Reflections from ONS Sabbath

The first few days were so full of new things that it was easy to write often. That’s less the case now, as I try to not be overwhelmed by the extensive amount of new information that’s finding its way to my ears. Thankfully, as an Extrovert (yes, InterVarsity and its obsession with Myers-Briggs has sucked me in) I need to process externally, and this is one of the best spots for that. Yesterday, though, I definitely found new information bouncing off my head, with no way to make its way past the jumbled barrier of all the other new information I’ve taken in over this week. Thankfully, note-taking helps me keep the new info for later processing.

• I’m sitting outside of the capitol and there’s a farmers’ market surrounding the entire capitol square. People-watchers, [insert phrase here that means "enjoy yourself." I couldn't remember what the phrase was... the only thing I could think of was "eat your heart out", and somehow that doesn't seem right.]
• I finally gave in and learned all about Myers Briggs, took the formal MBTI test (who knew that the “Center for Application of Psychological Type,” whose brochure we’re using to teach use about MB, is in Gainesville), had some long conversations about it, and took MyType on Facebook. I am, officially, and after some figuring, an ESFP, an Extroverted Sensing Feeling Perceiver. That means a lot of things, but it mainly means that I understand myself a lot more now. I know that seems silly, but part of the process of figuring out my MB type was figuring out that some aspects of my character are that way because of my family, some because of people’s expectations of me, and some because of the way I actually am as a person. It’s nice to start figuring out which are which.
• I evangelize some non-Christ things like crazy. It’s never on purpose, but the list keeps growing. This week they’ve been: Books of the Bible presentation (from whom I just got an e-mail regarding their future plans… exciting…), Moleskine, and Mac. We’re actually thinking about starting a MUG (which I never heard of before this week) for InterVarsity staff who use Macs, because there’s so little organizational support for Macs and such a growing number of us who use them.
• There was a dance party last night. I seldom enjoy dancing–not that I have a problem with it, but that I’m uncomfortable doing something when I feel like everyone else is better than me (and I know that’s not rational, but I can’t really control that feeling)–but this particular party happened to have a Wii party across the hall from it, which was a very nice alternative. So, I played Smash Brothers and Rayman Raving Rabbids while the more self-assured staff danced their faces off.
• I’ve never been as encouraged about staff, fundraising, or the particular things I’m involved in on campus. I’m encouraged about the ISM (International Student Ministry) some of my students want to start, I’m encouraged about BCM (the Black Collegiate Ministry) in the Southeast, I’m encouraged about our Nurses’ Christian Fellowship, I’m encouraged about fundraising and my call to staff and InterVarsity as a movement. This is good.
• Mario and Princess Peach just walked by me. There is some sort of treasure hunt/scavenger hunt/something going one, and we’ve been seeing pairs of people run by in matching clothing with marathon-like numbers on their chests and bags on their backs. Most are dressed like runners, some are dressed like middle-aged people trying to dress like runners, and those two were dressed like Mario and Princess Peach.
• Did I mention that Madison is gorgeous? Madison is gorgeous.
• That’s it for now. I’m going to get my butt off of my computer for some of my Sabbath and see what sort of reflections are in store for me.
• I just had some confirmation that I’m an extrovert. Dave, my roommate, left the Starbucks I’m sitting at about 10 minutes ago, and I’m already craving human interaction. Yep.