Category Archives: ashley

The little old (ahem…young) lady from Pasadena likes to…

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When I told my Southern friends I was moving to Pasadena way back in 2008, they started singing that song to me to which I smiled and corrected the word old to young.  Although I’ve spent the majority of the past five years staring at my computer screen and feverishly reading books, I have, indeed, fallen in love with Pasadena.  So without further ado, my top five favorite things to do in the Pasadena/LA area:

  1. Break out my dancin’ shoes- This is by far my favorite perk of living in this area.  When I lived in Birmingham, I struggled to find adult classes amidst the tiny pink tights and tutus.  Over the past few years, I’ve taken hip hop, tap, ballet, swing, and salsa.  To work off my stress, I love breaking a sweat in a salsa club, especially at The Granada in Alhambra (www.thegranadala.com) or Ixtapa in Old Town Pasadena (www.cantinaixtapa.com).
  2.   Soak in some sun- We are spoiled here in SoCal with such beautiful weather, and I try soak it all in to counteract the overwhelming amount of time I spend in class, at work, or my practicum site.  I especially love Lacy Park, the Cal-Tech campus grounds, and the Arlington Gardens.  If I want to treat myself to a pricier experience of the sun, I go to The Huntington Gardens (www.huntington.org), the LA Arboretum (hwww.arboretum.org), or The Descanso Gardens (www.descansogardens.org)
  3.  Go for a fro-yo run- I have always loved frozen yogurt, but Pasadena has so many do it yourself fro yo options that trying out new fro yo spots with friends quickly became my favorite past-time.  Right now my favorites are Menchie’s in South Pasadena and Cherry on Top by Pasadena City College.
  4. Stock up on fresh food- I tend to eat mostly vegetables and fruits, which means I spend a significant amount of time in the produce aisle at the grocery store.  I would much rather spend that time at Farmer’s Markets, picking out locally grown, fresh fruits and veggies.  Every so often I try to catch the Thursday night South Pasadena Farmer’s Market, the Friday night Monrovia Farmer’s Market, or the new Wednesday evening Pasadena’s Farmer’s Market, which is actually right behind Fuller
  5. Scout out the cheap/free stuff- As a long-term graduate student (yes, this is my second Master’s at Fuller- call me smart or call me crazy), I have learned to live on a tight budget.  I’ve also learned how to have fun on this tight, or really non-existent, budget.  So I frequent the Old Town Pasadena calendar of events (www.oldpasadena.org/gc_calendar.asp) and make note of the free concerts in Old Town and free movie nights at One Colorado.  I also look forward to the amazing free concerts in the summer at the Levitt Pavilion (www.levittpavilionpasadena.org).

And, that, is how I stay sane in the crazy/amazing world of grad school life.

Practically speaking

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You know how sometimes when you’re too close to a painting the masterpiece just looks like a big blob?  It’s only when you take a step back that you realize that, of course, it’s a city skyline or ocean or something other than the confusing brush strokes of chaos.  Well, unless it’s abstract art.

I felt like my capstone class in the School of Intercultural Studies, “Thinking Missiologically,” with Doug McConnell was the giant step back I needed in order to make sense of all the concepts and theories I had read, discussed, and analyzed for two years.  In this class, we looked at current issues in doing missions and ministry and shuffled through our core classes, choosing differing lenses to approach the problem.  In our response to the issue, we presented theories from our tool box, ranging from theology, psychology, sociology, ecclesiology, and international development.  However, we didn’t just apply the theories. We critiqued them.  We demonstrated how each concept could help and then where each concept failed or brought more problems.

Perhaps my favorite assignment and, I’ll be honest, the most anxiety provoking for me, was the group project.  Each group in our class had to select five models or theories they wanted to present in handling the response to the then current Haiti earthquake crisis.  In a nutshell, the vignette described how relief agencies were, thankfully, in Haiti helping in the earthquake aftermath but, sadly, the local businesses were failing because of the relief agencies.  Quite a sticky situation.

Through our project, we had a chance to figure out what we would do.  How would we possibly remedy this problem?  We chose our models, presented, and then responded to other group’s counter points.  The entire process was exhilarating and confusing, as we collaborated to work towards some type of plan.  This was where the abstract theory became practical reality.

While my career goals of changed, I still find that this class and assignment were formative to not only my Fuller experience but also my professional development.  I now know what it means to weed through a plethora of theories or models to find the best fit for the situation and then apply them, fully aware of their possibilities and limitations.

As a future marriage and family therapist, I believe this type of understanding is crucial.  Now, I am weeding through approaches to therapy, choosing the one that fits who I am, as well as the clients I will be seeing.  Also, I’m able to critically look at each approach, finding the strengths and weaknesses, which will hopefully make me a well-rounded therapist.

Starting in a few short months, I will be able to put it all into practice as a therapist at a practicum site.  And that is practicality.

Getting to know you…I mean me

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Name: Ashley McCleery

Where did you grow up?  Signal Mountain, TN- close to Chattanooga (A certain song may be coming to mind- “Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?”)

What brought you to Fuller?  I first came to Fuller in 2008 to study children at risk in the School of Intercultural Studies.  I tailored my education in SIS to learning about trauma and healing from sexual abuse/exploitation, which then led me into the world of psychology.  After much discernment and growth, I am now preparing to be a therapist in the Marriage and Family Therapy program.

What is your favorite…

Movie:  Soapdish

Band:   I love music- all kinds, including the nerdy instrumental music.  But recently I’ve been playing Mumford & Sons on repeat.

Smartphone App:  Sleep Cycle. It helps me learn how to make sleep more important in grad school life.

Website: thedailywhat.com

TV Show: Modern Family and I Love Lucy

Sports Team:  I like watching baseball.  Does that count?

Type of Frozen Yogurt:  Cake batter

Place to eat in Pasadena: Nine & Nine, Tender Greens, Abricott, Lemonade

Thing to do in Southern California: Getting lost, which is frequent, in order to find hidden gems like unique coffee shops.

Class you’ve taken at Fuller:   I have so many, but my top two are Forgiveness and Reconciliation with Terry Hargrave and Poverty and Development with Bryant Myers.

If you had the opportunity to do a different program at Fuller, what would you choose and why? I’m doing just that!  First was MAICS and now MSMFT.   But I have to be honest, I really want to do a Phd in Clinical Psychology, also.  Someday.

What book are you reading right now?  Other than all my reading for classes?  Well, I am re-reading one my favorites- When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd.

Who is your favorite Fuller professor and why?  I think it’s a tie between Erin Dufault-Hunter and Terry Hargrave.  Both are incredibly engaging in the way they present material, and they both bring personal experience into their lectures.  I learn best when I see my teachers connecting with the subject being taught, which helps me better connect with it.

What is an interesting fact that most people would not know about you?  I am deathly afraid of bees, and I have good reason.  When I was six, I stepped on a yellow jacket’s nest and was stung by about 100 yellow jackets.  So now, I scream like a baby when I see one near me.

What are the top 5 most played songs on your iTunes?  Not with Haste- Mumford & Sons, The Great Divide- Jonathan Elias, Dog Days Are Over- Florence + the Machine, Sweet Disposition- The Temper Trap, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall- Coldplay

If you could give advice to someone who is thinking about coming to Fuller, what would you say?  Being in seminary is a time of growth and change, spurred from entertaining new ideas and living in the questions.  So my advice is to give yourself the space and grace for this process.  Don’t hold too tightly to controlling your growth but try to allow this process to unfold, which can be uncomfortable at times but also incredibly rewarding.