11/12/2008

All wrapped up and into something new.

The last assignment for the semester was submitted on Friday. Yup, you heard right, it's over! I'm not sure if anyone cares but I wrapped up the following courses:
  1. Nutrition in Developing Countries
  2. Health Policy and Food Security (in the face of the global food crisis)
  3. Host-Parasite Interactions
  4. Graduate Seminar II
  5. Statistical Analysis of Nutrient Data
That's right! I passed a graduate level stats class! Can I get a woot woot!?!


Here's what on tap for the graduate student world come January;
  1. Epidemiological Perspectives in Global Health
  2. Water, Health and Sanitation (Parasitology)
  3. Maternal and Child Nutrition
  4. Full-fledged big 'n ugly literature review for my project
  5. My project (Extending till August)

Right now I'm delving into my project topic, sorting out the whats and hows and whens and whys. Lots and lots and lots of questions. A little daunting and overwhelming (Merry Christmas to me!).

On a little more exciting note, I've also been hired by McGill to invigilate undergrad exams at the downtown campus. So, like a big girl, I'm commuting in to downtown Montreal and refereeing a bunch of sweating anxiety filled undergrads write their finals. Not only does this opportunity offer a bit of amusement and nostalgia, but some extra Christmas coinage too, which is nice.

That's some of the latest happenings here in the east.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

recognizing your achievement, I say: "woot! woot!"

Trevor said...

Way to go! Those classes look really interesting to me. I hope you have enjoyed them and will enjoy them.

Anonymous said...

Quick question since this is something up your alley (i think)..How much wt gain is normal in pregnancy? consensus states 25-40lbs if underweight prepregnancy, 25-35 if normal weight etc. but isnt that ALOT???? do you know where these numbers come from?

Candice said...

To make a looooong story short, these ranges are from the Institute of Medicine (derived by a committee of experts, based on high quality research in the area).

That being said, these recommendations are currently under review, and for the exact reason you've pointed out. They are quite high. With the whole 'obesity' epidemic and a heavier society in general, the major risk is shifting from having too small of babies, to having too large of babies, which can also have long term implications for both mother and child.

Another interesting aspect that is being considered for future recommendations is different weight gain goals for shorter stature women. Shorter women are at a higher risk of having complications at delivery such as obstructed labour. [This gets even more fiercely debated when considering supplementing malnourished women in poor rural regions of the world - where doctors and cesarian equipment are no where to be found].

That being said, the current recommendations for Canadian women are based off the best knowledge available at the time they were conceived. They are safe, and they are believed to offer the best outcome for both mother and child. If you are concerned, aim for the middle to lower end.

Candice said...

For more information on the current recommendations and those under review:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/prenatal/national_guidelines-lignes_directrices_nationales-06b-eng.php

Anonymous said...

Wow Candice, that's a great answer!!! did you come up with that off the top of your head?? no doubt you probably did! Amazing! and woot woot for the stats class! when I read that you'll receive some entertainment watching the undergrads write there exams I just smiled. My sister-in-law told me this past week she was heading in on Tues. to write her geography exam only to find out it was actually her biology exam (which she thought was Thurs) Can you imagine?!?! talk about utilizing some stress management. Well, hope you enjoy your "Break" What exactly is your project topic?

Anonymous said...

thanks so much C,
i was wondering about the ranges for exactly those reasons (bigger babies in areas where there is less C/S availability and rampant obesity...)