SNOW

I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday and she said that it was snowing lots. I immediately opened up my blinds, looked out the window, and yelled, "Yes, It's snowing here too!". I then texted my roommate and told her to drive back home safely in the snow... and she wrote back "Joyous. I just looked outside!"

We're both still waiting for the 18.3 inches but we'll take the inch or two we got last night.

I'm a Competent Social Worker- Part 1

1a. Readily identify as a social work professional

As of right now, I am following the NASW Code of Ethics and maintaining client confidentiality. In the past I have been less organized and didn’t shred confidential document or kept them in a folder “to shred later”. I am not keeping a shred folder full of stuff to shred later but instead shredding confidential information as needed.

1b. Demonstrate professional use of self with client(s)

I have created a referral form that will help me keep client information accurate and organize interventions for them more effectively. I am in the process of translating (with the other intern’s help) documents into Spanish so that Spanish speaking parents will have access to the same information.

1c. Understand and identify professional strengths, limitations and challenges

I recognize my “social work” vocabulary is limited in Spanish and I’m utilizing other Spanish speakers to learn such terms and phrases. The other intern, vice-principal, and Spanish speaking advocates have helped me learn common phrases used within the school system (which is another vocabulary/language in and of itself).

1d. Develop, manage, and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients within the person-in-environment and strengths perspectives

Other staff members are quick to tell me about client’s problems and I’ve asked them for client strengths (also included on the “Referral Form” I created). Today, I asked a mother and daughter what their family strengths were. I thought it was a language barrier (Spanish) because she kept on telling me their family weaknesses. However, I realized that some people have had a hard time recognizing their strengths and resources they have to overcome challenges. Working with students, I have been able to help them identify their own strengths. For example, an advocate told a student she’d seen too many kids give up because they were behind in school. Sure, he was behind in school… but he was also very persistent and walked to school even though he had a medical excuse to not walk to school. He could use that persistence to catch up in classes.

TO SUM UP: I KNOW I AM A COMPETENT SOCIAL WORKER. I was already confident in what I'm supposed to do at my internship. I'm an intern being shadowed by another intern. This is okay because I have experience in my field and can show what I know to someone else.

Research Trip

I'm officially a "Global Scholar". I had the great opportunity to present my research in Puerto Rico. I was super nervous about answering questions after my presentation during the open Q&A from professors, researchers, and students who had traveled worldwide to come to the conference... But it went well! I was able to answer someone's questions just fine. Plus, I didn't go over my time even though they'd told me right before starting that I'd only have 10 minutes instead of the 15 minutes I'd originally planned on.

I met again Dr. Margie Edwards, one of my BYU professors who inspired me in my field and started my passion for group work. She told me I should get a PHD and said she was proud of all my hard work and who I'd become. It was great to see her again after all those years. She is one of those great people that sees your potential and pushes you to be that. She is a walking body full of love and gives you one on one attention.

At the conference, a man shared his experience about being the first from his village in Jamaica to attend high school. It was inspiring to hear about his struggle to get an education. I was shocked to hear firsthand of the blatant discrimination he witnessed. He shared one day getting on a full bus and then automatically offering his seat to a lady... But this white woman didn't take his seat, ignored him, and treated him disrespectfully because of his skin color.


I saw coffee beans growing on a plant for the first time, ate delicious shrimp tacos, and mofongo, hiked the Yunque rainforest, and even went swimming at the beach. Of course, I visited the fortalezas and loved walking around the outside of the city wall next to the ocean (even though there were a billion stray cats). I drank a virgin Pina Colada in the place where pina coladas were born. I saw a live salsa band for the first time and had a blast dancing to the live maracas, trumpet, drums, etc.


The weather was fantastic and even though it poured rain about half the time... it was still warm. And definitely beat the snow in the mountains I'd left behind in Utah. I was surprised to come back to Utah and find snow on the ground outside!


I still can't believe I actually went to Puerto Rico! It was a great trip and a wonderful break from my busy schedule.