"If you cannot be a sun, just be a star."

[katernater]

So the Counseling Center at my university does not offer services to students in the graduate division. Which is somewhat paradoxical, because graduate students -- in my opinion, anyway -- are some of the most unstable people on campus. I have multiple issues with the university's stance on this subject. I am paying as much (or more), per class, as an undergraduate student and yet I do not receive the same considerations. I also believe that it is discriminatory to exclude graduate students from the services available to undergraduates and students in the Law division, even though we are struggling through many of the same issues and stresses. Now, Valparaiso is a private, Lutheran college that does not receive any kind of state funding. Therefore, they may operate as they choose. However, it would seem to be that the good, decent, Lutheran thing to do would be to offer help to anyone who was brave enough to ask for it.

Oh well. You know, if the university isn't interested, there are probably plenty of places in the community who would be more receptive. At the very least, the woman at the Counseling Center offered to put me in touch with some local programs. The only problem I have with that is that most of those programs will probably be geared toward older attendees. My intention for going through the university was to try and communicate with people my own age, who are also struggling with these issues.

Well, that doesn't mean I'm giving up. I've still got a long way to go personally, and maybe it's a good thing that I wasn't given the go-ahead to jump right into something this substantial. I'm going to need some time to process what I'm going through on my own, with my family, and with Todd.

SO. I've finished watching all of my LOST DVDs, and now I need something else to occupy my time. I'm trying to decide between a complete series re-watch of The X-Files, House, or Doctor Who.

I also have the special anniversary collection of Shark Week.

What should I watch?

Comments

[austen.livejournal.com]

I totally almost bought season one of X-Files last night, but chickened out. Meep.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Chickened out? What, was the box art too scary?

[austen.livejournal.com]

I don't knowww. I totally could've! It was only $34 or so. But I don't know, I was too wishy-washy about it.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

It;s a fantastic show. I was a die-hard fan for many years. And, truthfully, the first four seasons are the absolute best. If you get a chance, I'd recommend that you buy it. I'll hold your hand.

[austen.livejournal.com]

Okay, okay. If I get a little extra money from tips and what not (provided I don't screw up too much at my job tonight), I'll check it out again.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Thatta' girl~ How's the job going, anyway?

[austen.livejournal.com]

Good! Except for the fact that I forgot I had a shift this morning because I wrote it down wrong on my own schedule and had to call 45 minutes later to explain why I messed up.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I read. XD I'm sure they'll be understanding.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

If you need convincing, you should check out mine and Kate's Scully/Mulder writings. :) Might tip you over the edge, yus?

[austen.livejournal.com]

That's definitely one of the reasons I was looking at it in the first place, for sure.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

Seriously? I was just kidding. XD I'm glad you like them, though - Scully was one of those characters I was absurdly nervous about writing at first. But that show, it just draws you in and doesn't let you out. I can't say enough good things about it.

How are you doing in the Sookie books? ;o

[austen.livejournal.com]

I'm still only on the first one - work has been kicking my butt lately, so I'm trying to take my time and not skim too much. ;) But I'll have a lot more time to read on vacation.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

I actually just finished the first one myself! XD They're kind of too much fun, aren't they?

How is the work going? I keep meaning to ask you, but my own job(s) are evil, too. :)

[austen.livejournal.com]

They're such a gullty pleasure book, ahaha.

But it's okay. Except for the part where I got written up yesterday because I forgot I had to come in and work that morning. (I mis-read my own schedule, argh.) And they weren't even going to write me up in the first place, but as soon as I showed up they told me they had to because it was a procedural thing.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

That's just stupid. :( I'm sorry that happened to you, but it's definitely a bitch move on their part. Everyone makes mistakes once in awhile, it's like a rite of passage, but that's so lame of them to do.

[sakura-memories.livejournal.com]

XFiles. :D

OMG, I have to (re)watch Lost S 2,3,4 & 5 soon!

[katernater.livejournal.com]

That's what I was learning toward. XD

I did a whole LOST marathon recently. 'Went through seasons 1-4. It was epic.

[owlanatomy.livejournal.com]

is watching Supernatural an option?

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I finished Season 1 -- I have yet to pick up the other seasons. When I get a little bit more money, I intend to continue my watching spree. I really like it so far.

[edge-of-night.livejournal.com]

However, it would seem to be that the good, decent, Lutheran thing to do would be to offer help to anyone who was brave enough to ask for it.
Or just the decent, HUMAN thing to do!! Wishing you luck finding what you need. :)

You should watch...................hmmmm.............I'm torn between The X-Files and Doctor Who because those are 2 I could re-watch right now myself!

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I started the second season of The X-Files. Majority rules!

And thanks. <3

[edge-of-night.livejournal.com]

SWEET. i need to get the 1st 2 seasons on dvd because surprisingly enough i don' t have them! :O

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

The university thing is pretty sucky, but on the other hand you might not have missed much, because counselling regarding addiction issues is a specialist thing and you're probably better off having no counselling at all than going to someone who doesn't know what they're doing. In terms of support groups, as I'm sure you already know Al-Anon is the most obvious, and while obviously I don't know what your local group is like, the age thing might be less of an issue than you think as the groups tend to skew towards 20s/30s. This makes sense when you think about it: as you're finding, it's that age where these issues often start making themselves felt in terms of playing out patterns learned earlier. (I don't have first-hand experience of this, but my degrees are in psychology and I used to practice as a couples therapist. When addiction issues were relevant, I referred people on for the reason I mentioned above.)

In my previously professional opinion, support groups can be great, but counselling is also often useful as it approaches the problems from a different perspective. If you can swing it (and I know it can be expensive and that cost is an issue for struggling impoverished students), I'd recommend seeing someone who specialises in addiction issues - and if possible, take Todd with you for some sessions, since it's your life together that will be affected and the better prepared you both are, the better for your relationship. And if you can't afford it now, later's good too - it won't be Too Late.

BTW, I really admire you for recognising the problems and their effect on your life and relationship and your determination to minimise that harm. Your self-awareness in this area makes the outlook for your handling this, and the consequent effect on your relationship, very bright.

[awesomesquared.livejournal.com]

Supernatural is GLORIOUS.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

WELL!

I think you should give True Blood a go. BUT. I definitely vote for an X-Files rewatch. Hell if you do? I'll do it with you! I've been itching for that lately, and I'm not entirely sure why, but for some reason, lately? I miss our liquid-eyed believer and our redhaired skeptic in her hard, little heels.

[highlander_ii]

*hugs*

and you should watch House! I'm on s5 w/ my 'rewatch' - so you have some catching up to do!! =)