2007 February Archive at Jasiri

Archive for February, 2007

Rolling right along

Published by dara on February 28, 2007 in family, feminism and motherhood. 0 Comments

Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one. –Gloria Steinem

“I have to get home to my daughter.” How strange those words feel on my tongue, spoken for the first time ever in my life. Today was my first excursion out of the house since her birth (not including her doctor’s appointment last week) and I thought about her constantly for the hour that I was running errands. “I have to get home to my daughter,” I told the cashier as he held me up due to a technical problem. It felt so wonderful to say those words.

Motherhood thus far…exhausting, but rewarding!

Beyond What I’ve Ever Known Love To Be

Published by dara on February 15, 2007 in family, motherhood and poetry. 3 Comments

I’m overjoyed that the universe has sent you through me. I can sit here and stare at you for hours–such perfection clothed in a skin so soft, with big beautiful eyes, a cute little nose, and tiny hands and feet. When I watch you sleep my mind drifts to the wonderful life I wish for you, and the beautiful and compassionate person I hope you will become. But as I become overzealous planning your life in my head, I take a pause to remember:

[…]Your children are not your children. They are the sons and the daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you[…]

–Khalil Gibran, excerpt from The Prophet

I’m attempting to create a new word to describe my feelings for you, because this is beyond what I’ve ever known love to be.

South Africa First In Large-Scale HIV Vaccine Trial

Published by dara on February 8, 2007 in health and worldwide. 1 Comment

A trial version of an HIV vaccine will be launced in South Africa the BBC reports.

Three thousand HIV negative men and women who are sexually active will be immunised in the four-year study. An international team of researchers, led by experts from the US, will oversee the trial of the vaccine, created by the drug company Merck…The test vaccine has already been through trials for safety and immune response in the Americas, Africa and Australia. It does not contain live HIV, so cannot cause infection, but does contain copies of three HIV genes. The hope is that exposure to these genes prompts an immune response in the body so that cells containing HIV virus would be recognised and destroyed. [Read more…]

This is great progress but I just have one question. Wouldn’t the effectiveness of the vaccine need to be tested by having the participants come in contact with the virus? We don’t want that. The article informs us that “everyone will receive advice on how to practise safe sex.” But do they really want everyone to practice safe sex, because if no one gets infected how do you test the vaccine? Things that make you go hmm?

Do I Really Need To Think About This One?

Published by dara on February 7, 2007 in pregnancy. 2 Comments

So at my doctor’s appointment today, the midwife informed me that I could do one of two things if I really wanted to bring on labor. 1.) take 2 tablespoons of castor oil (yuck!)–will work but I’ll probably get a fierce case of diarrhea. And 2.) have sex (yea!)–will work minus the nasty side effects. Now let me guess which one my partner will want me to choose…

I’m Ready

Published by dara on February 6, 2007 in pregnancy. 7 Comments

2 days past my due date
anxious nervous excited uncomfortable a tad scared
my dad’s hoping she/he will arrive on his birthday–you may get your wish
i’m hoping more like today or tomorrow