Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Psychosomatic

Remember getting your finger pricked at the doctor’s office as a child? The nurse squeezed our tiny fingers and drop by excruciating drop, she filled that bottomless glass vile.

I remember it vividly… I whimpered and whined and begged my mother to save me from this “cruel” practice every time. It never worked.

When I was about 4 or 5 years old, I had my blood drawn despite my best fit. Afterwards, my mother was chatting with the receptionist and had squat down in an attempt to wrangle my little brother who was 2 or 3 at the timeI had draped my arms over her shoulders and hugged her from behind…probably wanting a piggy back ride. Gosh..I must have been annoying. Then I remember getting tunnel vision and sliding down her back towards the floor. I awoke to the unpleasant smell of ammonia and my mother and the nurse standing over me. Yep, I’d passed out

My mom felt pretty bad for me (though I am pretty sure she laughed first) and led me to the car then drove me to the nearest McDonald’s and bought me a Coke. I knew she was worried about me because we NEVER went to McDonald’s.

The whole fainting routine continued over the years.

I fainted when I received my vaccinations.

I fainted when people went into great detail of horrific bodily trauma.

Heck, one time I even fainted when in the same room as my brother was when he had his blood drawn.

I’ve never had to wait in the ER, but if I did, I’m pretty certain I would faint.

Needless to say, I NEVER considered a career in the medical field and sadly, I am not a blood donor.

Fortunately, shots don’t bother me anymore, but getting blood drawn is still a challenge. I have had to have blood drawn twice in the past two months,1 and I admit I am quite the diva (read irrational, demanding be-otch) at the lab.

Here are my demands..well more like pathetic requests:

  • I must be able to recline or lie completely flat. Those safety chair things won’t cut it. I will pass out. Trust me.
  • I must have the very best phlebotomist who can get it right the first time. Digging around in my arm with a needle is no bueno, and I will pass out.
  • The phlebotomist must be quick and not show me the viles of blood… if I see them, I will most likely faint.

I realize this all sounds incredibly insane, but that’s how I roll.

I did learn a little trick that has worked the last 3 times I’ve had blood drawn. I read that since fainting is the result of a drop in blood pressure, tensing large muscle groups such as the legs supposedly keeps one’s blood pressure high enough to avoid passing out. So yeah, you bet I was lying on the examination table squeezing my calves, thighs, and glutes with all I had (and trying to be inconspicuous about it). Maybe the muscles tensing really worked or maybe I was so focused on tensing them that I was distracted enough not to pass out.

Anyways, I know it’s all in my head. I have done many online searches to find out why people pass out because of silly things. I realize the drop in blood pressure causes one to pass out, but what triggers the drop in blood pressure? I'm still not entirely sure, though I wonder if it is a fight vs. flight instinct. Maybe I'm like one of those animals who plays dead when it percieves danger. Anyone know?

Monday, October 26, 2009

I Almost Peed My Pants...



I am soon to be the proud owner of an iPhone and have been shopping for cases online. I've looked at cute leopard print cases (you know I am a sucker for anything animal print), crystal encrusted cases, silicon cases, cases galore!

But today I came across the Recession Case. 99 cents will get you a cardboard iPhone case. You can even order free Sharpie Personalization. Awesome.





I find this all wildly entertaining. I am a huge nerd...I know.
The FAQ's are the best part.
Q) Is it waterproof?
A) No, so dont put it in the dishwasher
Q) Is this case flammable?
A) If you light it on fire it is
Q) Does it come assembled?
A) no, see our animated gif for a step by step demo!
Q) What device does this case support?
A) iPhone 1G + 3G + 3GS
Q) How does this case stay together?
A) It has locking tabs at the bottom and top of the case, as well as an adhesive strip to keep the case held together
Q) Can I use this case to microwave my frozen pizzas?
A) I dont see why not, although we cant insure quality taste
Q) Will this case make me awesome?
A) I think that goes without saying
Q) Is there a warranty?
A) no, it is cardboard afterall
Q) Can I get a paper cut on my ear while using this case?
A) My first guess would be no, but anything is possible, we dont promote unsafe use of the recession case
Q) How long will the case be sold?
A) as long as it needs to be to get us out of this recession! or while supplies last
Q) Does it come with a screen protector?
A) no we are in a recession!
Q) How long will the product last?
A) forever as long as you don't destroy it!
Q) Is this case made from recycled cardboard?
A) 100% of only the best for you!
Q) Will the product scratch my device?
A) no! its cardboard not brick!
Q) Is the CM logo impressed on the case?
A) this is known as the "peoples case"
Q) Will this product be sold at case-mate retail locations?
A) Nope! The recession case is sold exclusively here at case-mate.com!

Mi Pelo es En Fuego!

During research time, my students have probably heard me threaten to set my hair on fire a time or two. Yes, even setting my hair ablaze would be less painful than teaching the research paper process and forcing my sweet angels to think and write (gasp!).

Well, I decided to go ahead and do it...metaphorically speaking of course. My mousey roots were starting to show from my failed attempt to go "Jennifer Anniston blonde." I read some where a while back that grown out roots made a bold statement like "I'm a busy woman, I don't have time to be bothered with scheduling my life around touching up my roots."

Yeah, I wasn't buying that one either. Common sense would lead one to go with a lower maintenance hue..like.. oh..I don't know..one closer to the natural color? No...I got a wild hair (tee hee) and went the only color harder to maintain than blonde highlights... RED!

Since I couldn't wait another week and couldn't afford to fork over the usual $140 I spend to get my hair cut and colored, I trusted one of my former students who recently landed a job at a salon in Waxahachie to turn me into a redhead. I think she did a great job. Me gusta mucho!












The inspiration.
The result!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving!


Tuesday was mycousinamanda 's 30th birthday.


In honor of her monumental milestone and the journey to Japan on which she is about to embark, I created what could possibly be the nerdiest gift since Napoleon Dynamite scrawled that picture for Trisha to ask her to the school dance.

I give you....




Amanda has undergone many life changing experiences this year. She became engaged to Matt, who is in the Air Force and stationed in Okinawa, Japan. As he returns from Afghanistan in a couple of weeks, she will be joining him in Japan.

She also discovered the positive influence of yoga, and after a rigorous 200 hour training, Amanda is about to become a certified yoga instructor. If you've known Amanda, you know that she pretty much had the attention span of a squirrel on crack and about as much focus. (I say that with love.) Yoga has helped her harness all that energy...and she looks AH-mazing!!! For selfish reasons I want her to stay and be my personal yoga instructor. Can you say "family discount?" Holla!



My cousin has always put other people's well-being before her own and is still willing to go out on a limb when most people wouldn't. There's no other person with whom I'd rather be in a sticky situation than her. We have so many wonderful memories, and I am sad that I will see her much less than usual, but I am so, so excited that she has this opportunity.

Looks like I'll be taking a little trip to Japan in the next year to get my Amanda fix.

Love you cuz! I added you to my Google Reader subscriptions. We all expect updates soon!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Kiva

Thanks, Kara, for sharing this website. I think the concept is marvelous. Most of the people seeking loans are small business owners in less developed countries, though there are some small business owners in the US. It feels good to help grow someone's business through a loan as small as $25. It is also cool because you can track the progress of the business and you are notified when the loan is paid back.