I’ve had some people ask what we’re actually DOING in all of these classes.  Well, this set of classes is focused on learning to work with third culture kids (both our own and the kids Keith will be teaching).

Today we did an apparently “old-school” 4-culture activity where there are 4 defined cultures and you get in groups and “act out” one of the cultures and interact with another of the 4 cultures.  It was our lesson in how to utterly humiliate yourself in front of other adults.  Roleplaying is seriously so far beyond my comfort zone- even as an extrovert!   I think I’d rather hide under the desk than act some of that stuff out!

Comfort or no comfort, we did have a good discussion after that class.  And we get to know other people in the silly group activities.  At the last class, we actually had to draw on balloons things that represented us and make playdough figurines of significant events in our lives.  I just pinch myself and remind myself it is character building to do things that make us squirm.

Keith learned in the playdough class that he doesn’t have a future as a sculptor.  Actually, I made a mom holding a baby (motherhood) and my playdough mom kept dropping the baby, so I can’t say I was any better!!! But his chopsticks with the dim sum that he made- seriously it was hilarious- people had NO idea what they were! (they represented Hong Kong)

And we do LOTS of personality tests and profiles and inventories.  LOTS.  I’ve lost track of how many of those we’ve done!  But today we talked about our Myers-Briggs personality test results.  I am a pretty clear ENFP (Extrovert- DUH! I was 100% extrovert!, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) whereas Keith is my near-perfect opposite at ISFJ (Introvert- again, DUH!, Sensing, Feeling, Judging).

Me: ENFPs have what some call a “silly switch.” They can be intellectual, serious, all business for a while, but whenever they get the chance, they flip that switch and become CAPTAIN WILDCHILD, the scourge of the swimming pool, ticklers par excellence. Sometimes they may even appear intoxicated when the “switch” is flipped.  <NO COMMENT ON THAT LAST LINE!!>

Keith: ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their “need to be needed.” While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle–and often possessive of their loved ones, as well.

Soooo, what are you?  (Other than bored reading this!)

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