« Wrapping up my third week one (almost) | Main | Lost and found »
February 25, 2005
Drama, clinic, love
Post-session, not only did I go to bed at 10, I did my "nightly" Reiki for the first time since being here this quarter, and this morning I woke up an hour before my alarm clock and did my morning energy tuneup, also for the first time this quarter.
Making it to breakfast for the first time in a long time was nice, and necessary: last night eating dinner up in the library, someone mentioned that someone else had been fired. Drama. The person who supposedly had been fired has been key for the students, and the only reason to fire her would be to stifle that particular voice. I heard a kitchen staff member resigned immediately over it. I also heard that some of the staff had met to discuss it, and talk of some of them resigning may have come up.
I had a dream about the whole thing last night, and this morning in the bathroom I saw one of the staff and confirmed everything with him. At breakfast a group of my classmates were talking about it, and I joined them... another staff member overheard me and took my concerns about being heard to the Director. I know at least one other student approached that staff member directly to express concerns as well.
At lunch, the staff member came back to me and said simply "Your concerns have been heard." (By dinner, there were signs up announcing a Community Meeting, hosted by the Director, on Monday after dinner. FINALLY. I am so sick of not having such a voice on campus.)
After lunch I talked with the person who was fired, and confirmed much of what I had been hearing. Not only did she give me her side of the story, but also a greater understanding of the other side of it.
Of course, this will be interesting: I'm good at articulating my points; I'm not so good at politics. I tend to alienate people, backing them into a corner without giving them an out. Instead of allowing them to be the good guy, I've given them the choice between having their ego trampled or resisting me. Guess which one people usually choose?
So I get another chance to work on that.
I'd like to note that this entire issue and the way it will be handled will definitely have an impact on whether or not I stay for the fourth quarter. I've felt like these problems (and this person getting fired is merely a symptom of the structural/organizational problems at Heartwood that I've seen since first quarter) have been ignored, and I hope that the for-profit business side of Heartwood cannot afford to ignore them.
Today was the first day of Clinical Practicum. Three paying clients came and the two other 9-month students and I gave 'em sessions, took their money, and ran. To our clinic supervisor, who collected the money and gave us back $4 each for laundry. Apparently some (much?) of the remainder goes into our graduation fund.
The folks were really nice, the sessions went well, and the week finally "ends". Two whole days to do MORE sessions, homework, and everything else that comprises my overextended, insane life.
After dinner I checked on a student I was supposed to help, but was unable to find him... so I ended up playing Taboo in the Lodge. Warren has declared Fridays "Game Night", which, as the honorary Director of Gaming, I suppose is his prerogative. ;-)
Oh, Maintenance put up my wall shelf and fixed my coat hook rack! My room is looking so much cleaner. I just have to do something about the stacks of papers and periodicals and binders and folders in the middle of the floor. I see some framed photos in there, a notebook or five, a CD case, Crest White Strips, etc. MESS.
There is, however, enough room to do some simple yoga. And once I get it cleaned up, I'll be able to do sessions in here. Oh, when I get a table that is. *sigh* Do they have to be such an"investment"? And so hard to shop for?
I think I want to name my pet monster something guttural and unspellable. Something akin to "Grahal-raarrl-rrrr". I'm also working on giving it a new job. Something like, "To remind me to love myself in ways other than fucking up my life."
And finally, Soyka gave me a book today: Teachings on Love, by Thich Nhat Hanh. I've only cracked it, to read a little about Sangha, or spiritual community, and love that I have a copy. I think I'm going to put it next to my bed with Utne for bedtime reading.
Posted by Josh A. at February 25, 2005 10:02 PM
Comments
Why don't you name your monster Thich Nhat Hanh?
Posted by: ste3ve at February 27, 2005 03:24 PM
Well, that is the translation....
Posted by: Josh A. at February 27, 2005 03:54 PM