Words continue to seep through my ears and gather what it seems to understand. I'm forever learning while I'm here... while I'm anywhere. There are so many different people to see, meet, and understand. Because seeing never really cuts it.
It's third week of training and life at "the Point" is getting busy and a bit tiring. Not that I'm not enjoying it, because I am. Our physical training is at 6am, and if you know me, you know I'm not a morning person. But morning views are gorgeous, and the small town for war vets combined with a massive variety of people from all across America is worth the discomfort.
Corps training, however, is a different kind of discomfort. One I can't seem to keep awake doing. We have gone through multiple lectures on Peaceful Communication, Shelter Training, Tool Training, and various other things like an "Anti-Drugs and Alcohol" speech. Though they seem to have a sole purpose, so far most of these training sessions have oddly disappeared from my memory. Although, I can confidently say I am CPR and First Aide certified once again.
We have a new team, and I'm now one of 10 members of Raven 6. As much as I liked my old POD (our temporary team), this new team is also exciting. Our team leader seems like a "stay-on-top-of-things" kind of person, and I hope that influences me to stay on top of things, instead of the "dwell-and-drift-into-multiple-things" kind of person I am. Some quality team time has been spent like bowling, lazer tag, t-shirt making, ISP's (Individual Service Projects), and our soon to be mini spike. Our first time out of 9H for team service work. We will be working at a Girl Scout camp out in Denton, Maryland making sure they have a safe and enjoyable place to stay when they start their camp. I'm not sure of the exact details on this, so I'll stop at that.
Tonight is rather peaceful, only because it's a Saturday and I can finally sleep in tomorrow. I went to a Coptic Church last Sunday with my two roommates and the experience was different, in a nice way. It was a one hour drive, so this Sunday is probably a different story. Especially after a tiring day of ISP today, which was my first 8 hours of individual service. We went to a loading dock in Baltimore where they sell used housing supplies for a small amount of money. Like the Goodwill of Home Depot. I think the dust there is what finally got me sick, but I'm happy I went. Our team leader, Beth, asked us how we felt after completing our first ISP, and I quoted the Loading Dock quote by saying "It felt good to 'make a home out of what other people throw away.'" Although that isn't what we did, we were just organizing and stocking, it was interesting to me that you actually could do it. And I think it's places like that, their relationship with the quote they had, and the connection it gave me, that make me realize how important it is to be here. How important it is to serve...even if it means making myself uncomfortable. Because usually, discomfort is what empowers you.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wolf Den
I made it to the wolf den without getting lost. Maybe it was because my roommate was with me. Us 9H dormers live about a mile away from the villagers...where the computer lab is with internet service. It's an old home built in the 1920's. The whole Wolf, Ravens, Badgers idea really just makes me feel like I live at Hogwarts. Maybe I'm wrong. (I'm a Raven...just in case you'd like to know.)
I've been here for almost 3 days now and we haven't been up to much yet. Training hasn't started quite yet, no physicals have been done, yesterday we got stuck indoors because of a snowstorm...but I have never met so many new and interesting people at once. I have a group "Raven 1" that is tentative. Meaning, they aren't permanent. but the more we are together, the more appealing each one of them seems to become. I guess that's how people are in general. Especially in a place where you know no one and everyone is ready and willing to meet you.
It seems that things will always be up in the air while I'm here. We just have to grab what we can, and go with it. Which is why they want us to be flexible. And adapting to it, so far, has been exhilarating. We'll see how it lasts. I've never seen or shoveled snow. Never lived so far away from home. Never lived in a hospital that's turned into a dorm, and with 7 girls. I know things will change, and I'm ok with it. Being open to change is the most exciting part about being here.
Our group leaders wanted us to get to know our group, so one of the activities she assigned was to bring three things you can't live without. Which, most supposed, would be things you brought with you. I immediately thought of objects like my journal or colored pencils I brought along. But, my roommate started to make me think of it a little more. I began to analyze "live," and thought of things like food and water, warmth and oxygen. These are things the general population needs to survive. To live without them, you will physically die. But what about your spirit? Is this not what really gives you life? Or feeling at all? Perhaps, if you read this, you can share what three things you can't live without are.
To everyone back home...thanks for all your love and support. You are definitely something I can't live without. Spiritually and physically.
I've been here for almost 3 days now and we haven't been up to much yet. Training hasn't started quite yet, no physicals have been done, yesterday we got stuck indoors because of a snowstorm...but I have never met so many new and interesting people at once. I have a group "Raven 1" that is tentative. Meaning, they aren't permanent. but the more we are together, the more appealing each one of them seems to become. I guess that's how people are in general. Especially in a place where you know no one and everyone is ready and willing to meet you.
It seems that things will always be up in the air while I'm here. We just have to grab what we can, and go with it. Which is why they want us to be flexible. And adapting to it, so far, has been exhilarating. We'll see how it lasts. I've never seen or shoveled snow. Never lived so far away from home. Never lived in a hospital that's turned into a dorm, and with 7 girls. I know things will change, and I'm ok with it. Being open to change is the most exciting part about being here.
Our group leaders wanted us to get to know our group, so one of the activities she assigned was to bring three things you can't live without. Which, most supposed, would be things you brought with you. I immediately thought of objects like my journal or colored pencils I brought along. But, my roommate started to make me think of it a little more. I began to analyze "live," and thought of things like food and water, warmth and oxygen. These are things the general population needs to survive. To live without them, you will physically die. But what about your spirit? Is this not what really gives you life? Or feeling at all? Perhaps, if you read this, you can share what three things you can't live without are.
To everyone back home...thanks for all your love and support. You are definitely something I can't live without. Spiritually and physically.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ready Will Find Me
My room is a mess-full of random winter warm things I'll probably layer myself with. California really doesn't teach one to know what to expect in Maryland. I'm having anxiety dreams. I've got a million things running through my head. A million people I know I'll miss. I know I won't be ready, but reality tells me, ready will find me.
My last days of tutoring were last week. The goodbyes were surprisingly hard. The kids that always give me a hard time, seemed sad that I was leaving. And I knew I,too, would miss they're silliness. Tristan and Jesse weren't the easiest of kids to have together, but they were definitely entertaining. And not to mention the girls that melt my heart, with their hugs and sad goodbyes. I only stayed with them for a month or so, and it seems like they were the real teachers.
I'm encompassed by love here. What will I find there? What will become of a turtle that leaves its shell? Discoveries? The "Naked Truth." Maybe.
I hear Belky watching Seinfeld downstairs. Home from work. And I remember what he told me last week. "It's nice to sit in a bagel shop and just watch people. You get this good feeling. Like there's people out there with a world completely different than yours." Yes. And I think that's exactly what I'm preparing my mind for. The variety, the differences, the world. Not my world, but theirs.
I've been feeling quite complacent...so to anyone that feels ignored or neglected by me at the moment, please forgive me. I can't help my weird communicative nature.
Until next time I suppose. <3
My last days of tutoring were last week. The goodbyes were surprisingly hard. The kids that always give me a hard time, seemed sad that I was leaving. And I knew I,too, would miss they're silliness. Tristan and Jesse weren't the easiest of kids to have together, but they were definitely entertaining. And not to mention the girls that melt my heart, with their hugs and sad goodbyes. I only stayed with them for a month or so, and it seems like they were the real teachers.
I'm encompassed by love here. What will I find there? What will become of a turtle that leaves its shell? Discoveries? The "Naked Truth." Maybe.
I hear Belky watching Seinfeld downstairs. Home from work. And I remember what he told me last week. "It's nice to sit in a bagel shop and just watch people. You get this good feeling. Like there's people out there with a world completely different than yours." Yes. And I think that's exactly what I'm preparing my mind for. The variety, the differences, the world. Not my world, but theirs.
I've been feeling quite complacent...so to anyone that feels ignored or neglected by me at the moment, please forgive me. I can't help my weird communicative nature.
Until next time I suppose. <3
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