Is this the end? byebye 2008

01/03/2009

2009 has started off pretty bad.
I lost my job.
My grand father fell and broke his hip. Surgery today.
43 year old cousin court ordered to be held in hospital after he was found OD second time in two weeks.
My mother's car is broken.

December 31 is the end of the year but it was the end of something else for me and hundreds of people in Massachusetts. The Government of MA had to cut 1.4 billions dollars. Part of that cut included all mental health day rehabilitation programs across the state, including my counseling center.

I have worked at this place for 4 years starting as an intern. I have seen a lot of coworkers and clients move on and unfortunately some passed on.
RIP: Elcedez, Marna, Desmon, Rikkie and Marti
We have had a lot of fun times, a lot of sad times, a lot of learning educationally and real life experiences.
I had called this place my second home and now I am sad that I will be losing it. It was a simple layout. There was a main hall with the group rooms and the director’s office. The top of the hall was like the top of a T. you could go left into the kitchen or right to another hall that turns left to the staff office and conference room and front door.
The program is for adults with chronic mental illnesses who either want to get their GED, go back to work or need help with rehab from drugs-alcohol.
We teach skills that will give the clients the tools to be able to survive in society. We taught them social skills, communication skills, life skills, job skills, stress management, anger management and symptom management. We also had a men’s group, a woman’s group, leisure ed and mental health perspective. There was as I have already said, we also have a drug-alcohol rehab component that consist of AA topics, duel diagnoses and a few others. We ran 3 groups a day with a lunch hour.

We also had a roster of clients we were assigned to to work 1-on-1 with on individual goals.

We also had a working component where the clients work at our place either answering phones, cleaning rooms or help out in the kitchen. Once the clients master these types of jobs they will be moved to off site positions. They could clean one of the group homes, sort mail for the company or work in a coffee-breakfast shop out of a psych hospital. A lot of clients who no one thought could work, are working in those types of jobs now. Big coodos to the counselors and the clients.
The last two weeks were melancholy.
Knowing how much work my coworkers had to do, I took groups from them and told them to do their paper work and don’t worry about groups. The last three days were spent finishing up paper work and cleaning up. Not just washing floors but emptying out the place. Taking down everything that were on walls. Pulling out everything from all the desks. Shredding every sheet of paper. There was thousands of sheets that had to be shredded. Emptying out the kitchen. Giving away all the food, pots, pans, silverware, cups and well anything that is not nailed down.
We had our annual Chinese food end of the year dinner. It was alright. There were a few former coworkers who came back to help out and say by to everyone. When I heard how much we spent for the food we got I choked. I know where we could have got a much better offer. To rain on this byebye day, but we were getting the biggest snow fall of the season as we were indoors. We had to serve lunch then they took the clients home faster than we wanted to. I called my father to pick me up early and cancel my ride because of the heavy snow. I said by to everyone. Got a hug from most of the female coworkers and even one male coworker hehe. My father was parked out front so I didn’t get to properly say bye to others but called out bye from the doorway.
A building that opened its doors in 1998 closed it doors on the last day of 2008.
Life must move on.

Where did you begin 2008?
don’t recall

What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Single as always

Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Technically, yes, finishing up my thesis paper for my certificate of advance graduate study’s degree

Did you have to go to the hospital?
No

Did you have any encounters with the police?
No

Where did you go on vacation?
Detroit, Tampa, philli, DC, CT casino, glostah beach house

What did you purchase that was over $500?
nothing, I’m cheep

Did you know anybody who got married?
One of my sister’s close friends

Did you know anybody who passed away?
My great uncle, he was 97 years old.
Two clients and a coworker

Did you move anywhere?
nope

What sporting events did you attend?
Went to Detroit to see a tigers game, went to Tampa to see a playoff Ray’s game and USF –pit college football, DC to see the nationals Philadelphia to see a Phillies game, 15 redsox games including a playoff game with Nikki. I went to 2 hockey games and a few basketball games

What has/have been your favorite moment(s)?
my 30th b day, My nephew being born, dc-phili rode trip with twin, getting to go to all those baseball games, and watching movies with nikki (inside joke) and buying two offended fenway park seats and bricks

What's something you learned about yourself?
I’m not sure

Any new additions to your family?
Holden, my best friend’s first child.

What was the best month?
July or December

Who has been your best drinking buddy?
I don’t drink much

Made new friends?
Not really...became closer with people

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work, fenway park

Get a new job?
Will be, yes

Do anything embarrassing?
I’m sure

Did you get sick this year?
Doesn’t everyone get a cold?

Stayed single almost the whole year?
30 years and running

Done something you've regretted?
yes, put off my paper, said things that I wish I could take back

Cut class?.
no classes

Were involved in something you'll never forget?
rode trip with twin, Watching movies with Nikki

Dyed your hair?
no

Went to a party?
yes

Read a great book?
me? Books?

Saw one of your favorite bands / artists live?
YES, blessid union of souls for the 18th time
Billy Joel for the 4th time

Did you dislike anyone?
the Yankees and someone that hurt a friend of mine

Did you grow apart from anyone?
yea, but it just wasn’t meant to be

Do you have any regrets when it comes to your friendships?
Yes


2008: Your BIRTHDAY!

Did you have a cake?
Mmmm Strawberry and peach white cake, it was awesome

Did you have a party ?
my 30th b day, we (I do have a twin) had a party with about 45 people at a Chinese restaurant.
Went to a Italian restaurant with intimate family
Went to Capital grill with twin

Did you get any presents?
My best got me a few little baseball memorabilia’s, twin and his wife got me tickets for a phili game,

2008: All about YOU

Did you change at all this year?
nope, still the same kid I was 20 years ago. Sport loving, bon jovi listening, t-shirt and jeans sarcastic caring guy

Did you get your hair cut?
5 times
Did you change your style ?
nope
Were you in school?
kinda, finishing up my thesis paper

Did you get good grades?
NA
Did you have a job?
psycho-social rehabilitation counselor
Did you drive?
Yes. People crazy

Did you own a car?
Red 1978 t-top firebird

Did anyone close to you give birth?
best friend’s wife

Would you change anything about your self now?
I’m sure


2008: Wrap UP:

Was 2008 a good year?
It was alright with a few exciting moments sprinkled in

Overall, scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best, how would you rate this year?
I'd give it an 6

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
YES
What are you wishing for in 2009?
good health and happiness for all my friends and family.
A fulltime job
A girlfriend
Maybe move out of the house
Redsox championship

What do you want to change in 2009?
A lot

Do you think 2009 will top 2008?
I hope so.