http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/ en Copyright 2008 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:35:43 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 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". ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/04/is_there_a_word_that_means_bus.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/04/is_there_a_word_that_means_bus.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:35:43 -0500 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!! ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/04/now_that_the_dishes_are_done.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/04/now_that_the_dishes_are_done.html Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:00:21 -0500 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! http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/04/oh_boy.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/04/oh_boy.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:40:16 -0500 Almost visible. I'll be in touch when the dust settles. Be good. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/03/dont_you_hate_when_that_happen.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/03/dont_you_hate_when_that_happen.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 13:22:51 -0500 completely bonkers. (It actually wasn't so bad....forced me to do most of my work AWAY from home which was nice, but became tricky when I needed directions somewhere or experienced some intense email withdrawal). In my defense (which is very weak), I did look into getting internet access when I moved here...but I thought it was too expensive...I felt I didn't NEED it, I didn't want to have to "bundle" with a cable package, I didn't want to have to install a phone line...that kind of thing. But friends, what you don't know CAN hurt you. I'm not very technologically saavy, but fortunately was told by a friend about a data line. Cheap, too. Less than 30 bucks a month through Verizon. And it's high-speed! I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Have been spending a lot of time trying to find an interesting summer gig. I'm thinking....rural Alaska...all-girls camp. Then again there's this fantastic international summer camp down in Virginia. The opportunities almost overwhelm.... Let's see what other exciting events have transpired since my last entry. Oh, that's right. I entered a new decade. The big 3-0, guys. I had a good time with friends/family over the weekend celebrating this rite of passage, but keep finding myself tripping up over it. This morning when I got off the light rail and headed toward school, I kept thinking in my head, "I'm 30. I'm 30. I'm 30". (And this simple, monotonous thought was post-coffee! Can you imagine how my brain gets stuck before coffee?!!) I don't feel old...I feel exactly as I did last week actually, but there is still something inexplicably different about this new age. I'm an adult....or at least when I was in high school that's what I expected 30 would feel like. I also expected I'd be married with kids, own my own home, and be.....ah, settled. Funny the twists and turns we take-- sometimes further away from where we thought we'd be, but most of the time closer to where it is we SHOULD be. That's how I'm trying to look at it at least.... Aside from that all is going well...still enjoying my classes and the professors, and learning quite a bit. Life at my internship is also good. I feel like this entry has been a bit heavy in the "fluff" department. Next time I'll try to stay nearer to the school-related stuff! Take care, everyone. As always, please write if you have any questions.]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/02/well_this_is_a_first.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/02/well_this_is_a_first.html Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:11:08 -0500 is good is that I've got a number of amazing professors. Real experience. Palpable passion. Energetic. Understanding. The kinds of professors you hope to have in graduate school. They're inspiring me already. I now have to be inspired to end my lunch break and end this here. More soon. Hope you're all well. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/02/how_things_change.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/02/how_things_change.html Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:38:17 -0500 guiltlessly. I read, I watched movies, I caught up--albeit just a bit--on pop culture. And I did all of this without that gnawing, nagging feeling in the back of my mind, that "I should be reading. I should be studying" feeling. It was beautiful. I got together with friends from school. We had a day of The Wire episodes. We went out for yummy dinners. We danced. We shopped. It was also beautiful. I visited friends in DC, I went to a family reunion in Utah, I played with my nephew, I prayed that time would slow down but sadly it never did, bringing me ever so quickly back to this student life. It feels good, actually. Real good. Gotta run, friends. I'm at field and have a meeting with my field instructor. Oh, I have a new position here at Sinai Hospital. More on that soon. Take care.]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/01/time_flies_when_youre.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2008/01/time_flies_when_youre.html Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:19:01 -0500 should have been studying last night, I never even considered saying no). It was quite an honor actually. I was also quite nervous. Public speaking is a skill that one must hone, and I haven't done it in a loooooong time. Most of my public speaking actually took place in Zambia, with a much less formal venue. I'd ride my bike to the meetings and throw a wrap on over my cargo pants, if that gives you any clearer idea of how informal they were. Oh, and they were almost always outside under a tree somewhere. :) Ah, the good old days...:) Alright friends, I'd love to stay and chat but my studies call. I'll be in touch soon. Take care, everyone. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/12/home_stretch.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/12/home_stretch.html Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:46:48 -0500 almost be in sight? Oh- nearly forgot---things are moving in the right direction with regard to the India program. Got a call yesterday and have an interview on the 17th. Fingers, legs, (and unfortunately eyes!) crossed. More soon, guys. Take care.]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/12/look_at_all_this_snow.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/12/look_at_all_this_snow.html Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:29:13 -0500 It's a crazy time, friends. Finals are upon us, and I'm officially nearing freak out mode. :) I promise to write soon when I have more time, more brain space, and more articulate things to say than whoa boy! Hope everyone's well and warm. http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/12/whoa_boy.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/12/whoa_boy.html Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:15:59 -0500 kinds of pie. I firmly believe that variety is the spice of life. This theory also applies to donuts. (And for those of you who are interested, I preferred my aunt's homemade pecan). So yeah, Thanksgiving came and went, and it really was a nice, relaxing time. I caught up on some much missed t.v. time and pop culture, had lots of fun with my nephew, cousin, sisters, the whole fam. Do you guys believe that I didn't bring even one textbook with me? Believe it. I didn't. I considered it, and knew that I needed to catch up on some reading, but being the procrastinator that I am I also knew that none of it would get done. It was nice to feel so far away from my schoolwork, even if only for a few days. Human Behavior, huh? Social Work Research, what? On the flip side, it felt really nice to come back to Baltimore last night. It's beginning to feel a lot like home. Thoughts of home lead me to school...eventually to my blog....then to the fact that I got another comment! (Thanks, Angela). It really does feel good to know that these words of mine aren't just bouncing around out there in cyberspace....there are interested people, like you, Angela, who are reading them. To answer your question on the organization that I mentioned in a previous blog, International Social Service, I suggest you visit their website. You were wondering about what they did, and if you follow the link below, it'll take you to a page of their website that lists not only what they do but how they do it. It really is a neat organization, and I wholeheartedly support you learning more about them. http://www.iss-usa.org/site/index.asp?IdSection=2 Alright, friends, I must run now to pick up a textbook for the second module of our social work practice class. The class lasts two semesters, and is divided into modules that cover practice with individuals, groups, families, communities, and organizations. Again, the spice of life. It's everywhere. Take care, everyone. More soon. Kim ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/11/why_cant_thanksgiving_last_for.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/11/why_cant_thanksgiving_last_for.html Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:21:51 -0500 should be wanting....I imagine three days before I'm supposed to graduate getting a notice in the mail saying I need an additional 3 credits that were supposed to be taken my first year, that kind of thing. Anyway, as things always do, they worked out once again this morning and I'm looking forward to a pretty exciting spring semester. I've decided that my concentration will be in health, and I'll be delving into that field with an advanced policy course entitled Social Policy and Health Care. From what I know about the course, it sounds interesting, and though I'm not thrilled that it's a night class, I'm anxious to see how that class differs from the day classes I've taken this semester. I'll be sure to keep you all posted. Switching gears for a moment, I received the very first comment in response to my blog. (Thanks, Sara!) Bit of background for the rest of you: a woman applying to the social work program here at UMB asked if I have any suggestions of books/articles that she could read in order to get a better idea of what a social worker actually does. To answer your question, Sara, sadly I don't...but I'm actually not sure that that'd be the best way to find what you're looking for. First of all, social work is an incredibly broad field-- and social workers can play vastly different roles within it. It might help for you to think about the various areas of social work in which you are interested, and then find some social workers who are placed there, set up informational interviews, that kind of thing. Depending on where you live, you might be able to meet with someone from a local chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Along those lines, their website might be a really useful resource for you: href="http://www.socialworkers.org/">http://www.socialworkers.org/ You can read the social worker's code of ethics there, find a local chapter, see what some of the most current issues in the field are, etc. I remember referencing their website on multiple occasions before coming to UMB, and always found it very informative. Hopefully all of this babble has helped to answer your question...if it hasn't, please let me know and I'll gladly give it another go. Must run now, friends. The application for the India program is due this upcoming Thursday, and as you are all well aware, the reach of my procrastination gets to even the good stuff. I'll write soon...promise. Stay dry. :) ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/11/rainy_mondays_make_me_sleepy.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/11/rainy_mondays_make_me_sleepy.html Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:41:38 -0500 get involved! I've made deliberate efforts to involve myself with school-related activities, and I find it really helps connect me to Baltimore, to the school, to friends, etc. It all has such an interesting ripple effect, too. Take, for example, the International Social Work Organization, of which I am part of its Leadership committee. (don't ask what that means, not quite sure yet!!) This past Monday, ISWO had a guest speaker come in from a local organization that deals with international social service issues. It was a fascinating discussion and I have already contacted the director of the organization and will be meeting with her this Friday to discuss possible ways in which I can become involved in what they're doing. To say that I'm excited about all of this would be an understatement. (For those of you who might not be interested in international social work, there are other student group orgs as well: one that promotes peace and equality, one that focuses on Latin America, one on GLBT, etc. My point: you can find your niche!) Alright friends, I have to cut this short...need to meet with my professor. Have I explained that yet? I'm a research assistant for a professor here--it was a scholarship of sorts that UMB offered, and provides some tuition assistance. I work with my professor weekly, on a variety of tasks. More on that soon. We're just now getting into some really interesting work. And oh, if any of you ever have questions about something that I've written or want additional info, just let me know. You can comment on my blog, and I'll get back to you with the quickness. Take care, everyone. Happy Halloween! ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/10/boo_im_back_and_its_halloween.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/10/boo_im_back_and_its_halloween.html Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:42:13 -0500 most of you), I'm 29 years old. That means that I've been out of school for a relatively long time. Only problem with that....I forgot how to study, how I used to study, how best to study. I did well in undergrad and do remember that I studied, but the details of it are blurred. Did I just read and reread materials? my notes? the book? Well, since I really couldn't answer any of those questions with 100% certainty, I decided to make flashcards. (tada!) One of the things that seems really different between undergrad and grad school are the powerpoints that professors pass out at the beginning of class---meaning that you only really take notes on that which isn't already there. In thinking about it now, the practice of taking notes used to be very helpful for me, and so it makes sense that writing out flashcards is also very helpful. The stack's pretty big and takes me about 20 minutes to read through, but it's worth it. (I hope). First midterm is today; second is Wednesday. It's been CRUNCH time as of late, friends. Last week I had two papers due and now...midterms....already??? I can barely believe it. In other and more exciting news, I'm going to an informational session this afternoon on the India program. I know very little about it right now, but apparently UMB has a relationship with a university in Southern India that has a social work program, and last year for the first time they sent a small handful of social work students there for 6 months to study/do fieldwork. Right now it seems almost too good to be true: doesn't set you back any in terms of graduation, doesn't cost any more in terms of tuition, etc. I'm having to remind myself to keep my feet on the ground....haven't even applied yet. But I know that I will and I also know that until I hear otherwise I will pleasantly assume that I got it! My best friend was recently telling me that's the secret of the universe. If you see it, if you want it badly enough, if you will it to be it will be. Do I really believe that? Hmmm..not sure, but it's worth a shot. Anyway, yes, India. It's been near the top of my "must see" list for quite a long time and I can't wrap my brain around how fantastic it would be to live there, and on top of that, to be taking classes and be working in the field there. Breathe, Kim. Get through this week and these midterms before you begin packing.... More soon, friends. Take care. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/10/flashcardsdo_they_really_work.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/10/flashcardsdo_they_really_work.html Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:23:20 -0500 finally explain to you what my field placement is all about. Here goes: So I'm on B6--the oncology/gynecological surgery ward of Sinai Hospital-- apparently MD's third largest hospital. In addition to that, I'll be involved with a project there at Sinai that deals with organ donation. My role in this will be pretty minor, and from what I understand I'll just be shadowing the social worker as she talks with families, figures out if they'll give consent, etc. So far I haven't been able to see any of this happen, but I'm learning a lot about organ donation, and it really is interesting. I'm actually incorporating this piece of my fieldwork into a research proposal (albeit hypothetical) that I'm working on for one of my classes. Love the overlap. Okay, back to B6. Most of the time is spent doing discharge planning. Not exactly what I expected, and probably not what I'll end up doing once I'm avec degree, but there's value in it nonetheless. It's a lot of logistical support--making arrangements ("referrals" if you're up on the hospital slang) for someone to safely go home, for someone to go to a nursing home, a rehab facility, for someone to go on home hospice, making sure that they have everything they need: e.g. hospital bed if necessary, a walker, wheelchair, things of that nature. It's a very fast-paced, ridiculously busy environment and I often wonder how the social worker with whom I work manages to get around to it all. The unfortunate part is that the interaction with the patient and his/her family never fully seems to develop: there's just not enough time for that. It's also very sad to see people so sick, some who are so near death that you can almost feel it coming, others who are just way too young to have deal with all that a cancer diagnosis brings. I lost my mom to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma almost seven years ago. She died in a hospital, and I so a lot of what I see is sadly familiar...and though ours was not a success story, I know that they exist. I know that some treatments do work, people can get better. I can't wait to see that side of it all. On a brighter note, friends....I got a job! As anyone in grad school can attest, the stress of having to take out so much in loans is considerable. I figured it couldn't hurt to line the ol' pocket a little, and so landed myself--just today, actually---a little catering gig. I've never catered before, never even worked at a restaurant serving tables, but I couldn't be more excited. The perks seem plentiful: decent money, super flexible schedule, opportunity to widen the friend network a bit, eat good food for free, and see a lot of weddings and other events that make people really happy. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes. I start tomorrow. Yowza!! That makes Sunday my read/write papers day. But it's still Friday....and on that note, signing off. More soon. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/10/at_lastsinai_hospital_exposed.html http://blogs.targetx.com/umbssw/Kim/2007/10/at_lastsinai_hospital_exposed.html Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:47:45 -0500