CNAs are where it's at

I just finished up a CNA (certified nurse's assistant) class this week, so now I can work at a nursing home or hospital doing the really dirty work no one else wants to do! I don't mind it so much. Two weeks of clinicals have made me dispassionate about... doing some of the things we have to do. Which I won't go into right now.

But, Tuesday night we had graduation for my class of four. My parents came, which was really cute--bringing sugar cookies, nonetheless. Before graduation we had to take a final exam. We've had little quizzes all semester with similar multiple-choice questions as the final, and I often find myself giggling as I pencil in my answers--because some of the answer choices are so darn audacious! Here are a couple of the questions that I thought I'd share with you (pretend you're me and you have to choose correctly for your final exam!):

1. The single most important thing a nursing assistant can do to prevent the spread of disease is to:
a)carry dirty linen close to his uniform
b)never change his gloves
c)remove his gloves before cleaning spills
d) wash his hands

2. Which of the following is NOT an example of abuse or neglect?
a) assisting a resident to make a complaint
b) not answering a resident's call light
c) leaving the resident in a soiled bed
d) threatening to hit a resident

3. Residents have all of the following rights except:
a) the right to refuse treatment
b) the right to voice complaints
c) the right to make personal choices such as what to wear and how to spend their time
d) the right to be abused by nursing assistants if they're being combative

4. A nursing assistant can show she is listening carefully to a resident by:
a) looking away when a resident talks
b) changing the subject often
c) rolling her eyes when a resident says something she doesn't agree with
d) responding to the resident when it's appropriate

5. What is the proper way for a nursing assistant to help care for a diabetic resident?
a) the nursing assistant should clip the resident's toenails
b) the nursing assistant should make sure that the resident eats all he is served
c) the nursing assistant should encourage the resident not to exercise or have any activity
d) the nursing assistant should make sure the resident goes barefoot

My parents and I had a good laugh over all of these. :)

In other news: I got to have a little Spain reunion with Biz, Tim and Ginny last weekend in Birmingham, AL! My only regret was that the 26 hours I was there went by too quickly. But I did deeply appreciate the time spent with dear friends.

Freeganism and Straw Bale Houses

This interview with a freegan, someone who dumpster-dives for his subsistence, is fascinating! This line was especially interesting: "The Whole Foods dumpster in La Jolla is a good example of this [dumpsters being locked up]—its trash is securely locked tight. I think it's ironic that a green company perpetuates this green façade in the front of the store and a different stance in its back alley." (Thanks, Richard.)

my straw bale dream home :)

I've also been thinking a lot about the possibility of someday building a straw bale house. I got the idea from Hannah's organic farming sister and brother-in-law a couple years ago. They're supposed to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Maybe I'll just end up in a grass hut in Africa, where it'd be warm in the summer and warm in the non-existent winter--close enough. :)

The last few weeks

Between studying for the GRE (I'm taking it Monday!), visiting Grandpa in OH, and finishing the semester at Greenville Tech with a bang :), I've been listening to Stella's jingle bell collar, admiring the winter night sky, taking a night run with Ellen, watching biographies on Bill Gates and Confucius, visiting Jacqueline/going to the Nutcracker in Atlanta, and hardly being able to wait to see Hannah again! Thanksgiving this year was lovely--all the sisters together, plus a few "adopted" family members (ie: international kids from Greenville Tech plus Layla). I'm looking forward to the third week of Advent, starting tomorrow, and wishing I'd made myself an advent calendar with little chocolates and a Bible verse for every day of the season. Maybe next year.

Some pictures:

My new, short bangs
our front yard
Thanksgiving
Grandma and Grandpa receiving communion

Neatorama

I LOVE stuff like this! The 25 Most Important Questions in the History of the Universe

Waking from a 19-year coma to find communism over in Poland

I've just been thinking about this guy lately:

YouTube video

BBC article

And, I love his quote: "What amazes me today is all these people who walk around with their mobile phones and never stop moaning," said Mr Grzebski."I've got nothing to complain about."

Patch Adams

I just watched the movie "Patch Adams" for the first time--really cool story. Here's some good advice from the real Patch Adams (my favorites: #3, #5, #8, #9):

Patch's 10 Everyday Actions to Help Heal Society

1. Pick up all the trash in an area in your hometown; be its guardian. Tell others about it.
2. Be friendly to everyone at all times; experiment outrageously.
3. Offer a shoulder or foot rub in any environment.
4. Always speak up for justice, no matter how much it costs.
5. Go once a week on a "house call" to a nursing home to cheer people up as a friend.
6. Turn off your TV and become interesting. Perform yourself.
7. Consider being silly in public. Sing out loud. Wear funny stuff.
8. Find ways to need a whole lot less money; share beyond belief.
9. Have potlucks frequently, with neighbors, co-workers, strangers. Work toward living in extended families.
10. Take your vacations in your own hometown and spend the money working on projects there that help build community.

Obama and McCain on Global Poverty

Click here to compare their views.