Week 2 of my Internship

I have worked crazy hours this week at my internship. After an 11 hour day on Thursday, I was thinking about this experience as I drove home. I was very tired, but I was also very happy to be finally doing something that is in my realm of education and it makes a difference. As tired as I was, I was also very fulfilled in what I am doing. I don't regret this decision at all.
I have learned so much this week. I spent a lot of time with our Child Psychologist. I was amazed at how good she is at her job and how perceptive she was with treating 2year olds. I also got to see that there is a reality of children not being cared for or loved as they should be in this world. As sad as it is, it happens all the time and I am seeing the effects of children who have been physically, mentally, and sexually abused and neglected. I hope I can do something that helps them manage their trauma and have an increase in skills. I ended my week in learning how to do crisis intervention with nonviolent measures. It was a bit of workout and I will tell you that my backside is kicked. As much as I am feeling it today, I know tomorrow I will really be hurting! I sure hope I do not have to ever use any of those procedures.
On the homefront, Sebastian will be here in St. George in just 18 short days, I cannot wait! Someday we may be able to get to see each other on a daily basis. Maybe next year.

So, there may be some who wonder how I am doing with my Masters degree. Here is the update. I am done with my coursework as of the first week of February. I am glad to have that behind me. The big task at hand is my 45 Week, 900 Hour internship. Finding a site was difficult due to the economy and the limited sites in St. George. On Monday, March 8 I started at my internship site. What a huge weight off my shoulders. I cried when I knew everything was finally working out. So, for the next few months (like until Christmas) you can find me at Southwest Behavioral Health Center working with the youth in the area. I see children age 3 to 18. I am excited to really get rolling and begin seeing clients on a regular basis. I will be involved with three different after school group counseling programs. It is going to be fun. I get to start stocking my office with toys! What is better than that?
Sebastian will be here to visit me 23 days. I cannot wait! we are planning to go to a few concerts at Tuacahn and Blue Man Group in Las Vegas. Yeah!

Well, I think it is a good idea to proceed with a blog. So here I am posting again. On February 1st, my Mom called me while I was making dinner and asked if I would like to spend Valentine's Day with my husband. I was floored by the question and told her "Of course." She then told me to come over after dinner and she would book my flight. So, Sebastian and I got to spend our first Valentine's Day together. I flew into Winnipeg on Thursday, February 11. As I entered customs, I began a significant sneezing fit. I was afraid the customs officer would not let me into the country with the whole swine flu thing. They did not stop me but yes, I had caught something and was sick. Coughing, sneezing, blowing my nose, and headache were not the most romantic features but Sebastian did not seem to mind. It had been 38 days since we had seen each other, and it felt like it had been eons. We did go to a few hockey games while I was there, but we mostly stayed in because I was ill. We made it to church on Valentine's Day and I made us a nice dinner. I didn't need anything too huge, being with my husband was the best Valentine's Day gift. Sebastian gave me a lovely gold and crystal cuff with footprints across it and the Footprints poem inside. Our trip ended allto soon and I flew home on February 16. Time to plan our next trip, Sebastian is coming out to Utah. I am kind of glad because it is quite cold in Winnipeg and this way I can kidnap my husband from work so that he can have some fun.