I'm looking at the [Wo]man in the mirror!

Okay, so it's reflection time. Partially because I have to write a reflection journal (yep one more journal) for my seminar class, and partially because it's good and healthy to reflect on different parts of one's life. I do it regularly, as you have read, I'm sure. 
Reflections
On Washington D.C
So from my experience in D.C., most were positive. I loved being where everyone was, seeing all the dreadlocks, meeting two or three new people everyday, and learning about different perspectives. I was challenged and blessed with so many people in D.C. Some of these people were in my house, some were those that I worked with--but everyone was wonderful to spend time with and grow from. I have found a place for myself in the city. I can understand different things, I'm less likely to stereotype, and I'm less likely to worry. I think that after being in Brookland, and walking home from the Metro whether in the dark or in the day, being in and out of two high schools with very different perspectives almost everyday, and spending time with the youth of the city at Garrison Elementary school, I can be prepared for anything--less a language barrier, which I'm certain to be approaching in my time in NYC this summer. I'm looking forward to that. D.C. has made me realize issues that matter to me, and what justice I want to work for in my life--and be proactive about.
On working with Colman McCarthy
It's not like I went to bed early every night because I was looking forward to spending time with Colman, but I was looking forward to some aspect of my internship, because I went to it and learned something. The first thing I learned is that fame is relative. Not that Colman is famous, but there are many people who put those who are well known on pedestal and make them seem bigger than they really are. And Colman, well, he's just the feisty grandpa type, with some exceptions. It's not very often you find a grandpa that eats a vegan diet--most are known for coming to grandma's house for the good stuff. Colman also bikes just about everywhere. If I had to categorize him,  he'd be a hippie that never quit 'hipping' with out the artificial stimulants that most hippies participated in. The truth is, hippies where almost after his time, and are definitely in the past now.. So I think he's just Colman McCarthy. I don't think there is another seventy-one year old like him.
Being in a consistent environment where I was always hearing ideas being argued and discussed with different sides at all times, and hearing about new issues every time I was located at my internship was really quite a burden at some points. There were days when I'd come home from work and be pissed off at the world, the American government, corporations, etc. But there were good solid people who reminded me that all governments have issues, as we are people, and that we can make a difference in our own government--we are lucky. Many other people all around the world have no say in what their government does. I was affected by the issues that were discussed--just hearing the beneficiaries and the people who were screwed over by many issues--with animal rights--the slaughterhouse workers, with the war--veterans with PTSD, with competition for jobs--people getting laid off.
Physically, I decided to go vegan--I was feeling the pull of guilt of eating dairy products because drinking milk promotes veal production, and I do not approve of that. I know that I wouldn't want to be stuck in a prison where I couldn't turn around, and living in my own poop, so why should I use products that advocate for that? I also watched Sweeney Todd with a good friend of mine, and was completely disgusted with the death in the movie, and though it was Hollywood, I couldn't get the gross pictures out of my head. I would rather not think about death that way, and seeing a hamburger or a chickent breast made me recognize that these were once living, breathing things. So I decided to not eat that anymore.
Morally, I was affected by the continual idea that there is a lot of injustice in the wars around the world, past and present, and it made me angry--about many things. Why wasn't I educated on the School of Americas in high school? Why doesn't the fact that America is allies with many dictatorships get talked about more often? Why haven't the land mines all over the world be taken care of already? How come I never knew that Bin Laden was Saudia Arabian, was an ally of the U.S, and warned the U.S that they would attack us if we didn't remove our military base from their country? Why doesn't the United States just change it's foreign policy and have the army do humanitarian things like the army in New Zealand?
It never ceases to amaze me how easy these things would be.
On living in the WCSC house
Ahh, where do I begin? So many good things happened! I got to know everyone in the house at different times! There were just enough people to spend a little time with everyone. Christa and I would go to CVS and to YES and buy food and things for the house, think about playing soccer and just talk about life! She also lent me her H crochet hook, and I've never been the same since! Once I figured out most of everyone's personalities, I could joke with them, and hope that they wouldn't think I was being serious. Jasmine and I had some great conversation--between talking frankly about feeling depressed, and her telling me to go to bed on time, we had some bonding time when we were sun bathing (although I never actually looked like I got any serious sun). Corrie and I had some good cookings days--we made ravioli and spontaneous lack of recipe meals that were still awesome. We went on car rides to the store and sang loudly in the car. She came with me to get my nose pierced. We had some good talking time between that one random trip to Harrisonburg and some other times that we were just driving all over D.C... Jessica and I beasted out some pretty fantastical music. Though it became less and less as the semester went on, we both had a good comradeship and we were quite hilarious together. Bry and I had some sets of jokes, Sanj and I would bake together and make crack coffee, Andrew and I had some good times walking to the metro those last few weeks. Fets and I--we were close--I nodded to him as he passed my room to go to his, and he'd nod back.. no really we were bffs. Lindsay and I went to volleyball together. We saw movies together. We went tangoing together. And all the walking and talking in between. As a house, we weren't completely dysfunctional. Everyone had different personalities and we got used to those. Even though in the end some of the grocery money was spent on honey buns, I still loved those guys. They did a great job. Though there were some interesting issues, like alcohol, and a little bit of senior apathy, I still felt like it was a good semester, and I grew in myself and in my friendships with others. I also got to know Emily, one of the directors. She and I went contradancing together, dumpster diving, I went to help serve food at the homeless outreach she worked for, we talked about out lives, we comtemplated going running, we gardened and moved compost and poop and made a flowerbed, I helped make salad and curried veggies at her dinner party, we played songs that we each had written --it was a blast and I had so much fun. This semester I knitted two blankets and started on a bag.
On deciding what I want to major in at EMU
I finally decided what I wanted to do with my college career. For so long, I thought that I was just going to get my liberal arts degree and graduate next year. But as I kept thinking about it--it felt insufficient for what I wanted to do for the world and just graduating to get the degree seemed silly and not right. So Social Work, something I had contemplated since I had been in the house with two Social Work seniors doing their practicums, became a thought once more. I discussed it with some wise souls that i lived with and they helped me see what it was that I really wanted to do. There was also a moment over spring break when I was at the Epp's house when I saw what could be done to help kids who are parents be good parents so that their kids, when they are old enough, make good decisions, and at least, if they do have kids, can be good parents as well. And I was driven by that. I want to give back. I have been so blessed by growing up in a good home and with parents who love me and care for me all the time. And it works with people, and it works with kids too!
On being hit on one million times
I learned that wearing my hair down has an effect on the male population. I learned how to weasel my way out of those conversations, to freak the creepers out ("what? You're only nineteen?!") how to strike back ("hey sweetheart, do you have a pen" "My name is Grace, and no I don't have a pen."). I know that walking with a guy can protect me from that most of the time, but there will be times when it won't ("She's got a butt"). I learned that there are guys out there who will find me attractive when I'm wearing no makeup, my glasses, my hair up, in sweatpants, a big T-shirt and a sports bra, and there is nothing I can do about it. So in conclusion, there is nothing I can do to make them stop. But I can be an intelligent woman in response, quick with my words, and not let them get to me. I will respond.

Overall, I love being in an urban setting. There's a lot that i like. And when I can take my retreats back to Wauseon or to Amishland Ohio, I am content with the silence as well. I guess there will be a time when I might have both in my life.

Of a Garden, Friendship, and Sunshine.

This past week has been so wonderful.
I'm not exactly sure what made it so good, but the weather definitely had some great influence. \
At any point during the last week, I was able to go outside after I came home from work, and get some sun, or eat my lunch on the picnic table outside, making for a warm, wonderful week.
I finally told some of my housemates that I decided to go vegan. They are taking it well. I'm also enjoying the fact that I love beans!! and I eat them WAY too much. But they are yummy and cheap. What am I supposed to do.

Besides Wednesday's Canoeing fake-out that was actually super serious--we arrived at the place of canoeing and waited around. All of a sudden this guy who worked there started setting up cones, and made Sanj, Bry, and Fets get off the dock. He told us that there was a body floating in the water, and then all the fire trucks, police and some FBI folk showed up. The guys said that they only saw the oil floating on the water, and some decomposed skin, and then we were told that we needed to leave, as much as our curiosity wanted to stay and cross that yellow tape boundary.

Instead of going to work in the morning on Wednesday, I went in the afternoon, to American University, to Colman's class there, and it was a great class. I enjoyed listening, and felt like I should have been coming to that class all along--I had wanted to, but it was on Wednesday when we had seminar.

Thursday approached as my day off-which I declared to myself at the beginning of the week. And I think that it may be a large part about why this week was so good. Just the fact that I established a day of rest, and then the rest of the day's events were also pretty awesome.
I decided to spend the day working in the yard, I pulled weeds in the front, and then cleaned up all the yard waste in the back--I finally got bags from the hardware store. I also dumped the fish pond out, which some of the pond water, more or less, is still sitting in the hole. But that is NOT my fault. If it were up to me, we would have a lot of good draining soil.

I showed Emily my masterpiece and then we decided to plant seeds! We went to the hardware store again and bought Spinach, Kale, Lettuce, Corn, Pole beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Zucchini, and Watermelon. When we got back, Emily realized that she had a shortened amount of time, and we did some speed planting. Which has to be the funnest way to plant things in the world. It's a race. We did pole beans, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, kale, and corn in fifteen minutes. I love how it's going to look in a few months.

Emily invited me to her dinner party while we were working on the garden, and talking, as we have talked about many things this past semester. So I went to that, and had a great time. I met new people, I made curried vegetables, I yelled at a rice cooker, I played the piano in the basement, ate chocolate with poprocks in it. (which have lactose in them. poo on them) Conversations went from the tea partiers that were demonstrating on the mall on the 15th, to cats, and food. :)

Friday morning started much too early. But I went to Bethesda without any regrets-- we had our weekly protest with both classes and I had good conversation with students in both classes, although, as always, the second class was more interactive, even in class. Before the protest in the second class, Colman asked, "who haven't we met yet?" It's a routine thing--he gets everyone to stand in front of the class and talk about themselves. This time, I told Colman that they hadn't met me yet, so I stood up in front of the class, and answered the questions. The last question is always, "What's something about you that people would never know?"

Thinking back now, it's something that any observant person would know--the second graders in Mr. Abdullah's class noticed--"I have my tongue pierced." And of course, Colman being a former reporter, was "probbing" *insert sign language for prodding here" and asked what the benefits were.
I paused, and then told him that there were no benefits whatsoever, and that it was just for decoration.
Later when we were protesting, Lea, a senior from Germany who sits next to me in that class was talking to me about it, and said how Colman just did it for the laughs sometimes.

I went home, and decided to plant things in the garden, and nap later, so Emily and I went outside, and planted more lettuce, spinach, and kale, around the outside of the circle in the back, and little patches of onions all over!! I'm excited about these onions, and also several hills of zucchini and watermelon that we mounded all over the back, in between everything else that is going on.

When I came inside, the entire house deciding to go out to eat for lunch, with our 6400 money. So I put on a spring dress, and we headed over to Colombia Heights. We thought we knew which restaurant we wanted to go to, but no one ever does, so we walked around for a good half an hour before we picked one. We had Mediterranean yummies.                                        

I babysat Olivia in the evening. We watched part of Annie and I taught her how to double crochet.

When I came back to the house, I played Rook with Alli, Sanj, and Giles (Alli's brother). Alli and Giles were at the house because they had to catch a flight in the morning.

My Participant Observation Paper

This is what I've been working on the past week and haven't been able to blog about my life because this HAS been my life. 
So here's your lesson about House Church, in Washington D.C.

            I attended House Church, located in Mary’s Center, a nonprofit organization providing housing for the church. Now presently located in Adams Morgan area of D.C., this church used to meet in individuals’ homes, then at Catholic University, when the group became too large. It has existed since the 1970s.

The church does not have a pastor or a permanent leadership team, but instead uses lay leadership, and members of the church volunteer to lead worship and “meditation”, to teach Sunday School, lead children’s circle, and to share of their life experiences and growths. House church has no declared denomination that they are affiliated with. Instead, they welcome different perspectives from different communities. The group of people that meet at House Church range from toddlers to adults in their early fifties and sixties, with the majority of the people attending being in their early thirties and forties, either single or married with children. The racial context of the group is mostly white people. Many of the attending members in the church come from Mennonite affiliated backgrounds, and are pacifists. This is shown in the musical setting, singing in four-part harmony.

            The church has no building of its own. This is intentional, and is, according to Doug Hertzler, one of the people that I interviewed, “a reminder that being a Christian is about service, not just worship, or the symbolism of a church building.” It is also productive, and is a way for their tithes to be put to better use. House Church is informal, and they improvise when needed—once, during one of the services I attended, they planned to have a fellowship meal the next week because there was a need for the youth to have a meal before they went ice-skating. The services are moments of silence, separated by words of reflection, prayers and praises, and bursts of song.

In House Church, each member’s reflections and experiences in the world are contained, as desired, in parts of the services throughout the year. The themes of the month for the services focus on things in people’s lives that they have experienced that have made them grow in their faith. The meditations are based on what they have experienced in the larger community. These things are viewed in connection with what they have lived through in the past, and learned through their faith. Members can apply what the mediation says to their own life.

Within the geographical community, Cheryl Martin, the woman I interviewed, felt like there wasn’t a community aspect within the church that was a part of their weekly lives. When the church began, service to the community was a part of their occupation, and daily lives. Many within the church have connections to outreach that they do or have done in the past, through mission or social justice work within the community.

When I attended House Church the three times, each time, the ritual was very similar. The service was begun in the same aspect and similar idea, as they were within the same monthly theme. The order of the service was the same, and only the content differed. The context depends very much on the theme of the months. Services in the same month may have the same theme, but different thoughts each service—different reflections at meditation, different perspectives at Children’s Circle, and different discussions in Sunday school hour. This is necessary for variety in looking at how God is working within each person, and being able to reflect within oneself about how they can relate to what is being said.

One important aspect of the service is the singing time. People can reflect on the words of a song that is sung during a service, and when a man shared a song that he had written, and members could reflect upon the words.  Prayer is an important aspect, because it gives one member a chance to offer their prayer requests to God, be accountable to the group about what is going on in their lives, and it lets the other members pray for their friends. There is a lot of reflection time during the service, giving members a time to take in what is being said, and apply it to their own lives. Variety is one of the most important parts, different people with different thoughts—getting out the perspectives of the entire congregation. In this way, the church is very deeply connected to each other.  

Before I came to Community House Church, I thought that it would be similar to a Bible study, in the way that there would be a group discussion and singing time. I had attended a house church at EMU with some fellow students that was similar to the Bible study idea. I didn’t expect there to be a children’s moment, but I found it relevant and necessary to attend to the spiritual needs of the children. My next thought was that it would be an intergenerational Bible study. My conceived idea of a Bible study didn’t have any service aspect, but I thought that the church would have some sort of service. I have learned this semester that service is a necessary part of the church. I thought that they would delve more into the Scripture that they read. It seemed it was read, but then glanced over as the meditation was portrayed, knocking out my entire thought of it being a Bible study.

My method was to attend House Church as a visitor, only on Sunday mornings. I chose this group because of size. I have been overwhelmed with meeting so many people every time I go to a church for the past year, because my family recently moved to a new church. Then I went to college, and had to visit new churches all over again. Relationships are so important to me, but if there are too many people, then it takes a lot of the fun out of growing in relationships, because it seems like I have a shallow relationship with each person there. I was happy to hear that House Church only had forty to sixty members. When I attended, I observed and added myself to the group as I could. When I got my first ride home from church, and Cheryl Martin gave her phone number and told me to call if I needed a ride again, I felt included, because she made a point to do that. I felt like this church—or at least this family—was open and real.

The service usually started with a song and some scripture reading. They have “children’s circle”, a moment when they make part of the service relevant to the younger members of the congregation.

Following this, they have a prayer request and praise time. My favorite part is the way they let everyone be a part of that. In some ways, this is a great summary of how the entire church is run through lay leadership. It’s completely voluntary leadership, and everyone gets a chance to lead if they choose. The prayer is done through each person stating their own prayer request or praise, and then the participation of the entire church is shown in the chorus of “Oh Lord, hear our prayer (and/or) praise.” This is shown with one person leading and then the others also participating, and then it switches, as someone else has a prayer request.

There is usually more singing, and then one of the members who has prepared a meditation for that specific date (asked by the coordinator of the month, in concordance with the theme of the month). These monthly themes are planned and prepared at the member’s retreat once a year.

At the Cutting-edge retreat, at Rolling Ridge, the church members combine ideas and experiences to create the next year’s agenda of themes for each month. Each month is given a coordinator and then each one finds music leaders, someone to do the children’s circle, and leaders for other areas of the service. This retreat recruits members to lead the youth group and Sunday school, and other aspects of church. At the retreat, they reevaluate everything they are doing during the year—is it worth the energy or not? Having a monthly member’s meeting and a yearly membership renewal is a very proactive attitude toward the membership.

After the meditation, the children and Sunday school teachers leave for Sunday school hour. The adult attendees and members have a place that they can share prayer requests felt unnecessary to share with children, and also the discussion of the mediation, or something else that is planned. This is a very casual time to reflect on what was presented/said, and also for people to discuss some business of the church.

I have attended services when they were discussing the yearly budget, Israel-Palestine relations, and Bolivia during meditation. I loved how everyone was so open to what was going on, and did not have a definite leadership within the church because everyone led in the way that they could.

Through my observation, the church was well planned, and had many people working on it. Several members were involved in the process to make church happen every Sunday, and this group of member changed every month. Sunday school hour was a discussion that was a reflection period for some and a processing time for others. It was a deep, open place for people to reflect and get through what they were thinking about, regardless as to whether they were questioning something in their faith. Everything was up for interpretation.

Through my interviews, I learned about some of the detailed parts of the church, and how it was planned.  Cheryl Martin-Claussen, who has attended House church for almost twenty-seven years, started attending House Church the Christmas of 1983. She was doing voluntary service in D.C, and was visiting home for the holiday when her grandmother asked her if she had found a church yet, and she said she had--House Church--though at the time, she was just making the decision so she had something to say to her grandmother. Now, as she continues to attend House Church, her reasons for attending accompany how her faith has grown. Women in leadership are not at issue at House Church, and it is warm and welcoming to whoever attends. People are welcomed, not just to attend the services, but to ask questions about their own faith, and these are reasons that she finds house church still very relevant.

Cheryl said that there isn’t as much community outreach within the church as there used to be—people who were involved in outreach wanted a church where there was community around what they did in their daily lives. Now the energy is put into making the service happen, and having church three Sundays out of a month. I learned more about how much work goes into each service, and how it is all originally planned—through a yearly retreat that all of the members attend. As people become interested in the ideas of doing community outreach again, then there will be more activity in that area. I learned of many other things that the church has to offer and what each entails—there is a small group option that happens every other week and where the groups go deeper into what they are thinking about and working through.

I reflected on Cheryl’s interpretation of the important aspects of House Church. She said that there was a lot more silence at House Church than other churches. There are a lot of shared responsibilities that are spread out more and passed along to others as each year passes. There is a high value in children; not only through the children’s story, but also in that children can be involved in any aspect of the service.

When I interviewed Doug Hertzler, an attendee of House Church for eight years, his reason for attending House Church was because it was not defined by the style of an individual pastor. The services continue to have “surprising content,” because people thought creatively and differently. The church has no denomination, so attendees who feel uncomfortable in a service that isn’t their background don’t have to stress because they are in a very open setting.

Doug said that the most efficient way for House Church to attend to community outreach in the area is to give tithed money to organizations. Another financial focus is mission work, and the organizations that people work for within the church are financially supported. Doug cited that there had been a decrease in the size of the congregation in the past few years, but that makes it more possible for members of the church to share.

In the American culture, it has become habit for many to attend church on Sunday, to go to Bible study on Wednesday, and to live the life of an average American otherwise. Many do not take their faith seriously, leaving Jesus in their hearts, but letting their own feet do the walking. At House Church, members give effort to create a service and attend so that their faith can be shown through their lives. Their messages are reflections of what they have experienced in their lives, and each member can learn from the other. Because of House Church’s size, there is deepness and openness throughout the group. Everyone can be candidly open and share deep thoughts with one another because they know that the other can take whatever thoughts they have—whatever questions they carry in their hearts—seriously. This rarely happens in the large church setting, especially for people who are introverted or cannot speak openly in large groups. They have to wait until they go to a small group. House church can be a small group setting on Sunday morning. House church isn’t a typical American church.

Within my preconceived ideas, I mis-defined the “community” of House church. I think of community as the group of people you are surrounded by geographically, so my thoughts on the community of the house church were of the surrounding area of where the church met, and people within their own homes. As I attended, and interviewed Doug and Cheryl, I realized that House Church is community oriented—but the community is the church and it’s members. It is where the people in the church spend their time, work, and resources, and the countries that some of the members have been to. In this way, House church is based on community outreach. In cases of reaching out directly to those that are around, the church has thoughts of, but because of lay leadership, there are limitations on how much can actually be done, because so much work it put into making the tri-monthly services happen that there isn’t much motivation to continue working toward that.

Next year, this could all be completely different, because the yearly retreat could cause a large amount of reflection on this idea, putting it into the upcoming year’s list of things to be done, and then there could be a large amount of people involved in the direct geographical community, as well as involved in the church.

Being called “Community” House Church on their website, the perspective I took was one that included community outreach. I learned through the budget meeting that they financially support many different organizations in the city. There are people that have previously worked with or in different organizations that do not anymore, but are supported financially by the tithes of those in the church.

The true “community” aspect of community house church is within its members. They reach out in their daily lives and come together on Sunday mornings to pray, reflect, and lean on each other when the other isn’t strong. They come together to see if dreams are in consensus and to ask the questions they aren’t ever certain they will find the answers to. They are not just answering the questions that are asked of the monotonous American “Christian” lifestyle, but to question these answers. It is also knowing that it is okay to ask these questions, and to struggle with thoughts on faith, spirit, and truth.

Each time I have attended House Church, it has been hard to take notes. I usually take notes to stay on task, and for this reason, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. These meditations are great for me—they intrigue me and keep my attention. I think that learning about how other people have applied their Christian faith to their own lives is very motivating in my own life because I can see other people living their faith. When there were meditations on Bolivia and the Israel-Palestine conflict, I had little prior knowledge of these issues, and so I was interested to learn about them, and how they applied to people’s lives. I have an interest in doing missions, and I also enjoy hearing about other people’s experiences. People at House Church are real. They take their experiences and apply them to how God is working in their lives. I can then take what they have said and apply it to mine, and see where God is leading me.

I’m so used to hearing a sermon directly from Scripture, and making it relevant to my life, that I’m curious as to whether I could grow spiritually in House Church. The messages have been informing to me and have made me more aware of injustice in the world, but I cannot say that I have grown. Maybe it’s the type of information that shapes me rather than sits on a page of notes, to be taken in at the time, but then to be moved on from. Because I have yet to attend a small group, members meeting, or the “cutting-edge” retreat, I cannot say that I wouldn’t grow spiritually. In order to attend a correct view, I feel that I might have to observe more into the daily lives of those who attend, and how they feel their spiritual needs.

When attending House Church, all I intended to do was attend. I didn’t realize how much of an open family they were, and how much they would envelope me with their love. I didn’t expect to be invited back—many people at many different churches don’t see that when they offer a smile but not words, it’s the same as a frown. Being passive about being a friend IS ignoring and is synonymous with being an enemy, it seems. House church has a lot of openness, and assertive people who will talk, and some that will listen.

I am drawn to attend House Church. I want to be part of all the different aspects—like the small groups that are available. I would have loved to be able to attend the yearly retreat and be a part of intimately connecting with these people and our God.

What I questioned before coming to House church was the atmosphere of others. I have a hard time trying to connect with a lot of people, especially larger churches. We are all at church to develop deep relationships with our God, and with people as well, and when there are so many people, it is impossible to connect with all of them, or feel like we know them. So this church’s size was perfect for me. I know people who attend a house of worship with thousands. It’s impossible to connect with people who gather together out of tradition and habits—not 100% for the level of faith in their hearts. I wanted to attend House church to see the other side. After seeing this side of worship, I’m taking these memories with me as I look toward other options of church in my future.

The observations I had in House Church were clarified and confirmed when I did my interviews. I understood where the support came from and how people hold onto their faith through accountability and humility. In this church, the children’s circle seemed more significant than in other churches, and the you could tell that the information displayed to the children during their time was important to apply to all of the member’s lives, not just the children. They do not hesitate to include children who are able in the worship service.

While attending, I felt like there was a lot of accountability, that everyone felt comfortable, and had a great level of closeness with each other. I understood that when Cheryl mentioned that she was “unafraid to ask questions about [her] faith,” and at the retreat, when members recommitted their membership openly with each other, it helped me understand the level of realness that the church has between it’s members. This is how I feel church should be. Not an alike age group of a small group, not a large group with puddle-deep relationships, but an intergenerational setting, with different perspectives actively announcing themselves.

Exploration (at the) Metro Station!

The day started out with a slightly awkward breakfast, as we all know each other, but we aren't familiar with each other. It wasn't that we ate breakfast as a group around the table, but there were enough people that you know you should say something, so you do, and it's awkward. But then we all headed out on our scavenger hunts. 

My partner Andrew and I were group 5, and we were the first to leave the house. They said leave at nine, so we left at nine. After an interesting episode with the Smartcards and farecards, we were on our way around the metro. Our first stop on the hunt was to go to the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery. Fortunately for us, everything that was on our hunt was easily located near a metro station, so we did not have to take the bus. We arrived at the Smithsonian on time with our schedule at ten, only to find that the museum didn't open until 11:30. I spotted the International Spy Museum across the street, and had thought we'd found a detour for an hour and a half when we were allowed in, until we found out the admission fee was $18 per adult. That wasn't happening. So we walked back to the Metro, got back on and headed toward the Zoo. 

Andrew insisted that we take the bus the half-mile to the Zoo from the station, but I started walking, and there was no bus in sight, so he was obligated to walk with me. The trip to the zoo was informing, as I now know the zoo opens at 6:00 in the morning so that people can come run there. I also enjoyed seeing the pandas, and taking pictures of several of the animals. (Unfortunately for me, somewhere in between the connection of the computer with my camera, all the pictures were lost from DC so far. :( So sad.) Around eleven thirty, we decided to head to our next stop, and went back to the Metro. We had to transfer trains, which I learned is not as intimidating as it seems, you just have to be aware of the signs, and know exactly which direction you are going in.

We arrived at the Eastern Market station around twelve. But once we walked over to the oldest market in the city, it was inevitable, via the signs, that they were closed on Mondays! So our stomachs still whining about the lack of nutrients (I was showing it a lot more in the heaviness of my eyelids), we walked back toward the metro, and stopped at Marvelous Market instead. It was a relief to find a market that looked locally run, with fresh food at decent prices, and an attitude of healthiness. It made me really happy. I had a Nicoise Salad (anyone seen White Chicks?), a cup of water, and a salty oatmeal cookie--with actual coarse salt on top--like a hot pretzel--and it was righteous.

We got back on the metro again, and headed toward the portrait gallery once more. This time when we arrived, it was open. The security guards made Andrew carry his bookbag in front of him, though I'm not sure what that inhibits (or anything at all). I practiced illegal photographing, throughout, although a lot of the pictures I took like of the painted piano, didn't save on my phone. Grr. One of the awesomest things shown was the Aluminum foil paradise.. it was so sweet. I enjoyed looking at the paintings, and the horn chair.. despite the fact that my body was exhausted from all the exploring, reading, and learning. 

Our last stop involved going to the National Museum of Building and Design, and looking at exhibits on symbolism and neighborhoods. It was interesting, but being so tired it was hard to know what was important to know or not. We met up as a group to reflect on the day. A bunch of people got lost, or went the wrong ways in their hunts, and several had some weirdos say strange things to them. A guy was convinced that Corrie and Jasmine were rascist when they bought Smartcards, and said that he thought they were going to go shoot people. Another guy told Fetsum that he liked the way he walked. This is how I realized that we had a pretty uneventful day, although it was a blessing. 

We all rode back to the house and as an assignment, half the house told stories about themselves (the rest of us are tomorrow). My favorite was Fetsum's story. He did SALT in Indonesia, and had back problems, and his host father recommended this guy to give him a back rub for cheap, and the back rub was really awkward, in the living room of the house. The guy not only rubbed his butt, but also slapped it when he was done. 

I talked to Emily about my transportation situation. So far so good. We are still not quite sure what I'm going to be doing, but we are getting somewhere, and as long as I am financially able to handle this, it's going to be a good semester. That's the thing I'm sure I'm most nervous about.

Corrie and I made the first meal of the house--Cuban Black Beans with Rice, and a Salad. We had good conversation while we cooked, and I realized something about myself. I'm a little uptight, and like to do things right the first time. I'm pretty sure that I don't like failure. But I can't accept a compliment very well. Makes for almost frantic attitude when things start to go wrong. Which they didn't. Things went very well (although I forgot to add the honey, but who knows if the honey would have made it better anyway?). I did not burn the rice (it was only slightly browned on the bottom, like the perfect toasted marshmallow kind of color). The salad was good, and the black beans themselves were quite tasty. Everyone agreed on getting Netflix as a house, and we all labeled out cups with masking tape, as to reduce washing them. 

After supper, which was a lot less awkward than the meal with Doug, Emily, and Kim, Sanj got into this excited "Let's make Cookies" Marathon kind of attitude. Corrie, Fetsum, and Bryan all went to Target, and got some important ingredients, and then when they got back, we started making oatmeal chocolate chip "Engle" cookies. 

It went really well, we had started rolling them in balls and everything, when Corrie, then Christa tried to preheat the oven, but couldn't turn it on. It had one of those digital temperature setters, and the timer and clock were working earlier when supper was being made, so it was frustrating, trying to figure out what was wrong. Lindsay called her dad and pushed some buttons that only made the timer go berserk and then stop altogether. Sanj pulled the oven away from the wall (though afraid of breaking it, ha), but everything was plugged in, and we couldn't figure out what to do. 

It was thought there was an oven downstairs, but there wasn't. So we resorted to alternative ways to cook the cookies, because some people couldn't wait. Jess tried to microwave one, and it turned out fine, except it cooked in the middle of the cookie, and the outside was still gooey. Then Corrie decided to wrap dough in tin foil and fry it on a pan. It worked--the cookie was browned on both sides, but something (I'm not sure what) got incredibly burnt, and set off two smoke detectors, and we had to hurry and turn them off before the sprinklers turned on (although I'm not sure how long it would take for them to turn on). The grilled cookies turned out well, but the rest of the dough had to be put in the freezer because we couldn't bake it. We were so excited about giving cookies to our neighbors as well...

Ambitious Ambiguity

I just spent an epic twenty four hours in Washington D.C., attempting to decide my future internship. It was intense, as I had to work to choice between several different internships before I even came to D.C. to interview.

However, that statement itself is ambiguous. I had assistance picking out my internship. One just clicked with my personality. In fact, it was less of an internship and more of a mentorship, and much more laid back and calm than any internship interview would be.

The guy that I rode to Washington D.C. with, Andrew, had two interviews, both of them pretty intense. The idea with internship interviews in D.C. with WCSC is that an interviewee would do research on the company that they are going to work with. I'm pretty sure that he had to do that. And more.

The hardship of my internship shadowing experience was the metro at 6:00 am. And also the fact that I was navigating D.C. myself. This went well, and I arrived at the first school before classes started. The person I was shadowing was supposed to come and meet me, but he never did, so I waited until second period to meet him. Then after that I attended the first class on Peace Studies (for me) of the day. It was informing. The school was large, but well-behaved. Reminded me of Streetsboro. But the point is, that is one of the good schools in the D.C. area. And then when the class was finished, there was another metro ride. This one was much shorter and I arrived, walked in the wrong direction a couple times, and then figured out where I was going, and arrived at the second high school. This was the exact opposite of the first school. There was a metal detector at the entrance, and I was asked for my I.D. (which I didn't have. Yikes!). Colman (the teacher which I was in the process of shadowing) told the entrance guard that I was with him. Probably mentioned I was from a school that promoted peace, because she let me in without any worries. The sign said, "Please remove all metal from your person before walking through the metal detector." So I went to go unscrew my tongue stud, but the lady told me that it was fine. There was security in the hall, and students openly swearing like sailors, but it wasn't intimidating. I'm not sure exactly why it wasn't, because I feel like that would be something that would freak me out. But I wasn't.

This class discussion was different. The class period was twice as long. But the discussion in this class was way more in depth than the classes at the "better" high school. I felt like the students had a better relationship with Colman at this point. That was when "Outliers" kicked in, and I was reminded that it's not the level of class that designates the students' abilities of learning, it's their drive to learn. I was impressed by this.

After that class, I was to eat lunch at any place close by. I had seen Whole Foods on my way in, and decided that it was where I wanted to eat. It was the healthiest grocery store in the country (?) or something, and then I walked to the back of the store, and I saw the buffet--there were three or four different buffet tables and too many options. I got some chicken curry, some squash and some beans, and then I went up to the register to pay. But when I was there in line, I realized (as I had) earlier, that my wallet was still MIA, and I thought I had enough cash in my pocket, but I was poorly mistaken. There were two dollars in my pocket but that was it. I was freaking out, thinking (insanely) that I would have to eat out dumpsters my first day in D.C. because I couldn't pay for the food. But the cashier said, "We'd have to throw it away anyway, so you might as well take it." So I did get to eat, which was wonderful.

Then I took a shuttle to American University and waited for the upper level class that Colman taught to commence. It was a two and a half hour long class, though, and I was cold, tired, and developing a headache (from stress maybe?) and when it finally ended, we had to wait for the shuttle, and then for the metro. I met several nice people. It was like being a commuter to school again, and my late evening Spanish class at UA. I may have gotten a headache from meeting so many different new people. Then I got back to the WCSC house, and scared the heck out of one of the residents who I had not met the night before. (I followed her inside). Then Andrew and I left, and we both talked nearly the entire way back, because we were just full of information and probably excitement, and caffeine. McDonald's. We got back at nine o'clock ish. I completely missed the Chem lab I was going to go to. But for the most part, it was ok.

I say Ambitious Ambiguity because I feel like my trip to D.C. was a little over emphasized, and added a little extra stress to my world this past week. I didn't get to run, besides indoor soccer, and I was stress half the week trying to find a ride, and then Emily found me one (thank goodness). Then there was also the stress of my chemistry exam that I didn't do amazingly well on, so it was just a big pile of things adding up even more.

But this weekend was rejuvenating, which was amazing. I was very content with the rest that I received, the friendships that were built upon, and the conversations that were held. I hope this next week isn't as bad.

The Meaning Behind the Meaning

So random funny weird story. We were sitting at dinner tonight, ragged. Bodner had gotten ten hourse of sleep in the past 72, and we were nagging him to go sleepy sleep, but he kept trying to lasso the Vault I had taken away from him with his lanyard... Anyway, Deanna was being random.

This is normal, mind you.

Deanna: "My nose itches. What does that mean?"

Me: (rather short thought process involving no thought) "It means you are horny."

Grace: "Wait, What?"

Me: "No. Don't listen to what I just said."

Deanna: "Really?"

Grace: "I think it means someone's thinking about you. And when your ear itches, that means someone's talking about you."

Deanna: "(to me) Wow Grace. (referring to my answer) So what's it mean when your whole face is itchy?"

Grace: "It means you want to have sex."

Me: "I thought that's what 'horny' meant."

Sorry if this is a little too blunt for your thought process. I thought you might enjoy some of the ways that freshman college students destress during midterms.... Meaning Vault, lack of sleep, nonsense, and more nonsense.

Today was great though. I got a care package (my first one, hem hem) from West Clinton Mennonite. Hallelujah! Though I don't need more food. I also got ACCEPTED INTO WASHINGTON COMMUNITY SCHOLARS CENTER!! So I'm going to DC next semester! That's quite the blessing. I really needed to do something and so far, this has been great, along with the YES thing that I am applying for.

I went to Gift and Thrift with Ellie today and went a little crazy with the yarn and crafts supplies. I am determined to make a scarf that is better than the ones that you can buy at the store and for less money. I also bought some clay for making jewelry, which my sister and I are going to do over break! I'm stoked!

Stacey is thinking about doing YES with me and I am so excited about this idea. I don't know where God is leading her, but I do know that she and I have connected really well in the few months that we have known each other, and as she is my mentor, and lives in the same area as I do, we could very well connect even more awesomely if she came to YES with me.

Speaking of current YES participants, I received a much needed surprising phone call from a very wonderful person last night. Zach was super excited to hear that I was applying for YES for next year and also that I was listening to God. I could tell by what he spoke about and what his thought processes were that he's growing so much in God, and in everything around him. He's much deeper, more contemplative. But worried about gaining weight. Oh Zach. Go run.

Running. Has been wonderful. I feel like going now, but that would call for very much lack of sleep, so I will be satisfied with running tomorrow morning I hope.

God is amazing over all. That's the lesson for this week. I'm so thankful for each person I have met and connected with and each friendship made.