I figured I better end off the week of "thoughtful" blog posts this afternoon, as I will be busy both this evening and tomorrow morning before I head off. Two girlfriends and I are heading off to Saskatoon for a little getaway. We all used to work together at a foster care agency. Katrina took me under her wing in those first days of my Social Work practicum. Seriously, I was so green! I had no clue what to do, but Katrina was very patient with me. She took me out on her home visits, showed me the ropes of the office, and even introduced me to some fairly fantastic music in the midst of all that.
Linda was away for a few weeks after I started my practicum. So I only really had her desk (which I was allowed to use in her absence) to figure her out. It seemed very "earthy." There were lots of pictures from around the world. Children of every color. Lots of plants. It was somewhat tidy, although there were lots of miscellaneous post-its. So yeah a few impressions of Linda that I gathered from her desk were that she must be 45 or so. She would have fluffy gray-ish hair that was long. She would wear a lot of skirts. Was definitely a vegetarian. Likely a feminist. Yes, you really can come up with all of this just from someone's desk! Well, boy, was I wrong about Linda. She's a short, sweet, 30-something, full of fire and gusto. I can't actually recall her in a skirt, but she does have some fabulous pants. And the girl likes her meat!
So these two girls walked me through those two months that I did my practicum, and eventually I got hired on to do clerical stuff two days a week. Mainly I just filed receipts and faxed and pestered the Caseworkers on their behalf. In my short 7 months working there I was introduced to the Juno soundtrack, Yogi tea, Vietnamese food, CBC Radio 2, Second Cup coffee (because normally for this girl its Starbucks or nothing!), and way too much Ellen (hard to believe there is such a thing). Beyond all the fun, I also saw a side of social work that I never knew. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Those situations where there is no happy solution. No good answer. I kind of appreciated my "greeness" at times like these, because so much of it was just plain beyond me.
Regardless of the drama or the office politics, it was a positive re-introduction to the world of social work for me. One that will stay with me. I am very grateful to these girls for seeing a bit something in me and taking me under their wings. So I am thrilled to be able to spend this weekend with them. I always find them refreshing. Their perspectives are often beyond what I've even considered, which is just brilliant. Gotta love those people in life that make you think. That challenge you. That better you.
During my time there, they introduced me to the Wailin' Jennys, and of late I've been listening to their music quite a bit. A trio of girls singing about life and love. They have a great folksy, Celtic feel to them. Their music stirs my soul and really makes me think. So I'm thinking Katrina, Linda, and I will have to form our own little trio. Something like the "Saskatoon Three" or something along those lines. What's our talent? Well, I'm not exactly sure we are singers, but we can polish off a pot of tea and pound back chocolate like nobodies business! Now that's talent!
Linda was away for a few weeks after I started my practicum. So I only really had her desk (which I was allowed to use in her absence) to figure her out. It seemed very "earthy." There were lots of pictures from around the world. Children of every color. Lots of plants. It was somewhat tidy, although there were lots of miscellaneous post-its. So yeah a few impressions of Linda that I gathered from her desk were that she must be 45 or so. She would have fluffy gray-ish hair that was long. She would wear a lot of skirts. Was definitely a vegetarian. Likely a feminist. Yes, you really can come up with all of this just from someone's desk! Well, boy, was I wrong about Linda. She's a short, sweet, 30-something, full of fire and gusto. I can't actually recall her in a skirt, but she does have some fabulous pants. And the girl likes her meat!
So these two girls walked me through those two months that I did my practicum, and eventually I got hired on to do clerical stuff two days a week. Mainly I just filed receipts and faxed and pestered the Caseworkers on their behalf. In my short 7 months working there I was introduced to the Juno soundtrack, Yogi tea, Vietnamese food, CBC Radio 2, Second Cup coffee (because normally for this girl its Starbucks or nothing!), and way too much Ellen (hard to believe there is such a thing). Beyond all the fun, I also saw a side of social work that I never knew. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Those situations where there is no happy solution. No good answer. I kind of appreciated my "greeness" at times like these, because so much of it was just plain beyond me.
Regardless of the drama or the office politics, it was a positive re-introduction to the world of social work for me. One that will stay with me. I am very grateful to these girls for seeing a bit something in me and taking me under their wings. So I am thrilled to be able to spend this weekend with them. I always find them refreshing. Their perspectives are often beyond what I've even considered, which is just brilliant. Gotta love those people in life that make you think. That challenge you. That better you.
During my time there, they introduced me to the Wailin' Jennys, and of late I've been listening to their music quite a bit. A trio of girls singing about life and love. They have a great folksy, Celtic feel to them. Their music stirs my soul and really makes me think. So I'm thinking Katrina, Linda, and I will have to form our own little trio. Something like the "Saskatoon Three" or something along those lines. What's our talent? Well, I'm not exactly sure we are singers, but we can polish off a pot of tea and pound back chocolate like nobodies business! Now that's talent!
"One Voice" by the Wailin' Jennys
This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
Hope you all enjoy your weekend. I'll post some pictures of our crazy weekend away. Perhaps Saskatoon is Canada's equivalent to Las Vegas? "What happens in Saskatoon stays in Saskatoon." Yeah right. I'm doubtful anything too wild will happen for three girls who drink tea and listen to folk music, but you never know! Also, on a fun note, it looks like its going to work out for me to meet my half brother, Jason. He lives 1.5 hours North in Prince Albert. So I plan to take an afternoon to head up and meet him. Yippee!
oh holly, you made me laugh. i forgot about that alternate version of me. :)
ReplyDeletei'm pretty glad you made your way into my MP's life! It certainly sweetened the pot.
(ps - i just happened to be reading your blog out of order. hence the late post)