I passed!

I passed the NCBTMB National Certification Exam yesterday morning. YES!
160 questions. When I started and saw the first few questions, I thought I was screwed! Holy Shit, what is this stuff???

It did get a little better though. Obviously, since I passed. And that's all they tell you when you finish... you passed or you didn't pass. I'm supposed to get an "official" report telling me if I scored High, Middle or Low and the areas I need to work on.

Wow! I'm so sorry...

It's been quite a while hasn't it? I've really been neglecting you.

Between finishing school, taking my final exams and dealing with my friend's depression and pain... life has been pretty full.

But the good news is, I got a 92 on my final and I graduated last Saturday! Yes!

I got the highest grade point average! Yes, I'm a happy camper.

Today I've been filling out online applications to take the National Certification Exam. Notarize this, photograph that and Pay Us... Whew, This is getting expensive! And after passing the Nat. Cert., I have to pay the Board of Nursing here in Virginia.

Anatomy & Physiology update...

Hey! I got a 100 on my A & P final exam!! WooHoo!

Now, Anatomy & Physiology class is over.... Yippee... I have my Wednesday evenings back again.
Of course, Massage classes are still going on. I'm half way through, but Massage is infinitely more interesting than Anatomy. Okay, maybe Anatomy isn't Uninteresting... but it is less exciting than Massage Class.

There was extra credit on the exam... draw a diagram of the heart and label the chambers, valves, etc and illustrate with arrows the flow of blood through the heart.
I drew an awesome heart, it was gorgeous... maybe I can scan it for you. I'm sure you're looking forward to THAT... haha

Well, I'm hitting the sack... maybe I can sleep without dreaming of muscle sarcomeres, cell mitochondria and various bones of the hand (ie. scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate).
Here's a good quiz website for A & P.

By the way...

I have an Anatomy & Physiology final Exam tonight!

Wish me luck!

Pain, it's not just for breakfast anymore...

I have a test tonight (YES, another test)... it's on Chapter 4 in our Massage text book. Chapter 4 is entitled "The Scientific Art of Therapeutic Massage".

Key terms in this chapter:
Breathing pattern disorder, Centering, Circulation, Compression, Connective Tissue, Conservation withdrawal, Cortisol (THAT should generate some hits!), Counterirritation, Dopamine, Dynorphins, Endorphins, Enkephalins, Entrainment, Entrapment, Epinephrine/adrenaline, Gate Control Theory, General Adaptation Syndrome (Fight-or-Flight), Growth Hormone

As you can see, the chapter is basically about pain and pain management.

Does anyone else see the irony in ME studying how to REDUCE pain? But of course, those of us described as... hmm, well... masochists(?), pain-fetishists(?) - we like CERTAIN pains while others are not desirable. And most of us, at least aren't sadists (though SOME are switches)...
I have little desire to inflict pain on anyone... unless they want me to... heh. And even then, it's not really in my nature.
So I guess massage really is the career for me.

While studying Chapter 4 in class, we discussed the section called "Hyperstimulation Analgesia"(part of the gate control theory).
Which is described as diminishing the perception of a sensation (pain) by stimulating large-diameter nerve fibers. The premise is that the "large-diameter" nerve fiber sensations take precedence over the small-diameter ones.

The last sentence in the section states: "In recent years transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has become a popular method of producing hyperstimulation analgesia"
Boy, oh boy..... that sentence alone had me tingling ALL OVER!

Today is: 2007年1月2日 星期二 丙戌年十一月十四

Happy New Year!

Of course, that's by the Gregorian Calendar...

the Chinese New Year begins on 2/18/2007

Okay, so I'm a day late. I was vegging yesterday.
I have a big muscle test on Thursday and was I studying? Nope, I feel really bad about that but I just sat on my ass most of the day. I did do a little cleaning and some laundry... but mostly just watched TV. Actually, I do pretty well with the ole Last Minute CRAM for the EXAM, but I'd like to say my new year's resolution is to study more this year. We'll see.

gotta...catch...a...breath....

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy, busy, busy!
But I'm feeling much better than that last post.
School (Massage Therapy) began on Sept. 6th. Three nights a week until the end of February, then Anatomy will be over and it will be 2 nights a week. I had my first test in Massage Theory class on Monday. I got a 96! Well, at first I got a 100... but when we went over it I found where the teacher had missed one incorrect answer. She thanked me for my honesty. Damnit! I wanted that 100! My first Anatomy test is next Wednesday..... eeeek!
I'm surprised at how much I actually remember from high school Health and Biology classes. But I have a feeling it's going to get more challenging!
All in all, I'm enjoying classes very much so far.

On top of 3 classes/week for Massage Therapy, I've been involved in RAD Classes on Tuesdays.
RAD stands for Rape, Aggression, Defense. If you've never heard of RAD, please check out their website.

From the website:

a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. R.A.D. is not a Martial Arts program.

Why R.A.D.?

• R.A.D. is the largest network of its kind with over 7000 Instructors receiving training in our systems to date. These Instructors teach at various colleges, universities, and municipal law enforcement agencies as well as various other community organizations internationally. R.A.D. has trained more than 300,000 women since the program began in 1989.
  
• R.A.D. is the only existing program with a free lifetime return and practice policy, honored throughout both the US and Canada.
  
• R.A.D. has developed specialized simulation techniques and equipment for use by certified R.A.D. instructors.
  
• R.A.D. is the only self defense program ever endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
  
• Lawrence N. Nadeau, Director of Instructional Development and Founder.

Here is my rendition of our beloved instructor

Sgt. Yummy (a.k.a. "Hunk-o-Cop")

purrrrrr!

This is a test...

This is a test post from my cell! I'm such a pathetic geek...

Tickle me...

I took The 5-Factor IPIP Personality Test at Tickle.

PEG, your most unique quality is that you're unusually Inspirational
You inspire others around you with your creative energy and thirst for new experiences. You are exceptionally curious and aren't afraid of learning new things — which is probably because you tend to focus on the potential positive outcome of any experience rather than dwelling on the potential negatives. You are a true explorer in the word. You want to understand and experience it all, and you're especially open to new feelings and ideas. Compared to others who are open, you are unusually accepting of your own and others feelings. Only 6.0% of
all test takers have this unique combination of personality strengths.

I've fallen and I can't get up.....

into the Quiz Zone that is...

NO KIDDING?!

You are

What Rejected Crayon Are You?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You Are 50% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird... But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

just what we need, another quiz...

Well, I don't know how accurate this can be with only 4 questions... but what the hey!

Your Blogging Type is Zany and Charming

You're a popular blogger with a flair for getting attention. But you're not all fluff - in fact, you're far from it. Your blog is full of interesting ideas and fun finds. You're a fascinating person, and it shows through on your blog.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Which MARVEL Superheroine are you?

for the ladies...

heh heh... I really like this one!

(wish I had those boobs!)

http://www.liquidgeneration.com/quiz/superheroine_quiz.asp

they have a blog too: http://www.liquidgeneration.com/blog/blogger.html

Easy Rider... how appropriate...

Found another test site (thanks to Lady Calliah)... rather appropriate, don't ya think?

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Good movie, if you have seen it you should.

NO? REALLY??

never would have guessed...

You are 100% Bisexual

How bisexual are you?
More Great Quizzes from Quiz Diva

I found this quiz at Evan's Blog.

More Tag than I ever played in Elementary School...

I've been tagged again folks, by Lady Calliah:
Have you ever?
(x) snuck out of the house
( ) gotten lost in your city
(x) seen a shooting star
(x) been to any other countries besides Canada (but only the Conch Republic… that’s Key West by the way… haha)
( ) had a serious surgery (of course they seemed pretty serious to me!)
( ) gone out in public in your pajamas (no, but I’ve drempt of being in public naked)
(x) kissed a stranger
(x) hugged a stranger
(x) been in a fist fight (does karate competition count?)
( ) been arrested
(x) laughed and had milk/coke come out of your nose (just yesterday, but it was Mojito)
(x) pushed all the buttons on an elevator
(x) swore at your parents
(x) been in love
(x) been close to love
(x) been to a casino
( ) been skydiving (been in a hot air balloon though... that was great)
(x) skinny (only in first grade… and I was tall too… and that was the last time for both)
(x) skipped school
(x) seen a therapist (marriage councellor)
(x) done the splits (again, involves karate)
( ) played spin the bottle
(x) gotten stitches
( ) drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour
(x) bitten someone
( ) been to Niagara Falls
(x) gotten the chicken pox
(x) kissed a member of the opposite sex (how about same sex??)
( ) crashed into a friend's car
( ) been to Japan
(x) ridden in a taxi
( ) been dumped
(x) shoplifted (okay… I was REAL young… and stupid)
(x) been fired
(x) had a crush on someone of the same sex
(x) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) gone on a blind date
(x) lied to a friend
(x) had a crush on a teacher (Oh my god… of course)
( ) celebrated Mardi-Gras in new Orleans (no, but I HAVE been to New Orleans)
( ) been to Europe
(x) slept with a co-worker
(x) been married
( ) gotten divorced
( ) had children
(x) seen someone die
(x) had a close friend die
( ) been to Africa
(x) driven over 400 miles in one day (on a motorcycle… I think my ass still hurts)
(x) been to US
( ) been to Mexico
( ) been to India
(x) been on a plane
(x) seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show (about a gazillion times)
( ) thrown up in a bar
( ) purposely set a part of myself on fire (oh, now this one just scares me)
(x) eaten sushi
(x) been skiing/snowboarding
(x) met someone in person from the internet
( ) lost a child
(x) gone to college/university
( ) graduated college/university
(x) fired a gun (often… just target practice though)
( ) purposely hurt yourself
(x) taken painkillers
(x) been intimate with someone of the same gender

Funny thing about the Rocky Horror Picture Show... I sang a couple of songs from it last Friday nite at Karaoke. My rendition of Sweet Transvestite was a BIG hit.

Okay... I'm gonna tag Tara, Gabby and Zube (girl, you gonna have a lot to do when you get back from Puerto Rico!)

HOLY MOLE'... ANOTHER TEST?

The Esoteric Path Test This one is at okcupid.com Meeting the Guru You are 67% along the path.

You have shown yourself to be open to learning and willing to look deeply into the true nature of things. At this stage of progress you will encounter your Guru, who offers surprising bits of wisdom. Does the journey end here? The Guru suggests it is really only beginning. "True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing. And in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you the smartest of all." - Socrates artwork by Hans-Werner Sahm

Link: The Esoteric Path Test written by spiral9 on Ok Cupid

I'm a Geek too...

Another quiz? I guess that's what you do at work when you're "bored stupid". This quiz is at
Spacefem.com and I found it at Lady Calliah's Other Blog.

It says:

"That's right! You and 5583 other people (out of the 47743 people who've taken this quiz) are sixties geeks. "
okay... if you say so.

I'm A 1960s Geek

You're pretty quirky and weird but we know you're smart and love you anyway!

find your geek decade at spacefem.com

So, anyone out there know of any other weird-assed quizzes??? I'm still bored! And I've got the munchies... What's up with that??? Guess it's still those damned hormones.

I've been Tagged...

I've been called on for the latest Blog questionaire thingy... it's Book Tag. 5 questions relating to books and reading ... huh, wonder why I was tagged (wink). Most of these can be answered just by reading my blog... but here goes:

1. Total number of books I've owned: Well, like Kasey said... books are friends. And I am unwilling to part with friends (and books it seems). I have almost every one I've ever purchased. So that's 1000s I'm sure. And they are scattered throughout my life... bookshelves, attic, office, truck... everywhere (just ask hubby... no, don't).
   
2. What is the last book I bought? The last (2) were bought on Barnesandnoble.com, they were The Body Farm and From Potter's Field both by Patricia Cornwell
   
3. Last book I read? I'm reading Cruel And Unusual (also P. Cornwell) now... I've been so busy... seems like I've been reading this one forever. Before that was All That Remains and before that was Deception Point by Dan Brown. Kasey, I love the Harry Potter books so I guess I'm a geek too!
   
4. 5 books that mean something to me. They ALL mean something to me. I almost always enjoy what I read. Especially close to my heart is Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells. I liked Cornwell's Portrait of a Killer: Jack The Ripper a lot. Also, Brown's DaVinci Code was good, but I think I liked Angels and Demons better.
5. Tag 5 people and request they fill this out on their journals. Like Kasey said, I don't know who has or hasn't been tagged. I'll try these and hope they are not too terribly busy to answer a few questions:

Toby, Zube Girl, Tara, Angelbrat, and Blog Ho

(OH, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HO'S ANSWERS!!)

I was gonna tag Lady Calliah... but Kasey beat me ... uh... she beat me to it I mean.

Jung, Myers-Briggs and me...

Ever taken a personality test? Probably... sometime in your life. Whether it was a Myers-Briggs in the course of your career development or one of those "let's get to know you" emails that show up in your inbox every... oh... couple of HOURS!

Well, perhaps it's the dreary weather today and the boredom that inflicts... but I'm in one of those moods. And it appears my online Posse' (that would my "Gurls" who email-tag each other all day/every day while we're supposed to be working) feels the same.

I took the HUMANMETRICS Jung Typology Test and it tells me that I'm a ESFJ (Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging personality).

"Guardians of birthdays, holidays and celebrations, ESFJs are generous entertainers. They enjoy and joyfully observe traditions and are liberal in giving, especially where custom prescribes... All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge.
... ESFJs are easily wounded. And when wounded, their emotions will not be contained. They by nature "wear their hearts on their sleeves," often exuding warmth and bonhomie, but not infrequently boiling over with the vexation of their souls. Some ESFJs channel these vibrant emotions into moving dramatic performances on stage and screen. "

Okay... you got me! Pretty damned close, yep.
However, I don't really identify with the examples of famous ESFJs they list (Bill Clinton... I may hurl!) but some of the fictional ones are cool:

Leonard "Bones" McCoy (Star Trek) - definitely!
Monica (Friends) - I guess
Haleh (ER) - ? (don't watch it enough to agree or disagree)
Donald Duck - this one worries me!
Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh - Yes, I can see that.

If you take the test... be sure to go to TypeLogic to read the discription of your type. And please come back here and let me know how your test went! This stuff is so cool.