LAST NIGHT, I put the last sentences on my 10-page take-home final for Mental Health Class. Wednesday afternoon I will sit for my last final exam. That will be the conclusion of an accelerated 6-weeks of summer school.
The cool thing about summer school is getting 6 required credits under my belt. The not-so-cool thing is the intensity of the work.
Now it's almost behind me, and then, a blissful month of summer awaits me. I'm dreaming of the beach and my bicycle and watching movies and maybe reading some good fiction. I hope to relax, get some regular sleep, exercise more and eat healthier.
Maybe I'll take a road trip or two with my husband, and I'd like to take some long walks with my dog.
I've said this many times and it bears repeating: If I can do graduate school, I can do anything!
--Ms. T. J.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Death: It's just life
I am beginning to wonder if this thing called life is a test. Between you and me, I don't believe that it is, but when I get really vulnerable (hungry, angry, lonely, tired or sad), my monkey mind takes over.
Last week-end, two of my friends died. One in the city I used to live in, which is hundreds of miles away, and the other right here in the city where I now live.
Jules died after a battle with lung cancer. Jeremy died in a freak accident while "hiking" near Albany, N. Y., when he lost his footing and fell 60 feet to his death over Kaaterskill Falls. They both died on Saturday, June 13.
It's not about me.
Most people do a bit of navel-gazing when close friends and family members die. We think about our own mortality, and wonder about abstract things like what people will discover when they go through our "stuff." We mourn, and cry, and return to our navels, and venture back out, and then realize how much we love people.
I want to be a better friend, wife, daughter, sister, and citizen. I want to listen better, and help more, and care about myself less. That's why most of us go into the social work field; we want to help. People, systems, environments, legislation...
Instead of focusing on the losses I have experienced in my life, and especially this past weekend, today I want to fuel my goals and dreams with the love I feel for Jules and Jeremy. And hopefully, they'll be watching from places that we will frequent together when we meet again.
--Ms. T. J.
Last week-end, two of my friends died. One in the city I used to live in, which is hundreds of miles away, and the other right here in the city where I now live.
Jules died after a battle with lung cancer. Jeremy died in a freak accident while "hiking" near Albany, N. Y., when he lost his footing and fell 60 feet to his death over Kaaterskill Falls. They both died on Saturday, June 13.
It's not about me.
Most people do a bit of navel-gazing when close friends and family members die. We think about our own mortality, and wonder about abstract things like what people will discover when they go through our "stuff." We mourn, and cry, and return to our navels, and venture back out, and then realize how much we love people.
I want to be a better friend, wife, daughter, sister, and citizen. I want to listen better, and help more, and care about myself less. That's why most of us go into the social work field; we want to help. People, systems, environments, legislation...
Instead of focusing on the losses I have experienced in my life, and especially this past weekend, today I want to fuel my goals and dreams with the love I feel for Jules and Jeremy. And hopefully, they'll be watching from places that we will frequent together when we meet again.
--Ms. T. J.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Summer School 2009
I have two classes this summer in an accelerated, six-week time frame. One class is on Friday, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., and the other is on Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
While it is an amazingly fast way to take care of two required courses, it is also a "zany-busy" way to accomplish the task.
Both classes are quite interesting, and both professors are very passionate about teaching. That is a great thing.
We have already passed the mid-term point, so we are over the "hump," so to speak. Now the tests and assignments are kicking in. I have been working in a group to accomplish the first assignment in one class, and my professor from the other class e-mailed our midterm, take-home exam today.
I am feeling okay, so far. I get anxious when I have to depend on others for a graded assignment. I am trying to let that go. I did my part, and that's all I can do.
As far as the take-home exam goes, I will do my best to follow the directions from my prof. "Give them what they ask for, and add a bit more," is my motto.
Wish me luck. And I'd love to hear about your summer classes -- past and/or present.
--Ms. T. J.
While it is an amazingly fast way to take care of two required courses, it is also a "zany-busy" way to accomplish the task.
Both classes are quite interesting, and both professors are very passionate about teaching. That is a great thing.
We have already passed the mid-term point, so we are over the "hump," so to speak. Now the tests and assignments are kicking in. I have been working in a group to accomplish the first assignment in one class, and my professor from the other class e-mailed our midterm, take-home exam today.
I am feeling okay, so far. I get anxious when I have to depend on others for a graded assignment. I am trying to let that go. I did my part, and that's all I can do.
As far as the take-home exam goes, I will do my best to follow the directions from my prof. "Give them what they ask for, and add a bit more," is my motto.
Wish me luck. And I'd love to hear about your summer classes -- past and/or present.
--Ms. T. J.
Monday, June 1, 2009
A little renovation...our new commenting system
I have just installed a new commenting system on our blog. This system allows you to include formatting in your comments, and has other features, such as e-mail notification. You can log in to post your comments using your Google, Twitter, OpenID, and various other logins.
Please leave a comment on this or other posts, so we can evaluate the setup and how the new system works. Let us know what you think of this new system.
Enjoy, and thanks!
Please leave a comment on this or other posts, so we can evaluate the setup and how the new system works. Let us know what you think of this new system.
Enjoy, and thanks!
Friday, May 29, 2009
How the Homeless Stay Connected Online
Interesting article over at the Wall Street Journal today:
On the Street and On Facebook: The Homeless Stay Wired
From the article:
Like most San Franciscans, Charles Pitts is wired. Mr. Pitts, who is 37 years old, has accounts on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. He runs an Internet forum on Yahoo, reads news online and keeps in touch with friends via email. The tough part is managing this digital lifestyle from his residence under a highway bridge.
"You don't need a TV. You don't need a radio. You don't even need a newspaper," says Mr. Pitts, an aspiring poet in a purple cap and yellow fleece jacket, who says he has been homeless for two years. "But you need the Internet."
On the Street and On Facebook: The Homeless Stay Wired
From the article:
Like most San Franciscans, Charles Pitts is wired. Mr. Pitts, who is 37 years old, has accounts on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. He runs an Internet forum on Yahoo, reads news online and keeps in touch with friends via email. The tough part is managing this digital lifestyle from his residence under a highway bridge.
"You don't need a TV. You don't need a radio. You don't even need a newspaper," says Mr. Pitts, an aspiring poet in a purple cap and yellow fleece jacket, who says he has been homeless for two years. "But you need the Internet."
Monday, May 25, 2009
so much reading, so little time
I'm asking for your advice today. I have two accelerated summer school classes (six weeks) and they both require tons of reading.
My shortcoming? I am not a fast reader.
Anyone else out there with this dilemma? If so, how did you conquer this? Is there a way to get the most out of a chapter without reading every last word, or is that my only way? It's not that I don't want to, it's that I don't have time.
I have, for example, almost half of a very thick book to finish by this Saturday. And that is just one of the books in one of the classes.
All and any advice is deeply appreciated.
--Ms. T. J.
My shortcoming? I am not a fast reader.
Anyone else out there with this dilemma? If so, how did you conquer this? Is there a way to get the most out of a chapter without reading every last word, or is that my only way? It's not that I don't want to, it's that I don't have time.
I have, for example, almost half of a very thick book to finish by this Saturday. And that is just one of the books in one of the classes.
All and any advice is deeply appreciated.
--Ms. T. J.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
It's all about me
For the record: This blog is about me.
It is not a reflection of my school (which I've never mentioned) or my classmates (whose names I will never reveal) or anyone else. It reflects my opinions and my experiences as a MSW student. I am writing this blog to, hopefully, shed light on what it's like for a nontraditional student to return to school after being out of the collegiate groove for more than 25 years (almost 30). Hopefully, this rant could be from anyone, anywhere.
And it really shouldn't matter. It's just not that important in the grand scheme of things. What matters is that we, as social workers, really care about people and want to help ...
What it has turned into, for me, is a lifeline. I am able to share, and vent, and laugh at myself, and advocate for myself, and cry and "let go!" Once I write it, it's processed, and I'm off to the next adventure. I, along with every grad student I know, am busy as heck and don't have a moment to spare.
This blog has been a Godsend because many of you have written to me and shared your experiences, your hopes and fears, and your strengths with me -- and everyone else who has read it.
So if you are reading more into it, please don't. Trust me, I'm not thinking that hard!
In a nutshell: It's all about me -- and --I care about you.
It's nothing more and nothing less.
--Ms. T. J.
It is not a reflection of my school (which I've never mentioned) or my classmates (whose names I will never reveal) or anyone else. It reflects my opinions and my experiences as a MSW student. I am writing this blog to, hopefully, shed light on what it's like for a nontraditional student to return to school after being out of the collegiate groove for more than 25 years (almost 30). Hopefully, this rant could be from anyone, anywhere.
And it really shouldn't matter. It's just not that important in the grand scheme of things. What matters is that we, as social workers, really care about people and want to help ...
What it has turned into, for me, is a lifeline. I am able to share, and vent, and laugh at myself, and advocate for myself, and cry and "let go!" Once I write it, it's processed, and I'm off to the next adventure. I, along with every grad student I know, am busy as heck and don't have a moment to spare.
This blog has been a Godsend because many of you have written to me and shared your experiences, your hopes and fears, and your strengths with me -- and everyone else who has read it.
So if you are reading more into it, please don't. Trust me, I'm not thinking that hard!
In a nutshell: It's all about me -- and --I care about you.
It's nothing more and nothing less.
--Ms. T. J.
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