Day 194 - Much Ado About Nothing (6 Days Left)

Because of the school's change in curriculum about six months ago, aside from a quiz (9/10), tonight's class was a waste of time for me and makes me wonder why I trudged out of the house to drive 41 miles only to have to drive back.
TPTB decided to change up the curriculum half-way through our program, add newbies to our class and then not give us all the information we need AND repeat information we've already had. We noticed this the first night we got our syllabus for this class. Several students have been working to get everything straightened out with administration and get us the information we need - the stuff that wasn't on the syllabus and hadn't been covered any other time during our program.
Tonight we were supposed to have the quiz, then my original class was to separate out and go get a lecture and information on the other stuff. However, the instructor scheduled to teach us ended up getting sick and after we took the quiz, we sat in the student break room for a good hour and a half and talked or whatever. After that, we rejoined the class and "listened" to the lecture on the cardiovascular system - which we had at least six months ago. I ended up organizing some of my papers in my notebook and touching up the color on my name badge.
As I've said, other than the quiz (which I could have made up on Monday or Tuesday) and chatting with my classmates and teachers, tonight's class was a total waste.

Day 192 - Mechanical (8 Days Left)

A couple weekends ago, it was time to change the toilet seat. Exciting, right?
Upon attempting to remove the nut from the bottom of the seat, I found it was extremely tight - I couldn't even budge it with just my fingers. I had to go to my handy-dandy tool box and get my pliers, which ended up working just fine.
In tonight's anatomy class, we studied the reason why the pliers worked when just my fingers didn't: it all had to do with the lever system. We studied the differences between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class levers and how they relate to every day life and also to the body, specifically muscles and bones. We even did a little math, learning the formula for figuring out force needed to be effective in each lever class.
I actually enjoyed it, once I started understanding what we were talking about. I sometimes wonder if I'm mechanically inclined. But then I think about all the grease on the car and how dirty I would get and decide that, no, I'm not mechanically inclined.

Day 190 - Was A Nice Reprieve (13 Days Left)

Last night's sports massage class was a nice reprieve from the constant barrage of anatomy. However, we had to get back to it tonight. We took a quiz on the muscles and bones of the lower leg (8/10) and then learned the muscles of the foot.
However, I needed a mental break and decided to leave early. So I am at home at a time when I would normally still be in class. Since I'm mentally breaking, I'm going to cut this blog post short and say goodnight.
Good night.

Day 189 - Sports Stretching (14 Days Left)

We had a lovely break from anatomy for our sports massage class tonight. After an hour of lecture about sports massage, its history and benefits and that sort of stuff, we got to see a demo of more stretches to do with our clients. Then we got to practice it ourselves. As far as I'm concerned this may be my least favorite modality, but the jury is still out on that. They may have to order pizza for these deliberations.
Because we're doing stretches and there are so many stretches to do, it's hard to remember them all, so that is somewhat frustrating as the practioner. However, as the receiver, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again, because I sit all day in basically the same position, it's really great to have muscles moved around into different positions.
So, we'll see what the next three classes offer about this sports massage thing.
Now, on to more interesting stuff. This whole program is part of the requirements for being a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Maryland. The other requirements are passing a written national exam and a Maryland State jurisprudence exam. In addition, it's best to carry liability insurance through one of the national massage associations. Needless to say, studying for all these quizzes and exams doesn't stop once I get my certificate from the school. I still have a good couple weeks to a month or so of studying for the national exam.

This past weekend, I joined the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and tonight, I submitted my application to take the national exam through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB), along with my check for the exam fee.

With those two items down, I feel like I am right on track to where I want and need to be with working toward becoming fully licensed.
When I think about the period of time immediately following my graduation from this program, the only word I can describe that time is "detox." After living, breathing, and studying massage, anatomy, pathology, business, and the like, I will almost need to purge my system of all of that for a week or so afterward.

Day 188 - Popliteal Goes the Weasel (15 Days Left)

Another day, another anatomy class, another quiz (9/10), another set of muscles to learn. Now we learn the anterior and posterior muscles of the lower leg.
English translation: calf muscles and stuff.
Not much else to report from class.
From the "life" side of things, after a week of it being in the shop, we finally got the commuter car back. It still has issues that we will address with our new mechanic.
Please.Don't.Get.Me.Started.

Day 187 - Vastus Lottastuffus (16 Days Left)

After a glorious weekend of doing next-to-nothing, I had to face Monday with the verve and vigor of a basset hound with a carrot.
After working at the oh-so-exciting J-O-B, I went to school early and had my exit interview with the Career Services department, which means that I basically filled out some paperwork, signed it, and then went to class.
In anatomy class, we reviewed for our quiz, took it (10/10), and then learned more about the thigh muscles, commonly known as the quadriceps and the hamstrings, except they have really cool names like Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Femoris and others.
Have I mentioned there's a lot to learn?
Well - another quiz tomorrow night. Vastus Studyus.

Day 186 - Immersion (20 Days Left)

A little over 11 years ago, I was baptized by my Southern Baptist pastor, which means that I was fully immersed in the water, as that's what Baptists do.

When he pulled me up out of the water, there wasn't any part of me that was dry.
When somebody goes to a foreign country where they speak a different language, the visitor is immersed in the language and picks up at least a few new phrases in a new language. They don't have much choice if they want to eat, sleep, or go to the restroom.
This week, having anatomy three days in a row, I feel like I've been immersed in the anatomy of the lower limbs. The newbies don't have much choice other than to pick up something from this experience!
I suppose this whole program is like an immersion into massage, too.
We had a quiz tonight (10/10) and lecture.

Day 185 - Can I Get a Cawfie? (21 Days Left)

In anatomy class tonight, we studied the deep hip rotator muscles and the gluteal muscles. We got to learn about piriformis, which can cause sciatic pain, quadratus femoris, and the tensor fasciae latae, which I kinda thought was something I could order at Starbucks.
We discussed about eight - or so - muscles, where they start, where they end, and what they do - all of which we will need to know for quizzes, the final exam, and probably the national exam, too. It's a good thing I found a geeky website called www.getbodysmart.com that has all the anatomy I ever wanted to know - and then some.
I feel badly for the newbies. They have all sorts of anatomical terms being thrown at them, superior, ventral, dorsal, and the like. All the while, they're having to learn the boney landmarks and muscles just like we are. I look at the newbies and think to myself, "Whew! I'm glad I'm almost done and not in their shoes!"
The class that graduated when we started probably thought the same thing about us.

Day 184 - Life Goes On (22 Days Left)

Sun comes up sun goes down
This ol' world keeps spinnin' around
Not much has changed since you been gone
I miss you honey but life goes on
- Little Texas*

During the last 11 months I have been trudging away at learning massage and all the things that go with it, like Professional Development, Anatomy, and Pathology, life has gone on around me, just like the Little Texas' song says.
I have tried my best to deal with things as they have come up, but it's definitely put a strain on everything: relationships, finances, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Not to mention the dust bunny army that's been able to amass itself behind the bed, under the couch, and in the dark corners.
Today, we took the commuter car back to the shop to see if he can fix the problem it's had since we took it to him last time. Of course, the price of gas has gone up significantly, so there's more choking the wallet to put gas in the cars to make it to and from work and/or school for both WGH and me. I hope we can get the commuter car back really quickly - and that it works well.
I hate sounding like I'm complaining because I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and right now, the tunnel has nine more days of anatomy and five more days of sports massage.
Interestingly enough, I can see why we are studying the anatomy of the lower limb while taking sports massage. What we're learning in anatomy will help us in learning sports, seeing as how the lower limb is pretty important in sports.
In tonight's anatomy class, we had a big surprise: we didn't have the instructor we thought we were going to have. (sarcasm)   I will say, though, that it looks like our stand-in instructor, who will be with us for the duration, will do a fine job in teaching us what we need to know.
A nice result of all the pretzel stretching we did last night in sports: my legs were stronger today and I didn't feel as much like a little ol' lady when I got up from my chair.
*I may be a little biased toward them, since one of my many cousins was the lead singer

Day 183 - Go With the Flow (23 Days Left)

In my time at this school, I have learned the meaning of the term "SNAFU," which is an acronym that basically means that things go wrong all the time.
I had an exit interview scheduled for 6:30 this evening with Career Services, meaning that about as soon as I got home from the J-O-B, I had to be on the road to get to the appointment on time. When I arrived a few minutes early, however, I was asked to reschedule my appointment for next Monday and they would be ready for me then. Knowing that I had a couple other exit interviews to take care of, I went to the front desk to see about getting those scheduled. I pretty much went right away to the financial aid office and took care of that, so at least all wasn't lost. I was also able to see the head of student services and she said everything looks good for me there, too.
After all that, come to find out, instead of having Anatomy class like was on the schedule given to us, we had Sports Massage instead.
That's like preparing to go to work and sit at a desk all day and then be told that you're working on the factory line instead. Needless to say, many classmates were frustrated - and it seemed the staff was frustrated as well.
If nothing else, being at this school has taught us to be flexible and go with the flow.
As far as class, in Sports Massage, we learned about why it's important to know this modality and how it differs from other forms of massage. We watched the instructor demo the stretches we learned tonight on the TA and then we got to try it out ourselves. The stretches looked pretty intense and our TA looked a bit like a pretzel during some of the moves the instructor was using.
Right now, I am pretty much in a sitting position for over 16 hours a day, between the J-O-B, the drive to school, and being in school. I have been trying to get outside and walk during breaks and such, but it's still minimal compared to how active I should be.
For this reason, I thought for sure that I would be screaming in pain most of the time during the stretches on the lower limbs and back, but they felt really good and it seemed that I was able to move a little better afterward.
We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Day 175 - New Tricks (37 Days Left)

I'm sure you're familiar with that cliche saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
I have some thoughts about that.
I am - ahem - middle aged. I have started to do that thing when I'm trying to read something and adjust my arm to the proper length for reading. I bought a pair (or two) of reading glasses at the flea market.
I am ok with this.
Last year, when I embarked on this journey through massage school, once classes started, to say that I was stunned would be pretty accurate. Prior to that, my knowledge of the human body was pretty limited to that song, "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Knees and Toes." I found that I needed to study quite a bit in order to retain the information. I started getting into a groove and understanding a catching on pretty quickly. I am finding now that I look over the information a few times and I'm good to go.
Is this because exercising the brain makes it more supple and can retain more, or is it because I'm getting familiar with the terminology and subject matter to better retain information?
Or is it a combination of both?
Either way, I'm pretty glad about the retention of information becoming a bit easier than it was in the beginning.
Speaking of information retention, we had a level test for Professional Development class tonight. I won't know what my score was until tomorrow, probably, but I'm pretty confident. We also ended up going over information about taking the national and state exams and their application processes. Quite informative.
Our instructor also gave us some words of wisdom that how we present ourselves at the school is going to potentially impact how we have been perceived and our future prospects in our massage careers. It's true. Just based on what I've seen in the hallways at the school, I don't know that I would want some of the students being my professional massage therapist.
I hope that I present myself in a friendly, if not professional, manner while at the school. I guess only time will tell.
Tomorrow night: Reflexology final exam.

Day 169 - The Refleck-fleck-fleck-fleck-fleck-fleck-fleck-flex (48 Days Left)

In those ancient days known as the 80's, in my formative years, my friend LOVED Duran Duran and just knew that she would entice John Taylor, their bass player, into marrying her. I, however, knew that George Michael would want to marry me. Ahhh...the innocence of youth. I still love George's "Faith" album and still count the "Faith" tour concert as one of the best concerts I've seen. Of course, this whole George Michael marriage thing happened AFTER I had gotten over cutie Hardy Boy, Shawn Cassidy, and teen heart-throb, Andy Gibb. I was pretty upset when Andy passed away. I mean...I wasn't there for him and all...maybe I could have done something to help.
But alas now, as a more "mature" woman, I find myself having Duran Duran's song "The Reflex" going through my head sometimes as we practice in Reflexology class.
I have no idea what one has to do with the other, or why I decided to take the walk down my pre-teen and teen idol memory lane, except for the closeness in names of the song "The Reflex" and the modality, "Reflexolgy."
Tonight we took what we learned in anatomy months ago about the digestive system and learned where it could have some issues. I'm guessing that we'll be learning about how reflexology can potentially help the body regulate its digestive system.
We also learned some more techniques for practicing this modality, like thumb-walking (has nothing to do with hitch-hiking), finger walking, and hook and peel...or hook and run...or hook, line, and sinker...or...something like that.
Then we got to practice with our partner.
Can I just say that I really enjoy working on feet? And I like to have mine done, too?

Day 157 - Longus DayiNightus (69 Days Left)

In learning Anatomy, we're learning a whole new language. Greek and Latin...maybe something else or other thrown in there, too. Hence the title of this post. My version that means "Long Day and Night."
I started this morning, went to the J-O-B, worked eight hours, and then immediately drove to school so that I could take the Antomy final and then immediately take the Spa Treatment final afterward.
I ended up getting a 41 out of 50 on the written portion and 20 out of 20 on the hands-on portion of the Anatomy final.
After that, I raced up to Subway, got a double-meat 6-inch sub, raced back to school, scarfed it down, along with the cookies, and then ran (well, walked) to class. I took the written Spa Treatment exam and got 91 out of 100 and then we did the hands-on, which I got 95 out of 100.
So far, looking good for a continued 4.0 GPA. Yay!
I would also like to wish a wonderful birthday to the man who has supported me emotionally, physically, and just being awesome for the last nine months of being in school. Thank you, WGH. AKA Ricky. Love you bunches!

Day 156 - Great Sigh of Relief (70 Days Left)

Beginning last night, I began studying for a quiz for tonight's Anatomy class that I thought was going to be on the antebrachium and its muscles (that's the forearm in lay people's vocabulary). Mostly, it was on the shoulder and upper arm bones and muscles, which was a great relief to me, as I was having a hard time understanding the forearm and hand stuff. There is a LOT of muscles in there.
As it turned out, I ended up getting a 8.5 out of 10 on the quiz, which will be rounded up to a 9/10 for their data records.
After the quiz, we reviewed for the final exam on Friday (which I'm actually taking tomorrow evening before the Spa Treatment final exam). I will be glad after tomorrow evening to be free of this session. Well, actually, the end of it will be Saturday after clinic.
I know I have mentioned my new cell phone that does just about everything except wash the dishes. Since it can be used as a MP3 player, I have downloaded some sermons that my dear friend gave at his church and I've been listening to them on the way to and from school this week. It's been really nice because it's like I feel like I've been needing some spiritual recharging. His messages have been helping me think about something other than school or the J-O-B and instead think of things of higher importance than the trivial matters I keep getting myself sucked into on a day to day basis.
It also makes me realize how much I miss having a life outside of school and seeing my friends.
70 days, my friends. 70 days.

Day 154 - Rant of the Wall (72 Calendar Days Left)

When I first was registering for the massage program, the admissions person I talked to said that everybody, at some time in the program, hits a wall.
I believe I've not only hit the wall, I've crashed into it and am trying to break through it.
To say that I'm frustrated with the whole experience right now would be pretty accurate, if not an understatement. I believe most of it stems from the winter weather our region has been experiencing the last couple of weeks.
Don't get me wrong, I like a good snow storm - as long as I don't have to be out in it. However, because TPTB* at the J-O-B don't seem to care about their staff and apparently believe that being there seems to be a matter of life and death it takes an act of Congress to close due to inclement weather and then TPTB at the school reschedule cancelled snow classes on Friday nights, I cringe whenever I hear reports of a winter storm coming to town.
I have visions of my May Graduation Orlando Vacation Celebration (say that five times fast) going down the tubes because I have used all of my PTO (Paid Time Off) at the J-O-B due to the stinkin' weather.
Last week, we missed two classes due to snow and we made up one on Friday night and are scheduled to make up the other this coming Friday, with a final exam. However, last Friday, one of the student liaisons brought a "revised" schedule for this week into class and basically, the thought was that because a good number of students may not be able to make class on Friday, we would take the final exam on Wednesday, unless we can all agree to be there on Friday.
This caused a cascade of discussion on our facebook group over the weekend, and it seemed the classmates were divided on which way to go with it. By the time we got to class tonight, we still really hadn't agreed on the best thing for everybody.
THEN - in comes TPTB. They tell us that the exam is on Friday AND we have to be there the whole evening. Well, at least it was a definitive answer, frustrating as it was.
Why did they introduce the revised schedule in the first place? Was that the local school doing that, or TPTB? Does one hand know what the other is doing? It sure caused a lot of confusion and frustration among our classmates unnecessarily. Why do these things always boil down to a lack of communication?
Frankly, I have the time built up that I can sign myself out of class after the exam and I'm still good to go, but that still means driving 41 miles to the school to be there for an hour - at the most, probably.
So, what happens?
More anxiety. While sitting in class.
I can't pay attention to what's going on in the lecture because all I can think of is this junk. By the time we hit our next break, I told the teacher that I was signing out for the night and explained that I just wanted to be there for barebones on Friday, if possible. She was awesome and has worked it out with me so I can take the final at another time, Thursday before my other final, and I don't have to come at all on Friday.
That's a HUGE relief to me.
AND! I can celebrate WGH's birthday with him on his actual birthday on Friday! (He says he'll be 23, but I think I need to check his birth certificate.)
After getting all that straightened out, I still signed out for the night and came home, as there is a winter storm (ice and snow and all kinds of fun stuff) on its way and I didn't want to be a part of it tonight.
And we wonder why I keep saying I want to move to Florida.
I try not to let this stuff stress me out, but it doesn't seem to be working right now. I think if it were one or the other, J-O-B or school, it wouldn't be so bad, but between the two right now, I'm pretty much hitting the wall.
*The Powers That Be (generally meaning "Corporate")

Day 152 - Squirrely Situation

Rather than share about tonight's class - it's anatomy, that's all you need to know - I want to share about what happened at the Stately Smith Manor and Zoo today.
This morning I was going through my routine of getting ready, which generally consists of putting on make-up, clothes, drinking cawfie, reading the newspaper on-line, reading an on-line devotional, and just mentally preparing myself for the day. I noticed some tree branch movement outside and then heard some activity on the roof, around the chimney. This went on for a minute or two. Since we have had critters on our roof before that have decided to infiltrate our house via the chimney, I started banging on the fireplace to scare them away.
Just for safe measure, I put a make-shift barricade in front of the fireplace door: a TV tray.
When I got home, I tossed my dinner in the microwave and went about my business until the dinner beep signalled. After settling down to eat my dinner, WGH and I began discussing the day and we ended up on the topic of the noises I heard this morning by the chimney and he mentioned that Gringo the cat had been looking at the fireplace funny.
This is usually NOT a good sign.
I asked for a flashlight and as we peered in the fireplace, we saw a stunned squirrel hiding in the back of the fireplace.
I told WGH that I wanted to finish dinner and think about what our next move should be. Hey, I have priorities.
Dinner. Then squirrel removal.
As I enjoyed my beef stew, I began formulating the plan: ok, I need work gloves. Check, WGH is very helpful in getting those.
Ok...finished dinner.
First, we made sure we had the video camera, because you must document these events.
From here, I will just share the video, because if a picture is worth a thousand words, video is two thousand.

And yes, I have been bitten by a squirrel before this event, but that's a story for another day.

Day 150 - No Life on a Friday Night

Because we had off this past Monday from school, we had to make it up tonight. Our class had Anatomy, and because it was a Friday and students and teachers seem to not come on Friday's, we were combined with another class. We took a quiz (9/10 for me, thanks) and turned in homework, then proceeded to watch an entertaining video on Anatomy. Imagine "The Wiggles" teaching anatomy. That's kinda like what the video was like. It's called Standard Deviants School and it actually seemed to help it make some more sense. If you get bored and want to learn and be entertained, check it out.
While watching the video, I multi-tasked and tried to get a little ahead with my studying ahead.
Basically, it's a Friday night and I'm pretty much just ready to go right to sleep. I have no life. I see the people at work and in class more than I see my WGH.
Less than three months to go now.

Day 149 - Waxing Poetic

We got to do something other than Anatomy tonight, which is always more fun. We learned some spa treatment stuff. Like how to use heat and a combination of heat and cold to help relieve pain and/or relax muscles and that sort of stuff.
During the bodywork portion, we got to experience working with paraffin treatments on the hands. Way cool. I put some patouli oil on my hands prior to dipping into the paraffin, so when the paraffin came off, my hands had the patouli smell soaked into them pretty well.
My hands are still pretty soft. Neat-O.
Also of interest, WGH and I have recently gotten new cell phones - Droids, actually. The cool thing is that we can download all sorts of apps and stuff. I have downloaded a couple games, a snowglobe, tickle me Elmo, piano, drum machine, and a police/fire scanner radio. Newest apps I've downloaded: anatomy quiz and Pandora radio. I can basically work on studying my anatomy stuff with my phone and I can use the Pandora radio app and plug the phone into the commuter car's radio and listen to commercial free music.
Since we did not have class on Monday due to the federal holiday of MLK Day, we have class tomorrow night. Anatomy. On a Friday. At least I don't have clinic on Saturday.

Day 148 - Class of Family

When I was growing up, my sister and I would fight. I was significantly younger than her, so in her eyes, I was a "spoiled rotten brat," as she would tell Mom time and time again.
Now, this same sister is one of my best friends and one of my biggest supporters/cheerleaders. If I need somebody (besides WGH) to talk to, or just need somebody to chill with, I know where I can go.
Several of my classmates have referred to our class as the E3 Family. E3 has been our class designation since we started, and we will continue to call ourselves that even though the school has changed the designation format and THEY call us EM-C.
At any rate, we are family and we stick together, and sometimes, we may disagree similarly to families. But if there's one thing I've learned in my 42 years on this earth, it's best to just talk it out so that misunderstandings can be resolved.
With all that being said, tonight was one of those kinda nights. After that resolution, we learned some anatomy - about the scapula muscles, the rotator cuff muscles, and the intertublicular muscles.
I dare you to try to pronounce that last one.
Go ahead.
Try.
On a whole other subject, sort of, one thing I've learned (or re-learned) about myself is that I strive to learn new stuff and challenging myself. I also try to learn it the best that I can with my limited human brain. I also try to encourage others to do the same. I wonder sometimes if there's a motivational speaker lurking around in my body and wanting to come out and motivate people.

Livin' in a Van down by the River!

Day 147 - Clinic and Class

This past Saturday, during football playoffs, I worked in student clinic. I ended up having three clients and since there were no clients left because I'm sure they were all watching the Ravens/Steelers game, one of the skin care students gave me a mini-facial. That was great - I needed some exfoliation and relaxation.
Tonight's Anatomy class went as expected - well...uh...anatomy-like. We learned stuff about the superior apendicular skeleton. I'm pretty sure that means we learned about the collar bone, the shoulders, and the arm bones.
In the beginning of class, we took a quiz. I got 10 out of 10. Yay!
I haven't gotten down to counted the days left until graduation/last day of class, but I'm getting mighty close to starting.