Saturday, May 21, 2011

Teen Presentation

A room full of 9-12 graders, a cut open garbage bag, 15 bottles of condiments, a computer and a script wer used to fill a good portion of my afternoon yesterday.  I had to give a presentation in the high school to 20 students on teen dating violence.  The powerpoint presentation itself was good, I had a couple great utube videos to support it.  The kids were engaged and participated in the discussion throughout and only one was sleeping.  I thought that was successful!  

I had taken an idea from my mother's 7th grade religious ed. class (Thanks Mom!)  from years ago and revamped it to fit to domestic violence.  I wrote a script involving two dating teenagers, a narrator and a voice.  The 4 kids read the script and as the male's words or actions represent a negative behavior, or the female would behave in a certain way, the voice would say a word.  Each student had a bottle with a word on it, such as "threatening", "verbal abuse" or "intimidation", and when their word was called they walked over to the garbage bag and squirted the bottle on it.  As the story went on, the negative behaviors intensified, and the 15 bottles were all squirted on the bag.  After the story ended I asked the kids what the purpose of the excercise was and one of the 3 boys in the class spoke up and explained that it represented how behaviors keep building up, adding up and pretty soon your life is a mess. 

We talked about how no relationship is perfect, but that the key is to be aware of the behaviors and if you see them happening to talk about them and prevent them from snowballing.  The kids were really engaged in the discussion and loved the excercise, so overall, it was a success. 

Afterwards I handed out a survey and I was blown away by their responses.  Over 50% had seen or experienced physical abuse in teen dating relationships and around 25% had experienced or saw sexual abuse.  The students listed things such as meth, drugs and alcohol in general as being a contributing factor.  This is just a bit of what I found, but it's scary.  I have my work cut out for me I guess. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Change

Sleepy....   The changes in life have been incredibly wonderful but have me wiped out today.  I love my internship and could not have handpicked a more perfect fit.  I learn copious amounts of information each day and look forward to the next conversation and/ or task assigned.  The agency and community support is awe-inspiring and I leave work empowered each day. 

Even though the change is wonderful, finding the ability to adjust is a little tricky.  It's spring, which means field work season, so each day I've been coming home and jumping in the bobcat or the tractor and working till bedtime.  Last night it was 11:30 before I got to bed and so today I am a little beat.  Stress of farming in the spring has intensified my energy loss today, but I know this too shall pass. 

The kids have been happy, loving the weather and have been playing t-ball and soccer in the yard.  It always brings a smile to my face and to join in for a few minutes when possible.  I look forward to spending more time with them when things calm down around here. 

Overall, the change has been such a positive experience and I couldn't ask for much more.  (Other than a million $ :~)    I am anxious for Lars to come home, for summer activities, to see Eric fly off to see his brother for the first time in 8 years and go to Roger's graduation in NC, to see my sister home from California, to have my family together in just over a week, and to continue on this great journey! 

Friday, May 13, 2011

Memories and a Sounding Board

My first week of work officially ended at noon today as I left for my daughters graduation ceremony.  Overall, I couldn't love my job or co-workers much more!  The plethora of interviews have begun and the community support for the YEP! project is very positive.  My boss has already told me she plans to try keeping me there with a "NICE Salary", which was great to hear.  I've began to create a Powerpoint presentation of the program and it's coming along. I am using pictures, a utube video, and am trying to frame the basic concept so it's clear.  Which started me in thinking...  "The best creations come from a conglomoration of perceptions, thoughts and talents.  I have a blog in which I could post thoughts, ask for opinions, and share some of my work in an effort to create the best model with the most potential for success."    So, I've decided to give it a whirl.  If anyone is interested, I may use this blog at times for a sounding board.  Furthermore, I thought I would start today with a simple interview question that I've been asking in my interview guide.  I would like feedback and so where better to start than here.  




Here it is:  What tools, behaviors, words or activities do you think are most effective in empowering troubled youth? 
The board is open for comments!  And if you have a thought, but are not comfortable sharing on the comments, you can private message me @ crabtree8576@yahoo.com   All of the private messages will be confidential.  If you are comfortable writing on my comment board, please do.  I thank you ahead of time for your input! 

A small disclaimer: I may not use all the ideas or comments so please do not take offense.  However, I will definately take them into consideration and do appreciate any feedback.

   
And todays activity:  Taylor quickly pranced hand in hand with another smiling pony tailed girl through the double columns of anxiously awaiting parents during her Kindergarten graduation today.  She smiled in the second row to the top but took the singing very seriously with her eyes on the instructor to make sure she didn't screw up.  When it was their turn, Taylor and her pony tailed friend cautiously approached the microphone and loudly rhymed a verse about W twins, their part of the alphabet to explain.  Eric and I, the proud parents, watched as she was handed her "diploma" and walked to the edge of the room with all smiles.  As the class quickly marched out with their chests puffed out, I recalled my own Kindergarten graduation with fond memories.  We wore caps and gowns, which are not used anymore, and we sang a song about ducks.  That was the end of the memory...  maybe I'm getting old. 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Whirlwind

WOW!  Incredible how a three letter word can contain so much meaning.  I'll get right to the point; I have fallen in love.  The first day at my new internship may have been a disappointment, but the last two have been anything but!   My second day I was organizing my office; that's right, I have an office, with a desk, a computer, a phone, and a window, and one fabulous roomate!   Anyway, sorry about the distraction, I was organizing and going through all these papers.  I brought them to the director going, "What is this, what do I do with it... etc."  She said that the person previously at the desk resigned and dropped the ball on multiple projects. 

Seeing a glimmer of opportunity I said, "Would you like me to take on this project?"  which was responded to by a "Would you like to take them on?"   Me:  "I would love to do this!"  

So, I am the researcher, developer, grant writer, community organizer and facilitator of the new up and coming Youth Empowerment Project (YEP!)  in Park Rapids, MN.  I have found a fabulous model to base it off of, have set up multiple meetings with professionals in the school and the community, have researched and developed interview guides, have met more people than I can remember names for, and have been running to every meeting you can think of in the last two days. 

In addition, I brought a meat and cheese tray, with cheese from our creamery, and crackers and crab dip to work today.  It was yummy! 

Overall, I am going to get exactly what I was hoping for:  project development and management, grant writing, community education and collaboration, and working with one great agency.  I couldn't be happier with my decision at the moment.  Furthermore, two possible job openings were mentioned, tentatively offered, to me today.  One is at the agency and the other with the Hubbard County Drug and Alcohol Task Force.   Who knows where life might lead me yet!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Interning 101

My first day of my internship, anxious as a ball of nerves, worried me that I may do something dissapointing or embarassing.  I was so worried that I never thought about the fact that I may be dissapointed, which was the case.  It is only day one, so I'm giving the agency the benefit of the doubt, but I could've been back in 3rd grade with the projects I completed. 

I didn't really know what to expect but suspected the first few days would be more job shadowing and learning what everyone does in the agency.  Nope.   After a couple cups of coffee and listening to chit chat, I had the opportunity to fold copious amounts of newsletters, tape them shut, and sort them by zip code.  Exciting! 
I know, it has to be done, but really?   After I completed the project, I was given another mind boggling task.  Find statistics on domestic violence, blow them up in Microsoft Word and cite them, print them, cut them out and glue them onto pretty bright colored paper. 
These were for the public forum we held last night and were taped around the room.  I know that the busy work has to get done, but I guess that it wasn't what I expected to be doing, at all.   I certianly don't bring experience and 4 years of schooling to the plate just to fold and cut out papers.  We will see what today brings, and I have faith that it was just "the day", so lets hope. 

The public forum yesterday evening went well though, other than a poor attendance.  The info. was great though!  Video presented was on what domestic violence is, how to recognize it, what the impact is,  why peope don't leave the situation, and how to help them.  Good stuff!

 As far as attendence goes, in my experience, if you are not out at agencies and interacting one on one trying to pull people in to these types of things, they don't come.  You can advertise on the radio and newspaper all you want, but to get small town locals to attend, its more about relationship building and pulling on those strings.  I may do some research on this today though, and see what info. is out there about it. 
I suppose I better get moving though.  Off to the races for day 2!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Day One

First day of my internship begins today!  I am frightfully nervous, which is to be expected I guess.  After doing virtually the same job for 10 years, beginning something new, as a professional now, scares the daylights out of me.  I keep trying to use some positive mental reinforcement and picture how great things will go, but I keep picturing myself tripping over the door, spilling coffee all over myself, and sounding like a bumbling idiot.  Why is that???

I know I will be fine, the day will be fabulous, and that this is just the beggining to a new world of knowledge.  I have my lunch packed, two cans of pop, fresh coffee for the trip, a whole lot of nerves, and a smile ready to go.  I could use a little prayer though, so if you have some time... I'd appreciate it!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Little Girls!

"Newly six year old daughter for sale!" 

Each morning I wake up at 6:45 when my alarm clock (Eric calling me from the barn) rings and it's time for Taylor to get ready for school.   This is the most dreadful and excruciating part of the day.   I wake up in a good mood, praying as I walk to her room, that she will arise from the "right" side of the bed.  This morning, like many, that was a no go... 


It begins with me saying nicely, "Honey, it's time to wake up and get ready to go to school" then onto, "You need to get up now" and finally, "Alright, lets go" as I turn her legs to the edge of the bed and pull her up to a standing position.  By this time the whining is full force. 
I begin to console and explain that we have to go to school and how fun the morning can be if we can be good.  Then comes the hunt for clothes.  Ikes!  If I pick out her clothes, she hates them.  In addition, she likes to pick out the clothes that she knows she's not allowed to wear to school.  Like the purple skirt that is a little to short, the black nylon skirt which she would wear every day if I let her, the blue leggings with the hole in the knee, or the stained up t-shirt that she claims matches her pants so well.  I just can't win...
Needless to say, it takes almost 15 minutes just for her to pick out clothes, and usually they are intense as the argument ensues.  I explain that she can't wear something for whatever reason and the whining starts again.  I loose my patience and end up picking out pants or a shirt or whatever and she throws herself into bed and cries, "I don't even like that shirt!"   As steam rolls out of my ears, I find myself reminding myself to be patient, kind and understanding as I say, "Fine, you can go naked then!" 

Of course, by 7:10 am she is always dressed and ready to go give dad a kiss and a hug before the bus comes, but I just wish it would be easier.  This morning I explained how we are going to go to bed earlier in order to improve our attitude, which of course led to more whining.   We'll give it a whirl and see if that's the issue... maybe it is and maybe it's not.   

What really rubs it in is when Brady climbs out of bed when I am waking Taylor up and says "Good morning Mom, I missed you and I love you!  Where's dad?  Can I go to the barn?"  I think my little girl might be the death of me!