So aside from being MIA from work for two weeks because I was sick, it's been a good time. I now have six interviews for internship and got a bunch of great stuff for Christmas. I have interviews remaining at USC Student Counseling Services, Switzer Learning Center, UC Riverside Student Counseling Center, City of Hope Medical Center, and San Bernardino Dept. of Behavioral Health. I'm pretty excited about the first and last ones in particular. For those who pay too close attn., the sixth was Patton from a couple weeks ago (where I got sick on out tour in the rain at 30 degrees).
Some of the highlights of Christmas: getting some cool stuff like a TiVo, portable DVD Player, Gap Jeans, several books on CD, several USC items (car flag, football, ornament, etc.), The Perfect Pushup, and some dates with Kira (giftcards). Also, I got to hang out with my family and Kira's family a lot. Always fun! We had the families over for dinner, which is crazy considering we all squeeze into our 2BD apt. for food and games. I'll try to find some way to upload a video of one of the games we played later.
Hope everyone had (and continues to have) a great holiday season! Oh, and if he's reading this, props to Curtis on a great song at the Christmas Eve services at FCC!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Patton State Hospital
I had my first internship interview yesterday. I think it went pretty well. The director seemed really nice, flexible, and intern-focused. The current interns were helpful. The tour of the grounds was interersting in the pouring rain and 42 degree weather, but it was nice tot walk through one of the wards and say hello to a few of the residents. I really hope this one works out.
The best part, however, was that the director started my interview by saying, "I noticed in one of your essays that you were a field goal kicker. So was I. How did you get into that?" BINGO. The rest of the interview was great. High hopes.
The best part, however, was that the director started my interview by saying, "I noticed in one of your essays that you were a field goal kicker. So was I. How did you get into that?" BINGO. The rest of the interview was great. High hopes.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
coolest thing ever
I just heard yesterday about a guy who now has the coolest story ever (that he can never tell).
A student who got booted from my graduate programand ended up at Loma Linda's graduate program was with some classmates taking a tour of Patton State Hospital recently (this place houses the real crazies (not guilty by reason of insanity, etc.).
His group was specifically instructed to not wear brown pants and green shirts (patient/inmate colors). He, of course, did. Not a problem initially, but he forgot something in his car. Since he didn't want to miss anything on the tour, he jogged to his car across the grounds. Well, I should say he jogged toward his car. He never got there. About halfway there, he got tackled by some guards and was asked to leave the premises after his identity had been verified.
Awesome. I don't think he'll be applying for a position at Patton again anytime soon.
A student who got booted from my graduate programand ended up at Loma Linda's graduate program was with some classmates taking a tour of Patton State Hospital recently (this place houses the real crazies (not guilty by reason of insanity, etc.).
His group was specifically instructed to not wear brown pants and green shirts (patient/inmate colors). He, of course, did. Not a problem initially, but he forgot something in his car. Since he didn't want to miss anything on the tour, he jogged to his car across the grounds. Well, I should say he jogged toward his car. He never got there. About halfway there, he got tackled by some guards and was asked to leave the premises after his identity had been verified.
Awesome. I don't think he'll be applying for a position at Patton again anytime soon.
Sweet satisfaction
If only this happened every time.
So the other day I was leaving the counseling center and I was waiting at a red light. My light turns green to go straight and a car is still in front of me turning left. No big deal, right? Right. That car was not a big deal. However, when I began moving through the intersection, another vehicle (large black F-150) turns left in front of me. I honked instinctively, not really that upset, but just trying to let the person (I'd say guy, but who knows) know that they were being unsafe (and costing me at LEAST two more seconds getting home; totally uncool).
After my brief honk, I moved on, truck driver completed their turn in front of me, and then WHAMMO, sirens and lights come out of nowhere and pull the truck over! A black, unmarked cop car shows off the blue and red and makes my night just a little sweeter. Justice is served. If only that happened every time someone cut me off. :)
So the other day I was leaving the counseling center and I was waiting at a red light. My light turns green to go straight and a car is still in front of me turning left. No big deal, right? Right. That car was not a big deal. However, when I began moving through the intersection, another vehicle (large black F-150) turns left in front of me. I honked instinctively, not really that upset, but just trying to let the person (I'd say guy, but who knows) know that they were being unsafe (and costing me at LEAST two more seconds getting home; totally uncool).
After my brief honk, I moved on, truck driver completed their turn in front of me, and then WHAMMO, sirens and lights come out of nowhere and pull the truck over! A black, unmarked cop car shows off the blue and red and makes my night just a little sweeter. Justice is served. If only that happened every time someone cut me off. :)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sleep, TV, Games, all return to house of Pate!
WWWheeeeewwwww. Okay, so, where to start. I guess with a qualifier to the following post, that this will be the abbreviated version of the past however long of my life.
I have officially finished the biggest two parts of my year (of just about any year for that matter): internship applications and Professional Qualifying Examination. The internship applications have been a thorn (katana blade) in my side the past three months. I am applying to 19 sites in southern California (because Kira is still attending UCI to complete her PhD in the next couple years) for psychology internships. I have spent a great deal of my time at home writing cover letters, counting hours, and finding new ways to make people impressed with my curriculum vita (resume).
I think this has been one of the more expensive months I can remember in a long time. I really think that Kira and I kept the USPS afloat during the recent recession trend. Fortunately that's all over for now and I just have to wait to hear back from the site directors as to whether I get interviews or not. I anticipate that I'll get between 5 and 10 interviews (most likely around 7). This makes any rejections easier to receive and anything beyond 7 just seem like gravy on my internship mashed potatoes (okay, that's a bit of a wierd analogy, but it's late and I'm a bit hungry...). I'll keep everybody posted as to the interviews I get.
On the Pro Qual side of things, I have also had much stress added daily in the past 4 weeks because of needing to put together a worthy intake report and ongoing therapy case presentation for a committee of three faculty members at Rosemead. The oral exam went well; I felt pretty comfortable after some initial comments by my Chair and getting good responses to my comments and answers in the first half hour or so (the whole meeting was about 1 hour, 50 minutes).
So, apparently, despite occasional goofiness in person, online, on stage, etc., I seem to be able to put together a good body of work and be helpful to clients to the satisfaction of my committee (Thank you to all of you who support me in my professional and sometimes silly personal endeavors :)).
Since I passed my exam without qualifications, I can now graduate after I secure and complete an internship next year and complete my doctoral literature review paper. Basically, passing this exam means that someday I get to be Dr. Pate. (Big sigh of relief). I dreaded that exam for a long time, but it turns out there wasn't much to be scared of. I look forward to lots more fun time with family and friends in the near future, more singing at church (starting this weekend), and MORE SLEEP!!!!!!!
My apologies for the lengthy ramblingness (yes, I will be Dr. pate someday) that was this blog, but I felt obligated to explain my absence from the blogosphere. I look forward to catching up reading all of your blogs and commenting like crazy! See you all soon. I'm coming out of grad school hibernation now...
I have officially finished the biggest two parts of my year (of just about any year for that matter): internship applications and Professional Qualifying Examination. The internship applications have been a thorn (katana blade) in my side the past three months. I am applying to 19 sites in southern California (because Kira is still attending UCI to complete her PhD in the next couple years) for psychology internships. I have spent a great deal of my time at home writing cover letters, counting hours, and finding new ways to make people impressed with my curriculum vita (resume).
I think this has been one of the more expensive months I can remember in a long time. I really think that Kira and I kept the USPS afloat during the recent recession trend. Fortunately that's all over for now and I just have to wait to hear back from the site directors as to whether I get interviews or not. I anticipate that I'll get between 5 and 10 interviews (most likely around 7). This makes any rejections easier to receive and anything beyond 7 just seem like gravy on my internship mashed potatoes (okay, that's a bit of a wierd analogy, but it's late and I'm a bit hungry...). I'll keep everybody posted as to the interviews I get.
On the Pro Qual side of things, I have also had much stress added daily in the past 4 weeks because of needing to put together a worthy intake report and ongoing therapy case presentation for a committee of three faculty members at Rosemead. The oral exam went well; I felt pretty comfortable after some initial comments by my Chair and getting good responses to my comments and answers in the first half hour or so (the whole meeting was about 1 hour, 50 minutes).
So, apparently, despite occasional goofiness in person, online, on stage, etc., I seem to be able to put together a good body of work and be helpful to clients to the satisfaction of my committee (Thank you to all of you who support me in my professional and sometimes silly personal endeavors :)).
Since I passed my exam without qualifications, I can now graduate after I secure and complete an internship next year and complete my doctoral literature review paper. Basically, passing this exam means that someday I get to be Dr. Pate. (Big sigh of relief). I dreaded that exam for a long time, but it turns out there wasn't much to be scared of. I look forward to lots more fun time with family and friends in the near future, more singing at church (starting this weekend), and MORE SLEEP!!!!!!!
My apologies for the lengthy ramblingness (yes, I will be Dr. pate someday) that was this blog, but I felt obligated to explain my absence from the blogosphere. I look forward to catching up reading all of your blogs and commenting like crazy! See you all soon. I'm coming out of grad school hibernation now...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
FINALLY!!!!!!!
OMG(oodness, of course).
So, if anyone still reads my blog, I just wanted to say that I'll post something soon updating on the past two months when I dropped off the face of the earth. Don't hoold your breath. Probably in a couple days...
So, if anyone still reads my blog, I just wanted to say that I'll post something soon updating on the past two months when I dropped off the face of the earth. Don't hoold your breath. Probably in a couple days...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
scoooorebooooard!
Kira and I went to the USC game this Saturday. They were playing Oregon. So, I assume in a Southern CA blog I don't need to say it , but they won (44-10!). Anyway, on with the story.
People never cease to amaze me with how stupid they can be. We were sitting directly next to three female Oregon fans. I think they had actually driven down from Oregon to watch the game. A few rows behind us were a few USC fans; they looked to be of college age.
I am hoping that they had been drinking at least a little because they were really obnoxious and had picked out my neighbors to annoy throughout the game. To one of them in particular the most outspoken of the group had been directing comments related to something about how much chest hair she had, how it was more than his dad had, whatever.
Oregon started the game strong, scoring the game's first touchdown, holding USC to a field goal on its first possession, and added a field goal of their own. Then, USC mounted a brief, effective drive for a touchdown. The score was tied at that point, 10-10. USC was ranked 9th nationally, Oregon 23rd or something. We were supposed to cream them.
At this juncture in the game, our mildly enebriated friend decided it was a good time to begin yelling "SCOOOOREBOOOARD...SCOOOOREBOOOARD". Needless to say, I felt a little less intelligent as a USC fan. The Oregon gal next to me yelled back something about "shouldn't you be winning before you gloat about the score?" (Kira leans over and says to me, "What is this, Kindergarden?) .The guy's friend continued his not-so-interesting comments about the other woman's chest hair, and I turned my attention back to the game.
Not the finest moment in the land of Troy. At least we won the game. The guy changed seats before the game was over anyway. I guess there weren't enough jackasses in the other parts of the stands.
People never cease to amaze me with how stupid they can be. We were sitting directly next to three female Oregon fans. I think they had actually driven down from Oregon to watch the game. A few rows behind us were a few USC fans; they looked to be of college age.
I am hoping that they had been drinking at least a little because they were really obnoxious and had picked out my neighbors to annoy throughout the game. To one of them in particular the most outspoken of the group had been directing comments related to something about how much chest hair she had, how it was more than his dad had, whatever.
Oregon started the game strong, scoring the game's first touchdown, holding USC to a field goal on its first possession, and added a field goal of their own. Then, USC mounted a brief, effective drive for a touchdown. The score was tied at that point, 10-10. USC was ranked 9th nationally, Oregon 23rd or something. We were supposed to cream them.
At this juncture in the game, our mildly enebriated friend decided it was a good time to begin yelling "SCOOOOREBOOOARD...SCOOOOREBOOOARD". Needless to say, I felt a little less intelligent as a USC fan. The Oregon gal next to me yelled back something about "shouldn't you be winning before you gloat about the score?" (Kira leans over and says to me, "What is this, Kindergarden?) .The guy's friend continued his not-so-interesting comments about the other woman's chest hair, and I turned my attention back to the game.
Not the finest moment in the land of Troy. At least we won the game. The guy changed seats before the game was over anyway. I guess there weren't enough jackasses in the other parts of the stands.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
it's been awhile!
So gosh, it feels like forever since I made a post! I do believe I have a good reason though. (BTW, I've already had to correct my spelling six (seven) times during (eight) this message (nine) and will now be leaving in the mistakes(ten) to save time.) So the excuse for leaving the blogosphere for three ish weeks: i'm applying for internship positions for next year and it is seriously kicking my butt. I think I can finally relate to all you new parents and sleeping quite sparingly. I have slept (not including my 3 hour nap today) about 12 hours since Sunday.
It's been rough getting all the information together for my letter writere and director of clinical trainign at rosemead. I'm still pooped, but it's over for the time being and now i can relax for a couple days before tackling the task of tringf to sell myself to 18 training directors so I can finally end my marathon career in school ans move on to the rela world of only having one job, no school, and actually getting paid what I'm worth for all the work that I do .
So, i'll stop complaining now, but if I seem to be a bit glossy-eyed next time you see me, no, I'm not high, no, you're not that boring :), and no, I have not caught up yet since last sunday night...but I',m getting there. Hugs and sugar are always appreciated. I've unfortunately learned that caffeine does nothing for me.
For those of you who care, I thought I'd throw in the list of the 18, possibly soon to be 19, places I'm applying:
1) VA Loma Linda, 2) VA LA, 3) VA West LA, 4) CSULB counseling center, 5) USC Student Counseling Services, 6) City of Hope National Medical Center, 7) CHOC, 8) CHLA, 9) UC Riverside Counseling Center, 10) Kaiser Permanente (Los Angeles), 11) Kaiser Permanente (Vista), 12) Pacific Clinics, 13) Patton State Hospital, 14) San Bernardino County Dept. of Behavioral Health, 15) Santa Ana College Psychological Services, 16) Switzer learning Center, 17) The Guidance Center (Long Beach), 18) UCI Counseling Center, 19)University of San Diego Counseling Center fun stuff!!!
It's been rough getting all the information together for my letter writere and director of clinical trainign at rosemead. I'm still pooped, but it's over for the time being and now i can relax for a couple days before tackling the task of tringf to sell myself to 18 training directors so I can finally end my marathon career in school ans move on to the rela world of only having one job, no school, and actually getting paid what I'm worth for all the work that I do .
So, i'll stop complaining now, but if I seem to be a bit glossy-eyed next time you see me, no, I'm not high, no, you're not that boring :), and no, I have not caught up yet since last sunday night...but I',m getting there. Hugs and sugar are always appreciated. I've unfortunately learned that caffeine does nothing for me.
For those of you who care, I thought I'd throw in the list of the 18, possibly soon to be 19, places I'm applying:
1) VA Loma Linda, 2) VA LA, 3) VA West LA, 4) CSULB counseling center, 5) USC Student Counseling Services, 6) City of Hope National Medical Center, 7) CHOC, 8) CHLA, 9) UC Riverside Counseling Center, 10) Kaiser Permanente (Los Angeles), 11) Kaiser Permanente (Vista), 12) Pacific Clinics, 13) Patton State Hospital, 14) San Bernardino County Dept. of Behavioral Health, 15) Santa Ana College Psychological Services, 16) Switzer learning Center, 17) The Guidance Center (Long Beach), 18) UCI Counseling Center, 19)University of San Diego Counseling Center fun stuff!!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
USC football is here!!!
I'm with the banner: "LEAVE NO DOUBT!"
I'm tired of my team just barely missing the mark. I believe it's time for another national championship. None of this Rose Bowl stuff anymore. I want some hardware going on a shelf in Heritage Hall next January! Who's with me????
USC @ Virginia, 12:30 pm Saturday!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
camp with cancer kids:
Teen Impact, the program at CHLA that I'm working for this year is amazing! I just spent three days in Lake Arrowhead having a great time with some great teens! We watched movies, shared meals, and shared fun activities, like swimming at the pool (complete with waterslides), horseback riding, boating in kayaks and canoes on a small lake, and climbing the indoor rock wall! Somehow in there we also managed to develop stronger bonds and do some therapeutic psychosocial activities (like painting sticks to represent good and bad parts of ourselves and then burning the bad sticks).
It was an interesting weekend of pushing therapeutic boundaries that I have grown accustomed to at my school. I shared my goofiness, my serious side, and sometimes just listened to the stories of teens who have seen way too much of the horrible side of life way too early.
I think my favorite part of the whole weekend was having dinner with a group of guys, all of whom had no hair except for one, and he had just recently begun to grow his back following the completion of his chemotherapy. It was so neat to be let into their world and see how something so small as losing your hair could be one of the hardest parts of having childhood cancer. It really makes me appreciate what I do have and makes the little things not seem to matter as much in perspective.
sucks!
Teen Impact, the program at CHLA that I'm working for this year is amazing! I just spent three days in Lake Arrowhead having a great time with some great teens! We watched movies, shared meals, and shared fun activities, like swimming at the pool (complete with waterslides), horseback riding, boating in kayaks and canoes on a small lake, and climbing the indoor rock wall! Somehow in there we also managed to develop stronger bonds and do some therapeutic psychosocial activities (like painting sticks to represent good and bad parts of ourselves and then burning the bad sticks).
It was an interesting weekend of pushing therapeutic boundaries that I have grown accustomed to at my school. I shared my goofiness, my serious side, and sometimes just listened to the stories of teens who have seen way too much of the horrible side of life way too early.
I think my favorite part of the whole weekend was having dinner with a group of guys, all of whom had no hair except for one, and he had just recently begun to grow his back following the completion of his chemotherapy. It was so neat to be let into their world and see how something so small as losing your hair could be one of the hardest parts of having childhood cancer. It really makes me appreciate what I do have and makes the little things not seem to matter as much in perspective.
sucks!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
commuting es no bueno!
I have decided that in my 1.5 hour commute each way to/from Hollywood three days a week I will try to be productive. I have borrowed Spanish CDs from my sister (April). The progress so far: Quiero comer a hora porque tango hambre. Muy hambre. ( I want to eat now because I'm hungry. Very hungry) At least they're teaching me things that apply to most minutes of my day. I spend most of it either eating or thinking about how I can get my hands on the next meal/snack. Muy hambre. Muy.
Good advice for us all.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Last man standing
So I had my first day of orientation at CHLA yesterday and it turns out I'm the only male among the 9 interns/externs this year. Last year at the VA I was one of three men out of 12 interns/externs. What is the world coming to? Where have all the men gone! We men seem to be a rare breed in the world of psychology. What do you think ladies, do men need to get more in touch with their feelings? Maybe if they did, I wouldn't keep running into this issue at practicum sites! I don't know, maybe it's best that way. It gives me a chance this year to continue getting in touch with my feminine side, as well as the kid within, and we all know how much I need that (riiiiiight!).
Speaking of which, I leave this Friday for a trip to Lake Arrowhead with 20 of the kids from the HOPE program at CHLA. IT's going to be 3 days of Adventure Therapy, which seems to be church camp without the church part. We replace the churchy stuff with social skills groups and psychosocial activities. No awesome band and speaker, just me, 20 kids, and the womenfolk. I'll let you know if I survive...
Sunday, August 17, 2008
I'm officially a scientist
So I'm officially a scientist now. I accompanied Kira to her lab after church today and she had me help out. I labeled some plastic tray things and used a pipette (long suction tubey thing that looks like a menorah) to put "media" (bacteria food) in the tray things. Super fun! Ok, at least different. It's nice to have a view into the life of Kira. Saving the world one experiment at a time. It was a proud day in the Pate household.
Friday, August 15, 2008
scared of the kids
So, I start at the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles (hereafter referred to only as CHLA) on Monday. I'll basically be doing a half-time internship for no pay ("the experience is the pay" and all that bull-spit) (20 hours a week plus up to 12 hours drive time to and from Irvine). Alright, so I'm not really scared of the kids. I think it will be loads of (stretching) fun. I'm more scared of new people and doing types of therapy I've never done before and being critiqued on it. But, as with all things I've done thus far in my training, I'm sure God has got me there for a reason. We'll see come Monday. I hope the kids don't eat me...
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Well, it's finally happened...
I have caved in to the peer pressure of my FCC peeps (K. & H.) and created my very own blog. An interesting concept, blogging. Basically an online journal, but what to write? journal for the world to know our secrets? Why not (within reason of course). One can find out interesting things in this blogosphere. I look forward to giving and receiving with whomever traipses across my little piece of the world and cares enough to glance at my words. Please respond if you feel like it. It's always nice to know people have been to your corner of the woods.
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