Catching up...

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been trying to get over a migraine and I'm finally feeling normal again.  I think the lack of sleep since Daniel being born has finally caught up to me. But I'm a little more caught up on sleep now and feeling much better.

So, things are picking up at my internship.  I'm not officially moving back and forth from the classroom (which is where everyone works) and the lab.  I'm getting very comfortable with my tasks and the participants are warming up to me. I have quite a few responsibilities now.  I have to do a check once a week to make sure everyone is going to treatment, I help with purchase orders which is how the participants receive their gift certificates and pay their bills, I help introduce new participants to the program, and I help as a research assistant.  Plus I just fill in the gaps when they need an extra hand. 

On a funny note, they are having a cook-off here on the 7th and Mexican is the theme.  This happened after my 2nd day or so we were talking in the breakroom about all the good Mexican food we have back in Texas.  I was talking with one of the other volunteers on Wednesday, and she was saying how I probably make really good Mexican food since I'm from Texas. I told her can make really good enchiladas, and she asked what those were!  The only Mexican we've seen since we've been here is Don Pablo's and Taco Bell.  I miss El Fenix!

Since I've been here, I've been trying to talk to who ever I can about where to go next for school. I've been told Florida, Arkansas, West Virginia.  Well, this week, I decided to email one of my Substance Abuse professors.  He suggested I go to Southern Illinois.  He said have a Masters program called Rehabilitation Administration that should allow me to do what I need to do to open my own facility. So I looked into, and saw they have a partial online program for working professionals.  I emailed the person in charge and he said they just opened the program up to be fully online, so I can do this from back home in Denton!!  So now not only did I find a school that has a program that will work for me, but I can do it from home.  YAY!!!! Thank you, God!!

Week 2

I completed another week here at CLH.  It had its ups and downs, but was overall a good week.  On Wednesday I met with the director.  He's the "big boss" and the one who is friends with the professor who got me here. Well, after sitting down and saying hellos, he asked me, "so what do you have for me, why are you here?" As in why I'm in Maryland working for him.  I was stunned, I figured he would be the one giving me direction, not the other way around. So I explained to him why I came, what I want to do, and what I hope to get out of working at CLH.  I described the facility I hope to have one day for adolescents, and he was less than helpful.  He basically said he doesn't know how I can do that or even what I would need to start something like that.  But he said he would ask around and see if there's anyone I can talk with who can help. 

So I left the meeting feeling very discouraged. Before talking with him, I was already feeling like I wasn't needed here and wasn't sure exactly why I was here.  And after the meeting, I really was doubting us being here.  But I prayed about it on my way home and God reminded me that he brought us here and there is a reason. 

On Thursday, I was less than motivated to come in, but I put on a happy face and walked through the door.  I'm glad I did.  Thursdays are not typically busy days, but for some reason this one was.  We had a new participant start, so I read him all the instructions and got him set up with his computer.  I got to collect a urine sample, sounds gross but it's still kinda cool.  Then I met with my supervisor for our first official supervision meeting.  I was going to tell him how I've been feeling and that I need more to do.  But before I could, he started saying how glad everyone is that I'm here and how big of a help I've been.  That they really appreciate everything I've done so far and look forward to what else I have to offer.  Then said that he wants me to move on to the lab and start working in there more.  And once I'm done with that, then I can move on to Outreach.  And he gave me a project that I'll be starting in a few weeks.  Then said if I ever feel like I have nothing to do or ready for something new to come to him.  So without me saying a word, he addressed all of my concerns and reassured me I do have a place here. 

So what did I learn this week: My supervisor is won't be someone who can help me figure out where to go next, but he will be a big help while I'm here.  He's going to be able to direct me where to go and what I can do to get my hours in. The director will not be much help directly, but he does know a lot of people and can give me a nice recommendation letter when I leave.  Which by the way, he did email one of his friends who I'm going to meet with on Friday. I also was reminded this is where we need to be right now, and although it's not exactly how I pictured, it's going to work out in our favor because God has His hands on this.

My first week

Last week was my first full week.  It was really weird having to leave the house every day.  I don't like leaving the boys, but it was a good week.  It's really fun being in the environment I've been studying about for the past 4 years.

I finally finished all of the training modules and am ready to take on any task they give me.  So far each day I run reports, help participants with computer issues and I'm starting to help out in the lab.  On Wednesday, I was left in charge of the front because Scott was out sick.  So I checked in all the participants and helped them when they had issues with their computers.  On Thursday, I went back to the lab and observed them.  This is where they collect urine samples and analyze them.  They have this big machine that tells them what drugs the participants have in their system.  It's very sciency and kinda cool watch.  One of the technicians is working on a research project to get the participants to dress more professionally and asked me to help, so I am now her research assistant. My job is to take pictures of the participants in the study.  Friday, I stayed home because none of us felt good, except Evan, he felt great.

I'll write again on Friday to let you all know how this week went.  My plan is to write every Friday, unless something exciting happens on a particular day. I hope you're enjoying it.