My teacher dismissed us a little early from class today because in so many words, she basically told us we looked like zombies and need to get some sleep. AHAHAHA. That's what OT school does to you.... but it's still awesome. : )

Midterms are here already. I don't know how that happened so fast. Weeks just fly by, and when one project is finally wrapped up, the next one is due already. My head is constantly spinning, but I'm really not that stressed. I've figured out what is important and how to prioritize, and I realize how important my non-OTS life is. I make time during the week to see a few friends, play my guitar, and get to the gym... although my power naps have pretty much come to an end. Going to work on Sundays is actually something I look forward to... I'm starting to 'see' myself treating patients, and I have a great support network at my job. It also helps that I get to move around all day and see a lot, rather than sit for hours on end and listen.

I'm on week 7 of my autism program, and each session makes me a little bit more comfortable with the kids. They are seriously adorable and each one is incredibly different in their social abilities. Up to this point I've just been assisting, but next weekend will be my first time running it independently. I'm a little nervous, but I need to do it. The session consists of a social circle, motor games like a parachute and dancing, an art project, a snack time (which is really supposed to be playing with food, but the kids would rather just sit there and eat it. lol). Most of them are really not orally or sensory defensive with the snacks we've brought... I guess that means I can be a little more creative soon. Jello?

Oh I've been checking out my blog statistics and it's been viewed from all over the country.. That is really awesome even tho I'm sure lots of hits were accidental. ; ) If you're a student, OT, or anyone else please feel free to comment or email me at Patti198@aol.com

I'm still here! OT school is getting busier, but it's still awesome. I'll write more soon about what we've been learning, but for now I'll post some pictures.

Rebecca and Sarah testing their equilibrium...

I'm checking Michele's righting reactions even though she's too terrified to lift her feet. ; )

Here are a few after-school shots....
Leigh-Ann and Jocelyn mixing up some cake or brownies...

Alanna and I busting out the cookie cutters...

Happy Anniversary to my Blog!

I probably won't post again till next week so I'll write this now... My OT blog is officially a year old! and what a year it has been... graduating college, applying for grad schools, stressing over interviews, getting accepted and finally getting started. It's been an awesome trip so far and at this time next year I'll be in my Level I fieldwork rotations... it's crazy. ;)

Anywayyyyyyy......


One month down, only two more to go. This is going insanely fast. A little too fast... I have so much to do and not enough time. I'm still overwhelmed but I don't think that that aspect will ever change, so I've learned to just deal with it. ; )

My class is becoming more cohesive and that is really awesome. We're starting to make plans to get together outside of the classroom. It's really incredible how you can become so comfortable with people in such a short period of time... I never thought that would happen.

We're diving into the OTPF now (uh, save me Karen!)

I had my first exam in Foundations of Motor Performance and it went great. We were tested on the cranial nerves (which I thought I would NEVER be able to memorize last year when I took anatomy...), sensory pathways like the DCML, axis of movement, and tons of other stuff that I'm bound to forget soon.... :/

This upcoming week I have to run a warm-up activity for my practice skills class on group dynamics. The activity I'm going to run is called "Two Truths and a Lie". Everyone will get an index card and will write 2 true facts about themselves and one false fact and the class will guess which one was the lie. I figured it's a good way for us to learn some unique things about each other, and in a therapeutic setting it's a great method of self-disclosure and opening up to the group. So we'll see how that works out!

I also have an exam in Science of Occupation, and an exam in Physical Clinical Conditions, as well as a quiz in Psychosocial Clinical Conditions this week. Yikes.

On Saturday's I assist with a program for children with autism and that's been pretty cool so far since it's my first experience with autism. On Sunday's I work at the rehab hospital. I'm also a member of SOTA so that includes some extra activities. Even with all this craziness I still manage to find a little time to enjoy my 'other' life (non-OTS-related), though not nearly enough! I've still been able to get to the gym about 4 times a week and I've been taking guitar lessons one night a week... trying to keep 'balanced'. ; ) oh and sometimes I sleep.... ;)

till next time....