Bio - How I Came to ACCHS
I was raised in a(n), more typical than I would like to think, atypical family situation. My parents, both contemporary MDs, divorced when I was four and I had a split childhood between the bay area, where I was born, and Minnesota, where both of my parents' families live. Suffice it to say that I feel that my parents did the best that they could but both were not able to give my siblings and I the care or attention that developing human beings need. Looking back I now see that whenever either of my workaholic parents (separately) encountered a problem with one of us, they both would respond with quick fixes, pills and/or criticism/judgement to suppress the symptom of a deeper imbalance that would have been more sustainably addressed through diet, lifestyle or deeper/more personalized examination and/or connection.
By the time I reached my early 20's my inner and outer lives were off kilter. I had lost my faith in the Kaiser Health Insurance Plan that I was lucky enough to be provided with through my father's job (until age 26 thanks to Obamacare). I began seeking alternatives (herbalism, meditation, cleanses, mind altering substances) to change both my physical and mental states. During this time I studied Language, Metaphor, Cultural Assumptions and Sustainability and wrote a thesis on the American Mindset and global trends in Environment and Politics in order to receive a bachelors degree in 2011.
After I graduated I felt discouraged by the present state of affairs and was unsure how to proceed in living a life of integrity given my knowledge of so many institutions that appeared (to me) to undermine human, animal and plant environmental and global health and peace. Over the last three years I have tried many things, moved around quite a bit and basically floundered while learning what it was that I did not want to do with my life.
Then, less than two years ago, I met a graduate of ACCHS, Naandi. She rented a studio/treatment room in the back of the tattoo shop where I was working at the time. I began receiving acupuncture. Naandi bore witness without judgement to the emotional and physical spaces I was moving through in my life. I began to realize that I can make the most out of the present and direct my energy where I want to see growth. Slowly things in my life began to shift and I began moving in the direction of the healing arts. I received two certificates in Swedish and Therapeutic Massage last year and then decided that I want to be a catalyst for positive change in the lives of others who are struggling, like Naandi was/is for me. I became a first hand witness to the power of Chinese Medicine and Healing Connection, so here I am.
Results from Quiz
1. Correct, correct, correct, correct
2. Correct, incorrect, correct, incorrect
3. Correct
4. Correct
My Element of the Week is Oxygen :)
Not sure exactly what Im supposed to describe for I am going to decode the information about oxygen from the Periodic Table
Oxygen's chemical symbol is O
Oxygen's atomic number is 8, meaning it has 8 Protons and 8 Electrons
Oxygen is the chemical name
Oxygen's atomic mass is 16, meaning that it has 8 Neutrons
Oxygen is a gas at room temperature
I checked out the Spiral periodic tables link. I found these visual representation of the period table to be much more aesthetically pleasing! And it was fun to read the descriptions of how all of the different people have reorganized the standard periodic table over time. I really appreciated the oval representation. It lends itself to a totally different understanding of the elements, although I wish the table was bigger so I could more easily read the elements are compare it to the one we have printed in our packet.
I also played the periodic table game link at Fun Brain. It was a fun and easy way to start familiarizing myself with the Elements! I will go back and use this link as a study tool. Thanks!
Hello Jillian, I thought it was interesting and insightful how you mentioned your post Bachelor experience. I feel like it is a fairly common shared experience in our culture, as the western education system doesn't want to constrict students to a specific path, however do not have the resources to go into detail about every path, and thus kids, teens, and young adults grow up learning very little practical knowledge that they would use in a work environment. It would be nice if the education system was able to help each student on their own path and interests rather than making a standardized education curriculum that has little focus on anything.
ReplyDeleteI also played the "fun brain" game. I also thought it was pretty fun.
Yes-- I appreciated reading about your seekings and wanderings also. I could relate. I also appreciate what you are saying, Andrew, about the lack of practical knowledge in our education system, and the limitations of standardization. You're right! and beyond not learning practical job skills, it also seems to me that young people don't learn practical *anything* skills. Being someone who loves practical work myself, I think it's strange and sad that most people grow up not knowing how to cook, how to use tools, the names of common plants and animals, how to fix clothes or build anything. this relates to healing work too.
ReplyDeleteI recommend the "memory" periodic table-- cute symbols that help you remember the elements and atomic numbers.
thanks!