Highlights from the YAV Orientation at Stony Point

Two weeks ago was the week-long orientation for all 70 YAV's, both national and international, at Stony Point Conference Center in NY. On Monday morning, my housemates and I (totaling to eight of us) woke up at 3-something to arrive at Newark airport late afternoon. I was the only one who had a layover, so when I got to the airport, I had to look for college-aged students who looked like they had packed to move away for a year. I soon found them huddled and quiet by the windows with their enormous bags protecting them from these strangers. After a while, we quietly packed in the van and rode the hour to Stony Point in silence. As I sat in the front row of the van, I quietly smiled, knowing that friendship, laughter, and tears were inevitable for the week ahead. (All of which beautifully unfolded by the end of the week.) With that said, let me map out the events and words that were spoken during this gracefully challenging week:

Disclaimer: This blog showcases my opinions exclusively, not the opinions held by the PC(USA) or the Presbytery of South Louisiana. This is all my own voice.

1. The most important lesson I learned this week was the most surprising and confusing one. I learned that I am an "intimate extrovert", meaning that I primarily get my energy from very small groups of people rather than from being alone or from large groups of people. To my friends, I am commonly known as an extrovert because I gain energy from being around people. However, spending time with a handful of friends is very different from being surrounded by over 80 people all day three days in a row. I was getting tired and even sick, trying to figure out what was wrong with me until one of our presenters explained that she was an intimate extrovert, and the lights went on. I had been so exhausted because I was spending my energy just being around so many people. This lesson, I think, is important because it has made me aware of my needs and keep in mind this year when it comes to working in ministry full-time and living in a house with seven other women. 
2. I learned to stop feeling guilty for parts of my identity that are out of my control and start focusing on using my voice to speak out. What I mean is that certain pieces of my identity each have their own history and meaning in the world. I am a young, white, straight, middle-class, Christian woman. With each of these terms comes certain assumptions, privileges, and even responsibilities and powers. What is even more interesting and challenging is that I am not even aware of all of these facets completely. There was a great quote from our speaker who said, "It's not about how we give up power but how we use our power." I pray that my communities and the Spirit through these communities would teach me more about power dynamics, awareness of my own privileges, and give me the strength and the ability to find my voice to speak out against these boundaries that separate and confine us so easily. 
3. I realized that I do not take culture-shock that seriously, which could be a problem in New Orleans. Although I am not leaving the country, I am moving to a completely different part of U.S. in a dramatically different context. I am entering a city that is not without its wounds, its pride, and its strength. The suburbs of New Jersey and the Uptown of New Orleans are more different than I am fully aware. To state a basic distinction, there are palm trees everywhere around here, which is itself a shock to my system as I am used to the wooded hills, pines, and oaks of my neighborhood and farmland of NJ. I could go on about Mardis Gras, Second Line parades, and festivals happening virtually every weekend...I need to remember that culture-shock can often involve homesickness, anxiety, anger, confusion, and withdrawal, among other things. Therefore, for my own growth, it would be wise for me to remember to be gentle to myself as I am trying to learn what it's like to live and breath in the lifestyle that New Orleans has to offer. It's been awesome so far because it feels like I'm on vacation in my favorite city, but I know that this feeling will wear down soon. 

Prayers for me as I continue to watch and participate in the unfolding of this new chapter of my life, living in New Orleans...