Toughest place to be a Bus Driver

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a56fmu5RNpo&tracker=False
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN-EHhG_fw8&tracker=False
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7vmEjHQ2Y&tracker=False
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wxWshXgCoU&tracker=False
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdAsUm4iits&tracker=False

Took for granted.... basically this video is why I chose my title. Sometimes you are so engrossed in your own life that you do not think about the world, the bigger picture. Everyone is hit with socioeconomic hardships especially now...but then you think about those who were already way beneath the poverty level. Brings me back to how blessed I am...

This episode, "Toughest place to be a Bus Driver" is from a show on the BBC. It's about a bus driver in London going to the Philippines to drive a Jeepney, but while he's there he learns about all the socioeconomic imbalance and overpopulation they face. You should watch all parts when you have time. My fav parts are Part 3 to 6, especially 3 since they talk about the lack of contraceptives and sexual health education in the Philippines.

A note to Future Nikki

Life.

It is so crazy how time flies by.... just 5 years ago I was a wide-eyed freshman in college still in hopes of being a Gastroenterologist. Fast forward to today, I dropped the whole MD dream BUT I actually found something I'm passionately interested in... Public Health. However, to put it mildly... California's public health system is basically shit right now. California is flat broke. Millions and millions of dollars have been cut statewide, but of course they target public health to pull money from first. Cutting critical and extremely helpful services from low income individuals and families who do not have health insurance.

And now what really troubles me was how the House of Representatives basically voted to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood nationwide. Really?! Millions of women rely on the reproductive services of Planned Parenthood...where are these women supposed to go for reproductive health care now? Who will provide them with Contraceptives, Treatment, and education? Do they want teenage birth control to rise even more? America is already the leading developed nation with THE HIGHEST teen pregnancy rates! I know America likes to be #1 in a lot of things like sports and wealth... but being #1 for that is not something to be proud of. Thanks House of Reps for giving MTV plenty of more seasons of 16 and Pregnant.....

Sorry for being so heated, but when it comes to public health, sexual health, and hummers/crocs/Ed Hardy I get like this.. Btw I loathe hummers/crocs/Ed Hardy. Fun fact: I did an actual report in one of my college classes on how much I love to hate Crocs.

However, I have gone on a tangent. What I really wanted to remind myself.. is no matter what your dreams and goals are... sometimes you have to follow the path you are passionate for and love. There will be ways to tweak it a little so you can be stable financially, but don't be afraid to be Jenny from the block..and not J.Lo. haha I can't believe I actually used that analogy, but I rather do something I love everyday and not make dolla dolla bills yo, then to do something meaningless and unfulfilling. I know I will never make MD status money with a career in public health, but I am set to continue in it. I firmly believe in the mission of prevention, advocacy, and education.

So future Nikki, when you look back at this a year from now or years from now.. stay focused and get your MPH/DrPH/NP or whatever else you want. Don't let pressures of life get the most of you. Till socioeconomic injustice is around and prevalent, you need to make a difference.

We all need a reminder/a little push in the right direction sometime... even if it's acting a bit cray-cray and writing a note to yourself on the internet... haha =)

P.S. PLEASE VISIT http://www.IStandWithPlannedParenthood.org takes just a minute to sign! 

Get with it America

Fun Facts from my Cross-cultural studies of children class:

• U.S. teenagers are much more likely to become pregnant
  unintentionally than teenagers in other developed countries.
  They are also more likely to want to become mothers.
• U.S. teenagers are less likely to use a contraceptive
  method than teenagers in other developed countries.
• United States has significantly higher teen
  pregnancy rate of any Western
  industrialized country, with over one million
  teen pregnancies per year.

Positive attitudes about sexuality and clear expectations for
behavior in sexual relationships contribute to responsible
teenage behavior

•  Comprehensive sexuality education, not abstinence
  promotion (yeah Bush...), is emphasized in countries with lower
  teenage pregnancy levels.
•  Media is used less in the United States than elsewhere
  to promote positive sexual behavior.
• Government media campaigns in the other countries promote
  condom use, contraceptive use and awareness of where to get
  methods.
• Media campaigns in other countries offer more positive views
  of sexually active teenagers as worthwhile, responsible
  people.