fall seven times.. stand up eight.

This week’s theme is about increasing one’s spirituality. After some brainstorming and small discussion for their SLE, we interns decided to do the “Worry-free” Game. It is a modified version of Maria went to Town. Instead of wearing clothes and bringing some things, papers were used (so as for their safety as well). Those papers are placed in between some parts of the body (chin, armpits, and knees) while holding a fan. Their task was to go through a relay without those papers falling.

While the game was on-going, we all saw the strategies they did to win in the activity. One group had a funny but good strategy; we were all laughing after the game. In connection to the theme, sometimes a person filled with worries cannot easily reach their destination or goal. In order to ease the burden, he/ she should let go of some unimportant things. And of course, PRAYER helps. Why worry, when He is with us? God is there to help us carry our burdens and worries in life.

It’s also my last day today. Yey! 100 hours complete!  I have learned so many things during my 3-month stay here in LCRC. I met different kinds of people, did some things that I did not expect I would do (such as dancing and performing in front of people!), and gained experiences that I will never forget. I’ve seen most of the residents grow and recover, and I’m happy every time I would hear that they have completed their recovery program, most especially to those who have been already discharged. I hope I was able to help them, even in my own little way.

I want to thank everyone in LCRC for this experience and opportunity, most especially to Sir Al. To all the interns I’ve been with from November to February (NEU, MCU, PUP, and UE groups), thank you as well! I hope our new found friendship won’t end here in LCRC.

Leaving is one of the hardest part of one’s journey. But I guess it’s a way of us to see each other again soon. GOODBYE AND SEE YOU AROUND!

Saturday is aerobics day! This is where the residents watch the CD and do the exercise. At least everybody are required to participate to prevent them from being idle. It’s my first time to join them in their exercise. It is a good thing that they do some work out every Saturday so as to keep them healthy and fit.

Of course, in every exercise there’s always 3 stages: warm-ups, the main work-out, and cool down. In the aerobics program (by Jackie Lou Blanco), the movements were simple enough to be followed by the residents. While we monitor them, we interns also joined them in some of the exercise shown. Well, it does work and make me sweat! :P

In the afternoon, they had their movie watching. Since there is no theme assigned every weekend. The residents can watch any movie, provided that it is approved by Sir A beforehand. Not all movies can be watched by them, there are some things to be considered so that it would not be a triggering factor with the present condition they have.

One of our successful shots. Guess who’s missing! *laughs* :P

Interns with Dr. Randy Dellosa

The tiring but funny game of caterpillar! *whew*

This week’s theme is: Finding Meaning in Life. We prepared an activity entitled Ernest’s Hand wherein the residents traced their hand on the paper and drew symbolisms in each part of the hand. The symbolisms represent some important people, things and events in their life, dreams and goals, motivation, and hindrances that affect them. After the drawing part, they were able to share their work to their fellow residents and to us interns as well. During the processing, we emphasized to them that those things that they drew on their papers should be their inspiration to keep going in life and a guide for them to find their purpose in life.

During the sharing part, I’m glad that most of them readily shared their thoughts. Some of them made their work colorful and creative. It was nice to see them sharing and listening, most especially about their dreams, goals, and motivation in life. A saying goes like this: “Libre Mangarap.”. But I guess it’s much better if one makes his dream a reality. J

In relation to the theme, this day’s movie is Amelia. It’s mainly about Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. It depicted her life, the struggles and challenges she faced, fulfilling her dream to fly, and her last moments before she disappeared. From a simple dream to reaching greater heights in her life, there she found her meaning and purpose even if it cost her life. It something one should know, that in life we should learn to take risks and see where your brave heart can take you. If you do not go after what you want, you’ll never have it. Wow, that’s a nice thought. J

This Saturday morning was a very unique one. The night before, Sir A asked us to bring extra clothes or pambahay for a video shoot. I guess you have the same question as I did. Video shoot? For what?

It turned out to be a video shoot of high school students for their class project. Since the students are not allowed to take pictures or videos of the residents, Sir A asked us to act as the residents. Haha funny right? But Sir A assured us that he told the students the disclaimer. Some of the scenes taken are: outdoor activity, group therapy session, individual counseling, and family therapy session.

After shooting the scenes, we were laughing so hard at what we did! Some of us acted like having a flat affect, hyperactive, depressed and hallucinating. Sir A praised us for what we did, and he gave us plus hours as a reward. Yey!

When the students asked if they ask an intern to be interviewed, Sir A chose me. I was quite nervous as first (primarily because I’m video shy. :P), but when I saw the questions, they were easy questions. They asked me why did I choose psychology, my experiences handling the residents, some hardships and frustrations that I encountered, and things that I learned during my stay here. I’m happy that I was able to impart them my knowledge and experiences in psychology. I do hope I can be an inspiration to them, even in my own little way of sharing my experience here in LCRC.

Today we had some new activities. We had the usual SLE in the morning, but in the afternoon we had a fun ice breaker and Qui Gong. And it’s the last day of some of my fellow UST interns.

What really made my day was during in the afternoon. A visitor taught us the medical Qui Gong. She says that it helps in the flow of circulation of oxygen and blood in our body. It also releases stress and tension and helps us be in a state of relaxation. Most of the movements done are easy to do it, and some are derived from the martial art Qui Gong. During that time I felt I was a warrior. Haha. I was really fascinated by martial arts. Sad to say my parents didn’t allow me to take summer classes that offer self-defense such as taekwondo or karate. Well I guess today was my chance. :P

Before demonstrating and teaching Qui Gong to the residents, Ms. AG asked us to prepare an ice breaker, since the residents just came from their nap. Our ice breaker is another version of Shaggy Dy wherein group will pick a leader and everyone will imitate the movements of the leader, while the “it” guesses who the leader is. We didn’t expect it, but the residents had fun! Even after the Qui Gong, they requested to play it again since it was not yet 5 pm. We even joined the group! It was really a nice activity with them, as well as a good way to say goodbye to them (for the UST interns who are leaving).

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! :)

new year has always been attributed to change (such as a resolution). well, change is constant. and i guess there were few changes that i noticed at the start of the year 2010.

it’s been really a while since my last OJT (haha i’m sorry Sir A! :P). since the season of basketball tournament has finally ended, it’s time that i dedicate my vacant time in OJT so that i could catch up with the things i missed.

during the outdoor activity of the residents, i was surprised with what i saw that time: Kuya M became active! last year, he had flat affect, and he doesn’t move that much. mostly i see him sitting around a corner. but now, WOW! he played basketball with the staff guys, and he even greeted us with a high five. he was also the one who tried to call us through the window. surprising indeed, but i’m very happy with his improvement. i hope he keeps on improving and believing in his abilities. :D

today is thursday, and the residents were scheduled to have worship in the morning, while it’s movie watching in the afternoon. it was my first time to witness and participate in their worship. it’s really nice that the residents have this kind of activity. not only that it helps in their recovery, it also brings them closer to God. i really had fun especially in the part where we interns joined them in singing songs of praise while Sir A leads the activity. it was those times that i’m feeling stressed with school works, at the same time i had less sleep.. but then i became at ease after singing. it felt like a ‘releasing’ moment for me.

while the pastor was preaching, the residents were quietly listening and reflecting. it was also a good time since it’s a new year. a new and fresh start for all of them. i do hope they would leave their burdens and worries behind, and start renewing their lives with God.

in the afternoon, they watched My Bestfriend’s Wedding. Funny, some of them are really “kilig” with some of the scenes in the movie especially when they did the “kilig” action. haha. :P well i guess that kind of feeling is not really exclusive to teens or young persons. :P

oh by the way, before i end this entry.. i had fun working with PUP interns. it was my first time to be with them. they were quiet at first, but they’re actually makulit and madaldal. haha. :P looking forward in working with them in the coming days! :)

christmas season is up! and what a good way to celebrate it is with a PARTEEY! :D well of course, before the main event preparation should come first.

our group was asked to teach one group of residents to sing and act a christmas song. during the activity, we noticed that many of them are groggy and not-so-enthusiastic. i think they just had their medications. we had a hard time teaching them the song, few of them had to be practiced and reminded several times about their timing in their part of the song. we were able to finish the routine. but because of their present condition, i admit that it wasn’t that lively.

after lunch break, Sir A asked us if we could modify the act so that it would be easier for the residents. we rehearsed them many times so that they will be able to remember the song, lines, and movements. it was a bit frustrating for me. i really wanted them to be enthusiastic because the song has an upbeat tune. but i had to keep in mind that patience is important. and we should be still active and lively even though with this kind of situation. i felt a bit tired at the end of the day, but i’m hoping that they can do better in their next practice. at least we were able to help and teach them for their presentation. :)

for this week’s theme, it is about Befriending Our Shadow. with this, we conducted a Structured Learning Experience (SLE) for the residents. they were asked to group by pairs. one person will be blindfolded while the other will serve as a guide to their partner. their task is to help their “blind” partner get through the obstacles that we prepared. the guide cannot touch his/her partner, but they are allowed to communicate to them. they should be able to finish the course.

in my observation, some of them were able to pass through the obstacle, while others had a bit of difficulty in guiding their partners. some gave specific instructions in helping their partners, others were just doing it for the sake of finishing the course.

during processing, i’m happy that many of them realized the importance of communication and trust. they were able to cite some learnings from the activity. we also emphasized to them that our “shadow” need not be too negative or too difficult to handle, but they can also help us in dealing ourselves more.

in the afternoon, they watched the movie entitled The Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. too bad i wasn’t able to finish the movie because Ma’am AG asked me to interpret the tests she assigned to me. haha. :P although i also wasn’t able to finish my interpretation, i noticed in the two drawings that aggression was a common factor. i do hope i can finish those next time. i kinda became interested in the client’s condition. :D