" What the Shit am I going to write about draft?"

                                 “What the Shit am I going to write about draft?”

 

When I first found out that I needed to interview a person who would represent, “what I wanted to be when I grow up”, I was really excited.  I thought AWSOME, I am going to be able to see what they do and how I would be spending the rest of my life at a job that would bring me fulfillment and happiness.  Before I reached out and spoke to someone I wanted to research a couple of people that I thought would be great, I was referred to a school psychologist who was a newcomer to an elementary school in Goleta.  But, I thought “no I want to get someone who has done this who has had a chance to be involve in a school for a couple of years, was familiarized with the children and maybe at this time was making a difference in families life’s”.  I was so excited I found one that has been with the Goleta District for more than 15 years and just my luck she was also a MFT.  Exactly want I wanted to be!  I emailed her and requested an interview; promised not to take too much of her time, I was wanting advise professionally, and academically.  After not hearing from her in two day I resent my request.  Four days later, with disappointment and feeling a little insulted because I did not even get an acknowledgement to my emails I gave up on her and requested and interview with a new school Psychologist. 

Misty Brewer is a school Psychologist with the Goleta School District this is her first year as a Psychologist. She received Bachelors at San Diego State for Psychology and a Master’s in Education at UCSB.   Misty main goal was to choose a career that would allow her to work with people, she was never too sure of what exactly she that would be.  Once she decided while in Community College that she would attend San Diego State Misty realized all her classes were mostly in psychology and decided that would be her major.  After completing her Bachelors Misty found out that she needed masters if she wanted to work with children so she went on to receive her master’s in Education.  Many of Misty's obstacles that she has encounter as a school psychologist are many guidelines and boundaries that she is not able to overstep.  Misty feels that many of them restrict her in helping many students and also their families.  

One would think that the schools systems in our areas would support ideas from new and fresh minds who encourage positive living within the family, but It seems like our school systems are still stuck in the old way of teaching and following rules and regulations that have been set by our ancestors. 

(Can this really be a good start to this shitty rough draft?)

"So what? Who Cares?

Many may think I am a little weird, I know my family felt that way today.  But, can you blame me? After reading, “So what? Who Cares? Saying Why it Matters”  I have spent my last couple of days coming up with ideas for my thesis and before allowing myself to say them out loud I ask myself the questions,” So What? Who Cares?”  I have shut down many ideas some may have been good others not so good. I think I just might be reading too much into this?

The article “So what? Who Cares?  Was a good way of looking at how many of us turn away from a good book or good article?  I know I do it?  I’m a huge reader and I love to get lost in a good novel (when I have time).  Lately after reading so many articles in my classes I have come to think that I may have turned away many good books.  Why?  Because I have glimpsed at books on the shelves and turned away from them because of the “Who Cares?”  To the day I can still read something and ask myself?  Why am I reading this, what did I get from it? 

What I got from this article was that many of us will not have the same interests.  Many of us will be reading same books and articles because of school or work.  As a writer I don’t think you can please every person who reads your writing.  The key is hooking them in and keeping them interested in your writing. Along with the knowledge and information that supports your writing you can reach a larger audience.  

Interview Questions

Interview Questions

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career as a psychologist?
Was been a school psychologist your goal?
Other then your degree in psychology to do you have any other degrees? certificates?
From what university did you receive your Bachelors?  Masters? or any other degrees?
What services do you provide?
For the family?
For children?
How do you identify which children/family need your services?
What kind of treatments do you offer?  Children? Family?
What does your typical day look like?
Is their a certain style of writing that you use when you take client notes?
What kind of tools,tests, or equipment do you use with your clients?
How do you measure the progress of your clients? Children/family?
Do you do any other type of work outside of the school?
What kind of test did you need to take to be able to be considered for this position?
What is the most rewarding part of your profession?
Would you recommend this kind of profession to others? Why?
If there was anything you could have done differently what would that have been?
Where do you see your self in 5 years from know?


I wrote the questions in this manner because I wanted to focus on her first, talk a little about herself allowing her to feel more at ease. After I will talk to her about her services; the school, the clients and any other services she provides in or outside of the school.  At the end I will close the interview with questions that focus back on her, other plans, and goals for the future.  

 

Writting vs Babbling

Who would have thought that as I am getting ready in the morning my decision of what I am going to wear would have such an impact on what other will think of me.  It is already hard enough just deciding what to wear.  In truth it is something we all do, I know I do it? Or is it just me?  Thank goodness it’s got a name, “observation”.   I can no longer be accused of judging others; I do love to observe others not because I try to judge their hair, clothes, or style of clothing.  I do it because I believe you can tell a lot about people in the way they carry themselves.  I have learned to come out more out of my shell and observing someone helps me decide if the person what’s to be approached or would like to be left alone.  

I took a class at SBCC and we had a lot of writing to do, I did a paper on a problem that faces our community, alcohol. I was actually proud of my paper, until I got a C- on it.  With a message scribbled in the corner stating that my writing was not profession written. I remember reading it over again, well maybe a couple of times and I still did not see what he was saying.

Reading Backpacks vs. Briefcases made me think about that paper I wrote, and I have come to the conclusion that yes, my paper was written crappy ( can I say that?). I may have had an Exigence, but who was my audience? What language did I use? Who was I trying to address? Was I just babbling? Thinking back I don’t believe I even had a Constraint.  I feel that reading this chapter will help me become more organize on my writing.  It will allow me to question myself as I am writing and making sure that I am focusing on the issue, audience and facts.  I may surprise you and at the end of this class my writing might be done in a more professional style.   Woah... hold up Leonor lets start with baby steps.

Identities

Boyd does an impressive presentation on his piece, “Murder! Rhetorically.”  By having us do the exercise she allowed us to experience and understand different situations.  We took on rolls that normal we would not do and had us explore the identity of that character.  We were able to think like the character and write about it.  Boyd also pointed out that the way we learned some of these characters parts were by observing characters on Television. Once we wrote about them, we were able to compare the other writers and see how similar out observation were.  We were speaking the same language.  Writing Identities, pointed out that in order to have an audience that understand the topic we speak of we need to change our identities, ideas, and our tone of voice. Allowing us to draw them in and keep them interested in what we are saying and having them agree with us.

What I took from this is that Rhetorical is not just the subjects you can talk about, but also the different types of characters you become while writing rhetorical?

This reading allowed me to get another glimpse of what rhetorical means.  I truly enjoyed them and felt the illustration of them were very informative and fun to read.  I was able to get caught in the moment and had a lot of "ahhh" moments.  Do I consider myself an expert in writing?  Ahh, no!  But, I am closer then were I was two weeks ago.

"Spaces for Writing and "Why Rhetoric?"

I found both articles, “Spaces for Writing” and “Why Rhetoric?” very interesting.  I had never really thought about what it takes to be a great writer, presenter or communicator.  In these articles I got the chance to see how everything you say in words, images and writing can leave a huge impact on others.  My love for books had always been strong, and while growing up I had always imagine becoming a great writer. I even when as far as imagining myself writing a great novel?  My thoughts, ideas and images of what I wanted to write about had always been  many that I never felt organized. In “Spaces for Writing?’ they talked about how having so many ideas in your head can crowd out your ability to think clearly and communicate concisely.  That was one of my strong problems, along with writing too much and knowing what is worth saying.  Who would have thought that writing had so many rules?  Although, it is understandable that as a good writer, presenter and debater you want to be able to keep your audience engaged in the important issues you are trying to communicate.

I was also interested in the reading about “Kaipos”, and the opportunity or what they call the “season” of speaking.  I would have never had thought how important timing can be to saying or not saying something and the consequences that come along with saying them. Understanding Rhetoric can be very confusing, but at the same time fascinating and leaving you with wanting to know more.

I have worked endless hours in many jobs; I have been a McDonald’s worker, Kindergarten teachers assistant, county worker, court worker, bank manager, server, medical assistant and many more that I can go on and on.  I have taken something and learned from all of them, but have not felt complete or a sense of accomplishment.  I had always wanted to pursuit a college degree and after many years (lots of them) I am finally here!  Cheers, to me!  It has not been easy getting here my fear is that I disappoint all that are cheering for me.  I have become a strong, positive, go getter and very persuasive person, but the failing fear still lingers.   I have been giving a chance to be here and with all the support behind me I have no choice, but to succeed.  

My accomplishment will not only benefit me or my family it will help all the people that I feel a need to help.  My degree is Psychology, my passion is to help others figure out what they want to be when they grow up, and age does not matter.  I will pursuit my Masters and seek families, individual and groups who I can help.

I hope to also learn all I can and have fun along the way meeting new people.