Ulster Fry...oh me oh my!!

Well, its the end of another week at EBM!!  Its amazing how just next week, we will have been here for a whole month!!  Its crazy how fast time is going by.


So this week started off with meeting with the Kids GAP group on Monday morning for a little relaxing time....well kind of.  Each woman got the opportunity to sit in a chair for a 10 min relaxing massage.  Let me tell you, it was a great massage but it left me wanting more!! After Kids GAP ended at noon, I headed home for a wee second to grab some bags to go grocery shopping later that afternoon after my meeting with our site coordinator Doug.  After the meeting in the early part of the afternoon, I headed back across town to go grocery shopping.  Let me tell you that hauling groceries about a mile home is a tough job.  After resting for a few hours, Liz, Ellison and I went 10 pin bowling with Ellison's church.  I ended up winning a small trophy that I am to take back tomorrow to give to the next person.  I can't explain how their scoring system works or how a person who didn't break 100 and was probably the lowest scoring person got the gold cup, but it works!!









Tuesday was a pretty chill day with staff prayers at 9:15, meeting with my supervisor, working on a presentation for the Friendship circle the next day on who I am, where I come from and how I got to where I am today.  That evening, I went with the women's circle across the peace wall into a mainly predominate Catholic area to have our meeting in the Short Strand Community center.  That was a great fun meeting filled with making bead necklaces, bracelets or what ever you wanted to make, and talking about people's lives and their experiences with certain topics.  On Wednesday, I went to Kids GaP, where my job was to occupy the children while their moms, and caretakers learned a little bit more about breast cancer. It was interesting work trying to get one out of the toddlers to sit down and make a mask but it all turned out just fine!!  That afternoon, I did a small presentation for the Friendship Circle, the little elderly women who consider themselves recycled teenagers.  All went great and they loved the photos!!

Thursday, I went again to Nettlefield with Tanita to work with the P6 (ages 9 and 10).  That was fun telling them about the Prodigal Son and doing junk art about who they think God is and what he looks like.  Thursday evening was bible study where we learned about David and Goliath.  It was interesting to hear different opinions on it and look at it in a different light. Friday was Friday Fusion and the Drop in.  At Fusion, it was chaos but great fun as we fed the kids ice cream, to which they had it everywhere.  Running down their arms, on their nose, chin, face...you name it, they probably had ice cream on it.

Saturday, I had my first Ulster Fry.  The fry consisted of two pieces of bacon, two sausages, soda bread, potato break, a small thing of black pudding, and an egg.  I couldn't finish it all but what I did eat and finish was delicious!!  Maybe next time I'll see if the chef can give me a small plate instead of a normal sized one!!

Here are a couple of pictures of my time so far here in Ireland!!

 

 

Our group in Northern Ireland

 

 

A peace wall

Looking out over all of Belfast

Think and wonder, wonder and think

Wow...It has already been over a full week at the Mission!  This week has been fun and hectic all mixed into one!!

On the 7th, I began my placement and was immediately introduced to one of the programs I would be a part of this year.  Around lunch time, I hopped on the bus to go around East Belfast to pick up the sweet elderly ladies of the Friendship Circle.  The Friendship Circle is a group of ladies from both Protestant and Catholic faiths who join together once a week in fellowship.  The first meeting was basically just getting back into the swing of the meeting with a few photos from my supervisors trip to Atlanta this summer.  During this meeting, I also introduced a little bit about myself just so that they can begin to get to know me.  I will do a little presentation with pictures a little later on.  Thursday I went to do a bible study sort of group with a group of kids at a primary school in East Belfast.  We talked about second chances and hope and how that relates between our lives and Jesus.  The kids wrote down what they hope to accomplish for the year, such as "I want to be a better dancer" or "I want to still play/be better at football (soccer)".  Since it was my first time in a primary school, or any school for that matter, in Northern Ireland, it seemed like total chaos.  The kids were constantly chattering, cutting up, rough-housing with each other or trying to pelt each other in the face during the name game we played at the beginning to try and learn the kids names.  I'm hoping by the end of the 8 weeks we have with this group of P6's, I'll at least know some of their names (I'll explain their school system in a minute). Later on that night, I attended bible study in the Community Center with fellow church members.  It was a very eye opening bible study and really allowed me to think about my faith and my surroundings. 

Friday, to me, seemed like another evening/night of chaos.  There were over 60 kids that came to Fusion.  Fusion is a program for kids in grades P1-P7 to come run around, do a craft, and learn a little bit about Jesus.  For the first 15 minutes (so from about 6:30-6:45), kids can run around and play with a number of different activities in the hall (looks like our basketball gyms, but they play soccer in theirs).  After that 15 minutes is up, the kids are split into the older and younger groups which are sent into different rooms to either do the activity first or run around and play games first.  About halfway through, they switch rooms which is an interesting task in itself to get them all to sit down with out fighting and be quiet.  Soon its 8 and its a short breathing period before the older group of kids Form 1-Form 5.  That groups come in from 8:30 till 11. They basically are not really needing of like leaders just supervisors and play mates for the Wii.  By the time that is over, I am exhausted but it was a lot of fun to run around and play with a wide range of kids.

So y'll are probably like "P1-P7 and Form 1-5? I don't understand. What ages are those?"  In Northern Ireland, kids begin with nursery school at 3.  Once they turn 4/the next school year, they begin primary school, which is the equivalent of our elementary school.  The kids attend primary school from 4-11.  At the age of 11, they move into secondary school with is ages 11-16, Form 1-5.  During their fifth form, they take wahat are called the GCSE's.  It is basically a standardized test that they take for a certain number of subjects.  From there they can do one of two things, either continue on with school and go to university or drop out and find a job.  If they choose to continue on with school, they go on to Lower 6 and then Upper 6, during which time they take their A-Level, another testing situation.  I am not fully clear what each set is testing for nor can I remember how many the students must take at each level.  I do know, from talking to the kids at church, that the tests are hard and very stressful.

Whew...now we are at the beginning of this week.  The first full week at the East Belfast Mission.  Sunday, I went to church at 9:30 to help set up for worship since we are in the Community Center till Skainos is built (I'll explain more about Skainos at a later date).  After church was over at 12, I headed to a fellow church members house to be a part of the Church Council meeting.  During this meeting, the council members talked about everything from community, worship, discipleship, and prayer.  It was very interesting to hear what each group had to say and it will be interesting to see how each group functions.  Monday are our YAV meeting days.  We meet with our lovely site coordinator, Doug, in a room down by city centre to discuss how our lives are going and any topics we don't quite understand.  We also explore our faiths in different ways through not only our personal lenses but also with those we have gained by being in our communities and churches.

Tuesday began with staff prayers at 9:15 followed shortly with a  pastoral meeting.  There were a wide variety of topics discussed and although I didn't quite understand what they were talking about all the time, I did find it very informative as to what each person of the pastoral team does on a daily basis.  After the pastoral team meeting, my supervisor and myself met with three people about the different programs I can and will be a part of this year.  First was to talk about the women's group and the things that they are having up until Christmas, where they are meeting and how I can be involved with them.  Also, in that meeting, we talked about Kids GAP, which is basically a mom and tots group.  This is a group that moms, guardians, grandparents, caretakers, etc can bring their kids to be involved with fellowship with other moms and let their kids play in a safe atmosphere.  Its a lot of fun but total chaos at time since there are kids just running around and playing!! Immediately after that I rode on the bus again to pick up the ladies for the friendship circle.

I think from here on out I will have schedule which will provide some structure and consistency in what I will be doing day in and day out.  I love the change up though from the constant and at times mind numbing activities and classes from college.  It has been an interesting week but it has been fun and full of times to be in amazement at the abilities, ideas and sayings of the people I work with.  Everyday, I begin to think about things in a new light and begin to wonder how things can be and will be different at the end of my year here through the activities I am involved with.

Next post will hopefully include pictures!! :-) 

Oh the places I will go...

Well, I am sad to say that some how three months have passed between my last post and this one.  Its crazy how fast time will fly by!!  I think a little catching up is totally necessary!! :-)

Lets begin at the beginning:
My last post was back in June just as my summer in Mo-Ranch as a lifeguard was taking off.  For those who don't know quite what I did all summer, I worked at the waterfront guarding the big Mo slide, the swimming area, trying to keep the canoe check out and life jacket-wearing straight, guarded the rope swing, and the rapids, all the while taking several days throughout the summer to work on the ropes course.  Let me tell you, no matter where you work, either it be down at the waterfront or up at the ropes course, Texas weather is absolutely insane.  I think it rained two days out of the whole summer which is not good since we spent most, if not all of the summer in a stage 4 drought and drying up rivers.  I did have fun though working with some crazy fun people, going to some friends shows (The Reefs) and chilling with the most awesome housemates I could have asked for. 

Soon my time in Mo-Ranch drew to a close.  Although I was sad to leave my friends and the atmosphere of the Caleb Fletcher house, I was ready to head home and get started on the next part of my life journey.  I had about a week at home to pack, say goodbye to family, and get my entire life together to move to Belfast, Northern Ireland for a year.  Its crazy what you have to do in those few short days to be ready for the year ahead!!  Soon it was commissioning Sunday, the day before I was to leave for Stony Point, New York for a week of orientation before Belfast.  Commissioning Sunday was full of love, support, advice, and hugs from the congregation that I grew up and have loved for 22 years.  I will miss them each and everyday but know that they are supporting me no matter what through this entire year!! You rock First Presbyterian Church Temple, Texas!!

On to orientation week at Stony Point.  This week was information overload week!!  Now don't get me wrong...all the information was great but there was so much of it in such a small amount of time. It was crazy!!  We learned everything from culture shock to self care to house living, everything in between and beyond!!  Amidst all the information, small groups and YAV-to-YAV bonding (ie free time) played a large part in our processing all the information, connecting with other YAVs and just all in all, having a grand ole time.  Lots of games were played, laughs, fears, concerns, uncertainties were shared, but most of all, we grew closer as the 70 YAVs apart of the 2011-2012 year of service.  At the end of that week, Hurricane Irene decided that she wanted to be a part of the YAV group too so she came to visit for a few days.  Apart from some rain, wind, a few rooms being flooded, and some cancelled flights, nothing too bad happened.  We were very fortunate to have received what we did.  Soon it was time to leave for the airport for our 9:25pm flight to Belfast.  After a few bittersweet goodbyes and "see you laters", we boarded our bus to begin the biggest part of our journey...our time in Belfast.

That brings us to a week ago on Tuesday at 9am.  Getting off the plane, full of excitement and nervousness about our passports, we entered the beautiful country of Northern Ireland in the city of Belfast.  It wasn't until later on in the day that the jet lag really hit us.  I think falling asleep on a couch will waiting for money to be exchanged is a sign that beating jet lag in a few short days is a tough business.  Soon the week progressed on while we visited each others sites, learning a little bit about the church or organization and what that particular YAV will be doing there throughout the year.  It was all very interesting and it will be cool to see how each person not only develops in their position but what the organization and position are after this year.  Soon it was Sunday, and our first day with our respective churches.  Mine is the East Belfast Mission. 

The East Belfast Mission is currently worshiping in a community center while their new building and organization center is being built.  I will explain more about why they knocked down their church building to build a bigger building at a later time when I know more about it than what can be told in a one hour session.  Back to Sunday worship...it was a great service and I met a lot of different people. Now if I can only keep the names straight...oh well...I have a few weeks to get those down, right?! 

The final two days of orientation in Belfast have been full of useful and interesting information accompanied with a walk to a mountain/hill that overlooked Belfast.  The view from up there is absolutely amazing and is a must see if anybody ever comes to Ireland.  I'll post pictures at a later date. 

That finally brings us to today...Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Tomorrow, Wednesday, I begin my placement at the East Belfast Mission.  Although I do not know exactly what I will be doing for the next year, I do know that I am there for a reason and will learn so much and teach so much throughout the year.  Whew!! That was a long time in a few short paragraphs!!  Needless to say, I have learned a lot.  Everything from certain words, to how to work the shower, to making sure that we use the correct terms and understanding those terms when talking about certain issues.  I know I will learn a lot more over the course of the year but I also know that I will teach the people around me. 

I want to thank each and every person who has supported me throughout my life and especially during this time.  I can not say enough how much it means to be to know that I have such a great support network of people who love and care for me and who are excited to see what is going to happen in my life, not only this year, but each day forward.  So thank you again for all of your love and support!! Love each and everyone!!

To close out this extremely long post and explain why I chose a Dr. Seuss line for my title.  Today, while spending the last day of orientation for Belfast at two fellow YAVs house, we read the Butter Battle Book.  For those who don't know, The Butter Battle Book is a book about these two different sets of people who eat their toast with butter differently, one butter side up and one butter side down.  Each side comes up with a bigger and more sophisticated weapon to make the other side more like them.  Finally, the book ends abruptly with a stand off between the two groups of people.  But how does this tie into the book Oh the Places You Will Go book, you ask?  Well, for me, coming to this place is a brand new adventure full of wonder and amazement but also worries and concerns.  There is no journey in our lives that we take where we are fully certain about what we are going to do, how we are going to do it and what the desired outcome will be.  It is all left up to a higher power, whether that be God, fate, or both.  We can only hope for a good outcome where we will learn something from this experience but also teach something in this experience.

I begin this journey with hope and joy to be doing something new and interesting in my life.  At the same time, I have the common fears and concerns as each and every other person has in their lives...will I do okay?  Will they like me?  What happens if I mess up?  The good thing I learned through orientation is that its okay to fail and that there is nothing wrong with that.  So I must take each day, one at a time, and enjoy and fully live in each and every moment. 


"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."                                 -Dr. Seuss