In a haze

If you haven't heard yet, it seems that all parts of southern California are on fire. San Diego is currently battling six fires. Between the two largest fires, The Harris fire and Witchcreek fire, 700 homes have been destroyed and 100 commercial properties.

This is a picture of what I saw yesterday out of my bedroom window. The smoke would be from the Harris fire which is southeast of us.

And this is a map of the Harris fire. The little yellow dot is where I live, so as you can see still quite a bit away.

My allergies and asthma have calmed down a bit through the night (yesterday they were really bad), but are getting worse again this morning. Lots of sneezing and what feels like a restricted throat. And the smoke outside my window has now dissipated into a haze.

On a happier note-- school is still closed today! So it gives me a chance to be productive and get a paper written that is supposed to be due tomorrow. I am looking forward to going to a coffee shop to work in a bit: I have yet to leave the house in the past 24 hours so it will be nice to get out!

playing catch up

I've got way too many school related things to do this week (and tonight for that matter), so what does that mean? a blog post of course. One would expect no less, since this blog was birthed out of a moment of procrastination-- that it would be in fact the entire life of said blog relies on such procrastination.
So I think my last post consisted of my wondering of my clinic assignments and eager anticipation of what lied ahead. Unfortunately I cant get into much detail, for confidentiality and HIPPA's sake. What I can say is that I got 2 cute 'clients' this semester that I am working with. That means I will have adults next semester (or so the rumor goes). It has really been such a blessing quite honestly. There was a difficult week in the beginning where I was dealing with two cancelations and having to scratch the plan and start over three times. But one client finally stuck and it has really been a great experience. I am actually looking forward to working with adults next semester though. I was really apprehensive about the idea at the beginning of this year, before we all got our clients but now I see what the other 'clinicians' (or so they call us) get to do with their adult clients and it looks so fun! So all and all it has really worked out for the best.
I had my first diagnostic on friday, so besides a midterm and brief paper this week, I also need to write up a diagnostic report. I thought it wouldnt be too hard at all considering I had written a bunch of assessment reports back when I worked at Cal PsychCare. But one of the hardest things here is that we can't take any identifying information out of the clinic, so its really hard to get any writing done at home. Or at least that is what I am telling myself tonight after a generally unproductive attempt at writing that diagnostic report. An early morning at the clinic will remedy it all.... hopefully.

back in class

But not in the LBC any more! This is just a quick update for those out of the loop, but I am back in San Diego to finish school at San Diego State. I am very excited about the amazing opportunity that I have been given at this program, there are some great bonuses that are available (including finishing a year earlier than if I stayed in Long Beach, woohoo!). The whole thing from the program to the dear friend that I get to live with has all come into my lap as an amazing gift from God that I did not expect and that I am so grateful for.

I am getting more and more excited (an less nervous) as each day goes by. The program is pretty intensive, which means we started class a week early in what the faculty like to call "speech bootcamp". And they aren't exaggerating really- six hour of 2 classes a day for 2 weeks straight. Then I get my first clinic assignment and start seeing 2 clients (on top of starting 3 other classes). I wonder who my clients will be, children or adults and what my clinic supervisor will be like.... On top of it all, I am part of an autism project (which I meet with tomorrow) and will be going to do field observations this semester, looking at what it looks like to collaborate across professions to best meet the needs of the child.

Can you tell I am excited? I go between excited and anxious/overwhelmed serveral times a day at least... It seems to be the pattern among my cohort, so at least I know I am in good company...

the morning after

With ears still buzzing, I am waking up this morning with happy memories of the beloved Bowl. I spent last night listening to the Decemberists and the LA Phil make music together that can be summed up in one word: magical. And I have come to a new conclusion: every ephemeral po-mo* band should hold a concert with a full orchestra behind them. It is how their music was meant to be heard: full.

What is not to love about a night with beautiful music, wonderful company, full-bodied wine, and delicious picnic food? I can think of no better way to spend a warm summer night.

*"po-mo = anything and everything post modern, especially winey rock bands" ~Mike

into the wind

Katie and I have signed up for sailing lesson for the summer- they start in 2 weeks.

This is the image of sailing that I have had for quite some time now (and the reason I signed up for the class): Sitting on a beautiful sailboat with four or five friends, enjoying the sun and a beer on a lazy Saturday afternoon. I have recently been told though that there is work involved. Work? What do you mean? No beer? No lounging? I guess there are ropes and pulleys and the wind to deal with and the boat that we are learning on may only fit one to two people, rather than five friends. My romanticized version of sailing has not been completely crushed yet, there is still a glimmer of hope in my heart for at least a bit of relaxing in the sun. At the same time, I am starting to think what did I get myself into?

I have one lesson learned though before the classes even start. This comes from a friend in San Diego who will go unnamed. When drinking on a sailboat during a hot Saturday afternoon, remember that there are actually no bathrooms available. You may just need to squat and pee in a bottle if it comes to that.

Lets hope not..... I don't think I have that skill, and I am not looking to be trained in it during our classes.