Just Me's PhuseBox

Well, it's been a while...

Just Me — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:52:53 -0500

I'm still alive and around. I started working at Easter Seals Disability Services full time as a camp counselor in mid-May, and I haven't really stopped since minus the vacation time we all got. This job is the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's also the most rewarding. I learn something new every single day. I start work at 12:20 on Sundays and I don't get off work until about 12 on Fridays. That sounds like an exaggeration, but I promise it's not. We are on call 24/7. We can't even leave camp grounds at night.

The weeks have gone like this.

1. Adults w/developmental disabilities

2. Autism week

3. Adults w/physical disabilities

4. Performing Arts Camp

5. Children with Developemental

and there are 2 more weeks left.

Week one was pretty hard, but this past week proved to be the hardest. In fact, it was one of the hardest weeks not just at camp, but of my life. I had a camper with 2 very different disabilities, that caused for a lot of problems. I had to work through some serious behavior management issues including phsycial violence towards me, herself and other campers. I stayed up almost all night one night with her, and then went through the rest of the next day on one hour of sleep. And while taking care of her, I took care of my other camper and several others of my co-worker's.

To say the least it was extremely hard, but every week has it's difficulties. Yet I've enjoyed almost every single moment I've been there. There are moments I want to quit, but in the end something happens that reminds why I'm there and why I'm doing what I'm doing.

My co-workers are some of the best people I've ever met. We're all so different, and yet we work amazingly well together. We truly are a family, and despite our disagreements or differences we'll come together and do what's necessary at the drop of a hat because we realize we're all a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. And at the end of every week, we walk away realizing that no matter how many obstacles we ran into, no matter how many incident reports we filed, no matter how many late/all nighters we pulled, we had the privilege of being a part of something meaningful and beautiful. You can't walk away with a feeling better than that.

So on that note, I have to ask for prayer. For my co-workers and my boss, but also for me. This week I managed to be come down with a respiratory infection and be bit by a black widow spider. I'm exhausted and sick, and with these next two weeks ahead of me I need some serious strength right now. Prayer would be so very much appreciated!

I hope everyone's summer is going as great as mine! If you haven't told me how it's going already, let me know!

It's over!

Just Me — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:58:35 -0500

And the test from hell is over!!!! I'm finally done with math for the rest of my life, provided I passed that ridiculous test. I studied myself to death and yet I think it would've been less painful if I'd just run the pencil through my eye. But it's over! And that is all that matters!!!

Just Me — Tue, 01 May 2007 00:55:10 -0500

So there's a college algebra exam...looming in my very near future....3:15 pm to be exact. Pray I make it through it......

It's almost over!

Just Me — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:52:42 -0500

So I finished the last of my freshman classes yesterday. It's hard to believe my first year of college is almost over! Just 6 finals and I'm done. Today is studying/ "reading" day, however, I haven't seemed to accomplish much of that. Hopefully I will the rest of the day. By tuesday I'll be finished with everything, but I'm hanging around Cleveland until next Saturday afternoon. Then it's 3 months "home", which in all honesty I'll see very little of home b/c most of it will be spent at Easter Seals, and then back here on August 7th to start RA training and everything for the next year. Things are going to be busy for the next few months, but I'm really excited about.

I should probably attempt to do that studying thing now....

Changes

Just Me — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:40:08 -0600

Things are changing, and fast. Last week was kinda odd. Life is in this really wierd stage right now, but I have to admit that I kind of like it.

Lot of decision/opportunity coming up in the next couple months. Prayer would be awesome and really appreciated.

spring break.........

Just Me — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 21:47:18 -0600

is halfway over.........

Just Me — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:37:10 -0600

Spring Break in less than 24 hours!

Just Me — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:59:34 -0600

SPRING BREAK IN 3 DAYS!!

Just Me — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 21:26:06 -0600

Spring Break in 5 days!!!

Just Me — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:06:58 -0600

romanticism and pointless facts about the old testament....two things i really dislike right now.

Personality Test, Conflict, and other things

Just Me — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 00:10:21 -0600

So according to a personality test I had to take to see if I'll be a good teacher, I have a really hard time expressing my emotions. It basically says that I'm horrible with words, and while I'm horrible expressing myself, in pretty much any aspect, I pick up on others moods and body language really easily. I would say that's pretty that's about the closest anything has ever been to explaining me. It says lots of other stuff too like I'm more shy than outgoing and fairly open-minded and very sensitive, but I found that point the most interesting.

On another note, so as I said last night, Dorm Wars was absolutely amazing. I'm feeling it today though. I'm covered in bruises, but it was completely worth it.

I'm coming home this weekend, and I'm really looking foward to it. I love it here, but I need a break for a couple days. There are a ridiculous number of girls in our hall trying to start drama. And there's a whole other awful situation going on right now that I really just want to be over! I would kill for people to just be honest for once!! There seems to be a new conflict arising every day around here and I've found myself very anti-everyone for the last couple days due to it. Friday needs to hurry and get here!

DORM WARS

Just Me — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:56:55 -0600

So Hughes Hall and Chambers won Dorm Wars. But regardless, it was awesome. I haven't had that much fun in SUCH a long time. We did win the shopping cart race so that's always exciting. But now I'm extremely tired and VERY sore. YAY FOR DORM WARS!!!!!

Just Me — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:22:04 -0600

Dorm Wars is tomorrow!!!!

V-Day

Just Me — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 09:24:25 -0600

Happy late Valentine's Day everyone. Hope everyone's was great! I know mine was

Just Me — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:52:25 -0600

Back from Camp. Exhausted, but loved it

This Weekend...

Just Me — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:30:15 -0600

I'd appreciate a prayer or two this weekend. I'm going to Easter Seals for my first weekend being in charge of my own campers and all the responsibility that comes with officially being on staff. I haven't felt my best the last couple days and I really don't want that to affect the weekend. Plus I'm just extremely nervous about how things are gonna go because pretty much every moment at camp is a surprise. So if you happen to think of me this weekend a quick prayer would help a lot!

Just Me — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:50:16 -0600

There really aren't enough hours in the day anymore.

Weekend Fun, Open Dorm, and other things...

Just Me — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:50:12 -0600

The last few days have really busy but really fun. I've spent a lot of time with Lynsey and Vanessa and Gracie. There are still moments where it's odd to be hanging out with just girls so often, but I'm really enjoying it. I'm finding close girlfriends to be an amazing thing. We spent the weekend watching movies and going to Petco to look at the animals and shopping and going out to eat at midnight and plenty of other things. Saturday I had a friend that goes to UTK come visit and it was really nice to spend some time with her. Tonight was open dorm, and it was by far the worst one ever. No one came b/c everyone was at Cross Hall's open dorm which oddly got scheduled for the same night. But yea, things around here are busy. I work at Easter Seals camp this weekend for my first time on staff officially. Next week is convocation and V-day and then the following Monday is Dorm Wars. So lots going on in a short amount of time. Thankfully I'm looking foward to all of it.

Just Me — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 00:31:21 -0600

Random nights make my life extremely happy.

To the shock of everyone

Just Me — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:03:51 -0600

We actually got out of all classes until noon, and chapel was canceled too. It certainly wasn't a "snowstorm" as many of my teachers were saying it would be. It was the typical TN snow, about an inch that quickly turned to slush. But since I got woken up at 8:30 anyway to find out I didn't have to go to class Jackie and I decided to go play in it for about an hour. It was pretty, but it melted too fast.

So by like 6 tonight...

Just Me — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:38:49 -0600

every single school in the area had been closed. We're talkin elementary, high school, private schools. Even the other colleges in the area had canceled classes. BiLo was in a complete frenzy when Vanessa and I went by there. Tons of people are freaking out about how supposedly awful this snow storm is supposed to be. But has Lee called anything off? Of course not. Apparently we only cancel classes for the rapture.

Just Me — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 22:26:53 -0600

College Algebra= evil

Girl Time

Just Me — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 23:05:16 -0600

So far this weekend has kind of been an all girls' weekend. And I have to say I've actually really enjoyed it. Typically I'm not a big fan of hanging out w/girls b/c of the excessive amounts of drama, giggling, and discussion of clothing and boys. But the girls I've spent time with and gotten to know better this weekend aren't anything like that, thank the Lord.

Last night was an adventure. Gracie, Jackie, Kristina, Liz and I went on a mission to get our hall toilet back, which was kidnapped over Christmas break. It basically consisted of driving to a random rather sketchy family graveyard, pretending to visit a grave, leaving our dorm chaplain, dropping the stuff demanded for our toilet and then catching our toilet kidnappers. Then Gracie and I drove to Hixson and saw the Ted Dekker movie Thr3e which was absolutely amazing.

Tonight Gracie, Kelli, and I went out to eat and then came back to Jazzmans and met Colleen. There we made about 15 different words with Jenga blocks and took random pictures, and then went and saw We Are Marshall, also a good movie.

For once the weekend here at Lee was not completely boring. In fact, it was really fun. We've made plans for next weekend. Hopefully, they'll work out. It'll definetely be a lot of new things to try. But now I'm finally gonna be responsible and do some homework. Hope everyone else's weekend is going as well as mine!

So I need prayer

Just Me — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 21:04:45 -0600

Stuff is difficult. That's really the only way I know how to put it right now. Prayer would be appreciated

Just Me — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:21:47 -0600

Is it bad that I'm already sick of most of my classes?

And it's finally over..

Just Me — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 22:57:10 -0600

So my first weekend of working at Easter Seals camp is finally over. And I have to say it's one of the best decisions I could have ever made. I learned SO much in just a couple of days. My patience, strength, and compassion were all stretched just a little farther. It was certainly a drain on my physical strength. I did everything from lift campers out of bed, help give them shower and dress them, to taking some on nature walks, to leading a few games, to a 2 hour dance, to scrubbing down a cabin with bleach. I even learned how to count to 12 in Russian with UNO cards!! All of the counselors hit the floor at 6:30 and didn't get into bed until about 11 at the earliest. It doesn't seem like a whole lot, but it's a long day with little to no rest or sitting down. And yet every single moment was worth it. I've got a little more paperwork to do and then I'm officially on staff for every month's respite and summer if I want. Although the job will probably put me away from home all summer during the weekdays I can't wait for it. It's hard to explain how much this weekend impacted me. Most of it was made up in the little moments that maybe didn't really mean anything to anyone but me. Rather it was a campers smile or a hug or just a statement. It changed me, and God taught me a lot through this opportunity. I can't wait to go back next month!!

This Weekend

Just Me — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 22:13:49 -0600

is officially one of the coolest things I've ever done!

Easter Seals

Just Me — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:10:43 -0600

So I'm sitting here hanging out at Easter Seals camp. It's not even 10 and I'm already done for the day. The campers are all in bed and all the staff are hanging out in the lounge reading, homework, talking, etc. There's only about 10 of us on staff. Most of us are college students or graduate students It's amazing here. Even tonight I've already learned stuff I couldn't learn in a classroom. The campers are great and totally different from anyone I've worked with before. I'm really really praying stuff works out and I end up on staff on here. Guess I'll find out by Sunday!

Classes, school. and such

Just Me — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:01:22 -0600

So I've gone to all my classes now. And most of them look pretty good except college algebra. the teacher doesn't teach and has the personality of a rock. He just presses the slide show button and mumbles and doesn't make any sense to anyone. Not to mention he assigns homework like his class is the only one we have. English looks like it's gonna be really good again. Intro to teaching wasn't as bad as I was expecting. It even looks somewhat enjoyable. And U. S. History is looking like my favorite class. Dr. Barnett is pretty amazing. So yea, aside from math, as usual, things look pretty good. But now I get to go do my 4 homework assignments and 2 quizzes for algebra...all of which are due tomorrow!

Exciting Stuff!!!!

Just Me — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:50:03 -0600

So in the last couple days a couple of exciting things have happened.

1. This Friday I'm headed to Mt. Juliet to work at Easter Seals which is a special education camp for the weekend. They have Respite Weekends once a month in which about 20 campers with disabilites come and participate in all kinds of activities and such that relate to the month's theme. This month is New Years. I'm working this weekend as a volunteered with an older staff memeber, but if I prove to be any good and I'm comfortable starting next month I'll be on staff with campers of my own. It's something I'll get to do once a month and could turn into a summer job. It's supposed to be an awesome camp that will give me a lot of experience so I'm really looking foward to it. But pray for me! I'm really nervous about the whole thing. I'm really worried I won't be that great at it, but God worked it out for me so I'm beliving something good will come of it.

2. The other exciting thing. We have Dorm Wars in February here on campus. I'm one of the 7 on the team for Davis Hall. It's going to REALLY take me out of my comfort zone but I can't wait!

So yea. God's been opening some really exciting but really scary doors for me the last couple days!

Back!!

Just Me — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:06:41 -0600

So I'm back at Lee and it is AMAZING! So much better than home. There are a couple people I'm gonna miss, but for the most part things are a lot better than they were 3 or 4 days ago. It's hard to explain. I mean I love everyone back home, and it's nice to see everyone once in a while, but I'm so much more content here. On another note, I have to go buy books. The one downside to college, classes.

Just Me — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 22:22:00 -0600

2 more days until I get back to Cleveland! I'm more than ready to get back. There's a couple things and people I'll miss, but for the most part I can't wait to get away from here!

3 more days.

Just Me — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 22:07:17 -0600

Only 3 more days! Thank God!!

Just Me — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:00:48 -0600

Life is a mess. 5 days and life will be a little simpler

6 more days...

Just Me — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:13:00 -0600

left in Murfreesboro, counting today. So technically 5 since this day is almost over. In some ways I'm ready to get back to Lee. But in a lot more, I'm not

A little more comfortable..

Just Me — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:04:37 -0600

Thank God for the amazing friends that I have and the little things they do to make life better without even realizing. Things just got a little better.

or not...

Just Me — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 23:42:23 -0600

ok so let's correct that last thing i said. i'm not comfortable with it, yet. i'm trying really hard to be. and up until today i was. and now, not so much. there are some things that are perfectly fine and i have no complaints about. one rather new thing in particular. but then there is so much that just frustrates me. today was, insane, to say the least. i went thru a rollercoaster ride of emotions and hid them all. i saw 3 different people and dealt with 3 different situations. in some aspects it was a good day. in others, well, i'll get back to you on that one. idk. i've discovered things are usually either way more or way less complex than i make them out to be. this is one of those way more times.

i'm about ready to get back to Lee. I deal with certain things and people better from a distance. Although there are a couple people I'll definetely miss a whole lot when I go back I need to get away from all the unnecessary drama again too...

Just Me — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:25:37 -0600

my life really doesn't make sense to me anymore. this is another one of these weird stages where nothing really makes sense. only this time i'm comfortable with it.

Just Me — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:37:45 -0600

being sick is not fun! at all!

Appointed Christmas Party...

Just Me — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:23:49 -0600

was tonight.We sat around for a little while talking and eating and such. Then we played a couple games, read the Christmas story, and that was about it. Wasn't the most enertaining thing in the world, but it was still fun. But now I'm tired, and I think I'm trying to get a cold, so I'm gonna go sleep or something.

Just Me — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:06:14 -0600

I was actually productive today. I almost finished Christmas shopping. I found shoes for tomorrow night, so that's one less thing I have to stress over. It still does NOT feel like Christmas. 63 degrees is not Christmas weather. That's October weather. It needs to get cold at least for Christmas. It can get warm after that, but at least for Christmas day it should be cold.

I finally got all my grades for the first semester. All As. That made the day a little better.

Just Me — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:57:24 -0600

It's really weird to think I don't have to go back to Lee in the next couple days. I think 5 days is the most I've been home before now, and it's already been over a week since I got back. I'm not going to complain though. It's been great so far, and I still have quite a few people to catch up with and a couple more to spend some more time with, before I go back. One of my friends is supposed to be coming home on leave from the Marines today so that's exciting. Maybe today I'll get out and do something productive with my life like finish Christmas shopping or something. Probably not, but it sounds good to say so.

Just Me — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 23:30:26 -0600

I'm realizing more and more how good it is to be home. It was so nice being back in church this morning. And tonight was great. I was supposed to have plans tomorrow, but sadly it looks like I don't. I'm free all week except Wednesday night. If someone wants to hang out let me know. I definetely don't have anything to do.

Just Me — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:28:59 -0600

Bored...that's one thing I forgot about Murfreesboro. It's boring. At least without friends or somethin going on. So I'm sitting here, been reading a book forever b/c I can't sleep. Church in the morning....

Home

Just Me — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 01:17:28 -0600

I'm so glad to be back. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it. And so far things have been really really good. It's so great to realize I get to be here for another 3 or so weeks. I'm just afraid I won't want to go back.

On another note, I made an A in my Special Education class. All that work finally feels worth it

Just Me — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:54:44 -0600

Today was a very good day!

So I'm currently....

Just Me — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 13:26:26 -0600

finishing my last project, studying for my last final, and packing! I come home tomorrow!!!!

Almost stress-free!

Just Me — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:18:42 -0600

Things are really starting to get better. I've only got 2 exams left. One of which I'm not worried about at all. By Friday after my math exam I'll be stress free. Found out my schedule's gonna work so I can go home on Monday instead of Tuesday or Wednesday like I'd expected. Stayed up until 4 this morning writing a paper and discussing the Little Mermaid very indepth w/Jackie. Amazing the things that'll come out of someone's mouth when they're sleep deprived. No classes tomorrow. I have some observation work to do, but that's actually really enjoyable. Then about 3 hours of Apples to Apples. I got sleep today!! More than 3 hours!! That's pretty great considering that's all I'd had in 3 days. Spent some good time w/some girls in my hall. Due to all the decorating last week I'm starting to build some new friendships with some of them which is pretty cool. Just got back from Midnight Breakfast with them. Pretty sure our RA took our hall toilet from decorations to breakfast w/us. Good, good times.

I finally finished it!

Just Me — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 22:36:04 -0600

I've been working on this crazy big project for my Children w/Exceptionalities class for about 2 months now. It was one of those kind of projects where you thought it was almost done, and then you'd discover something else you still had to add to it. I spent about 16 hours on it Saturday and then started on it again about 1 yesterday. Finally at 7 this morning, after lots of coffee and stress and working on it in the lounge with Jackie so I didn't fall asleep, I finally finished it! It was such a good feeling to turn that silly thing in this morning and not have to worry about it anymore. Tonight I've got a paper to do and an exam to study for but after today it's pretty easy from here on out. I'm looking foward to next week when I finally get to come home and know there's nothing left to stress over for a while!

So someone should be shot...

Just Me — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 01:14:24 -0600

However, I don't know who that person is. We all went out to Chattanooga tonight and while we were gone someone hit the side of my car. They left a dent and took some of the paint off. Of course they drove away leaving no information or anything of that nature. So now I get to deal with that...