Long weekend

This long weekend is coming up rather short. At least a fourth of it was spent halfway meeting my quota for going out this year; I went to my friends' wedding on Saturday. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, as was the bride, groom, and friends. My best friend was my lovely date, which was a real treat b/c I don't think we'll be going to any other weddings together -- as guests -- any time soon. We had tons of fun at the ceremony, South Coast Plaza, and then reception @ the Hyatt.

A big part of the fun was also the mini-reunion and rehashing about the good old radical days; i.e., ladies nights out, happy hour, and of course the clubbing days. Nowadays, everyone's spread apart and doing their own fabulous thing.

Well, my thing is not so fabulous (boogers, crying, and the likes). I'm also feeling this way since I'm only on essay #2 of 6 of take-home final exam and haven't completed my portion of the study guide for the other class nor cleaned the turtle's tank. Thank God I have tomorrow off! BOOOo! I didn't even go to church today, either! :(

Oh yeah, I also spoke with Doctor Cousin today so that was a real treat, too. The mini-reunion and rehashing made me miss my totally rad cousin; I had some great times w/ her, too. :)

P.S. Am I totally out-dated? "Rad" is not in my blogger dictionary! That is so un-rad!

Exciting weekend (not)

As I continue to live vicariously through others (and twice a year through myself), I had quite an exciting weekend!

On Friday night, I worked on a group project, pretending to be an expert on stuttering. In spirit, I went to BF's cousin-turned-rap artist's video-release party @ the White Lotus. In reality, I drove past it after I dropped BF and his Kuya M off, and went straight home to continue researching. Cool! I know a rap artist!! Well, sorta.

The majority of the weekend was spent on the group project. (I can't imagine anybody wanting to live vicariously through me these days.) Working on group projects just isn't one of my favorite past-times. It's kinda like shopping; I like to shop alone so I can go at my own pace. Plus, I'm a (closet) control-freak. Anywho, I finished a good chunk of the difficult parts that were somehow handed to me, just in time to head off to a very fabulous dinner w/ BF and his family at Meson G. I had a delicious braised short rib entree and molten chocolate cake dessert. Poor BF's Dad; BF, Mom, and his sis totally forgot about Dad's B-day. I even reminded BF to call on Thursday (and Friday), and he still forgot! Not only that, but BF's Mom and Dad's anniversary is also on his Dad's b-day so they wouldn't forget! It is kind of funny, though.

God forbid I ever forget BF's b-day. He starts reminding me half a year ahead. He is quite excited because his b-day falls on Burger Day this year!

Around these parts

When I go to the gym, I go to work-out (sweat) stretch (sweat) work-out, and listen to my eclectic music mix. The last thing I want is to be bothered b/c I hate when people talk to me while I'm sweating. It's just gross. It's not hot. It's not seksy. Nothing to see here, folks, just keep moving. That's why I love the Santa Monica location. Hate the K-town one.

I went to the gross K-town one today after my glorious no-brainer temp job, and the staff guy from last time pretended to casually come up to the front desk while I was being checked in. He looked me up and down and attempted another conversation:

You always carry a knife?

I really wasn't in the mood to shoot the breeze so I waited for the scanner guy to give me back my card, and then I turned to him and said with a no-nonsense expression (which doesn't occur very often with me; I must be locked in clinician-mode from yesterday):

Around these parts? Yes.

and walked right past him. I should've given him like 3 diva snaps while I was at it. =P

BTW, what I meant about "these parts" was K-town b/c of my being harassed and mugged, but I hope he interpreted "these parts" as the gym. Now that I don't work in downtown anymore, I only carry my Spyderco when I don't have my pepper spray.

Yo, people, the gym should not be a pick-up scene.

Stop, drop, & roll

I saw both of my kiddos today and both went a lot smoother than Monday. Yay!

Bawler displayed her usual Dissociative Identity Disorder so I quipped with a charade of Bipolar Disorder. (I'm sure my assistant and observers probably thought I was the one with DID) Every time she got up and talked about doing horrendous things, I warned or punished her. Every time she sat down, I kicked up the mania and praised her like crazy for Speech Rule #1 (i.e., good sitting) and gave her a token.

At one point, she really wasn't being nice so by the authority invested in me, I wiped out all 4 of her tokens with one hand. I think she has a love-hate relationship with me.

I thought today's session would end without incidence, especially because I altered her social story but I was wrong. Unfortunately, both of my kiddos cried today. One of the other kiddos (the one that asked why nobody wants to play with Bawler -- b/c he hears her bawling so much), walked out and started mocking Bawler by saying, "but I don't want to say good-bye!!!" I almost LMAO, but the professional me bit my tongue.

My 2nd one was faking the crying though, but that was definitely a first. She was actually doing really well today (vs. Monday) when the fire alarm went off! (Why couldn't it go off in class?) I am so glad I had Flapper instead of Bawler because I don't know how Bawler would have reacted with the fire alarm. The alarm usually signifies that it's time to go home and then we have a whole different (unpredictable) routine after the alarm (usually when the bawling really gets out of control).

So I took her hand and we walked out but when I saw her Mom, I gave her up and ran back into clinic to grab my $1200 backpack (well, backpack full of materials adding up to $1200). On the way out, I also grabbed my classmate's backpack and my other classmate's purse. The things I "risk" my life for. =P

After that, I bum-rushed to our staffing meeting where we had a guest speaker on accent reduction. Dude, that is totally the route for me (and all of us who are autismed-out)! Ok, on the reals, corporate SLP is not the way I'd want to make a living, but I sure wouldn't mind doing it on the side! I think my Dad should be my guinea pig. ;)

Our guest lecture for tonight was extremely interesting. We had a prominent researcher in fluency present the latest developments in theories about stuttering. This guy and his wife are like the top researchers in fluency right now. I feel like we caught up on 50 years worth of research. It was soOOoOOo cool. The un-cool thing is that he resembled the Berg-man from my first job out of college. That guy was a terror.

Paloma's first check-up

Paloma got her first oil change today. What an ordeal, too. My dad was really patient with me (over the phone), but I could imagine him saying: chalk it up as a learning experience. The biggest thing I learned today is that my Picasso prefers the high-end stuff (synthetic oil). Satisfying her sure is pricy!

While waiting at E-Z Lube and resisting running over to Costco for a hot dog, salad, and ice-cream bar, I frolicked across the street to Wells Fargo. I totally cracked up when a motorcyclist rode his bucket up to the ATM machine as if it was a drive-thru! Well, maybe you just have to have the corny sense of humor that I have to find that funny.

What was also funny to me was that somebody tried to commit some fraudulent activity with BF's ATM/debit card. We have no clue how the perpetrator got a hold of his 411, but the story is that the idiot went to Best Buy and went berserk in the electronics section. The moron tried to purchase like a plasma TV, DVD player, etc. Well, each time the card got declined, the stupid guy asked the stupider cashier to knock off the cheapest item...until there was one last remaining (expensive) item. Declined.

At least B of A had the wits to deactivate the card for that type of funny business. (Literally) poor BF didn't have enough to satisfy the crook's hunger for electronics. Haha!

Okay, so I shouldn't laugh so heartily; he's been extremely supportive of my educational endeavors, as has my Dad and bro. Then again, he sees me/this time period as an "investment," and that he'll get to retire as soon as I graduate (next year). I think he has a better chance at winning the lottery before retiring next year. 13, 26, 6, 8, and 10.

South LA so fancy

All my friends know the low rider
The low rider is a little higher
Low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer
Low rider knows every street yeah!
Low rider is the one to meet yeah!
Low rider don't use no gas now
Low rider don't drive too fast
Take a little trip
Take a little trip and see
Take a little trip with me

Dude, I forgot to mention that I saw -- for the first time in real life -- a homeboy raise his low rider via hydraulics (I don't even know the "cool" way of describing it). Bro and I had to side-street past a massive accident on the 10 (how typical of weekend LA traffic) and lo-and-behold was the low-rider. The first thing that came out of Guh's mouth was, "wow, so fancy!" LOL

Now, I've almost seen it all.

I also witnessed Dad talk to a Black brother about his "bucket" of a motorcycle and run up to a Hispanic who caught a ginormous fish...all at the Marina jetty. Both fantastic sites. :)

Another great Saturday with my family. :D

"These cars are known as lowriders, and they seem to be most popular in southern California. A lowrider is any car that has modifications allowing it to ride very low to the ground. Some people really like the look." ~auto.howstuffworks.com

A Saturday with Dad on the Westside

Today, Dad met Guh and I in Chinatown for some dim sum at ABC seafood restaurant (which didn't meet our expectations). Then Dad and I cruised along to Marina Del Rey. Seriously cruised. Dad drives like 20-25 mph on local streets and through yellow lights! Since I'm very slowly perusing my Traffic School handbook, I found proof that you can indeed get ticketed for driving "too slow" on the freeways.

I just can't win either driving or being a passenger these days. I've become an extremely paranoid driver. Guh's h(0) is that my car is now a half a car bigger so I'm naturally more nervous. Could be. Size was definitely one of the reasons why I liked Tiffany. Speaking of car names, I think I've finally come up with a name for my (not-as) new car - Paloma. As in Paloma Picasso who designs the simplistic Tiffany's collection that I like to don. ;)

Dad and I walked along the jetty, all the way to the end. He was cracking me up by saying hello to every senior folk that passed by. I, on the other hand, said hello to every doggy that trotted past. Dad also daydreamed about having a boat since we passed by at least 50. He also got all excited when a dude caught a ginormous fish.

I had a great, relaxing time with Dad. A little relaxed because now I'm having a difficult time getting into the groove of getting schoolwork done. 8th week, here I slowly come.

Green stuff

How cute -- and crazy -- is my turtle! Since she is almost 5 inches now, she is getting a little too strong for our good. What used to be a ginormous wood log is now a mere stick for her. Every other day, the Incredible Green Hulk in her knocks it over. Today, I came home just to find her desperately hanging onto the last bit of dry wood that's left for basking purposes. Crazy turtle! Mind you, the log is about a foot and some change. I say she's talented. BF says she's misbehaving.

On a separate note, I'm still on the bandwagon of overdiagnosing autism. Added onto the list are myself (e.g., I have trouble transitioning between my clients' sessions) and my turtle (she often self-stimulates via her glass reflection). Both of my kiddos LOVE to self-stim w/ the 2-way observational mirror in our room.

I'm proud to say that in Wednesday's clinic session, Bawler didn't bawl for once! I think the other kiddos and fellow clinicians started thinking something was deathly wrong because they didn't hear the bawl-out at 4:50 P.M. on the dot.

More than half the session consisted of me simply ignoring her and shootin' the breeze with my assistant. We talked about everything under the sun, from summer plans to vacation plans post-graduation. Bawler kept misbehaving, climbing under the table, picking the gum off from underneath the table, spitting in her hands and rubbing them together, yelling at the mirror, etc. The only time I really intervened was when she opened the door to yell child-rated obscenities into the hallway. When I warned her against that, she tested me by placing her (dried-spatted) hand on the knob and yelled her same child-rated obscenities at the door.

The one thing that we all quickly learn is how necessary it is to religiously use anti-bacterial lotion and disinfect everything the kids come in contact with.

K2 was equally gross. At one point, I looked up just in time to see her touch a block with her index finger and leave a slimy streak. She emphatically noted, "I put my booga on." That would've been appropriate if we were working on the third objective (i.e., prepositions on and in), but we weren't! Gross!!

I'm afraid to know what kinda kiddos I'll have next quarter...

One Pounder

Tonight was my first time in a See's Candies store, choosing my own variety to fill a 1-pound box. I had no idea it'd be so fun! (Sorry, hunny, but it's even more fun than picking a Winchell's dozen donuts!) I had the duty of filling up a box to hand off to my bro to send to Mom for her birthday/Mother's Day. The See's Candies lady was such a sweetheart, too. Before I began picking and choosing like a maniac, she gave me a sample of my choice. Seven indecisive minutes later, I exited truffle and nougat heaven, and she wrapped the box up so nicely and donned a "happy birthday" sticker on the wrapping. Then she gave me another sample of my choice -- and one to take home for my bro! As if that wasn't enough, she gave me -- and my bro -- yet another!

That was heavenly, especially after my long day.

I love See's Candies. I can't wait to choose my own one-pounder.

Extinction

Yet another wild day with the kiddos. I joked w/ my classmates that I ought to fit into Bawler's "Schedule," crying at the end of the session. The "good" news is that both kiddos love coming to speech therapy with "teacher" me. The mystery/irony is that I still don't understand why they do.

For Bawler's session today, I implemented what behavior therapists call "extinction." Every time she started misbehaving, I straight put her on ignore (that made my assistant feel soOOoooO awkward). Conceptually, the more I attend to her bad behavior, the more I positively reinforce her (as I negatively reinforce myself). By ignoring her, I extinct her bad behavior. Small wonder - it kind of worked. I didn't mind b/c I was just out of it and tired (lack of caffeine).

The funny thing is that my supervisor told me it was working...and that I actually need to turn it up even more for the next session! How crazy is it that my supervisor would tell me that it's ok if I have a session where I get nothing accomplished (re: objectives/treatment goals). I'm sure if mom saw, she'd think I was just a meanie (and wonder why she's paying for a clinician to just sit there and ignore her kid).

At least I remembered to give her a newer-and-better Target ad to bring home AND her very beautiful reward bracelet.

Even better news today is that I really did well on my midterm (I thought maybe my prof had given me a good grade by mistake somehow) and that my NEW coffee maker arrived! Yeah!

Streets of Tomorrow

I basically slept through the entire weekend. Ever since I quit work, it's like my body's trying to catch up on all the rest I've lost. Brother-not-in-law-yet asked, "are you depressed?" I sure don't think so. Then again, I sure don't feel anxious or stressed when I have anxiety attacks in the middle of the night.

Whatever the reason, it was good to sleep. I basically slept from Saturday morning until this morning. Rewind: I woke up to watch the Lakers play another sad game (they should've won in Game 6!!!), fell asleep in 3rd quarter when I really lost faith, woke up to watch Perez v. Kirillov's boxing match, missed De La Hoya v. Mayorga, and then fell asleep again. I finally woke up just in time to go to Audi's Streets of Tomorrow Ride & Drive Event at the Pacific Design Center. :D

That was so much fun! We test-drove the new Q7, A3, and A8. Actually, I was just a passenger. I really don't like driving with strangers. Still, it was a fun experience. Very pimp-rides.

I guess I should get some schoolwork done now that it's past 10PM on a Sunday night. Just like another school night!

Woses ow Wed

I've had a guilt trip since yesterday over my Bawler. Her mom left me a VM yesterday to cancel session, and also said that Bawler's been asking for her "paper" and "necklace."

Last Wednesday, Bawler brought a Target ad and she made another bracelet as a reward for her correct responses. When she erupted into another out-of-control session-end bawl-fest, she forgot her ad and I forgot to give her the bracelet. I saved her bracelet in another box, but the Target ad? Totally trashed it when I was cleaning up!! How in the world was I supposed to know that the Target ad had some inherent value for her? I've learned my lesson, though; with these kids, one's trash is definitely another's treasure.

My mission on Monday is to convince her that this week's Target ad is even more valuable and special than the one she had. *=T

K2 showed up b/c Tia remembered to bring her. What boggles me is, if K2 LOVES coming to clinic, wouldn't she remind her mom to bring her? Anywho, Tia brought her and the kiddo totally surprised me! Like last time, she hid something (that I could totally see) behind her back and said, "close yo' eyes!" (Not trying to be gangster-ish; she just has a few articulation problems going on, including problems w/ "r.") When I opened my eyes, she had a bouquet of 5 red roses for me!

Seriously, I don't know what kind of spell I've casted on her. It's not like I've cured her of the incurable. Although that would be pretty cool to do something that's never been done before.

A breather

I'm done with my other midterm (and Lesson Plans, Dx report, Dx papers, ISR, and evals)! I got really lucky yesterday, when both my kiddos didn't show up. The bawler (not to be confused w/ baller) (AKA K1) had an MD appt. K2's mom forgot to bring her (again). That's twice this quarter that both kiddos didn't show up on the same day! I'm a legend! News like that spreads really fast (followed by, "dang, how lucky!"). My one classmate said, "Rumor has it that both of your kids didn't show up. What did you do, go to church this past weekend?"

Actually, I was practically begging God b/c I was not ready for the midterm. My weekend was spent frantically writing all the aforementioned papers. My one breather was when Dad and I washed my car...for the first time since he bought it for me. =P I have to say, our car sure looks so much better clean!

Time to get in my clean car and head to school!