Sunday, May 17, 2009

Back to normal...ALMOST

It has now been more than a month since I last blogged and I must say I've really been SO busy!!! But it's bound to be a bit more quiet around the house until my next study block.

First I had to complete my 3D Finger Model for my Hand Therapy Diploma (2nd study block), then also had to help out with our school's musical production to celebrate 40 years of existence.... And not to mention preparing for my 2nd Study Block in Pretoria for my Diploma. It was all just SOOOOOO hectic!

I got 67% for my 3D finger model, and 75% & 70% for my Physiology Assignment that was due before the 2nd Study Block. I'm so pleased with the end-product, and thanking EVERYONE that assisted and consulted me regarding the finger model. I now understand what David meant when he wrote in Psalms 139:13-16 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am ferafully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." God really WOVE us together, do you know the intricate detail that is in-place for just a SINGLE FINGER?!?!? I cannot begin to describe to you how difficult it is to make a FUNCTIONAL and ANATOMICALLY CORRECT 3D finger model... God is the Creator, He is the Master Engineer...the most amazing Biomechanical Architect! When I deviated even slightly from God's design, my finger model did not work! And when I then fixed the problem by following God's design...VOILA! A working finger model! I really appreciated that Master Craftmanship behind our anatomy, and how intricate the design is to compliment good biomechanical function.

During the 2nd study block-week I had to work with a group to do a presentation on sensibility (your ability to interpret shapes and textures, thus what your are feeling and relating it to what that actual object is). It was SUCH a mission, and in-between we had to study for a test on Friday (8 May), which I got 78% for, although it did not count, it was only to check our progress. I learned a LOT, and was SO tired by the end of that week (4-8 May).

On Friday, 8 May it was also our school's musical production's last concert. I took one of my brothers and his family, my mom & dad, my paternal aunt, Thinus and 3 of our good friends to go see the show. From the first song I was in TEARS!!! These kids at our school struggle with motor planning, auditory perception and copying movements - BUT they out-shone themselves and their disabilities on Friday night! I cried SO much, cause these kids really had to work hard to give this AMAZING concert! The parents & other audience members were proud for different reasons than the therapists... we were AMAZED that these kids could learn how to co-ordinate movements when they're lacking the auditory perception to TIME the movements. But their timing was mostly SPOT-ON!!! Sorry for all the exclamation marks, but I'm just in awe of these kids...I'm so proud to have been part of the process to produce this production along with all the other staff-members. :o) I just love being an OT at a school!!!

For the rest, I've been trying to get back into a normal routine following South Africa's most UNPRODUCTIVE month in the year, namely April. During the month of April we only have 17 working days, as there are so many public holidays - I mean, TWO long-weekends within 3 days of each other? It's hectic! So now I'm getting into routine, sorta...because this coming week our school is hosting the South African CP Conference 2009 from Monday - Wednesday.. EISH. So 3 LOOOOOOOOOOONG days are to follow for me.

Thinus and I returned from a camping trip just over 2 hours ago, which was so much fun! We had to go baby-sit my brother's and friends of ours' children. 6 Children all together...ranging in ages from 3-10 years... the THREE year old gave us ALL our days! He even went missing when Thinus & I tried to fix ourselves breakfast. We finally found him, but I was very upset by that time. And that's how our day started..... It was a long day, but after yesterday I decided I've had my share of kiddies for a while. This keeps my broodiness in check! This was Thinus' 2nd camping trip in 3 weeks, and I believe his 3rd camping trip in his ENTIRE life! But he enjoyed it tremendously...it was just great! (Apart from the fact that I'm busy treating an annoying flu ;-)

So, that's my life in the past 6 weeks, in an egg-shell, cause I've outrun a nutshell's space. I will be posting photos SHORTLY. First I have to now go clean my house.

PS: GREAT NEWS! My baby-brother (read: age 25) is now engaged!!!!! After a short courtship of 4 months, and a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG friendship of 6 years, he and one of our very good and close friends (also aged 25) finally figured out what our entire family has known for the past 6 years --> They belong together as husband and wife! They're getting married next year April, when they have finished their studies and when her favourite flower (the KOSMOS) blooms. We can't wait, and are VERY excited that the entire Kahl-clang will soon be married. SO great!