Dr. Wanderlust Archives - Page 2 of 7

Detectives of the Night (Murder Mystery Dinner)

Another bucket list item checked off!! It was a pretty fun event so let me get to telling you all about it. First of all GroupOn made this event possible with not only giving me a practically 50% discount off from the usual $60 to ($29 each), but then they had an additional 20% off sale, which brought it down even further. Yay GroupOn! #Winning I booked the date a while back for my older sister and I knowing I would be in West Palm Beach for a wedding and christening happening in our family (both family events were just wonderful by the way.) In any case, we drove to downtown West Palm Beach where we parked right outside of Shout Karaoke on Olive Ave. As soon as you enter you get to take a picture that you can later purchase (more photo ops available during the dinner and after). …

The Power of Cow Urine and other Natural Medicines in India

As I continue to work on my PhD I have found myself extremely interested in natural medicines, and so I decided to dig deeper into some used in India. One part of my proposal is to look at the advantages of such natural extracts or products on HIV Dementia. So, in my mini vacation to India I explored and questioned about some of the unique aspects of traditional medicine. Cow Urine My first encounter with cow urine, was as I walked the streets of Bombay. There on the streets a cow was peeing and a young girl rushed for a pan and started catching the urine. I was astonished that this was occurring, and my friend and I stopped to watch. We begin wondering why this little girl felt the need to catch the urine, as with such hot conditions, the urine would evaporate. We could not deduce a …

Travel & Sexuality Series: United States (Adina Howard: A Story of Sexual Liberation)

I have now lived in for 10+ years, and I have drastically changed how I view sexuality based on my experiences here but also since I have travelled. In light of my own background and upbringing in Jamaica the view of sexuality is quite different.Sex Appeal/BeautyWho says sex appeal can’t be beautiful/handsome? Here in the US, I have rarely seen the symbol of sex appeal and sexiness equated to being beautiful or handsome. When you think of a a girl or guy being sexy… what you see is a half dress, in shape person… while the second you think about being beautiful or handsome the clothes are back on, and the sensual yet almost shy man or woman is being portrayed. To test this I simply typed into Google (because google knows everything) 4 search topics “sexy men” “handsome men” “sexy women” “beautiful women”. As expected the results changed based …

Travel & Sexuality Series: Let’s Talk About Sex

“Sexuality is one of the ways that we become enlightened, actually, because it leads us to self-knowledge.” Alice Walker In a world with so many sex symbols, sex songs, sex education, sex/gender differences… what makes someone sexy? What gives Janet Jackson, Beyonce, or even Madonna sex appeal to so many? But on the other hand what makes them repulsive to others… What I have realized in my travel is that… sexuality is dramatically different everywhere I go. In fact, in my travels I have come across different ways of dressing, communication and relationship values. It started off to be rather astonishing and at first it blew my mind. What I held near and dear as the expectations of all just wasn’t the same. In one case, covering my knees was absolutely gorgeous and sexy in one culture, while showing them was considered risqué and a little “slutty”. (Lesson to learn: …

Sorry for being MIA…but I’m Back and Relaxed (Arbonne Spa Day)

First let me apologize for not posting in way too long… so let me give you all my VALID excuses as to why there has been no update… but my Arbonne Spa Day has revived me and I am excited to get back on track. My Legitimate Excuses My non profit LAMB Foundation (www.lamb-foundation.org) became 501 C 3 recently, and so I have been in a long process of interviewing potential candidates for board and committee positions. So if you or anyone else is interested please see our opportunities at the links below. http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org753058.jsp http://www.idealist.org/view/org/mC29HmMKwgBD/ Finishing up a review paper to be published… I finally completed it.. now crossing my fingers a journal thinks it is a worthy read and publishes it soon. Had a presentation for grant writing course and tried out something new I want to implement in my qualifying exam.. it went well so I can’t complain …

Feeling So Fly like a G6… Skydiving Again with my High School Coach!!

As many of you know I am a thrill seeker… if it can be done… I want to do it… I have gone bungee jumping in Uganda, Hang gliding in Florida, and actually went skydiving for the first time 2011 with the bestie in Virginia. To remind you guys of this experience… check out this wonderful video… I am currently on my way for my second jump… and still nervous but excited. This time I will be doing it with my high school volleyball coach… WHAT? I know… I never knew my quiet, soft-spoken coach has been jumping out of planes since she was 19!!!!! COOLEST THING EVER!! I can’t wait not only see her again, but to jump out of a plane with her!! WOOT WOOT! Can’t wait to tell you all about.

150 Feet into the Earth and Beyond (Spelunking Overnight)

While most people like to spend their nights in hotels and resorts, at this point in my life… all that is cool… but unless you are a “7 star” in Dubai… BEEN THERE… DONE THAT!! So, my friends and I decided we will be sleeping in a cave.I wasn’t very surprised I couldn’t really round-up a lot of people as excited as I was for a cave adventures… most were clearly afraid of bats, claustrophobia and dirt and would rather a comfy bed and pillow to lay their head but that didn’t stop me. Luckily I was able to round-up about 4 people willing to make the journey with me… and the plans begun. Unfortunately, 2 of my friends had car troubles driving down to Tennessee and could not make it, but I was so thankful they were okay and got back safely.As for me and the remaining 2… we …

CONTEST: Win Two (2) J. Cole Concert Tickets and $100 for clothing at a new online store Jack Donkey!!!

Never been to a concert?? Maybe you are a J. Cole Fan? Do you need some new clothes for your upcoming vacation?? Well… if any of these are yes.. here is your chance…. It is time for another giveaway, but this time it is from a new online clothing store Jack Donkey!! This is a new online store started and getting their name out their. Jack Donkey was started by a Jamaican Native, and wants to get good quality clothing to individuals for a reasonable price…. so how do you win?? Here is what you will win:TWO (2) tickets to J Cole’s concert Ft Big Sean in West Palm Beach Florida on August 18, 2015 (8/18) (Tickets ONLY)ANDA $100 Jack Donkey store gift card So not only are you getting to go see J. Cole’s concert with someone….but you will look good doing it!! How to enter/RULESYou MUST be Following @Jack_Donkey on Instagram and/or on Facebook Jack …

Making the Best of a Scientific Conference: Ate Octopus, Isolation Tank, Passport Stamp and More…

I was fortunate to be 1 of 12 abstracts chosen for a conference in California (Minority Trainee Research Forum). I was actually a part of the scientific summer program that hosted the conference since 7th grade through most of college. Every summer, I worked in laboratories all over the US and Canada to develop skills that pretty much got me where I am today. It is an amazing program that has grown over the years to help minority students excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Math. I do recommend anyone interested to take a look at the website and apply. It has dramatically changed my life and I will definitely do a post about TMARC/PSTP (now called STEMPREP) in the coming week. Either way, the conference ran from March 9-12th, and everything is covered. So let me begin my full coverage. Travel, Presentation and Lodging The wonderful thing …

Floating on Water for 2 Hours: Isolation/Float Tank Experience

While in San Diego for a conference, I made the most of an afternoon to relax at Float Spa San Diego. Finding a great deal on GroupOn for a $35 for 1 hr float session I couldn’t give up the opportunity to check something else off my bucket list. With a close friend of mine, we headed for our 4 PM appointment. For those who do not know what this isolation/float/sensory deprivation tank things is all about… here is some quick information. In a tank, there is 860 pounds of epsom salt in the water. So you will not be fighting gravity to stay afloat. As soon as you lay down in the water you are already rising and floating on top. The water is kept at 94 degrees because it is skin receptor neutral. This enables you to lose track of your body. Benefits: Stress relief, reduce toxins, focused …

Category: Dr. Wanderlust