Thursday, April 24, 2008
Rolling along
It feels like ages since I last blogged, it has been a while, but also so much stuff has been going on. I don't know where to start updating you all. Things at work have been going decently well. I’m now qualified to lead most of the activities the center provides. My favorite one is the adventure walk. We only do it with young kids, but it is basically an imaginary scenario. The kids have to sneak all around the center, because everyone is out to get them, and they have to save the world, and get very muddy in the process. It’s so much fun for me to use my imagination. The more I act like a kid the more fun the kids have and the more exciting the adventure. Outside of work things are going brilliantly. The slightly warmer and less wet weather has allowed me to get out of the house a lot more. I’ve started climbing regularly in my time off with some other volunteers. It’s so much fun just spending a day in the mountains with friends. I feel like I’ve really hit a groove in my time here. Things are rolling along well. I sometimes wish they would slow down a little, but at the same time I can’t wait to go home and see everyone again. I guess that’s a good dilemma to have.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
London and a Retreat
Last week was brilliant. The weather, which hadn't changed since November, finally got a bit warmer. Its amazing how warm weather can raise your spirits. (I even got to wear shorts one day :)) After a very fun week the RAD group headed to the North Coast for a Mennonite Missions Network (MMN) retreat. The North Coast is a beautiful part of Northern Ireland (it's the same place I went with my parents). We spent one day site seeing, but the rest we spent at a Christian retreat center that was right beside the ocean. We met Tim, two MMN volunteers from Bradford, and one from London. Also two of Tim's friends who are preachers (Anglican I think)came as well. It was very refreshing to hear people who are doing similar work, and going through similar challenges. I had an amazing time. Rod came on Sunday night, so that he could spend the night, and get up really early and take us on a plane to go to London.
An airline called Ryanair was selling tickets to London for one pence (Cent). The leadership at Greenhill decided that it would be a nice brake if everyone went on a day trip to London. So at 5 AM on Monday morning Caitlyn, Kevin, Rod, and I left the retreat center to meet up with the rest of the staff at George Best Belfast City Airport. The plane left at 8, and we got into the heart of London around 10. There were two types of plans people had. 1)visit everywhere you can in a day, or 2)find one nice attraction and spend the whole day there. I decided to go to as many things as I could. A group of 6 of us all traveled together (by foot we didn't want to spend the money for a bus tour) to almost all the major tourist attractions. We didn't go into any of the because they were too expensive for our volunteer budgets and because it would take up more time. In only 8 hours we saw St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Place, Westminster Abby, snow sleet rain and warm sunny weather, Trafoger Square (pardon the spelling), Big Ben, the Globe Theater, The London, Millennium, and Tower Bridges, The Tower of London, and I'm sure I've forgotten to include some spots. As you can guess we were all dead tired for the trip home. It was a great day.
Things are going better than ever for me here right now, which might be why I'm finding it so hard to find time to write. I'm loving every minuet of it, But I would also love to hear whats happening back home. Write me.
An airline called Ryanair was selling tickets to London for one pence (Cent). The leadership at Greenhill decided that it would be a nice brake if everyone went on a day trip to London. So at 5 AM on Monday morning Caitlyn, Kevin, Rod, and I left the retreat center to meet up with the rest of the staff at George Best Belfast City Airport. The plane left at 8, and we got into the heart of London around 10. There were two types of plans people had. 1)visit everywhere you can in a day, or 2)find one nice attraction and spend the whole day there. I decided to go to as many things as I could. A group of 6 of us all traveled together (by foot we didn't want to spend the money for a bus tour) to almost all the major tourist attractions. We didn't go into any of the because they were too expensive for our volunteer budgets and because it would take up more time. In only 8 hours we saw St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Place, Westminster Abby, snow sleet rain and warm sunny weather, Trafoger Square (pardon the spelling), Big Ben, the Globe Theater, The London, Millennium, and Tower Bridges, The Tower of London, and I'm sure I've forgotten to include some spots. As you can guess we were all dead tired for the trip home. It was a great day.
Things are going better than ever for me here right now, which might be why I'm finding it so hard to find time to write. I'm loving every minuet of it, But I would also love to hear whats happening back home. Write me.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Happy St. Patrick's Day
The last week was a bit rough. The weather was cold and rainy. We did the helicopter crash scenario with a group, which wasn't bad, but cold and tiring. The week did come to a nice close, when the group left they really seemed to appreciate the time they had spent with us.
Then after a relaxing Sunday it was St. Patrick's Day. About half of the Greenhill volunteers were gone for winter skills training in Scotland, but we did have some visitors. A few old volunteers who came back for a couple of days. The only one I knew was Stephen, who I had gotten to know really well when I first got here. He is now working at a YMCA in Norway. Anyway all of us went to Down Patrick. Down Patrick is a town near where we live. It's near where St. Patrick landed in Ireland, and its where he is buried. There is a large parade held there every year. While we were waiting for the parade a bunch of us went up to see his grave stone. It was amazingly unimpressive. Only a rock with the name half broken off. It really makes you think. With all the glamor and the celebration associated with the day, how humbly he lived. We then watched the parade which was a lot of fun, and it was a great bright sunny day to help get everyones spirits back up.
Then after a relaxing Sunday it was St. Patrick's Day. About half of the Greenhill volunteers were gone for winter skills training in Scotland, but we did have some visitors. A few old volunteers who came back for a couple of days. The only one I knew was Stephen, who I had gotten to know really well when I first got here. He is now working at a YMCA in Norway. Anyway all of us went to Down Patrick. Down Patrick is a town near where we live. It's near where St. Patrick landed in Ireland, and its where he is buried. There is a large parade held there every year. While we were waiting for the parade a bunch of us went up to see his grave stone. It was amazingly unimpressive. Only a rock with the name half broken off. It really makes you think. With all the glamor and the celebration associated with the day, how humbly he lived. We then watched the parade which was a lot of fun, and it was a great bright sunny day to help get everyones spirits back up.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Half Way
I can't belive my time here is half up. I got here exactly 4 months ago, and will be home in exactly 4 months. Something I've learned since I've been here is as you walk up a mountain it can seem like your getting nowhere until you look back and realize how far you've gotten. Thats what I'm doing now.I think back and wonder where all the time went. On the other hand I think back to my first week and think how far I've come. I've become a part of a great community in Greenhill and in Newcastle.
What's been happening most recently isn't that exciting. We have had a few new volunteers join the group. One from Germany, which makes 5 Germans (We always joke about how we have way too many Germans) and two local volunteers. The new volunteers are getting their outdoor training. Since at first no one knew I was going to be an outdoor instructor I never got training, so the powers at be in Greenhill decided I should train with them. Most of the stuff we are learning I already know, but its good to have a refresher some times.
Something else that is finally starting to take off is the planning for the prayer walk. The RAD team had been assigned to try to create a prayer walk for the center. We really started from scratch, and have brainstormed through a lot of ideas. As we made relationships with people in the church we have gotten their help on it as well. The plans are finally starting to take shape, plus the center has gotten some funds to help in the creation. Hopefully we can get in running before we leave (things work a bit slower in Ireland than in the States).
Thats about all I have for now. God Bless.
What's been happening most recently isn't that exciting. We have had a few new volunteers join the group. One from Germany, which makes 5 Germans (We always joke about how we have way too many Germans) and two local volunteers. The new volunteers are getting their outdoor training. Since at first no one knew I was going to be an outdoor instructor I never got training, so the powers at be in Greenhill decided I should train with them. Most of the stuff we are learning I already know, but its good to have a refresher some times.
Something else that is finally starting to take off is the planning for the prayer walk. The RAD team had been assigned to try to create a prayer walk for the center. We really started from scratch, and have brainstormed through a lot of ideas. As we made relationships with people in the church we have gotten their help on it as well. The plans are finally starting to take shape, plus the center has gotten some funds to help in the creation. Hopefully we can get in running before we leave (things work a bit slower in Ireland than in the States).
Thats about all I have for now. God Bless.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Crazy Week
The last few weeks, the Y hadn't been very busy, but that all changed this week.
It started on Sunday night, the Superbowl. I wasn't planning on watching it, but some friends invited me at the night youth church service. I figured I'd go, even though it started at midnight, and I had work the next morning. I had loads of fun (except there were british announcers, and none of the "Super Bowl ads") There were about 10 people there, 3 were Americans. Most of the Irish guys just made fun of American football the whole time. I really didn't care who won, but I found myself rooting for the Giants most of the time, I had a blast.
Monday morning I was surprisingly rested. The Key group, the one we are going to take on the bivi out (my last blog), was here for their last training time before the bivi. I helped lead a session for them in the morning afternoon and evening everyday during the week. I even had my first assessment, and I passed (It was over knots and harnesses). I was at the center from 9AM until around 10PM. It was a really long week, and by the end most of the staff, including me, was worn out, but it was a really good week. We aren't going to be that busy for the next few weeks, but we will be a bit busy. After working all week, I just wanted to relax on Saturday. I slept in, and then tried getting a hold of the tennis club (which I've been trying to do for a few weeks). I actually got a hold of someone, and he asked me to come down to the courts to hit around a bit. I said sure, and I was excited to get to finally play some. I stepped out of the door in my full winter gear, and tennis racquet, and suddenly realized that if was really warm out. It felt like summer, or at least spring. I went back in and changed into shorts and a tee-shirt, in the middle of winter! I hit around for a while and he invited me to play on Monday night. After that I decided I couldn't wast such a nice day, and went out and through the frisbee around with Cailyn in the park some. It was a brilliant weekend. This week looks to be just as exciting, if not as busy.
It started on Sunday night, the Superbowl. I wasn't planning on watching it, but some friends invited me at the night youth church service. I figured I'd go, even though it started at midnight, and I had work the next morning. I had loads of fun (except there were british announcers, and none of the "Super Bowl ads") There were about 10 people there, 3 were Americans. Most of the Irish guys just made fun of American football the whole time. I really didn't care who won, but I found myself rooting for the Giants most of the time, I had a blast.
Monday morning I was surprisingly rested. The Key group, the one we are going to take on the bivi out (my last blog), was here for their last training time before the bivi. I helped lead a session for them in the morning afternoon and evening everyday during the week. I even had my first assessment, and I passed (It was over knots and harnesses). I was at the center from 9AM until around 10PM. It was a really long week, and by the end most of the staff, including me, was worn out, but it was a really good week. We aren't going to be that busy for the next few weeks, but we will be a bit busy. After working all week, I just wanted to relax on Saturday. I slept in, and then tried getting a hold of the tennis club (which I've been trying to do for a few weeks). I actually got a hold of someone, and he asked me to come down to the courts to hit around a bit. I said sure, and I was excited to get to finally play some. I stepped out of the door in my full winter gear, and tennis racquet, and suddenly realized that if was really warm out. It felt like summer, or at least spring. I went back in and changed into shorts and a tee-shirt, in the middle of winter! I hit around for a while and he invited me to play on Monday night. After that I decided I couldn't wast such a nice day, and went out and through the frisbee around with Cailyn in the park some. It was a brilliant weekend. This week looks to be just as exciting, if not as busy.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bivi Out
Over the past few months there has been a school program called Key that has come to the center 3 times. Unlike other groups they actually get "graded" on what they do here, and they are supposed to learn specific skills. On their fourth visit here we will test all their skills in a scenario. This past weekend we tested the scenario on the permanent staff (our bosses) and some of their friends.
We load them all up in the van, with all the window covers, and a helicopter noise. All the stuff they brought is in their packs. All of a sudden an alarm starts sounding and they all have to hurry out of the "helicopter" without their stuff. The copper leaves and suddenly they hear a loud bang and see smoke. They go and investigate and see the navigator, played by Debbie (a volunteer), screaming about her broken leg, and wanting them to check for other injured in the area. As some of the group started performing first aid on Debbie the others looked around for more injured. Very soon after they find the load master from the helicopter... Me. I'm laying face down, and when they turn me over they see that my face has been badly burned around the eyes. I'm also unconscious. I had trouble not smiling as they tried to preform first aid and did a terrible job (they said I must be dead 3 times), with very little organization. After they had finally patched me up I became conscious, but still blind with a bandage over my eyes. As that was going on they found the pilot Pavlina and treated her for a broken leg, which she didn't have, and a broken arm, and a head injury, she regained consciousness too. Then Debbie showed them where to get their gear on a map and sent them out to get it. Soon they were back with all their stuff. Now we just had to get to camp for the night. I had to be lead because of the blindness, and Debbie had to be carried because of the broken leg. When we made camp the group had to make a fire and cook over it. I think the meal they made was better than the one we brought up and made. Then we set out our sleeping bags with only a poncho hanging a foot over it incase it rained that night (its called biviing), luckily it didn't rain.
The next day we got up and had to be re-bandaged. I didn't do much that day besides being lead around and sitting blind, but the group had to find a place to cross a river, translate Spanish from some natives (oh yah the simulation takes place in Peru) to get food, build a bridge (they needed help for that one) and walk back to camp. We all spent 24 hours in the forest, it was my first time biviing out, I was blind almost the whole time, and it was a brilliant weekend.
PS: I will put some pictures on soon.
We load them all up in the van, with all the window covers, and a helicopter noise. All the stuff they brought is in their packs. All of a sudden an alarm starts sounding and they all have to hurry out of the "helicopter" without their stuff. The copper leaves and suddenly they hear a loud bang and see smoke. They go and investigate and see the navigator, played by Debbie (a volunteer), screaming about her broken leg, and wanting them to check for other injured in the area. As some of the group started performing first aid on Debbie the others looked around for more injured. Very soon after they find the load master from the helicopter... Me. I'm laying face down, and when they turn me over they see that my face has been badly burned around the eyes. I'm also unconscious. I had trouble not smiling as they tried to preform first aid and did a terrible job (they said I must be dead 3 times), with very little organization. After they had finally patched me up I became conscious, but still blind with a bandage over my eyes. As that was going on they found the pilot Pavlina and treated her for a broken leg, which she didn't have, and a broken arm, and a head injury, she regained consciousness too. Then Debbie showed them where to get their gear on a map and sent them out to get it. Soon they were back with all their stuff. Now we just had to get to camp for the night. I had to be lead because of the blindness, and Debbie had to be carried because of the broken leg. When we made camp the group had to make a fire and cook over it. I think the meal they made was better than the one we brought up and made. Then we set out our sleeping bags with only a poncho hanging a foot over it incase it rained that night (its called biviing), luckily it didn't rain.
The next day we got up and had to be re-bandaged. I didn't do much that day besides being lead around and sitting blind, but the group had to find a place to cross a river, translate Spanish from some natives (oh yah the simulation takes place in Peru) to get food, build a bridge (they needed help for that one) and walk back to camp. We all spent 24 hours in the forest, it was my first time biviing out, I was blind almost the whole time, and it was a brilliant weekend.
PS: I will put some pictures on soon.
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