Book of D: Graduate Counseling Evaluation & Freaking Car Wreck, part 2

Unfortunately, I was in a car wreck (in Midland) about an hour before I had my meeting with Dr. Anderson on campus (UTPB), but it did not detract from what I had to do for the eval. Disappointedly, upon calling 9-1-1, the dispatcher told me that Midland PD doesn't respond to minor vehicle accidents. In other words, MPD will only show up if a person has been seriously hurt (i.e., in need of an ambulance), killed, and/or if one of the vehicles is not drivable (i.e., a vehicle needs to be towed away). The driver of the other vehicle, let's just call him “Bobby” (B for bad driver), was at fault, but because MPD did not respond, I am uncertain if "Bobby" will ever receive a citation for his mistake. I was somewhat livid because “Bobby” was obviously not paying attention to the traffic signs and ran into my SUV (Chewy II). However, I was glad no one was seriously injured. “Bobby” kept apologizing for his mistake. I never apologized or recognized who was at fault. I kept things formal. I think my adrenaline was pumping too hard for me to notice any injuries to my body—and/or my amygdala was full-force in “fight or flight” mode, which helped me do what needed to be done at the scene of the accident and such. I did what MPD told me to do over the phone; e.g., exchanged pertinent, respective data with "Bobby" and shared the accident report number. "Bobby's" insurance and my insurance have been working diligently and have concluded that "Bobby" was at fault. I had an appointment with the nurse practitioner at my doctor’s office earlier today. She ordered x-rays, which I will have done as soon as I make sure “Bobby’s” insurance will cover it up front; I won't accept reimbursements. "Bobby" admitted his truck was in the left lane and my SUV was in the right lane, which I stated as well to my insurance. Our respective accounts place "Bobby" in the "left turn only" lane while I was in the "left turn OR go straight" lane. "Bobby" should have turned regardless of what I was doing. I had my left-turn signal to turn left, so when "Bobby" decided to ignore the street signs, he made the mistake of plowing into my vehicle.

  

Book of D: Graduate Counseling Evaluation Après a Freaking Car Wreck, part 1

Well, my evaluation went really well.  Dr. Anderson, my grad school prof, gave me an overall rating of "exemplary" for my performance during Internship I. It included case studies, case conceptualizations, chapter presentations, research presentations, counseling sessions with clients, etc. ... Dr. A. says I exceled at writing my case conceptualizations and that she loves how I write: she said "you write beautifully and well." I must admit that I was somewhat perplexed thinking about today's evaluation with thoughts of what occurred during my first practicum semester. But. I was actually extremely pumped and ready for this evaluation; Dr. A. has been really nice to study under, and her guidance has been sublime.

Unfortunately, I was in a car wreck (Midland) about an hour before I had my meeting with Dr. Anderson at the UTPB campus, but it did not detract from what I had to do for the eval. I wrote about the awful wreck in the next post, Graduate Counseling Evaluation & Freaking Car Wreck, pt. 2.

I will have almost 400 hours for Internship I although I am only required to have 300. Fortunately, I get to carry over 100 of those hours into Internship II, which will aid me greatly since a full summer session is only 10 weeks.

Imagine trying to get 300 hours in a 10-week span. OUCH! I feel sorry for grad students who don't have a cushion of extra hours, per se. Summer session is quick and furious unlike the full 16 week sessions offered in the fall and spring. 

In the meantime, I will celebrate my advancement into Internship II this Summer 2022. I gladly and proudly move forward with style and grace.😎😄😏Graduation and hooding in August 2022. Knock on wood. 

Be there - or be square! Cheesy line, I know. But, I don't care. I earned the right to be cheesy and to use bad grammar if I feel like it. It's all part of mastering the master's program, y'all.

Book of D: ELIMINATE TOBACCO USE SUMMIT 2022 Wednesday, April 20 – Thursday, April 21

  

Book of D: Purple Rain at Midland Mazda

I'm at the Mazda place. Chewy II 🚙 is getting an oil change and tire 🔘 rotation. The renovations at Mazda of Midland are wonderful. They're playing "Purple Rain." ☂️Thanks also, Mazda of Midland, for the wonderful, informative video. All car dealerships should offer this video service.

TruVideo - Repair Orders

Book of D: Emotional Disconnect

Pondering over the many counseling sessions with my clients, I wonder why so many people are experiencing so much emotional disconnect. I wondered if it had something to do with early childhood from where so many mental health issues stem. In all honesty, I am thinking that covid did some really disturbing things to people and their abilities to form social connections. As humans, we have the innate need for other people. We have a need for socialization and fellowship. Humans need human touch and interaction. When connectedness is lacking, despair will often set in making people feel devalued, and in turn, they can devalue others. Moreover, being connected helps ward off despondency. There is empirical evidence which posits that connectedness improves our wellbeing and good mental health. Furthermore, scientific evidence proves that connectedness can lower the rates of anxiety and depression while increasing self-esteem, empathy, trust, and supportive relationships. So, what does all this mean? That mental health counseling is at an even greater need than in decades before and that normalizing counseling is vital.

Book of D: Lubbock Trip

 We went to Lubbock to just get away for the weekend. Just knowing we are out of Midland makes us feel free. LOL. Even if we are going to a more conservative town (Lubbock) than Midland. We left Saturday afternoon after my site evaluation with my college professor and site supervisor. My spouse drove her suv since mine needs an oil change. My niece (a.k.a. daughter) Alex was in Lubbock with her friend Posie. They had plans to see Erra, The Devil Wears Prada, Beartooth, and Silverstein at the Lonestar Amphitheater on Saturday night. Alex drove back to Midland with us on Sunday evening to keep Posie from having to drive to Midland and back to the Lubbock area. Alex and Posie spent Sunday going to church (yes, 20 year-olds opt for church, especially on Palm Sunday😉), shopping, going to eat, and having coffee at Dutch Bros Coffee. Posie drove Alex to Rosa's where my spouse's family, my spouse, and I were having dinner. We spent over an hour deciding where to eat, so when hunger started making me act like a mean ole bear (kidding); actually, we had all arrived at the point where our sugar levels were low, making us somewhat loopy and not fun to hang with. Bad! My aunt mentioned Rosa's, so we all agreed to go there and to get there fast. Heh, heh. Anyway, the food and service is quick and good at Rosa's; it reminds me of Taco Cabana. Posie left to go home (15 mins from Lubbock), and we all went back to our aunt and uncle's house. We packed up and left. I let Alex ride shotgun while I basked in the lap of luxury in my Honey's almost brand new SUV. The leather passenger bucketseats are so comfy; I would have napped had our convo with Alex not kept us all enthralled. It was such a nice weekend. I am so grateful. 

Book of D: Associate Justice-designate of the Supreme Court of the United States ⚖️ Ketanji Brown Jackson ⚖️

This is a grand day of historical, epic proportions. There is not much I have to say about Jackson's confirmation hearings because if you were paying attention, the republicans made a mockery of the proceedings. Jackson's curriculum vitae (CV) speaks for itself and stands to justify why she is the best choice to replace former associate justice of the Supreme Court Stephen Gerald Breyer. I am in complete awe of Jackson. She is intelligent, fair, compassionate; moreover, she loves the Rule of Law. Jackson's ethics will ensure that she adheres to what rule of law means; somewhere, I strongly believe that Justice Robert H. Jackson is exceptionally thrilled with today's vote and POTUS Biden's nom. That's all I have to and want to say for now. Congratulations to Associate Justice of the Supreme Court ⚖️ Jackson,

Excerpt (CNN):

• Jackson was confirmed by a vote of 53 yeas and 47 nays. Three GOP senators crossed party lines and voted for her: Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
• Jackson will be the first ever Black woman to sit on the bench. Biden had said during his 2020 presidential campaign that he was committed to nominating a Black woman to the Supreme Court if elected.
• Ahead of the final vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the moment a "joyous, momentous, groundbreaking day." Schumer went on to say, "In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, never, never has a Black woman held the title of Justice. Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first, and I believe the first of more to come."
• The Senate chamber was packed for the Senate vote, with most senators seated at their desks. The vote initially proceeded quickly as a result, but was later held open for some time when it became clear that GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only senator who had not voted. The chamber waited for him to arrive and vote before it was gaveled closed.
• Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to serve as vice president, presided over the chamber during the historic vote in her capacity as president of the Senate.
• Democratic senators erupted in applause after Jackson's confirmation was announced. Romney also joined in on the applause.

Book of D: Serenity in Our Home Office

 Ever since we renovated our home office, I can't get enough of working in the space. We haven't quite finished it yet, but it is about 97% completed. I am waiting on getting a copy of my spouse's master's degree; she has the original in her work office. I can't wait until I get my master's degree to proudly display it at my work office, too, with a copy at home. Anyway, the space at home is cozy, and it allows for us to work, read, whatever, in peace and serenity (I know, both are kind of the same). And, yes, we are keeping our Christmas lights up until I can replace them with LED strip lighting. 😏😃😠

Book of D: The Cacophony and Malady of JC (a.k.a. Jesus Christ)

I met with a client today, yep, I see clients on Sunday, and we talked about the problems of the world. Mostly, those issues created by the so-called Christians who want non-Christians, atheists, and agnostics to subscribe to their b/s. My client made a good point about how JC was probably a really cool guy, a hipster who liked talking to different people. I told the client I agreed; moreover, I said that I would bet to say that JC was gay or bisexual. Afterall, he loved to hang out and converse with men – 12 to be exact. LOL 😆. We both laughed and wondered what others would think if they could hear us proudly boasting our LGBTQ cause via JC, Superstar. It felt wonderful to vent knowing our emotions were sans any angst. We agreed that the bible is not a good method of argument if not everyone at the debate possesses a belief in it; it merely becomes a book – like Grimms' Fairy Tales, Moby Dick, or The Hunger Games. I ended our Sunday session by saying that all the rantings of modern-day arguments over religion would most likely just bother JC and piss him off. He would probably be disoriented by the cacophony and bUll$h!t of the maddening malady that afflicts humankind.