Hannah Jensen, MSW

I did it.
In 16 months, I completed my program.
I am now a 'Master of Social Work.' Thank God!

Library Extravaganza

At the end of my summer semester I moved out of Ann Arbor to save some money. I moved in with Jean and Jan. A mother and daughter who own a house in Chelsea, MI. It is about 15 mins outside of Ann Arbor. I love it here. Today I ventured for the first time into the Chelsea Library. It is a very new beautiful building with all the fine things that up and coming libraries have,,,except for books. I smiled to myself when i asked the librarian for help finding a book on Family Therapy. She said they didn't have those kinds of books. Maybe they spent all their money on the building and forgot to save some for the books. I realized that UM has SO many libraries, I've become quite the resource snob.

In Detroit, in one of the neighborhoods that I do some community work, the libraries shut down on a regular basis. Sometimes they have a hard time getting people into the libraries. Low-income neighborhoods are full of hard working people who don't have the luxury of access to Family Therapy or whatever kind of books, because of time and money, and education.

My problem of being at the wrong library to do my homework is so trivial, when I think about why I'm having this problem. I am working on a Master's program that is kicking my butt, but its definitely a luxury. It really helps me to think about the residents of Detroit when I start to whine about how difficult this program is. I realize it is a far less worisome to consider where I should do my homework than it is to think about where I can go to high school because the schools in my neighborhood are closing down. Or why the libraries are so far away because they close on a regular basis, or don't have the funding they need to provide services that are meaningful.

Back to School

I'm back to school but it seems like the last thing I can think about these days is getting down to work. I spend a lot of money to go here, but I'm distracted by relationships. Brothers, sisters, parents, best friends, co workers, supervisors, friendships, bosses...the list and the roles that these people play in my life convinces me that I am a blessed woman. I know it. I can pretty much guarantee that the majority of these people either love or like me. (And if they don't like me they probably have to LOVE me because I'm family...lol) I am influenced by these people in great and negative ways. Both the positive and negative influences do distract me from school. I can't get my brain to settle down and attack the work. I feel like I need an injection of gumption. Maybe I just need to get back on my "back to school" diet--endless amounts of caffeine.

Monotonous School Work

I am totally resisting all things school related. It just doesn't seem right to be in school and have the sunshine at the same time. If Michigan had sun in the fall and winter maybe it wouldn't be such a novelty and I would get some work done. Or maybe I would just not get any work done year round. boo.

Air Freshener: Part 2

I have a window fan and a lilac bush outside my window. I swear that it totally smells like lilacs in my room all day everyday. I love spring.

MLB

Major League Baseball. I've been informed that to be a better American, and more importantly a better person, one must know baseball. I have begun my quest to learn about baseball. I have recently made the Major League Baseball website a bookmark in my browser page. It feels weird. I hope it sticks...It would be nice to be a better person.

Lessons Learned so far:

30 teams (not 50 like I assumed, i thought there was one for each state)

25 players (with 8 players starting...plus the catcher?)

California has 5 teams,,, Padres, Anaheim Angels, Dodgers, uh...i can't remember the others

Other teams I know:

1. Detroit Tigers-American
2.Chicago White Sox & Cubs
3. New York Yankees and Mets
4. Florida Marlins (or is Miami?)
5. Washington Nationals
6. St. Louis Cardinals-National League
7. Texas Rangers
8. Boston Red Sox
9. Atlanta Braves (i think??)
10. Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Poor states don't get have any teams & there is an American and National League. The Tigers are in the American League.
RBI-Runs batted In??? or something...its a work in progress.

Air Freshener

I was walking outside and the air was so warm that it was melting the sap on the pine trees. The air smelled really good of pine. I live in an apartment complex that is quite woodsy, but I didn't realize how many evergreens there are. I'm suprised I haven't noticed it before. Its like the earth's own air freshner. It makes me happy.

I have a job.

I have been looking for a job since April and finally found one. I will be a caretaker for a woman who has Alzheimers. If you know me you might say, "that doesn't sound like you" and I would say to you, "I know". I saw this job on the School of Social Work website and applied directly. I have little to no experience taking care of the elderly, but I thought I would go for it and I was getting desperate. I interview with the woman's granddaughter and then again today with the daughter. I met the woman today and the situation is not what I expected it to be. The woman is hilarious. She is forgetful and confused at times, but generally? funny. Really, intentionally funny.

It would suck to turn 85 and feel like, woah ok, here comes a young kid to take care of me. So from now on I'm going to say, "hang out with" instead of "take care of". I think it would make her feel better. She said, "i'm 85, i'm not good for anything". She said it jest, but I think she feels that way. It has to be a tough disease. When I was in undergrad I saw this movie called "the Long Goodbye". It was sad when I watched it then. It is sad now and yet I feel thankful that I can hang out with this woman and help their family.

Jesus help me to love and serve this family the way that you would. Help me to be mindful and respectful of them and acknowledge that You are in control, even when things seem shitty. And Jesus thanks for the job. You know my heart, you knew just what I needed and you saw the need of this family.