In my travels around the Net I do come across some strange things. Tonight, while doing research for my cultural psychology term project on women in the military (of all things), I discovered that today, April 25th, is “World Malaria Day.”
Who knew?
I dunno. Just had to post that. There’s a rather extensive Web site devoted to just this cause. Go get ‘em, guys.
Beyond that, lessee… I’m deep into work for all of my courses, and while very busy, I’m enjoying the work. Yesterday I got to lead my small group discussion in my Politics of Sex Ed class on the textbook chapters covering ‘Body Image’ and ‘Solo Sex/Masturbation/Fantasy.’ (it’s amazing just how much a group of women, who barely know each other, can share in an hour). That was pretty interesting, actually. Ah, well… at least now, I get to sit back and watch the rest of my group take their turns. It’s been a good class. We’re going to be putting on a Sex Fair on campus toward the end of May, and I’m in the group organizing speakers and info (for a booth) related to sex ed and WA state policy, while others will handle the “Masturbation Station,” the Goodies Table, sex talk, blah blah blah… all sorts of fun stuff. But my prof thought I’d be great in this group and could lead it – yeah… thanks, Kari! Others get to write surveys on sexual health, and I get to research state policy. But as Mom used to say, “Go with your strengths.”
One thing’s for sure: this ain’t your mama’s college experience no more. Sex Fairs and Dildos and ClapTalk, OH MY!
Also, this coming Thursday, I’ll be attending the day’s events at the annual conference for the Washington Association on Postsecondary Education and Disability (WAPED – say that 10x fast…) up in Leavenworth, WA. The reason? An entire day’s panel discussions devoted to TBI and PTSD as it relates to veterans enrolling in or returning to college: “The Returning Disabled Veteran: TBI and PTSD Across Contexts,” with a special presentation from a clinical neuropsychologist in the field of veterans’ care. I was fortunate enough to be invited by our Veterans Coordinator (also the association’s president) at UWB (and, to be fair, to have Jack’s dad agree to pick him up from daycare that afternoon).
I cannot WAIT. I know that that probably sounds like a dull-as-dirt day for most of y’all, but for me, it’ll be right up my particular alley. I’ve truly found my calling. I can just devour this stuff and find it fascinating and infuriating, all at the same time. But also, motivating. Nothing else has ever motivated me so much; that much goes without saying. Traumatic stress and combat-related PTSD care are just part of it, though, albeit a large part. But there’s also a part of me that wishes I could find a job, even just for a while, in the field of veterans advocacy and policy – the reasons I began thinking about wanting to do this work in the first place. Well… who knows, right? The critical part of it is that I find a way to serve the veteran community with the skills I have, as somewhat dorky as that may sound. But that’s the way I look at it. As ever, each to their own… and I finally found “my own.”
In any case, I’m sure I’ll learn an incredible amount from the day’s presentations, beyond what I can in the books and journal articles I read (yeah, I’m a really fun date, LOL).
I’m still putting together the blog devoted to veterans care, BTW. But I do work on it, bit by bit. I’m looking forward to getting it up, and to having a place dedicated solely to just that information.
I hope everyone is well. I’m heading to bed after hours’ worth of research.
And remember to do your part: Stamp out any mosquitoes you might find today!
