If there is, that's what I've been for the last two weeks or so. I'm in the thick of the end of semester crunch, and while it's been hectic and crazy and stressful, it's also been quite exciting. I almost can't believe how quickly this semester--BOTH semesters, actually-- have gone. I'm about halfway to my MSW, folks, and that seems unreal. UN-REAL. Because I've been so preoccupied and distracted, I haven't yet really had time to properly process what this all means, what I feel I've learned this past year, what I hope to get out of next year. I'll come around to that, most definitely, and when I do I'll pop back in and share with you my thoughts.

Until then, a few updates on what I have been doing. I turned in a 16 page paper yesterday in my Health Policy class. I did a group presentation today in my Human Behavior course. Outside of school, I've been spending a good bit of time getting prepared for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this upcoming Friday. I formed a fantastic team, recruited friends from DC, friends from school, and family members, and we've actually raised more money than any other team here in Baltimore city!! It's a great cause, it'll be a great night, and I'm really looking forward to it. The only downside? I'm exhausted, and it's an all-night event. Goes from 6 pm till 6 am....but I'm sure the energy will be palpable and I'll be able to absorb some of it and keep moving.

Most students finished with their field placements last week, but because I'm co-facilitating a girls' empowerment group at a local middle school, I decided to stay on a few extra weeks and finish it. I think I've told you all about it??? It's been really challenging but also really cool. Totally new experience for me, and I'm enjoying it a great deal. It's funny to me...time with sixth-grade girls simultaneously brings me back to my youth and also makes me feel like I'm SO OLD.

I had my interview about a week and a half ago for next year's field placement...and got it! I'll be at the Florence Crittendon Center here in Baltimore, a residential facility that assists teenaged girls with residency, displacement, pregnancy, abuse and other circumstances. Their mission statement is below. How could anyone NOT want to work there? I anticipate that it'll be a tough year...but fascinating, too. It really is so cool how much exposure I'm getting to these various sides of social work. Consider myself quite fortunate, actually. On that note, friends, I'm gonna close. It's been a long day, I actually feel a cold coming on, and I need some time away from the computer. Hope you're all doing great!! Like I said, I'll be back in touch soon. Feel free to give a hollar in the meantime if you have any thoughts/comments/questions you'd like to share. Take care!!

"The mission of the agency is to provide clinical and educational services to adolescents in crisis. Services are offered to members of the client’s personal support system in the interest of developing attitudes and life skills that promote movement toward independence. All programs, activities and services are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to and shows respect for the cultural and ethnic diversity of our constituents".

Posted by Kim at 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

and the apartment's *almost" clean, I feel I can sit down and make good on the promise I made to you all a few days ago. It's Sunday night, a little before 10- a good a time as any to bust out a proper blog and catch you all up on some of the things I've been doing, thinking, etc. Right now I'm thinking "Holy moly, where'd the weekend go?" I :) I'm thinking that it can't possibly almost be Monday again. I'm thinking that the weekends never seem to be enough time to rest up, to recover from the previous week and to prepare for the following one. Something tells me I'm not only in this....

So school stuff. I know that some of my recent blogs have been heavy in other areas, so let me stick to the basics here. I'm long overdue in discussing my field placement, aren't I? I'm actually forgetting if I told you all about my shift within Sinai Hospital...I don't think I did, so let me start there. I spent the first half of the school year in Sinai's oncology and gynecological surgery unit, and as I know I've mentioned before my mom died about 7 years ago from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Well, it turns out that I really wasn't emotionally prepared for seeing cancer patients, on a regular basis, who so vividly reminded me of my final days with my mom. After a number of very difficult encounters, it became clear to both my supervisor and myself that the jig was up- I couldn't do it. I was spending so much energy on the emotional challenges of it all that my professional growth became almost stunted. Anyway, my supervisor really advocated for me, she and I spoke with the Director of the Case Manager department about what other options existed, and before I knew it I was working alongside a social worker in the Infectious Disease Outpatient clinic. Very different population, different role, different challenges. Most of the people I work with are infected with HIV/AIDS-- this is an area I feel really comfortable in. Before Peace Corps I did a lot of volunteer work on HIV/AIDS education...as a Health volunteer in Zambia it was something that I was really involved in, and even since being back I've felt connected with it having worked on the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) evaluation of PEPFAR. Anyway, suffice to say that I was in charted, and much less emotionally charged territory. I have a client that I meet with weekly, I've been able to help out with some outreach efforts, and just last week a colleague and I began co-facilitating a girls' empowerment group at a local middle school--I'm getting out there..I'm getting a lot of exposure and experience and I'm lucky-- very lucky. Things are good.

I imagine that this is a stressful time for many of you out there trying to decide if UMB's for you. A good friend of mine received only acceptance letters from the schools she applied to (including UMB), and she's now having to make the big decision. I told her she comes here. Period. End of story. No, I'm kidding--I'm actually being very careful to not pressure her in any way, and I'll grant you all the same consideration.I guess the only "wisdom" I can share is that you'll be okay...wherever you go is where you were meant to be. All that we can do is make the best decision with the most information that we have access to at this point in time, and then we go with that decision--full-speed and full of enthusiasm- no regrets. Grad school, like most things in life, is what you make it...and you can make it FANTASTIC!! wherever you want to. :) It kind of reminds me of Peace Corps in a way. I had wanted to be a volunteer in South America, thinking that Spanish would be a really useful language to know. I finally got my official invitation and it read "Zambia". At the time I thought: a) Where exactly IS Zambia and b) Major bummer!! The bottom line, though, is that in looking back, I consider myself so lucky to have lived in that amazing little country for two years. I'd have it no other way...and all of my friends who have done Peace Corps would say the exact same thing whether they served in Paraguay or Ukraine or the Dominican Republic.

I really am so excited for all of you. Being at one of life's crossroads, though a very stressful time, can make you feel so alive!! As always, I'm here if you all have any questions/comments. Good luck!!

Posted by Kim at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a long time since I've written....no excuses, friends. I had the entire week of spring break to check in and say hello....

I'm writing from field right now so this entry will be short, but I promise! promise! PROMISE!!! to sit down in the next few days and write a proper blog.

For the time being, let me address a few comments I've received. Stacey--- congratulations on getting in! That's wonderful. Good news is always so....GOOD, isn't it?! :) So about the research class online, I did take an online class while I was working in DC...it was through Johns Hopkins and was more related to public health research, but I can tell you this: online classes require a great deal of self-discipline. I learned quite a bit and ended up doing well, but knowing my learning style, I very much prefer the in-person interaction. If you're happy to go without that, it might be worth a shot. If you have a pretty firm grasp on it already, you might want to see if they'll let you "test out" of it...I know they allow that with some courses, not sure though if research is one of them. And just to make the matter a bit more complicated, (sorry), I had an awesome research professor last year. Bethany Lee- she's the one I blogged about. So, there's a few factors you should consider, but I say look into your options and talk to some people-- you'll figure it out.

Okay, now Erin---a congrats to you as well for getting in--- very cool. To answer your question, I do live in Baltimore and I'm really enjoying it. Baltimore has a pretty rough reputation...I remember friends in DC asking if I was SURE that I wanted to move here. My friends in PA have heard similar stories....truth be told I've felt very safe here. I live in Bolton Hill, which is so safe that it's almost boring!! (It is lovely, though...has fountains, lots of green space, is close to LightRail, etc....so there are perks!) Housing is pretty affordable and I'm sure you could find a spot that you liked where you felt safe. Plus, there's always a lot of fun things going on, and it's nice to be able to take advantage of them. Last week some school friends and I went to see a ballet/modern dance performance at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Tonight we're heading to a school function sponsored by the International Student Organization---WorldFest....with foods from over 13 different countries. I'm SO there! So Erin, the long-winded answer to your question is yes, most definitely you can live her and feel safe......and LOVE it.

I think it's time for me to run now. Expecting a client any minute! More soon, and as always, please feel free to send me any questions/comments.

Take care!

Posted by Kim at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)