Last Week

The time has come. Today marks the first day of my last week as an intern with Hawai'i 4-H. It's hard to believe I'm here. I took a little time to look through all my postings since arriving here, and it's crazy to see the journey I've embarked on. There was a lot of negative aspects to it, but to be honest, I don't think I would trade it in for the world because when I look back I remember more of the good and the growth than I do the boredom and the bad.

It's a little strange that I'm looking ahead to this week as my last week because originally today was supposed to be my last day. I was supposed to be done by March 1st, which for those of you who can read a calendar is tomorrow. However, with my boss on the mainland for two weeks, me being here til the middle of the month to house-sit, and me taking an impromptu week off to head to Vermont, I'm working this week. I don't really have any complaints about doing so, except for maybe having to wake up early all this week ;)

It's just a little weird that this chapter in my education, and in my life is coming to a close. Now, let's hope that I learned/gained enough from this experience to actually produce a paper/presentation out of it!

Training Recap

Last night's training was a success. As I stated earlier, there were only a few ways that this could be labeled a failure, so I was pretty much in the clear from the get-go, but still... it's nice to have it behind me and have notes on what went well and what didn't for the next group.

I'm glad I took TDEL (Training Design for Experiential Learning) because not only did it give me skills and activities to fall back on, it gave me an understanding of how to gauge my audience and make adjustments mid-presentation. I was also able to evaluate my performance throughout the workshop without letting it hinder what I was doing in the present. It's hard to believe that I tried getting out of that class (having already had hundreds of hours of training & facilitation experience), but I'm glad I powered through it. :)

I would say the biggest gaffe of the evening was when my screensaver of photos came on and I didn't realize it for a few minutes. Thankfully, nothing too embarrassing came up and I was able to spin it as a point in the conversation we were having. The biggest success was seeing the gears turning in these teenagers heads and having them request more sources of information to assist them in furthering the discussion. *Let the hallelujah chorus sing*

There are so many details from my notes that I could share, but instead of sitting around here and going over the play-by-play I'd rather start analyzing the experience and matching it to theory in order to start getting some of this down on paper! Capstone writing... and go!

Training Prep

Ever since I arrived back in Hawaii I've been prepping for a workshop/training I'm facilitating tonight. Technically I've been brainstorming and discussing this workshop with the club leader of the group I'll be working with since before I left for the mainland, but haven't concretely done anything til this week.

The workshop/training is on culture, identity, and self-promotion. It may seem like an odd combo of topics, but trust me they go together in context of the larger Cultural/Diversity Event we have coming up in April.

I'm super excited for this training tonight, but I'm nervous as hell too! I'm finally implementing my thesis work that I've been planning and prepping and proposing over the past 6 months, so it's a little surreal and scary. Tonight's topics are sensitive territory, but I know the approach I'm taking isn't threatening for this audience. Basically, I'm pretty confident that even if I crash and burn tonight that they 4-H members will still get something out of it by simply brainstorming about the topics. I don't think I'll crash and burn, but I am nervous about expectations from the parents of these teenagers.

Keep your fingers crossed! Updates to come! :)

Let the games begin!

Back to reality! I'm back in Hawai'i, back at work, and after this past crazy intense filled week, it's time to hit the ground running! I have my work cut out for me if I want to graduate in May, and I only have 3 weeks left here in Hawai'i. Hence, the clock is ticking!

Let the games begin!

“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave & grow old wanting to get back to”

I don't think I could say it any better than this John Ed Pearce quote. I've always had a love-hate relationship with home and all that's connected to it, including Nebraska in general. However, ever since I started graduate school I've come to view my home differently than I ever expected. There are still the days that I want to throw my hands up in the air, leave, and never return, but then there are the moments when I'm so blissfully content while I'm home that I never want to leave.

I've been having more and more of those moments in the past few months... only I can't tell if it's because I'm not happy where I'm at the majority of the other time, my friends/family are pulling out the stops while I'm there, and because it's such a short stint of time that's making me content with home or if I really am starting to change my perspective of the place that used to seem like such a prison for me.

This is especially relevant to the fact that I'm currently job searching for my next step after my practicum is over. Before I would've never thought I'd be seriously looking in Nebraska, especially Lincoln, for a "real" job, but now I am. Don't get me wrong, it's not the *ONLY* place I'm looking for a job, but I've opened up my search to include Lincoln and Nebraska. I mean, logistically, it's smart because I have a support system already established there, but still... it's just a little weird for me.

Basically, this is a long way of saying that I am home for the weekend before heading back to Hawai'i, and so far I feel really welcomed. I feel happy. I feel hope. HOWEVER, I can also feel how things have not changed, and how I could end up feeling stuck again. Why can't we ever have the best of both worlds?

Good People

Anyone who knows Professor Ken Williams knows his catch phrase of "Good People" or "Not so Good People." This morning I got to witness and be recipient of such "good people." After observing the last Capstone of my time here in New England, I had to rush and photocopy a bunch of sources that a professor gave me so that I could get them back to her before heading out of town. There were A LOT of resources that this professor dubbed as "just a little 'light reading'" and I was seriously afraid that I wouldn't be able to get it all copied in time.

What made the morning so amazing and allowed me to witness that "Good People" in progress was that my friends all selflessly came to my rescue. They helped me organize the sources to make them easier for copying, they kept me company while I was copying, they did whatever they could to be of service and to just be there for me in my time of stress. Also, a woman that I've never met before (a current SIT student who happened to be working in the computer lab this morning), helped me copy. She didn't have to, and I could tell she didn't want to, but she went out of her way to help me and make the process go faster. I am VERY grateful and couldn't stop expressing my gratitude to the point I think she was getting annoyed. Whoops!

I truly learned the definition of "Good People" this morning and this past week. As stated before, I am truly grateful and blessed to have such "Good [friends and] People" in my life. :)

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”

Although I've been here in Vermont for the specific purpose of observing Capstones and meeting with professors, I have been blessed with the most amazing friends! Last night, on Valentine's Day, instead of people quartering themselves off with a certain special someone, 6 of us got together and had a potluck dinner.

I've never had a better Valentine's Day, and that isn't a reflection on past V-Day's, but more that last night was that amazing! The evening started out as, "Hey, restaurants are going to be crazy packed tonight, let's make a homemade dinner." Then the list of people joining us kept growing so that people could all hangout with each other before those of us visiting left town. The original idea for the potluck is that Caitlin was going to make an herb infused stuffed chicken and the rest of us would make sides, however it turned into a 5 course meal with everyone preparing enough food for one course. Whoops! I would be lying if I didn't say this meal gave Thanksgiving meals a run for their money. Everything was absolutely delicious, so I'm not complaining, but I do think I may have permanently injured my stomach. ;)

There were so many high points of the evening that I can't even begin to explain them all, but just know that I am extremely grateful!

The fun didn't just end there! Tonight a few of us got together with another friend for dinner at her apartment. She made us the most amazing Moroccan dish - *scrumptious* - and we played board games to pass the time. This is what I miss. I miss just spending time with good friends and enjoying each other's company instead of it becoming a forced ordeal. This is what has been missing during my time in Hawaii, as well as some of the times I visit Nebraska.

I am truly grateful for the amazing friends, food, and festivities of my time here in Vermont, and I am sad to leave tomorrow. Thanks, friends!

A Marathon of Capstones

I have sat through 3 Capstones thus far. Some good, some bad. I'm definitely getting a lot of pointers on what to do/not to do. That's one of the reasons I came, so I am thankful for that, but I wish I could get a clearer understanding of what the evaluators (professors/advisors) are looking for. I haven't been able to sit in on any Feedback sessions yet, and I think that will be one of the most valuable parts to observe! Hopefully I will be able to tomorrow morning!

One of the presenters I witnessed today was a girl named Maggie. I really connected with her and her experience (which are very similar to myself). She also had a solid presentation, even if some of her peers were judging petty things she had no control over. Tam and I caught up with her after her presentation and she traded contact info with us so that she could get feedback about her presentation and to be a resource for us. So grateful!!!

I also learned, by observation only, that it isn't as easy as it looks. I saw many a red-eye from presenters after their presentations and feedback sessions. I can only imagine how that will go when I have to do it. Joy.

One more Capstone to sit through tomorrow morning, then it'll be time to dive headfirst into mine!

Face-to-Face

I am soooooooooo glad I came to Vermont this week. Yes, it was a lot of money. Yes, it took time and energy to get here. But so much good is coming from it!

Today I was on hyper-drive for meeting with professors/coordinators/advisors and getting answers! I had the mantra of "Taking names and kicking butts!" in my head. If you've been paying attention to this blog at all you'd know that I'm more than a little frustrated with my school and practicum phase. So, in addition to viewing Capstone presentations, I decided it would be wise to search key people out for clarification. I had a good heart-to-heart with the professor that helped me during the public accusation situation a few months ago. After getting a bunch of resources from them for some of my papers, I headed over to my advisor's office.

This was the first meeting my advisor and I had ever had. Literally. So this meeting was good for multiple reasons. I was in her office for over an hour talking about the different aspects of my position in Hawaii, going over the different things I had submitted, discussing possible avenues for me to take, etc. It's so nice to just understand what my advisor is thinking and where she is coming from... AND just to talk to her since she was missing for over a month! I feel a lot more at ease now. ***side note: my advisor piled a lot more work on my plate, but that was expected***

After meeting with my advisor I hit up the professor on campus that is in charge of my language requirements and got things squared away there. And for my last "Act" of the day, I sought out the off-campus coordinator and had a long chat about the realities of me trying to Capstone in May. It's do-able, but it's going to be A LOT of work. *mentally prepping myself*

Today has been uber productive, and it's not over yet! Now I'm off to observe my first Capstone presentation! Let the games begin!!!

Boston!!!

I just concluded my first ever trip to Boston! Granted, it was really short (only a day), I was visiting a couple friends, and it is the middle of February, so I didn't do/see a bunch of the things I'd like to eventually do/see in Boston, but it was still a lot of fun!

My friend Pam met me at the airport. I hadn't seen Pam since the day I drove out of Vermont with SIT in the rear-view mirror! I can't even begin to explain how amazing it was to see someone from school, and for that to be someone who is a true friend. We spent our day in Boston checking out Pam's local coffee place, touring her neighborhood, traveling all over Boston looking for discounted tickets to museums, meeting up with some of Pam's friends and visiting the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), having dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and heading down to the theater district to see the Blue Man Group! SO. MUCH. FUN!!!

This morning we got up early and met another SIT friend, Amya, at a local bookstore/diner called Trident. I was on cloud nine... and that's despite being sleep deprived (no sleep on planes, up all day in Boston, bed late/early rise) and cold.

I wish I could've stayed longer... :( However, I'm on the mainland for a reason, and that reason is Capstones! Currently I'm on a train heading North toward Brattleboro, VT, and more SIT friends! :D

A Working Vacation

I'm about ready to embark on a trip to the hottest (early) Spring Break get-away there is: New England... in February. Haha! Not! 24 hours from now I will be taking off in a plane bound for the mainland, with my journey ending in Boston, MA. I'll get to spend a day and a half with some SIT friends in Boston (a city I've never been to before!) before getting on a train and heading up to Vermont for Capstone Week.

During my on-campus phase there was a total of 3 Capstone weeks I could've attended to observe a Capstone presentation before I have to present one myself. However, during the November week I had class and work during all the presentations (no lie), during the Jan/Feb week I was in NYC for my Spring I Term class, and by the time the May week rolled around, classes were over and I was so fed up with the place that I hightailed it out of there as soon as I could. So I have no one to blame but myself for not witnessing a Capstone presentation earlier.

This is why I've decided to fly out to Vermont to witness some Capstones before I have to present. I'm also planning on taking advantage of the fact I'll be on campus and track down my advisor and the off-campus coordinator to get some answers. It also gives me an opportunity to hang out with some friends that I haven't seen and have truly missed since I hightailed it out of there in May. :)

After my 3 short days in Vermont, I plan to head to Salem, MA, to visit another SIT colleague before flying to Nebraska for the weekend. In Nebraska, I plan to hit the ground running by completing my taxes, applying/interviewing for jobs, seeing the doctor, and attending a retreat meeting in addition to seeing as many family and friends as possible in 3 days.

It's going to be a crazy & hectic 10 days, but a wonderful relief to reconnect with good friends and classmates, as well as meet with academic advisers. I'm already anticipating the high I'll get from being super productive! I'm just hoping that mother-nature decides to take an early spring break vacay too so that I don't have to deal with many weather related delays while I'm on the mainland. My schedule is so jam-packed that I don't know if I could handle a major delay. Keep your fingers crossed! :)

I'm super excited! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekk!!!!!! :D

Venting Frustration

I'm getting really frustrated with SIT. I've been trying to get a hold of my adviser and off-campus coordinator multiple times over the past few weeks, especially since my adviser's return from her MIA status, but I have received no response.

Ignore all my other frustrations with SIT, and let's just focus on this - I've met all the deadlines set for me to graduate in May thus far, yet I may not get to graduate because things are delayed on the school's end. I mean my adviser went MIA for over a month without informing her advisees first, and now I'm still waiting on my proposal to be approved when I submitted it a month ago, and was told it shouldn't take more than 3 weeks to review.

I'm going to be more than pissed if SIT screws me over after all the crap it's put me through.

Paroled for a Day

If you've been following this blog recently, you'll know that I have been more-or-less "under house arrest"/"having sympathy snow days"/"on a secluded island known as my house" for the majority of the past week-and-a-half. My cabin-fever days even extended into Thursday evening, of which I was hoping to be sprung to attend Tai Chi (of which Gary & Karen usually attend too), but no such luck. I found out later that they completely forgot about Tai Chi and were on the other side of the island, despite me emailing and calling Gary earlier in the day to see if we were still going to Tai Chi.

Friday, I did - finally - get to go to work, but I almost (ALMOST) wish I would've stayed home. First off, Friday's are never the day you want to go into work, especially for the first time that week. Secondly, Fridays are the days that FETCH (the other organization in my building) holds their youth camps, meaning a bunch of youth roaming around, being loud, and coming in "just to see what [I'm] doing." Lastly, with all the organizational drama that's afoot here these days, the last thing I wanted to do was to be dropped into the middle of it. But no one ever asked me.

It wasn't a horrible day, just extremely long after working from home all week, and tense-filled with all the collective stress from the drama and youth programming. I mostly stuck to myself and my work, but was brought into the fray by the Executive Director (E.D.) of FETCH by her volunteering me to do something (without telling me) during their youth programming even though she didn't ask me nor am I officially a part of her organization. I was informed of this by Lee, of whom after I informed her that I wasn't going to be assisting during the youth programming (I had too much of my own work to do, I couldn't stay that late, I know nothing about their programming, and I wasn't asked) decided to vent to me about how FETCH's E.D. does this all the time, in addition to venting frustration in general.

Like I said, I almost wish I would've stayed home. At least there my day is my own, even if it's cabin-fever filled. To be honest, busting out of "house arrest" for 8 hours only to have to deal with the drama of my building isn't exactly what one thinks of as a good way of spending their freedom. Just sayin'. I don't even count this as being "paroled" - it's more like when prison's release prisoner's for cleaning up highways or plowing fields and then send them right back. I was released for work and then immediately sent back.

I was hoping that Gary would at least invite me out to dinner with them (they were going out to dinner) or let me borrow one of the vehicles to run my errands I had asked to run earlier in the week, but no. No discussion. I was taken home with the promise of "We'll see you Sunday for church. Have a good weekend." Seriously? They know that I can't do anything without them chauffeuring me around. What do they think I'm going to do stuck up on the mountain? And no, I don't mind eating Easy Mac for the billionth time in a row, or the fact that my food supply has taken a hit since you've had me work from home the majority of this week, but no big deal. *rolls eyes*

So let me tell you what I was grateful for this weekend. The Super Bowl. Yes, that's right... the iconic American event. I intellectually understand that there are for more pressing topics in the world that deserve the type of audience the Super Bowl reels in, and that Egypt and other countries experiencing turmoil did not press pause on their lives to watch a sporting event, but I indulged in an American past-time, and took advantage of my "parole."

After attending church with Gary, Karen, his mother and aunt (who are still visiting), I nonchalantly asked if it was still okay that I join them to watch the Super Bowl. Gary, of course, had forgotten all about this promise he made a few weeks ago, but still said it was okay. On a high from getting the key to my jail-break, I innocently asked if it would be okay to use the time before the game started to borrow a car to run my errands I had asked him about on Monday. He profusely apologized about forgetting that I [was human and needed things like food, shampoo, and deodorant] had asked earlier in the week, and agreed to let me run errands. This may not sound like much to anyone else, but I was on cloud 9 anticipating my freedom of the upcoming 9 hours.

Needless to say, I took my time while running errands. I stopped at stores I didn't necessarily need to stop at... just because I could! I went to Barnes n' Noble and perused the shelves... just because I could! I - already at the mall for one of my errands - stopped in cute local boutiques I've never had time for before... just because I could! It was glorious! After I figured I had spent enough time "dilly-dallying" around with my errands, I headed back to Gary's house just in time for the game.

The game was fun. Karen made pizzas, we all had beer (All-American past-time: Football, Pizza, & Beer), the neighbors were hosting a joint Super Bowl/birthday party, and Gary's relatives are really nice. :) I wasn't really rooting for any team in particular so it was exciting anytime anyone made a decent play. It was fun discussing the commercials and performances with Karen and Gary's aunt. I even got to stay after the game and watch the return of Glee (yes, I'm a fan of the show, bite me)!!! A-MAZ-ING!!!

It felt so late after all of that (probably because it usually is pretty late after I get done watching the Super Bowl), that I wasn't upset to head back home even though it was only 7:00pm here in Hawai'i. It was nice, after all that highly engaging social surroundings to go home and relax. My "parole" day made me content after a week of being severely discontent. It kind of rejuvenated me for this up-coming week.

And I know, I know! I basically complained throughout this entire posting. I've already moved my complaint free bracelet. I also know that I am making a bigger deal out of this than need be, and that it could be a lot worse, and that I should be thankful/grateful. I get it!

Sympathy Snow Days

Hawaii may not have snow days, but I sure have been cooped up in the house as if it does! I've termed this "Sympathy Snow Days" after the concept of sympathy labor pains. Although the weather here in Hawaii has been gorgeous, I've been trapped in my house since Sunday afternoon... not by my choosing.

After the Hawaiian health lecture I attended, I finished out my Sunday at home because I was feeling slightly under the weather (how's that for irony? Leaving a health lecture feeling ill, and being "under the weather" in gorgeous weather). Come Sunday evening, by boss gives me a call and asks if I would be willing to work from home on Monday because his office is not yet finished (asbestos cleanup) and his wife has an all-day meeting off-campus so there will be no way to get me to and from. I say sure... I mean, I like sleeping in and working in pjs!

Tuesday rolls around and I wake up feeling awful! I call my boss and ask if I can have a personal day because I think I have the stomach flu (which I did). He agrees, and I'm home for day #2. Wednesday rolls around and I'm finally excited to be going to work, just to get out of the house, when about a half-hour before my normal pickup time my boss calls and says that there's a lot of construction going on at my building, plus office drama for our partner organization (that works in my building) so it might just be better if I work from home. Day 3, and counting. Last night my boss called me around 10:30pm (I'm glad I was still awake), and said he'd be working from home today, so I might as well plan on working from home too. Ugh. Day #4 of being at home.

I like working at home, but I'm starting to go stir crazy and have cabin fever! What makes it worse is that right outside my window I can see the bright blue ocean, see the gorgeous weather, feel the warmth coming through my window... but I'm stuck at home. I could walk down the mountain, but where would I go? And then I'd just have to walk right back up again. If I have to work from home tomorrow, I'm for sure busting out of this joint even if it's just to hike up and down this dang mountain. I'm not going to be able to take it much longer. Hopefully, though, I'll be sprung from this joint tonight for Tai Chi. It's my one cultural refuge, and it calms and re-energizes me.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Hawaiian Life Lessons, pt.2 (Hawaiian Health)

The church that I attend with Gary & Karen - Waiokeola UCC (Waiokeola means living water) - is doing a lecture series on health (The Ministry of Healing). Each Sunday, after the Aloha Coffee Hour (where I get my free lunch), they have a guest speaker present on a topic of health. This past Sunday, they had a presentation on Hawaiian Culture and Health. Naturally, I was interested and decided to attend.

The presentation was given by Stephan R.P.K (Kalani) Brady, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., who is the Interim Chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health at the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine. (Say that 3x fast!) The bio in the program reads as follows:

"Kalani Brady traces his roots to the Keli'ikanaka'oleaipolani family from Kaua'i. He graduated from St. Louis High School, received an A.B. cum laude from Harvard University, Ph.D. from University of Hawai'i School of Public Health, and an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

In addition to his private practice as a primary care physician and responsibilities as Interim Chair of the Department of native Hawaiian Health at the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine, Dr. Brady has also published numerous articles, given oral presentations on a variety of topics, and sung in many musical productions throughout the state. For 27 years he has been the tenor soloist at Central Union Church. He is the doctor of the weekly program "Ask the Doctor" on KHON FOX Channel 2 Morning News.

For his presentation Kalani Brady will talk about Native Hawaiian Health and Culture: Past and Present, and discuss Hawaiian healing practices."

The first observation I made was that this Dr. Brady did not look Hawaiian. I was confused about why someone non-Hawaiian would be giving a lecture on Native Hawaiian health. Then he informed the audience of his ethnic background, including how he is also decendant of missionaries who came to the islands, and happens to look full "Haole" but is really part Native Hawaiian. Just goes to show you... don't judge a book by it's cover!

The following are my notes from the presentation. They are most likely scattered and random, but hopefully you can follow along and learn something, as I did. :)

• 22.10% of Hawai'i's population is still part Native Hawaiian, which is an increase from just 30 years ago
• Cannakamowree - the people (Native Hawaiians), derived from the Hawaiian terms Kanaka Maoli (Kanaka = mankind, Maoli = indigenous/native)
• Hapa = mixed race
• When Dr. Brady was in grade school, youth were beaten (corporal punishment) for speaking ʻŌlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian Language). This trauma runs deep into some portions of Hawaiian identity
• Ka Ma ahanui - triangle of Polynesian islands (largest nation on Earth). Outsiders/foreigners see the "islands [as] insignificant," but that is not the case.
• Ha = breath of life. Hawaiians used to share breath and spirit by placing foreheads together and breathing in each other's breath. This led to massive outbreak/spreading of foreign diseases once they were introduced to the islands because Hawaiians were "immunilogically virgins."
• 300,000-800,000 Hawaiian population decreased to just around 40,000 in less than a century. Still today, Native Hawaiians lead in mortality rates in Hawai'i
• Females used to be killed for eating pig. It was considered a sacred animal only eaten by men for special occasions.
• Health of Native Hawaiians is closely related to how much one identifies with their culture. Health is connected to "spirit occasions" - one has to heal the spirit before they can heal the body. Need social/cultural/economic/political changes.
• Three things rooted in the Hawaiian culture: Nā Akua (Gods), 'Aina (nature/land), Kanaka (mankind). Removing one of these aspects, such as land, was like removing part of the soul.
• January 17, 1893, Hawaiian islands/land was stolen ("ceded") from Queen Lili'uokalani by unlawful Dole Provisional Government. This was planned in the basement of Union Church
• 1898 the land was ceded by unlawful Dole Republic to the unlawfully occupying United States
• 1993 (100 year anniversary of stolen lands) - the U.S. submitted a formal apology to Hawaiian islands (Bill Clinton signed Senator Anaka's resolution, bill has not yet been passed).
• Psychological issues: geographical disparities (doctor's in cities, natives are rural), deeply rooted beliefs in traditional practices, being culturally sensitive ("nothing left but Aloha")
• Cultural Conflict:

  WEST	Kanaka Maoli
  Materialism	Spirituality
  Individualism	Collective Holism
  Private Property	Communal
  Capitalism	Caring/Sharing

• At indigenous Hawaiian schools, students don't strive to be first in class because that separates them from the rest of their peers/community. If students don't strive to excel than they don't excel.

Dr. Brady made A LOT of points, and I was scrambling to write them all down. I'm sure I missed some of them, but this is an overview of what he lectured on, and hopefully you got something out of it like I did.

Let The "Academic" Hallelujah Chorus Sing!!

I have just finished writing my first RPQ (Reflective Practice Question) paper! *Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Halle-lu-jah!!!!!!*

Those of you who have known about my serious writer's block will know what an amazing feat this is! The RPQ I just completed is my RPQ #1 that focuses on:

"RPQ on a Core Course-related issue: Select a PIM core competency area that you consider especially relevant to the work in which you are engaged at your practicum site. Formulate a reflective practice question and answer exploring your experience in this area using the conceptual lenses provided in the pertinent on-campus courses and your own additional reading in the area. The core courses to select from are OBI, OBII, Social Change, and Intercultural Communication (e.g., OB II observations and analysis in the workplace, ICC framework analysis relating workplace to theory)."

I based my RPQ #1 off a combination of OBI/OBII (Organizational Behavior 1 & 2 for those of you who didn't attend SIT) focusing on structural issues with Hawaii 4-H and recommendations for fixing them! At this point, I don't care if I did the assignment wrong, I don't care if my advisor thinks my writing is complete crap (well, I do a little bit, but that's beyond the point)... all I care about is that I have finished one of my three RPQ papers, and I can officially cross that off my To-Do List and move on to the next one!

Yiiiiippppppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!! :D

On top of that, I re-wrote my Capstone Proposal and Human Subjects Review form, and submitted it, because I changed my mind on what I want to focus my Capstone on. It's been a totally crazy, productive day... AND I AM LOVING IT! :D