I know I haven't blogged in a super long time, and for two reasons:
1. I tend to only focus on the negatives and not enough on the positives.
2. Grad school is BUSY.
Seriously these last two weeks have been incredibly insane. But that's not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about how I feel.
And the truth is, I'm happy.
I'm happier than I've been in years. I don't remember the last time I felt this content with the majority of the things in my life. Especially this week.
Yesterday I bared by soul to my class in my personal occupation presentation. It was on writing, and how writing filled this gaping hole where music and performing used to be. It was an exploration and reflection on how writing influenced me and became the forefront and marker of who I am as a person. I even did something crazy. I re-wrote a terrible short story I did as an assignment in high school and gave it to all of my classmates, including my teacher. That was a big step. But the part that made it all worth it? My class loved it. I got nothing but positive feedback from a lot of my classmates, saying that I inspired them to write and that they had never seen me so excited about something and that I in turn excited them. It made me exhausted after that rush of adrenaline, but the positive feedback I got gave me courage when presenting alone, something that I've been afraid to do for years.
And today? Today we reviewed for our kinesiology final. And during that, as we struggled to remember range of motion and nerve innervations and the anatomical structures of the upper body, I began to feel an enormous rush of affection for my class. All of them. Even the ones I don't talk to as much. This was further enforced when, during our break, one of my classmates approached me to tell me how much he loved my presentation and to slip me a CD with the title "Perchance to Dream..." Later in an email, he told me that it was the final mixed version of an album that he's been working on since June, and that only a few people in his closest circle have heard it. I was so touched that he would entrust this to me. I'm currently listening to it now, and it's incredible. It's so hauntingly beautiful. I have so many talented classmates, all with different and awesome interests that they are currently sharing with us during our presentations.
So, current update:
- life is crazy, with tons of assignments and NaNoWriMo looming over the horizon
- I have friends, lots of them, some closer than others. And when I say closer I mean we live around the corner from each other
- I feel such love and affection for all of them
- through these past two weeks I feel like we've bonded through our mutual hardships and that we can confide in each other
- I love my major. If these are the people that I'm going to work with in this profession, then I welcome it
And now I should probably get to studying for my midterm on Thursday. Move them arm bones!
Tuesday 25 October 2016
Thursday 8 September 2016
"It Depends"
So today I got to delve back into the wonderful word of Lifespan after feeling so detached from it for a week. As we talked about infant development and the difference stages they go through, it got me thinking about all the different and contradictory parenting techniques that are out there. To co-sleep, to not co-sleep. To vaccinate, to not vaccinate. All these difference myths. Do any of them work?
It depends.
This is something my Lifespan teacher says so often it's her motto. I think it's just to push the point home that if you've met one baby...you've met one baby. Every baby develops differently and responds differently to things. It's our job as caregivers and parents to recognize and respond to those needs.
Anyways, it was something I found interesting.
On a personal note, I got my insurance taken care of. Or more like it was taken care of without me knowing about it. But I've been covered since the beginning of the month so I'm good. I'm feeling less stressed about adulting things. Though I've not started to feel good (scratchy throat) so we shall see where this takes us. Baby lab tomorrow, we get to watch a 2 month old!
It depends.
This is something my Lifespan teacher says so often it's her motto. I think it's just to push the point home that if you've met one baby...you've met one baby. Every baby develops differently and responds differently to things. It's our job as caregivers and parents to recognize and respond to those needs.
Anyways, it was something I found interesting.
On a personal note, I got my insurance taken care of. Or more like it was taken care of without me knowing about it. But I've been covered since the beginning of the month so I'm good. I'm feeling less stressed about adulting things. Though I've not started to feel good (scratchy throat) so we shall see where this takes us. Baby lab tomorrow, we get to watch a 2 month old!
Monday 5 September 2016
Labor Day
Today is one of those days where you really are grateful for the fact that you don't work in a thankless serving job where you have to wait on people on a federal holiday. The restaurant-that-shall-be-named has recently started it's endless pasta bowl promotion and I am so glad I don't have to work it this year. I realized this yesterday at a cookout my parents were having. I'm a free agent to do what I please. And that is study and become an Occupational Therapist.
Today I read and completed an outline on a really great article. It was published in 1997 and talked about how OT had lost its meaning, how the activities had no meaning and how to get back to having meaning. It was great, and for the first time ever I was able to incorporate something that I had learned waaaay back when I was a business major. See there was this guy named Maslow and one day he came up with this pyramid he called the Hierarchy of Needs. It stated that there were five different levels of needs for the human being. Physiological, Safety and Security, Social, Esteem (both self and other) and self-actualization, the final level being equivalent of reaching nirvana. The theory stated that once you met one type of need, you could move onto the next. The catch however was that you couldn't move back down. As a business major, this drove me crazy! As an Occupational Therapist, this theory rocks! It's baseline for what you need to work on? Can the client independently self-care? Yes? Great! Do they talk to strangers and trust everyone regardless? Yes? Let's work on that. It was so cool to see those parallels from my former major and my current study when I thought the two were as different as apples and carrots.
Once I had finished the outline and submitted it, I realized two things. One, I had forgotten to include my reference for the citing I did in the outline (oops) and two, I was done for the next two days pretty much. Party! Or the equivalent of it, which was play Final Fantasy for a few hours. I have one journal article to read tomorrow and I'm good!
But now it's time for bed. The four day weekend has been swell, but it's back to the grindstone tomorrow!
Today I read and completed an outline on a really great article. It was published in 1997 and talked about how OT had lost its meaning, how the activities had no meaning and how to get back to having meaning. It was great, and for the first time ever I was able to incorporate something that I had learned waaaay back when I was a business major. See there was this guy named Maslow and one day he came up with this pyramid he called the Hierarchy of Needs. It stated that there were five different levels of needs for the human being. Physiological, Safety and Security, Social, Esteem (both self and other) and self-actualization, the final level being equivalent of reaching nirvana. The theory stated that once you met one type of need, you could move onto the next. The catch however was that you couldn't move back down. As a business major, this drove me crazy! As an Occupational Therapist, this theory rocks! It's baseline for what you need to work on? Can the client independently self-care? Yes? Great! Do they talk to strangers and trust everyone regardless? Yes? Let's work on that. It was so cool to see those parallels from my former major and my current study when I thought the two were as different as apples and carrots.
Once I had finished the outline and submitted it, I realized two things. One, I had forgotten to include my reference for the citing I did in the outline (oops) and two, I was done for the next two days pretty much. Party! Or the equivalent of it, which was play Final Fantasy for a few hours. I have one journal article to read tomorrow and I'm good!
But now it's time for bed. The four day weekend has been swell, but it's back to the grindstone tomorrow!
Sunday 4 September 2016
The Long Weekend
The second day of the New Mexico OT conference was pretty much just as awesome as the first one. Instead of going to the talk regarding hippo-therapy (horse therapy), I went to one more suited to my needs. Managing stress. Fitting yes? The lecture was all about using breathing and other techniques to relax and manage stress through a short course known as KORU. We did breathing exercises that were so relaxing and just as I was going to ask where I sign up I found out that we don't have KORU here. In fact, the OT heading the speech is from Las Vegas. But one of my instructors was in there so maybe she can help get some training on board to have a course at UNM.
During the lunch we were treated to our first NMOTA meeting. It was very official, with making motions and all in favor stuff. It was pretty cool. We elected a new president (who wasn't even there...) and a new secretary and just as the meeting was going to be adjourned the now-former president (and one of the faculty at UNM) started chucking shirts into the crowd which got on the over salty chicken we were having. Then she pulled out the water bottles and luckily she didn't throw those because they were metal. I was able to snag one and well, give it to J because I have one that love and won't give up. Unfortunately the shirts she threw out were the last of the ones I was going to buy, so I ended up getting a pretty cool shirt being sold by the second-years to raise money for their graduation.
That afternoon I sat in on a talk about using Virtual Reality and technology for Occupational Therapy. It was just as fascinating as the other ones I had been to, plus we got to play with cool toys! It gave me even more ideas of what kinds of things I want to do as an OT, and what I want to see developed for OT. And just like that, the conference was over. I turned in a survey, picked up my NMOTA membership pin, and headed home.
Today I did some of my group paper and for the most part relaxed. I know that starting Tuesday it'll be back to the hectic life that is grad school. But I'm really glad that I was able to experience the conference in full. The only thing I didn't like was that hardly any of my classmates went, while the students from Western New Mexico University were all there in matching shirts. Maybe I can advocate for a better turn our next year. I feel like budding OTs would benefit so much from going.
And that's it really. I'm super tired so I'm going to go to bed. Until next time...
During the lunch we were treated to our first NMOTA meeting. It was very official, with making motions and all in favor stuff. It was pretty cool. We elected a new president (who wasn't even there...) and a new secretary and just as the meeting was going to be adjourned the now-former president (and one of the faculty at UNM) started chucking shirts into the crowd which got on the over salty chicken we were having. Then she pulled out the water bottles and luckily she didn't throw those because they were metal. I was able to snag one and well, give it to J because I have one that love and won't give up. Unfortunately the shirts she threw out were the last of the ones I was going to buy, so I ended up getting a pretty cool shirt being sold by the second-years to raise money for their graduation.
That afternoon I sat in on a talk about using Virtual Reality and technology for Occupational Therapy. It was just as fascinating as the other ones I had been to, plus we got to play with cool toys! It gave me even more ideas of what kinds of things I want to do as an OT, and what I want to see developed for OT. And just like that, the conference was over. I turned in a survey, picked up my NMOTA membership pin, and headed home.
Today I did some of my group paper and for the most part relaxed. I know that starting Tuesday it'll be back to the hectic life that is grad school. But I'm really glad that I was able to experience the conference in full. The only thing I didn't like was that hardly any of my classmates went, while the students from Western New Mexico University were all there in matching shirts. Maybe I can advocate for a better turn our next year. I feel like budding OTs would benefit so much from going.
And that's it really. I'm super tired so I'm going to go to bed. Until next time...
Friday 2 September 2016
NMOTA Conference
Today classes were cancelled because the faculty all attended the New Mexico Occupational Therapy Association conference and we were invited to. It was pricey to attend even as a student but I learned today that it was worth it.
This conference has been AMAZING. There are so many OTs here and a lot of the speakers have been amazing. The keynote speaker this morning was talking about creativity and how we have to focus on occupation and not the tasks and tools being used and it completely alluded to what our Kinesiology teacher was talking about. There was a great panel on how to integrate OT into the classroom and actually getting in the student's classroom in order for them to not miss out on work. It made me appreciate how the teacher's at the school I was an aid at allowed OT into the room for services. The next panel was on Resources for Recovery in Mental Health patients who were either veterans or homeless. While I don't really see myself in that sort of field it was really interesting to hear about that field. As an OT in training I want to keep my option open as well as my mind. After all, I never saw myself working with autism clients and now I really want to do Camp Rising Sun because of my time in the school system in Albuquerque.
Overall today really cemented how blessed and lucky I am to be going into this profession. Everyone I have met at this conference and heard from has been amazing. It's also inspiring to see all my professors there, some of them who were even speakers! Overall it was fantastic day and I can't wait for tomorrow.
As a post script, I'll be kind of changing things up on this blog. I feel like every time I start blogging again, I get really sad because I feel the pressure to post only good things about my day. So instead I think I might just post about what I learned that day and maybe a personal note at the end if I feel like this. Not only will this help me remember and retain things more, but it will maybe reinforce the title of the blog in general.
Anyways, it's late. Plus my roommate threw a party for all of this classmates meaning I may have had a bit too much to drink. Good night for now.
This conference has been AMAZING. There are so many OTs here and a lot of the speakers have been amazing. The keynote speaker this morning was talking about creativity and how we have to focus on occupation and not the tasks and tools being used and it completely alluded to what our Kinesiology teacher was talking about. There was a great panel on how to integrate OT into the classroom and actually getting in the student's classroom in order for them to not miss out on work. It made me appreciate how the teacher's at the school I was an aid at allowed OT into the room for services. The next panel was on Resources for Recovery in Mental Health patients who were either veterans or homeless. While I don't really see myself in that sort of field it was really interesting to hear about that field. As an OT in training I want to keep my option open as well as my mind. After all, I never saw myself working with autism clients and now I really want to do Camp Rising Sun because of my time in the school system in Albuquerque.
Overall today really cemented how blessed and lucky I am to be going into this profession. Everyone I have met at this conference and heard from has been amazing. It's also inspiring to see all my professors there, some of them who were even speakers! Overall it was fantastic day and I can't wait for tomorrow.
As a post script, I'll be kind of changing things up on this blog. I feel like every time I start blogging again, I get really sad because I feel the pressure to post only good things about my day. So instead I think I might just post about what I learned that day and maybe a personal note at the end if I feel like this. Not only will this help me remember and retain things more, but it will maybe reinforce the title of the blog in general.
Anyways, it's late. Plus my roommate threw a party for all of this classmates meaning I may have had a bit too much to drink. Good night for now.
Monday 29 August 2016
Mana Mana
Every morning in Lifespan our teacher asks us on this app we use how we're feeling. There's a chart with pictures of Muppets and everything. There's one I always pick, and it's the Mana Mana one. You know, from the old Muppet Show? It kind of describes the blegh feeling I feel sometimes. And I definitely feel Mana Mana right now.
I wish I had an easier time making friends. I know I'm an acquired taste because I'm weird and nerdy but I can usually get along with other nerdy people. And so far no one has presented themselves as nerdy in my class. Or at least, nerdy with a desire to meet other nerds. It's an adjustment. I'm trying to be normal but I'm not normal. I'd rather talk about Harry Potter than boys and Instagram pictures any day. I'm sure I'll eventually find someone that I talk to every day and eat lunch with, but until then I feel like I'm back in high school. I need to make friends. I'm with these people for another two years. There's bound to be someone right?
Anyways, this thought plagued me so much that at one point I was unable to move for a while. But I guess I should stop worrying and be myself.
But what is myself is someone they don't like?
I'm sure I'll figure it out.
I don't really have much to report today. Maybe tomorrow.
I wish I had an easier time making friends. I know I'm an acquired taste because I'm weird and nerdy but I can usually get along with other nerdy people. And so far no one has presented themselves as nerdy in my class. Or at least, nerdy with a desire to meet other nerds. It's an adjustment. I'm trying to be normal but I'm not normal. I'd rather talk about Harry Potter than boys and Instagram pictures any day. I'm sure I'll eventually find someone that I talk to every day and eat lunch with, but until then I feel like I'm back in high school. I need to make friends. I'm with these people for another two years. There's bound to be someone right?
Anyways, this thought plagued me so much that at one point I was unable to move for a while. But I guess I should stop worrying and be myself.
But what is myself is someone they don't like?
I'm sure I'll figure it out.
I don't really have much to report today. Maybe tomorrow.
Sunday 28 August 2016
Better days behind, better days ahead
I've been slacking off blogging and I have no one to blame but myself for that. So sit tight, it's gonna be a long ride. At least until the Advil PM kicks in, so maybe 20 minutes.
Thursday was awesome. I really feel the least stressed when I'm in class. Is that weird? I'm sure it is, but maybe it's because I'm loving what we're learning. Different developmental theories and applying them to OT in Lifespan, meeting with my group and talking about who we're going to interview and how to keep in touch in Evidence Based Practice, and getting called a good OT in Kinesiology because I figured out how to help a two-fingered patient learn the guitar. Thursday was just a good day in general, even the evening turned out okay. I got out early so while waiting for J I snuggled up in a study pod and looked over a great article about the Philosophy of OT which still holds up almost 100 years later.
Friday was really good too. We had two guest speakers that talked to us about stress and development, as well as epigenetics. We got to tie it all in to OT as well. The class didn't end on a high note (talking about still births and miscarriages), but I did get to explain to the class about spina bifida which was coo. Then I got my badge fixed. Turns about my access was never activated. Thank God I didn't have to get a third replacement badge. Then I got to visit my kiddos at my old school. They were nuts today! Still it was good to see them.
Saturday I went to a funeral which was sad. And that night was the Harry Potter edition of Geeks who Drink. That I admit was pretty fun. Good food and good company. Our team name was Highway to the Granger Zone. Funny right? We didn't win but we placed around 7th and were pretty high up there until the Random Knowledge round kicked our ass. Still, it was pretty fun.
And now we're at today...yeah here we go.
I was pretty lazy today. I didn't actually get up until around noon. Then I started my outline of the article I read on Thursday for our group discussion. The only thing was I couldn't concentrate, I had a headache, and my roommates were being pretty loud. They actually weren't yelling but they talk loud and when your house has concrete floors, it carries. No big though. I packed up my stuff and headed to the library where it was nice and quiet. I finished up my outline and sent it in...until I realized that there was a whole section that I had left out and I had accidentally double spaced when I should have single spaced. I sent in the single spaced version but that left out section had me feeling pretty bad about the rest of it. It stressed me out. On top of that now my ID badge is saying that I don't have the $10 worth of free printing that I should have. Like are you kidding me?! Whatever. I printed at home.
So yeah, even though my week ended great, there are still things out there that are stressing me out, like waiting for insurance to approve me so I can sign up for insurance and UNM threatening me with their overpriced insurance if the waiver I filled out doesn't get to them in time. Just ugh.
But I'm focusing on the good times that are to come. I will get better at this grad school stuff, and come out of it a great OT. So until next time, good night.
P.S. I have accepted my fate as a UNM student. I still have trouble saying I'm a Lo...you know, but I'll be an Aggie at heart (I did my undergrad at NMSU, Go Aggies!). By the way, accepting my fate means I've painted my nails red and silver. Though I feel like I did a crappy job as an unconscious protest.
Thursday was awesome. I really feel the least stressed when I'm in class. Is that weird? I'm sure it is, but maybe it's because I'm loving what we're learning. Different developmental theories and applying them to OT in Lifespan, meeting with my group and talking about who we're going to interview and how to keep in touch in Evidence Based Practice, and getting called a good OT in Kinesiology because I figured out how to help a two-fingered patient learn the guitar. Thursday was just a good day in general, even the evening turned out okay. I got out early so while waiting for J I snuggled up in a study pod and looked over a great article about the Philosophy of OT which still holds up almost 100 years later.
Friday was really good too. We had two guest speakers that talked to us about stress and development, as well as epigenetics. We got to tie it all in to OT as well. The class didn't end on a high note (talking about still births and miscarriages), but I did get to explain to the class about spina bifida which was coo. Then I got my badge fixed. Turns about my access was never activated. Thank God I didn't have to get a third replacement badge. Then I got to visit my kiddos at my old school. They were nuts today! Still it was good to see them.
Saturday I went to a funeral which was sad. And that night was the Harry Potter edition of Geeks who Drink. That I admit was pretty fun. Good food and good company. Our team name was Highway to the Granger Zone. Funny right? We didn't win but we placed around 7th and were pretty high up there until the Random Knowledge round kicked our ass. Still, it was pretty fun.
And now we're at today...yeah here we go.
I was pretty lazy today. I didn't actually get up until around noon. Then I started my outline of the article I read on Thursday for our group discussion. The only thing was I couldn't concentrate, I had a headache, and my roommates were being pretty loud. They actually weren't yelling but they talk loud and when your house has concrete floors, it carries. No big though. I packed up my stuff and headed to the library where it was nice and quiet. I finished up my outline and sent it in...until I realized that there was a whole section that I had left out and I had accidentally double spaced when I should have single spaced. I sent in the single spaced version but that left out section had me feeling pretty bad about the rest of it. It stressed me out. On top of that now my ID badge is saying that I don't have the $10 worth of free printing that I should have. Like are you kidding me?! Whatever. I printed at home.
So yeah, even though my week ended great, there are still things out there that are stressing me out, like waiting for insurance to approve me so I can sign up for insurance and UNM threatening me with their overpriced insurance if the waiver I filled out doesn't get to them in time. Just ugh.
But I'm focusing on the good times that are to come. I will get better at this grad school stuff, and come out of it a great OT. So until next time, good night.
P.S. I have accepted my fate as a UNM student. I still have trouble saying I'm a Lo...you know, but I'll be an Aggie at heart (I did my undergrad at NMSU, Go Aggies!). By the way, accepting my fate means I've painted my nails red and silver. Though I feel like I did a crappy job as an unconscious protest.
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