Made Moon Blog

The University of Phoenix Online has been in existence for over a decade and a half. Established in 1989, it was the first accredited online university and today with over 57,000 enrolments to its credit, it has become the largest private, accredited, ‘for-profit’, online university in the United States. Because of its tenure and name recognition, the University of Phoenix is often the first name that comes to peoples mind when they consider an online University. This reputation is not without merit, as the University offers students a great deal that the other online universities simply cannot compete with. That said, not everything about this school is ideal.

Because of the length of time the University has been in operation, it has perfected the art of serious online teaching. The curriculum has been tailored to meet the requirement of working adults who seek to supplement their working knowledge with theory and practical skills while earning a degree for themselves to a degree that other online schools do not.

Virtual classrooms with trained online instructors and flexible but strict classroom participation and assignment submissions make learning comfortable. So much so, that the students are able to complete almost 27 credits in a year as against 15 credits completed by regular on site campus learning students. With only 11 students in a class, the student to instructor ratio is low, facilitating greater one on one interaction. The instructors themselves are CIOs, CEOs and CFOs of reputed companies when they are not mentoring students in the classrooms.

But then like every thing in this universe, negatives do exist and this University is no exception. Sometimes students complain about below average quality of instructors who do not participate in the discussion or evaluation to the extent that has been promised. Lack of communication skills in some cases and at others complete or partial silence towards questions posted has been observed. This is a serious allegation considering that the good communication and prompt interactions with the students of the class are very vital for any online course. Add to this, students often complain that when a grievance or concern is addressed to the deputed ‘advisor’ an endless string of communication follows with little or no action actually taken.

There are some ex-instructors who have come up and indicated that their pay is quite pitiful relative to other universities and as a consequence the motivation levels and drive to excel is low. This often results in a high turnover of instructors. It seems that the primary complaint, substandard teaching quality is directly tied to the level of pay provided these professors.

Another negative pertains to the technology itself. The university boasts that the online software platform has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft. One would expect that the mail receiving and disseminating platform also be much evolved and sophisticated. Instead there is confirmed evidence that they actually use the notoriously lacking Outlook Express for the purpose. Another problem is that the servers are quite slow sometimes. These two problems are worth a mention since online teaching requires quick and reliable interface with minimum downtime. Therefore a slack in this area can have serious implications for the university as a whole.

A final concern pertains to ‘high’ fees being charged. It might be comparable with the several outer online universities of its genre. But when viewed in the light of students who are already disgruntled with the quality of education being imparted, can snowball into bigger packets of unhappiness.

All this might sound as the doomsday for online education and especially for the University of Phoenix. But remember when you handle thousands of students, there are bound to be a handful that are going to be dissatisfied. And life depends on changes and improvements. That said, by and large the students of the University of Phoenix have and continue to express satisfaction with the school. While it is certainly clear that it has some limitations, the opportunity to attain a degree swiftly and cheaply from a well known and accredited University makes the offer very attractive for a great many.

Jean Chortillion enjoys writing about online education. See www.universityreviewsonline.com/2005/10/review_of_the_u.html for another University of Phoenix review.

Biomedical Engineering Schools educate professionals about the development and manufacturing of medical devices, diagnostic devices, prostheses, drugs and other therapies. Biomedical Engineering combines the field of engineering with medical needs for the advancement of health care.

Biomedical Engineering students learn to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine, and to apply advanced technology to the complex problems of medical care. Biomedical Engineering professionals may design instruments, devices and software, develop new medical procedures, or conduct necessary research to solve clinical problems.

A biomedical engineer works alongside other health care professionals, including therapists, technicians nurses, and physicians. Biomedical engineers can find employment in hospitals, universities, private industry, research facilities, medical institutions, government regulatory agencies, and even in the educational system.

A college education in Biomedical Engineering covers biology, medicine and engineering. Students perform research with chemists and medical scientists, and learn to develop and evaluate systems and products for medical use, such as artificial organs and devices that replace non-functioning body parts. Many biomedical engineers continue their education in graduate school where they can acquire vital biomedical research experience at the Masters or Doctoral level.

If you are interested in a career that is on the cutting edge of medical technology, talk to your local college or university about the field of Biomedical Engineering

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
K. Monteith in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

K. Monteith is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Biomedical Engineering Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.

When it’s time to go to college, the word “scholarship” is confusing for both students and parents. We automatically think about student loans, FAFSA, tuition and fees, EFC, grants, and work study. But what we don’t realize is that knowing more about the scholarship process could save us thousands of dollars when trying to cover the cost of our kids’ education.

Scholarships are “free money” given away by the government, private institutions and organizations, charitable foundations, schools, universities, clubs, etc. Unlike loans, scholarships are not repaid to the scholarship provider.

Some of the scholarships available are:

• Athletic Scholarships

• National Merit Scholarships

• Academic Merit Scholarships

• Professional, Career, and Trade Association-Sponsored Scholarships

• FAFSA

• Work Study

• Ethnic and Religious Scholarships

• Community Organization Sponsored Scholarships

• Special Scholarships

• Alumni Legacy Scholarships

• Transfer Student Scholarships

With so many scholarships, how do you know which one to apply to or where can you go for an application?

Some scholarships are based on your kid’s grades or financial needs, while others are awarded based on ethnic groups, athletic or artistic abilities, or given to students interested in a particular field.

In some instances, your kids don’t have to have perfect grades to apply for a scholarship, and some don’t even ask for any proof of income.

For example, the Work-Study Scholarship will require your kid to work part-time for the money given and most jobs are on campus.

Finding information on scholarships on the Internet can be difficult because you won’t find everything you need to know to finance your child’s education.

A year ago, when my daughter was going to college, I searched the Internet and the only thing I found simple enough to do was fill out a FAFSA application. Since I didn’t have time to search the Internet at the moment, and because other information I found was so confusing, I decided just to fill out the application and did nothing else.

I promised myself that for the next year, I would search in advance because even though my daughter got some financial aid, I was convinced that there had to be other resources out there for her education.

That’s when I came accross a guide written by a father that went through the process of getting a scholarship for his child, who spent time talking to financial aid officers at many universities and discovered that just filling out the CSS Profile and FAFSA financial aid forms and meeting some deadlines is only half the battle in acquiring Federal Pell grants, college need-based grants, and Federal Stafford and Perkins loans.

I learned how college financial aid offices actually determine what federal aid and state grants will be given out to potential students and if you know in advance how to prepare yourself to receive the maximum amount for your child’s college education, you will obtain better results.

Once you know where to find the information and when and how to apply for a scholarship, it will be easy to obtain financial aid for your kids.

For more information, visit http://www.1mykids.com/scholarships.html

Maria Estarellas

About The Author

Maria Estarellas is the webmaster for

http://www.1mykids.com

“The Complete Website For The Whole Family”.

Information on How to Apply for Scholarships, Parenting Tips, Crafts, Games, School Projects and Essays, Music Downloads, Clothing, Candles, Hobbies for Mom and Dad, Information on How to Start Your Own Online Business, Mortgage Tips, Beauty Tips and More.

meg2@aweber.com

Whatever you want to label “learning at home” and however you want to define the latest buzz words for non-traditional education, you can find a program and method that suits your needs. Right now over 1.2 million people in the U.S. participate in some form of distance learning, with a projected expansion to 2.3 million in just a few years.

In looking at this rapidly expanding and viable form of education and training, there are a few basic things you need to consider and some decisions you need to make in order to create the environment that will best suit your needs. You need to know the what, the why, the benefits and the how of the various forms of distance learning.

Distance learning (correspondence courses) started in Europe in the 1800’s and has evolved into a multifaceted term that serves many purposes. Some of the forms of distance learning are: correspondence courses, online education, internet based education, electronic education, e-education, electronic learning, and e-learning. How these terms differ will depend upon how the institution defines and labels the programs which they offer. To simplify the whole concept, let’s say that these terms represent ways of learning away from a “brick and mortar” facility. Some distance learning and/or online programs may or may not be connected to a university or college. There are many programs that are independent and are not affiliated with any institution.

Distance learning offers a variety of paths to personal goals which include: GED, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, graduate certificates, master degrees, doctoral degrees, non-credit training courses, and others. Whether a person is seeking a degree, keeping professional skills updated, or pursuing skills for an interest area or hobby, there is a program or offering that should work.

Why are so many people turning to distance learning? What are its advantages? On a personal level look at such pros as: maintaining privacy; provides convenience; enables a flexible schedule; allows for balancing job and family obligations; working at own pace, going slowly or accelerating learning; can be less expensive; great for homebound individuals; no unnecessary travel; no formal class attendance; and can “learn while you earn.” These are a few of the many things that are causing quite a number of people to take an entirely different approach to attaining knowledge/skills and/or earning a degree.

Those who advocate against an alternative of distance learning, often site the lack of socialization which is a part of a traditional type of education. However, not everyone is looking for the classroom activities, college events/parties, and the interactions that are a part of a school campus. Many of the classroom activities such as discussion and support can be achieved online. The other things that an online education will reinforce are: reading - ebooks, up to date
references, current research; listening - through audio lectures or clips; seeing- through graphic illustrations and demonstrations; doing - assignments, quizzes, exams, research papers; and speaking/communication - through email, chats, and electronic discussions. A distance learning program can be far more than just reading and writing.

What are the requirements for becoming a part of a distance learning program? Many programs require a minimum of a GED or taking an admissions test. Usually, the process for applying will include: an application; transcripts; test scores; an essay; and letters of recommendation. The less formal the program, the less formal the requirements. There is a wide range in answering this questions. However, what is necessary for an online program is the right computer equipment with the internet connection (high speed), word processing capability; email; and multimedia player. The program you choose will provide more specific details for recommendation about equipment and software.

In choosing a program there some questions to ask as you do your research and make your selection. Ask about the following: help/support is offered; qualifications of the instructors; number of years the institution has provided services; is it an accredited program; details about the curriculum; and multimedia elements of the program. By the way, accreditation is voluntary since there is no officially sanctioned entity in existence. However, most schools considered the six regional accrediting agencies listings to be legitimate agencies. Ask if it is regionally accredited.

The last thing you need to think about is your motivation and work ethic. If you are a good reader (good reading comprehension skills) who doesn’t procrastinate and can avoid distractions, you will be a good candidate for an alternative approach to education. In this age of global education and the need for current knowledge and skills, this is a fast delivery system that will bring all the technological advancement right into your living room instantaneously. It works for more than a million people, and it can work for you.

Visit our Resource Center on Distance Learning at: http://sbmag.org/distancelearning.html

Copyright usage: No permission is needed to reproduce this story. The About the Author statement must remain in tact. We also request notification of where the article is being used so reciprocal links can be considered. mailto:barb@sbmag.org

About the Author
Barbara Snyder is a retired California Distinguished School Principal and Coordinator For Human Resources. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She holds elementary education, secondary, community college, and administrative credentials. She is currently the publisher of http://EducationResourcesNetwork.com, co-publisher of Strictly Business Magazine, http://www.sbmag.org.

It is most important to keep your thumbs and hands visible when talking to a class. Practice holding your hands out with the thumbs pointing upwards until you can do it naturally. This is a very powerful dominance gesture, although it is one which does not come naturally to everyone.

If you find this is too difficult to do naturally, then try holding your hands at your sides, slightly curled, with the thumbs visible. This has less effect but is still powerful.

Hand movements should be calm and slow.
When you are having to wait too long for silence try closing your eyes, while using the hand and thumb technique above, and counting visibly. The more observant children will “Shhh” the class for you.

It is a good idea to have a “hot spot” where you always stand to tell the children off. After a very short time the children will become quiet as soon as you go there. The “hot spot” should be reserved for this purpose.

These techniques are taken as evidence of self-confidence by the children.
It is essential that you expect good behaviour at all times. Your expectations comes across in your subconscious body language. If you do not expect good behaviour then you will never meet it.

You can use body language and careful speech patterns to defuse many situations. It is always better to avoid confrontation wherever possible without losing face. It is important that you allow children to avoid losing face too. A child will often back down if they can do so without friends seeing it. This is why taking a child outside the room for a few words usually works much better than shouting at him or her in the class.

If you have the time, then wait until the class has gone, sit down and talk to the errant child, perhaps with a desk between you while s/he is standing. This removes the need that the child has to look “cool” by slouching, because you are looking more “cool” by sitting down. The child sees you as confident and in control. It means that you do not have to tell him or her off for bad posture and keeps the two of you a safe distance apart, reducing the likelihood of a flare-up. The worst that can happen is that the child storms off, and that can be dealt with on a later occasion, perhaps by a senior colleague

A few experienced teachers may be scathing about the use of body language in class control, even though they subconsciously use it themselves. You should be cautious in discussing body language with colleagues because there will be some malicious teachers who will tell the children about the “hot spot” or “raised thumbs” techniques. Once the children are aware of what you are doing the techniques become much less effective.

Pete Gallagher, taught Chemistry for 28 years in high schools. He has now left teaching to concentrate on writing. These articles are based on an expensive photocopiable resource that he sold to schools to use in staff training. Find more of Pete’s work at his EduBackup website.
Another source of information on education degrees can be found at www.only-education-degree.info/best-graduate-schools.html” >this specialist resource site.

The ETS, which contemplating the change in GRE, even announced the date of implementation once again given the relief of shy to the students by delaying its implementation for exactly a year. The highly anticipated and complex changes to the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will begin in October 2007 rather than October 2006, a whole year later in the fall of 2007, company officials announce last week.

Another wave of changes has swept over the Graduate Record Examination according to the Educational Testing Service, which, beginning in October 2006 delayed until October 2007, will affect the approximately 400,000 U.S. students who take the test annually. “It will undergo its biggest overhaul from October 2007 in the 57 years of GRE history. ETS believes the delay will better serve test takers and graduate institutions across the country as ETS transitions from the current computer- and paper-based forms of the test to the new Internet-based (iBT) version.
“The higher education and graduate communities are excited about the revised GRE,” explains Mari Pearlman, Senior Vice President of ETS’s Higher Education Division. “They worked with us to create this revised test, and they are looking forward to using this test. The new launch schedule will enable us to complete the expansion of our Internet-based testing operations worldwide.”

The change was announced last year, but details have not been released until now. These changes will impact important aspects of the test such as score range; the type of questions asked how the officials will evaluate the scores, and more.

Madeline Hamblin, director of the Office of Graduate Affairs at the University, said that the delay was sensible. “I think it was a good move,” she said. “It would not be wise to start a new test before test centers were set up.”

Test development, design and field testing will continue for the new GRE test. The new iBT delivery platform is already being used to deliver the innovative new Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) exam worldwide. ETS plans to improve student access to its tests by adding thousands of testing sites worldwide in the next two years.

The GRE exam measures critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and are not related to any specific field of study.

Changes to the exam included: greater emphasis on higher cognitive skills and less dependence on vocabulary, expansion of computer based tasks, on-screen four-function calculators with square root features, and more focused questions to ensure analytical writing.
Highlights of Changes which ETS Considering:

>>> The new GRE General Test will be slightly over four hours long, an increase from the current two-and-a-half-hour exam. It will also no longer be offered in a computer-adaptive format, where the difficulty of the test is determined by the test taker’s right or wrong answers. Instead, it will be offered in a linear format, in which every student takes the same exam.

>>> Unlike the current exam, each version of the revised GRE General Test will be used only once, and no test takers will encounter the same questions on different dates. Instead of continuous testing, the exam will be given 29 times a year worldwide. The number of administrations in any given region will depend on the test volumes in that region.

>>> The revised GRE General Test will be administered in the ETS global network of Internet-based test centers and through Thomson Prometric, the world’s largest computer-based testing network.
Changes in the Verbal and Quantitative Score Scales
The new score scales will have 40-50 scale points. The scales will increase in one-point increments and will be centered between 120 and 179. The actual score ranges will be finalized in 2006 based on field test results.

>>> A concordance table to compare old and new Verbal and Quantitative scores will be available.

>>> The analytical writing section will continue to be scored using a six-point holistic scale.’These changes are intended to make the GRE General Test a more accurate gauge of how qualified prospective students are to do graduate-level work,” David Payne, Executive Director of the GRE Program in ETS’ Higher Education Division explained recently to the Signal. “We’ll also offer more interpretive information to graduate deans and faculty, including providing access to test takers’ essay responses on the Analytical Writing section.”
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www.achieverspoint.com

Seppuku (Sape-puu-kuu), the Japanese formal language term for ritual suicide (Hara-kiri (Har-rah-kee-ree) is the common language term), was an intregal aspect of feudal Japan (1192-1868). It developed as an intregal part of the code of bushido and the discipline of the samurai warrior class.

Hara-kiri, which literally means “stomach cutting” is a particularly painful method of self-destruction, and prior to the emergence of the samurai as a professional warrior class, was totally foreign to the Japanese.

The early history of Japan reveals quite clearly that the Japanese were far more interested in living the good life than in dying a painful death. It was not until well after the introduction of Buddhism, with its theme of the transitory nature of life and the glory of death, that such a development became possible.

To the samurai, seppuku–whether ordered as punishment or chosen in preference to a dishonorable death at the hands of an enemy–was unquestionable demonstration of their honor, courage, loyalty, and moral character.

When samurai were on the battlefield, they often carried out acts of hara-kiri rapidly and with very little formal preparation. But on the other occasions, particularly when it was ordered by a feudal lord, or the shogun (as was directed of Lord Asano in the Tale of the 47 Ronin), seppuku or hara-kiri was a very formal ceremony, requiring certain etiquette, witnesses and considerable preparation.

Not all Japanese samurai or lords believed in, even though many of them followed the custom. The great Ieyasu Tokugawa, who founded Japan’s last great Shogunate dynasty in 1603, eventually issued an edict forbidding hara-kiri to both secondary and primary retainers.

The custom was so deeply entrenched, however, that it continued, and in 1663, at the urging of Lord Nobutsuna Matsudaira of Izu, the shogunate government issued another, stronger edict, prohibiting ritual suicide. This was followed up by very stern punishment for any lord who allowed any of his followers to commit harakiri or seppuku. Still the practice continued throughout the long Tokugawa reign, but it declined considerably as time went by.

Honor for the samurai was dearer than life and in many cases, self destruction was regarded not simply as right, but as the only right course. Disgrace and defeat were atoned by committing hara-kiri or seppuku. Upon the death of a daimyo loyal followers might show their grief and affection for their master by it. Other reasons a samurai committed seppuku were: to show contempt for an enemy; to protest against injustice, as a means to get their lord to reconsider an unwise or unworthy action and as a means to save others.

The ritual for disenbowlment was to be performed calmly and without flinching. If condemned to death, it was held to be a privilege to execute the sentence on one’s own body rather than to be a disgrace and die at the hands of the public headsman.

The location of an officially ordered seppuku ceremony was very important. Often the ritual was performed at temple
(but not Shinto shrines), in the garden or villas, and inside homes. The size of the area available was also important, as it was prescribed precisely for samurai of high rank.

All the matters relating to the act was carefully prescribed and carried out in the most meticulous manner. The most conspicuous participant, other than the victim, was the kaishaku (kie-shah-kuu), or assistant, who was responsible for cutting off the victim’s head after he had sliced his abdomen open. The was generally a close friend or associate of the condemned.

Although suicide is deplored in Japan today, it does not have the sinful overtones that are common in the west. People still kill themselves for failed businesses, involvement in love triangles, or even failing school examinations, death is still consider by many as better than dishonor.

Fahmi Samir is a student in japan and taking mechanical engineering. To know more about japan or japan language, visit his website http://koiyee.blogspot.com

The first chapter in Oceanside’s history began in the late 18th century when Father Juan Crespi, a Spanish Franciscan friar, passed through the area in 1769 while travelling with the Portola expedition. His reports on the area led to the establishment of the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia (named after St. Louis, King of France) in a location 3-4 miles inland of what is today Oceanside’s downtown area by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen. Built by the original Luiseno Indians of the area, the “King of Missions” as it was called found some rough times in the early 1830s during secularization by the Mexican government but rebounded as a town, San Luis Rey, slowly grew around it.

In 1883 the completion of the railroad connecting San Diego and San Bernadino provided increased access to the Pacific coast. Andrew Jackson Meyers, a businessman from the area surrounding the mission, requested and received a grant of 160 acres south of the area that would later become Camp Pendleton, at the time known as Rancho Santa Margarita. J Chauncey Hayes acted as Meyers’s real estate hand, selling town lots and eventually petitioning for a post office for the growing community. The name Oceanside came from a popular diversion of the time as families inland would often go “ocean side” to escape the heat and enjoy the beautiful Pacific Coast.

Incorporated in 1888, Oceanside grew rapidly over the following years as the railway brought people and businesses to the sunny beach town. In 1893 the first of the Oceanside Municipal Piers was built, and in the subsequent century Oceanside became the popular tourist destination it is today with the addition of the Oceanside Harbor and the El Camino Golf Course. In 1942 a particularly intense period of growth came with the purchase of the Rancho Santa Margarita land north of Oceanside by the US Marine Corps for the establishment of Camp Pendleton.

Today Oceanside CA is a thriving community of long-time residents, local armed forces, and beach-loving tourists who flock to our beautiful coast and golf courses throughout the year. With a climate ranked the fifth most desirable in the world(!) and the second most desirable in the entire United States, the city of Oceanside is the perfect destination throughout the year for visitors looking for a mellow yet exciting environment offering stretches of perfect sand, a multitude of spas and resorts, a colorful harbor offering fishing expeditions and various watersports, and much more. (C) OsideAlive.com

Body piercing has grown so much in popularity in recent years that it has
become almost mainstream, with more and more people sporting navel rings and
multiple ear rings. Facial piercings, surface piercings and lots of others to
choose from can make things confusing. If you don’t know what to expect when you
decide to get a piercing, it can be even more intimidating. Here are some of the
top questions people have about body piercing.

1. I want to get a body piercing. How much will it cost?

The cost of a body piercing varies depending on several factors, including
where you’re located, how close to a major city you are, and what kind of
piercing you’re having done. Generally the more difficult the piercing, the
higher the cost. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for as well, so don’t
depend entirely upon cost to choose your piercer. If a piercer is charging
significantly under the market cost in your area, he may be cutting corners in
areas he shouldn’t, such as sterilization and other safety procedures.

On average, the cost of piercings fall somewhere in these ranges:

• Ears (lobes, cartilage, etc.)…..anywhere from $25-$50
• Navel……………………………..$45-$55
• Tongue……………………………$45-$55
• Labret…………………………….$50-$60
• Eyebrow…………………………..$40-$50
• Nipple……………………………..$45-$55
• Nostril…………………………….$45-$55
• Genital…………………………….$75-$100

2. Does it hurt?

In simple terms, yes. Does it hurt much? Most people will tell you, “No, not
really.” It’s usually more like a pinching or popping sensation than anything.
The sensation of pain is relativesome people feel it more than others. The
adrenalin rush of the piercing usually means the pain in minimal.

After the initial pain when the needle goes through the piercing, you may
feel some dull pain or an aching sensation for a few hours, which can be
relieved with an over the counter pain reliever. One piercing that does hurt a
bit more than others is the tongue piercing, which will swell and be sensitive
for a few days. Ice chips and popsicles will help soothe the pain of this kind
of new piercing.

3. How long does it take a body piercing to heal?

The healing time for a body piercing varies depending upon what you’ve had
pierced. Some parts of the body heal more quickly than others. For instance, if
you pierce your earlobes, you can expect them to heal within two months and be
ready for jewelry other than the original piercing jewelry.

The belly button is in an area that heals slowly, however, because it’s right
where the body twists and turns, which slows the healing process. It also
doesn’t get as much air circulation because it is covered much of the time. It
can take up to six months or even a year for a belly button piercing to heal
completely.

Some general healing times are:

• Ear lobes……….6-8 weeks
• Cartilage………..4-8 months
• Eyebrow………..6-8 weeks
• Nostril…………..3-4 months
• Septum………….6-8 months
• Labret…………..2-3 months
• Tongue………….4-6 weeks
• Nipple…………..4-6 months
• Navel……………5 months-1 year
• Genitals…………6 weeks-6 months

The better you care for a body piercing, the more quickly it will heal, so be
sure to discuss the proper care of your piercing with the piercing professional
who does your body piercing to ensure a quick, clean piercing and you will heal
in the least amount of time possible.

4. How can I tell if a piercing is infected, or it’s just normal healing
stuff?

All body piercings will have some drainage during the first several days.
This is because you have basically given your body a puncture wound, and your
body will bleed for a while, and then have drainage of some fluids as it heals.
These fluids are actually good for you, as they keep the area moist and clean
and will wash away some of the dirt and germs that might otherwise stay in the
area.

Bleeding should stop within a few hours or the first day and be only small
amounts. Often it will look watery. Drainage will be mostly a clear, watery
discharge, although it can sometimes be somewhat white in color. The drainage
will form “crusties” around the jewelry that can be washed off with warm, soapy
water when you clean your piercing each day.

A piercing is infected when the discharge is either green or yellow. Also, if
the area becomes swollen or inflamed again after the initial swelling has
subsided. Any time you see green or yellow pus or discharge; you should see a
doctor and get appropriate medical treatment. It won’t necessarily mean you have
to remove your piercing; you may simply have to take a course of antibiotics. If
the area becomes red and inflamed with red streaks radiating out from the area,
see a doctor right away.

5. What should I look for in a good body piercing studio?

A good body piercing studio must first and foremost be clean, clean, and
clean! The most common cause of infection is piercings is simple exposure to
germs, so look for a piercing parlor that is very strict about its cleanliness
and sterilization procedures. They should have a separate room where nothing
else is done but piercings.

They should always have an operational autoclave, which is a wet steam
sterilization unit that is to be used to clean and sterilize all tools and
equipment used during piercing. They should also pierce only with single-use,
disposable needles that are pre-wrapped. Ask them if this is what they use, and
insist that the needles not be opened until they are actually ready to do your
piercing so that you can confirm they are sterile-wrapped.

Look for experience and qualifications. Have all the piercers been through an
apprenticeship program? If so, for how long did they train and where? Also make
sure they are licensed to operate a piercing studio by their state’s department
of health. In most states this is now mandatory. Also check the date to make
sure it isn’t expired. Finally, look for a certificate of membership in a
professional society such as the Association of Professional Piercers, an
organization that supports safe and professional piercing practices and offers
extensive ongoing training.

6. Why can’t I just pierce myself?

You can pierce yourself, but it’s not really a good idea. It’s simply too
hard to keep the area in your own home (or wherever you happen to be) clean and
sterile enough. You also may have trouble lining up and placing a piercing
squarely where you want it, and if you lose your nerve half-way through the
piercing, you’re stuck with it half done.

If you do it at home, you’ll probably do it on an impulse, which will mean
you won’t have the right tools. Piercing needles are incredibly sharp in order
to reduce the pain and make a good, clean cut. No matter how sharp that sewing
needle is at home, it’s not as sharp as a piercing needle, so it will hurt more,
bleed more, and may not heal as cleanly.

7. What should I clean my piercing with?

Today most professional piercers agree that the best way to clean a fresh
piercing is with a mild antibacterial soap. These should not contain perfumes or
dyes, which can irritate a piercing and lead to discomfort or an allergic
reaction. There are a few on the market that are specifically designed for body
piercings, including Provon® and Satin®.

After cleaning, you should follow up with a sea salt water soak. Sea salt is
available at natural health stores, piercing and tattoo studios and a variety of
other stores. The sea salt solution helps soothe the area and draw impurities
out of the wound to promote faster healing. H2Ocean is an excellent pre-mixed
sea salt solution that can be sprayed on for ease of use. It’s highly
recommended by many professional piercers and is convenient especially if you’re
traveling or on the go.

8. What kind of jewelry should a piercing be done with?

A body piercing is, in the simplest terms, a puncture wound, so you want to
use a high quality metal that won’t react with your body chemistry to create an
allergic reaction or contaminate the open wound.

Never use cheap or base metals to get a body piercing. The best metals to use
are titanium or surgical steel, both or which are essentially inert and won’t
react with your body. In some cases, you can use high quality gold, but even
this sometimes creates a reaction because of the nickel content, so do be
cautious.

Once a piercing is completely healed, you have more leeway on what you can
use, but if you are at all nickel sensitive, you will probably always have to
stick with surgical steel and titanium for your body piercings, unless you are
using alternatives such as glass, which is completely non-reactive and safe for
nearly everyone.

9. What causes migration? Is it the same as rejection?

Rejection is a more severe form of migration. Migration is when a body
piercing begins to move through the flesh because the body is trying to force it
out of the skin and get rid of it. In some cases, the body only partially
succeeds, and the piercing “migrates” so that it ends up being crooked or
misaligned.

When the body completely forces a piercing out of the body, it is called a
“rejection,” because the body has completely rejected the piece of jewelry,
basically “spitting it out.” This is because any piercing jewelry is a foreign
object that the body sees as an invader to be gotten rid of, especially if the
piercing is poorly done so that the jewelry aggravates the skin tissues.

10. What if I want to become a professional piercer?

Behave responsibly. Visit a few piercing parlors that you know are top
quality and ask about internship programs and other options. Order some videos
that take you through the introductory steps of piercing and educate you on the
process of proper preparation and sterilization. Many of the larger piercing
websites offer these video series’ at a reasonable cost.

You should also take courses in first aid in blood borne pathogens and other
illnesses that are commonly transmitted by needles. Many of these courses are
offered through community colleges or local hospital extensions. The most
important thing is to be fully trained and completely experienced in all manner
of piercing before setting yourself up as a piercer on your ownboth for your
own legal protection and the safety and well-being of those who come to you for
body piercing.

The Association of Professional Piercers (www.safepiercing.org) is an
excellent source of information on how to get started as a professional piercer.

In Conclusion

Body piercing and wearing body jewelry should be an informed choice, not a
snap decision. If you have been thinking about getting a body piercing, talk to
others who have done the same and get their feedback. Ask them if they are happy
with the results and for their suggestions on good piercing studios. Ask
yourself if you’re ready for the commitment to proper care and the expense of a
body piercing.

Remember that a body piercing is a form of body modification that will affect
how others perceive you. Obviously, this is part of the appeal for most people.
However, the reactions will be mixed, and you should keep in mind that while
some people will love it, others will not. So think through the consequences of
body piercing thoroughly before you proceed. Then, if you decide its right for
youfollow the tips above for a safe, attractive body piercing you’ll be proud
to wear!

This article on the “Top 10 Questions about Body Piercing” reprinted with
permission.
Copyright © 2004 Evaluseek Publishing.

About the Author
Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her work because it
gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world every day. Right now,
she knows a little bit about almost everything, and a lot about
body jewelry,
eyebrow
rings, and
labret jewelry. She has two dogs who are spoiled and one teenager who is
not.

Copyright 2006 Francesca Black

The city of Roswell boasts a population of nearly 50,000 residents, a healthy economy, and a reputation for being a haven for UFO enthusiasts. The most famous of all UFO and alien stories is that of Roswell, made legend in movies, television shows and hundreds of books.

Because of all the media attention, documentaries, books, papers, TV programs, videos, motion pictures, etc., Roswell has become a household name symbolizing flying saucers. Ironically, Roswell is most famous for an incident that happened more than 50 years ago: the alleged crash of an alien spacecraft in 1947. Debate about the Roswell incident has gone on for years. There is a lot of speculation and belief about aliens. The city of Roswell, among others, aims to cash in on it.

How did it all start? Eyewitnesses saw something from the sky crash. A few hours later, someone issued a press release stating emphatically that Roswell had in its possession an alien spacecraft, a flying saucer. These claims emanated from a number of alleged eyewitnesses at the crash site or at Roswell AAFB.

It made the papers, but as soon as the military got wind of it, they moved in to correct the news reports. The Military announced that the crash was officially the wreckage of a downed weather balloon that had been misidentified by officers at Roswell. But, according to the report, the cover story blew up in the government’s face, as reporters flocked to the site.

Roswell represents a controversy that extends far beyond the relatively narrow confines of the so called UFO community. Conspiracies began to evolve from this event, and citizens of Roswell have come forward and claimed that they were coerced into silence.

Many believe that Roswell was a massive Government cover-up. A number of books have been written about the incident, and it is considered by UFO buffs to be the biggest cover-up in US Today, the controversy involving the mysterious crash, the alleged recovery of alien beings and the presumption of a massive military cover-up rages on.

Some are inclined to think it was some exotic military experiment gone awry, while others feel we were truly visited by aliens. Others still claim there is zero credible evidence to support a crash of alien spacecraft anywhere, much less in Roswell, NM.

Theorists believe that Government is covering up the crash of an extraterrestrial spaceship. They say that the degree of engineering sophistication found at the Roswell crash site had never been seen in this country.

Why Cover Up? In short, maintaining national security, or at least the appearance of it would be motive enough to hiding the events of Roswell. Others feel the religious, economic, and social structures were reason enough to hide the truth. Still others feel that the motives of the government were less pure and that they had been testing some top secret military equipment and did not want other countries to learn of the weapons and jets existence.

The interest of the public was aroused and the Roswell incident has been at the forefront of Ufology ever since. Opponents say that the arguments being made against Roswell simply to not stand up under close scrutiny. Others think that the myth that now surrounds the Roswell event bares little resemblance to the actual facts. The fact is that more than sixty years later the truth is unknown.

Francesca Black a long time science fiction buff, manages content for UFO Gifts www.ufo-gifts.com and Science Fiction Corner www.science-fiction-corner.com