Monday, April 23, 2012

Eat Mor Chikin

Throughout my college years, I have discovered that a great place to go when you need a study break, a little ice-cream pick-me-up, or a delicious dinner is none other than the wonderful Chick-Fil-A. This past week my housemates and I were feeling a little overwhelmed with our end of the year papers and presentations, so we decided to just put down what we were doing and bond over some chicken sandwiches (and fries and ice-cream, of course). As we walked into Chick-Fil-A, we were immediately greeted by the friendly staff. I have found that not only is the food here delicious, but the employees are so incredibly kind that they always just brighten my day! 

Great conversations and good food did the trick for me that day. I’m beginning to realize that my days as a senior are numbered, which is why I’m so glad that my housemates and I were able to set this time aside to spend together. You may think ask, “What’s the big deal? You just went out to eat.” My response is- yes, we just went out to eat, but not at just any restaurant. It was Chick-Fil-A. And it was delicious. While I realize that this may seem like a menial event, I also know that these are the sort of moments that I will look back on once my friends and I depart- the simple moments filled with laughter, food, and friends.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

A Taste for Something Different

my friend Anna tasting her barium juice
One of the classes that I am currently taking is called Clinical Management: Adults. This class is taught by a speech pathologist who works in the adult setting, helping stroke patients learn how to swallow again and teaching people with aphasia strategies to help them comprehend what they hear, read, say, and write. To help us students really get a grasp of what it is like to treat a stroke patient, the other day our professor brought to class an assortment of different foods and beverages. When a person is having trouble swallowing, the have to begin practicing with thin liquids and then gradually work their way up to thicker consistencies. Our professor began class by pouring barium into juice. Barium is a substance that is mixed with other foods, and that shows up when giving a person an X-ray. This allows clinicians to see how a person swallows and if any substances get left behind somewhere along the process. It was a great experience seeing how barium is mixed into juice so that a swallow study can be performed. However, the fun didn't stop there. Not only did we mix it, but we had to try it. Stroke patients don't have too many options of what they get to eat, so our professor was helping us to see what it's like in their shoes. And after trying the barium juice, I must say I have compassion for them. The texture of the juice was strange, and the barium took away from the sweetness of it. After finishing our juice, we also blended up chicken alfredo so that we could try a thicker consistency. The texture felt so weird that I mentally had to remind myself that it still tasted delicious.
I really appreciate our professor engaging us in this activity. I feel like I learn best through hands-on assignments, and this activity really brought home how difficult the whole "relearning how to swallow process" must be for our patients.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Giving off a Glow

Last week I experienced something that I never had done before: my first ever neon paint dance party! And I tell you, it was amazing. This dance was put on by Alpha Delta Gamma, one of the Rockhurst fraternities. I had a feeling even before I bought my ticket that this event was going to be a unique one, for the advertisements were eye-catching with all their bright colors and cool designs. I felt that the PR just had to be a sign of what was yet to come. In addition, along with the tickets you could also purchase a crazy tie-dyed T-shirt that was to be worn the night of the dance.


Upon entering the venue that night, I was caught off guard by all the colors and lights that were flashing and glowing in the dark. The music gave off a beat that just wouldn't let me stand still and before I knew it, I was out on the dance floor. While my unsuspecting friends and I were busting some moves, we were quite surprised when we felt a splatter of paint land on us. We soon realized that some of the guys had filled neon paint into water guns and were shooting it into the crowd, adding a little color to their clothes. Soon, it felt like a contest of who could become the most colorful. I was so covered in paint that by the end of the night, I felt like a walking glow stick!
I think I can honestly say that this was my favorite Rockhurst dance that I have been to. It had all the elements of normal dances that I love- friends, great music, awesome venue- but with some colorful additions!