SingingShrink

Me and Manny

2009-08-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I feel a bit like Manny Ramirez of the Dodgers here...Glad to be back with the "team" (blogosphere patrons of course), but a bit ashamed of my absence from the game for so long (of course, I didn't use steroids so I'm still scrawny ol' me).

That said, thank you to those of you who encouraged me to get back to the keyboard and fill everybody in on the last I-don't-even-know-how-long-it's-been since I've blogged.

Prior to July 1st, I was finishing up my practicum at CHLA, saying goodbye to the awesome kids and teens I was so fortunate to spend time with. They taught me so much about how a child's illness (whether physical or psychological) really tends to affect the entire family. It was my great pleasure and honor to be a part of their treatment and support team both during their treatments and, for some of them, years after they have been deemed to have beaten cancer. I had a lot of fun with them and hope that they learned something about life and how to take something positive from even the darkest times in life.

Now, as some of you already know, I finally have started the FINAL stage of my Psy.D. training by beginning my internship this summer. I'm working full time for San Bernardino County DBH and my first rotation is at CONREP (Conditional Release Program). I'm working with severely mentally ill clients who have diagnoses ranging from Bi-Polar to Schizophrenia to Major depression. In addition to the great range of diagnoses they are facing, each of the clients at CONREP have committed a crime: anything from grand larsony to murdering a parent. All of our clients have either been deemed NGI (not guilty by reason of insanity) or MDO/MDSO (mentally disordered offender/MD sexual O). Needless to say, it's been an interesting first month and a half.

So, what do I do with these oh-so-very-interesting individuals? I'm glad you asked! I lead groups addressing anything from problem-solving skills, to cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise/sports activity, trips to Lake Perris, process-therapy groups, individual therapy, case management (handling their finances, housing, school-decisions, etc.). The staff are great, especially my supervisor, and I really enjoy my fellow interns. We're all at different clinics, but we meet on Fridays for group supervision.

Overall, it's been a great start to what I hope will be a year that preps me for getting a good port-doctoral position or, dare I say it, a JOB!?!? Well, I won't get ahead of myself too much here, but generally I'm really enjoying my still busy schedule, but with a shorter drive and only having to commute to one location every day.

Oh, and I suppose an update wouldn't be complete without saying that softball rocks! and that I'm enjoying still playing for one of FCC's men's teams and playing with some of Kira's fellow scientists at UCI.

Until we meet again...

Yes, I am alive.

2009-07-18T14:20:00.001-07:00

Okay, so this is the pre-post to be written in a bit. Just wanted to let anyone know who cares that I am, indeed, alive. I'll be back.

the Mighty Ducks

2009-03-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Kira and I have a small collection of kids movies (mainly Disney) that we have started, knowing that we won't want to buy them all at once when we have kids someday. At least that's my excuse. Truth is, I sometimes like to snuggle up with a blanket on the couch and feel like a kid again. I recently had the urge to watch The Mighty Ducks and decided to buy it (on eBay, where they have EVERYTHING!!!). I watched it last night and it was fun to see how little the kids looked compared to when I first watched it. They're so cute! I have to say I remember them looking much older before. I know I'm not that old yet, but it's still nice to remember things from "a long time ago." (I admit that it feels cool to be able to say things like, "It's been a decade since I..."). So, until we have kids, I'll use the excuse of building an early collection for them; but secretly, I'm indulging the "little Robbie" inside. It's a nice escape from having to be grown up all the time. If I'm anything like my dad, I'll love having kids because I don't think "little Robbie" is going away anytime soon.

home run!!!!!!!

2009-03-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has not seen me play softball before, here's a sample of my work tonight. I was 2 for 3 plus a walk. Not bad, especially since the two hits were home runs (my first two of the season :)). My fourth at-bat I flied out with two men on...very sad. We lost by four. :( Oh well, it's always fun to run around with the guys and get my exercise for the week.

My first three at-bats I got home quickly enough to pinch run for Larry (of the FCC gospel quartet) who bats right behind me. I'm still trying to catch my breath. I know, it's sad, but I'm a graduate student. Maybe I'll have time to exercise next year. So, anyway, here's the clip. Enjoy at-bat number two.

I like the rain

2009-03-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

I'm currently listening to a book on CD called "The Curious Case of the Dog at Night." It is read/written from the perspective of a high-functioning autistic teenager. I've found it very interesting, funny, and especially informative (about the inner world of an autistic person).

I was listening to it this morning as I sat motionless on Interstate 5, and I began to resonate with what the character was saying. He talked about how sometimes he will groan and rock until all he can hear is himself and then he feels safe. I certainly don't take things to this extreme, but I definitely identified with a comment he made about the rain. He said that he loves the rain because it makes things blurry and if it rains hard enough, the drops explode when they hit the ground and make noise loud enough that the rest of the world fades away for a bit.

I like this about the rain. This is why sometimes I sleep best when it's raining out...and why I like to sleep with two or three fans on...and why I used to lie on the floor in my room when I was younger and turn on Metallica when I felt sick or had a headache. I sometimes like when there is enough going on around me that I don't really have to think about or feel any one thing in particular. I can just be. I let the noise just fill me. Sometimes worship is like that. Some of my favorite memories from church services and church camps have been when the room is full of the roar from guitars, drums, keyboards, and voices. Sometimes I don't sing. I just stand, lean my head back, and let God fill me with his music.

I've really enjoyed this book so far. It's a great read. I feel like although I am quite different from the main character, I have found at least one thing we have in common. One way I can be inside his shoes and understand him on a deeper level. This allows me to get lost in his world on my way to work. It's really nice. It's kind of like it's raining really hard in my car, but I don't have to change when I get to work. :)

How YOU doin'?

2009-03-04T21:26:00.000-08:00

I'm just curious if this is just me here...

So I overheard something today that always bugs me. I'm in my office and I hear from around the corner on speakerphone:

"Hi [Joanne]. How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you-so I was wondering if you...blah blah blah."

The part that bugs me you wonder? [Joanne] saying, "How are you" and then just steamrolling right into what she wants to get to. Do we really need to say this little "pleasantry" everytime we get on the phone with someone? So many people don't seem to care anyway. Is it more rude, I wonder, to not say, "How are you?", or to say it, and then not wait for the answer and keep walking past the person or start talking about what you want to say?

I personally try to keep up with social norms by consistently asking people how they are doing. I try to mean it, too. I don't always do it though. If I ask you how you are doing, you can be sure that I actually am interested in the answer. Unfortunately, I feel like I'll always be wondering if people actually care to hear how I'm doing. I'm sure that's partly just me, but also in large part it's having seen too many times when the above interaction prevails.

Hope you all are doing well. :)

Boo Yah!

2009-02-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

Alrighty. So next year I get to actually feel like a psychologist. I'll still just be a therapist / intern by true definition, but I'll finally be working full time in psychology and getting paid for every minute of it. No more of this practicum / "the training is your pay" stuff.

So where will I be? I found out yesterday that I'll be interning with the San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) from July 1 2009 through June 30 2010. I was placed with my first choice of rotations there: the forensic and outpatient mental health program. This means that I'll spend half of my year either working with the juvenile hall/courts system doing mental health intakes, crisis assessments, and some therapy, or working in a day treatment center for conditional release criminals. At this center the individuals are court-mandated to comply with treatment by taking their prescribed meds and attending therapy sessions as well as just spending time at the center during the day (can be 2-7 days per week depending on their release conditions). The other half of the year I'll be doing therapy and psychological assessments with patients within one of the many outpatient clinics in the San Bern. county system. I'll find out where sometime between now and July. :)

So, a year of paid, APA accredited internship awaits me. I get to graduate next year. Life is good.

Drumroll please...

2009-02-20T06:04:00.001-08:00

I MATCHED!!!!!!!!! I don't find out where until Monday, but I know that I get to graduate a year from now! YAAAAAAYYYY!

3.5 more days!!!

2009-02-16T20:17:00.001-08:00

Only three and a half more days until I find out if I got an internship for next year. AAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!

every 6 months or so...

2009-02-04T22:29:00.000-08:00

I just got back from the ARC (Anteater Recreation Center) where I participated in my bi-yearly basketball game. I say that because as great as it would be to play once or twice a week, I only seem to manage to drag my butt over to the gym every six months or so. I think if I were able to get a few more games in each week that I wouldn't feel like I was going to pass out and die of exhaustion, collapsed lungs, or (is is possible?) a face that is simply way too red.

I got a compliment of "good hustle" from one of the guys I played with tonight. For any non-athletes out there, this phrase is code for "You only shot two-for-seven, but at least you didn't just stand around. I guess you're not as big of a loser as you could be." (Maybe not quite that harsh, but something like that.)

Then I got home and (after a 30-minute coughing fit; still trying to shake off the residual effects of a cold from a couple weeks ago) took a jog with Kira around our apartment complex. It was a nice night. (The calm before the rain storm that's supposed to hit tomorrow.)

It doesn't hurt that the Lakers won again either.

Out of my hands

2009-02-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

On Saturday night I finally certified my rankings for the 7 internship programs I interviewed with. It's nice to finally have washed my hands of it, and know that my future is now solely in God's hands. I feel like I did the best I could, and now I just have to wait until February 20th to find out if I got placed, and February 23rd to find out where. Wheeeew.

Angry and Sorry

2009-01-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

So I'm at CHLA right now and I JUST missed seeing a patient I've been trying to get in touch with for about 10 days. I would like to see this girl and her family in person instead of calling them. However, this will no longer be possible. She had an appointment in one of the hospital departments this afternoon at 2pm. I called said department at 1:30pm and requested that I receive a call upon her arrival so that I might pay a visit whilst she and her family awaited their appointment.

Fast forward to 2:15.

I have not heard from the department and assume that the family is either very late or I have been forgotten. Rather than feel rude and call down to bother the receptionist again (I hate being a nag), I decided to make the 7 minute trip to the office. As I arrive I am informed by the receptionist that the patient and her family have JUST LEFT! AAAAHHHHHH!!!! So frustrating. So, now I'm blogging to give them a chance to get home before I attempt to reach them by phone. So angry!

So the I'm sorry part of this? As I reflect on my experience I am reminding myself that I am pehaps the most forgetful person in the world. I have angered many a person in this manner. I am sure that I have provided many opportunities for growth in the area of forgiveness and patience in my time. So, if you happen to be one of the people who has felt toward me what I am feelign toward a certain receptionist right now, I am truly sorry. And lets face it, anyone who cares enough to read this post to this point has been the victim of my forgetfulness, etc. at some point (if not many points (Kira)).

So, again, I still love you and beg your forgiveness for my future transgressions against you. As for the receptionist, I think I've learned that the next time I just need to either be a nag or just make the choice to waste 20-30 minutes of my day rather than relying on someone who has no idea how frustrated I'll be if she forgets. Alright. I'm done ranting now. Thanks for listening.

Guilty Pleasure

2009-01-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

So, I just thought I'd share with you all exactly why I will die at the ripe old age of 30. I was in San Bernardino for one of my last interviews before matching in February on Tuesday. I had some mini powdered donuts for breakfast on the way there. No harm done, right. Then I had what I thought was a great interview. Then, I was hungry and looking to start killing some of the 6 hours that remained before my tour of another facility later on that day. So I hit up a Jack in the Box for some brunch: chicken sandwich and an eggroll (yes, this is typical breakfast fare for me). I killed some time at a Big Lots, wandering around and buying a shoe rack, headphones, beef jerky, jumper cables, the usual. Then I found a AAA office and picked up some free maps of the area. Still about 2 hours to go...so I hit up a different Jack in the Box for a little linner: four chicken strips, fries, and two cokes. I had the tour (boring, yet somewhat informative), drank half a bottle of water, and drove home. There I made myself some chicken quesadillas and settled down to watch "A Man Apart" (Vin Deisel singlehandedly takes down a drug cartel) (excellent man movie for a night when Kira was out with a friend, and definitely believable). So, if anyone wonders where I have disappeared to at 30, I'm probably unconscious on the floor of a Jack in the Box somewhere in San Bernardino where there is not much to do unless you like discount store shopping and eating fast food.

I'm a 75 year old grandpa

2009-01-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

So after four days of reading manuals and tinkering (gently) and feeling very stupid and frustrated, I was finally able to record my guitar with the new recording hardware and software I purchased a couple weeks ago. It's one of those things where after you do it you think, "Really? It was that easy and it took me four days? I am really dumb!" Sure, I can surf the web, write papers, research scientific articles, etc., but I really hate that I know next to nothing about what my computer can do. It's really frustrating sometimes.

Last night I definitely know how my grandma felt when I changed her home page address and she freaked out because she didn't know I just had to retype it in her options tab to get it back. It seems I have become a 75 year old grandpa when it comes to recording equipment. I was just thinking "God help me" so I won't get too upset so I can't get anything done. I bet God would probably appreciate it more if I did something for myself and sought the help of one of his gifted sons and consulted Billy again. I'm glad somebody knows what he's doing with this stuff.

3 FreAkinG hOuRs!!!!!

2009-01-15T15:06:00.001-08:00

Oh my gosh! So apparently some tanker truck driver decided he wanted to take a swim in the oil he was transporting yesterday morning on the 210 freeway . This guy crashed his truck and spilled 50,000 gallons of oil on the freeway. Thanks to this unfortunate little accident (which may have created jobs for many workers for the day, so really some kudos to the guy as well) the entire 210 was closed down both directions, and every other major freeway in the LA area was also affected.

So here I am, leaving my CHLA office early (3:30) and figuring on beating some of the traffic to worship team practice at FCC. After sitting in traffic on side streets I ended up taking the 5 to the 10 to the 110 to the 105 to the 605 to the 405 to Beach to get to church. Oh so very fun drive. 3 hours later I pulled into the church parking lot. Right on time. Kristi gave me a hug when I got there and rehearsal went well. I got to see my mom who's singing this weekend too. I guess it could have been worse.

Then on my way home, the stupid Lakers had to go and lose to the San Antonio Spurs. Awesome. At least the drive from Huntington Beach to Irvine was quick. Watched my new favorite show with Kira when I got home. "Big Bang Theory" is ridiculously hilarious. Nice to have something to look forward to at the end. Anyone like myself who's been a nerd at some point in life (although I tend to believe "once a nerd always a nerd" to some degree) needs to watch this show. Oh, and if you have a DVR, record the blurb after every show. Funny stuff!

On being a therapist

2009-01-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

I just feel compelled to share with the world a little something I shared with Kira yesterday. I spent the day yesterday doing therapy with several people (individually) who al seemed pretty hopeless about thier chances of finding a decent person to be with who would accept them as they are, and who would remain committed to them long-term. So yesterday when I came home one of the first things I did was tell Kira how much I appreciate her when I'm doing therapy. She gives me hope that I try to pass along to clients when they are despairing. I know it's not always my job to be a ray of sunshine when people just need to sit in the darkness for a while, but I try to carry hope for them when they aren't able to find any.

So a little party in my heart yesterday on behalf of love, acceptance, and hope. I love my job. It brings such great perspective to life. I pray that all of you out there get to feel as lucky as I do someday. (I know, cue the sappy love song music, etc.) Just thought you should know.

Awesomeness at Kona's

2009-01-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

Last night was sooooooo much fun? We all (much of t he worship team + Billy) got to perform a few songs on behalf of APA at HBHS. Tons of people there, good food, and other great performers as well! Kristi nailed "Love Song", playing the keys and everything! Curtis was awesome on vocals and keys. Jeff rockekd the Leopard guitar (as always). I did my best with a Kenny Loggins #. Don was workin the ivory (plastic, whatever). I think my favorite part, however, was when Dave Yaden was playing keys with a blues artist after our set. He is a joy to watch. A lot of the time he looks like he's in pain or confused, but it's just such a blast to watch him work the keyboard! I just wish he could learn to have a little fun up there :). (Those who have seen Dave at work know that there is nothing but fun running through his veins when he performs). All in all, a great night of music, food, fun, family, and friends.

mmmmm...naps

2009-01-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

So today started just about as good as I could have hoped for. When I showed up at the Counseling Center, I found out my 8am client had cancelled his session. My next session was not until 9:30am. Thought to myself...hmmm...I have this room booked for an hour and a half...I have a nice comfy couch that is the same as my couch at home...this room is just dark enough with the blinds closed. Yup, NAPTIME! I was a little groggy afterward, but left myself some time to wake up before my next appointment showed up. Good next session, and a good nap. Couldn't have planned it better myself.

Six Interviews and a TiVo

2008-12-29T11:46:00.000-08:00

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!

Patton State Hospital

2008-12-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

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.

coolest thing ever

2008-12-10T23:49:00.000-08:00

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.

Sweet satisfaction

2008-12-10T23:34:00.000-08:00

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. :)

Sleep, TV, Games, all return to house of Pate!

2008-12-03T00:37:00.001-08:00

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...

FINALLY!!!!!!!

2008-11-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

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...

scoooorebooooard!

2008-10-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

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.

it's been awhile!

2008-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

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!!!

USC football is here!!!

2008-08-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-08-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

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!

commuting es no bueno!

2008-08-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

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.

Last man standing

2008-08-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

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...

I'm officially a scientist

2008-08-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

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.

scared of the kids

2008-08-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

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...

Well, it's finally happened...

2008-08-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

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.