Plans for service-blog 1

I am excited but anxious about beginning my service in Oxford. I'm really not too surprised that I am somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of the 20 hours that loom over me, even though you would think we have lots of time outside of class. I assumed (correctly) that orientation in Abilene was just a mean joke to begin the process of confusing our minds. A process which proved successful when the rest of the information was given en masse the minute we arrived. That's when my mind decided to go to lunch and it took my attention-span with it. This abundance of information is thrown at us just to see who would sink and who would swim. I'm sure that was the sinister purpose of the pre-departure orientation, sure of it. We've just been dropped in an unfamiliar territory and showered with information, warnings, advice and assignments, it's possible I am just slow but after the beginning of classes and balancing my time between class, ramblings, and sorting myself out I'm left a bit exhausted. Regardless, I am still ready to "plug-in" as it is called but I am a little wary as to how well I will be at time management. (Self doubt, what a way to start the semester.)

I plan to be an English tutor for the internationals pastor at St. Aldates. I have no idea whether I have the capabilities to do this, but as languages have always been a topic of interest for me I think that willingness to try counts more than my competence. I've yet to contact Pastor Danthon but intend to do so today. Contradictory to my doubts about finding the time to volunteer I may also try to connect with Viva Network. I've found just enough information about it to really catch my interest so I plan to call to see what opportunities are there, along with what sort of service it entails. Once again, I have no idea in this case of my capabilities to be of service to these organizations but here we all are outside of our comfort zone so there's no hurt in expanding myself. So, on that note here I go to force myself to make the call. I really hate making phone calls. I did however already enquire about volunteer opportunities at The Ashmolean Museum, (there wasn't any) which is a big step for me. So there.