Timeline 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Destination: Southwest Acupuncture College, Santa Fe, NM Objective: NCAOM Clean Needle Techniques Exam (First national level exam in the program, and required to treat in clinic, sit for national boards, sit for state boards. A MUST pass, IOW.) Climate: Stressful, with more than a little self doubt and what the hell thrown in for good measure Outcome: Pass . Timeline: 2:45 p.m. Saturday Destination: Home Objective: Nap Climate: Exhausted but exhultant Outcome: 2.5 hour snooze that made me feel almost human again.