Is it possible?

I've been stuck all day.

This morning I had to wait for almost an hour at the doctor's office. Then, once I got into the exam room, I had to wait another 20 minutes. After I saw the doctor, I waited a good 15 minutes to get my samples, prescriptions, etc.

Now, I am at my field practicum and I have been waiting for my instructor. For an hour and a half.

Interesting. I did not bring any school books with me. I don't have work from my day job that I can do away from the office. I've got nothing to do and no where to go, and I can hardly stand it!

This semester I have been running from one place to another, trying to get everything done at home, school, field practice and work. Finding an extra moment for me has been a challenge. I have had to schedule things I never imaged I would have to schedule.

Yesterday, during meditation, I dreamed about having nothing to do; about not being on a schedule; about not paying attention to anything but my breath. Am I getting an instant universal gift? And has it been divinely orchestrated so that I have nothing to do.

Hmmm .... guess I'll have to re-learn how to goof off when all this is said and done, huh?

--Ms. T. J.

Midnight Madness

My first day back in the saddle and I'm up past midnight finishing a paper for my 9 a.m. class. Jeepers creepers; it's time to rest these peepers!

I decided to check my email before I went to bed and I saw two responses to my last blog. I am not kidding when I write this: I got teary-eyed.

Thank you so much.

Even if you are the only people who read my blog and find it helpful, I feel like I am doing something that matters.

And isn't it the social worker who most often says: "If I can help just one person, it will have been worth it?"

You've just made it worth it for me today.

--Ms. T. J.

Back to the Grad School Grind

Ah, yes...

It's late Saturday night and for all intents and purposes, Spring Break is pretty much over for me. I have to write a book review, a paper, and a bio-psycho-social assignment by Tuesday(!?) so it's time to dig in -- again.

I have to say: graduate school is not for everyone. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it, right?

This has been my toughest semester yet, and I know it's because I went from being a part-time student/full-time employee to being a full-time student/full-time employee.

I went to my doctor over break and confessed to her that I have become an insomniac. She prescribed some medicine that is non-narcotic, and that will help me to fall asleep. I have been averaging about four hours of sleep per night all semester.

Sometimes I feel like all I do is whine in this blog. I am trying to share my experience (strength and hope) with you. It is called "An MSW Student's Life," after all!

I am also digging your feedback -- be it your dreams for the future, or your reminiscences of the past. Your words help me to "trudge the happy road" ahead.

I am having some really amazing moments. I hope that shines through, alongside the struggles that I write about.

My acupuncturist, a Chinese man, shared with me that in his homeland, once people reach 40 years of age, they can no longer attend college or university. He said the demand is too high for education. Americans are fortunate to be able to have lifelong educational freedom. I am very grateful.

This blog is a ranting platform for me. It has saved my sanity on more than one occasion. I hope it serves to help those of you who are in the same boat with me, and those of you who plan to attend graduate school in the future.

--Ms. T. J.

Social Work 2.0

Folks, there is a new, special section of the Web 2.0 Wikipedia page devoted to Social Work 2.0. As an additional bonus the sw 2.0 column is specifically mentioned! Gosh, information sure travels fast, doesn't it? Special thanks to Jonathan B. Singer, LCSW, the producer of the Social Work Podcast, for informing me of this resource.

Here is a sample of the article on Social Work 2.0:

Social work 2.0 represents the use of interactive web technologies in the delivery of social services....In March, 2009, the New Social Worker Online started a technology blog called Social Work 2.0. Social workers use web 2.0 technologies for clinical practice, community organizing and administrative and policy functions...Community organizers uses interactive web technologies to rally constituents and identify services in traditionally disadvantaged neighborhoods. For example, the National Association of Social Workers provides updates on legislative actions via Twitter.

Technology & Social Work

When wearing my researcher hat, I spend a lot of time looking at how social workers can enhance their work or further their nonprofit missions by using technology. In fact, I recently completed a study in which I examined how older adults and Baby Boomers use the Internet for health information. I'm fascinated by the possibilities that some of these technologies afford us and excited to write about them in my upcoming column, sw 2.0, for the New Social Worker Magazine.

What is all this talk about the web 2.0 or even 3.0? In a nutshell it refers to using technology to interact with one another and share information rather than just reading information passively from a web site. For even more info I would check out this helpful article.

I'd love to hear how technology has helped (or hindered!) your work as a social worker. Are there technologies or web sites that really help you? Is there a technology you wish would be developed to help you? Or have you used technologies like SocialWorkchat.org, Facebook, or Twitter to connect with other social workers? I'd also love to hear your suggestions for future columns!

A mountain high

We are in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains; the north Georgia mountains, to be more exact. It is spring break, and I so need this time off -- and away.

We were having dinner at a quaint Italian eatery in the downtown area of this small mountain village. I gazed out the window at the storefronts, and suddenly I had a rush of emotion. I am going to be a social worker. I am becoming a social worker. I am a social worker.

I don't know what brought these feelings on, exactly.

I had noticed a woman, a White woman, walking down the sidewalk holding the hand of a Black boy. He appeared to be 6-8 years old. They came into the restaurant. The child was quite rambunctious. She spoke to him as if he was her dog: "Sit," she commanded. "Quiet!"

I have a dog, and I am kinder to her than she was respectful of this child.

I found myself imagining how I might counsel them if they came to me for family therapy. It then occurred to me that this is what I will be doing, what I must do -- with the rest of my life.

A surge of joy filled my heart, or where ever such surges go!

This break is turning out to be just what I needed. Being terminally busy leaves no time for reflection. Reflecting on the reasons why I am doing all this work is important.

I'm getting it.

--Ms. T. J.

My first one-on-one session

Today my field instructor threw me into the water and said, "Swim!"

I may have done something that more closely resembled dog paddling as I performed my very first one-on-one session ever. I thought this would happen differently. I thought it would begin after Spring Break. I thought I'd be able to plan ahead.

So much for thinking!

Even though "my client" arrived 45 minutes early, I was able to jot down his treatment goals and objectives before I sat down with him.

Without going into details, I think (there I go again) it went fairly well. My field instructor knows what she is doing and she knows me well enough after 8 weeks to trust me with this most important aspect of the learning experience.

I tried to relax, and guide the session, and, most of all, listen. I also prayed before I met with him, which can't hurt!

What a day. What a life. What a fabulous career choice I have made.

--Ms. T. J.