Minor Scare

So talking to one of my co-workers and she says to me, "Oh one of our classmates moved to New York after graduation and she had to retake the exam I think."  Ok, minor heart attack.  After realizing how frustrated I was (some other stuff going on at work) I went to the bathroom to put water on my face and breathe.  "Just call them." I tell myself.  I do call. You don't need to test again.

Thank. God.

Ready, Aim, Ask...

Yesterday, I received a phone call from an old family friend.  He asked me a question that I had honestly not even thought of to ask.  A question that is important to know the answer to.  He asked me what I wanted my career to be like.  I responded, quite instinctively, and I felt almost taken aback by my response.  In hearing myself speak, it was exactly what I wanted to say. I said, "I'd like the majority of my work to be in the hospital setting.  Then I'd like to move up to administration; I don't see myself doing direct practice for an extended period of time."  "Then," he said quite matter-of-factly, "my advice is (and you know what people say about advice) to start applying to hospital positions. Only hospital positions." He said some more that I will not include in this post, but what I mentioned here is quite enough.

The million dollar question.  Ask it. And answer it. If you haven't already please do so.  Ask until you have an answer. Ask supporting questions, if you don't know the answer.  The key here is aim. I think so often people are afraid to aim because they might miss their mark. Truth is you may miss your mark.  Truth is you could miss your mark completely, and really suck, and a whole lot of people could see that you really suck. But, and there's always a but. You took aim, and you took a shot. What's the alternative? Not taking aim and not taking a shot and you'll definitely miss your mark, and will definitely suck.

So? Ready, aim, ask...

The Fine Print

And here is the catch. Sept. 1, 2004 licensed social workers in NY became mandated reporters of child maltreatment.  So in order to obtain your LMSW you have to complete a 2hr training on the subject and submit your certificate of completion with your application.  Before you start arranging travel and accommodations go to the Office of Professions website (mentioned in the last post) and select distance learning for approved service providers who offer online training opportunities.

I'm starting to wonder if this should be a more of a "how to blog." This part could be definitely...

Anywho, hope this helps someone out there...

The Paperwork

SOOOOoooo here's the deal.  If you have ever worked in a licensed profession or are currently working in one then you know the paperwork is a huge headache.  But as they say, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"

...and going...

42 grueling pages later I have an...application!!! exciting.

My license is in Social Work.  I wear many hats, mainly a psychotherapy hat.  In order to transfer your license to the state of New York you have to obtain something known as, "Licensed Master Social Worker Licensing Application Packet." You can get it from www.op.nysed.gov.  You fill out the application, add supporting documents, $294 and tada! Its transferred! I have to admit, I thought  it would be way more expensive.  Nobody tells you about the cost of practicing when you go to school, but let me just say it costs. To obtain my license in DC I'm sure I've spent over a G. When you calculate all the education, registration cost, study materials, study courses, examination costs, and licensing issuing cost I'm sure it's in and around that figure.  Not to mention if you didn't pass it the first time around. I did thank God. Jeesh.

Anywho, I'll keep you posted on my progress...

Starting Right Now

As I sit here typing this, it occurs to me a simple undeniable fact. My life is not bad.  Then what is it? What leaves me searching? Wanting? Its like when you're standing on the beach and before you know it your feet are completely engulfed in sand. You look down and think for a moment. What if I just stood here? How far would the sand raise up? Would it cover me whole? You even dig your toes in deeper.  Before you can finish the thought you're struggling to get out.

So. I get out.  This year has been...its been rough.  Emotionally. I Ended a relationship with who I thought was, "the one" (that'll be another blog for another day), and directly into the arms of a God awful rebound (yet another blog).  To come out well, kind of stuck in the sand really.  After sometime contemplating first, how in the heck I managed to get this God forsaken position, I then spent even more time on how to get out of it.

There you have it really.  The true catalyst behind my most recent desire for transformation is...Was someone else.  After the breakup I felt like Alice in Wonderland.  Leaving the conventional behind and plunging, (admittedly unwittingly) into some magical nonsensical world.  Having had my fill of magical size adjusting food I've finally got my legs under me and I am ready to discover just what Wonderland has to offer...

enter...New York

enter this blog
and enter me deciding to share my experience of process and transformation as I make myself aNew...

most importantly I hope someone out there can relate and perhaps grow a little or a lot themselves <3