Access to Healthcare

I hurt my knee again. It's probably the one hundredth time since the original injury playing basketball. Funny that this knee problem is the one thing that has followed me since a year and a half ago. It was a totally stressful and annoying day accompanied by a guy whose sole purpose in life seemed aimed at making mine a living a hell. That's over. But every time I hurt it, it takes a day or two to recover. Pretty quick, if you ask me. At least I can play sports regularly. But it's not a very positive indication for my long-term health.

Anyway, I feel sad most of the time because I refuse to see a doctor. MRI's and X-rays galore to determine the extent of damage to my ACL and medial meniscus. If I want to play sports with less of a fear for reinjury, then I'd need surgery. After that, physical therapy. The doctors paid by the U.S. government also don't care very much for their patients... leaving personalized healthcare something to be desired. The bills won't stop if I pursue treatment. So, I put it off because my parents don't need that burden right now. Sadly the question becomes: what happens in the future when I get diagnosed with arthritis because of constant reinjury? Healthcare costs will pile up and the cure will not be as simple as surgery. But maybe, at least, I'll be able to afford my own insurance by then.

My fear of seeking healthcare is not a unique plight. Thousands of people won't seek medical treatment because of unreasonably high medical costs. But on this issue, there are thousands of people who won't seek medical treatment as a direct result of low education levels and socioeconomic status. Some simply don't know what resources are available to them and what can be done for their medical problems. They're afraid of the costs, they live in neglected neighborhoods, their children are accustomed to a lower quality of life. Treatments used for the general public sometimes are not as effective for minority populations. We are all different, after all, and respond to medical treatment differently.

Incidentally, there is a wealth of therapeutic and medicinal knowledge available, but so many groups of people are left uncared for. People need to be educated, healthcare costs need to be lowered, and minority treatment research needs to increase.

The Plane Ticket Home

After some heavy decision making, I delayed my flight home in order to attend REDbird's Leadership Development Camp. Paid US$100 (yikes) for the change fee.

I'm missing a week long snowboarding trip to Lake Tahoe and discarding the option of going to Myanmar for a service trip in January. They were both wonderful opportunities and the consideration that went into delaying my flight or going snowboarding/Myanmar was just too much stress on me. I've wanted to go snowboarding for as long as I can remember (Thanks, Johnny Tsunami.) and a week at Lake Tahoe isn't something that gets offered to you every year. Myanmar was an amazing service opportunity at an affordable rate thanks to REDbird's Financial Aid subsidies (US$300 for one week). And I'm missing them both...

There were a ton of factors that led to the decision. Too many. And too annoying to type out. So I'll spare you.


This winter's line up of exams and events:

Dec. 11 (final exam) Inorganic Chemistry
Dec. 13 (final exam) Physical Chemistry: Fundamentals & Applications
Dec. 14 (final exam) Introduction to Computer Programming
(final exam) Introduction to Biochemistry
Dec. 17 (final exam) Health Psychology
Dec. 21 First time advent to LKF (?)
Dec. 22-24 REDbird Leadership Development Camp (in the HK countryside of Sai Kung)
Dec. 25 CALIFORNIA, HERE I COME!
Dec. 27 Fullerton College Honors Alumni Reunion (maybe)
Dec. 27-Jan. 1 Church Semi-annual training in Anaheim

Feb. 7 Spring Semester starts! My winter holidays are ridiculously long ;D

NOTE: Although I find it exasperating and tiresome to have overly strict and overprotective parents, I know that it is a blessing from God in disguise. They made me who I am. And with that, I have the determination to become a better person.

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EDIT: OH MAN. I just realized... LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL FINALS. LET THE STRESSING COMMENCE.

Pep Talks

One thing I love about playing sports is motivational pep talks. Imagine half time. Your team is the underdog. And the scores are looking dismal. Morale is low.

Let's face it, good sports movies are all about these moments. In sports, nobody ever stops fighting the good fight. The coach is expected to give the pep talk of your lives at half time.

One of two scenarios subsequently ensues. You either fight for the comeback and have a glorious win or you fight for the comeback and lose by a few points.

The latter situation, at least in my opinion, is still a win.

Yes, please.

It's time to work hard and play hard. Right now, library. REDbird later tonight. Adventure time tomorrow. Church on Friday. And a potential adventure on Saturday. Studying and doing work in between! Plus a good therapy jog every now and then.

Korfball (Week 1)

First, there was basketball. Then the Commonwealth nations had Netball. Then there was Korfball. Korfball, as you can imagine, is not nearly as well known as any of the aforementioned two sports.

Well, after hearing about Korfball at Saturday's basketball competition against HKU, I decided I should check it out. Being in Hong Kong, playing basketball isn't exactly deviating from the United States experience. Sure, I'm dealing with language difficulties, but basketball itself is a large part of our shared international cultures.

Ergo, Korfball. Just to try something different. And I figured what the heck, the variation shouldn't be that different from basketball. The differences are subtle and because of such, it could potentially affect my basketball training negatively. Nonetheless, Korfball was interesting, and per the nature of the game, the locals were very friendly. Also, Korfball is intentionally a "mixed-gender" game, where the team is composed of 4 men and 4 women which made it kind of fun and light-hearted. It's a non-contact sport without a backboard and freedom to shoot from 360 degrees around the 3.50 meter high hoop (basketball is 3.05 meters high). Another difference between Korfball and Basketball, is you can't dribble or run with the ball. You also can't take a shot if you are being guarded well so you really have to use strategics to get you or your teammate open for a shooting opportunity.

Will I return next week? I'm leaning towards it.

I still craaaave Ultimate. And Volleyball...

13 Nov 2010 - HKUST Women's Basketball vs. HKU

INEPTITUDE!

It's that time of month. And yes, that is what I am referring to. Symptoms vary from female to female, but there are some commonly shared traits to the condition that play out in different ways. For me, it's:

1. Extreme laziness
2. Inability to fit into my favorite pair of jeans
3. Soreness
4. Insatiable need to eat
5. Unwillingness to leave my room
6. Over-sensitivity

Here's an illustration for your convenience:

Luckily, I don't get very cranky or moody (cough)... But I do find that there is a great reduction in my motivation to be physically active.

Being a woman is so inconvenient sometimes. I mean, guys are so lucky! What with their evolutionarily endowed physical prowess. Sigh.

I even felt like quitting basketball for a moment. But for me, quitting is like setting myself up for depression later on. Seriously, I need to stop being lazy. Back to the books for me!

Also, I enjoyed communitychannel's latest (minus the foul language):