The 40th Annual Midwest School Social Work Council Conference
Cleveland, Ohio
Orchestrating Harmony
School, Home and Community
October 4, 5, 6, 2007
Nonetheless, I share in the grief of his parents, teachers and friends. Life is simply so fragile. A young innocent and bright life just gone at a spur of the moment. I've been flowing up on some blogs by HIHS students. Somehow, he has touched the lives of many...
There were students who posted pictures of him in their blogs and blogging about memories of him; for those who don't know him personally, they blogged about how the news was broken to them and their reactions (I thot one of them wrote so nicely of how the Principal broke the news to them by explaining that God always picks the most beautiful flower to plant in his garden, and Gabriel was that beautiful flower); while there were those who called on their friends to put a flower at the front of their msn nick as a mark of respect.
Gabriel has indeed impacted many in his own ways. His life was indeed well lived.
I hope that we can all live meaningful and fulfilling lives. ¶ 8/27/2007 09:20:00 PM 0 Comments
609 is a pub along Delmar Loop, just outside my house. It's been the venue of many student events in Brown School. I was taking a nap when I was woken up by S' MSN mssg to me.It read "Let's go 609 to grab some fresh chicks"...
I was like huh?
Anyway, 609 was hosting the new students to Brown School. Yaps, since I had nothing up that night, I went with him. Not for the fresh chicks but more for a couple of nice cold beers...
This afternoon, after reporting to Parkway for some counsellors and social workers meeting, I went to St. Louis Metropolitan Art Museum for the Napoleon Symbols of Power exhibition. I lined up for a free ticket last week otherwise I had to pay 10 bucks for admission.
Anyway, it was a big disappointment. It's nothing really special. There were only 3 pieces of art work, and lots of furniture - which looked ordinary to me. Nothing compared to the musuems in New York and Chicago. Thank goodness I got a free tix. I won't pay 10 bucks on this. It took me 20 mins to cover everything.
After the musuem visit, I was contemplating to either go to school or back home and snooze. Decided for the former and it was a BAD CHOICE!
Unexpectantly, a staff came into the computer lab to inform us that an immediate weather alert was just sent for us to be cautious of a tornado. She also reminded us of the evacuation procedure to the basement of the building in the event of a tornado, and informed us to check our email for more updates.
This is what it read:
Dear Community,
If you have had a chance to look outside, you know we are experiencing severe weather, with more storms heading this way. In the event that tornado sirens should sound, please remember to go to the lower, most interior area of the building you are in. Goldfarb and Brown Halls both have basement levels.
Rick Tyler and Linda Specker are walking through the buildings now to make sure that you know where to go in the event that a tornado siren sounds. No need to be alarmed, we just want to make sure you know where to go in the event of more serious weather.
If you have a radio or access to the web, we encourage you pay attention to the weather. Please use your best judgment as to whether you should leave or not.
Many thanks,
Ellen Rostand
Director of Communications
George Warren Brown School of Social Work
Washington University in St. Louis
Campus Box 1196
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
Phone: 314.935.8215
Fax: 314.935.8511
Cell: 314.283-8368
Yes, you can guess. I was stuck in school for nearly 2/3 hours just for the weather to clear. The weather here is really unpredictable. One moment it's hot and humid and the next moment, a big big thunderstorm.
Once the weather cleared a little, I took the opportunity to quickly make my way home.
Look at this poor tree just outside my home. It's botak. With burnt branches scattered on the ground. It must have incurred the wrath of the lighting.
It's still raining now and they're expecting more storms through the night. I think I'll have a good night's rest. I like to sleep during cold, rainy weather.
It's a welcome break from the hot weather I've been experiencing.
Here from me soon!
Heh. I like the lanyard given to me by my supervisor! It's a nice gift from her... = )
¶ 8/22/2007 06:19:00 PM 0 Comments
It's my first and important exposure to the field of mental health. Since arriving here, I thought I wanted to take the opportunity and expose myself to something different besides youth work.Hence, my venturing into mental health. As I reflect back to my previous practice experience, I found myself lacking the knowledge and skills in intervention with both adults and youth who exhibit symptoms such as mania and depression. So, besides doing coursework in the DSM IV, which allows me to make diagnosis once I attain my clinical social worker licensure, I've also equipped myself with knowledge, skills and experience in mental health.
What was really memorable were the patients that I worked with during my stint. Especially patients with deep seated depression, generalized anxieties and alcoholic problems. These are the people who are really down and out in their lives to the extent that they require psychiatric intervention. Working at that deep level with the patients can be nerve-racking, especially when I have to hold the emotions of the patients. However, in my short stint, I see changes in some of my patients. I am confident that some will do well.
For the record, during my nearly 3 months there, I saw exactly 70 patients.
So as I handed in my ID Badge on my last day, I was really glad for this exposure. I can't help but to hope that the people who come through the doors of MPC will be able to find that inner peace and healing in their lives.
God Bless America! ¶ 8/13/2007 07:24:00 PM 0 Comments
Inside the "Silver Bean" Millenium Park, Chicago
Chicago by night... Don't you think it looks like Singapore River?
Navy Pier, Chicago. Singapore also wants to build a Ferris Wheel like this. Hmm... so much for originality!
Breakfast at Lou Mitchell's. Highly Recommended to any visitor to Chicago! It promotes itself as the "World's most wonderful breakfast." Well, the breakfast is really yummy!
Art Institute of Chicago
After a weekend in Chicago, we drove up north to Ann Arbor, Michigan (also approx 4 hours).
At a micro-brewery in Ann Arbor. This is a place where they brew their own beer!
Streets of Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is a really small, quiet town! I think I'll be bored staying there! If I stay there, I might just become a hermit...
University of Michigan, School of Social Work!
Subsequently from Ann Arbor, Michigan, we drove into Canada to Niagara Falls....
Maid of the Mist. This is a boat ride that brings you near the foot of Niagara Falls. I didn't get to do this during the winter. So at least I'm glad I came back to do this! An advice for visitors to Niagara Falls, do all your tourist thingy on the American side. It's much cheaper!
Also, on this trip, I wish that they didn't develop the Niagara Falls area to what it is today. I just thought that it's rather commercialized. Somehow with the casinos, hotels in the region, it loses the majestic feel of the power of this great falls...
From Niagara Falls to Cuyahoga Valley, Cleveland, Ohio...
Brandywine Falls. I thought I enjoyed this much more than Niagara Falls. From Buffalo (USA), we drove to Cuyahoga Valley where we stayed in this national park. From our lodging, we did a simple 30-40 mins walk to Brandywine Falls.
Our new friends made at the lodging...
And finally, we ended back in Chicago with our new friends. Doing something really American! Watching baseball. The Chicago White Sox!
