How old am I?

Sometimes I forget how old I am. I turned another year older yesterday, so of course I got a few cracks at my age. There was the expected "Dang you're old!" and a few, "How old are you now -- 21? 22?" The funny thing is that I feel young (again). I go through these phases of feeling old, then young, wash, rinse, spin, and repeat. Maybe it's b/c I still sleep w/ my Hello Kitty. Maybe it's b/c I still like kid's stuff. Maybe it's b/c I work with such fun kiddos that make me feel young.

I took the day off yesterday, which was sooOoOOoo nice (since there are no school holidays in October). BF and I went to the Aquarium of the Pacific and checked out every exhibit. Unfortunately, we didn't know to do the behind-the-scenes tour until we were done (and I was starving). We saw beautiful aquarium life -- fish, sharks, sting rays, anemones, poisonous frogs, etc....and of course a sea turtle! It was an Olive Ridley. It was totally knocked out, but the nice thing is that I got a good glimpse relatively closely. We saw some adorable sea otters, too. :)

Before we left, we stopped by the gift shop, and BF bought me a sea turtle! I opted for the juvenile one (as opposed to the adult one that's like a foot big). I love it! I think I'll call her Mango...after the sea turtle that I want to adopt.

After the Aquarium, we ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp since it was conveniently located next door. I have never had it before and I love shrimp, so it was perfect! :) BF ordered Shrimper's Heaven; contrarily, I had Boat Trash. Both were delicious!

We went home and rested a little bit before I freshened up w/ my new Bare Escentuals kit, generous compliments from BF. The night before, BF brought me shopping, but all I really wanted was to hit that store. It was my first time, but I definitely felt like a kid in a candy store! I got a Getting Started kit and then he threw in an eye cream kit, iQuad shadow kit, and I chose a nice blush that doubles as eye shadow. This is all part of the "I am no longer a poor student, but a paid professional who should look like it" transformation.

After I freshened up, we went out to do the "we are paid professionals who need to have some fun sometimes" thing and met up with Bro, FBIL, and BGF and Enterprise Fish Co. for happy hour. This time, I managed to have about maybe 8-10 oz. of beer. Much better than my weak 4 oz. consumption last week.

Afterwards, BF and I went to my bro's to meet up w/ Lynnie for some kahlua cream cheese pie (my fave MC pie!). At the end of the night, I was so exhausted but all smiles (and a few sappy tears). It was a really nice birthday filled with wonderful wishes and thoughts from all of my loved ones. Thanks everyone!

P.S. Even Lil F got a treat b/c it was my birthday. She got extra turtle pellets for breakfast. :)

Semi-update

I worked through most of the weekend, yet I still found the weekend to be pretty relaxing. I think it's that residual enthusiasm associated with not being in school any more.

On the other hand, I had a split-second thought tonight of -- why did I work and study so hard in the grad program? I'm sure my employer (and possibly others) would have hired me in a heartbeat, regardless of grades (as long as I was above LOW). Heck, even when I go to trainings where it is clear that I am already employed by the same beings, other administrators will still say, "Darn! I was going to say that you should come work for my District/SELPA." =P

I am still struggling to accept my role as a professional (albeit a newbie). It's a weird transition to go from struggling student who seeks guidance and reassurance from every professional within 3 feet (and e-mail) to suddenly being the one that professionals are looking to for clinical judgments and decisions. This entire weekend, I've been perseverating, if you will, on making a clinical executive decision for 2 of my more severe kiddos. Fortunately, I have a great mentor to consult with, who has 14 years on me. Yesterday, she said something that really made me feel empowered. She said something to the effect of, "[Autism Teacher Specialist who has 20+ years of experience] does know a lot about autism, but she does not have a degree in SLP and sometimes, she may unknowingly cross those boundaries. You are the expert whether you feel like it or not...Trust your own judgment."

That's probably one of the hardest factors in this transition -- learning to trust my own clinical judgment, but thankfully, I have many great professionals around me to consult with. Just weird to call them my colleagues when they are leagues ahead...

Despite cramming 48 hour days into 24, I am enjoying my new career. :)

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Bro and I visited Genius Aunty and Uncle this afternoon. (Hi Younger Genius Cousin!) They are getting ready to move in a few weeks. Both seemed quite happy (albeit exhausted from packing). I also visited their adorable doggie. I was cracking up b/c poor Cookie had some nappy fur! I'm happy to report that she, too, will eventually be moving with them...after her home is newly landscaped!

Happy Birthday, Rose!

Today was an interesting day in many ways that I cannot fully get into. I will share one thing that was pretty funny to me. I tested this kiddo that I think is so adorable (and sadly, so clueless). He waves hello to me every time I walk into Collaboration (b/c he confuses me with someone else). He also asks the same questions over and over again (like every few minutes). I brought him to my room and during testing, he asked me at least 10 times, "is it lunch time yet?" He asked me many other questions. The best, however, was when he looked at me thru his cute little glasses and asked, "Are you Chinese or French?" I totally thought I heard him wrong b/c he mumbles a lot. "Did you ask if I was Chinese or French?" "Yes." I thought that was so funny and random, especially coming from this small potatoe.

Anywho, I saw some more kiddos and then met w/ my supervisor (who unknowingly prompted me to change my MySpace profile to private again. Which I will do right now.)

Afterwards, I rushed home to change. I received quite a pleasant surprise when I got home. BF's been working like no tomorrow recently, so I was shocked to see 3 new bookshelves built and stocked w/ my crap in my bedroom/office! :D Let me repeat that -- not only built, but also loaded w/ my crap! BF is the best!

Shortly after, my bro picked me up for Rose's 80th birthday dinner! Rose is the nicest, sweetest, coolest neighbor friend anyone could have (although our current neighbor is a close 2nd). Rose has a long history with our family; she has been a neighbor to Lawyer cousin, Doctor Cousin, BF, FBIL, my bro, and I. She comes to many of the gatherings and parties that FBIL and bro host and prepares the most delicious dishes. She taught us how to make empanadas. She sends me delicious home-made milanesa. She always thinks of us in many ways. We love her for many reasons (in addition to food-related reasons). So Lynniechang, FBIL, bro, Rose, and I went to Enterprise Fish Co. for dinner. It was so delicious, relaxing, and fun. We ate on the patio and ordered just about every appetizer on the menu (along w/ 2 entrees). I shocked FBIL by ordering a Stella...of course I handed it over after I drank about 4 oz. and got a buzz off of that. Weak! At the end of dinner, my crazy bro said, "Hey! Let's go to Bloomie's now!" And off we all went.

Our main stop was at the eyeglass counter. I've been wanting a new pair of shades for forever and have been lazily looking (I don't like shopping). I've had the same pair since '01 and y'know the trends have changed so much that my pair is like vintage. When I told Lynnie that I've had the same old pair (smaller lens-style), she teased, "What like John Lennon style?" So at the counter, my bro helped me pick a pair and surprised me by paying for it!! I (sort of) can't wait to wake up just to wear them. That's how cheesily excited I am! (On the other hand, I can definitely wait to wait up. I am so tired and wish that the new Starbucks by the freeway entrance was open already for mornings like tomorrow.)

I kept thanking him and at the end of the night, he said, "There's no price on being/looking fabulous!" Ha! Whatta fabulous statement said by my fabulous brother. Speaking of looking fabulous, Rose looks so fabulous. She may be 80 but she is so full of love and life and it shows. Happy birthday, Rose.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

**Runner-up for coolest neighbor knocked on our door around 10 PM tonight and handed BF 2 fresh, home-made strawberry cream puffs! So sweet!
***Rose shares the same name as my favorite stuffed animal that I still sleep with...my raggedy, loved 20-something year old Hello Kitty.

Where the Wild Things Are

I am ever so slowly beginning to see my kiddos. It's been a hoot with most of them. I am working on collaborating with one teacher and almost all of the kiddos have been really welcoming. Many of them are so curious that they keep asking what my name is or stealing glances or smiling at me.

On Friday, I introduced myself to all that were listening, "My name is Ms. Liang." One cutie-patootie said ever so sweetly, "Don't you have a shorter name?"** I almost changed my name on their account, but stopped shortly and said, "Hey, there's no cheating here! My name is only 2 syllables! I'm sure you all can learn it!" The kids erupted in laughter like I said the funniest thing in the world. That was awesome. :)

**Most of the class and 1:1 aids are called Mr./Ms. [first name initial].

Today, I jumped between the collaborative classroom (hereon deemed "Collaboration"), the severe autism class, and my own kiddos. I was exhausted by noon, when I hadn't even done serious tx. :(

I was a little sad to hear that one of my kiddos with severe autism will be transferred in November. This kid is funny (when I am an observer). The first time I interacted with him was last week, when I was poking around the room, looking for files. He tore through the door (without his aid). He looked me dead in the eye and asked, "Where have you been?" I said, "I was in my own room this morning." He continued, "I've been looking all over for you!" "You have? Well, I just got here." "Let's go to where the wild things are!" That's when I realized I got suckered into one of his echolalic monologues! He had perseverated/was reciting from the children's book, Where the Wild Things Are.

Today, when I saw him, he looked me in the eye again and asked, "What's your name?" "My name is Ms. Liang. What's yours?" "My name is [Mr. Where the Wild Things Are]. I've been looking all over for you!" I was like, "Hey, we've had this dialogue before!"

The rest of my day was pretty comical, too (now that I'm at home, reflecting). All of my regular S/L kiddos got lost b/c no one knows where the "new" Speech Room is. I had about 3 adults call to ask if I was missing some kids.

My last group was pretty fun. I was really pleased to see that even though 1 kid didn't know the other 3, who already knew each other, they all got along just fine (just talk about sports and video games and anybody can get along, I suppose). The sad part about that session was how it was dragging forever and a day for me. It was my last session and it was supposed to be just half an hour, but I figured it was pointless to send them back to Homeroom for 10 more minutes. Unfortunately, I embarrassed myself within those 10 minutes. At the beginning, I spoke to them about my expectations. In particular, I expect them to remember my name, and to greet me and their group mates. Of course I completely blanked on one kid's name by the end of the session.

Anywho, I've got 2 I.E.P.s and a tri tmrw and am supposed to go to a workshop in the afternoon. Who knows when I'll have time to actually provide therapy...

Ownership

I finally got my office key! :D

Now, if only I could get my degree and Credential to post!

One Day at a Time

This new job has kept me really, really busy. I know it'll get better as I get established and accustomed to routines. My goal is to work 7 hour days by the end of this year. (Perhaps I should set short-term objectives?) I.e., By December 31, 2007, I will work 7 hour days, including a paid non-working half hour lunch, with 100% accuracy in 5 out of 5 attempts as measured and observed by myself and BF. (I know that doesn't make sense but honestly, my brain has been on overdrive. I.e., I tried to call BF today to ask him something and I was so surprised to hear my own voicemail message.* Duh, I dialed my own cell!)

*I've gotten a few comments on my new VM message. Normally, I never change my VM greeting but since people have been contacting me on my cell, I changed it to a professional greeting. It's pretty ridiculously over-articulated. I figure that since I'm referring to myself as an SLP, I better say my name clearly to avoid misnomers -- Sharon, Sherry, Michelle, Shaniqua...

This job is also making me confront myself about how disorganized I can be. I am such a paper-piler and pro-shuffler. But it gets really embarrassing when I do that with other people waiting on me. I bought a bunch of file folders and stuff to help me, but my office is still a war zone during the day. The nice thing is that since I'm in The Circle, lots of people stop by (and every time an adult visits, I apologize profusely for the mess). I've even got 2 kiddos that greet me every so often. One is the little faux T.A. that stops by to ask if I need help. The other is a little social butterfly 6th grader. He comes in to shoot the breeze right before his breakfast. It's nice to start my day with little friendly kiddos.

Just about everyday, my CF supervisor tells me, "Remember -- one day at a time." Although I have been taking it one day at a time, my daily to-do list keeps piling up. Today, the psych stopped by and after we discussed logistics, she glanced at my to-do list (check boxes and all) and commented, "Hm, it looks like you don't have very much crossed off." I looked and sure enough, out of 24 items, only 3 boxes were checked off.

One day at a time. :)

First I. E. P.

Today, I held my first I.E.P. I was a little bit nervous earlier b/c I hadn't really prepared for it and didn't expect my day to be so hectic. My morning began with lots of administrative stuff (i.e., asking in my ever-so-passive-aggressive way that I needed admin access NOW to 3 programs) and meeting one of 2 County SLPs whose specialty is (severe) autism over at the Autism Class. She was wonderful, walking me through an assessment* with one of my kiddos. Afterwards, she showed me other useful things like filling out forms. Tomorrow morning, she's going to show me some therapy activities to do with the kiddos since I have close to no experience with children with severe autism (and wasn't so successful with the kiddos with moderate to severe either).

*I have to find this assessment like ASAP. Unfortunately, our big vendor discontinued selling it. When I did a quick search, I found one site that was selling it for $995! Holy snikeys! That's outrageous! No wonder/no joke BF keeps saying we gotta create our own material, patent & copyright it, and sell like a mofo.

So we spent the whole morning together. After she left, I panicked at the lack of time and quickly prepared for my meeting. Before I knew it, I was running off to another staff meeting. I thought it was going to be just a quick one but it turned out to be a super long one. It was 2 hours long and left me a 10 minute break before my meeting. The good thing out of it is that I met a few more teachers and got adopted into one of the Teams (Go Team Georgetown!).

Fortunately, my first I. E. P. meeting (and as case carrier) went smoothly. Two general ed teachers even stopped by! That was really encouraging, especially since I left a note this morning, not expecting anyone to show up. For the first time, I felt and talked like a professional (I think). It was also extremely helpful that the parents are uber sweet. I got all of my forms signed -- out of compliance, thinking I had covered all of my bases.

I walked the father out, chatting about how "spoiled" we are thinking anything above 80 degrees is "so hot." When I got back to my room, I realized that of all documents, I forgot to have him sign one thing. The dang I. E. P.!!! Of all of the docs, that's the most important one! For crying out loud, it's called an I. E. P. meeting for a reason! Good grief.

I don't think I'll ever forget this total newb mistake!