Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Free Ice-Cream Day!

And I totally missed it! :(

Today, I had my last class of my 2nd course of my BCBA program so no free Ben & Jerry's for me.

My sessions with the kiddos went much smoother than I planned today. Thankfully, DA and CV were their behaved selves. CV did pull his usual, "Maestra, I'm hungry; do you have anything to eat?" but since he hasn't asked in a while, I thought I'd offer/introduce dried apricots to them. :D I figured it'd be okay since it's something relatively healthy (and I asked beforehand if they had any food allergies). They tried a few and DA said, "they're cool." Speaking of cool, they instructed me to watch "Rob and Big" on MTV. I know we have cable, but I don't know if we have MTV. Besides, do they think that I have the same interests as them, even though I'm more than twice their age and of a completely different ethnicity and gender? Who knows -- maybe MTV can bridge the gaps.

Oh, the sad news is that CV is pretty sure that he will move out of state after this school year. Actually, it is sad for me (and I am panicking about who I can group DA with next year! They work so well together!). He, on the other hand, is pretty excited b/c he heard that in the state that he will move to, they have snowed in days where students get to miss school due to weather conditions. Haha. I guess I'd look forward to that, too!

By lunch time, I was on the verge of my typical sleep-deprived final exam meltdown right before lunch, but then I went to my car and took a 25 minute catnap and woke up quite refreshed. I stayed up until 1 last night studying but after my lunchtime catnap, I pretty much entered the que sera sera phase.

Class was looong and exhausting but ended on a good note. (Oh, the instructor commented that only one person got a 100% on last week's quiz...and then he looked at yours truly! That would be twice this course that I was the only one that got a 100. :) Which is great news b/c this quarter, the quizzes are a lot more challenging/hard but more comparable to the Board exam...not like last quarter's silliness. Okay, I'm done bragging.) We will miss this instructor; the good news is that we may have him for our last or second to the last class.

Which reminds me, I need to pay for tuition again like right now. I'm drained.Hopefully tomorrow, I'll get 31 cent ice-cream at Baskin-Robbins after I help bro fix up their new place some more. :)

Monday, April 28, 2008

Throwing in the Towel Update

Perhaps That Crazy Lady has regained an ounce of sanity since she decided on quitting. I have to give her props -- since she set her mind on leaving, her attitude and collaborative effort have been totally rad. She's truly achieved the "I quit" zen, where she just doesn't care any more...and that carefree spirit has really decreased her stress and anxiety level...to the point where it's benefiting me in so many ways! For one, I am hearing less crazy theories. Secondly, she has been on the ball when I need her support.

Today during group therapy (i.e., snack time), J320 was a mess. He didn't get much sleep the night before, so he was throwing a tantrum or on the verge of one pretty persistently through the morning. The moment he sat down for snack, he was fake crying and whining to an even louder extent. I prompted for quiet sitting, but he wasn't having it. So I said, "Okay, you're not ready," and turned to the next kiddo. He acted out even more (mini-extinction burst) so I looked at TCL, and she immediately took him away for a time-out. When she came back I told her that the second he demonstrates "quiet sitting" (whether he realizes it or not), run like crazy to bring him back to snack (differential reinforcement).

Mind you, his time-out area was at the other end of the classroom. I went about my ways with the rest of the kiddos, and then I noticed that it was quiet at the other end of the room. She saw me look at J320, and she immediately sprinted over to him and brought him back to snack.

He was a SAINT for the rest of snack!! High-five to TCL (and J320)! :D

Also a high-five to myself b/c I have gotten good at keeping snack time within 30 minutes. Not to mention both on Friday and today, N320 has needed less prompting for a louder voice for making his snack request to me.

Group therapy during snack time continues to rock!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Demolition Day

Today was demolition day at future Chez B&B. I put in a lot of effort in managing my time and studies so that I could spare a few hours to help Bro and FBIL. (I was quite proud of how I did!)

On Friday night, I was 50% behind schedule. I only finished one journal article summary before I crashed. By Saturday noon, I finished the second one and hit the gym, which was also on my Saturday schedule. :) When I got back, I checked the mail and opened up a very thoughtful "good luck" card from BSILF! It also included a checklist of all of my studies and assignments to do by Tuesday. I was able to check off 3 out of the 6 items! Unfortunately, my own list had 7 items...since I've been putting off taking notes and reviewing the chapter that I was too sick to take a quiz on. However, I was determined to finish my reading and note-taking for the two chapters by Saturday night. I barely made it, but I did. Phew.

This morning, I went to church and then was so proud of myself for making it over to Bro's to help him out for a few hours. I was really reaching into my inner zen garden...I do NOT function well in weather that is 90 degrees or above! Again, I was determined to keep my whining to a minimum and help out. As long as I didn't faint, I was capable of working. :)

I helped bro wash and clean the outside first floor windows (and kind of learned a new thing -- using ammonium for window cleaning. I know some windex has ammonium, but I didn't think of using a water and ammonium mixture for glass). (BF says I got a little dark, too. Too bad I wasn't wearing shorts!)

Around noon, the new tenants arrived to sign papers. I really enjoyed meeting them. Although they could never replace dear Rose, I could definitely see a good friendship developing between the neighbors/landlord & tenant.

After they left, bro and I painted the main room of their unit while the two contractors continued to work on the downstairs unit. They had already demolished the downstairs kitchen counter and began working on both bro's and downstairs units' bathrooms. I definitely can't wait to see both finished products! Too bad bro couldn't get on a reality show like Flip My Triplex. That would have been soOOoOOo cool.

Again -- I can't wait for them to get a doggy! (Maybe by the time they get a doggy, I will have read Karen Pryor's "Don't Shoot the Dog" -- ABA principles on behavior training...namely, doggy training.)

(Would you believe I am already creating a Summer To-Do list?)

I felt so bad leaving bro around 3, but I really had to come home and study. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten much studying done. I came home and took yet another nap (been taking a lot of them during the past 2 weeks! What's up with that?), woke up to have dinner, and then took about 30 minutes to get two concepts into my head.

Let's hope I can get a lot more in before I crash.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Journal Article Summaries

I cannot believe that I am, once again, reviewing journal research articles, writing up a summary and critique, and having to present on them!

I keep forgetting that this BCBA program is "real" school. Don't get me wrong; it gets intense and stressful at times, and it's definitely time-consuming, but it's not like I'm getting a second Masters. I'm just getting a certificate. And hopefully in the short-long run, I'll pass the national board exam and get the hard-earned 4 extra letters after my name.

I'm currently reviewing an article on on-task and on-schedule behavior in children with autism. How ironic that I can't even stay on-task for 60 minutes...

Another Stork Delivery

I got word from another friend today that her and new Husband are expecting in the Fall, too!

Karla and I met in grad school when we were in the post-bacc program. Our little group actually grew to about 4.5 people (I being the last 1.0; I was a total loner who had no inclination to meet anyone at that time) and the funny thing is that we didn't know that Karla was specializing in audiology, until our last quarter together! We didn't see too much of each other, except when the Auds and SLPs had a conjoined class on auditory processing disorders.

Then last November, her and hubby got married and had their reception at the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. They honeymooned in the Dominican Republic after New Years...and now they are expecting in the Fall.

Congrats to Karla & hubby!

Now We Stop...Now We Stop

I had an exceptionally good speech day with the 320s. :) There was a class staff meeting and since J320's 1:1 was absent and he was being a bit too much for the aides in the meeting to watch on the side, they asked me to take J320 for speech instead of M320. I was nervous since the 320 consultant was watching and it could potentially be a bad transition, but thankfully, J320 made a super-easy transition. I did the usual first/then strategy (first speech, then take a walk) and the kiddo put his shoes on and then we walked over to the Speech Area.

We did a little lesson on Basic Concepts (hats), and I had him follow simple directions as we worked. It was my first time having him do this activity so it was comical to watch him choose a color crayon and then "color." All of the 320s "color" in their own crazy way. N320 draws one line at a time, and we have to keep prompting him to color more. D320 colors a whole object but doesn't stay within the lines; extremely thorough though. J320 colors with a vengeance...he was so enthusiastic that he started coloring the table. Afterwards, we reviewed function-match-ups, but I worked on expanding his utterances. Not too shabby. Lastly, we practiced Quiet Sitting. Considering I just read a chapter on shaping and created a Quiet Sitting Shaping diagram (that I thought we had to turn in but apparently not), I thought I'd give it a try and start with my first step, which is working at the first successive approximation of Quiet Sitting -- Quiet Feet. Prior, I'd prompt him on all three components -- quiet mouth, quiet hands, and quiet feet. I instructed that we would count to 60 and then we'd be all done with speech and go on his reward walk.

I was thrilled at the results! Usually, we quietly count to 10 while I prompt him every second or two to stop moving. Oh, when I say we count together, it's more like he attends and chimes in with a few numbers every so often. He also counts in chunks. Like I start counting slowly, "1...2... 3...." and he'll chime in, "456......9, 10." LOL So we started counting "together" and 1) I was amazed that he counted into the 50s; 2) I prompted him a total of 5 times for quiet feet during the 60 counts; 3) during the last ~20 counts, he had quiet feet with no prompts!! This was monstrous b/c this is a kiddo with extremely high sensory needs. It's hard for him to sit still!

Afterwards, we went on a walk around the track. Rewind: I am always trying to think of something functional to sing and I haven't been successful at creating nor recalling any good songs. During Christmas, I sang "Oh Christmas Tree" with him and he actually "sang" with me (chimed in a word here and there); very entertaining and fun for me, but nothing too functional. Today, I recalled a song/video that I saw on a website where children responded to a song sang to the tune of "Frere Jacques" -- Walking walking walking walking, hop hop hop, hop hop hop, running running running, running running running, now we stop, now we stop. I know I looked like a fewl b/c I was the only one acting out the whole song around the track b/c J320 moves on his own time and terms. I thought I could get him to act it out b/c a few minutes prior, I asked if he wanted to run and he actually started running (first time! Could've been a coincidence, I know). He also likes to jump when he needs a sensory break.

Oh snap! I should change the song from "hop hop hop" to "jump jump jump"! Maybe he'll respond to that part next time! (Imaginary high-5 to myself.)

Anywho, I was pleased, though b/c I only sang it once and the 2nd and 3rd time around, he actually "sang" a few words with me! Very nice. :) We went back in for group therapy (i.e., snack time) and my good speech therapist day continued.

I look forward to snack time with the kiddos, but it's also really hectic b/c 3 of the 5 have anywhere between 2-5 different snacks! The other two get class provided pretzels and/or popcorn. Sometimes, it's hard for me to keep track of whose snack is whose and then there's P320 who only wants his own snacks 50% of the time; the other 30% of the time, he wants one of J320 or N320's snacks; remaining 20% of the time he just sits there. Today, I worked on J320 communicating "no thank you" as opposed to "all done" (one of mom's requested IEP goals). He also demo'd much better quiet sitting. It was awesome.

Not only that but I started working on getting P320 so sign "more." He signs an approximation of "please" for "I want" so I wanted to expand that (I also talked to mom about incorporating more signs/gestures since he is so dependent on visual and gestural prompts as opposed to verbal prompts). After about 7 models from me, P320 clapped, and we took it as his successive approximation for signing "more." As in, we practically threw a 3-second party! (We cheered him so loud and I differentially reinforced by giving him not 1 but 3 gummies.) (Wow, I guess learning about shaping a behavior has really come in handy.) Even N320 was on the ball; I barely prompted him for a louder voice as opposed to the past weeks! Lastly, D320 surprised me during his speech time. D320 is extremely echolalic and often appears catatonic but aware of what's going on. During our activity, he responded to a few Wh-questions without any cues!

It was just too much excitement for me. By the time it was lunchtime, I was exhausted. I caught up with my grad student assistant for some good comic relief on how our kids are doing and then I rushed over to see the SDC kiddos. I guess the more appropriate label for those kids would be LC (Learning Center). Even though the school year is almost over, I'm still learning the difference between Special Day Class (SDC) and Learning Center (LC). I think I finally get it.

Oh! On my way over to the Learning Center class, one of my high-functioning autism kiddo (the one that actually said, "I don't want to socialize! I hate socializing!") bum rushed passed me and said hello to me! I was very pleased as he was one of the 3 that didn't fulfill their speech assignment carried over from last week. Woohoo! Point for HFA-D!

I know I vow every time to never see 8 of the LC kids together, but I still do from time to time when I have to make-up sessions. It is uber-drop-dead exhausting to do that b/c of how much attention half of them need!
  • Barrettes Girl (turned into Beads Girl) picks on everyone (she is such a bully! Both physically and verbally!) and she gets all up in everyone's business. For a week now, she has come in at least 3x to ask if I've been seeing one of the other girls.
  • I'm-Not-Programmed-To-Lose Boy who draws the craziest things for me (he'll hand me like 10 drawings every time he sees me) always looks like he's about to cry b/c he feels like everyone yells at him. His group mates kind of do b/c he doesn't keep up with where we are so when it's his turn, all 7 of the girls yell his name out to get his attention and 3 of them will point to his paper and/or flip it over to tell him where we are. So we had have a "time-out" from the current activity and I had to do a mini-social-skills-crisis intervention.
  • The talkative girl cuts everyone off so it makes the quiet girls feel less confident about talking so I have to cajole the quietest two to talk (thankfully, they flanked me today).
  • The quietest gets so upset when she actually has the courage to ask a question or respond and the talkative one cuts her off to steal the spotlight. This one is also on the autism spectrum.
It's a circus whenever I get them all together. I didn't even call my TBI kid in b/c it would have been out of control. I would have gotten the, "he never talks! Make him talk! Make him talk!" and then we'd sit there in silence waiting for him.

~ ~ ~

BF was going to bring me out to dinner tonight but he had a lot of work so instead, I came home and instantly hopped into bed for a 1.5 hour nap. It's going to be a busy weekend of ABA reading, research article reviewing, and hopefully helping bro and FBIL out with some moving.

Oh, last bit of news -- it's confirmed for now that N320 will not transfer. Phooey. I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't have to see him 4 x a week!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Rock of Hope

Rewinding back to Saturday, I picked up a few cool items from my bro's moving sale. I got an ecko hoodie (too bad I can't wear it to school b/c whenever I dress down, I get mistaken for a kid...at least from a distance!). I also quickly snagged a tabletop zen fountain before it hit the selling floor. I thought it would be really nice to have in the Speech Room...just to create an aura of zen in the midst of all the craziness.

Yesterday, I called my High-Functioning Autism Group in. I'm just now working on social skill training now that I have an inkling of an idea on what to do. The session began pretty well; when HFA-V and HFA-R came in at separate times, they greeted me immediately and enthusiastically. It was pretty funny (and awesome); I think they made it a loud point because last week, I told them that I expected them to greet me and their group mates properly, when they walked in. They settled down and then I put all of them on the spot except TD (the only non-autism kid in the group). All 3 of the HFAs "failed" their one-week assignment -- to greet me outside of the Speech Room. I was bummed b/c I know that I saw 2 of them; two of them looked at me out of the corner of their eye during their lunch break! I asked them, "Are you afraid of me or something?" They said defensively, "No! I'm not afraid! I was just [enter excuse -- 'busy,' 'doing homework,' etc.]." So we spent a few minutes setting up a reward system ("Can you buy us a video game or give us money?!" NO!), and then I extended the assignment but also broadened it; they could greet each other, a peer, or a teacher outside of a classroom. They liked that idea. Of course they had to ask, "Well, can't I just say hello to my sister/brother? That's easy!" "No! The idea is for you to work on socializing." HFA-D actually said, "But I don't want to socialize! I hate socializing!" Poor guys. It's so agonizing for them.

The funny/sad thing is that these kids are perfectly fine talking up a storm with their SLPs, but when it comes to peers, they're totally off of it. What does that say about me???

Anywho, we did our activity of reading and demonstrating body language, facial expressions, intonations, and gestures and then the HFAs left. I had TD stay until the end of the period. He noticed my zen fountain and commented, "cool thingy!" I said, "yeah, I call it a fountain. What would you call it?"

TD: I think it's more like a rock.
Me: Well, it's more like a fountain b/c even though it's made of rocks, there's water trickling down so it's more like a fountain...It's kind of peaceful. It's like a fountain of peace.
TD totally disregarding my logic: I think you should call it the Rock.
Me: Um, how about the Fountain of Peace?
TD: How about Rock of Peace? No! The Rock of Hope!

I think our conversation was never settled. He is dead set on calling it the Rock of Hope despite my many prompts to keep it as the Fountain of Peace.

Oh well. Can't win every semantic war.

Monday, April 21, 2008

TCL Throws in the Towel

One of my mentor SLPs told me last, last time that when things get really out of hand in a classroom situation (re: office politics), she often prays, "Lord, renew them...or remove them." I've been praying that (or a variation) a lot every weekday morning, and especially as of late.

This morning, TCL called me to tell me that she decided to not continue next Fall. Although I've been wishing this, I'm still in shock that it looks like it's really going to happen.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Moving Sale

Earlier this month, Bro closed escrow on a triplex! It has been a while since he started and finally, this wonderful opportunity surfaced. It is a cute fixer-upper...and I have no doubt that Bro and FBIL will work their magic and their charm. I can't wait to see them settled in. Woohoo! :) (That means that I am one-step closer to having a doggie in my immediate family!)

Since they intend to move by the beginning of way, they held a moving sale today. I got to their place around 8 and Tita Dina arrived soon after. We, along with Rose, were the moving sale keepers until about 1, when we called it quits, as the weather changed from freezing at 9 AM to blazing hot at noon. I managed to sell about $16 worth of my stuff (3 x $5 for a table, two-piece top set, foot spa, and purse for $1). I also 'donated' a bunch of stuff to be distributed through Tita Dina (she kept two knock-off scarves, will give two knock-off purses to The Girls, and two dresses to high school girls who do not have the money to purchase dresses for their school dances).

Sadly, I could have broke the $20 mark, but I totally got juked for $5! The girl that bought my table for $5 played me! She also took two of my lamps and claimed she paid Tita Dina for them. I was so mad, but what was I to do? She insisted that she did and Tita Dina insisted that she didn't. I let her go. :( I was even more irked since I had just spent half an hour with her as she got a free SLP consultation re: her supposed problem (which made me feel incompetent b/c I really didn't see her "problem" as much of a problem. Nor did her ENT.). I kept telling her that her thing is not my area of expertise, too.

Anywho, I should let bygones be bygones I suppose. Unless the girl contacts me (she asked for my contact info so I gave her my company work address...which I barely check).

After that, we headed over to the triplex to do some work. Only, I didn't do much work. I just moved 8 paint cans up 2 flights of stairs (4 trips), slothed around while the cool breeze relaxed me, talked my bro's ears off as usual, and then Tita Dina and FBIL came back with delicious Mexican food from a local joint. I had 'sope' for the first time and a few bites of una torta. All very delicious! I left when Bro and FBIL had just begun painting the downstairs unit's main room.

I was so sleepy (residual effects from yesterday, plus stayed up until 2 reading textbook) that I came home and took a 2 hour nap. The good news is that I only have 5 more pages of text to read!

Friday, April 18, 2008

I Can Cure Selective Mutism!

Just kidding of course.

I have this one kiddo -- sad case. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) at 2 y/o (hit by a motorcycle!). Maybe it's power of suggestion, but I see some symptoms -- poor memory, cognitive impairments, possibly anomia and aphasia...on the other hand, it's impossible to know if the TBI "caused" his SLD, and whether he has anomia/aphasia or pure SLD. I could spend hours doing mental gymnastics trying to figure his history out but I guess it really doesn't matter.

All I know is that his previous SLP and current SDC teacher (who also had him last year) think he is selectively mute. He doesn't talk in class and it took a while for the kid to say a few words to the previous SLP.

I started seeing him in a group from the get-go, and sure he didn't talk...but I didn't think it was b/c he was selectively mute. I really thought that he just had no idea WTH anyone was talking about and what to say. It also didn't help that all of the girls wanted him to talk so they'd get on his case and put pressure on him. Heck, they even put pressure on me: "Make him talk!...Can you call him into our group? We want to hear him talk!" I decided to see him individually because he was way too behind, the girls were getting way out of hand and starting to get on his nerves, and vice-versa b/c he wouldn't talk.

Today I had an awesome day with him. During the past sessions, I've worked on prompting him to at least respond with, "I don't know" rather than just sitting there -- which he is notorious for doing, especially in his classroom, despite having a 1:1 aide. I typically ask him very simple questions and persistently wait for him to respond (i.e., I stare at him until he says something). In the past, his silence usually wins in the quiet power struggle so I started prompting him with verbal + visual ("If you don't know, then say 'I don't know,'" as I point to the "I don't know" visual card). That went on for a few sessions.

Today, I upped the ante and got rid of the verbal prompt and slightly pushed or touched the visual prompt whenever he seemed like he didn't know the answer. He'd pick up on the cue and say, "I don't know." Then partway through the session, he INDEPENDENTLY said, "I don't know." I was floored! Then he said it two more times independently!! I had a moment with my therapist self, especially since others thought he was selectively mute.

I was soOooOOoO proud of him that I high-fived him at the end of the session. He must've thought I was nuts and wondered why I was so excited. I don't care b/c he said I don't know! Persistence finally paid off in the quiet power struggle; the 3 times that he responded independently, I actually sat in silence and counted up to 30 in my head before he responded. (I don't think it's an auditory processing delay/disorder. At least I hope...).

I don't think anyone else could be as happy as I am about a student saying "I don't know"! (I'm also working on expanding it so that when he doesn't know something, then he asks for help/clarification/information.)

Poetic Justice

E-mail to brother at 1:23 P.M. after 2 nauseating sessions with students:
I have a problem with some of my students.
When they stink/have B.O., it makes me want to gag.
What to do?

I think you should write a haiku for me...

At 1:28 P.M., brother responds:
Teenage Gross Odor
Raging Hormones Reek Pheromones
I want to vomit.


Buy Deodorant
I don't need to smell your funk
In fact, here's a buck.

Too awesome. My brother totally rules!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Update: Spring Break Gone Wild! Not....

Last week was my Spring Break...and it already feels so far away! It was incredibly busy for me, but I certainly had my moments of R & R.

The break began with me visiting Gramma with my bro and youngest aunt. On Monday, I was completely out of commission with a uber-gnarly 24-hour bug. I was literally fainting every few minutes...sparing other details. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I went to Big Kid School Supervision meetings to obtain clinical hours, since I missed class the night before.

On Thursday morning, I headed off to Monterey for an SLP Convention. Bro dropped me off at my associate's house in the morning, and then we headed to the LBC Airport. The flight was short and I managed to review some ABA terms. When we arrived, we went straight to Hotel Pacific to check-in. I chose this place based on associate's recommendation and more importantly because BF was flying in that evening to spend the nights with me!

The moment I stepped into the room, I opened up the doors to the balcony. I can't describe how refreshing and rejuvenating it felt to let the fresh air in and see nature's beauty. (Am I trying to write a cheesy memoir?) This is a partial view from our "private" balcony; we could see the ocean in the horizon. We stayed on the top floor suite (of a 4-story complex). Every morning, I woke up to the sound of sea otters "barking" from the Monterey Bay. It was actually a funny sound to wake up to. Certainly better than dump trucks in L.A.

I quickly snarfed down a small lunch and then headed to the Convention. I attended an excellent afternoon workshop on APD, and then BF called and said he was here! I gave hi the address to Hotel Pacific, but he ended up at Portola Plaza (where I would have liked to stay and where the Convention was). At first, he sounded peeved on the phone b/c he insisted I told him to come to the Portola, but then he was happy when I walked out of Portola just in time to bump into him! Such perfect timing. :)

Sidenote: the Portola is just as lovely. The next day, we strolled through the plaza way and I did the tourist thing of taking lots of pictures.


For that evening, since BF had worked literally until the last second, we didn't go out as planned for dinner. We leisurely walked a few blocks and ate at Characters Bar & Grill, just for a low-key, yummy dinner. Afterwards, we headed back with food coma. As I was winding down, BF went to the corner mom-&-pop market and bought me Ben & Jerry's ice-cream! I really wanted to go with him (out of curiosity) but he insisted that I stay back and relax since I was technically on vacation. That was sweet.

On Friday, I attended an all day workshop on working with Asperger's Synrome. It was a phenomenal presentation! I quickly rushed back to the hotel at the beginning of my 3-hour lunch to see if BF was still there. Much to my dismay, he had already left for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (I was so jealous!) We spoke shortly on the phone, and he reported on the sea turtles. :) He saw three of them! He took lots and lots of pictures for me and even a mini video clip. (I was in utter disbelief that that's really the shade of green that there shell is!)

At first, I was bummed about missing him, but then I was okay. I ate lunch alone on the private balcony, soaked in more of the fresh air, looked out to the bay, and listened to the water fountain below me. I rushed back for a poster board session that was lame...and then I went out behind Portola and explored Old Fisherman's Wharf. I went into a couple souvenir shops but didn't really see anything. I noted a few dining places for dinner though. By that time, BF had headed back to the hotel so I went back and we met along the plaza way for Taco Bell. Then he headed off to a bad movie and I to the Convention.

After the Convention, I walked back to the hotel and was pleasantly surprised by BF! He knew how much I wanted to go to the Aquarium -- and how much I love sea turtles and otters -- so he got me FOUR stuffed animals! :) That was so thoughtful!

We freshened up and then headed to Old Fisherman's Wharf for one of the most amazing dinners at Old Fisherman's Grotto. Our dinner was soOoOOo good! We received excellent service and had a full meal -- from cocktails to appetizers to dinner (skipped dessert b/c we were too stuffed). We took our time walking back to the hotel...and even stopped at the Portola so BF could get another drink while I chillaxed a moment.

We were so corny; we stayed up late watching back to back episodes of "10 Years Younger" and "What Not to Wear" until we fell asleep. When we woke up, we both enjoyed breakfast/coffee on the balcony (listening to the otters bark from the distance). Shortly after, we headed to the airport and came back home.

It was really a very pleasant mini-vacation for us.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Unsolved Mysteries -- Solved!

On the real, I've been a bit unsure for 28 years about what city I was born in. My Mom occasionally tells me with hesitation, but then I only remember that it's a city that begins with an "M" -- was it Montebello or Monterey Park?

When I was still young, my parents joked with differing levels of humor that I was almost adopted away as an infant by a rich female doctor who really wanted a daughter. (Arguments ensue over who was willing to give me up and who insisted on keeping me.) When I was a little older, Mom told me that I was born in a Catholic hospital with very nice nuns...but the hospital closed down later. Dad joked that they didn't tell their friends that I was born in whichever "M" city b/c the city was a bit ghetto at the time (this is the same Dad that once joked to me about how I got my name, "...well, I was looking at this disposable package...").

So I let that all go (and on important applications, I say my birthplace is Montebello). Well, last weekend, Bro found our original birth certificates! The mystery was solved!

Or was it?

When Bro showed me, I exclaimed, "Belvedere?!?! Where the heck is that?" It said L.A. County, but I had never heard of the city, despite living in L.A. County for 25 years. The next day, I found this in Wikipedia:
"Belvedere is a suburban city in Marin County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,125 and the per-capita income was $113,595, making it the highest income city in California and the 17th highest income place in the United States (1st with a population over 1,000)."
Was I adopted from the rich doctor rather than the rich doctor wanting to adopt me?! =O
  • Bro said, "mmm...i don't think that's the same belvedere, mei."
  • BF said, "Hello! You and your brother look exactly alike! I don't think you were adopted!" Okay, fine.
Then Bro solved the mystery by mapquesting the address of the former hospital/clinic...and said:

"OH MY GOD! You're a chola! East LA!!!"

Maybe that's why my Dad's favorite movie is, "Born in East L.A."!

Poor BF has heard me singing for a few days now, "I was --- born in East L.A.! I was --- born in East L.A.!"

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Hump Day Happy Hour

Bro and I chatted when I was on my way home and he asked me, "What are you doing tonight?" I said in a no-nonsense tone, "Watching America's Next Top Model at 8." He said, "Ai-ya! Come with me to happy hour at the Daily Grill!"

How could I resist? The way he asked me sounded kind of suspicious though so I asked him, "Who else is going?" He said, "My friend Jillian is starting a new job as [bro's former boss'] assistant." So I came home and chillaxed a bit before Bro picked me up.

I had a wild day with the kiddos so I was relieved to be home and excited about happy hour. Crazy DA and CV really tested me today. I had to let my alter-ego, Ms. Chanel, take over and lay the rules down. BF called in the midst of the mayhem b/c, sparing many details, DA had dialed BF's number on my cell. BF called twice, thinking I must have had an emergency, so I had to pick up on the second call. I told him that everything was okay, and then stopped and pointed directly at CV and said, "WORK," and then looked and pointed at DA and said, "WORK." BF was like, "What is going on??" "I'll call you back after." Right when I hung up, DA said with a devilish smile, "You're mad huh?"

If I was a cartoon character, I'd have the steam blowing out of my ears! I also know how DA is, so I couldn't give him the satisfaction of upsetting me. Instead, I looked at him, ignored his question, and took his picture that he had so politely asked me to laminate. [Bro later said, "you should have taken his picture and tore it up right in front of him!" LOL That would have been too cruel, though!] "I will hold onto this until next week." He was stunned and then said, "What! That's messed up. And I told people that we were friends." Friends?!?! LOLOL I couldn't hold a grudge.

Still, he was acting up and not wanting to do work so I ignored him and helped CV. The kid got even crazier. All that kept running through my mind was how I've been using the behavior management strategies that I use with my 320s, with these crazy ones! I even tried a little "Quiet Sitting" stint. DA was at my board screwing around and then he turned around and asked, "Can I go to the bathroom?" Fully suspecting that he was trying to ditch speech, I said, "If you can sit down in your chair for ONE minute, then you can go." He lingered at the board for a few more seconds and then said, "I really need to go!" "Well, as soon as you sit down for one minute, then you can go." He sat down (small victory for me)...for probably 5 seconds and then he got up again. "Oh, I guess you're not going to the bathroom." Somehow, my persistence (and pre-ABA skills) paid off; I plowed through with his craziness and got him to do a page of work!

But before he left, he gave me and my other students a "gift," if you will. He politely asked if he could put this picture up on my board (I put up pictures that my students draw for me). I said, "yes" without really looking at it.
After he put it up, he said, "This is to scare all of your other students." I thought, Great! I doubt it'll scare my other students, but it definitely scares me!!

And that was only my second session of the morning (the first being with J320 who kept kicking me during Quiet Sitting). By the end of the day, I was sure as heck ready for happy hour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Bro and I got to Daily Grill, he introduced me to the superstar of the evening. I was expecting a girl, but apparently, I had misheard my bro and stood corrected when I introduced myself to a guy.

Lots of good food and drinks were to be had. Bro's former assistant asked me, "Do you like coming to these things?" I truthfully told her that I kind of do b/c 1) complimentary delicious food (and drinks) and 2) it's very entertaining to chat with people "in the industry" as an outsider. It's easy for me to strike up a conversation with most of the people b/c socializing is practically a pre-requisite skill in the industry. As for me, I can talk anyone's ears off as that is my "specialty."

As I snarfed down delicious appetizers, my bro and I exchanged little laughs in-between our social exchanges with other people. Like when he couldn't remember the name of the girl with a mole. He kept telling me that she had a very diva-ish, celebrity-like name, "like Shakira or something" he said. The funny thing is that the girl came over and was like, "OMG! I haven't seen you in so long!" Bro introduced me so I took that as my cue to ask what her name was. Turns out her name is very similar to Madonna. Then she totally called him out on not remembering her name but he totally tried to play it off. I don't think she was convinced...as I quietly laughed to myself!

Then there was the annoying drunk guy who was crashing every social exchange for a free round. He kept bumping into us, stepping on our feet, and jabbing his fork into our delicious dishes. Thank goodness he didn't ask to sample my hazelnut crusted mahi mahi; I would've had to throw him down!

Afterwards, bro asked if I had fun. Of course I did. I always do with bro!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

First Day of April

Today, I pulled my high-functioning autism (HFA) group since I have an IEP tmrw during their usual time. Three filtered in while TCL was filling me in on the latest craziness (N320 is likely transferring at the end of the year!). My fourth didn't show up until the end of the period so I saw him individually.

This one is so refreshing to see. He is the one that always smiles, laughs, and giggles (not out of context or inappropriately). I can't remember if I blogged about him before but I once said to him, "You're always laughing and smiling! Do you ever have a bad day?" He paused and thought for a second, then smiled and said, "Nope." So today, I had the lovely opportunity to really focus on his communication and social needs. I started with a functional home routine piece and opened it up with, "So, last time you mentioned you have some responsibilities at home. What chores are your responsibility?"

HFA-V: I have to clean my bedroom...and put everyone's shoes away."
Me: Do you put everyone's shoes on a shoe rack? [Subtly trying to work on semantics/vocabulary].
HFA-V looks at me kind of funny and says: No, I just put them in place. [and giggles a little bit.]
Me trying to be silly yet also probe how literal he thinks or how much he can pick up on sarcasm: OOOO, I bet that is your favorite chore!
HFA-V: Yes.
Well, that totally backfired. Me: It is?!?
HFA-V starts cracking up: April Fool!

I was laughing hysterically! Part of me was laughing b/c I was pleased at his sense of humor! My HFA group tends to be stoic, take things literally, and doesn't usually understand humor...due to their autism. Teaching figurative language (e.g., idioms) has been quite a challenge. But holy snikeys, their vocabulary blows me away!

In the session before (with my 2 HFAs and 1 SLD), I conducted a convergent-naming activity (i.e., the game "Blurt"), and so I read something like, "Any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions." HFA-D "blurts" (hence the game's name), "snake! That was too easy!" (which really isn't for my SLI, SLD, or APD kids who don't have autism). Since the kiddos are quite competitive, HFA-R turned to HFA-D and said, "Oh yeah? I bet you don't know where an African Rock Python is from." Before I could process whether it was a joke/riddle or not, HFA-D says, "They're from Africa." HFA-R says, "Doh! How did you know!"

=X

I was like, WHAT! What just happened here?? LOL
They were being serious! HFA-R seriously thought he could stump HFA-D and HFA-D thought he totally outsmarted HFA-R b/c he knew the answer!