I would be lying right now if I said I was not completely overwhelmed.
It's only day three. I need to give myself a break and repeat my mantra: "This is temporary .... this is temporary ... this is temporary."
I hate to sound like a big whiner. And I want to whine. In appropriate ways with appropriate people. Will you be my appropriate people for a moment?
Monday: I spent the morning at my regular/paying job (magazine), then headed over to the IOP from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Then I came back to the magazine to finish out my hours.
Tuesday: First day of classes. Our first prof never showed up so we got up at the crack of dawn to sit in a classroom from 8-9 a.m. The class schedules were rearranged before the day was done at 5 p.m.-ish.
My newest mantra: "I don't mind what happens."
Today: Started the day at TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). In the early a.m. I was asked to watch the children for a moment while my field instructor had a very brief meeting with the social work aides. As I cradled one child in my arms, read a storybook to two 3-year-olds, all the while keeping my eye on a 4-month-old lying on a floor pad at my feet, I thought, "Who knew?"
So, as I settle back into my familiar magazine duties in the late afternoon, I am once again able to do some deep belly breathing.
This is temporary. I don't mind what happens.
--Ms. T. J.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
7 Days
In 7 days, President-Elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as President of the United States. What are your hopes for the new administration? What effects do you think our new president will have on social work, social workers, and social work clients? We would like to hear your comments. Also, if you are attending the inauguration, let us know about your experience.
NOTE: Your comments may appear in a future issue of The New Social Worker.
NOTE: Your comments may appear in a future issue of The New Social Worker.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The New Social Worker magazine Winter 2009 edition available
The Winter 2009 edition of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER is now available! In this issue, we introduce our new column, "An MSW Student's Life," written by T. J. If you have been reading this blog, you have already been introduced to T. J. Read her first official column in this issue, which you can download here free of charge in PDF format.
You can also read her article here.
In this issue, we bid farewell to Marshall Smith, who ends his 10-year tenure as our "Electronic Connection" columnist. Marshall has covered a wide variety of tech topics in the past 10 years, and I'd like to thank him for his many contributions to THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER.
Also, in this issue, we have the final installment of the "Creating YOUR Social Work Career" series by Amanda Vos and Lyndal Greenslade, of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Thank you, Amanda and Lyndal!
There's lots more in store for you in this issue, so please download it today!
Linda
Friday, January 9, 2009
Self Care
In three days it all begins. I'll be spending my days traveling back and forth from work to field practicum to school, and repeating.
I am grateful that I'll be getting out of my chair. I sit entirely too much as an editor. My hips are barking at me these days.
To thrive in the days to come, I am treating myself to regular holistic healing services like massage and, for the first time, a new treatment called "floating." I'd like to hear from you if you've ever experienced it.
It's described in a brochure as a pool that holds 10 inches of water with 800 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts, which supposedly enables a person to float effortlessly in a zero gravity environment.
These flotation spas were invented in 1954 by Dr. John Lilly. He discovered that "without visual, auditory or gravitational stimuli," many people are able to enter a heightened state of physical, mental and emotional awareness with deep relaxation.
It's supposed to be great for stress reduction, deep relaxation, and pain relief. Here is a link to a float center in South Carolina, just to provide more information for you: http://www.innervisionfloatcenter.com/
My appointment is Sunday morning, the day before I have to get back on track. Hopefully it will help me realize that I don't have to "board every train."
I will let you know if it floats my boat! (Sorry!)
--Ms. T. J.
I am grateful that I'll be getting out of my chair. I sit entirely too much as an editor. My hips are barking at me these days.
To thrive in the days to come, I am treating myself to regular holistic healing services like massage and, for the first time, a new treatment called "floating." I'd like to hear from you if you've ever experienced it.
It's described in a brochure as a pool that holds 10 inches of water with 800 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts, which supposedly enables a person to float effortlessly in a zero gravity environment.
These flotation spas were invented in 1954 by Dr. John Lilly. He discovered that "without visual, auditory or gravitational stimuli," many people are able to enter a heightened state of physical, mental and emotional awareness with deep relaxation.
It's supposed to be great for stress reduction, deep relaxation, and pain relief. Here is a link to a float center in South Carolina, just to provide more information for you: http://www.innervisionfloatcenter.com/
My appointment is Sunday morning, the day before I have to get back on track. Hopefully it will help me realize that I don't have to "board every train."
I will let you know if it floats my boat! (Sorry!)
--Ms. T. J.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Tale of My Drug Test
It makes sense that I should take a drug test before the agency lets me do my field practice at its out-patient and in-patient drug treatment facilities. I have no problem with it. Honestly.
My bladder, on the other hand, decided to become introverted when I went in to do the deal. For hours.
I arrived for my drug test at 2:30 p.m. Once I realized I was experiencing "shyness," I used every visualization and deep breathing technique I know of and, I have to admit, I prayed, too.
For the record, I never knew that I could drink so much water that it would make me feel sick. My jeans were tightening around my belly, too, which didn't help with the general feeling of unrest.
I walked and jogged around the building. I tried not to shame myself. I called my husband who could not believe it since the opposite of not being able to "go" is generally my issue. One of my girlfriends called while I was out walking and, after she had a good chuckle at my expense, she shared an experience of an unexpected drug test when she had similar difficulties. It made me feel a little better.
The technician, though kind, was not a big talker. She has a very important job; administering and policing drug testing for clients is serious business.
The bathroom itself is kind of intimidating. There are floor-to-mid-wall mirrors all around so I got a good look at myself -- several times. Then there's that little door above my head which opened to the technician's room.
She tried to help. She even closed the little door. Told me to run some water. Left the area.
At 3:45, I had to leave for a 4 p.m. appointment. I told the technician that I would return after 5 p.m. Lucky for me, the center was open until 7 p.m.
Once at my appointment, I explained my dilemma and we agreed that I would leave as soon as I had to "go." At five to five, I bolted, drove across town (again), and scurried into the center.
"Hosanna," I said when I had finally produced the "donation," as it is called.
Never a dull moment, this life of mine.
--Ms. T. J.
My bladder, on the other hand, decided to become introverted when I went in to do the deal. For hours.
I arrived for my drug test at 2:30 p.m. Once I realized I was experiencing "shyness," I used every visualization and deep breathing technique I know of and, I have to admit, I prayed, too.
For the record, I never knew that I could drink so much water that it would make me feel sick. My jeans were tightening around my belly, too, which didn't help with the general feeling of unrest.
I walked and jogged around the building. I tried not to shame myself. I called my husband who could not believe it since the opposite of not being able to "go" is generally my issue. One of my girlfriends called while I was out walking and, after she had a good chuckle at my expense, she shared an experience of an unexpected drug test when she had similar difficulties. It made me feel a little better.
The technician, though kind, was not a big talker. She has a very important job; administering and policing drug testing for clients is serious business.
The bathroom itself is kind of intimidating. There are floor-to-mid-wall mirrors all around so I got a good look at myself -- several times. Then there's that little door above my head which opened to the technician's room.
She tried to help. She even closed the little door. Told me to run some water. Left the area.
At 3:45, I had to leave for a 4 p.m. appointment. I told the technician that I would return after 5 p.m. Lucky for me, the center was open until 7 p.m.
Once at my appointment, I explained my dilemma and we agreed that I would leave as soon as I had to "go." At five to five, I bolted, drove across town (again), and scurried into the center.
"Hosanna," I said when I had finally produced the "donation," as it is called.
Never a dull moment, this life of mine.
--Ms. T. J.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
$6 Million Social Worker
How did your last salary negotiation go? What if social workers were paid like rock stars or sports celebrities? Or, what if celebrities were paid like social workers?
Click the title above and let us know what you think.
Linda
Publisher/Editor, The New Social Worker
Click the title above and let us know what you think.
Linda
Publisher/Editor, The New Social Worker
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Bring it on
As of today, I am on vacation until Jan. 12. YAHOO! I am so grateful for a break from both work and school.
On Jan 12, everything changes. I will begin working 30 hours, instead of 40, at the city magazine where I have been an editor for the last five and a half years. I will also begin my 20-hour per week field practicum at TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). On Tuesdays, I will have four classes on campus. And somehow, in the remaining hours, I will study, do homework and try to carve out time for my husband, my dog and myself!
I am so grateful for the many helpful and supportive comments I've received from you, the readers of this blog. I hope you will continue to leave your thoughts and ideas for me and others to read. It's like a safety net for me. I especially like to hear how you did it and how you are continuing to plow through.
I am impressed and somewhat mystified when I read about those of you who, in addition to work and school, also have the responsibility of parenting. I don't know how you do it, and I tip my hat to you. Whenever I feel like whining in the weeks and months to come, I am going to think about you and know that I could have more to manage than I already do.
--Ms. T. J.
On Jan 12, everything changes. I will begin working 30 hours, instead of 40, at the city magazine where I have been an editor for the last five and a half years. I will also begin my 20-hour per week field practicum at TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). On Tuesdays, I will have four classes on campus. And somehow, in the remaining hours, I will study, do homework and try to carve out time for my husband, my dog and myself!
I am so grateful for the many helpful and supportive comments I've received from you, the readers of this blog. I hope you will continue to leave your thoughts and ideas for me and others to read. It's like a safety net for me. I especially like to hear how you did it and how you are continuing to plow through.
I am impressed and somewhat mystified when I read about those of you who, in addition to work and school, also have the responsibility of parenting. I don't know how you do it, and I tip my hat to you. Whenever I feel like whining in the weeks and months to come, I am going to think about you and know that I could have more to manage than I already do.
--Ms. T. J.
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