Monday, July 26, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Art by Denise
On the 4th of July, I photographed a local artist in Santa Barbara: Denise Macintosh. I was honored to watch her process through the creation of her work. From the perspective from one artist to another, I understood the process of wanting to capture what is seen by the naked eye and placing it on a canvas or in my case, processing the images through the lens of a camera.
We arrived at the location at about 1pm. I helped her set up and watched her from afar get acclimated to her surroundings and what she was about to paint. I was able to capture shots from different angles. She told me later that she had forgotten I was even there and was surprised of all the shots I was able to get of her. Here are a few of the shots. Denise and I both agreed that the second shot below was our favorite- if you look closely it looks like her hand is going right through the canvas. Quite the illusion! Enjoy and should you have any questions about this artist, I would be more than happy to forward your information to her. Please write me at alram1978@yahoo.com. Enjoy!
We arrived at the location at about 1pm. I helped her set up and watched her from afar get acclimated to her surroundings and what she was about to paint. I was able to capture shots from different angles. She told me later that she had forgotten I was even there and was surprised of all the shots I was able to get of her. Here are a few of the shots. Denise and I both agreed that the second shot below was our favorite- if you look closely it looks like her hand is going right through the canvas. Quite the illusion! Enjoy and should you have any questions about this artist, I would be more than happy to forward your information to her. Please write me at alram1978@yahoo.com. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Closing Another Chapter
After passing the final exam, I have come to realize how close I am to completing the academic portion of Graduate School. The thought of finishing up all of my class is so bittersweet. For two years, I have been meeting with the same group of amazing people from all over the states for an intensive three day class session that meets just once a month. Here we are, July, 2010, Track C, Counseling Psychology, Master's students- we all will be saying our goodbye's at the end of this month till me meet again at graduation next May.
During the Summer sessions, it is one of the most grueling quarters during the first year and second year. The session itself lasts for one week straight. It is very exhausting however this year will mark the end of classes for us as a group and a new chapter for everyone. I can only speak for myself when I say that I am ready to go my own direction and further my journey into becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. There are a number of directions that I can take however, I am leaving it up to whatever is meant to be.
The one of many great joys of being in California is that I am still in a short distance away from a number of my classmates. Nothing like a road trip to see some familiar faces! Overall, right now, I am feeling both joy and sadness about closing this chapter. My classmates have become my family and will continue to be such a meaningful group of people as well as support for me for me in the years to come.
Just last week, I finally found a job. Currently, I am going through the training process and am waiting to get my fingerprints done so that I can then begin working with clients! Overall the timing was excellent. Not working for as long as I have has been exactly what I needed. Having the final exam behind me has given me the wiggle room to relax and move forward towards beginning the next process of writing my thesis.
It does not end there. This last session is once again will be filled with some good times. Some of the festivities include, clothing swap- sort of a free for all garage sale- bring what you don't want any longer and then take what you see that you want, sorta thing. Then there will be Creative night, where we can bring poems, show artwork and just hang out with everyone! Another night, we will have a drum circles and have a rocking dance off on campus. Can't forget to mention spa night! Nothing like getting a facial, hair treatment, foot massage, back massage and my nails done all in one night! Another night there will be a BBQ off campus, afterwords a night out on town! Finally, for the last evening, I will be able to share my art by presenting the class with a slide show of all the photos I have taken! Below is a preview of some of the photos. I have had so much fun with using my photography to capture the precious memories at Pacifica.
It's hard to say goodbye but the time has to come. My world has opened up and I feel so lucky and blessed to be a part of this process of training and really doing the work on myself as well as watching others dive straight into their material.
Proverbs
Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door. -Emily Dickenson
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. -Abraham Maslow
Treat people as if they were what they should be, and you help them become what they are capable of becoming. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt
People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim. -Landers
Whenever one finds oneself towards bitterness, it is a sign of emotional failure. -Bertrand Russell
Nothing worse can happen to one than to be completely understood. -Jung
Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you. -Aldous Huxley
Creation is the only outcome of conflict that satisfies the soul. -Blake
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. -Abraham Maslow
Treat people as if they were what they should be, and you help them become what they are capable of becoming. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt
People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim. -Landers
Whenever one finds oneself towards bitterness, it is a sign of emotional failure. -Bertrand Russell
Nothing worse can happen to one than to be completely understood. -Jung
Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you. -Aldous Huxley
Creation is the only outcome of conflict that satisfies the soul. -Blake
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
My New Tripod
SLIK PRO 400DXTook a trip out to Samy's yesterday to take a look and price the tripods. I was amazed when I found this tripod on sale, a little over half off from the ones I had found online. I tried it out and hooked my camera to it and I was sold. I have been telling myself for months now to get a tripod however kept on putting it off. Yesterday I took care of all that. Bought my tripod as well as a shutter release. Along with that, I had also purchased a Polarizing Filter for landscapes as well as a UV filter.
I have been reading a great deal about Polarizing filters and how they can be used to enhance color saturation. I found it interesting how the effectiveness of the polarizing filter greatly depends on the location of the sun. I have noticed in a lot of my shots of landscape, particularly of the ocean where there is a reflection from the water. I look forward in going out to shoot this weekend. I have a few projects on my hands- just keep posted and I will eventually share about them in later blogs!
I have been reading a great deal about Polarizing filters and how they can be used to enhance color saturation. I found it interesting how the effectiveness of the polarizing filter greatly depends on the location of the sun. I have noticed in a lot of my shots of landscape, particularly of the ocean where there is a reflection from the water. I look forward in going out to shoot this weekend. I have a few projects on my hands- just keep posted and I will eventually share about them in later blogs!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
My Exam
To begin with. I am so happy to announce that last week on the 25th, I passed my Final Exam at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I was well prepared for the exam. It was an oral exam where we had to answer a number of situational questions regarding Legal, Ethical and Diversity issues. I was given a Vignette which was presented 5 minutes before beginning to answer the list of questions. Later, I had to explain which theoretical orientation I plan on applying to the vignette. With that, I had to creat a service plan, listing the goals and interventions used to treat the symptoms this client is struggling with. Finally, I was asked about how Depth Psychology can help working with the vignette that was presented. There are a few other questions, however that is the gist. The oral exam itself lasted about an hour.
My exam was at 10am. We all had to check in at 9 which gave me just an hour to hold that nervous energy. I checked in to my professors. After doing so, I felt like I needed to move around. My classmates and I put some music on and got up and jumped and spun around the classroom. Some of my classmates didn't have their exam till later but wanted to cheer the rest of us on. At about 9:35, regardless of that nervous energy, I headed towards the exam room. I took some of my notes and study guides with me and waited. Finally the exam room opened...."Carolina?" I look over and said "Yes?!" the professor stated that she was ready and welcomed me to begin slightly early.
I walked in. Set my notes aside- This was not an open book or open notebook test so I had to hand over my notebook. I looked around the room and saw in the center of the small table, a microphone sitting there. I had to laugh inside over that. It reminded me of a radio show. TOO MUCH...WAY OVERBOARD. I mean I know that it was going to be recorded but thought that was over the top. My nerves rested and I was able to laugh at the situation I was in. Next, they turn on the 80's style tape recorder, and said my name- butchering it to pieces of course. (I corrected them) So I was given the vignette- I set it down next to me face down and begun creating a chart of all the topics I wanted to cover during the two and a half minutes I was given to answer each question. Then after I did that, I turned the vignette over to see what type of case that I will be working with. It was the type of case that my previous work in the field prepared me to be able to cover all that I needed to. My client was a 9 year old, Hispanic boy who was being abused by his great grandmother, CPS was informed and the case was transferred to me for individual/ family therapy. Right off the bat, I was dealing with diversity issues, child abuse and was unclear as to who the guardian was. I was on top of my game! I felt very confident and sure what all I wanted to include with each question. By 11am, I had found out I passed. The feedback was excellent. The positive feedback that I received gave the boost of confidence in knowing I am exactly in the right field of practice. I am meant to do exactly what I am doing.....There is no doubt of that!
If there was a day that I would redo over and over again, that would be it! Later after class let out, I met up with some of my friends and just celebrated this accomplishment! My favorite part was when I ran into some of my friends from my traineeship site. What are the odds, right? I was so ecstatic to share the good news....regardless, it is such a huge weight that has been lifted. I am all smiles!
My exam was at 10am. We all had to check in at 9 which gave me just an hour to hold that nervous energy. I checked in to my professors. After doing so, I felt like I needed to move around. My classmates and I put some music on and got up and jumped and spun around the classroom. Some of my classmates didn't have their exam till later but wanted to cheer the rest of us on. At about 9:35, regardless of that nervous energy, I headed towards the exam room. I took some of my notes and study guides with me and waited. Finally the exam room opened...."Carolina?" I look over and said "Yes?!" the professor stated that she was ready and welcomed me to begin slightly early.
I walked in. Set my notes aside- This was not an open book or open notebook test so I had to hand over my notebook. I looked around the room and saw in the center of the small table, a microphone sitting there. I had to laugh inside over that. It reminded me of a radio show. TOO MUCH...WAY OVERBOARD. I mean I know that it was going to be recorded but thought that was over the top. My nerves rested and I was able to laugh at the situation I was in. Next, they turn on the 80's style tape recorder, and said my name- butchering it to pieces of course. (I corrected them) So I was given the vignette- I set it down next to me face down and begun creating a chart of all the topics I wanted to cover during the two and a half minutes I was given to answer each question. Then after I did that, I turned the vignette over to see what type of case that I will be working with. It was the type of case that my previous work in the field prepared me to be able to cover all that I needed to. My client was a 9 year old, Hispanic boy who was being abused by his great grandmother, CPS was informed and the case was transferred to me for individual/ family therapy. Right off the bat, I was dealing with diversity issues, child abuse and was unclear as to who the guardian was. I was on top of my game! I felt very confident and sure what all I wanted to include with each question. By 11am, I had found out I passed. The feedback was excellent. The positive feedback that I received gave the boost of confidence in knowing I am exactly in the right field of practice. I am meant to do exactly what I am doing.....There is no doubt of that!
If there was a day that I would redo over and over again, that would be it! Later after class let out, I met up with some of my friends and just celebrated this accomplishment! My favorite part was when I ran into some of my friends from my traineeship site. What are the odds, right? I was so ecstatic to share the good news....regardless, it is such a huge weight that has been lifted. I am all smiles!
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