It is exactly one week to grraduation! I cannot believe it! I am truly nervous. I think that there is a part of me that will be in denial until I am walking forward to receive my diploma! It's kind of one of those moments: "Hello world!"

I have had a good weekend. My parents came up Saturday to help me move most of my stuff out. It was a bit overwhelming to think that after all of my stuff is moved out, I will not be coming back.

I spent last night hanging out with two of my friends. It was nice. We had a fun evening. We did our "usual": Chipotle (or some kind of dinner), Wal-Mart, and Applebee's for dessert. There is something so wonderful about just being able to spend time with my friends. It is a time when you can just relax and think about having fun.

I continue to think about the future and find myself mixed up in a huge "bowl" of emotions. I am scrambling to plant my feet somewhere, but there is something so exciting about that sense of the unknown.

It has been quite some time since I have posted anything! I have been staying so busy, and it has been a race to keep up. Who can believe that graduation is next week?!

I had two interviews this past week. It has been a very exciting time, even if I do not get either job. I am trying to look at it as an opportunity to grow.

I have finished up my last major project for school. It is exciting. I just havve one more short presentation next week. I was at the academic forum yesterday. I was very surprised and humbled to receive the Distinguished Scholar in Social Work Award. There was a dinner afterwards with the other recipients of the Distinguished Scholar Award and the faculty and staff.

There is the End of the Year Banquet for Social Work tonight. It is hard to believe the end of the year is fast approaching!

Graduation is drawing close! I have been getting lots of information about graduation weekend in my mail. It has me really excited, and I am anticipating it. I went home this weekend, and it was very relaxing. I had a chance to catch up on some sleep, which is always a plus.

My interview was this past Thursday. Let me tell you: I was nervous! It really was just a high-stress situation. I kept telling myself to be calm, but it's easier said than done! There were four people there, not including me. I had a lot of questions to answer. I am trying to keep a very positive attitude. Even if nothing comes from this, the interview alone was a great experience.

I finished up a project that is due this coming Tuesday. It was nice to get it out of the way. Even though it is my senior year, it is no less important that I get my stuff done. I finished it up, and my field supervisor will assess it tomorrow.

Thank goodness for this warm weather! Let's hope it's here to stay!

I'm back at my regular field placement now. Last week, I was at Children Services, and it was a great experience. I had a chance to go to several homes on investigations and home visits.

I have an interview this week! I don't know where it will lead, but I am excited. It really brings to light the fact that graduation is around the corner! It's a bit scary, but I am excited.

I will be going home this weekend, so I am trying to get things done this week. My 25 page paper is out of the way! I am so happy. Everyone in my class was.

Busy, busy week. I will keep you updated.

This has been a crazy week!!! There has been a lot of drama going on in my own life and in my friends' lives. It makes it stressful to handle when I am worried about all of the things that are happening around me. It helps to talk stuff out, but it also brings things to the surface. I need to make sure that I am taking care of myself because I have my 25 page paper due next week. I need to continue to focus on that!

I went home this weekend, and it was a great visit. My dad's birthday is today. We went to a BBQ place on Saturday. It was really good. I have also been sending out a lot of resumes. I am hoping to stumble upon something. I am hoping to stay around my home and work there. I will also be taking courses to work towards my MSW (master's in social work).

This week, I will be at Children Services in Lima. My current field placement is on spring break. I wanted to have a chance to be exposed to a different field. It felt like a long day in the fact that my neck is sore! However, the day went by pretty fast. I got to shadow intake screeners and investigators. It was a good first day there.

Field was less busy this week. It was OGT week. Many of the students were taking the test, and my supervisor was the proctor. It was a lot of independent time this week. I did get to attend two team meetings this week though. Team meetings are great because they allow all of the individuals/agencies involved with the student to get together. There is time for everyone to make sure that their goals match. The families are also able to ask any questions. They are able to hear what is going on, as well.

Other than field, it has been an ok week. Unfortunately, my car got hit on Thursday. A truck went out of park and backed into mine. My parents brought me a different car, but its brakes went bad the next day! My dad had to bring the other vehicle back out. Luckily it was just damaged on the front passenger side (by the headlight).

On Thursday, my boyfriend, another couple, and myself all went to Chipotle. It was a lot of fun. We got to just hang out and relax. Earlier that night, there was a meeting for all of the seniors. We met to discuss graduation weekend and what the procedure would be. It really hit me that graduation is so close. I actually won a $25 gift card that night too!

On Friday, I went to the Whippy Dip in town. It was its first night open. I hung out with a friend. She and her boyfriend went with me to the Whippy Dip. I didn't get anything, but it was fun to just hang out. Later that night, a big group of girls and I went back to the Whippy Dip. I got a baby cone. It was probably 3 inches high with ice cream!

Today a group of us went to IHOP in Findlay. It was really good. I haven't been to IHOP much ever. It was a really nice time-just a lot of talking and fun. Afterwards, we went to Wal-Mart. Once I was back on campus, I took a long nap. I don't know why I was tired. I did get a lot of sleep last night, but I must have needed it! I managed to get some homework done, which is a bit of a relief. I went on a walk with my roommate. I came back, made Mac n' Cheese, talked with friends, and watched Friends. What a fun night!

Tomorrow I am hoping to spend spend some time with my boyfriend before he goes to work. I have an event with the art club. We are going to have cupcakes and people can have new facebook profile pictures taken.

Spring Break Update

It's back to school. I just got back to Bluffton. It was a good break. Much needed. I went to the Outer Banks in North Carolina with my family-grandparents, parents, and boyfriend. It was a really great trip. The weather wasn't as warm as we had hoped, but it was still a wonderful trip. We left last Saturday and got home around 9:30 last night. It was a long drive both ways (about 15 hours all together, including stops).

We made a point to see the sand dunes. They were incredible! It is hard to imagine that a sand dune could be so cool. These weren't just sand dunes though! They were huge and you could see the ocean and town so clearly! It was a real struggle to climb one particular dune. It was like an 70-80 degree climb.

We also ventured out to see some of the local lighthouses. I made a point to go for a walk on the beach when the weather was nice. My whole family managed to find some beautiful shells. I also got to eat at a few restaurants in the area.

All in all, it was a great trip!

I am ready for spring break! Today has been a crazy day!

I had class this morning. I also went to forum today. Sister Helen Prajean spoke. She is a nun from Louisiana who has spoken out against the death penalty. She tells a compelling tale and weaves her life stories into effortless tales. Her encounter with an inmate (the first death row inmate she met)was made into the movie Dead Man Walking, which is a great movie. Her life and advocacy for equal justice and treatment of all really makes one think.

I had to go to Findlay today. Oh was it crazy! I was gone for three and a half hours. Two and a half of those hours were spent getting to and from Findlay. The roads are flooded and there was an accident!

When I got back, I attended a dinner with Sister Helen. A few other students and staff were present. It was a nice way to finish out the evening... At least until I exercise!

This has been a great weekend! I got to have two great girls' nights out. We went to Bellacino's in Findlay and then Wal-Mart on Friday night. Then, on Friday, we went to Lima. We ate at Panera, hit the mall, and rounded our night off with dessert at Applebee's! Yum yum!It's amazing just how rejuvenating it is to spend time with your friends. It gives you some time to separate yourself from school. You also get to just be goofy and talk about all of your stressful, everyday things! Nights out with friends are a must!

I was able to get a large project done today. That was a relief. It really takes some of the weight off of my shoulders. I do have another project due the same day, but I have it started and at a pretty good place.

I went to watch the movie Dead Man Walking tonight. The Social Work Department hosted it. The movie was very emotional-I cried a lot. It also really got me thinking. The movie is about a real life story. It is about Sister Helen Prajean. She actually interacted with a man who was on Death Row. The story veers a bit from the real events, but it stays fairly true. Sister Helen will actually be on campus this week. I am going to get to have dinner with her on Tuesday. That should be quite interesting!

This week has been a short one! There seems to be an endless amount of time off from field. It is a double-edged sword. Both good and bad. Good-no field. Bad-not enough hours. I do like field; however, it's nice to have a break from field. I feel like I'm back in grade school-waiting for that alert that's there's no school. I had Monday off for President's Day. I had driven back part way on Monday and got stuck in Upper Sandusky. I finished my trip back Tuesday. I had both of my classes and then a meeting with the Social Work Club. We planned out our Civic Engagement Day plans.

On Thursday, there was a 2 hour delay. It really felt like my week was thrown off. I have had a hard time keeping track of my days. It felt like Wednesday was Monday and Friday rolled into one. I am off today because school was closed and now it feels like Saturday!

I am hoping that the weather will be clear tonight. I am making plans to have a girls' night with my friends. It should be lots of fun.

Ice and Snow

I have been keeping very busy with school and my field placement. I have had a chance to experience numerous things, including calling an ambulance and attending meetings to assess a child. My field has given me great insight into social work and the education system.

This past weekend was a four day weekend. Emerson was closed Friday and Monday, so I also had those days off. I decided to go home. I had a chance to relax a bit. However, we were hit with terrible snow and ice on Monday. In my attempts to get back to Bluffton, I became entangled in the snowstorm. I ended up at a gas station with a broken windshield wiper. Luckily, my dad was able to come help me, but I ended up staying in Upper Sandusky last night. The roads were just too bad to drive on.

This morning, the roads were cleared off some, but they were still slick. I slid a couple of times in my effort to get back to campus. Much to my disappointment, class was cancelled. After I had made an effort to get back to campus!!!

On a positive note, I heard back from one of the places I applied to. While the position was filled, my resume was forwarded onto other employers in the company. That is a definite positive!

What a Week

This week has been such a busy one! I have been experiencing a lot of new things at my field placement. I have got to sit in on numerous meetings between students, their families, and the other agencies involved.I have also had a few situations that have arisen at my field. I cannot disclose too much because of confidentiality, but I can say that I am learning a lot.

It is amazing because field allows for you to get immersed into a real life experience at an agency. It becomes about implementation, not book work. It is important to me that I really get involved and see what is going on at my placement and with the clients. I am also learning about how social work ethics actually need to be implemented in field.

On Wednesday, my boyfriend was awarded his black belt. He has been doing martial arts for years, and I was so excited to be there for this next step.

ast night, I was so excited to have a girls' night. We ordered pizza and just got to talk. We talked about everything: field, relationships, jobs, etc. It is good to just be with your friends. We all need that.

It's a "Snow Go"

The weather here in Bluffton has been ridiculous-lots of snow, ice, and rain that turns to ice. The school I am at for my internship has been cancelled since Tuesday, and it is cancelled tomorrow too. They have been predicting "Thundersnows" and a "Snowapocalypse". It has been nice to have some time off, but I have also missed field. I enjoy being able to go in and experience social work in that setting. I am always learning things through observation, interactions with students or my supervisors, or certain events.

My classes have been pretty good. They are still keeping me busy, but they are also quite informative. I also like to hear about what others are doing in their field placements.

This week has been pretty eventful. My internship has presented a lot of new opportunitiee--mostly in observable situations that create chances to learn. I think it is so important to continually learn, no matter what the situation is. I can't share any details due to confidentiality, but I can say that some of the situations and events coming up will allow for some interesting times!

My classes here at Bluffton are keeping me busy. There is actually a lot to do. You go to field four days out of the week and class the other day. You are up and going all day and then come home to work. Keeps you busy!

I did go home on Tuesday after my 12:00 class for calling hours. My fiend experienced a loss and I wanted to be there. Though it was a long day due to the drive (and a bit tiring), I am glad I could be there for my friend.

My boyfriend had his wisdom teeth pulled this Wednesday. He has been off of work since then, healing. I have also been working hard on Graduate School applications. I hope to have them done this weekend.

I have been continuing to exercise. I feel really good afterwards, even though it is so hard to be motivated and go.

I have to go to the Lima Public Library today to work on a project. I will also be working on a lot of other homework today!

My Week

It has been an uneventful week. I have been relaxing tonight. I went exercising with my friend and then got dinner from Jeanne's Kitchen in town. The theme was Italian dinner. There was beef, zucchini, pasta, minestrone soup, bread, antipaste, and pie. It was quite tasty, and I am so full.

Field was not very eventful. I have plans to work on graduate school information and homework this weekend. That's about it, for now.

An extra long break

This past week has been quite a bit more relaxed than last week. Monday was MLK day, so there was no field. Wednesday, Emerson was cancelled. Since I had classes here at Bluffton Tuesday, it was like having a five day weekend (or at least a five day break from field). I managed to get some homework done as well. It was nice to have a break, even though we are just starting the semester off.

Field was pretty uneventful. I got to sit in on a meeting and two group sessions. These are always very informative. I have quite a few things to finish up. Sorry this post is so short-there hasn't been too much to comment on.

The snow is falling though. This might be a sign for some kind of delay tomorrow. We shall see!

First Week Back

This first week back of my last semester has been very busy but also quite exciting. I started my field work/internship at Emerson, Lima Senior High on Monday. I have already been involved in meetings and groups (these were meetings and groups with the students at Emerson). School social work is a very diverse and complex area of social work. You are not only working with the students. You are also working with the students' families, the staff at Emerson, and staff at the students' home schools.

On Tuesday, the students participating in field attend two classes--Social Work Capstone and Field Work Seminar. These classes are meant to get us thinking about our role as social workers as well as our own field experiences. I have to tell you, I o feel a bit overwhelmed. Even though I am only taking two classes, I also attend two classes one day a week. There are quite a few assignments that will keep me very busy. Also, I attend field every week on Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. When I get back from field, I also feel like I need a nap.

I have also started working out with a friend. We go every night for an hour. It is a really good idea for both of us. We want to get in shape. I have been going to the BFR (Bluffton Family Recreation Center). We walk or run on the track and use the workout equipment.

I am still working on applying for graduate school and jobs. It is going slowly, but it will get done.

I am planning on going to a movie tonight with friends. It should be a good time.