FSYA & Open House

 6 March - 12 March 2023

Monday morning was typical: gym time with mom, two hours of class, then I drove over to Mesa for a group supervision meeting with the people that run the group home. Then I rushed over to my internship to meet with three clients. The therapy sessions went pretty well. I am especially loving working with my 18-year-old female client. I love that she wants to soak up knowledge and is seeing how things apply to her. I really do love the young adult population. That evening, Val and I put on the FSYA activity (which was kinda a knock-off of FSY. Instead of "For the Strength of Youth," we made it, "For the Strength of Young Adults" and did all the games and some dances and team-building activities). I think the turnout could have been better, but overall it was perfect. Val had grandpa make a big poster for it, we handed out wristbands, and we all did our best to get our groups HYPED. Val said I was the best counselor there. I'm not the most energetic person ever, but when it comes to FSY and making it an enjoyable and memorable experience for others, I really do go all out. I also low-key kinda lost my voice the next day. Just a smidge. Our cheer won the contest! Our group name was Pillar of Fire and we sang the first couple lines of "Ring of Fire" substituting pillar for ring, and it was pretty epic. I made them all get up on the stage and take the microphone, and they had a little dance that went with it. I did not come up with any of it. That's the best part! Seeing the group get into it! Plus they made a pretty epic banner!

Tuesday through Thursday at work was both chill and stressful. So, my boss Kelly was very anxious because the maintenance guys came to check up on the printer, and after they left, it stopped working properly, and they weren't able to fix it the whole week! (I still don't know if it has been fixed... 0.o). So we have over 80 signs that need to be printed and some people that needed them rushed... and the printer is just sitting there. This also means that the magnets and stickers and signs that Clear Counseling ordered for the Open House weren't gonna happen. Fortunately, I was still able to think of an alternative solution. We'd ordered the 36 by 24 A-frames, which came with corrugated plastic inserts, and my grandpa has a printer that can print 24 inches wide, so we spent over an hour playing with the settings and trying to figure out how to print it the correct size, and we were able to print them on paper. Then I took them in on Friday and taped them onto the plastic boards. They won't hold up for long, but they worked marvelously in a pinch to have for Friday evening's Open House.

I got a massage after work on Tuesday, which was nice, but the relief and relaxation lasted a day, and I'm back to feeling pinched nerves/tense. Mom says that once I actually start to get paid for all my work, I can afford to get a massage every month! During my "free time" this week, (between work and seeing clients and attending meetings), I had to work on a giant essay that is due this week. I was not happy about writing it, and I actually just wrote the bare minimum possible. But somehow I still got 100% and the teacher said I set the bar very high. I'm just relieved to have class and hw assignments over with for the next couple of weeks, because I'm already juggling what feels like a full-time job (just one where I don't get paid). But such is intern life. I'm already at 70 hours of direct contact with clients (aka therapy sessions). The hours really do build up! But I need waayyy more relational hours. I'm going to need to start getting creative. So, the Open House was a success. We had plenty of food (and plenty of leftovers). It was the first time my family got to see where I work, and even the Hughes family came, and my friend Charly. Plus, Denae and her fiance came, and it was the fist time I got to meet him. The Hughes LOVED the place, especially the two little boys, who now really want to go to therapy just to play in the play therapy room! Lol. And my family was impressed and pleased with how nice everything there is. It really does exude peace and calm, and it makes me want to have a beautiful, soothing home of my own one day, with decorations that bring joy and content feelings. Me and the other therapists stayed late to help clean up. My mom and sister said that everyone just raved about how awesome I am, how much they really like me, and how they learn a lot from me, which made me feel really good. I'm just doing the best I can, and it's nice to hear that my best is enough :). 

Saturday was spent at the group home, followed by me coming home to finish my essay, though I did get a bit distracted by a certain cute little niece... she LOVES balloons! She just face-plants on them and tries to eat them! It's quite hilarious and adorable. Sunday, I taught Relief Society, and it went pretty well. I think the Lord really helped bring the spirit and give me the strength to put together a slide show with different quotes. Denae wasn't able to make it to church because she was feeling sick. I also got called this week and offered a solo part for the stake Easter Cantata, but I said I couldn't make the 2pm showing and would only be able to do the 7pm. They said they'd get back with me to see if that would be okay, but they ended up just giving the part to someone else. It makes me feel super good that I was chosen and wanted for the solo part, even though it ended up not working out (due to ALL my Saturdays at the sober living group home... hooray...). It takes up a good chunk of my day, but I am enjoying the experience I am gaining and the lessons I'm learning. Seeing my clients progress is so rewarding.

Much love,

Emily Burnham