Audacious

When you think of the word "mutation" what comes to your mind?
Spiderman? The Hulk? A cow with two heads maybe?

Truth : genetic mutations exist all around us.

If everyone had exact copies of DNA from their parents, think of what life would come to! Everyone would look, act, and be the same. Thankfully, genetic variation exists, causing each and every organism to be completely different to one another.

Fundamentally, we are all genetic mutations, adapted to fit our environments. Research proves that all blue eyed people are related. One person was born freakishly with blue eyes, passed the gene down to his or her children and started a whole new generation of blue eyed mutants! That means that every single blue eyed person in this world is related to Brad Pitt.
Wow! That's a real eye opener. (No pun intended.) (Okay it was intended.)

Let's refer to some everyday mutants we all know and love; starting with Lance Armstrong.

We all recognize Lance Armstrong as the greatest cyclist in the entire world; professional athlete at 16 with Olympic competition as early as 18. Revered founder of Livestrong, and I don't know anyone who doesn't have the yellow wristband. What's his real training secret? An amazing coach and fans all contribute, but the real answer is this: Lance Armstrong's genetic make-up. He has a heart 1/3 larger than an average human, and muscle that naturally accumulates very small amounts of lactic acid. He also has monstrous lung capacity. Twice the size as a normal person! These factors contribute to Armstrong's awe-inspiring endurance level.

Just looking at him through your television, you wouldn't expect something as drastic as a genetic mutation (gasp), but why is it that we all cringe at the name? Mutations are something natural that we shouldn't discourage. People scoffing at the bearded lady from the 1930's freak show. Eyes glued to the screen while watching the odd appearances of people in remote areas of the jungle. In some cultures, genetic mutations are considered punishment for wrong-doings from past lives. This is all terrible and inconsiderate. People have no control over their DNA. You can't wake up one day and say, "Hey I want to grow a tail today," and then poof! You have a tail. No, that's not how it works. In contrast, some people recently have shown the more heroic side of genetic mutations, showcasing peoples' stories, tribulations, and how they have become to accept and deal with their conditions. The television show Extraordinary People is one attempt.

All genetic mutations don't have to be bad though! There are some people who, today, have developed a natural resistance to the disease HIV AIDS. They are helping people with the disease with absolutely no risk of catching the virus themselves. Most Europeans have immunity to certain plagues that have previously killed thousands in their home-countries. I'll bet hardly any of them know of this secret kudo-point of genetic advancement, but it's there; hidden among thousands of other DNA combinations.

Essentially, what I am aiming to communicate is that genetic mutations are more common than we all realize.
They may even be hidden among your own individual genotype!

Information Compiled From:

http://casesblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/does-michael-phelps-have-marfan.html
http://www.biography.com/articles/lance-armstrong-9188901
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5278028/GT1/3584/#storyContinued
http://www.sentientdevelopments.com/2008/08/michael-phelps-natural-transhuman.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olympics/2008/08/can_anyone_spoil_phelps_pool_p.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Fitness-Cardio-Secret-That-Propels-Lance-Armstrong&id=53623
http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080103-hobbit-disease.html

Acupuncture is a system of using needles for medicinal purposes. It is an ancient procedure. By ancient I mean ancient. Specialized acupuncture needles have been found in parts of inner Mongolia that date to around 3000 B.C., but we know that the custom has been in practice since before then.

There are certain points or channels in which blood and “Qi” flow. Qi in Chinese culture is translated as "energy flow." Qi is supposed to pass through certain channels or meridians. These meridians can be reached by inserting severely thin needles into specific points along the body.

When you go to an acupuncturist for treatment, the doctor will ask you questions about your discomfort and conjure an analysis plan. This may include several different visits, or your visit may take only twenty minutes. After your acupuncturist has decided on a certain approach to your healing process, he or she will insert severely this needles into your top layer of skin. The needle's depth genuinely depends on your condition. The most common acupuncture points are located in your hands and feet.

I know what you are thinking, "Why would I want someone sticking needles in my feet!?!?!"

Well!

I have triumphantly interviewed a close family member who has gone through an acupuncture treatment while he was living in Korea. For weeks he had been experiencing lower back pain and had seen several doctors and gone through many medicines. All proved unsuccessful. One of his friends suggested that he visit a local acupuncturists. He told the man exactly what he was feeling. Surprisingly, the needles were small enough to go through his suit. The pricks didn't hurt at all! The two men casually talked for about twenty minutes before the acupuncturists removed the needles. Piece of cake right? That night all his pain had left.

Magic? Luck? Or science?

Acupunctures supports the advances of modern neuroscience. Doctors believe that the acupuncture points stimulate certain nerves that trigger the body's natural pain-killers and even increase your blood flow.

So is it really a bunch of ridiculousness? In my opinion, no. Acupuncture has been reported to cure conditions such as arthritis, pain, and allergies. The assumption that acupuncture can cure problems such as a terrible love life or depression is a little far-fetched though. Research before you get treatment. Ask for recommendations before you go, and always be 100% sure of your treatment before you visit an acupuncturists.

Information Compiled From:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142119.php
http://http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/SA00086
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=256417&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies
Personal Interview

What do you think these totally cutetastic jackets are made of?
Any guesses? Australian wool? Egyptian cotton?
How about recycled umbrellas recovered from New York’s trash bins.

Melanie McClintock is an independent fashion designer based in New York. Her shop, Ai Ai Gasa, is completely eco-friendly. They make all of their items from umbrellas thrown out after a heavy storm. McClintock tries to communicate the urgency of global warming and keeping the earth clean through alternative routes, such as fashion. Her store went on the road last summer with a mobile pop-up shop. Ai Ai Gasa bought a bus to use as an on-the-road boutique, get this, run entirely on recycled food oil from fast food restaurants. Talk about environmentally conscious!

She is definitely a wonderful, kind-hearted person. You would wonder why I would say such a thing right? Well that’s because I’ve met her. Okay not personally but during a pre-fitting for the VCUQ fashion show, she shared dounuts with me. I know right! McClintock was admitted as a teaching assistant at the design school. At the moment, I had no clue that she was a real fashion designer from New York, and now I wish I’d talked to her more.

You are probably asking yourself “How the heck do you make clothes out of umbrellas!?!?” Well let’s go back to square one. During rainstorms in New York, street vendors sell these cheapo five dollar umbrellas to naive tourists. After about fifteen minutes, the wind has torn the poor things apart, forcing the buying to chuck that umbrella and purchase a new one. Completely wasteful, I am horrified. After the storm has deceased, Melanie goes umbrella scouting in the glorious trash cans of New York. There she finds all sorts of trendy umbrella designs. Hauling her possessions back to her apartment, she dismantles, cleans, and presses the umbrellas until they are suitable for clothes-making. After taking them apart, the umbrellas are used just as ordinary fabric to sew and shape as she pleases. Her signature design is the basic bomber jacket, but she also makes handbags, skirts, and even dresses. The leftover bits of the umbrellas are then used to make characterizing jewelry. The best part is, her clothes aren’t outrageously pricey! The next time I am strolling down 5th Avenue on Park Slope, Brooklyn, I’ll be sure to stop by. Hint: You should too.



Information compiled from:

http://www.aiaigasa.com/ <- Ai Ai Gasa Online Store
http://www.handdrawnheart.blogspot.com/ <- McClintock's Personal Blog
http://styledefined.blogspot.com/2008/12/melanie-mcclintock-from-style-defined.html
http://vimeo.com/2528859?pg=embed&sec=
http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/output/page478.asp
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/fashion-foraging-umbrella-apparel.html
http://www.fashion-overload.com/my_weblog/2008/08/bomber-for-a-ra.html
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=local_news&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2009&file=Local_News2009042965849.xml http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/instInfo/inst/14562/contentType/news/nID/4818/lang/1

FASHION!!!

Just hearing that word kind of makes me want to barf a little.
Okay where do I begin…

Every year, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar puts on an annual fashion show, displaying their students designs.
Every year I attend.
Every year I have to laugh at how ridiculous the whole thing is.

The clothes are utterly ludicrous, bedazzled with sequins of every color imaginable. Fake fur, feathers, and spandex litter the dressing rooms. There was even a line of clothes made entirely from umbrellas! As I mentioned before: ridiculous.

Amidst all the tacky glitz and glamour, I have to confess: I kinda sorta love it.

This year, instead of quietly snickering in the audience, I volunteered to work backstage at the fashion show, dressing child models and keeping them in line while they wait for their five seconds of fame. It was honestly a babysitting job but hey, I got paid! All the kids were adorable, with their little purses and glittery eye shadow. Most were fairly polite; either polite, or scared, I couldn’t differentiate. I made a few friends, as much as my meager Arabic could, and hope they weren’t traumatized.

Okay, story time.

So there was this little girl and she was extremely shy. Like so shy that she never talked to anyone and when people would question her name, she’d just like run away or something. That was on the first night. The next day, she was sitting alone watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I plopped down by her and began watching the 1971 movie. Soon, the room was spinning. No! I didn’t pass out or anything, but the painfully shy girl was spinning my chair. I was like “Whoa!” and then I tickled her. After that, we were friends, I held her hand before she was about to go on, and gave her smiles, and helped her find her mommy at the end of the show. I was sad to see her depart, and even sadder when she gave me a final hug. I probably won’t ever see that little girl again, but I think the stress of backstage madness was worth it.

So here are some of my favorite pieces from the fashion show. I hope you don’t get the wrong impression; I love clothes and all that girly crap, just the word “Fashion Show” brings back appalling memories and a gag reflex. It’s sort of a love-hate relationship….with clothes…fashion…whatever.

Credits:
I have received my pictures from either
Here
or
Here