Starting My Full Schedule

After returning from retreat, the catch-up aspect has been brutal. Normally I'd have a little more time to be on top of all of my stuff, but I've been playing a show (which closes tomorrow). Complete with leaving for Conference next week AND Thanksgiving, I have to get many of my work days out of the way before the holiday. Oy.

Today has been productive. I have had the time to sit down at the Starbucks (Not having to drive back and forth increases the amount of time I have to be productive) and catch up on documentation on my first FULL week at the school. Phew. What a ride. Spending months meeting with people and planning this program has been completely worth it. I love what I do and I hope that the relationship can continue to grow.

Music Therapy story of the Week:

I had a lot of "first sessions" this week. One of my clients is one of those kids that people are concerned about. He's going through a tough transition that has been difficult. 

He's originally been scheduled to come to music with peers in the morning. I didn't think anything of it because I knew that the transition has been tough. To my surprise he came in a few minutes after the group was over with just his one on one aide. He immediately sat at the piano and began to play- he was calm and focused. He played for about 10 minutes. He filled in predictable spaces at the ends of phrases either by playing or completing a phrase. He smiled and even laughed a bit. I found out later that this particular morning had been a difficult morning which is why he didn't come to the group. 

I was sort of shocked to hear  this, although I know in my heart that music often works in this way. :) It was an amazing session!!

Later, the Executive Director found me later and said, "I heard you had a great session this morning." I told him a little bit about it and we both basically called it another victory for music. :) 

Tonight brings the second to the last show of Little Shop of Horrors. I will miss my boys in the pit. Its becoming more and more usual for me to be the only girl (or "chick" as my boys would say) in the pit. My favorite is to try and say things totally unexpected (and often inappropriate) to shock them. I usually succeed. I've really enjoyed getting back into playing shows- it makes me feel in community and happy. We are a little family back there--- albeit, a highly dysfunctional one. That makes me laugh out loud. 

I'm also grabbing dinner with my senior leader (from the recent retreat) tonight before the show-- I think she is even coming to see the show. She also makes me laugh out loud and should make for an interesting evening, one that I am really looking forward to. I like it when fun and sometimes unexpected things happen. 

Signing off from Starbucks! 

Retreat Wrap-Up

I am exhausted, but oh so happy. I am back from retreat again- the same retreat I had the opportunity to lead last year.
This yeas was equally amazing- maybe even more so.
The student leaders (the seniors) were absolutely incredible. The junior retreatants were there for all the right reasons. They were open and honest and started right out of the gate. And it just kept going and going.
The senior leader I was paired with was a gifted leader and wonderful person. We clicked right away and immediately dubbed ourselves The Dream Team and sometimes Double Trouble.... depending on the situation.
The talk I gave went well.
Everyone was wonderful- it was just what I needed.

And now I am tired and have to catch up on what I missed while I was off the grid.

I promise to update more frequently now, as a lot of is happening, like conference, another show and stuff. :) I will try to keep on top of things.... when I've gotten a little more sleep.