Week 2

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

It's been an up and down week but overall I've really been enjoying myself. A lot happens in a week when you have a full schedule and live with 15 others. There are many fun times and moments when I wish to be alone. This is natural. I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way; you don't always get along with everyone, and you don't always feel like doing what everyone else is doing. I lived in relative seclusion from February until August, and my living situation now is the opposite. I was uncomfortable almost constantly for the first week, yet I had the most fun I've had in a long time.

On Wednesday morning we were divided into groups who were to trek around downtown Chicago, finding landmarks and using maps to plan the route. There was some disagreement in our group regarding how the routes were chosen and I was left feeling a bit miffed. Later I managed to patch things up with a group member the best I could. Alas, someone decided to play a joke on me at Millenium Park and I wasn't in the mood to be laughed at. To compound matters, we were given a task to buy dinner with only $1 per person. This was a team activity and I was with the England team, my new friends Rachel and Kristen. We decided to give our dollars away and eat something back at the house. It was a quiet trip home. I made myself a leftover taco salad, and after I finished I overheard others talking about refusing to eat because it would defeat the point of the exercise. I didn't see it that way, but I did feel sort of guilty for eating nonetheless.

I called my friend Benjamin that night and he helped me think through what had happened in a positive way. Number one, tomorrow is another day. I like this simple reminder. My main concern that night was the impression I made on the England team. I was concerned they'd be scared off by my mood. But I was reminded that this was only one day, and that there were many, many opportunities to relate to them in the next year. Also, I think I'm really good to be around most of the time. The math works in my favor. No pressure.

Friday was another memorable day, and fortunately it was much more enjoyable. The day was set aside for service in the community. My group spent the day at a preschool/day care for children ages 2-5. It was my first time working closely with children. I was assigned the role of teachers assistant in a room of 4-year-olds. When I entered, they were in the middle of play time. A girl immediately hugged my leg and pulled me to a fake phone booth while two little boys pulled me in opposite directions. Another boy hopped on my back and I carried him around. Later, they put a bucket over my head and pounded the bucket with various objects. Why was this enjoyable? It was my first time "letting loose" with children. No longer are children scary to me and I won't feel the need to stay away from them. I may even come a little closer. Children bring a lot of joy to the world. Staying away from them is the last thing we should do.

On Saturday, a group decided to check out the Celtic festival in the middle of Hurricane Ike. I learned how to share an umbrella with my friend Alyssa. We also tried a Celtic culinary tradition, the Sausage roll. It was surprisingly delectable. Despite getting soaked, we had a nice time admiring Irish accents, catching glimpses of jigs, and admitting that the price tags on items made us feel even poorer than before. On the way to an engagement that evening with Jeff, my friend from college, I became more attached to Chicago. I walked from Michigan Avenue to the "L" Train, got off at my supposed stop and asked a couple of Chicagoans how to get the Lincoln St. Even though I needed to get to Lake St, I had the chance to hear their thick, rich Chicago accents. I walked over a bridge and admired the skyline, then passed a middle-aged man wearing dark retro garb and a hobo hat. I wanted to think he nodded at me, but I looked down just before we made eye contact.

Another highlight of the first week was Chicago Deep Dish at Lou M's. These are just a few snapshots of the first week. I am already being stretched and challenged by the experience, but most of all I want to simply have fun with all of these great new people. Yesterday we shared or faith stories, and today listened to our leaders Krista and Darrell give their views on basic theological questions. Their answers were fascinating, and I hope to discuss these questions with my team over the course of the next months.

Lee M