As is quickly becoming a trend, work at the agency has been absurdly and guiltily slow. Since the 21st of January, half a lifetime ago it seems, I've seen only three clients in the form of appointments and haven't really innovated any of the intakes or recording processes that I'm waist deep in on a daily basis. Other than physically transforming the office in Allentown to accommodate our newest co-locators NeighborWorks of Western Pennsylvania and the Hilltop Alliance, there has been next to nothing to do each day. Fortunately, this trend has allowed me to focus on learning about social work more thoroughly.
My evening classes, although hamstrung by the inherent fact that they take place after an eight-hour day, have been frighteningly enjoyable. I've learned far more than I thought I would ever care to about brain structures, childhood development and trauma, and the DSM-IV of all things. I, who enjoy science to the approximate extent that I enjoy exercise, have truly learned a great deal about holistic assessments of physical and mental health and the subtle signs beneath the surface of one's behavior and language. It's intoxicating, to be honest, to have one's eyes opened to a new level of interaction and to have developed some new insight into the world, if only fumblingly and partially.
I also started the MEN/S (Men Embracing Non-Violence and Safety) Group through the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh as part of my internship. I'm working with a no-nonsense (to put it mildly) advocate who challenges and elicits responses from clients in a way that I've never seen. The men in the groups are largely court-mandated as a result of past violence and there are two Monday evening groups that take place as a forum for the clients to discuss their mistakes and, hopefully, change their behavior. I was surprised how little I was intimidated by the men in the group, and how eloquent and self-aware most of them seemed to be, with the exception of one absolute martyr. I'm excited to challenge myself and my misconceptions further and to simply do good work.
Chavonne and I are continuing to grow closer in our relationship. We've begun to wake up with one another again as I am now to arrive at the agency at eight in the morning to accommodate the half-day I take on Mondays for my internship. As a result, we've gotten to build one another up before we begin the day and to simply have that much more time together as a result, which is great. Our weekends continue to be spent in stasis as the bizarre hours, demanding work schedules, and insane internships dish out brutal punishment during the week. For now, though, simply reclining by my honey is enough.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the internship and learning more about how social work fits into your life. You're such a great advocate, dear!