So last week I flew down in North Carolina to have interviews. I had 3 interviews, 2 in Greensboro, and 1 in Durham/Raleigh. It was a hectic couple of days, driving back and forth between Greensboro and Raleigh. Big THANKS to Brian and Mere for letting me crash at their place, so I didn't have to pay for a hotel! In between interviews I tried to look at some apartment complexes in both cities to figure out which ones I liked the best. I felt pretty good about all of the interviews, but 2 out of the 3, seemed promising and interested in me. I now and patiently waiting, not very patiently, to hear back from these agencies. I did hear from one today, that I am one of the finalists, and they are proceeding with a background check and calling my references, and the other said in a weeks time they will be making a decision, so any day now I should be hearing from them. I will update you all again once I get an offer, (or two!), and what my final decision is.
Besides interviews, and figuring out the details of the move, I'm also in the mist of finals!! I have 1 week left of internship, and 2 weeks left of school! I can't believe it's been two years already and I'm about to graduate with my Masters in Social Work!!!! eekk! Back to working on these finals...
Bye for now <3
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
It's Official!!!
So after much contemplation and many discussions with friends and family, It's official...I will be moving to North Carolina after graduation. Although I love NYC, and have had such an amazing experience here the past two years. I can't afford it. It's RIDICULOUSLY expensive, and being an entry level social worker, even with a Masters, I will not be making enough to live in NYC. I recently made the decision, that job offer or not I will be moving, because after many hours of research and job searching, many of the jobs require a NC driver licenses and SW licenses in their state to even consider you for a position. I have applied to many of those, stating that I would be obtaining them as soon as I move, and IF i hear back they usually say contact them once I move or once I move and have those documents. So, I've decided that it is more beneficial to continue my job hunt from the state I am applying in. As of yesterday, I have 2 interviews in NC scheduled for mid April, one in Greensboro, and one in Durham. Just thought, now that I finally made my decision I would let you all know about the next BIG step in my life. :)
Bye for now <3
Bye for now <3
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Last Spring Break EVER!
It was a bit bitter sweet, to know that I will never get a break from school, work, life and reality like this again. I had a "staycation" for my spring break, like all 6 of my college spring breaks have been. I literally did not leave the house for a few days except to walk Willy, then I went shopping, got a mani/pedi, wandered the city, went to dinner/happy hour with some friends, and wandered Central Park. It was all about focusing on me! And doing whatever I wanted when I wanted. I was ready to get back to work after the week was over, but NOT ready to get back to school. This last stretch is always the hardest part for me, especially since I know this is THE END!
BUT...
Only 6 weeks and counting....until I graduate!!! I can't believe that I have already been in NYC two years. This has been such a wonderful experience, and I have grown so much as a person in the two short years I've lived in NY. NYC has been such a positive part of my life and helped mold the person, and social worker I am today. I think there isn't many other places like NYC to get your MSW, the experience you get in this city isn't like any other, and I'm *hoping* that it will help me in my job search, having the experience of NYU and NYC populations I've worked with. I have been applying to jobs feverishly and there really aren't many jobs out there. :( Unfortunately, although there are those in need of mental health services no matter what the economic climate, maybe even more in the current time, that doesn't matter to those funding the organizations (usually the local or federal government)and mental health funding seemed to be one of the first things cut to help balance budgets. Please everyone keep their fingers crossed that I will find some employment, in some relation to social work, in the near future. I will hopefully be updating you all soon on the good news of interviews and/or job offers! Until then, I guess I should focus on the next 6 weeks, and leaving my academic career with a BANG!
Bye for now <3
BUT...
Only 6 weeks and counting....until I graduate!!! I can't believe that I have already been in NYC two years. This has been such a wonderful experience, and I have grown so much as a person in the two short years I've lived in NY. NYC has been such a positive part of my life and helped mold the person, and social worker I am today. I think there isn't many other places like NYC to get your MSW, the experience you get in this city isn't like any other, and I'm *hoping* that it will help me in my job search, having the experience of NYU and NYC populations I've worked with. I have been applying to jobs feverishly and there really aren't many jobs out there. :( Unfortunately, although there are those in need of mental health services no matter what the economic climate, maybe even more in the current time, that doesn't matter to those funding the organizations (usually the local or federal government)and mental health funding seemed to be one of the first things cut to help balance budgets. Please everyone keep their fingers crossed that I will find some employment, in some relation to social work, in the near future. I will hopefully be updating you all soon on the good news of interviews and/or job offers! Until then, I guess I should focus on the next 6 weeks, and leaving my academic career with a BANG!
Bye for now <3
Saturday, February 26, 2011
NC for the weekend
I had a wonderful trip down to NC last weekend! I went for a long weekend and spent some time in Greensboro with Brian, Mere, Hailee, and Hannah; and some time in Charlotte with a friend from college, who is going to law school there. It was so great to see two more towns in NC. And seeing my nieces was amazing. They are so adorable and since it's been a year since I've seen them last, they have changed so much. The weather was amazing down there this past weekend, and I loved the trees and openness. Both things that are scarce here in the city. I have to admit, it's made me miss suburbia... Here are a few pictures from my trip (Sorry Amanda-somehow we took no pictures)
I also updated my pictures so those of you without facebook and click on this link to see pictures from my trip! https://picasaweb.google.com/cmwright121
Bye for now <3
I also updated my pictures so those of you without facebook and click on this link to see pictures from my trip! https://picasaweb.google.com/cmwright121
Bye for now <3
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
LAST semester!!!!
I am SO happy that I am in my last semester of school!!! I can say I defiantly have senioritis. I have been going to school, without a break, since I was Kindergarten, or technically pre-school, so I am ready to not have school anymore. Although it's only once a week, and I work the other days, I'm looking forward to coming home after work and not having to think about my readings, papers, and presentations I have to work on that week. Most of my fellow classmates, took a year or several off between undergrad and grad school, some are even coming back as a second career, so many don't share the same desire to hurry up and be done already! My internship is getting more and more demanding, more like how a real job in this field would be, I suppose. I now am running 5-6 groups a week, have 3 individual clients that I see as a case manager, and then 1 client I see for individual therapy, and I'm doing 1 intake (initial assessment) a week, then follow those clients for a month or so until they are admitted. It's exhausting, but everyday is entertaining at the office.
School is going pretty good, I'm a month in...I've started the countdown to graduation! I have 10 more weeks of classes, and 9 more weeks of internship! I'm taking two children classes that are electives, Practice w/ Children, and Maladaptive Behaviors and Life Stressors with Children and I'm really enjoying both of them. One is even interactive, we play games and act like children to try and see things from their perspective, very interesting. My other two classes are required, Practice, and Advanced Policy. So we discuss policies in the one, and how social work and policies intertwine, and then in Practice we talk about what to expect next year, about the licensing exams, jobs, etc. I don't like my practice teacher, but that's ok 3 out of 4 is the best record I have so far, for liking my classes! That's about all going on here...just counting down the weeks until I'm DONE, and trying to figure out what my next step after graduation is.
Back to my homework, 10 hour school day tomorrow. :)
Bye for now <3
School is going pretty good, I'm a month in...I've started the countdown to graduation! I have 10 more weeks of classes, and 9 more weeks of internship! I'm taking two children classes that are electives, Practice w/ Children, and Maladaptive Behaviors and Life Stressors with Children and I'm really enjoying both of them. One is even interactive, we play games and act like children to try and see things from their perspective, very interesting. My other two classes are required, Practice, and Advanced Policy. So we discuss policies in the one, and how social work and policies intertwine, and then in Practice we talk about what to expect next year, about the licensing exams, jobs, etc. I don't like my practice teacher, but that's ok 3 out of 4 is the best record I have so far, for liking my classes! That's about all going on here...just counting down the weeks until I'm DONE, and trying to figure out what my next step after graduation is.
Back to my homework, 10 hour school day tomorrow. :)
Bye for now <3
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Words of Wisdom
I read this on a friends blog once and really liked it. Thought I would share it with others!
I've learned that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I've learned that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to,
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do
but to the best you can do.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it,
there are always two sides.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going
long after you think you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.
I've learned that either you control your attitude
or it controls you.
I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first,
the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing
and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you
when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with
what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them
and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish.
Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned that we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.
I've learned that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
I've learned that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
~ Author Unknown
I've learned that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I've learned that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to,
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do
but to the best you can do.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it,
there are always two sides.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going
long after you think you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.
I've learned that either you control your attitude
or it controls you.
I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first,
the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing
and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you
when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with
what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them
and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish.
Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned that we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.
I've learned that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
I've learned that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
~ Author Unknown
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Pictures from my last winter break...
I've had a great break, and am sad to see it end....I was just getting used to not having to do homework when I come home from my internship. I start back next week, but on the bright side, only 3.5 months til I graduate!!! :)
Bye for now <3
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Winter Break
So my trip California went great. I was home for 2 weeks, and it always feels like there isn't enough hours in the days to visit the people I want to visit, and do all the things that I want to do. But this year I think I did a great job, seeing most of my friends and spending ample time with the family. I even saw a few friends that I haven't seen in year! It was a great visit, and a good Christmas. It was a well needed break after the crazy hard semester I had. I will post some pictures from my trip (for those of you that don't have facebook) later this week.
My graded were just finally posted! And I'm happy to say I passed my research class!!! I was so nervous about that class, but I ended up with a B- in there. Which means I had to get a B+/A- on the final for me to have ended the semester w/ that B-. (I didn't do very well on the midterm) My final grades were an A, 2 A-, and a B-. I am enjoying my time off from school right now. I don't start back for my LAST semester until Jan 26th. I will be taking 2 electives regarding children, and then policies of mental health, and a practice class. This practice class supposedly focuses on life after graduation; so jobs, licensing, trainee hours to get licensed, continuing education, etc. I'm so looking forward to this last semester and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. After 19 years of school, I'm ready for a break! I am currently still at my same internship as last semester, I started back this week there and had to jump right back in. I now currently am running 6 groups a week, have 2 individual clients (will be getting another one in the next few weeks), and doing 1 intake (initial assessment) a week. I'm enjoying my internship, but I do know that this is not what I want to do for the rest of my career. I really enjoy working with these adults who are severely persistently mentally ill, but I enjoyed working with the children last year so much more.
The #1 questions I got from friends and family when I was home, is what am I doing once I graduate? Am I moving back to Cali or staying in NY? I don't know. I do not want to go back to Cali, but I don't know if I can afford to stay here. The simple answer is to find a job. I am planning to apply for job here in NYC, NY state, and many other states around the country. I know a handful of people that could not find a job here in the city, so my goal is to find a job...whoever/wherever will hire me.
I think I've talked enough for tonight.
Bye for now <3
My graded were just finally posted! And I'm happy to say I passed my research class!!! I was so nervous about that class, but I ended up with a B- in there. Which means I had to get a B+/A- on the final for me to have ended the semester w/ that B-. (I didn't do very well on the midterm) My final grades were an A, 2 A-, and a B-. I am enjoying my time off from school right now. I don't start back for my LAST semester until Jan 26th. I will be taking 2 electives regarding children, and then policies of mental health, and a practice class. This practice class supposedly focuses on life after graduation; so jobs, licensing, trainee hours to get licensed, continuing education, etc. I'm so looking forward to this last semester and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. After 19 years of school, I'm ready for a break! I am currently still at my same internship as last semester, I started back this week there and had to jump right back in. I now currently am running 6 groups a week, have 2 individual clients (will be getting another one in the next few weeks), and doing 1 intake (initial assessment) a week. I'm enjoying my internship, but I do know that this is not what I want to do for the rest of my career. I really enjoy working with these adults who are severely persistently mentally ill, but I enjoyed working with the children last year so much more.
The #1 questions I got from friends and family when I was home, is what am I doing once I graduate? Am I moving back to Cali or staying in NY? I don't know. I do not want to go back to Cali, but I don't know if I can afford to stay here. The simple answer is to find a job. I am planning to apply for job here in NYC, NY state, and many other states around the country. I know a handful of people that could not find a job here in the city, so my goal is to find a job...whoever/wherever will hire me.
I think I've talked enough for tonight.
Bye for now <3
Monday, November 22, 2010
And so it begins....
FINALS!!!!! Yes, somehow midterms just ended and yet finals are due in the next 1-2 weeks! How did this happen? I've started the massive feat of these papers, 3-20 pg papers and a final exam. So far I've written 10 pages in 17 hours, these papers are not as easy as undergrad. Is there a way to put an extra hour or two into each 24 hour day? Can it be 25 or 26 hour days?!? Just for the next few weeks... I foresee Starbucks, Monster, and 5 hour energy drinks being my best friend between now and Dec 16th. I take back my statement I made last year, about people making grad school seem harder than it really is. Last year wasn't too bad, this semester has been brutal, I'm so excited for winter break and not having to look at a textbook or a journal article for a whole month! I am worried about next semester, and I'm desperately hoping that it will not be as bad as this semester. I miss seeing the outside world, besides on my walk to or from school/work or to walk Willy.
I am however SO excited for Christmas, I love the holidays, and I'm planning between finals ending and my trip back home I can get out and see all the decorations here in the city. And I'm looking forward to my trip home to see all my family and friends. Hope everyone else that is experiencing the stress and anxiety of finals gets through it easier than me, and just try and focus on the wonderful break that will start in a few short weeks.
Bye for now <3
I am however SO excited for Christmas, I love the holidays, and I'm planning between finals ending and my trip back home I can get out and see all the decorations here in the city. And I'm looking forward to my trip home to see all my family and friends. Hope everyone else that is experiencing the stress and anxiety of finals gets through it easier than me, and just try and focus on the wonderful break that will start in a few short weeks.
Bye for now <3
Friday, November 12, 2010
Mom and Philly
So my mom came out to visit for a week! We had such a good time! We went shopping, showed her around my neighborhood, went shopping some more, and saw some of the sites around NYC. We also went down to Philly for a couple days. It's on my list of places I've always wanted to go, and since it's only 2 hours away from NY we went! We took the bus down there and did all the touristy stuff. We wandered around old town and saw the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' House, Independence Hall, and so much more. We had a great time there, and it was nice to be able to both be experiencing Philly for the first time together. When in Philly you must try Philly cheese steaks. So we went to a famous place for them for lunch and then went to a great place for dinner underground where we chose to do wine and cheese tasting for dinner! They are the only place (I think) in the states that has a built in rinser on your table. So when your down with your first wine you can rinse your glass at your table before trying the second wine. It was a really fun dinner! We stayed the night, with a few glitches trying to get to our hotel, and then just shopped and saw the last couple of things we didn't see the day before. It was a great visit and I pretended that I was not in grad school all weekend! Now I'm back to reality and really behind, but it was worth it.
Grams will be here the end of Thanksgiving weekend, and will be taking me to see the Nutcracker! SO excited for that!! I have 1 month left of school, and am going to start writing finals very soon! And then I will only have 1 more semester until I have my Masters in Social Work!!!! SO EXCITED! I can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here are a couple pic from my mom's visit, the rest are on http://picasaweb.google.com/cmwright121
Grams will be here the end of Thanksgiving weekend, and will be taking me to see the Nutcracker! SO excited for that!! I have 1 month left of school, and am going to start writing finals very soon! And then I will only have 1 more semester until I have my Masters in Social Work!!!! SO EXCITED! I can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here are a couple pic from my mom's visit, the rest are on http://picasaweb.google.com/cmwright121
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)