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.