tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/umbssw/Stella//206 2009-03-04T20:20:14Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/umbssw/Stella//206.9359 2009-03-03T02:14:43Z 2009-03-04T20:20:14Z

Alright my friends it’s been several weeks (almost a month) since my last blog entry, and I must tell you I have been crazy busy. We literally have 2 ½ months left until graduation and yes I am counting down…Trust...

Stella Alright my friends it’s been several weeks (almost a month) since my last blog entry, and I must tell you I have been crazy busy. We literally have 2 ½ months left until graduation and yes I am counting down…Trust me I know I am not the only one. I bought my cap and gown two weeks ago and it completely hit me how quickly things are moving this semester. I have done everything from working on papers for class to working on my resume. Yeah RESUME is the key word in that sentence. So with all coming at me wedding, class deadlines, part-time jobs and internship, I still have to find a job for after graduation. This time seems to be a really really big deal to me. I am really trying to get as much done as well as stop and embrace the moment. This time in my life seems so beyond stressful but so manageable. I have never felt so happy and so scared all in one instance. The part that makes this all so manageable is the support I have from professors, family and friends. I think this time in my life has really reinforced to me the saying my mother is famous for saying “No man is an island”. The crazy part about this is I also learned this when I completed an assignment for my addictive behavior class. So I had to attend an AA or an NA meeting for my class and write a reaction paper. This was my first exposure to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The saying “No man is an island” really rang loudly for me when several members stated over and over again, “IF your stop using, Go to meetings, Get a sponsor, Read the Book with your sponsor, have a support group, work the steps”. From this message all I could hear are you need a support network to over all hurdles in life. Within my field placement there has been an increase in the number of request for services with clients facing substance abuse problems. I have referred several clients to NA and AA. So this assignment really provided me a better understanding for what my clients face and the support needed to help my clients overcome this hurdle. I am glad I attended both meeting. Attending these meeting brought me to a new understanding of what the life of an addict is like. It is not an easy life. I really do not believe anyone would choose this life. I heard people’s personal shocking life stories. I heard how they were seduced by the life of drugs and alcohol. I saw on their faces how this seduction shattered their lives and the lives of their families. I believe this was a good learning tool for me because I was able to gain awareness and understanding of the addiction and recovery processes, as well as a way to view how self-help groups function. I MOST definitely recommend that all social work students attend an AA or NA meeting once in their career. Throughout my field placement at First Advantage EAP I have mandated several individuals to attend 3 consecutive self help meetings and provide me signed documentation that they attended. To see firsthand what those individuals actual have to go through really opened my eyes. The Employee Assistance program industry continues to add their expertise to the growing struggles employees. I believe to be able to really provide good service to your clients you must be able to see both sides. My addictive behavior class has quickly become one of my favorite classes this year and EAP industry continues to be one of the staple in my life. Alright my friends until next time. Please feel free to send me your comments. : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/umbssw/Stella//206.8908 2009-02-02T18:44:06Z 2009-02-04T14:20:59Z

Welcome back my friends! I hope you enjoyed our Winter Break. Now it is time to buckle down and get back to work. For those of you graduating with me May 2009, just remember we are almost there. We are...

Stella Welcome back my friends! I hope you enjoyed our Winter Break. Now it is time to buckle down and get back to work. For those of you graduating with me May 2009, just remember we are almost there. We are almost done!!! This semester is definitely filled with the anticipations of the end…well almost the end; we still have to find that first job after graduation. For those of you graduating please remember that you must complete your application for graduation by the end of this week. Please go to http://www.simsweb.umaryland.edu/. • log in • go to the student services & financial aid tab • complete an application for diploma • wait for confirmation in your e-mail This semester is going to be ridiculously busy for me. Not only do I have to finish my three remaining classes and find a job BUT I AM GETTING MARRIED. Yes, I said it getting married. I got engage over winter break!! I am really excited and have been trying to juggle a lot. We have not really set a date and apparently that is stressing my mother out…lol. When people say the wedding is more about the family than the bride and the groom I never believed them but now I do. It is crazy to think about all that goes into a wedding. My mom has been referring to our wedding as her wedding and her day...lol My mom is too cute, she is the typical Nigerian mother who wants her daughter married and giving her grand-babies. I will keep you all posted on the wedding plans. But honestly as if I didn't have enought to worry about. So as for this semester my three classes are Program management, Clinical addictive behavior and Industrial social service social policy. I am taking Program management with Professor Cohen-Callow, Addictive behavior with Professor DeLeonardis and Industrial social policy with Professor Jacobson. Program management is the last class I need for my MACO portion of my degree, while clinical addictive behavior and industrial social policy are the last two classes I need for my Employee assistance sub-specialization. I was not able to schedule all my classes in one day during the week so I am in Baltimore twice a week this semester. Last semester I had it so easy all my classes on Monday. Well such is life. I am still commuting with one of my friends to school. We are able to save on gas and the miles on our car. I am really excited about my addictive behavior class. For one of our assignments we have to attend both a Self –Help (AA and NA meeting) as well as a Support Groups (Alanon or Naranon meeting). I think this is a great assignment. I think it will really provide some insight into what addicts and their family’s experience. I like this assignment because I would never have really thought about going to a meeting and hearing what people are really experiencing. Alright my fiends this is all I have for now. Until next time. Please feel free to send me an e-mail with any of your questions or comments. Take care. Stella ; ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.8304 2008-12-08T03:35:10Z 2008-12-08T12:28:24Z

Alright my friends, so I hope everyone had a GREAT THANKSGIVING! Now we are back in school and counting today we have two more weeks left until the semester is over. THIS IS A SERIOUS CRUNCH TIME! I do not...

Stella Alright my friends, so I hope everyone had a GREAT THANKSGIVING! Now we are back in school and counting today we have two more weeks left until the semester is over. THIS IS A SERIOUS CRUNCH TIME! I do not know where the time went. Now I am trying to figure out how I can get everything done without losing my mind. Final exams have started and papers need to be submitted. I am trying not to panic. All I keep saying to myself is just keep breathing. This I feel is the BEST advice I can give anyone in my situation. • If you have finals which you have not really started studying, worrying does not change a thing just relax and remember to breathe. • If you ONLY have 4 pages of a 15 page paper ready and it is due in less than two weeks, remember worrying does not change a thing just relax and remember to breathe. • If your computer dies on you just as you are working on the last few pages of your research paper just relax and remember to breathe. • If your printer runs out of ink the same day your paper is due and you just do not have time to go and buy a new one just relax and remember to breathe. • If you start to feel yourself panicking, your heartbeat is racing and you are breathing fast just relax and remember to breathe. My mother has always told me that when I am in a difficult situation this is when I should be the most thankful because during these times you grow and learn the most about yourself. Learning your limitations gives you opportunities for improvement. So my friends remember that the semester is almost over and your goal is nearer, just relax and remember to breath. Alright my friends, until next semester. Have a great winter break! Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and stay blessed! - Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.8133 2008-11-24T14:05:00Z 2008-11-24T14:30:21Z

My dear friends I am truly sorry it has been a while since my last blog. School, internship and family have left me no time. I know, I know you have heard it all before. Maybe I will get it...

Stella My dear friends I am truly sorry it has been a while since my last blog. School, internship and family have left me no time. I know, I know you have heard it all before. Maybe I will get it right before the school year is over. Maybe I will also find a different way to start my blogs...lol. So with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I cannot believe it in less than four weeks until the semester will be over!! THIS SEMESTER FLEW BY. This year is actually flying by really quickly too. I am still in total shock that we as Americans voted and elected a new president just 20 days ago. WOW - I am too amazed; I am really doing my happy dance. Hands in the air wave them like you just don’t care….lol. It seems like just yesterday for me that school started again. I have made some good friends and even greater memories this semester...WOW I just can't believe it. I am really excited to see what next year and my final semester in graduate school will bring. This semester I do not have any finals just three major papers due at the end of the semester. They are all going to take any last bit of energy I can muster up. For my Administering EAP class I have a project/paper that is the mother of all projects/paper due. This project is so much work professor Jacobson actually asked us during the first week of school to start it as soon as possible. Yeah, now I wish I had listened. So this project is called a Request for proposal (RFP). Basically, we have to create a fictitious EAP, staff it and write about the services we would provide to a client. It is a really cool project but a lot of work. For my research class I have a group presentation and research paper due. For my Community organization class I have an organization paper due, I am writing about the organization ACORN. All this work is due in December and for the life of me all I can think about is the fact that my first semester of my second year in graduate school is almost done. Some of my friends have diagnosed me and call my symptoms the graduate school burnout…the power of the DSM. Basically, it is when you just cannot think about school work anymore. All you want is a break so you can recuperate and get ready for next semester. Hey I guess Thanksgiving is just in time…lol. This thanksgiving I will be in Houston Texas with family. My flight is actually tomorrow. Yeah I still have some laundry to do and some packing. I am too excited. My family was not affected by the Hurricane that much and we thank God for that. I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my family, my old friends and new friends I made this year, the roof over my head, the strength god has provided me to wake up each day and continue on, I am thankful for being able to be in school this year and most of all I am thankful for all the love I have in my life. That is just the beginning of my list. What is at the top of yours? Alright my friends that is all I have for you right now. Please feel free to e-mail me any comments. Please be blessed and have HAPPY THANKGIVING!!!! OH BY THE WAY A LITTLE THANKGIVING FACT…Did you know that there are at least three American towns named after Thanksgiving dinner's main course? There's Turkey, Texas, with 496 residents; Turkey Creek, Louisiana, with 357 residents, and Turkey, North Carolina, with 267 residents. There are also eight places and townships named Cranberry, and 20 places named Plymouth, after the location of the first Thanksgiving. -Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.7643 2008-10-21T04:07:51Z 2008-10-21T12:26:35Z

Did you know that the School of Social Work offers the only graduate program in the world dedicated to preparing professional social workers to enter the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) field? Learn more at one of our Information Sessions. ANNOUNCEMENT:...

Stella ANNOUNCEMENT: EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) - Are you a first-year student trying to decide what to specialize in? - Are you interested in learning how to apply your social work skills in the global world of work and business settings? - Are you looking for a career that offers opportunities to be creative and provide different services each day you come to work? - Did you know that the School of Social Work offers the only graduate program dedicated to preparing professional social workers to enter the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) field? To find out more about this unique learning opportunity and growing field, please plan to attend one of the following EAP Sub-specialization Information Sessions. As Chair of the EAP Sub-Specialization, alumnus of the program, and the faculty member leading this specialized field at the School of Social Work, Dr. Jodi Jacobson will be available to answer any questions you may have. Light refreshments will be served. PLEASE COME JOIN US! EAP Information Session Locations & Times * Friday, October 31 - 1:15 p.m. to 2 pm - Shady Grove Campus -Building SG-III/Room 2216 * Monday, November 3 -5 p.m. to 6 p.m. - School of Social Work - Room 3E10 * Thursday, November 6 – 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. - School of Social Work - Room 3E10 - See you all there!! Stella : )]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.7522 2008-10-13T16:11:59Z 2008-10-14T12:37:01Z

Hey guys sorry it has been a while since I last wrote. This semester is moving quickly and taking me a long for the ride. Can you believe it we are already in the middle of October and mid-terms are...

Stella Hey guys sorry it has been a while since I last wrote. This semester is moving quickly and taking me a long for the ride. Can you believe it we are already in the middle of October and mid-terms are quickly approaching....ahhhh. Hey C'est la vie (It is life). So as I said earlier this semester my field placement is at First Advantage EAP. I am excited by this field placement and the opportunity to grow in my knowledge of EAP. I have made a lot of good connections and new friends. I have been to my field placement for about five weeks now and so far I really love it. I am there three days a week (Tuesday – Thursday). If I could be there more than three days a week I would. Hint, Hint wink, wink I really want a job with them after I graduate. Yes, I am already thinking about after graduation, hey it is never too soon to start. I am learning so much about EAP services. First Advantage provides telephonic EAP services, so I am mostly on the phones handling referrals. So many of you are probably wondering what is an EAP and how does it relate to social work? So EAP is the acronym for Employee Assistance Program which is completely different from EPA which is the Environmental Protection Agency, Trust me I have heard that joke before. From what I have learned so far from my SWOA 736 class (Administering EAP), EAPs grew out of industrial alcoholism programs of the 1940's. EAP is social work but for any employee or their family members. An EAP is a confidential, short term, counseling service for employees with personal problems that affect their work performance. The EAP offers help with the resolution of those problems. These problems, however, do not have to be caused by workplace issues. Employee Assistance Programs are designed to help people understand or overcome their personal problems. While most EAPs offer a wide range of services, they often refer to other professionals or agencies who can offer more or extended care in particular areas. My field placement has a network of affiliates it refers its clients to called the local network affiliates (LNA). Most LNA’s handle the assessments and refer back to my field placement with their recommendations. First Advantage on a case by case basis then handles the case management if the situation warrants it. EAPs are usually a program purchased or funded by an employer and provided by an external organization or occasionally by an internal department within a company. The ranges of areas typically managed by an EAP provider include: • personal issues • job stress • relationship issues • eldercare, childcare, parenting issues • harassment • substance abuse • separation and loss • balancing work and family • financial or legal • family violence Sometimes when the EAP is internal it works with the Human Resource department or the ER Employee Relations department. This I find is the most difficult part of EAP. The EAP now has two clients to joggle, the client the company and the client the employee. My field placement is an external EAP and I am learning through that you have to be somewhat business savvy to be in the EAP field. This is one of the major reasons why I decided to get my MSW with a concentration on EAP. I believe it is exposing me to many different aspects of social work. Social work is about helping improve people’s lives. Social Workers help people cope with issues in their everyday lives especially in their relationships more specifically personal and family problems. With the economy being what it is right now many people’s lives includes their jobs or even the jobs that they don’t have, but want. I really believe EAP is a necessary part of the social work industry. My field placement has been really busy lately, in some part I think it is because of all that is going on. A lot more people are calling to request services and we are ready to help. Alright my friends that is it for now. Thanks for letting me provide you a brief synopsis of my field placement. I will keep you all posted on what is going. Until next time, stay blessed! Please feel free to write me with any questions you have. Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.7191 2008-09-10T03:48:05Z 2008-09-10T12:51:03Z

So as you all might have guessed from your calendar and the many endless back to school sales…WE ARE BACK in school!!! I enjoyed my summer. The rest and relaxation was really needed. I also enjoyed both my summer jobs...

Stella Classes Court Based Research Juvenile Justice Center: Corey Shdaimah Community Organization: Megan Meyer Administering Employee Assistance Program: Jodi Jacobson Field Placement –Three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) First Advantage I am so excited by the endless possibility my new internship and my new courses will really offer me this semester. FYI even though I have only been to my field placement once, it is hands down the BEST internship EVER!! So the best part is most of my co-workers, everyone from the director of clinician down to the EAP specialist graduated from UMB’s school of Social Work. This internship could not be a better fit for me. As an intern I will do everything from intake, case management to account management. The opportunity to learn all aspects of what an EAP specialist does at First advantage is endless. I will keep you all posted. Alright my friends this is the beginning of a beautiful semester…Let’s keep that in mind around mid-terms. Okay until next time. Please feel free to send me your comments and questions. -Stella : ) ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.6333 2008-05-08T21:20:01Z 2008-05-09T12:36:30Z

I have a SUMMER JOB!!!! Well my friends after several pain staking online searches and then interviews, I did it! I found myself a summer job. Can you believe it, this summer I will be working at Westat. As you...

Stella I have a SUMMER JOB!!!! Well my friends after several pain staking online searches and then interviews, I did it! I found myself a summer job. Can you believe it, this summer I will be working at Westat. As you all may know, summer jobs or internships can play a key role in your career. They are an excellent way to gain experience in your area of study and can provide a significant advantage in job hunting after graduation. For me, Westat is a perfect match. Westat is statistical survey research organization that provides research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as various businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. For those of you also still looking for a summer job, check out their web http://www.westat.com/ The best part of this summer job is it is within my field and will hopefully enhance some of my research skills in preparation for my advance research course next year. I am really excited about this job! I WILL NOT BE BROKE THIS SUMMER (happy dance, happy dance) I cannot believe I will be working a minimum of 35 hours a week. Okay my friends, that is it in the latest saga of my exciting life. Thanks to all who supported me during my summer job search. I appreciate all the job search websites and the agency contacts. Now I have to go back to studying for my psychopathology exam tomorrow. Wish me luck!! -Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.6236 2008-05-01T20:36:40Z 2008-05-02T12:55:26Z

I am sorry it has been a while since I last wrote. Honestly, between school, home and my field placement, life has just been moving really rapidly for me. So my friends when we last spoke (lol, I mean the...

Stella I am sorry it has been a while since I last wrote. Honestly, between school, home and my field placement, life has just been moving really rapidly for me. So my friends when we last spoke (lol, I mean the last time I blogged of course) I was preparing to wake up really really early (5:50 am to be exact) to register for my classes next year. Well it paid off!! I got all my classes that I needed and wanted to take next year. Many of my friends did not have the same luck. However they also thought it was silly that I was going to wake up at 5:50 am to register for classes. Well - that is just how the cookie crumbles. So I set up my schedule so that next year I will be in Baltimore only one day a week, Monday! This is the best idea ever. It will save me money and a serious commute to Baltimore. I will be taking the following classes and then my internship: SOWK 789-01 Court Based Research - Juvenile Justice Center, Professor Corey Shdaimah SWOA 704-01 Community Organization, Professor Megan Meyer SWOA 736-01 Administering Employee Assistant Program, Professor Jodi M. Jacobson Speaking of internships, I cannot believe my internship ended last week Tuesday. It was really sad and hard for me. Spending a year with people, getting to know them and working to help them to resolve issues they have and empowering them to do anything they need to do, makes ending never easy. I am glad for the experience I received at JSSA this year. I really learned a lot. I think it changed me as a person. My second year internship promises to be even better! I really enjoyed the people I met during the interview. I will be interning at First Advantage. They are an EAP consulting firm. I am really excited! It is so great that you get to pick your second year field placement for yourself. Well, so the year is almost over. The last day of classes for me is Friday, May 9th. This time next week, I would have almost completed my first year in my masters program. I cannot believe how quickly this semester, not to talk about this year went. I turned in my last paper yesterday for my Social Work practice, the class with Professor Pierson. I have a paper due Friday in psychopathology with Professor Friedman. I love that class! The DSM is my new best friend. Then on Wednesday May 7th I have an exam in Human Behavior II. Then to end things off, on Friday, May 9th I have an exam in psychopathology with Professor Friedman. Yeah – If you are looking at this schedule and thinking having a paper and an exam in psychopathology was a little bit too much, welcome to my world. So apart from worrying about finals I have to worry about looking for a SUMMER JOB! It is really crazy. If you remember correctly the reoccurring theme for this year in some of my blogs has been the POOR graduate student. This theme does not end when classes end. Trust me, it expands. In the summer you want to travel places with friends and family. With gas prices what they are now, getting a job is my only option. So I have began the search. I’ll keep you posted. Hopefully, I will know something before classes end. Keep your figures crossed for me. Okay my friends that is it for now. Please feel free to e-mail me any questions or comments - Stella tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.5541 2008-03-24T18:06:49Z 2008-03-24T18:52:50Z

Hi my friends WELCOME BACK!! I hope everyone is adjusting to the routine of classes and field placements again after their Spring Break. I am sorry it has been a while since my last blog, since February - WOW. Please...

Stella (SAD face). I mean when can you get a chance to sleep in until 12:00 (noon). Then wake up to watch some reruns of the Golden Girls, American Idol, the Cosby show, Different World and yes…. Oprah at 4:00 pm. I mean you can even eat cereal for lunch. Man, it was the good life. Nothing beats some rest, relaxation and time with Friends and Family. You do not even have to go anywhere. Nothing beats going to movies with friends, going to dinner and knowing that you don’t have an assignment due the next day. Well all is well. I hope everyone was able to enjoy their Spring Break. Now back to school. Back to studying at the library, back to papers and exams. So FYI, for those who might not know it yet, this year’s summer schedule, next year’s fall and spring semester schedules came out over Spring Break. Mark your CALENDARS - Online registration for 2nd year students begins at 6:00 am on April 1st. Yeah that means next week Tuesday I know what time I have to wake up and I also have Field that day – Do you see the injustice my friends (Smile)? Online registration is on April 7th for continuing 1st years and April 14th for newly admitted students. For those of you who have not had a chance to check it out here are the links to the web sites. Summer 2008 (http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/academic_programs/2008%20course%20schedules/SUM-08.doc) Fall 2008 (http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/academic_programs/2008%20course%20schedules/FALL2008_courses.doc) Spring 2009 (http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/academic_programs/2009%20course%20schedules/SPR-2009_courses.doc) I spent some of my Spring Break trying to plan out my entire schedule for my second year. This was serious, you almost have too. You see, some classes are only offered in the spring or in the fall. So to make sure you have all your course requirements you have to plan ahead. With my schedule for next year, I figured I am also going to have to try and take a class this summer. So much to do so little time to do it in. Alright my friends I have to get back to some reading I completely avoid over Spring Break – That was some serious procrastination on my part. Take care and please feel free to send me your comments or questions regarding my blog. Thanks!! -Stella : )]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.4946 2008-02-12T03:12:54Z 2008-02-12T12:52:38Z

So as you have probably guessed like many others I have caught the election bug. It is hard not to. It is everywhere. Let me explain. Earlier last year I wanted to do something to give back to my...

Stella So as you have probably guessed like many others I have caught the election bug. It is hard not to. It is everywhere. Let me explain. Earlier last year I wanted to do something to give back to my community. I began volunteering for different organizations. I thought this would give me some good experiences with different agencies before I started my Masters. During the House and Senate election I received information to volunteer for the presidential primaries and the general election. So I went to the website, did my research and I signed up to be an Election Day judge/volunteer. The process was somewhat long but finally I was selected to be a Voting Operations Judge. To my understanding it was a somewhat simple job, which took some time commitment and training (3 hours), but which they needed a lot of volunteers for. As a Voting operations judge (fancy title – nothing really to it) I would do all of the following: o Attend the team meeting on Monday evening before election o Arrive at the polling place at 6:00 am on Election Day o Assist with overall operations of the polling place as directed by the Chief Judge o Assist with the opening and closing of the polling place as needed o Serve voters casting a Provisional Ballot by:  Controlling Provisional Ballots and related materials  Assisting all provisional voters  Preparing all Provisional Voting documentation o Check in voters by:  Set up the Electronic Poll Books  Greeting Voters  Use the Electronic Poll Books to qualify voters to use the electronic voting units, printing Voter Authority Cards and encoding the Voter Access Cards  Ensure that each voter signs the required documentation o Assist voters in the voting process by:  Managing voters in line  Assisting voters with special needs  Escorting voters to the voting unit for security reasons This seems easy enough and would really be helpful for a MACO (Management and Community Organization Concentration) student. Okay now flash forward – Second semester Spring 2008. I am somewhat stressed. I have a lot of reading to do, field two days a week and I am still working a part-time job. How am I supposed to find time to do all of this? Well, I did a little shuffling of my schedule and made things work. I attended the mandatory training session and completed all the additional required paper work. I even signed up some additional volunteers. I really wish I could have used this experience for my mandatory MACO process recording. Oh well – goes to show you an MSW comes in handy for a lot of things. So this Tuesday, February 12 for us Marylanders, (Also known as SUPER TUESDAY) from 6:00 am – 8:00 pm I will be in my voting district precinct serving as a Voting Operations Judge. Can I just tell you I am really excited to see democracy up close and personal – yeah I know that sounds corny, but it is true. Okay, my friends I would love to get some feedback. Please send any question or comments. Take care until next time. - Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2008:/umbssw/Stella//206.4667 2008-01-25T01:51:47Z 2008-01-28T19:09:18Z

The start of something new brings the hope of something great! Welcome back my dear friends! It has been a while since my last blog. It is funny to say but I have missed school. I know that sounds crazy...

Stella The start of something new brings the hope of something great! Welcome back my dear friends! It has been a while since my last blog. It is funny to say but I have missed school. I know that sounds crazy but I have missed the routine and structure of things. So, let’s catch up. I had a great winter break! It really went by so quickly. I enjoyed the time with family and friends. I went to several family functions and parties. I even got a chance to go to a friend’s Naija (aka Nigerian) proper engagement – so much fun!! During all of this I managed to still go to field twice a week (No work without play). So this semester is going to be very important for me. This semester I get to declare my concentration. The form is online and very simple to fill out. I will also get to apply and pick my field placement for next year. My field placement for next year will be more specific to my concentration – mental health EAP (Employee Assistant program). The application is due February 1st. For this spring I am taking the usually five classes, except two of my classes will be advance level classes (700 level). By the end of this semester I will have completed the 24 foundation level credits. So my class schedule for this semester as I mentioned earlier is as follows: 1. SOWK 631 – SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II (Joan Pittman) 2. SOWK 641 – HUMAN BEHAVIOR II (Mindy Thiel) 3. SWCL 700 – PARADIGMS CLINICAL SW PRACTICE (Richard Schiff) 4. SWCL 744 – PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (Roger Friedman) I am really excited about my Paradigms and Psychopathology class. From what I have seen from my first classes I think they will be very interesting, somewhat challenging classes. Both classes seem to be very geared toward a Social work Clinical concentration but I am MACO and clinical, we will see how that works out. My books for this semester are not as expensive as they were last semester so I get to save some money. For my Human Behavior II class, one of the two books we are using this semester is the same book we used last semester (Contemporary Human Behavior theory by Robbins). I have two new textbooks for Paradigms, Paradigms of Clinical Social Work Volume 2 and Crisis Trauma. Both books I got used for about $80.00 from Amazon. My Psychopathology class with Professor Friedman wins the award for the most books for one class this semester. The seven books (yes, I said seven), range in prices. Five of the seven were under $10.00 (Girl interrupted, Drama of the Gifted child, Joe Gould’s secret and Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4 – D). The other two books, the DSM and Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry were about $70.00 together. My psychopathology professor promises us that these books will be great resource guides. I will keep you posted. Okay my friends that is it for now. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments. Take care until next time. - Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2007:/umbssw/Stella//206.4219 2007-12-09T05:08:06Z 2007-12-10T18:03:46Z

So I have one more week left until the end of my first semester in graduate school. WOW - my last final is this week Friday, December 14th. As I look back on the semester I think about all that...

Stella So I have one more week left until the end of my first semester in graduate school. WOW - my last final is this week Friday, December 14th. As I look back on the semester I think about all that has happened. All the new friends I have made. All the good and the bad times we have shared. It is funny to me now how scared I was when the semester started. I am shocked and amazed at how much I have learned. I learned how to complete and submit on time my process recording for my field placement. I learned the proper techniques to use to interview a client. I learned how to search for and buy cheap used textbooks. I learned how to properly cite journal articles in APA format. I learned how to read 6 chapters in my textbook in 3 hours for an exam. I learned how to drive down 270 (in and out of traffic) and make it to class on time. I learned how to take the back roads to school instead of 270. I learned how to stretch $20.00 so it last for at least a week and half. I learned how to smile even when I was too tired and there wasn’t much to smile about. I learned how to have a little bit more patients. Most especially…I learned how to do my best and leave the rest to GOD. As I write this blog I am preparing for a quiz in Human behavior and a five page paper in Social Work practice which is due on Wednesday. Then I have my Policy and Research exam on Friday and my final paper in Research is also due. One week left. WOW – time is funny it passes so quickly. Happy Holidays to all and Good Luck on finals!! I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog for this semester and have learned a little bit from me. -Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2007:/umbssw/Stella//206.4004 2007-11-27T03:19:40Z 2007-11-27T17:11:37Z

Let me start by wishing everyone a HAPPY BELATED Thanksgiving!!! I hope you enjoyed the time with family and friends. I hope everyone ate enough turkey! I really enjoy the holiday season. It is a great time to reflect on...

Stella Let me start by wishing everyone a HAPPY BELATED Thanksgiving!!! I hope you enjoyed the time with family and friends. I hope everyone ate enough turkey! I really enjoy the holiday season. It is a great time to reflect on the year. So my dear friends let me apologizing for taking so long to write this blog. Each week I said to my self I have plenty to write about. I can write about school, my part-time job, having to pay for new books for my new module of social work practice, but then some sort of schoolwork, field placement issue, family function came up. Then before I knew it Thanksgiving was here! Okay - so who can believe that next week we will be in the month of December and then fall semester will be over before we know it. The last day of classes is December 14th, that is in two weeks. I feel like November just started. No, wait, I feel like the semester just began. I mean I knew things were moving fast but, I was shocked when I had to register for spring semester classes two weeks ago. I woke up at 6:00 am on Monday, November 12th the day foundation students could register for classes just to beat the rush. Trust me it was worth it. Next semester I will continue taking all my classes at the Universities at Shady Grove. I will not have to drive to Baltimore. I was not worried about driving to Baltimore, this just fit perfectly with my schedule. I am really excited about next semester. I will hopefully complete my foundation course and begin my advance standing course. Again, next semester I will be taking four classes and my field placement. My field placement will remain the same, JSSA the Jewish Social Service agency. Field placement is a yearlong assignment. After speaking with my advisor and some friends who have taken these classes, I registered for the following classes: 1. Social Work Practice II (which will include Groups and family component and MACO component) 2. Human Behavior II 3. Paradigms 4. Psychopathology 5. Foundation Field Practicum I think these classes will really continue to build my knowledge of social work. I cannot also wait to shear with you what I think of these classes and professors, stay tuned. These classes are geared towards a clinical concentration. By the end of next semester I will have to declare my concentration, so hopefully these classes will make the decision easier. Okay my friends for now I am going to continue to concentrate on last minute exams, papers and assignments. Please wish me luck! Until next time my friends -Stella : ) tag:blogs.targetx.com,2007:/umbssw/Stella//206.3542 2007-10-29T14:54:11Z 2007-10-30T13:21:45Z

Hi – friends, it me again. So I survived mid-terms, it was quite a battle. Many thanks to all that supported me during this crazy time. Let it be known I came, I saw, I conquered my first semester of...

Stella November 23rd – Thanksgiving – 26 days December 5th – Chanukah – 38 days December 25th – Christmas – 58 days (I hope you have been nice!) ]]>