I can't help you out with the chinese calendar, but I can tell you about what a pap smear is.
The procedure is this:
The physician inserts a speculum into your vagina, so that he can see your cervix. He uses a lubricant so that it will slide in more easily and sometimes the speculum is warmed for your comfort. The speculum is actually rather scary looking because it is rather large and it doesn't look like it's going to be a comfortable procedure for you, but the best thing for you to do is relax as best you can and this will lessen the discomfort.
The speculum separates the walls of the vagina leaving an opening in the center of the speculum so that the doctor can insert a cotton swab down the center, and take a sample of the tissue of your cervix without touching any other tissue.
It really only takes a few minutes in all.
He then sends the swabs off to the lab.