I'm going to be one of those medical textbook photo people.

A while ago I pondered the origins and situations of the people in medical textbook photos. Now I know where some are harvested: the classes that utilize the textbooks.

The company that makes my EMT text are coming out with a new edition, and they badly need a photo update. All of the models in the current text scream early nineties like only scrunchies, stripes and sneakers can. So, in a couple of months they'll pay students from my class to model for various photos.

Obviously I want to do this. Something about the whole idea makes me giggle on the inside: imagining the hundreds of thousands of students who will look at how strange and bland I look. Eventually I'll look really dated.... to the point that most people couldn't imagine actually encountering me unless they happened to take a time machine back to their childhood.

I'm praying I get an especially bloody, embarrassing or awkward assignment. I'm not willing to take it as far as Mr.Closeup-Video-of-Rectal-Thermometer-Insertion (true story), but I'd love to be Miss Remove-The-Pencil-From-My-Cheek or Miss Bleeding-From-My-Scalp-With-Ridiculous-Head-Bandages.

EMT class

Tomorrow morning I start my EMT-B class. I'm a bit anxious - not because of the material (learned all of it in my SAR team's E-care class - except airways) but because of the whole circus sideshow type thing and clinicals. I'm only 17, and I stick out like a sore thumb in college courses.

Last semester I took anatomy and phys at night and I was one of two childless people in the class. At least 5 of my peers had children my age or older. So not only are there awkward stares and "How OLD are you?!" comments the first couple of days of class, but I usually end up somewhat alienated. I simply can't contribute to those bonding conversations about taxes, raising teenagers, lazy husbands, and shitty 9 to 5 jobs.

I'm also anxious about the clinicals and ambulance ride-a-longs, which start in March. The age thing plays a factor in that too, of course. Will the nurses and paramedics be more reluctant to let me play? Will the patients freak out?

It's hard to gain respect as a healthcare provider when you haven't even graduated high school.