Introduction
Hello,
My name is Madison, but I also go by Madi. I am studying Criminology at the University of Oklahoma and I am on track to graduate in May 2019. I took twenty hours during the last spring semester and I am happy to share that I got all A's. One of the most interesting classes I have had for my major is an internship over this last summer. I interned at Mabel Basset Correctional Center, a women's prison in McLoud, Oklahoma. As awesome as that sounds, it was also very mentally and emotionally draining. Sometimes, I like to think that I would enjoy working as a Case Manager there, but I also believe it would wear me and my family down because there is never a dull moment and there are times when it can get pretty hostile.
On a lighter note, I live in Norman with my three cats: Todd, Tater-Tot, and Poe. I work at the Law Office of Paula K. Sullivan as an assistant. This job is great because I am thinking about going to law school after I graduate if I do not go for a Master's in Social Work first. However, in my spare time, I enjoy crocheting! I picked it back up when I broke my hand. It was a great way to exercise my hand when I had a cast, it was also the only thing I could do with my gimp hand. I also enjoy playing video games, binge-watching movies, and snuggling my cats. I do my best to eat at home. I like watching cooking videos and replicating meals. Tonight, I baked some chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, coriander, thyme, rosemary, and garlic cloves. It was delicious!
On a lighter note, I live in Norman with my three cats: Todd, Tater-Tot, and Poe. I work at the Law Office of Paula K. Sullivan as an assistant. This job is great because I am thinking about going to law school after I graduate if I do not go for a Master's in Social Work first. However, in my spare time, I enjoy crocheting! I picked it back up when I broke my hand. It was a great way to exercise my hand when I had a cast, it was also the only thing I could do with my gimp hand. I also enjoy playing video games, binge-watching movies, and snuggling my cats. I do my best to eat at home. I like watching cooking videos and replicating meals. Tonight, I baked some chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, coriander, thyme, rosemary, and garlic cloves. It was delicious!
Thanks for reading!
Best,
Madi
The blanket I finished over the summer. Source: Personal Photo
Hi Madi! I feel like I connected with you because I love watching cooking videos. I come from an Italian background so I'm used to cooking every night. I love to try new recipes and styles of cooking. I am also an animal lover. I have two German Shepherds, a girl and a boy. The girl is named Athena and she is three years old. We rescued her from a shelter after tornados hit my hometown two years ago. The boy is named Sampson and he is just one year old. I love snuggling them when they're not too busy running around the house.
ReplyDeleteHi Madi! That's such an interesting internship that you had over the summer. I bet at times it got pretty intense. I love animals as well, and have a nine-year-old Yorkie. His name is Sammy and he loves to go to the dog park and take long road trips. I used to know how to crochet, but after many years of not doing it I forgot how to.. oops! I enjoy cooking when it something super simple, I usually don't do much cooking because nothing ever turns out too good.
ReplyDeleteHi Madi! That's really cool that you're a criminology major, probably my favorite class from the spring was Criminology! I absolutely loved learning the material, even if some of it is a little bit depressing. I can see why you were so drained from your internship this summer. That blanket looks really good as well, I remember watching my mom crochet all the time when I was a little kid. I even have a blanket back home that she made, that's one of those things I could never give up.
ReplyDeleteHey Madi!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, congrats on getting all A's in 20 hours. That's really impressive! Also, I have been trying to learn how to knit and crochet recently. Much like you, I started to pick it up during the aftermath of a medical incident. I got my tonsils out this semester and couldn't do much after (turns out I'm a big baby when it comes to recovery). And I applaud you on choosing the career path that your on. I can empathize with the stress it must have caused and think it's incredible that that didn't put you off. Keep up the good work and awesome grades!
Wow, working at Mabel Basset does sound intense, Madi, but also really important. I am glad you got that opportunity! If you read my Introduction, you'll find out that I went to a Canvas conference this summer, and they had two men who graduated from a correctional facility in Washington state where they use Canvas who came to that conference: it was really inspiring to meet men who had overcome some huge challenges to pursue their education. They made a video about it if you are curious: Larch Corrections Center & Canvas. And it sounds like cat-snuggling, crocheting, and cooking would all be good ways to relax after a hard days like that. Maybe you will even decide to eventually do both a JD and an MSW: that would be a powerful combination of skills and knowledge that would allow you to make a big impact in people's lives, making the world that much better!
ReplyDeleteHey Madi! I think it's adorable that you have three cats. I really love cats, but I am so allergic so I always sneeze and get a stuffy nose whenever I pet one for longer than a few minutes. They're still cute though. I can't believe you like scary movies. I am a jumpy person and they freak me out so bad, I only watch them if I'm with a large group of friends I can hide behind. You're braver than me.
ReplyDeleteHey Madi! It’s awesome that you got all A’s while taking 20 hours! You must have worked very hard! It’s cool that you’re studying criminology. I think I would be drained with that kind of internship, too, but I’m glad you’re still interested in that kind of field! I love cooking at home, too, and that chicken sounds great! Tonight I’m making chicken alfredo with a homemade alfredo sauce. Yum!
ReplyDeleteHope your semester is going well!
Hi Madison,
ReplyDeleteI find it cool how you have a job in the field you are going to go into also congratulations on your A's while taking 20 hours i know that a very tall task to achieve and for you to do so gives me the inspiration to get a 4.0 this semester. I like how you also watch cooking videos and are willing to recreate the stuff you have watched i am the same way. The dish you have made sounds like it tastes delicious. I hope you continue to have a successful school year!
Hey Madi!
ReplyDeleteWow, 20 hours of A that's incredibly impressive! I'm attempting my first 18 hour semester this Fall and so far it seems very possible to receive all A's but it's definitely keeping me busy. I can't imagine working at a correctional facility. I work at a physical therapy center and that in itself is draining so I could only guess working with people with more extensive problems could only require that much more energy. Best of luck to you in all your cooking and crocheting endeavors this Fall!
Hey Madi, I’m set to graduate at the same time too! It’s hard to believe that it has all gone by so fast. It definitely feels like the clock is ticking sometimes. I like to cook to, and my inspiration has definitely been cooking videos like you described haha. Considering Law School is really cool. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteHey Madi! I cannot imagine working in a prison. I definitely believe you that it was emotionally draining for you. Its cool that you are thinking about going to law school, I have a couple of friends doing that right now and they love it. My roommates and I love to cook at home too, its cheap and easy! Good luck with the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Madi! it is nice to meet someone else that is also a criminology major! I am amazed at your internship, i cannot imagine the emotional toll that took on you but i also can imagine that you learned a lot. That seems like an amazing opportunity, i also work at a law office so it seems we have a lot in common. Best of luck with your future and figuring out your next step!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are so impressive, Madi. Become a lawyer or work in a law field always is my dream job. I took three year at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law at Sai Gon, but because i have to move here, i quit. Since language barrier is one of my biggest obstacle, i also changed my major to Finance (it seems to be easier compare to law). Therefore, i am always admire people who work in a law field or whoever studies law.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Madi. Congrat on your upcoming graduation and your future.
Hey Madi! First off congratulations on your 4.0 semester! I'm trying to get one of those under my belt lol. As an intern at the correctional facility, what all did you do/could do? Any crazy experiences? Crocheting is very fun and relaxing! I personally picked it up during high school but haven't had the chance to do much more with it. Lastly, what is your favorite home cooked meal?
ReplyDeleteHi Madi!
ReplyDeleteYour pets sound adorable! I'm curious if your cats answer to their names? It seems like calling "Todd" and "Tater-Tot" could sound very similar, and I love Poe as a name for a cat.
Criminology is such an interesting field. It's really cool you've interned in a correctional facility before, I'm not sure I'd have the gumption to try that myself but the experience sounds quite memorable.
Crochet is delightful. It always feels a little more relaxed than knitting to me, partly because I'm not so paranoid of dropping loops off the hook.
Nice to meet you! That dinner sounds delicious!
Hello Madi,
ReplyDeleteI find it awesome that you are majoring in criminology. It is cool that you got to intern at a prison for my sister is a case manager at prison in the state. I’m not sure if I am aloud to say which on but she says it is a lot of physical and metal strain but at the same time she loves the work she does. So, if you love what your pursuing then do it, for it was what she wanted to do. Otherwise its good meeting you.
Hi Madi,
ReplyDeleteI think it's really cool how you try to create the foods from cooking videos that you watch. It sounds like a great way to learn how to make a bunch of different tasty foods. I'm not great at cooking, but I still sometimes enjoy watching the Great British Bake Off/Baking Show on Netflix. Law school and social work both seem tough but it looks like you're already on your way to being successful. I hope you have a great last few semesters!
Hi Madi!
ReplyDeleteCriminology is such an interesting topic, and its super impressive that you took twenty hours and got all A’s! Do you have any study tips to share? Wow, interning at a women’s prison sounds like it would be so stressful. But also such a great way to learn about the prison system. Also, your cat’s names are so cute!
Hey Madi!
ReplyDeleteYour internship sounds so interesting, I would love to hear more about it. I often wonder how Oklahoma will solve our embarrassing incarceration rates. I am very proud to have someone like you working on solving the issues of our present and future. I look forward to reading more of your stories!
Hi Madi!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the A's! It sounds like you take a lot of pride in your grades so I identify with that a lot. I ca't imagine how emotionally draining it is to work at a corrections facility. I am way too soft for that, so super kudos to you! I love cats and cooking. My boyfriend helps me cook pretty often and we are also trying to eat in as often as we can. Those late night Whataburger trips really add up after a while. I hope that your classes go as well this semester as last semester!
-Cat
Hey Madi! I think it's so cool that you study criminology. If you're by any chance interested in learning about the law and prison reform, I just wanted to recommend the Wrongful Conviction podcast to you! Also, if you would be interested in an amazing true crime podcast, you should check out the podcast Sword & Scale. These are some podcasts that helped me decide that I wanted to go to law school!
ReplyDeleteHey there Madi! First of all, nice work on pulling a 4.0 with TWENTY credit hours. That's insane! I would like to work as a forensic scientist one day, and have been considering a minor in Criminal Justice. Do you enjoy the classes? It's so awesome that you have cats. The girl I'll be living with next year and I have been discussing getting a pet, but dogs are too much work for two STEM majors and I'm really allergic to cats (not that it stops me from visiting and playing with them!). Good luck graduating this spring!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Madi! I'm always inspired by people who are willing to serve others in difficult places. I loved hearing about your involvement at the law office and your aspirations as well. I also love scary movies. Do you have a favorite? I enjoy to knit while I watch TV, and it was refreshing to hear that there are other people my age who enjoy crafting. I hope the rest of your semester treats you well!
ReplyDeleteHey madi!
ReplyDeleteHappy end of the semester! I am glad I got to read your introduction here at the end! I too really like to cook and am obsessed with cooking videos. I recommend Binging with Babish and Bon Appetit on Youtube if you have not seen them yet. Both have really fun videos that are easy to follow along to.