It's been a while...

So I started re-thinking the whole blog thing. I mean who really cares about my career through graduate school? Then I decided I want to do this for ME! So here I go...again.

I am just about be half-way done with grad school. YAY! I think. I have been reading the most amazing books, going to lectures (yes because I want to, not because I have to), and meeting some of the most facinating people.

I think this semester has again opened my eyes to the possibilies out there. Everytime I get close to being burned out, I start reading a book that renews my interest in something, reminds me why I am running myself ragged all of the time. That book happened to be The Soul of Money, by Lynn Twist. This book has changed the way I think about money.

Now I am not so doe-eyed that I think everything will be different. But small steps. Small changes. Give a little here. Get a little there. The basic premise of the book was money is connected to everything all the time. The rich suffer from money troubles just as the poor do. It is all in how you think about that little green piece of paper wadded up in your purse.

We give money this power over us that we would never let a human being have. So why give it to an inanimate object?

In Africa!

I made it!

After a 15 hour flight to Dubai, I arrived there in one piece. The plane was amazing!! I never even got my iPod out, as the in-flight entertainment was great. I watched a movie, ate 2 meals (and good ones!) and slept for 6 hours. It was nice getting to know the other students on this trip while on the flight.

When we arrived in Dubai, there was not a single moment to spare. We checked into the hotel and promptly booked a 3 hour bus tour through the city. The first stop on the tour was at the Mall of Emirates. This mall makes the Galleria look like Harwin!!! There is an indoor ski slope with a lift and all! I was amazed. We sat in a coffee shop and watched the skiers and kids playing in the snow. After that we went to the 7 star hotel. We did not get to go inside as you have to pay to even set foot in the lobby. The rest of the tour included going to the Arabian Sea, the man made island in the shape of a palm tree, and the back to the hotel to gather up our luggage for the next plane ride (it was 2am) to Johannesburg.


This flight was just a awesome as the last, but not quite as long. After dinner (?) at 5am and then breakfast at 9am, we landed safely in South Africa. The hotel was beautiful. Although under construction, we had a lovely room with a great bathtub. My roommate and I unpacked a bit, had some dinner, and then could barely keep our eyes open, finally crashing at 6:30pm. WHAT BUMS! Luckily all of that sleep held off the jetlag.

The following day, we had a guided tour through Johannesburg, Pretoria (the administrative capital of South Africa), and then we headed to the Aparthid Museum. It was so devistating to see the racism that littered this country only 14 years ago! I was appauled at the treatment of the blacks, colored, and Asians during my lifetime. Pictures of some of the museum to be posted later. This museum serves as a reminder of why I have choosen this line of work.

Getting Ready for Africa!

When I started graduate school I made a promise to myself. I wanted to have the best experiences possible regardless of money. So last January when the opportunity to go to South Africa presented itself I jumped on board. That was 6 months ago. I can’t believe I am leaving tomorrow!

This is going to be the most amazing experience! I will be attending the International Association of Schools of Social Work conference. Here I will get to attend workshops addressing issues that plague most countries. I will also be doing some site visits. This is very exciting for me. I cannot wait to see how another country addresses social issues. Nonprofit work has always been of interest to me and this is a dream come true to see it in another country. I will also be visiting Cape Town for a few days. Here I will get to be a tourist – shopping in the small markets, visiting the beaches, and other things. Then we are going to a 3 day safari. How cool! The cabin we are staying in over looks a hippo pond. Finally we will be heading back to Johannesburg to do some more site visits and then back to the states.

The flight over will take 14 hours to get to Dubai and then another 6 hours to Johannesburg. We have several flights in South Africa to tour the country and a 2.5 hour bus ride to the game reserve. I have lots of time to fill and hope to do some self exploration during this time. I am bringing several books and movies, but I want to use most of that time to think about what I want with my life.

This is a once in a life time opportunity. I want to thank everyone who has made this trip possible. I have a feeling my life is about to change!

WOW! I've been in school for a year!

This year has been a real roller coaster! I started school last August knowing it was going to change my life. I had no idea how much my life would change! Being back in school was an adjustment to say the least. I forgot how much time is consumed studying--and feeling guilty for NOT studying! I adjusted though.

I started my first field placement (aka internship) at Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas. I worked for almost a year in the public affairs office. It was a great experience. I got to branch out a bit, learn some new communication skills, and of course interpersonal skills. My supervisor was demanding and I needed that. She allowed me the freedom to set my own schedule and find projects that interested me. I became a deputized voter registrar for Harris County and participated in numerous voter registration events. Yes, that is social work! One of the best experiences I had was participating in a 'boot camp' with the TeenReach group. They are a group of Houston area teens who are interested in educating their peers on sexuality issues--and they want the facts. These teens are amazing! They are so passionate. I only wish there had been something like that available to me when I was a teen. So I got to help educate the teens on how to do door to door canvassing on certain issues (the REAL Sex Eduation Act) and how to empower them to make changes.

I just finised this internship and am grateful it is over. The overall experience was amazing, but having enough time to devote to working full-time, going to classes, being an intern, and having a life was overwhelming.

So school has taken over. Last spring one of the most important men in my life passed away. Although it was devistating for me, I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with him. My grandfather was the island in the flowing sea of my life. He was always there for me always grounded me. In the weeks before his death, I took a trip to see him. It was the best and worst trip of my life. I spend 10 days with him, learning about him. All the while my social work background grinding and churning. Because of this field of study, I was able to give him what he needed most--someone to be there with him. Listening. Talking. Remembering. I am a compassionate person by nature, but this social work thing has taught me how to be empathetic with a person regardless if you have been there before. So Grandpa--thanks for everything! I love you and you will always be missed.

I am looking at life with new lenses. The social work glasses have been permentantly affixed to me. I hope that this is an asset in life regardless of the circumstances. My friends do look at me a bit differently. Some of them think I am going off the deep end..that hippy social worker. Maybe I am...maybe that's not a bad thing.