Closing Time...
I'm actually becoming pretty sentimental about the end of the MPI program...particularly because I've been seeing Ian and Isaiah's photos from EIA!! I miss the bonding time we had as a cohort in Italy and kind of wish we'd gotten a close-out trip planned to reinforce our relationships since we grew apart during the Spring and Summer semesters.
Making matters worse, I went back and listened to my EIA videos to put myself back in a beginner's frame of mind and people like Karlie, Nikita, and Nick were passing in and out of the background. What was meant as a quick exercise turned into a lost hour because I ended up watching every single one of them. But, it ended up being helpful because it put that trip (and my younger self) into clearer perspective for me. For instance, I'd forgotten about some of the negative experiences I had - like my luggage going missing for the first three days, yikes! I also heard myself say how much I enjoyed pitching and how I wish I'd made the final product pitch. This surprised me because I am NOT enjoying pitching my own idea. I think it's the difference in working on your own resume versus someone else's - I could spend all day building up someone else's work experience but loathe working on my own. I also appreciated the clarity of my communication in the videos because lately, I wonder if I talk in circles too much - but, maybe I don't after all?
I was also struck by the parallels in the team dynamics between my EIA team and Swayance. Many of my videos featured discussion of my frustrations with one team mate that just didn't want to work and the difference in all of our work styles. There was also a clear bell curve in my emotions during weeks 1, 2, and 3 that have also emerged this summer. In both, I loved the idea and team initially, then I become very frustrated with the lack of progress, and finally I shake it off to get the job done. My reflection paper will include discussion of our schedule challenges and the decision to let two team mates go.
Finally, I learned that I need to work on my poker face and my big mouth. I was way too honest about having had a drink (or many) before recording my videos. Mostly, I think this was just because there was so little time during the day to record them so I did it before bed, which meant I had had dinner and wine by then. However, I didn't need to say it on camera 1x, 2x, 3x, etc. Balancing authenticity and the concept of 'less is more' is something I will be working on in the months to come.
In closing, I thought I'd share the photos that I had in my EIA folder. They include members of my EIA team and other faces you'll all know too well. If Ryan should become single again, I still think the one of him chopping garlic should be used as his profile pic on Tinder...his hair was on point!
Jennie I did the same thing, I got lost down the rabbit hole when watching the videos and only ended up pulling back out when the intern caught me hahaha. I figured they wouldn't want to listen to me ramble about italy in no specific and slightly buzzed order.
ReplyDeleteI also had lots of things I realized in that I am an over worker, and want to do everything rather then focus on what is really important. I want to say yes to it all, fun, work, jobs, opportunities, favors. I've been working to cut back on that. When I moved home I stopped Rugby and didn't really meld back into the community except for the people I missed or the ones who expressed really missing me. So it's been nice to cut back on who and when I let others take up time in my life. That being said I really miss our cohort having such ambitious, smart, quirky, and dedicated humans in our group was so refreshing and getting to talk about anything and everything and also relax and do nothing, drink to much wine, or quite literally whine.
I agree on the close out trip or close our debrief team build. What a cool idea. Quick retreat to really reflect on what we have done and accomplished, I know we've all changed so much.
I know! Especially as this all wraps up, I'd love to hear how everyone else is using their learnings as they move forward, including the peeps not in 652. It's been amazing to hear what Teri-Yae and Karlie have been doing too.
DeleteAnd, you're lucky to have spent some time away and reconnect with a tighter circle of friends! I've had lots of loss in my life but each time it helped illuminate who were my ride-or-die friends. They are the people I ALWAYS say yes to because they are worth my time and energy - they are my extended family. It's much easier to say no to the other people when I don't have the bandwidth.
Miss you and hope you get to enjoy lots of Vicky time after the 10th! :)
LONG LIVE THE GARLIC SWORD!
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOLOL - miss you!
DeleteJennie! First off, I miss you and your hugs. I think it's interesting how we automatically remember the good memories during a period of time, but forget all of the negatives. I had a similar experience while watching these back and writing my post. I couldn't think of the bad things that happened on this trip or throughout the year, as well as I remembered the happy memories. But while you need both the good and the bad to make an experience whole, I think it's always nicer to remember the good memories.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that a debrief would have been cool to do. Everyone's grown and in different places at the end of this experience, and hearing everyone talk about their experience and reflecting on the year as a whole would have been awesome.
Miss you too! I'm going to a couple of events over the next week if you want to try to grab a ticket and go with me - Mindful Mornings on Friday and a Rebelle Con event one day next week (can't remember which day though...). I'd also love to just get a coffee if you're free! :)
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