My home state, Kansas, celebrated a 145th birthday yesterday, January 28. I realize the first thing people don’t necessarily think of when describing Kansas is “beautiful” or “breathtaking”. Words like “flat” and “boring” are much more often used, even by those who claim this state as home. But not by me.
I unabashedly, unashamedly, and unequivocally love Kansas. Kansas and the people who live here are home to me. Even as a child, I loved seeing the golden wheat fields waving in the wind, complimented by a blue sky so beautiful Crayola can’t make a color for it. I love the flatness of the land and how you can see for miles. Until you get to the rolling Flint Hills - there’s a place just west of Salina along I-70 that is breathtaking. The sunrises, the sunsets, the patchwork farmland, the smell of alfalfa, the fields of sunflowers, the clear night skies-Kansas is a treasure to me. One of these days I’d like to own a patch of Kansas soil-I’d be happy with an acre or so. Give me a little John Deere tractor and some bib overalls, and I’d be living in heaven on earth!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Wednesday, Wednesday
Wednesday, Wednesday, so good to meeee…..Wednesday, Wednesday, it was all I hoped it would beeeee….
So, yeah. Mid week. Things are picking up. I am working at 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, an alternative school, and a high school. I have 4 people I work for directly, and 2 people I answer to sort of indirectly. I feel extremely disorganized because I’ve met so many people I can’t remember who works at what school…I’m doing good to be at the correct school on the correct day, let alone remember who goes where. I am now called “Mrs. ****” on a regular basis, by both kids and staff, which is sort of odd for me. It makes me feel old because it reminds me that I called my mother-in-law “Mrs. ****” many years ago when she was still living (I never got around to the informal first name basis with her, or the even more casual, “Mom”).
I have some scheduled assessment appointments to help with both initial and re-evaluations, and it looks like I’ll be working in the after school program as well – I may have an opportunity to provide some counseling there to a couple of children who, it was explained to me today, have “issues”.
The schedule isn’t any easier, but I surely do enjoy the drive. It’s an opportunity for me to plan my day on the way there, and to unwind on the way back. What I learned today: Even a school psych who is an “old hand” at her/his job makes mistakes. And after becoming an “old hand”, I will too.
Time to head to church. Changing hats completely, I’m heading up a committee meeting to plan our spring women’s retreat. Then choir practice. Then home. Tomorrow it’s up at dark-thirty to do it again.
So, yeah. Mid week. Things are picking up. I am working at 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, an alternative school, and a high school. I have 4 people I work for directly, and 2 people I answer to sort of indirectly. I feel extremely disorganized because I’ve met so many people I can’t remember who works at what school…I’m doing good to be at the correct school on the correct day, let alone remember who goes where. I am now called “Mrs. ****” on a regular basis, by both kids and staff, which is sort of odd for me. It makes me feel old because it reminds me that I called my mother-in-law “Mrs. ****” many years ago when she was still living (I never got around to the informal first name basis with her, or the even more casual, “Mom”).
I have some scheduled assessment appointments to help with both initial and re-evaluations, and it looks like I’ll be working in the after school program as well – I may have an opportunity to provide some counseling there to a couple of children who, it was explained to me today, have “issues”.
The schedule isn’t any easier, but I surely do enjoy the drive. It’s an opportunity for me to plan my day on the way there, and to unwind on the way back. What I learned today: Even a school psych who is an “old hand” at her/his job makes mistakes. And after becoming an “old hand”, I will too.
Time to head to church. Changing hats completely, I’m heading up a committee meeting to plan our spring women’s retreat. Then choir practice. Then home. Tomorrow it’s up at dark-thirty to do it again.
Monday, January 23, 2006
"Monday, Monday, so good to meeee.....Monday mornin', it was all I hoped it would beeee...."
If you know that song, you're at least within 10 years of my age. THAT should make you feel better!
Anyhow, yeah. It's Monday. Finished my day still sort of in the "I'm the new person at work" mode. I hate that mode. It's hard to feel part of a group when you can't remember everyone's name because you met like a million and three people already, and you don't want to ask AGAIN for the upteenth time. And, like every other work place, there's the cliques. I was at a lunch Friday where I was sitting between about 4 conversations and didn't participate in any of them, still feeling like an outsider. Those of you who know me well probably don't think I ever feel uncomfortable and out of place in a social/workplace setting, but that's a wrong assumption. I was glad to get back to WSU today because it feels like "home" (that's kinda sad!!)
I'm doing some testing this week, and some observations. It promises to be a little busier than last week. I'm working with two field supervisors who are about as opposite as two people can be and still do the same job. I think THAT will be the most interesting observation I make this entire practicum...how two competently trained professionals can have such a different approach, not only to work but to LIFE.
Greetings to all who read, and may you have a good week.
If you know that song, you're at least within 10 years of my age. THAT should make you feel better!
Anyhow, yeah. It's Monday. Finished my day still sort of in the "I'm the new person at work" mode. I hate that mode. It's hard to feel part of a group when you can't remember everyone's name because you met like a million and three people already, and you don't want to ask AGAIN for the upteenth time. And, like every other work place, there's the cliques. I was at a lunch Friday where I was sitting between about 4 conversations and didn't participate in any of them, still feeling like an outsider. Those of you who know me well probably don't think I ever feel uncomfortable and out of place in a social/workplace setting, but that's a wrong assumption. I was glad to get back to WSU today because it feels like "home" (that's kinda sad!!)
I'm doing some testing this week, and some observations. It promises to be a little busier than last week. I'm working with two field supervisors who are about as opposite as two people can be and still do the same job. I think THAT will be the most interesting observation I make this entire practicum...how two competently trained professionals can have such a different approach, not only to work but to LIFE.
Greetings to all who read, and may you have a good week.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Oh. Oh. Groan. I'm not young anymore! I've been on this working schedule for three days, and because I'm not getting to bed earlier, I'm really tired. Tonight's the night. I'm really going early. Really I am.
Did you know that if you line up the "B" key on your computer keyboard with your belly button, it will reduce wrist strain? That was one of the first things I learned this week, having received this information from my supervisor in an email. (!!!) But thankfully, I learned other things as well. I learned I can function with half my brain cells asleep, but I also learned you should remain alert while driving the turnpike. I learned that Kansas sunrises are spectacular. I discovered that I have a lot to learn before I can competently provide psychological services to children. And, I'm learning once again, as we all have to at various points in our lives, how to prioritize. Some lessons must be taught more than once.
Did you know that if you line up the "B" key on your computer keyboard with your belly button, it will reduce wrist strain? That was one of the first things I learned this week, having received this information from my supervisor in an email. (!!!) But thankfully, I learned other things as well. I learned I can function with half my brain cells asleep, but I also learned you should remain alert while driving the turnpike. I learned that Kansas sunrises are spectacular. I discovered that I have a lot to learn before I can competently provide psychological services to children. And, I'm learning once again, as we all have to at various points in our lives, how to prioritize. Some lessons must be taught more than once.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The First Day
Let’s see. I’ve had my bran cereal. My coffee is standing at attention, ready to perk me up. I’ve packed my lunch. Retrieved my cell phone from the charger. I’m ready. No, I’m not ready. I recall the words of the writer of the Proverbs, perhaps in answer to the question: “How do I achieve success?” He explained it this way: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
May these words encourage and strengthen you for whatever tasks lie before you, whether you’re starting a new job, or going to an “old” job in a rut that’s been worn deep in many years of daily routine. Perhaps you are struggling with decisions that must be made, critical, serious, decisions. My best advice for what it’s worth, (from this middle-aged person walking through new doors today), is to make them while NOT “leaning on your own understanding.” If you are able to do that, then what follows is certainly true: “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard your ways.” Proverbs 2:9-11 NIV
Have a great day!
May these words encourage and strengthen you for whatever tasks lie before you, whether you’re starting a new job, or going to an “old” job in a rut that’s been worn deep in many years of daily routine. Perhaps you are struggling with decisions that must be made, critical, serious, decisions. My best advice for what it’s worth, (from this middle-aged person walking through new doors today), is to make them while NOT “leaning on your own understanding.” If you are able to do that, then what follows is certainly true: “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard your ways.” Proverbs 2:9-11 NIV
Have a great day!
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The Flu
The last few days have crawled by in a haze of Kleenex, coughing, body aches, and fatigue. When you’ve got the flu, time is warped. It either goes by slowly, when you aren’t able to rest, or it fast forwards by when you DO rest, and sleep during the day. You wake up and squint at the clock…is it really already 4:00pm? It feels like it should be the next morning. Or the day before. Or something.
I’m SO looking forward to feeling normal again. Today I kept a 9:00am appointment, but by the time I got home around noon, I was exhausted. What did our ancestors do when they had the flu? I’m sure there were times my grandmother and great-grandmother did not feel well, but yet, they kept on going. There were no sick days, no vacation days, no leave time, no “calling in sick”, no doctor’s offices to call, no Nyquil, no Advil. They continued to fix meals and wash clothes. They cared for children, tended gardens, milked cows, cleaned chicken houses and barns, and just kept going. I am inspired by these hardworking women. As I sneeze and reach for another Kleenex, (a Puffs PLUS, no less), I wonder if I could have made it. Am I made of the same stuff as these prairie women? I don’t think so…
I’m SO looking forward to feeling normal again. Today I kept a 9:00am appointment, but by the time I got home around noon, I was exhausted. What did our ancestors do when they had the flu? I’m sure there were times my grandmother and great-grandmother did not feel well, but yet, they kept on going. There were no sick days, no vacation days, no leave time, no “calling in sick”, no doctor’s offices to call, no Nyquil, no Advil. They continued to fix meals and wash clothes. They cared for children, tended gardens, milked cows, cleaned chicken houses and barns, and just kept going. I am inspired by these hardworking women. As I sneeze and reach for another Kleenex, (a Puffs PLUS, no less), I wonder if I could have made it. Am I made of the same stuff as these prairie women? I don’t think so…
Monday, January 09, 2006
Encouragement-the breath of life
I still hate my pancreas. It’s just SO undependable, lazy, and uncooperative. Well, maybe I can be that way too, sometimes…(my pancreas and I are one…)…I begged my doctor to give me three months before making changes in medication, and before going on insulin. He agreed. SO, if I’m very very very good, maybe I can stave off facing the needle. However, I do know some people who are doing quite well on insulin, so maybe most of it is in the attitude. They feel good and look good…they just have to think about poking themselves 4 times a day.
My nephew was married Saturday, yes, the very nephew who not very long ago was playing with transformers and collecting insects, rocks, string, and other boy toys. I wish Scott and Laura well and welcome to our family, Laura! You’ll be a tremendous asset in Scott’s life, just don’t make him give up the transformers yet.
I received a call from the school district I’m working in, and a very warm voice extended a welcome to me, and a timely word of encouragement to not be nervous because “we are all crazy as loons.” THIS makes me feel better! Seriously, it does. I so much appreciated the thoughtfulness of this person to call and assure me that things will work out fine and that they are looking forward to me working and learning in their district. Breathe in, breathe out. I feel better.
My nephew was married Saturday, yes, the very nephew who not very long ago was playing with transformers and collecting insects, rocks, string, and other boy toys. I wish Scott and Laura well and welcome to our family, Laura! You’ll be a tremendous asset in Scott’s life, just don’t make him give up the transformers yet.
I received a call from the school district I’m working in, and a very warm voice extended a welcome to me, and a timely word of encouragement to not be nervous because “we are all crazy as loons.” THIS makes me feel better! Seriously, it does. I so much appreciated the thoughtfulness of this person to call and assure me that things will work out fine and that they are looking forward to me working and learning in their district. Breathe in, breathe out. I feel better.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
I hate my pancreas
Doc visit this afternoon. Unplanned for until the office called. “Could you come in? There’s a problem with your lab work…” Just what a Type 2 diabetic wants to hear. Come on pancreas! Get that insulin pumping. Could THIS be why I’ve been feeling so tired, sluggish, and depressed? Ya think??? I hope to be in better shape in 30 days without going on insulin. I’ve cheated far too much the LAST 30 days - that’s enough of that.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Practice is a Good Thing
Today I started my “orientation” schedule. If you have children, you may have found it helpful a few days before vacation was over to start trying to get them back on a bedtime/getting up in the morning school schedule, the idea being, it won’t be such a big ordeal the first day back. Same thing works with us grown-ups. I need to be on the job at 8:00 am in a city several miles from here. So today, I was up early, had breakfast, and left for “work” by the time I thought I should in order to make it on time. I’m sure glad for practice, as had I done this my first day, I would have been at least 15 minutes late by the time I found the school I was to work at. I actually will be at 4 different schools, so I located them all with the aid of MapQuest, then returned home via a different route, which shaved 7 minutes off my time.
Don’t you hate the first few days of a new job, and particularly the very first day? You are someone with no orientation, direction, or “home”, and dependent on the kindness of others to tell you everything, even where the bathrooms are and where you put your lunch until whenever someone tells you it’s time to eat it. Then the first week of a new job, depending on what you’re doing, you either dive right in headfirst in unfamiliar water and hope you survive, or you must “shadow” someone and observe. Or a combination of both. Shadowing is interesting if you have as a mentor someone who enjoys working with newbies, and who doesn’t mind answering questions. But if, as I did in a previous job, you have someone who already doesn’t like the job, and now resents this new, fresh-scrubbed face in their office watching what they do, it can be difficult for both the newbie and the seasoned veteran.
I had an email from a friend who stated that her computer was having problems displaying this blog. She said she basically had a white blank screen, and was only able to view the blog toolbar, and the rocks at the bottom of the page. Let me know if you are having problems viewing it. I don’t know what I’ll do about it, but I may be able to contact someone at blogspot if this continues to be a problem for everyone.
So what are you currently reading? I just finished “Nickel and Dimed-On (Not) Getting By in America” by Barbara Ehrenreich. Extremely interesting. Currently reading: “Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified” by Robert O. Friedel, MD.
Don’t you hate the first few days of a new job, and particularly the very first day? You are someone with no orientation, direction, or “home”, and dependent on the kindness of others to tell you everything, even where the bathrooms are and where you put your lunch until whenever someone tells you it’s time to eat it. Then the first week of a new job, depending on what you’re doing, you either dive right in headfirst in unfamiliar water and hope you survive, or you must “shadow” someone and observe. Or a combination of both. Shadowing is interesting if you have as a mentor someone who enjoys working with newbies, and who doesn’t mind answering questions. But if, as I did in a previous job, you have someone who already doesn’t like the job, and now resents this new, fresh-scrubbed face in their office watching what they do, it can be difficult for both the newbie and the seasoned veteran.
I had an email from a friend who stated that her computer was having problems displaying this blog. She said she basically had a white blank screen, and was only able to view the blog toolbar, and the rocks at the bottom of the page. Let me know if you are having problems viewing it. I don’t know what I’ll do about it, but I may be able to contact someone at blogspot if this continues to be a problem for everyone.
So what are you currently reading? I just finished “Nickel and Dimed-On (Not) Getting By in America” by Barbara Ehrenreich. Extremely interesting. Currently reading: “Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified” by Robert O. Friedel, MD.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Could you read your Mom's blog?
Here’s the first experiment of the day…my brother, who has his own blogspot, told me about this cool toolbar you can download which attaches to your Microsoft Word program-you can then write your posts on Word and when you click, the post will migrate to your blog. We’ll try that today and see how it goes. My brother, the aspiring writer, amazed me when he joined the blogging world. Now I’m amazed at my own willingness to write for all the world to see, but I temper that with the knowledge that very few people will ever read it, and even fewer will find it interesting. My son attempted to explain to me the other day that he will never read my blog – “It would be weird to read your MOM’s blog”, he stated. “Sorry mom. I just can’t do it!” Well fine. I don’t know that I could have read MY mom’s blog either.
Today was going to be my first day after vacation to try to get back in a schedule of sorts so that when Tuesday the 17th rolls around, I’ll be accustomed to getting up at dark-thirty and going to bed earlier. I didn’t quite make it today…
Today was going to be my first day after vacation to try to get back in a schedule of sorts so that when Tuesday the 17th rolls around, I’ll be accustomed to getting up at dark-thirty and going to bed earlier. I didn’t quite make it today…
Monday, January 02, 2006
Everybody's blogging! I don't understand this phenomenon. Like anyone would be interested to read about the excrutiating minutia of my day! Well, I'm starting this to see if it will work as an online journal for me to share my experiences with you as I begin my school psychology practicum in a small town outside of the major metropolitan area I live in. I hope to write clearly and succinctly of my struggles to apply what I've learned in the classroom the last 5 1/2 years to real life situations. Already in advance, I'm grateful for this experience, even though it won't officially begin until January 17, 2005. I'll keep you posted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)