Update 4: "The Next Chapter"

It's been a while since I talked about music therapy on this "music therapy" blog of mine. Ending my job in Cincinnati back in June allowed me to have a nice summer of traveling, moving, and getting settled in Southern California. Many things have happened since the traveling stopped.

We moved to Orange, California. Our new home is right across the street from this place, 2 miles from this place, and 4 miles from this place . Yay!

We got a puppy! We rescued a 4-month old MaltiPoo named Poppy and have fallen in love! Caring for a puppy is a full-time job in and of itself! Phew!


Poppy the puppy

The next big announcement is: I got a job! I can't wait to tell you all about it in the next post.

Update 2: Wisconsin for 4th of July

Wisconsin was our first stop on our long haul from Cincinnati to California. You may be wondering...why Wisconsin? It's not really the most direct way...

Well, I have family there! We spent the 4th of July with my Grandma (who is 93!), Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. We had a blast! My family is from a little town called Hazel Green, Wisconsin (located in the south west corner). We spent the 4th on the Mississippi, at a parade, and at a local town, Shullsburg.



At the parade!


Teren and Layla on the Mississippi


Fireworks in Shullsburg


My Grandma with her great grandchild (my cousin's son)

I love the 4th of July :)

Update 1: Caribbean Cruise

On my last post found here, I talked about things that I was excited about. The first one was my family's Caribbean Cruise.

We had an amazing time (to say the least). We enjoyed Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas" boat and went to Haiti, Jamaica, and Cozumel. Take a look at some of our pictures!


On the "Boardwalk"



My hubby and me at dinner



Musicians on Labadee, Haiti



The gang in Haiti



My brother and our tour guide in Falmouth, Jamaica



My mom and dad - love them :)



Hubby, Mom and Me

Here's to the first of many updates that will be coming soon! Lot's to catch you all up on!

Family Fun!

Don't have too much time to blog today/this week as my family has been in town. Today was Teren's first graduation ceremony (the lonnggg one) that honored "Doctoral Hooding and Masters Recognition."


Hubby made it on the jumbo tron!

Tomorrow will be the All-CCM graduation and hopefully will be more intimate.

We are eating tons, laughing a lot, and making up for lost time!



Teren and Me at lunch at Montgomery Inn


Me, Ronna and Robby waiting in the car until we could be seated at Terry's Turf.



Adie, Teren, Me and Rande at Terry's Turf



More pictures to come! Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Countdown Begins

I'm a big countdown person. Once I know how many days until something occurs, I find it easier to make it through the days and then have something to look forward to. It's just how I work and how I get myself motivated.

Yesterday was my last day working with my groups and clients on Saturdays. Parents brought in two thoughtful and beautiful bouquets, a lotion gift set, cards, and hugs.


Flowers from my clients

So, here's my work countdown until my last day of work!

3 more Tuesdays
1 more Wednesday
2 more Thursdays

This Wednesday my In-laws and some extended family come into town for my husband's Masters Graduation from CCM. We actually moved to Cincinnati after our July 2009 wedding for him to pursue his Masters in Orchestral Conducting from CCM and now he is finally done! I'm so proud of him!


My in-laws and us at our wedding

I am looking forward to spending time with our family, packing up our apartment, and moving on to California!

Rejuvenation

Being a relatively new music therapist (6 months!), I find myself to get into a slump every three months. I'm not sure if this will be an ongoing trend, but something I have already picked up on. I started my new job at Music Therapy Services of Cincinnati in October, took a week off between Christmas and New Years and then just took another week off at the end of March for my spring break.

At the end of each three month period, I am pooped...emotionally, physically, and my energy and creativity is almost non-existent. Being a therapist and working so closely with children and adults that require my full attention, I feel like it is unhealthy to work in these conditions.

This is my first day back at work...and yes, I am tired, but already excited for new ideas that are pouring out of my head. You know that dread of going back to work, right? Well, I dreaded it just as much as anyone, but when I saw my clients again and the breakthroughs they make each week, makes me love and appreciate my job and work.

Also...this helps, too. A great boss who greets me with flowers when I return to work!



What do you do to refresh yourself as a therapist?