Why NOT to go to Optometry school

I apologize in advance for the rant that is about to spill out of my fingers on to the page. You've been warned.

Anyways, as I have mentioned in previous posts, I am going to start Optometry school this August in Southern California. Pause for collective yay!

What I have yet to mention is that I will be starting this adventure single. Or, as some women would say, alone. I personally don't view this as a bad thing as I will have more time for myself and studies. Without a boyfriend to take up my spare time I can explore my interests, be more active in extracurricular activities I really want to participate in, and not worry about fitting in time for someone else's needs. Ok, that might sound harsh, but when you have 24 hours in a day and 14 are dedicated to school and 8 for sleep, what can you do for the remaining 2 except eat, workout, and try to keep your sanity for the next four years?

The point I am trying to get at is this: why go to Optometry school at age 25 when you won't finish until you're nearly 29, approaching 30? Um, because I want to help people with their visual problems? Good answer, right? Apparently, I was wrong. I should be saying I want to find a husband.To be up front I never even considered this to be a problem, but for some women who want to get married by 26 and have a child by 29 Optometry school (or any professional school for that matter) seems out of reach. Professional school is not like undergrad where you spend maybe 20 hours a week studying and the rest of your time hanging out with friends. Professional school is your life. You eat, breathe, and sleep what you are learning in order to become a professional in the subject of your choice. When you sign up for this type of commitment it is practically impossible to have an outside personal life unless you are already seriously committed to someone. Which leaves single young women in a bind... especially one's going into Optometry school. The current ratio of women to men in Optometry school is 3:1 and still shrinking. Most men who you do meet in school are already in serious relationships, possibly married, or not interested. This leaves maybe a handful of men, at best, for a single woman to consider within her class because she won't have time to create an outside social life with the men in her community. Or, it seems very unlikely.

For me, this supposed impossible challenge of finding a guy is not important and not a factor in my pursuit of becoming an Optometrist. I figure I will pursue my career goals while working on hobbies/interests that make me happy (baking, being active, trying out kayaking, and traveling) and somewhere in those pursuits everything will work out as it should. However, there also seems to a staggering percentage of women who are in the same boat as me, maybe around the age of 22-23 instead of my crazy "old" age of 25, who are losing their minds at the prospect of not finding a guy until they are, gasp, 27. They consider that age to be "too old" to be considered marriage material for guys and worry they will miss their best years for finding a husband.

ARE THEY NUTS?! I am sorry, but isn't it 2012? I don't view my success based on when I get married or who I marry. I base my success on my happiness with the relationships I do have and the lives I've been able to touch. If these women believe that their only chance for happiness is marrying a guy and that is their focus going in to Optometry school I will be very surprised if they make it out with enough self-confidence to be successful in a career they just spent $200,000 on.

Maybe my priorities are screwed up and I should be figuring out my next date in order to get a guy to marry me before I reach old maid status. Life is about a being and becoming, not about having and getting. When we work towards our best potential with a smile and optimism, great things can happen in all aspects of our lives.

Until next time,

powerkat

ps: I know I said I'd share a recipe, so let's say this is a rant recipe for how to annoy me. :)

Cookie Monster Generation

Is our generation (Generation Y) the generation of the Cookie Monster? You're thinking 'This is what she thinks about all day?'

No friends. I don't think about the Cookie Monster all day. I think about how all the blogs I've traveled to in the past month have typed "nom.nom" at least twice per blog. Where did this nom business come from to describe how we feel about a recipe or dish? I guess I can see how the two word term fits and paints a clear picture in one's mind.

When presented with 'nom,nom' I am instantly transported to my 5 year-old mind and the Cookie Monster of Sesame Street being my idol. He was so excited to consume those cookies that his furry blue paws (or is it hands) just smashed the cookies in his face. All the while he was say 'nom, nom! cookies!' and his jiggly eyeballs rolling around. You wanted to be right next to him to get the flying stray bits of chocolate chips. Ahh, young childhood memories.

Anyways, back to this nom business. Great descriptive word and takes me to a happy place. But, didn't the Cookie Monster ultimately realize that cookies can only be a sometimes food? And to extrapolate further, hasn't our generation seen how over consumption can destroy a person, family, community, or even, shall I say it, a country?

This is what I think about all day and why I need a place to jot out my random thoughts.

Until next time,

powerkat

ps: Next time I'll add a recipe. nom!nom! :)

I only have eyes for you...

Happy Belated Valentine's Day! 

When you look deep into someone's eyes what do you see? 

via OptometryStudents.com

Very nerdy, but gotta love it!

Until Next Time, 

powerkat

Homemade Biscotti

This past weekend I was craving tea and biscotti to accompany me while I was sifting through my old piles of artwork from years ago.

Ok, you got me. I really just wanted biscotti and an excuse from cleaning out the clutter of memories before moving down to southern California.

I am of the mindset that if you are going to eat sweets, you must make them or the whole wonderful-ness is loss. You never crave store-bought sweets. When you leave a dinner party you never think, "wow, I really need another helping of the overly sugary, fake tasting pie". No, you crave and think about the homemade sweets. They have been made with sweat, love, and possibly blood in order to satisfy a sweet tooth. Hence, my Saturday search for homemade biscotti.

I fell upon this recipe on allrecipes.com (my go-to site) and it was so easy! All of the ingredients were common staples in the kitchen, minus the sliced almonds, and the process was easy as 1, 2, 3. The only alteration I made was using less chocolate. 'She said what?!' I did a quick taste test before adding the chocolate and these are so good because of the hint of orange zest that you can get away with less chocolate.

Enjoy!

PS: There are no pictures from my escapade because I was so focused on making these and then eating them. My stomach apologizes. 

Biscotti Toscani

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg  this could be replaced with cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips  I would recommend half of this amount
• 1/2 cup toasted almond pieces

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a large baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and zest. Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in almonds. Divide dough into two pieces. Form into long flat loaves about 1/2 inch tall and 12 inches long. Place the loaves 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
4. With a serrated knife, cut diagonally into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, turning over once. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
5. Place chocolate chips into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until smooth. Use a spatula to spread chocolate onto one side of each cookie. Let stand at room temperature until set. Store biscotti at room temperature in an airtight container. 

Romancing the Heart

In the spirit of the celebration of love I thought I would pay homage to my favorite guilty pleasure chick-flick movie - When Harry Met Sally...

Not only are the characters imperfect, but it is about a real partnership that develops between two people. 

Most movies that aim for the female demographic create a world-wind romance that is simply unrealistic or too good to be true (The Notebook anyone?), but this movie gets it right. These characters go from random strangers to best friends in a natural setting. No rustic vineyards, beach romps, or passionate kisses in the rain.

Though there is a marvelous scene in a diner. You might have heard about it. Though, while everyone talks about a certain experience Sally fakes I personally love witnessing the easy banter between the two. Even if they can't see it yet there is a natural build-up of trust that will climax (sorry, it was too easy not to make a remark) into a deeper bond.

 

Our current world is all about instant gratification and love has unfortunately fallen victim to this monster. So, whenever I get in a slump about my love life it is so refreshing to pop this movie in, wrap myself in a cozy blanket with a warm cup of tea, and consider a real possibility that might be waiting around the corner.

I just kinda hope it doesn't take another 12 years....
Until next time,

powerkat

Pandora's Box

Have you ever been asked a question, thought you only had one response, but before you open your mouth you suddenly realize that you actually have too emotions to make anything but "blah..meh...um... how about you"?

This is what I've repeatedly experienced someone asks how I am doing with moving to California to start Optometry school in the fall. My gut wants to say that I'm doing amazing and envisioning a new adventure that can't come soon enough. Then, as I'm about to tell them just that, my mind goes blank, I break out into a cold sweat, and start thinking of all the things I have to do before I move down there. These thoughts rapidly progress to an all-out panic attack of 'AM I EVEN READY FOR THIS?!' Which, of course I am. 100%. Not freaked out at all.

So, if you ask me how I am feeling I'll say it feels surreal, but I'm ready. Which is true if I dig under all of that anxiety.

Are there topics that make you have too many emotions to process? How do you handle them?

My solution? Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, ice cream, and a good movie. Works for a lonely Valentine's Day too!

Long Time No See

So... as predicted this endeavor did not last more than 2 posts back in 2010. And no followers. Not that I would want any, but still. If anyone does happen to come across this blog I want to make this important statement: I am a goal-setter and overachiever. There is no way to beat it around the bush or be modest when it comes to my desire to succeed at what I pursue. Sometimes I might take longer than others to decide on what I want to pursue, but once I've made up my mind I follow through.

Lets sum up the last two years so everyone can be caught up and then move forward together. I've been working in a job that has taught me how to deal with very different personalities than my own and has pushed me to my limits (in good ways and bad). While struggling to make the most of a job that I've considered an "in-between" phase from undergrad to grad school, I've been figuring out what grad program I want to pursue for a career. I've always leaned towards health care and have a knack for science, so exploring health careers was a major to-do in 2010. During that year I fell in love. No, not with a handsome fellow... though I did look into many people's eyes. Yes, I began a love affair with Optometry and the affair blossomed into a full-fledged romance. In fact, all of 2011 was dedicated to applying for Optometry school! From studying and taking the OAT (Optometry Admissions Test), compiling resumes, letters of rec, writing a concise personal statement, to finally attending interviews and being accepted to my school of choice. It was a crazy ride from start to finish with more crying breakdowns than I've ever experienced in my life. (Another side note: I am very emotional, but hardly ever cry. If you witness a tear drop from my eyes.... 1) don't take a picture because I'll give you something to cry about, and 2) I trust you till the end of time)

Now, after those two years of struggling with figuring out my future I now have plenty of time to better enjoy the present. Hence, here I am world! This blog will be about my new adventures - mundane, everyday, random, exciting, and maybe unique - before and while I am in Optometry school because really, who doesn't want to learn about how I view the world? Maybe my musings will give you a clearer view on your own life. After all, I will be an Optometrist and that is in the job description. And you know how I love to follow through on goals.

Until next time,

powerkat

Have you ever wondered...

why the heart is never mentioned in the muscle section of an anatomy book? Yes, the function of the heart is strictly circulatory, but is it not also a muscle? A muscle that pumps life through our veins?

I must look into this more. It must have a meaning. Afterall, the heart is a very powerful organ. People fight battles to obtain someone's heart and another organ, the brain, likes disagreeing with the heart to make life difficult. However, that is just describing the heart in an "emotional" way, not a "physiological" one.

Hmm, once again I might just be overanalyzing the situation.

In the Beginning

I usually don't last long on these blogging sites. Either I get bored with the concept or forget that I even created a site. Both occurrences are common in my life. If I get bored, lose interest, or forget something that once held meaning I usually drop whatever it was that I "gave up on" and move on to something else. This isn't to say that I don't follow through on things or make accomplishments. I do, but usually it takes longer than I originally anticipated.

Maybe this lack of commitment stems from the ideal of perfectionism and wanting to be the best at something. I am of a smaller stature and very petite, so most of my life I have had to defend my capabilities to the rest of the world. But, can't everyone find some part of their life that holds them back? Don't most people find excuses for not making the cut in whatever they were pursuing? So, why is it that some people, like myself, use this hinderence as a crutch and a reason for not completing their goals?

I am, by no means, someone with a special gift. You could say that I am intelligent and I am. You could say I am athletic and enjoy being active, which is true. You could even say that I am an artist, though inexperienced in instruction, and I could show you my few pieces of work. However, nothing makes me stand out from the crowd. And there is nothing wrong with that because most, if not all of us, will never amount to more than an average person living an average life while influencing a few people around us before leaving this earth (to where, you decide). Enter the blog site to fulfill the need to be more.

A blog allows someone to reach beyond their setbacks and connect or influence people further than they might have if they were limited to their physical surroundings. Blogs are a portal to the rest of the world and can be used as tools for personal enlightenment. This is why blogs can be both therapeutic and detrimental to an individual.

I often find that most people I know who do use blogs have a common trait. The desire to be liked by many. While they may not outwardly express the need to be warmly welcomed and accepted by their peers, they pursue interests or careers where they can easily influence others. In high school they were the high school cheerleader or the person who ran the theater production. Maybe they even ran for a student body government position. Without a doubt, people looked at them with a sense of, "They are important. They have an edge. They are different, but in a good way." And, these people fed off of these comments. So, what better way to continue that trend by adding a unique perspective on life by starting a blog and, of course, letting everyone they know about it? Hell, isn't that how people become known? A person who has a small, ordinary life, but because of how they spin their story, have a completely unique outlook on life.

Not everyone can easily manipulate their lives into something more substantial than every day happenings such as going to the grocery store, spending time with friends and family, and walking the dog. I know I can't. I get up, go to work, come home, have dinner, maybe walk the dog on the weekends, spend time with friends, sleep, and repeat until a vacation. However, a blog is a way for even the ordinary person to become extraordinary. And there is nothing wrong with that. I guess I just don't care if people read my thoughts on my life or deem my "adventures" to be interesting. I find my life to be perfectly enjoyable, but why try to make others feel the same? In the end, it won't matter what others think of my life. How I view my life will be the only important opinion when I face my final reckoning. A blog is not the end all to deeming a life worthy of excellence.

Sure, I might be thinking too deeply into why I don't stick with a blog site. After all, the purpose for most blog sites is to just let people express their thoughts about life while also becoming an instant autobiographical author. In short, blogs feed off of an individuals desire to feel special and important. In this day in age with all of the reality tv shows, we could probably use less of that, but at the same time... if it makes you happy, why the hell not?

This is where my story begins. I am just an average girl leading an average life trying to make the most of it. If you have thoughts feel free to add them, but be warned: this may not last that long and I just might forget about this site all together. Why? Hopefully because I will be living my life beyond the world wide web and participating in my physical surroundings. Maybe I should hope that this won't last long. :)