adventure is calling
01.12.06

i intern with a community service group here in town called e.v.e.n., aka end violence effectively now. the program provides group therapy for individuals who have perpetrated family violence and been referred to them by the local court as part of their sentencing. i've been helping this group out since last september, working as a group co-facilitator even though i'm really only supposed to be observing. my hours are winding down over the next 2 months, which means i'll be pulling out as i prepare for finals and graduation in may, but i must say that i have learned so much from the people i've worked alongside as well as the people i've helped out in learning anger management, communication, and family skills.

last night i was sitting in on a women's group, and learned that there is a big cultural difference in how blacks and whites teach respect. this has baffled me for years, and i feel like i now have an answer to my question. most white people are taught to look each other in the eyes when talking or being talked to. it's the exact opposite for blacks. you avoid eye contact, as if your staring off to the side, so you don't come across as if you're rolling your eyes or being aggressive. heard it from my group leader herself, who happens to be an awesome elderly woman of color. i've always thought some black people were so disrespectful because they wouldn't look me in the eye when i'd talk to them. nope, it's most definitely a culture thing. problem solved.

i'm getting over a crazy sinus/allergy thing that has ravaged my voice lately. it sucks, seeing how just last week i got back from passion '06, voice ravaged by 4 days of nonstop worship and allaround musical revelry, only to have my throat turn into a warzone of mucus and flonase. i wanna sing along with my new music! now! i'm staying heavily medicated, and remain hopeful that a beautiful recovery is just over the horizon.

i've a secret to let out of the bag: i'm joining the fbi. seriously. not tomorrow, but yeah, i am considering the possibilities of working for the federal government. this is no huge surprise to me, since i've thought about this in bouts ever since early on in high school. before shows like profiler, csi, and without a trace even existed. i think i am really beginning to sense that i am looking restlessly for the adventure that john eldredge's wild at heart talks about. right now i'm looking at career and education tracks that will get me there, and the more i research this stuff, the more excited i get. this is the kind of job that keeps you on your toes, puts food on the table, and lets you help out in protecting your country from the likes of murderers, terrorists, and those lousy white collar criminals. this june, in atlanta, there is a career fair for the fbi that i plan on attending, and for this next week i've made an appointment with a former agent (who is also one of my professors) to discuss what it takes to do this kind of work. check it out!

the schedule for my last semester:
practicum in counseling
internship & pre-professional seminar
social psychology
substance abuse
intro. to professional counseling
psychological profiling
i'm on a rampage!

this day in history: author jack london was born. you may remember him as the dude who wrote the call of the wild. he also wrote white fang, which was made into a good movie (go disney!) that every little boy should have to watch. teaches character, loyalty, and friendship. my kids will watch white fang.


check it out - 01.20.07
vapor - 11.15.06
can't complain - 11.10.06
turn the page - 11.09.06
who invented the word "me-maw"? - 09.28.06

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