Seems everyone is doing it... =)

Hey guys! I'm not fortunate enough to be done with my CF yet, but I'm anxiously anticipating the day that happens.

I had the chance to spend the summer working for EBS in Los Angeles. It was so completely amazing. I really enjoyed my kids but of course I enjoyed the beach, the Cali boys and the fun little touristy things the most! =) I had the chance to experience most of what LA had to offer: from enduring an earthquake, to living in Hollywood, to swing dancing with Bill Nye The Science Guy. Hahaha. It was all quite memorable and I can't wait to go back next year!!!

Anyway, I've had quite the summer and being back at school and working again is really going to be great. I now have a job through EBS with Dallas ISD. I'm a little worried because it seems like it's going to be really challenging compared to my last assignment. I have one school with a largely hispanic population and I'm also taking on a private catholic school especially for kids with special needs. Am I concerned about this? Actually, yes. I don't know quite what to expect yet and as we all know, the unknown is almost always the most daunting. But I have a great supervisor for this last part of my CF and I'm pretty sure everything will work out. It all usually falls into place after a while, doesn't it? =)

Anyway, love to you all and good luck on your respective jobs!!! It's great to hear from you through this venue =) =) =)

I have changes too!

I am glad everyone is doing well! Congratulations on all those starting new jobs! Congratulations on building a house Kay! I am still at the same school in San Antonio, but I have new coworker. She just graduated in May and is starting her CFY! I am now the seasoned SLP for our school! We have been back to work for a week and a half and I am experiencing what it must have been like when I was asking my coworker so many questions last year! I hope I can be a good example for my coworker.

I had a little trouble getting my CCC's. My CFY was supposed to end on the 6th of June, but my supervisor and I met and signed papers on the 3rd. They sent the papers back and I had to call my supervisor up on her summer break (just days before we were to both go out of town) and meet her to resign them! After that everything went fine.

I also have moved to an apartment! I am no longer living with my parent! You were right Kellie, I have been learning a lot by myself and enjoying living alone! It is a two bedroom nicely wooded area just seconds away from grocery stores and shopping and only 10 to 15 minutes from work!

a whirlwind!

i, too, am now a ccc-slp! (or is it ccc/slp? sad- i still don't know!) anyway, i signed on for another year with the waxahachie district. my plan for the summer to find some prn work when my paperwork went through was a bust because the paperwork just went through a couple weeks ago. but that ended up just fine- i have thoroughly enjoyed my summer "off".
i worked with the special olympics swim team twice a week, spent some much needed time with friends and family and my boyfriend, Mark. I know, I have failed to mention this piece of information! Long story short- it's the same guy i dated some last summer for those who remember. we've been together (again) for over 5 official months, plus 2 dating months. we weren't looking for each other AT ALL but have now found ourselves in a somewhat serious relationship and who knows what the future holds for us!
i start back to work august 18, and once i get into the swing of things i am thinking about finding some prn work.
thanks for all of your updates, and hope all is well with those of you who haven't updated!

Kellie's Updates..

I am so glad I am able to keep track of how (and what) everyone is doing on here. I am happy for those of you who are beginning new adventures..that is exciting! I thought it would only be fair to report my latest happenings. I am still at Hendrick Outpatient Rehab and absolutely love it..I have the most amazing work environment and get to see some very special kids (and occasionally as my schedule permits neuro patients). Brandon, Chance and I moved into the new house about 3 or 4 weeks ago..I have already lost track. I am still trying to figure out what I want where and all of that fun stuff. We absolutely love it out here we have the most amazing views of the city lights at night, the mountain (note: it is called Steamboat Mountain, however, those of you who looked around while you were living in Abilene realize it is more on the hill side) and we are at the end of a street leading into two private drives so it is extremely peaceful. It is a wonderful area-beautiful homes-wonderful neighbors. However, we are finding out that taking care of so much property is a serious chore. We planted 14 palates of Tiff sod and the lack of rain ought to be interesting come water bill time! I promise I am planning on posting house pictures soon-hopefully tonight on our blog- bkfischer.blogspot.com. In addition, we are leaving for Disney World soon! I have never been and I am extremely excited. Oh, I almost forgot..the best news...I received my Texas license and my CCCs several weeks ago- I can't believe I have finally finished all of that! I don't know about y'all but I remember being in undergraduate and graduate school thinking that it would be forever (if ever) until I was finished with all those requirements and now here we are...done! Hope everyone is doing well. Keep in touch.

Changes for Everyone

Thanks for updating Kay! I was thinking the same thing yesterday! I'm so excited for you and your new job! I know it's something that you've wanted to do for a long time. Things on my side of the world have gone so well. If you read my blog you probably all know what's going on but just in case you don't here it is. First, I actually liked working for EBS but of course it has it's downfalls. I knew that if I stayed in that position I would never grow as a therapist. I began hoping for a way out! In November, I was offered an assistant coaching position for my old cross country team. I was so excited and knew I found that way out! So I looked around and found nothing. I finally called the SLP who is contracted with the school I was going to coach for and only hoped that she needed someone else. It turned out that she did and I took a job with her. I'll be seeing some kids in the morning until 10:00 and then head over to the school and stay there until 3:00. Oh, this is also the school Dave works at so we will be together. We are really excited and anticipating the new change! On the side I've been applying for PRN work in long term care facilities! I just hope the get some experience this way (since we all know I didn't get any in grad school!) and transition over completely when I feel it's time! I walked inside a nursing home the other day and just got so excited. I thought, "This is where I belong!" I can't wait but I really don't feel like it's time now so I'm trying to be patient with God's timing!

On a side note, I couldn't believe how easy it was for me to get my certification from ASHA and my licensure. The state board is meeting August 16th to discuss all the new applicants for licensure so I'm just hoping things will continue to go as smoothly as they have been. Is there anyone else who has changed their job placement after the first year? Or does anyone have any nightmare experiences with certification and licensure stuff? Fill us in!

A Year Later

Hey Girls! I can't believe it's been over a year since we graduated and parted ways. It seems like time has flown by and things aren't slowing down! It's been a while since everyone posted updates, so I'm curious about how everyone is doing?!?

Things here in Abilene for Chris and I are definitely different than they were a year ago. We are in the process of building a house which is so exciting! I've been trying to blog about the experience and post pictures. If anyone is interested, you can check the progress at http://www.gibbsnation.com/chrisandkay. On the job front, I'm no longer a school SLP...I'm now working in long term care in Merkel. I wasn't planning on changing jobs, but an unexpected phone call from a rehab company changed my mind. The opportunity to try something new was too overwhelming so I took the job! I've been in it two weeks. The first two days were a whirlwind complete with tears and asking myself "What in the world was I thinking?" But, things have settled down, and I've begun to make the transition from seeing elementary students to geriatric patients. If anyone has any tips, tricks, and ideas, please send them my way!

So, if your life has changed like mine...or even if it hasn't, please reply to this post so we can all catch up! Miss you girls!

the last lap

I don't know when most of y'all get out of school, but in Waxahachie we have one staff work day-tomorrow- and then we're done! I can't believe how fast time has flown! And- now REALLY comes time to swim in paperwork! Some of you may have already turned yours in and are a step ahead of the game. But for those that haven't, I THINK this is what we need to turn in to ASHA:

• Report & Rating Form
• Application for Certification and Membership, $336 fee, and make sure you include the "Application Form" that Dr. Bender signed last May
• KASA form
• Official transcript
• Praxis scores (for those like me who forgot to have them sent when we took it!)
• Journal Selection Form

For TEXAS gals I think we need:

• Report of Completed Internship Form
• Application Form, $163
• Transcript
• Praxis Scores

IF ANY OF YOU KNOW OF SOMETHING ELSE I'M FORGETTING PLEASE TELL ME ASAP! I'm planning on mailing my stuff in the next few days and really hope I've got it all together. Kinda scary, but REALLY exciting! Hope everything is going great for each of you; miss you all!