Welp, the summer is officially over as Fall 2010 courses resume on Monday. I could really use just one more week before classes start though, since really, I didn't have a summer! I've come to learn that even when a graduate student is on vacation, it doesn't mean he/she is free of work. Apparently, I signed on for a 4 year commitment to be at my professors beck and call 24/7. As long as it gets me where I need to be, then I will continue to manage.
Over the summer, I had clinic, classes, and other obligations. First, I helped complete the Healthy Athlete Hearing Screenings for Special Olympics, which I LOVED. Even though we worked 1:30-8:30 M-F and worked the weekend prior, the athletes made it all worth while. It is amazing how they always maintain a positive attitude. I only hope that I took away some of the enthusiasm they exhibit on a daily basis. When the week was over, we screened nearly 1,000 athletes and fit 170 hearing aids-for free! It was definitely a successful week! There is a possibility for a trip to Greece this summer for the International Special Olympic Games. This is something I would absolutely LOVE to be a part of and hope I am one of the two picked.
Once summer break arrived (3 weeks), I was soon haunted by school again. One of my professors approached me regarding an "opportunity for professional growth"-well if you put it that way, can I really say no? I had 3 weeks (my entire summer break) to edit a manuscript that was research based and soon submitted to a professional journal. It took me the entire 3 weeks to complete this project, but I am happy I accepted it as I did learn from it; plus I can add this to my CV.
Many of you know by now that I was asked by a professor in the Fall of 2009 to present one of my class powerpoints to a professional convention in October (so soon!) Unfortunately, I haven't had time to work on that project because I had a summer class project in which I will be presenting on an additional topic! So, I wrapped that up and now I am making my final edits on a newsletter that will be distributed to the patients at the Barkley Center. Whooa! I am exhausted just writing all of that out!
Now, my summer wasn't all work, I did go on a float trip on the Niangua River and then went to California! Stephanie and I were able to celebrate our birthdays with Jymme-Lyn and the boys and have a couple of fun days with Scott. Most of all, we were thrilled to be able to help out Scott and Jymme-Lyn during a difficult week. Scott was out of town and JL was starting a new job. Hopefully the boys are doing great with the new babysitter!
We went to the farm and picked some fruit from the vine and fed some animals |
We went to the park and played on the slide |
Stephanie and Will playing at the pool |
This is where Harrison sat most of the day at the pool-he sure looked good though! |
We went to the beach too! |
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