Done and DONE! For Real This Time...

Hello all!  As I am procrastinating finishing up some documentation, I thought I would update you all on what's been happening the last month.

Well, I graduated!  Again!  I completed my degree and got my MMT!  (Master of Music Therapy).  Here are some pics!

 Me being hooded by Dr. Cassity

 Class of 2011 (Winter Commencement)

 I'm so cool...

 Me and the cuz...he graduated the night before from the Police Academy at Drury.

 As you can tell, we really like taking pictures...

 Me and Maw (my grandma on dad's side)

So proud!

My holiday plans are crazy!  I'm in Springfield until the 23rd, then Laura and I will travel home to Fayetteville.  But we're back in the Springfield area Christmas day to have the family get-together at my uncle's house.  I go back to AR for a couple of days on the 26th, then I leave for Chicago the 29th with a group of friends for New Years.  We stay there until the 2nd, and then I come back to Springfield to start up sessions again.  I'll probably go back home one more time before Drury starts back up, because that will be when most of my sessions get underway again.  Crazy crazy!  And now for some holiday pics of the fam!

 Our friend Hayden was over for the cheesy family photo hour, so we made him jump in as the adopted son

After all of the holiday shenanigans, I will get back into the swing of sessions!  I'll only have a few until June.  It's weird to pick up new clients and only see them for 6 months.  I won't have any school though, so I'll have lots of free time.  It will be weird to say the least.

Now I'm off to record a CD for one of my clients as a Christmas present!  I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  May this time be filled with friends, family, and of course, remembrance of the best gift of all!  God bless!

Thankful

I know it's already the day after Thanksgiving, but I thought I would list some of the things I am thankful for.  It's good to remind yourself every now and then all that you are blessed with.

I'm thankful for...

• my relationship with my Savior and Lord, first and foremost.  Without him, I would be nothing.
• my family, for all of their love and support.  Even when some of them drive me crazy, I know they will always be there for me.
• my crazy, crazy friends.  It takes special people to understand my crazy and be able to relate to it!  :-P
• my health.  I may not be the most fit person in the world (ha!), but I have no major ailments, and for that I am very grateful.
• my church home.  It's been tough not having a church in Springfield to go to regularly, but I am so thankful to be able to come back to FBC Farmington and feel welcome and loved.
• almost being done with school...for real this time!  I graduate in less than a month!
• a profession that I am happy in...music therapy combines music with helping people, just what I like!

Now the fun/silly list!  I'm thankful for...

• chocolate
• Pinterest
• Snuggies (I admit to owning a leopard-print one)
• movies that never get old (The Holiday!)
• sunsets
• my cats and my dog
• the way new books smell
• sleeping late
• the feel of clean sheets
• caffeine
• the ability to not get into Christmas mode until after Thanksgiving
• iTunes
• contact lenses
• cardigans
• the sound a symphony makes when it's tuning right before a concert
• my perfect guy (he's out there somewhere!)

I hope everyone was able to find something they were thankful for this Thanksgiving.  Now get ready for the Christmas season!  Until next time!

Denied

I received an e-mail from the Journal of Music Therapy editors earlier this morning.  Here's what it said:

Dear Ms. Jenkins,

 

I want to thank you for submitting your manuscript, “Functional Musicianship of Music Therapy Students Entering Internship,” for peer review. The reviewers agreed that the manuscript addresses an important topic, but did not recommend publication.  Primary concerns centered on methodology.

 

Although your manuscript was not selected for publication, the reviewers did provide some informative and encouraging comments that you may find helpful as you move forward with your program of research (please see attached letter).  It is also my hope that the reviewer comments will offer greater understanding for the reasons the manuscript was not selected for publication.

 

Thank you once again for your submission. We appreciated the opportunity to review your scholarly work and hope that you will continue to keep the journal in mind as a publication outlet for your research.

 

So, I got denied.  I know I shouldn't be upset...I mean, it was my first attempt at having a study published, having very little idea of what I was doing.  I gave it my best, and at least it got my name out there as a serious MT.  But I am upset.

 

The part that really aggravates me is all of the work I put into this study, virtually for nothing, and all of the BS I had to put up with to get it here.  I relied a lot on the knowledge of my professor/adviser to let me know what I was doing wrong, things I should add or change, etc.  I finished this study with such high hopes of it being published; he told me he couldn't see any reason why they wouldn't publish it.  And now I sit here, over a year later, not having the study published.

 

I shouldn't be so hard on myself.  It's just disappointing.  I can try and correct some things and submit it to a different journal, and knowing my professor, that's what will happen.  And I'm presenting this research at conference next week, so at least other people can hear about it. 

 

I guess I'm done ranting about it.  Off to class. 

Fall 2011

Hello all!  One of the things I love about Drury is its trees in the fall.  They are absolutely gorgeous!  During my undergrad years, I would walk around campus each year with my friend Erin and take pics.  Sadly, E-Mac is in San Antonio, but I was able to get a few pics from this year.  Here they are!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Quick Update

Hello all!  Obviously, I haven't blogged in awhile.  That's only because nothing super duper amazing has happened in my life lately.  It's the same ole same ole.  I'm just getting through these last few classes, doing a few MT sessions, and chillin' in Springfield!

Looking at my semi-professional side, I finally finished my first major research.  I sent it off for review the first time at the beginning of September.  It was quickly sent back with a few minor corrections that needed to be made, and I sent it off again.  I should know by December if it will be published in the Journal of Music Therapy.  So here's hoping!  I'm currently working on my second research and will hopefully have that done and ready for review by December.  And in November, I'm going to the AMTA Conference to present my first research in a Poster Session. Pretty much, I make a pretty poster, stand there for two hours, and answer any questions someone might have.  Woohoo for me!


Now for the fun side of my life!  A few weeks ago, the music therapy students had a talent night fundraiser at a local coffee shop.  My friend Brittany and I got up on stage and did a rendition of a youtube video called "Axis of Awesome" (look it up, it is indeed awesome).  Of course I tried to upload the video on here, and of course it didn't work.  So for now, if you wanna see it, it's on my facebook wall!

My friend Zach had to have some head shots taken for his portfolio, so I took a few for him.  And afterwards we decided to have a Supermodel Documentary Hour photoshoot!  Here are a few goodies.

 I finally graduate in December!  Yay!  I am soooo ready to be done.  I'm tired of the same school routine.  I think I'm finally ready to be a big girl and have a full-time job.  The plan for now is to stay in Springfield until next June, then move back to Fayetteville in the hopes and attempts to start my own MT practice.  Prayer for that would be greatly appreciated, since I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing in that respect.

Well, that's all I have for now.  Time to finish my coffee and some laundry before getting ready for today's sessions!  Hope everyone is enjoying the Fall weather!!!

The Final Stretch

Hello all!  I probably shouldn't be writing this right now, seeing as I am currently in my professor's office during a research meeting (oops!)...but since he is busy editing my paper in silence, I felt the urge to update.

This is the last day of summer school!  Hooray!  And it looks like I will be holding onto my 4.0 for a little longer!  I had a couple of good classes:  Web Design and Language & Development of the Exceptional Child.  Both were very interesting, and I gained a lot of resources from both.   I just submitted my last assignment, and now wait for the final grades to be in.  And since I'm done with school and half of my sessions are on hold until school starts again, I'm taking this next week off!  I'll be going home to AR (hopefully tomorrow) to just chillax for awhile.

I can't believe that it's already August!  This makes me realize that I only have 5 months, and then I will be done with school forever!  I don't plan on getting a PhD or anything, so this will most definitely be it.  All I have left is a couple more online classes, a final resesarch, and then I'm done.

Here's some exciting news about me and my profession.  I may be presenting my current research project at the national conference this November!  It would be during a poster session, which I'm not completely sure what all that entails.  But it gets my name out there and shows people I know what I'm talking about!  Also, said research project may be on its way to being published in a research journal...can we say LEGIT?!?!

Now for the "scary" part of my life:  I have no idea what is going to happen after I graduate in December.  I had a job planned out in Monett, MO at a private clinic, but that has fallen through.  So now I have to figure out what to do.  I'm torn between moving straight back home to start my own practice and staying in Springfield until June (when the lease on the apt. is up) and keeping my current clients to make a little more money.  I'll probably end up doing the second option, but who knows.  My life is so sporadic right now, there's no telling what will actually happen.  I may end up singing to moose in Alaska.  So if you think about it or have time, send a little prayer up for me that I will go down the path God has planned for me.

Well, my professor is done editing now, so it's my turn to work!  Hope everyone is doing well and staying cool!

Authentic

Well hello again all!  I had a random desire to post a video of one of my original songs today.  I've been writing songs since about 10th grade, but I'm always a little leery of showing them to anyone.  Here's one of the ones I'm more proud of.  It's titled "Authentic."  I wrote it a couple years back after helping out at a D-Now weekend.  Let me know what you think!  If you like it, sweet!  If not, I'll still try to be your friend.  ;)

Enjoy!

Yep...Still Alive!

Hello all!  It's been quite awhile since I last posted.  So here's a little blurb about what's been going on the past few months...

I finished my second semester of my master's program.  Best part about it?  I currently have a 4.0 GPA!!  (minus an incomplete for a research project I'm still working on)  All I have left is a couple online classes this summer and 3 classes this fall, then I will be done!  I'm so ready to be done with school and move on to being a full-time MT-BC.  Which brings me to my next rant...

I thought I had a job lined up after I graduated.  I was gonna be working in a clinic as a music therapist full-time.  It sounded like a great starter job.  But I learned just the other day that this probably isn't going to happen after all.  There are some timing issues that are messing things up, and the director of the clinic isn't sure that this is the right time to bring in a new therapist.  Sooooo...I'm back to square one.  I have to decide if I'm going to stay in Springfield and do some sessions part-time, find a job somewhere else, or move home.  I would LOVE to get my own MT thing going in the Fayetteville area.  I'm sure there is such a big need for it since there is literally nothing at the moment.  I would just have to figure out how to make that feasibly happen.  Or if anyone has any job opportunities/suggestions for me starting January let me know!  :-P

This summer will be much like the last one.  I'll be back and forth between Springfield and Fayetteville the entire time, but I think more time will be spent in Springfield this year.  Since I'm a big kid now trying to be a respectable MT, I'm still doing sessions, 3-4 a week, so that keeps me here most of the time.  But I'm hoping to make it home at least once a month.  I managed to take about a week and go home for Memorial Day.  This year we decided to have Cheesy-T Family Photo Hour.  Here's one of the better shots:

I know...we're totally cutesies.  I'll be back home again in a couple of weeks to get ready for Super Summer 2011!  I'm going white school this year rather than a staffer.   It's not as big of a time commitment, which is good since I still have to work and take classes.

The weather here has been crazy!  One week it's a brisk 65 degrees every day...next week there's 50 thunder storms and devastating tornadoes...now it's in the mid 90s by 11am.  Ugh!  Makes me want to move to LA or something!

Welp, that's about it for now!  Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning to the summer!  Stay cool!

Spring Break 2011

Sooo...I'm getting worse and worse at this blogging thing.  It's probably because I don't have much to report at the moment.  Life goes on as usual:  school and work.  Both are going ok.  There are moments when I want to rip my hair out and ask myself "Why am I doing this?!"  But in the long run all is well.

I actually got a Spring Break this year!  I went skiing with the youth group from my church at home.  Here are just a few of the pics that I took.

 The crazy group I ski'd with most of the time.

 Winter Park, CO

 Halfway up the mountain

 I don't know this guy... I just thought it was a cool pic to take.

 Me trying to be artistic...

So happy that we made it up half the mountain!

We had a great trip.  I actually ended up driving most of the way there and back.  I end up getting car sick if I'm in the car for awhile and not driving, so I opted to be a big girl and drive!  There were only a few hiccups during the travel: a missed exit here, a wrong turn there, losing the caravan every now and then.  But we made it there and back!  I am also happy to report there were no major injuries acquired on the trip, just lots of sore muscles and sunburn!

And now I am back home in AR for the rest of the break.  It feels good to do absolutely nothing!  I strongly recommend it.

Random update on my "New Year's Resolution":  it's not going too well!  :-P

I'm still working on more water and less soda, I eat out way too much, and I can't commit to a workout routine.  But I'm working on it!  I will tell you that I burned over 1,000 calories each day skiing, so hopefully that will be my boost to keep going!

That's about all I have for now.  Hope everyone is doing well!  Until next time!

Hello 2011...Goodbye Fatty Fat!

I can't believe I'm actually posting this close to my last one.  That hasn't happened in a long time!  AND!  I've been blogging for a year now!  Woo hoo to me!  I started last year in January on a snowy day.  Guess what...it's another snowy day and I'm blogging!  I feel a trend here...

Well, it's 2011!  Happy New Year!  Of course this is the time of year for resolutions.  I'm jumping on the bandwagon and actually making one this year with intentions of sticking to it (a little late, I know, but better late than never).  Mine is the generic weight loss one.  But I like to call it "getting healthy."  I have been so undisciplined and unmotivated for way too long.  It's time to get back into the swing of things!  I'm posting all of this on here in hopes that it will keep me motivated.  So if you see me you can say "Hey, how's that resolution coming?"
So here are a few things that encompass my resolution:

• More water, less soda:  This is gonna be the biggie!  I was averaging around 2 sodas a day, on top of coffee in the morning.  I have no intention of cutting out soda all together or stopping cold turkey, so I'm thinking 1-2 sodas a week is good, kinda like a little something to reward myself with.  I also wanna boost the water intake.  I have a nifty CamelBak thermos (I highly recommend one) and want to drink at least 2 a day.
• Chill out on eating out:  I eat out WAY too much.  It was just so convenient to run through a drive thru at the end of the day and grab something.  Well no more!  I want to start making menus for the week and shopping accordingly.  Hopefully this will put more coin in my pocket!
• Pumpin' some iron:  I'm gonna get back in the habit of working out regularly, at least 3 times as week if not more.  Before I went to Italy I was able to run at least 3 miles with one of my friends...not so much anymore!  I have this nifty little gym in my apartment complex and another friend that also wants to start working out more.  So I have no excuse!
• Portion control:  All last semester I would have about 1 1/2 meals a day.  I don't eat breakfast, except for coffee.  Lunch was sporadic and usually something from a fast food restaurant, and dinner varied.  I'm gonna try to implement the snacking routine, little things here and there on a more routine schedule rather than huge meals late at night.  And I'm gonna watch more carefully my caloric intake and stick to serving sizes.

Well, there's my plan!  If you guys have any other suggestions please let me know!  I'm just tired of looking and feeling like this.  It's time to get in shape!!!  Oh and here's my goal:  30 lbs. by July.  Apparently my family is taking a trip to Florida to visit my uncle, so I gotsta look good for the beach!  So...here it goes!  Wish me luck!