Family Vaca Starts with a Splash

Yesterday afternoon, my MIL, GMIL and I arrived at family vaca 2009 (my husband was in Indianapolis, long story). The rest of the crew arrived the day before, so we settled in and went to the pool to say hi. We were just dropping by, so I didn't bother to change into my suit.

I enter to screams and squeals of "Aunt Bonnie get in the pool. Aunt Bonnie come in the water," and "Where's J.R.?"

Decided to be a good sport. I took my shoes off and stuck my feet in so I could talk to everyone and maybe even get in a few hits on the beach ball making its way around the pool.

Then Cousin Carl starts towards my end of the pool, humming the Jaws theme song. Honestly, I thought he was teasing. Carl is a big teaser. And when he grabbed my ankles and gave a little tug, I still thought he was teasing. But when he tossed me over his shoulder and start wading into the deep end, I started to wonder if he was actually going to dunk me.

And of course, he did. I was tossed into the middle of the pool fully dressed (in a white t-shirt, no less). Luckily I was wear a bra, so we were able to keep it PG for the kids.

This is me and Carl. I didn't stand a chance.

A Mom Always Knows How to Make You Feel Better

I was at my parents' house the other day and showed my mom how my incision was healing. She took a look at my soon-to-be-scar and said, "That's probably going to look better than the one on your face."

Ah, thanks mom.

If you know me ROI, you're probably thinking "what scar on your face?" Which is exactly why this wasn't actually a mean thing to say, but it sure was funny.

It got me thinking a about the last time I had three stitches. I don't actually remember it because I was only 2. I cracked open my chin jumping on the bed. The railroad track scar (which luckily lines up pretty well with the natural crease in my chin) is an inch long, and it got 3 stitches. My new incision which is a quarter of an inch long also got three stitches.

It seems illogical to me, but more stitches per inch=less scarring. Dr. King admitted he was being a bit "stitch-happy" last week, but he wanted the incision to heal as neatly as possible since it was in a spot that would show in a swimsuit.

So, thanks Army Hospital for taking such great care of my face. I'll remember you every time I look in the mirror.

Boo, Army Hospital

Hooray, Dr. King

PRSA-OKC 2009 Professional Day

Today, Valerie and I turned in our travel requests for the 2009 PRSA-OKC Professional Development Day. It's always great and I'm looking forward to it. Maybe you'll join us?

9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.-Session 1
Twitter: How To Use Twitter as an Advertising and/or Public Relations Tool in Business
Presenter: Nora Burns, SPHR, Insightful Endeavors International, Inc.
Twitter, one of the power-players in this era of social networking is a force to be reckoned with. Learn how to use this tool to your organizations advantage.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.-Luncheon Session
Is the News Release Dead?

1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.-Session 3
Crisis Simulation Training: How Would You Really Perform in a Crisis
Presenters: Dan O'Hair and Shari Veil, MBA, Ph.D., Center for Risk and Crisis Management, University of Oklahoma
Discussion on relevant risk and crisis theories, research and best practices in risk and crisis management.

For full program details visit prsaokc.org.

We're Walking for Autism Research. Want to Help?

On June 6, the Cain family is once again joining the Oklahoma City Autism Speaks Walk to raise funds and awareness for Autism Research. Our team name is The Penguins, and you can visit our team home page at http://www.walknowforautism.org/oklahoma/penguins.

One in 150 children is diagnosed with autism. With a statistic like that you often hear of families being "touched by autism." That always sounds kind of mushy to me. We’re not a mushy kind of family. I prefer to think of it as a poke, a quick unexpected jab that demands your attention. Our family has been poked by Autism.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. It's time we started poking back. You can help us raise awareness by joining our team and/or participating in the June walk. You can also help support Autism research by making a donation from our homepage: http://www.walknowforautism.org/oklahoma/penguins.

Thanks!

Austin So Far: Tasty, Expensive, Educational & Embarrassing

The week-long celebration of my 32nd birthday is on. I'm tagging along for John's Austin conference trip. As my only goal is to get out of town and relax, it's ok that John is working for half the trip. I've still had tons of fun.

Tasty: So far most our activities have involved eating, and boy have they been some tasty meals. Who knew crepes could be so delish? Cafe Crepes knows. We had breakfast there this morning. I didn't realize crepes came with anything other than fruit. I had one full of veggies and cheese.

Expensive: All our meals have been priced proportionally to their yumminess. We are staying at the Four Seasons, and while it is incredibly nice, they are pretty impressed with themselves here.

Educational: Today we hit the LBJ Museum and Library. It was really cool and learned all about LBJ and Lady Bird. Obviously, the Museum is going highlight the best of Johnson's presidency, but it was interesting to learn about the socially progressive work the Johnson's administration did. He had hoped his legacy would be as the "Education President," but sad for him, he'll always be the "Vietnam President."

Embarrassing: As I said, all I really want to accomplish is some quality relaxing. What's more relaxing than lounging in a shady hammock, with a beautiful view of the lake and a fluffy beach read? I climbed up into the hammock, scooted to the center, steadied myself. Just when I thought I was good, the hammock swings around 360' and drops me on my butt. And, of course, what embarrassing moment is complete, without an audience. At least they didn't clap; they just laughed along with me.

Getting Punched: I Did Not Sign Up For This

After a week of prodding from John I finally made an appointment to check on this weird rash on my chest and back. (TMI, but it's pertinent to the story!). I thought I'd get a prescription ointment and maybe, worse case scenario, a cortisone shot.

Doc took a look and said it could be an infection, but to be sure we treat the right thing, we should scrap a sample and send it off to lab. Um, ok. So scrapping didn't exactly sound pleasant but how bad could it be?

Then he comes back with a syringe, and said you know really we should do what's called a punch biopsy. But, we'll only do it if it's ok with me.

That Dr. King, he's such a nice guy. He wants to punch a hole in my chest but only if it's ok with me. It would have been easier if he 'd just come in and said this is what we're doing.

So I'm thinking that little syringe that's what you're going to punch me with, right. "That sounds like it'll hurt." That's when Dr. King cheerfully held up the syringe and said "Oh, no, I'm going to numb you up first." Holy, shit. This just starting looking really, really bad.

This is point where inside my head, I totally lose it. But I tried to suck it up. I'm laying down, so Dr. King can give me a shot in the center of my chest right over my breast bone (Gah! I know, right!) and I'm sure I'm cringing so badly you'd think he was about to stick leeches to me.

After I have a few minutes to numb up and let the whole idea of punching a hole in my chest sink in, Dr. King and the nurse are back. And they start talking about sutures, and needle drivers. Um, excuse me, what!

Ok, in all honesty, the actual procedure was not bad as far as pain goes, but it was so incredibly creepy and horrifying. I told my nurse, I was taking a sucker on my way out because I totally earned it. He told me I could have three, one for each of my stitches. That's right, three stitches! I'm still totally wigged.

What's on the APR Exam?

When I talk about the APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) I have many people ask what is on the exam. The test covers a variety of topics and is broken down like so.

Researching, Planning, Implementing & Evaluating Programs (30%) Basically the four-step process. It counts for so much because it's the basis of what we do.

Ethics and Law (15%) Not only do you need to understand relevant laws, you'll need to know the PRSA Code of Ethics inside and out and understand how to apply it.

Communication Models and Theory (15%) Understand the implications and applications of various theories and models.

Business Literacy (10%) You need to understand and explain revenue generation, perform SWOT analysis, and identify other divisions that need to be involved in any communication program.

Management Skills & Issues (10%) You must understand audience diversity, make sound decisions, and hold strong leadership and organizational skills.

Crisis Communication Management (10%) You'll need to understand the roles and responsibilities of public relations at the pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis phases.

Media Relations (5%) Understand the relationships between PR and media organizations, have news sensibility and understand the media and various distribution systems.

Using IT Efficiently (2%) The category basically gauges your tech literacy.

History of & Current Issues in PR (2%) Identify key figures in the history of PR, major trends and key forces that influenced the field. You'll also have to differentiates among related concepts like publicity, advertising, marketing, and press agentry.

Advance Communication Skills (1%) This covers topics like consensus-building, consulting skills and negotiation.