Year three-month 2-3 the October-November

Hi everyone,
Within the last two months, I wrote my first two 8+ page papers. One was about child abuse and the effects that it can have on the child and the other one was an autobiography about my development from infancy to adolescence. This was a somewhat interesting paper to write since I was able to learn a lot about myself and see how the events of my life leading up to today have affected who I am as a person. I lost my voice for the first time in a long time this month. That was not a fun experience. I decided to come home for thanksgiving which I am excited about since I have not come home for thanksgiving at all since starting college.
         In the first weekend of November, I completed a safety training course for my social work practice class which was fun. We learned different moves to help us stay safe when we are working in the field. At first I did not think that the moves would work for me in terms of the height difference. The instructors were able to work with me in adjusting the moves so that I could do them. One of the moves we learned was how to get a gun away from an active shooter.
       My internship is going well. I have finished up all of my pre-hours which is basically like orientation for the spring when our internships really start. I love working at the church that I am interning at especially getting to know the families and the kids. This semester has gone by so fast. After thanksgiving we have two weeks and then finals. In between now and then I have two more social work papers due, and a term paper and I am done. Can't wait to see many of you soon.
Allison

Year 3: month 1-september

Hi everyone,
      It's hard to believe that four weeks of the semester have already come and gone. I am loving this semester. I do have to say though about two weeks ago I was beginning to think " how on earth am I going to make it through this semester". I began to doubt that I could do it. Thankfully though that has changed. I am in the swing of things now and have a schedule. This semester I started an internship that I absolutely love. I get to spend two hours a week taking care of children and the rest is helping with the children's and family ministries.
        Last week I was able to be a part of a panel of students who have disabilities. This was cool because even though many times I don't consider myself to have a disability. According to the government I do. I love the house that I live in.  Those of you who knew us when we lived on Fey street; I'm told it looks similar to that house. My knee has had its up and downs. As of the week, this blog was written. My knee has done pretty well. I am attempting to wean myself off my walking stick. So far so good. I know that as time goes on I will get stronger. All my classes are interesting. I am taking a class on the history and doctrine behind Quakerism.  This is interesting because before I started attending George Fox I had never heard of Quakerism. All my social work classes are going great. My classes all confirm why I decided to go into social work. One of my professors keeps her dog in her office. So whenever we go over to the social work office we get greeted by him. His name is frisky. Can't wait to see you guys soon.
talk to you later
Allison

Year 2 semester 2: April and May

April 3rd, 2015
Hi everyone,
This past week was Spring break for me and probably for a lot of you guys too. This past Sunday was also my 21st birthday. I had a great spring break, it was a great break from the craziness going on at school that comes with finishing up the semester. Believe it or not I only have three weeks left, from the time that I am writing this( which includes finals). My last day is May 1st This year has gone by too fast. I must say that this year has been an interesting one. This year has brought a lot of emotions that I was not expecting such as homesickness, fear, and nervousness and later on stress.
               So much has happened and I feel as though I have grown up a lot this year. I'm progressing in my major, I am going to have an internship next year along with living off campus. So much has gone on, however, that also means that I am learning more to think for myself and make my own decisions about what happens instead of someone else. That alone is a big thing because I feel like while I have been able to make decisions. I have generally relied on others to make the decision for me.  Within the last week or so I realized that I am not a kid/teenager anymore. I am an adult whose decisions mean something in the future.  The last thing I wanted to say is that the last couple weeks to a month have brought more stress than I am used to. It reminded me that the decisions I am making now are and will affect my future. This will probably be the last update until after summer begins. Thank you to everyone who reads these posts. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them. This blog gives me the chance to vent/ say some of the things that are on my mind that feel I can't say out loud.
Hope you all have a great easter,
The lord has risen
From Allison

Year 2 semester 2: January-March

Friday: March 6th 2015
         Hi everyone,
   I haven't updated everyone for a while on whats going on. I am excited to say that life has had many great things thrown its way the past couple months.
My semester started on January 12th and the remainder of January was pretty hard for me. I had a hard time adjusting to getting back into school after Christmas break. Thankfully this only occurred for a couple weeks.
          February I have to admit was such a great month. So many exciting things happened that lead me to believe that I am finally taking major steps in my major. A few weeks ago as many of you may know I was accepted into the Social work Program. The next step after that is the Social work Internship fair which happens on Monday the 9th. These are for our internships for next spring but we have to do orientation hours so we technically start in the fall.
          On February 13th I"celebrated" 14 years since my leg lengthening/ bone straightening surgery when I was six years old. Even though this surgery was extremely painful and uncomfortable. I am very grateful in the long run that I had it done because without it I would be unable to walk and not as independent.
          March is going to be a fun month. The week after next I will be coming home for spring break. During that week is my birthday. I'm turning 21 this year its a big deal. One big decision that I made in the last couple months is that I have decided to live off campus next year in a house with my current roommate. I feel like this is a big decision as it means more independence.
       I'm going to say good bye for now but I will talk to you guys soon. Only about 1 and 3/4th months left of school til summer how exciting.
Adios
Allison
     

Year 2:semester 2 January 12,2015

Monday 1/12/15

Hello again everybody.
It feels like a while since I sent out a report. Christmas break went by so fast. I have to say I wasn't thrilled with the idea of coming back to school. However now that I'm back and with my friends it's not so bad. I've had one class so far and so far so good(even if it is only the first class). One interesting thing that happened over the break was that I got a biopsy done on my thumb. It's all healed up now and my thumb looks pretty normal again. Isn't modern medicine great.
I hope you all enjoyed your holidays.
Talk to you later
Allison

October/November: Month 3 of year 2

hello everyone,

           Thanksgiving is upon us. A lot has happened this month and it was a lot of fun.  I got my certification in first aid in CPR. Along with this came the ending to the class. I am glad to be gone with one class as this gives me plenty more free time.
         Next is Halloween. For Halloween I slept over at my roommates house. This was a lot of fun because I got to take my first trip to Powell's bookstore. This was very exciting because I feel as though it is an important landmark in Portland.
         Now, for November events. I hope everyone is enjoying their extra hour of sleep. Last weekend my dad came for a visit and it was a good visit. I was really needing the visit. We had a good time being together. We had lunch with my roommates family, got some sushi, and even set up a printer(that works!). We celebrated my nieces 2nd birthday(how time flies).  Last night I enjoyed a dinner play that my roommates sister's high school put on. They preformed a play called Promity. It was about high schools and their experience going to the prom. At the end they invited people to come up and dance with them. I went and it was fun.
    I will be going to my grandparents for thanksgiving. I will meet up with my parents there. Its hard to believe but after thanksgiving I only have one more week of classes and then finals and I will be home for Christmas. This has been a good semester.
See you guys soon,
Allison

October: Year 2 month 2

Hello everyone,
Well October is here and fall weather is just starting to hit here in Newberg, Oregon. All my classes are going well. It's hard to believe but as I am writing this I am enjoying my mid-semester break. It seems like just yesterday I was moving in to my apartment.  The box trolls came out and I was able to see it with my roommate and her family. If you haven't seen it I recommend it. Just a heads up it may be somewhat scary for young children. In my ethics class we watched the Truman show. I'm sure some of you have seen it. Personally, I thought it was a little weird. Overall things have been pretty quiet. Our campus has had quite a few burglaries the last few weeks,thankfully none of it was mine. My drawing is Improving in my drawing class we did a midterm still life, this is a composition of non living things. I  enjoy updating you as it gives me a chance to reflect on what has happened the past couple weeks. I will talk to you later or as Truman from the Truman show says if I don't see you good morning, good afternoon, good night.