First Conference Day 1

Hello all! I'm writing from D.C. again tonight and I'm writing because I need a favor. It's the same favor I always need, just that you'll listen while I think, so I'm sure you'll oblige me. Today was a big busy day. I met a lot of people today, both those heading to Nepal and from the programs in other countries, and while I have a lot of thoughts on the people I met, I mostly want to think about how I approached the day so that tomorrow I can be even more productive.

Before meeting up with everyone, I was pretty nervous. I was mostly concerned that we would all be behaving competitively even if only mildly so and I was mostly right. We all showed off a bit and while I don't think anyone behaved badly, I do wish I had spoken less and listened a bit more. I approached this as though I needed to impress these people more than I really do. I should have been more focused on my mission statement and less focused on trying to make the right connections or the right impression. Especially, because the connections part usually comes pretty easily for me as long as I am patient. And I'm not saying today went poorly, overall I'm pretty pleased with the day, but I did feel a bit stiffer and more "I'm smart too" then I'd have liked to have been. I just always have a hard time finding the line between too friendly and too professional.

Oh well, hopefully tomorrow I'll do better. I'm going to focus less on not seeming shy and focus more on being willing to simply listen. I also want to be careful of the politics flying around like mad here. I know a time will come where I'll have to chose sides, but I want to weigh my options carefully and really end up where I belong. I don't want to be pushed to either side, regardless of the circumstances. I guess what I'm really saying is that I know I am a guest in Nepal and it feels more than a little presumptuous of me to suggest that I would know how to run things there. For me, it goes back to that quote from Love and Honor in the Himalayas (see the I love you Beta post for full citation) "I will not live here, I will not suffer here..." and so on these matters, I'd prefer to watch and learn. But maybe I'm naive to expect that privilege.

Well, once again it's late, but I'll keep you posted.