ALOOOOOHA

Aloha! I had the great pleasure of going to Hawaii this past July for 10days. The best part was that I was there visiting family, and got to experience the island with locals. So, instead of being over in crowded Waikiki, I got to enjoy the north shore and stayed in Haleiwa. I was there with my dad and it was his first trip to Hawaii, so we did do some of the tourist-y stuff, but we also got to see some great beaches. The main reason for the trip was a family reunion that was on the 4th of July. There was great food, games, music and fun. The day after the reunion we took it to just relax and go to the beach that is right around the coroner from the house. It was so nice to just sit there and enjoy the beautiful ocean. My dad was in the water and a sea turtle (honu) was right there next to him. He thought it was the best thing, and was so excited to be that close. The next day we went to the PCC and LDS Temple. One day we island hopped to the big island and saw Volcano national park, rainbow falls, and big island candies. Volcano national park was interesting. We went on a short tour/hike and the guide gave us lots of facts. When we got up by the crater it was a wierd sensation because the air was cool with a breeze, but then that breeze would bring by the hot steam and so you would be cold, then hot, then cold, then hot. There were also these spots called steam vents, where there would be steam just coming up from the ground. I have so many beautiful pictures its hard to pick just a few to share, but I'll try to do my best. It was a much enjoyed vacation. Thank you to Kalima, and his family for letting us stay in their home and making us feel like we've always belonged there. Love you guys! :)

Hello again. So, to continue where I left off. Stephanie, Jennifer, Zuki and I all got to go to Seattle, WA. for the EBAA Annual Meeting this last June. My boss, and our medical director also joined us at the meeting. It was very interesting and actually quite fun. One night they had set up something called "The Amazing Race." In this activity they devided everyone that had signed up into groups. Each group was assigned a different color, and based on that color we were given white t-shirts and had to decorate them with fabric markers. Then we were given our instructions and headed out on a scavanger hunt all around the city. There were about five diferent ways you could earn points to win. There was the typical scavanger hunt where you had to collect specific items without spending any money. Then there was also a list of questions that were based on different areas and landmarks throughout the city, and a couple other ways you could earn points. It was really fun getting to see different parts of the city and learning interesting facts at the same time. Other nights we just went out to dinner as a group and walked around. We got to visit the famous fish market, Pikes Place, and see the Space Needle. The funnest place we had dinner was at this restaurant called Mexico. It was on top of a building and we got to sit outside on the balcony looking over part of Seattle. The most exciting night, however was the night of the pinning ceremony. To our suprise there was a room full of people to celebrate with all of us that had passed. I figured it would just be the people that had passed and maybe one other person from their eye bank to support them. It was awesome cause when they called our names, they said what eye bank we were from and our medical directors name. He stood up there with us and by the time they read Jennifers name, the CEO of the EBAA made a comment about how proud he should be that there were so many of us that had passed the exam. To see him so proud and stand up there with us made us feel so good.

Taking the Test

So, while Tampa was fun there was a purpose to the trip and that was to get some edumacation. :) After we returned back to Sacramento, and back to work, we had about four weeks to study for the CEBT Exam. The exam was given at a testing site, consisted of 250 questions and we were allowed four hours to complete it. So, the following weeks consisted of a lot of reading, study sessions, and practice questions. Stephanie and I actually signed up to take the test on the same day at a testing center in Hayward. So, we got up nice and early in the morning and drove down together, asking each other questions about what we had learned the whole way. I used pretty much all four hours taking the test. I went through and answered all the questions I thought I knew right off, and then went back to those that I had to really think about. Then went back through them all and make sure I was comfortable about the answer I choose. All 250 questions were multiple choice, which is usually pretty nice. However when two answers are wrong and then the other two could possibly be right, and you had to choose the "best" answer, it makes it a little tougher and much more stressful. And it seemed like most of what we studied wasn't even on the test. Go figure. Then what made it even more stressful was afterwards we found out that we wouldn't find out our results for about six weeks. Which would have made it the beginning of May.
Right around the middle to end of April, Suhra, our admin asst., came into my office holding some papers and said "I guess I'll be the first one to congratulate you." I looked at her like, "what are you talking about?" First, we weren't expecting our results that soon, and second I really thought it would have been my boss that would have been the one to let me know if I had passed or not. So, I took the papers from here and read the first few lines that said "The EBAA would like to congratulate you on becoming one of our newest CEBT's." I SCREEMED, jumped up and down, grabbed Suhra and gave her a hug. Everyone in the office heard me that day and came running towards my office asking if everyting was alright. I looked at Stephanie and said, "I passed!!!" Then Suhra looked at her and said "congratulations, Stephanie you passed too." The good news didn't stop there. All four of us passed! It was amazing. How wonderful that all of us passed. Especially since, at the TES, they kept saying that they had been experiencing more people fail than pass lately. A couple weeks later the four of us went out to dinner to celebrate our accomplishment. In the letter we received from the EBAA was also an invitation to attend a pinning ceremony at the Annual EBAA Meeting in Seattle, WA. Not only would we be able to receive the pin, but it would also fulfill our CEU requirements to renew our certification. After talking to my boss we all got approved to go to Seattle, WA.

That story to come....Good night.

Ok, so I'm still catching up on what has happened in the last few months. So, Aramis got the great news that he was now a permanent employee with the city and county of S.F. and I too started to have some changes as work. I have currently been at my job for seven years, and finally have been given the opportunity for growth. Three of my co-workers and I were given the chance to take a test to become CEBT, Certified Eye Bank Technician. This is more than simply taking a test. Before you can sit for the exam there is a list of requirements that you have to have. The one that I didn't have I had to obtain within a week, and that was to be signed off by my medical director for demonstrating knowledge and ability to recover a cornea. Yep, I had to learn the techniques used for setting up a sterlie field, gowning up, scrubbing in, setting up my instruments, and actually recover a cornea from a cadaver eye. This was one of the most interesting and exciting things I had done in a long time. If you don't know, my job is pretty much in an office all day, I don't go out into the field. I have seen a recovery before, but actually learning how to do it....I LOVED IT! I only wish I could go out on eye only cases and actually recover corneas that could be used for transplant.

Anyway, after practicing for a week the day came and I had to show everything I learned to the M.D. It reminded me of being in band in high school. Each year we had to go into Mr. Mazz office and play for him all by ourselves so he could then rank each section. It was so nerve racking, even though you know you can do a good job, it was just you and the big guy, your moment to prove that you are good at what you do. Thankfully I was signed off for recovery and then able to start preparing for the big exam.

In February, the four of us got to travel to Tampa, FL. for a week long T.E.S (technician education seminar). This seminar was to help give us some hands-on learning of all aspects of eye banking. We got to look at corneas under the slit lamp, learn about the history of eye banking, etc. The seminar was held at the eye bank in Tampa, so it was interesting to see the operations of another eye bank as well. While I say we were in Tampa, we were really in a small city called Ybor City, which is right next to Tampa. Ybor city had one main street with all the shops, restaurants and bars. Once you were off that street, there was nothin. We walked everywhere we went. We went to a few interesting restaurants, and on our last night actually took the trolly into Tampa. In Tampa, we walked all around, seeing some interesting things like the University. We ate dinner, and then found a spot where we could listen to music, and play pool. One of my favorite nights was when I got to meet up with Mary, Stuart and Grace. They drove all the way up to see me and have dinner. It was so good to see them, and I was so thankful that they drove the two hours so we could visit. It was great cause, not only did I get to see Mary on this trip, but on the way back we had a 3hr lay over in Houston. One of my cousins and his family lives about an hour out of Houston and they drove to see me at the airport, where we got to visit and have lunch. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. I got to learn some intersting things, meet people I've talked to on the phone for years, see a little bit of Florida, and best of all see one of my best friends and cousin.

Hello again. So, lets see...after my birthday we had Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. The holidays were good, not too eventful. In January Aramis finally became permanent/ full time at San Francisco as a sworn animal control officer. He loves it there, and is actually currently at training for the week in Windsor. He likes it because he also gets to do some P.D assists and play with the public at events like parades, and pet pride days at golden gate park. (Yes, that is Aramis in the dog suit!!) :)

Well Hello Everyone. So my last blog was last year before Thanksgiving and here we are almost the end of summer. Guess it's been a while... :) Well quite a few things have happened in the last 9 months. So that I can share each event I will only post one at a time along with some pictures. Enjoy....

The first I guess you can use the word exciting thing that happened was I turned 30! I can't believe it. When you're young and think about turning 30 it's seems so old. But let me tell ya', I don't feel any older than I did when I was in my early 20's. My mom and Aramis gave me a surprise party for me. It was nice first Aramis, my mom, Al and myself went to dinner at Cheesecake factory. Then when we were going to go to my moms for cake. However, when we arrived there was caution tape in front of the door and my friends waiting inside. Thank you to all of you that were able to be there. It made it a great birthday to be able to share it with my family and friends!

I have many more fun things to share and I promise I will...so check back soon and see whats new. :)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Johnson!

Hello again...Not much has really changed since the last post, but I received a request to add more pictures. So, here are a few random pics...first our poor cat, Einstein, and dog, Cleophas, dressed up on Halloween as a bumble bee. This is the problem when you don't have kids, you torture your animals. :) Then is a picture of Aramis with his brother, sister, niece and nephew on graduation day. Last, but not least, my brother and oh so cute niece, Aaliyah, when they were visiting this past summer. This weekend my parents and I are going up to Redding to visit my sister and have Thanksgiving dinner with her since we won't get the chance on the actual day. I can't believe Thanksgiving is already around the corner...with Christmas following shortly after. My friends at work, and I are always saying that the older we get, the faster time goes by. Oh to be a kid again.