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