Introduction to Me
Howdy, My name is Keana Jones and welcome to my blog spot! I have lived in Norman most of my life and moved here from Washington state when I was around three or four. I am currently a junior/ senior and an HES major, pre-physical therapy, but have decided to switch to occupational therapy as I found more interest in it. Occupational therapy appealed more to me that physical therapy mainly due to my summer job and my gap year program. I have worked for a foundation with programs designed for individuals with disabilities for the past few years. Through those experiences I was able to exercise some small knowledge of OT and help our students progress in their fine motor skills.
My fun goal in life would be to work for a summer camp for the rest of my life. I just love the outdoors and the fun times that I had as an employee and I think it would be a fun and inspiring job to work for them full time. I have prepped myself in case that doesn't happen, however, and am looking to work as an occupational therapist and maybe open my own practice. I would love to specialize in working with the disability community improving ADLs or activities of daily living.
I am not good at cooking a lot, but when I was a cook for a camp, my co and I were in charge of Mondays' meals. After that summer I am able to make mac and cheese from scratch, minus the pasta, homemade gravy, and pulled so much pork by hand. Over the course of that summer, my cos and I made enough food to feed thousands of people a week. While I am now tired of mac n' cheese and biscuits and gravy, I am absolutely in love with sushi (just not raw :/). I never liked it until my friend took me to this place in the city, I believe it is called Yuzo Sushi, I highly recommend it if you're ever up there.
I am excited for this class and can't wait to get more in depth. I think that the layout of the course is fun will keep things interesting. This is a strange and stressful year, but this class will help provide some relief and consistency for me which is very welcome and needed. I am most excited to look deeper into Greek and Roman mythology as those really stuck out to me in my 6th grade social studies course. Those were always my favorite lessons and sections so I can't wait to really dive into their histories.
Hi Keana,
ReplyDeleteI fully support your occupational therapy goals! My Dad's girlfriend had a stroke-like condition and went through extensive physical and occupational therapy. It was the OT that helped her feel like an individual again. I also have a 6-year-old nephew with Autism and his OTs have helped him reach so many milestones that my sis-in-law knows she wouldn't be able to help Caleb reach on her own.
For sushi, have you tried Volcano? There's a location in Moore over by Kohl's, and another location on I-240. They have a roll that's called Crispy Crab. Nom. Nom. Nom. My mouth is watering just mentioning it.
I haven't had to make pulled pork for an entire camp before, but I had to help make it for Wednesday Night Supper once. It was hot! I did not enjoy it.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you over the semester!
Thanks for sharing!
Eden
Hi Keana! I am so glad that you found occupational therapy as a career. I was also pre PT at one point, until I shadowed an occupational therapist and saw what they do, so I changed to OT! That’s amazing that you have been a part of those programs! What camp did you work at? I wish you luck on your journey of becoming an occupational therapist!
ReplyDeleteI also love sushi (not raw either haha) so I will definitely have to check that place out! I have been to this place in Moore called GoGo Sushi and it was super good!
Have a great rest of your semester!
This is a nice coincidence, Keana: I was just reading Brynlee's introduction post a few minutes also, and she is also looking at a career as an occupational therapist; maybe the two of you will get a chance to connect in this class -- here is her intro post- link. And I am also a believer in summer camps! I wish that work and school could both be a lot more like summer camp in fact: playing games, creating things, having fun -- those are all things we need more of... and not just in the pandemic. Games are actually part of the folklore tradition too (summer camp makes me think of games!), so maybe that is something you will want to explore in this class too; here is a HUGE book of traditional children's games for example... maybe it's time for some of those games to make a comeback, especially games that are accessible to everyone whatever their abilities. Gomme's Traditional Games: volume 1 link AND volume 2 also!
ReplyDeleteKeana, I think it's really neat that you like to spend your time at summer camps! I wish I had that same energy, but I really am a baby and like to avoid the outside (mostly because I don't like being sweaty or dirty) which obviously doesn't make a good combination. Also, in regards to sushi, it's generally expensive, but I've been getting mine at Mr. Sushi if I want something simple. Koto in Norman is also really good, but it's more expensive because it is a restaurant/hibachi grill.
ReplyDeleteHello! I have several friends who are considering OT, and I think that is such a cool and worthwhile occupation. It's awesome you have some experience with helping students, which reinforced your desire to become an Occupational Therapist. I love camps as well! I just enjoy hiking, spending time outdoors, tent camping - all of it. I loved reading about your cooking experience at camp - that is so good!
ReplyDeleteHi Keana! I love that you want to become an OT! My sister is currently in graduate school for her DPT, but it was definitely a big struggle for her to figure out whether she wanted to do PT or OT. I love that you've found what your passion is! I also think it's so cool how much you love summer camps. I never went to one, but I always wanted to, so I love your passion for the people that you met and are able to connect with.
ReplyDeleteHey Keana, I loved reading about what you want to do with Occupational Therapy. I was originally an HES major as well. I wanted to become a physical therapist or doing some with orthopedics! Eventually, I found that while I liked it, it wasn't my passion. But it is nice to hear you have a great passion for what you want to do. I have always said that is the most important thing you need when looking for a job. I am also an avid fan of sushi, any kind I am obsessed. I'll have to look into the place you mentioned in the city! If you have any other sushi recommendations for here locally I all ears! Hope your semester is going well!
ReplyDeleteHi Keana! Thats awesome that you found your passion in occupational therapy and know thats what you want to do. I think it takes a special type of person to do what you want to do so I applaud you for that! Thats also great that the camp helped you to pick up a hobby of cooking. I think its great you learned even if it is just Mac and cheese.
ReplyDeleteHi, Keana! You sound like a wonderful and very giving person. And I'm getting major extrovert vibes. As an introvert, just thinking about summer camp and all those people sounds so exhausting, but it's clearly your passion and I really admire that. I'll have to try that sushi place you mentioned! Have you been to Volcano Sushi? It's really good too, and I'd suggest trying ramen as the weather cools. There's Tamashii Ramen in OKC and Tatsumaki Ramen in Norman. Let me know what you think if you end up trying it!
ReplyDeleteHey Keana,
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to get to know you through this quick summary. I love that you have a plan for your life, I envy people that have there things together haha. I love the idea of working at a camp, I too love children and the outdoors so I might have to look into that as well. OT sounds incredible as well so I think you are in good hands for whichever outlet you choose in the future. I hope that I can get to know you more through your writing over the rest of the semester, I hope the best for you! Let's finish out strong!
Hey Keana! I am really glad that you found a profession to fit you! It's really amazing that you were able to find out more about a field from your summer job. I don't know much about occupational therapists, but from what you've said it looks like they have a really important job! I'll also have to check out Yuzo Sushi sometime, it sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteHi Keana! Wow! I can't believe you moved to Norman from Washington state. That is a long ways away. I also think it is interesting that you have lived in Norman most of your life. How has living in Norman your whole life affected your college experience at OU? I think Norman is a great place! I also loved your goal is to work at a summer camp for the rest of your life. I used to go to summer camp when I was younger and loved it. I think it is so impressive that you would cook for thousands of people a week at summer camp. That must have taken a lot of time! I loved getting to know you! Great introduction post.
ReplyDeleteHey Keana, so nice to meet you! It’s encouraging to see other people (like you) excited about their goals and passions. Have you ever thought about opening up your own summer camp? I know people that also love sushi, but I am honestly not a big sushi fan; I think it’s fine, but it’s not something that I crave. I also don’t like wasabi. But I’ll still have to check out Yuzo! I look forward to reading more of your stories!
ReplyDeleteHi Keana! It always fascinates me when people move to Oklahoma from another state, especially one as far away as Washington! I had lived in the same place my entire life until I moved for college, and honestly always wanted to move away! I love the idea of working for a summer camp! I know when I went to camp as a kid I always looked up to the counselors and staff!
ReplyDeleteHi Keana!
ReplyDeleteThis was an absolutely riveting introduction, and so so sweet. I've actually never looked into occupational therapy, but from what you've described and your general goal in life, I can tell that you are setting yourself up to a very fulfilling and meaningful future in whatever that you do. Also, something interesting is that I've actually never been to a summer camp, let along work there! But it sounds like an absolute blast. I look forward to reading more from you throughout this semester!
That is so awesome that you are interested in occupational therapy and camp counseling. I have type one diabetes so summer camp would never have been a normal experience. However, there is a T1D specific summer camp I attended as a teenager and I had the same counselor every year and she has become such a role model in my life. I am glad you can provide that same gift to other people. Also I started out barely knowing how to boil water but starting in middle school I taught myself how to cook, mac n cheese is actually one of my specialties! Nice to meet you , cant wait to learn more.
ReplyDeleteHi Keana, I am also a HES major. I am pre-PA though. I think OT and PT are great occupations. They were a close second for me when I was choosing my major. I like PA because we are able to switch specialties at ease. So we can go from surgery to dermatology without any additional years of training! I also think it's cool that you cook from scratch! I love cooking from scratch. It's very rewarding and always tastes better.
ReplyDeleteHello Keana, I am also a HES major, but my focus is primarily athletic training. I think working at a summer camp full time would be so fun and rewarding. I always loved going as a kid, but I have never had the chance to experience it from the other side. And my two favorite foods just so happen to be mac and cheese and biscuits and gravy.
ReplyDeleteHi Keana,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, good luck in your career path! I don't know many people choosing to go the OT route from HES, most go PT, but the people I do know in that field think it is very rewarding! I'm an econ major so i dont know anything about any of that stuff. I was never much of a summer camp girl growing up, but most of my friends were and loved it. I went a few times to some week-long camps and always had a good time.
Good luck with the rest of your semester!