Like a Child
This year I had the absolute privilege to develop a new week of orientation for our arriving staff. This was a week dedicated to getting to know the city we live in and the surroundings we will live with. It was a great week and I had some great help. Now I also have some great new friends. And a new perspective on "new."
There is a lot associated with Newness: the title "Newbie", being lost all the time, asking for directions, asking for advice, asking for phone numbers, asking for translation, learning moments....
(Like how to use these items daily!)
and while I was knee-deep in the middle of this new teacher orientation, it dawned on me that being new to this country isn't a whole lot different than being new to this world. (aka like a child)
Children always need a leader.
Children need directions.
Children need advice.
Children need information.
Children sometimes need translation.
Children are always learning.
Children also need their independence. And that's where I pretty much spend my days right now. My toddler is 3.5 years old. He is in the midst of the independence struggle. He knows how to do some things, he even willingly let's me help him....sometimes. And then there are "those days" where all we do is butt heads over his desire to be independent.
All that to say, sometimes watching my new friends learn how to "live" in Korea....is like watching a toddler play a new game, write his name, or eat a new food. It's clumsy, unsteady, and sometimes downright laughable. But jumping in is the only way to learn.
There is a lot associated with Newness: the title "Newbie", being lost all the time, asking for directions, asking for advice, asking for phone numbers, asking for translation, learning moments....
(Like how to use these items daily!)
and while I was knee-deep in the middle of this new teacher orientation, it dawned on me that being new to this country isn't a whole lot different than being new to this world. (aka like a child)
Children always need a leader.
Children need directions.
Children need advice.
Children need information.
Children sometimes need translation.
Children are always learning.
Children also need their independence. And that's where I pretty much spend my days right now. My toddler is 3.5 years old. He is in the midst of the independence struggle. He knows how to do some things, he even willingly let's me help him....sometimes. And then there are "those days" where all we do is butt heads over his desire to be independent.
All that to say, sometimes watching my new friends learn how to "live" in Korea....is like watching a toddler play a new game, write his name, or eat a new food. It's clumsy, unsteady, and sometimes downright laughable. But jumping in is the only way to learn.
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