Where Do You Earn THAT Degree?

Every once in a while I get e-mails about job openings from various sources. Last week, there was one that really interested me. Good job, good benefits, good pay and really interesting work.

And it seemed that I met all of the requirements and had the right qualifications. Then I saw a section about “preferred qualifications” – above and beyond those required. One preference was for an advanced degree, which I have in law, but several possibilities were listed. One of those concerned me and made me really wonder about that job.

Listed at two different places was this advanced degree: Masters in Pubic Health.

What school offers THAT degree? What all do you study to earn such a degree? Perhaps there’s a course in anatomy, maybe one involving human behavior or social behavior. I actually took a course called Human Sexuality in college but not because I was working toward a degree in Pubic Health. 


(I hate to admit it but I almost failed Human Sexuality. Which, of course, is crazy because, by exam time, my husband and I were expecting our second child. I told the professor I knew what to do but just didn’t know what to call it!)

In earning a Masters in Pubic Health, does a student have lab work? Does it involve independent study?

Forget those job listings. I think I’ll go back to school to get a Masters in Pubic Health. Since I’ve given birth to three children and been married more than once, maybe I can start off ahead of the game with credits for life experiences. I ought to be able to get this advanced degree in almost no time at all!

It's About Sex

I don’t write about sex very often. Maybe it’s because I don’t know very much!

But I just read that October is National Family Sexuality Month, an effort to promote open communication within families about sexuality.

Well, this reminded me a particular day many years ago. I’ve written about it before, so if you’ve already read it, just bear with me.

It was a Saturday afternoon and I was at home with the three children, all of whom were quite young at the time.

According to the newspaper’s TV schedule, a show was coming on late that afternoon about teaching children how to say “no” to strangers.

Excellent, I thought. As a mother of youngsters, I wanted them to stay away from strangers and not to be tempted ever by candy or any other enticement. Without being pushy, I had us all in the room with the television when the program began. And so, we sat down and casually tuned in to watch the show.

After a few minutes of discussion about saying “no” to strangers, the conversation changed somewhat. It went from saying “no” to strangers to just saying “no” in general. And then, finally, the program’s focus turned to relationships between teenagers and beyond. The talk was about saying “no” to “doing it.” Should a person wait for love? True love? Commitment? Marriage? What? When was the right time?

As one might imagine, the children were engrossed in the discussion. Then all of a sudden, Tiffany blurted out, “I’m confused!”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because,” she replied, “they’re talking about when to do it and I don’t even know what it is!”

Keep watching, honey, just keep watching.

And there you have it - our celebration of National Family Sexuality Month!

Days, Weeks and Sex

If you’ve read this blog much, you probably realize I’m intrigued by weird holidays and celebrations.

There were two special observances earlier this week that I missed – and I am SO glad. Both were on Monday (1/12/09): “National Clean Off Your Desk Day” and “Organize Your Home Day.”

Whew! Those just happened to pass me by. What a coincidence, huh? It’s a good thing because I couldn’t do either one of those in just a day. It would take at least a month, probably more.

Tomorrow, by the way, is called “Nothing Day.” Now, that’s one I can celebrate!

Now, let’s move from days to weeks, and specifically to two weeks.

I heard on a news show this week that a survey is being conducted utilizing one question only. I don’t remember the purpose of the survey or what group is doing it, but I certainly remember the question: If you had to give up one of these for two weeks, which would you give up – sex or the Internet?

So, what’s your answer? Or is anyone brave enough to answer?