Today is significant.

Let it be know that today, October 31, 2006...I, Jeanine L. Davis did not
1) run any red lights
2) speed (especially in school zones)
3) get upset with other drivers

And yes, I have left my apartment and driven my car several times.

TMI

So I just finished a post that I saved as a draft. I think it might be TMI. Let's just say that after watching a featured topic on the Today Show this morning...I'm a little bit depressed.

A song from my granny...

I love to read the programs that are handed out at musicals, ballets, plays, etc. One of the biographies in the most recent program I received really caught my eye. No, it wasn't because the person was famous or because I knew them. The actors biography ended with "I love you, a bushel and a peck!"

My granny used to sing me that song when I was little. No worries...I didn't bless those around me by singing for them that night, but the song is still playing in my mind, so here it goes...

I love you, a bushel and a peck!
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!
A hug around the neck!
And a barrel and a heap!
A barrel and a heap!
And I'm talking in my sleep about you!

Laughter and Health

I received this in an email earlier this week and just thought I would share.

We've long known that the ability to laugh is helpful to those coping with major illness and the stress of life's problems. But researchers are now saying laughter can do a lot more—it can basically bring balance to all the components of the immune system, which helps us fight off diseases.

Laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones. In doing this, laughter provides a safety valve that shuts off the flow of stress hormones and the fight-or-flight compounds that swing into action in our bodies when we experience stress, anger, or hostility. These stress hormones suppress the immune system, increase the number of blood platelets (which can cause obstructions in arteries) and raise blood pressure. When we're laughing, natural killer cells that destroy tumors and viruses increase, as do Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein); T-cells, which are a major part of the immune response; and B-cells, which make disease-destroying antibodies.

Laughter may lead to hiccupping and coughing, which clears the respiratory tract by dislodging mucous plugs. Laughter also increases the concentration of salivary immunoglobulin A, which defends against infectious organisms entering through the respiratory tract.

What may surprise you even more is the fact that researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on a rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Laughing can be a total body workout! Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in oxygenation of the blood, which further assists healing. Laughter also gives your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a workout. That's why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter—you've just had an aerobic workout!

The psychological benefits of humor are quite amazing, according to doctors and nurses who are members of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor. People often store negative emotions, such as anger, sadness, and fear, rather than expressing them. Laughter provides a way for these emotions to be harmlessly released. Laughter is cathartic. That's why some people who are upset or stressed out go to a funny movie or a comedy club, so they can laugh the negative emotions away (these negative emotions, when held inside, can cause biochemical changes that can affect our bodies).

Increasingly, mental health professionals are suggesting "laughter therapy," which teaches people how to laugh—openly—at things that aren't usually funny and to cope in difficult situations by using humor. Following the lead of real-life funny doc Patch Adams (portrayed by Robin Williams in a movie by the same name), doctors and psychiatrists are becoming more aware of the therapeutic benefits of laughter and humor. This is due in part to the growing body of humor and laughter scholarship (500 academics from different disciplines belong to the International Society for Humor Studies). Here are some tips to help you put more laughter in your life:

Figure out what makes you laugh and do it (or read it or watch it) more often.
Surround yourself with funny people—be with them every chance you get.
Develop your own sense of humor. Maybe even take a class to learn how to be a better comic—or at least a better joke-teller at that next party. Be funny every chance you get—as long as it's not at someone else's expense!

Isn't it ironic?

Three weeks ago, I blogged about wanting to go sailing. One of my classmates and his wife have invited the class to go sailing with them this weekend, and I already have plans.

It's okay...I'm quite excited about my plans!

Happiness...

Things that have made me happy so far today:
1. German chocolate coffee with coconut cream creamer
2. being finished with the week's first exam
3. diet coke
4. my iPOD
5. the weather
6. wearing my favorite orange sweater
7. UpToDate
8. wearing my denim jacket (it's from my dad's college days)
9. knowing that I'll get to bed at a decent hour tonight
10. knowing that God is soverign and He sustains

Just call me...Grace.

Yesterday was an interesting day. There was lots of rain...which means lots of water...and well...that's a story for another day. Anyway, in the midst of everything, I somehow managed to slam my arm in the door...yes...my arm...my right arm just above the elbow. I still don't know how I did it, but it hurts. I mean...it still really hurts. In fact, I have bruises on both sides of my arm. Seriously, do normal people accidently slam doors on their own arm hard enough to cause extended pain and bruising?

Lavender

Lavender scented shampoo $0.99

Lavender scented body wash $0.99
Lavender scented lotion $0.99

Dreaming of fields of lavender - PRICELESS

My little friend

I had 4 hours of lectures this afternoon, and I have to admit that I wasn't so excited about sitting still for that long. However, about halfway through the lectures, a little friend came to visit me. A ladybug landed on my notes. Really! I know this may not seem like a big deal to many people, but the auditorium where my lectures occur is on the third floor of the hospital. The little ladybug had to come into the building, go up the stairs or the elevator, and come find me. It made me smile and made the lectures not seem so long.

My shoes :(

I bought my favorite pair of work clogs during my first year of work. I wore them most days over the 4 years I worked as a nurse. Over the past year and a half, I've worn them many, many times outside of the hospital.

Today, the lining came out of my right shoe. It's a sad day. My brown leather clogs are on their way downhill, but I'm not yet ready to give them up. My footprint is in the bottom. They completely mold to my feet. I know I can run in them when a code is called. I know they can stand up to an 18+ hour shift without killing my feet. Plus, they look really cute with fun socks.

Ah...I think I'll keep them until they really fall apart.

I love babies!

So after spending 45 (or so) minutes cracking myself up with my dancing skills (or lack thereof) and face-making abilities in front of the mirror, I'm finally ready. I'm so excited. Really...it doesn't take much to get me excited. But anyway, I start volunteering in the newborn nursery today.

I'll try to contain myself.

Nope...I can't. I'm too excited. I love babies...other people's babies.

It's time to do the happy dance.

I'd rather be sailing!

I had an exam yesterday, so today I really just want to take a break...I really want to go sailing. But I do have one small problem, I don't own a boat. Agh!

I haven't been sailing since the summer of 1999. Wow...it really has been a long time. I worked at a sailing camp that summer and spent my time on the lake with kids in Optimists, Lasers, and 420s. Actually, I've never been on a sailboat that will hold more than 2. I learned in a Sunfish at Baylor. Yep, I knew the marina well.

So, yeah, I still really want to go sailing, and I want to try something new...so my specific want is to go sailing in a larger boat on the ocean.

Today's Pei Wei Fortune

"You are direct, and others often appreciate this quality in you."

Seriously?...direct is not a word I would use to describe myself. More often than not, I think I beat around the bush.

Have you ever been called 'limey'?

Did you know that historically British sailors would keep limes in their pockets to eat during voyages to prevent scurvy? (Limes are high in vitamin C.) Yep, this is where we get 'limey' from.

This is what it's all about!

So I originally took this picture as proof that I was at the Baylor vs. KSU game and that Baylor won. However, the picture turned out much better than I thought it would. I got the bonus picture of the coaches hugging. It is really just a game.