The Funny Things People Say

Setting: Work

Situation: I'm laying on the ground showing one of my clients (child) silly kid friendly breathing techniques. After observing me for a moment she says...

Child A (4 yrs old): "You're big and then you're little".

Alina: "What?"

Child A: "You're big and then you're little! My mom is big and then she's big".

Yep, pretty positive she was referring to my small top and rather large bottom. Love children's sincere honesty!

Setting: Work

Situation: Therapy session with a child. I was utilizing a technique where I repeat what they say and do.

Child B (5 yrs old): "Why do you always copy me?"

Alina: "What do you think?"

Child B: "Because Jesus made you that way? Or, is it because I'm really funny?"

Not sure how either one applied but I let him know I definitely thought he was funny!

Setting: Zumba Class at the Bountiful Recreation Center with my Mom.

Situation: The instructor was having us do "booty battles". Yep I said it, and with the class split in half my booty was shaking in front of one of four guys attending the class.

Alina: "That was so embarrassing!"

Mom: "That's what they're here for so let them have it!"

Alina: "Mom!"

Mom: "Well if they're going to come to the class then they can suffer".

Alina: "Wait, now you're saying my booty shaking is so bad they were suffering?"

Oh, my sweet mother. First she tells me to give it to them and then she says they're suffering watching. She always makes me laugh, she's my favorite!

Setting: Smiths Grocery Store

Situation: Standing in the fruit section feeling Stephen's tonsils as he was feeling sick.

Cute Old Lady: "Is he sick?"

Alina: "Ya, he's not feeling too good".

Cute Old Lady: "Well I've been watching you two and you've had enough time with him".

Alina and Stephen: SILENCE

Cute Old Lady: "Send him home with me and I'll take care of him".

(Sounds a bit creepy now reading it, but she was truly a sweet older grandma type lady)

Stephen: "Maybe I should, you know, give her one last hoorah".

I laughed my guts out...then maybe puked in my mouth at the thought of it.

"Do You Just Go Home and Cry Everyday?"

"Do you just go home and cry everyday?" This is my favorite quote of 2010 thanks to my dear friend Marci. Well, what Miss Marci was referring to, the topic which none of the other 8 girls at the table had been privy to at the moment she asked me, was my career as a Social Worker and the population that I work with. So when Marci asked if I just go home and cry everyday, it could have been assumed the question was due to my growing love handles and thighs, my minimal salary for the 70-80 hours I work in a week, my grown out hair roots... :)

But in fact I do go home and cry once and awhile. I had a few of the hardest days yet this week and I'm emotionally exhausted. It began on Wednesday when I had to tell a mother in our program that it was a possibility she could lose her two girls, and then help her to not make a choice that would further jeopardize her chance to be a parent to her children. The next day we received the final decision from DCFS that a foster home had been found for her daughters. So that afternoon I facilitated a conversation between mom and daughters that they would be going back into foster care. It was absolutely heartbreaking. As the 5 year old snuggled on my lap she continually asked me why her mom was crying and when they would be coming back, she didn't understand. The next morning I was there again to facilitate their goodbye. Those big brown eyes and quivering lip will haunt me for days. I made it from 100 E. to 700 E. before losing it. From my clinical judgement and in my heart I knew it was in the best interest of those little girls, but my heart broke for them as they tried to comprehend why they couldn't stay with their mom. My hope now is that their new foster parents are decent people with love to give these two sweet girls. A quick plug for foster care, they are always in desperate need and I know many of my friends and family would be amazing blessings to these children!

I love what I do but there are days that I struggle, I know I join the rest of the population with that obvious statement :) , but I appreciate an outlet to process through it. Thanks for listening.

"Old People Really Do Know How To Have Fun"

I visited Stephen at his work Friday night. He was giving me a tour and as we passed the banquet room the sign outside the door read "Fossil Club". When I glanced inside I noticed it was filled with elderly folk. I laughed hysterically! Fossil Club...Old People....(hee hee) Stephen then replied, "Honey, I don't think that's what Fossil Club means". I'm sure it doesn't, but it's hilarious none the less!

Creative Block

I've redesigned my blog in hopes of getting a new start and inspiring my writing. However I used a basic template and the overall redesign took me under 5 minutes. Needless to say I'm left completely underwhelmed. I don't know what to write. I've logged on and off my account for the last two days. I'm staring at the screen and running ideas through my head. None that are engaging or the least bit catching to write about. About an hour ago I got a craving for Chinese food and used modern technology to phone me in some grub (should be here any minute now...). Spiderman is on in the background but Peter Parker is doing nothing to keep me interested (however he's just barely been bitten by the spider and large muscles and exuding confidence will shortly ensue...we'll see). I'll probably go on a short walk between this paragraph or the next. Will definitely be fitting in time for greasy vegetable lo mein ANY TIME SOON. Geez where can I find me a timely delivery man/woman.

I like the title of this post which directs the reader to think I have a block to some creative artistic endeavor. Nope, just haven't been able to write for the last year and a half. I realize that "writers block" would be the more appropriate term, but my desire to write is usually fueled by creativity. Something I've been lacking for say, oh a good year and a half. Plus by using the term creative block I can picture me sitting at a pottery wheel, something akin to the infamous scene on Ghost. I want to thank my friends who have encouraged me to start "blogging" again and so me writing about not being able to write is all I can give you for now. Starting to lose interest...

(15 minutes later). I've just given myself the best chuckle and I figured I'd share. My sister is looking to rent out an extra room in her house (if interested let me know). She has been receiving some odd inquiries about the room and we were just having a laugh about them this morning. She's starting to wonder if she'll get some serious e-mails so I decided to draft the following. It was sent approximately 9 minutes ago.

Hey thur,

I like the looks of attair roomin. If yo allow me to be bringin my cat I’d be willin to rub yer feet. Feets es my specialty as I studied yurs while ya climed. If yo don’t take cur of those bunions thell be getting real bad. Ah bleeve if yur a churcher goin lady we’d git along real fine. Lord willing ill be able to share that house with ya. And I love gardens cause I love me some squarsh.

Respond tonight,

Jimmy

Chinese just arrived. Mmm....cashew vegetable tofu come to mamma!

GRADUATION 2009

ABC, ITS EASY AS 123

ABC Tag:

A: Addiction ~ Sweets and Pajamas
B: Breakfast (what you eat) ~ Oatmeal w/ berries
C: Chocolate or Chips ~ Chocolate
D: Dessert or Appetizers ~ Dessert(s). It needs to be plural.
E: Essential Items ~ Lotion and Chap Stick
F: Favorite Color ~ I'm a pink fan but hate admitting it
G: Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms ~ Worms
H: Hometown ~ Bountiful
I: Indulgence ~ Carmel Brownie Concrete from Nielsen's or Funfetti frosting on Saltine Crackers. mmm...salty and sweet!
J: January or July ~ July! It's the month of Fireworks, Carnivals, and Rodeos.
K: Kids ~ 2-3. Not in the near future, but I hope someday
L: Life isn’t complete without ~ Loved Ones
M: Most exciting memory ~ Playing on the beach in Oregon, Cliff Jumping in Mexico, or Stepping off the plane in Prague.
N: Number of brothers & sisters ~ 1 sister, 2 brothers, and 1 sister in-law
O: Oranges or Apples ~ Apples, my favorite are Jonathan or Honey Crisp.
P: Phobias or Fears ~ Too depressing I feel for this post.
Q: Quote ~ “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss
R: Reading currently ~ "Eat, Pray, Love" and re-reading "The Glass Castle". Up next - "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan"
S: Summer or Spring ~ Summer
T: Tag 2 People ~ Melissa and Chelsea. (It originally said to tag 6 friends, but all my friends have already been tagged....sad)
U: Unknown fact about me ~ I don't think there are many "unknown facts" about me that the people who are reading this don't know. Um.....I have beaded hair, I've been stung by a jelly fish, I was a Young Astronaut, I won the 6th Grade Spelling Bee, and I have six toes ;)
V: Vacation I want to go on ~ Greece, India, or Thailand.
W: Walking or Running ~ Combination of the two
X: X-Ray or Ultrasound ~ I guess x-ray
Y: Your favorite Food ~ Indian or Thai
Z: Zoo or Bowling ~ Zoo. But only if I'm allowed to ride the train, measure myself against a gorilla, and purchase a plastic animal drink cup.

Monthly Volunteer Opportunity

Last night I had the opportunity to help serve dinner for 90 adults and children at the Road Home (The Road Home is the largest homeless shelter in Utah). My friend Sarah orchestrated the entire event which included not only purchasing all of the food and supplies, but making and bagging 90 turkey sandwiches! She initially had 4 other volunteers for the evening and at the last moment they all bailed out. Luckily Terry and Connie Dorsey came out to help serve, and everything went smoothly. (Side Note-I have extremely supportive parents. They have helped or attended Halloween Carnivals, Christmas Shows, Bridal Shows, Open Houses, Volunteer Projects, and more. I consider myself very lucky!)

With the dinner success and of course the good feeling that follows, we decided we wanted to make dinner for the homeless a monthly activity. If anyone is interested we are looking for a set group. We will rotate who is in charge of organizing dinner for the month. If you are interested, plan on contributing about $15-25 per month for dinner/supplies (Which is about what we spend on ourselves on a Friday night).

We would love all the help we can get, but again, we are looking for individuals who can commit to a monthly service project with the idea in mind that if you can't make it one month, you find yourself a replacement. If you have another volunteer opportunity or cause that you are interested in we could always mix-it-up!

"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."Martin Luther King, jr.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND

To my friend who hates public displays of Birthday affection...I decided to publicly declare my love and adoration for you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORY!

"If you should die before me, ask if you can bring a friend."
- Stone Temple Pilots

I have had the great honor and opportunity to be Cory's friend for 16 years.

"It is by chance we met . . .
By choice we became friends."

We have shared countless memories and experienced many firsts, and many lasts.
In sixth grade Cory and I had a crush on a boy named Robbie. Our first love! (or so I tearfully wrote in my diary) We would prank call him and hang up. After school we could be found either walking OR following him home. When we weren't stalking cute boys on the playground, you could find us playing on the swings, inventing imaginary places, swimming in the creek, dressing up, roller skating, or hanging out at Rexall. I knew, even in sixth grade, that I was going to be friends with Cory for a long time. Maybe it was her contagious laugh, or her wild imagination, or possibly the way I seemed to throw caution to the wind when I was with her.

"If you have one true friend, you have more than your share".
~Thomas Fuller

Now that we are older, hotter, more mature, sophisticated, dazzling, brilliant, breath taking, adventurous, lovable, adorable.......
we pride our selves on the company we keep. I am not friends with Cory merely because of our history. I choose to have this delightful person in my life, and even though we have grown, our paths have changed, the quality of our friendship hasn't. We still laugh and cry together, get crazy hairbrained ideas that we think are brilliant, and now instead of rollerskating and swimming in the creek, we are visiting the Colloseum, swimming in a foam pit in Mexico, riding golf carts at midnight, or chasing birds in Canada.

"We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere."
~Tim McGraw

Cory, you are a kindred spirit. My bosom buddy, and one of my best friends. Thank you for the times we've shared. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. Whether it's taking another adventure, watching movies in our PJ's, or hooking someones backpack to a fence ;)
I know we've got good times ahead.

Happy Birthday and I hope your day is wonderful!

Bathrobes. Love them or love them?

Love them! For the bathrobe skeptics out there, ahem....Catie, Jason and Cory, there are MANY benefits of owning a bathrobe. They are great for wrapping up in after a shower, covering up from the sun at the pool, or keeping warm after getting out of the hot tub. My personal favorite use of my bathrobe is for leisure. If I'm cold, sick, tired, or achy my bathrobe is the answer, providing instant comfort.

Connie Hunter, fashion writer states, "With the attractive styles available, bathrobes are not to be hidden anymore!" and I quite agree. I must admit, I actually own three bathrobes. I have a winter/grunge robe that I have owned since 6th grade, no joke. My second robe is reserved for summer and the third is what I would classify as my "dressing up for you" robe. This final robe is velvet and has a satin trim, very classy! Whenever I wear it I feel I should be sitting in a deep mahogany chair in a library and smoking a pipe. Yes, slightly old-manish, but a perfect compliment for my dress up robe. If you come over to watch a movie and I put on my navy blue velvet "dress up" robe you know we're good friends. If you come over and I'm wearing my pink robe from 6th grade then you know we're REALLY good friends, and I know longer care what you think. Don't be offended, that is a good place to be. The following images are similar to the robes I own.

Blue Velvet "Dress Up" Robe
Now envision it with a slightly lighter blue satin collar.
(Already you're picturing me with a book and a pipe. Very sophisticated!)

Red Silk Oriental Robe
I wear mine in the summer and it is slightly shorter in length.

Pink Terry Cloth Robe
Great to wrap up in after a shower!
This is the robe that I've owned since 6th grade and it is my favorite when I'm sick.

I'm sure many of you are now completely envious of my robes and are left feeling overwhelmed at what to do next, and depressed by your lack of this magnificent item of clothing. Use the following tips to make your robe experience more enjoyable.

When selecting a bath robe you need to consider your needs. Terry cloth robes are considered the most durable bathrobe. It keeps the body warm and aids in the drying process. Use this robe after getting out of the shower or hot tub. Knit bathrobes are known for their light weight, and breathable texture. If you want something light, this baby would be perfect for you. But, if you are looking for something that has breath ability and makes you feel like a lady, then choose a silk bath robe.

Go ahead and admit that this post has probably changed your life!

Unofficial Holiday Today

Today is square root day - 3/3/09
On days when both the day of the month and the month are the square root of the last two digits of the year.

The next square root day will be April 4, 2016 (4/4/16) Square Root Days fall upon the same nine dates each century.

Never, Under Any Circumstance, At Any Time.....

Never, under any circumstance, at any time, in any place, no matter what, should you ever, in any way, even if you think you should, never-ever, should you ever...............................
bring your baby/young child to a movie.



Last night I went to see Twilight at the dollar theater. I made it through the 15 minute credits, the lights dimmed, and I'm thinking, I made it! I have the whole back row to myself when a couple walks in with their newborn and young child. I'm irritated, but think, it's okay there are plenty of seats available. Maybe they will sit far enough away that I won't hear them. And where do you think they sit? One seat away from me. I repeat, ONE SEAT AWAY FROM ME. The movie starts and immediately their boy, I'm guessing 8-12 mo. old, starts babbling away. Cute? No. I wait about 5 minutes before moving 2 seats over to the end of the row. What happens 5 minutes after that can you guess? They move 2 seats over!!! Again positioning themselves with one seat in-between. At this point, kids or not, I'm so frustrated there's no way I think I can enjoy the show. As the little boy starts chattering again I look over at the dad with what I can only hope came off as my scariest death stare. He passed his boy over to the wife and she was able to quiet him down. Luckily, the kids remained remotely quiet and eventually they fell asleep. Let it note, there were TWO other couples in the theater with babies. One of which had to take their kid out when it started crying.

Look, I get the tired young couple who want to go out to see a movie, but I will say two things.
1.) GET A BABYSITTER! 2.) Don't have kids if you're not ready for your lifestyle to change.

The Office - Michael

"Sometimes I'll start a sentence and I don't know where it's going. I just hope to find it somewhere along the way. Like an improv conversation. An improversation."

Stating the Obvious

It all began about a week ago when my boss asked if I was a notary. I responded with, "Why, do you need something notarized?" Later in the week my friend was pulling her pizza out of the microwave and I asked her if she was having pizza for lunch. Now I can't stop catching myself making these kinds of remarks! Why you may ask do I feel the need to state the obvious? I think it has to do with my inability to allow a passing interaction to be just a passing interaction. I feel a certain awkwardness when I respond with a one word answer, even though that's all they're after. I am, by definition, a small talker. I am now acutely aware of this problem and catch myself stating the obvious or asking dumb questions daily. At least when I was ignorant of my problem I didn't feel the embarrassment that inevitably follows my dumb remarks.

"Trouble With the Dryer?"

Life Decision.....Need Your Advice!

I have one week to decide where I would like to be placed for my Masters Program Practicum and I am feeling slightly dramatic in a sense that I could make the wrong decision and completely ruin my life (I told you I was feeling dramatic!). Okay, maybe not ruin, but could limit my future career options by not choosing wisely. So, I have decided to use this post as a way to organize my pros and cons as well as to get your votes. I have narrowed it down to three categories. Within those categories I will still have to choose out of multiple agencies/schools, but I'll tackle that one later.

1.) International Placement in Mumbai India or Gaboronte Botswana
Pros:
-How many opportunities will I have to study in another country?
-Social Programs are going to be vastly different in a third world country and it would be fascinating to learn about them.
-I love to travel.
-Having an international emphasis would stand out on my resume.
-Rather than going to school and doing my practicum congruently in the fall I would be able to go to school and work throughout the semester as I would be completing the practicum full time over the summer.
-If I went to India I would get to try real Indian food which I love.
-I imagine I could ride an elephant in both countries.
Cons:
-Extra travel fees in addition to course and practicum costs.
-Paying for an apartment/car/internet/etc. while I'm not here.
-Although not likely, there is always the chance that the school/agency could say they can't accept a new student/my funding could fall through leaving me behind all of my classmates and scrambling to find a Utah agency that would accept me.
-Being away from loved ones for three months.
-Harsh living conditions.
-I won't get the Clinical experience I feel I need.

2.) School Setting (I'm required to do 300 hrs. in a school setting to receive my SW School Counselor Certificate. The full practicum is 600 hrs.)
Pros:
-The idea of being a school social worker was partly what inspired me to go into Social Work in the first place.
-The schedule would be ideal for later on in life. Work during the school year, summers off.
-I worked with teen moms at a High School and absolutely loved it (won't count towards my 300 hours however, already thought of that).
Cons:
-Funding is being cut for schools and they are not required to have a school counselor/social worker so I may not have any positions to pursue when I graduate.
-It is a popular position and therefore very competitive.
-I want to get my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Work. It's required to do therapy) and this position wouldn't prepare me for taking the test.

3.) Clinical Setting
Pros:
-I haven't had any experience in a clinical setting so far and I am going to need the counseling experience.
-Over the years when I picture myself as a Social Worker I continually imagine sitting in an office setting with a client across from me.
-I could see myself doing, and being happy with doing, individual and couple counseling.
Cons:
-Practicum spots are limited and so it is highly competitive.
-Most stressful of the three options.
-To be honest, this one scares me to death. I don't know if I'm ready to be counseling. I guess that is what a practicum is for though.

So far I have feedback from two of my friends at work. Their responses:
Friend #1: You are going to get a whole new experience in India that none of the other students will have. It is only for three months and you have a year to save.
Friend #2: I would choose the most practical one. With the way our economy is right now you would be smart to pick the one that will give you the most options for career choices. This would be in a Clinical Setting. It's broad enough that I could take it anywhere and it would give me all of the skills I am going to need.
So....What do you think?

Chicago Walking Tour

I just returned from my third trip to Chicago and I decided it was time for me to do a little more obvious sight seeing, so I signed up for the Historic Skyscrapers Walking Tour. I met my group at 10:00 am for our two hour tour feeling pretty good about the three shirts I was wearing, in addition to a sweater and coat, two pairs of socks, scarf, hat, and tights under my pants, there was no way I was going to be cold. The group turned out to consist of me and one other girl from Germany. (I'm sure the size of the group had nothing to do with the fact that it was negative 4 degrees that day!!!)

(Cloud Gate. AKA The Peanut)

The tour turned out to be really interesting! There were so many intricate designs on the buildings that I had never noticed, even when I had locals showing me around. Plus the history behind all of them was informative and kept my interest. I've posted some photos below, but unfortunately my camera died mid-tour. I would definitely recommend this tour for future visitors. (Surprisingly, even in the winter!) It was conducted by a sweet older woman who was a retired English teacher and a volunteer. She really knew her stuff!

Burnham and Root’s Rookery (1888)

The Rookery's Winding Oriel Staircase

Rookery Ceiling Designed to Maximize Light
Frank Lloyd Wright Restored the Interior

La Salle Street runs through the Loop and is
considered the Financial District of Chicago

Additional stops on the Historical Skyscrapers Tour: Adler and Sullivan’s Auditorium (1889), Holabird and Roche’s Marquette Building (1895), Holabird and Root’s Chicago Board of Trade Building (1930)

By the end of the tour I was frozen to the bone. Face chapped, feet wet, and let's be honest...miserable. I made it two blocks down the road before I had to escape into a cafe for a cup of soup and a panini. I took refuge there for about an hour enjoying my hot food and book. When I finally ventured out again I walked another five blocks, cursing under my breath, and slipped into another cafe. This time I endulged in a Chai tea and a scrumptuous lemon bar. The plan for the day was to walk the city while my friend was at work. Ya..................NOT A GOOD PLAN! I ended up taking a nap in her office while she finished work. I never fully warmed up until later that night when I spent an hour in a scalding hot shower.

Funeral Potatoes

Somehow my friend in Chicago heard about Utah's "funeral potatoes". She has been asking me to make them since my first visit last year. So last night I went to the grocery store, purchased the necessary ingredients, including corn flakes for authenticity, and set out to wow her. The potatoes, I thought, turned out good, however her response was pretty anticlimactic. I guess just us Utahn's can truly appreciate the cheesy, sour creamy goodness of funeral potatoes. I told her about the different versions of this dish and she said she'd be up to trying a different one. She was shocked to learn that at my grandpa's funeral there were at least 5 different variations. I'm guessing she's now not so interested in trying the jello dish I was planning on introducing her to! Anyone have any to-die-for funeral potato recipes?

Urban Sledding

I'm currently visiting my friend Lisa in Chicago and she asked if I wanted to go sledding?

"Um...sure, but there aren't any hills" was my reply.

This is how the city kids go sledding. Notice the traffic in the background. Also notice that by sledding I mean me pulling a sled along the snowy sidewalk.

It was Sean's first time sledding, and considering how cold it is in Chicago right now, I was suprised that he loved it. Plus he looks so adorable in all his snow gear!

We made a stop at a nearby park to hit the icy slides. Got to do what you can to make up for the abscence of hills!

He was so tuckered out that he just layed his head down on the way home.

I wouldn't trade my childhood sledding experiences for anything. There is nothing like repeatedly hiking up a huge hill, piling two or three girls on a tube, and flying down the mountain (or so it felt like a mountain at that age). I also can't forget the joy of hitting jumps only to fly off and get the wind knocked out of you. It's good for ya, makes kids tough!

It's Karma

So, I just got home from the dreaded first interview. First, I hate interviewing!!! Second, I usually get a good sense of how the interview is going and whether or not the interviewers like me, I had no idea on this one! Third, as General Manager at my last job I was in charge of the hiring and firing. I always had my Wedding Consultant sit in on interviews with me and we would take the good cop/bad cop roles. I would always be the bad cop, asking the hard questions and having fun with the interviewee. One time I asked a girl to get on the table and sing. Another time I asked an interviewee to call an upset father of the bride and explain to him why their tuxes were late (I didn't end up making either one do what I asked, just wanted to see if they would :). All I have to say is.....Karma. Today I told the panel that I wanted to learn Spanish and that I've had a few College Spanish courses (true, but that was two years ago). They asked if I could answer a question in Spanish and I said no, but that I could talk about myself for 10 minutes (I don't know why I said 10, to pass the class we only had to talk for 5!). Anyway, one girl said, "Please do" . I laughed for a minute thinking it was a joke and she looked me straight in the eye and replied, "No, seriously, we both speak Spanish and I'd like to hear it". I bumbled through about 3 lines and apologized that it had been awhile and I was nervous. I felt like an idiot! I was not prepared for that!!! Why didn't they ask me my strengths and weaknesses? That I had prepared for!

So people.....KARMA. I publicly apologize for the many I have interviewed and had fun with at your expense. Ooops, not so fun when you're on the other end :(

Also, if anyone knows of an available job please pass it along!!!
I'm starting to think McDonalds would be a great place to work. They have good benefits for their employees right???

I FINALLY DID IT!

Okay people, this has been 7 years in the making.

I finally graduated from The University of Utah with a bachelor's in Social Work!!!

A little school history for you, I had originally planned to go to Utah State. I applied, was accepted, put a deposit on an apartment with my friend, and at the last minute decided It wasn't what I wanted to do. I ended up losing my $250 deposit. So, the following semester I began my education at Weber State my first year out of High School. I rarely went to class, met a lot of freakish Ogden boys, and was still stuck in my High School behaviors where I didn't apply myself and didn't really care. I was on a scholarship at the time, lost it, and earned very few transferable credit hours from class. I decided I needed a break. I took a year off and it was excruciating getting me back. Best thing I ever did however. When I started at Salt Lake Community College I was on my own. There was no one paying for me, it didn't affect anyone but me if I went to class or not, and I actually wanted to amount to something. Little Alina was finally growing up. In 2006 I graduated from Salt Lake Community College with an Associates of Science degree and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in Social Work. I am also proud to say that during the course of my education I have always worked full time and during my years at Salt Lake Community College I didn't take out one student loan. It all came straight from my pocket. I didn't receive any financial help from my parents either. My education was truly my own reward.

In December 2008 I graduated from the University of Utah with my degree in Social Work. I couldn't be happier with the career I have chosen. People tell me time and time again, "You're not doing Social Work for the money that's for sure. Ha... Ha...."

I always knew I wanted to do more, and Social Work has been a tremendous outlet for me to do that. I no longer want to "help people" (this is a common phrase that is coined with Social Work). I want to recognize a person's strengths, empower them with information and tools if I can, and watch as they "help" themselves. The world is cynical. If I've learned anything it is that things are truly not what they seem. There are misconceptions everywhere. My hope is that people will step outside their own sheltered box and realize that a teen mother is not always pregnant because she's irresponsible and likes to sleep around, a homeless person is not always "just lazy", and an immigrant is not always here to steal your job and ruin your life. Had to get on my soap box for a minute. Let me know if you want more :)

I also want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me. I couldn't have done it without you! My friend Jen always makes it a point to ask me how school is and how my finals are going. Cory has proof read many papers and has been an amazing sound board to bounce ideas off of. Most important is my Jason. I don't know how he put up with me, but he has been the most supportive. I can recall countless times of him encouraging me to do my homework when all I want to do is play. He has helped me complete take home tests, make flash cards for quizzing, or helped me rehearse for oral presentations. I've even made him go to class with me! But probably the most important, he has stuck by me through what he likes to call "two weeks of hell", at the end of every semester as I study for finals and inevitably turn into a rotten mean person. I love you babe and your support has meant everything to me. I pride myself on completing my education all on my own, but I really didn't. I'm at this place in my life today partly because of you. Thank you love!

Sorry for the long post, but I felt the topic warranted a few lines!

White Girl

I recently finished my internship where I case managed the files of Early Head Start's teen mom participants. I was working with one girl, and she was telling me about life before she moved to Utah. Here is how our conversation went: (As you are reading the girl's part it is important for you to talk like a gangsta)

Girl: Utah gangs are just scary.
Me: Wow! They're worse than where you are originally from.
Girl: What?! No, I said they're scary.
Me: So...they are more frightening, terrifying...
Girl: No! (laughs) Scary means chicken!!! (she actually used a word I didn't feel comfortable using, but you get the gist.)
Me: Oh.

Story Continues

Girl: So they came up to me and asked, "who ya bangin?"
Me: Wait, wait. You've said that a few times now, so are they asking who you're having sex with?
Girl: What?! (laughs for about 5 minutes) No, like what gangs are you rolling with and what areas are you hitting. (something like that, I was still confused)
Girl: (pats me on the back) Look at the white girl learning new words! (She proceeded to tell all her friends what I had said as they walked into class)

So, in order to keep you all hip to the new lingo I figured you could benefit from this post.

Recap: Scary=Chicken and Bangin does NOT = sex.

I should have showed her this sweet graffiti I did in Seattle a few years ago.
Who's the white girl now? Oh, still me.

Text Messaging Gone Wrong

So, you could say that my older brother and I don't have the best relationship. It's about every other conversation that we have an argument. I guess this stems from our past. It doesn't help that in High School he would tell people that I wasn't his sister, and many times would leave me at school to walk home or try to find a ride (it was a joyous day when Lynze Wardle got a car). Point being, we still struggle to have even a civil conversation sometimes. This Thanksgiving we had another irritating conversation where I attempted to be nice and was shut down immediately.

This text to my sister is what followed:

"Nate's an ass. Hurry!"
(meaning hurry and get here since she was over an hour late!)

and what do I see as I'm sending it? Oh, just that I was thinking of Nate as I was sending it and being all worked up, accidentally put his name in the send to box.
SSSHHHIIITTTT!!!!! is what was running through my head.

So, feeling more embarrassed than bad about the text, I walked up to Nate and said, "Hey I just sent you a text, it was an accident" and walked out. He was already mid texting me back. The rest of the night was.....awkward. Looks like I ended up looking like the ass that night!
Hate when that happens :)

For the record, we did end up making up as we most always do after one of our petty arguments.

This is the closest I could find to an "Oh Shit!" face