Iron sharpens Iron

Have you ever heard of the biblical term Iron sharpens iron?  Well let’s just say that a friend that you care about is doing something that can hurt him or herself or others.  You would want to speak up to your friend and let them know that what they’re doing or saying is hurtful or a mistake.  You must not be afraid to approach your friend and give them some assertive advice.  Consistently buttering up and agreeing with them when it can only hurt them in the long run is not helping them and really not being a true friend.  We must be honest with our friends and sometimes the truth hurts, however the truth can and will make us better people.  The truth really does set you free.  The truth will make you stronger.

That’s why in the bible Proverbs 27:17 reads: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. another.” There is mutual benefit in the rubbing of two iron blades together; the edges become sharper, making the knives more efficient in their task to cut and slice. Likewise the Word of God is a ‘double-edged sword’ (Hebrews 4:12) and it is with this that we are to sharpen one another—in times of meeting, fellowship, or any other interaction.

                                                                                               

                                                                                                     Lisa L.

My Trip To Pittsburgh

On Friday, November 23 – Sunday, November 25 my parents and I took a road trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in one car to spend the weekend.  We were joined in a second car by my younger brother Keith, his wife Charis and their eight month old baby boy Owen.  This whole trip came about because Charis wanted to get Keith tickets for the Rutgers vs. Pittsburgh football game as a wedding anniversary present.  However, the only way to do this was to get a four pack and a parking pass.  Unfortunately, there were five people on the trip who would need a ticket to the game.  So, like the good sport that she is my mom let my dad and I use two tickets and Keith and Charis had the other two.  Owen went to the game as well but he was admitted for free.  Upon arrival early Friday afternoon my parents and I walked around the University of Pittsburgh campus and saw the spot where the one time home of Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates (Forbes Field) used to be.  There also was a brief driving tour around Duquesne University but we didn’t get to see as much of the campus as far as my mom and I was concerned.  However, we did see the A.J. Palumbo center where Dwayne’s nephew Sean Johnson plays on the men’s basketball team.  On Saturday the whole gang woke up to thirty five degree temperatures and snow flurries and five of the six of us got all bundled up and braved the elements and headed off to Heinz Field for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights versus Pittsburgh Panthers.  Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights would lose their first Big East contest 27 – 6.  Owen spent nearly the whole game inside the club level suite asleep in his mother’s arms.  The thanksgiving weekend came to a close on Sunday when we drove home with all of the rest of the heavy holiday traffic.  Other than the result of the football game I enjoyed spending quality time with my parents and Keith, Charis, and Owen.                    

by Kris L.

Poem: Mustard Seeds

Mustard Seeds

By Nicole Black

 

A mustard seed of awareness and acceptance

For a longtime love

A mustard seed… because I believe

Someone can

Know each wrinkle of me

And kiss aged lips

With fineness

From decades of practice

ONE ROUND BROWNISH YELLOW

Of desire

That inspires

Art as children and room to grow sculptures

I a Muse to them as they are a Muse to me

Our creative outlets comingle and yet can stand alone

Knowing each of us is whole…. Not a half that will complete

2 planets with similar ecosystems so our ideas are fertile and can thrive on either

Celestial Organism

YES! A mustard seed that goes past the well

To the river fresh and crisp

I could sip beauty and sing praises to the trees

The moment fulfilling

All my earthbound needs

The enhancement of a longtime love/companion/friend/ lover 

Would allow me to share

The beauty I see all around me

With more than the trees

Their thirst already quenched by a clean river

Hydrated we could roam the wood and tell stories to frogs

Whisper rumors to moss

And in almost silent swiftness

RUN

Patterns amongst the trees

Creating a poem

For the forest

Poem: Thinking, Breathing Sitting

Thinking, Breathing, Sitting

Poem by Nicole Black

Left of Zen

                I ponder clouds

That has a hue              orange sherbet

                Dawn

                                Sun        Rise

                                                                Up

And create

Visibility

Of the buildings/roads/cars

Cement and Steel

Well orchestrated manicured trees and shrubs

                Against the blue

                                Still smeared with hints of purple night

                Small planes in early flight

                                Caress my view

Art Downtown

 

Art Downtown

If you like to make collages or just like looking at them go to the National Gallery of Art East Wing and see the various artists who explored the medium at the turn of the 20^th century. The exhibition is called Shock of the News and it presents works by more than 60 artists utilizing news papers in their work. Some names like Picasso may ring a bell, and others like Jasper Johns will widen your knowledge of American Modern art, while Hannah Hoch and Kurt Schwitters will inform you about the elusive Dada movement of the 1920’s.

Collage comes from the French word coller, meaning to glue. Pablo Picasso and George Braque (founders of Cubism) in 1912 explored gluing objects and  to surfaces. Hannah Hoch and Kurt Schwitters kept with the paper on surface exploration utilizing newspapers, advertisements, and photos in 1919.

This can be a good way to enjoy some free time and learn something new.

Location: National Gallery of Art, East Building, Mezzanine, 6th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Admission: Free of charge
For information: 202-842-6941 or www.nga.gov

Back To School Tips

Tips and Hints for Back to School for Spring Semester

Nicole Black

The fall semester had begun and the stress of doing well had sunk in. I have long known to do well in classes I have to mange my stress levels. I have had some success with this goal with support from varied places. The first is my RC knowing my class schedule and making sure I do not overload myself with too much LSP and that I am keeping my therapy appointments. Another resource is the Students with Disabilities Department. My Advisor is well versed in the faculty and their style of teaching and a pace that is suitable to me. Also, there are accommodations made for me to better experience class.

                One of the most helpful tools was a series of classes in the Developing Skills Department.  DS107 taught me how to use the campus and where everything was. It allowed me to understand how the Financial Aid office works and how best to utilize the counselors there and not just deal with the window. How to use the library to complete research and access extra information that would aid in my homework was another skill provided in DS107. In DS106, I learned how to be a student. Many of the exercises reminded me of DBT and I was able to learn what kind of learner I am and how to apply it to many teaching styles.  In that class we also learned about how to deal with the stressors that come along with being in school and that work, family, and recreation are planned around school for success. I also learned that sometimes it is ok to take a semester off to tend my life and wellness.

                Organizing and being realistic about my time and energy helped me stay on track.  I made a schedule that included all known appointments. I then added the travel times between appointments. I looked for prime opportunities and the best place to study for me. Upon review of the first draft I realized I had not included cooking and eating. So with the help of my RC we included a plan that made cooking and eating a natural part of my day, as well as back up plans such as access to food on the go that was healthy, snacks I could carry to get me through to my next meal and still provide the nutritious energy I need to absorb information presented in class.  Knowing where I needed to be and enough time to study gave me confidence that I was learning. I also received help from my professors. I asked them for clarity on assignments that I had trouble with and suggestions that where beyond my scope of consideration.

                I made acquaintances in class to have study partners who understood what we were experiencing in class.  This was a big step for me since I have trouble feeling comfortable with people. However, it was worth it. Since I am 41 I am eligible for the Adult Students service that has study groups and advisors to help navigate being on a campus again and the new styles of teaching since the last time I was in school.

                The web has many sources to aid student keep their study skills sharp.  I go to http://www.academictips.org/  for tips and ideas to make organizing information easier.  This site is free. Some sites require fees to view lectures.  I also utilize the Montgomery College website since this is where I go to school. On the main page are tabs at the top to choose from. Counseling and Advising has many tools like Academic and Class Planning, Advising Tools, and access to Student Support services. The Student Life tab keeps me up to date of seminars, lectures, and activities to keep me connected to my academic community like clubs and recreational student events.

                I am enjoying going to school. However it took a lot of work to be prepared to do well. I had to file academic and financial aid appeals to clean up my past academic record from 1989. I have been on the Dean’s List for 3 semesters and have connected with Professors that understand me and my goals and have been supportive. I have also survived the dreaded Grammar class understanding that I had to take extra steps to accommodate the Professors teaching style.  I also go ¾ time instead of full time so I get my Associates Degree in a reasonable amount of time but allowing myself time for therapy and LSP.

Spring semester registration has begun already. I have chosen a lighter load to fit my therapeutic phase. Before you register make an inventory of what you want to accomplish and how much time you have to dedicate to school. Good Luck to all those in pursuit of knowledge, degrees, and the social experience that school provides.

How to Manage Changes at Southport- Nicole Black

Have you been having difficulty with the changes here at Southport?

I have, but I know the changes are not personal and most of them are not in the hands of the staff that I interact with. It is important that I talk to my RC about my feelings regarding the changes. Some of them effect how much support she can give me. This frustrates us both. But the decision is not in our hands. I also make sure that my therapist and psychiatrist are aware of the stress and frustration the changes are causing. The more we as clients speak up to our support team the better they will be able to help us through these changes. I am very sensitive to change as many of us are here at St. Luke’s House Threshold Services United are. However, the ability to adapt to change is a good skill to learn. Change is a constant in life. Even when we develop a routine that gives us structure and comfort, unforeseen events will interrupt that stability. How we regain our stability can ease the stress. What I do 1^st is to accept the interruption. I also accept that it may not feel good, but it may be out of the scope of my control. The 2^nd thing I do is inform my RC, either in person or leave her a voice mail, not only about the interruption or new situation but also how I feel in that moment. If we are meeting in person I actively listen to her feedback and we figure out how I can manage my stress and if there is anything I can do about the change/interruption/new situation. If I cannot reach her I sit down and try to breathe. I focus on my breathing and not the issue. Once I feel less emotional, I try to accept what just happened as beyond my control at that moment. I try to stay in the moment and not jump ahead speculating outcomes.

                I have found that these actions help me feel better:

ü  Put a solution or request in the suggestion box

ü  Attend groups that lower stress: Seated Exercise, Be Kind Unwind, Fitness/Swimming

ü  Express feelings in therapy

ü  Ask staff if there is anyone above them you can express your frustration to

The more interactive we are as clients and utilize our resources the more manageable these changes will be.  Our input does count and is welcomed if we go through the proper channels with clear intent and without animosity. In other words stabilize ourselves so we can be heard.

So Long, ACC

On Monday, November 19^th one of the original members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) made the move to the Big 10 Conference.  That is when the University of Maryland Terrapins decided after sixty years to make the switch.  The main reasoning behind this was it should help alleviate the budget deficit that was mostly created when former Athletic Director Debbie Yow had luxury boxes and suites built at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.  Currently, a large majority of those are going unsold during football season.  Since the Big Ten (which will now have fourteen teams) has their own network, Maryland will share those finances with the other thirteen teams.  A day after the Terrapins were Big Ten bound the Rutgers Scarlet Knights left the Big East Conference to join Maryland in the Big Ten.  This move for the Terrapins will take effect on July 1^st, 2014.  With the move the seven sports that were cut approximately one year ago at Maryland will hopefully be brought back sometime in the future.  In terms of football it will probably be a few years before they are relevant again now that they will be playing schools such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Ohio State University.  While having these schools come to Byrd Stadium every other year should greatly increase ticket sales that will not necessarily translate to wins on the field.  In order to switch conferences Maryland will also have to potentially pay a fifty million dollar exit fee that they are preparing to fight legally.  This move also surprised ACC Commissioner John Swofford because Maryland President Wallace D. Loh had been talking to Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney only through media reports the previous weekend.   Despite repeated attempts, Swofford didn’t ever hear back from any officials at Maryland.  On one hand, Maryland football coaches see this as a greater opportunity to recruit in the Midwestern region.  Conversely, the Maryland men’s lacrosse team which is one of the sports’s most well known and oldest has been put in a bind because the Big Ten Conference doesn’t play lacrosse.  I’m personally going to miss the University of Maryland’s athletic teams competing in the ACC because that is how I grew up watching them.                

by Kris L.

Something #5 "Like Waves" - Internet Construction (Mixed Medium))

Meditate.,  Today,.
Celebate-ing, Place

Chords are a construct of Music, Or, meybthe otherway around.
I can't promise you're going to understand..
Like a theory in the water we are prisons of simple observation. The good news is it's simple (like waves).

-PeteR