The Cons and Risks of the Paleo Diet

by: Dylan Barton 10/7/14

The concept of the Paleo Diet is to return to eating the types of foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors did. The basic food groups included in the diet are fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood and nuts. Another concept within the diet is eating foods that aren't overly processed and full of chemicals. For a large majority of people, this way of eating will have positive effects on their weight and overall health. There are, however, some scenarios and groups of people who won’t experience the expected positives and benefits.

One of the most prominent and most written-about concerns with the Paleo Diet is the possibility of not getting enough calcium. While an educated user of the diet would possibly know that calcium doesn't come from just dairy foods, it is safe to presume that a large amount of people who jump on board with this diet wouldn’t consider the other food options for absorbing calcium. Within the concept of the Paleo Diet there is no place for dairy under the premise that hunter-gatherers didn't have domesticated animals to milk. Those ancient ancestors had to find other sources for nutrition, and so will you if you choose to follow the Paleo Diet. Some allowed sources for calcium include spinach, kale and other leafy green vegetables.

If healthy levels of calcium are not reached, then your body will eventually develop a deficiency. Dr. Andrew Weil describes the effects of calcium deficiency as follows: “Symptoms of calcium deficiency (also known as hypocalcemia) range from minor -- numbness or tingling of the fingers, muscle cramps, lethargy and poor appetite -- to more severe, including mental confusion, skeletal malformations, dermatitis, and in infants, delayed development. Illnesses such as osteoporosis (brittle, thin, porous bones that easily break) and rickets are also associated with a deficiency.”

While it isn't directly a problem with the Paleo Diet, but more of a debate over its benefits, experts disagree over whether or not eating this way will help you avoid some of the diseases and disorders that plague our society. It is true that the hunter-gatherers didn't suffer from nearly as much cancer or heart disease. It is up for debate, however, that our modern way of eating is entirely the cause of these malities or if other environmental factors are to blame. Scientists are routinely finding new causes of cancer and other diseases.  For example: Bpa, an additive that strengthens many of the plastic food and drink storage items (among other things) we use in our daily lives has been found to cause cancer. This shows that the total picture of what causes our health problems is yet to be found and finalized.

Athletes and other people who are highly active are likely to find problems with the Paleo Diet. The reason these possible dieters should reconsider following the diet is that they will not find themselves having the same amount of energy because the diet doesn't allow many of the sources of carbohydrates that are available to non-dieters. While the high amount of protein will provide an abundance of long-lasting energy, the lack of grains will have eaters finding a deficit in terms of the quick energy that is associated with carbohydrates. This will result in a noticeable change in the performance of these highly active dieters, which especially in the case of professional athletes isn't something you want to be contending with while competing.     

High amounts of saturated fats create another risk that Paleo dieters will have to weigh out when deciding whether or not to subscribe to this way of eating. While there are some health problems that are avoided with this diet, it does raise the risk of developing other issues. Examples of the health problems that could be experienced because of the Paleo Diet’s heightened amount of saturated fats include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. These are long-term diseases however, and are still possibilities for non-Paleo Dieters.  Most of these problems can be avoided without drastically changing the diet you are currently following by being mindful of what you eat and how you exercise.

The cost of the Paleo Diet is yet another aspect that should be considered before switching the way you eat. While eating the way hunter-gatherers did can have health benefits in the short term, sourcing the foods you are allowed to eat is pricier than filling your stomach conventionally. To see this point’s validity all you have to do is walk through a supermarket, tallying up the cost of a week of Paleo Dieting versus the comparatively low cost of the processed foods that the diet bars you from eating. There is also another “cost” in terms of the time it takes to purchase and prepare meals allowed by the Paleo Diet. You cannot simply swing by the nearest drive-through restaurant if you are following the concept of the diet. So your convenience is going to be sacrificed for the hopes of trimming your waistline measurement.

In addition to the Paleo Diet being questionable for athletes and the general public, the diet is also potentially rough on vegetarians. Sports nutritionist Leslie Bonci states, “This diet can be really hard for vegetarians, especially since the diet excludes beans.” With beans being an important element of a vegetarian diet, as they provide protein and other nutrients, embarking on the Paleo Diet is a decision that shouldn't be made without further research and planning.

With all of these downsides and cons considered, the best step to take may be to reconfigure your diet to allow the benefits of the Paleo Diet while also limiting risks and costs that come with being a full-time follower of the diet. While not a perfect diet as many of it’s supporters claim, the knowledge found while researching the Paleo Diet has helped to better inform us of both the diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors and how the differences in our modern diets affect people today. No knowledge is bad knowledge, as long as we use it to better our lives and health.   

Sources

Is the Paleo Diet Right For You? http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/paleo-diet/story?id=22821385

Debunking Diets: Paleo Pros and Cons http://greatist.com/health/debunking-diets-paleo-pros-and-cons

Pros and Cons of the Paleo Diet http://www.upmc.com/services/sports-medicine/newsletter/pages/paleo-diet.aspx

Pros and Cons of the Paleo Diet http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/pros-and-cons-of-the-paleo-diet

How the Paleo Diet Works http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/diets/paleo-diet1.htm

Supplements and Herbs: Calcium

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02814/calcium

How Environmental Exposure May Affect Your Child http://www.webmd.com/children/environmental-exposure-head2toe/bpa

Video on cons of the paleo diet:

Description prompt

9/30/2014
In a single sentence, declare who you are – your ethnic and regional background, your social class, your religion, or whatever is appropriate to you. For example, “I am a third-generation American of Irish-German heritage, raised Catholic in the middle-class suburbs of the Midwest.” Follow this sentence with an autobiographical paragraph or two, perhaps shifting back to the time you were born, or perhaps showing how your background influences your beliefs and actions today.

I am a fourth generation American middle-class Anglo-Saxon raised in central PA/MD.

My ancestors came from both Germany and Great Britain around the turn of the 20th century. Half of my relatives are upper-middle-class and the others are middle-class. the wealthier ones were living down around Wilmington Delaware, and the less rich were from here in Williamsport. I was raised primarily by my family in Williamsport.

The side of my family that has more money are baptist and the less wealthy are catholic. Neither of these faiths have much to do with my beliefs or how I live my life. I wasn't consistently raised going to a particular church, so that's most likely the reason for my lack of belief in any or a specific faith.

I like soccer teams from both Germany and Britain, while also liking musical groups from both places as well, That is probably the most prominent way that my heritage has effected my daily life. I obviously can't say that I wouldn't possibly like the things I do if I were Italian though, for example. I guess overall I am more leaning toward the events of our lives effecting our preferences than the lives of our ancestors having an influence.

9/25 Prompt

9/25/2014

Associate an object or an action with someone in real life. Does someone you know have a cherished possession or a unique ritual? Describe it. Use that object or ritual to begin a character sketch about that person.

I have a ritual surrounding my Chelsea FC jerseys. If I don't have the jersey on before the game I cannot put the jersey on during the game, even if they are losing in the hopes that putting the jersey on would turn the game around. The reason I don't put the jersey on if Chelsea are trailing is because I halfway believe that me putting the jersey on would actually negate the eventual comeback that they would have late on in the second half. If they are winning by a slim lead I don't want the other team to make a comeback because I decided to put the jersey on. If they are already up big I feel they don't need my help and also that putting the jersey on might cause a key player to get injured.

Does this set of rituals or rules say something about my overall personality? Maybe. I am a very particular person that likes things certain ways and hates many things people do. I don't have a series of repetitious activities like flicking light switches multiple times or anything that would be typically linked to OCD. I just have an overly long set of peeves and a short fuse especially when I'm in pain, which is almost all of the time. I try to relax separate from the situation that is bugging me, usually by having a cigarette. Clearly this isn't good for my health, but neither is a stay in prison for an aggravated assault charge.

Afterlife Prompt

9/23/2014

Write about your vision of the afterlife, if you believe in one. If you don’t believe in one, write about what happens after we die or, if you prefer, write about your vision of what the afterlife should be.

I have studied various religions through my junior and senior year catholic high school theology classes and on my own time. While these are all as plausible as my best guess, I don't think that anyone actually has a correct or could have a 100% true answer. This is because we aren't able to talk to whatever supreme being may or may not exist and we also cannot interview the dead about what they are experiencing.

I personally believe that the most likely thing is that there is nothingness after we die, just like how there is nothingness before we are conceived and born. We don't have memories of life before birth, and we don't have memories of past lives we've lived. This also means I don't believe in reincarnation. We are composed of various elements and will break down into those elements when we decay. The best hope for an afterlife is that we become compost that grows a seed into a plant that allows an insect, animal, or human to be fueled and continue to live on.

It may give comfort to believers while they're living to think that this life is just the beginning and we will see those who we love again in heaven. I understand why leaders of societies would also want people to follow moral laws under the fear of being judged after death and not reaching heaven. These beliefs and fears keep the population under control, so it is very utilitarian. If we are under control then society will be more productive, which lines the pockets of those in power.

I won't judge those who choose to believe. It isn't my place to rain on their parade. However, if I do decide in the future that I want to have kids, I will not raise them believing in a warm and cozy afterlife or instill fear of not reaching it just to get them to behave. I believe in doing good because you have love for those who wish for you to succeed and don't have hatred for your fellow man. Those are good enough reasons in my opinion to not live life like an animal or a thief.

Death Bed Prompt

9/18/2014

You’re very old. You’re on your deathbed. (Sorry.) Family and friends gather around you. What do you tell them about life? What advice about living do you offer them? Spill a few pearls of wisdom from your experience.

"Well the end of my life is near. It's been an interesting adventure, but its time to head home. I didn't exist before I was born and won't exist when I pass. Life is nothing but a game, existence is a joke with death as the punchline. Don't miss me when I die, because I won't be missing you.

Its not that I don't love any of you, it is simply that I don't have a reason to believe I'll have the capacity to miss, regret, or even be proud.

While you still have life left, go out and enjoy it. Death will come for certain, so there is no point sitting around waiting for it. Nobody is going to give you everything you want. Most will try to stop you from attaining it. You have to decide each morning that you deserve what you want and then go out there and seize it.

There is no point having pity for yourself or crying. They don't change anything. when the tears dry you'll still be in the same shitty situation as you were when you started. Don't be a bitch. Yes life can be tough, but there is no way to change that fact. Deal with it, there are no excuses left to use.

Now f**k off I'm going to watch some porn while my heart can still pump the blood to give me a boner!"

Fairly tale prompt

9/16/2014 (Please hyperlink)

Retell a myth or a fairy tale, changing what happens or exploring characters more deeply than in the original. For example, GRENDEL is the story of the monster in BEOWULF and WICKED is a story about the Wicked Witch of the West. Reverse the myth or tale and try to

Jack and the Beanstalk...

Jack is sent to town to sell a cow for his family, when he gets there he is offered a few magic beans for his cow. Being incredibly dumb and naive Jack thinks it is a fair trade, so he takes the beans and heads home thinking he got a great deal. His mother is annoyed and disappointed at what a dope her son is. She tells him to plant the beans anyway to see what grows since they won't have money for food now. Jack plants the beans and nothing happens right away. Thinking he is the dope his mother claims he is, Jack walks away in shame, having expected something magical like a gigantic beanstalk would sprout up.

The next day Jack awakens and decides to look out the window to see if something possibly happened to save him from being disowned. When he gazes out the window he is shocked to see that a cluster of cows are growing out of the ground.

When the cows are fully grown and ripe for picking, Jack takes the herd to town and sells them for a good price and lives happily ever after.....

Hometown prompt

9/11/2014

Write about your hometown – where your family lives now. Write about what you like best – the landmarks, the best restaurants, the recreational activities.

My hometown is Williamsport, but I currently live in Montoursville. The towns are connected so I'll talk about them like they're the same place...

The landmarks of Williamsport are as follows: Bowman Field, the second oldest minor league baseball stadium that is still running. The spot where Little League was founded is also a landmark. The Genetti Hotel is currently the tallest building in town and is easily seen at night by its neon sign and colorful lighting. The Golden Strip is the area between Williamsport and Montoursville that has a lot of fast food, chain restaurants, and shopping. The totem pole carved by an artist that also has carved similar ones in various other towns such as Akron Ohio, and Brandon Park and it's band shell are also focal points of the town. Lycoming College is also a landmark, both for being the school I go to and being over 200 years old. The Little League World Series stadiums in South Williamsport is one of the remaining reasons the world cares about my town. Then there is Millionaire's Row, which is a colection of the remaining mansions, which show a clue to Williamsport being the one time home to the largest collection of millionaires in the world. That's pretty much it, at least that I can remember.

The best restaurant is hard to choose. My favorite place to go in town is Joey's Place, because they have the best cheese-steaks in town. My favorite bar in town is the Bullfrog Brewery, because they brew good beer. The Moon and Raven is supposed to be really good, so I'll have to check that bar out too.

Recreational activities in Williamsport are the same as other towns in america that are along rivers. Sports, fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and playing sports. There are also two movie theaters and two actual theaters. Then there is the mall about ten minutes from town. That's about it. People like to complain that there isn't anything to do, but they just like to complain.

9/11 writing prompt

9/9/2014

Where were you on 9/11/2001? At the time, did you know what was happening in America? Write about your dominant memories of the events of that day.

On the morning of 9/11/2001 I was home from school because I was sick. My mother and I were watching the Today Show and when the first plane struck the first of the twin towers the coverage shifted from in studio to a breaking news report. At first I was shocked but not overly concerned because it seemed like it could have just been pilot error. I had never seen anything like this and wasn't aware of the trade center bombing in the early nineties, and also wasn't very clear on the toll or facts of the Oklahoma city bombing, although I did remember some of that even and its aftermath. The moment the second plane struck the towers it became very clear that this was not an accident. the words "terrorist attack" soon started being spouted by every newscaster. My mother was concerned at this time and since we lived right by the local bank, she decided to withdraw her money in case this turned into a more widespread day of terror.

It was a little more time before the report of the plane hitting the pentagon and the other going down in rural PA came through. At that point we weren't sure when planes were going to stop crashing.

I don't know if it was my level of depression at the time or my trust in my mother, but I wasn't really worried. It also might have been that we were in the small town of Liberty, PA, 30 miles north of Williamsport, and therefore not a prime target for a terrorist attack that allowed me to be calm. Even though we were about 3.5 hours from NYC, a rescue vehicle, did leave from the local fire-hall to help at ground zero.

Overall I still have unresolved issues over the whole day's events. I'm not sure if it was a plane or a missile fired by our forces that struck the pentagon. That's really the only conspiracy of that day that I give any attention to, because the angle the jetliner would have to approach at to hit the building so low to the ground is rather difficult to imagine being pulled off by a novice pilot.

It is a shame that the events of 9/11 took place, I feel sorry for the victims and their families, and I hope the truth as told is the real story so that this terrible day in history can be put to rest and we can feel that justice has been served.

Prompt 4

9/4/2014

Write about a picture you tore up. Who was it? How old were you? Why did you tear it up? Do you still feel the same way?

I've never torn a photo apart.

The most famous picture tearing is probably Shinade O'Connor(however you spell her name) ripping a photo of Pope John Paul the 2nd on Saturday Night Live, back in the early nineties. It was in protest of the perceived mistreatment of protestants in Northern Ireland by the Catholics and British. Overall it really only made her look like an ass and it ruined her short career. So generally I will say that the practice of tearing photos is pointless. The act itself doesn't kill or harm the person in the picture, beyond the slight chance that their feelings might get hurt. It also doesn't undo whatever happened between you and them that caused you to take the action of tearing apart their image.

The way I approach conflict(usually) is to act like the other party isn't getting to me. I have no interest in going to jail for assault and/or battery. Sure I could get back at them by doing something passive aggressive like slashing their tires, but I think its best to move on. While I was a cheerleader here, I was verbally harassed daily either face to face or anonymously through windows or notes written on my door's white board. It might have felt good to pummel on one of them and let the anger out, but if that led to me getting kicked out of college, then they've really won. I know inside that I'm not a homosexual like they were accusing, and there isn't a way to prove them wrong besides sleeping with their girlfriends, which I have done more than a few times. Did it make them stop saying those things... No. The only way to let these things play out is to be patient. Most people who know I was a cheerleader have dropped out or graduated, so it behind me, and so is my anxiety, anger, or upset feelings.

In Class Interview rough drafts

The first interview was me....

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Marisa Bayer

21

Freeland PA

theater and ccom

senior

If you were a food- Steak, because she likes it, well done, prime rib, grilled

after college- wants to work at disney in a college program as a character performer, then films in hollywood

Secret to happiness- surrounding yourslef with good people, with good vibes and good things, be who you are

interesting time in theater- when things happen that arent on the script, forgot her line in a play, was helped by another performer improvising, stay on your toes and in character

who would play you in a movie- natalie portman, thinks they look alike, admires her education and career

How will you use ccom to help theater-with public speaking... if the acting doesnt work out she wants to write... or do guest relations with disney 

why are you so into disney- went since 4, is a vacation club member and can go for free, has always liked the moves because they're happy

are you satisfied with the education youre recieving- isnt happy without having a lot of performance experience in school plays here, because its her major, to improve her skills

who of the disney characters would you be- belle from beauty and the beast, likes reading like her, likes her strength, having solidarity, and how she can look past physical flaws

best williamsport experience- planned formal for axd, everyone enjoyed themsleves

desert island book- great gatsby, or a playbook, likes shakespear, midsummer's night dream, or something more contemporary

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kelly balsi

21

dushore pa

business/mgmt minor in accounting

which type of person works well in a team- likes being organized and leading, or splitting of and working alone, also likes untapped potential and growing it

why this class- decided to switch from accounting, and needed a class because ccom classes were closed, so she picked this to help toward the new focus in her major

not looking forward to- filing, hates it, lets them pile up and do them all at once, thinks it should be electronic

first car- 2001 ford focus of her father's, hit a deer with it in high school

do aliens exist- doesnt believe in aliens and ghosts

bucket list- wants to skydive

sinking boat, what dorritos do you save- cool ranch

what changed mind about accounting- didnt want to study or do any more accounting, decided she had to change, had enjoyed more of the people she worked for than the job, didnt want regrets

favorite travel destination- liked dominican republic, liked the area and the trustworthy real locals, felt comfortable in the village area instead of the tourist area

where would you start a tour of world domination- an easy area to gain followers, "like twitter", thinks itd be easier to take over the world after an apocalypse

kill a random stranger or a family member- stranger

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Sean Brown
22
Baltimore, md
Economics

fav animal- snakes, since childhood, not loud, easy to care for, has a small rock python named april

law disagreed with- jwalking, because it is dumb and 70$

do with major- work in united nations to change policy, or deal with economics and make money to buy a veyron

hobbies- cooking, because its useful and can be fun, can make your life more interesting, likes to sautee vegs, easier to not burn, don't need as much salt

do your hobbies affect your career?- not in financial service, but cooking good cheap meals could help feed the masses in africa

what makes you want to work at the un- hes adopted and wants to help people who were less fortunate, he was adopted by a well off family, and was lucky to be born here

music- rap and punk rock, favorite action bronson, and fiddler

any other languages- no, parents speak french though

fav about baltimore- likes seafood, crabs and old bay, likes that baltimore is big but made of small neighborhoods

fav toy as a child- the collapsing star wars light sabres

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jennifer cappacio
21
philly, pa
ccom, minor in criminal justice

guilty pleasure- law and order on tnt

family history- grandfather paternal, was from italy, realted to a pope, related to author of dante's inferno

ever been to italy- trying to plan a trip to her family's home town, family history was lost in a church fire

connection between major and minor- wants to do fbi, so it fits what theyre looking for

branch- fbi and maybe their swat unit, family members are cops, but wants to have better pay and benefits

sports- softball, basketball, soccer, plays whenever she can

what actress would you want to be/meet- kathren heburn, admires her character

fbi swat again... would you go into politics,- thinks gov is shitty now

how do you feel about relations between cops and citizens, ferguson- takes one bad cop to hurt the force's reputation, cops can be close to community and be a hero and friend to their communities, quotas hurt the use and service of cops

who'd you struggle not to shoot- pedophiles are easier to shoot

most unique characteristic- can do impressions and accents, likes to act like a different person in social situations around stranger, just did one...awkward

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Kairi dukes
19
baltimore, md
biology, minor in chem

fav about baltimore- never dull, always parties or fun to get into

sports franchise to bring to baltimore- lacrosse, because johns hopkins is there and good,

fav neighborhood- his own, cherry hill, block parties

fan of seafood?- doesnt generally like seafood, but loves blue crabs

fav restaurant- hard rock cafe at inner harbor, also likes to walk around near there

hobbies- doesn't think so, but likes basketball and riding dirt bikes around the city

do you like keiri irving- does because they have the same name

why that major- to get into med school, bio is tough but he endures

why med school- wants to help the sick poor he's seen around his town

what med school- johns hopkins or U penn

what career goal- wants to be in pediatrics or be an allergist

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trevor endler
20
east brunswick nj
ccom, minor in mwtg
junior

career plan- sports broadcasting or journalism, wants to be around sports forever

sports played- on swimming team here, played baseball and soccer, play bball with friends, uncoordinated at bball, focused on swimming to be good at it

height- 6'6

fav athlete- Mohammed ali, thinks hes an awesome person, best boxer, likes his perseverance, best trash talker, did humanitarian work, helped free americans in iran

stress causer- football, really into it, and jets losing is hard to watch, because they do it a lot, also into fantasy football

fav broadcastor- keith olbermann, likes his show and his social angle, but also funny

which company would you work for- espn because their prominence and the wide range of sports they cover, but really wouldnt mind where he works, would sort of like his own show, but with a buddy

do you hate ryan lochte- doesnt really dislike him, but hes an idiot, does perform well, trevor likes breaststroking

city to broadcast from- anywhere east coast

actor to be- doesnt really know, but would go with bradley cooper, likes that he ranges from funny to serious

if not doing a sports career- regular com, like pr, maybe law

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kiana haywood
20
bristol, pa
ccom

how far from philly- 20 minutes originally/ babysits when home

bad habits- getting high, and swearing

hobbies- cheer

where would you live- LA, seems cool

plans for career- something with philly sports, media, eagles mainly

cheer injuries- black eye

how'd you get your name- possibly from a doll or a wedding dress designer

fav part of philly- north east region, but culturally.. the food, philly cheesesteak egg rolls

why not at cheer camp- scheduling issue, wasnt sure about coming back

cheer a sport?- here no, but when doing comps yes

eagles, are they your fav, and whos fav player- was deshawn jackson, not sure now

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Chelsea moore
22
Jersey Shore, pa
Dcom
Photography

Best day of your life? This semsester when she found out she'd graduate at the end of this semester. She had a lot of transfer credits and two internships, so she was surprised to be allowed to go this soon

Fun? doing nothing because she is busy

with major? Would like to work with the national park service, ansil adams approach, to show natures beauty through photos and media

sports? No, used to cheer for 9 years, basketball, baseball softball, stopped in highschool

embarassing song in itunes? a rap song her and some guy friends made

favorite photo subject? the outdoors, but also likes studio portraits

role model artist? Ansel adams, but more for the impact of his work on the national parks

colleges before? psu, nyu, university of alaska at fairbanks

languages? Was interested in spanish before the end of high school but focused on music theory

peeves? Being late when its out of her control, and also being unable to eat because of something else

favorite past project? No real fav, still learning and wants to learn more before she'll proud of her work

back up plan? feels she can adjust to any job, because she can tolerate a lot, like waitressing while she hates it



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nnamdi okangba
24
nigeria
ccom, minor in business admin

is an american citizen

plan with major- working with corporatioins and also wants to be an army officer and do comms inside it, does want a civilian career

in rotc- already a solider, but does still do rotc, but has been through basic, and currently has a position, degree will increase rank

why did you come to america- for school, first went to europe, then came here

why lyco of all colleges- wife is from this area

where in europe did he live- cyprus, budapest

fav tv show- doesnt watch much tv, or movies much, likes

sports played and followed- played soccer, tae kwon do, karate, judo, did martial arts the most, doesnt actively practice it, it doesnt go away...... likes soccer, little equipment, easy, follows champions league

what influenced choice to enter the army- family of 9, 3 brothers in military in nigeria, joined US because theyre the best, so he wanted to be part of it and give back to the country

role in national guard- fuel equipment and vehicles for the army

job to pursue in corp america- currently a store manager, wants to manage a bigger one, or do com in a large corp

languages- iego, native to nigeria, english is second, some hungarian, some turkish

live here long term- wants to move somewhere else, national guard allows state to state transfers

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rebekah sausmikat
williamsport
20
ccom
marketing

favorite hobby? being online, reading a lot of different things, tumblr....

with career? work for pr in a large company like apple, but also wants to travel

sports? danced competitively but not athletic

why stay close to home? lived in florida and moved here 4 years ago, didnt want to move again, and lyco was also cheap

music? folk mostly and classical, rap, house, and a little of everything else

close sibling? older sister who also goes here, shes a year ahead

what style of dance? ballet. point, jazz....

time killing? watching friends play gta, playing with dogs...

Blizzards or hurricances? Hurricanes are worse because theyre more damaging and dangerous

fav travel place? waterville, this summit where you can see thrree countys

pa of florida? both

where would you hide the body? cornfield

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Julia suchanck
18
waynesburough pa
undecided

fav about hometown? the big long main street, because it is easy to navigate from there

major? history, american studies, or spanish

history of hometown? lee's retreat, because she is 30 minutes south of gettysburg, battle of monterey pass, its forgotten

why lyco? friends with a sophomore here, first of her family to go to college, got a good offer, wanted to move from her area

where if the world ended? close to her family, because she'd miss them

fav holiday? shark week, because its long and shes usually at the beach and likes sharks

zombie weapon? aluminum bat

peeves? spit, in general, and popping joints and bones breaking

broken bones? growth plates in fingers, wrist from jumping off her four wheeler

in 20 years? not sure, wants to make it past these 4, wants to travel a lot, while working, wants adventure more than the family and house thing

career goal in major? currator of smithsonian museums

injury saturday? shante fell on her head, because something in the setup, minor concussion

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steven troup
21
pittsford ny
ccom
crim justice

what'd he do for 21st? was in vermont on a ski trip, drank a lot, skied the next day

ski or snowboard? fell more on snowboard, so ski, has been on a lot of trips

free time? la crosse, video games, hang out with teammates and roommates

plan with degree? interned in cinncinati- might be working with a retail science firm setting up stores

lacrosse, how long? since kindergaten, its big in upstate ny, and his brother was playing so he followed him, was also playing football and bball

fav video games? madden nhl fifa

nikki manaj video- anaconda? provacative, rip off of a great song, friends dance along like idiots

what drink would you be? an old fashioned, hasnt had one since summer, but likes them, worked at a liquor store and feels like a drink snob

garbage plate missed? yea, looks disgusting, tastes amazing, misses it

secret to happiness? doing what you enjoy, pave your own path...

surviving a shark attack? kick it in the nose or stab in gills, or die

most embarrassing thing to leak online? 21st b-day puking on chair lift, almost puking on a guy, almost got in a fight







250ish word write up due a week from 9/9/14

Third Writing Prompt

9/2/2014

Write about a difficult time in your life during which your spiritual beliefs sustained you – or didn’t sustain you. Did that experience increase your devotion? Or, if you did not feel sustained, cause you to question your beliefs? Write about the long-term effects of this experience on your spiritual life.

I don't have spiritual beliefs, so this situation isn't something I can totally relate to.

There was a particular time in my life that my will to live was tested and strained. While I was in my freshman year here at Lycoming and during the summer after it I began to feel the onset of immense pain. The pain felt like being stabbed by hot knives at various points all over my body. The worst places were joints and my forearms. During this period I also noticed an increase in my migraine headaches. These two vexations were very alarming, stressful, and more painful than I could handle.

When I started seeing doctors about this problem, it began a long run around from specialist to specialist, with out a solution, cause, or even giving it a name. I was given some low dose, generic treatment drugs that did little other than make me tired. After a while of crossing possible disorders and diseases off of the list the doctors pretty much concluded that it must be fibromyalgia. They told me it had no cure and it would probably get worse. The best they could offer me was Lyrica to lessen the daily pain.

With this happening, and also sustaining numerous concussions I was in a desperate state. Like I said, I had lost the will to live. I saw death as the only remedy. I was pretty close to commencing that final action when I did some deep thinking. I thought of my family, my love for them and their love for me and the pain my death would cause. I also thought about the far off chance of being reincarnated and having to go through elementary and high school all over again. I decided that I had gotten this far and it'd be stupid to throw my progress away. Conceding defeat would also mean letting the disorder I have win.

So clearly I haven't killed myself and feel dumb for even considering it. I don't think of death much and I'm now more focused on getting the most out of this life. My days are full of pain and it really blows, my hope is that Pennsylvania gets it's head out of it's ass and legalizes medical marijuana because it helps more than any of the pills I have and doesn't have much in the way of side effects.