So, today officially begins the one month countdown to freedom. In exactly one month from today, I will be COMPLETELY done with internship and moving back to Missouri for good. If you can't tell from reading this post, I am VERY excited. It finally feels as if I have a light at the end of this long dark internship voyage...and I will most likely be emerging victorious and alive :)
In the meantime, while I wait for time to pass, I will remain busy. I spent the last weekend sorting through clothes and things in closets at my apartment, trashing stuff I would never use or wear. I took a huge load to Goodwill...which I think is the best place for it, as someone else will hopefully treasure my former possessions. This weekend will be busy too as I will be boxing up my entire apartment in preparaton to move my stuff next weekend. I can't wait for the long weekend, as I took next Friday and the following Monday off to move and get settled before I have to come back for my last few weeks here. Even though I will be working that entire weekend, it truly is for the greater good, as it means I will have a nice place to call home when I return to Missouri.
The week itself will also be busy, as I am preparing all of my clients for transition to new therapists and trying to tie up loose ends with regard to paperwork and documentation. I want everything to be ready prior to the arrival of the new class of interns, so I can spend the last two weeks training my replacement and saying goodbye to my clients and fellow interns.
That's all for now...gotta get busy!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A time for change...
Well...there is so much going on right now I don't even know where to begin...
This past weekend Chris and I went on a mini-vacation to Kansas City. We spent the weekend relaxing, eating good food, and taking in the city. We were also able to have dinner with our friend Ryan and his girlfriend. It was good to see him and spend a little time reminiscing about the fun memories we made together at Forest (as he is a soon-to-be alumni too).
This week I have really begun discussing my departure with my clients. Some of them are taking the news really well, while others are not doing so good...I guess this mixture of reactions is to be expected. It is bittersweet really. I have had the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing and challenging people this year and will be sad to see them go. But, I am also excited to see what the next year has in store.
This weekend I will also begin boxing up my apartment as I am moving my stuff in two weeks. It will be nice to have the next two weekends to get things situated and sorted through...but difficult as well, as I have to keep some stuff (clothes and toiletries) here because I will still have three weeks of living here before I am done with internship (I will be moving my furniture to my new apartment before I am actually done here).
All in all, I am REALLY busy. It is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but frightening to belive I will soon be out on my own as a doctor. I am sure there is nothing but good ahead and am going to try to remain optimistic through the next six stressful weeks :)
This past weekend Chris and I went on a mini-vacation to Kansas City. We spent the weekend relaxing, eating good food, and taking in the city. We were also able to have dinner with our friend Ryan and his girlfriend. It was good to see him and spend a little time reminiscing about the fun memories we made together at Forest (as he is a soon-to-be alumni too).
This week I have really begun discussing my departure with my clients. Some of them are taking the news really well, while others are not doing so good...I guess this mixture of reactions is to be expected. It is bittersweet really. I have had the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing and challenging people this year and will be sad to see them go. But, I am also excited to see what the next year has in store.
This weekend I will also begin boxing up my apartment as I am moving my stuff in two weeks. It will be nice to have the next two weekends to get things situated and sorted through...but difficult as well, as I have to keep some stuff (clothes and toiletries) here because I will still have three weeks of living here before I am done with internship (I will be moving my furniture to my new apartment before I am actually done here).
All in all, I am REALLY busy. It is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but frightening to belive I will soon be out on my own as a doctor. I am sure there is nothing but good ahead and am going to try to remain optimistic through the next six stressful weeks :)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The countdown continues...
As I write this blog, I only have one month and twelve days left of internship. It is hard to believe I am so close to being done. I feel as if I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But for now, the focus is on keeping my head above water. Last week, I ended up with 40 client contact hours...that doesn't begin to account for the hours of paperwork that come along with seeing that many people in one week. But I managed to survive. This week, however, is a different story.
Just yesterday, in one day, I had 17 client contact hours. 17 in one day! And as a result, I now have three new psychological evaluations which need to be completely finished, revisions and everything by Friday. While I normally have longer to work on them, my supervisor is going to be on vacation for two weeks and wants all my reports before he leaves. AGH...so, it's going to be a late night tonight and probably again tomorrow.
Nevertheless, I have a great weekend to look forward to, as Chris and I are taking a mini-vacation to Kansas City. We are planning to meet up with my friend Ryan and his girlfriend for some quality R & R. But I am most forward to doing absolutely nothing related to work! I will definately need it after the next two days...
Now, back to work :)
But for now, the focus is on keeping my head above water. Last week, I ended up with 40 client contact hours...that doesn't begin to account for the hours of paperwork that come along with seeing that many people in one week. But I managed to survive. This week, however, is a different story.
Just yesterday, in one day, I had 17 client contact hours. 17 in one day! And as a result, I now have three new psychological evaluations which need to be completely finished, revisions and everything by Friday. While I normally have longer to work on them, my supervisor is going to be on vacation for two weeks and wants all my reports before he leaves. AGH...so, it's going to be a late night tonight and probably again tomorrow.
Nevertheless, I have a great weekend to look forward to, as Chris and I are taking a mini-vacation to Kansas City. We are planning to meet up with my friend Ryan and his girlfriend for some quality R & R. But I am most forward to doing absolutely nothing related to work! I will definately need it after the next two days...
Now, back to work :)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A place to call home...
As this past weekend was a holiday, I decided to travel the 300+ miles to Springfield to spend some quality time with Chris. We had no plans beyond the normal relaxing and spending time together...despite the lack of planning, however, it turned out to be a very productive, eventful weekend...and I accomplished one major goal-finding a place to live.
On Saturday morning, we traveled through Lebanon, picked up our friend Tessa, and went to Rolla, MO...where I have been hired as a resident for the upcoming training year. Although I have had the job with Pathways secured since February, I had not yet ventured to the town to see my new office, or more importantly, find a place to live.
That day, we viewed three different places, and I absolutely fell in love with the third and final place, a newly built, cozy two bedroom two bath apartment. Although we looked at some places which were bigger, this one fell right within my desired price range, and has a great list of amenities and features too. I was even able to sign my lease that day and have set a move date for the second weekend in August.
Since Saturday, I have set a delivery date for a new couch I purchased almost two months ago, have scheduled transfer for my mail, booked a U-Haul, and took requested vacation time for the big move. Additionally, I am just found out I am approved to be a PLPC in Missouri and will be able to count hours post-dated from April 2008. Exciting times.
On a professional note, I have begun the transitioning process with many of my clients and discharged two longstanding clients of mine as well. Surprisingly, I am facing this time with sadness, as I have grown quite attached to some of these individuals. However, I know I am leaving them in good hands and in a better place than when I began working with them. As this process has just begun, I am sure it will continue to be more of the same sentiments of sadness for things I am leaving behind and excited anticipation for things to come.
On Saturday morning, we traveled through Lebanon, picked up our friend Tessa, and went to Rolla, MO...where I have been hired as a resident for the upcoming training year. Although I have had the job with Pathways secured since February, I had not yet ventured to the town to see my new office, or more importantly, find a place to live.
That day, we viewed three different places, and I absolutely fell in love with the third and final place, a newly built, cozy two bedroom two bath apartment. Although we looked at some places which were bigger, this one fell right within my desired price range, and has a great list of amenities and features too. I was even able to sign my lease that day and have set a move date for the second weekend in August.
Since Saturday, I have set a delivery date for a new couch I purchased almost two months ago, have scheduled transfer for my mail, booked a U-Haul, and took requested vacation time for the big move. Additionally, I am just found out I am approved to be a PLPC in Missouri and will be able to count hours post-dated from April 2008. Exciting times.
On a professional note, I have begun the transitioning process with many of my clients and discharged two longstanding clients of mine as well. Surprisingly, I am facing this time with sadness, as I have grown quite attached to some of these individuals. However, I know I am leaving them in good hands and in a better place than when I began working with them. As this process has just begun, I am sure it will continue to be more of the same sentiments of sadness for things I am leaving behind and excited anticipation for things to come.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Chaos in the making...
Well, I have quickly come to learn on internship that nothing is set in stone. My mantra for the year has quickly become "just roll with the punches." It seems like nothing this year has been simple. When the group home shut down, everyone was scrambling to determine what I would be doing instead of that. Just when I thought things were beginning to settle down, I got an interesting surprise Sunday night.
I will give the short version...
The state of Nebraska has contracted with three organizations (OMNI was one of them) to manage all the cases in the state. The change was supposed to take effect today (July 1). The contract had been signed, the agreement set, and everyone was preparing for the influx of work this change would likely bring. Great, right? Wrong!
Sunday night when I returned home from vacation in Illinois (which was great, by the way), my supervisor called to inform me the contract had fallen through and people would likely be loosing their jobs. Fortunately, I am safe as I still am employed with NMHC, and home based services (which is what I provide for OMNI) were not affected by the breech in contract. Some of my coworkers, however, were not so lucky. Essentially though, things changed and OMNI has signed a temporary agreement to subcontract with another organization to provide services for the time being. But, when that contract is up (very soon) there may be a reduction in force (i.e. people getting fired). Not good.
So, for the time being, I am biting my nails, waiting for the other shoe to drop. In the mean time, I have plenty to keep me busy. And I am preparing for another weekend away from Lincoln, to go to Rolla to look for apartments.
I can really use some more time off. Or just to be done with the chaos that is internship! Only 8 1/2 more weeks left :)
I will give the short version...
The state of Nebraska has contracted with three organizations (OMNI was one of them) to manage all the cases in the state. The change was supposed to take effect today (July 1). The contract had been signed, the agreement set, and everyone was preparing for the influx of work this change would likely bring. Great, right? Wrong!
Sunday night when I returned home from vacation in Illinois (which was great, by the way), my supervisor called to inform me the contract had fallen through and people would likely be loosing their jobs. Fortunately, I am safe as I still am employed with NMHC, and home based services (which is what I provide for OMNI) were not affected by the breech in contract. Some of my coworkers, however, were not so lucky. Essentially though, things changed and OMNI has signed a temporary agreement to subcontract with another organization to provide services for the time being. But, when that contract is up (very soon) there may be a reduction in force (i.e. people getting fired). Not good.
So, for the time being, I am biting my nails, waiting for the other shoe to drop. In the mean time, I have plenty to keep me busy. And I am preparing for another weekend away from Lincoln, to go to Rolla to look for apartments.
I can really use some more time off. Or just to be done with the chaos that is internship! Only 8 1/2 more weeks left :)
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