DISCOVERING THE NEXT STEP

Living, laughing, loving, and learning
AUGUST 16, 2009 9:38PM

Breaking up with Iowa

Dear Iowa,

I have spent most of my life with you.  You were my first real love and I will always cherish you.  There will always be a place for you in my heart.  I have spent the majority of my 27 years with you, Iowa, and you have given… Read full post »

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JULY 19, 2009 7:30AM

The Munich Man

There are times in a person’s life when they realize that they are experiencing something extraordinary, something unforgettable.  There are times when we meet people who are extraordinary.  I spoke with a man in Munich who had a lot to say.  He first struck me as creative and ex… Read full post »

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MAY 3, 2009 6:40PM

What's Really Wrong?

At work yesterday my client Caleb was struggling.  We had a conversation in which this loving but troubled 10 year old boy touched my heart.

What's the matter? 

(grunt)

Come on, I know you weren't swearing at John because you were mad about him asking you to take a… Read full post »

3 Comments
APRIL 9, 2009 1:27AM

Hug me or I'll Stab You!

kidknife


I should preface this post by saying that I love my job.  I work in a field that is very challenging.  I am a youth worker at a PMIC facility.  Pediatric Medical Institution for Children is what that stands for.  It is a residential treatment facility where children betwe… Read full post »

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MARCH 12, 2009 2:37PM

Land of the Rising Sun

November 2007

I left early Thursday morning with my mom and sister Natalie to go to Japan to visit my younger sister Cassie and her boyfriend Colin who have been living there for the past year and a half teaching English. When we got on the big plane, the one that… Read full post »

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MARCH 12, 2009 2:35PM

Can the nanny cam pick up on my weirdness?

My job is definitely interesting, and it is very nice to kind of be able to choose my hours.  I was working with my highest need client *Julie who is 15 and is quadriplegic, severely mentally retarded, has small seizures almost daily, 

… Read full post »
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MARCH 12, 2009 2:25PM

Babysitting the antichrist in church

 

June, 2007

I have been at my new job for about a month now, working with people with cognitive disabilities.  It mostly consists of respite services and SCL, otherwise known as Supported Community Living.  Respite… Read full post »

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MARCH 12, 2009 2:15PM

French Mudmonsters Under My Bed

March, 2004

(Un)American Part II

I was in France for the summer, staying with Isabelle Judet, a 43 year-old French Olympic dressage judge, her 63 year-old husband Jean-Claude, and her 11 year-old daughter Camille. The house was beautiful, typically French,

… Read full post »
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MARCH 12, 2009 2:12PM

(Un)American in Paris

April, 2001

I remember the thrill of watching the sun rise from the airplane at what felt like midnight. I had just watched it disappear beneath the clouds three hours before, pulling the shades down with it, darkening the

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