Hm I figure it's time for an update and what better place to blog but Panera Bread? I have a free birthday pastry that expires tomorrow and I really really wanted good & healthy food. (My fridge is... sad.) So here I am. I led my first session all by myself a week and a halfish ago because the rec therapist was going to be gone and I filled in for her. I just gave them a handout about stress and talked about it with them then let them do whatever they wanted outside. I had cards and footballs and bubbles and all kinds of stuff. Apparently they were complaining about not getting to be active enough so that's what we decided on doing and I think they really appreciated it. I'm going to start leading sessions for real next week. I'm nervous but also excited! Also, update: a patient was rude to me a few days ago and yes I got pretty upset but I was able to think myself out of it, hold it in, and move on and I'm really proud of myself. Something that I really want to work on is my overall affect and friendly attitude. Today on the military unit we were doing an arts and crafts activity and we had quote books for them to look through. One of the quotes said "smile more" and one of the patients held it up to me and smiled at me. I joked around with him about it but it really did make me think that I don't smile enough and I feel that that's important in this profession which really kind of sucks because I'm not a very smiley person outside of being with my friends and family. I want my presence to be opening and welcoming and I don't think it is at all. It's something I have often struggled with and don't really know how to change. What if this is just... me? My personality? And I can't change it? What if it's something I can't overcome? Sometimes it makes me doubt a lot of things about myself, about my future, and about my career choices. It sucks to think I have the right passion and training for something, but maybe not the right personality traits. Anyways unto some more positive things... Lily and Cara came to visit me this past weekend!! It was so much fun and really great to be able to explore Panama City with friends. We went to the most BEAUTIFUL beach, ate at a restaurant on the water, watched movies, went to church together, got ice cream... it was so much fun and I'm so so glad they were able to come visit me! I don't think I have many more exciting things internship-wise to write about... Back to my soup, salad, and free scone yum :) Also there is a Books A Million across the street hmmmmmmm