The psychiatric unit. It’s seen as a place of despair, a stereotypical “looney bin”, a mad house, a dark place that people go when things feel impossible. Over the last 20 years that I have actively engaged in mental health treatment, I have been in often rotating or long term stints at these units for … Continue reading What I have learned from the psychiatric unit
Tag: school
Lingering Heat and Fading Summer
It seems Summer 2025 is fading away and as it does, heatwaves rage on in Jacksonville,Florida. The heat index today was 117 degrees, 97 degrees Fahrenheit in Orange Park, on the west side, just inland of the city. I spent the afternoon smack dab in the prime wrath of today’s heatwave, visiting children on my … Continue reading Lingering Heat and Fading Summer
What they see matters
Hazel had a spring chorus concert today at her elementary school. It was super sweet to hear their little voices and see the effort they put into rehearsals. Hazel stood out, projecting and singing so clearly that at times her voice was the only recognizable sound. We got home and reminisced about the many performances … Continue reading What they see matters
Chasing the unstoppable
It’s not for lack of things to say or write. I could come up with more than a few reasons to have disappeared into this unstoppable world around me. I feel as though I am always struggling to catch up and keep pace with my surroundings. So as change each day occurs, I am chasing … Continue reading Chasing the unstoppable
Turning back time
I sat up late thumbing through memories of the girls when they were younger this evening. Reflecting on so many happy moments together. Questioning if I am making the right decisions for our girls. This Sunday like any fall daylight savings time, we turn back time. For a moment we are happy to gain another … Continue reading Turning back time
Very demure, very mindful.
I diligently try with every ounce of my being to be mindful. To be attune to my own needs and aware of my surroundings. Last night I facilitated a NAMI support group meeting, not unusual for a Tuesday night. Prior to the meeting I sat through hours of court proceedings in my work role. After … Continue reading Very demure, very mindful.
Changing hats
It’s been a long and exhausting week. An update in general on life, Hazel had eye surgery last Thursday. It was to correct a drifting right eye. She did amazing and she is excited to take a few days off school due to the redness in the eye. Jason has had some residual excitement with … Continue reading Changing hats
Steady as we go, Week 4 post op
A favorite song of mine from written by Dave Matthew’s. He sings, “if the road gets rocky girl, Just steady as we go. I know troubles they may come and go, but good times they’re gold…And if your load gets heavy, girl I will lift you up…I will walk halfway around the world, just to … Continue reading Steady as we go, Week 4 post op
Back to reality
I spend the early morning hours trying to coax myself back to sleep. The last few days I have had some disrupted sleep, spending the 3-4am hour lying awake and trying desperately to fall back asleep. I despise when my routine is thrown off and my mood starts to shift. Lately I have struggled with … Continue reading Back to reality
Year 1 complete! Summer semester comes to an end.
Somehow I managed to get through a horrific and stressful course load this past summer semester. My grades are a reflection of the hard work and perseverance. Especially the course of Intro to Social Work research was incredibly daunting. I received a 91.65 percent in SW Research and a 93.8 percent in my SW Practice … Continue reading Year 1 complete! Summer semester comes to an end.
Tallahassee Takeover
Spent the weekend in Tallahassee for an intensive seminar at Florida State. It was a long day of workshops to work on foundational clinician skills. The evening ended nicely with indian cuisine, and a coconut margarita to boot while we tackled a SW research assignment. After completing the assignments, I floated around with my friend … Continue reading Tallahassee Takeover
The results are in…
I received a grade for one of my classes, the Group Psychotherapy class. We recently had a midterm exam, one that took me almost the complete amount of time, 4 hours allotted total to take it. I took 231 minutes out of 240 minutes. I wrote 2,737 words during those 231 minutes. This class in … Continue reading The results are in…
Hurry up and wait
I have had to make the difficult decision to defer my graduate school start till next semester. Many factors led to this decision, mostly due to a defaulted loan that I could not pay in full before registration. I hope to not only have the loan paid by the spring, but also to be mentally … Continue reading Hurry up and wait
The Seascapechronicles 