The 42nd Kingdom

The 42nd Kingdom

Now it's always once upon a time
in New York City.
It's a big old, bad old, tough old town, it's true.
But beginnings are contagious there,
They're always setting stages there,
They're always turning pages there for you.

Ain't it great the way it all begins
in New York City?
Right away you're making time and making friends.
No one cares where you were yesterday,
If they pick you out you're on your way
To a once upon a time that never ends...

-Huey Lewis, Once Upon a Time in New York City

( 11:14 PM ) Meghan

For some inexplicable reason, I received my CD in the mail yesterday afternoon. I got an e-mail on Monday, saying that it had been shipped, but I didn't want to believe it until I had the Suite of Dreams resounding from my stereo. This is very odd, since as far as I know, they still don't think that I've paid. But it came, complete with Donald Duck stickers on the order form. I can only gauge that the people in this company just aren't talking to one another.

But I better like the explanation that there is an awful lot of magic left in the world.

( 3:21 AM ) Meghan

And exhaustion sets in. Too bad I have to clean the entire house this week for an impending guest. Hmm...although this particular guest should well know by now that any attempt to make my living space appear neat is naught but a temporary diplomatic farce. Maybe I should forget it and just be myself!

Or not. Nice try.

The last few days were fun. Thursday was the agency picnic and I actually had a really good time. I successfully terminated with all of the clients, one of whom thanked me. Which warmed my heart just enough to soothe all the muscles I pulled in my arm from tossing the ball around with the boys--damn, that was fun. I have to say...any rifts in the client-worker relationship seal up during an event like this. It transcends demographics and detriment. For everyone loves a picnic.

Friday we went to the animal shelter and emerged with no fighting, biting, choking, van accidents, or social ruin. Score! And everyone seemed at least to enjoy the change of scenery, especially since it's been so sad and gray out lately. Who can resist puppies sliding over linoleum floors? It's therapy, I tell you!

Saturday--barbeque at Judy's! Fabulous, since I haven't seen her in almost a year. We ate, we schmoozed, we polished off two fruit pizzas (ohmygoodness). And we saw her little brother off to prom, which was adorable. It was my first time being this close to the adult side of the prom send-off. Oddly, it was almost more fun than my own prom. It's a shame that I wasn't able to go with them to tear the roof off at Dream, but such is life and such was my car behaving badly (reason #84 that I have to hurry up and get out of school so I can afford another one). So I went home to sleep instead, which was probably a good idea anyway. I'll have to start resting up now...I rainchecked them for August.

( 11:20 PM ) Meghan

So the non-Disney affiliated CD supplier is "distraught" that they can't do anything to help me and swears that they never received my money. Thanks for being sorry, guys, but sorry doesn't get me Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade. Nuts.

I asked Ian for his opinion. He thinks Jafar is committing check fraud.

I finally figured out this morning why I'm so distressed over this...other than the looming possibility of robbery and identity theft. It's so obvious. The anniversary of my last trip to Disney World is approaching. Almost one year since Justinne and I had our magical adventure in Florida. And I'm trying to go back to that time and that place in every way that I can. Through the music and the sights...heck, I was even in Ruby Tuesday's the other day and thought I smelled the place. J can testify--it has a very distinctive aroma.

So instead of going berserk because I'm having difficulty recreating the memories of such a treasured vacation, I think I'm going to forget about it for awhile. I have a trip to New York fast approaching...and there's definitely some magic on the horizon. That's where my friends are waiting. And I've missed them.

I might even order some Kinky Sax while I'm there.

( 8:06 PM ) Meghan

Thus far, this summer has turned into a Festival of Waiting. I'm waiting for my grades to be unveiled by VCU e-services. I'm waiting for my practicum to end (Friday--upon our jaunt to the animal shelter). I reactivated myself with Manpower today, so now I'll be waiting for job opportunities. And I've been waiting almost two weeks for my "Magic in the Streets" Disney parade CD, which won't likely come anytime soon because the company I ordered from is claiming they haven't received my check, even though the bank says it was cashed last Tuesday. Is it possible we could make my dream of not wasting $25.99 come true?

Phooey on this lack of closure!
Yay for puppies on Friday :)

( 8:59 PM ) Meghan

Congradulations to everyone who flipped their mortarboard today, especially Catherine, Justin, Mike, and Stacy. Now before you all rush out to change the world, I invite all of you to come join me (for at least a little while) in the Land of Slack. Your reservations are waiting.

( 10:54 PM ) Meghan

Peer pressure reigns supreme.

Time-wasting survey, starring the song titles of...Madonna!

Are you male or female?
Mer Girl

Describe yourself:
Like a virgin

How do some people feel about you?
Angel

How do you feel about yourself?
Frozen

Describe your girlfriend/boyfriend/interest:
True blue

Where would you rather be?
La Isla Bonita

Describe what you want to be:
Intervention

Describe how you live:
Die another day

Describe how you love:
To have and not to hold

Share a few words of wisdom:
Express yourself

( 12:19 AM ) Meghan

It was my official last day in the mental health arena...for the foreseeable future, anyway. We'll see where post-MSW life takes me. I really am going to miss everyone there, staff and clients alike. This year was a turning point, although I couldn't figure out how to say it until now. Finally, I was treated like a social worker and a colleague, not as "just the intern."

For a couple of weeks now, my clients have been asking me if I learned alot. They all knew I was a student...I guess they wanted to make sure that they did their part and helped me along. Never underestimate the importance of self-empowerment! So yes, y'all. You did help. Because of you, I learned about symptomology. Effective and respectful interviewing techniques. Professional boundaries. Enduring silence. I even learned how to spell a couple of medications here and there.

But you put it best when you taught me about hope. I'm keeping my word...my last dollar is on you.

Yeah, that'd be alright.
That'd be alright.
If everybody, everywhere
Had a lighter load to bear
And a little bigger piece of the pie,
We'd be livin' us a pretty good life.
And that'd be alright.

--Alan Jackson, That'd be Alright

( 8:29 PM ) Meghan

And now, our regular VT report. The highlight from Friday was a night of gossip and comfort that stretched far into the wee hours of the morning. That's what I miss most about college. Late-night discussions always supercede responsibility. And they always end up somehow feeling more supportive and profound than that which we glean from the rest of the day. And this time being no exception, I now have a lot to think about. Thanks for being honest, y'all.

Yeah, after Friday, it was pure whack. The construction of two quasi-drunken, human pyramids. Which is much harder than it sounds, even without the drinking. Despite the brain damage I may have incurred, I stand by my decision to name my future eyecare center "Sir Lens-A-Lot's." Oh, yeah.

And in review, X2 was freaking awesome. Props to the parallels of the struggles in the gay community. But my favorite part was the one where the woman in the back of the theatre yelled, "Damn, he got shot in the head!" No better way to bust up a tense audience. And did everyone see Beast's cameo? Yay!

Anyway, when I got back, things began falling into place quite nicely. So here's the formal announcement: Next year, my practicum will be with a local agency, working adoption services. It was my second choice, but it sounds like it will be an incredibly rich clinical experience. It includes a great deal of family work, which is what I missed out on this year, so that's terrific. Although I'm nervous about the live supervision (i.e., my supervisor watching while I work with clients) and the videotaped interviews (which I should be used to by now), I'm excited about the challenge.

Wait a second. I've gotten myself into what now?

( 12:44 AM ) Meghan

Virginia Tech...yeah!

I am way behind on my drinking and fun quota.

( 10:11 AM ) Meghan

On Her Majesty's Secret Server...