on the job: accentuate the positive; eliminate the negative

This week was quite an education for me at my NGO.  I won’t go into specifics, but I learned new information on everything from funding to decision-making to local politics to office dynamics — and how all of these interact in our small town.  And while it was overwhelming to get all this information (quite by chance) at one time in a whirlwind before meetings with the mayor, my org and the people who work there make more sense now.  I had been blaming my lack of language and my broken intuition for “not getting” some of the subtleties of my organization and therefore making me feel a bit lost and at a loss.  But it turns out that my gut feelings were right on track and that’s a positive, so, I’m going to hold onto that for dear life.  Accentuate the positive, right?  The drama that’s a part of all I learned —  I’m going to make a note that it exists, but not really acknowledge it.  Eliminate the negative; Latch on to the affirmative.

Speaking of positives…  I think I have a project (or two or three). Sweet!  Progress!  While I’ll spare you the minute details, my time at site will consist of (hopefully, fingers crossed) the following:

Designing and facilitating a weekly arts therapy group for teens with special needs focusing on life skills and positive socialization (ongoing currently).
Teaching adult English, most likely focusing on business English, conversation and resume-writing. (Maybe with David; starting in the Spring 2010)
Designing and implementing a community volunteer club to promote volunteerism, to encourage youth towards increased civic engagement, and to increase integration/inclusion of people with special needs (planning currently underway, implementation planned for *gasp* February 2010).

I think this is a good combo of activities for me personally and professionally– therapy, advocacy, networking, community development.  Sounds very Peace Corps-y.  I have a few secondary project ideas but I’m kinda letting them marinate for the time being as there are lots of irons in the fire.  One donkey at a time.

So things are moving.  And while it’s not sunshine, puppy dogs, and roses, it’s at least an experience in which I’m learning and progressing.   Definitely, positive.