New place in P.G.

This last week I went to a new ward (for those of who you aren't familiar with the mormon church, a ward is a congregation of people who attend church, usually contained within a certain geographic location). Hopefully, no one in that ward follows me yet... because one of the funnest things about a new wards is the opportunity to meet (and profile) some of the personalities one meets in the first couple weeks. For example:

Bone-crusher: You meet him with a handshake. However, his vice-grip gives you the impression that: his life really depends on the power of his grip, or he works with crabs and lobsters. Within 1-2 minutes, you already know his calling in the ward, and you can't help but notice the Christmas ties still being worn at the end of January.

Up at the front of the congregation, you meet Squidfingers. He directs the music with as much enthusiasm as the conductor of the Boston Pops. Usually, the conductor uses his/her right hand, doing a small triangular motion in front of their body. But not squidfinger: He keeps two arms above his head and shoulders, creating complete circular motions with his hands while directing every beat and subbeat to every hymn. Even though you might sing with as much energy as squidfinger gives, you notice everyone around you with their nose in the hymnal, already accustomed to the arm-waving and finger-flailing.

Then, with greeting in the hall, you meet cardboard-tote lady. She carries a handle which is connected to something that resembles a cardboard briefcase. This caught me by surprise, because I had not seen a cardboard tote since the early nineties (when I was in the kid-section of the church called Primary). Her personality is very frivolous, jumpy, and social, rather like the person in line at the grocery store that shows you the wallet-size pictures of their kids or the girl you never want to meet at parties. I immediately predicted that she worked with the Primary kids. Yup- hole in one. She is in charge of the primary.



I started this blog last month. Now I've been fully integrated in the new ward and teaching the youngest class in primary (more formally known as "sunbeams"). I've met more people, played basketball with the guys, and helped create strawberry shortcake for over 200 single members of the church who are ages 30-80; that's another story in of itself.

My favorite part about premature profiling comes when you get to know the people you profile. They are always so much cooler when you get to know them for real! It's a fun way to remember names, hobbies, personalities, and situations. This also makes journals and memories way more enticing to read over again!