The Other Class
I have now missed three autocross practices in a row for the first time since I started racing competitively back in 2006. I missed the November practice because my aunt wanted the family together to honor the one year passing of my grandfather. The last two have been because of the other class I've been taking at church. This one is "Our Whole Lives," a UU course on human sexuality.
O.W.L., as it's called, is eight four-hour classes that we take on Saturdays. This version of the class is different from previous ones taught because the young adult (ages 18-35) and adult (35 on up) curricula have been combined. I hesitated on signing up because I had already devoted ten Sundays to my 'Build Your Own Theology' class.
"Oh, come on, just sign up. You know you want to," said one of the facilitators a I hovered over the sign-up sheet. There were only a limited number of spots, so signing up early was the only way I would be guaranteed a spot. I had no problem getting in since I signed up at church instead of over Facebook.
I was expecting the class to be more like a traditional one where we were being lectured to out of a textbook. That idea was shattered the second I walked into the room to find the chairs arranged in a circle. This was going to be much more intimate than I was expecting. Part of me wanted to run out of the room screaming out of stage fright. Instead, I filled out my name tag and took a seat, curiosity getting the better of me.
I was somewhat familiar with some of the ideas we would be talking about from high school Biology class, a Psychology class I had taken in college, and various surveys and questionnaires I've taken when signing up for matchmaking sites over the years. However, with a combined 32 hours of classroom time ahead, I took note this was probably going to be a lot more intense study of human sexuality than I bargained for.
Like BYOT, we are asked to respect everyone's privacy by not talking about what anyone says outside the room. This allows everyone to speak to each other in a frank, open manner. We are under no obligation to say anything we feel uncomfortable with others knowing and can opt out of any activity without penalty. The number one rule, though, is that 'everyone is both a student and teacher.'
So what do we cover in 32 hours? As of my fifth class, plenty. Topics have included, but are not limited to, Physiology, Psychology, Sociology, Sexuality, Attraction, Relationships, Communication, Sex, Intimacy, and Break-Ups. Activities have ranged from individual and group exercises, both verbal and written, to games and anonymous surveys. We have also done play-acting and story-telling as well. No hands-on, though. That's for your own private explorations.
I was worried my limited sexual experiences would be a liability in the class, but hasn't proven to be the case. Instead I've learned immensely from what the others in the mostly female class have had to say about the topic. It's been a fun, often hilarious, class thanks to several class clowns (I believe two of the women whom I attend class with have done improv) with the right amount of seriousness when necessary. I'm already planning on skipping autocross practice one last time next month for another chance to be with them all. I never thought I would ever say that about racing cars.
O.W.L., as it's called, is eight four-hour classes that we take on Saturdays. This version of the class is different from previous ones taught because the young adult (ages 18-35) and adult (35 on up) curricula have been combined. I hesitated on signing up because I had already devoted ten Sundays to my 'Build Your Own Theology' class.
"Oh, come on, just sign up. You know you want to," said one of the facilitators a I hovered over the sign-up sheet. There were only a limited number of spots, so signing up early was the only way I would be guaranteed a spot. I had no problem getting in since I signed up at church instead of over Facebook.
I was expecting the class to be more like a traditional one where we were being lectured to out of a textbook. That idea was shattered the second I walked into the room to find the chairs arranged in a circle. This was going to be much more intimate than I was expecting. Part of me wanted to run out of the room screaming out of stage fright. Instead, I filled out my name tag and took a seat, curiosity getting the better of me.
I was somewhat familiar with some of the ideas we would be talking about from high school Biology class, a Psychology class I had taken in college, and various surveys and questionnaires I've taken when signing up for matchmaking sites over the years. However, with a combined 32 hours of classroom time ahead, I took note this was probably going to be a lot more intense study of human sexuality than I bargained for.
Like BYOT, we are asked to respect everyone's privacy by not talking about what anyone says outside the room. This allows everyone to speak to each other in a frank, open manner. We are under no obligation to say anything we feel uncomfortable with others knowing and can opt out of any activity without penalty. The number one rule, though, is that 'everyone is both a student and teacher.'
So what do we cover in 32 hours? As of my fifth class, plenty. Topics have included, but are not limited to, Physiology, Psychology, Sociology, Sexuality, Attraction, Relationships, Communication, Sex, Intimacy, and Break-Ups. Activities have ranged from individual and group exercises, both verbal and written, to games and anonymous surveys. We have also done play-acting and story-telling as well. No hands-on, though. That's for your own private explorations.
I was worried my limited sexual experiences would be a liability in the class, but hasn't proven to be the case. Instead I've learned immensely from what the others in the mostly female class have had to say about the topic. It's been a fun, often hilarious, class thanks to several class clowns (I believe two of the women whom I attend class with have done improv) with the right amount of seriousness when necessary. I'm already planning on skipping autocross practice one last time next month for another chance to be with them all. I never thought I would ever say that about racing cars.
Labels: human sexuality, religion
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home