Holidays - pt. 2

With the fairly long list of things that I miss, you need to know that there are just as many things that I love about being in England for the Holidays.  Here are the ones I remember at this moment:


1. Sharing Thanksgiving meal with 40 other people

2. Hearing Brits compliment all of the American food we ate for Thanksgiving.

3. 2 new "brothers"

Iain, Shadow, Me, and Jonah

4. A UK family that loves board games as much as I do

5. Gluten-free & Dairy-free peanut butter cookies (for real, they are SO GOOD)

6. Staying up really late playing games

7. A doggy who likes to play right away when I come downstairs

8. Mince Pie is growing on me.

9. Movie education - watching lots of good British movies with my UK family

MMM!

10. A 3-tiered chocolate birthday cake of wonderfulness.

Birthday Sparklers

Birthday Banner on the stairs

11. Helping the doggles open his presents. (Shadow has many nicknames)

Me and Shadow

12. The amount of wit and sarcasm that oozes from this house

13. An amazing family at home that makes time to Skype me for my Birthday/Christmas.

14. Three amazing friends, Laura (Germany), Juliana (Ecuador), and Marine (France)

15. Colleagues at school who genuinely care about my well being


This list could have countless more, but I don't want to waste my holiday writing this blog.  As I finish typing this music plays in the background, Iain is reading rules for a game called "Fresh Fish" that we are about to play on my last afternoon at the Dykes house.  As difficult as I thought it would be to spend the holidays away from family, I will treasure the time I have had here in this house.  I wouldn't trade this Christmas experience for anything in the world.

I have learned that home can be many places, as long as you love the people around you.  Winchester is becoming more and more like home.

I wanted doggie kisses, but he turned away :(

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. " 

 -- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. 

Holidays - Pt. 1

I won't lie, the holidays are hard when you are far away from home.

It hit me today, as I participated in some new holiday traditions, just how much I am missing the traditions from home.  Here are some things I miss.

Ebony

1. Making turkey cookies with Mom.
2. Frosting the turkey cookies - each feather a different color of course!
3. Thanksgiving with the Greve family
4. American stuffing (British stuffing has sausage and other meat in it)
5. Pumpkin Pie
6. Pumpkin cookies
7. really just all pumpkiny desserts!
8. Christmas Cantata at church
9. Visiting my Grammy (I LOVE YOU GRAMMY! *muah*)
10. Christmas Road trip with the family
11. My kitty Ebony
12. My bed
13. Being able to text silly things to my friends
14. Megan's wedding in January
15. Being able to get in my car and drive wherever, and whenever I want to

Pumpkin Pie

I don't really miss the snow, like at all.  It's been around 50F most days here, sometimes rainy, usually grey skies.  But I love it!  While everyone around me wishes for snow, I'm hoping it never comes.

Now, before you think I'm having a little pity party, there are plenty of things that I love about this new place I call home.  Stay tuned for part 2 to find out :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

~Lina

Peace

I am completely at peace right now.

It has been a very hectic week, and it will continue to be hectic tomorrow.  But right now, this very minute, I am at peace.

Because I am working in a private school this year, my Christmas break starts on Thursday (Don't hate me).  But this means that while Advent only started 2 weeks ago, we are celebrating Christmas in full swing.

In the past week I have:

Helped with the all-school Advent service
Attended the Nursery & Reception Nativity Play (called a Crib service here)
Planned Chapel (with help of course)
Planned Jr. School Assembly with Katrina
Attended and helped lead the aforementioned assembly
Attended and helped lead the aforementioned chapel - twice
Helped with Jr. School Carol Service Rehearsal
Attended Jr. School carol service
Finished all my Christmas shopping
Wrapped all the presents
Started my January Newsletter

I was completely exhausted.  I loved every minute of it, but I was exhausted.  I woke up this morning and just felt completely happy. I was absolutely giddy!  So giddy, in fact, that Katrina asked me what I had been up to today.  She was completely suspicious of my good mood!

Today, was GAP secret Santa day.  Now, I know that presents aren't the meaning of Christmas, but I wasn't just excited about getting a present.  I was excited to spend an evening with 3 of the other GAPs watching movies and just enjoying each other's presence.  We spent most of our time together laughing and teasing each other while watching "Frozen"!

I left Earls Down (a boarding house) and went straight up to my room and tuned into the live stream of the St. Olaf College Christmas Festival.

The music I'm currently listening to is the icing on this happy cupcake of a day!  [Currently listening to Chapel Choir's "Gaudete" conducted by Mark Stover.  So in love!]

I don't think I prayed out loud for recharging, but that's the great thing about God.  He knows exactly what I need without me saying anything.  In fact, I don't think I knew what I needed until I received it. So now, I'm going to finish this post, curl up on the sofa, listen to the Christmas Story told by the wonderful choirs of St. Olaf College and bask in the glory and love of Jesus.

Happy Christmas!!

Turkey Day Food Baby

*I am writing this post after changing into sweat pants because my jeans felt too tight.  Thanksgiving success.*

**I'm using surnames in the post because I know that some students have found this blog. Hi, Middle 5's!**

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today was one of the best Thanksgivings of my life so far.

It started like any other day.  I woke up, slowly got ready and headed downstairs to ring the breakfast bell.

BUT, before I made it to the bottom of the stairs I had already been wished "Happy Thanksgiving".  I wasn't expecting that.  I am beyond lucky and blessed to be surrounded by a handful of Americans (both staff and boarders) who keep me from missing home too much.  Today though, my first Thanksgiving wish was from a Brit.  My last wish was from a girl from Hong Kong.  The people here are so caring, that they make sure they know when an American holiday is so they can wish me a happy one.

Sweet Potato Casserole - before the oven

Mrs. Campbell, an American teacher, hosted a Thanksgiving meal in Hillcroft (a boarding house) tonight.  The kitchen was amazing and made the turkey, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, cherry pie, and chocolate creme pie.  Mrs. Campbell made sweet corn pudding, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and American style stuffing.  I put the marshmallows on, and mixed the green bean sauce, as well as set 5 timers on my phone with labels to keep everything on time.

In the end, there were about 40 people in a Hillcroft Lounge celebrating Thanksgiving together.  The girls were so excited about the food and learning about the history of the holiday.  They LOVED the stuffing and corn pudding.  Most went back for seconds and somehow still had room for dessert.

Green Bean Casserole - before the topping

The joy in the room was palpable.  I enjoyed sharing this holiday with my new community and just relaxing (and stuffing food in my face) with friends.

My supervisor Rev. Dykes said, "I feel on the edge of uncomfortable."  I told her she had successfully completed Thanksgiving!






As I slowly trudged across campus with a full tummy, I reflected on my first 3 months here in the UK.  Below is a list of things for which I am thankful.

1. A caring House Mistress and Assistant House Mistress
2. A supervisor that appreciates laughter
3. Turkey & Stuffing
4. Primark - it's like Target, but cheaper
5. The Big Bang Theory on E4
6. A growing relationship with God
7. The opportunity to discover the world
8. My new friends
9. Shadow the dog :)
10. Luna the cat
11. My fellow YAGM UKers - we are partaking in an experience that few will understand.  You will always be in my heart
12. Toffee Sponge
13. Dr. Pepper
14. Clean drinking water

And so much more!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (or Thursday)!

(Extra) Ordinary

Extraordinary: beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established.

My first 2 and a half months here has definitely been extraordinary.  Different people, Different place. Different expectations.  The first familiar places I found were Starbucks and McDonald's.

Grande White Chocolate Mocha with Cream
Cheeseburger. No onions. Small Fries and a Coke.

These phrases just roll off my tongue. They are routine. Something that comes so easily to me.

Unlike exercise!

For those who know me, I have a major aversion to exercise.  Don't get me wrong, I can walk around the Magic Kingdom or Epcot all day and never complain, BUT put me on treadmill or tell me to walk around a lake and I will complain and find any excuse not to go.

The United States is built for cars.  Driving is the fastest way to get around as most of the U.S. apart from the trains in the metropoles.  Here in the UK everyone walks.  There are paths and pavement (sidewalks) everywhere.  Across the street from the entrance to school is a nature preserve that attracts butterflies in the Spring.

Every week on my day off, rain or shine, I walk into town.  The walk down the hill is wonderful and I love every second of it.  The walk up however? Dreadful! Especially when I'm carrying groceries.  Every time I started walking to town my calf muscles would instinctively start cramping - I'm pretty sure they have a mind of their own.  I hated it.  Some days I would be tempted to turn around or not go at all. But I kept going.  7 weeks. 1 or 2 times a week.

Then I went to Derbyshire on a retreat/class with my fellow YAGMs and everything changed.  Mycah, Maridith and Chelsi asked if I would like to join them on a walk. I accepted thinking it would be maybe 20 minutes.  Boy was I wrong!

Mycah was on a mission to get to the top of the cliffs.  Immediately my brain and body shut down.  It was too hard, too far.  I was too tired, too out of shape. As I trudged through pastures and came upon a very friendly horse that wanted to accompany us to the top, I thought of excuses I could use, but I never spoke them. I continued up the hill with a few breaks for photos (but really to catch my breath). We emerged from the pastures and had to go up a small muddy hill to get to the road.  It was slippery and I was brilliantly wearing a white coat.  I handed my coat up to Chelsi. I got halfway and started to panic about slipping and falling.  Maridith went up ahead and helped me up, but not before the stinging nettles attacked! In case you were wondering, nettles in your armpit hurts - beware the nettles!

We walked up the road to another path where I decided I could go no further.

"Guys, I think I'll just wait here for you.  I can't do it."
"I'll walk on the road with you."
"I don't think the road goes where you are going."

The side of the cliff.

"Yes it does. Come on."



We walked and found the entrance to the cliffs.  We walked around puddles and more nettles and reached the edge.  It was breathtaking.  I had no words.

I am so thankful that those girls wouldn't let me give up.

The conversation above was between me and Chelsi.  But it could easily be a conversation between me and Jesus.  Jesus walks with us everyday.  He stops when we stop. When we reach that moment where we just don't think we can go any farther, Jesus offers to walk on the road with us.  He reminds us that he loves us, and that he didn't die so that we would give up when life gets tough.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Two days after this climb to the top, I got a massive charlie horse trying to run to a less full train car, then had to stand for an hour.  Now I can walk into town, do my shopping, and walk back up the hill with no cramps in my calves.  What was once extraordinary is becoming ordinary.  

Ordinary: customary; usual; normal

The UK is slowly becoming home.

Sunset on the cliffs

~Lina

Solitude

One of my biggest concerns upon learning that I would be serving in the United Kingdom for a year, was time spent alone.  I was told from the beginning that I would have more free time than work time, especially in the first few weeks.  I told everyone who asked that some solitude would be fine.  I would figure out how to entertain myself.

I've always considered myself an extrovert.  I love being around people, making new friends, being center of attention, and making a fool of myself.  I'm the first to volunteer to be a guinea pig during lectures and conferences.  Being around people has always been easy.  So naturally, being alone for an extended period of time was worrisome.  I worried about making friends.  I worried about being seen as an outcast, someone who clearly didn't fit in.  I worried that my outgoing personality would be frowned upon.

Even though my Meyers-Briggs Personality Test says I'm and ENFP (Extrovert iNtuition Feeling Perceiving), I'm finding that my inner-introvert is slowly emerging.  The first few weeks I was very quiet.  Only spoke when spoken too, and even then my answers were short. One sentence. Maybe two. I tried so hard to conform to what I thought were the expectations of the school and society.

When I met a small group of people for a bible study, I didn't say one word for the entire 90 minutes other than, "Hello, I'm Aline."  I listened.  I tried to decipher the personalities of the other 4 people in the room. At the end, we all shared prayer requests.  Mine was prayer for a solid schedule to be approved soon.  I didn't ask for what I really needed - Strength to get through the week.

I was so frustrated with myself after because I was afraid!  ME!  Afraid of new people.  Who was this girl?? Surely, it wasn't me.  I don't think I've EVER been afraid of meeting someone new.  I was a totally different person for the first 3 or 4 weeks. Shy, quiet, reveling in the alone time I was given.

watching rugby with MK, MT, and KC

Slowly, I came out of my shell.  I'm more myself than when I started but I still have a long way to go. The girls see more of my true self than any of my colleagues.  I can be goofy with the girls and they don't judge me (at least not to my face).  We play games and sing songs.  Cook brownies, watch rugby and make cheese toasties (Grilled Cheese).

Presently, I am in my flat, alone.  All of the girls are gone for half-term break, and I am here.  I wasn't sure I how I would feel about these few days alone before a conference with all my UK YAGM friends, but I'm starting to love this time.  I can sing at the top of my lungs.  Watch movies (currently listening to "The Lizzie McGuire Movie"). Listen to music and mostly, process.  It gives me the time to really think about everything that is happening here.

Today, I realized that I don't have to be one thing.  I don't have to be Aline the Extrovert, or Aline the Introvert.  I can just be Aline. I don't need to try to be someone that I am not.  If I want to really, truly be present here, I just need to be.  I need to say yes to new experiences (like being forced to try Marmite by the girls. It was bad. really bad.) I will make a true effort to get to know new people and make friends.  I can claim a few already, but there are so many people I see often, and I don't know more than their name - sometimes I can't even remember that!  But I am making the conscious effort to try harder.  And for now that has to be enough.

~Lina

Sticky Labels

Teacher
Pretty
Gay
Straight
Black
White
Politician
Migrant
Intelligent
Blonde

These are all examples of labels that we stick to one another, usually before we even have a conversation.  They are based on what we see and what we believe to be true.  Labels can be positive or negative. The problem with labels is that once we label a person we have attached an assumption to them, and may or may not choose to actually get to know them based on that assumption.

Sticking a label on a person de-humanizes them.  It causes us to view them as something OTHER than a human being. Every human has a story.  Every story is important.

Sunday evening, during chapel we asked the girls to write labels on stickies and place them on my jacket.  At the end I took off the jacket full of labels and placed it at the cross.  Jesus not only CHOSE to interact with those who are labelled, but he was often labelled himself.  His death frees us of our labels.  Ones that others give to us and ones we give ourselves.  What struck me the most about this activity wasn't the fact that I was being labelled, but that one girl actually apologized as she stuck the label onto my jacket. She was the only one who said anything remorseful.

Some labels

more labels

Her reaction stuck with me throughout the evening. What if we ALL apologized when we labelled people?  Or better yet, what if we consciously chose NOT to label others? What if we actually LISTENED to the stories of people around us and made an effort to help them?

personal commitment

80+ girls in Winchester, UK made the commitment to look past labels tonight.  And for that I am hopeful.  Hopeful for the future.

Prayer

Lost in Translation

A German, an Ecuadorian, an Australian, and an American arrive at a school.


Sounds like the beginning of a joke, but here at St. Swithuns it is my reality.  Here they have 4 GAPs on staff every year.  *A GAP is a young person usually taking a year off before heading to university. *

The American gap (me) helps in a boarding house and is the Chaplain's assistant.
The German, and Ecuadorian gaps help in boarding houses and the language department.

There is also an Australian gap that helps in a boarding house and the PE department.

Laura, Juliana, and I have had one day together (Alex, the Aussie, returns Tuesday).  Our conversations are slow and hard to follow as we try to explain words, find similarities and repeat ourselves, a lot.  

L: What is the opposite of Luck?A: Bad Luck.  Or Unlucky.L: Really?

Or this conversation that happened at dinner.

L:What does this fruit chew look like?A: I don't know.J: An old man.L: The bird. You know the one that goes "Hoo, hoo."A: You mean an owl?

If you had told me communication would be difficult before I came, I probably would have laughed at you.  Proper English is easy enough to understand, even the Kiwi on staff is understandable if I pay attention.  I never would have guessed that 3 girls would struggle to understand each other using the same language.  

Even though we struggle, we have made a promise that I will help correct their English, and I hope they will teach me some words or phrases in their first language.  Today I learned the German word for Butterfly.

Schmetterling

But for more than one butterfly it is NOT schmetterlings. It is schmetterlinge.  We are able to laugh at our mistakes, and learn freely without feeling like a failure.  We have an understanding that we will help each other throughout the year.  Today it is language, by the end it might be helping each other say goodbye.  

We joked tonight at dinner that by June I will be able to finish their English sentences for them, without prompting.  I can't wait for the adventures I will have with these girls and the memories we will make. 

Adios!  Auf Wiedersehen!

~~Lina

London Calling

Statue of Peter Pan, Hyde Park - London

"Never Say Goodbye, because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting." - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

View from top of double-decker bus

It has been 10 days since I left Omaha on a plane.  I spent 7 days with 73 amazing young adults in Chicago.  We discussed everything from religious pluralism and LGBTQ issues to biases and privilege.  It felt like more of a disorientation than an orientation.  I was forced to look at myself and the world in a different way and it was difficult.  There were tears, but also laughter.  I was pushed by my small group to uncover the feelings I was trying to hide.  I will forever be thankful for these 73 individuals and the person they helped me become.



I am now in London for a short time in temporary housing with 4 other YAGMs.  Our placements did not start right away so we have some time to get used to Public Transportation and get rid of our jet-lag!  We started by seeing some of the important historical and cultural buildings in London, like Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Globe Theatre.  Tomorrow will be spent on another cultural aspect of life, called LAUNDRY!

Me, Jessie, Jess, Bryce, Hailey on the bus

My interactions with the locals have been positive so far.  After reading "A Xenophobe's guide to the English" by Antony Miall, I was led to believe that all the English would be cold and non-communicative.  I was pleased to find out on the first day, that Londoners are especially friendly, particularly to lost Americans.  They are so willing to help when they hear us sounding lost.  I am so thankful for these people, whose names I do not know, because it has given me a glimpse into their culture.  We often stereotype the English as cold, unfeeling people.  I have often heard of the English only showing emotion to dogs and horses.  Have you heard that stereotype?

I met Fiona, another resident of Chester House, last night while relaxing in the TV room.  She grew up in Greece and Scotland but has been living in London for a few years.   She told us that Londoners are very nice, but the city itself is so busy that they seem closed off.  I am very excited about getting to know more people and making my own observations, rather than relying on the observations of others.

Stay Tuned!

~~Lina

The Countdown Begins

14 days.

In 14 days I will head to training in Chicago before leaving the country for a year. 365 days. 525,600 minutes.

I'm trying not to think about all the important people, and events I will miss.  But it is difficult not to focus on that.  Yesterday at work two 4th grade girls bawled as I was trying to leave.   It hit them that it was officially my last week with them.  I didn't realize that I had that much of an effect on them.

I told myself I wouldn't cry when I left.  I lied.  I instantly started tearing up when I was trying to comfort those girls.  It felt like I had literally ripped their hearts out.  I'm dreading Friday.  It will officially be my last day at my job, and I fear that more kids will cry.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know how I can possibly comfort them, when I can't even comfort myself!

The most common question I get from the kiddos - "Why do you HAVE to leave?"  How do I explain to a 9 year old that I don't HAVE to leave, I CHOSE to leave.  I CHOSE to not see them for a year.  How do I explain that I'm leaving not because I don't love them, but because I need to leave for ME. I need a change.  I need to put myself in a new, scary situation to see how tough and resilient I can be.  How do I tell them, that I'm being selfish?  All they see is abandonment.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him, who gives me strength.

 Heavenly Father, please, give me the right words to say to these kids as I leave, and grant me the strength to walk away.

~~Lina

A Lifetime of Learning

I realized today, after checking out a fellow YAGM's blog, [Shout out to David!], that I never officially announced my placement for my YAGM year.

*Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!*

I will be spending my year of service at an all girls boarding school in Winchester, England.  My duties will include supervising break times in the house, planning and supervising evening and weekend activities, as well as helping the chaplain with sunday services and bible stories with the primary school children.

For those of you who know me well, it shouldn't be a surprise that I ended up at a school.  I am very passionate about education and youth so this placement is pretty much perfect.  I am excited to be in a new place and learn about the British education system.

I can't wait to meet all of the girls, and the other interns with whom I will be working.

Only 22 days until orientation in Chicago!


~~Lina

You Can Always Come Home

"...in life you're gonna go far, and if you do it right you'll love where you are.  Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come home." - Jason Mraz, 93 Million Miles 

I've learned that lesson more than once - that I can always come home.  Most recently, I've realized, that I can always come to my church home.   I had forgotten that.

Long story short, I have been upset with my home church.  I have had 3 people at church who were very important to my faith journey.  All 3 of these people, at different points in my life since high school, left my church - two by choice and one by force.  I felt as though my church family had punched me in the stomach.  I was completely lost.  It didn't feel like my church was the loving, supportive place I once knew and cherished.

Recently, I have started to attend more regularly and have been helping out a little bit more.  At the service last Sunday, as I drifted in and out of the sermon, I realized through tear filled eyes that even though I had been waging a battle in my head and heart for nearly 10 years, this building and these people were still HOME.  They never stopped thinking about me, and they never stopped caring for me even when I wasn't present.

Every week I'm asked if I have any updates about my YAGM journey in the UK, and every week I feel more and more at home.   For the first time in a very long time the love feels genuine and tangible and it is making my heart soar.

A Jason Mraz song has been popping in my head a bunch this week.  It's called 93 Million Miles.   My favorite line is this:

Sometimes it may seem dark, but the absence of the light is a necessary part. Just know, you're never alone, you can always come back home.

Never alone. NEVER alone.  This past ten years has definitely been dark for me.  I've failed more times than I can count on my fingers, I've loved, I've lost, and I felt completely alone.   But I was never alone.  I always had Jesus right beside me.   I fully believe that if I hadn't been struggling, that I wouldn't be where I am now.  The absence of the light was definitely necessary for my faith journey, and even more my life journey.

from www.clipartbest.com

I am so excited for the next chapter in my journey, and I can't wait to see what I learn from my time in the United Kingdom.  I'm sure it won't be easy, and I know I will have struggles, but I can ALWAYS come back home at the end!

~~Lina 

When I DIP, you DIP, we DIP!

My life is about change, and you can come along for the ride!  It is with great joy that I announce that I will be living and working in the United Kingdom for a year starting in August!!   I will be working with the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) through their YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission) program.

Me and some friends spelling YAGM

This past weekend I attended the DIP (Discernment-Interview-Placement) event in Chicago. What a rollercoaster!  Let me start at the beginning.

*windchime*

January 26, 2015

        My dad came home from a church council meeting and told me to go to a website.  I paused and asked why (because naturally I question everything my dad tells me).  He explained the YAGM program vaguely and briefly so I decided to check it out.   After a short while, I got on Facebook and started a conversation with my friend Jake who was about to leave for Albania for 2 years through the Peace Corps.  We chatted for a while and I decided that I needed more information about mission and the possible placement sites.

       That is when I contacted my friend Alicia.  We've been friends since middle school and she went to Asia for a year through YWAM (Youth with a Mission).  I asked her about life away from friends, about mission in general, and flat out asked if she thought I would be good at it.  Then it was research time.  I slaved away at my laptop looking up country after country and comparing the possible placement jobs.   After 2 days of intense thought, I had narrowed down the 9 countries to my top 4.  My top 4 kind of chose itself as 2 of the countries made me flat out scared (Jerusalem/West Bank & Rwanda), 2 countries require knowledge of Spanish (Mexico & Argentina/Uruguay), and 1 country I just could picture myself there (Cambodia).

 February 2015

      I finished my application, and pressed Submit.  Immediately a feeling of dread washed over me.  Was I making the right decision?  Would they like me?  Am I really a good fit for mission? It was officially out of my hands.  I continued to pray about it and talk to people I trusted about this possibility for my future.

March 16, 2015

      I checked my email at lunch and nothing.  Today was the day, I could feel it.  I just knew that they would send out the letters today.  I don't know what made me feel so strongly, but I did.  And I was right!  Right after I arrived home from a long day at school, there it was staring me saying, "Open me!"  Suddenly, I was struck with fear.  It was like college acceptance letters all over again!  Do they want me?  Was I good enough?

Dear Aline,

Greetings from Chicago! It is with joy that we write to invite you to join us at the Young Adults in Global Mission Discernment, Interview, Placement (DIP) event, April 16-19, 2015... we believe that the young adult opportunities in the United Kingdom might offer the best placement fit for you.

 United Kingdom. YES!  Wait...one country.  I only have one country.  I thought we were supposed to get two preliminary placements.  Oh my god. They hate me.  They are looking for a reason to get rid of me.  OR, I was super awesome and open and they just know that the UK is the perfect place for me to do God's work.  Let's go with the latter.

April 16-19, 2015 - DIP

     After a month to prepare for the coming days, I woke up early and drove to the airport.  I tried not to think about what was ahead of me, but we all know that when you consciously try to NOT think about something, you end of THINKING about it.   I resigned myself to being the oldest person in the group.  My brain went back to high school and I was suddenly stricken with a fear that I would be so alone during the weekend.  How could 22-24 year olds possibly want to get to know me as a person?  I'm like the mom of the group.

      With that question in my head I boarded the plane that would take me to Chicago!  It was a boring flight (which is a good thing), so I gathered my things and preceded to find some lunch.

Mini Pretzel dogs for the lunch win!

 I grabbed my lunch and searched for the signs to the bus and shuttle center.  An escalator, 7 moving walkways, and an elevator later, I strolled into the center and scanned for a place to sit.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.  5 young people sitting along and yet kind of together.  They have to be YAGMs, I thought to myself.  I debated being brave and asking, but I chickened out because heaven forbid I look silly!  I grabbed a seat at a table, ate my lunch, and broke out my bright pink deck of cards.

"Yaggies!!"  I looked up, startled.  Arlene had arrived to guide us to the buses that would take us to our home for the weekend.  1. 2. 3. 4. 5.  All 5 people I had noticed before were slowly moving together towards Arlene.  I was so right!  Why didn't I just trust myself!?

Our group of 6 became fast friends.  These were the people to whom I found myself clinging during the weekend.  We arrived at Techny Towers in Northbrook, IL and there was no going back.   I got my room key, checked in and for the first time since leaving my house, I began to relax.   I met some more pretty cool people and we headed upstairs for Icebreakers.

"Stand up if you share your birthday with someone famous."  Oh yea. I got this one in the bag. (Apparently it became a competition for me.  It happens when you have an older brother.)

"My name is Aline. I'm from Nebraska, and I share a birthday with Jesus."  BOOM!  The room reacted and at that moment I felt calm inside.  I knew that I could definitely find some true friends here.

Tea, chocolate, and biscuits

Thursday was over as quickly as it had begun.  I slept poorly and awoke desperately needing coffee.  After breakfast, we had our first (my only) country presentation.  Instead of coffee, I received some English Tea.  Now, normally I hate tea.  It tastes like burnt water.  However, today it wasn't awful.  It had milk in it, but no sugar.  I think if I had added sugar I would have chugged the tea.  We also had some chocolate and biscuits (so delicious!).

I learned more about the partner organization and the possible placements I could receive.  I was beginning to feel more excited and more confident in the skills that I could offer.

Then came my interview.  I went in feeling confident, but afterwards I felt as though I hadn't done enough.  The UK was my only option, so if they didn't like me, I could potentially go home.  What a let down.  With my only interview out of the way and hours of down time, I continued to dwell on my interview.  I picked apart every look, every pause, every breath.  I walked with some friends to the gift shop (for the second time that day) and as I looked across the pond I was overcome with an immense feeling of peace (but also terror because I thought the goose was going to chase me).

Scary Goose. Peaceful Pond

I returned to the building with a renewed sense of belonging.  I belonged here.  I was meant to be here, and I was meant to be on this journey.  So I took a deep breath, and walked to dinner.  After dinner and worship, we were asked to hang out either in our rooms or in the plenary space.  I walked upstairs after putting on some comfy pants to find a full blown disco happening.  It was like high school prom all over again.  Here we were, about 20 young people, dancing their hearts out to NSYNC, Spice Girls and many other 90's icons.   It was an amazing way to end our time together.

*windchime*

It's no secret that I was placed in the UK (they liked me, they REALLY liked me!) with 13 other YAGMs.  It was an amazing and intense weekend full of stories, singing, tears, dancing, and laughter.  I can't wait to see these amazing people in August before we all set out to change the world.   Stay tuned for my future adventures!

~~Lina