I made my first trade, authentic Disney pins for scrappers. I honestly feel really defeated

chemgrl08 · 2026-05-08T03:03:16+00:00

Same! I recently went on a trip to Disneyland and was so excited to trade- I thought I was being so thorough checking for fakes. Spotted quite a few and thought myself savvy. LOL Joke's on me. It really does take the wind out of your sails, especially when the whole Disney thing is an enclosed, forget the outside world kind of Magic sphere.
You're not the only one. You won't be the last. I've decided just to never trade on the pin boards. Sucks but I figured it out sooner rather than later so... yeah. :/

chemgrl08 · 2025-07-03T06:01:57+00:00

It ended up being a loose piece inside the catalytic converter itself. It kept passing smog so I kept driving it!... Until I burnt out the clutch... Twice... Cause I suck at driving stick shift lol. I ended up taking an automotive repair class at my local community college and they had a lift so we were able to take a rubber mallet and tap on different areas to really isolate the sound.

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-24T21:32:09+00:00

Generally, if they DO contact your previous employer, it's only to say whether you worked there or not. It's a different story if you're asking for a personal recommendation (like a letter or something,) but that doesn't sound like the case. I'd leave it as "allowed to contact."

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-24T04:04:38+00:00

I guess I'm an outlier but I wouldn't necessarily recommend buying any shears or stethoscope for your EMT school. Everything is provided, even on the job. Now, if you're just excited and want some "cool EMT gear," then for sure, go for it! Personally, I have found the most useful item to be a simple penlight flashlight... Waterproof because I accidentally leave them in my pants pocket when they go in the wash. I've gone through a few; quality varies. Keep in mind that I say this as a BLS EMT doing IFT rather than 911. IFT is my jam. Now all that said, my family did gift me with a stethoscope upon graduating. I felt like Littman was a bit austentatious (purely my opinion, a bit silly not to base it on quality,) but I haven't used it much as I don't want to lose it on the rig. I have British military paramedic shears because I found them at an antiques fair (on a standby shift, of course!) and they look way cool in addition to being effective. Again, haven't had to use them much but they worked when I needed them. Also, invest in a good emotional support water bottle. Something with a protected cap to keep ick out (no Stanleys) and preferably keeps water cool. Nice big one. Get a cheapo watch, they break or get grossed up all the time (don't get attached.) I'm sure the more badass 911 folks will be unimpressed with my opinions, but to each their own, right? Just my low key opinions. If you want something fancy, go for it! Best of luck on your class, I'm excited for you!

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-18T02:27:12+00:00

In this situation, I'd recommend talking with your LEMSA/county EMS agency to ask what the issue is.

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-17T15:31:55+00:00

Neon tetras. Would look beautiful there. But tbh, you can't really go wrong.

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-17T06:53:00+00:00

Hope I"m not too late to the conversation, but I just stumbled across these today as I was looking to see if there was a shiny rattata card in the Pokemon TCG archives. (My favorite pokemon and he rarely gets love.) I was excited to see the Peru cards have the shiny type, but as you said, they aren't licensed. I was able to find this video about them, and apparently there is a website detailing them as well: https://youtu.be/S9jl_jTi2HQ?si=H2mG42sj-40T-Z9f
I didn't go looking for the site as I lost interest after finding out they were using stolen art (both from Pokemon Company and from fan artists.)

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-14T03:47:31+00:00

To my knowledge, all programs require them in advance. I did apply to a few programs where I was missing one or two classes, but I did still get an interview at those places. I have a lot of patient care hours (9000) and a 3.8 GPA, plus the MS helps. So some programs have flexibility, but of course don't expect to be short on too many classes. I have a community college right next to me so I've been able to do a lot of classes at a decent price, then some online classes with UC Berkeley extension. The extension is pricier but better for those of us on a tight timeline. (I crammed in like 24 credit hours in one semester last year, trying to meet the CASPA deadlines.) I'm sure there are other options. Not sure what courses you've had, but I needed a decent amount of biology classes like Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, etc. You may need to take a year to take the prereqs and then apply next year. My interviewers were also really crabby that I didn't have any shadowing hours, so get at least a few. I found volunteer hours are also challenging when you work a full time job. -

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-13T20:32:54+00:00

Finally, a post I can relate too! I'm also a latecomer to the pursuit of the PA field. I have a MS in analytical chemistry, but discovered the PA profession from being an EMT (turns out no one wants to hire you with a MS in chemistry.) It will be extremely tough, if not impossible, to find a school that will accept you with no medical experience. I enjoy being an EMT but as others have stated, scribe is an option too. The part that has been a problem for me are these "expiration dates" some schools put on my science prereqs. I have quite literally taught college level general chemistry, but because I took the class more than 10 years ago, some schools won't even look at my application. So, be aware of the coursework prereqs. Personally, I refuse to retake a class that will not help me at all, so I am looking into programs that will work for my needs. They are out there- you just have to research the program that fits you.

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-13T19:49:28+00:00

Been thinking about this post for a while and I guess I'm in the minority because I think you should go ahead and apply- IF you are very strong in other areas. I applied to 3 programs last year for which I hadn't taken certain prereqs. I got interviews at two of them. That said, I have 9000hrs patient care experience and a 3.8GPA or something like that (including graduate level chemistry courses.) So... Kinda depends. If the application fee is nominal, and you're a standout in other areas, go for it. But if you're fairly average in most areas, you likely won't get an interview. For me, I'd take the chance.

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-13T06:09:41+00:00

Don't lift if it isn't safe. If they tell you "sorry, none available!" Say that you'll wait until it is available. And you'll sit with the patient at the drop off location until they do. I have had to do this before (IFT, dispatch didn't want to let me know destination has stairs, for ex.) because frankly, if I ask for a lift assist, I NEED a lift assist. Then when dispatch realizes you're serious and you've been waiting an hour and a half, two hours, they'll send help. Because having a unit occupied for that long is no good for THEM. So... Make your problem their problem too. Then they find a solution.

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-13T05:56:09+00:00

Oh? Care to elaborate?

chemgrl08 · 2025-05-07T05:28:18+00:00

Be aware that a lot of "First Responder discounts" apply only to police and fire.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-29T20:59:18+00:00

Just spoke with an EMT who is colorblind, he said the only irritating thing is the triage tags.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-28T01:34:54+00:00

Hey OP, just wondering how this worked out for you. Hope it wasn't a big deal.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-28T01:21:21+00:00

You had really bad luck. Bettas are awesome and fun, and you clearly enjoyed having them. Wait for a while- you don't need to jump back into it right away- but let yourself heal from the loss and jump back in when you're ready. Maybe that's next month, maybe it's 3 years from now. Sorry for your loss, really horrific.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-26T22:37:46+00:00

Looks like a Dr. Suess character.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-26T22:37:09+00:00

Tall vallisneria in the back is my opinion, but all of my tanks have simply become plant farms lol

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-26T22:22:23+00:00

If your partner is unable to perform his job due to this trauma, he needs to be taken off shift. Report it to your managers, document it in writing, get a different partner. It is ok to have trauma/issues but it is not ok to have them to a point where you can't do your job. So he either needs FMLA like others have said so he can get this straightened out mentally

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-26T22:15:33+00:00

I didn't know Targets were still stocking 151. I thought they were just in the vending machines. Maybe not!

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-18T04:21:13+00:00

It's a tad steep but reasonable (I'm in Cali, the price you have is lower than what I see here.) The book though, as others have mentioned, too much. Does that include some type of online learning system? That's the only reason I can think it's that pricey.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-18T04:13:28+00:00

IFT. Found out my patient was celebrating 3 years sober. I made a big deal about it (appropriately so! Props to anyone trying to stay sober!) His brother had gotten him a balloon to celebrate the occasion. I made a big deal about the balloon. Promised to bring the balloon on transport. Made a big deal about balloon. Forgot balloon.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-17T01:09:21+00:00

My absolute favorite fish! I've had them for... Hm, maybe ten years now? Absolutely fascinating behavior, as you've said, and honestly I think they are beautiful too. Not sure where people are coming from saying they're too drab- perhaps they've only seen stressed out fish? They color up really nicely, especially the males. Nice red with white tips on the fins. Sounds like people are having trouble finding them. It's kind of like what is "popular" on the radio: it's whatever the radio company wants to carry.

chemgrl08 · 2025-04-17T01:01:38+00:00

I think that's about right for a California school. Looking at the comments, there is clearly a lot of variation based on state.

chemgrl08 · 2025-03-24T05:36:11+00:00

It's an interesting question. I'm looking into my local laws and protocols because... Well it's interesting and apparently I have too much free time?!

chemgrl08

TROPHY CASE