Stuff

Having a pet is quite a task. One of my friends and co-workers is stuck at home right now trying to get her chinchilla out from a little crevice. This chinchilla seems determined not to come out and Susie cannot leave until she does. Susie has been at it with this chinchilla for a few hours and she is actually late to work because of it. How crazy is that? But, i guess we love those pets anyway.

So, i felt like a completely horrible person yesterday becuase I worked on schoolwork for most of my day at work. How bad is that? I usually have a very high work ethic, but yesterday all of that flew out the window. I think it is that we have hired someone new for my job, she seems really great. I am all ready to train her, I am all ready for the training I have to do in August (yeah, I dont really think I will ever fully leave the Turning Point) and I am all ready to just turn things over, so I really dont have much to do. Since, I do have much schoolwork due next week, I thought why not work on it? Anyway, I spent most of the day yesterday and probably part of the day today working on my paper on clinical depression. A very depressing topic, might I add. Anyway, I have learned a lot about the topic, it is very interesting. Studies sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health estimate that 6% of 9- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. and almost 10% of American adults, or about 19 million people age 18 and older, experience some form of depression every year. Oh my god, 19 million people in the U.S. That is crazy. Also, other studies show that in more than 4 out of 5 cases of depression, the treatments (like antidepressants or cognitive therapy) will alleviate symptoms, but less than half of all people with depression seek the help they need. Often these people, and those around them, fail to realize that they have an illness. Most people think they will be seen as weak if they ask for help. Also, most people dont realize that clinical depression is just simply a chemical imbalance between the neruotransmitters in the brain. Though the stats are bleak, if people could reach out and ask for help, it is out there. My paper has dealt mostly with the use of cognitive therapy as a treatment for depression. I think antidepressants help allievate symptoms at first, but the effects are too short term. I think a combination of antidepressants and cognitive therapy has been proven as one of the most effective ways to treat clinical depression. Anyway, just thought I would pass all that along since i spent about 7 hours learning it all yesterday. :)

Also, Will called last night, he is having much fun in Canada. He went to hang out in his natural habitat yesterday (with the gays :) That comment was for you, William. He said the city of London, where he is staying, is very beautiful. He also promised me a call from Niagra Falls. Have fun, Will!!

I know you are all waiting to hear about this crazy love life of mine, so here it goes. Short and sweet, I dont want to give away too much. :) Bryan (UTA library boy) seems really great. We have been emailing and he called last night just to chat for a bit. He seems very interested, which is always nice. We are going out on Friday, I get to make the plans. I am thinking Cafe Brazil followed by the Velvet Hookah (he has never been, but has wanted to go since it opened). Sounds like a great evening to me, so I will see what he has to say about it. Anyway, it is going good thus far, but I have told myself not to get my hopes up. I hope to just take it easy and let whatever happens happen. Well, I am off to learn more about clinical depression. Have a great day!!!