So many books
So many books
I’ve always marveled at how much information we can store in books and how cool it is that we can store written information quite easily by just writing it down. We can pass lots and lots of information to other people and gain a lot of knowledge by reading, but books are heavy and take a lot of space. I really like books though, they smell a certain way and are just kind of nice to hold in your hands (or paws in my case).
Go visit a library or bookstore. Enjoy reading!!
Bramble
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Standardized tests
Sometimes I wonder why standardized tests are quite so necessary. On Thursday, I have one big one coming up. It will be five hours and half of craziness. I supposedly know all the material already, and I’ll be doing a few practice tests in short order.
I’ve never been a particularly good test taker. I get stressed out when taking tests, so sometimes I feel that although tests are sometimes useful, they do have plenty of downsides that affect their accuracy. There are friends I have who are very good test takers and usually score quite highly. I tend to work more slowly.
Another observation I have is that many tests have all sorts of regulations to prevent cheating. For example, I can’t bring a watch, pencils, or pens to the testing center. Hats are only allowed for religious reasons. It’s a pretty crazy list of things.
Me trying to study
I sort of just want this to be over with. It’s a pretty crazy test. When all is said and done, I’ll be free. The worst is, I’ll have to take it again. That’s ok with me.
Stay well!
Bramble
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The Cellular Telephone
In today’s world, we’re really constantly connected beings. Throughout the day, my phone vibrates, and the anticipation sets in, “What did I get? A new email? A text? An IM? Facebook message? Phone call?”
I got my first phone before I went to college, but I had an iPod touch before that and I could stay connected constantly albeit without calls and text messages. I personally wonder what if…
Excuse me, my phone is ringing…got to go…
Bramble
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It’s spring!!
I have been quite busy lately. It’s not so much the amount of work I have to do but the juggling involved to get them all done on time. Either way, here is an obligatory spring picture.
Stay well,
Bramble
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Tags: Life
Back home!
Ok, I have returned from a busy semester, and after a nice week of vegetating, it’s back to work. Sort of…
Reading
As you can see, I have some reading to do. (By the way, the book that I am reading in this picture is “What the Dog Saw” I wasn’t too fond of it. There are much better reads to be found). Right now, I’m supposed to be busy getting ready for the MCAT since I’m also pre-med.
That aside, my music theory professor showed me the following site that has some odd-sounding music boxes and stuff like that. Look at it when you have a spare moment. It’s odd but really neat.
Ok, have a happy new year all of you!
Bramble
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How to do well in school
I came to a realization recently as I peered over the pile of books I had.
I always wondered why we had so many books
I know a lot of people who complain about classes that they are taking and blame their teacher for the fact that they are not learning. Yes, sometimes the teacher can make learning hard, but there are still plenty of things we can do to help ourselves succeed.
One of these things is working in groups. A good friend can give you ideas you may have never thought of, spot your mistakes, or explain things that you missed in class.
Another thing is not to procrastinate. While it is tempting to leave your homework when it gets hard or when you think you can quickly finish it, it’s better to get your homework done first. You will do better when you are not hurried.
Remember, the good grades are all worth it.
Ok, stay well!
Bramble
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More picture posts
I have been busy taking pictures, but I downloaded them to my computer yet, but don’t worry they are coming. My class ends on August 5, so hang in there.
Bramble
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The Unpronounceables
I just happened to see this on a site that I was looking through the other day:
right now, in front of me, I have 2 cans of lighter fluid, the one that used to be and the “new formula” one. With the older one it is just plain simple, the contents are Petroleum distillate naptha and on the new one formula, ( of which I can hardly even pronounce, the contents are : Synthetic Isoparaffinic Hydrocarbon . I do not know about anyone else, but at least for this lighter fluid, I feel more comfortable with the older type of fluid, at least I can pronounce and i know what it has in it compared to what the newer type is. If I come in contact with something I want to know how to pronounce it and what it is !!!!
(All grammar and punctuation are as they appeared).
This got me thinking though because if one is wondering, “synthetic isoparaffinic hydrocarbon” is basically more refined naptha. It is naptha that has undergone a hydrogenation reaction to make it burn more cleanly and efficiently. This would be better since you don’t have to breath in as much unburnt, vaporized, and possibly carcinogenic chemicals.
I noticed that many people nowadays are afraid of ingredients in foods and other items that they cannot pronounce. There are many of these. Take thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, maltodextrin, tricalcium phosphate, and diglyceride. Now, look at what those things actually are. They are, in order, vitamin B, vitamin B2, sugar (from corn and easily digested), calcium (often used to prevent caking), and fatty acids from vegetable oil. Modern chemistry has made it possible to produce purer forms of many of the substances we used to use. This often eliminates a good amount of things that may be harmful for us and allows us to enrich certain products with nutrients and vitamins. These developments allow people to live longer, healthier lives. Although of course, in the group of things most people cannot pronounce are some things that are actually not very good for people such as preservatives like sodium benzoate or high-fructose corn syrup, but a good majority of the unpronounceable ingredients are actually familiar things that are purified and given unfamiliar names.
The unpronounceables
I’ve also seen that some people as of late have decided that “natural” is better. In my view, it really does depend. A lot of the stuff we use that is more highly processed can be better because it removes a lot of the noxious chemicals and other mild poisons that are not at all good for people. However, although this is true for some things, there are things that are so highly processed like white bread that need so many vitamins added to it as well as loads of preservatives. In this case, I would definitely recommend getting something like a fresh-baked wheat loaf. These often come with many of the vitamins that were lost in the production of white bread and don’t contain the preservatives since they were not intended to sit on store shelves for several months. In this case, more natural is definitely better.
It's a juicy tomato. Better enjoyed cooked some say
In the same vein, I have noticed some people going on an all raw diet thinking that it is actually better. In many cases, I would caution people once again that some foods such as plants contain nutrients that the body cannot absorb unless the food is cooked. Plants, for example, come with very strong cell walls, a lot of cellulose, and plenty of tough things that prevent certain nutrients from ever being released unless the vegetable is cooked. Examples of these are tomatoes, carrots, spinach, mushrooms, cabbage, and pepper. Of course, there are foods that lose nutrients when heated or cooked like milk, bread, and host of other foods. In this case, one should definitely avoid cooking or heating if possible.
A UFO? No, just a harmless electric burner
When it comes down to it, I find that many of the people I know take on the things they do for health reasons. That is a very good reason, but one should not lose sight of their goal. In some cases, to stay healthy, one must remember that some unpronounceables are actually familiar things that are actually very good, some processed foods are better that their “natural” counterparts, and some things need cooking so that one can better utilize the nutrients held within.
Bramble
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It’s summer, or it was summer for a few months…I have been so busy!
Anyway, I was taking pictures of flowers this spring since I found them quite fascinating.
Here is a picture of a dandelion:
Little dandelion turns big
From a distance, dandelions often appear to be quite small and simple, but close up, one begins to notice all the individual delicate petals and flower parts. I think it’s really amazing how intricate the flower actually is. Take a close look sometime.
Pink springtime trees
In the spring, there are a few kinds of trees that have more flowers than leaves. I think they are really pretty. This one looks like it has a lot of pink puffs. Often, I see that some trees don’t have very many leaves yet although they have many flowers.
In spring we often grow tulips. I always find it fascinating how the flowers open and close depending on the weather conditions and the amount of sunshine. This picture was taken after a storm. If you look carefully, you can see that the flower is closed to keep the water out. To me that is just really neat.
The tulip
I hope you enjoy the flowers! But, now that it is not spring anymore, enjoy the summer flowers. They are pretty!
Bramble
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More Work
Here at Brandeis, during the normal school year, we don’t live, we just survive. It didn’t take me long to figure out that I spent most of my day studying or going to classes, only taking breaks to eat, sleep, or pray.
This is what my work looks like this week.
I'm trying to work in this picture
I hope I can get it all done, but we’ll see.
Stay well,
Bramble
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