I'm in my third week of actually sticking people.  I have 68 more sticks to go before I have my required 100.  God that seems like forever!!! 

Everyone's right by the way... my hands did finally stop shaking after was up to 15 or 20!  Now if I can just keep that nasty little voice in my head quiet.  Taking that needle and actually sticking someone is very intemidating.  I now one day I will OWN that needle, but unfortunately it still owns me.  :|

I've come to the decision that the problem I'm having is that I'm not perfect at it yet.  I'm perfect at everything I do--YES, 100% perfect.   Every job I've ever had I was the epitomy of perfection at it.  Of course, my first month or so at each of those jobs was agonizing--similar to how I feel now. :)  So I have to keep reminding myself that though I am far from perfect right now, I will be so much closer to perfection as the years pass. 

Patients are fairly nice.  It's amazing what you can find out about someone in just four short minutes in my chair.  Strangers will tell you all kinds of things when they have time to sit and talk about anything that takes their mind off of the tiny little needle being shoved into their skin.  Of course, some people are just dicks and there's nothing you can do to change that.  Luckily when someone is a dick too me, I have the satisfaction of knowing that they are sitting in the chair of a phlebotomist in training--training on their arm!  haha! 

All in all I like it.  I'm looking forward to finishing this akward externship and getting a real money-paying job.  I think about a month into the real job I'll start gaining confidence and will notice myself not even thinking about what I'm doing, but just doing it--and doing it right!  I am considering taking an online Medical Assistant class.  This way I will have at least a little more knowledge about healthcare and could expand my job prospects greatly.