that I will be able to do it again this fall and spring especially when I have a couple of math classes and education major. I will keep on doing until I get to my destination. May God bless me and Dada in our endeavors.

Pool

For so long, I promised Frankie that I will take him to the pool after I finish with my summer classes. I usually get off work or school really late and during the weekends Ryan and I always go to the library to study for eight hours. Frankie was very patient. He carry around his swimming trunk all the time in case I decide to take him. Last Wednesday, I was off and decided to finally take Frankie to the pool. It was supposed to rain, but I didn’t know what time. Luckily, Ryan emailed me and said that he will pick me up at a certain time so we could go shopping. I took Frankie to the pool early, and when we got home it is when it started raining.

Anyways, while we were in the pool it makes me realize how women are so vain at times and so concern about how we look with a swimsuit. There are women there that did not even care about how they look with the swimsuit. There was even a 70 plus year old grandma in her swimsuit, and she obviously did not care about what people say about her. There were lifeguards with cellulite and some overweight too. It doesn’t seem to bother them. Sometimes it makes me think that I stress so much about losing weight when I am not that bad yet, but I know I should eat healthy. I guess don’t need a cellulite gel yet, but it is nice to know that there is one in case the need for it arises.

Embarassing Acne

I was in the register earlier today helping an elderly lady with her grandson whom he took to go shopping. She was telling me that he was moving out from their house to go away for college. The grandson won’t even look at me. He kept looking away. It seems like he was ashamed with something. When he finally looked my way, I knew right then why he was so shy. He had acne on his face.

I was like that too when I was about his age. I couldn’t even look at people’s eyes because I was afraid on what they are going to say about me. I was afraid that nobody will ever like me because of my acne scars and acne, but I guess someone was meant for me. If the internet only existed then, it would had been very easy to find the acne treatment for my face. In fact, there are top 5 - best acne products online including their reviews, and where to get them. I wish I had known this before.

Awesome Review

I have gotten my reviews from when I was teaching and then when I was a supervisor at Target and now at work. Sometimes it doesn't even matter if you make so much or not but when you are appreciated it means a lot. There are times when my job gets to me, but would you believe that working there is therapeutic for me. It is a place where I could unwind especially when I am in school and have so much in my mind. I can be in my little corner where nobody bothers me, and I can do my own stuff. I really really like that. It even allows me to think of what to write for my paper or it allows me to practice my speech on my head.

My work has been really understanding with my change of schedule that is why I try to do my best in my department. I also make sure to be very appreciative on the people that work in my department. I make sure to let them know how important they are to me and their hard work is recognize. I always inform them with what is new too, so they are not behind with the changes or updates in shoes. After all, I am so pleased with my review. I couldn't ask for more.

Ipad

When Ryan bought my laptop a few years ago, I was very excited. I figure it is so convenient especially when Frankie was a lot mobile, and I could not contain him in one place any longer. I thought I will be keeping it for long but ended up giving it to papa when I got the netbook. After a while, I think the laptop is just too big to haul around. I wanted something small for school that also allows me to do my assignments during my break at work. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the internet in case I needed to do some research.

Then one time, I found my co-worker bring her Ipad along to work. She was putting in her schedule in her Ipad. It was actually the first time I have seen, and it looks really nice. I really like how easy it was to access the internet. My co-worker is such a techie gal, and she gets whatever is the latest. I asked her the advantages and disadvantages of having one and she really really think it is awesome. She also wanted to make sure that she has ipad warranty so she is protected. I don’t know if I would get one but who knows?

Our Wedding Rings

Ryan and I had a very traditional Filipino wedding. We got everything from the Philippines. I also had my wedding dress made there. There was this guy who really did a good job with it. He made me choose different wedding dresses and styles from the catalog, and he copied it. It was very beautiful. We also got the accessories for the wedding from the Philippines including our identical wedding rings.

Our wedding rings have 5 little stones in it. Ryan and I thought that it wasn’t real diamonds because it was really cheap when we bought it from the Philippines. It was customized to our specification, and we were stunned by the simplicity and the elegance of it. A couple of days ago, Ryan and I got really interested and decided to have the stones checked if they were real diamonds, and we were surprised that they were real diamonds for the fraction of the cost.

Health Insurance for Legal Immigrants

Health Insurance for Legal Immigrants

It was December 29, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. when my father arrived at O’Hare International airport in Chicago from the Philippines. My father’s arrival marked the end of a long immigration process, but I didn’t know that it would also be the start of the aggravation in looking for his health insurance.

Upon my father’s arrival, I learned that legal immigrants, also known as lawful permanent residents in the United States who are green card holders were not able to have access to private healthcare of at least six months from entry, and they had to wait for two years. This seemed to be an amazing discovery to me. Although they are immigrants from another country, they too have the right to be healthy, to protect themselves and their petitioners financially in the event of something catastrophic happening, and live with peace of mind knowing that they are protected.

“Health is Wealth.” That is what our family doctor, Dr. Paul Bulow keeps reminding me every time I visit him for something minor that I could have taken care of myself. Health is everything. When one is healthy, he or she can fulfill his or her duties to the family. He can go to work and at work perform his job correctly. At the end of the day, he can come home to a healthy family, and the next day went the same, but that would be in a perfect world. It is inevitable that one gets sick, and that is why we all need health insurance. Unfortunately, not all residents here in the US have access to health insurance especially the lawful permanent residents after entry. That is why there are a “Few plans aimed at facilitating universal coverage make any mention of increasing access for uninsured non-citizen living in the US, many of whom are legally restricted from certain types of coverage” (Nandi, Loue and Galea). If legal immigrants are given access to private insurance then it will protect all the Americans, in one way or another, because if one is unhealthy, we would all be affected, US citizens or not.

We all know that the United States comprises immigrants from different countries and different walks of life. “The actual annual level of immigration averaged about 1.8 million between fiscal year 2002 and 2006” (Migration Policy Institute). It is undeniable that immigrants are flocking to the United States. They are “seeking free choice of worship, escape from cruel governments, and relief from war, famine, or poverty. All came with dreams of a better life for themselves and their families…” (Becker). With that many lawful permanent residents coming in the country annually, it is sad that they don’t have any health insurance by choice, or they could not get one.

My dad is 60 years old, and he runs and eats healthy everyday; however, he has hypertension that had been controlled by a medication. Since he got here, he had seen a doctor. He just had his blood test and everything came out negative. My dad’s cholesterol is normal for his age, and his sugar was just right. On his sixth month here, I applied my dad his own health insurance. After going through all the process and after being charged for two months in advance, the company denied him because they said he had hypertension. We searched for a different insurance company only to find out that the rest of them required two years of residency. He is fairly healthy, so technically, he shouldn’t have a hard time looking for a health insurance, but we did.

What I find ironic is “four-in-ten (41%) non-citizen, non-legal permanent residents Hispanics states that their usual provider is a community clinic or health center. These centers are designed primarily as “safety nets” for vulnerable populations and are funded by a variety of sources, including the federal government, state governments and private foundations...” (Livingston). However, if I were to take my father to one of those community clinics or health centers, a bill would be mailed to us after his visit.

There is a strict rule that US citizens and legal immigrants had to follow pertaining to bringing someone in the United States from another country. They have to go through a stringent immigration process. The US citizen or the legal immigrant could petition qualified dependents to come over, but before everything gets processed, it has to go through the approval of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Petitioners have to submit their income tax and once approved, they are asked to sign an affidavit of support to ensure that the beneficiary will not be a public charge.

“Affidavits of Support are submitted by sponsors on behalf of most family-based and some employment-based immigrants. The final rule makes the affidavit of support process less burdensome for sponsors while continuing to ensure that each intending immigrant has a sponsor who has sufficient income and/or assets to support the sponsored immigrant(s). The Affidavit of Support also allows a sponsored intending immigrant to establish that he or she is not likely to become a public charge (e.g., receive certain federal or state means-tested benefits)” according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). So, my point is, my father who is a lawful permanent resident will be charged for using government-funded healthcare, but illegal immigrants could use the services for free.

When I petitioned my father to join us here in 2006, I never imagined that it would be this hard to get him health insurance. Just like any other person here in the United States, he needed health insurance. We both came from a country where only rich people could afford health insurance. Because poor people could not afford it, I had seen them being denied healthcare. Before one could be admitted to a hospital, he or she had to pay 10% of the total cost. If one couldn’t provide the payment, then either he or she would get the least priority until that person died. It seems extremely unfortunate, but over there, one doesn’t have any choice.

Here in America, the problems with care for those who cannot afford it seem similar. The increasing cost of healthcare is overwhelming especially to those who don’t have health insurance. It worries me all the time where am I going to get the money to pay for the hospital bills in case something catastrophic would happen to my dad. Additionally, I don’t want to put my family in jeopardy. That is why I wanted him to have his own health insurance to protect him and to protect us as well.

The issue of cost for hospital stay is a major issue facing many in this country. “From 1997 to 2006 hospital charges for the uninsured grew by 76% percent from an average of $11,000 to $19,400 per stay (after adjusting the inflation). Meanwhile, the estimated hospital costs of providing care also increased for the uninsured, but at a slow rate of about 33 perfect, from $5,100 to $6,000 per stay. Despite these increases in hospital charges and costs, the average length of time uninsured patients stayed at the hospital remained steady at about four days per stay” (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics). With that much amount needed, it would take years and years to finally be able to pay it off.

Sadly, there are an increasing number of people in the United States without health insurance. One good example is the story of Cara Wilder. She was laid off from work and a single mother of two, who couldn’t afford to pay a health insurance for everybody, so she made sure that her children would have theirs through Medicaid. According to her, “I had never gone without coverage myself so I am pretty scared at the moment….If anything catastrophic God forbid would happen right now, I don’t know… I don’t know. Probably declare bankruptcy and not be able to pay it” (Osbone). In the same way, I don’t want to put my family or myself in that situation. I want to be certain about the future. My dad needs his health insurance.

Another interesting reality that I noticed for the short period of time that I have lived here in the United States, I am surprised to see a lot of older people. It must have something to do with having the peace of mind which allowed them to enjoy and live life to the fullest. They didn’t have to worry about their health insurance and the uncertainty of the future. That is the reason why according to the United Nations Population Division, The 2000 Revision, “life expectancy in the US is 77 years old and 70 years old in the Philippines”.

In the Philippines, it was hard not to worry about one’s health especially when there were a lot of people around that got sick. There was always that doubt of who would be next, or if he or she would have the money to pay for the hospital in case something happens. For example, my brother was riding his bike on his way home from school. Someone who was driving a truck and drunk at the same time hit my brother, and he left him on the side of the street. Luckily, he was caught, but he didn’t help us with the hospital bills. Good thing it wasn’t major, but we didn’t have insurance. My father borrowed money from his job, and it took us many years to pay if back. His company did payroll deduction, so it surely hurt our finances.

As unfortunate as it is, people are experiencing the same thing here in the US. Most people are living from paycheck to paycheck and could not afford health insurance. Not having one is such a gamble that if something happens, the only option would be paying the bill out of pocket and paying it back little by little. It is understandable that this situation happens in the Philippines because it is a developing country, and it doesn’t have the resources to support and help its people but the United States does.

For this reason, I strongly suggest that, first; the government should penalize private insurance companies who require residency to up to two years for legal immigrant applicants. If the applicant is willing to pay every month for their premium, and they are fairly healthy, then there is no reason for them not to be allowed to get their health insurance. Most of those lawful permanent residents including their petitioners are only trying to protect themselves.

The government is starting to address this issue. According to James R. Edwards Jr., a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, “The Finance Committee, like HELP and the House bills, mandates individuals must carry health insurance or else face a fine. It sets up a system where you’ve got Americans and legal immigrants who have to have coverage or else pay a fine” (qtd. in Starr). In this case, it would be a lot easier for legal immigrants to obtain private health insurance, and if they don’t have one because they were denied, then these private health insurance companies will have to face the consequences and even be fined.

Second, the government should offer an alternative insurance or an easier way to obtain health insurance for legal immigrants, who do not have any options where they could pay premium every month without the hassle. This is where “Health Insurance Exchange” comes into play. Health Insurance Exchange according to President Obama is “a market where Americans can one-stop shop for a health care plan, compare benefits and prices, and choose the plans that’s best for them. None of these plans should deny coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition, and all of these plans should include affordable basic benefit package that includes prevention, and protection against catastrophic costs” (Hass). With the health insurance exchange in mind, it would be easier for legal immigrants to obtain health insurance that is within their budget, and they could also shop, compare, and take advantage of it without any waiting period.

Third, legal immigrants should be able to use public healthcare facilities through their private health insurance. “All legal immigrants are eligible for government subsidies to buy insurance on the exchange, but immigrants who have been in the country for less than five years would remain barred by existing law from enrolling in Medicaid and Medicare” (Thompson). As long as my father has his own health insurance through the health insurance exchange, then we can manage with or without government help, so we don’t have to worry about paying for his future health related expenses out of pocket.

Health care for legal immigrants is sadly overlooked, and the government needs to do something about it right now. We need health reform for the legal immigrants and a change in the way health insurance issuance is administered among immigrants to keep them healthy, protected financially, and as a result live with peace of mind. After all, they also deserve healthcare just like the rest of us.


Work Cited:
Becker, Cynthia. “Immigration – Almost Four Hundred Years of American History.”
Information Plus® Reference Series. 2005 Detroit: Gale Group, 2006. From Opposing
Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 20 Oct. 2009.

“Consumer Price Index All Urban Consumer.” U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics. n.p. 7 Nov. 2008. Web. 28 Nov. 2009.
Hass, Christopher. “President Obama Reiterates Support for Public Option and Health

Insurance Exchange.” Organizing for America. 3 June 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.

Livingston, Gretchen. “Hispanics, Health Insurance and Health Care Access.” Pew Research
Center Publications. 25 Sept. 2009. Web. 7 Nov. 2009.

Migration Policy Institute. “Annual Immigration to the United States: The Real Numbers.” May
2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2009.

Nandi, Arijit, Sana Loue, and Sandro Galea "Expanding the Universe of Universal Coverage:
The Population Health Argument for Increasing Coverage for Immigrants." Journal of
Immigrant & Minority Health 11.6 (2009): 433-436. Academic Search Complete.
EBSCO. Web. 14 Nov. 2009.

Starr, Penny. “Health Care Reform Bill Would Not Verify Citizenship Status of Beneficiaries,
Conservatives Analysts Say.” CNS News.com. 20 Aug. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.

“The Social Well-Being in the Country.” Philippines.hvu.nl. United Nations Population
Division, The 2000 Revision, n.p. n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2009.

Thompson, Krissah. “Initially waved off, Hispanic advocates jump into health debate.” The
Washington Post. 12 Nov. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2009.


US Citizenship and Immigration Service. “USCIS Issues Finals Rule Regarding
Affidavits of Supports.” Press Office US Department of Homeland Security. 21 June
2006. Web. 13 Nov. 2009.

Wilder, Cara. Interview by Janie Osbome. “A Safety for the children.” The New York Times.
2 Nov. 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2009.

A Little Time

It has been really hot lately here at my end. It reminds me of the Philippines and even more. I like summer, but the humidity seems too much sometimes. Frankie has always love the outdoors but there are times when he even want to come in because it was too hot. When I finish my summer class, I promised Frankie that I am going to take him to the bike trail where he can go hop on his bike while I run. I have been wanting to do that but my schedule is a little crazy. Maybe then I wouldn't need one of those best fat burners. I am so excited when my schedule will be a little better then I can spend so much time with my little Frankie.

Don't Want It To End

For the last two semesters that I am in school, I always get excited every time it is almost done. I kept telling myself that I can't wait when this classes are over. However, it is different this summer. I have two awesome professors that I didn't want it to end. My speech professor is great. He makes me feel like I can conquer the world with my speech. I also noticed that I am a little confident now, and I have learned to control my thoughts and speak up for what is best.

We have meetings at work every Monday. We get to present the improvements in our department especially the sales and what is our strategy. I used to freak out every time it is Monday because I just don't feel comfortable speaking with a bunch people but that changed. I am surely going to miss my classmates and professor. We are so close in our speech class. We even know everybody's name.

My Astronomy class is also great. I have such an awesome teacher that he makes it so easy for all of us. I would hate to take another science class for just one unit. That I may have to argue since they only gave 3 units for my biology class instead of 4. I don't have any plans of taking another one. Hopefully it works but if not then I may have to take another science class but that is after I make the fight.

Envy

Don't you just envy those who just gave birth a few months ago, and they already looked fabulous? I see that all the time at work. The baby is still very small and the mother already looked like she didn't even give birth. I am so jealous with them. I had Frankie for over three years now and, I still look fat. I did lost some weight before we went to the Philippines, but after then I gained so much while over there that when we got back, I had a hard time getting rid of it. I don't know what is the problem though. I don't eat too much, and I don't even get enough rest/sleep and I still carry this bulge. It would be really awesome to get one of those quick weight loss diets. Then I wonder if I could keep it off for a while.

Workout

Dada picked me up from home yesterday, so we could send the money to the Philippines. We have to drive a little further because there is no other place up here that we can send the money to. Every time we go down, it never fails, we also eat down there because the place is a restaurant with lots of Filipino dishes to offer. On our way home, I looked at Ryan and thought how much we have grown together. I wanted to go to the gym this summer but I wasn't expecting that I will add another class that is why I told him that I will probably go this fall that is if my schedule will permit. It would be really nice to have one of those ab workouts at home. We already have the treadmill so it would be really nice to get something for the abs. My bulging belly has been my issue lately after giving birth to Frankie.

One More

Second speech all done today. I am so sad that not all of us were able to make it. There are two people that did not show up. Their schedule was supposed to be last Tuesday and they didn't make it. We were all hoping that they are going to be in today but they did not. They are probably not prepared for their presentation because the career speech is the most tedious speech we ever had. We needed to interview someone, research, and of course put together the speech. I made sure that I have the interview all done because that is the ones that is taking forever. I was thinking of interviewing my friend's husband but they are in the Philippines, so I looked for plan B. Carmen is a very nice lady that I met at work. She was just the perfect person for the interview because she is a retired pre-school teacher. I had mine all done on June 25. I don't know how I did with the speech. All I know is I am glad I am done with it. One more to go!

Rough Time

I haven't been really sleeping well lately. I can't sleep thinking that I have so much to do. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night thinking on what I am supposed to do the next day especially when I have a speech coming up. This week is a little light for me because I only have the a quiz and the speech to worry. Next week however is going to be rough because I am not off that weekend and I have 2 quizzes, 1 final and one exam. Then the next week after that is my super major persuasive speech and my final for Astro. I can't sleep at night thinking about those. It makes me so exhausted at work because I am not getting enough rest. I was considering taking sleep aids just to get me through this time. What a really tough time.

Vitamins

Every morning, I try to take my vitamins. I always feel so energized when I take one. Unfortunately, after I take it, I always have a heartburn. It takes hours too before it is completely gone. I wonder if taking natural vitamins will be different. I used to take natural vitamins when I was in the Philippines because it was way cheaper there and it always give me a different effect. Vitamins here however is different because it makes me feel like I am going to throw up everything I ate. I am energized with a heartburn. I thought it was just because it was a new vitamin but it still hasn't change. I might look into natural vitamins soon because it might work for me. I really need one to survive the schedule I have.

Jacuzzi Down

Ryan and I had been talking about getting rid of our jacuzzi in the backyard. We don't even want to sell it; we just want to get rid of it. We want to claim our little space again in the backyard. Papa will be making Frankie a little play house in the backyard. It is also the place where we can store his outdoor toys that is why we want to get rid of it so badly.

Dad helped Ryan today and they are almost done. The gazebo has been out and our garage is very clear. Ryan will get some storage stuff, so he could store some of the junks we have in the house. We are always busy and I couldn't wait to see the end result of Frankie's play house. We have not gotten the wood yet because I don't have the time to take Papa to Menards but we will get it as soon as I am done with school.

Health Insurance

This December will be Papa's second year here in the US and finally we can get him his own health insurance. I can't believe how long he has to wait to get his own health insurance. It is not like we are not going to pay for it. In fact, we are willing to pay for it as long as he is covered. This is also the topic that I will be using in my Persuasive speech that is to persuade my classmates to get a petition going for healthcare of legal immigrants. Now, I am not talking about illegal immigrants here but legal immigrants to who came here in the US legally. Although there is one place online I haven't check. It is the insurancespecialists.com. I wonder if they will be able to give Papa his coverage?

Treatment

My parents are really getting old. Papa has been having issues with his cholesterol and so as mama back in the Philippines. Luckily, Papa's cholesterol has been monitored, and he has his doctor that consistently checks him every once in a while. He tries to be very careful with what he eats too because he can feel it in his body if he eats too much. Mama, on the other hand, seldom goes to the doctor because it is very expensive over there. She was told she needed a rigorous cholesterol treatment but she couldn't afford. I wish she was here because the doctor that treats Papa is very nice, and he doesn't charge us as much with Papa because he understands that he doesn't have his own health insurance. Hopefully, all the process with mama will go smoothly, so I could take care of her here.

Going Places

One of the many things I really like here in the US when I go places is there are a lot of dependable toilets here. Back in the Philippines, I was always hesitant to use it especially when I need to go because chances are, there are no toilet paper or it doesn't flush. Can you imagine leaving that for the next person to see? Definitely, not a good sight to see. Here in the US however, one can always expect that the toilet will work or there will be a big sign that says it is out of order if it doesn't.That was why when Frankie was totally potty trained I wasn't worried going to places with him anymore.

Made it Through

I have so much write, but I don't have the time to sit down and write about it until today. Life here at my end has been really challenging, tiring, and exciting, but I couldn't complain. I only have three more weeks to go, and I have another month of a little time off from school before the next semester starts. I have been so thankful because I do not have to worry about my tuition fee anymore. Yes, it has been paid for until I graduate. I got a very nice grant that helps me pay off my tuition as long as I maintain my grades. It is one less headache that Ryan and I have to worry.

Anyways, a few weeks ago had been really rough for me. I have 2 quizzes, an exam and a speech all in one week. I was freaking out because I don't think I was ready for my entertainment speech let alone the 100 item exam in Astro. In speech, it seems like I know what to say but I have not practiced. It was rough. I wrote everything I had to say in my notebook. I read it a couple of times. That Saturday, Ryan and I were at Governor State University to study. I couldn't keep my eyes open because I was so tired. I did however managed to read the many pages of Astronomy for the exam. It was very overwhelming. That Sunday, after coming home from church I wanted to study but the house really needed my attention. I scrubbed the floor and cleaned the bathroom. Ryan, on the other hand, did the clothes and ironed some of them. By the time I was done, I was really exhausted that I didn't want to study anymore. I thought of myself, "thy will be done."

Monday night came and I felt like I was not ready for the exam at all. I read and I understood but I am so used to of memorizing them that I felt unprepared. I took the test but a little uncertain. The following day I woke up so early because it was my second speech day. I attempted to practice, but I could not get through one speech without going over time. I thought of myself; I will try to speak really fast, so I could get all my speech below the time limit. After a few attempts, I gave up and give it my best shot at school.

I was the fifth to give my speech. It was a first come first serve basis, and we get to pick which spot we like. I really tried and my seatmates said I did really well. There were things that I could have said, but I was more than happy not to go overtime. I was so eager to know what my grade was. The speech is 40 points while the paper works for the speech is worth 10 points.

Wednesday came and I was so nervous to know what I got for my Astro exam. When my professor handed me my paper, I was so happy. I got 99/100. I also got my paper back that Thursday from my speech, and I was glad to know that I got a 48/50. All my hard work paid off. Ryan told me that I worry too much. I couldn't help but worry because I don't want to screw this up.


Teacher's comments :
-very good eye contact and engagement with audience
-slow down just a bit, especially at the beginning.
-very good posture, gestures and movement.
-Good pace/rate with effective inflection.
-Good personal narrative to begin speech.
-solid preview statement.
-clearly stated transitions.
-solid job tying back and opening.

top my speech and bottom my Astro