Alright, so the other day I got a Hepatitis A vaccine (which hurt like a bugger, by the way). They do it on your upper left arm, up near the shoulder. So I have this bandaid on it, right?
This morning I'm taking a shower and I'm reaching for the shampoo, and suddenly, out of the corner of my nearly blind left eye I see this brown blob thing on my arm.
What is my first reaction? I freak out, shriek like a little girl and slap my arm to get the nasty gigantic bug off of my arm. I've slapped my already sore arm three times before I realize it is my bandaid.
Seriously, blonde moment. I laughed so hard when I realized what I had done that I couldn't stand up straight.
Why, might you ask, would I automatically assume there is a gigantic brown blob of a bug on my arm? Well, let's just say I live in the desert and there are nasty bugs here. It's starting to get hot and they want shelter, too, and well, I don't live in the nicest apartment on the face of the planet. Probably pretty easy for them to find their way inside. Oh joy of joys, aren't I looking forward to the summer? How ever will I survive?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Funny Exhaustions
So one of the groups I work with are young children (ages 2-3) with down syndrome. I have regularly had 2 children there, and every so often a third client who just started. So here's a picture for you that happened yesterday....
Clients A and B, who regularly come, were there as well as client C who has not been there in a few weeks. Client C was struggling and cried throughout most of the session, and I'm juggling soothing and comforting him while also keeping the other two engaged. After about 20 minutes I get him calm, and things are okay...for about ten seconds when client A gets up to the other side of the room. She frequently does this; I am often redirecting her behaviors to get her engaged and focused on what we are doing. I mean, these are toddlers for goodness sakes. Anyway, I had not been able to pay as much attention to her as usual, because of trying to help client C. I get up to bring client A back to the group, my guitar strap comes undone and my guitar goes crashing to the ground. (My guitar is okay, thank goodness) but it causes a very large crashing sound which startles client B and he begins screaming. Because client B is screaming, client C begins crying again, and meanwhile, client A is refusing to listen to me and come back to the group. So I have client B in my arms screaming, client A glaring daggers at me, and client C crying in his chair, and I somehow get client A in a chair in front of the piano, move the white board so I can get the piano bench over to the piano, sit client B next to me on the bench and client C on my lap, and we are all playing the piano and everyone is calm because oooo, something fun to do. Of course, there is now drool and snot all over the piano keys from all the screaming and crying now on their hands, but you probably didn't need to know that fact. Okay, so we're all playing and singing and people get calm. After a few minutes of this, I determine the energy in the room is appropriate to return to our circle, and so I get up to put client C on his chair. As my back is turned (oops, what's wrong with me? Turn my back on 2 year olds??!) putting client C in his chair, client A accidentally smashes client B's fingers into the piano and client B begins screaming again. Mind you, the whole piano thing came about to calm client B down, so now what? I tell client A she needs to be careful, because look, you hurt his fingers, and although I was calm and reasonable (I think? Hard to tell with all the screaming and crying going on. My brain doesn't work the same with that kind of stimulation!) - she is upset because she did something wrong and didn't mean to, and she kinda shuts down and doesn't really want to listen or participate. So I'm soothing client B and finally get him interested when I bring the book out (oh, I will forever love Emily Ross for teaching me the value of using books in music therapy with young children) - and we get everyone sitting down to start the book. Everyone is calm and I talk again to client A and begin improvising a song about when we hurt someone we say I'm sorry, even when we didn't mean to, it was an accident, but when I hurt someone I say I'm sorry, or something to that effect....one of those improvisations that come and fulfill their purpose but you can't remember them five minutes later. Anyway, client A apologizes to client B, client B has stopped screaming, and client C is happy in his chair and we get to move forward to further music therapy experiences.
But can I just say, phew!!!??!!!
That's it...that's my funny and exhausting story.
Clients A and B, who regularly come, were there as well as client C who has not been there in a few weeks. Client C was struggling and cried throughout most of the session, and I'm juggling soothing and comforting him while also keeping the other two engaged. After about 20 minutes I get him calm, and things are okay...for about ten seconds when client A gets up to the other side of the room. She frequently does this; I am often redirecting her behaviors to get her engaged and focused on what we are doing. I mean, these are toddlers for goodness sakes. Anyway, I had not been able to pay as much attention to her as usual, because of trying to help client C. I get up to bring client A back to the group, my guitar strap comes undone and my guitar goes crashing to the ground. (My guitar is okay, thank goodness) but it causes a very large crashing sound which startles client B and he begins screaming. Because client B is screaming, client C begins crying again, and meanwhile, client A is refusing to listen to me and come back to the group. So I have client B in my arms screaming, client A glaring daggers at me, and client C crying in his chair, and I somehow get client A in a chair in front of the piano, move the white board so I can get the piano bench over to the piano, sit client B next to me on the bench and client C on my lap, and we are all playing the piano and everyone is calm because oooo, something fun to do. Of course, there is now drool and snot all over the piano keys from all the screaming and crying now on their hands, but you probably didn't need to know that fact. Okay, so we're all playing and singing and people get calm. After a few minutes of this, I determine the energy in the room is appropriate to return to our circle, and so I get up to put client C on his chair. As my back is turned (oops, what's wrong with me? Turn my back on 2 year olds??!) putting client C in his chair, client A accidentally smashes client B's fingers into the piano and client B begins screaming again. Mind you, the whole piano thing came about to calm client B down, so now what? I tell client A she needs to be careful, because look, you hurt his fingers, and although I was calm and reasonable (I think? Hard to tell with all the screaming and crying going on. My brain doesn't work the same with that kind of stimulation!) - she is upset because she did something wrong and didn't mean to, and she kinda shuts down and doesn't really want to listen or participate. So I'm soothing client B and finally get him interested when I bring the book out (oh, I will forever love Emily Ross for teaching me the value of using books in music therapy with young children) - and we get everyone sitting down to start the book. Everyone is calm and I talk again to client A and begin improvising a song about when we hurt someone we say I'm sorry, even when we didn't mean to, it was an accident, but when I hurt someone I say I'm sorry, or something to that effect....one of those improvisations that come and fulfill their purpose but you can't remember them five minutes later. Anyway, client A apologizes to client B, client B has stopped screaming, and client C is happy in his chair and we get to move forward to further music therapy experiences.
But can I just say, phew!!!??!!!
That's it...that's my funny and exhausting story.
Emily Wiggins, Music Therapist
I completed my internship and am an official employed music therapist at CCTA!! WOOHOO!!!!!
For those who don't know how the process goes...I now have a couple of straggling classes that I'm finishing up (I know, shame on me), will receive my degree in June, and will then be able to sit for a certification exam to be Emily Wiggins, MT-BC (music therapist-board certified)
For those who don't know how the process goes...I now have a couple of straggling classes that I'm finishing up (I know, shame on me), will receive my degree in June, and will then be able to sit for a certification exam to be Emily Wiggins, MT-BC (music therapist-board certified)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Oven Mishaps
So last night in the middle of the night, I woke up in a sweat. This isn't entirely unusual, I get hot often, especially when I sleep, and I couldn't get back to sleep. So I opened the window in my living room and in my bedroom, and was able to get back to sleep. This morning I go into the kitchen and it's hot! I couldn't figure out, in my first of the morning grogginess, why it was so warm. And then I realized the oven was still on from my dinner last night. Doh. So my apartment feels like a sauna now.
Yesterday, I was on the phone with my mom, and all of a sudden I hear this crash and my mom saying, "Oh my gosh, I'm SOOOOO sorry..." and then to me, very quickly, "Emily, I gotta go! I exploded a pan!"
Of course, I'm thinking....what? She exploded a pan??? And I was dying to call back and learn the particulars of the situation! But I was glad she specified what the catastrophe was, because instead of being a little, "Um.... what?" like I was...I might have been worrying about what happened to someone - as accidents have seemed to abound in my family as of late.
Apparently Eric had baked a cake, and was allowing it to cool on top of the stove. My mom went to go make dinner on the stove and turned on the wrong burner, and it exploded the glass pan that the cake was in. Oops. Poor pan.
Yesterday, I was on the phone with my mom, and all of a sudden I hear this crash and my mom saying, "Oh my gosh, I'm SOOOOO sorry..." and then to me, very quickly, "Emily, I gotta go! I exploded a pan!"
Of course, I'm thinking....what? She exploded a pan??? And I was dying to call back and learn the particulars of the situation! But I was glad she specified what the catastrophe was, because instead of being a little, "Um.... what?" like I was...I might have been worrying about what happened to someone - as accidents have seemed to abound in my family as of late.
Apparently Eric had baked a cake, and was allowing it to cool on top of the stove. My mom went to go make dinner on the stove and turned on the wrong burner, and it exploded the glass pan that the cake was in. Oops. Poor pan.
Friday, March 21, 2008
three times a bridesmaid, or maid of honor, no wait, six, no....never a bride?
You know that saying, "Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride"? Well, it better not be true because I've been in a wedding party six times now - three times as a bridesmaid and three times as a maid of honor. Which is wonderful, really, I'm very honored that so many value me that closely. And trust me, I am getting to know real well what I do and do not want at my own wedding when that happens. I'm not even going to say if...I'm going to say when that wedding happens.
My friend Diana got married today, to Harry McLean. So Diana is now Diana McLean, not Stefanita. And let me tell you - it was difficult for me to get used to the idea that Diana was going to get married, although of course I've been incredibly happy for her.
So, of all the wedding parties I've been in, this was the first time that the groom had me hold the ring throughout the ceremony and then hand it to the bride when it was time. And as we were going through the ceremony, especially with what the Bishop was saying, I really came to understand a little of the significance of the tradition. It wasn't just "holding" the ring as a "job." The Bishop was talking about marriage and how important it is to give our blessings to the marriage now that it has taken place, regardless of what our feelings were before of the union that was to happen. He was telling Diana's friends that our relationship with Diana now extends to Harry, and Harry's friends that their relationship with Harry now extends to Diana. As it was a small wedding and I was the only one able to attend to support Diana, the Bishop actually spoke directly to me when he was speaking of incorporating Harry into my relationship with Diana. Regardless of how many people could have been there it would have been just as true, but him saying my name I suppose made it sink in a little more for me. And as I was sitting there, with Harry's wedding ring on my thumb, hearing Harry give a little whoop for joy at him now being a part of my life, I realized how significant it was that I was holding Harry's ring for Diana for her to give to him. I felt, as I was holding the ring, that I had a little part of Harry with me. And I was giving my blessing to the union by giving it to her to give to him.
For myself, I really needed that transitory object to process the reality of this wedding for me. Although I've known for a while that they were going to get married - it never really worked in my head until I was able to come this weekend and see them together and to truly be a part of both of their lives. So now, I can say to Harry and Diana, and to the world, that I support their marriage and will do everything I can to bless the marriage, and support both of them in their endeavors to be with each other for the rest of their lives.
Congratulations Harry and Diana McLean. I love you.
My friend Diana got married today, to Harry McLean. So Diana is now Diana McLean, not Stefanita. And let me tell you - it was difficult for me to get used to the idea that Diana was going to get married, although of course I've been incredibly happy for her.
So, of all the wedding parties I've been in, this was the first time that the groom had me hold the ring throughout the ceremony and then hand it to the bride when it was time. And as we were going through the ceremony, especially with what the Bishop was saying, I really came to understand a little of the significance of the tradition. It wasn't just "holding" the ring as a "job." The Bishop was talking about marriage and how important it is to give our blessings to the marriage now that it has taken place, regardless of what our feelings were before of the union that was to happen. He was telling Diana's friends that our relationship with Diana now extends to Harry, and Harry's friends that their relationship with Harry now extends to Diana. As it was a small wedding and I was the only one able to attend to support Diana, the Bishop actually spoke directly to me when he was speaking of incorporating Harry into my relationship with Diana. Regardless of how many people could have been there it would have been just as true, but him saying my name I suppose made it sink in a little more for me. And as I was sitting there, with Harry's wedding ring on my thumb, hearing Harry give a little whoop for joy at him now being a part of my life, I realized how significant it was that I was holding Harry's ring for Diana for her to give to him. I felt, as I was holding the ring, that I had a little part of Harry with me. And I was giving my blessing to the union by giving it to her to give to him.
For myself, I really needed that transitory object to process the reality of this wedding for me. Although I've known for a while that they were going to get married - it never really worked in my head until I was able to come this weekend and see them together and to truly be a part of both of their lives. So now, I can say to Harry and Diana, and to the world, that I support their marriage and will do everything I can to bless the marriage, and support both of them in their endeavors to be with each other for the rest of their lives.
Congratulations Harry and Diana McLean. I love you.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Morning Surprise
You know you are stressed out when you wake up in the morning and for that blissful moment just when you wake up you feel at peace...
...and then two seconds later when you realize what day it is and what your life is right now and your body completely tenses up and you groan and whimper and nearly cry.
Someone else want my life right now?
...and then two seconds later when you realize what day it is and what your life is right now and your body completely tenses up and you groan and whimper and nearly cry.
Someone else want my life right now?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I miss Jay
I cannot describe how much I miss Jay. I haven't posted in a while, but Jay Reed, a good friend of mine, passed away a few weeks ago. There are things going on my life right now, feelings that I am having, thoughts that I need to sort out - and he is the one I would go to with something like this. He is the one who listens to me - truly listens to me until I have said everything I want to say, he doesn't judge me for whatever ill might be in my thoughts. He allows me to vent, to cry, to completely avoid the subject with biting sarcasm (usually aimed at him, what a trooper), to whatever I need.
And he always seemed to be there. He was a constant in my life. Weeks could pass without talking, and if I called him or chatted with him on yahoo, I could still just up and vent about whatever was happening. With some of our friendships, if too long has passed between conversations, than we feel the need to "catch up" to give an overview of what has happened before we go into the here and now - and not so with Jay, he was just there to talk to and he was a completely loyal friend.
I'm completely rambling right now and I'm completely aware of that. I have tried so much to just sit down and try and put my thoughts into coherent sentences and it just is not working. I have tried writing to specific people, and although that has helped in some ways - I still feel like I'm bursting with things that I need, want to say. Unfortunately - it's Jay that I want to say them to.
I miss him terribly. I miss the realness of who he was and of our friendship. I have tried sitting down and writing a song - but the thing about it - our friendship wasn't all beauty and roses, and HE was not all beauty and roses. There were things about him that bothered me, there were things, obviously, that kept me from marrying him a few years ago - there were things that kept me from starting things up again, even though the thought has certainly crossed my mind over the last couple of years. And it feels somehow wrong to even say that - when really, how stupid is that? Sure, he's gone and we're not supposed to "speak ill of the dead" and all that - but he was who he was and I loved who he was; who he really was.
Now that I've posted this ramble, it probably will not be the first. For those that read my blog, yay, hear a ramble. Otherwise - to quote You've Got Mail: "Good night, dear void." (although technically, it's the morning and I'm off to work.....)
And he always seemed to be there. He was a constant in my life. Weeks could pass without talking, and if I called him or chatted with him on yahoo, I could still just up and vent about whatever was happening. With some of our friendships, if too long has passed between conversations, than we feel the need to "catch up" to give an overview of what has happened before we go into the here and now - and not so with Jay, he was just there to talk to and he was a completely loyal friend.
I'm completely rambling right now and I'm completely aware of that. I have tried so much to just sit down and try and put my thoughts into coherent sentences and it just is not working. I have tried writing to specific people, and although that has helped in some ways - I still feel like I'm bursting with things that I need, want to say. Unfortunately - it's Jay that I want to say them to.
I miss him terribly. I miss the realness of who he was and of our friendship. I have tried sitting down and writing a song - but the thing about it - our friendship wasn't all beauty and roses, and HE was not all beauty and roses. There were things about him that bothered me, there were things, obviously, that kept me from marrying him a few years ago - there were things that kept me from starting things up again, even though the thought has certainly crossed my mind over the last couple of years. And it feels somehow wrong to even say that - when really, how stupid is that? Sure, he's gone and we're not supposed to "speak ill of the dead" and all that - but he was who he was and I loved who he was; who he really was.
Now that I've posted this ramble, it probably will not be the first. For those that read my blog, yay, hear a ramble. Otherwise - to quote You've Got Mail: "Good night, dear void." (although technically, it's the morning and I'm off to work.....)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)