.:Hugs:.

In those desperate times where tears and sadness attach to us, or when we are cold, or just because; there is nothing better than a hug. An action as simple as it is that expresses love, consideration, friendship, protection, warmth; endless meanings.
I wonder; how would the world be if hugs did not exist? Well, we would still have pats in the back, and kisses, and holding hands, and talking, etc…. But no hugs, none what so ever? You can not imagine it. Hugs can mean and express almost anything, from sympathy to sensitivity. They can cheer you up; they can give you strength, warmth, a place that is incomparable.
So why in earth are people throwing them away? Not appreciating their significance? Who knows…? But a thing I am completely sure off, is that no matter how cold, expressionless, shy, careless we are, we will always surrender to a hug!

I leave you with a video that made me think of this. Hope you appreciate it as I did!

.:Radio Program:. Stem Cell Research

Dr. Kirstead is the first scientist in the U.S. to start an investigation to pass embryonic stem cells into humans, by which spinal paralysis could be inverted. The process consists of injecting around 20 million stem cells into the spinal chord. These travel to the damaged area where they enclose the existing cells, enabling the nervous impulse to transmit from the brain to the rest of the body and vice versa.

Stem cells have become revolutionary in medicine, since they are capable of becoming, replacing and reproducing any cell. By these means, any disease could be treated or/and cured. Scientist already believe that syndromes like Alzheimer’s, diabetes and heart diseases can be treated without major operations or medications; just with the right doses of stem cells injected, the illness eventually improves. Furthermore, the progression of fatal diseases may be slowed down and made less severe with Dr. Kirstead’s method.

However, to acquire stem cells, embryos have to be killed. This has caused great ethical problems in between Bush’s government and scientists that are willing all for an exhaustive research on stem cells that have shown dazzling successes on experiments, and expecting so for humans. But Bush has yet not granted permission for the development of the research, maintaining federal funds banned.

In my opinion, as Dr. Kirstead says, we can bring good actions by using the stem cells of those who will be aborted anyways. We can create a better life for those who are suffering, who want to be capable of living independently of others, of useless medications.

In conclusion, federal funds should be unfrozen to allow scientist to proceed with the study of stem cells. By which, they will be able to discover the unknown consequences of injecting stem cells into humans, and also unearth their potential to cure and save us from inexistence.

.:Transition Times:.

Times where you have to start taking important decisions and being more responsible, some may call it growing up are quite harsh on my life at the moment.

Suddenly I see my self in the hideous queue to pay the bills, consulting the doctor and getting analyses done, shopping for groceries by myself to feed our refrigerator, attending parent meetings ‘cause mom ain’t at home, and etc etc; parts of life that will eventually come easily to me because that’s what getting older implies, becoming more responsible and independent.

But then I see I’m only 16 and I’m taking care of many things besides keeping up with school work, and my mind is going bezerk because there’s so much information and concern in it that it’s screaming that’s enough! But it doesn’t end there, emotions appear out of the blue and hey I just let go of the leash; life take what ever path you find ‘cause I ain’t living you.

In one week, 2 deaths; one that hit an unknown feeling in me showing how I don’t even know my self; plus pulling a muscle by doing the most stupid movement ever, being unable to do any physical activity for three weeks, just when I’m head over hills with working out, give me a break!

So hell, I’m physically and emotionally broken and with no support from any side, what could I do? Sit and be sad. But thinking became a much more recurrent activity, what do I want? What am I doing? I want to grow up but my childish side pulls me back, it was so confusing! So what best than to rebel, just go living life as if nothing mattered. But deep down I was screaming for limitations and someone to put things straight.

So then, and finally, mom (I hadn’t seen her in more than a month) came back together with my dad (hadn’t seen him for three months) as a surprise, and at last I tied loose ends (look back into tear heal), got grip of the leash and pulled a stop to the rebellion.

Through this I want to point out how transition times in life are very hard, but though they may bring us right down and glue us to the pavement, there’s always a change of winds and things just fit in its place and get back on track. Now I’ve recovered from wavy and shaky grounds, and I’ve gotten my laughter back, and I have a hint on how to deal with things the next time. Life is full of ups and downs that we must learn to recover from, otherwise things would be just too easy and cheesy.