Month: April 2022

A new sore spot

Sarah the Social Worker

Today I attended a ceu event on Adoptions. I kind of knew this was a sore spot but today if definitely felt like salt in a wound.

My family has a history of fertility issues, and I have always wanted to be a parent. While I have not started down the path of expanding my family at this time, but my partner and I have discussed trying for a biological child versus adoption.

I’ve found that adoption is not attainable for lower middle class persons, unless I am missing a lot of information. I have several work friends who have thought about adoption and are now looking at egg donation as it is less expensive than adoption.

I have a lot of feelings on why adoption is so unattainable even though there are so many children looking for homes and so many people who want children but feel like they are monetarily unable to adopt.

I also have feelings about fertility and how BMI is so tied to what you qualify for when it doesn’t matter h the research as far as BMI and various procedures. One of the doctors at my work will not even provide intra uterine insemination if you are over a BMI of 24.9.

More to come when I have time to sort through my feelings

Five Reasons to love research

Sarah the Social Worker

To love research or at least tolerate it for its additional value to your skills, abilities, and how you can better help people. I know a lot of students from my bachelors classes, masters classes, and social work Facebook groups who come in around midterms and finals to ask why social workers need statistics classes.

1. Critical thinking is so important

It’s a great skill to have for all people regardless of discipline as it teaches critical thinking and analysis

2. A marketable job skill

You learn computer skills like SPSS and Excel that are marketable in any job setting

3. Making visuals

The skills in excel and spss can be taken one step further to take that data and turn it into tables, charts and other visuals. This is great if you take students, do trainings, request grant funding, or plan to publish research.

4. You open up your job choices exponentially

Having choices in a world with strange salary and application criteria will make people stand up and hopefully give you offers you deserve

5. You will learn how to cite your sources/understand a biased source from a less biased source

This is important when looking for information in the personal and professional spheres.

Don’t mind my grief

Sarah the Social Worker

Hello all,

I apologize for missing a Wednesday post. April is historically an emotionally difficult month for me. On my maternal side I have lost someone on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th. My grandmother when I was 11 months old, my grandfather when I was 12 years old, my aunt/god mother when I was 17 years old, and most recently my uncle when I was 24 years old.

Needless to say this is a dark month for me followed by my birth month. The contrast between grieving then feeling the need to be happy to celebrate has always felt, uncomfortable at best and like salt in a new wound at worst.

Coupled with my usual seasonal migraine and a dash of depression, I honestly haven’t been myself. At least not for the last six weeks or so.

I will continue to post, care for myself, and do my best. Please have patience with me while I work on my demons.

March Reviews Non-Fiction and Miscellaneous (4/4)

Sarah the Social Worker
  1. The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee *****

    I challenged myself to pick at least one audiobook from the “Asian American and Pacific Islander Voices” collection on my electronic library app. I chose this title as it is historical fiction and the voice actor was soothing to listen to at work. I enjoyed reading something a bit out of my normal choices and will continue to push myself to do so.
  2. The Simple Sabbat: A Family Friendly Approach to the Eight Pagan Holidays by Flora M. Peterson **

    I chose this book as it had good reviews on Kindle unlimited and me my goal for expanding my own spirituality. The book was a quick read, but the youtube channel it referenced regularly was unavailable to me, making this a disappointing tome.
  3. The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass **

    **Notes in a seperate post**
  4. Ostara by Kerri Connor *****

    I enjoyed how thorough this book was and I look forward to reading the rest of the Sabbat collection.
  5. The ABC’s of LGBT+ by Ashley Mardell *****

    I absolutely LOVED this book. I listened on audio but it also gives access to a PDF resources. I have already recommended this book to several people who have mentioned wanting to educate others about LGBT topics or who have requested further reading.
  6. Fun with food toddler cookbook : Activities and recipes to play and eat by Yaffi Lvova *****

    As someone with chronic stomach problems I have been looking for new meals that will gently exspend my stomach to more cooked vegetables and perhaps new flavors.
  7. The Ultimate Bento Box Cookbook: New and Exciting Lunches your Kids will love by Sophia freeman *****

    In another shot in the dark for more ideas. I have been meal prepping, and comming up with more ideas than tuna and pasta is sometimes difficult. Combine that with my food allergies and a picky husband and here we are.
  8. The Complete just bento cookbook, easy, healthy and delicious lunch recipes to go by Ralph Merlo *****
    The last cookbook I picked up in March in order to expand my meal prep. Hopefully I can put some of this to use soon.
  9. Treasury of Egyptian Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Monsters and Mortals by Donna Jo Napoli ****

    This book has been sitting on my “borrowed” shelf on kindle unlimited for two months. I have always loved mythology, especially after learning about Egyptian mythology in fourth grade. This was a refreshing dive back into that world.
  10. The Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the secrets of serial killers and predators with FBI’s original mindhunter by John e. Douglas *

    I wanted to like this book… The voice actor and the content did not keep my interest.

March Reviews: Children’s Books (3/4)

Sarah the Social Worker
  1. My Magical Feelings by Becky Cummings *****
  2. My Magical Foods by Becky Cummings *****
  3. My Magical Gifts by Becky Cummings *****
  4. My Magical Dreams by Becky Cummings *****
  5. My Magical Choices by Becky Cummings *****

    I read all of the My Magical books one night when I could not fall asleep. While it did not help me get to sleep faster it did make my inner child happy.
  6. Celtic Mythology for Kids: Tales of Selkies, Giants, and the Sea by Christopher Pinard *****
    This was a really good reprieve from the real world for me. I also have been wanting to dive deep into Celtic tales and this gave me a great start.
  7. The Witches Cat and the Broomstick Blunder by Kirstie Watson *****
    The Witches cat books always make me smile and this was no exception.
  8. We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorrell *****
    I was able to listen to this on audiobook through my local free library while getting prepared for work. This book was written by members of the Cherokee nation. I am so happy to have this as part of the collection offerings at my local free library.
  9. How to Hug a Cloud by Jacqueline Vollat *****
    This was another feed my inner child book, and it hit the spot when I did not fall asleep right away.
  10. The Rainbow Bubble: A Technique for Helping Children Manage Their Anger by Julie Fox *****
    I loved reading this book as I can see reading it to my own children someday. It could even be used by social workers who work with children as a good anger management technique.
  11. Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith *****
    This book really made my heart happy. I was able to listen to the stories about indigenous people. It was yet another book my local library has on audio and I was able to listen to it while charting for the day.
  12. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom *****
    This was a brief audiobook I was able to listen to while getting ready for work one morning. It was a great way to start my day off on the right foot.
  13. The Apprentice’s Quest by Erin Hunter *****
    The Erin Hunter books have many interconnected plot lines under the same cat world umbrella. While I was not as invested in the tale I read last year, this one had my giving all my attention to the adventures of the apprentice and the rescued kittens.

Magical Hopathon Readathon TBR

Sarah the Social Worker

Disney Land Paris

Park Entrance Prompt: Read a book that is calling to you- I have not chosen a book for this prompt as I would like to choose a book in the moment.

  1. Big Thunder Mountain- Read a first in a series: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
  2. Mickeys’ Philahar magic- Read a book with illustrations- Ancient Magus’ Bride VOL 9 by Kore Yamazaki

Walt Disney Studios

  1. Animation academy- Read a graphic novel or manga- Ancient Magus’ Bride VOL 10 by Kore Yamazaki
  2. Disney junior dream factory- read a middle grade book- All The Wrong Questions by Lemony Snicket
  3. Disney Pixar Selfie spot- Read a book with a non-human main character- Ancient Magus’ Bride VOL 11 by Kore Yamazaki
  4. Heroic Selfie spot- Read a book with a kick ass main character- To Right the Wrongs by Sheryl Scarborough

*Bonus Post* Orilium Spring Solstice Readathon TBR

Sarah the Social Worker

I was drawn to the Alchemist Calling for my Orilium Character. I was caught between Master of the Elements since I sorted into the Order of the Crescent, herbologist, healer, or beast master, but in the end I decided Alchemist would be great for this year, I can always take a different calling next year.

Alchemy is described as making the impossible possible and the school of magic that gave birth to others. If nothing else my character is somewhat wild, but was drawn to a magical school, so what else is possible?

  1. Alchemy- Book featuring romance- The Rogue King by Abigail Owen
  2. Animal Studies- Quick Read- Speaker for the Dead (the graphic novel) by Orson Scott Card
  3. Artificery- Earth Setting- Ancient Magus’ Bride vol 9 by Kore Yamazaki
    Which will also fill my “magical moment” prompt for mythothon.
  4. Astronomy- Top of your Must Read List- A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
    Which also fills by “found” prompt for Mythothon
  5. Demonology- Word Shadow in the title – Shadow Witch by Kim Richardson
  6. Elemental Studies- Book under 100 pages- Broken Wings “Episode” 15 of Loyal to Monsters by Emma Dean
    This also fills my “Flight” prompt for Mythothon
  7. Inscription- Intimidating Read- Sekirei Volume 1 by Sakurako Gokurakuin
  8. Lore- Mythology inspired- Lore by Alexandra Bracken
  9. Restoration- Book featuring healers- High School DXD vol 6 by Ichei Ishibumi
  10. Spells & Incantations- Short story or essay- High School DXD Asia and Koneko  by Ichei Ishibumi

Mythothon- Isis TBR

Sarah the Social Worker

This month I will be reading for three readathons: Mythothon, Orillium, and Magical Hopathon. I will post my TBR for each separately, then circle back to my March Reading Reviews Posts, currently estimated to last four posts.

  1. Read a book with a magic moment- Ancient magus’ bride VOL 9 by Kore Yamazaki
  2. The Search: Read a book that will make you cry – Who I was with her by Nita Tyndall
  3. Found: Read a book you have been anticipating- A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
  4. Flight: Read a book with wings on the cover- Broken Wings “Episode” 15 of Loyal to Monsters by Emma Dean
  5. Embalming: Read a book about a character who creates something- High School DXD Volume 6 by Ichei Ishibumi