Restoration

Restoration Living is my new favorite writing blog.

I love the essays and pieces wisdom shared by these insightful folks.

I always feel inspired and more aware after reading an entry or two.

http://vimeo.com/29640483

My Week in Numbers

32 Hours at the Office
27 Typed Pages of Homework
22  Hours in a Classroom
3 liters (approximately) of Tea
1/2 bag of Dark Chocolate

Excuse me while I now go into a minor hibernation......

Seriously though, this week has been good even with this much stuff.

I've really learned a lot in my multicultural class.

Some main points:

- A greater awareness of my White Privilege
- Understanding of how biased the histories are that we teach in schools and celebrate with our holidays
- "Race is the superordinate variable" (my professor stated this approx. 584 times), and you can only be 'racist' towards another if you are already in a state of power above them (compared to prejudice)
- racism is learned, not innate
- How we raise our kids now matters. By age three ALL children in research studies have preferred 'white' dolls/toys and associate more positive attributes to Caucasian faces than those of color. As Rob Bell says, we "want to teach our kids so that they will have little as possible to un-learn" as they get older
- Advocating is the highest form of helping
- History is bent towards inclusion, and its moving forward.
- Oodles of info on the Native American cultures and various nations
-  Specific implications for working with Asian American Populations

Fingers Crossed that I get a Nice overall grade. (This dude is incredibly tough). So glad to be done with it and be able to sustain a bit more Sanity in my life!

1.5 Classes left to go!!

baby brother growing up

Connor.....The GRADUATE!!

Connor graduated on Sunday...So, exciting!

I'm thrilled....and honestly relieved :)
I think he is ready to try new things, and this excites me!

I've probably been a bit of a 'helicopter' sister over the last few years.
I pretty much single-handedly forced him to apply to colleges, paid for the applications, arranged college visits, and lately have been trying to convince him that college is worth the cost/student debt.

He is leaning toward attending Grand Valley for Engineering in the fall.

Oh, Connor...your high school years have been dynamic, lots of change, lots of newness, some loss...So VERY proud of you amidst it all (he graduated with a stellar GPA :), and he has held down an after school job virtually EVERYday since turning 16.

When I went to college, you were still in Middle School. I remember when you and Bradley came to visit me....you boys stayed up all night playing video games with some of my freshmen guy friends.

When I was a junior, you came to visit me with mom the weekend before you moved in with dad--and started going to your new school. I remember....you ordered a 'Banana' steamer from McConn coffee. Who does that?

Now you're so BIG.
Driving your big, black jeep or truck, working with grown-men at your job fixing things (that I could never understand), wearing steel-toed boots, camping, playing loud music, and are constantly on-the-go with friends.

This is a sweet time. Enjoy it Bro. Congrats to you!

These days

These days are full, I am reading in every nook and cranny of time, squeezing in studying at every-turn, trying to get outside whenever I can spare a moment....

This is probably the most challenging academic season I've ever experienced in my life.

It's like I'm training for a marathon (only my physical body is probably getting worse instead of better ;)

I work, study, go to school, drive, read, sleep and repeat.
Most days I wake up and think, "the night's already over, really?" and feel no more rested than when I laid down. It's crazy.

But, you know what?
The feeling I have overwhelmingly is...Awe. This is awesome, and I am so thankful.

- I am thankful for all bits of knowledge that are soaking into my head
- I am thankful that (despite moments of exhaustion) I have the energy to push myself and persevere
- I am thankful that my little car is getting me to all the places I need to be
- I am thankful for my job, and that I can turn 'no-show' appointments into study hours
- I am thankful for a safe home, and my comfy bed to collapse into each night
- I am thankful for my sister and Grandpa up-keeping the yard while I'm gone
- I never thought I'd say this....but, I'm thankful for drive-throughs
- I am SO thankful, for my growing confidence in my skills
- I am thankful (most of the time) for professors that challenge and make your work Hard
- I am thankful for my clients who let me listen to them
- I am thankful for tea (for ever and always)
- I am thankful for routines in my schedule that keep me sane (ie Mars on Sundays)
- I am thankful for laughter (especially at myself...keeps things less serious)

I could (and probably should go on). There is so much goodness in this season of learning for me.
It's really a funny relationship.....Bittersweet (but heavy on the 'sweet' part). Often, I think..."I just want to go home after a day of work like a 'normal' person" or "I just really want to play with my friends" :) I know though, that I will probably look back and think that this is one of the chapter of my life that has really made me "me".

Grateful.
Now, to go study for my Bipolar and other Mood Disorder Dx test....

Tulips

The unseasonably warm weather last Spring was pretty disastrous for the Tulips (resulting in the  unfortunate nick-name "Stem Fest").

This year, the flowers are in their prime for Tulip Time. They are bright, beautiful, bold, and line the streets of downtown Holland. So much fun!

On Saturday night we grabbed dinner outside at Branns (I consumed the "trash can" beverage that includes an entire can of Red Bull). This was my first experience of an energy drink. Wow!

We made it back to Steph's place just in time to grab our blankets and head to a nearby parking lot to watch the opening fireworks show. The weather was sublime. It was refreshing.

Gosh, I am so thankful for Spring and the opportunity to be outside and comfortable.

Knowledge

:the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (2): acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique


This past semester was a real challenge. Three weeknights of evening class, one online class, one weekly group therapy session and one weekend course really sapped my energies over the past few months.

I also felt like I was constantly reading textbooks and writing endless theory papers.

But you know what?
I am surprised to acknowledge that I am slightly missing all this.
Don't get me wrong--I am trying to enjoy the REST and Freedom of a week off from academia, but it's like I don't even know how to handle myself without the routines of school!

As I am reflecting on the difficulties of this last semester, here are some of the tidbits I learned:

From Theories Class:
--I really zoned in on studying EMDR. Such a bizarre and fascinating technique. I really appreciate counseling skills that blend body and mind experiences, and I'm looking forward to how neuroscience research grows to support or dispute this practice.

From Ethics Class:
--I was reminded of what I already knew..I HATE debate. I dislike unrest, defensiveness and arguing. This class was a challenge in so many ways. We had to discuss, research, and write about some of the BIGgest questions relating to humanity and ethical behavior. I learned that I have good roots, and I can "hold my own" when it comes to areas that I am passionate about. Also, I learned that ethical dilemmas happen literally ALL the time, and awareness of self is the most powerful tool for engaging in the most healthy ways with our diverse world.

From Family Systems Class:
--Whew, this class was a hot mess (very poor instructor professionalism), yet the texts were great. I learned that I am most intrigued by Experiential Family Therapy. Also, I can say with certainty that I CANNOT imagine myself providing couples counseling. not my thing.

From Causes of Addiction Class:
--Well, most of this was old-news to me. But, I did enjoy the up-to-date research on biological findings regarding the causes of substance abuse disorders.

From Motivation Interviewing Class:
--I had already read most of this material, because I took a similar course in undergrad, but I was surprised by the new resources and material that has emerged in just the last few years. Motivational Interviewing is a way of conversing with people, and these skills are something I utilize daily at my current job.

A few more days before returning to it all....
11 more months until graduation (8 of which involve classes)
Mmm, let's do this thang!

Empower

I read about the Self Defense training offered by WAR on Facebook. I decided that it would be a great opportunity for me to learn some helpful things.

I asked my sister, mom,  and friend to attend with me and was turned down :(

So, I turned to my favorite 11 year-old sidekick: Karissa.

I was worried that the three hour training would be too scary and intense for her, but it wasn't.
The girl LOVED it!

The One Light Self-Defense team taught us very practical tips, two types of hits, two types of kicks and a series of ways to get out of specific situations (hair pulling, chocking etc.).

The event was very empowering. I loved being a part of a big group of diverse women: moms, daughters, grandmas, college students.

The training group is based out of Chicago and travels to schools, churches, agencies and African Villages putting on this class. It is their ministry. They only ask participants to donate what they can to the host site. So cool!

The event gave me a lot to think about and some nicely sore muscles to cope with the next morning.

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The One Light Self-Defense team began as diversified individuals who shared a common interest, as well as experience, in self-defense training. Traveling to the poorest slums in Nairobi, Kenya, where girls face daily physical attacks, the team presented simple self-defense techniques which empowered the girls physically, mentally, and emotionally.

While women in our own communities do not confront these extreme situations on a regular basis, all women are still potential victims. Our goal emphasizes a holistic approach in preparing women to avoid, face, or heal from physical violence.