Did you see the moon tonight? What a beautiful sight! I love the full moon as it casts shadows and illuminates the night. I've even gotten up from bed thinking the back porch light had been left on only to find it was the brightness of the moon!
I will be starting week 3 of the 3rd quarter of Massage Therapy School, as I continue the march towards graduation in June. Each quarter becomes progressively more demanding in the work required and the effort to master techniques. Granted, I want the person givng me massage to be knowledgable, personable, and client centered when I am the client, and that remains my focus - provide the service I would want to recieve. I can emphatically say I am not there yet, however, I am working toward that end.
I've talked about the Monday night class, Special Populations. A week from Monday, we will be assigned a client with some type of condition or disability. We will establish a client/therapist relationship with this person, providing therapeutic massage, monitor progress, and if no progress is made, then maintaining the current level of health, whatever that may be. Last Monday night, I had to present a short paper on Strokes, the definition, signs and symptoms, whether massage is indicated and benefits derived from receiving treatment. The conclusion I came to, from what I read, is that massage helps to aleviate pain and anxiety, and cannot be administered for weeks or even months after a stroke. If there is neurological damage, then massage may not be indicated as the client may not be able to feel pressure. We must also work with the clients' health care team to ensure no further harm is caused. On Tuesay night I have an Ethics and Communications class, which is one of my favorite classes. We talk about current events, how ethics and/or communications comes into play. Very interesting to discuss in an open forum. This particular instructor was a TA for one of my classes in the first quarter so I know him and like his style of teaching. He works at a local resort and always shares anecdotes of his clients, real stories, some funny, some not so much, but to give a taste of situations we may encounter in our practice. Wednesday night is Myofascial Techniques...hurt me, baby!! I love this class...it is hands on, and allows us to practice. Fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue throughout our body. When this web becomes restricted due to stress, trauma, sedentary lifestyle, etc. it can cause postural misalignments, pain, may form to the muscle causing adhesions. In order to release the fascia, massage techniques to release the fascia or unstick it from the muscles, can cause pain, but its a good pain. Sometimes after massage if you are sore, it can be due to fascia release if you've asked for deep tissue work. I, personally, like deep work as I know I need it. Some people are sensitive to deep pressure and it can be due to hypertonic fascia. There are really so many variables to what can be causing pain, and only through an in depth interview with the client can you form a recipe for treatment. Saturday clinics are challenging as we have 3 massages in 4 hours, 15 minutes between clients to hydrate, go to the restroom, eat(?), write up notes on what we observed...yikees...last week was tough! Thursday night is Anatomy, Pathology & Physiology - I don't even want to talk about that class! Let's just say it will be challenging to remain focused...
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it...talk soon...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Special Pops
Monday night class was awesome!! Special Populations – we discussed the many variances of who constitutes a member of a special population, and it can be anyone, really, because all of us have some type of “issue”. However, the definition we came up with: Any condition that limits/interferes with daily activities. It can be temporary, for example, a sprained ankle will eventually heal (or should), so while it limits daily activities for a while, it isn’t a permanent condition. The segment of population we will be working with have a permanent condition. The first 4 weeks will be lectures, discussions, preparing for an actual client who will be assigned to us for 3 weeks. We will do a complete intake interview, assessment, and design a massage treatment just for that person. They, in turn, will provide comprehensive feedback. Some of the clients who participate in clinic have been in the program for 15+ years; as long as they are benefitting and are providing good learning tools for the practitioner, they can remain. Many of these folks cannot afford a massage elsewhere, so their involvement is a privilege taken seriously…and while we may not provide a “cure” or even make them feel better, depending on the condition, as long as we help them to maintain the benchmark already established. For some, that is the best we can hope for. We are expected to establish a client/practitioner relationship…I am so excited!! I also have a research paper due on 1/25 on strokes, what it is, population affected, and if massage is indicated. Tonight’s class is Ethics. I can hardly believe I am in the third quarter!! June will be here before I know it!!
One of the questions the instructor asked was…recalling your earliest memory of when you were exposed/introduced to a “disabled” person, how did it make you feel, what were your thoughts? Some classmates talked about a relative who was mentally challenged, a grandfather who was in a wheelchair, an amputee co-worker; we used names (not very nice ones) commonly used to describe these type of conditions, and while it made me feel uncomfortable, I had to acknowledge that is what people say. I remember my nana’s younger brother had a leg about 6 inches shorter than the other. He wore a shoe that had an iron(?) attachment, and he also used crutches. I was afraid of him maybe because he was different or perhaps because the adults were so hush hush about him...as if he had a contagious illness or something. I believe he contracted polio which stunted the growth in one leg. One of the reasons why we shun those different from ourselves is fear…we are afraid of “catching” what they have, or we are afraid of what we do not understand. How sad for the person who is ignored, sadder for us who choose to see those different from us as less than. A person is human first, with a condition, not the other way around.
Talk soon...
One of the questions the instructor asked was…recalling your earliest memory of when you were exposed/introduced to a “disabled” person, how did it make you feel, what were your thoughts? Some classmates talked about a relative who was mentally challenged, a grandfather who was in a wheelchair, an amputee co-worker; we used names (not very nice ones) commonly used to describe these type of conditions, and while it made me feel uncomfortable, I had to acknowledge that is what people say. I remember my nana’s younger brother had a leg about 6 inches shorter than the other. He wore a shoe that had an iron(?) attachment, and he also used crutches. I was afraid of him maybe because he was different or perhaps because the adults were so hush hush about him...as if he had a contagious illness or something. I believe he contracted polio which stunted the growth in one leg. One of the reasons why we shun those different from ourselves is fear…we are afraid of “catching” what they have, or we are afraid of what we do not understand. How sad for the person who is ignored, sadder for us who choose to see those different from us as less than. A person is human first, with a condition, not the other way around.
Talk soon...
Friday, January 8, 2010
So ready to go back to class!!
Winter break is winding down, classes resume on Monday. I have missed, not just the learning, but the friendships as well. Some of us have stayed in touch via text (gotta love technology), however, it is not the same as face to face contact. In any type of environment you will meet people who strike a chord with you or in you. We started out with 18 students. One guy made it through week 1, and we never saw him again. He was in sales and had a very stressful job. His reason for attending Massage Therapy School was to change his career path. He had an uncle who was very zen-like, acquired through being a massage therapist…something he desperately sought for himself. Week 2 was the first week we were disrobing and starting hands on. Perhaps it was a bit more than he was ready for. There was a mother-daughter pair whose goal was to go into practice together. The daughter came to class using a cane, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in her knees. Not to say she couldn’t do it, however, so much of our strength when doing massage is utilizing our legs and our core, not so much our arms. The physical aspect was too much for her. Her mom, a small petite woman in her early 70’s, struggled with the material presented and the physical component. She, too, had rheumatoid arthritis, in her hands, and it was difficult for her to apply deep pressure when required. Perhaps in her practice, deep pressure would not be required, however, to pass the class, it was a critical point. She did not advance to 2nd quarter. Half-way through 2nd quarter, another classmate got sick with bronchitis, missed several weeks of class and was unable to make up the work. She is a single mom of 3 teen-agers, widowed (her husband was murdered); I felt so bad for her - she saw massage therapy as the change in course for a better life for her and her kids. That leaves 14 of us. Two women are going through ugly divorces; a gentleman was relocated to Tucson via Katrina and his dream is to return to the home he so misses. “Tucson just ain’t Nawlins’ !” One woman found out she was pregnant, and due about the time we graduate. She missed more than several classes, and was unsure if she could continue due to the strenuous physical aspect. As a class, we’ve kind of adopted her unborn baby, think godparents…asking about “him”, and looking forward to his impending birth. I don’t know if she’ll be there on Monday. The rest of us, with our stories and struggles, journey onward, toward the same goal, yet the path each of us takes to get there, our own.
The massages I scheduled during the break have been awesome! Family and friends who have allowed me the privilege of providing this service have touched me deeply. The time we spent, their vulnerability in a state of undress; my own, an awkward not-sure-what-I’m-doing-but-I’ll-get-through-it mode. They were happy, I was happy - served dual purposes.
We have made it through the first complete work week of 2010! I’ve been busy. I cleaned my dining room table from all of the last two quarters’ school paraphernalia. I purchased some plastic totes to store sheets, towels and other massage accessories; a filing cabinet for all my learning documents and books, plus the files I’ve now started for my clients (ooh, I like how that sounds!)
Talk soon…
The massages I scheduled during the break have been awesome! Family and friends who have allowed me the privilege of providing this service have touched me deeply. The time we spent, their vulnerability in a state of undress; my own, an awkward not-sure-what-I’m-doing-but-I’ll-get-through-it mode. They were happy, I was happy - served dual purposes.
We have made it through the first complete work week of 2010! I’ve been busy. I cleaned my dining room table from all of the last two quarters’ school paraphernalia. I purchased some plastic totes to store sheets, towels and other massage accessories; a filing cabinet for all my learning documents and books, plus the files I’ve now started for my clients (ooh, I like how that sounds!)
Talk soon…
Friday, January 1, 2010
Welcome 2010!
Happy New Year!! I slept through all the festivities last night...not that we go out partying on the last night of the year, but in our neighborhood, shooting firearms and illegal fireworks are the norm to ring in the new year. Last night...I didn't hear a sound. That doesn't mean my neighbors suddenly became considerate and refrained from this type of dangerous behavior...no, just means I slept through it.
Ok, I have to say it...we lost...badly, worse than bad, embarassing bad. My sister and I went to the Holiday Bowl, drove up Wednesday morning, arrived in San Diego about 11 am. The hotel was gracious enough to let us check in early, so we were able to freshen up before heading out the Qualcomm Stadium. The hotel was about 1.5 miles from the stadium, and the last thing we wanted was to have to deal with traffic. The concierge at the hotel advised us that we could park at a mall a couple miles north of the stadium, and take the trolley to the stadium. We drove to the mall, and as soon as we turned onto mall property, there is a sign: Qualcomm parking not allowed; violators will be towed. YIKES!! We drove around the mall trying to find the trolley station, but I had an uneasy feeling that just my luck, my car would be the one towed! If you recall...just my luck, when I purchased my tickets, I ended up getting 2 pair (4 tickets), and charged for both. My confidence in the UofA ticket office was shaken enough to not have them cancel a set, lest they cancel the ones we would try to use at the gate...long story short...we decided to park at the stadium, $15, Row H3. We got there pretty early because the concierge told us to get there early, he should know, right...he lives in San Diego. Ok, we'll get there early, so we decided to just grab something to eat at the stadium. They didn't have any concession stands, rather, a catered tailgate event that was $50 per person...now, is it just me or is that expensive?? It didn't even include a whole lot to eat, and it was a cash bar! We decided to wait until the gates opened, so 2.5 hours later, 1.5 hours before game time, some of the gates opened, not all (whats that about?); we found an open gate, and got a hot dog, $7, hot chocolate $5.75, water $5.25. Don't even think about a beer, $8 domestic. It was raining, so we got a poncho, $5. Not that we didn't take enough cash, its just that I hate to part with it! It started raining right before kick-off, then continued on and off during the game, good thing we got those ponchos! We were on the very top level, view level they call it...highlight of the game were when 3 Navy seals parachuted out of a plane and due to the breeze, appeared to be off target, however they were able to "steer" and landed right smack dab in the middle of the field! It was awesome. At halftime, 200 marines unfurled a flag the size of the whole football field, now that was awesome!!! One of the best firework shows rounded the halftime festivities. The rain continued, people drank more and more...a guy sitting behind us walked or I should say staggered out of his row, stumbled and almost fell right on top of my sister and I. Luckily, the people right behind us, caught him before he fell full force onto us. He never came back. There were a couple of altercations between fans right around us, police responded, not sure what they were about but profanities abounded, and you can be sure alcohol was a factor. By the time we decided to leave, 6:18 left in the third quarter, it was misting pretty steady...trying to find the car, hey it was in H3 wasn't it. We walked up and down the row...nada. My sister and I got separated (I am directionally challenged anyway), so I decided to let her find the car, and I'll just stop moving. Right on cue, cell phone rings, sis says, "where are you?" "By the port-a-potty, I'll wait for you" So now, we're trying to make our way out of the parking lot, and just get back to the hotel, we're hungry, wet, and cold. Almost an hour later, to travel that 1.5 mile, we are at the bar, drinking a beer and having dinner. What a night! Nebraska 33, UA 0.
As we drove home yesterday, we agreed that while the outcome of the game wasn't what we would have liked, it was a great experience. We really had a great time, laughed a lot, talked about anything and everything...my sis is so funny, and just shared thoughts. This was a true bonding experience...glad we went!
Oh, and that extra pair of tickets, chalk it up to experience. There were posted signs everywhere stating that the re-selling of tickets was unlawful (as if I didn't know). My luck, I would have sold to an undercover cop, and been thrown in the pokey. Yeah, try to explain that one!!
Talk soon...
Ok, I have to say it...we lost...badly, worse than bad, embarassing bad. My sister and I went to the Holiday Bowl, drove up Wednesday morning, arrived in San Diego about 11 am. The hotel was gracious enough to let us check in early, so we were able to freshen up before heading out the Qualcomm Stadium. The hotel was about 1.5 miles from the stadium, and the last thing we wanted was to have to deal with traffic. The concierge at the hotel advised us that we could park at a mall a couple miles north of the stadium, and take the trolley to the stadium. We drove to the mall, and as soon as we turned onto mall property, there is a sign: Qualcomm parking not allowed; violators will be towed. YIKES!! We drove around the mall trying to find the trolley station, but I had an uneasy feeling that just my luck, my car would be the one towed! If you recall...just my luck, when I purchased my tickets, I ended up getting 2 pair (4 tickets), and charged for both. My confidence in the UofA ticket office was shaken enough to not have them cancel a set, lest they cancel the ones we would try to use at the gate...long story short...we decided to park at the stadium, $15, Row H3. We got there pretty early because the concierge told us to get there early, he should know, right...he lives in San Diego. Ok, we'll get there early, so we decided to just grab something to eat at the stadium. They didn't have any concession stands, rather, a catered tailgate event that was $50 per person...now, is it just me or is that expensive?? It didn't even include a whole lot to eat, and it was a cash bar! We decided to wait until the gates opened, so 2.5 hours later, 1.5 hours before game time, some of the gates opened, not all (whats that about?); we found an open gate, and got a hot dog, $7, hot chocolate $5.75, water $5.25. Don't even think about a beer, $8 domestic. It was raining, so we got a poncho, $5. Not that we didn't take enough cash, its just that I hate to part with it! It started raining right before kick-off, then continued on and off during the game, good thing we got those ponchos! We were on the very top level, view level they call it...highlight of the game were when 3 Navy seals parachuted out of a plane and due to the breeze, appeared to be off target, however they were able to "steer" and landed right smack dab in the middle of the field! It was awesome. At halftime, 200 marines unfurled a flag the size of the whole football field, now that was awesome!!! One of the best firework shows rounded the halftime festivities. The rain continued, people drank more and more...a guy sitting behind us walked or I should say staggered out of his row, stumbled and almost fell right on top of my sister and I. Luckily, the people right behind us, caught him before he fell full force onto us. He never came back. There were a couple of altercations between fans right around us, police responded, not sure what they were about but profanities abounded, and you can be sure alcohol was a factor. By the time we decided to leave, 6:18 left in the third quarter, it was misting pretty steady...trying to find the car, hey it was in H3 wasn't it. We walked up and down the row...nada. My sister and I got separated (I am directionally challenged anyway), so I decided to let her find the car, and I'll just stop moving. Right on cue, cell phone rings, sis says, "where are you?" "By the port-a-potty, I'll wait for you" So now, we're trying to make our way out of the parking lot, and just get back to the hotel, we're hungry, wet, and cold. Almost an hour later, to travel that 1.5 mile, we are at the bar, drinking a beer and having dinner. What a night! Nebraska 33, UA 0.
As we drove home yesterday, we agreed that while the outcome of the game wasn't what we would have liked, it was a great experience. We really had a great time, laughed a lot, talked about anything and everything...my sis is so funny, and just shared thoughts. This was a true bonding experience...glad we went!
Oh, and that extra pair of tickets, chalk it up to experience. There were posted signs everywhere stating that the re-selling of tickets was unlawful (as if I didn't know). My luck, I would have sold to an undercover cop, and been thrown in the pokey. Yeah, try to explain that one!!
Talk soon...
Monday, December 21, 2009
Whew...
In my previous life, I used to get sick every Christmas. A few days before the holiday, I’d start to get a sore throat, feel feverish, stuffed head…by the time the 24th rolled around, I was miserable with a full fledged, all symptoms (and then some) cold! I tried hard to power through Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, so as not to ruin it for the kids. It almost became a running joke, if mom’s sick, it must be Christmas…that was the only time of year I would be sick. Of course, the ex would get mad, fuel the fire with the kids by telling them “mom ruined Christmas”, and even accused me of getting sick on purpose!! The holidays were so stressful for me, pressure to buy, buy, buy, no money to buy, no one understood that, except me because, while I tracked the checkbook, he would withdraw money all the time, not tell me, and any money left over was to pay the bills. Sometimes and usually, it wasn’t enough. Perhaps I did get sick on purpose, not that I purposely contracted germs, rather just running myself ragged trying to do everything because I had to. I baked, decorated, wrapped, cooked, cleaned…I was a domestic diva, though I didn’t feel like one at the time. Not to mention I was in a miserable relationship I felt had no resolution other than to continue…hey, wasn’t everyone like this? I’ve been out of that toxic environment for over 11 years now, and I still don’t like the holidays. I don’t feel quite the stress of years gone by, but so many of those feelings still persist, the nagging voice from the past still echoes in my head, and while I don’t pay it too much mind, it does surface every year, I acknowledge it, and let it go. Really, what else can I do? Oh, and I haven’t been sick for the holidays in about 11 years now!
We made 46 dozen of tamales! That is 552 units. Wow…that is the most we’ve ever made at one time. We wanted each person to have 10 dozen, my mom got 15 dozen because we all go over on Christmas Eve and tamales are part of the meal. We used the kitchen counter to assemble vs the kitchen table, and it really helped because it is a little higher and you don’t hunch over quite as much. Because in massage school I really have to pay attention to my body mechanics, I’m not that tired today, or even last night. I made an effort to shift the weight on my feet often, not locking my knees, sneakers with socks (good support), and taking a break about every 90 minutes. My sisters chose not to take as many breaks, they wore house slippers (no support, hello!) We started at 9 am, finished by 6 pm. Mom finally went home at about 5 pm, only when we insisted. I know she was exhausted, her back was hurting. She’s 74…she has to understand she can’t do what she did, even a few years ago. She was a trooper though, and of course, she loves to dish out instructions!
I work all week, except Friday, and rumor has it that Thursday is a half day. I have so much to do still. I have lots of wrapping to do, which I absolutely despise doing. I toned it down this year…each of the grandkids got a book and an outfit…still, 6 grandies, and that’s quite a bit of stuff. They get so many things…its really obscene! Both my daughters in law, though make an effort to clean out last years’ stuff and donate to friends or the many charities that can use the help.
Talk soon...
We made 46 dozen of tamales! That is 552 units. Wow…that is the most we’ve ever made at one time. We wanted each person to have 10 dozen, my mom got 15 dozen because we all go over on Christmas Eve and tamales are part of the meal. We used the kitchen counter to assemble vs the kitchen table, and it really helped because it is a little higher and you don’t hunch over quite as much. Because in massage school I really have to pay attention to my body mechanics, I’m not that tired today, or even last night. I made an effort to shift the weight on my feet often, not locking my knees, sneakers with socks (good support), and taking a break about every 90 minutes. My sisters chose not to take as many breaks, they wore house slippers (no support, hello!) We started at 9 am, finished by 6 pm. Mom finally went home at about 5 pm, only when we insisted. I know she was exhausted, her back was hurting. She’s 74…she has to understand she can’t do what she did, even a few years ago. She was a trooper though, and of course, she loves to dish out instructions!
I work all week, except Friday, and rumor has it that Thursday is a half day. I have so much to do still. I have lots of wrapping to do, which I absolutely despise doing. I toned it down this year…each of the grandkids got a book and an outfit…still, 6 grandies, and that’s quite a bit of stuff. They get so many things…its really obscene! Both my daughters in law, though make an effort to clean out last years’ stuff and donate to friends or the many charities that can use the help.
Talk soon...
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Timely tamales...probably not...
I rarely, if ever, ask anyone for anything. I just don't. One of my biggest "issues" is rejection. Even if the person I'm asking has a perfectly legitimate reason for not being able to accommodate my request, I take it personally. In the book, The Four Agreements, one of the agreements (belief system) is don't take it personally. It is one that was probably made for us at a young age; it is a belief we hold true, even if it isn't. That is one of the agreements with myself that I have to change...it comes from the past, perhaps when I was younger, I asked and was repeatedly turned down...I don't know, I just know - I hardly ever ask. Oh, and the other agreements: Always do your best (even when I feel it isn't good enough) hey, who can ask any more than that from you; Keep your word (integrity); Don't assume (yeah, we all know what happens when you do that!).
When I had to find two people to massage for today's' final, I asked my brother-in-law, Bob, because I knew he would give me honest feedback, and I knew he was free this morning (my sister told me!). He's never had a massage before, and he was excited for the opportunity. This morning, at 6:30 am, he called to tell me he was not feeling well. He may have Meniere Disease, a disease of the inner ear which causes vertigo with symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, dizzy, weakness, etc. It seems he has been getting bouts like this more frequently, and he just didn't feel comfortable driving over to the school in this condition. I told him it was fine, and I didn't want massage to exacerbate the problem, which it can do by triggering the circulatory and cardiovascular systems to go into overdrive, which could then lead to other issues. Now the problem was to find someone to take his place...in 2 hours! Glen was already scheduled at 11 am. I wasn't stressing yet, but I texted a classmate who had an abundance of volunteers, and asked her if I could have one of her people. She called me back to tell me that she had been in ER until 4 am today with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which she was just diagnosed with on Tuesday. PCOS is a condition that specifically targets the ovaries, but affects all the body systems. Jessica hadn't slept much, was on some heavy pain meds, and in a severe amount of pain. I didn't know that, or I wouldn't have asked. Jessica scheduled a person for me!! Even with everything going on with her, she helped me out. She could have easily said, "sorry, I'm not feeling well, this is whats going on....." but she didn't. I am so grateful!
In all the chaos, I asked Glen if he would consider coming in at 9:30 am, which would buy me some time to find another person to fill the 11 am slot. He said, "my appointment is at 11 am". I said fine. I know he was kidding, and would have gladly honored my request, but in my emotional state, I just couldn't handle it. Then I beat myself up for even asking..."I am so selfish for even asking Glen to change his time...I allowed my situation to become his emergency...what is wrong with me...how dare I?" I was already taut with nerves for the test, then to have the plans change, then they changed again...it was way more than I could handle. I quickly pulled myself together and thought, "I'll deal with this later because right now, I just don't have time!" In any case, it all worked out, but I can still feel the emotions right under the surface. I need to have a good cry. I need to talk this through with myself. I need to breathe. What a day, but its over...2 quarters down, 2 to go!
My sisters, mom and I will start the tamales at 9 am tomorrow. I can guarantee we won't start until 10, but I have to be there on time regardless, because, well, its my sister. Today, the plan was to shred the tamale meat...be there at 5 pm...I was there at 5:10, we started at 6:30 because they were eating. These people operate on their own schedule...now, do you think I'll ever ask if they can just try to be on time...heck no!!
Talk soon...
When I had to find two people to massage for today's' final, I asked my brother-in-law, Bob, because I knew he would give me honest feedback, and I knew he was free this morning (my sister told me!). He's never had a massage before, and he was excited for the opportunity. This morning, at 6:30 am, he called to tell me he was not feeling well. He may have Meniere Disease, a disease of the inner ear which causes vertigo with symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, dizzy, weakness, etc. It seems he has been getting bouts like this more frequently, and he just didn't feel comfortable driving over to the school in this condition. I told him it was fine, and I didn't want massage to exacerbate the problem, which it can do by triggering the circulatory and cardiovascular systems to go into overdrive, which could then lead to other issues. Now the problem was to find someone to take his place...in 2 hours! Glen was already scheduled at 11 am. I wasn't stressing yet, but I texted a classmate who had an abundance of volunteers, and asked her if I could have one of her people. She called me back to tell me that she had been in ER until 4 am today with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which she was just diagnosed with on Tuesday. PCOS is a condition that specifically targets the ovaries, but affects all the body systems. Jessica hadn't slept much, was on some heavy pain meds, and in a severe amount of pain. I didn't know that, or I wouldn't have asked. Jessica scheduled a person for me!! Even with everything going on with her, she helped me out. She could have easily said, "sorry, I'm not feeling well, this is whats going on....." but she didn't. I am so grateful!
In all the chaos, I asked Glen if he would consider coming in at 9:30 am, which would buy me some time to find another person to fill the 11 am slot. He said, "my appointment is at 11 am". I said fine. I know he was kidding, and would have gladly honored my request, but in my emotional state, I just couldn't handle it. Then I beat myself up for even asking..."I am so selfish for even asking Glen to change his time...I allowed my situation to become his emergency...what is wrong with me...how dare I?" I was already taut with nerves for the test, then to have the plans change, then they changed again...it was way more than I could handle. I quickly pulled myself together and thought, "I'll deal with this later because right now, I just don't have time!" In any case, it all worked out, but I can still feel the emotions right under the surface. I need to have a good cry. I need to talk this through with myself. I need to breathe. What a day, but its over...2 quarters down, 2 to go!
My sisters, mom and I will start the tamales at 9 am tomorrow. I can guarantee we won't start until 10, but I have to be there on time regardless, because, well, its my sister. Today, the plan was to shred the tamale meat...be there at 5 pm...I was there at 5:10, we started at 6:30 because they were eating. These people operate on their own schedule...now, do you think I'll ever ask if they can just try to be on time...heck no!!
Talk soon...
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tickets & tamales...
Immediately after the UA vs USC game on 12/5, in which the ‘Cats handily beat the Trojans, and made us bowl eligible, I went online to purchase 2 tickets to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on 12/30. You submit an application, enter your credit card number, but it doesn’t get charged until you receive a confirmation e-mail stating your application was accepted. On the following Tuesday afternoon, after not receiving said confirmation e-mail, I called the UA ticket office, before tickets went on sale to the general public at 5 pm that day, and asked if tickets had been issued to me. I was told no, so I purchased 2 tickets right then. I received the tickets yesterday…4 of them!! I called my credit card company to see if I had been charged twice…yup! So now I have 4 tickets to a sold-out game, but I only need 2. Information on the ticket face say you can go through Ticketmaster to sell your tickets...name a price! Yeah, well, I’m not in to make a profit, and I only want what I was charged (ticket price and shipping). What a hassle!
I attended Ailani’s Christmas program last night…5 year olds are a remarkable bunch, enthusiastic, smiling or some so scared they could only manage a blank stare, innocence in reindeer hats. They are not afraid to sing at the top of their lungs, they are having fun. They did a couple of international numbers, Kookaburra from Australia, Frere Jacque (Brother John), and of course, Feliz Navidad. I could not help but smile as their little voices raised the roof of the cafeteria much to the pleasure of mom’s, dad’s, nana’s and tata’s in the audience! Times such as these remind me that life is so precious, and once these moments are gone, they are gone forever, never to be replaced. Work, a clean house, shopping, school, nothing compares to the smile of a child as she says, “thank you for coming nana, did you hear me sing?” I sure did, sweetie, I sure did!
We make our annual tamales on Sunday, an all day deal. My sisters and I attempted this endeavor last year, by ourselves, as mom was recovering from knee replacement surgery, however, her presence was felt! She called us every hour to “see how we were doing”. Of course, we also called her for clarification on some instructions she had given…mom doesn’t measure, she just knows how much of an ingredient to add. I think she transposed a formula on the amount of red chili to use, hot vs mild, she said it was 3:1, however, the tamales were soooo spicy, I think it should have been 1:3 ratio! In any case, they were quite tasty, and the bonding time, jokes, stories, dancing to the music, is priceless!! Oh, and the boss lady will be present this year dishing out the orders!
Talk soon…
I attended Ailani’s Christmas program last night…5 year olds are a remarkable bunch, enthusiastic, smiling or some so scared they could only manage a blank stare, innocence in reindeer hats. They are not afraid to sing at the top of their lungs, they are having fun. They did a couple of international numbers, Kookaburra from Australia, Frere Jacque (Brother John), and of course, Feliz Navidad. I could not help but smile as their little voices raised the roof of the cafeteria much to the pleasure of mom’s, dad’s, nana’s and tata’s in the audience! Times such as these remind me that life is so precious, and once these moments are gone, they are gone forever, never to be replaced. Work, a clean house, shopping, school, nothing compares to the smile of a child as she says, “thank you for coming nana, did you hear me sing?” I sure did, sweetie, I sure did!
We make our annual tamales on Sunday, an all day deal. My sisters and I attempted this endeavor last year, by ourselves, as mom was recovering from knee replacement surgery, however, her presence was felt! She called us every hour to “see how we were doing”. Of course, we also called her for clarification on some instructions she had given…mom doesn’t measure, she just knows how much of an ingredient to add. I think she transposed a formula on the amount of red chili to use, hot vs mild, she said it was 3:1, however, the tamales were soooo spicy, I think it should have been 1:3 ratio! In any case, they were quite tasty, and the bonding time, jokes, stories, dancing to the music, is priceless!! Oh, and the boss lady will be present this year dishing out the orders!
Talk soon…
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas program & cookies!
So the last 2 out of 3 nights I haven’t had class. I don’t know what to do with myself! Granted, on Monday night, I was studying for my test on Tuesday, but still, I had plenty of “free” time. I don’t watch much TV…and because I haven’t been consistent with any programs, there isn’t much that interests me. I have a couple of books I’ve started, but I save those for reading during my lunch hour at my desk. So…what do I do? The computer is the worst time sucker there is. You go to a favorite page, then there are links that take you to another page, links on that page…well, you get the drift. I have also been staying up until at least 10 because I don’t want to get back into the habit of going to bed at 8:30 pm, because when school starts again in mid-January, that won’t be an option. I am maintaining my school schedule of waking and sleeping to keep my body’s clock consistent. Which brings me right back to…what do I do with myself?
Ailani has a Christmas program at school tonight, so that is a huge plus that I’ll be able to attend. She is in pre-kindergarten (whoever heard of pre-kinder?), and they are so cute when they perform. Last year she was in pre-pre-kindergarten (I don’t know what it is called, but it was prior to this pre!). It is about an hour long program of singing Christmas songs, and acting out certain holiday themed scenes. Cookies and punch are offered after the performance. When Carlos was in grade school, and he had programs or awards ceremonies, his dad would sometimes go, sometimes he didn’t feel like it. When his dad didn’t go, we would stay for the cookies and punch after, but when his dad attended, we never stayed because he didn’t want to, so we’d all have to go home. So last year, after Ailaini’s program, Carlos and I just looked at each other and I immediately knew what he was thinking…I asked if they were staying for treats and he said, “you bet!”. I stayed too! Funny, how our children teach us the most important lessons in life…and its not about the cookies and punch, really, its about spending time together, in true spirit, with those we love.
Talk soon…
Ailani has a Christmas program at school tonight, so that is a huge plus that I’ll be able to attend. She is in pre-kindergarten (whoever heard of pre-kinder?), and they are so cute when they perform. Last year she was in pre-pre-kindergarten (I don’t know what it is called, but it was prior to this pre!). It is about an hour long program of singing Christmas songs, and acting out certain holiday themed scenes. Cookies and punch are offered after the performance. When Carlos was in grade school, and he had programs or awards ceremonies, his dad would sometimes go, sometimes he didn’t feel like it. When his dad didn’t go, we would stay for the cookies and punch after, but when his dad attended, we never stayed because he didn’t want to, so we’d all have to go home. So last year, after Ailaini’s program, Carlos and I just looked at each other and I immediately knew what he was thinking…I asked if they were staying for treats and he said, “you bet!”. I stayed too! Funny, how our children teach us the most important lessons in life…and its not about the cookies and punch, really, its about spending time together, in true spirit, with those we love.
Talk soon…
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Stop the mind...breathe...
I had my Clinical Foundations practical last night. I was scheduled at 8 pm, so I didn’t even have to be there until that time. I grabbed a quick soup for dinner, and arrived at school before 7 pm. The schedule had been changed, and the instructors were running behind. I was now scheduled at 7:30 pm with a different instructor. I didn’t get tested until 9:15 pm!! The waiting was the worst part. The more I waited, the tenser I became. The main instructor came in about 8:45 pm just to see how we were doing (there were only 2 of us left), and I just lost it. Quickly recovered, but I just felt off, my nerves were already frazzled. I sat off by myself, took some deep breaths, closed my eyes…silence. She asked if I was ok, and said that it would be fine. It was finally my turn, and though it went very well, 120/122…so now as I drove home, I’m all wound up! Talk about the gamut of emotions, peaks, valleys. It is over. I have my last class (the very last class of the quarter) on Saturday…should be easy, just doing massage on two people that I invited. This quarter was tough…stressful, long and drawn out! I feel drained today. Didn’t sleep well, woke up early…my mind is so tired!
I am currently reading Diary of a Medical Intuitiveby Christel Nani, RN PhD. Christel was a nurse for many years in some of New York City’s busiest ER’s. She talks about how very early in life her intuition was very strong. She knew when a neighbor was going to die, even though he was the picture of health at the time. She even mentioned it to her family during dinner, and when it did happen 3 days later, she felt that because she had thought and voiced it, it manifested. The neighbor actually had an undiagnosed heart problem. It took her many years, not just to acknowledge the gift of intuition, but after coming to terms with it, she become somewhat of an outcast among her peers – they were afraid she would intuit some disease or condition about them! She just knew what was wrong with her patients when they came into the ER, even when CAT scans and MRI’s failed to show conditions and/or diseases. We all have an energy field in our bodies produced by our cells, naturally. The energies in this field vibrate at frequencies that change depending on your health. If you are healthy, energy vibrates at a high frequency. When you are not well, the vibration is at a low frequency. This is called an aura, and can actually be seen. The energy fields within the body are the chakras. Many conditions originate from energy imbalances or shutdowns in the body that do not allow the energy in the body to flow freely. I’m only on the 4th chapter, but I find its very interesting.
I have bags and bags of clothes and shoes to donate to Goodwill. I used to give my gently used clothes to a cousin, but I don’t see her that often, so I ended up just sitting on it for a while. Isn’t the whole purpose of cleaning out closets and drawers to get rid of stuff? I hope to have a couple more drawers cleaned out by the weekend. How about the pantry? I’ll buy an ingredient for a recipe, then I won’t make the recipe or have tons of ingredients left over that eventually sit in the pantry and go bad anyway. Wine, beer, OJ…its all old!
Talk soon…
I am currently reading Diary of a Medical Intuitiveby Christel Nani, RN PhD. Christel was a nurse for many years in some of New York City’s busiest ER’s. She talks about how very early in life her intuition was very strong. She knew when a neighbor was going to die, even though he was the picture of health at the time. She even mentioned it to her family during dinner, and when it did happen 3 days later, she felt that because she had thought and voiced it, it manifested. The neighbor actually had an undiagnosed heart problem. It took her many years, not just to acknowledge the gift of intuition, but after coming to terms with it, she become somewhat of an outcast among her peers – they were afraid she would intuit some disease or condition about them! She just knew what was wrong with her patients when they came into the ER, even when CAT scans and MRI’s failed to show conditions and/or diseases. We all have an energy field in our bodies produced by our cells, naturally. The energies in this field vibrate at frequencies that change depending on your health. If you are healthy, energy vibrates at a high frequency. When you are not well, the vibration is at a low frequency. This is called an aura, and can actually be seen. The energy fields within the body are the chakras. Many conditions originate from energy imbalances or shutdowns in the body that do not allow the energy in the body to flow freely. I’m only on the 4th chapter, but I find its very interesting.
I have bags and bags of clothes and shoes to donate to Goodwill. I used to give my gently used clothes to a cousin, but I don’t see her that often, so I ended up just sitting on it for a while. Isn’t the whole purpose of cleaning out closets and drawers to get rid of stuff? I hope to have a couple more drawers cleaned out by the weekend. How about the pantry? I’ll buy an ingredient for a recipe, then I won’t make the recipe or have tons of ingredients left over that eventually sit in the pantry and go bad anyway. Wine, beer, OJ…its all old!
Talk soon…
Monday, December 14, 2009
Grading myself...
President Obama, in an interview with 60 Minutes, was asked to grade himself on the last year…he gave himself a solid B+. To me, an A would mean stellar performance, and I have to agree that his was lacking a bit. This got me thinking…what grade would I give myself for 2009? There were so many facets to my life in 2009, I would give myself a C-. There were more than a few areas that I was more than a bit lacking!
-Chris, his family, marriage – my actions at the time were based on the information I had at the time. I still don’t approve of Chris’ behavior, although I wish I would have talked to him more, perhaps by talking to him, putting things into perspective for all of us, I could have helped him through the situation better. Our relationship is on the mend, so 2010 will be a time for healing.
-Although I am doing ok in my classes, I believe I could have done better. I strive for straight A’s…did I ever get all A’s, no. I discussed this with my coach and she said that none of my future clients will ever ask me what my grades in school were prior to me giving them a massage. They will just assume that because I am doing massage in a professional capacity via certification, I know what I am doing. True, but why strive for mediocrity?? How can I expect less of myself? I just have to remember not to beat myself up (too badly!). I am expected to finish school at the end of June. I simply have to continue, for the next 6 months, to try my best, always. That is one of the Four Agreements, always do your best!
-I didn’t visit my parents as much as I should have. I miss my mom terribly, and even though we talk at least every other day, I still need to make an effort to go over more. I live on the other side of town from them, and I don’t like for them to make the trip driving. I used to go over and give my mom manicures, and though I have no idea how to actually give a manicure, just spending time with her, touching her hands, filing her nails, applying a new, fresh coat of nail polish (always in a bright color!), made her feel good. I know she cherished the moments as did I.
-I made a friend over the summer, what I thought was a quality relationship. I enjoyed her company immensely, our conversations about everything and nothing will remain with me always, however, she had some issues that I was unable to deal with. Perhaps that is more a reflection of me, than of her...so be it. As abruptly as it began, it ended. Bottom line, we cannot be friends, and because of this fact, it still haunts and remains in my thoughts. I pray that in time, we are healed.
-While I don’t have too much control over my work situation, as far as what my duties are, I have taken the attitude that my days here are numbered. Why put that out there? As in all things, I cannot change others, I can only control myself, my actions, my attitude, my perceptions, and deal with those. Why not entertain the possibility that I could work at my current employer? I would keep my seniority, still enjoy the many perks that come with the job, and just do something different. As a matter of fact, there are 3 openings in massage right now, part time, so I could still build up my own clientele while maintaining a job. At least until I decide where this is taking me. Change my thinking, change my life.
I talked in a previous entry about new year resolutions, and quite frankly, I don’t make them…my sense is why not start now, today. Why wait until the new year? Its like saying you will start a diet on Monday, then binging the weekend before!
There aren’t many people who know I am attending Massage Therapy school, and when I do tell them (friends and family), they are almost always surprised. Do they not think I can do it? Do they think I am too old to be embarking on such a change in careers? Do they just think my goals are too lofty? In any case, it kind of makes me think twice or second guess…not that I’m going to change my mind because I am too deeply embedded in it to quit. However, I hope I don’t give off the aura of being “haughty” with what I am doing. A colleague at work asked me about my weekend, and did I do anything special. She is one of the few who know about my other life, and we were talking about the marathon so I mentioned that I had given massages to the runners coming off the finish line…I wish I had a camera to capture the look on her face. Not that she was surprised that I am doing it, maybe just surprised that I could do it. She asked me if I was comfortable with it. Hmmm, maybe I’m being too sensitive. Every muscle in my body aches today!!
It started out being a cool morning, overcast, and it has turned out to be a pretty sunny day. It is supposed to be 70F on Wednesday! Go figure…talk soon…
-Chris, his family, marriage – my actions at the time were based on the information I had at the time. I still don’t approve of Chris’ behavior, although I wish I would have talked to him more, perhaps by talking to him, putting things into perspective for all of us, I could have helped him through the situation better. Our relationship is on the mend, so 2010 will be a time for healing.
-Although I am doing ok in my classes, I believe I could have done better. I strive for straight A’s…did I ever get all A’s, no. I discussed this with my coach and she said that none of my future clients will ever ask me what my grades in school were prior to me giving them a massage. They will just assume that because I am doing massage in a professional capacity via certification, I know what I am doing. True, but why strive for mediocrity?? How can I expect less of myself? I just have to remember not to beat myself up (too badly!). I am expected to finish school at the end of June. I simply have to continue, for the next 6 months, to try my best, always. That is one of the Four Agreements, always do your best!
-I didn’t visit my parents as much as I should have. I miss my mom terribly, and even though we talk at least every other day, I still need to make an effort to go over more. I live on the other side of town from them, and I don’t like for them to make the trip driving. I used to go over and give my mom manicures, and though I have no idea how to actually give a manicure, just spending time with her, touching her hands, filing her nails, applying a new, fresh coat of nail polish (always in a bright color!), made her feel good. I know she cherished the moments as did I.
-I made a friend over the summer, what I thought was a quality relationship. I enjoyed her company immensely, our conversations about everything and nothing will remain with me always, however, she had some issues that I was unable to deal with. Perhaps that is more a reflection of me, than of her...so be it. As abruptly as it began, it ended. Bottom line, we cannot be friends, and because of this fact, it still haunts and remains in my thoughts. I pray that in time, we are healed.
-While I don’t have too much control over my work situation, as far as what my duties are, I have taken the attitude that my days here are numbered. Why put that out there? As in all things, I cannot change others, I can only control myself, my actions, my attitude, my perceptions, and deal with those. Why not entertain the possibility that I could work at my current employer? I would keep my seniority, still enjoy the many perks that come with the job, and just do something different. As a matter of fact, there are 3 openings in massage right now, part time, so I could still build up my own clientele while maintaining a job. At least until I decide where this is taking me. Change my thinking, change my life.
I talked in a previous entry about new year resolutions, and quite frankly, I don’t make them…my sense is why not start now, today. Why wait until the new year? Its like saying you will start a diet on Monday, then binging the weekend before!
There aren’t many people who know I am attending Massage Therapy school, and when I do tell them (friends and family), they are almost always surprised. Do they not think I can do it? Do they think I am too old to be embarking on such a change in careers? Do they just think my goals are too lofty? In any case, it kind of makes me think twice or second guess…not that I’m going to change my mind because I am too deeply embedded in it to quit. However, I hope I don’t give off the aura of being “haughty” with what I am doing. A colleague at work asked me about my weekend, and did I do anything special. She is one of the few who know about my other life, and we were talking about the marathon so I mentioned that I had given massages to the runners coming off the finish line…I wish I had a camera to capture the look on her face. Not that she was surprised that I am doing it, maybe just surprised that I could do it. She asked me if I was comfortable with it. Hmmm, maybe I’m being too sensitive. Every muscle in my body aches today!!
It started out being a cool morning, overcast, and it has turned out to be a pretty sunny day. It is supposed to be 70F on Wednesday! Go figure…talk soon…
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tired and sore...
The Tucson Marathon started at 7 am from the town of Oracle and ended in Catalina, 26.2 miles. The first runner crossed the finish line right before 8:30 am. I think his name was Andrew, he completed the half marathon. 3,500 runners were expected to take part in the event on a course that dropped nearly 2,200 feet in elevation as the runners headed toward the finish line. It was a cool morning, perfect running weather...at the start, but it quickly became cold and windy. I heard from many of the runners how that wind whipped up and caused great resistance as they made their way home. Our tables were set up by 8 am...I started work on runners about 8:45 am. It was almost non-stop until 1 pm! I took a break about 11:45 am because I was already feeling my blood sugars dropping, so I had 1/4 of a banana, a tortilla with a thin spread of peanut butter, a handful of trail mix, and a Gatorade. Glen and I had breakfast at 5:30 am, so that helped. By the time the last massage ended, I needed a massage! Honestly, right now, my shoulders, legs and lower back are killing me. It was a great experience though...surely sports massage is a great specialized field to get into. There was one young woman who was suffering from hypothermia, and it took over 2 hours, and 6 blankets, to get her body back to core temperature. There were some EMT's closeby in case the situation worsened, it did not, thank goodness. I watched this one guy's calf muscle spasming, literally, you could see the muscle move as if electric...it was crazy! He said he'd never seen anything like that, and to sit there and watch his own body do that...
As it gets closer to Christmas, I find myself keeping busy or busier than usual because I don't like the holiday...growing up we didn't have a whole lot, although I didn't know it at the time, then in my previous life it was pretty much the same, so that is really I know. I've tried in the past couple of years to direct my toughts toward the true meaning of the season, but I find that so much of what I feel today is due to negative self talk, deep seeded beliefs (whether true or not), that just seem to grip me! To say that Christmas is so commercialized sounds cliche, but true. How do we turn the tide, change our thoughts, and celebrate the spirit in which it is meant? I suppose it starts within each one of us. Me...because I can only change myself, but it is a losing battle when retailers send out flyers with all their specials, mall parking lots are jam packed with shoppers, etc. Besides, my family would never go for it...they're as much into the gift buying/spending, and giving as anyone else. What happens to me? I follow. That is probably why I am so miserable this time of year. Perhaps it is time to let go of the past, I cannot change it, I can only learn from it. Embrace the here and now, the present, because, really, it is all I have. Tomorrow is promised to no one.
Then comes the new year when we look back and reflect on what we've done, what we haven't, then resolve to change it all...next year! Rarely do we accomplish this and we are right back to where we started! Lose weight, quit smoking, budget our money and time, eat healthy, whatever it is that we want to change in the new year, why not start now, today...get a head start kind of!
My, I am tired...my thoughts ramble...if you're still reading...good night! Talk soon...
As it gets closer to Christmas, I find myself keeping busy or busier than usual because I don't like the holiday...growing up we didn't have a whole lot, although I didn't know it at the time, then in my previous life it was pretty much the same, so that is really I know. I've tried in the past couple of years to direct my toughts toward the true meaning of the season, but I find that so much of what I feel today is due to negative self talk, deep seeded beliefs (whether true or not), that just seem to grip me! To say that Christmas is so commercialized sounds cliche, but true. How do we turn the tide, change our thoughts, and celebrate the spirit in which it is meant? I suppose it starts within each one of us. Me...because I can only change myself, but it is a losing battle when retailers send out flyers with all their specials, mall parking lots are jam packed with shoppers, etc. Besides, my family would never go for it...they're as much into the gift buying/spending, and giving as anyone else. What happens to me? I follow. That is probably why I am so miserable this time of year. Perhaps it is time to let go of the past, I cannot change it, I can only learn from it. Embrace the here and now, the present, because, really, it is all I have. Tomorrow is promised to no one.
Then comes the new year when we look back and reflect on what we've done, what we haven't, then resolve to change it all...next year! Rarely do we accomplish this and we are right back to where we started! Lose weight, quit smoking, budget our money and time, eat healthy, whatever it is that we want to change in the new year, why not start now, today...get a head start kind of!
My, I am tired...my thoughts ramble...if you're still reading...good night! Talk soon...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
When can I breathe...
Mock clinic went well today. I paired up with a classmate that I'm not that comfortable with, but sometimes we just have to suck it up and do it. I am sure I'll have future clients that, for whatever reason, we may not "click". In any case, remain professional, provide the best treatment possible. I just don't feel her massages are helpful, by that...she is just all over the place. Her strokes don't flow, and it feels hodge podge. Maybe its just me. I did give her constructive feedback, and she appeared to take it well. She never asked me if I wanted hot or cold therapy (depends), didn't check in with me regarding pressure (I like deep), and she was unable to locate any trigger and/or tender points (we all have them), because she never spent enough time on any given area. As it turned out, I was able to release three trigger points for her...it is awesome, feeling the muscle moving right under your fingertips...it just kind of melts! I applied a hot pack to her upper traps to warm and loosen the muscles for deeper work. Then I moved the hot pack to her glutes for sciatic work. It was a good session, and she provided some good feedback as well. Two more classes to go until the quarter is over! I honestly can't believe I've come this far.
It was 68F here today, sunny!! WTF?? Its December. How am I to get into the Christmas mood if I'm wearing short sleeves?? There was so much traffic out today. It took me well over an hour to get home from school, and its usually a 35 minute drive. Snowbirds are back. I didn't even make it to the street fair. Crazy...
I stopped by Sunflower Market on the way home to pick up some healthy snacks. I will be doing massages at the Tucson Marathon on Sunday morning, a qualifing race for the Boston Marathon, and I know I'll need sustenance. Massage takes a lot of energy, its basically a workout. Race sponsors will have snacks and drinks for the practitioners, but I just want to make sure I have food instead of depending on someone else. Oh, and they're supposed to give us goodie bags (w/massage stuff)! I'm giving a classmate a ride to the venue; she lives on the other side of town. The venue is 10 minutes from my house...but she doesn't drive, so I asked if she needed a ride. It'll take us a good hour from her place to where the race ends.
All the kids and grandies pitched in to get mom and dad a TV for Christmas. The one they have in the living room is starting to go on the blink. Takes a while to warm up, and when it overheats (TV's aren't supposed to overheat, are they?) it turns off! I ordered it online two weeks ago and it arrive last week, but I just haven't had time to pick it up. We went tonight, and it is huge!! The unit itself is 46", but the box it is in is way bigger! It wouldn't even fit in my car...the clerk had to tie my trunk down, but the TV still didn't fit all the way in. My mom lives on the other side of town, and there is no way I'm going to drive it over there, on the freeway, in my car! Hope my sister can come pick it up.
I have some returns to the mall...it was crazy, I couldn't even find a parking, so it'll have to wait for another day. I am planning to go after work some day this week, now that I don't have class. I was able to stop by my favorite Borders though. Not like I need another book, so I bought 3! I'll give some as gifts...though who wants an anatomy book? Maybe I'll keep that one :)
Talk soon...
It was 68F here today, sunny!! WTF?? Its December. How am I to get into the Christmas mood if I'm wearing short sleeves?? There was so much traffic out today. It took me well over an hour to get home from school, and its usually a 35 minute drive. Snowbirds are back. I didn't even make it to the street fair. Crazy...
I stopped by Sunflower Market on the way home to pick up some healthy snacks. I will be doing massages at the Tucson Marathon on Sunday morning, a qualifing race for the Boston Marathon, and I know I'll need sustenance. Massage takes a lot of energy, its basically a workout. Race sponsors will have snacks and drinks for the practitioners, but I just want to make sure I have food instead of depending on someone else. Oh, and they're supposed to give us goodie bags (w/massage stuff)! I'm giving a classmate a ride to the venue; she lives on the other side of town. The venue is 10 minutes from my house...but she doesn't drive, so I asked if she needed a ride. It'll take us a good hour from her place to where the race ends.
All the kids and grandies pitched in to get mom and dad a TV for Christmas. The one they have in the living room is starting to go on the blink. Takes a while to warm up, and when it overheats (TV's aren't supposed to overheat, are they?) it turns off! I ordered it online two weeks ago and it arrive last week, but I just haven't had time to pick it up. We went tonight, and it is huge!! The unit itself is 46", but the box it is in is way bigger! It wouldn't even fit in my car...the clerk had to tie my trunk down, but the TV still didn't fit all the way in. My mom lives on the other side of town, and there is no way I'm going to drive it over there, on the freeway, in my car! Hope my sister can come pick it up.
I have some returns to the mall...it was crazy, I couldn't even find a parking, so it'll have to wait for another day. I am planning to go after work some day this week, now that I don't have class. I was able to stop by my favorite Borders though. Not like I need another book, so I bought 3! I'll give some as gifts...though who wants an anatomy book? Maybe I'll keep that one :)
Talk soon...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Boosting the immune system...
We received a memo from our corporate medical director regarding staying healthy especially during the flu season. Luckily, in our office, only one person has been sick, and that was bronchitis, which can be contagious…twice in 3 weeks!! I have hand sanitizer on my desk, use it frequently, tissues that I sneeze into (and dispose of in the proper receptacle, lest the recycling police are patrolling!). Wash my hands…a lot. Living a healthy lifestyle, eating well, don’t smoke, workout when I can, try to get enough sleep (I know I don’t!)…all help to build resistance to infection.
Anyway, what I found interesting (I’ve read it before so it’s not like we invented it), the notion that random acts of kindness actually boost the immune system! Help out a friend or stranger…open the door for someone, let someone go in front of you in the grocery store line if they have but a few items, let's not even talk about traffic - what about some courtesy (I know I can use this lesson!)…whatever “act of kindness” means to you, display it! Too many times I’ve let opportunities slip by me because I felt foolish for offering to do something for someone…”what if they refuse me”, “what if…” So what?? Let me point out that we/I should practice this everyday, not just the holidays. C’mon…what are you waiting for??
We had a bake sale at work with proceeds going toward local families in need. There are several departments who get together to bake and offer these goodies at very reasonable prices, each baggie is .50, and the items are packaged several cookies/breads in a bag, etc. I picked up some pretzels covered in a light white peppermint icing, a peppermint brownie sprinkled with powdered sugar, some pumpkin bread and some oatmeal cookies (chewy just as I like ‘em!). No, I didn’t eat it all…I shared with my colleagues back on my floor. The homemade stuff flies off the table first, and if you go even 30 minutes after start time, you are left with store bought items. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and I realize people are busy and don’t have time to bake, however, who doesn’t prefer a homemade cookie to a store bought one?? Because I work at a health resort, sweet offerings like this (made with butter AND real sugar) aren’t even offered in our diner or to our guests, rather “healthy” versions are the option. The diner makes a gingerbread cookie, in-house, that is outta this world!!...and its made with organic sugar…so it can’t be that bad for you huh??
Tomorrow’s class is mock clinic where we get to practice all the steps we will need when we actually meet the public next quarter. This is comprised of visual postural assessment, intake interview, an actual 60 minute massage, the closing interview, and saying goodbye. Next week, we bring two clients (people we invite) to the clinic, and do the same. So tomorrow is kind of a dress rehearsal…we even have to dress the part, and we will be graded on the whole package we present. I think I’ve done well in this class, and I haven’t missed any classes so I haven’t given up participation points. When we start clinical duty next quarter, the client (public) will give us feedback at the end of the treatment, which only serves to improve our skills. The Monday class next quarter is special populations clinic where we are partnered with a client who has some type of pathology, i.e., diabetes, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease (under control), etc.,and we will work with this same person for 4 weeks designing a treatment plan and executing it. We will be establishing a client/practitioner relationship with this person for the duration of the assignment. I am excited beyond words…I truly believe this is my calling!
It has been cold her in the desert…well, as cold as the desert gets! We had some rain at the beginning of the week, and now we are basking in the sunshine again…albeit 60F or so. There is a street fair this weekend where vendors set up their arts and crafts just in time for the holiday season. I love these types of shows, people are so creative, and getting out into the sun boosts vitamin D production! One time, maybe 15 years ago, it snowed! Brrr....
Talk soon…
Anyway, what I found interesting (I’ve read it before so it’s not like we invented it), the notion that random acts of kindness actually boost the immune system! Help out a friend or stranger…open the door for someone, let someone go in front of you in the grocery store line if they have but a few items, let's not even talk about traffic - what about some courtesy (I know I can use this lesson!)…whatever “act of kindness” means to you, display it! Too many times I’ve let opportunities slip by me because I felt foolish for offering to do something for someone…”what if they refuse me”, “what if…” So what?? Let me point out that we/I should practice this everyday, not just the holidays. C’mon…what are you waiting for??
We had a bake sale at work with proceeds going toward local families in need. There are several departments who get together to bake and offer these goodies at very reasonable prices, each baggie is .50, and the items are packaged several cookies/breads in a bag, etc. I picked up some pretzels covered in a light white peppermint icing, a peppermint brownie sprinkled with powdered sugar, some pumpkin bread and some oatmeal cookies (chewy just as I like ‘em!). No, I didn’t eat it all…I shared with my colleagues back on my floor. The homemade stuff flies off the table first, and if you go even 30 minutes after start time, you are left with store bought items. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and I realize people are busy and don’t have time to bake, however, who doesn’t prefer a homemade cookie to a store bought one?? Because I work at a health resort, sweet offerings like this (made with butter AND real sugar) aren’t even offered in our diner or to our guests, rather “healthy” versions are the option. The diner makes a gingerbread cookie, in-house, that is outta this world!!...and its made with organic sugar…so it can’t be that bad for you huh??
Tomorrow’s class is mock clinic where we get to practice all the steps we will need when we actually meet the public next quarter. This is comprised of visual postural assessment, intake interview, an actual 60 minute massage, the closing interview, and saying goodbye. Next week, we bring two clients (people we invite) to the clinic, and do the same. So tomorrow is kind of a dress rehearsal…we even have to dress the part, and we will be graded on the whole package we present. I think I’ve done well in this class, and I haven’t missed any classes so I haven’t given up participation points. When we start clinical duty next quarter, the client (public) will give us feedback at the end of the treatment, which only serves to improve our skills. The Monday class next quarter is special populations clinic where we are partnered with a client who has some type of pathology, i.e., diabetes, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease (under control), etc.,and we will work with this same person for 4 weeks designing a treatment plan and executing it. We will be establishing a client/practitioner relationship with this person for the duration of the assignment. I am excited beyond words…I truly believe this is my calling!
It has been cold her in the desert…well, as cold as the desert gets! We had some rain at the beginning of the week, and now we are basking in the sunshine again…albeit 60F or so. There is a street fair this weekend where vendors set up their arts and crafts just in time for the holiday season. I love these types of shows, people are so creative, and getting out into the sun boosts vitamin D production! One time, maybe 15 years ago, it snowed! Brrr....
Talk soon…
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Power of Friendship...
I don’t have many friends. As a matter of fact, I probably have one good friend that I can say with the utmost confidence has been with me through thick and thin, for the last 8 years or so. Other than my family, who kind of have to like me or at the very least, they are stuck with me, I can count on Alisha. Alisha is 21 years my junior, and I used to think, why would she be hanging out with me?? I’m an old lady…well, not super old, but hey, I have a few years on her for sure! That’s not to say I haven’t had friends throughout the years, its just that to have friends, you have to be a friend. I’m a really crappy friend. It has to be a two way street. One calls the other, just to chat, then the other person calls the next time. It isn’t one-sided, but it isn’t consuming either. When you go to lunch or breakfast, one pays one time, then the next time the other person pays…it’s a two way street. When one person is doing the calling, and one person pays all the time (not necessarily the same person), resentment can grow, and the relationship usually changes or fizzles out. That hasn’t happened to Alisha and I. We’ve never even had an argument or disagreement! We lead very separate lives; our work is vastly different; I am married, she is not; I have grown children and grandkids; she has never been married and has no children. There are times when we don’t speak for weeks at a time, maybe even 2 months go by and we haven’t talked…however, at least once a week, I’ll text her or she’ll text me…just to say hi, I’m thinking of you. We don’t try to control each others’ time, she doesn’t get mad or hurt because I can’t go for a walk this weekend; I don’t feel slighted when she hangs out with other friends…I respect her time, energy, to focus on her needs, as she does mine. That is true friendship! We’ll have breakfast sometime in the next couple of weeks when I’m on break and it will be as if no time has elapsed...we’ll just pick up where we left off. I haven’t seen her since September…and I’m sure I’ll be giving her a massage!
As with most girly things…our conversations can go from fashion to spirituality to relationships, the weather…second hand store shopping…and everything in between. We’ve often wondered if someone were to listen to snippets of our conversation, what they would think. This brings to mind a memory…we were walking in Sabino Canyon…it was very early, the sun wasn’t even up yet, and we were talking about…sex, of course! Anyway, we were so engrossed in our conversation that we didn’t notice a guy walking a few feet behind us. I am sure he could hear our discussion, and he could have passed us many times as we weren’t walking that fast, but I think he was rather enjoying eavesdropping on our titillating tête-à-tête! We sped up to the point that my calves (gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are actually the correct terms) were cramping…we just wanted to get away. We passed him on our return hike, and he smiled at Alisha! This has happened to us as we’ve sat in our favorite Starbucks on many other occasions. We surely have lots to say!
Finished my APP and MAK classes last night (Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology, Muscles and Kinesiology), with a 94% & 93% respectively. I was shocked to have received these grades. Believe me, if you knew how much I’ve struggled this quarter…you’d be surprised too!! I have two more sessions in each of my last two classes left, then we’re off for about 3 weeks!! I plan to do massage, and study. My house will just have to wait until spring for a thorough cleaning or maybe until school ends!
What else…what else…
Oh, Glen’s family will be making Polish sausage this weekend. This is equivalent to our tamale making which is the following Sunday. Both endeavors are equally time consuming, physically challenging (lots of standing and hunching over), but well worth the work when bonding with family, telling old stories, jokes, drinking coffee all day long…then we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor…mmmm, sausage…mmmm, tamales!! I don’t think I’ll do too much baking this year…just no time! Last year, I tried some new recipes and sent the goodies to Glen’s work for the guys in the shop. Whether the cookies and bars were good or not, they ate ‘em up! We just don’t eat very many sweets, and I am really watching my food intake, not just how much I’m eating, but what I am eating as well.
Hope your Thursday has been a great one! Talk soon…
As with most girly things…our conversations can go from fashion to spirituality to relationships, the weather…second hand store shopping…and everything in between. We’ve often wondered if someone were to listen to snippets of our conversation, what they would think. This brings to mind a memory…we were walking in Sabino Canyon…it was very early, the sun wasn’t even up yet, and we were talking about…sex, of course! Anyway, we were so engrossed in our conversation that we didn’t notice a guy walking a few feet behind us. I am sure he could hear our discussion, and he could have passed us many times as we weren’t walking that fast, but I think he was rather enjoying eavesdropping on our titillating tête-à-tête! We sped up to the point that my calves (gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are actually the correct terms) were cramping…we just wanted to get away. We passed him on our return hike, and he smiled at Alisha! This has happened to us as we’ve sat in our favorite Starbucks on many other occasions. We surely have lots to say!
Finished my APP and MAK classes last night (Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology, Muscles and Kinesiology), with a 94% & 93% respectively. I was shocked to have received these grades. Believe me, if you knew how much I’ve struggled this quarter…you’d be surprised too!! I have two more sessions in each of my last two classes left, then we’re off for about 3 weeks!! I plan to do massage, and study. My house will just have to wait until spring for a thorough cleaning or maybe until school ends!
What else…what else…
Oh, Glen’s family will be making Polish sausage this weekend. This is equivalent to our tamale making which is the following Sunday. Both endeavors are equally time consuming, physically challenging (lots of standing and hunching over), but well worth the work when bonding with family, telling old stories, jokes, drinking coffee all day long…then we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor…mmmm, sausage…mmmm, tamales!! I don’t think I’ll do too much baking this year…just no time! Last year, I tried some new recipes and sent the goodies to Glen’s work for the guys in the shop. Whether the cookies and bars were good or not, they ate ‘em up! We just don’t eat very many sweets, and I am really watching my food intake, not just how much I’m eating, but what I am eating as well.
Hope your Thursday has been a great one! Talk soon…
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Got Trash
The end of the second quarter is in sight…I can see it…I can feel it! I want to continue to practice when I am on break, so I’ve e-mailed my friends and family offering a complimentary massage! It will be good practice and preparation for my continuing studies. I have the equipment needed – have table will travel J We also have an opportunity to do sports massage at a marathon event this weekend. Brrr, it’ll be a little nippy at 7 am when the race starts!!
I have a presentation on Wednesday, the last Anatomy, Pathology & Physiology class on Osteoporosis: How to Prevent or Delay the Onset. I had a DEXA scan last year, and the results showed my bones are comparable to that of a 35 year old woman! Hmmm, don’t know about that, but it provides a benchmark. I do walk a lot, which is a weight bearing exercise, so perhaps it is so. Exercise, especially weight bearing, resistance/strength training, and balance activities, are important keys. Proper nutrition, with fair amounts of calcium and vitamin D are also crucial. It is never too late to start, even if you are “mature” in age, starting an exercise routine can delay the onset, or at least prevent your bones from becoming too brittle. It is even possible to have a spontaneous fracture…the bone will just break! Spinal, hip and wrist are the most common injuries, especially in females, and once menopause hits, 3-10 years post, the risks increase significantly. I also have a presentation on the illiacus muscle, attached to the anterior iliac crest. Strange muscle, not easy to palpate, you have to curl your fingers under the muscle just to access a portion of it. Having the client flex the knee and contract the hip, while I resist the contraction, will make the muscle pop under the fingers. Fascinating!
The weather has been cold and blustery…I love it!! I like wearing jackets, scarves, gloves…of course, it doesn’t last long, and it’ll be April before you know it, and we’ll be right back to enjoying the absolutely beautiful weather we are so used to. While I say I like cold weather, I’ve never lived in really harsh, snow, blizzard like conditions, shoveling and driving in the white stuff. No, my idea of cold vs the reality of cold…I’ll take what I have any day! Though it is great hiking, walking weather J
We have a recycling program at work. Each work station has a trash can and a recycle can. We were informed a couple of weeks ago that the recycling program is costing us money! Apparently, people are mixing, or just not being careful of disposing waste in the proper receptacle. For example, you cannot put tissue in the recycling bin. You cannot put a paper towel or a used paper plate in the recycling bin either because it contaminates the recyclable material. The company that picks up our recycling determines whether the waste is clean enough to be recycled, and if not, it is hauled to the landfill, where you have to pay to dump...thus, the charge is passed on to us. I just learned that there is a weekly list generated that calls you out if your recycling is contaminated, AND whether you are trashing stuff that should be recycled!! A “citation” is issued, and your manager is notified. I don’t know the ramifications, whether you are written up if you get too many tickets, but it almost makes me not want to recycle, or put any trash where it goes! Maybe I’ll just take my trash home…pack it in and pack it out! What about my desk, in a common area, someone puts their water bottle in my trash can?? I didn’t do it, but it is my trash can. And that tissue…who determines whether it is a dirty tissue, is someone going through my trash and recycling bins looking for my used Kleenex? Ugh…
Talk soon…
I have a presentation on Wednesday, the last Anatomy, Pathology & Physiology class on Osteoporosis: How to Prevent or Delay the Onset. I had a DEXA scan last year, and the results showed my bones are comparable to that of a 35 year old woman! Hmmm, don’t know about that, but it provides a benchmark. I do walk a lot, which is a weight bearing exercise, so perhaps it is so. Exercise, especially weight bearing, resistance/strength training, and balance activities, are important keys. Proper nutrition, with fair amounts of calcium and vitamin D are also crucial. It is never too late to start, even if you are “mature” in age, starting an exercise routine can delay the onset, or at least prevent your bones from becoming too brittle. It is even possible to have a spontaneous fracture…the bone will just break! Spinal, hip and wrist are the most common injuries, especially in females, and once menopause hits, 3-10 years post, the risks increase significantly. I also have a presentation on the illiacus muscle, attached to the anterior iliac crest. Strange muscle, not easy to palpate, you have to curl your fingers under the muscle just to access a portion of it. Having the client flex the knee and contract the hip, while I resist the contraction, will make the muscle pop under the fingers. Fascinating!
The weather has been cold and blustery…I love it!! I like wearing jackets, scarves, gloves…of course, it doesn’t last long, and it’ll be April before you know it, and we’ll be right back to enjoying the absolutely beautiful weather we are so used to. While I say I like cold weather, I’ve never lived in really harsh, snow, blizzard like conditions, shoveling and driving in the white stuff. No, my idea of cold vs the reality of cold…I’ll take what I have any day! Though it is great hiking, walking weather J
We have a recycling program at work. Each work station has a trash can and a recycle can. We were informed a couple of weeks ago that the recycling program is costing us money! Apparently, people are mixing, or just not being careful of disposing waste in the proper receptacle. For example, you cannot put tissue in the recycling bin. You cannot put a paper towel or a used paper plate in the recycling bin either because it contaminates the recyclable material. The company that picks up our recycling determines whether the waste is clean enough to be recycled, and if not, it is hauled to the landfill, where you have to pay to dump...thus, the charge is passed on to us. I just learned that there is a weekly list generated that calls you out if your recycling is contaminated, AND whether you are trashing stuff that should be recycled!! A “citation” is issued, and your manager is notified. I don’t know the ramifications, whether you are written up if you get too many tickets, but it almost makes me not want to recycle, or put any trash where it goes! Maybe I’ll just take my trash home…pack it in and pack it out! What about my desk, in a common area, someone puts their water bottle in my trash can?? I didn’t do it, but it is my trash can. And that tissue…who determines whether it is a dirty tissue, is someone going through my trash and recycling bins looking for my used Kleenex? Ugh…
Talk soon…
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Finishing up...
The next two weeks will be brutal...finals! Actually two of my classes end this coming week, my last class ends on 12/19. I just received my schedule for next quarter, 5 classes, I had 4 this quarter. Today we did cold therapy. Amazingly enough it works! Actually, it is kind of painful at first, icing a muscle or muscle group with ice. We used water frozen in a small Dixie cup, then peeled the cup off exposing the chunk of ice. Rubbing the ice, wiping the water (water dripping is a gross feeling), rubbing the ice, wiping...at first, the cold is startling, then the stinging hurts, by the time the area is numb, you have acheived your goal. The body will return new blood to the area, promoting healing. I had my knee done, and I can tell you I felt no pain the rest of the day. Two weeks ago, we used moist heat therapy, which works to heat the muscles to make them more pliable, conserving the practitioners energy for more focused, specific work. The heat packs we used felt soooo good! Each therapy has its place and depending on what you want to achieve will determine the method used.
There are a couple of classmates who may not make it to the next quarter. They've missed too many classes, and though they may make up the work, points for class participation are lost and cannot be made up. Shame. We started with 18, we are down to 14. We have a guy from Vietnam who is having problems with the language, I believe. I have only worked with him once, and I didn't feel comfortable. I have to say last quarter, in Ethics class, we were given a scenario where we had to dissect the various elements of the story for ethics infractions, write what the practitioner did wrong and what he did that maintained his integrity. Well, this guy, I'll call him R, asked if I was done with my project. I said yes, because I was (well, kind of, it was my first draft). He asked if he could see it. I gave it to him. The minute I gave it to him, I knew it was wrong. Here we were in an Ethics class, and he asks for my paper (unethical), and I gave it to him (unethical). It took him one week to give it back to me. I never asked him for it, my bad. I learned a valuable lesson. Since that day, I've just had a really bad vibe for him. I don't trust him. I have been giving another classmate a ride home after class, and she told me that he has really bad body odor (a no no for this type of profession), and once when she had paired up with him, he carelessly exposed her - 3 times! We do massages on each other during class, practicing for when we get "real" clients...a very basic principle we learned in all our classes, the client must feel safe at all times, so our draping must be impeccable! After the massage, she gave him feedback to that effect, that he had exposed her, and he told her that because she was too fat, therefore her sheets were too small to cover all of her, and if she felt exposed, it was her fault! She told the instructor, and he was called on it. That just leaves a really bad feeling for me about him. The time when I worked on him, he was telling me that I was doing the technique wrong. I'm all for feedback because that is how we improve, however, there is a right way, constructive, and a wrong way, destructive! Interesting dynamics to say the least!
Work is starting to pick up, though house counts are still below what they were two years ago. Expectations for 2010 are on par with 2009, and we don't expect any drastic changes until 2011 or beyond! I manage to stay pretty busy with small projects that do not require much thought...oy vey!
Hey, the UofA won their last game of the season over USC!! First time in over 7 years that we have beaten the Trojans, and on their home field...which means we are going to a bowl game!! The Holiday Bowl to be precise. Glen cannot get the time off of work so my sister and I are going to San Diego! As soon as tonights game ended, tickets went on sale to season ticket holders first, the general public will get an opportunity on Tuesday to purchase. Actually, you request via an application, and they determine whether I will get the tickets. I am so excited...now if I can just get the time off of work! Since converting to a single bank system for PTO, I get the holidays "off", but I still have to use PTO to cover that time off. It kind of sucks but it is what it is.
I've been catching up on blogs, and though I don't always comment, rest assured I am keeping up with y'all happenings! Thanks to you guys for hanging in there with me even though I don't write often.
Talk soon...
There are a couple of classmates who may not make it to the next quarter. They've missed too many classes, and though they may make up the work, points for class participation are lost and cannot be made up. Shame. We started with 18, we are down to 14. We have a guy from Vietnam who is having problems with the language, I believe. I have only worked with him once, and I didn't feel comfortable. I have to say last quarter, in Ethics class, we were given a scenario where we had to dissect the various elements of the story for ethics infractions, write what the practitioner did wrong and what he did that maintained his integrity. Well, this guy, I'll call him R, asked if I was done with my project. I said yes, because I was (well, kind of, it was my first draft). He asked if he could see it. I gave it to him. The minute I gave it to him, I knew it was wrong. Here we were in an Ethics class, and he asks for my paper (unethical), and I gave it to him (unethical). It took him one week to give it back to me. I never asked him for it, my bad. I learned a valuable lesson. Since that day, I've just had a really bad vibe for him. I don't trust him. I have been giving another classmate a ride home after class, and she told me that he has really bad body odor (a no no for this type of profession), and once when she had paired up with him, he carelessly exposed her - 3 times! We do massages on each other during class, practicing for when we get "real" clients...a very basic principle we learned in all our classes, the client must feel safe at all times, so our draping must be impeccable! After the massage, she gave him feedback to that effect, that he had exposed her, and he told her that because she was too fat, therefore her sheets were too small to cover all of her, and if she felt exposed, it was her fault! She told the instructor, and he was called on it. That just leaves a really bad feeling for me about him. The time when I worked on him, he was telling me that I was doing the technique wrong. I'm all for feedback because that is how we improve, however, there is a right way, constructive, and a wrong way, destructive! Interesting dynamics to say the least!
Work is starting to pick up, though house counts are still below what they were two years ago. Expectations for 2010 are on par with 2009, and we don't expect any drastic changes until 2011 or beyond! I manage to stay pretty busy with small projects that do not require much thought...oy vey!
Hey, the UofA won their last game of the season over USC!! First time in over 7 years that we have beaten the Trojans, and on their home field...which means we are going to a bowl game!! The Holiday Bowl to be precise. Glen cannot get the time off of work so my sister and I are going to San Diego! As soon as tonights game ended, tickets went on sale to season ticket holders first, the general public will get an opportunity on Tuesday to purchase. Actually, you request via an application, and they determine whether I will get the tickets. I am so excited...now if I can just get the time off of work! Since converting to a single bank system for PTO, I get the holidays "off", but I still have to use PTO to cover that time off. It kind of sucks but it is what it is.
I've been catching up on blogs, and though I don't always comment, rest assured I am keeping up with y'all happenings! Thanks to you guys for hanging in there with me even though I don't write often.
Talk soon...
Monday, November 23, 2009
My first client...
I did my first massage outside of class on Sunday! Since starting classes in July, we are strongly encouraged to do as many massages outside of class as possible so we can get used to different body types, practicing our strokes, palpating the muscles, their fiber direction, origin and insertion points, etc, all part of the learning process. Right now, for me, I can feel some of the differences in muscle bellies, their fibers…still learning their actions. Anyway, the massage I did was on a friend who completed an 80 mile bike ride on Saturday in 4:45! I did a 1-hour, full body Swedish massage with specific work on the legs, arms, upper/lower back muscles and some positional release stretches. Her hamstrings were pretty tight, so I didn’t overwork those muscles…after an 80 mile ride, I didn’t want to overwork them! I felt confident when I explained how the muscles work, and what I was doing as I went along. I’ve actually had this worked out in my head how I was going to set up my table, what supplies I would need…I even got a battery powered clock so that I could track time…it has an iPod player, however, it didn’t work (not sure why, maybe I need power for that function), which actually worked out ok because I set up the table in her living room and we had the front door open…the birds were chirping, the sun was shining…a more natural ambience than I could have created myself! When we go to someone’s home to do massage, we rely as little as possible on the client. We should be prepared and have everything with us. I did. Although I’ll have to make a checklist for appointments. I also created an intake form to get some health history so I have documentation.
As I drove home, I felt exhilarated…like this is where I am supposed to be. Truly, this whole experience, massage therapy school, has just fallen into place. I am having to work for it, don’t get me wrong…learning is hard work, however, I do believe this is my calling. I received a very nice note this afternoon from my client thanking me for taking my time to give her such a precious gift. Wow…we just never know how we affect other people…I was just practicing.
Talk soon...
As I drove home, I felt exhilarated…like this is where I am supposed to be. Truly, this whole experience, massage therapy school, has just fallen into place. I am having to work for it, don’t get me wrong…learning is hard work, however, I do believe this is my calling. I received a very nice note this afternoon from my client thanking me for taking my time to give her such a precious gift. Wow…we just never know how we affect other people…I was just practicing.
Talk soon...
Friday, November 20, 2009
Courage
There are a couple of women in my massage therapy class who are going through a divorce. R is 22 years old, was married for 3 years, has a 2 year old daughter. Turns out the ex just didn’t want to be married anymore, his family intervened on his behalf, and helped him to “escape” to another state where he filed for divorce. She traveled there this past week to finalize the process. D is 31 years old, has 4 kids, the oldest is 11, the youngest is 3. She grew up in St. David, about 50+ miles east of Tucson, small rural community. When school started in July, she was making the commute M-Thu driving 100 miles each day. She has since left her husband, but was unable to bring the kids with her because she didn’t have a job or even any money. Think: a home situation so intolerable that she was “forced” to leave her children behind. I say forced because sometimes we have to do what we have to do for our own safety. Her kids are safe, cared for…something that, for the time being, she is unable to do. She is living with one of our classmates, found a part time job here in town, commutes daily to St. David to see her kids. On Wednesday I saw her come into class with a black leather jacket on a hanger; she spoke to the instructor in hushed tones…it was about 5:58 pm. At 6, she got up in front of the class, described the jacket as being two years old, hardly worn, and it was for sale. She was asking $100. She paused, choked up, and said she needed the money for gas to go see her children the next day…she had no money. She apologized for crying. My heart just broke for her (as did everyone else’s!). I believe it took every ounce of courage, not to mention embarrassment, to stand there in front of her peers to sell an item, that I’m sure meant a lot to her. One of the guys asked permission to leave the class to go home for some money to give her for gas. I think several of us gave her what we could so she could at least make that trip one more time. It didn’t solve her problem but it gave her another day.
We continued the class discussing bone pathologies.
We continued the class discussing bone pathologies.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veteran's Day
In honor of Veterans Day, I wanted to jot down some thoughts. My grandfather, my dad, my FIL, ex and his dad, were all military people. My grandfather served in the Korean conflict, and though my dad didn’t see combat, he was stationed in the UK and Holland in the late 50’s. All served our nation proudly, and I owe them a great debt…because of their service, I can sit and write this e-mail without fear of retribution.
Whenever we are at a sporting venue, as the Color Guard is presented, and the Star Spangled Banner is sung…always, always, I cry. Not openly, but I do choke up, and tear up. The national anthem has always affected me deeply. I know the words, and I sing, audibly. Actually, a lot of people do. Anyway, at the opening of last Saturday’s football game, as the national anthem was being sung, the American flag displayed on the jumbo-trons, way off in the distance, you can see two Blackhawk helicopters making their way toward the stadium. My heart (and eyes) just welled up. As they passed right over us, seemed to be in slow motion, the emotions stirred in me were quite powerful. I think it must have stirred everyone as the ovation was quite loud and long! I wonder if they were out of Yuma, which is what Glen thought, as he didn’t think they were based out of DMAFB here locally. They headed west and made their way back home.
HBO had a movie earlier this year, Taking Chance, with Kevin Bacon. It is actually based on a true story. If you have an opportunity to see it, I highly recommend it. I’ve watched it several times and each time I am sobbing! Whether you agree with the war, the reason we are there, or not, how can it not affect us as individuals and as a nation when our men and women, who are serving proudly, to protect the freedom we enjoy return alive (though I am sure, changed), and some return by other means. The movie is done very respectfully.
Thank you to all of our men and women who have served, are serving or will serve at some point in the future.
Whenever we are at a sporting venue, as the Color Guard is presented, and the Star Spangled Banner is sung…always, always, I cry. Not openly, but I do choke up, and tear up. The national anthem has always affected me deeply. I know the words, and I sing, audibly. Actually, a lot of people do. Anyway, at the opening of last Saturday’s football game, as the national anthem was being sung, the American flag displayed on the jumbo-trons, way off in the distance, you can see two Blackhawk helicopters making their way toward the stadium. My heart (and eyes) just welled up. As they passed right over us, seemed to be in slow motion, the emotions stirred in me were quite powerful. I think it must have stirred everyone as the ovation was quite loud and long! I wonder if they were out of Yuma, which is what Glen thought, as he didn’t think they were based out of DMAFB here locally. They headed west and made their way back home.
HBO had a movie earlier this year, Taking Chance, with Kevin Bacon. It is actually based on a true story. If you have an opportunity to see it, I highly recommend it. I’ve watched it several times and each time I am sobbing! Whether you agree with the war, the reason we are there, or not, how can it not affect us as individuals and as a nation when our men and women, who are serving proudly, to protect the freedom we enjoy return alive (though I am sure, changed), and some return by other means. The movie is done very respectfully.
Thank you to all of our men and women who have served, are serving or will serve at some point in the future.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Its late and I should be studying...
Tonight I had my Neuromuscular Technique & Sports Massage class. We paired up and were able to do a full body massage for one whole hour. We are incorporating what we've learned thus far, last quarter and this quarter. Each instructor has their own techniques for the same stroke and as we are developing our own style, we take a lil' bit o' this and lil bit o'that and attempt to put it into practice. What I like about the Tuesday night class is the instructor basically leaves us to our own devices, uninterrupted. It allows us to use critical thinking skills when we come across a muscle that is tight or rolls, and trigger points in the body that refer pain to other areas. For example, most people have a trigger point just medial of the inferior angle of the scapula. Upon palpating it, you can feel it. Putting pressure on this trigger point by allowing your finger to sink deep, can cause pain or tingling in the hand or biceps. By applying pressure, and not moving your fingers, you can feel the point "melt". Then you can do some deep strokes to continue the massage. Not everyone's trigger points are the same, but most people have them somewhere in the body.
We "hold" tension, stress, etc. in the muscles (thus the need for massage), it is also possible to hold emotions in our muscles. It is very common to feel an emotional release while receiving a massage. Tonight was my first encounter with such an event, however, I was the one giving the massage! I had read about this phenomenom and had witnessed it in class. There is one classmate that always cries, but it hadn't happened to me. I didn't know what to do. When I finished the massage on Samantha, I saw the sheet under her face looked wet, I asked he if she was ok. She said, no she needed some tissue. I got her some tissue and she just released the tears. I went to the instructor to let her know what was happening. The instructor came over and cradled her head, and just kind of let her know it was ok, let it happen, and just take her time getting off the table. It was a good 10 minutes to regain her composure. Now it was my turn to receive massage from Sam, and I was unable to relax completely because I was afraid that her emotional state could transfer onto me, which is also a reality. I've had massages from Sam before, and she is usually really good. I could tell tonight she was "off". She had had a very stressful day at work and that could have been a factor to her emotional state when she got to class. She works with mildly mentally challenged young adults, and assists with deaf and blind popultations at her job. She is always stressed. I hope she can get some rest.
The above situation is something I need to be prepared for. While I know this is a very common occurance, I must admit it threw me for a loop! I have to understand that the person on the table is my client, and I am working as a massage therapist. I don't know their mental, emotional, spiritual state...I'm working on the physical, but its all wrapped into one package. An emotional release is the client's way of allowing pent up stressors to come to the forefront. The client is unable to control it either. It is also not up to me to "fix" it. I can be sympathetic, empathetic, and I can listen, but I cannot give advice. The relationship must remain professional. I must draw lines and adhere to them. Even when I am working on a family member, I have to maintain the professional air. I still have so much to learn!!
Work has been so busy! I've transcribed 6 meetings, 19 pages each, for the last week and a half. It is tedious having to listen to people spew their propaganda, but I do learn about the business in the process. I've also learned that some of the people on the Executive team don't do a whole lot, but they sure have titles that relate their importance...NOT!
I really should be studying! Talk soon...
We "hold" tension, stress, etc. in the muscles (thus the need for massage), it is also possible to hold emotions in our muscles. It is very common to feel an emotional release while receiving a massage. Tonight was my first encounter with such an event, however, I was the one giving the massage! I had read about this phenomenom and had witnessed it in class. There is one classmate that always cries, but it hadn't happened to me. I didn't know what to do. When I finished the massage on Samantha, I saw the sheet under her face looked wet, I asked he if she was ok. She said, no she needed some tissue. I got her some tissue and she just released the tears. I went to the instructor to let her know what was happening. The instructor came over and cradled her head, and just kind of let her know it was ok, let it happen, and just take her time getting off the table. It was a good 10 minutes to regain her composure. Now it was my turn to receive massage from Sam, and I was unable to relax completely because I was afraid that her emotional state could transfer onto me, which is also a reality. I've had massages from Sam before, and she is usually really good. I could tell tonight she was "off". She had had a very stressful day at work and that could have been a factor to her emotional state when she got to class. She works with mildly mentally challenged young adults, and assists with deaf and blind popultations at her job. She is always stressed. I hope she can get some rest.
The above situation is something I need to be prepared for. While I know this is a very common occurance, I must admit it threw me for a loop! I have to understand that the person on the table is my client, and I am working as a massage therapist. I don't know their mental, emotional, spiritual state...I'm working on the physical, but its all wrapped into one package. An emotional release is the client's way of allowing pent up stressors to come to the forefront. The client is unable to control it either. It is also not up to me to "fix" it. I can be sympathetic, empathetic, and I can listen, but I cannot give advice. The relationship must remain professional. I must draw lines and adhere to them. Even when I am working on a family member, I have to maintain the professional air. I still have so much to learn!!
Work has been so busy! I've transcribed 6 meetings, 19 pages each, for the last week and a half. It is tedious having to listen to people spew their propaganda, but I do learn about the business in the process. I've also learned that some of the people on the Executive team don't do a whole lot, but they sure have titles that relate their importance...NOT!
I really should be studying! Talk soon...
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