Are you a music therapist?

It's been awhile since I've posted...Oh the life of an intern...Anyway, I've decided to make more of an effort, so here goes.

A few days ago as I was walking into one of the school contracts I'm serving with my guitar on my back and a large bag of everything music in tow, a woman coming into the school asked, "Are you a music therapist?"  Since the MT I work with hadn't arrived yet, I looked around and realized she was talking to me.  It took me a second to process before responding with, "Almost.  I'm a music therapy intern."  The moment was brief, and she smiled as we parted ways.  I'm still surprised at how much that seemingly insignificant moment made me think.  All too soon I will have the privilege to say, "My name is Kelsey Juett, and yes, I am a music therapist."  With each passing day, musical moment, and continuous therapeutic brainstorming, I realize that this is where I'm suposed to be.

My Own Name

I never realized how important a name can be.  My first two weeks as a music therapy intern for students with special needs has been enlightening to say the least, but I think it is the small things that make me feel certain that God obviously knew this was what I am meant to do.  One of the many beautiful moments so far involved a student with hearing impairments who asked (via her interpreter) what my name was since she hadn't met me before.  Up until that point, I'd been observing from the back after a brief introduction by my supervisor.  Yes, a few inquisitive students had asked who I was, but this student provided me with my own signed name.  I wasn't just "the assistant"--She gave me a name combining the signed letter K and the ASL sign for music.  I know it seems like a small thing, but it just reminded me that even though I will never be the best musician in the world, I will make a difference using some of God's greatest gifts to me, music and love.  I look forward to all I will learn from students like her in my journey as a music therapy intern.

The research paper that took over my life...

You've obviously noticed my absence from posting over the past month or so, the reason being a 25+ page research paper required to finish my minor in psychology.  I originally designed a research study involving young children with autism and language, but my advising professor delivered her first child prematurely, which made the study nearly impossible.  In the long run, I think this worked out quite well and I'm glad to say conducting this literature review may have influenced my interests as a music therapist quite a bit.  If you are at all curious and have a bit of time on your hands, please feel free to read my paper regarding social behaviors, communication, and language in individuals with autism.

 Autism: Social Behavior, Commuincation, and Language Development

Let me be

Let me be the feet that faithfully journey onward, those that can't sit still.

Let me be your hands that freely serve,  just following your will.

Let me be the fire that keeps on burning and sets your heart ablaze, 

Let me be the light that shatters the darkness, in your presence I'm so amazed.

Let me be the strength that won't let go, and holds onto hope, the joy that warms your heart...

Let me be the voice that makes you want to sing,
that shouts your name from the mountain tops and reaches to the depths of the sea,

Oh Lord, please shine through me.

All those lovely old ladies must be geniuses...

I've just recently taken up knitting since I actually have a bit of what most people call "free time" (which should probably include more practicing and preparation...I'll get on that...).  I wanted to do something useful, so I decided to knit for some sort of cause.  There are a few nonspecific organizations, but I settled on knitting little baby hats and/or booties for local hospitals.  I figured "why knit for myself?  One can really only have so many scarves...during the summer..."  My husband kindly admitted to being slightly relieved that my crafting would not end up all over our apartment and instead would be given to charity.
Of course I really don't want to pay for any patterns at this point, because as I've discovered, knitting must be best suited for those lovely older ladies who are patient and have some sort of crafting genius.  Yes, you can Google "easy" or "beginner" patterns for such projects, but with a closer look, I'm a bit overwhelmed.  Thank goodness for YouTube and many kind knitting enthusiasts who post glossaries and "how tos."  Stay tuned for improvements (keep your fingers crossed) upon my hat making because this little guy is a bit sad...I wouldn't let any cute baby wear my first hat attempt...notice the not-so-small air vents...

An update on my knitting...This little blue hat was my second attempt.  Things were going well until I reversed the "right side" of the project and ended up with a textured stripe.  I thought I could make this intentional by simply creating more stripes, but then I messed up somewhere again (definitely some grumpiness) and the stripes were totally random, so on and so forth.  My solution: knit the hat longer and turn it up ; )  I hope this one is an improvement???   Maybe some little baby out there would appreciate this hat...or maybe the baby who receives this hat will look back as a young adult and insist his parents were crazy for letting him wear such a thing!  I haven't given up yet folks and I am determined to become the best baby hat knitter I can be!

Capture

In a way, I think photography is a lot like music.  It is like a simple click captures a moment in time that can never be repeated.  I love capturing that moment, and I have been told that I have a pretty good eye for it.  If I hadn't found my place in music or working with children, I think I would have become a photographer.  

My first taste of photography came with my seasonal job at a chain of photography studios aimed at children and families.  I received training regarding the technical aspects of photography as well as photo editing, lab work, and sales.  However, I would say about %80 of the job was working with children--any children, with or without the parents' assistance.  I could not even tell you how many times some seemingly cute kid and parents came into the studio and become the most exhausting customers imaginable.  "Why is my baby not smiling?  He smiles at home.  Lets try this or this...."  And of course they complain when the prints of their 3-month old come out on the sales floor and none include that award winning smile.  I have to think to myself, "Lady, if you couldn't get your kid to smile, what did you expect of me?"  Oh, and there are always those parents who have no control over their little monsters who put up a stink when the photos are terrible because their little darlings are defiant little boogers who won't listen to a thing I or their parents say.  And trust me, I was always more than willing to be a little silly or put forth quite a bit of effort to get a kid to smile.  Those working in daycare really came in handy, but these parents were completely ridiculous.  I've also worked with a few insanely demanding parents who expect their young children to sit and pose like models.  It took only one session of glamor shots for a pageant mom to drive me up the wall and want to put her in time out for talking to her four-year-old as if she was simply worthless.  My favorite part of the job was showing some proud parents adorable and beautiful images of their children or family and watching their expressions.  It was almost as if I was reminding them how blessed they were and how soon these moments would slip away and their children would be grown.  I hated seeing them devastated leaving photos behind, but what can you do?  You may be thinking, "Not everyone is like that," and yes, you are right.  Many families come in with normal children and things go pretty well, but that doesn't make a good story now does it?

I've traveled quite a bit for my age as well, so I love taking landscape photos as well.  With a decent point and click camera you can take pretty decent photos, but I am pretty picky.  I would like to think I've taken some pretty good ones, but I'll let you be the judge of that.  As soon as we get more settled in our apartment we plan to enlarge some of my photos and hang them.  I would love to try some black and whites of everyday objects or landscapes to replicate Ansel Adams (you should Google him).  I think the contrasts can be so striking.  We'll see what comes of that.  

Lastly, I would love to take some photography classes and read up on technique, camera settings, and styles, but of course, there is no time for that now.  I hope to one day do freelance photos and have my own studio.  Nothing crazy, just children, families, seniors and such.  A girl can dream... 

IiiiiiiiiKEEEAAAA!

As a recent graduate with a complete realization of the cost of living (especially after moving 500 miles from home), I am exceptionally grateful for the suggestions of just about the most awesome furniture store ever--IKEA.  If you are looking for pretty much any type or style of furniture, IKEA is the place to go.  The furniture seems to be of good quality for amazing prices.  My then fiance and I visited for the first time and were hooked.  I'm actually comfortably situated on our IKEA couch as I type and our entire apartment is furnished with the same.  I feel quite spoiled with all new furniture, and I know there is no way we could have done this with the outrageously priced furniture we saw everywhere else.  We've made many trips to IKEA and every time I see those big flags waving in the wind, I can't help but sing,"IiiiiKEEEAAAA!"  Thank goodness my husband loves me and I'm not tone deaf!

I would not recommend this shopping experience for those who are instructionally challenged or intolerant since the furniture comes in boxes to be assembled at home.  The instructions are easy to follow, but some pieces are a test of perseverance and patience.  That is why I assisted with the furniture and James took over and let me do the fun stuff.  Apparently I was completely unaware of my husband's fascination with furniture and low-key power tools.  It's like Legos or Tinker Toys to the extreme!