... and school

I am still going strong at school, last semester I took three of the heaviest classes available as well as worked at the center for a minimum of 20 hours a week. It was really crazy but now I am definitely on track to complete my degree by graduation next May and I will be able to sit the board certification examination in January because I will have enough practical experience and have completed all of the courses (except finishing the thesis) by that time. At the end of April we had a 5K Fun run (www.caldwellcollege5krun.com) at the ABA center to raise funds. It meant a 5am start but I volunteered on the registration desk and we had a really great day with a few hundred people in attendance. I am still loving my work at the center and received a pink rose from one of the little kids that I work with for Mother’s Day which was really sweet.

I think what really surprises me the most is the fact that I am still managing to maintain my 4.0 GPA which I am very proud of (granted I haven’t really left campus this last semester unless it was Rotary related but that’s OK). The summer heralds new challenges as I am working at the College President’s office helping with conferences and events, doing data entry for other departments, and just generally helping out as a secretary and the likes where needed. It has been pretty interesting so far, in fact I can’t believe it’s already been 4 weeks! After spending mornings at the office I go to spend my afternoons with the kids and work for 2-4 hours at the center and then have classes/study in the evening. I am taking two classes over the summer which is going to be much easier going than the three I took over the spring. I am also starting my thesis this summer which is going to be very interesting (I hope). After this (aside from thesis) I only have one more semester of practicum and one class left to take before I am finished so my last semester before graduation is just going to be thesis. Granted I am going to keep working at the center as a volunteer to make sure that I keep learning new skills and to get more experience in the field. Sadly/happily the little guy I am responsible for (I am now a team leader) is transitioning to a new school at the start of next month which is really great for him but not so great for me as I spend practically every moment I am at the center with him or doing some kind of work for him. Thankfully, if I can find a faculty member willing to be in the center for a few hours each Saturday next semester then his parents have said they would love to have him be a part of my thesis so I will still get to see him (fingers crossed).

My first summer class is nearly finished and practicum has stepped up the requirements so I have a lot more to do regarding that which has added somewhat to my work load but it hasnt been too bad so far. Admittedly I am looking forward to August when I will have no more work, center, or classes. Thesis is driving me a little nuts at the moment as it has been really hard to get time with my thesis chair due to summer and other factors. Apparently the faculty arent too concerned about me as I can clearly manage the work and do so to a relatively high standard (its nice that they have faith but sometimes that doesnt help me over much). No doubt it will come together... besides I need to make sure that I am still working on it in the Spring so that I am still a college student and get to stay in the country until May (right now I dont think that will be an issue). I also figure that if I do finish it at the start of the Spring semester it will give me time to work with my thesis chair to turn it into a journal article and/or a conference presentation or two.