Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Choices...........Stay or Go?

Tuesday, November 21, 2006


This weekend my cousin (a.k.a my sister Lupe) is tying the knot in Texas. I grew up with my cousin and our family's have lived together our entire lives. I really want to go, but I have too much work to do. My entire family leaves to Texas on Wednesday night and I am currently having a difficult time deciding if I should go or not. But seriously, who would miss their sisters wedding? I am undecided right now because I have a very comprehensive final due that Thursday that I get back from my "Turkey Day" vacation. The final is a group interview where the Assistant Dean, field advisor, and my professor will be present. This is a very intense final because it is a friendly competition against my classmates. The interview entails that we must develop a program that will lower the crime rates in the city of Santa Ana. My group must create a program and present our idea to the interview panel. The group that presents the best program will be awarded fake funds for its program. We are being graded on our creativity and presentation. As a group we must create brochures, powerpoint, business cards, and visual diagrams that will showcase the success of our program. It is a lot of work and it is going to take a lot of time/effort to prepare for this assignment. If I choose not to go, I hope she understands my decision, and I will have to show her my "A" when I get my grade back from my professor.

posted by Esteban at 10:09 PM 0 comments

A True SC Football Fan!!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006


This week I had the opportunity to attend the USC vs Stanford game at the University of Stanford. It was a memorable weekend because it was my first time attending an away game. My friends and I left Southern California at around 2:30 a.m. in the morning and we arrived at Palo Alto at around 9:00 a.m. The drive was draining because I had not slept the entire night. My friends and I sang every song on his "I pod" all the way to our destination. We arrived at our hotel room and put on our SC attire to express our school pride. We dressed up in our costumes and headed straight to the tailgate. At the tailgate we mingled with other SC fans, played football with each other, and had some delicious "carne asada". We watched the entire game and waited until the Trojan Band left the stadium. It is an amazing feeling to sit and listen to our band play the USC FIGHT SONG. I do not regret attending any of the football games this season because I consider myself a true Trojan fan. It is a fun to attend the tailgates and especially the games with my fellow classmates. I have not missed a single game during my two years at USC and I do not expect to miss one this season. Future students should consider attending one football game during their stay at the university because it is a experience worth cherishing. FIGHT ON AND BEAT THE DUCKS!!!

posted by Esteban at 10:55 PM 0 comments

The Real OC

Friday, November 03, 2006


I am currenlty living with my parents in the city of Garden Grove. I have had the luxury of living with my parents, since I was an undergraduate student at Cal State Fullerton. During my first year of courses I took all of my courses at the Orange County satelite campus. This campus is located in the city of Irvine and it is an amazing campus to attend. In my experiences at this campus, I am fortunate to have created such a tight bond with the students that attend this campus. I know my classmates by first name and I have met some amazing people at this campus. I have established positive relationships with students, faculty, and alumni. I am currently in my second year of graduate school and I am taking courses in both campuses. Attending both campuses has been a valuable experience for me because I have had the opportunity to interact with students/faculty in both campuses. I enjoy socializing and meeting new people that is the main reason that I decided to attend the Los Angeles campus in my second year. For those students attempting to attend satelite campuses, I encourage you to attend both campuses to have an opportunity of living the true Trojan Experience. It is an amazing experience to attend the University Park Campus because you recognize that you attend the University of Southern California. Being able to see Tommy Trojan, Coliseum, and all of the resources that lie within the campus make this an experience worth seeing. FIGHT ON AND BEAT THE CARDINALS!!
posted by Esteban at 10:24 PM 0 comments

Monday, November 27, 2006

Thoughts on the future

This semester is drawing to a close and I have to say I am REALLY sad. I had a great experience this semester, and loved all my classes. I think I'll miss Substance Abuse the most. It was an amazing class and I learned so much. Tomorrow is my last day and I'm going to have to grieve the loss of the time spent there. It was worth the 8am rush hour traffic thing. Finishing up with finals makes graduation that much more of a reality. Part of me is ready and excited about moving on to the next chapter in my life, and another part of me is incredibly frightened by the notion of being independent and not having school as a crutch for my ignorance.

Thank God that people are capable of grace (to some degree)...I just hope that there's continual room for screwing up because I'm almost positive that I will screw something up. I figure though...life is too short to not take risks. What's the worse that can happen? I fall flat on my face, look like an idiot then use it as a learning opportunity to build humility and character and remember that I am HUMAN. The only thing to do right now is to remind myself of this truth, with the hope is that I will eventually believe it...and better yet LIVE IT.

...And the STRESS begins to MOUNT

Well....the reality of my life right now is that slowly but surely the STRESS has begun to compile right on ME! I'm sitting here thinking of strategies on how to maximize the very short time that I have left before EVERYTHING is due. I mean seriously though, no kidding I have been dreaming about finals...maybe it was a bit of a nightmare. I really did have a dream last night about my Program Design and Grantwriting Presentation. I always try to keep my cool, and try to stay calm and collected...but I am no longer in denial about my anxiety associated with completing all of my finals, my process recordings, and meeting all of my RA duties before the semester is officially over. Oh yeah, and I am extremely sad that I had tickets to the Notre Dame game and I didn't go because I felt that I should stay home to work on my papers. Wow, if that isn't academic discipline I don't know what is!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Good intentions?

I seriously tried to start ahead of time. In my attempt to time manage, I created a calendar of "things I need to get done, and when." Unfortunately, I haven't quite kept up with my goals and I'm now officially four and a half papers behind and I still have two very large papers to write and two classes to study for. Some would say that I had "overambitious goals" (Thank you Prof "F"). Luckily for me, my mind hasn't quite turned into blob yet and I'm hanging in there. The stress is starting to build up, but lets see how many more 12 hour plus days of studying my mind can take. Truthfully, my problem is that I'm incredibly distracted by all of the amazing things there are to read and study that are entirely related to Social Work, and in not so many ways related to my papers (...so the Procrastinator's Guilt Syndrome is not applicable in my case.)

I'm actually just grateful that today is Friday and I still have SAT and SUN to study ALL DAY. It definitely felt like today was Sunday (since we were off all day yesterday (Happy Turkey Day!), and all day there was this impending doom over my spirit that I would have to go into internship tomorrow and deal with the complete revamping of our Urgent Care program. (I have to admit- I'm really excited about working on that project...something about starting from scratch and having the ability to discuss any changes I want that makes me feel alive and hopeful about the direction of my agency...which is a county agency for that matter.)

So now it's 11:45 pm, and I've officially been sitting at my computer "writing" and "studying" for 14 hours...I've written three extensive outlines (almost finished one paper), helped one friend do some research, educated my five year old nephew on neurons and pain receptors (poor kid smooshed his finger), fed the kids, straightened up the house, dealt with my martyr of a mother, found three more substance abuse books I'd like to add to reading list, and wrote one blog. Despite not being productive with school work, I can look back on today and say that I am not ashamed with the way I spent my time. Technically...I think my day doesn't really end until maybe 4 in the morning...so I will get back to work and hopefully hammer out PART of another paper. I'll probably end up going to bed around 2 because I'm not that masochistic...but hey...a girls gotta be idealistic.

Much to be THANKFUL for

I am thankful for having had a splendid THANKSGIVING DAY with my family and friends. It was a pleasure to merge with my love ones for some good ol' holiday fun!

As for school, however, I am thankful for the following:
  • The semester is ending (one more week of classes)
  • I have just two papers to write for my final exams
  • I finally purchased a thumb drive ( 1G for just $7 ha!) to store all school assignments
  • I have just two more process recordings to write
  • I have my schedule planned for next semester
  • My family is being supportive while I spend hours and hours writing for finals
  • And I will be graduating in just 5 more months...and can sign "MSW" behind my name!
The list goes on...


One THANKFUL Social Worker to be!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

It's Almost Over....

So I was sitting here putting together an "Its Almost Over Task List" and I thought I would share it with you all (prospective students please don't let this 'cause you any anxiety ).

Finals Task List:

- Complete and conduct a presentation for granwriting
- Write final grant for grantwriting class
- Finish all of my process recordings for the semester
- Write research paper
- Study for comprehensive Management final (COPA Practice class)
- Finish translating a 37 page transcript from Spanish to English (RA duty)

...And when that's all said and done I'll be home free : ).

Saturday, November 18, 2006

This is more than a project...

Well I'm sitting here developing methodology that will evaluate the cultural competence of an entire county agency. It's a "class project", but in reality we are out there as consultants. My group and I are developing methodology that can be implemented to evaluate the cultural competence of a County agency that serves approximately 200,000 clients each year, and they provide services in about 12 languages...and that is not exhaustive of all the languages spoken in Los Angeles County. So, as I sit here and look for ways to assess cultural competence in Human Resources it struck me....Oh no THIS IS NOT JUST A PROJECT. So...if you're looking into COPA and are looking to truly assess greater organizational effectiveness, or efficiency come to COPA...and definitely look into Dr. Hatanaka for Research (Program Evaluation). Initially, I thought this was our final, but I just realized its much greater than that. : )

Friday, November 17, 2006

YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT A DAY IN MY LIFE IS LIKE?

Lets See....I'll give a run down of my Tuesday this week just so you can get an idea of what a day in the life of an MSW student is like:

5:00 a.m.: Woke-up...or attempted to wake up

7:00 a.m.: Commuted to downtown L.A. to meet with my Program Development and Grantwriting class

8:00 a.m.: Arrived at the center for non-profit research (by the way they have great resources for anyone interested in starting their own non-profit).

10:45 a.m. : Left downtown L.A. as fast as my little legs could carry me to get to my 11:00 am appointment on campus.

11:00-12:30 a.m.: Met with Focus Group

12:30-1:00 p.m.: Socialized with my school mates in the Courtyard

1:00 p.m.-4:00 pm: Went to the Lab to fulfill my RA duties....some of which include translating entire interviews from Spanish to English : ).

4:00-4:30 pm.: Hung out in the courtyard with my friends

4;30-5:00 pm: Had a research team meeting with the professor and the other RA I work with

5:15 pm-6:30 pm: Met with my research class work group to develop methodology to evaluate the organization that our project focuses on.

6:30-7:00 pm: Commuted back home....

7:30 pm- 9:30 pm: Had sushi with my boyfriend : ) (HIGHLIGHT OF MY DAY!!!)

10:00 pm-11: 30 pm: Answered e-mails and read for class


It's all in a days work....

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Crazy day at Internship

I love my work...and I love Downtown, but man today was seriously a hard day. It's never fun when you have to give out a four page survey with small font and difficult language to individuals who have been waiting, are hungry, and just all around unhappy. We study about program evaluation, and I'm all for it...but actually doing it is another thing.

Problems arise when you have to evaluate programs that have high demand for services and very low resources. At that point leaders are required to make decisions about priorities. Is it more important to utilize and place immense pressure on staff to complete evaluation, or are the immediate needs of the client more important? What are the consequences of choosing one over the other? We risk abandoning and alienating our clients for 15 days or we risk losing funding and not being here at all. Where's the middle ground? Does this compromising leave both demands unmet?...Too many questions.

This is why leaders are scarce and corrupt (in general...and not that the leadership at my agency is corrupt.) The prospect of taking responsibility for difficult decisions is FEARFUL. We inevitably disappoint and sometimes hurt someone (whether it be staff or clients). But in the end...I guess you ask: Was it all worth it? and can I see myself at any other position? Hopefully the answers are: Yes and No, respectively. Considering the events of today...especially in hindsight. I have to say....Yes and No. I still love where I am...and I still love what I do.


Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Need Sleep

Urgh...I honestly want to finish this presentation...really, I HAVE to finish this presentation...because I'm presenting it this Thursday. Too bad I went to look for it and realized that in the midst of trying to figure out my new operating system, I deleted all my files and along with that, my work in progress. So instead of feeling the urgency to finish, I feel tired...and now I'm procrastinating. I tried to restart it...I really did. But my brain feels dead. Literally, my brain matter has turned to marshmallows and my neurons no longer have the ability to fire effectively. No infomation is entering nor leaving my long term memory. I am a useless mass of cells. This is that point in your education when you almost just wish the pain would end just so you could SLEEP. Graduate school is really meant for Type A masochists. Ok, I will attempt several more hours of this torture, then I will give in. My only hope is that I accomplish something...anything.

Quick Tips for Surviving Grad School

  • Recognize your resources: family, friends, professors, libraries, computer labs, and your brain!
  • Advocate for your beliefs
  • Get Plenty of Sleep (when you can)
  • Budget! Budget! Budget! (Pack a lunch, buy books from classmates, etc.)
  • Speak to your professors as often as you can
  • Create a contact list with the names and phone numbers of at least two people in each of your classes
  • Ask as many questions as you need to develop an understanding of what is being taught
  • Become best friends with the staff in student services/registration office
  • Don't procrastinate
  • Be involved with student organizations
  • Of course, study!
  • VISIT THE WRITING CENTER, everyone and anyone can work to improve their writing skills
  • Balance your work and life by setting time aside for family and friends. Do not isolate yourself!
  • But really, just LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AND HAVE FUN DOING SO! You will only experience this program once. Take advantage of all that you can.

What a day...what a day

Today was especially long and I am feeling rather drained! Although we had a thought provoking discussion on cognitions and beliefs as related to treatment and causes of mental disorders in my morning class, my afternoon class seemed to last forever. My professor reported on some valuable findings from his research on school violence. I found it way difficult to manage sitting in a three hour lecture interpreting such findings, however. I am such a huge advocate for group work and dialogue during class time. After a while, I was fighting hard to further engage in the lecture by asking questions, maintaining eye contact with the professor, and thinking about how I could consider this research in practice as a school social worker. While I'm thinking about it, I will share one important finding from his research- It is likely that school climate, school structure, and the community in which the school exists greatly impact the severity of school violence as opposed to family composition and SES. Isn't that interesting! Based on these findings and due to more obvious reasons, more intervention is needed within the school system itself. Boy, is my work cut out for me! What a great way to implement some macro level work.

Even though I had a long day, attending two meetings, two classes, and currently preparing to work on my final assignments, I've acquired a heap of knowledge that I can use in practice as a school social worker! Yea!

getting excited

I am so excited about having a winter break. I'm going to read for fun, explore, and hopefully utilize my time wisely. I have to say though, I will miss class immensely. They have been fabulous this semester and I have to say I am much much happier. The teachers I have this semester are amazing, well read, great teachers. I am pushed in ways I didn't know were possible, and learning what feels like new languages. (Granted, some times it's difficult...but invaluable.) gotta get back to work....the excitement con'ts later

Monday, November 13, 2006

Starbucks here I come...Gotta get this work done!

I am sitting in STARBUCKS sipping on my second Grande, non-fat, white-chocolate mocha, with TWO shots of espresso wondering if my body has an increased tolerance for caffeine. After being here for 4 hours, I am desperately trying to stay awake so that I can finish one of many assignments I have due within the next few weeks. However, coffee doesn't seem to be working. I am feeling really sleepy. Hopefully, this second cup of coffee will keep me awake for the next few hours. Or, maybe I should try drinking tea (it's cheaper and healthier).

Often times, I find myself doing what I have to do in order to accomplish all that I can each day. Anything to avoid procrastinating! Although I've procrastinated a few times, it was not worth the anxiety and pressure I experienced finishing a paper hours before it was due. Save your self from the stress...start your work early and who cares if you have to drink caffeine to stay awake days before an assignment is due. After all, you can treat yourself and be in bed by midnight the night before the assignment is due ;-).

It's All About Networking

There is nothing like attending a USC School of Social Work homecoming event where you have the opportunity to meet up with some alumni who are working professionals in the field of social work. While the ambience was set for fun, laughter, and some good ol' Trojan spirit, it was also an ideal place to chat with USC alumni about possible jobs following graduation. More than that, there was opportunity to speak with the dean and other administrators about school related issues and topics regarding future planning.

Get prepared to attend the tailgates....have your contact information handy and networking hats ready to wear! You know what they say..." It's all about who you know ..."

My Bittersweet Weekend

Our Homecoming weekend was absoulutely awesome....Full of Trojan spirit....and sleepless nights as I try to prepare for finals. Balancing finals, internship, process recordings, my RA position, and caucus responsibilities has left me completely tired this weekend. Take some advice plan ahead and finish all your process recordings early to avoid the pain I'm going through. : )

Friday, November 10, 2006

COPE (Creating Opportunities for Positive Experiences)

At one of my internship school sites, my colleague and I have developed a prevention program for elementary school aged children named COPE (Creating Opportunities for Positive Experiences). Each Monday, we visit K-5 grade classrooms and present on different topics that will help to build resiliency among these children. Some of the topics in include "Knowing the Self", "Emotional Intelligence", and of course "Peer Relationships." After long hours of work on the 10-week curriculum, we are proud to say that during our first session last week, the children were extremely receptive and elated about participating in the COPE program as evidence of them engaging and asking in-depth questions. Upon exiting one of the third grade classrooms, a student yelled, "Ms. Cope, I have one more question." She quickly corrected herself, and stated my actual name. I assume the point was well communicated about the meaning of "COPE", so much that one student unconsciously thought to call me "Ms. Cope."

Who knows...the COPE curriculum may become this mass production for prevention work with elementary students across the world...Copyrights to be established. What a graduate education at the USC School of Social Work can do for you! Explore your options, be creative, and serve!

Feeling Tired...Wearing many different hats

Tired ain't the word...I AM EXAUSTED! Just as soon as I completed hours of work on my midterms, I am getting more tired from thinking about all I have to do to get through finals. Not only that, I have to spend all weekend helping my 7 year-old finish his first science project for school. And let me not forget to take my husband's clothes to the cleaners, clean the house, do the laundry, and shop for groceries. Does anyone want to make a donation to help me pay for a trip to the spa? :-) Or, any other stress reduction techniques in mind? Oh yea, I suppose I can take a walk on the beach and do some deep breathing exercises. I think I'll go to the gym and jog off my feelings of anxiety and fatigue. Oh, I know of a really cheap way of reducing some of my stress...SLEEP. Yea, that should do it. I'll sleep in tomorrow morning and be sure to be in bed by 10pm tomorrow night.

Being a graduate student, mom, and wife takes a lot of endurance, strength, and determination! But, there are ways to cope with wearing all of these hats- you just have to take the student hat off temporarily and place it back on when it's time to study, write papers, attend classes, and associate among you school peers, professors, and at internship. In turn, it is important not to forget that your other hats in life cannot be removed, not even temporarily.

The principle of self-care is significant for all people, especially as a social work graduate student. Use it!

Diary of a Social Work Student- mother, wife, etc.

About grades... I WANT ALL "As"

Why are people still trying to convince me that grades aren’t all that important in graduate school unless you plan to get a Ph.D.? Regardless of my plan to get a Ph.D. ONE DAY, I still think it is essential to get the best grades possible in all of my classes. The reason(s) why I believe grades are important is because they represent (1) HOW WELL YOU HAVE MASTERED THE MATERIAL, and demonstrate (2) YOUR EFFORT, as well as (3) BOOST YOUR CONFINDENCE AND RAISE YOUR SENSE OF SELF-EFFICACY.

One may argue that giving letter grades are rather objective. However, there are no other methods of evaluating our work. I do not believe that there is a correlation between grades and the number of job offers you get post graduate school, nor do I agree that grades tell the "whole story." We as students stand for so much more than a GPA, but does it not feel good to graduate with honors and have a star next to your name in the graduation program, or wear that special gold cord around you neck. The message is...WORK TO YOUR GREATEST POTENTIONAL...and do not settle for anything less.

Being a graduate student is really about mastering the course material and a getting the best grades is one way to show proof that you have done so. In order to get all As, you must ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, ADVOCATE for yourself, and READ!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, that means that there ain't much partying going on either. Just a tip or two about how to get As in graduate school. How do you feel about grades?

-Social Work Diary "Nerd" ;-)

"You think you know...But you have no idea:" Diary of a USC Social Work Student

Becoming a social work student at the USC School of Social Work is one of the most valuable experiences I've had in life thus far. Not only have I learned much about the world of social work, I have also acquired more knowledge about myself and the world in which we live!

Growing up in a society where inequality and injustices roamed about my presence, I have witnessed first hand what a poor education system looks like; the characteristics of community violence and it's aftermath; and issues having to do with family, abuse, welfare, teenage pregnancy, and so forth. In fact, I was one of few who weathered the storm and prevailed. As a teenage mom, I quickly learned to seek out my resources, both internal and external, as a means of survival. As a result, I was able to overcome the many challenges, believe in myself, and develop a more clear understanding of my life goals. Thus, I went on to graduate from USC with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology, with honors.

After gaining support from peer group, colleagues, family, and from MYSELF, I realized that I needed to further my education to accomplish my goals. My personal life and professional experience in the field of education, social work, and higher education lead me to learn of my passion for social work. Here I am...pursing my life dream. And you've noticed one thing in common through out this brief history of my recent years of life- I AM WHERE I AM TODAY BECAUSE SOMEONE SUPPORTED ME WITH THE INTENTION FOR ME TO HELP MYSELF. In turn, I must reach out to many more that wait for a helping hand so that they can believe and acknowledge their ability to assist themselves.

Being a part-time social work student here at USC has provided me with the tools necessary for implementing quality, clinical social work practice. I am currently in my third and final year pursuing excellence in the area of school social work. I have therefore chosen to be in the mental health concentration while obtaining a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), which is required to do social work in schools.

To learn more about my passion for social work and what it is like to be a social work student here at USC, I invite you to post a question, comment, or concern!

-Social Work Diary

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

computer meltdowns and such

it's amazing how much we become dependent on material possessions. Sometimes I would like to reject it all and move to Montana (or maybe I can just start living in my (hopeful) simple living intentional community, now!) My laptop had a meltdown...just as I was starting it to finish a paper...DUE THAT DAY! How much did I hate myself at that moment? After long hours of trying to fix it, I gave up and bought a new hard drive. Lucky for me it started one more time so I could back up my data. Word to the wise: Back up data.

Classes are finally starting to slow down long enough for me to s*@!, shower, and sleep. Man do I feel better. Seriously, there was a three or four day period when I definitely didn't shower and was running off an IV drip of coffee. Good thing I work in Downtown/Skid Row...where they don't care what I smell or look like.

Election day: I'm afraid to watch tv in fear that it would confirm that we still have a Republican Governor (referred by Fertig as our "Governator") and all the Props did not go the way I hoped. Young women would lose rights, the tax payer lobbyists have won, I would still have to watch lying political propaganda on tv (and thus, continually be reminded of how much we believe the lies we see on tv...damn those lying tax lobbyists.) Ok...really though, I should not gripe since I really don't know if this is the case. Hope...hope...remember to hope.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Economics huh?

Okay....So I already have to register for my Spring semester courses. Never did I imagine that I would be having to choose between Economics and Cross Sectoral Government. I mean really, who takes those courses....well I guess I do. Ah, the world of public administration is quite interesting isn't it. In addition to dealing with the selection of courses I am starting to suffer from feelings of grief and loss. Lets just say that as much as midterms and finals are super challenging I ultimately don't want to leave graduate school yet.