Enough is Enough

So, this week has been interesting so far. I actually got to help a patient yesterday who was finally serious about getting out of a bad relationship. I have never felt more empowered and fired up as I did while I was helping him. He is an older guy and we were able to get the Dept. on Aging involved in order to get a restraining order on his caregiver who has been physically abusing him for about 10 years now. I could tell that finally ending the relationship was very difficult for the patient, he had a hard time justifying kicking her out as he said over and over agin "but she hasn't hit me in a while". We explained to him that it was only a matter of time before she hit him again...I just hope that he follows through with kicking her out.

For those who may not know abuse is often a cycle. There is a time where the abuse is occuring and then there is the Honeymoon Phase where the abuser "changes his/her ways" and treats the abused person very well...this will last for a while until the person is "set off" by something that someone else did or the abused person does and then they start abusing again. Often the time that the abused is getting abused lasts longer and longer and longer. But this cycle often tricks people into staying in an abusive relationship...they may think "oh wow he's being really nice to me, maybe he has changed?" or they may believe that the abuse is "normal" as he/she doesn't do it ALL the time. Abuse is NOT normal...and no one deserves to be abused in any way.

Helping someone finally come to terms with abuse and say "enough is enough" is powerful and I hope to be able to help more people who may be in abusive relationships...that is why I am in Social Work.

Summer Happenings

So, as I live in Wisconsin I have decided to get my mind off of the cold by planning for summer vacation. I have already bought a zoo pass so I can take Julia to the zoo this summer- which I intend to use weekly. This should be a lot of fun as it will get us out of the house and keep us busy (last summer I was sooo bored as I'm used to being busy all the time). I also bought a season's pass for 6 Flags. I have been getting a season's pass for 6 Flags since I was little. My mom used to take my siblings and I during the summer. Now it's my turn to take Julia. It will be interesting to see whether or not she's able to walk for long distances by summertime, but either way I plan on taking her and spending the day there (or as long as she can handle it!). I just cannot wait to see her on the kiddie rides!!

On top of the zoo pass and the 6 Flags season's pass, I am planning a trip to Cedar Point in June. I have never been to OH but I am soo excited! I'm going with one of my good friends. We love coasters so I just can't wait to go there! I was happy to discover that it would only be about $600 for three nights including the tickets for the park. We have to of course pay for food and gas as well, but I didn't think $600 was that bad. :) It's going to be about a 6 hour drive, but luckily my friend normally does the driving and I just sit back and relax.

In other news, I also have my birthday next month that I'm planning for. My husband and I always go to the Dells for my birthday so I booked us a room for a night at Chula Vista. What's cool about Chula Vista is that it is all inclusive--meaning free drinks and free food during your entire stay. They also have an indoor waterpark and an arcade which my husband and I spend a ton of money every year! I am also going to go out with my friends the night before--which entails dinner and bar hopping and lots of dancing. I certainly have a lot to look forward to! I feel so blessed to be able to do all these things this year and to have wonderful people to do them with!

Back to School

So Thursday is my only day of classes. I am on campus from 12-9 every week. This will give me plenty of time to get my homework done and have lunch with friends. Although it is nice to be able to have the whole day to myself it's also annoying considering that I have to move my car every couple of hours. Parking is always an issue on campus. I wouldn't have too much of a problem with this if they didn't hike the prices up to park. In some lots it's $1.50/hour to park--if I were to stay in that parking structure the whole 9 hours that I'm on campus I would be spending almost $15 on parking. So if I have my classes once a week that's almost $60/month on parking. There is another lot that I normally park in that's only .80/hour which is a lot more reasonable considering I would be spending about half the amount. The only issue with this is that it's several blocks from campus...this creates a problem in the winter when it's only 8 degrees outside. Needless to say I get a lot of exercise on Thursdays.