by Heather Plett | Feb 10, 2005 | Uncategorized
Our first day of orientation is over. Our facilitator is quite good. He has lots of good stories to tell. I liked his illustration of culture – he says it’s like an iceberg, with only 10% being visible and 90% being invisible to an observer. The 10% is what people DO – the 90% is what they think and how they feel.
One cool exercise was a card game where the group was split in half and each half had slightly different rules (which suite was trump, whether ace was high or low). The winner of each round switched to the other table. No one could speak, so when you got to the other table, you didn’t know the rules had changed and no one had the language to tell you, or the knowledge that the rules you had internalized were different. It was quite fascinating, feeling like and outsider, and wanting to assimilate, but not quite knowing how or what the new rules were.
It seems like a great group of people. So far, no evidence of grating personality traits. No know-it-alls or arrogant people. Most seem quite easy to communicate with. I probably represent the average age – some younger, some older.
There was a neat energy in the room when we all came together – an anticipation and expectation. There was excitement with just a hint of apprehension. I think we’ll build a fairly successful mini-community.
by Heather Plett | Feb 9, 2005 | Uncategorized
We arrived at the Delta Hotel in Toronto last night. The flight was uneventful. Micheline talked alot on the way here. She’s really sweet and she’s been through some really hard crap in her life. But through it all, she seems to have this child-like faith that’s really solid. In a way, I envy her the ability to trust like that. I think she’d get along great with Mom. They have the same way of believing.
We had supper together in the hotel restaurant, and then I came to my room and climbed into bed – hoping to get to sleep early. Unfortunately, I turned on the TV and got hooked on the Amazing Race. It was the finale, so I ended up watching until 11:00. I didn’t sleep well after that. I woke up several times and kept having really off-the-wall dreams. Russ and Sylvie were in one of my dreams. I think Sylvie had an affair.
This morning we start our orientation session. I hope the group is interesting and easy to get along with. I hope there aren’t any prima donnas who want too much attention. I hope there aren’t any whiners. I hope there aren’t too many “Praise the Lord” people. I hope there are some opportunities for new friendships.
God, if you’re out there, give me a spirit of openness today. Give me grace and compassion and help me see through the personality traits that get on my nerves to the heart that you love. Bless the group and help us build community.
Maybe if I keep praying, I’ll want to believe in him again.
by Heather Plett | Feb 8, 2005 | Uncategorized
Leaving the girls behind isn’t easy. Maddie didn’t seem to catch on as I dropped her off at Oma’s. Julie cried this morning before leaving for school. Nikki cried at school in the hallway – she’d been fighting it up until then, and couldn’t hold it in any more. Today I feel sad that I have to leave them. There’s a lump in my throat the size of Texas. I know it will be good to go, and they’ll survive, but it’s gonna be hard. And lonely. I miss them already.
by Heather Plett | Feb 4, 2005 | Uncategorized
Only a few days left… aaahhh! I don’t feel prepared yet. What do I still need to buy? What do I need to remember to pack? What things do I need to do ahead of time to help Marcel get through 3 weeks without me? Where are my summer clothes? What will I wear on my feet? Do I need to take a nail clipper along? Have I got enough underwear? When will I get all the laundry done? Oh shit – I haven’t exchanged any money yet! Do I have time to get a haircut?
Four days from now, it won’t matter WHAT I’ve forgotten to do, ’cause I’ll be on an airplane and it will be too late to worry about clean laundry or nail clippers (gotta remember to pack those in my checked luggage so they don’t confiscate them at security – never know, I might try to slash the pilot’s throat with my nail clippers!).
by Heather Plett | Feb 4, 2005 | Uncategorized
Pretty Girl walks up to the counter and begins to unload her cart. Plain Girl behind the till grabs the first item and swishes it past the electronic reader. Pretty Girl looks up and there is a spark of recognition on her face. She catches Plain Girl’s eye. “Did you used to go to Chancellor High?” she asks. A momentary blush crosses Plain Girl’s face. “Yes,” she says simply. “I THOUGHT I recognized you, says Pretty Girl, smiling. “We must have been there at the same time.” “I know your face well,” says Plain Girl, and it’s clear that she knows the face too well. She knows it from years of watching from her spot on the floor leaned up against her locker as Pretty Girl walked by with Jock Boy or Cheerleader Girl. She knows it from agonizing hours in the gymnasium or change room, watching Pretty Girl with all the other Pretty Girls giggling and exchanging secrets. She knows Pretty Girl, because in the darkest places in her heart, she either wanted to BE Pretty Girl, or see her suffer bodily injury or serious humiliation.
Now, all these years later, she has to serve Pretty Girl from behind a check-out counter at Wal-mart. Again she watches as Pretty Girl walks by with Handsome Husband and Cute Kids. A look passes over her faces. Again she wishes for a reversal of fortunes or bodily harm. Maybe Pretty Girl will trip on her way out of the store.
Pretty Girl leaves without tripping, and Plain Girl turns to serve me. She doesn’t know the meaning of my smile, but I know that I am no threat to her because I spent those same hours in high school watching.
by Heather Plett | Feb 4, 2005 | Uncategorized
They’re SO much bigger now!
