Being a guest in someone’s home is very tricky, especially if they’re not actually here with you. It adds a touch of edge to doing every little thing. Should I use the soap bar or liquid? Is it OK to turn on the TV? Oh no, it’s all static. Do I put it back to the original channel, or should I just turn it off? Which electrical plug is safe to use? Do I lock the door once or twice at night? How much should I air out the room? Can I put my laptop on the bed?
I’ve been concentrating on my blog. I had asked a couple of friends to contribute posts. Wasn’t sure if this is technically allowed by the project, but the collaborative nature is tempting, and if I’m going to nurture a constructive dialogue, different voices must always be featured. It’s fun. I get to curate the topic but also let the person write in their own voice. I explained to them about the blog and my project. I used the questions I was taught about leadership. In a sense, I have been blogging this whole time for their sake – to provide an idea of what the blog is looking to explore. Some people saw the blog and politely stopped responding or changed the topic. One person needed nearly three months to send an article. One person sent a nationalistic writing, four pages long. I had to find a way to ask him to make it shorter, but in no way less patriotic. Let’s face it, whether you’re the host or the guest, it’s all about respect.
Tika Anindya 