Summary.

So, my week from hell is finally over. The infamous Speech Camp has started and is now half over. It has been one of the most emotionally draining and physically/mentally exhausting weeks of my life. I have woken up at 6 or 6:30 every morning for 5 days first of all. I haven't done that since high school. That was a whole FOUR years ago. Then I go to Locust to see 2 different groups of speech deficient youngsters. After the first day, I got saddled with a little boy named Aidan who has some severe problems. He is a major behavioral problem and has either sensorineural problems or is some form of autistic or both. He requires my undivided attention for the entire 90 minutes just to keep him under control and somewhat focused. This is all fine and dandy if he were my only child. Somehow a poor boy named Zane got stuck with Aidan and I for the week and I'm sure he got absolutely nothing out of it. I had a breakdown on Tuesday - my first day with Aidan - because I ran out of things to do with him halfway through the session. I just didn't know what my professors expected me to do with this demon child. I've stopped caring since then and I have now gotten rid of him. My classmate will now be in charge of him starting Monday - Hallelujah.

So, my other children. There is Kenneth who was supposedly a stutterer. He isn't. He is, however, a behavior problem as well. He's defiant and likes to test his boundaries. I have managed to keep him in check and I think build a relationship with him so he won't push me too far. Then there is Madison. He is 1/2 black, 1/2 white which means he's adorable. He loves to talk and talks a mile a minute. His language is delayed, but I almost think it's cultural and not really something that can or will be fixed. I also have one girl named Bethany who happens to only have one hand. Oh, and no one told me about that before the first day. She was adopted from China and has some language/artic. issues. She won't be mine next week tho, she's going to go with Kimbra to even out our groups. And last, but not least, is adorable Ethan. I love this kid. He's wide eyed and so smart. His parents recently split up and I think it's affecting him deep in his little heart. He has mentioned it a few times and I do my best to say the best things. I wish I could take him home. His mom is ok and I know he'll be ok, but I just love this kid. I need to take my camera before the end of the week and get pictures of everyone.

Well, now it's Friday and I'm doing nothing tonight. I'm actually probably going to bed soon. It's been a long week and all my work will start over again tomorrow. I also have a funeral early in the morning for my old boss who happens to also be my old Sunday school teacher. He's been really sick for awhile and he's not in pain anymore. So, I have to be up at 8 tomorrow to shower and be ready by 9:30. I'm ok with it, I'm tired anyway.

I haven't talked to Brian since Monday night. I was hoping I'd hear from him again before they go to the FOB. I'm not sure what the FOB is, but he's going to be there for a week. No phones in the FOB so no phone call this weekend like usual. Oh well, I'm only 13 days away from seeing him - closer to 12 now. It'll be here before I know it.

Ok, I'm probably going to get my ass out of this chair and wash my face and watch tv for awhile. Maybe I'll finally finish reading Wicked. Maybe not. Alright, goodnight folks.

S.