Soc 490

Health care. The back and forth argument that no one can agree on, but yet everyone continues to have their version of how to solve it. Tomorrow we have to go into Rome and interview Italians on their opinion on their health care. Good or bad? We'll soon find out, but will they be willing to share their opinions with us or is it one of those topics no one wants to talk about? I won't lie, I'm terrified of interviewing people, but with the help of my partner I'm sure we'll persevere.

We recently discussed on whether we have control over our own health and I had claimed yes, but Professor made a good point in class yesterday. What if we were in an accident and we were injured? Do we have control over our health then? Or what if it were a genetic disease? Even though we did not have control over the circumstances, we have to take control of the effects that occur. If people had the option to find these diseases before they take over our health, shouldn't that be something that is promoted?

Gladwell discusses on how an open-ended system will push people to go to doctors for preventative care and how it would be beneficial in the end. I agree with Gladwell in this point because it could help people find the source of a medical problem before it reached a level that it was either out of hand or that it became too expensive to treat. Take cancer for example, in early stages it can be taken care of much easier than if found later. The more advanced stage it is found in could less likely be successfully treated and the cost would go out the roof.

Helms makes a discussion on how people would abuse the system and take advantage of it. At first, I understood the point because some people would, but after discussing in class I changed my opinion. Professor made a good point when saying who would want to voluntarily sit in a doctor's office on a random day? Why would people be that bored? I agree, who would take the time to plot and scheme to go to the doctor's? If some people did that then they have way too much time on their hands and I am sure there are some people like that, but not the majority of people.

GL 350

Another week complete and another week closer to flying back home. As my work piles up around me, I definitely notice time flying by faster than I had hoped. With projects, blogs, and student-led tours at hand, there seems to be no time for anything! In my last two and a half weeks here, I hope to finish with a bang and then get ready for a long journey home. This weekend I was able to travel to see my family in London, most whom I haven't seen in about 4 years.

My family has always been large and extremely close, so not being able to see them for that amount of time is very hard. I was able to visit my mom and dad's side of the family with enough time to shop and explore a little. In the span of 4 days, I had the best time I've ever had with my family because they had to pack all the fun things to do in such a short time span. Let's just say I wasn't complaining. It was only on my way back to Rome home that I encountered problems with the amazing airline RyanAir.

In class we discussed how in the Italians book, people from Italy believed that the United States had a hidden agenda when helping to rebuild the country after the war. Sure Americans may be trying to get something out of the deal, but shouldn't the Italians have been grateful that Americans were willing to do something? Everyone has a hidden agenda in every little thing they do no matter what the situation. When RyanAir in London made me check in my bag for 50 pounds (and yes, that is equivalent to 80 US dollars), I knew there was a hidden agenda. Heck, they were just trying to squeeze money out of me, but I knew there was nothing I could do about it. 

Sure I spent a little extra money, but is that something that is out of my control? Yes. Did RyanAir have a hidden agenda? Absolutely. In the end, I had to check my bag but I never had to worry about it for the entire flight which was a great relief. The Italians knew that the U.S. has a hidden agenda when they provided help, but they accepted it because they knew they had no other way of rebuilding their country. In the end for them, they received an immense amount of help in restoring Italy, otherwise it may have never became what it is today. Just say thank you and move on, it's all we can do.

Soc 490

Over the last two weeks, we have visited two incredible museums having to do with medicine. Obviously these were of interest to me since I am following into that career path. The first was the Museum of the Mind and the second the Natural History Museum of Medical Arts. Both were incredibly fascinating and confirmed the path I was taking as a biology major. Some aspects were definitely more disturbing to see like a room with models of different scenarios of childbirth. Let me just say, some people were debating motherhood.

The Romans have a truly healthy way of living. It seemed extremely strange at first because as Americans we are used to some of the most unhealthy food in the world. Not only is their food more healthy, but Romans walk everywhere and I do not exaggerate. I can't tell whether it is the need to stay off the crazy streets, look at the beautiful sights, or just because they want some fresh air, but they love to travel on foot. The Romans are much healthier than us Americans because at the age of 16 we are able to go off and drive anywhere we want.

Our health is definitely something we have control over. Of course I think it is a different case when it comes to genetic diseases and illnesses that we are born with. The choices of eating, drinking, and exercising all depend on ourselves. Only we can take responsibility for our well being and we should take control of the possible outcomes. We have the obligation to go on frequent doctor visits, if possible, and take care of our bodies. While doctor visits are important, it all starts with how we handle ourselves.

In class, we discussed on how Americans have access to such great health care, yet many of them do not receive it. Whilst in Canada everyone receives health care, yet it is not the best. Why is that? In the health care book it mentions how Canada does not receive the amount of funding for hospitals as the United States does because it is all government based. That to me does not seem like very reliable. How can people take control of their health if they are not receiving the greatest care they could possibly receive? If my health depended on it, I would definitely stay in the United States for its hospitals rather than Canada's.

GL 350

Half way there! Does it feel like that? No. Rome is continuing to be an experience like no other. It definitely feels like we've become more of the local crowd and some of us have even recognized the regulars on the regional train. We aren't stared at as much anymore, just becoming another Italian person. This weekend we traveled to Florence on the fast train, which was beautiful and exciting. Florence seems like such a big city upon arrival, but soon I realized that it was so easy to navigate.

I think everyone should experience a fast train at least once in their lifetime. I had to say it was so much easier than going to an airport and having to deal with the nuisance of security. This train lulls you to sleep in comfy chairs and free wifi. As we were walking through the train station, I noticed that Florence was much cleaner and less congested than Rome (mainly because it was smaller), but I loved the atmosphere immediately. Our hotel was quaint and classy, and my roommate and I received a room overlooking a beautiful square. 

We walked a simple 1 hour tour after dropping our bags off and I found the city to be much like Rome, just without the congestion and many Americans. Spark mentions in the Smiles book that you could walk down the street and find a fountain by Bernini, which is the way Florence is also. You could be walking down a small street and then suddenly in front of you in the great Duomo. Every time I found the Duomo I knew exactly where to go in the city, it became a centralized location for me. 

Florence also had a great nightlife which I loved about it and everything was in walking distance of our hotel. I think I enjoyed the city so much because it was more intimate and I could find things so close. There was no catching trains or riding buses or even watching out for that many crazy Italian drivers. It was just a more relaxed atmosphere, which was a nice break from the hectic Rome days. While I am more than okay with being back in Rome, I would not mind another weekend in Florence.

GL 350

Rome, a city full of history and life, always has a different story to tell. No matter what stop you get off on the Metro, you'll end up in an area that has some sort of historical significance. This past weekend I traveled to Paris and Dublin, which had a stark contrast to that of Rome. While of course both cities have history, nothing compares to the ancient ruins of Rome. While I love seeing the ancient ruins of Rome and experiencing such an old city, I found myself loving Paris and Dublin more.

I do love Rome for all its beauties and flaws, but I have become so accomodated with the city that traveling to Paris and Dublin just captured my attention. Just the different atmosphere within the cities made my spirits leap and I felt myself falling in love with two cities that I would soon have to leave. It could be because I was only able to see them for such a short time, but I thought I would be able to stay there forever. 

Even though Paris was foreign to us, my friends and I were able to successfully navigate the Paris train system and check off everything on our to do list: Chipotle, bus tour, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and croissants. The entire Paris experience in less than ten hours! What I was incredibly surprised to find was that the French are so friendly! Whoever said French people are rude or stuck-up is definitely wrong because no matter where we went we were able to find a person to help us. The people in Dublin were just as friendly, if not more. They were always smiling and laughing and oh, singing a lot.

When Visser mentions how the Church is like a theatre, I only futher think about how Rome itself is a huge theatre. Every element plays another part in the story whether it is a person, road, building, or church and it becomes one huge production. As much as I love experiencing the city everyday, it was a breathe of fresh air being able to leave the city and experience something different.

Soc 490

The fight over universal (socialized) health care is tumultuous and very grey. There is no black and white because there is a fine line between the privilege and right aspect of it. I do believe it is more of a privilege, but then again there are valid points that could make me see it as a right. When Professor Mustafaga was asking us in class whether we believed it to be a privilege or right, I believe I answered right, but as long as people were not abusing the system. Seeing as that is inevitable, I concluded it to be more of a privilege, but with good arguments with why it should be a right.

One of the valid points as to why health care should be a right is because everyone should be given the ability to live a long and healthy life. To deny health care is the equivalent to denying someone the right to eat or live a healthy life. Health care is even take to the extent of being compared to food. Which in this case is shown as if you would not deny someone food, then why deny them health care that is allowing them to survive? Human beings deserve to take care of themselves and if they can not then who are we to not?

I also remember Professor discussing how people who live countries with universal health care statistically, live longer and have healthier lives. If this is the case, then why isn't the United States jumping on board? Even the infant mortality rate in these countries is lower than that of the U.S. With all of our technological advancements that we tend to boast about, it seems that we are behind in keeping more babies from dying and the elderly living longer. One reason could be because of our health care system. If pregnant women could afford to receive proper prenatal care and the elderly receive the proper care and medicine they needed, maybe Americans could become healthier and live longer.

Right or privilege, health care will always be a debated topic. Now that the elections are over and Obama has been re-elected, it will be interesting to see how these next four years will pan out. Health care has been a huge part of Obama's platform and campaign, and his plan for universal health care has shaken the country. As I still believe it is a privilege, I am anxious to see the changes that will soon occur. Health care will never be something universally agreed upon because it will always lie in the grey area.

GL 350

With week two in its completion, I have discovered that this trip is flying by. I can already say I have traveled to Barcelona and Venice and have safely arrived back to Rome home. All this traveling definitely gets a girl tired and extremely sleepy. All our travelings have been amazing experiences so far, yet coming back to Rome is the best part. Just the comfort of being in Rome makes me feel relaxed because I feel like I know the city enough to never get lost. It has become home to me.

I think the most exciting and painful part of my week was our long bike ride down the old Appian Way. When I imagined bike ride, I thought of a nice path where we all are laughing and singing songs from the Sound of Music. Oh, was I wrong. The old Appian Way is a jagged road with cobblestone, mud puddles and very treacherous paths. Let's just say I endured a couple falls. The bike I rode was too tall and the path we had to ride upon was equivalent to mountain biking. Sounds awful right? I had so much fun. Just the fact that we were going upon such an ancient, historic road was amazing, but we were all laughing and joking. We all had our difficulties along the road, but we were all troopers and kept on going.

Our weekend consisted of a beautiful, cold, rainy Venice. With the rumors that the water in Venice was as high as me, I was nervous, scared, and unwilling to go. With a suitcase full of warm clothes and rain boots, we all traveled to the flooded city. Taking the ferry to the island that we were staying, we noticed that the water level had significantly dropped and I was safe from drowning. Venice was gorgeous even in the cold, rainy weather. We did all the fun things like gondola rides, glass factories, and the best gelato ever. I have to say my favorite part is when my friends Katie Dodds, Emily Cramer and I went to see a play on Venice's history. Sure it was a little on the touristy side, but hilarious and completely worth it. We learned so much more than I had the entire weekend. The best part was when we spent hours sitting at a cafe eating tiramisu and sipping on cocktails talking with other members from our group.

Even though I had do much fun in Barcelona and Venice, there was nothing like returning to Rome. Barzini talks about how people travel to other cities to find better elements like food or cuisine, but how can anything be better than Rome? Barcelona was great, but Rome was better. Venice was gorgeous, but Rome was better. Will I always compare everything back to Rome now? How about when I travel to Paris or Dublin or even back to my hometown of London? I'll just have to wait and see.