So I'm catching up on my time here in Utah. I had a botched attempt at posting last week-- thanks to a power outage at base (where our offices are located). Hopefully I'll have more success this time!
First I successfully completed my orientation training which involves learning what B&R, G&O, LT, bluey, freshie, booger, billie-- among others- means. For example, B&R is beans and rice-- a typical evening meal. A billie is a large coffee can that we either use to dig the LT (latrine) or sift the coals from the fire. A freshie is a container that holds all the personal care items. Similar to a combination of the stuff in your medicine cabinet and under your sink. My training group name was "Desert Ninjas" and whenever the instructors said our name, we responded with "hie-ya").
Second, I've just returned from my first week, as an intern, in the field with the students. 8 days of teenage boys with drug problems, among other things. Right now I'm having trouble putting to words the feelings of gratitude, alienation, compassion and surprise I experienced in being with them. I've had my first experience already with being called an f'ing b*tch. I was surprised at how un-personally I took it. He was simply throwing a fit because he didn't get his way. Later he apologized and asked my forgiveness which was easy for me to grant (because it hadn't pierced my heart).
It's a pretty good set up: 4-5 staff with various experience levels with 10-11 participants. The other staff I worked with told me I experienced a baptism by fire. They were refering to the following events: one of the staff getting sick and going home mid-week, leaving me as the only female in the field; having one of the participants on suicide watch (where one staff member needs to be within an arm's length at all times (even at night); having one boy who hated hiking so much that a 2.5 mile hike took 6.5 hours; having one boy get so upset at previously mentioned boy that he threatened to punch him and (being the closest staff) needing to step in the middle of them (as if I knew what to do had they gotten physical-- this is why every group has a "senior" staff member); and being challenged by the boys for being new. One example: a boy earned a "consequence" for blatantly and repeatedly ignoring my instruction (writing a 2-page essay on why respect is a value worth upholding in our program). At the end of the week he reported that this was a "low" for him. One of the other staff suggested the participant may have a problem with female authority. This kid came up to me later to clarify that he did not ignore my because I am female, but because I'm inexperienced! Well, at least we cleared up that he's not a misogynist!
Overall, it was a good week. I can imagine a large amount of things I can learn in this position. I've learned so much already in these two weeks of backpacking-- which is good and necessary consider my knowledge coming in was just slightly above 0 (and this coming second hand from friends).
I do hope to post weekly in order to process my time and keep you updated. I miss my friends and family, but this is an amazing time of life. I keep being curious about what will come next.
Love to you all.
