Midterms already?

It is hard to believe I am in the fifth week of my second quarter. This term by far has been easier and less demanding as the last term; however, it still means there is lots of midterm work to do. I am in the midst of a 15 page paper assessing the life of an American Indian woman named Mary Crow Dog. I read her memoir in about a day, and absolutely loved it. She grew up on a reservation in the 60's during the time when Indian children were sent to Christian boarding schools. She fought, though, to maintain her identity as a Sioux and fought hard, joining the American Indian Movement, marrying a medicine man, and participating in all the spiritual rituals. It is a really great book and I hope my paper does it justice. As far as my other classes go, it seems as though the homework is spread out over the next few weeks, which is nice that I don't have to try to balance homework for four classes.

Of course, I choose to also start reading The Hunger Games for fun, and am engrossed in that story. I am trying to spread out the reading so it becomes more "self care" than eating it up in one night. I did decide the other day to commit to myself one "self care" act a day. It may mean picking up a treat coffee drink at Starbucks, taking a walk on a gorgeous day, or just knowing how to say "no" so I don't over obligate myself. Social work is one of the few career fields where they encourage us to take care of ourselves. It is easy to let the weight of the world sit on a social worker's shoulders because there is so much injustice out there. With a little self care, it is easier to take a step back and see the good as well as as the ugly.

A little self care

I discovered The Hotel St. Julien a few months ago when Liz and I stayed there for a night. It is in Boulder off Pearl St. Mall and is a very nice hotel-modern and clean, with a spa and pool/hot tub/work out room. I decided it was time for another overnight and a little self care. I had a rough week at the shelter last week with a lot of conflict among the residents, and even had a dream that I was sleeping at the shelter. Thus, it was time to just get away even if it meant only being 40 minutes from Denver.

My friend Karen lives near Boulder and I hadn't seen her in ages. We met and walked on Pearl St, going in and out of shops and talking. She came back to the hotel room and we drank some wine and continued our conversation. I went to The Rio for dinner and came back to sit in the hot tub. I took a long bath and read magazines in the tub and got a really good night's sleep-I don't think I dreamed at all! This morning I woke up and drank coffee from the Keurig coffee maker. I worked out in the fitness center and had a hearty breakfast. I got home not long ago-I feel relaxed and ready to bring all of me into the activities of the week.

Yesterday morning I awoke to a beautiful sunrise that was a sign of a good day ahead.

Here is the bed at the hotel. It is clean and comfy!

The hotel has armed me in case I get the munchies for some $8 pretzels, candy, or a $40 bottle of wine.

The soaking tub and glass shower...I wish this were my bathroom...

This morning I asked the front desk for one more of the Keurig coffee inserts so I could enjoy one more steaming cup...here is what they brought me...

And me...enjoying one of these extra cups of coffee...

What is in YOUR trash?

I recently watched "The Big Waste" on Food Network and was moved by just how much food goes to waste in America every single day. It made me start thinking about what I buy at the store and what I throw away that goes uneaten. My new goal is to put out one bag of trash a week because I am eating everything I buy and not letting it go to waste. I am also going to start buying the imperfect food at the grocery store...Michael Symon looks at a pile of tomatoes consumers don't buy because of a bruise or an imperfection and says, "I see a lot of marinara..."

And so it begins

My 6 weeks of being away from school are over, and this week was the first back to the internship and classes. A part of me is ready and a part of me isn't, but either way the time is here. I am taking four classes again-a clinincal class, a class on community social work, a social policy class, and one about working with older adults. So far I do like my classes and it felt natural to get into the swing of things. I am hoping the homework load is a little more bearable so I don't fall into the social abyss like I did last term.

Happy New Year Antarctic Style...Love, Pam