A man (I thought) I'll never be

     [radio announcer voice /ON] This post is sponsored by the word "bipolar." Patent pending Bipolar Weather is now available in select locations around the world. For all those times you just can't stand the weather, just wait a few minutes and it'll change. Ask your local weatherman if your area is ripe for Bipolar Weather. [radio announcer voice /OFF]

     In all seriousness, the weather this week has been great. After the blazing heat of last week, Monday through Thursday been downright pleasant. A friend of mine described the heat as "hell." I was more of the opinion that it's not quite that bad. My air conditioning might have had something to do with that. Besides, my parents camped right next to hell back when I was in highschool. That place was, and still is, colloquially known as Waco, Texas. I'm quite confident it wasn't that hot here last week.
     The topic for today's blog post relates to a change I've been witness to over the past eleven months. This is something I never realized would happen to me. It took a trip back to the States in March to show me how much I've really changed as a person. That change I'm talking about is how I deal with people. To put it simply, I'm now an extrovert. Or, at least, I'm the next best thing.

     But first, a little history. I was never the life of the party. Throughout most of my life, I've been content to find the quiet corner and hang out there while the party or event conducted itself around me. I was perfectly happy to sit and watch as people played games, conversed, and generally enjoyed themselves. Occasionally I'd join in and talk or play. But I preferred to sit and listen. I learned a lot that way.
     However, as my time in Ukraine has gone on, I've seen that old personality slip away. Not completely, of course. Although, as I lead more lessons, talk to more people, and learn more things, it feels like I am more comfortable being "that person."
     Around English-speaking people, I no longer have an aversion to striking up a conversation. Keeping that conversation going is still a bit of a challenge. As an example, I celebrated July 4th with a group of people, half of which I already knew. About half were Americans and I had not problem walking up and introducing myself. When the conversation turned to politics, I had no problem expressing my opinion when I could find a moment to step in and talk.

     Earlier I mentioned going back to the States. In March I flew to Iowa to see my brother and parents. It didn't matter where I was. When I was out shopping, getting a haircut or at church I didn't mind going up to someone to ask for directions, continuing a conversation or anything that required inter-personal interaction. Admittedly, some of that may have been because I was starving for some native-English conversation. But it also proved I'm not the same kind of person I used to be.

     I do realize there are some areas where I haven't changed and am not likely to. Last Saturday, I helped with an advertising event for the X-Way English camp. It's a Big City Church program similar to what Liberty is doing with their camp. I was there to help generate interest through flyers and just being American. I was much better at the latter than the former.
     OK, this post has been sitting in my drafts folder too long. I'll post it and if I think of something else, I'll edit it later. My mom says I'm overdue for a new post. I was thinking of trying something new but that will have to wait for another day.