Learning Curve

I'm loving NY right now. I miss people from home and STL a ton, but have found that I'm learning so much, and big things are really happening here. I want to be part of that. I keep having to remind myself to sit still and learn before i try to do! I just want to jump in. I have been getting energy from riding the subway. I'm learning it, and when i get on a packed subway, I feel part of something so much bigger than myself, and part of a world that is flying by! For some that seems nuts, but for me, I'm ready to tackle it head first. I want to make some changes and be part of something great. I want to push for positive changes in the world, but first I have to learn how. So, I got an internship! That's super exciting. I'll be helping with systematic change around domestic violence through policy analysis, talking to policymakers, and courts, education and so on, but most importantly, working with people who have been directly affected by the policies and helping them to make the changes they want to see. SUPER EXCITING. I've been dreaming a lot though. Today we went to the UN and took a tour, and then got to talk to someone working in one of the UN offices. I loved it. It's an international government trying to work together to make global changes....end poverty, bring education, gender rights,....so many cool things. There are plenty of criticism of the UN, but i look at it in the same light as child services; it's easier to point out the flaws than what great work is being done. Anyway, it just reminded me that these are the kind of issues I want to be working on some day...global issues and policy that will affect global change and promote human rights. My passion is coming back! I'm in the right place. Speaking of being in the right place, I'm loving my policy course, and even the loads of reading i have (which i should be doing now about the US budget). Last night I did reading on US Healthcare. That was awesome to start to understand. Did you know that the health care reform is actually helping the US budget by a lot once it starts?!?! It provides care for more people, and tons of improvements, plus helps the US budget. YEAH! And, if i understand it right, for all you made about the abortion part of it, the funding of abortion is only for rape, incest, and women who could have life threatening complications due to pregnancy. I think that's what I understood. Anyway, point of the story, i'm super interested in what I'm learning and excited to learn more so I can start putting this into action. I feel like i'm learning so much that will be incredibly useful soon. I was nervous as i came back to school that I wasnt ready to be back in the social work world, but as i'm entering into the policy part, i'm thrilled and feel a drive to really make some systematic changes. Can't wait. I keep wondering what kind of work i'll be doing in five years! So much energy and excitement!. Hopefully this continues as the year goes on and i get swamped with work! Miss y'all at home! Love, Trouty