After calming down from last night's class, I found out that several other classmates were frustrated. Well, I guess we'll work together to achieve our goal: learning this anatomy information.
But in the meantime, we were in Russian Sports Massage (let's just call it Russian) tonight, combined with another class. Our instructor, who likes to make things run as smoothly as possible, had us actually do LOTS of bodywork tonight, even when we haven't learned all the strokes, just to get us used to the pattern of work in this modality.
My partner worked on me first and was still learning "the ropes" and was not overly thrilled with what he was learning from Russian.
When he got on the table, I tired to convince him otherwise, since I wholeheartedly enjoy this modality. He quite enjoyed the massage he got while I was practicing and I think I've converted his thinking.
Now, on to Friday and preparation for clinic on Saturday.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Day 110 - The Little People
Warning: This post is mostly a rant due to frustration. I may cover some of what we learned in class, but probably not a lot, due to reasons I will address in my rant. There's also a DC Talk reference at the end. DC Talk makes me smile.
Why is it that corporation heads or adminstration thinks of really good ways to do things, but doesn't always realize the ramifications of their decisions?
We have been in this program for six months. Six. SIX! When we entered the program, we were given ALL the books we would need for the next year of the program. We were combined with another class that had already gone through a five week session of classes, and it was a little stressful, as we had some "catching up" to do, but not much. Throughout the program, we have had one or two people come into our class to make up time or finish out the program with what they needed and it wasn't too stressful.
When we started this new five week term, TPTB (The Powers That Be) had two brand-new students join our class. They were where we were SIX months ago. To say that they had some catching up to do with our class is an understatement. They got their books. Guess what? Their books are NEWER EDITIONS and aren't consistent with what's in our "old" books!
It may not sound too bad, but guess what? Our poor anatomy instructor has to take time to figure out what page contains what information and make sure that the information is consistent for both. As a result, we are about 3/4 of a class behind where we should be, according to the syllabus. How will we catch up? By rushing through the material and not understanding?
This evening, we finally finished the lecture from last night's class and took the quiz - shortly before 9:00 pm - nearly two hours after class started!
After we got the quiz behind us and took our mandatory break, we finally got to learn about the Integument System. That's the skin and epidermis* and that sort of stuff.
Now, let me take a moment to describe our "textbook" for Anatomy. The lecture is meant to complement the book, and therefore, is where we take notes for what we're supposed to know about the subject matter. So, in order to do any homework, we have to get through the lecture for the complete information. Since we didn't start until two and a half hours after we should have, we did not get through all the material and the material we DID get through is all confusing because we were trying to rush through it and write down what notes we need to have the information. And since we didn't finish the material, our homework won't be completed by the next session because we haven't gotten there yet. *Breathe*
This is one of those rare evenings where I am a bit frustrated. At least I had a 40 minute drive to think and calm down a little bit.
*I can't help but think of the DC Talk song "Colored People" whenever they mention "epidermis." Lyrics: "Pardon me, your epidermis is showing, mister/I couldn't help but note your shade of melanin." It's about God's colorful creation and how we're all just colored people and we see the beauty in the tones of our skin. Give it a listen if you feel so inclined.
Why is it that corporation heads or adminstration thinks of really good ways to do things, but doesn't always realize the ramifications of their decisions?
We have been in this program for six months. Six. SIX! When we entered the program, we were given ALL the books we would need for the next year of the program. We were combined with another class that had already gone through a five week session of classes, and it was a little stressful, as we had some "catching up" to do, but not much. Throughout the program, we have had one or two people come into our class to make up time or finish out the program with what they needed and it wasn't too stressful.
When we started this new five week term, TPTB (The Powers That Be) had two brand-new students join our class. They were where we were SIX months ago. To say that they had some catching up to do with our class is an understatement. They got their books. Guess what? Their books are NEWER EDITIONS and aren't consistent with what's in our "old" books!
It may not sound too bad, but guess what? Our poor anatomy instructor has to take time to figure out what page contains what information and make sure that the information is consistent for both. As a result, we are about 3/4 of a class behind where we should be, according to the syllabus. How will we catch up? By rushing through the material and not understanding?
This evening, we finally finished the lecture from last night's class and took the quiz - shortly before 9:00 pm - nearly two hours after class started!
After we got the quiz behind us and took our mandatory break, we finally got to learn about the Integument System. That's the skin and epidermis* and that sort of stuff.
Now, let me take a moment to describe our "textbook" for Anatomy. The lecture is meant to complement the book, and therefore, is where we take notes for what we're supposed to know about the subject matter. So, in order to do any homework, we have to get through the lecture for the complete information. Since we didn't start until two and a half hours after we should have, we did not get through all the material and the material we DID get through is all confusing because we were trying to rush through it and write down what notes we need to have the information. And since we didn't finish the material, our homework won't be completed by the next session because we haven't gotten there yet. *Breathe*
This is one of those rare evenings where I am a bit frustrated. At least I had a 40 minute drive to think and calm down a little bit.
*I can't help but think of the DC Talk song "Colored People" whenever they mention "epidermis." Lyrics: "Pardon me, your epidermis is showing, mister/I couldn't help but note your shade of melanin." It's about God's colorful creation and how we're all just colored people and we see the beauty in the tones of our skin. Give it a listen if you feel so inclined.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Day 109 - Can You Hand Me A Tissue?
I'm gonna make this a short post. Not because I'm tired or anything like that.
Well, ok. Actually, that's the reason. That and there's just not a lot that sticks out in my mind tonight. Or is it because I'm tired? Could be.
After taking our Anatomy quiz on chemistry and cells (I got a 10 out of 10), we learned about Histology. Not History, but Histology. It's the study of tissue. Things like simple squamous tissue and columnar epithelial tissue.
Impressive, huh?
We also learned for which possible functions they each may be used.
Now, let's see if I can remember what all of it means when it comes to tomorrow's quiz. Now, to go rest my epithelial tissues.
Well, ok. Actually, that's the reason. That and there's just not a lot that sticks out in my mind tonight. Or is it because I'm tired? Could be.
After taking our Anatomy quiz on chemistry and cells (I got a 10 out of 10), we learned about Histology. Not History, but Histology. It's the study of tissue. Things like simple squamous tissue and columnar epithelial tissue.
Impressive, huh?
We also learned for which possible functions they each may be used.
Now, let's see if I can remember what all of it means when it comes to tomorrow's quiz. Now, to go rest my epithelial tissues.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Day 108 - International Delights
As I have discussed previously, I am in a Russian Sports Massage class. Interestingly enough, we aren't learning Russian words, but using the same French words we have learned for Core class: Effleurage and Petrissage. I feel very international now.
In tonight's class, we went over what sort of Petrissage we'll be using in Russian Sports Massage, the different strokes we'll be using, and whether we are pushing or pulling the muscle.
Also in class, we discussed how things went over the weekend in student clinic. There seems to be a consensus that the clinic doesn't have a lot of organization nor communication. (ie - there was a lot of complaining about not knowing where to go at first) I'm just trying to stay of the mind like one of my classmates: just go, do the massages assigned to me, and get the experience.
In tonight's class, we went over what sort of Petrissage we'll be using in Russian Sports Massage, the different strokes we'll be using, and whether we are pushing or pulling the muscle.
Also in class, we discussed how things went over the weekend in student clinic. There seems to be a consensus that the clinic doesn't have a lot of organization nor communication. (ie - there was a lot of complaining about not knowing where to go at first) I'm just trying to stay of the mind like one of my classmates: just go, do the massages assigned to me, and get the experience.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
About The Commuter Car
There are a couple things about the Commuter Car I have neglected to mention. Well, ok, I forgot actually. Usually when I post to this blog, it's late at night and I'm possibly already half asleep.
When I was on the phone with Matt at the insurance company to add CC, the 1995 Geo Prizm Commuter Car, to the policy, we were discussing liability (a requirement) and comprehensive (in case of SSD - Stoopid Suicidal Deer*), and I was being a wee bit sarcastic in my description of the car, being as how it's a 1995 Geo Prizm. Hey - don't get me wrong. I think the car is great and it serves its purpose as to why we bought it in the first place. Anyway, I asked Matt if he suggested any other types of coverage for it. He replied, "Towing."
I like Matt.
The other observation about CC is that it has NO lumbar support for the back, to which my back has protested. I had a classmate work on my back during clinic yesterday, and I have put a little pillow in the car for support for my back.
*Due to an unfortunate incident with a deer last year, WGH has renamed them to DAD, short for Dumb A$$ Deer, but this being a (mostly) family-friendly blog, I didn't want to write that.
But I just did. Well, you may see either acronym (DAD or SSD) pop-up again. Well, hopefully, you don't because if you did, that means that there was another unfortunate incident with one of them.
When I was on the phone with Matt at the insurance company to add CC, the 1995 Geo Prizm Commuter Car, to the policy, we were discussing liability (a requirement) and comprehensive (in case of SSD - Stoopid Suicidal Deer*), and I was being a wee bit sarcastic in my description of the car, being as how it's a 1995 Geo Prizm. Hey - don't get me wrong. I think the car is great and it serves its purpose as to why we bought it in the first place. Anyway, I asked Matt if he suggested any other types of coverage for it. He replied, "Towing."
I like Matt.
The other observation about CC is that it has NO lumbar support for the back, to which my back has protested. I had a classmate work on my back during clinic yesterday, and I have put a little pillow in the car for support for my back.
*Due to an unfortunate incident with a deer last year, WGH has renamed them to DAD, short for Dumb A$$ Deer, but this being a (mostly) family-friendly blog, I didn't want to write that.
But I just did. Well, you may see either acronym (DAD or SSD) pop-up again. Well, hopefully, you don't because if you did, that means that there was another unfortunate incident with one of them.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Clinic, Day 1
I got up EARLY on a Saturday morning, after going to bed at 10:00 on a Friday night. Man, how is that for getting older?
I got up at 6:45, got ready, had some cawfie, breakfast, and left around 7:50, arriving just after 8:30 for my first day of student clinic. KB, our clinic director, paired another classmate and I up with a "mentor" to show us the ropes on getting linens, lotion, and clients. After getting my "cubicle" set up, with nervous excitement, I went and got my first client, who was a man who appeared to be a little older than myself and said he was a "good guinea pig." I got the massage started and a couple pieces of equipment in my cubicle didn't work they way they were supposed to, like the head rest and stand-up lamp that became the leaning lamp of Pisa. But, I got through it, and after 50 minutes, I closed and escorted him back to the "station," where he completed his evaluation on me.
During the second session, there were no clients left, so I participated in a student exchange by having a couple classmates give me a chair massage. It was rough, I tell you. (/sarcasm) Actually, it was just what I needed to help me get through to the end of the shift.
During the third shift, I got the name of a client, but she was not in the room anytime I went to get her, so I just did a student exchange with another classmate in which I was the practitioner.
I finally got a client during the fourth session, who really only wanted her back done. For 50 minutes.
Well, let's just say that I improvised a lot.
I asked if she wanted her feet done (to at least give me some rest from the back), and she did, so I worked on her feet for about 5-10 minutes each. I pulled out all my techniques for feet, and during the evaluation, that did not come back void. She loved the foot massage! Yay!
During the times where I didn't have "clients," I signed up for getting a facial after my shift ended. After I signed out, I treated myself to getting a facial from another student. What a great decision! Not only has my face been exfoliated, but it calmed me down from a morning of nervousness, chaos, and general "not-knowing-what-to-expect."
When I got home, I became a vegetable on the couch for a little bit then the hubby and I went clothes shopping. What fun!
I got up at 6:45, got ready, had some cawfie, breakfast, and left around 7:50, arriving just after 8:30 for my first day of student clinic. KB, our clinic director, paired another classmate and I up with a "mentor" to show us the ropes on getting linens, lotion, and clients. After getting my "cubicle" set up, with nervous excitement, I went and got my first client, who was a man who appeared to be a little older than myself and said he was a "good guinea pig." I got the massage started and a couple pieces of equipment in my cubicle didn't work they way they were supposed to, like the head rest and stand-up lamp that became the leaning lamp of Pisa. But, I got through it, and after 50 minutes, I closed and escorted him back to the "station," where he completed his evaluation on me.
During the second session, there were no clients left, so I participated in a student exchange by having a couple classmates give me a chair massage. It was rough, I tell you. (/sarcasm) Actually, it was just what I needed to help me get through to the end of the shift.
During the third shift, I got the name of a client, but she was not in the room anytime I went to get her, so I just did a student exchange with another classmate in which I was the practitioner.
I finally got a client during the fourth session, who really only wanted her back done. For 50 minutes.
Well, let's just say that I improvised a lot.
I asked if she wanted her feet done (to at least give me some rest from the back), and she did, so I worked on her feet for about 5-10 minutes each. I pulled out all my techniques for feet, and during the evaluation, that did not come back void. She loved the foot massage! Yay!
During the times where I didn't have "clients," I signed up for getting a facial after my shift ended. After I signed out, I treated myself to getting a facial from another student. What a great decision! Not only has my face been exfoliated, but it calmed me down from a morning of nervousness, chaos, and general "not-knowing-what-to-expect."
When I got home, I became a vegetable on the couch for a little bit then the hubby and I went clothes shopping. What fun!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Day 107 - Proton Packs and 80's Flashbacks
I took chemistry - oh - about 22 years ago or so, and the class I took was Chemistry and Society, which was a science class for non-science majors. Definitely me. I enjoyed the chemistry class because it was stuff I could actually relate to: acetone is the active ingredient in fingernail polish remover. And then to find out that acetone will also make styrofoam non-puffy, melting it, in effect. That stuff was way cool. Not like whatever it was that the science majors had to take!
In tonight's anatomy class, we went over at a very high-level about chemistry. Basically, what is an atom, a cell, and so on and so forth. When we started discussing protons and neutrons, it all came back to me, but I also had an 80's flashback to the Ghostbusters strapping on their proton packs and capturing ghosts.
We also starting going over information about cells and their structures and functions, but we ran out of time and had to turn our classroom into the clinic setting. We had to fold up our classroom tables and bring in massage tables, pull the curtains around to form "cubicles," and make sure that each cubicle had what it needs: table, chair, stool, head rest, and bolster, which is a fancy name for round pillow used for support.
This Saturday, I begin my time in public clinic for four and a half hours pretty much every Saturday between now and March. After my shifts, I plan on giving a review, or at least my view of what happened.
So, until then, Bon Soir.
In tonight's anatomy class, we went over at a very high-level about chemistry. Basically, what is an atom, a cell, and so on and so forth. When we started discussing protons and neutrons, it all came back to me, but I also had an 80's flashback to the Ghostbusters strapping on their proton packs and capturing ghosts.
We also starting going over information about cells and their structures and functions, but we ran out of time and had to turn our classroom into the clinic setting. We had to fold up our classroom tables and bring in massage tables, pull the curtains around to form "cubicles," and make sure that each cubicle had what it needs: table, chair, stool, head rest, and bolster, which is a fancy name for round pillow used for support.
This Saturday, I begin my time in public clinic for four and a half hours pretty much every Saturday between now and March. After my shifts, I plan on giving a review, or at least my view of what happened.
So, until then, Bon Soir.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Day 106 - Just Call Me Martika
I'm just gonna say it: I love Russian Sports Massage! This stuff makes sense, helps you understand proper body mechanics, and dang it, it feels good, too!
In class this evening, we got beginning information about a few of the strokes used and where to use them. Then we got to practice them on each other. I know I definitely need practice on everything, but from what we did tonight, it just seems so - uh - gonna go Spock here - logical.
At one point while working on my partner, with my best Checkov impression, I said to my partner, "My name is Martika and I will be working on you tonight."
Man! Two Star Trek references! Sweet!
Oh, sorry, back to reality.
Since my blog forum is about the whole massage school experience, I just have to share this...when I left for school this evening, WGH wasn't home. Therefore, we didn't get to really talk to each other today and give each other our affirmations and all that mushy stuff. We try to find ways to communicate with each other the information needed. Today's communication, besides texting, was leaving MS Word documents open with messages like, "Thanks for taking care of me" or "Love you bunches" or you know, mushy stuff. I really couldn't do this without him or his support, physical, emotional, and all that jazz. I surely don't want to take him for granted.
Of course not, and don't call me Shirley.
In class this evening, we got beginning information about a few of the strokes used and where to use them. Then we got to practice them on each other. I know I definitely need practice on everything, but from what we did tonight, it just seems so - uh - gonna go Spock here - logical.
At one point while working on my partner, with my best Checkov impression, I said to my partner, "My name is Martika and I will be working on you tonight."
Man! Two Star Trek references! Sweet!
Oh, sorry, back to reality.
Since my blog forum is about the whole massage school experience, I just have to share this...when I left for school this evening, WGH wasn't home. Therefore, we didn't get to really talk to each other today and give each other our affirmations and all that mushy stuff. We try to find ways to communicate with each other the information needed. Today's communication, besides texting, was leaving MS Word documents open with messages like, "Thanks for taking care of me" or "Love you bunches" or you know, mushy stuff. I really couldn't do this without him or his support, physical, emotional, and all that jazz. I surely don't want to take him for granted.
Of course not, and don't call me Shirley.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Day 105 - Anatomizer
Our class has had at least two anatomy classes, classified as V and VI. Well, this evening, we started Anatomy I. I think that Anatomy I would have been a lot more helpful SIX MONTHS AGO!
That could, of course, be a personal opinion.
At any rate, I put gas in CC this evening, with a total of 178 miles and put in 5.4 gallons, for approximately 34 MPG. It's not AS exciting as last night's report, but still pretty cool anyway. WGH's commute can be very much stop-and-go-in-rush-hour-traffic-on-the-270-parking-lot whereas mine is straight down the highway at 70 MPH. Or so.
We began our first class of Anatomy I with Jenna Kate as our instructor. She is a self-professed anatomy geek and gets very excited about anatomy. And she makes it more interesting than just learning facts. She can relate it to us by playing Simon Says or demonstrating "dorsal" vs "ventral" with a chocolate bar.
I'm thinking that some of this stuff is going to be a refresher, since we've gone through so much already, but I did learn some stuff tonight. A good portion of it is just about WHERE to find anatomical parts and how to describe a location. For instance, I have a three inch scar medial to my right patella. I could go so far as to say it's on my inferior limb, but right patella is pretty specific. Most NORMAL people would just say that they have a scar next to their right knee.
I do think it's kinda cool though - just being able to toss out anatomical terms like I was ordering lunch at Panera.
Hmmm...Panera.
That could, of course, be a personal opinion.
At any rate, I put gas in CC this evening, with a total of 178 miles and put in 5.4 gallons, for approximately 34 MPG. It's not AS exciting as last night's report, but still pretty cool anyway. WGH's commute can be very much stop-and-go-in-rush-hour-traffic-on-the-270-parking-lot whereas mine is straight down the highway at 70 MPH. Or so.
We began our first class of Anatomy I with Jenna Kate as our instructor. She is a self-professed anatomy geek and gets very excited about anatomy. And she makes it more interesting than just learning facts. She can relate it to us by playing Simon Says or demonstrating "dorsal" vs "ventral" with a chocolate bar.
I'm thinking that some of this stuff is going to be a refresher, since we've gone through so much already, but I did learn some stuff tonight. A good portion of it is just about WHERE to find anatomical parts and how to describe a location. For instance, I have a three inch scar medial to my right patella. I could go so far as to say it's on my inferior limb, but right patella is pretty specific. Most NORMAL people would just say that they have a scar next to their right knee.
I do think it's kinda cool though - just being able to toss out anatomical terms like I was ordering lunch at Panera.
Hmmm...Panera.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Day 104 - A Good Day
Last post, I discussed the new "Commuter Car" that WGH and I are sharing. This evening, it proved one of its points as to why we purchased it, which was to save money on gas, wear and tear on our other cars, and just to have an extra car - just in case something stoopid happens. On Friday, when I took possession of the car, I filled it up with gas for $25.00. I drove it Friday evening to class and back Saturday, and then WGH took it to work today and then I took it to school for a total of 246 miles since I filled up. I like to fill up at the gas station by school, and since I was going there, I went ahead and filled up, even though it didn't absolutely need it as it was on a half tank.
I ended up putting $19.00 in for 6.8 gallons, for an average of - wait for it - 36 miles per gallon!
Yay! That's what it's all about!
For those who use modern vernacular, that's the shizzle!
After my excitement about getting gas, upon arriving at the school, I entered the classroom and I think I saw the heavens open up! The instructor from our first class was standing at the front of the room, getting ready to teach us Russian Sports Massage! It's safe to say that the whole class was excited to have Molly back. One classmate even baked cookies for the occasion, which we did NOT eat in the classroom since we're not allowed to have any food or drink in the classroom besides water.
Of course we wouldn't eat cookies in the classroom.
You betcha.
We wouldn't DREAM of doing such things.
Anyway, after having a cookie or two, our world was opened up to Russian Sports Massage. This modality actually makes sense to me. I can see it and touch it, unlike CranioSacral or Acupressure. I GET it, and it's only the first class.
In a nutshell, it teaches a certain protocol to use, specifying exactly which muscle group to work and what type of stroke to use, at what pace, and for how long. It's pretty much like the recipe for how to give a massage for repairing muscles that have been worked due to strenuous activity. If you can read a cookbook, you can understand the modality.
I think I'll like it, even if I don't play sports.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Day 103 Core Being
On Day 103, we took our final exam for this week's Core class. It was pretty much simple and straight-forward: come in, get the table set up, get on the table, get massaged for 50 minutes, get off the table, clean the table up, reset the table, have my partner get on the table, do a massage for 50 minutes and the instructor comes around and asks to see a couple strokes. Pretty simple.
Enough to earn me 99 points out of 100 for the exam! Yay!
I do have to say that my partner was not having a very good day, but I am so impressed with her that she was able to lay all of that aside and give me a great massage! She was truly "in the moment" which is what "beingness" is all about.
After the exam was over, we were free to go, and it was a bit earlier than usual, so that was quite exciting. A classmate and I ended up crashing at another classmate's house and we enjoyed the rest of the evening hanging out.
This morning, we got up and went to our Student Clinic orientation so we know what's expected of us for this portion of our education. It's going to be a gruelling six months. So the question is, should I count clinic in my "day count"? If so, we're talking Day 104.
In other news, since WGH and I end up driving about 200 miles between work and school each day, we purchased a "commuter car" that will be less of a hit to our pockets for gas. He took off yesterday to get it legal to drive with registering and such, so I got the chance to drive it to school last night and then home again this afternoon. It's a 1995 Geo Prizm, a smaller car than what I'm used to, and it actually does pretty well. What was really fun was filling the gas tank and it only took $25.00. I've driven 100 miles on it since filling it up and it was on about 3/4 tank. So, I think this is going to be a great thing for us in saving a little bit of dough, between gas and maintenance costs on the two other (bigger) cars.
Enough to earn me 99 points out of 100 for the exam! Yay!
I do have to say that my partner was not having a very good day, but I am so impressed with her that she was able to lay all of that aside and give me a great massage! She was truly "in the moment" which is what "beingness" is all about.
After the exam was over, we were free to go, and it was a bit earlier than usual, so that was quite exciting. A classmate and I ended up crashing at another classmate's house and we enjoyed the rest of the evening hanging out.
This morning, we got up and went to our Student Clinic orientation so we know what's expected of us for this portion of our education. It's going to be a gruelling six months. So the question is, should I count clinic in my "day count"? If so, we're talking Day 104.
In other news, since WGH and I end up driving about 200 miles between work and school each day, we purchased a "commuter car" that will be less of a hit to our pockets for gas. He took off yesterday to get it legal to drive with registering and such, so I got the chance to drive it to school last night and then home again this afternoon. It's a 1995 Geo Prizm, a smaller car than what I'm used to, and it actually does pretty well. What was really fun was filling the gas tank and it only took $25.00. I've driven 100 miles on it since filling it up and it was on about 3/4 tank. So, I think this is going to be a great thing for us in saving a little bit of dough, between gas and maintenance costs on the two other (bigger) cars.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Day 102 - Musical Tables
We had an interesting alternative to our regular bodywork tonight. Usually, we partner up with one person (sometimes scheduling a day or so ahead of time with the partner you may want to work with) and exchange bodywork. After I had set up with my partner for this evening, the instructor threw a curve ball at us: half of us would be on the table (face down) and the other half would choose one of the classmates to work on, work for 10 minutes, then switch, work for 10 minutes, then switch, and work for 10 minutes. The person on the table, who may not even know who's working on them, can give feedback on their experiences with each practitioner.
Despite the grumbling over the curve ball, it seemed that the class enjoyed the experience, from both sides of the table.
I guess it goes to show that it's ok to shake things up once and awhile.
Final exam for Core tomorrow night. Then clinic orientation at 9:00 am Saturday. I'm crashing at a classmate's house tomorrow night after the final, since driving 41 miles back home after the final and 41 miles back eight hours later does not sound appealing.
Despite the grumbling over the curve ball, it seemed that the class enjoyed the experience, from both sides of the table.
I guess it goes to show that it's ok to shake things up once and awhile.
Final exam for Core tomorrow night. Then clinic orientation at 9:00 am Saturday. I'm crashing at a classmate's house tomorrow night after the final, since driving 41 miles back home after the final and 41 miles back eight hours later does not sound appealing.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Day 101 - Core 101
In this evening's class, we had a three minute lecture, then had a 50 minute demo from both the instructor and the TA, each working on one of our classmates. I think most of us were wishing we were the ones on the tables. After the demo, we set up and we did our own bodywork, about 40 minutes worth for each partner. Ahhhhhh....got to be first on the table, which really set me up to get ready to give a massage. It's amazing after five weeks of not giving many massages, how out of practice I felt. Well, that's all going to change in the next week. Core class, then clinic.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Day 100 - Back to Basics
Every couple of sessions, like this new one, we take a four day "Core" class, which is basic Swedish massage, including the proper draping, strokes, and other, well, basic stuff.
Our class had not seen each other since Thursday night's final exam, and today was Tuesday, by the time we got to class tonight, it was like a family reunion, with everybody just chattering away.
Because it was the first night, we ended up only doing about 30 minutes of actual body work with our partners, and then switching.
Over the weekend, one of my girlfriends and I went to New York City on a "Girls Whirlwind Birthday Tour" where we left early Sunday morning, had brunch, went to a show, a jazz club, dinner, stayed in a fancy schmancy hotel, got up and did some more touring, and then took a bus arriving back in the DC area around 8:00 pm Monday night, which was last night. If you think that was a long sentence, then you get the picture of what a whirlwind tour we had! We walked. A lot! I mean, we walked from the bus to the subway. We walked to the activities. We walked all over the street festival around Times Square. Get the picture? We walked.
Remember that because I've been in school and working at a full-time J-O-B, I haven't really had time to concentrate on exercise, unfortunately. So all this walking...whew! If I sat down too long, my legs would get stiff, so I really have had to work the juice back into my joints and muscles.
With all that walking and stiffness in my legs, tonight's teaser 20-30 minute massage was just that: a tease. I look forward to tomorrow night's class and hopefully having more time for being on the table!
Our class had not seen each other since Thursday night's final exam, and today was Tuesday, by the time we got to class tonight, it was like a family reunion, with everybody just chattering away.
Because it was the first night, we ended up only doing about 30 minutes of actual body work with our partners, and then switching.
Over the weekend, one of my girlfriends and I went to New York City on a "Girls Whirlwind Birthday Tour" where we left early Sunday morning, had brunch, went to a show, a jazz club, dinner, stayed in a fancy schmancy hotel, got up and did some more touring, and then took a bus arriving back in the DC area around 8:00 pm Monday night, which was last night. If you think that was a long sentence, then you get the picture of what a whirlwind tour we had! We walked. A lot! I mean, we walked from the bus to the subway. We walked to the activities. We walked all over the street festival around Times Square. Get the picture? We walked.Remember that because I've been in school and working at a full-time J-O-B, I haven't really had time to concentrate on exercise, unfortunately. So all this walking...whew! If I sat down too long, my legs would get stiff, so I really have had to work the juice back into my joints and muscles.
With all that walking and stiffness in my legs, tonight's teaser 20-30 minute massage was just that: a tease. I look forward to tomorrow night's class and hopefully having more time for being on the table!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Day 99 - Finality of Pressure
Well, we took our Acupressure Final Exam tonight, with a written portion worth 100 points and a hands-on portion worth 100 points.
I have been studying during breaks at work, lunchtime, and even during work when there isn't any work to do (yeah, it happens sometimes). There was a whole bunch of information that we had to know and it wasn't "natural" stuff like we Westerners are used to.
I'm very glad to be done with it and I'm also very proud to say that I got a 98% on the written portion and a 100% on the hands-on portion. Usually, I'm not as impressed by a hands-on grade, but this time, the last week of studying has been for this particular portion. Needless to say, I'm quite relieved.
I have been studying during breaks at work, lunchtime, and even during work when there isn't any work to do (yeah, it happens sometimes). There was a whole bunch of information that we had to know and it wasn't "natural" stuff like we Westerners are used to.
I'm very glad to be done with it and I'm also very proud to say that I got a 98% on the written portion and a 100% on the hands-on portion. Usually, I'm not as impressed by a hands-on grade, but this time, the last week of studying has been for this particular portion. Needless to say, I'm quite relieved.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Day 98 - Which Class?
Tonight's class was Pathology and we had our quiz. Oddly enough, there was not a final exam in the class, but it was the last quiz, only worth 15 points. Which, I got 15 points, BTW.
At any rate, after the quiz (10 minutes), we didn't really have much else to learn, so the TA from our Acupressure class came in and reviewed for tomorrow night's final exam. So, I got slightly confused as to what class I was in this evening.
Also, since we didn't have much else to learn, I left about a half hour early. Rebel, I tell ya. I'm such a rebel.
At any rate, after the quiz (10 minutes), we didn't really have much else to learn, so the TA from our Acupressure class came in and reviewed for tomorrow night's final exam. So, I got slightly confused as to what class I was in this evening.
Also, since we didn't have much else to learn, I left about a half hour early. Rebel, I tell ya. I'm such a rebel.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Day 97 - I See Your Point
In our Acupressure class tonight, we reviewed all that is going to be on the test, went over the Golden Points, some meridians, and just generally reviewed.
In my humble opinion, this has been one of the toughest classes we've had. Oh sure, we've had anatomy, pathology, and trigger point, but I think that because we've had to learn something totally foreign to us, based on Traditional Eastern Medicine, it's more difficult. Not only do we need to all of the theory behind it, but the points themselves, and why we might use these points. It's a lot of information. I think I'll go study some more. Or sleep. Whichever.
In my humble opinion, this has been one of the toughest classes we've had. Oh sure, we've had anatomy, pathology, and trigger point, but I think that because we've had to learn something totally foreign to us, based on Traditional Eastern Medicine, it's more difficult. Not only do we need to all of the theory behind it, but the points themselves, and why we might use these points. It's a lot of information. I think I'll go study some more. Or sleep. Whichever.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Day 96 - Vision Test
Every few years, we have to renew our drivers license, which means that they have to test our vision to make sure we can see well enough to drive. Sometimes, we have a special code on the license to say that we must be wearing corrective lenses because our vision isn't good enough to drive without them.
In tonight's Professional Development class, we took the "level" test, which is basically the same as a final exam. I think when I snuck a peak at my grade on it, I believe I saw a 50 (out of 50). Yay me!
After taking the final, each student in the class presented his or her "vision" of what they want to do with their massage career, which had to include their goals and their purpose. The visions in the class were as diverse as the class itself. Some students don't know what they want to do, but just explained why they're in the class, some shared their life history to demonstrate why they are going the direction they are going, some have grand visions of huge wellness centers, some have visions of working in the medical community, and one or two may have left us scratching our heads or wiping the tears from our eyes. Regardless of their vision, they shared a part of themselves and gave a glimpse into what makes them tick.
I think I have a new-found respect for some of my classmates because of their visions. The question is - do you need your vision examined?
In tonight's Professional Development class, we took the "level" test, which is basically the same as a final exam. I think when I snuck a peak at my grade on it, I believe I saw a 50 (out of 50). Yay me!
After taking the final, each student in the class presented his or her "vision" of what they want to do with their massage career, which had to include their goals and their purpose. The visions in the class were as diverse as the class itself. Some students don't know what they want to do, but just explained why they're in the class, some shared their life history to demonstrate why they are going the direction they are going, some have grand visions of huge wellness centers, some have visions of working in the medical community, and one or two may have left us scratching our heads or wiping the tears from our eyes. Regardless of their vision, they shared a part of themselves and gave a glimpse into what makes them tick.
I think I have a new-found respect for some of my classmates because of their visions. The question is - do you need your vision examined?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)