I love SUMMER!!

So, as most of you know, my life is crazy busy right now with school and teaching and work and life in general. But, summer has been much nicer. Since I am only working, teaching one course and taking one course, I have had a bit more down time. It has been great because Michael's school schedule has been a bit more flexible also. There have even been a few nights when I didn't study at all after coming home from work. That sounds crazy to write, but it is so true. :)

The class I am teaching is going well. It is a lot of work as there is a lot of content the students need to know, but one thing I really like about teaching is that it really makes you learn the information very well, which I think is a very good thing. My students this semester are also pretty good, so that is nice.

Work is going well. I am getting a bit more adjusted and learning the ropes a bit better. The days have gotten busier, which is nice. There is more to do and I actually feel as if i am helping people which is what i signed up for when i chose to be a social worker.

So, summer fun planned...Here we go. I am looking forward to a 4 day work week next week as we have friday off for the 4th of july. I am also looking forward to whatever crazy birthday plans my husband has put together. :) Then, the next two weekends, my cousin from lebanon is going to be in town. One weekend, we are going to hang out in this area and then the next we are going to austin to spend some time with my brother, his wife, and my sister. Good times ahead.

Also, this past weekend, we got to catch up with our two good friends from the master's program. one was in town with her new baby. He was so adorable and she seems to be doing well. It was great to catch up with them.

I am looking forward to tomorrow night. I am going to dinner with all the ladies from my old job. I am so excited, I have really missed catching up with them everyday. :( Anyway, it will be nice to see how they are all doing.

Well, that is all I have right now. Not a very interesting blog, I know, but it will have to do for now. :)

CSWE, here I come!!

So, a few semesters ago, I worked VERY, VERY hard on some research with a professor. It took quite some time as I was using a new qualitative program to analyze all the data and then had to write the article. Well, we finally submitted the article and are now waiting to hear back from the journal to see if it was accepted. But, we also submitted the paper as a presentation for the CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) conference in November in San Antonio. Out of 38 abstracts submitted for our track at the conference, ours ranked 4th!!! Not bad at all. I am so excited. This will be my first conference presentation. And the conference is local so it wont cost too much to go.

In other news, my day at work today was better. I am getting used to everyone and how everything works. We have research day at work tomorrow. This is an afternoon reserved for the 3rd year doctor residents to present the research they have been working on. I think it is going to be very interesting. Also, when it is over, we all get to go home early. I like that!

In school news, I made some changes to my summer schedule and I feel much better about it. I dropped my education course and am only taking 1 course that is a research practicum with my professor. so, i will have one course and will be teaching one course. I think that sounds like a much more doable summer. I should still be able to finish all my course work by Spring 2010. Not bad!! then, i will start some serious work on my dissertation. good times ahead.

I had a great evening tonight. i was able to get dinner with one of my coworkers from my previous job. It was great to catch up and spend some time just chatting. I really miss everyone there, but also think this new job will be a good fit for a while.

Well, I am off to take care of a few things, but just wanted to give a quick update.