First Week

I survived my first week as a behavioral therapist!  I cannot even begin to describe how my week went.  All I can say is that it was a little overwhelming the first few days, but I eased into it.  My first task was to become the positive reinforcer and make myself the main reason the kids wanted to be around me.  Coloring would be more fun with me.  Putting together puzzles would be more fun with me.  Play fighting the Incredibles would be more fun with me.  I'm so glad the Child Development Center in Irvine prepared me for this job.

I have been a lot goofier lately and learned to embrace my inner child :).  Need to work on my cartoon impressions.  I'm going to be making props from The Fairly Odd Parents this weekend!     

"You want a popsicle? Mine's red!"

It's only been Day Two and I'm already getting attached to my job.  I absolutely love kids and I feel so blessed to be able to work with them one on one.  They all need this type of support whether or not they're considered "special needs" or "socially awkward".  I love them all.  Best part of my day today was the excited shrieks and smiles.  I'm in a great place in my life and I couldn't be happier.

Breathe, breathe, breathe!

I wonder if I ever this anxious as child as I am now.  Once I start thinking about what I need to do in the next 2 months, it freaks me out.  Come October 1, I'm going to start crying about the beginning, and crying after April that it'll be over.

Just let me rant, please? :[

Grad school!  Why are you so much more complicated to apply for than undergraduate studies?  What is up with the 4 different deadlines for each program, the multiple locations I need to mail out the same things to, orientation dates, etc.  I haven't even started on my statement of purpose.  The word "doomed" is just hanging above my head every time I triple check the school websites to make sure the dates didn't change.  Some require the online app, some need both.  GRE scores aren't required but recommended, blah blah blah.

I know they have people that help plan parties or weddings.  Can't I have someone to plan out my graduate school career?  At least give me something solid to work with.

Schools I've decided in order:

1. CSUSF Counseling program
2. CSUSF Clinical program
3. CSU San Jose Counseling program
4. CSU East Bay Counseling program
5. CSU Sacramento Counseling program

The good thing about all of this: I only need my letters of rec filled out in a form!  Makes me feel bad for putting some people on a goose chase...