Blog post week 10/12-10/19

 (As our class meeting has been shifted to next week, this is a regular blog post, rather than the assignment)

My last blog post talked about one of the harder shifts I’ve had—so I’m happy to report that today was probably my best time on the floor to date! I think I can attribute much of this to the energy that I brought in with me, and my energy was extremely positive today following a very fun and successful VDL this morning.


VDL facilitation is easily my favorite part of this job so far. I often enjoy and certainly don’t dread floor work—it’s a good challenge, and something I’m always wanting to improve at—but I am beyond thrilled about VDLs. We have four this week, with classes ranging from 2nd-5th grade, and even though some of them are at 8:30 in the morning, I find that I’m even excited at the prospect of waking up early for them. I’ve always loved giving presentations, and unlike floor facilitation, it’s something I already feel that I’m good at, like I’m starting from square 7 rather than square 1. It’s also so much fun to hear the ideas kids come up with during the sessions (a 3rd grader today suggested that we give the boy trying to reach the light switch a pair of spring shoes).


I felt a huge wave of confidence and positivity after today’s VDL. So much so that it extended into my afternoon floor shift. The best way I can describe it is that I felt more present. I felt more comfortable talking to guests, and I felt more able to gauge the best way to approach them. I ended up having some really great moments with guests, including a castle building session with a 4-year-old at the light fountain, which was probably the highlight of my afternoon. I often find it daunting being the only Spark on the floor, but today, I felt more than up to the challenge.


I can’t expect every VDL to have this same effect on me, and I can’t expect every floor shift following a VDL to go as well as today’s did. I absolutely continue to anticipate ups and downs. I just wanted to write this blog post to document the fact that today was a really good day, so that maybe I can look back on it when I’m having a harder day on the floor. Today reminded me yet again exactly why I quit my lab job—it’s so I could do this.

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