Sunday, 28 October 2007
I am watching Newsies as I write, so please excuse my typos and random bursts of song...
Today in Europe we set our clocks back. The end of Daylight Savings Time is always bittersweet: sweet for the extra hour of sleep (which mean I did NOT oversleep for church as originally thought), but bitter because it is 5:09 pm and nearly dark. The last Sunday in March is a long way away.
In chuch today was Boys Brigade Sunday. I suppose BB is basically the Boy Scouts of Britian, except that it is a specifically Christian organization. Because of that, they sang the National Anthem, "God Save the Queen." It wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as when I was in the GAA club with the Irish National Anthem. Is it because, technically speaking, "God Save our Queen" IS the national anthem and, technically speaking, the Union Jack IS the national flag, or is it some unfounded and unconscious bias? Why should either effect me as a neutral foreign national (and from a country that absconded from the Queen at that?)
****
Yesterday (all day) was the leaving do for the several staff members who are leaving. Those people know how to party. The shindig began with Chinese at a nice restuarant. I don't know how I do it, but I always end up accidentally ordering the same thing, and then wishing I had ordered what someone else does. And then the next time, I end up ordering the honey and chili sauce, again. When we're out for Chinese next, PLEASE remind me to try something better! After that we moved up to a super swanky new bar for the next...FIVE? SIX? hours? I couldn't keep up and left early, but had several great conversations. The best part of the night, though, was the phone call from the party that I wasn't at. Dixie girls, it was SO fabulous to hear from you, THANKS for the call, I am still so bummed that I couldn't be there.
****
The Belfast Wheel will be opening soon. I'm taking a poll- is it worth £6 for the experience?
****
I saw "Once" last week. (Does a movie's title go in quotations?) It's a low budget indie film, filmed in Dublin. The lead in the frontman of The Frames, and the movie is FABULOUS. You need to like the music, because that is the plot, but if you're into Damien Rice and other wine and candle type music, check it out.
That's this week's excitement. Oh, right, I did get a haircut this week! Only, it's not photoworthy, because it's more of a trim than the dramatic cut I was anticipating. At least it's a start to fixing the awfulness of the last haricut... But if you're needing more excitment, check out the other blogs in the links to the left. They have great stories to share.
Today in Europe we set our clocks back. The end of Daylight Savings Time is always bittersweet: sweet for the extra hour of sleep (which mean I did NOT oversleep for church as originally thought), but bitter because it is 5:09 pm and nearly dark. The last Sunday in March is a long way away.
In chuch today was Boys Brigade Sunday. I suppose BB is basically the Boy Scouts of Britian, except that it is a specifically Christian organization. Because of that, they sang the National Anthem, "God Save the Queen." It wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as when I was in the GAA club with the Irish National Anthem. Is it because, technically speaking, "God Save our Queen" IS the national anthem and, technically speaking, the Union Jack IS the national flag, or is it some unfounded and unconscious bias? Why should either effect me as a neutral foreign national (and from a country that absconded from the Queen at that?)
****
Yesterday (all day) was the leaving do for the several staff members who are leaving. Those people know how to party. The shindig began with Chinese at a nice restuarant. I don't know how I do it, but I always end up accidentally ordering the same thing, and then wishing I had ordered what someone else does. And then the next time, I end up ordering the honey and chili sauce, again. When we're out for Chinese next, PLEASE remind me to try something better! After that we moved up to a super swanky new bar for the next...FIVE? SIX? hours? I couldn't keep up and left early, but had several great conversations. The best part of the night, though, was the phone call from the party that I wasn't at. Dixie girls, it was SO fabulous to hear from you, THANKS for the call, I am still so bummed that I couldn't be there.
****
The Belfast Wheel will be opening soon. I'm taking a poll- is it worth £6 for the experience?
****
I saw "Once" last week. (Does a movie's title go in quotations?) It's a low budget indie film, filmed in Dublin. The lead in the frontman of The Frames, and the movie is FABULOUS. You need to like the music, because that is the plot, but if you're into Damien Rice and other wine and candle type music, check it out.
That's this week's excitement. Oh, right, I did get a haircut this week! Only, it's not photoworthy, because it's more of a trim than the dramatic cut I was anticipating. At least it's a start to fixing the awfulness of the last haricut... But if you're needing more excitment, check out the other blogs in the links to the left. They have great stories to share.
Saturday, 20 October 2007
No deep thoughts, just a fantastic day:
Long walk
Tacos
Coffee with a new friend who doubles as a superb tour guide
Christmas Shopping (on impulse, it's always better when you happen to run into what you're looking for!)
Milkshake
Queens Film Theatre with a friend to see "Once" which is FANTASTIC. See it, get the soundtrack, love The Frames
And last night I finished reading "A Town Like Alice" by Nevile Shute. It is a lovely read...I can't describe it, just check it out, it's good.
Long walk
Tacos
Coffee with a new friend who doubles as a superb tour guide
Christmas Shopping (on impulse, it's always better when you happen to run into what you're looking for!)
Milkshake
Queens Film Theatre with a friend to see "Once" which is FANTASTIC. See it, get the soundtrack, love The Frames
And last night I finished reading "A Town Like Alice" by Nevile Shute. It is a lovely read...I can't describe it, just check it out, it's good.
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
I've just finished reading the Sharing BVS newsletter, which our European Coordinator so diligently compiles from emails, reports and blogs of the European volunteers. I have to admit, reading it always makes me a bit giddy, remembering what it is that I am really a part of in BVS. It also leaves me in awe of the other volunteers and the amazing work they are doing. If you'd like to read it/share it with anyone you know, I'd love to send it your way. Remembering is good for me, especially tonight, when I'n desperately trying to reign in my boomeranging emotions.
Afterschools was mad today. We were "understaffed" (i.e. we had a normal number of staff and volunteers, rather than our typical 1:2.5 ratio) so it felt like the two hours lasted 8. And looking forward, we have marathon Halloween events coming up this Friday and next (7 hours of Afterschools on both nights), so if I haven't posted in awhile, you may want to check up on me...
And then tonight, we took our multicultural group to the Indian Community Center here in Belfast. It was a really great night they had planned for us: a chat about India, the location, religion, culture, information about their gods and goddesses (they have 330 million!) while sitting in their temple, sari demonstrations, Indian snacks and henna. The boys were totally into it, sat really respectfully through the talk in the temple and asked great questions. The girls drove me mad at their lack of respect and completly rude behavior. Seriously, they're 15-18 years old...
To dwell on the interesting bits (and bobs, as the NI say): the temple resembled a party store explosion. The colors were fabulously bright, the columns were wrapped in rope lights, there were glittering banners, garlands and streamers. Someone asked why it was festive, our host consulted the temple priest and said that it was to invoke joy, happiness. It's easier to feel happy when the environment is bright. He also pointed out that India is a very warm place, tropical in a sense, and how do people in places like that dress? In Hawaii, you wear bright colors, flowers and prints that you'd never wear in Belfast. The colors and glitter bring India to this cool northern city.
The food was great- don't know what it was or what it's called, but it was good. And the woman who dressed us in saris was wonderfully sweet (and gracious even when our girls got pushy). There was an Indian drum demonstration, and it turns out the drummer goes (went?) to school with some of our yp. After the talk in the temple, one of the boys asked if he could put a donation in the box at the alter. He's one of the toughest in terms of ethnic slurs and assumptions; those are the moments that make it seem like something is actually sinking in. That makes it worthwhile.
Afterschools was mad today. We were "understaffed" (i.e. we had a normal number of staff and volunteers, rather than our typical 1:2.5 ratio) so it felt like the two hours lasted 8. And looking forward, we have marathon Halloween events coming up this Friday and next (7 hours of Afterschools on both nights), so if I haven't posted in awhile, you may want to check up on me...
And then tonight, we took our multicultural group to the Indian Community Center here in Belfast. It was a really great night they had planned for us: a chat about India, the location, religion, culture, information about their gods and goddesses (they have 330 million!) while sitting in their temple, sari demonstrations, Indian snacks and henna. The boys were totally into it, sat really respectfully through the talk in the temple and asked great questions. The girls drove me mad at their lack of respect and completly rude behavior. Seriously, they're 15-18 years old...
To dwell on the interesting bits (and bobs, as the NI say): the temple resembled a party store explosion. The colors were fabulously bright, the columns were wrapped in rope lights, there were glittering banners, garlands and streamers. Someone asked why it was festive, our host consulted the temple priest and said that it was to invoke joy, happiness. It's easier to feel happy when the environment is bright. He also pointed out that India is a very warm place, tropical in a sense, and how do people in places like that dress? In Hawaii, you wear bright colors, flowers and prints that you'd never wear in Belfast. The colors and glitter bring India to this cool northern city.
The food was great- don't know what it was or what it's called, but it was good. And the woman who dressed us in saris was wonderfully sweet (and gracious even when our girls got pushy). There was an Indian drum demonstration, and it turns out the drummer goes (went?) to school with some of our yp. After the talk in the temple, one of the boys asked if he could put a donation in the box at the alter. He's one of the toughest in terms of ethnic slurs and assumptions; those are the moments that make it seem like something is actually sinking in. That makes it worthwhile.
Saturday, 13 October 2007
Apparently Halloween is the whole month of October over here. It's firecracker and fireworks time (which makes our detached walks that much more exciting). And tonight I had trick-or-treaters. I've got to admit, the boys were cute. All in costume and make-up, with their plastic pumpkin pail, they sang me an enitre wee song. I checked their bucket, and they had some Haribo sweets and a handful of coins, so I emptied my wallet of the one and two p coins that were weighing it down. Afterward, I sent a text to my friend, a native of Belfast, to make sure trick-or-treating happens on the 31st here and she said yes. Apparently, kids will go out all month to collect easy change. And I was a gullible foreigner... needless to say, when the two girls knocked on my door an hour later (older sisters, I presume), I reminded them that Halloween is October 31st and told them to come back then.
Friday, 12 October 2007
nonviolence
My head hurts after an intense week of learning. My heart is craving to change the world. My mind is wondering if it's really worth it, for one, and if I even have the dedication to reroute the direction of my comfy life.
We've had a team in from The Institute for The Study and Practice of Nonviolence in Providence, Rhode Island. Since Monday, they've been conducting a "Training of Trainors," teaching us how about the theories and practice of nonviolence and teaching us how to teach others the same. It's been great, but mentally exhausting. The prinicples and steps are based on Martin Luther King, Jr's teachings, so we learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the US and then about types of conflict, the principles of the theory and the steps in solving conflict through nonviolence. And then we present that information back individually, in small bits by small groups, and then an overview of everything in small groups. I am amazed at how creative we were able to be when it was required.
When I sat down to write this, I think I intended to outline what I've learned, but to be honest, I'd rather just zone out right now...and you probably aren't all that interested anyway...
But the one thing that has been interesting (convicting? uncomfortable? crappy?) to mull over is the definition of violence and nonviolence. I wonder if inaction can be considered violence? I think we would agree that child neglect (inaction, not caring for) is a form of violence. But if inaction is violent, then I am a perpetrator of violence in Darfur? Burma? Belfast? Washington DC? In not taking a stand, in not working toward confrontation, justice, equality, I am letting violence happen. And if I claim to attempt an honest, nonviolent lifestyle, I can't be content with that.
In other random sociological thinking, I got a letter from my sister, talking about rebuilding neighborhoods. She was referencing the rebuilding of New Orleans neighborhoods, wondering if the efforts are working toward getting community members back in their homes, or if they are heading toward gentrification. And so we wonder, how can you rebuild, or even just improve a community, for the people who actually live there. In our world where extravagence is often equal to developmenet, how can a neighborhood, an area, a country be developed FOR the people who live there? Does this even make sense? I was walking through the neighborhoods here in Belfast today and wondered, if this area were redeveloped, if that wasteland were cleaned up, could the people who live here now still maintain a life here, or would they have to move to another rundown place that they could afford?
Right, now my head hurts even more. But there have been exciting bits of the rest of the week. I went to a book club on Monday night. I was nervous about it because I had to ride buses on lines I wasn't familiar with, and I had no idea what kind of people would be hosting and attending. And, sure, it was a bit akward, but beyond that, it was so good. It's a group of girls and guys who are right around my age, who like to read (well most do) and just want to meet informally to chat. We read Vernon God Little this week (almost an updated Catcher in the Rye, don't read it if you're sensitive to cursing), and since most people didn't make it the whole way through, mostly focused on plot summary. However, there are some folks who sounds like lit majors and whether they are or not, it'll keep me on my toes! In the end, I think it'll be good craic.
On Wednesday night I went to the women's group at church. They are a sassy bunch. We did a take off of Ready, Steady, Cook (similar to Top Chef) and had to assemble our snacks for the evening. My team lost the challenge, but it was okay because I spent the evening chatting to two fabulous older ladies and two of the nicest highschool aged girls I have met in this city.
We've had a team in from The Institute for The Study and Practice of Nonviolence in Providence, Rhode Island. Since Monday, they've been conducting a "Training of Trainors," teaching us how about the theories and practice of nonviolence and teaching us how to teach others the same. It's been great, but mentally exhausting. The prinicples and steps are based on Martin Luther King, Jr's teachings, so we learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the US and then about types of conflict, the principles of the theory and the steps in solving conflict through nonviolence. And then we present that information back individually, in small bits by small groups, and then an overview of everything in small groups. I am amazed at how creative we were able to be when it was required.
When I sat down to write this, I think I intended to outline what I've learned, but to be honest, I'd rather just zone out right now...and you probably aren't all that interested anyway...
But the one thing that has been interesting (convicting? uncomfortable? crappy?) to mull over is the definition of violence and nonviolence. I wonder if inaction can be considered violence? I think we would agree that child neglect (inaction, not caring for) is a form of violence. But if inaction is violent, then I am a perpetrator of violence in Darfur? Burma? Belfast? Washington DC? In not taking a stand, in not working toward confrontation, justice, equality, I am letting violence happen. And if I claim to attempt an honest, nonviolent lifestyle, I can't be content with that.
In other random sociological thinking, I got a letter from my sister, talking about rebuilding neighborhoods. She was referencing the rebuilding of New Orleans neighborhoods, wondering if the efforts are working toward getting community members back in their homes, or if they are heading toward gentrification. And so we wonder, how can you rebuild, or even just improve a community, for the people who actually live there. In our world where extravagence is often equal to developmenet, how can a neighborhood, an area, a country be developed FOR the people who live there? Does this even make sense? I was walking through the neighborhoods here in Belfast today and wondered, if this area were redeveloped, if that wasteland were cleaned up, could the people who live here now still maintain a life here, or would they have to move to another rundown place that they could afford?
Right, now my head hurts even more. But there have been exciting bits of the rest of the week. I went to a book club on Monday night. I was nervous about it because I had to ride buses on lines I wasn't familiar with, and I had no idea what kind of people would be hosting and attending. And, sure, it was a bit akward, but beyond that, it was so good. It's a group of girls and guys who are right around my age, who like to read (well most do) and just want to meet informally to chat. We read Vernon God Little this week (almost an updated Catcher in the Rye, don't read it if you're sensitive to cursing), and since most people didn't make it the whole way through, mostly focused on plot summary. However, there are some folks who sounds like lit majors and whether they are or not, it'll keep me on my toes! In the end, I think it'll be good craic.
On Wednesday night I went to the women's group at church. They are a sassy bunch. We did a take off of Ready, Steady, Cook (similar to Top Chef) and had to assemble our snacks for the evening. My team lost the challenge, but it was okay because I spent the evening chatting to two fabulous older ladies and two of the nicest highschool aged girls I have met in this city.
Friday, 5 October 2007
BVS News
I just got an email today from BVS, with the most recent volunteer newsletter attached. Check out it, there's a really great article written by a couple who are serving at a guest house for families who are visiting a wife, mother, daughter in prison.
http://www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs/volunteer/Fall2007.pdf
If you want to flip through the archives, there are tons of amazing stories. The article I wrote with my roommate in CA is in the Spring 2006 newsletter, and some of my good friends and another CA roommate wrote for the Summer 2006 one.
Also, if you're interested in any other BVS info, or know someone who may be interested in a year of volunteer work in the states or abroad, here's the webpage: http://www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org/
Seriously, unbelievable opportunites (even if sometimes people throw fire crackers at you...)
http://www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs/volunteer/Fall2007.pdf
If you want to flip through the archives, there are tons of amazing stories. The article I wrote with my roommate in CA is in the Spring 2006 newsletter, and some of my good friends and another CA roommate wrote for the Summer 2006 one.
Also, if you're interested in any other BVS info, or know someone who may be interested in a year of volunteer work in the states or abroad, here's the webpage: http://www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org/
Seriously, unbelievable opportunites (even if sometimes people throw fire crackers at you...)
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Relevant Mag Online Article
From Relevant Magazine On-Line: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god_article.php?id=7421
(there are lots of links in the article, and I'm not activated them all on here. Check out the actual website if you want to read them!)
News: No Church Today
Morgan Kirk
Involvement in the community is an essential element in most every church, but an article posted on Beliefnet.com last week reported an interesting endeavor that takes community service a step further. Calvary Community Church in Sumner, Wash., and Sanctuary Church in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., both canceled their recent Sunday worship services in favor of community service projects.
The two churches participated in a four-week course in conjunction with the "Faith in Action” program. The following Sunday after the course’s completion, they were encouraged to get involved within their communities as opposed to attending a typical worship service. Recently, Sanctuary visited senior living centers and spent time with the elderly, while Calvary’s response to community service was equally successful and positive.
The trend continues in other parts of the country as well. Grace Community Church in Wesley Chapel, Fla., had nearly 90 percent of the regular church members in attendance for their day of action. This blog highlights their involvement within the community. The congregation built picnic tables for a foster home, cooked meals at a crisis pregnancy center and helped out at a local school.
Earlier this year, the North Coast Church hosted a Weekend of Service devoting their Saturday and Sunday worship to more than 90 community service projects. This article expands on their reasoning behind the weekend.
According to a story in the Asheville Citizen-Times, Covenant Community Church in North Carolina also canceled three of their morning services when the minister, Claude Kayler, said, “Don’t go to church. Be the church.” Covenant’s service projects included cleaning toilets in convenience stores, repairing chain-link fences at a daycare and assembling care packages for the homeless.
Steve Hambrick, Executive Director of the Central Florida Wesley Foundation in Orlando, Fla., commends the concept. “Church is not defined by the four walls,” he says. “The idea of getting outside the four walls that we’ve created in our culture and going to those who actually have need is a much clearer picture of what true, New Testament Christianity is supposed to look like.”
In the past, The Wesley Foundation has been involved in numerous volunteer activities that encourage community relations, such as catering to the children at foster homes and bringing potluck lunches to the homeless of downtown Orlando. The organization has yet to cancel weekly services for community service projects but offers other days to focus on communal relations.
While some praise these churches’ feats, others aren’t so sure. One anonymous commenter on the article “Churches Cancel Services to Serve” asked why the congregation insisted on canceling worship services altogether instead of offering both a Saturday volunteer program and a Sunday service.
Most churches find that the level of participation for community service is higher on Sundays, but the “Faith in Action” website says, “If your church is unable to plan community service events on Sunday, plans may be adapted for Saturday, or immediately following a regular Sunday morning worship service.”
Hambrick says that the danger lies in a once-a-month, outward expression of community service that doesn’t carry over to tomorrow. “If it doesn’t become part of our daily lifestyle, then it’s not as productive as it can be,” he says.
Stacey Armstrong, Community Development Director for Calvary, would like to make servicing the poor and needy a vital part of her congregation. Each of the churches expressed their hope to expand projects and encourage the events to reoccur. Kayler says, “It’s not just this one-day thing.”
(there are lots of links in the article, and I'm not activated them all on here. Check out the actual website if you want to read them!)
News: No Church Today
Morgan Kirk
Involvement in the community is an essential element in most every church, but an article posted on Beliefnet.com last week reported an interesting endeavor that takes community service a step further. Calvary Community Church in Sumner, Wash., and Sanctuary Church in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., both canceled their recent Sunday worship services in favor of community service projects.
The two churches participated in a four-week course in conjunction with the "Faith in Action” program. The following Sunday after the course’s completion, they were encouraged to get involved within their communities as opposed to attending a typical worship service. Recently, Sanctuary visited senior living centers and spent time with the elderly, while Calvary’s response to community service was equally successful and positive.
The trend continues in other parts of the country as well. Grace Community Church in Wesley Chapel, Fla., had nearly 90 percent of the regular church members in attendance for their day of action. This blog highlights their involvement within the community. The congregation built picnic tables for a foster home, cooked meals at a crisis pregnancy center and helped out at a local school.
Earlier this year, the North Coast Church hosted a Weekend of Service devoting their Saturday and Sunday worship to more than 90 community service projects. This article expands on their reasoning behind the weekend.
According to a story in the Asheville Citizen-Times, Covenant Community Church in North Carolina also canceled three of their morning services when the minister, Claude Kayler, said, “Don’t go to church. Be the church.” Covenant’s service projects included cleaning toilets in convenience stores, repairing chain-link fences at a daycare and assembling care packages for the homeless.
Steve Hambrick, Executive Director of the Central Florida Wesley Foundation in Orlando, Fla., commends the concept. “Church is not defined by the four walls,” he says. “The idea of getting outside the four walls that we’ve created in our culture and going to those who actually have need is a much clearer picture of what true, New Testament Christianity is supposed to look like.”
In the past, The Wesley Foundation has been involved in numerous volunteer activities that encourage community relations, such as catering to the children at foster homes and bringing potluck lunches to the homeless of downtown Orlando. The organization has yet to cancel weekly services for community service projects but offers other days to focus on communal relations.
While some praise these churches’ feats, others aren’t so sure. One anonymous commenter on the article “Churches Cancel Services to Serve” asked why the congregation insisted on canceling worship services altogether instead of offering both a Saturday volunteer program and a Sunday service.
Most churches find that the level of participation for community service is higher on Sundays, but the “Faith in Action” website says, “If your church is unable to plan community service events on Sunday, plans may be adapted for Saturday, or immediately following a regular Sunday morning worship service.”
Hambrick says that the danger lies in a once-a-month, outward expression of community service that doesn’t carry over to tomorrow. “If it doesn’t become part of our daily lifestyle, then it’s not as productive as it can be,” he says.
Stacey Armstrong, Community Development Director for Calvary, would like to make servicing the poor and needy a vital part of her congregation. Each of the churches expressed their hope to expand projects and encourage the events to reoccur. Kayler says, “It’s not just this one-day thing.”
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
I am in love with Derry.
I won tickets to a FiddleFest for this past weekend, in Derry. Amazingly, plans worked out fairly easily for me to take the bus up on Saturday, attend the events on Saturday and Sunday, stay with a past BVS-er who's working there, and get a lift back to Belfast with her on Monday. And everything about the weekend was class.
Saturday afternoon I just wandered. I had never been to Derry, so I picked up brochures at the Visitor Center and took a self guided tour. Derry (aka Londonderry) is know as the Maiden city, because it has old stone walls the surround the entire city center, and which have never been breeched in any of the three major siezes (very different walls than the "peace walls" of Belfast, although they have a few of those, too). It's the oldest continually inhabited city in Ireland (Northern Ireland?) and saw a lot of the conflict of the "Troubles." Half of the city, the Bogside, a Catholic area, completely barricaded itself in, effectively barricading the British army OUT. There's a huge mural that declares "You are now entering Free Derry" since they would not be overtaken and controlled by the army. The breaking of those barriers, during a civil rights march, is what led to bloody sunday (as sung by Bono) and 14 deaths. I'll post lots of pics of the city, the walls and the murals soon. The whole city is just packed with history, ancient and a new (with riots just this past weekend), stone walks, churches with gardens just tucked into the corners, right on the river Foyle. It's also full of up and coming artists, tons of live music and cozy pubs.
The live music and pubs is what I took advantage of for most of the weekend. The first event I was able to attend was Turtle Island Quartet, a string quartet out of Oakland, CA. They play their classical strings insruments in crazy ways to get bluegrass, folk, rock, Indian, Latin American sounds. Then on Sunday, I went to see the movie, The Red Violin. If you haven't seen it, do. It's just a really beautiful film, with a great score. After that was Candles in the Cathedral with French violinist David Grimal, playing two classical pieces in, get this, the huge old cathedral, candlelit for the occasion. And then to top it off, I went to Sandinos (a fabulous pub and concert venue) for Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, a cajin band out of Louisianna. Billed as "infectious," and I'd fully agree.
To round out an already excellent weekend, I had an amazing hostess, who cooked delicious food, provided a comfy guestroom and really great conversation. It was tough to come back to Belfast, but I'm re-inspired to find the history, cozy pubs, and good friends here.
And a quick note about this week: we had drumming lessons for our mulitcultural group last night. African drums, Irish drums, marimbas...it was so loud, and great fun.
I won tickets to a FiddleFest for this past weekend, in Derry. Amazingly, plans worked out fairly easily for me to take the bus up on Saturday, attend the events on Saturday and Sunday, stay with a past BVS-er who's working there, and get a lift back to Belfast with her on Monday. And everything about the weekend was class.
Saturday afternoon I just wandered. I had never been to Derry, so I picked up brochures at the Visitor Center and took a self guided tour. Derry (aka Londonderry) is know as the Maiden city, because it has old stone walls the surround the entire city center, and which have never been breeched in any of the three major siezes (very different walls than the "peace walls" of Belfast, although they have a few of those, too). It's the oldest continually inhabited city in Ireland (Northern Ireland?) and saw a lot of the conflict of the "Troubles." Half of the city, the Bogside, a Catholic area, completely barricaded itself in, effectively barricading the British army OUT. There's a huge mural that declares "You are now entering Free Derry" since they would not be overtaken and controlled by the army. The breaking of those barriers, during a civil rights march, is what led to bloody sunday (as sung by Bono) and 14 deaths. I'll post lots of pics of the city, the walls and the murals soon. The whole city is just packed with history, ancient and a new (with riots just this past weekend), stone walks, churches with gardens just tucked into the corners, right on the river Foyle. It's also full of up and coming artists, tons of live music and cozy pubs.
The live music and pubs is what I took advantage of for most of the weekend. The first event I was able to attend was Turtle Island Quartet, a string quartet out of Oakland, CA. They play their classical strings insruments in crazy ways to get bluegrass, folk, rock, Indian, Latin American sounds. Then on Sunday, I went to see the movie, The Red Violin. If you haven't seen it, do. It's just a really beautiful film, with a great score. After that was Candles in the Cathedral with French violinist David Grimal, playing two classical pieces in, get this, the huge old cathedral, candlelit for the occasion. And then to top it off, I went to Sandinos (a fabulous pub and concert venue) for Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, a cajin band out of Louisianna. Billed as "infectious," and I'd fully agree.
To round out an already excellent weekend, I had an amazing hostess, who cooked delicious food, provided a comfy guestroom and really great conversation. It was tough to come back to Belfast, but I'm re-inspired to find the history, cozy pubs, and good friends here.
And a quick note about this week: we had drumming lessons for our mulitcultural group last night. African drums, Irish drums, marimbas...it was so loud, and great fun.
random thoughts from the Roast
I was sitting in one of my favorite coffee shops last week, eating a scone and drinking a chai steamer, and listening to their music: old school Michael Jackson. Heal the World came on. I've got to admit, I'm a fan. It evokes memories of purple leotards and flowing skirts, of ballet moves and lyical shoes. Plus, I think it's even a wee bit inspiring (ok, cheesy, too, but if you can get past that...). So humor me:
There's A Place In Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
And This Place Could Be Much
Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try
You'll Find There's No NeedTo Cry
In This Place You'll Feel
There's No Hurt Or Sorrow
Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me
If You Want To Know Why
There's A Love That Cannot Lie
Love Is Strong
It Only Cares For Joyful Giving
If We Try We Shall See
In This Bliss We Cannot Feel
Fear Or Dread
We Stop Existing And Start Living
And The Dream We Were
Conceived In Will Reveal A Joyful Face
And The World We Once Believed In
Will Shine Again In Grace
Then Why Do We Keep Strangling Life
Wound This Earth Crucify Its Soul
Though It's Plain To See This World Is Heavenly
Be God's Glow
We Could Fly So High
Let Our Spirits Never Die
In My Heart I Feel You Are All
My Brothers
Create A World With No Fear
Together We'll Cry Happy Tears
See The Nations Turn
Their Swords Into Plowshares
We Could Really Get There
If You Cared Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
To Make A Better Place...
(if you prefer to hear/watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8-HcclFytw . I am such a geek it makes me get a bit teary...)
OK, so I'm sitting there, getting all sappy, listening to MJ (Free Willy songs follows on the CD they're playing) and at the same time I'm reading 'Working for Change: Making a Career in International Public Service,' by Derick W. Brinkerhoff and Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff. I get to pg 18 and read these thoughts from Ram Dass and Paul Gorman, "The more you see yourself as a 'helper,' the more need for people to play the passive 'helped.' You're buying into, even juicing up, precisely what people who are suffering want to be rid of: limitation, dependency, helplessness, separateness." The authors go on to say "Emphasizing 'helping' can actually alienate us from those with whom we seek to connect." "What otherwise could be a profound and intimate relationship becomes ships passing in the night. In the effort to express compassion, we end up feeling estranged. It's distressing and puzzling."
Interesting thoughts to mull over during a year of volunteer work/service and while listening to MJ croon about fixing the world...how do we do it? I believe it can be done, we can begin to heal our world, and on an individual basis, maybe it is that easy. Recycle, tutor, pray, live your life in community. But what about when we want more than that? Is there more? Or is it really just the small choices we make every day?
In other mission news...I listen to the Relevant Magazine Podcast (and reccomend it because it is fabulous and thought provoking sometimes and hilarious all the time with lots of great live music and interviews...). One of this week's news slices was about World Vision joining up with Zondervan and providing resources for churches on a movement to take the last Sunday of every month "off" from typical services, and spend it in the community doing some sort of service/mission work. Fabulous, huh?!? I can't find a website for this exactly yet, but here's some basic info if you're interested: https://www.worldvision.org/Worldvision/guest.nsf/fia_materials?Open&lid=topnav_church_fia&lpos=topnav
There's A Place In Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
And This Place Could Be Much
Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try
You'll Find There's No NeedTo Cry
In This Place You'll Feel
There's No Hurt Or Sorrow
Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me
If You Want To Know Why
There's A Love That Cannot Lie
Love Is Strong
It Only Cares For Joyful Giving
If We Try We Shall See
In This Bliss We Cannot Feel
Fear Or Dread
We Stop Existing And Start Living
And The Dream We Were
Conceived In Will Reveal A Joyful Face
And The World We Once Believed In
Will Shine Again In Grace
Then Why Do We Keep Strangling Life
Wound This Earth Crucify Its Soul
Though It's Plain To See This World Is Heavenly
Be God's Glow
We Could Fly So High
Let Our Spirits Never Die
In My Heart I Feel You Are All
My Brothers
Create A World With No Fear
Together We'll Cry Happy Tears
See The Nations Turn
Their Swords Into Plowshares
We Could Really Get There
If You Cared Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
To Make A Better Place...
(if you prefer to hear/watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8-HcclFytw . I am such a geek it makes me get a bit teary...)
OK, so I'm sitting there, getting all sappy, listening to MJ (Free Willy songs follows on the CD they're playing) and at the same time I'm reading 'Working for Change: Making a Career in International Public Service,' by Derick W. Brinkerhoff and Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff. I get to pg 18 and read these thoughts from Ram Dass and Paul Gorman, "The more you see yourself as a 'helper,' the more need for people to play the passive 'helped.' You're buying into, even juicing up, precisely what people who are suffering want to be rid of: limitation, dependency, helplessness, separateness." The authors go on to say "Emphasizing 'helping' can actually alienate us from those with whom we seek to connect." "What otherwise could be a profound and intimate relationship becomes ships passing in the night. In the effort to express compassion, we end up feeling estranged. It's distressing and puzzling."
Interesting thoughts to mull over during a year of volunteer work/service and while listening to MJ croon about fixing the world...how do we do it? I believe it can be done, we can begin to heal our world, and on an individual basis, maybe it is that easy. Recycle, tutor, pray, live your life in community. But what about when we want more than that? Is there more? Or is it really just the small choices we make every day?
In other mission news...I listen to the Relevant Magazine Podcast (and reccomend it because it is fabulous and thought provoking sometimes and hilarious all the time with lots of great live music and interviews...). One of this week's news slices was about World Vision joining up with Zondervan and providing resources for churches on a movement to take the last Sunday of every month "off" from typical services, and spend it in the community doing some sort of service/mission work. Fabulous, huh?!? I can't find a website for this exactly yet, but here's some basic info if you're interested: https://www.worldvision.org/Worldvision/guest.nsf/fia_materials?Open&lid=topnav_church_fia&lpos=topnav
check your junk mailbox
I sent out a "three month" email last week. If you didn't get, but think you should have, check your junk mail box, although, if you're reading the blog, it'll be a fairly boring email anyway.
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