You're right. I don't have time to do many things anymore: read the newspaper, read a book of my choice, tend the garden beyond minimal watering, wash the dishes on the day of use, return phone calls, see friends, see a movie, help Jennie with her homework.The screws have tightened week by week. Week before last, Jennie started school; last week I began two days of week of placement in addition to two days of class. I have three papers due within the next two weeks, several hundred pages of reading to do by Tuesday and a report to write up on my field placement by Wednesday.
But me, I'm not complaining.
I'm writing about ecosystems theory, about the reciprocal relationship between an invidual and her environment. We humans strive for "goodness of fit" with our environments, but stress can cause us to maladapt. I'm feeling a bit maladaptive right now myself.
My placement is at Beit T'Shuvah, a Jewish residential substance abuse facility. I arrived at 8 am last Tuesday and was told minutes later that I'd be seeing my first client at 10. Say what? I didn't sign up for social work school to become a therapist, but no one seems to hear that part.
So I sat with a woman the alternative sentencing folks at Beit T'Shuvah had gotten out of prison on parole midway through a 3-year sentence and listened to her story and did the best I could. Wednesday, I saw another client, a young kid just detoxed from heroin. And I've been sitting in on lots of groups. The meld of Jewish spirituality with the 12 steps is really interesting. A good fit for me.
I'm feeling more comfortable socially at school, beginning to have more interaction with classmates and even making a few pals. I went to a meeting of the Rainbow Alliance the other day, the LGBTQA caucus in the MSW progam, a small but hardy band. Friday, I'm actually going to a "mixer" at a place called the Suede Bar downtown, where the Rainbows will mix it up with the International Caucus.Everyone encourages us to get involved. They just don't say how to find the time.
3 comments:
so here we are, you in graduate school, and me writing a response to your blog. all sorts of firsts are happening.
as i suspected, i have no idea what the note is below this box...i'm a blogvirgin, you see....something about HTML tags or something. don't know where this note will end up...but i wanted you to know that i FINALLY read all the posts (see, at least i know some of the terms) and i'm reasonably confident that your experiences will only continue to illuminate your class members about who you are and what stunning gifts you bring to the work you're doing.
having said that, OMG--------the papers--the length of the papers!! and the reading.......OY VEY!!i'm falling asleep just thinking about all that reading...but isn't it amazing to realize (as i suggested to you in the summer might happen) that you "get" some of this stuff even it's all written in the foreign language of socialworkese.
anyway, we'll all be waiting for you over here in fall-is-coming land. at least you'll have LOTS OF TIME TO READ on the plane!!
you da bomb.
love,
j.b.
sounds very interesting to me. Moving pretty fast too!
Maybe just a bit scary? just out of prison. I hope they are not saving the worst for last.
Now I'm caught up with your blog and the comments and yes, it's as I suspected --- you're already running off to Vermont to escape!! hahaha. No really, who wouldn't when fall arrives, want to leave LA and USC and all that reading/writing and head for the hills?!
As lagirlvt says, i also have full confidence that you will learn the social work-speak and then be solidly grounded connecting all your background and experience to the learning. Hang in during the steep curve at the beginning. I know you are a great learner Sarah! breathe in patience, breathe out ease. I'm holding you in my heart and do really hope that one of these days Colorado will by your choice of runaway spots! More retreats await...love, Coach Victoria
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