Hey! It's me again!

I'm having a tricky time getting access to a computer. The one at work is broken, but thankfully my roomate let me borrow her's for a minute.

I heart my job. I just finished my first week of shadow shifting (hanging out with the group but with no responsibility or anything, just observer). Official training starts on Monday. That's when we get to learn how to do things like containments... I haven't seen one done, but it involves a youth not being able to move and handcuffs.

I knew that I would be working with girls who had been court ordered to the program, but I hadn't really thought of it as them being "locked-up", but they definitely are. Wake-up is at 5am, they have 7 minutes to be dressed and get their beds made. The Choices program is an alternative to another juvenile detention centre.

I'm going to have to learn to be tough. Non-comm is important. Non-comm means "non-communication", no talking. If they talk, there are consequences (stand-time, walk a lap). They're not allowed to talk in the dining hall, when they're in line, or in the cabin. At first I didn't really get why they aren't allowed to talk, but when the counsellors let them talk, the situation usually disintegrates quickly. These are girls who haven't learned a lot of positive social skills, so when they interact they usually end up fighting and angry with each other.

Three Springs has it's own language. We say "ma'am" a LOT, and phrases like "I support that", "non-comm ladies", "own it and change it", etc. etc. It takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it's hard to get out.

A couple girls told me that I'm they're favorite counsellor. I think that has more to do with the fact that I haven't had to tell them to do anything, or make them do something. We'll see what they think of me when I'm in charge.

Speaking of in charge! It is such a power trip to ask a resident (that's what we call them, I've used camper a few times, and that just doesn't fit) to do something and they respond "Yes ma'am". Boy howdy, does that ever feel good! But I guess I better watch myself and not let that get to my head.

Last night I went to a bar with a few people from work. The bar was called "Hog Wild". And it was just as cool as it sounds...

I miss home. I miss the fall weather and the changing leaves. It's still pretty hot and muggy here. I realized yesterday that Thanksgiving is next weekend... It doesn't feel like it here, but I'll have to figure something out so I don't spend the whole weekend moping. This is the longest I've ever been in a place and not really made good friends with anyone. I get along with people and everything, but I don't really relate I guess... I just don't have a lot in common with people.

Hopefully that situation will be remedied soon!

I miss you guys a lot!!! Let me know how life is in the maritimes! Post pictures of the trees! I feel so out of touch... *sigh* But don't get me wrong, I love where I am and what I'm doing... I'm just far away, that's all!

I'll try to update soon, hopefully the computer at work will be up and running.