Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Adjunct Professors

The other day I saw a piece of news on the plight of part-time college professors.

Now these day, to cut operating costs, many companies conduct their business with many part-time workers.  To my biggest surprise, these cost-saving measures are also prevalent practices in colleges and universities.  Part-time instructors or adjunct professors in the nationa's community colleges or universities are being hired on a course-by course basis.  According to PBS's NewsHour the other day, many fully qualified young professors with advanced degrees and loads of student loans can only secure part-time teaching positions.  The average earnings of a supplementary professor are around $12,000 per year.  While the salary ranges for their tenured counters are in the high-five to six figures ranges, auxiliary professors get paid at $2,000 to 2,500 per course.

The large disparity in earnings between an adjunct professor and a tenured faculty member had kept many college instructors living below the poverty line.  The make the ends meet, one individual teaches three courses at different schools.  And another a/p, a Ph. D. cum single mom, must commune each day to and from the school that is far away from where she and her daughter live. The same professor had to rely food stamps to support the family.  -  Ayee

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Food for Thought - Low Blood Sugar and A Food Diary

A few years ago, when I started experiencing the on-and off discomforts from the un-dignosed hypoglycemia, a dear friend suggested that I started a food diary.

The reason to record what I had for dinner is to help me relate the foods I ate yesterday to how I feel today.  This will help me, a not very fussy eater, single out the foods that make me feel woozy or experience other low blood sugar level related sympton such as blurred vision, fatigue, poor circulation, and insomnia.

Although I do appreciate the wisdom behind a personal food diary, I failed to take advantage of this simple and informative way to track my diet on paper until about a few weeks ago.

After I started recording what I had for meals and snacks each day, the intelligence I gathered from my food ledger led me to  realize that I had too many sweet treats in my daily food intakes.  My food diary also gave me some ideas as to the amount of the foods I was eating each day.  I found I felt better if I had not stuffed myself the night before.

Now, thanks to my dear diary, I had finally figured out that in my case as far as my personal health is concerned, rich and sweet desserts are my worst enemies.  -  Ayee