i bet this is the topic in every year 2 social work major's blog. Haha.

PLACEMENT HAS STARTED.
AND, the holidays are gone. laughs. not much of a holiday anyway although i did enjoy myself. the baboons were nice. haha. (i dont think alot of people know what i am talking about but nevermind. haha.)

i was just thinking yesterday morning what i want to get out of placement. it is going to be a ground for learning, a time of being humble and saying "wow,i didnt know that." as well as using the experience and gifts that God has already given me. i would say confidently that i do have an added advantage of having served in the Youth and YA ministry and worked at REACH fsc before. having been in committees and facilitated workshops has proved to be give me an edge BUT, having said that, i am very willing to learn. my supervisor asked me what i wanted to gain out of the whole experience and i told her: experience. i think that being able to apply textbook material to life excites me. finally, i get to use the smelly pile of notes that i study for exams and get to see a whole new world that i read in couselling books. i must say that i was a little disappointed when i was told what i will be doing as a placement student but i also understand why they planned certain things in that manner. despite it, i am grateful that my sup has agreed to expose me to as many things as possible, even going with her to work on the bizarre cases that she does in schools, and when she said bizarre, or is it absurd, something like that lah, i was thinking to myself how bizarre can it be? but i believe actually. haha. you know sadly in Singapore, there are so many things happening in families that we do not see. please thank God for the family you have. the cases out there really break the heart and make you wonder how they turned ot this way. i think that is what being in social work does, it really broadens your perspective and allows you to see what REALLY happens in homes, dysfunctional patterns, power struggles, seemingly minor symptoms that actually are pervasive. it's a crazy world, it is.

working in student care this placement is definitely a great opportunity for me to work duh, with students. (okay okay, thats not what i really wanted to say, haha) i meant, this would be a great opportunity to work directly with students in the setting where you have the space and authority to make a difference. especially in terms of moulding of character and behaviours. all of you have been youths before or are still youths (for those in self-denial, haha) and that is when influence makes all the difference. im glad my sup told me that when she works with students, she isnt looking at acedemics, but that character and values. and i beat that heartbeat too. i dont want to be too idealistic (crap,i am too practical. laughs) but i believe that God is going to use me to impact some lives this 10 weeks. it is a pity i wont be going to retreat- i know it is gonna be powerpacked coz the Spirit is going to move mightily but i dont regret it, nor am i complaining because what i will be doing will be and has to be empowered by God too. i really dont know what to expect and what kind of people i will meet but i know one thing for sure, and this is my goal for this placement- To stay really close to the Lord so that He can work through my life. social work really requires discernment and the words of the Spirit. i dont what other way or methods i can use except by keeping in step with the Spirit and being so in tune and sensitive to the Lord's voice. the Lord reminded me one thing this morning, and that is "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."- Romans 12:2 and the only way i can continue to keep in step with the Spirit is to be constantly renewing my mind with the word of God. kinda sad that i wont be able to go for bible study for most of the tues coz it is my work late/meeting day on some of the weeks but i pray that God will still grant me the discipline to continue studying His word.

i pray that this placement will be an experience that will strengthen my faith and my calling. day 2, here i come...