Boy does it rain in the desert! Who would have thought?! I have been sitting inside on my lovely Friday day off, getting caught up on e-mails, paperwork, and reading. I have started working with a client that suffers from neurological issues to I need to get caught up on the current research in music therapy and these issues - I love challenges and this is definitely one that will be so great!
The weeks have been going faster and faster as sessions, class, and symphony take up my time. Sessions are intense-I think groups are often more energy consuming because I have to make sure I am watching for everyone's reactions, responses, etc. to the music experiences and with the language barrier, I am listening to the psychologists and translators in Arabic/English - whew! I am tired when I get home. Feeling more and more like an adult though. It's funny being in that place between young adulthood and feeling grown up. I wonder if any of us actually feel grown up? There are always moments of doubt no matter who we are or what we do, that's life. It's about having the confidence to push through and trusting yourself.
It's exciting to know that people are really hearing about music therapy here in Amman and wanting more information. Julie and I have been getting calls and inquiries about music therapy services from all over the place. We really need more music therapists!
Hope to write more soon. Miss you lots, xoxo
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Middle
Hey,
Don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out,
Or looked down on.
Just try your best,
Try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves
When you're away.
It just takes some time,
little girl, you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything, everything will be just fine,
Everything, everything will be alright.
Hey,
You know they're all the same.
You know you're doing better on your own,
So don't buy in.
Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough
For someone else.
Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out,
Or looked down on.
Just do your best,
Do everything you can.
And don't you worry what their bitter hearts
Are gonna say
~ Jimmy Eat World
Don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out,
Or looked down on.
Just try your best,
Try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves
When you're away.
It just takes some time,
little girl, you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything, everything will be just fine,
Everything, everything will be alright.
Hey,
You know they're all the same.
You know you're doing better on your own,
So don't buy in.
Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough
For someone else.
Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out,
Or looked down on.
Just do your best,
Do everything you can.
And don't you worry what their bitter hearts
Are gonna say
~ Jimmy Eat World
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Good Ole Time Management
Who knew that I would somehow become just as busy in Amman, Jordan as I have been in previous places in my life? For moving to a place where I knew no one, I sure have lots to do now! I have wonderful friends, pretty lucky in that respect, and I have also successfully made myself busy busy with music therapy work, teaching, playing in the symphony, and singing in choir. Trying to find that balance between work and relaxation as well. Is this what adult life is like, seeking balance all the time? :o)
Work has been going so well. My work with different group sessions has been emotionally intense but very rewarding and such a learning process for me. The psychologists at the center interact with me more and understand more of what music therapy does with their clients, awesome! Just for your own enjoyment, I'm putting a link to a youtube clip that I am in. This was a segment on "Good Morning Egypt" a few months ago - talking about music therapy with the kids I was working with in the fall. Hope you like it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvML4dskAGk
I still think the most important thing that I am missing right now is an opportunity for personal counseling as well as clinical supervision. As the only music therapist working clinically, I am not receiving feedback on my work or able to discuss issues that come up during the therapy sessions. I have been reading about folks doing long distance supervision but I need to find someone that has worked with trauma victims or is at least aware of the different types of issues that can bring up.
Anyway! Enough about work. What else is going on? The weather has been unbelievable so Aimee and I really enjoyed the week by taking walks outside, played soccer yesterday, sat outside the other night at read a book, quite nice. On Fat Tuesday, we got doughnuts, two each! And sat out in the sunshine eating them before our work day began. I tell you what, doughnuts are the way to go for a feel good breakfast, you just won't feel good later :o)
Today, I have a symphony photo shoot - getting new advertising pictures taken etc. so hopefully I'll be able to send or post some of those pics in the future. Then I have my second class meeting of Psychology of Music, the course that I am teaching at the conservatory. The first class meeting was on Monday when I introduced the syllabus and course information and let me tell you, the students were a bit overwhelmed but they are excited. All of them completed their first reading before class so we were able to have a productive class discussion on human musicality. I feel like a teacher! And oddly enough, I really enjoy teaching, I thought I would hate it but I truly enjoy teaching, mentoring others, seeing them understand and be successful.
Alright, off to the photo shoot - I'll write more soon. Miss you and love you - xoxoxo
Work has been going so well. My work with different group sessions has been emotionally intense but very rewarding and such a learning process for me. The psychologists at the center interact with me more and understand more of what music therapy does with their clients, awesome! Just for your own enjoyment, I'm putting a link to a youtube clip that I am in. This was a segment on "Good Morning Egypt" a few months ago - talking about music therapy with the kids I was working with in the fall. Hope you like it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvML4dskAGk
I still think the most important thing that I am missing right now is an opportunity for personal counseling as well as clinical supervision. As the only music therapist working clinically, I am not receiving feedback on my work or able to discuss issues that come up during the therapy sessions. I have been reading about folks doing long distance supervision but I need to find someone that has worked with trauma victims or is at least aware of the different types of issues that can bring up.
Anyway! Enough about work. What else is going on? The weather has been unbelievable so Aimee and I really enjoyed the week by taking walks outside, played soccer yesterday, sat outside the other night at read a book, quite nice. On Fat Tuesday, we got doughnuts, two each! And sat out in the sunshine eating them before our work day began. I tell you what, doughnuts are the way to go for a feel good breakfast, you just won't feel good later :o)
Today, I have a symphony photo shoot - getting new advertising pictures taken etc. so hopefully I'll be able to send or post some of those pics in the future. Then I have my second class meeting of Psychology of Music, the course that I am teaching at the conservatory. The first class meeting was on Monday when I introduced the syllabus and course information and let me tell you, the students were a bit overwhelmed but they are excited. All of them completed their first reading before class so we were able to have a productive class discussion on human musicality. I feel like a teacher! And oddly enough, I really enjoy teaching, I thought I would hate it but I truly enjoy teaching, mentoring others, seeing them understand and be successful.
Alright, off to the photo shoot - I'll write more soon. Miss you and love you - xoxoxo
Saturday, February 13, 2010
What a Week :o)
Let's see - where do I begin? My week was a mix of work and play with visitors mixed in! On Sunday last week, orchestra rehearsal was cancelled in the evening for the Winds Section so Aimee and I went to church (Catholic Mass) in all Arabic, very cool, and then we did something really silly. We ate dinner at Chili's. hahahaha. But it was delicious and we thought since it WAS Superbowl Sunday, we were allowed to go to an American chain. Don't judge us! :o) Then the week really got started with sessions, work meetings, orchestra rehearsals, choir rehearsal, going to the gym, etc. The week just flew by!! On Wednesday, a music therapist that I met in Israel came to visit and was able to observe one of my sessions- it was so wonderful to have an actual music therapist give me suggestions and feedback about the session, woohoo! She stayed until today and had a wonderful time in Amman, it's so good to connect music therapists working in the area. There are a few of us and it's comforting to have the support around the region. I also met a dance/movement therapist that will be here for 3 weeks starting today and she will hopefully be able to come and do some partner sessions with me for some of my group sessions!
In other news, I have been eating healthier or at least trying to. The availability and price of veggies and fruit here in unbelievably cheap so I need to take advantage while I am here. The weather has started to get warmer - at least for this week - so Aimee and I have made the walk down to our favorite smoothie place "Fruit Salad". You can order almost any kind of smoothie and it's fresh fresh fruit, no additives or anything = delicious! We also came across an awesome Lebanese place today where we grabbed lunch for $3 for the both us - really great pastries and sandwiches, yum! Sorry to always talk about food but I love the food here. The spices are soo different and it's great to try the different dishes from the neighboring countries. Iraqi food is at the top of my list right now. I'm hopefully going to learn how to make a few of the dishes as well as bring back/send back with my parents, some of the local spices so I can share the food with you when I get back!
I have been reading as much as I can about counselors working with victims of trauma and torture and also about how the counselors can protect themselves from getting tired and burnt out in those situations. Interestingly, in most of the articles, 85% of more of the counselors interviewed/surveyed said that their spirituality (whatever that may be) was the most effective coping mechanism during their time working with these difficult populations.
Alrighty, better get to work but I will write more soon. Miss you and sending xoxoxo!
In other news, I have been eating healthier or at least trying to. The availability and price of veggies and fruit here in unbelievably cheap so I need to take advantage while I am here. The weather has started to get warmer - at least for this week - so Aimee and I have made the walk down to our favorite smoothie place "Fruit Salad". You can order almost any kind of smoothie and it's fresh fresh fruit, no additives or anything = delicious! We also came across an awesome Lebanese place today where we grabbed lunch for $3 for the both us - really great pastries and sandwiches, yum! Sorry to always talk about food but I love the food here. The spices are soo different and it's great to try the different dishes from the neighboring countries. Iraqi food is at the top of my list right now. I'm hopefully going to learn how to make a few of the dishes as well as bring back/send back with my parents, some of the local spices so I can share the food with you when I get back!
I have been reading as much as I can about counselors working with victims of trauma and torture and also about how the counselors can protect themselves from getting tired and burnt out in those situations. Interestingly, in most of the articles, 85% of more of the counselors interviewed/surveyed said that their spirituality (whatever that may be) was the most effective coping mechanism during their time working with these difficult populations.
Alrighty, better get to work but I will write more soon. Miss you and sending xoxoxo!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Comfortable-Uncomfortable
Sometimes I go through my days in Amman and they fly by so fast, I don't even really take in the fact that I am living in Amman, Jordan. I have this amazing opportunity that at the same time, is taking a big toll on me emotionally. On the way to work, I see the rolling hills of Amman with the distinctive Middle Eastern architecture, with the crazy trucks and taxis speeding about, with a mix of modern to traditional people all over the place and I smile. Yesterday, I was talking with a friend of mine who was working here and recently had to go back to Baghdad because his work permit expired due to miscommunication and disorganization. He was chatting with me on facebook chat and all of the sudden, a beautiful peace came over me as I realized I have WONDERFUl friends here from all over the world. A year ago, the Middle East was a place on the map that I heard about through corrupt news programs. Now, it is a place that I can call home - the people are friends, colleagues, that I respect and can call good souls. That isn't too say that everything about my life here is perfect - in fact, lately it has been far from perfect. Within my job, there are a lot of issues that I could never have imagined, that do not really exist in the States because they are more cultural - and it gets to the point where I wonder how much of myself I am losing along the way - trying to make Music Therapy work here.
I hope that when I return to the States this summer, I am a better person because of the struggles and joys I have experienced here. I guess the only way to find out is to stick it out and be thankful for the opportunities that I do have. Music therapy is really working here which is awesome, I hope that in the coming years, it really can flourish!
In other news, I went to a trivia night last night that my friend Amit hosts and let me tell you, we were so close but came in at Third Place :o) Candy was the price so I was perfectly content with that. The quiz night is held at this English pub but the chef actually cooks wonderful Indian food as well as traditional English dishes, quite funny but delicious!
I'll write more soon! Sending hugs, xoxoxo, miss you and love you lots.
I hope that when I return to the States this summer, I am a better person because of the struggles and joys I have experienced here. I guess the only way to find out is to stick it out and be thankful for the opportunities that I do have. Music therapy is really working here which is awesome, I hope that in the coming years, it really can flourish!
In other news, I went to a trivia night last night that my friend Amit hosts and let me tell you, we were so close but came in at Third Place :o) Candy was the price so I was perfectly content with that. The quiz night is held at this English pub but the chef actually cooks wonderful Indian food as well as traditional English dishes, quite funny but delicious!
I'll write more soon! Sending hugs, xoxoxo, miss you and love you lots.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February?!?!
I absolutely cannot believe that it is February 2nd - feel like I am in the twilight zone or something with how fast the time is flying by. I picture where I was last year at this time (beautiful S.C) and it feels like yesterday. Sigh, I wonder if life will always go this fast?
I had a wonderful weekend this past weekend, went on a retreat with the new choir I joined and we went to the Dead Sea. The two days were packed with bonding experiences, rehearsals, LOTS of food :o), and laughs. A nice perk was the comfortable bed I was able to sleep in and the running hot water, oh the simple things that I miss. One moment of the retreat made me chuckle - as I walked out of the front doors of the hotel (Holiday Inn Resort, which was awesome!) there was a bedouin man and his camel, just sitting, waiting for someone to take him up on a camel ride. The camel was perfectly seated, it was almost like he wasn't really there - it looked so perfect! But also so ironic, a camel in front of a fancy resort. Moments later, a herd of sheep made their way down the Dead Sea Highway and I smiled, realizing how many things I have gotten used to that are seem so strange to my friends and family at home. Another moment of the retreat that was beautiful was at the end of the retreat during our last rehearsal - we sang a Sufi Melody in Arabic with simple harmonies and then would land on the tonic note and hold it out - the a drone, then people took turns improvising and singing a song or melody that was spiritually significant to them. In the choir, we have people from ALL different faith backgrounds so it was just beautiful to hear everyone expressing what was in their heart and watching the others show so much respect for each one. AMAZING. :o)
Things with work keep developing as well. Sessions at the center start today and I am working with adults as well as children this spring, we'll see how it goes- I really hope that the organization of the sessions is better with the psychologists, I want the best for the clients. I also will be working part-time at a school for children with special needs, the board approved hiring me today so I will hopefully start next week. Just a few hours a week but it will help Julie with scheduling and give the students in the BA program more opportunities to observe. Start teaching next week - college class!! I am prepared, I just hope it goes well, we shall see.
I have some great mile markers to look forward to this spring as my Mom and Bill are coming to visit in March, Gwen in April, and Bernie and Joan in June!! Visitors will for sure make the time fly even faster than it is already going. Alright, better get to work but I'll post more soon!! Sending hugs, xoxo, love you and miss you!
I had a wonderful weekend this past weekend, went on a retreat with the new choir I joined and we went to the Dead Sea. The two days were packed with bonding experiences, rehearsals, LOTS of food :o), and laughs. A nice perk was the comfortable bed I was able to sleep in and the running hot water, oh the simple things that I miss. One moment of the retreat made me chuckle - as I walked out of the front doors of the hotel (Holiday Inn Resort, which was awesome!) there was a bedouin man and his camel, just sitting, waiting for someone to take him up on a camel ride. The camel was perfectly seated, it was almost like he wasn't really there - it looked so perfect! But also so ironic, a camel in front of a fancy resort. Moments later, a herd of sheep made their way down the Dead Sea Highway and I smiled, realizing how many things I have gotten used to that are seem so strange to my friends and family at home. Another moment of the retreat that was beautiful was at the end of the retreat during our last rehearsal - we sang a Sufi Melody in Arabic with simple harmonies and then would land on the tonic note and hold it out - the a drone, then people took turns improvising and singing a song or melody that was spiritually significant to them. In the choir, we have people from ALL different faith backgrounds so it was just beautiful to hear everyone expressing what was in their heart and watching the others show so much respect for each one. AMAZING. :o)
Things with work keep developing as well. Sessions at the center start today and I am working with adults as well as children this spring, we'll see how it goes- I really hope that the organization of the sessions is better with the psychologists, I want the best for the clients. I also will be working part-time at a school for children with special needs, the board approved hiring me today so I will hopefully start next week. Just a few hours a week but it will help Julie with scheduling and give the students in the BA program more opportunities to observe. Start teaching next week - college class!! I am prepared, I just hope it goes well, we shall see.
I have some great mile markers to look forward to this spring as my Mom and Bill are coming to visit in March, Gwen in April, and Bernie and Joan in June!! Visitors will for sure make the time fly even faster than it is already going. Alright, better get to work but I'll post more soon!! Sending hugs, xoxo, love you and miss you!
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