Five Weeks Since I Left Home!!!

Thursday, July 24 at 8pm

Today was thoroughly satisfying. At work, we continued developing our vision, finishing with our BHAG (biggy hairy audacious goal) and vivid descriptions. By the end, we were all giddy with pride in the one page document we had created after hours upon hours of meetings. I am happy with our completed vision and my contributions to that vision.

Today we also discussed the Myers-Briggs personality types and their impact on business interactions. An interesting side-note: different cultures have predominant personalities and America is mostly ESTJ (I am INFJ). Another interesting conversation involved the positive and negatives of “consensus” (which is an entire activity at RYLA) and how it compares to group agreement. The vision work has definitely expanded my understanding team leadership and working with other members of the program has opened a whole new perspective of facilitation for me.

In other news, I’ve been reading Servant Leadership by Greenleaf, a compilation of several essays he wrote. The chapter I am currently perusing involves the role of the trustee in various institutions, including higher education. As it has been exactly five weeks since I left home, I have but a week left in Ireland. I find more and more of my thought turning to home – what I intend to accomplish over the next couple years, how I will use the knowledge and skills I’ve learned here to make those reality, and how my goals have changed as a result of this experience.

After work today, I watched a movie to unwind and then went for a jog. The sky is cloudy but not quite overcast and there were raindrops falling the entire time, yet not enough to be considered a drizzle. It’s approximately 70 degrees outside, with a gentle breeze. I made a loop of the countryside around town, passing cows, fields, and people working in their yards. On my way back, I stopped at Centra for some provisions and then walked home. I could hear so many different types of birds, the wind in the grass and trees.

I’m really happy here. It isn’t home (nothing can compare to Hoboken), but it has its own appeal. I’ve been listening to new artists, playing guitar daily (I can’t believe how many songs I remember!), reading, playing soccer/running, meeting new people, and walking all over the county. Aside from lifestyle, my work life is thoroughly fulfilling and enriching. All I have to say is that this summer has raised my expectations in terms of future employment and lifestyle.