#n4a

I swear I haven't been rotting in a bog, I've just been verrrrryyyyyyy distracted with a bunch of miscellaneous stuff. One of which is working on a handful of side stories and minis to help flesh out Azil while working on the big stuff. This one is "Where Home Is", a one-shot (that broke up into several parts) following my first ever YN and their effort to settle into the frontier town of Cetk on the Adiran plains.

WHI is a one-off short consisting of 3 parts, but p3 has alternate versions for AFAB and AMAB readers. I'm planning to release the remaining parts once the accompanying art is finished, but right now you can read the first one on AO3!

Center stage we have Vansz, a local Task Manager that was living in Cetk long before YN arrived, and of course the lovely YN! A down-on-their-luck tech trying to eake out a living in the hyper-competitive market that is robot repair and upkeep. After drifting from place to place, YN is given a lead that brings them out to the remote speck known as Cetk (kehch) on the promise of regular work and a place to live. Too good to be true? Maybe. But what options do they have?

To make it better, the locals are pretty charming and easy on the eyes~

Greetings!

It is my turn to update you on what’s happening around ASPSA and the 15-16 intern class.  My name is Joe and I am one of three interns for the new class.  I chose this internship right out of grad school because of the amazing opportunity to work with a dedicated staff at an institution very different from my previous experience. In my short time here, I have learned so much from this staff and am very grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally.

First, I’d like to start off with some exciting news regarding ASPSA.  We officially have a new Director! Katie (Sheridan) Graham was recently named Assistant Dean and Director of ASPSA this week.  She was previously serving as the Interim Director.  The search for the new Associate Director of ASPSA/Head Football Coordinator is now under way.  We are excited to soon have a new member of the staff who will bring new experiences and their own style.  As an intern, I think it’s important and a great experience to learn under various supervisors because we all work differently. I’m looking forward to what a new individual can bring to the team and how we can help with their transition in the new role.  In other news, our building has gotten some updates including a fresh paint job, new computer stations in the tutoring rooms, HD monitors throughout the building and new technology in our classroom (we’ve attached some pictures!). Everything will be up in running by the time classes begin.

Summer Start and Summer Session II ended in July. Summer Start was a great opportunity for our freshman student-athletes to get a taste of college academic life and become connected to campus before fall classes start.  Speaking of Fall, the semester is quickly approaching! Classes begin on August 19th and Nicole and I are getting as much ready as we can to be prepared for the semester.  We have also been given our secondary responsibilities.  In addition to football, I will be working with women’s golf and men’s soccer.  I may also meet with one rifle student-athlete.  In addition to advising, I will be assisting the as football’s ASEP liaison.  Nicole will be working with specialist positions on the football team as well as volleyball and baseball. She is also assisting with recruiting responsibilities. In addition to men’s basketball, Lindsay is assisting with wrestling and swimming/diving. One of the great components of this internship is the opportunity we are given to gain experience in many different areas and work with different teams.  I already feel confident that once this internship is complete, I will be able to pursue my goals in the field of academic support in athletics.  The staff here is amazingly supportive and experienced and I am very happy with my decision to take on this opportunity here at NC State.

Summer is nearly at its end, but I am looking forward to meetings with students, the grind that is football season and some cooler weather (hopefully).

Until next time!

One of the things I see most when working with older individuals, their families and their caregivers, is a family in crisis.  Almost overnight finding the right care for a loved one rises from "something we really need to look into" to "how do we get care for Mom when she's discharged from the hospital?"

We all want the best care possible for our older loved ones.  The good news is, you have choices.  The bad news is that it takes a while to get it all set up if you haven't planned ahead.

Right now, sit down with your older loved ones and discuss what THEY want.  I can't stress how important this is.  You may be surprised by their answers.  It can also be a difficult conversation, but it needs to happen before a crisis forces the issue.  Here are some ideas to help the conversation along:

1. Talk about where they want to be.  Depending on their answer, there are a variety of options for care - home care, assisted living, a continuing care retirement community or something in between.

2. If they want to stay at home (and the vast majority do), are they willing to have someone come in to their home to help?  Are they open to "Meals on Wheels"?  Will they attend the Senior Center in their community so they get out and socialize?  Transportation is usually available if they don't drive.  Again, your local Area Agency on Aging can help.

3.  Or, would they prefer a community of others where the activities are right there and where they can take their meals in the company of others? If this sounds good to them, then a Continuing Care Retirement Community or an Assisted Living may be better.  Information on available facilities can be found at Eldercare Locator.  You can also contact the Ombudsman at your local Area Agency on Aging for more information.  A note, Medicare does not cover the costs of assisted living or continuing care retirement communities.  There may be various options to pay, but be sure and research each facility thoroughly.

4.  Do they have a Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney?  If not, these can be done by an elder care attorney or your local Area Agency on Aging can help.  They may also want to add a trusted relative or friend to their bank account in case they are incapacitated.

5.  Do they have Long Term Care Insurance?  LTC Insurance is a wonderful way to help an individual remain at home and still receive care, although depending on the circumstances, the cost of the insurance can be high.  Their insurance provider can help if they're interested in this option.