Happy April Fool's Day everyone! Just as a side note, nothing in this blog is an "April Fool's" joke haha.
Happy 28th anniversary to the day that my parents got engaged! And spring is in the air!
Springtime!
Day trip to Lincoln City
It has been a good, rough, challenging, exciting month! Where to start... Internship!
I am half way done with my internship already! Per hospital policy, in my meeting with my supervisor I have already had to talk about when my "termination" date will be haha. It looks like I will be able to finish up my hours around July 4th.
Happy independence to me :) I have started a new set of groups for the treatment term. They are all going really well and I finally feel like I am finding my feet with leading everything on my own. I have also started my case study with my 1:1 patient.
It is a whole different beast to conquer when working with a patient in a 1:1 setting. I still feel a little big awkward but I have a really great patient who laughs with me when things don't go as planned.
I am learning to be extremely flexible. Within a moment's notice, I have had to completely throw my session plan out the window because patient X has shown up in my group. Or I find out that my group will be combined with another group because of short staffing. Or I will get to lead a group that I have never done before because coverage is needed. Whatever the reason may be, I have learned how to think on my feet in those situations. I have started thinking about what I am going to do for a job when my internship is all finished. They are going to be posting some rehab therapist positions at Oregon State Hospital within the maximum security program. I am really hoping that I get an opportunity to apply, even though I am not yet certified.
I would love to be able to continue to be at OSH as an employee.
This past weekend was the Western Region of the American Music Therapy Association annual conference! What a long name haha. I was able to associate with and meet music therapists and students from the western region right here in Portland! I attended many classes that relate to music therapy with the mental health population. I even had the opportunity to be a part of a presentation given by the music therapists at Oregon State Hospital as well as sit on an internship panel.
It was great to be surrounded with so many people who share the same profession and learn about what they are doing with music therapy around the country.
I have some exciting plans coming up this month! I will be traveling to Utah to spend General Conference weekend with my family. I am excited to see my extended family and a few friends as well. Although sometimes I feel like Utah is such a strange place because of the culture, it is still my home. And I love being home. I will be going to Sisters, OR with some friends at the end of the month to run a 10k race! I am excited to explore a new part of the state and get out and run with some friends.
Among all of these great things, I have had some definite challenges. Out of respect to those situations and individuals, I am not going to go into extensive detail. But I would have to say the biggest lesson that I am learning is that I have to be happy with what I am doing and where I am going. I am making some drastic changes in my life that will bring me closer to my Savior and Father in Heaven. In all honesty, I have been needing to make this change for some time now, and haven't had the faith or courage to do it. But now I do.
I was given a priesthood blessing a few days ago that really gave me a peace of mind and direction about what I need to do.
I am handing it over to the Lord. I am letting Him take this burden from me. I don't want to carry it anymore. And I know he will help me move forward with strength and courage.
I am so very grateful for my supportive family. They are always a phone call away. I am grateful for their prayers and words of encouragement. I am grateful for the strong bonds that we have through the covenants we have made. Their presence in my life is truly a blessing from God.
For the first time since living here, I am making plans. Plans to help me move forward and be happy again. I don't know how long I will be here or what is in store for me at this time, but I feel the very strong prompting that I need to stay here in Oregon. I am moving forward with faith.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read by blog. I sincerely appreciate all of the comments that you have shared with me about what you have read here. It means a lot to know that I can share these things with my friends and family around the world, without fear of judgement. Thank you, to everyone.
