I'm a grad student!!

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week have to be ranked as two of the most exciting days of my life this year. I attended orientation for graduate school and I am ready to get to business. Let me see if I can catch you up...

The night before orientation started I was extremely nervous. I was excited and scared and worried and ready to go. The School of Social Work has a listserve so many of the students entering this semester have been communicating and getting to know each other. One of our classmates set up a group on facebook.com so we were able to see pics of each other and get to know even more. Several of the students even met at a popular restaurant here as a social last week. I wasn't able to make it, but I'll explain all that later. Back to the night before orientation...I had a moment of uncertainty so I decided to email on the listserve and ask if there were other non-traditional students who would be attending school part time and working full time. I received a quick response from one person and she even made a bet with me that she was older than me. Then several responses began trickling in that there were several part time students. I guess I knew that would be the case, but just was having a panic moment.

I felt that night the same way I remember feeling when I was a child the night before school starts. I had a hard time making myself go to bed. I was rearranging what notebook, pen, and bag I would take. I even considered laying out my clothes, but since the cats tend to sleep on anything that I wear I decided against that. I finally went to sleep at one or two AM and a really good friend of mine woke me up then next morning by calling me when he woke up to make sure I would make it on time.

On a side note, I found one of my new classmates on myspace and we have talked a little through there. She sent me a message that night saying "you are NOT old". Of course, I know that 29 is not old. I remember; however, that when I was completing my undergrad degree at 26 that many, many of the students were much younger and I felt a little out of place at times. So, the reason for the side note...when I stepped out of my car on the first day of orientation (on time, due to my wonderful friend's phone call) there was the classmate!! Can you believe it?! She recognized me and I recognized her and we walked into the building together with several other girls we met in the parking lot.

From there, I met person after person and talked to them about their interests, their excitement, their backgrounds, and so on. For those of you who know me, I am NOT a talker/socializer. I was extremely proud of myself that first day for really just jumping into conversations and introducing myself. It helped a little that I am in social work and we are a friendly bunch, and that I didn't have a name tag (I have no idea why) so people would ask me for my name because they couldn't just read it. I really don't know what came over me, but I was loving it.

I came home yesterday evening on cloud nine. I felt like I really fit in and was not worried about beginning this experience. My wonderful friend (from the phone call that morning) sent me an IM and asked me if he could take me to see Snakes on a Plane to celebrate my first day at grad school and I graciously accepted. Let me say, quickly, that I did NOT expect that to be a good movie and maybe it was my good mood, but I really had a fun time and enjoyed the movie. Again, another story for another time.

On to today, I was running a little later because I was so hyped up last night and I didn't get a wake up call (wasn't expecting it, I have to be responsible for myself after all) but I made it to school on time. The day started out with seminars and faculty talking to us about different aspects of grad school. We were advised on schedules, learned about the computer systems, libraries, and just general stuff. We sat with a student panel who gave us advice on time management and study techniques and so on.

About halfway through the day (actually just after lunch) I decided that I really needed to do something about a problem I was having. Those of you who know me, know I am big. I'm just being up front and bluntly honest. The desks at the school are like the old high school desks where the chair and the desk are connected. I can fit in it, but it is not comfortable, I hang over onto the desk part, and my butt hangs off the side of the chair. It was okay for about 30 minutes of sitting, but after an hour I am no longer comfortable and I can't adjust because I'm wedged in anyway. I started thinking about the three hour classes I will be taking at night and the long days and then having to sit in this desk thing and I just didn't think that would be possible. I said something to one of my new classmates and she suggested I talk to the "contact" person who seems to be the "go to" person for questions when you're not quite sure who is supposed to answer them. Okay, the old Janet, the shy Janet, the self-conscious, scaredy-cat Janet, would never have considered this...but that's just not me anymore. I talked to the man who is the "go to" person and he knew exactly my feelings. He said "oh yeah, let me show you" and then we went from classroom to classroom and he showed me the tables that were in the corners of the rooms and explained that there are usually chairs there next to the tables and lots of students use them because they are not comfortable in the desks, big or small. He was so caring and when I asked "will I look like I am sitting away from everyone else", he replied "of course not, you will blend in and feel like one of the group". I LOVE IT!! I am SO meant to be a social worker. I love the mentality, the kindness, the understanding. I'm just so happy that I am doing this.

Some of you may think that I should have figured out the whole table with chair thing on my own. Let me explain..I did, but the rooms were arranged differently for orientation because of the topics and discussions we were having. At lunch, I just took a chair in my small group room and sat at a table. At first, I felt a little awkward because everyone was sitting toward the back of the room and the table was at the front. However, eventually two girls came to sit next to me and we started talking. It turns out that both girls are from A&M (blah!! I tried not to hold that against them) and they are interested in working for CPS and we had a great discussion about finding an apartment in Austin and moving and the differences between Austin and College Station and CPS and it was really great!

So, this is my experience with the first two days of grad school. There is so much more I can say because I really am excited and had a great two days. Although, tonight I had a flat tire (another story for later) but I did not let it bring me down. It's just life saying "yep, I'm still here". LOVE IT!!!

Back to blogging

I haven't been the best at blogging lately, but you know how life gets in the way. Well, my aunt emailed these pics to me today as suggestions for a different profile pic. My other one was very dark and you couldn't really see it all that well. Her email reminded me that people may actually be reading this and I could do better about post more often. So, I'll try to do better. Let me know if you're reading and what you'd like me to post about. I never know if anyone is really interested.

Thanks Linda!!! Love you and miss you!!

It's all about me

I tried to resist these things, but they are so much fun.....now, here's more about me!!!

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

Your Emoticon is Cool

You're not feeling particularly up or down, just relaxed and calm. You're ready for whatever is going to happen next!

What Emoticon Best Represents You Right Now?

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have medium neuroticism. You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic. Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy. Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

LOOK AT ME!! I’M SANDRA DEE!!

Your Hillbilly Name Is...

Sandra Dee Walker

Hillbilly Name Generator

You Should Drive a Saturn Sky

You're sleek and smooth, and you need a car to match your hot persona. Besides, sometimes you want your top up - and sometimes you want it down.

What 2007 Car Should You Drive?

You Are Socks!

Cozy and warm... but easily lost. You make a good puppet.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

Your 2005 Song Is

Beverly Hills by Weezer "My automobile is a piece of crap My fashion sense is a little whack And my friends are just as screwy as me" You breezed through 2005 in your own funky style!

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Oridnary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

You're a Wild Drunk

You can get enough drink. Seriously, you'll just go puke and start pounding them back again!

What Kind of Drunk Are You?

What Your Sleeping Position Says

You have a passion for everything - including sleeping. Outgoing and brash, you tend to still shock those who know you well. You tend to be selfish. You are the most likely type to hog the covers. You gravitate toward comfort and don't like extreme situations.

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

Your Inner Child Is Sad

You're a very sensitive soul. You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have. Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone. You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time.

How Is Your Inner Child?

Your Fortune Is

Man who eat meat and peas on same plate - very unhygenic.

The Wacky Fortune Cookie Generator

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who have a split personality - cold as ice on the outside but hot as fire in the heart. In love, you feel the most alive when your partner is patient and never willing to give up on you. You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring. You would be forced to break up with someone who was insecure and in constant need of reassurance. Your ideal relationship is comforting. You crave a relationship where you always feel warmth and love. Your risk of cheating is high. You can't resist desire and lust. You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage. In this moment, you think of love as something you can get or discard anytime. You're feeling self centered.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Your Birthdate: March 19

You are resilient, and no doubt your resilience has already been tested. You've had some difficult experiences in your life, but you are wise from them. Having had to grow up quickly, you tend to discount the advice of others. You tend to be a loner, having learned that the only person you can depend on is yourself. Your strength: Well developed stability and confidence Your weakness: Suspicion of others Your power color: Eggplant Your power symbol: Spade Your power month: October

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Ideal Relationship is Marriage

You've dated enough to know what you want. And that's marriage - with the right person. You're serious about settling down some time soon. Even if you haven't met the person you want to get hitched to!

What's Your Ideal Relationship?

You are "Shocked"

What Japanese Smiley Are You?

Hmmm...dunno what to think

Your Outrageous Name is:

Betty Humpter

Outrageous Name Generator

A good few days

On Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, I was in training for my job and I really feel good about my work and my continued work with foster children and their families.

Friday's training was called "Secondary Trauma: The Cost of Caring". It was all about strategies to reduce the stress and strain working in Child Welfare can have on a person. It was like a full day of validation and relaxation. Excellent!!

Monday and Tuesday was a training on Motivational Interviewing. Erin began telling me about this when I was visiting in Missouri. She was so excited about it and now I know why. The trainer was very interesting and genuinely excited about this technique.

I really feel refreshed and that I have a new technique to use to help my clients help themselves. Now, back to work on the many, many voicemails I received while I was "checked out" for three days...but with a refreshed soul and a renewed confidence in my casework.