I can't believe how productive and overworked I feel today, and I don't even think it's because of all the things I did. Stupid weather really got to me and I'm starting to feel sick. Today I left my apt a little before 8am and did my shadowing at an affluent school in Los Angeles. I am really hating how the schools in smaller affluent neighborhoods in cities like like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Westwood have freakishly narrow roads and very limited parking and one way streets everywhere. That being the case, I got my first parking ticket at $50 bucks, stupid street cleaning sign was not visible enough for me, but whatever.
The day started out pretty decent. Although I missed the entrance to the 405 north completely due to traffic, I was lucky that the school I was going to was near a main road, so I ended up there without having to get on the freeway.
I finally get to the school after my own brush with traffic and finding parking. I enter the office and wait for the school psychologist. A rather tall skinny guy with nicely dark brown/black neatly tousled hair walks in with his Starbucks in one hand, black v neck sweater with white shirt peeking out, dark loose jeans and trendy leather sneaker type shoes strides into the place and sees me and asks "Hi are you looking for (insert name here)" and I reply, yes and he says, "Hi I'm (insert name here)". Now the first few seconds I see him I get a feeling he was the school psych and of course he was. He was a lot younger than I thought he would be, but I wasn't too surprised just talking with him on the phone. Physically, he looked and sounded so much like Zach Braff it was weird. I ALMOST told him that too, but luckily I refrained. I am sure, esp after talking to Eric that his respect for me would have lowered just a tad...okay maybe alot. Anyway that said, he was really cute. Yes I know. Roll your eyes, but he was very much so. Trendy, very witty, intelligent and cool, plus he really loves his job working to help kids. How perfect is that? Oh did I mention he went to UCLA too? Yeah, exactly. So anyway, as I sit there interviewing Mr. Braff lookalike, I am really amazed at how knowlegable he is. I'm sure some of it was in part to show the newbie, me, how things are done especially when he just got out of grad school a couple years ago himself. It was probably nice to give back to a future colleague. Still, I'm not sure if he remembers my name all too well. He was able to introduce me to the flirty teachers as we were walking down the halls though. :P
Prior to the actual shadowing I was actually interviewed a bit myself. It was so nice to actually talk to someone who knew what I was going through and had similar experiences transitioning from UCLA to another school. As he said, LMU has a cutthroat intensive SP program and it is evident from the very beginning when they force you into a pedantic tirade boasting about your merits in front of and competing with a small group of potential peers and direct competition. From the interview process, you immediately see your competition and you really have to fight to be heard or you will not be noticed and will get drowned out. In all honesty, I never thought of that interview as a picture of what was to come as "Zach" told me, but I guess he was right. He asked me how I was liking grad school so far and I told him that it's a bit overwhelming and that I'm not feeling the sense of connection that I would like to have. I also acknowledged that I understand that grad school is very different and people have their own lives and you're being prepared for a career and everyone is essentially your competition. They are your peers and your main competition for the very few slots that are out right now. He told me that's exactly how he felt when he started. It's funny how we had these little things in common. Both of us took time off and feel like it was a good choice, both of us went to UCLA as an undergrad, and both of us have the same vision in children. What made me really happy was the reassurance I got from him as we were talking about the profession and the nuances in the field. He was so enthusiastic to tell me about the things he's been doing, I wasn't sure if it was because he was just that knowledgeable, showing off, wanted to help, or was just enthusiastic about his work. Maybe it was a combination of all those things. At any rate, I was very impressed at how much he really did know, and how easy going and yet very smart he was. He was able to keep a good vibe with the teachers (who easily giggled and flirted with him) and has a decent relationship with the kids and administration. Very kick back, but he knew his stuff well. He was very on top of things, he made it look so easy. He's like one of those guys you hate because he knows what he's doing and not even breaking a sweat. I can't hate him though, because he looks like Zach Braff XD lol, well because he's that passionate about his job, and he was more than willing to help me out. Plus he told me that he could see that I will become a really great SP with the way I am approaching things right now and the insights I've been sharing from the beginning. I don't know how much of that is bs. For all I know it could be. However, I never fished for compliments and always expressed my sincere interest and concern in all of the areas we touched upon during the interview. I had so many questions and reactions to things and he more than willingly responded in kind. It was refreshing to hear someone my age tell me how it is right now rather than an older person who's been there forever. It doesn't feel the same. I guess I felt more of a realistic view, a fresh view of the way things are and could be. It was a lot of fun talking to him, because he knew so much and I was able to keep up with everything. In fact I was so surprised that I knew almost everything he talked about and so was he. He told me that if I am able to know that much my first year, then he's sure I'll have no problem later on. Well that sounds nice and all, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. I've seen the amount of work they do and the number of responsibilities they have and it's really daunting. He works in two schools as well, so he juggles that and is still able to keep a really awesome disposition. I wish I could be that cool D: Well I have his number, so he told me to call if I need any help on my practicum or any advice. I am hoping I'll eventually have to call him again ^^ but knowing me, that probably won't happen. But dang he really looks like Zach Braff...the thinner cooler less dorky Zach Braff. I don't care I got that ticket, because I got to meet my real life Zach. I couldn't believe how goofy smiley I was when I got out and started driving north lol. What a dork!
Anyway after that I rushed to Ventura to do a video project with a friend. That got held short because of some technical difficulty. I did another interview locally with another SP. That took a total of three hours due to interruptions and meetings. I also think that's how I got sick. Afterwards I went to Simi to borrow a Digital video camera from my cousin. I got to see my little nephew who's looking so cute and a lot like his dad. Finally got home so tired and caught up with my parents and brother...who seems to be doing a lot better. in school. Now all I have to do is write three reports, finish that video for my class, do laundry, do grocery shopping and study for my quiz. I can do it!
The day started out pretty decent. Although I missed the entrance to the 405 north completely due to traffic, I was lucky that the school I was going to was near a main road, so I ended up there without having to get on the freeway.
I finally get to the school after my own brush with traffic and finding parking. I enter the office and wait for the school psychologist. A rather tall skinny guy with nicely dark brown/black neatly tousled hair walks in with his Starbucks in one hand, black v neck sweater with white shirt peeking out, dark loose jeans and trendy leather sneaker type shoes strides into the place and sees me and asks "Hi are you looking for (insert name here)" and I reply, yes and he says, "Hi I'm (insert name here)". Now the first few seconds I see him I get a feeling he was the school psych and of course he was. He was a lot younger than I thought he would be, but I wasn't too surprised just talking with him on the phone. Physically, he looked and sounded so much like Zach Braff it was weird. I ALMOST told him that too, but luckily I refrained. I am sure, esp after talking to Eric that his respect for me would have lowered just a tad...okay maybe alot. Anyway that said, he was really cute. Yes I know. Roll your eyes, but he was very much so. Trendy, very witty, intelligent and cool, plus he really loves his job working to help kids. How perfect is that? Oh did I mention he went to UCLA too? Yeah, exactly. So anyway, as I sit there interviewing Mr. Braff lookalike, I am really amazed at how knowlegable he is. I'm sure some of it was in part to show the newbie, me, how things are done especially when he just got out of grad school a couple years ago himself. It was probably nice to give back to a future colleague. Still, I'm not sure if he remembers my name all too well. He was able to introduce me to the flirty teachers as we were walking down the halls though. :P
Prior to the actual shadowing I was actually interviewed a bit myself. It was so nice to actually talk to someone who knew what I was going through and had similar experiences transitioning from UCLA to another school. As he said, LMU has a cutthroat intensive SP program and it is evident from the very beginning when they force you into a pedantic tirade boasting about your merits in front of and competing with a small group of potential peers and direct competition. From the interview process, you immediately see your competition and you really have to fight to be heard or you will not be noticed and will get drowned out. In all honesty, I never thought of that interview as a picture of what was to come as "Zach" told me, but I guess he was right. He asked me how I was liking grad school so far and I told him that it's a bit overwhelming and that I'm not feeling the sense of connection that I would like to have. I also acknowledged that I understand that grad school is very different and people have their own lives and you're being prepared for a career and everyone is essentially your competition. They are your peers and your main competition for the very few slots that are out right now. He told me that's exactly how he felt when he started. It's funny how we had these little things in common. Both of us took time off and feel like it was a good choice, both of us went to UCLA as an undergrad, and both of us have the same vision in children. What made me really happy was the reassurance I got from him as we were talking about the profession and the nuances in the field. He was so enthusiastic to tell me about the things he's been doing, I wasn't sure if it was because he was just that knowledgeable, showing off, wanted to help, or was just enthusiastic about his work. Maybe it was a combination of all those things. At any rate, I was very impressed at how much he really did know, and how easy going and yet very smart he was. He was able to keep a good vibe with the teachers (who easily giggled and flirted with him) and has a decent relationship with the kids and administration. Very kick back, but he knew his stuff well. He was very on top of things, he made it look so easy. He's like one of those guys you hate because he knows what he's doing and not even breaking a sweat. I can't hate him though, because he looks like Zach Braff XD lol, well because he's that passionate about his job, and he was more than willing to help me out. Plus he told me that he could see that I will become a really great SP with the way I am approaching things right now and the insights I've been sharing from the beginning. I don't know how much of that is bs. For all I know it could be. However, I never fished for compliments and always expressed my sincere interest and concern in all of the areas we touched upon during the interview. I had so many questions and reactions to things and he more than willingly responded in kind. It was refreshing to hear someone my age tell me how it is right now rather than an older person who's been there forever. It doesn't feel the same. I guess I felt more of a realistic view, a fresh view of the way things are and could be. It was a lot of fun talking to him, because he knew so much and I was able to keep up with everything. In fact I was so surprised that I knew almost everything he talked about and so was he. He told me that if I am able to know that much my first year, then he's sure I'll have no problem later on. Well that sounds nice and all, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. I've seen the amount of work they do and the number of responsibilities they have and it's really daunting. He works in two schools as well, so he juggles that and is still able to keep a really awesome disposition. I wish I could be that cool D: Well I have his number, so he told me to call if I need any help on my practicum or any advice. I am hoping I'll eventually have to call him again ^^ but knowing me, that probably won't happen. But dang he really looks like Zach Braff...the thinner cooler less dorky Zach Braff. I don't care I got that ticket, because I got to meet my real life Zach. I couldn't believe how goofy smiley I was when I got out and started driving north lol. What a dork!
Anyway after that I rushed to Ventura to do a video project with a friend. That got held short because of some technical difficulty. I did another interview locally with another SP. That took a total of three hours due to interruptions and meetings. I also think that's how I got sick. Afterwards I went to Simi to borrow a Digital video camera from my cousin. I got to see my little nephew who's looking so cute and a lot like his dad. Finally got home so tired and caught up with my parents and brother...who seems to be doing a lot better. in school. Now all I have to do is write three reports, finish that video for my class, do laundry, do grocery shopping and study for my quiz. I can do it!
posted by shine
at
Friday, October 05, 2007
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