There really isn't an excuse why Journal #4 is late...

I'll start off with my few paragraphs dedicated to my detailed observation I had with Jenny on Wednesday. Jenny always uses the same cubicle if she can, I've noticed and always sits on the same side but in her set up even tho each person has their own side of the table there is a still a noticeable and useful closeness of consultant and student. Jenny's body language was very positive, she leaned in when listening and used her hands to make points but also sat and listened very carefully, you could see the concentration in her eyes as she gave the student her undivided attention. Jenny asked to see the student's assignment before they really started discussing it so that she had a very firm grasp and understanding of which to better help the student. She read parts of the assignment and made frequent clarifications throughout the entire session to make sure that they were staying focused and on track, which is very important for making the most out of a 30 minute session.
When it came to whoever did more talking, I can recall that it was about even, the student was allowed to vocalize all of her thoughts and concerns without being interrupted by Jenny and until our exercise in class the following day, I didn't realize how much of an acquired skill that is, just sitting and waiting for them to formulate what to say and vocalize it clearly, or at least enough to get the consultant on the same page with them. Since we didn't look at any actual writing in this session, it was more of a brainstorming session for questions for an interview as well as ideas for what and how to observe, both of their agendas stayed fairly in sync and Jenny only made a few suggestions on what to ask and how to look and take note of before the student started generating ideas of her own. And I could say with a fair bit of confidence that she walked away from the session with a much better understanding of her assignment then before she came in. I hope she did it well! And I feel that from her attitude during and after the session she will be a recurrent client, since I believe it was her first, nervous year.

I don't have a ton of notes on the class, but the few I do are pretty little gems that I took away from that night. I usually have quite a few little epiphanies while I'm in class and always try to frantically scribble it all down before it mystically disappears back into the depths of my subconscious. I have a note written down about how when I read the handouts and guide books and what not, I think it all seems so theoretical and up in the clouds happening off in a fantastical and almost perfect dimension where the student always asks the right questions and we always have the right answers. And then I think about what I just read a little bit more or throughout the day or during a sit in or just while I'm sitting somewhere usually not paying attention in the class I'm in at the moment, and realize that its actually quite natural to ask or do or say a lot of what they've compiled into these books if you've ever had any real customer service experience or anything. And that made me feel a lot better because it made something in print seem a lot more do-able in action. Learning to adopt those practices that don't already just happen, when thinking of them as already natural habits will probably make it a lot easier.

I liked the "show don't tell" policy as well as the WC's version of "potential energy" that we discussed. Essentially, besides acting as a model for what a good writer already looks like in many different and wonderfully varying forms, we also help students see the potential they already have. Most that come in, I would almost venture to assume, don't really think they have ANY. But in reality, everyone has LOTS. And our job is just kind of like my old job, where I had to polish and clean things to resurface that potential people had thought something had lost, or may have never known it had. We're just polishing away at them, making them more clear and more bright... its a pretty nice thing to think about being able to do with someone. Making them realize they can ACTUAL do this, and not just do, but do well and get good at. I can't wait to see more of those shining moments. :)

Also game strategies in bite sized chunks was another good thing to really put out in the open, even if that should have been one of those things that should come naturally. Most people can't take anything in large sections, I have to break even the most simple of tasks down even further if a lot of them pile up so that I can actually be efficient and get stuff done. Doing the same for my students is just common sense.

From the readings, I would like to say I liked the hand out a lot because it put a lot of stuff into a small reading but with well detailed and outlined strategies so that it could be a good thing to keep nearby or on hand for light reading to get a better grasp on how to deal with HOCs and LOCs.

Other then that it was a good week, a bit slow in the center and I think I may start coming in more during different hours to try and get some sit in time with someone other then Phil or Jenny. I'm looking forward to our meeting tomorrow, and I'm so very sorry this is late. I know there are no excuses, and there isn't but in my defense, I spent my friday trying to get stuff in order and putting new holes in my face.. I'm not telling you where because you'll notice tomorrow! But it will never happen again, I promise!