Leap of Faith

Aug 082010

I jumped off of a 25 foot pole yesterday…  and I lived to blog about it!

As a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, sometimes we get to take part in events that allow us to do fun things with our “Littles”.  Yesterday’s event was called “Leap of Faith”, and it was this massive pole stuck into the ground in the middle of the woods.  There was a structurally questionable ladder going up about 1/4 of the way, and then the rest of the climb were these small pieces of wood nailed to the pole.  We were instructed to climb as high as we could and then fall or jump off of it.  Our teammates would lower us to the ground safely.

I was fourth to climb, and as I watched the first, second, and third climbers jump off, I thought this whole thing looked easy.  Or at least I did until it was my turn…

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of a massive wooden pole getting all of these ropes attached to me (so I wouldn’t fall to my doom).  I had a lot of butterflies.

Then I was climbing… and I was climbing… and getting higher and higher… and I looked up and I still had a pretty far way to go until I was at the top.

Then I was at the top looking down feeling like I was miles from the ground.

Then I wanted to push myself, and I tried to stand up on top of the 1 foot in diameter pole

Then I stood on top of the pole and felt how shaky the whole setup was.  I almost fell.

Then, to push myself a little bit more, I chose to turn around on the top of it rather than just go off of it backwards.

Then I slowly turned around on top of it (of course I looked down the whole time) and almost fell 5 more times.

And finally… I took a few more deep breaths and another look around me… and I jumped.

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After all was said and done, our instructor had us all stand in a circle and say out loud what we learned from our experience.  Mine was:

“I can take a leap of faith… and be okay”


While I have been handling the breakup well, to say I haven’t had second thoughts would be a lie.  It’s hard to break up with someone when nobody has really done anything wrong.  But the timing of this event… and how relevant it was… and the kind of symbolism it held…

Everything is going to be just fine.

I Have No Idea How to Talk to Kids. HELP ME!

Jul 062010

First of all, let me just make it clear that children make me uncomfortable. I find them to be totally unrelateable.  I don’t understand how to talk to them, how to compose myself around them, what tone of voice to use, and I have no idea what to do with body posture.  I always feel incredibly awkward and pathetic because I stand there with a puzzled look on my face stuttering and saying “UHHHHH…” and drilling them with question after question while other people make it look like the most natural thing in the world.  And I try, I really do, but I just am at a loss for words.  They might as well be speaking another language because I literally have no idea how to comprehend anything that they say.  I also get so nervous I start talking really fast and they can’t figure out what I’m saying either. 

I mean, I like kids.  I respect them.  They’re so carefree.  They do whatever they want because they haven’t yet been bogged down by “social expectation” or “responsibilities”.  They are little free spirits, running around doing whatever and dancing in front of strangers and saying ludicrous things (in a good way).  Things that we as adults are too self conscious to do. 

So anyway, I am a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I was recently assigned a Little Sister.  I met her for the first time last Thursday, and today was our first phone call.  TALK ABOUT AWKWARD.  I foolishly asked a lot of yes or no questions, and she answered them with the expected flat “yes” or “no”.  I didn’t know what to talk about.  There were awkward silences.  Our conversation literally lasted 4 or 5 minutes… and it felt like hours.  I was sweating bullets.  WHAT DO I SAY?  I figured out to ask a question that she would have to elaborate on, like “What did you do for fourth of July?” but that was the only think in my question bank.  After that?  Awkward silence. Again.

…I can’t wait for the day I have children… (… that was a joke… could you tell?)

The Junior League and Big Brothers Big Sisters are set up to make me become more comfortable with kids, but it’s going to take time for me to untie my tounge.  It also doesn’t help that I’m more of a listener than a talker… so I think I just need to figure out the right questions to ask.  And the right things to say to follow up the question.

We’re going swimming on Saturday, and I know I’m going to be freaking out until then… and it will be like I am cramming for a final exam or something because I’m going to be reading anything I can get my hands on regarding how to talk to kids.  It shouldn’t be so hard – they’re little people, right?  Little people… with funny things to say and a different outlook on life.  Little people that I seriously just do not know what to do around. 

If anyone has any advice about how to have casual conversations with kids… particularly a 12 year old… FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHARE IT!  When it comes to kids, I need all of the help I can get.

May God have mercy on my soul.

January Resolutions - 3/7 is Pretty Bad

Jan 312010

On December 31st, I declared my New Years Resolution:  Make monthly resolutions.

Today is the last day of January, and that means it’s time for me to reflect on the goals that I made for myself for the month. 

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Plane Rides, Haircuts, and Volunteering

Jan 142010

The greatest thing about working at an airline is, hands down, the flight benefits.  Last night I called my mom asking if she would like me to come visit her this weekend.  She got really excited, said yes, and I am now lined up to leave Minneapolis tomorrow at 4pm and get back here on Saturday around 8pm.  And I can still make it to my hair appointment on Sunday at 2:30.

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How You Can Help Haiti

Jan 132010

Given yesterday’s tragic earthquake in Haiti, I am posting links to alternate websites and blogs if you are interested in donation.

The American Red Cross: http://newsroom.redcross.org/
Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund: http://www.yele.org/
Save the Children: http://www.savethechildren.org/
UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org
Direct Relief International: http://directrelief.org/
Mercy Corps: http://mercycorps.org/

Msnbc.com also lists many more charitable organizations in their article Haiti Earthquake: How to Help

You are also able to contribute via text.  Text “HAITI” to “90999″ and a donation of $10 will be made to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts.  The $10 will be charged to your cell phone bill.

It is believed that about 3 million people were affected by the quake and the Haitian Prime Minister estimated that several hundred thousand people may have died.

Haiti is one of the poorest contries in the world and could use all of the support it can get at this time.