School is in Session

Yesterday I had my first day of classes. I started out the morning with Direct Practice Foundation Methods and Skills which meets from 8:30 -11:30. The other class I have on Tuesday is Social Policy which meets from 2:00-4:00. Although the classes sound a little dry, I enjoyed both classes and like my professors.

Although I only have classes on Monday mornings, and Tuesday and Thursdays I am concerned with time management. Starting September 17th I have my Field Placement, (internship), which will be on Wednesdays. I was also supposed to report there on Mondays, but since we meet on Mondays from 9:00-11:00 for Field Seminar, I'm not sure how that will all work out. I was hoping to not have anything on Fridays, but it seems like I'll probably have to go to my Field Placement on Fridays so that I meet the 16 hr/wk requirement. That being said I have no idea when I'll get all of my work done. This is a lot different than getting a Bachelors degree. We have so much reading to do - for example, by next Tuesday I need to have read 3 chapters in 1 book, 1 chapter in another book and an article - and this is only for 1 class!!! So as you can see, I'm freaking out a little bit, but I know I'll find my groove and it will work out.

In addition to getting my Masters, Case offer a Certificate program that I applied for. It is a Certificate in Nonprofit Management. My main goals for applying are #1 It will make me more marketable and #2 If I'm paying all this money to go to school, I'm going to get as much out of it as I can. The certificate will allow me to take classes that deal with managing an agency.

Also Case has a program where you can travel abroad during winter and spring breaks to experience other cultures and how they deal with social issues. This spring they are going to the Netherlands. I want to go to the Netherlands because that is where my family is from. I actually googled my name and it popped up to someone in the Netherlands that is connected to social work. How crazy is that? Not only my name - correct spelling and all - but also in the field I'm pursuing. The trip also looks into Mental Health and Substance Abuse so it is also valid for my concentration. I'm putting the wheels in motion so that I'll be able to go. I have to update my passport, it expired about 5 years ago, and secure the funds. The school does offer financial aid for the program.

I have already made some"friends" and there is another student who has the same Field Placement as me so we are going to carpool. She lives about 2 min from me so it works out.

I'll try my best to keep my blog up to date.

I'm very fortunate

I'm very fortunate that I have been so busy lately. I was a little concerned that I wouldn't know what to do with all my time.


Monday
Marie and I went to see the movie Step Brothers. The previews I saw led me to believe that this would be a worthwhile funny movie to see. This was not the case. Although there were some funny moments, I found it disturbing that 2 unemployed forty year old men living with their parents was somehow OK. I also did not appreciate the use of profanity. I found it to be peppered in to offer some comedic value, but in my opinion it was a failed attempt. After the movie we went to the "Lizard" for lunch. I have not eaten there in such a long time. I got the Buffalo Chicken Wrap and it was delicious!!! Well worth the points.


Tuesday
My Dad and I visited the Case campus. I got my student ID card. I'm very pleased with my picture. I won't mind carrying that around for the next 2 years. Now I can go to the Student ID night games!!! We also went to the college bookstore and my Dad picked up some t-shirts for him and my mom. I got a hat - what a surprise. After our walk around the campus we went to The Mint Cafe - a Thai restaurant at Coventry. I was a little apprehensive about Thai food, it is not something I eat-ever, but it was quite good. We got the same thing Choo Chee Salmon. I would go back there again.

Well today is Wednesday which means weigh-in day. I think this will be the first week that I gain=( I haven't been watching too closely this week. I'll keep you posted.

I have one too

OK, I jumped on the bandwagon. I want to be like everyone else so I have created my own blog. Only time will tell if I will have the time to keep it up, but since my life is going through a new change I thought it would be fun to document. The change I'm referring to is going to school to pursue a Masters degree in Social Work. I'll be attending Case Western Reserve University. Their Social Work program is rated 10th in the country and classes start in the next couple of weeks.

To prepare for school I purchased a file cabinet. I need to get a system in place so that I'm better organized. Fortunately it was only $29.95, unfortunately it had to be assembled. Last winter I put a console table together so I was up for the challenge. After 4 hours I had a new file cabinet. I have already been school supply shopping. I got a cool backpack from LL Bean that has a special compartment for my laptop.

I have orientation from August 20-22. I'm looking forward to it because it should offer some answers to questions I have like where to park and I'm sure I'll get answers for questions I'm not even sure I have.

I have also been playing Softball this summer on Friday nights. Tonight my team won in extra innings. I made an awesome catch in right field. I didn't get a base hit, but I did nail a couple of hard hits to the short stop. My brother hit 2 over the fence home runs! We went to the bar/grill that sponsors the team after the game. The service is so terrible that we are considering getting a new sponsor for the fall. The geriatric barmaids move way too slow. I said that they need to hire some young chippies that can hustle behind the bar.