Hello!
My name is Shifa and I am currently a senior. I am studying biology, and I hope to become an optometrist one day. I want to eventually be able to run my own clinic and be my own boss. I chose this profession because it would give me the opportunity to help a wide range of people without sacrificing my life or my family’s life. However, one of my favorite classes in college was my forensic entomology course that focused on producing a research project on the factors that affect decomposition. I loved this course because it allowed me to create and follow through with a project I had helped create. I would consider my research project one of my biggest accomplishments.
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to visit India. I spent most of my time in South India and a few days in North India. It was interesting to the huge culture difference between the two. North India was more westernized and fit more American viewpoints while South India still held true to their traditional values. On the way back, I had the opportunity to stop in the beautiful city of Doha, Qatar. The city life and the amazing Turkish food was not only a great way to end the trip, but also a wonderful experience.
Although I enjoyed being immersed in the eastern culture, I was glad to be home. I was craving Mexican food and the TV show Criminal Minds. My favorite book, which also happens to be my favorite movie, is Pride and Prejudice. I fell in love with the story, and I have not gotten tired of it. My favorite singer is Justin Timberlake and two of the more memorable movies I have seen recently are Zootopia and The Jungle Book.
I love listening to stories. Whether it is a novel or simply someone telling me about their day, I enjoy it. I could do it all day.
Forensic entomology project: This is one of our pigs that we tested the rate of decomposition on. We had six pigs applied with different decomposing variables. We would come check the insect activity twice a day and compile our finding on the effects of decomposition
(personal photo)
Doha, Qatar: This is a panoramic of one the few pictures I took on my trip. In here, it shows how the busy city life meets the calm, quiet sea.
(personal photo)
Pride and Prejudice: I fell in love with this movie back in 2005. I later read the book and the story seemed to get better. I've read the book 20+ times and seen this movie countless times. The story is just amazing!
Hi, I'm Joanne, and I am also in the Indian Epics class with you! Your project about decomposition looks so interesting! I have never actually thought about that process much, but obviously some people had to research it to study more about it, and it's really cool that you got to and actually see the effects.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous that you got to go to India and Qatar! I have long wanted to visit those places and do more traveling. The picture looks absolutely gorgeous.
I have never actually seen the Pride and Prejudice movie, but now I kind of want to see it. I did really like the book though.
Hello! I think it's absolutely great that you were able to travel out of the country and visit India. I personally haven't been to any other continent besides North America so I always think it's fascinating to hear about the journey of others. I also really liked your project. I think decomposition can be quite interesting. Thank you for introducing yourself!
ReplyDeleteOh, how great that you were in India, Shifa! Maybe you will want to do a project for this class that connects up with the places that you visited, learning about the connections you can find between those places and the ancient stories. With all the temples and sacred places in India, there are so many connections like that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am absolutely the world's biggest fan of optometrists! I've worn glasses since I was 5, and I really depend on the genius ability of my optometrist to create the magical trifocals that let me read and write at work all day long with no problems (although I do like to make my fonts very ... VERY ... large when I am reading or writing). As an optometrist, you will be making people happy every day in addition to having the satisfaction of being your own boss. I think that sounds wonderful!
Hi Shifa,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a great summer. I am dying to get to India one day. I'm hoping to study abroad in Hyderabad for a semester coming up. Did you get a chance to visit Hyderabad this summer?
I also relate to you missing mexican food. I travelled to Italy this summer with OU's Journey program and we had meal vouchers for this one "Mexican food" restaurant. A group of us were craving something other than pasta and pizza and it was a free meal so we decided to go. BAD MISTAKE! When in Italy, stick to pasta and pizza no matter what!
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ReplyDeleteOk, first, Jungle Book was SO GOOD. My friends wanted to go see it and I wasn't really into the idea, but I went anyway. I was the only one who was so engrossed!!! Definitely furthers my aspiration to work in voice over. BUT THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME!
ReplyDeleteOn my wall you left a comment about your "little" biologist life and I think it's so the opposite! I couldn't imagine doing the work that you do (and seem to love, which is awesome!). It takes a lot of focus and knowledge to thrive in your field. You're going to help people SEE! How amazing!!
I actually really appreciate your comments on your travels to India. I had no idea that one area is more "americanized" and the other remains traditional. I might go to India for volunteer work and that's some great insight to put in mind. Thanks for that! And thanks for the glasses!!
Hi Shifa! That is awesome that you want to become an optometrist one day! I wanted to do that for a long time, but I realized I'm not too good at Biology so I went with the Physics route and am studying Engineering. That's awesome that you were able to visit India this summer! I think it would be really cool to go sometime in the future. I saw both Zootopia and The Jungle Book and both of those movies were awesome! Me and my friends saw Zootopia when we went on spring break together and I was cracking up during the entire movie! And you've read Pride and Prejudice over 20 times?! Wow, that is incredible! I'm excited to read some of your stories over the semester!
ReplyDeleteI think it is so cool that you got to study the rate of decomp on the animals! I wouldn't ever have the stomach for it, but I do find it fascinating! When I was reading through I was going to ask which Pride and Prejudice was your favorite because I've seen a few different adaptations of it, but the Kira (spelling?) knightly version is my most favorite! I haven't read the story but I can imagine it is just as lovely as the movie.
ReplyDeleteHi Shifa! I think it is really cool that you want to become a optometrist and run your own clinic. I have never been into biology and hated taking the course in high school, but it is obviously not for everyone. I loved the movie Jungle Book as well. I wasn't sure about the movie at first but my friends convinced me to go and I ended up loving it. I think it would really cool to visit India and I hope I get to one day.
ReplyDeleteHi Shifa! That’s amazing that you got to visit India. I’m sure that makes this class even more interesting for you! There is no better way to immerse yourself in a culture than to visit the country yourself. I think that world travel is so important and can change your perspective of the world! Now that you are back, has it been fun for you to continue to learn more about Indian culture? I have loved this class, but I be it has been even more fun for you!
ReplyDeleteYou are almost done with college! congrats! I am glad to hear you went to India and enjoyed it very much. I am actually from India, and part of the Northside. I totally agree on how you describes the North to be more modern than the South. The class you took about checking pigs decomposition seems interesting, but I'm not sure how I would be able to handle the smell. I am glad to hear that you enjoy traveling, and science just like me!
ReplyDeleteHi Shifa! I always think it's so cool when people know exactly what they want as a career and go after it, which is what it sounds like you're doing. I can't say I've ever seen a partially decomposed pig, but sounds like an interesting experiment! I also love listening to stories. When I would babysit, my favorite thing to do was make up stories instead of reading bedtime stories. Sounds like you have an exciting future ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteHi Shifa!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a fan of Pride and Prejudice! I loved the 2005 movie, but I also really enjoyed the TV series with Colin Firth. Have you seen those episodes? Also, there's a youtube series that's a modern take on the novel called the Lizzie Bennett Diaries! I haven't seen them all yet, but the first couple of episodes are fun and I hope to find time to watch the rest soon.
Hi Shifa! I love the title that you used for your introduction! I have always been curious about travelling to India, but it seems really intimidating to me, all the people and everything. Even after doing 11 days in the UK on my own, I'm not sure I could go to India without some serious planning and being part of a group, so props to you!
ReplyDeleteI also love stories, regardless of where they come from. Although listening to stories told by children are a little frustrating since they never seem to get to the point! I'm looking forward to getting to know you a little better over the last few weeks of class!
I also took Dr. Ketchum's Forensic Entomology course! However, I took it over the summer at Lake Texoma so it was a brief two week course, but it was so interesting!! I am also a senior interested in the medical field. It's good to know that I'm not the only weirdo who found a morbid fascination with her material despite wanting to help people for a living.
ReplyDeleteHi Shifa! It's nice to meet you. Your major sounds so difficult so props to you! I can't seem to survive those college science classes. I tried to be a bio pre-vet major but that didn't work out for me. I'm so jealous of your travels. I have sadly never been out of the country but i wish to go one day!! You seem like such a well rounded person with many interests in different things. I am like that a bit as well, and it actually took me four years to decide on a major. This was mostly due to the fact that I have so many interests. But I finally just picked communication. Anyway, great meeting you again and I look forward to reading your work!
ReplyDeleteHi shifa, it is pretty cool you were able to travel to India this summer right before you took this course! I'm not into the whole decomposing thing, it makes me pretty squirmish, which is why I think I chose geology as my major and not something like biology. I'll stick to my rocks but I'm glad there are people like you out there who enjoy it!! It is greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to hear about the differences between northern India and southern India. It seems like a lot of countries are divided between a more modern northern part and a more traditional southern part. The United States, Italy, France, and Germany are just a few countries who are (generally) divided along these lines. I hope you're one day able to have your own optometry practice.
ReplyDeleteHello Shifa! I found it very interesting that you did an entomology class! I would love to be able to go to India one day and explore especially since I have taken this class and feel like I have a little bit of knowledge of their stories. Your movie choses are spot on by the way I loved both of those movies!!
ReplyDeleteHi! I know its a little late in the game but it is nice to get to know you! congrats on being a senior and almost being out of here! I really hope you are able to follow your dreams! Thats really awesome that you got to travel! Do you travel often? Where have you been? Well good luck on your final year!
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