Apparently well-educated young women in the US are currently very likely to use WITHDRAWAL as their  method of contraception.

Better than nothing or savvy risk-reduction practice?

DOES WITHDRAWAL DESERVE ANOTHER LOOK?

Who Needs Condoms When You Can Pull Out?

...
huh? didn't your gyno nay-say that one yet?!

i don't know about the rest of twenty somethings out there, but me and my good female friend Mocha are totally into the double-trouble method: birth control combined with either a) condom  b) withdrawal  c) spermicidal sponge. i'm curious- calling all women in their 20's: what method are you using?

My employer sent me to a defensive driving training seminar today, which was such a giant waste of my time...at least I got to go home an hour earlier then normal.

The course instructor told us such gems as:
-"Don't make left turns. Just make series of right turns until you get to your destination!" (has she ever driven in NYC?!!!)

-"Stay home if it's snowing! Just call in sick to work that day!" (because that's not obvious and won't get me fired)

-"I don't know what to tell you about your car skidding because I never drive in the snow." (glad i know how to drive in the snow already)

-"Just don't drive in Manhattan during the day." ( *sigh* i wish )

Now, this instructor was aware that me and about 10 of the other people there are required to drive in all weather conditions, including snow, ice, fog, tornadoes, etc., all over NYC. We were so thrilled with her amazing helpfulness >: /

Women are apparently almost caught up in the math & science fields!

"...researchers at the University of Wisconsin who reviewed a variety of studies concluded that the achievement gap between boys and girls in mathematics performance had narrowed to the vanishing point. 'U.S. girls have now reached parity with boys, even in high school and even for measures requiring complex problem solving,' the Wisconsin researchers said.

Differences between girls’ and boys’ performance in the 10 states were 'close to zero in all grades,' they said, even in high schools where gaps had existed earlier. In the national assessment, they said, differences between girls’ and boys’ performance were 'trivial.' "

and....

"In recent years 'men and women faculty in science, engineering and mathematics have enjoyed comparable opportunities,' said the report, issued Tuesday. It found that women who applied for university jobs and, once they had them, for promotion and tenure were at least as likely to succeed as men.' "
NY TIMES

I never doubted our abilities as mathematicians & scientists!

Thank God my entire family always told me I could do whatever I wanted when I grew up (hell my dad suggested I become an elite military sniper haha) & never disparaged me for being a smart girl- I've wanted to be a scientist since I was 8 years old and reading my Ranger Rick magazine.

I was lucky enough to go to a university with a ton of female professors & scientists for role models. It's weird to later find out how often many of them suffered through a lot of sexism when they were in high school & college...I hope by the time my little cousin goes to college, there's complete equality in these fields >: )

Yeah, I had to go to Rikers Island today for work...and the prisoners were doing grounds work sans shackles or manacles not very far away from me which was totally sketchy >_<   Next time I have to go to Rikers Island, I am definitely not forgetting my pepper spray!!!! Me and my Taiwanese grandpa co-worker were soooo glad to get the hell out of there, the swine flu outbreak in the prison just being extra incentive to get out of there as quickly as possible.
RIKERS ISLAND: OUR PRISON ISLAND

I think I'm going to go buy these earrings on Friday...I love bugs and not many people make bug jewelry!! :3

Are these...bandaids? I want them, so I can wear them on the job haha >: 3

It's finals/papers time AND moving to a new apartment time, so this will be short, but funny...

I was up in a not-so nice area of the Bronx for work the other day, and I see these two adorable pitbulls being walked. I love dogs, and these two pitbulls were very well groomed and super cute, so I started grinning...and look up from the dogs to the owner. The owner happens to be a 6ft+ big scowl-y black guy with facial scars, and he looks extremely discomfited at the fact that I'm happily smiling at him and his dogs...he did manage to quietly squeak out a "Hi" to me before walking past. Poor guy, I guess he's not used to tiny white girls being happy to see him & his doggies LOL

Either that, or I'm that scary ::cackle cackle::