how I got a bruise on my knee



With my oreintation roommate Karen, an IVEPer from Colombia, who is spending the year working at EMU as a language assistant


I was surprisingly calm on the 3.5 hour car ride to Akron with Dad last Thursday (was that really a whole week ago?). Apparently, however, when we actually arrived in Akron at about 4:30 p.m., I had cashed in my allotted calmness for the day and my nerves shot through the roof.  I was suddenly surrounded by 90 new young adults representing 23 countries and I felt utterly overwhelmed and alone.  It's moments when I'm thrown entirely out of my comfort zone that I can no longer fool myself into believing that I'm an extrovert and the first few days of orientation were a roller coaster of emotions and adjustments.

Despite the challenges, this week has been an important experience for me.  I've had a chance to become more familiar with the mission and service philosophy of MCC, and more than ever I'm convinced that this organization, with their commitment to development, relief, peace building and mutual transformation, is doing invaluable work with local partners all around the world.  I'm excited to add a piece of the puzzle to this organization's story through my own relationship-building and service.  I've had a chance to be inspired and challenged by young adults who have similar visions of what it means to live out personal beliefs, but don't take themselves too seriously.  I've been able to intentionally prepare myself mentally and emotionally for the journey that lies ahead.

And now, just as I'm getting comfortable and starting to form relationships, I'm off. I leave Akron tomorrow at 7:53 am (why not 7:50 or 8 is a mystery to me).  There are 15 SALTers going to Latin America and 14 are on the same flight from Philly to Miami.  Of course, I'm the only one flying through Huston :)  I'll be in Mexico City (pending smooth connections and no delays) by 8 pm CST tomorrow.  I will likely be the first SALTer to reach my destination because my placement is closer to the U.S. than anyone else's.  I certainly don't envy the people traveling to Africa, the Middle East or Asia as many of them have 24+ hours and massive jet lag to confront.

Like last Thursday, I feel calm.  But I probably won't for long, if last week's transition is any indication.

And lest I forget the knee bruise...on our first day of orientation we were playing life-sized Dutch Blitz and as I sprinted around the field wearing a bed sheet toga and toting a piece of poster board, another guy (who was, for the the record, twice my size) and I collided.  I didn't see it coming and it left me sprawled on the ground with a bruise on my knee.  But I'm kind of proud of my bruise.  And I like bruises in general because they show you're living.