California's Gold

Ok so I am so very sorry that it has taken me so long to get the pictures and posts up on the blog, but I hope you enjoy!

On Friday June 6th we began our search for California's Gold. We loaded all our camping gear and headed up north to visit family and then go camping. We spent a few nights in Danville with my aunt an uncle. On our trip we enjoyed dining with them sitting next to Joe Montana (yep!-believe it; I’ve officially have run into two well known and talented quarterbacks!), riding their horses, and gazing at the stars while relaxing in their jacuzzi nightly. Then on Sunday the 8th we headed out to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for our first, just the two of us, camping trip.

We survived and made it without killing each other. Camping on our own took a bit of adjusting to, it’s so much work! It definitely made us appreciate all the work our parents put into making our camping trips as kids so much fun; thank you mom & dad! We did come home a day early, but that was out of boredom and needing to get back to cooler weather; which it was, up until just recently. While camping we enjoyed playing games, relaxing and cooling off down at the river, hiking to Pheiffer Falls, and driving the narrow unnamed road to Pheiffer Beach. What we didn’t enjoy, but made the trip memorable was: the squirrels and crows getting into our food, the bugs buzzing in our faces constantly, the howling wind keeping us up at night, and the animals dragging something behind our tent in the middle of the night. Despite all this and now being back home we realized we had more fun and welcome any of you who want to join us for more camping adventures.

Upon returning from our trip I received a letter from school confirming my completion of all requirements for the MSW program and shortly after that received notification that my diploma is ready for pick up. I am so relieved to have something in writing. Yes, I admit I was a little afraid that some hold up would occur. You’d think I won’t worry since I walked in the ceremony, but I still was uneasy; now I have proof!

Fiesta and Acknowledgements

Every major milestone in one’s life deserves a party, and that’s just what I did. Margarita madness was on! Nearly 50 people attended (Holy Guacamole); and the food and drinks were a hit! Thanks to my family for helping me put on this fiesta and to those who took the time to come. It was a special way for me to thank all of you who have supported me on my journey through graduate school; I couldn’t have done it without your support!

I also thought it would be special for all of my viewers to read the acknowledgements page of my thesis which you’ll find below.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost I am grateful to God, whom without, none of this experience would have been possible.

I would also like to thank my husband Jay, my parents, brother, grandparents, my aunt Peggy, and my dearest friends Richelle, Debra, and Julie for supporting me through this journey, praying for me, and most of all believing in me. You helped me to find the strength within to keep going and reminded me of the light up ahead.

A special thanks to my friend Phyllis for helping me further develop my ideas and giving me professional guidance and encouragement. There are so many of my family and friends whom have gone without mention and I am thankful to you as well. To all who have been constant supports, I am forever grateful to you; thank you!

Finally, I would also like to acknowledge David Sanfillippo, Rachelle Ang, Paul Ratanasiripong, and the members of the Mental Health Committee of CSULB; thank you for your resources, support, kindness, and encouragement. May our work together become something great!

The Graduate

It’s official; I’m an MSW now! Can you believe it? I sure can’t. Graduation came and went so quickly; too quickly in fact. I was completely dazed; it was so surreal. It may have been from the lack of sleep from the night before since I was so excited and nervous. I kept telling myself during the ceremony, this is it! I’ve gone through hell and back to get to today, and then before I knew it, the day was gone! Thankfully the weather held up fine, it wasn’t too hot. The social work reception and ceremony was nice. There were tons more social work students then when I graduated with my BASW, in fact there were more MSW graduates then ever before and also then the other departments which I suppose is why all the speakers and many of those who received awards were MSW’s. We represented the profession profoundly which I feel is a great way to exit. I had a total of 12 fans in the audience which made for a great choir of shouting voices when my name was called as you’ll hear in the video. Also kudos to my mother in law who watched the live webcast and routed for me as well. It was also special when I walked through the field of confetti into the ceremony to be dumped with confetti by the Director of Disabled Student Services who helped me with my thesis. It was also special that the first row in the ceremony where many social work professors and faculty including my thesis advisor and one of my teachers who was there during my BASW ceremony. Another “special” part of the day was my group’s teacher “hooding” me before I walked up on stage. How awesome and proud she was. After the ceremony and the photo shoot we all headed for frozen yogurt to cool off after our sun burns. Then we went to my parents to a Stonefire catered dinner. It was so awesome to spend the day with my dearest family and friends. Thank you for making this special day more special!