Trying something new...

So here's my brief synopsis: (I'd love to read yours, too!)

I'm a 5th year undergraduate student at UW-Madison, working on Bachelor degrees in Sociology, Legal Studies, and Social Work and a Professional Certificate in Criminal Justice. Currently, I am a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student, which means I've pretty much finished my other degrees and am doing my first year of Graduate School for SW as an undergrad (yay for really cheap grad school tuition!). I will be applying to the UW for my second (concentration) year later this fall, and will (hopefully) be completely done with my Masters of Social Work (MSW) by May 2009. Then that's it for school--although thoughts of law school (in the distant future) have not yet been completely exhausted.

As a requirement for my BSW degree, I work as a social worker at East Madison Community Center, average 15 hrs/week. The Center is a drop-in youth organization which targets an "at-risk" population in the Madison community. Academic-focused programs are prioritized in order to help kids stay focused and keep up with school obligations. EMCC is a large community facility equipped with its own library (which I am currently revamping--really needs some work!!), computer lab, gymnasium, multipurpose room (with a performance stage!), and pre-teen and teen rooms with pool tables, TVs, games, video games, etc. and offers pre-teen (ages 5-12) and teen (13-17) focused programs Mon-Sat. If kids come for learning center and reading programs early in the evening, then they get free dinner. And then I do, too. Mmm..

...basically, I come to play with little kids, help with homework, give them TLC they may not be getting at home, keep them out of trouble, and help them find ways to get through life without causing trouble. Pretty awesome. I may have started to realize how I'm going to use my motivation and passion through my working years :)


As for the money-making work I do:
I've been working at a law firm in Madison, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, for a little over 2 years, average 15 hrs/week. I am the firm's Law Library Clerk and Marketing Coordinator's Asst. They give me lots of different projects to work on, always keeping me busy..and giving me money!
Aiden and Emma are my little loves :) I babysit for them several times a week, average 10 hrs (or more, depending on how much free time Chris needs on the weekends...) Aiden just turned 3 Oct. 1 and Emma will be 2 Jan. 21. I've been watching them since they were 18mths and 3mnths, so they are my babies :) soo cyute!


..After all that compacted into every week, you wouldn't think I could still get into trouble..but of course I do, whenever possible! Craziness and the ability to function on very little sleep come with the genes, I think.


**I love family, friends, wine, feminism, Marilyn Monroe, coffee, conversation and eating; fully support Barack Obama; and have a strong commitment to social justice**


...ME, IN A NUTSHELL :) xoxo