I was so excited about going to the first class today. There was an error in my email address, so I didn't get the email with the class list. So, as I got ready to go this morning, I couldn't wait to see who would be in my class!
When I got there, I was not disappointed. Several of my current friends are in the class, and a few I know and would like to get to know better. As we did our introduction games, I could see that there are many new potential friends in this group.
Today was mainly introductions and team building activities. We played a game where we had to get across "Crocodile Swamp" using magic wooden lilly pads that were taken away if they were not touched at all times. We couldn't step into the swamp, or we would become blind (we'd have to close our eyes for the rest of the game). Two people ended up blind during the game, and had to be helped across the swamp by other teammates. It was a great team building game, and a great way to see how we responded to errors we made. If the lilly pads were left untouched for even a second, it was taken away and had to be earned back! We finished the game in about an hour, which the facilitator said was great time!
We also played a couple of "trust" games, where we had to get into groups and fall into each others' arms. I was totally expecting this. What I was NOT expecting was the "levitation" part of this game, where the group lifted each person over their heads! Totally out of my comfort zone, but super fun. So glad I did it.
The facilitator, Jody Holland, is a very good speaker, very motivational and very entertaining. In the first introduction game, we all gave ourselves nicknames. Mine is "Mother Hen." ( I was first, and couldn't think of anything else!) Some of the other nicknames are hilarious. I think some may stick :) I will add them later.
Other very interesting games- We chose our favorite animal, with three adjectives saying why we chose it, and we chose our favorite color, with three adjectives. I chose a cat- because it is nocturnal, graceful, and smart; and the color blue, because it is inspiring, reminds me of the sea and the sky (like Florida), and calming. It turns out, the animal is our external vision of the way we want others to see us, and the color is our internal vision of the way we see ourselves. Both very interesting!
Cannot wait for Day 2 of orientation tomorrow!
