Well what have I to say? Not a lot really. I started probation one week ago and so far so good. Everybody has made me feel so welcome. AND they genuinely seem really happy to have me there! So far I have attended a Business Committee, Board and Session, been to mid week evening and lunchtime worship, been introduced to the congregation on Sunday, led a prayer and done a children's talk, made a start on updating my Church Law handbook (probationers past and present will tell you that this is no mean task - 8 years of updates!!! argh!!) and last night I went to the Guild Presbyterial Council meeting. So a gentle start as you can see - and I mean that sincerely. Aside from the 'work' I have met some really lovely people.
And this is where things get a little complicated. Because I am meeting so many new people I am petrified that I accidentally blank someone in the street. So just in case I do - I am smiling at everyone in the street, in the supermarket etc. I am sure Asda might start to get complaints about this weird woman grinning inanely at everyone, lol. But the thing is that I keep meeting people who recognise me but I have no idea who they are. I might vaguely recognise them but I have no idea where from! Like today in Asda - I meet this really lovely couple. The stopped to chat and were asking what I was doing now - they had seen my graduation in the paper and were full of praise. Now I do recognise them from somewhere but argh!!! I dont know where. AND they got my name right (Shuna not Shona) and even mentioned presbytery. Maybe tonight at Presbytery I will be able to work that one out!
Anyway smiling is good - it makes you feel better - paranoid but happy - thats me! lol
4 comments:
Oh I am so glad that some else has the recognition problem... I do the smiling thing too and frequently hold conversations with people when I have no idea who they are. I just hope that during the conversation I get a clue that jogs my memory.
The 'best' people are the ones who realise that I might not remember them from my first placement nearly 4 years before and who start the conversation by telling me who they are... but alas they are few and far between, so I just keep on smiling in a vague manner...
Shuna, it is just as well you are "smiling inanely" at people in Scotland where they may appreciate your bonny, smiley face - here in France, the slightest glimmer of a smile on your face (in the street, supermarket or anywhere in fact) means that you're generally considered to have a screw loose!!
I get that whole 'who are you' thing in the supermarket on a Sunday afternoon - tends to be after a night on the tiles tho! lol
well you see some of us 'work' on a Sunday and cant be out on the tiles on a Saturday night! The youth of today! lol
I think I will have to practise the smiling - full grin may just be a bit scary! Even for the scots!
I solved no mysteries at presbytery tonight..... erm danny, I hope your skiving was worth it ;o)
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