End of Week 2 Reflections

Challenges:
These two weeks have been tough, why?  Fish out of water.  I have really missed the colleagial element of work, talking to students, staff and even parents.  I always thought that was the part of my job I didn't really like, made me feel exhausted but I REALLY MISS IT - especially having a laugh.  It's been very hard sitting in silence reading all day.  Meeting new people, being vulnerable is super challenging, I know this is not a strength.
Learning about soil science - googled on first day "what is soil?"  haha - have had a huge learning curve about what they are trying to work out.  Tim game me two readings and he said I will have a few question - that is an understatement, I don't know what to ask.  This is Fri of week 2 and feel a bit better today, more relaxed.  Went and found out about parking and getting into the lab today and feel a bit better.  Did have comments of 'oh your the teacher'.  Not sure what that meant but I was confident and said yes.


Excited about:
Going to lectures, field trips and practical work with students, getting into the lab this afternoon with Camile,  going to Wellington, Ohakune and Dunedin.  Went into work this week and that was exciting seeing everyone, I miss them.


Leadership:
Need to work on being brave - saw a Ted talk about the science behind faking it till you make it.  I want to emulate those calm quiet speaking types who are measured in their responses.
Being here has helped me build empathy for the new person, that is good for me, I think I take things for granted, that people know what they are doing.
In future I think I would approach people first and encourage them to come and ask for help/chat/advice.

Afterthoughts:
just writing this topic heading so I can remember about it - feels like a good thing to think about