Summer 2012

Sooo, I have just completed my plans for the summer! Here they are:

May 7-18: Shadowing an occupational therapist at Vanderbilt University
May 22-August 3: Working at Camp Widjiwagan as an equestrian staff member!
August 6-10: Hopefully more shadowing
August 13-21: R&R before returning to Berea

Also, I will be taking two summer courses while working at Camp--developmental psychology and medical terminology.

I have a full summer ahead of me but I'm sure it will also be a rewarding one. I am beyond thankful for the experiences that I will have this summer and I haven't even had them yet. Hope everyone else's summer is working out just as nicely for them!

Other great news--I have completed my hopeful schedule for the fall and spring of next year! The way things are looking I'll be able to graduate in December 2013 with a B.A. in Psychology!

Until next time...
-Megan

Graduate School

Today I was looking at graduate programs for occupational therapy in case I don't make the cut at Belmont. Boy is there so many to choose from and boy are they so expensive! What a stressful time! Plus, the likelihood of graduate assistantships isn't looking to good in the profession of OT. Seems like there aren't many being offered out there. BUT I still have over a year to go. That's all for now! Hope everyone has an amazing day!

Adios!

In the future

So far, I have spent much of my spring break, which officially began on Monday, planning and preparing for several upcoming major changed in my life.

First, I have had two camp interviews already. One on Saturday and one on Monday. I think both of them went really well. The camps are very different but I believe that I would truly enjoy both of them because I'll be working with kids and getting to spend the summer outdoors! I should here back from both of them before April. In case you're interested, here are their links:
Camp Widjiwagan
Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp

Second, Lucas and I have been discussing where exactly we want to live once we get married and have been looking at the cost of living for several communities that we are considering. As of now, he will either still be working at the West End location or they will be moving to a location in Cool Springs. Both of those areas are out of our price range as far as COL(cost of living) goes. I will most likely not have a job during the terms that I am in graduate school therefore the only income that I will be bringing in is during the summer months. We're look at some areas just outside of Nashville including Lebanon and just north of Nolensville. It's too exciting!!

Third, as soon as I press 'Publish Post' I am going to being studying for my classes. If I plan to be an occupational therapist, I need to get in gear and start studying hard for anatomy. I must make an A in there! School can be stressful but I am getting better and better at managing the stress that comes with it! I'm thankful for that.

Next, I have been checking out schools that I might potentially go to when I graduate from Berea. So far, they are the same as what I found during my previous searching venture. The two programs I am really interested in are the doctorate program for occupational therapy at Belmont University or the higher education administration program at Vanderbilt. My backup plan if I don't get accepted into either one of those is the occupational therapy program at Tennessee State University. It isn't a ranked program, which worries me but if worst comes to worst, I may apply there. If anyone knows about there program, please inform me!

Last, I have been reviewing blogs of current OTs. Some of them have been blogging since they were in graduate school. I think Berea is hard. Ha! This girl had a radical stack of books and was talking about the overwhelming stress that she experienced. That's fine with me. I'm used to it. BUT I am going to have to learn new time management skills because having my own place and meals to cook and a husband to distract me will make sitting down to seriously study much harder. Also, I love Lucas to death but since he didn't really go to school he hasn't grasped how thoroughly I need to know the material for the exams. That's something we're going to have to work on in order for me to be successful!

1 New Item on the Want List:

This book is by a man with Asperger's. He talks about different experiences that he had growing up. He has been a keynote speaker for many conferences. I believe that I would really enjoy this book and I hope to read it over the summer! Also, if you're interested, he has a blog: http://jerobison.blogspot.com/











That's all I've got for now folks! I may post back later since I've got lots of free time this week!

Truths about Dating a Techie

This is an article I found by Emily Hambidge on this blog. It is hilariously similar to some of the things that I experience with Lucas so I thought I'd share. At least I know I'm not alone. As Emily conveys in her post, dating a techie can have its I-want-to-pluck-my-hairs-out-one-by-one moments but, overall, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I like to think that behind every good developer there is a good woman. No. A great woman. It takes a special breed to put up with the stuff that comes along with dating a computer nerd. Those of you who have ever been with a hard core geek know what I’m talking about. Some day I think it would be easier to date one of those guys who hangs out at the golf course all day with his buddies drinking beer. 

This weekend I drove up from Nashville to see Justin. I knew he was busy with a Web development project, but I have dealt with that stuff before so it was no big deal. This particular project was for the Rails Day contest. This contest went from midnight on Friday to midnight on Saturday. While he was working I did some MacZealots work, caught up on sleep, cleaned the apartment and did the laundry. While I was folding some shirts I got to thinking about what life with a developer is like. I thought I would share my thoughts with you.

I started pondering this while I was doing the laundry because I noticed that 9 out of the 10 t-shirts I was folding were development or Mac related. Just to give you a general idea of what I’m talking about (and the embarrassment I have to deal with when we go out in public) let me describe a few of them. First, I ran across one that read “Steve Jobs is my homeboy.” Then there was the one that said “I am blogging this.” Next was a WWDC 2004 polo and an Apple Developer Connection shirt. And my personal favorite was the one that said “Code Different.” I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

I am used to all this stuff, and I adore Justin because of it, but what about girls who aren’t used to this sort of thing? What about the poor innocent souls who think they are getting a normal guy and then come to find out he has been sucked into the chaotic world of development? What about the little girls who dream of Prince Charming and end up with Steve Ballmer? What about the girls who never even dreamed they would know who Steve Ballmer is? I think someone needs to offer them a little advice. Seeing that I am a seasoned professional who has been dating a developer since I was 15, I think there is no one better than me to show them the way.

Following are 10 things you need to know when dating a developer (or any kind of techie.)

1. **When projects have a deadline approaching, all plans are tentative.**

I don’t care if your sister is getting married or your grandmother dies. If your man has a project with a quickly approaching deadline forget about him being there. This has nothing to do with lack of support, and it is by no means a jab at the guys. It is simply a matter of dedication. I have tried setting alarms, e-mail alerts, etc. Don’t even waste your time. And try to be understanding when situations like this arise. If you’re supportive and that application or piece of software takes off chances are you’ll get a nice date for all your patience.

2. **Your body/sex appeal are nothing compared to the power of a processor.**

The nice thing about most computer boys is that they don’t typically check out other women. The downside of this is that they don’t notice the other women because they are too busy checking out people’s cell phones and iPods. When it comes to boys and their toys your short mini skirt just can’t compare. Trust me - I have learned this the hard way. Anytime Justin and I set foot in the Apple Store I see the way his eyes light up when he sees a shiny new G5. I see his jaw hit the ground when new operating systems are released. I run after him in my sexy heels as he sprints to be the first one in line to buy a new piece of software. It’s sick and twisted really, but it comes with the territory. I know what you are thinking. Sex. That will turn any guys head, right? Nope! Sorry ladies, it just isn’t going to work. Unless you are sporting a lacy black teddy with an Apple logo on the crotch you really don’t have a chance if there is a project in the works. The plus side of this is that you could probably roll around in his sheets with Brad Pitt and he wouldn’t notice. Seriously, though, this doesn’t mean you aren’t sexy or desirable. I don’t know what it does mean - I’m still trying to figure that out for myself - but rest assured he still loves you.

3. **You will NEVER be the Apple of his eye.**

Ha! Get it? Apple. I’m so funny.

4. **Profanity is his friend.**

You have to learn to put on your earmuffs when it comes to watching him work. I know. You want to be supportive and sit in his office offering kind words of encouragement. Go right ahead! Just be prepared for his response to be something about the $4000 piece of shit computer that isn’t going fast enough or the mother f’ing code that doesn’t work right.

5. **If you love him you will be standing by with a lot of caffeine.**

Red Bull. Bawls. Mountain Dew. Whatever it takes. He is going to need it. The late night brainstorming sessions and all-night coding marathons require some fuel. Nothing would mean more than you showing up on his doorstep with 64 ounces of goodness.

6. **There is no rest for the weary.**

Plan on going to bed alone and waking up alone. Well, unless your bed is right next to the computer, I guess. I have occasionally found Justin in the wee hours of the morning with his head resting on the computer, but that’s the most sleep he’ll get when he is working on something. To be a developer I think you also have to be a perfectionist. This means until every bit of code is complete and flawless he’ll be staring at the computer screen.

7. **Rubies and Pearls are not what you think.**

I once overheard Justin having a conversation with a friend of ours. He made mention of a ruby and a pearl. Seeing as how it was almost my birthday I immediately thought I was in for a great gift. Little did I know they were talking about Ruby on Rails and Perl. Later that week we went out for a Sunday afternoon drive. There is a jewelry store just across the street from the local Barnes and Noble. I, of course, thought we were pulling in to buy some bling. 30 minutes and two O’Reilly books later I figured out that my “birthday gift” was actually how-to manuals for programming languages.

8. **One screen is never enough.**

When Justin first told me he thought he needed not one but two flat-screen monitors I thought he had finally started drinking. What on earth would require two screens? Now he is talking about getting a third! Oddly enough, when I glance over at him grinding away he has both 17 inches covered. So when he says he needs bigger this or better that, just go with it. At least you know he won’t be cheap when it comes to other things.

9. **if (loveBoyfriend = 1 ) {learn();}**

I always thought this coding, development stuff was just nonsense. Then I learned a little bit about it and realized it’s actually very cool. Sometimes I can even offer a little help. The other day Justin spent hours working on something for work. He just couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t coming together. In a spat of frustration he showed me what he was working on. Miraculously, I was able to find the problem. I think it was the proudest he had ever been of me.

10. **There is nothing like being the one there when he completes something new.**

I can honestly say it’s the greatest feeling in the world to be the one there when Justin gets out of the chair (for the first time in weeks) and is beaming at me (through red, puffy eyes) and dying to show me his newest creation. Somewhere between the annoying profanity and the lack of sleep he created something wonderful. So when you get frustrated with him just remember that maybe he’s working on the next Movable Type-ish phenomenon. Wouldn’t you love to be the girl behind the guy on the cover of Macworld?

It looks like Justin is about done with his Rails project. I’m gonna go curl up on the couch and watch a movie with him. And as I fall asleep tonight I’ll thank my lucky stars that my boyfriend is a crazy Apple Developer - the greatest guys in the world. I love you, sweetie.

Ladies, next time you go looking for a man, don’t check out the local bar scene. Think Different.

By the way Lucas, if you happen to read this, I apologize in advance that all the references are to Apple. To make up for it, 

That's a wrap for today. Salut.