Psychological Disorders and The Homeless:

Psychological disorders affect millions of individuals and families around the world, making them a very important problem facing our world today. But if psychological illnesses are such an important problem, why don’t we hear about then more often?  Why are most people completely uninformed on these disorders? We all hear news about Cancer, Heart Attacks, and other health related  problems, but how often do you hear mention of illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Dissociative Personality Disorder, or Bipolar? Unless you have a family member suffering from one of these illnesses, your answer would most likely be: never. After all, psychological disorders are not an everyday conversation topic. But why is this? The reason for the ignorance of today is the same reason that for ages mentally ill individuals were kept locked up in asylums or thrown out on the streets: psychosocial illness is ugly and frightening. The thing that makes them truly frightening and that separates them from other kinds of illness is that they do not have a strictly physical cause; the illness is not purely within the body but also within the mind. This aspect is also what makes treatment so difficult. Doctors cannot simply “cure” a psychological illness with an operation or a certain medicine; those afflicted with these illnesses take a great deal of time, attention, and therapy to recover.  Psychological illnesses are difficult enough just to talk about, let alone to experience firsthand, but  thousands of individuals in the United States alone experience these illnesses every day.

My own eyes were opened to the reality of mental illness after I recently attended an outreach to the homeless in my city.  This outreach was organized by a Church that meets every week specifically to minister to the homeless population. At the outreach a worship service was held and clothing was passed out to those in need. We also helped provide Thanksgiving dinner to those who would otherwise go without.  If you have ever wondered what place the mentally ill have in today’s society, the answer would most definitely be, on the streets.  Although not all homeless individual, suffer from mental disorders, a great majority of them do. From my own observations, out of the small percentage of my city’s homeless that attended the outreach, about one fourth of them suffered from some type of psychological disorder. Depression, Schizophrenia, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder were a few illnesses present in the individuals who attended.  

My father, who also helped with the outreach, spoke to one man who had been on the streets for 6 months. This man told him about how he was once a worship pastor at a church and had lived a drastically different life.  My father asked him how he became homeless and he simply replied that he made friends with the wrong people and made some bad decisions. It is possible that this man is one of the many who have had their lives destroyed by a Substance-related Disorder. This psychological disorder is directly related to problems individuals face with drug dependence and abuse. Some might just simply refer to this disorder as lack of self control or overindulgence, but it is indeed a true illness and is often the result of an attempt at coping with another psychological illness. The man my father spoke with is an example of this. When my father offered him food, he refused it saying that his stomach could no longer handle real food. This was due to the fact that he drank nothing but Listerine (the mouth wash) and he said that is he ate real food his stomach would explode. He started drinking Listerine because of its alcoholic contents and he has come to believe that if he were to ever stop drinking it he would die. After hearing this story I realized that this man most likely suffers from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). This disorder is characterized by obsessions (unwanted thoughts or ideas you simply can’t help thinking) and Compulsions (irresistible urges to do things that are strange and illogical). It is heart breaking that he truly believes that his life would be in danger if he stopped drinking, when it is actually his consumption of the Listerine that could end up killing him. It is hard to imagine what this man experiences every day battling with these thoughts and urges.

               As the Outreach went on, several individuals stood out to me in particular as exhibiting abnormal behavior.  During the worship service, I noticed a man standing behind me. When I noticed him first he was talking loudly to another man, making passionate yet random comments about how Christian people should act, about God and the bible. I noticed him again later, while the minister was preaching. This time he was pacing back and forth behind me spouting random bible verses and talking to himself.  The behavior he exhibited made me suppose that he too, perhaps suffered from a psychological disorder. After considering his behavior and speech I came to conclude that he might suffer from a type of Schizophrenia.  Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia experience distortion of reality. This distortion often leads to disturbances in their thought and speech processes as well as withdrawal from those close to them. Formal thought disorder is the official name for disturbances in which individuals can no longer think or speak logically. People who have this disorder quickly veer off topic when asked a question, speaking words that are seemingly nonsense but make perfect sense in their own minds.  Schizophrenia is a very serious disease and people who suffer from it have an extremely hard time leading regular lives. The man I noticed at the outreach is an example of many others like him, to whom every second of everyday is spend half in our world and half in a reality all their own.

The man my father spoke with and many others who attended the outreach exhibited a definite attitude of learned helplessness. You could tell just by looking into their faces that some of them had given up any hope of a better life, and that they had no intention of fighting the circumstances in which they now find themselves. After observing their behavior, I concluded that it is very possible that many of them suffer from major depression.  Major depression is a mood disorder that is characterized by extreme feelings of hopelessness, and discouragement. The intense emotions felt during depression affect every aspect of a person’s life. Individuals suffering from depression experience a decrease in their ability to concentrate, make decisions, and interact with others. These symptoms last for weeks, months and sometimes years. This disorder can cause healthy and successful people to deteriorate into hopeless, purposeless beings struggling to live from day to day

Throughout my recent study and observations of psychological disorders I have learned a great deal.  The most important thing I have learned is that before you label someone of as simply “crazy”, you must first stop and truly examine their behavior. Ask yourself why they act the way they do. Try to understand life from their point of view, and show empathy. It is possible that one whom you had once labeled “crazy” is actually suffering from a severe psychological disorder. It is important for us to realize that these illnesses are real, and that they are effecting real peoples lives.  Today’s world is plagued with countless problems, and it is easy to simple right off psychological disorders as unimportant. It is easy to remain oblivious to these illnesses that are so unpleasant and scary, but we should instead rise above our ignorance. We should endeavor to learn from the mistakes of our predecessors and to address psychological illness with the attention and care it deserves. 

Here is video that was made for the outreach I helped out with. 

The Kingdom of Psychology:

Long ago, in the far away galaxy of Wisdom there was the planet of Knowledge, and on this Plant resided the Kingdom of Psychology.  The People of Psychology were among the wisest and most intelligent in the entire galaxy. They devoted their lives to the study and practice of their kingdom’s science: the study of Psychology. The kingdom was divided into five cities, and each city had its own specialized perspective on the study of Psychology. The five cities were: Neuroscience City, Cognitiville, Behavioropolise, Humanistic Town, and Psychodynamia. These five cities were governed by The Council of Cognition. The Council was made up of 5 members, one from each of the five cities and it governed with logic and fairness. The Kingdom of Psychology was prosperous and peaceful, and because of their great devotion they were looked upon with admiration by all other inhabitants of the Plant Knowledge.   But in spite of all of its wisdom and prosperity the kingdom held one major problem: isolation. Although the people of Psychology spent their lives in constant study, they did not share their knowledge with the rest of the galaxy. The kingdom was isolated and impenetrable, and as a result the science of Psychology was kept within the kingdom’s boundaries, never to be shared with the outside world. The universe would never have been enlightened to the great science of Psychology if it had not been for one man who dared to imagine a larger world.

One beautiful sunny day in the City of Congnitiville, Gilbert Edmund Intellect was strolling through his beloved rose garden and thinking strange thoughts. Gilbert Edmund Intellect was a man of 67 years. He was 6 feet tall with a bushy grey beard, short grey hair, clear grey eyes and a humorous expression. This fine day Gilbert, or perhaps it would be best to call him “Mr. Intellect” in view of his age, was pondering the meaning of life. You see, Mr. Intellect had spent his 67 years in constant study of science and he had gained immense knowledge. In fact, Mr. Intellect was known far and wide as the most intelligent man in all five cities of Psychology. What made Mr. Intellect so admirable was because; unlike most other inhabitants of Psychology, he had studied in all five Psychological cities and knew the guidelines each of the five different perspectives.  This was a feat that had never been done before. But despite all of his great knowledge, Mr. Intellect felt that there must be more to life then what he had learned. He dreamed of life beyond the boundaries of Psychology and after so many years of study he was ready to see his dreams come to reality. And so, in his own rose garden on that same sunny day, Mr. Intellect decided once and for all that he would leave behind his own wonderful kingdom and boldly go where no psychologist had gone before. 

Starting out on his great new adventure, Mr. Intellect had first to travel across his own kingdom before he could reach the galaxies beyond. The first stop on his adventure was a place not far from his own city, Behavioropolise the home of Behavioral Psychology, the scientific study of how people behave. In Behavioropolise lived one of Mr. Intellect’s closest friends, B. F. Skinner who was an expert himself on the subject of learning. Mr. Intellect requested that Skinner join him on his travels and Skinner immediately agreed. After gaining the supplies needed for their journey, the two then continued on together. The next stop was Neuroscience City, the city in which people view Psychology from a Neuroscience perspective. The inhabitants of this city focus on the effect that biological functions have on behavior. There, the two travelers visited a neuroscience clinic to check up on the functioning of their hearts, and minds.  After their quick stop in Neuroscience City they traveled on through Humanistic Town and made their final stop in the city of Psychodynamia. In this city Mr. Intellect visited another of his good friends, a man by the name of Sigmund Freud. Known to all of Psychodynamia as simply “Freud”, he was the father of his own his field of study. Freud was the founder of Psycodynamic Psychology the scientific study of the unconscious mind.  Mr. Intellect and Skinner asked Freud if he too would join in their quest beyond Psychology’s boarders. Freud was eager to accept their offer and the company of three finally departed from boarders of their beloved kingdom and ventured out into the wilds of the wide world of Knowledge. 

Once the Three were beyond Psychological boarders they discovered a world more fascinating and vast then even Mr. Intellect had ever imagined possible. They discovered other kingdoms that resided on the planet of Knowledge, and each kingdom had its own science of which it studied.  They visited the Kingdom of Biology and saw for the first time millions of new animals and microscopic life forms. In the Kingdom of the Arts they viewed wondrous paintings and met artists such as Van Gogh and Michelangelo. Within the kingdom of Mathematics they were taught the origins of numbers and met the genius men who invented the very first equations of arithmetic.  After traveling far and wide throughout all of Knowledge and experiencing the magnificent information each kingdom had to offer, Mr. Intellect started to think strange thoughts once again. Above all else that he had noticed in his travels, what had impacted him most was that each Kingdom of Knowledge shared its own knowledge with all the others. And beyond even that, each kingdom sent its inhabitants out into the galaxy to share their own intelligence with everyone who might have need of it.  With this idea in mind Mr. Intellect began to ponder the significance of what Psychology had to offer the other inhabitants of Knowledge and the galaxies beyond.  At last, Mr. Intellect decided once and for all that Psychology did indeed have much to offer the rest of the universe, and he decided that he, along with his companions, would make it their life’s work to spread The Science of Psychology throughout The Galaxy of Wisdom and to the universe beyond. 

After their many years of travel Mr. Intellect and his company returned at last to The Kingdom of Psychology. They were welcomed home with a huge celebration as everyone was eager to hear of the traveler’s adventures. Mr. Intellect did not waste time in telling his fellow psychologists of his many discoveries and his new mission to spread Psychology. He and his companions told everyone of the wonders of the outside world, and of the new sciences they had learned. They told of the new life forms to be found in Biology, and the great health advances being made in The Kingdom of Medical Science. They shared with them Art, Mathematics and the Life Sciences. Everyone who heard their tales was amazed, and the people of Psychology were inspired to travel in search of new ideas to apply to their own study.  As they discovered the sciences of Knowledge, the psychologists also began to develop new subfields of psychology such as: Health Psychology, Evolution Psychology, and Quantitative Psychology.  Not long after his arrival, Mr. Intellect spoke before the Council of Cognition and requested that one psychologist from each of the five cities be sent out into the galaxy to share their knowledge with all who were willing to learn. The Council soon accepted his request and began to gather each city’s wisest individual to be sent. Among those chosen were Skinner and Freud who had traveled with Mr. Intellect. Along with the rest, they embarked throughout the galaxy bringing the science of Psychology wherever they went.  Because of Mr. Gilbert Edmund Intellect no longer did the Kingdom of Psychology live in isolation, but instead its boarders were opened to all who wished to enter, and the people of Psychology now devoted all their resources into spreading their beloved science throughout the galaxies. The people of Psychology eventually ventured as far into the universe as Planet Earth.

                                                THE END 

My Life Playlist:

The question of  how and at what points in life human development progresses has been the constant study of   developmental psychologists. As a result,  many different theories have been complied to explain this well pondered question.  Among the various theories of development, psychologist Erik Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development stands out from all the rest.  According to Erik Erikson there are 8 stages of  psychological development. These 8 stages are the following:

1. Trust vs. Mistrust ( birth- 1 and a half years)
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt  (1 and a half - 3 years)
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)  
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood)
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)
8. Ego Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)

Inspired by Erikson's theory the following 8 songs represent the eight  developmental stages in my personal life.  Although I am still in the process of  passing through these stages, these songs will represent not only what I was but who I wish to develop into. I hope to use Erikson's stages to learn a little bit more about myself.

Stage 1: Trust and Mistrust ( birth- 1 and a half years)


 For this very first stage I chose a song I wrote myself called "Quilt from the Sky." This stage encompasses  the very earliest moments of life. Erikson theorized that if  a baby is given attention by her caregiver when she cries, that baby will develop trust in the world around she and be assured of her caregivers affection. In contrast if a baby is neglected consistently when she is crying, that child  will develop mistrust in the world around her. When I was a small little baby my parents where always there to comfort me, and throughout my life I have always known how much they love me! I chose my own song for this stage because it exemplifies my parents love for me as a little one. They were always their to wrap my in love when I was crying out to them.



Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1 and a half - 3 years)


Born Free sung by Andy Williams is the song I chose to represent this stage in my life. This stage of development focuses primarily on the task of  potty training. Erikson believed that either success or repeated failure in potty training had a great effect on a person throughout their life.  When I asked my mom what I was like during this time she said that I was determined,  free, and autonomous.  She said that I was motivated to be potty trained quickly because I wanted  to be a "big girl". I was also able to achieve my goal in a very short amount of time, much to her delight! My mother personally recommended this song to represent this life stage. I personally don't remember much about this time in my life  so I took her word for it!


Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years)



I chose "Pick Yourself Up" sung here by Frank Sinatra to demonstrate my life at this stage.  This stage of Development is all about trial and error. At this stage in life children try to do things on their own, and either success of failure follow. Success at this point can lead to taking more initiative and trying more on their own, but failure can lead to feelings of guilt  and discouragement.  I asked my mother about how I acted at this age and  she summed up this stage for me with one challenge in particular that exemplified this part of my life: pouring water from a pitcher. My mother says that I was constantly afraid of spilling the water from the pitcher in one way or another and I became discouraged easily.When  I was living through years 3-6 I was constantly afraid of failing. But Why then did I chose "Pick Yourself Up" to demonstrate this stage? Simple, I chose this song because although I was afraid of failing,  my parents always encouraged  me to do just what this song says: "Pick yourself up. Brush yourself off and start all over again."




Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)  


When it came to choosing a song for this stage of my life "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton was the first song that popped into my head. This stage is the years of  Pre Adolescence and for most children is focused primarily on school, friends, and discovering talents. At the beginning of this stage in my life I was a perfectly happy little girl. I went to school,  had friends, and enjoyed using my imagination. Right in the middle of this stage at about 9, I started  homeschooling and I moved into a new neighborhood. After I moved we also started attending a new church. I found myself becoming socially awkward and I wasn't able to make friends at my new church. During this time I became very emotional, and I often felt insecure and inferior to others my age. Although I had friends in my neighborhood I still felt Isolated and lonely. I was "mr. lonely" for a good part of this stage! That is why I think the chorus of this song fits the stage I went through during my preadolescence. 


Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)


For stage five I decided to choose another of my own songs called "Daytime Dreamer". In this stage adolescent teenagers are trying to find their sense of self. Throughout this stage teenagers try out different roles such as: athlete, musician, or nerd. Success in this stage is characterized by a person finding their identity and discovering what career they wish to pursue.  At 17 years old I am currently going through this stage of development. I am currently trying to discover what makes me special and what I want to spend the rest of my life achieving. Why I chose this particular song is because it is a song I wrote talking to myself. Throughout the song I am asking myself questions and in a sense telling myself that I am special and encouraging myself to hang in there through the role confusion I am facing. Also I refer to myself as a "Daytime Dreamer" which is my way of describing a person who has dreams about the future.  I think this song fits this stage for me because I am currently battling with role confusion as well as identifying my dream in life and this is a song that is encouraging me not to hide my dreams of what could be but instead to follow them, finding my identity in the process.


Stage 6:  Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood)


 "Wonderful You" yet another song of my own creation is what I chose to represent this stage. Stage six occurs in Early Adulthood and is focused on the development of relationships. Usually it is around this time that people start to think about marriage and are interested in deep relationships in contrast with the shallow relationships of adolescence. The song  I chose is a love song about one especially wonderful person. Whether it be a good friend or a romantic relationship. I have not yet entered this stage of development but I can imagine myself deepening friendships and eventually finding that one wonderful person to spend my life with.


Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)


Okay, my chose for this stage is a little off the rack but I think it does relate to this stage. Stage 7 occurs during middle adulthood and success through this stage is characterised by feeling that you have made a contribution to life and future generations. Those who are unsuccessful during this stage however, will feel that they have not contributed to society and they will feel that their actions are useless.  Failure in this stage often results from an unresolved identity in adolescence.  Again, I have yet to reach this stage of development but I hope that by middle adulthood I will be successful in finding my purpose and Identity.  With a positive outlook I chose this fun duet between Kermit the Frog and Bret Mackenzie to demonstrate the happiness and fulfillment one feels when they are confident in their achievements and contributions. I hope that I will be singing a happy song while passing through this stage. 


Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despairs (Late Adulthood)



To me, this stage can be expressed perfectly with one song: My Way sung by Frank Sinatra. This stage of life reaches from late adulthood till death. In  this stage people review their lives and attempt to asses their own lives. Naturally people will either look at their lives and be satisfied or they will regret the past. Of course all people have regrets throughout this stage but successful navigation of this stage is acceptance of those regrets and preparation for death. Thinking out this stage in my own life is quite depressing. I feel as if I am just beginning to live, but when I do reach this stage I hope that I will be able to accept my past and move towards my future.  I believe in eternity, and I believe that through Jesus I have a Father waiting for me up in heaven when I go. With these throughts in mind I can face my future with confidence!

My Model of the Brain:

I made a little video 

to document the creation of my unique brain model.

The Life Development of Barbara Calvin:

my grandmother and I. 

My grandmother’s name is Barbara Beaucoudray Calvin.  She was born January 3^rd 1946. As a child my grandmother was healthy, cheerful, and fun-loving.  She loved to learn and her mind held a special spark of creativity.  Throughout her life she has continually maintained and expanded these attributes, always attempting to better herself, always moving forward. Unlike many other people her age, she still considers herself to be constantly improving and gaining new knowledge. She is truly a remarkable woman.  Recently in an attempt to discover how she has developed over her lifetime I interviewed my grandmother.  I conducted my interview based on 3 specific stages of her lifespan development starting with her childhood, moving through adolescence, and on to adulthood.   I asked my grandmother questions about various areas of her life development. My questions pertained to the areas of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. 

I began the interview of my grandmother by asking about how she has developed physically over the years. Throughout most of her life, my grandmother has enjoyed good health. As a child she suffered from no major illnesses or injuries. It was not till she reached adolescence that she experienced any health concerns. In her later teenage years it was discovered that she had a thyroid problem.  The problem was not severe however, and was kept under control by prescribed medicine. By the age of 21 she had outgrown these problems completely.  As she moved into adulthood my grandmother became even healthier. She was actively working and attending school. In her early twenties my grandmother had her first child (my mother) and her second (my uncle) 6 years later.  Her children kept her active and she attributes much of her good health simply to keeping up with them.  It was not till she became as she put it, a “senior citizen” that her health started to decline.  At around the age of 50 after she had begun menopause, she started to experience blood pressure problems, and a few years later she developed sleep apnea.  To help her continue breathing while asleep she had to sleep every night with a breathing machine. Thankfully her breathing problem improved and she relies on a machine no longer.  She also experienced several common signs of aging such as: Arthritis, weight gain, loss in height, and increased fatigue following physical activities. Despite the changes she has experienced with age, she tries  not to worry about her health. She has learned how to deal with change, and is aging with grace and acceptance.  

After I questioned my grandmother on the physical dimension of her development, we moved on to her cognitive development.  In response to questions about learning, she replied that from a young age she loved to learn.  She started attending school at the age of five years old and she enjoyed it immensely.  Although learning was something she enjoyed, she never thought of herself as especially bright or intelligent. In her words, she considered herself as “average, with a little spark.”  Her special “spark” was indeed her creative mind. Even more than learning, my grandmother adored being creative.  Dancing, art, and singing were the things at which she excelled, and these skills followed her throughout her adolescent and adult life as well.  In high school, when learning became more than just for fun my grandmother started to struggle a little with her schooling. In our interview, she observed that as a teenager she started looking at school with grades and college in mind instead of as an enjoyable outlet.  As she transitioned through emerging adulthood learning became easier to her again and she saw her intelligence expand. She attended college following high school but was unable to finish her degree. She chose instead to marry my grandfather. When she reached the age of 40 however, she encountered a midlife transition period, and ventured back to school to finish her degree. She majored in education and got her certification to be a pre-school teacher.  My grandmother loved her years as a pre-school teacher; this time exemplified her life philosophy to always keep moving forward. As she ages, my grandmother believes that she has become wiser and more intelligent. When asked to define wisdom, my grandmother replied that “wisdom is how to apply what you know to help someone get better, or fill a need. “  Intelligence, she defined as: “knowing where to go and find the information that you need.”  I think these definitions gives wonderful insight into my grandmother’s mind. She feels that in her current state of life she has the knowledge to achieve anything she wants to accomplish. 

My grandmother’s way of thinking is certainly unique, and her way of interacting with others directly reflects this.  Following examination of her cognitive changes, we then transitioned to the psychosocial aspects of her development.  Starting in her very first years alive my grandmother was always social. Growing up she lived in a home with her mother, father, and two younger brothers.  She would go out and play every day riding her bike around the neighborhood. During her childhood she viewed the world using egocentric thought. From her perspective everybody was her friend.  Going to school expanded her world and she thrived in the social environment.  In 7^th grade however, around the age of puberty, she experienced a sudden personality change. She became quiet and reserved acting uncharacteristically at home and at school. Just as suddenly as her personality shifted, it shifted back and in 9^th and 10^th grade she became a social butterfly once again. These sudden personality changes were most likely a result of my grandmother’s search for her true self. A period of figuring out her own strength, weaknesses, and her place in society, in other words discovering her identity.    Throughout her later high school years she thrived in social interaction, and was popular at school.  After high school my grandmother went on to college and took on the new social role of housewife at the young age of 19. Currently, she is a minister’s wife and leader in her community and just as socially active as ever.

Finally, we moved on to her emotional development. My grandmother always has had a cheerful and easy going temperament. She was an outgoing, fun loving child who loved everybody and in turn thought that everybody loved her. She was happiest when singing, laughing and being creative. Her mother was an artist and encouraged her to take on hobbies such as sewing her own clothes, making cards, and painting. She was a compliant easily pleased daughter, and in her family she was the first born.  She paved the way for her younger brothers in every aspect of life. During adolescence however, my grandmother does admit to “rocking the boat” from time to time, but over all she feels that her personality hasn't changed much over the years. When questioned about the strengths of her personality, she replied that her greatest strengths are: being able to see the best in people and encouraging them to develop. When asked about her weaknesses she replied that her greatest weaknesses are: talking too much and laughing at the wrong times. As she gets older she doesn't expect her emotional state to change much in the future.  She feels that as long as long as she is loved she won’t become bitter. My grandmother follows the psychological activity theory of aging, she has kept herself interested and active and she has always been full of life and love. Even now, at age 68, when facing her future she is looking forward with excitement and anticipation.     

Here is an audio recording of our interview:

My Visit to the Health Museum:

My dad and I  visited the Health Museum. We really enjoyed it and I learned a thing or two from my experience there. We started our tour with the largest exhibit.  This particular exhibit displayed  the processes going on inside each and every human being everyday.

It was interesting to see first hand the processes going on 24 hours a day inside my own body.  It was hard to grasp the idea that the things I was seeing were actually happening inside me at that very same moment. The exhibit started in the mouth with the teeth, then went on into the throat.

I was especially interested in the video that showed the inside of the throat and what happens when we talk and sing. I love to sing, and my vocal teacher is always telling me about what happens to my larynx and  throat muscles when I'm singing. This video actually showed what my teacher has always told me,and It helped me visualize what my throat is doing every time I sing. From the throat we moved deeper down inside the body. 

We  payed a little visit to the "Liver Man", and found out what  a health  liver should look like. There was a variety of different colored livers and you could place them inside the"Liver Man" to see what caused them to look a certain way.   My dad and I where surprised that the liver we thought looked the worst was actually a health liver! 

After the liver came the lungs and the Heart. There was a cute little video that explained the cycle of  blood throughout your heart and body. I was amazed at what your blood goes through to get all the way throughout the body, and that the cycle is never-ending. 

The giant eye was fun!  We learned about all the many layers that make up one little eye. I was surprised at how many different layers there actually were. The eye is definitely one  of the most fascinating parts of the body.  

I was interested to see the inside of my ear. I have had ear problems before, and I've always been amazed a the structure of the ear.  Unfortunately, the sound on this area was broken so we couldn't discover more.  At the end of the exhibit was the bones, and muscles.

 They had an machine that you could move along the human body to see what it looks like during an Ex ray,  MRI, or Gamma body scan.  I also got to ride a bike with a skeleton!

After the Body exhibit we went on the the Age and Future Exhibit. This entire exhibit was dedicated to how our bodies will be in the future, and the things can be done to predict future development. We watched a video about gene testing, and how people can now tell if a child will be born with a hereditary disease.  We also got an estimate of  how long we  can expect live. And according to the height predictor I will grow to be over six foot. ^-^ Lastly, my dad and I found out what we would look like as Asians!

 Over all, we had a good time at the museum and I enjoyed spending time with my dad. ^-^ I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the  processes of the body, or is taking a class that is health focused. The Health Museum was a great learning experience!

The Eulogy of Madeline Hartley Royalty:

    

         Madeline Hartley Royalty was born on September 22, 1996 in Flint Michigan. She was a dreamer, a song bird, and a true daughter of God. Madeline grew up in the small town of Linden Michigan. Her household as a child consisted of her two loving parents and her older brother. She was a country girl at heart! She delighted in the outdoors as a child and had a wondrous love of nature throughout her life.  She loved to play pretend. She and Her brother would adventure around their families 12 acres of  land pretending that they were Indians and letting their imaginations run wild.  As a result she developed a vivid imagination at a young age. She resided in Linden until she was about 10 years old.  In the summer of 2007,  her family moved to Texas where her father had obtained job in the oil industry. Once in Texas she remained there for the next 8 years of her life. She was homeschooled by her mother most of her life. She studied at home till her junior year of high-school when she started attending college classes.  As a homeschooler she was kept to herself a great deal and developed an introverted personality. Her time at home, however, also helped to nurture her creative mind. Some of her favorite hobbies growing up consisted of: reading, painting, sewing, crocheting, playing the ukulele/guitar/piano, singing, and writing songs. She was always encouraged to use her imagination to the fullest! One of her life mottos was “you can teach someone to memorize facts, but you can’t teach creativity”. She lived up to this motto throughout her life by striving to utilize her imagination in every situation she faced
           After she graduated high school, in 2014, Madeline moved to Oklahoma and attended Oral Roberts University. There she studied graphic design, film, video and all other aspects of media. Her one dream in life was always simply this: to make beautiful things.  While studying at ORU her creativity blossomed like never before. On top of her academic studies she was a part of the schools worship band, and led worship at her university every week. Her love of singing was another facet of her life that always would follow her. Her voice was admired by all who heard her, and she used it inspire people.  After college she moved back to Texas to be close to her family. It was then that she was married to her true love!  She and her husband (who was a gifted musician) traveled around the country playing music together. He wrote the music, she wrote the lyrics, and they sang in perfect harmony! They played only small venues and churches, but wherever they went they were loved by many. Soon the traveling couple settled down as the pastors of a small church.  At her church Madeline double tasked as the church’s worship leader, media person, and pastor’s wife.  She moved from that church to two other churches before she and her husband retired.  She continued to make videos, graphics, and music  on the side while she was a pastor’s wife and used her mind to the fullest! She was the mother of two children. Her first child was a boy named Edmund, and her second a girl named February. She raised her children with the same emphasis on creativity that her mother used in raising her. She encouraged them to dream, create, and imagine for themselves. Her parenting philosophy was that she was not raising children, she was raising adults. Her main goal was for her children to be independent, well rounded, and intelligent human beings. And she wanted most of all for her children to have their own personal relationship with Jesus.  After retirement she and her husband moved to Ludington Michigan. There they lived in a cozy cottage by the sea. She spent her days doing all the things she loved most. She was free to paint, draw, sing, and create to her very heart’s content. Her grandchildren visited her often and she spent the rest of her life as just your average kooky grandmother!

          Some would say that Madeline Royalty didn’t accomplish much throughout her life, but she felt differently. She felt that her greatest accomplishment was simply in maintaining her relationship with her Father (God). She also delighted in the thought that she helped at least one person find the truth of Jesus Christ, and that throughout her life she had created many beautiful things to leave behind. Knowing these things she could leave the world confident that she had indeed made a difference. What the people she left behind will remember about Madeline is her passion for whatever she put her mind to, Her loyalty to those around her, Her weirdness, her unique view of the world, her voice, her songs, her creative mind and her loving heart. They will all miss her hugs, and her comforting words but they will carry her memory in their hearts forever. 

Note from the Author: The above is my very own eulogy. I realized a lot about myself while I was writing this. I discovered who it is I really want to be remembered as, and what I really want my life to mean. It was a truly eye opening experience. Just know that the above is not the complete truth. I am of course not actually dead, or even married yet, but the things I wrote are the true wishes of my heart so don't read them lightly. After reading this eulogy you have read me. You know who I am.... 

Funeral History:

My father and I paid a visit to the National Museum of Funeral History. Despite the dismal impression associated with the name of this museum, it was actually an immensely enjoyable place to visit. My dad and I spent about 3 hours there and we had a lot of fun. I highly suggest this museum to all! For a small idea of what you can expect if you were to visit this museum following is a quick overview of the exhibits this museum has to offer. 

The Hall of Hearses:

                This cart was used for early railroad transportation of coffins . 

The Presidential Hearse...

This is the actual hearse that carried Princess Grace Kelly's body!!!!

                                                

                               
                              
                                                The History of Embalming:

 This is a look at a 19th century embalming room. 

                                                           Interesting Caskets: 
                                            

 Snow White's casket. 

Ever wondered about the origin of calling someone a "basket case?"  Well here it is! The original basket case! During the Civil War soldiers with amputated legs were carried around in baskets and called "basket cases." Additionally those deceased were carried from their place of death in wicker baskets such as this one. Maybe  now you'll think twice before you label someone a "basket case"

Here is a set of funky caskets designed by a special artist. These caskets just show how much things have changed throughout the history of funerals. 

The Pope 

This special exhibit was dedicated to the Pope. It contained amazingly elaborate sets! I felt like I was walking through a monastery with the winding halls and haunting choral music throughout the exhibit. I also learned a lot about the pope that I had never before considered. 

                                    Random Fun Finds ^-^:

Creepy....

I learn a lot about the history of Funerals by exploring the museum, and the experience brought to my mind one thought: everyone dies eventually. Although this is quite a mournful thought,  it is one of the basic facts of life. Death is inevitable, and because all people die, all people must therefore be buried, thus funerals were invented. For as long as the concept of death has existed, some form of funerals has been preformed.  It is surprising however, that the event we now picture as a funeral is relatively new.   In about the 1800’s today’s concept of funerals started to take shape. People began opening shops selling custom caskets, and funeral homes came into being. For those that could not afford a funeral home, funerals of loved ones were held right in their own homes. The process of Embalming also became popular during this time, and was even used on the battle field during the American Civil war.  A book was also published during this time that defined when someone was really dead, and described the symptoms of death. Hearses used to transport bodies at this time, were horse drawn carriages, and when bodies needed to be transported long distances, casket carrying carts were attached to train cars for transportation by railway. The body of President Abraham Lincoln was the first president’s body to be transported by train, and his transportation across the U.S. created one of the longest funeral processions in history.   Funerals have come a long way over the last hundred years.  Horse drawn hearses have long since been replaced by sleek black automobiles, and funerals have taken on many new modern aspects. But despite the way funerals have changed over the years they are, and always will be memorials to the memory of those we love. 

After my visit  to the museum I really started thinking about my own Funeral. Life is unpredictable and you never know what tomorrow will hold. I decided that it would be a good idea to make an end of life plan for myself . I started by asking myself some hard Questions like: where do I want to be buried? Do I want to be cremated? Would I like an open or closed casket funeral? Do I want to be put on life support?  I have never before realized all the important decisions that have to be made before I die. After considering my options I answered the questions one by one. Firstly, I would like to be buried in my families burial plot. My dad's side of the family the Royalties, have a section of a graveyard in Lake Jackson Texas. Both my grandparents and great grandparents are buried there and I would like to be as well.  I would  also like for my body to be in a casket and put into the ground. The idea of cremation makes me cringe, but I also don't want an open casket. I don't want my family to see me all pale and dead. To me, there is no point in living people viewing the dead. Also, I wouldn't like my friends and family to see me looking so pale and lifeless.  I believe that once I am dead my body means nothing, I believe that my spirit will join Jesus in heaven. One of the hardest decisions to make is whether or not I want to be put on life support, and I have decided that I don't want to be. It is human nature to attempt to keep people alive as long as possible, but  for me I don't think that life support is really living. If I am sick enough to die, then I want to die. I know that might sound morbid but that is the way I feel. I know that life is fleeting and that everyday is a gift. All I want is to simply live my life while I can and when it's time for me to head home to heaven, I'm ready to get up and go! 

The END.