Meeting New People

Well here we are sitting in our [decked out--tee hee] dorm at the University of Georgia. Hope is right next to me on the loveseat surfing the web, and I am sitting here trying to pull things out of my brain to write on this blog. I feel like this summer has completely washed away my ability to write. My words come out incoherent and broken, like I've lost the art of language. (Ok, so not THAT tragic, but it's how I feel.) Hopefully, it will come back after practice so I won't fail that British Literature class... O.O

Meeting people has been both fun and challenging. Back in Feburary at the Foundation Fellows Interview Weekend, the interviewers asked me to describe myself and discuss the changes and growth I have experienced in high school. I said that freshman year I was a shy and awkward student who was nervous and afraid to meet people. Compared to now (a.k.a. then), where I was unafraid to go up to someone, stick out my hand, and say, "Hi, I am Emily." It is definitely true that I have changed and opened up more since freshman year, but I can't say that I am completely comfortable with going up to new people and introducing myself. (Looking back, I see why I did not receive the Fellowship, which is totally okay.)

So yeah, it is pretty awkward to stand in line, tap the person in front of you's shoulder, and introduce yourself. But.. sometimes, especially this first week, you just gotta put yourself out there. (Not that I am doing that great of a job!) I like meeting new people and talking to different people, but it really is hard for me to take that first step. (Where are my leadership skills?!?!) Currently, the tactic is 1. find someone I know who is standing in a group 2. say hello to them 3. introduce self to others. It works out fine, and I don't feel weird about it.

Maybe I'll work up to the brave and bold random introductions.