Asleep . . . but Active?

I came across an article in the New York Times that really caught my attention. It talked about the phases of sleep. The reason why this article caught my eye was because of the drawing and the layout. It was not one of those boring articles where you had to read about two pages of size five font letters! Instead, it displayed a silhouette of a person lying on their side sleeping and there were captions placed above the drawing describing the different stages one goes through while sleeping. I found this article interesting because when we sleep we tend to think we’re “dead to the world,” or at least I think that and I feel that we should know what goes on in our bodies while we are sleeping.
Well the article breaks it down like this: There are five stages of sleep – Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep. During the first stage of sleep the person can still be awakened and muscle contractions occur. In stage two, breathing becomes regular and body temperature as well as heart decreases as the body prepares to go into a deep sleep. Throughout the third and fourth phase, your heart rate is at its lowest. Sleepwalking or “nightmares” can take place. Bones and muscle are being built and tissues are restored. The most active stage of sleep is REM. The brain becomes very active which allows for dream to happen. Our limbs are effectively paralyzed because a control region in the brain stem sends signals to shut off neurons in the spinal cord, preventing us from acting on our dreams. Body temperature control changes so that no sweating or shivering occurs in response to changes in room temperature. And lastly, the eyes dart around and wouldn’t you think so since this stage is called Rapid Eye Movement? So, I found this article entertaining as well as knowledgeable to know what REALLY happens while I sleep.

Fright Fest

Yesterday I traveled to Six Flags Great Adventure with three of my best friends. My boyfriend and some of his friends were suppose to join us but that blew over. Anyway we went to Six Flags because they hold an annual Fright Fest. Fright Fest at Six Flags means that the park is decorated to fit the spirit of Halloween along with ghouls and goblins. The main feature of Fright Fest is the scarry goblins and ghosts! Obviously there are not real ghosts but they are people in costumes with very good, detailed make-up. Many people have heard of Fright Fest and have even been to Fright Fest but I have never had the experience of attending Fright Fest.

My friends and I arrived at the park around 3:00 o'clock. We walked around for awhile trying to figure out which rides were in which direction. Finally we saw a ride that we all wanted to go on however the wait was said to be about four hours. We all agreed to find another ride and when we arrived at another rollercoaster the wait time was also said to be a long wait. So, we decided to eat since it was nearly 5:00 o'clock and Fright Fest began at 6:00 o'clock sharp. We didnt have a variety of dinner options so we resorted to chicken tenders, hot dogs, cheese fries and coca-colas. By the time we were done eating it was 6:05 and the goblins were sent out. So, we began walking until we heard screaming from behind us so we turned around and there was a guy in a mask with a chain saw chasing the people behind us who quickly got in front of us to hide from the man. We also saw a man in handcuffs who was scarring little children which i found mean. The one creature who scarred me the most was a man, who was suppose to have risen from the ground, who dragged a metal shovel along the ground. Just the sound of the scrapping of the shovel on the ground sent chills through my body.

As we walked around to see the rest of the scarry creatures we came across a concert. On the stage was several frightening characters whom were dancing to loud, scary music. We watched for awhile as they performed fairly well and headed for the exit. Since it was packed the car was pretty deep in the parking lot so we had a few giggles and laughs on our way over to the car. When I arrived home the first question my mother and brother had were "Did you get scarred?" And my answer was "Of course!" I recommend those who have not gone to Fright Fest please take an opportunity to go this week or wait till next year. Trust me, it's worth the wait!

"Giving Kids the World"

"Giving Kids the World" is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village. Consider spending your spring break trip living out the St. John's University Mission and helping those in need! "Giving Kids the World" is the second annual tri-campus Greek Life community service trip. I am now a part of Greek Life and I know that Greek Life has been stereotyped as selfish and non-charitable. However, I am proud that through this organization we can show all that none of the rumors are true! Being part of a sorority gives me the free chance and several charitable obligations to apply too.

There is a spot in Central Florida called "Give Kids The World Village." It is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 75,000 families from all 50 states and over 50 countries. I unfortuantely can not attend this wonderful oppoortunity but for those of you out there who want to give, give, give the date is February 24th - 29th, 2008.

A Happy Moment

A couple of weeks ago I recieved amazing news. I mean when I heard this I couldn't stop crying but the tears were joyful tears. A couple of my immediate family members were in my backyard when my Aunt Desiree and her boyfriend, Oratzio, announced that they were engaged. They had just got back from the Bahamas where they went for Oratzio's friends wedding. It was there, that Oratzio proposed to my Aunt who is also my Godmother. I was thrilled to hear that my Aunt is finally going to get married because I used to always "bust her chops" that she is 30 years old and is still not married. So, I was pretty excited for her when the news was announced. Wait, it gets better! They are getting married in Italy! Oratzio was born in Italy and moved to the United States with his mother and one of his brothers when he was only 12 years old. The rest of his family still resides in Italy. Since my family is also Italian and his lives there it didn't seem like a bad idea. I am pretty psyched to go to Italy and about 60 people from my family are traveling over to Italy for the wedding (thats not even half of my family). We should have an awesome time since we are also using the time in Italy as our vacation for the summer. The wedding takes place in the beginning of July so the weather is going to be nice and hot. I am so excited and anxious at the same time for my Aunt and her fiance.

A Scary Moment

A couple of nights ago I recieved very disturbing news about my grandfather. It was about 1:00 o'clock in the morning and I was about to shut my eyes to go to sleep until suddenly my house phone rings. It was my grandparents name and number that appeared on the caller I.D. so I answered it in a rush knowing that my grandparents normally don't call my house so late at night. On the other side of the phone was my grandmother. She sounded calm and collective however when she told me what was happening my reaction was not calm. My grandmother told me that my grandfather didn't feel well so she called 911 and the ambulance were at her house and they want my grandfather to go to the hospital. I told her I will be right there and hung up the phone. I ran into my parents bedroom and told them the news. My mother jumped out of bed (it is her father) and together we raced to my grandparents hosue which is luckily only 5 minutes away. When we arrived the ambulents were in my grandparents kitchen and my grandfather was standing. I was expecting to see him in a strecther in the ambulence but instead he just had a cold.

However, my grandmother proceeded to tell the story which went like this: She was calling my grandfather for a question while he was on the computer. After she had called his name several times so went into the computer room and found my grandfather's head thrown back in the chair and his eyes shut. She thought he had fallen asleep until he wasn't waking up. She began slapping his face and asking him what to do, what to do. In a rush she called 911 and the ambulence and fire trucks arrived. The ambulents could not force my grandfather to go to the hospital but they advised him to. My grandfather is very stubborn and he said he didn't want to wait in the emergency room for hours. I thought he should have went because he sounded weird from the cold he had and because of ambulents suggested so. In the end, he had to sign a couple of papers refusing to go to the hospital and my mother and I went home dissapointed in him. I couldn't sleep all night and I know my grandmother stayed up all night watching him sleep just incase of another emergency.

Just A Memoir

A memoir is a piece of autobiographical writing, usually shorter in lenght than an autobiography. One's memoir tries to grasp certain highlights in one's life as well as to grasp sentimental moments in one's past. Memoirs' are big in publishing today and often one has to think really hard about the meaning of that event and the time it occurred in one's past. The memoir may be more emotional and concerned with capturing particular scenes, or a series of events, rather than documenting every fact of a person's life. In other words, memoirs are records of events written by an individual who has personal insight and knowledge of these records based on their observations. Usually, the person has personally experienced these life situations. On the other hand, a memory is simply one's mental capacity to retain and recall past experiences of a person, thing, event, fact and so on. Personally, I have a bad memory so to right them down, as in a memoir, is beneficial.

Another Brittany Dilemma?

I use to be a huge fan of Miss Brittany Spears until she put her career and her life on the line. Soon, it was not only her life in danger but her ex-husbands, Kevin Federline, and her two sons. For about four years there has been public attention towards Brittany Spears and I am getting the feeling she likes it! Well I hope she is proud of herself now because she just might be losing custody of her 2 year-old and 1 year-old son to her ex-husband, Federline. Federline would not be my first pick of a husband and if she was thinking clearly back then I doubt it would be her either. Well, a superior court judge of California practically "gave up" on Miss Brittany Spears because of her accessive drinking and driving incidents along with overdoses of drug abuse. Clearly, this is not good parenting and Brittany Spears has screwed up her life. However, I would like to know how she is still recording songs, selling number albums yet losing her children?

Wireless Connection in Subway Stations

Last week I read an article in the New York Times that the MTA has officially allowed a wireless service to line the subway stations. However, the wireless connection is not offered on the subway themseleves out of respect for the other passengers who are not on their cell phones whether they are trying to sleep, study or have a conversation with another. This wireless network offered the MTA about 4 million dollars. If it's not obvious, this company defeated other networks who wanted to begin the project because they offered the most money. MONEY is all that matters in New York City. Anyway, I am glad that this project is about to begin because it can help in emergency situations such as the flood that occured in August and knocked out wireless communications so passengers had no clue what was going on. No one was allowed to phone a friend or their boss for that matter. This project does not really affect me because I do not commute on the subway on a daily basis like others but when I do travel into the city it is reasssuring that I will be able to stay in touch and keep connected so I do not become lost. This article stood out to me because I saw the words cell phones in the title and as a young woman and for any other adolescent, cell phones are a vital part of life.