Thursday, March 25, 2010

All I learned is that I didn't know anything.

Monday, March 22, 2010

morning fog.jpg

A beautiful, thin layer of fog next to the highway.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Decisions, decisions...

So, I finally heard back from Roosevelt University in Chicago and I was offered admission. I now have two offers on the table (the other from the MA School of Professional Psychology) and have to make a decision.

Roosevelt is a pretty rad school. It is located right on Michigan Ave, so I can go to the lake any day. The school itself is in an old hotel...it became a school in the 1940s. Not you're typical looking university, but it is in the middle of downtown Chicago (right off the loop). Here's the building:


Interesting, I know. Anyway, the school provides funding and is about half the cost of the school in Boston. They also place their students in VA hospitals, which is where I want to work. I'd also be given the opportunity to teach classes after two years. Oh, and their APA internship match rate last year was 93%, which is amazing.

Chicago is an amazing city. Picture LA scrunched into the SF peninsula...super urban. Public transportation is amazing. Not only could I always get to school on the train, but I can take the train to where ever my placement is. The downside is Chicago is EFFING cold and I'd be landlocked. I know Lake Michigan might as well be an ocean, but still.

The school in Boston is pretty nice as well. I'd have the opportunity to work in the field more while I'm in school. This school costs almost double what Roosevelt would cost me and they provide little financial aid. Psychologists can make money, but I'm not sure if 100k+ in loans is smart.

Boston isn't as urban as Chicago (downside for me, not Megan) and there are more chemistry positions available for Megan. Rent is so expensive in Boston...I think more than San Francisco. Public transportation is also amazing, but the location of the school wouldn't allow me to utilize mass trans. So I'd have to drive.

I think the decision is clear :-) RU here I come.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Face the wall.jpg

A wonderful place to spend the afternoon.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Quote

You think you become an adult when you realize your parents know nothing. You actually become an adult when you realize that you also know nothing. - My buddy Clem.

Sitting at work

Working for the crisis line is can be very challenging. I had a really rough call last week where the person didn't pull through and I've been getting a lot of angry people lately. One thing this job is doing: testing my patience. I don't mind talking to people here, but when I start work at midnight and the phone rings nonstop for three hours, my head just kills me. Pretty good patience exercise, if you ask me. Its also helping me to develop compassion for people who normally don't get compassion (i.e. people who abuse their children).

I attended a one-day meditation retreat with Edward Espe Brown over the weekend. I now have developed a powerful love for walking meditation, which I've started to do at work....I know....but no one is here so I can basically do what ever I want. Doesn't help with the headaches.

Anywho, back to work.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Quotes

To control your cow, give it a bigger pasture. -Suzuki Roshi.