Are we now in what people/Florence + the Machine would call the “dog days” of summer?
It’s hot and things are winding down before the start of school again (second year of grad school, baby, here we come!)
It’s been 5 weeks since I posted about life (besides this post), because, like I said before, life has been full. From ab-sore laughing to nearly punching walls out of frustration to crying happy and sad tears on the train, it’s all been very rich and very good overall.
I’ll split up the summer catch-up into a couple posts for everyone’s sake.
The 6-Week Physical Therapy Clinical Experience
I walked out of my 6 weeks working at an outpatient PT clinic b e a m i n g. Not because I was happy to leave but because I was beyond grateful for how much I enjoyed it.
the sunset view from the train station on my last day of clinical
All the staff were incredibly compassionate and encouraging. My clinical instructors were laid back yet competent clinicians and teachers. The patients were welcoming and supportive of me while I treated them.
Usually, something like clinical — where I know I will be evaluated on my knowledge and skill base, ability to communicate, and ability to just be a good person — would make me feel anxious and stressed up the wazoo. But by the grace of God, I stayed pretty calm throughout the whole experience, and I think that helped me to think more clearly and bring my best to the table at each moment. I almost never did anything out of fear for being judged or ridiculed; I was able to speak, ask questions, and perform with a genuinely free heart, and from the feedback I received from my clinical instructors, all of that made for a successful clinical experience.
I made many mistakes and there is always so much room to grow, but I have learned that the two things that make me a good PT student (and hopefully a good doctor of PT one day) are honesty and humility always. This clinical experience has made me fall back in love with the profession of PT, and for that I am pleasantly surprised and grateful.
Odds and Ends
Outside of clinical, I’ve been enjoying lots of food and fellowship.
I think the collage sums it up quite nicely. I’ve eaten many dumplings, seen my friends do many ratchet things (i.e. Sarah spreading dijon mustard on her sandwich using a baby carrot as we waited outside with all her stuff before dorm move-in), and spent a long weekend with nuns. Among other things.
I’ve also been running more!
I, like, kinda enjoy running now?? Sometimes?
This summer catch-up is to be continued… (Spartan Race and Bachelorette party!)
So tell me:
How’s the summer work/job been?
Are you headed back to school (whether yourself or your kids), and how are you feeling about it?