You're a Speech Path-o-WHAT?!?

Since the beginning of time (okay so the last 5 years) every person who has crossed my path (okay no just the few who were suckered into talking to me) and asked what my major is (since that IS a common topic of conversation where I tend to spend time...school...), almost without fail will say, "speech path-o-what??" At that point I say, "you know, speech therapy?" This is usually followed by one of a few things:

• "Oh so you are going to torture little kids who can't say their sounds huh? I had to go to that when I was little and hated it!!" What am I supposed to say to that?
• "I LOVED my speech therapist, she just gave me treats and let me play games!" Yes, that's what I'm getting my Master's degree for, to hand out treats and play Chutes and Ladders.
• "Oh, so you'll be a teacher." ...nnooo, a speech therapist...
• "....-blank stare-...so what does that mean?" initiate all-together-too-long description about the huge scope of practice of speech-language pathologists, why I want to be one, how long I have wanted to be one, and what I hope to do. At this point they usually are looking around warily, trying to find a way to make a quick exit...

Anyway, what I'm trying to say, is that, maybe this will occur no more!! I just found out that tomorrow, on April Fool's Day (ironic no?), they will re-release The King's Speech as PG-13. I am so excited! I am definitely going to see it as soon as I can! Click on this link for more information about it.

I am guessing that in the future I will be able to say: "A speech pathologist, you know, like Geoffrey Rush." Thanks Captain Barbossa! I don't think you will ever know how you have eased a conversational burden on my life.

Okay...3 weeks later??

I know I know I know. I said I would write three weeks ago, but lets just pretend that I wrote when I said I would?

Due to the fact that I have 8 weeks of Washington life to catch up on (and that I gave up my effort to have a themed blog-12 days since I left MO) this is going to be more of a

bulleted/picture caption type blog.

Okay, so do you have a comfy chair? Maybe you should grab a snack (I would vote a plate of cheesecake filled strawberry, check those out HERE) because this may be a little long winded...

• COLFAX TRIP!! I got to go back to Colfax for the first time in 5 years! I had such a good time! I got to visit a bunch of people from my home ward, from Decagon (my old work), Rosauers, and the school. It was pretty crazy to be back in the high school/elementary school buildings-not much has changed. It was such a blast talking to former teachers people from there. I was able to get together with a few high school friends too! Thanks so much to the Moxley's for letting me stay there!!

When I was visiting the Dailey's, Sam showed me his pig with the million piglets. I have lived out in the country my whole life and I can honestly say that I have never seen a mother pig (is there an official name for that?) and her piglets. I can also honestly say that I had no idea how enormous pigs could be. Are ALL pigs that huge? It was like a short, fat, elephant! The piglets were cute though, I could handle having one of those for about a week...

Kerrie!! It was so fun to hang out with Kerrie! It has been probably 3 years since I have seen her-we tore up Whitman county going everywhere from Steptoe Butte to Colfax to Pullman (spending some quality time in the Verizon store) and even to Moscow ID (to buy too many chocolate covered cashews).

The Workmans were one of the family's who were so nice to feed me during the weekend! It was so great to spend time with her family! It was also fun to talk to her and Kelly Lundberg about SLP excitement :)

• Trip up the COAST!! Ranelle and I decided to go hiking/driving up the Washington Coast. We had such a good time and saw some beautiful things. I'm not sure how we were able to pick the day with perfect weather, but we did, and it was awesome!! We went to the Quinalt Rain Forest, Forks, WA (yes all you Twilight fans, Forks WA) and La Push (which was my favorite, and no I didn't see Jacob...)

Ah yes, the world's largest Spruce...here's me climbing up, still full of innocence...

Yay! Made it to the top!! Its obvious by my smile that I have a false sense of security...

Okaay, how am I going to do this??

Yep, that just happened. I fell and slid down the tree on my stomach. Luckily we were able to catch it on camera :) The worst part about it was that the bruise wasn't even that impressive! What's a girl have to do get a nice-looking battle wound?

• Externships!! No no no, its not ALL fun and games. I haven't just been taking trips, watching tv, reading books, and updating my blog (well, obviously I haven't just been updating my blog...). I spend the first 6 weeks at Sunset elementary school working with Shelley, the best Supervisor EVER as an SLP. By the end I basically had about 85% of her 52 student caseload. I learned so much, and decided that even though I thought I wouldn't, I might actually love working in a school. After those six weeks were up I switched to Fort Vancouver Convalescent Center. FVCC is a Skilled Nursing Facility, sub-acute care setting. Basically its where patients come after they've been in the hospital but before they go home (or wherever they live). I definitely love working in a medical setting. I think I like working in acute care in the hospital the best, but like with the schools, I could definitely love working in a SNF as well... So basically, the externships have taught me that I want to be an SLP when I grow up...(I guess its good after all this time and money put into school and grad school eh?). There was a lot of drama for a few weeks when I wasn't getting enough hours there; I was literally just a few hours from moving back to MO, but hopefully I have things all figured out. Keep your fingers crossed!

• Seeing Friends!! Lecil Thedell came to see me!! Okay...so she didn't come just to see me, but she did come, and she did see me while she was here :) Aron, from my ward in Springfield, married a girl from Vancouver so he had a reception here. I was able to go to it so I got to hang out with Lecil and the rest of the Thedell's...so fun!!!

Okay-so I'm not going to go back through and read the post-its too long. I have no idea if there are spelling/grammatical errors. I have a sneaking suspicion that I change tenses throughout the whole thing. Eh, I'm just going to have to live with it. Thank you for enduring the 40 pg photojournal of my life. I am going to do my best to keep you more updated and write more often. Maybe then it won't just be a travelogue/list of things that I do. The funny thing is, that really is a comprehensive list of the last two months. Is that sad?? Oh wait, I also went to see Grandma and Grandpa Reber and the family, that was great!! I am looking forward to going to see them for Easter too!

Ok, its time to get back to my Sunday evening stuff. Till next time!!

Still here!!

I know you all are on the edge of your seats...I am still here, I promise! I have not drowned in the ocean, been swept up by a hurricane, floated away in a flood, been melted by volcanic ash/lava...or any other possible Pacific Northwest natural disaster. Mostly I have been busy (doing what? I don't know. I don't have much to do but also don't seem to have much time-funny how that happens...) However I AM still here and I actually have a lot of stories. Sooooo, this weekend I promise I will return with at least part 1 of my Vancouver WA adventures :)

Until then, maybe this picture will suffice...okay you talked me into it, I'll post two...

Nope, I'm not even going to explain them :) That will come later!!