Happy Halloween

Today I am dressed up like someone who has the day off. :)

I'm in the middle of quite of a few projects - collecting proposals for my regional responsibilities, another show, an upcoming high school retreat, and upcoming music therapy conference. I am busy. On top of that, I am about to start my full schedule at the school.

The biggest news is that I have now become a LLC- officially. I've been hard at work with Dad to set up my bank accounts and government paper work. Its tough to get things set up and its been completely overwhelming, but worth it. Every time something gets ironed out, I feel more and more relieved. So I'm working on it. You can visit the new site:
www.lfbmusictherapy.com

(Constructive) Feedback is always welcome.

 I just got word that I am to start my regular schedule at the school on Wednesday. That includes 3 groups and 2 individuals. Thursday is a couple of sessions at the early intervention program and two individuals back at the school. Boy will I be tired by the time I get to the high school retreat! As always, I'm looking forward to it. I'm not doing anything that I don't want to be doing and I do like to keep busy.

I spoke to my friend Tim this morning. Tim is a master motivator, coach, therapist, parent, friend. He said that he works best like a top. A top works best when it spins fast- it gets wobbly when its slow. He puts out his best work when he's moving at his top-like pace. I think that sums it up pretty well for me too. So I'll keep spinning and moving forward.

For now, I am celebrating the spooky holiday by watching Arsenic and Old Lace as I prep for my week!
Have a wonderful Halloween!

Tic(k) Tock

I woke up with a strange eye tic this morning. I'm trying to get rid of it with coffee.

Yesterday I assessed a new client. Do you ever have days where you feel like you have no idea what you're doing? That was a little bit of yesterday. This new client is like no one I have ever worked with before... so I felt a little at a loss for a while. I have another assessment session coming up and I think I am more prepared for it.

Today I plan to start writing that report and shoe shopping. Two very important things. :)

Thursday

I've decided that I love being at the school. The people there: students, staff, teachers, therapists, administrators are all wonderful. I am really enjoying myself so far.

Today I have one session over there and then I am off to assess a new client through some contract work. This will be my first big formal assessment since my internship. I am looking forward to it, but also  a little nervous. There's just no way of knowing what its going to be like until I get there. So maybe I'm prepared. I had planned to do a little more preparation yesterday but I got sidetracked by other things.

Things are picking up in pace over here between work, the show that I'm playing in a couple of weeks and regional responsibilities. But it still feels fun and doesn't feel stressful.

I'm going to get going here this morning. Happy Thursday!

Moving Right Along

Things are moving right along over here.

High School Musical:
If you've ever started a program anywhere or had the experience of juggling schedules, then I salute you. Getting a schedule was quite possibly the most difficult part of this whole process. There are only a certain number of hours that I am on campus + kids schedules + other therapies + room availability = Crazy. But we got it done. Now I'm just waiting for my paperwork to clear and I can really start in on this schedule. Its an ambitious schedule and I'm seeing a ton of kids - although I still feel like I need more time every week. :)
I also submitted my first invoice to them today. Yippee!


Office Space:
I had a meeting with a speech therapist in the town just north of here. I found this SLP online in a random search. The website said part of the therapy program includes music, so naturally I sent her an email to find more information. The SLP wrote back right away saying that they've been searching for a music therapist in the area and would I be interested in meeting.

The meeting was interesting. I left not quite knowing what happened, but I felt that it was good. I shared a little video tape, talked about my training and the types of clients I see. Then they asked for a stack of business cards because they really feel like some of the kids they see need music. SOOOOoooo maybe I'll get a few referrals out of that?
Then the SLP basically said that if I wanted to use the office space there one or two days a week when they aren't there that we could probably work something out. But nothing was final... soooo I'm not quite sure. But it seemed positive. Wouldn't that be nice.

The more books, instruments and stuff I acquire, the more I feel like I will eventually need a separate office space. Julie says I should take my sister's room as my office. I seem to recall my sister using my room as her den for a while.

I laughed to myself out loud while cleverly pasting my head on these characters.



Um Yay- Best Friend is coming home for a short visit in a couple of weeks! And today is definitely a work from home in my comfies while taking care of regional business and business business.
Happy Friday!

Day 1 on the job

I am exhausted.
I observed in all of the classrooms today, taking special note of the students who were referred for my services. I got a chance to see them in the classroom and even meet a few for reals.

Each kid is sort of a puzzle and I wish I would work with all of them so I could try and figure them out. It was a great day. The teachers and the aides are starting to remember my name and welcomed me into their classrooms today.

I think I'm going to like it there. :)

Twas the night before School

I'll keep it brief tonight as it IS a school night.

Yep, I have my first day of observation at the school tomorrow. I have a jam packed day of observing, with some time left to get some questions answered and work on my schedule there. I think the hardest part of this process has been trying to figure out who to see and when. Scheduling is a bit of a logistical nightmare, especially when adding in a new service to the list of services already provided. We'll see how it goes. I know this is going to be a big learning-as-I-go experience.

I keep telling myself tomorrow will be fine, but I can't help but be a little nervous. I just don't know what to expect.... and you'd think that I'd be used to the feeling by now. Not so much. But what can ya do. I wouldn't be there if they didn't think I was the right person for the facility. So for now I've organized myself, packed my bag, have my melatonin ready to go (so that I get enough sleep tonight) and laid my clothes out for tomorrow. I'm probably as ready as I will ever be. :)

Its a little strange to think about what I was doing this time last year. I want to say that I spent most of my time napping. A lot has changed and I've had a variety of experiences, for which I am grateful. I kind of feel like a new chapter is starting up right about now. Thank you all you readers for sticking with me and for continuing to support me.
Good night!