Created as a daily update of my time volunteering in Belfast, Northern Ireland with pages from other trips to Ireland and England. Now a journal of my travels through life.
Friday, March 19, 2004
Another blow for coke and frankly, makes me feel a bit dumb about buying bottled water. See Brian, Dad was right!
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Jason was here for a visit. He flew in early Friday morning and left this afternoon. It was such a nice time. It was the first day since I've been here that I haven't done any or thought about work at all. He was the same. It was nice to see him again and a very welcome break.
My new roommate, Olka, arrived Thursday night. She took a bus from the Ukraine. It took 36 hours. She seems nice, I just haven't had a lot of time to spend with her because Jason was here. Other people involved with our work hung out with her on Friday and today, though.
Wednesday is St. Patty's Day. We are having an event at our house for the kids to mark this holiday. Pizza and a movie at Sabrina & Olka's. We'll be making and hanging up decorations the day before (with the kids). It'll be a nice way for the young people to get to meet Olka.
A friend of mine will be arriving in London on Monday. She'll be here for nine days for her honeymoon. They are flying into Dublin for the day on Wednesday. I may be meeting up with them for lunch one day if one of their day trips brings them over this way.
Another friend emailed me and said she is getting married this week and that our other friend had a baby boy.
My college boyfriend emailed me and said he is getting engaged next month.
My oldest childhood friend (not in age, but how long I've known her) has emailed me and told me she is expecting her third child.
And then, of course, I'm standing in my high school friend's wedding this fall.
Is it me, or that a whole lot of family business going on?
I guess this is it. That stage of life thing. The starting families bit. I'm a bit shocked at it all coming somewhat at once, but I think that more pertinent emotion is fear that I'll be left out at the end of it all. I keep seeing these older women on the bus, travelling alone. They have a bag with them (as I always do) and given the way they seem to chat to everyone on the bus, I get the impression that they're not married nor have they ever been. Sometimes this has been confirmed by the conversation, but I digress. As kind and as lovely as those women are, I don't want to be one of them. I guess that is one of my biggest fears at the moment. I don't want to grow old alone.
I know I am still young (26) and I have not branded myself a spinster just yet. I just have the fear that that day will come.
My new roommate, Olka, arrived Thursday night. She took a bus from the Ukraine. It took 36 hours. She seems nice, I just haven't had a lot of time to spend with her because Jason was here. Other people involved with our work hung out with her on Friday and today, though.
Wednesday is St. Patty's Day. We are having an event at our house for the kids to mark this holiday. Pizza and a movie at Sabrina & Olka's. We'll be making and hanging up decorations the day before (with the kids). It'll be a nice way for the young people to get to meet Olka.
A friend of mine will be arriving in London on Monday. She'll be here for nine days for her honeymoon. They are flying into Dublin for the day on Wednesday. I may be meeting up with them for lunch one day if one of their day trips brings them over this way.
Another friend emailed me and said she is getting married this week and that our other friend had a baby boy.
My college boyfriend emailed me and said he is getting engaged next month.
My oldest childhood friend (not in age, but how long I've known her) has emailed me and told me she is expecting her third child.
And then, of course, I'm standing in my high school friend's wedding this fall.
Is it me, or that a whole lot of family business going on?
I guess this is it. That stage of life thing. The starting families bit. I'm a bit shocked at it all coming somewhat at once, but I think that more pertinent emotion is fear that I'll be left out at the end of it all. I keep seeing these older women on the bus, travelling alone. They have a bag with them (as I always do) and given the way they seem to chat to everyone on the bus, I get the impression that they're not married nor have they ever been. Sometimes this has been confirmed by the conversation, but I digress. As kind and as lovely as those women are, I don't want to be one of them. I guess that is one of my biggest fears at the moment. I don't want to grow old alone.
I know I am still young (26) and I have not branded myself a spinster just yet. I just have the fear that that day will come.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
I just read about that hockey incident... that is horrible. Saying that seems a bit weird though, with the events in Madrid today, though. However, it just seems so uncalled for. This is from CNN.com
"Bertuzzi slugged Moore in the side of the head late in Monday night's 9-2 victory by the Avalanche. He hit Moore from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore landed face-first -- with the 245-pound Bertuzzi on top of him -- and lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before he was removed on a stretcher."
Whoa. And kids watch this. I don't know, it just disturbs me. You can read the whole story on
Sports Illustrated/CNN.com
The injured party, though he has a broken neck, is expected to recover.
I visited the office of the Alternatives to Violence project here in Manchester. I am hoping to go on their training and might possibly arrange training for on site here at the housing estate. Just thinking of Madrid, the hockey incident, Belfast, what goes on on this estate and everything, it is all linked to violence. It is all violence. The source of this violence seems to come from thinking that someone is going to take something that is yours. It comes from this feeling within...a lack of reciprocity almost... I know I don't have the answers, but I'll be damned if I'm just going to accept it as is.
"Bertuzzi slugged Moore in the side of the head late in Monday night's 9-2 victory by the Avalanche. He hit Moore from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore landed face-first -- with the 245-pound Bertuzzi on top of him -- and lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before he was removed on a stretcher."
Whoa. And kids watch this. I don't know, it just disturbs me. You can read the whole story on
Sports Illustrated/CNN.com
The injured party, though he has a broken neck, is expected to recover.
I visited the office of the Alternatives to Violence project here in Manchester. I am hoping to go on their training and might possibly arrange training for on site here at the housing estate. Just thinking of Madrid, the hockey incident, Belfast, what goes on on this estate and everything, it is all linked to violence. It is all violence. The source of this violence seems to come from thinking that someone is going to take something that is yours. It comes from this feeling within...a lack of reciprocity almost... I know I don't have the answers, but I'll be damned if I'm just going to accept it as is.
Another email thingee....
The Cookie Thief
The woman arrived
At an airport one night
With several long hours
Before her flight.
She hunted for a book
In the airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies
And found a place to drop.
She was engrossed in her book
But happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her,
As bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two
From the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore
To avoid a scene.
So she munched the cookies
And watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief
Diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated
As the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice,
I would blacken his eye."
With each cookie she took,
He took one too,
When only one was left,
She wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face,
And a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie
And broke it in half.
He offered her half,
As he ate the other,
She snatched it from him
And thought ... ooh, brother!
This guy has some nerve
And he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show
Any gratitude!
She had never known
When she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief
When her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings
And headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back
At the thieving ingrate.
She boarded the plane,
And sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book,
Which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage,
She gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies,
In front of her eyes.
If mine are here,
She moaned in despair,
The others were his,
And he tried to share.
Too late to apologize,
She realized with grief,
That she was the rude one,
The ingrate, the thief!
How many times have we absolutely known that
something was a certain way, only to discover later
that what we believed to be true ... was not?
Keep an open mind and an open heart,
because you just never know ...
You might be eating someone else's cookies
The Cookie Thief
The woman arrived
At an airport one night
With several long hours
Before her flight.
She hunted for a book
In the airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies
And found a place to drop.
She was engrossed in her book
But happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her,
As bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two
From the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore
To avoid a scene.
So she munched the cookies
And watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief
Diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated
As the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice,
I would blacken his eye."
With each cookie she took,
He took one too,
When only one was left,
She wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face,
And a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie
And broke it in half.
He offered her half,
As he ate the other,
She snatched it from him
And thought ... ooh, brother!
This guy has some nerve
And he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show
Any gratitude!
She had never known
When she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief
When her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings
And headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back
At the thieving ingrate.
She boarded the plane,
And sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book,
Which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage,
She gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies,
In front of her eyes.
If mine are here,
She moaned in despair,
The others were his,
And he tried to share.
Too late to apologize,
She realized with grief,
That she was the rude one,
The ingrate, the thief!
How many times have we absolutely known that
something was a certain way, only to discover later
that what we believed to be true ... was not?
Keep an open mind and an open heart,
because you just never know ...
You might be eating someone else's cookies
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Today the kids got to me. I am usually really calm and never get upset. I didn't lose my cool, but I just told them that it was their choice whether or not they were here and if they didn't want to participate, no one was keeping them there. At that point, three of them left, which still left about seven kids. I just don't know how to get the right number of kids. One week there's fifteen, the next there's two. I can't properly plan. Even when I plan for other possible scenarios, it just doesn't seem to work. The problem with today was that it started off slow, with only two kids there, so I kind of set up the project to work best that way then all of the sudden ten more come to the door in quick succession. I was able to split into three groups and then do a large group activity outside, but b/c I didn't have the latecomers' attention from the beginning, it all just went haywire. The volunteer I had with me didn't help matters. He's been the chairperson of this for years and he doesn't even know many of the names of the children. I don't know, I'm just annoyed, and not at the kids, b/c they are just being kids. I'm annoyed with myself for not planning properly, I'm annoyed at the lack of training and I'm annoyed at the lack of support. My co-volunteer is set to be here in a couple of days, so hopefully that will help matters. I guess I am just going to have to plan every day as if fifteen will turn up and go from there. It helps to have more than one other adult here as well. There's a committee meeting tomorrow night and I suppose I can bring this up there. That's another thing, the week I had four adult volunteers, only one child showed up! Oh well. I'd rather be overprepared, though...
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Sorry about the duplicate posts below. Needless to say, I was having a bit of difficulty with my blog at the time!
So much has been going on lately and so much is happening in the next few weeks as well. My brain can't seem to stop thinking about it all which is why I am here in the office on a Saturday night. Sometimes the only way to get my brain to stop is to do the things it is thinking about. I did a bit of work and now for some 'me' time.
I met a new friend this week. Sue had given me his email address b/c he works with the Young Quakers. Young being 18 - 35. Anyhow, his name is Hugo and we met up on Thursday. I was late, as usual, but was 6 minutes shy of being a full half hour late. What can I say, I'm not the most punctual person as it is, and I got ridiculously lost. Somehow I know point A and I know point B but I don't know how to get from one to the other. It's a bit annoying.
We went to Starbuck's where I had the dangerously addictive mocha frappuccino, but, surprisingly, was able to pace myself with it. Way to go, me! We talked for a couple of hours then he walked me to my bus stop (I probably would've got lost if he didn't!) and even waited over a half an hour with me until my bus turned up. So now I have a friend! Yippee!
The researcher for my company, Jude, has also become more of a friend lately. She is about my age and we are at about the same stage of life (she's doing her PhD) and we have a good laugh. Now that we know mutual people, we can even gossip! Woohoo! See, you can't do that with your boss, no matter how nice they are!
The finale of Back to Reality was last night. I was glued to the television and even voted for the first time! There were three people left and they had a vote for third place. So whoever got the least amount of votes left. I voted for both Maureen and James. My votes went along with everyone else's b/c Craig was the third place person. They then open the lines again and you vote for the winner. I couldn't bear to vote for that one b/c I couldn't decide between Maureen and James! In the end, James won and everyone had a good time. I was a bit lost tonight, when I realized that it would be on telly at 8:00 p.m. and began to wonder what I will do my evenings now! Good thing I made a couple of friends!
Jason is coming to visit me this coming weekend. He is flying in from Belfast on Friday morning. I'm starting to get really excited. I talk to him all the time now and I don't feel like we're even living in different countries. Alas, we are, so I will have to soak up all the Jason I can handle this weekend...
Sorry about the duplicate posts below. Needless to say, I was having a bit of difficulty with my blog at the time!
So much has been going on lately and so much is happening in the next few weeks as well. My brain can't seem to stop thinking about it all which is why I am here in the office on a Saturday night. Sometimes the only way to get my brain to stop is to do the things it is thinking about. I did a bit of work and now for some 'me' time.
I met a new friend this week. Sue had given me his email address b/c he works with the Young Quakers. Young being 18 - 35. Anyhow, his name is Hugo and we met up on Thursday. I was late, as usual, but was 6 minutes shy of being a full half hour late. What can I say, I'm not the most punctual person as it is, and I got ridiculously lost. Somehow I know point A and I know point B but I don't know how to get from one to the other. It's a bit annoying.
We went to Starbuck's where I had the dangerously addictive mocha frappuccino, but, surprisingly, was able to pace myself with it. Way to go, me! We talked for a couple of hours then he walked me to my bus stop (I probably would've got lost if he didn't!) and even waited over a half an hour with me until my bus turned up. So now I have a friend! Yippee!
The researcher for my company, Jude, has also become more of a friend lately. She is about my age and we are at about the same stage of life (she's doing her PhD) and we have a good laugh. Now that we know mutual people, we can even gossip! Woohoo! See, you can't do that with your boss, no matter how nice they are!
The finale of Back to Reality was last night. I was glued to the television and even voted for the first time! There were three people left and they had a vote for third place. So whoever got the least amount of votes left. I voted for both Maureen and James. My votes went along with everyone else's b/c Craig was the third place person. They then open the lines again and you vote for the winner. I couldn't bear to vote for that one b/c I couldn't decide between Maureen and James! In the end, James won and everyone had a good time. I was a bit lost tonight, when I realized that it would be on telly at 8:00 p.m. and began to wonder what I will do my evenings now! Good thing I made a couple of friends!
Jason is coming to visit me this coming weekend. He is flying in from Belfast on Friday morning. I'm starting to get really excited. I talk to him all the time now and I don't feel like we're even living in different countries. Alas, we are, so I will have to soak up all the Jason I can handle this weekend...
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Sorry about the duplicate posts below. Needless to say, I was having a bit of difficulty with my blog at the time!
So much has been going on lately and so much is happening in the next few weeks as well. My brain can't seem to stop thinking about it all which is why I am here in the office on a Saturday night. Sometimes the only way to get my brain to stop is to do the things it is thinking about. I did a bit of work and now for some 'me' time.
I met a new friend this week. Sue had given me his email address b/c he works with the Young Quakers. Young being 18 - 35. Anyhow, his name is Hugo and we met up on Thursday. I was late, as usual, but was 6 minutes shy of being a full half hour late. What can I say, I'm not the most punctual person as it is, and I got ridiculously lost. Somehow I know point A and I know point B but I don't know how to get from one to the other. It's a bit annoying.
We went to Starbuck's where I had the dangerously addictive mocha frappuccino, but, surprisingly, was able to pace myself with it. Way to go, me! We talked for a couple of hours then he walked me to my bus stop (I probably would've got lost if he didn't!) and even waited over a half an hour with me until my bus turned up. So now I have a friend! Yippee!
The researcher for my company, Jude, has also become more of a friend lately. She is about my age and we are at about the same stage of life (she's doing her PhD) and we have a good laugh. Now that we know mutual people, we can even gossip! Woohoo! See, you can't do that with your boss, no matter how nice they are!
The finale of Back to Reality was last night. I was glued to the television and even voted for the first time! There were three people left and they had a vote for third place. So whoever got the least amount of votes left. I voted for both Maureen and James. My votes went along with everyone else's b/c Craig was the third place person. They then open the lines again and you vote for the winner. I couldn't bear to vote for that one b/c I couldn't decide between Maureen and James! In the end, James won and everyone had a good time. I was a bit lost tonight, when I realized that it would be on telly at 8:00 p.m. and began to wonder what I will do my evenings now! Good thing I made a couple of friends!
Jason is coming to visit me this coming weekend. He is flying in from Belfast on Friday morning. I'm starting to get really excited. I talk to him all the time now and I don't feel like we're even living in different countries. Alas, we are, so I will have to soak up all the Jason I can handle this weekend...
Sorry about the duplicate posts below. Needless to say, I was having a bit of difficulty with my blog at the time!
So much has been going on lately and so much is happening in the next few weeks as well. My brain can't seem to stop thinking about it all which is why I am here in the office on a Saturday night. Sometimes the only way to get my brain to stop is to do the things it is thinking about. I did a bit of work and now for some 'me' time.
I met a new friend this week. Sue had given me his email address b/c he works with the Young Quakers. Young being 18 - 35. Anyhow, his name is Hugo and we met up on Thursday. I was late, as usual, but was 6 minutes shy of being a full half hour late. What can I say, I'm not the most punctual person as it is, and I got ridiculously lost. Somehow I know point A and I know point B but I don't know how to get from one to the other. It's a bit annoying.
We went to Starbuck's where I had the dangerously addictive mocha frappuccino, but, surprisingly, was able to pace myself with it. Way to go, me! We talked for a couple of hours then he walked me to my bus stop (I probably would've got lost if he didn't!) and even waited over a half an hour with me until my bus turned up. So now I have a friend! Yippee!
The researcher for my company, Jude, has also become more of a friend lately. She is about my age and we are at about the same stage of life (she's doing her PhD) and we have a good laugh. Now that we know mutual people, we can even gossip! Woohoo! See, you can't do that with your boss, no matter how nice they are!
The finale of Back to Reality was last night. I was glued to the television and even voted for the first time! There were three people left and they had a vote for third place. So whoever got the least amount of votes left. I voted for both Maureen and James. My votes went along with everyone else's b/c Craig was the third place person. They then open the lines again and you vote for the winner. I couldn't bear to vote for that one b/c I couldn't decide between Maureen and James! In the end, James won and everyone had a good time. I was a bit lost tonight, when I realized that it would be on telly at 8:00 p.m. and began to wonder what I will do my evenings now! Good thing I made a couple of friends!
Jason is coming to visit me this coming weekend. He is flying in from Belfast on Friday morning. I'm starting to get really excited. I talk to him all the time now and I don't feel like we're even living in different countries. Alas, we are, so I will have to soak up all the Jason I can handle this weekend...
Sorry about the duplicate posts below. Needless to say, I was having a bit of difficulty with my blog at the time!
So much has been going on lately and so much is happening in the next few weeks as well. My brain can't seem to stop thinking about it all which is why I am here in the office on a Saturday night. Sometimes the only way to get my brain to stop is to do the things it is thinking about. I did a bit of work and now for some 'me' time.
I met a new friend this week. Sue had given me his email address b/c he works with the Young Quakers. Young being 18 - 35. Anyhow, his name is Hugo and we met up on Thursday. I was late, as usual, but was 6 minutes shy of being a full half hour late. What can I say, I'm not the most punctual person as it is, and I got ridiculously lost. Somehow I know point A and I know point B but I don't know how to get from one to the other. It's a bit annoying.
We went to Starbuck's where I had the dangerously addictive mocha frappuccino, but, surprisingly, was able to pace myself with it. Way to go, me! We talked for a couple of hours then he walked me to my bus stop (I probably would've got lost if he didn't!) and even waited over a half an hour with me until my bus turned up. So now I have a friend! Yippee!
The researcher for my company, Jude, has also become more of a friend lately. She is about my age and we are at about the same stage of life (she's doing her PhD) and we have a good laugh. Now that we know mutual people, we can even gossip! Woohoo! See, you can't do that with your boss, no matter how nice they are!
The finale of Back to Reality was last night. I was glued to the television and even voted for the first time! There were three people left and they had a vote for third place. So whoever got the least amount of votes left. I voted for both Maureen and James. My votes went along with everyone else's b/c Craig was the third place person. They then open the lines again and you vote for the winner. I couldn't bear to vote for that one b/c I couldn't decide between Maureen and James! In the end, James won and everyone had a good time. I was a bit lost tonight, when I realized that it would be on telly at 8:00 p.m. and began to wonder what I will do my evenings now! Good thing I made a couple of friends!
Jason is coming to visit me this coming weekend. He is flying in from Belfast on Friday morning. I'm starting to get really excited. I talk to him all the time now and I don't feel like we're even living in different countries. Alas, we are, so I will have to soak up all the Jason I can handle this weekend...
So much has been going on lately and so much is happening in the next few weeks as well. My brain can't seem to stop thinking about it all which is why I am here in the office on a Saturday night. Sometimes the only way to get my brain to stop is to do the things it is thinking about. I did a bit of work and now for some 'me' time.
I met a new friend this week. Sue had given me his email address b/c he works with the Young Quakers. Young being 18 - 35. Anyhow, his name is Hugo and we met up on Thursday. I was late, as usual, but was 6 minutes shy of being a full half hour late. What can I say, I'm not the most punctual person as it is, and I got ridiculously lost. Somehow I know point A and I know point B but I don't know how to get from one to the other. It's a bit annoying.
We went to Starbuck's where I had the dangerously addictive mocha frappuccino, but, surprisingly, was able to pace myself with it. Way to go, me! We talked for a couple of hours then he walked me to my bus stop (I probably would've got lost if he didn't!) and even waited over a half an hour with me until my bus turned up. So now I have a friend! Yippee!
The researcher for my company, Jude, has also become more of a friend lately. She is about my age and we are at about the same stage of life (she's doing her PhD) and we have a good laugh. Now that we know mutual people, we can even gossip! Woohoo! See, you can't do that with your boss, no matter how nice they are!
The finale of Back to Reality was last night. I was glued to the television and even voted for the first time! There were three people left and they had a vote for third place. So whoever got the least amount of votes left. I voted for both Maureen and James. My votes went along with everyone else's b/c Craig was the third place person. They then open the lines again and you vote for the winner. I couldn't bear to vote for that one b/c I couldn't decide between Maureen and James! In the end, James won and everyone had a good time. I was a bit lost tonight, when I realized that it would be on telly at 8:00 p.m. and began to wonder what I will do my evenings now! Good thing I made a couple of friends!
Jason is coming to visit me this coming weekend. He is flying in from Belfast on Friday morning. I'm starting to get really excited. I talk to him all the time now and I don't feel like we're even living in different countries. Alas, we are, so I will have to soak up all the Jason I can handle this weekend...
Sunday, February 29, 2004
Today I was awoken by a tapping on my door. One of the young people was eager to tell me about a plan for community safety. I was awoken again about an hour later by the same young person and three of his friends who were bored and wanted some work to do. I gave them some flyers to deliver and they were on their way. Fifteen minutes later they were back and I was getting ready to go to the grocery store. They wanted to come with, so we went and asked their parents and away we were. We stopped at McDonald's on the way back, too, where, much to their surprise I got a Happy Meal (no meat).
It was a good day, but I was appalled to see how the adults talk to them. The language they use - and they wonder where the kids get it! They always seem to assume the worst with them, as well. It's like the kids are merely acting out some self fulfilling prophecy or something. Like Kate (my boss, the director of the project) says, if we don't expect great things from them, who will?
-----------------------------------------------------
This just arrived in my e-mail box.
Question 1:
If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already,
three who were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded,
and she had syphilis; would you recommend that she have an
abortion?
Read the next question before scrolling down to the answer of this one.
Question 2:
It is time to elect a new world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the
facts about the three leading candidates:
Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians, and consults
with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes
and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.
Candidate B: He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon,used
opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.
Candidate C: He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian,
doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't had any
extramarital affairs.
Which of these candidates would be your choice?
(Decide first, no peeking, then scroll down for the answer).
Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Candidate B is Winston Churchill,
Candidate C is Adolph Hitler.
And by the way: Answer to the abortion question if you said yes,
you just killed Beethoven.
Pretty interesting isn't it?
It was a good day, but I was appalled to see how the adults talk to them. The language they use - and they wonder where the kids get it! They always seem to assume the worst with them, as well. It's like the kids are merely acting out some self fulfilling prophecy or something. Like Kate (my boss, the director of the project) says, if we don't expect great things from them, who will?
-----------------------------------------------------
This just arrived in my e-mail box.
Question 1:
If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already,
three who were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded,
and she had syphilis; would you recommend that she have an
abortion?
Read the next question before scrolling down to the answer of this one.
Question 2:
It is time to elect a new world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the
facts about the three leading candidates:
Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians, and consults
with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes
and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.
Candidate B: He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon,used
opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.
Candidate C: He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian,
doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't had any
extramarital affairs.
Which of these candidates would be your choice?
(Decide first, no peeking, then scroll down for the answer).
Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Candidate B is Winston Churchill,
Candidate C is Adolph Hitler.
And by the way: Answer to the abortion question if you said yes,
you just killed Beethoven.
Pretty interesting isn't it?
Friday, February 27, 2004
Well, apparently Friday isn't my strongest day of the week, either! I did exactly the same thing today. I am sleeping far too much. I keep saying that it's PMS, or b/c I'm on my period, or it's my medication, but no matter what it is, it isn't normal!
Saying that, though, I remember going through this in Belfast and my doctor gave me iron pills. My energy level really increased for awhile and then I mysteriously got violently ill and stopped taking them. Another doctor told me iron pills can be hard on your stomach and perhaps I could just do with a normal multivitamin. I never did start taking a multivitamin. Maybe I should look into that...
I finally got some credit for my phone today. Yippee! I called Jason to celebrate. He wanted to know what was up, and I just said, I have credit, that's what! I haven't been able to call anyone, well, basically ever since I've been in Manchester. I had credit once before, but I used it up on a phone call to my Mom in America.
In regards to the making friends situation, a guy called Hugo from the Young Quakers phoned me up today and we're meeting up for lunch next week. The International Society emailed me back on the details of membership and now I just have to get my over tired behind over to their office and check it out.
My house is a complete tip. I started cleaning up this morning, but then I fell asleep. I did manage to get a load of laundry of done and my recycling rinsed out. I still have suitcases open in the living room and pluck things out of there from time to time. Since someone might be moving in at the end of next week, I suppose I should put just a wee bit more effort into it.
It snowed last night. Yippee! It looked really pretty as it was coming down over the lamp posts and town houses. It actually stuck on the ground this time, but was melted by this afternoon, which is fine and dandy with me, b/c it may look pretty coming down, but it's not pretty trying to walk in it!
Saying that, though, I remember going through this in Belfast and my doctor gave me iron pills. My energy level really increased for awhile and then I mysteriously got violently ill and stopped taking them. Another doctor told me iron pills can be hard on your stomach and perhaps I could just do with a normal multivitamin. I never did start taking a multivitamin. Maybe I should look into that...
I finally got some credit for my phone today. Yippee! I called Jason to celebrate. He wanted to know what was up, and I just said, I have credit, that's what! I haven't been able to call anyone, well, basically ever since I've been in Manchester. I had credit once before, but I used it up on a phone call to my Mom in America.
In regards to the making friends situation, a guy called Hugo from the Young Quakers phoned me up today and we're meeting up for lunch next week. The International Society emailed me back on the details of membership and now I just have to get my over tired behind over to their office and check it out.
My house is a complete tip. I started cleaning up this morning, but then I fell asleep. I did manage to get a load of laundry of done and my recycling rinsed out. I still have suitcases open in the living room and pluck things out of there from time to time. Since someone might be moving in at the end of next week, I suppose I should put just a wee bit more effort into it.
It snowed last night. Yippee! It looked really pretty as it was coming down over the lamp posts and town houses. It actually stuck on the ground this time, but was melted by this afternoon, which is fine and dandy with me, b/c it may look pretty coming down, but it's not pretty trying to walk in it!
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Wednesday. Not typically my strongest day of the week. I got up and ate and then went back to sleep waking up at an astonishing 3:30 p.m. What is wrong with me? Surely normal people don't sleep this much, do they? I went to bed at about 10:30 last night and was probably asleep within an hour. I don't know. Maybe I was a cat in a past life.
Today I did something daring. I cut my nails as short as they can go. My fingernails are usually really long despite my not trying, and today I chopped them off. I can type a lot faster, but it does feel a bit weird and scratching is not nearly as satisfying...
Yesterday was pancake day here in the UK. Other countries and cultures celebrate this day as Mardi Gras, but no, the Brits just make pancakes. How very British.
So today starts Lent. Anyone giving anything up? A lot of people give up chocolate until Easter, but I'm afraid I would go a bit crazy without chocolate for that long.
Because I've been so lonely here in Manchester, Sue has given me some leads on where lonely foreign people go. I contacted the International Society, the Young Quakers and American expats of the Northwest. Maybe I'll make some friends through them...
I have a headache b/c I've not eaten since breakfast and I need to go home and have some soup and a tasty cheese and tomato sandwich. I have no money as usual and have to set aside the pound in change that I did have for my bus fare tomorrow. Ho hum.
I guess I'm a bit cranky and hungry at the mo, so I better go. Hey, that rhymes. I made a new photo page, so check it out!
Today I did something daring. I cut my nails as short as they can go. My fingernails are usually really long despite my not trying, and today I chopped them off. I can type a lot faster, but it does feel a bit weird and scratching is not nearly as satisfying...
Yesterday was pancake day here in the UK. Other countries and cultures celebrate this day as Mardi Gras, but no, the Brits just make pancakes. How very British.
So today starts Lent. Anyone giving anything up? A lot of people give up chocolate until Easter, but I'm afraid I would go a bit crazy without chocolate for that long.
Because I've been so lonely here in Manchester, Sue has given me some leads on where lonely foreign people go. I contacted the International Society, the Young Quakers and American expats of the Northwest. Maybe I'll make some friends through them...
I have a headache b/c I've not eaten since breakfast and I need to go home and have some soup and a tasty cheese and tomato sandwich. I have no money as usual and have to set aside the pound in change that I did have for my bus fare tomorrow. Ho hum.
I guess I'm a bit cranky and hungry at the mo, so I better go. Hey, that rhymes. I made a new photo page, so check it out!
Sunday, February 22, 2004
I had a lovely Sunday. I slept as late as I wanted, which turned out to be not too late. I bought a sleazy newspaper b/c it had a free CD in it. I read the sleazy newspaper and did the crossword puzzle - not all of it, I'm not a genius! I even cleaned up a bit and did some laundry. Yes, a good Sunday indeed.
I'm still a bit lonely here. I live by myself in a house and I don't really have any friends yet. I have my friends from Northern Ireland who I still text message and have them phone me (I never have credit on my phone, I am broke as a joke), but having friends here would help. I haven't really done a lot to get these friends just yet, I've been putting all my brain energy into work. However, now things are getting started and I can use some of that brain power to make friends. Yippee!
Oh and the day after I fell down the stairs (see below) I had to go to the Emergency Room (aka Accident & Emergency - A&E - you know, like the cable channel ;-) I couldn't afford a stupid cab and had to take the bus which does not go near the door of the hospital so I walked on what turned out to be a sprained ankle. I actually cried a lot b/c I can't take pain at all. Oh, but I got a bandage thingee and felt sorry for myself for awhile, and it slowly healed. I can't seem to come to grips with how clumsy I am. I don't remember always being clumsy. Maybe this is something that started in adulthood. What do you think, Mom?
I'm still a bit lonely here. I live by myself in a house and I don't really have any friends yet. I have my friends from Northern Ireland who I still text message and have them phone me (I never have credit on my phone, I am broke as a joke), but having friends here would help. I haven't really done a lot to get these friends just yet, I've been putting all my brain energy into work. However, now things are getting started and I can use some of that brain power to make friends. Yippee!
Oh and the day after I fell down the stairs (see below) I had to go to the Emergency Room (aka Accident & Emergency - A&E - you know, like the cable channel ;-) I couldn't afford a stupid cab and had to take the bus which does not go near the door of the hospital so I walked on what turned out to be a sprained ankle. I actually cried a lot b/c I can't take pain at all. Oh, but I got a bandage thingee and felt sorry for myself for awhile, and it slowly healed. I can't seem to come to grips with how clumsy I am. I don't remember always being clumsy. Maybe this is something that started in adulthood. What do you think, Mom?
Monday, February 02, 2004
Hi everyone! Gotta make this quick, I'm in the office of the housing estate in which I live.
I am working at a charity that rewards young people for doing community projects by giving them points and then these points can be cashed in for trips. It seems fine and dandy thus far.
I've gotten to get a better look around Manchester, which has been nice. I am absolutely terrified of the trams, though, and take a little too much caution when crossing the tracks. I should be getting a phone this week, which will be very nice. I fell down the stairs today and was terrified that I would have to wait for someone to come and find me before I could get help!
I'll be getting a roommate soon, though I don't know when. It depends on who they choose, and when that person can move to Manchester, so we shall see.
Well, I best be off, I have to fill out some repair forms to get some bits and bobs fixed in my house. Hope all is well with everyone.
Love,
Sabrina :-)
I am working at a charity that rewards young people for doing community projects by giving them points and then these points can be cashed in for trips. It seems fine and dandy thus far.
I've gotten to get a better look around Manchester, which has been nice. I am absolutely terrified of the trams, though, and take a little too much caution when crossing the tracks. I should be getting a phone this week, which will be very nice. I fell down the stairs today and was terrified that I would have to wait for someone to come and find me before I could get help!
I'll be getting a roommate soon, though I don't know when. It depends on who they choose, and when that person can move to Manchester, so we shall see.
Well, I best be off, I have to fill out some repair forms to get some bits and bobs fixed in my house. Hope all is well with everyone.
Love,
Sabrina :-)
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Well, I have successfully made my way to Manchester, England. I am staying at the lovely home of Sue, one of the people who will be interviewing me this coming week. She is director of the program to which I've applied. It feels like home here. They have been so nice to me. Sue and Nick, her husband (who shares my birthday) have two children; Annie, aged 10 and Tom, aged 14. They have a dog named Simpson, who is so calm; such a contrast to our rambuctious Licorice. Yesterday, me, Sue and Annie went to the mall. It was fun! Tomorrow, Sue and I are going into the office and I will do some volunteering.
The interview will be on Tuesday for two of us, and then I believe the third person has hers on Wednesday and then they will make a decision by Thursday. Then, I will either be staying here in Manchester, or going back to America.
While mostly everything is fine and dandy here, I did have to go to the doctor for a skin infection. It's so gross - I've got impetigo. It all started from a cut on the back of my neck and then it got infected. I got some antibiotic cream and if that doesn't clear it up then I have to go back for some pills. Yucko puey.
Jason was really nice to me before I left Belfast. Knowing that I was having a rough time with the drama about Ronan, work and moving country, he invited me over the night before I was scheduled to leave. Before we walked into his room, he stopped and said, 'this is the last night I'm going to see you' and when I replied, 'yes', he opened the door and I couldn't believe what I saw. I swear to God, it was possibly the most romantic thing I've ever experienced. He had fixed the room up such that there were candles lit in the four corners. Music was playing in the background and well, I nearly burst into tears. Anyhow, you get the idea....
The real knight in shining armour bit comes the next night, though, when I turned up at his house with all my luggage b/c I couldn't get on the plane. Once me and my stuff were safely inside, I did burst into tears and went on about Ronan, and the plane, and easyjet and the taxi driver and blah blah blah. Anyhow, he listened and helped calm me down and let me lie down in his bed (while he was in the living room, people!), carried my stuff upstairs and let me keep more than half of it at his place. Oh and most importantly, he bought me pizza and chips! ;-)
The interview will be on Tuesday for two of us, and then I believe the third person has hers on Wednesday and then they will make a decision by Thursday. Then, I will either be staying here in Manchester, or going back to America.
While mostly everything is fine and dandy here, I did have to go to the doctor for a skin infection. It's so gross - I've got impetigo. It all started from a cut on the back of my neck and then it got infected. I got some antibiotic cream and if that doesn't clear it up then I have to go back for some pills. Yucko puey.
Jason was really nice to me before I left Belfast. Knowing that I was having a rough time with the drama about Ronan, work and moving country, he invited me over the night before I was scheduled to leave. Before we walked into his room, he stopped and said, 'this is the last night I'm going to see you' and when I replied, 'yes', he opened the door and I couldn't believe what I saw. I swear to God, it was possibly the most romantic thing I've ever experienced. He had fixed the room up such that there were candles lit in the four corners. Music was playing in the background and well, I nearly burst into tears. Anyhow, you get the idea....
The real knight in shining armour bit comes the next night, though, when I turned up at his house with all my luggage b/c I couldn't get on the plane. Once me and my stuff were safely inside, I did burst into tears and went on about Ronan, and the plane, and easyjet and the taxi driver and blah blah blah. Anyhow, he listened and helped calm me down and let me lie down in his bed (while he was in the living room, people!), carried my stuff upstairs and let me keep more than half of it at his place. Oh and most importantly, he bought me pizza and chips! ;-)
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Dude - not going well. I'm in Edinburgh. I got in a car accident. I went to the hospital. I'm leaving Edinburgh tomorrow.
First, I couldn't get on the plane b/c I had too much luggage. I was flying easyjet which is like a bargain basement airline and they only allow like 5 ounces of luggage or something and there were no more flights to Edinburgh that day, so I had to reschedule for the next day. This left me having lug all my luggage across Belfast again and leave some of it behind.
So when I finally did get there, I get into a car accident on the way from the airport to the house in Edinburgh. A lane change gone wrong ended up with the cars colliding on my side. The other car was a big ol' SUV. Ah well. I went to 'Accident and Emergency' and they said I had whiplash and seatbelt injuries and general soft tissue bruising, which is all par for the course in an accident like this one - so basically, I was fine.
Right, well I'm at an Internet cafe b/c I had to book a flight, which is the next part of my story. I am flying to Manchester tomorrow regarding another volunteer opportunity and fingers crossed that things work out better there! The main stress factor in all this is that I now have £6 to my name and well, you can't get a whole hell of a lot for £6.
Anyhow, my time is running low here at the ol' Internet place, but that's how things are going. I know that I'm lucky to even be able to have this experience at all, and I am merely annoyed if nothing else. I may be going home next week depending on how things go in Manchester, but that's okay, b/c I miss Licorice!
First, I couldn't get on the plane b/c I had too much luggage. I was flying easyjet which is like a bargain basement airline and they only allow like 5 ounces of luggage or something and there were no more flights to Edinburgh that day, so I had to reschedule for the next day. This left me having lug all my luggage across Belfast again and leave some of it behind.
So when I finally did get there, I get into a car accident on the way from the airport to the house in Edinburgh. A lane change gone wrong ended up with the cars colliding on my side. The other car was a big ol' SUV. Ah well. I went to 'Accident and Emergency' and they said I had whiplash and seatbelt injuries and general soft tissue bruising, which is all par for the course in an accident like this one - so basically, I was fine.
Right, well I'm at an Internet cafe b/c I had to book a flight, which is the next part of my story. I am flying to Manchester tomorrow regarding another volunteer opportunity and fingers crossed that things work out better there! The main stress factor in all this is that I now have £6 to my name and well, you can't get a whole hell of a lot for £6.
Anyhow, my time is running low here at the ol' Internet place, but that's how things are going. I know that I'm lucky to even be able to have this experience at all, and I am merely annoyed if nothing else. I may be going home next week depending on how things go in Manchester, but that's okay, b/c I miss Licorice!
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Men! I swear, they will be the end of me. What do I have to do to become a nun? I have no idea if Ronan is coming here tomorrow. I don't even know if we're still together. I have no idea what's going on.
I have managed to do a couple of loads of laundry, though, which is helping me along with my goal of packing. I can't believe how much crap I have. I can't believe how soon I am leaving. I keep thinking of all the things I didn't do during my time here in Belfast. I hate feeling that way. I am trying to see the positive, though, in that, while I may not have seen all the touristy things, I have gotten a feel for Belfast that not many people from outside of here get.
Okay, here's a hint for anyone who doesn't know me so well. If you want to get on my bad side, call me psycho. Or crazy or schizo or any variation of the sort. This is a good way to ensure me getting pissed at you. And I won't forget it, either. You see, back in the day, way back in the early 90s, before the Internet, before Mars exploration, even before Justin Timberlake, I was just a normal teenager going about my life with my nice little high school boyfriend. Yes, we were known as a couple back in those days b/c our relationship was practically life long when measured in high school years. Given our inexperience in romantic relationships, we made a lot of bad decisions in our dealings with one another. For example, to win arguments, we would completely break down the other person by twisting the knife where we knew it would hurt most. Now for me, this was a few things, but one of them was crazy, or overemotional, or irrational, or whatever. Now go a little further into my teenage life and you will see the big black hole known as the attack. Now, the attack led to a police investigation and a grand jury hearing. Statements were taken, questions were asked, witnesses were called. Something like this does not stay a secret long in high school land. Especially when witnesses are fellow classmates and you have to turn in your subpoena to the attendance office as your excuse note for why you missed class. There are two ways this helped lead to my psycho complex. 1.) The attacker said I was lying. His defense was based on my being irrational, crazy, overemotional. 2.) When word got out, there were those in school who believed I was lying, and then called me psycho. Oh wait, there's a third. 3.) When I had trouble dealing with the fact that I had been attacked, my sweet high school boyfriend believed I was overreacting and said, "It's been two weeks, you should be over it."
Why am I bringing this up now, you ask? Ronan phoned me today and said that his friends believed I was a psychopath and that if they were him, they would not get near me with a ten foot pole.
Yes, honey, my day was fine, how was yours?
I have managed to do a couple of loads of laundry, though, which is helping me along with my goal of packing. I can't believe how much crap I have. I can't believe how soon I am leaving. I keep thinking of all the things I didn't do during my time here in Belfast. I hate feeling that way. I am trying to see the positive, though, in that, while I may not have seen all the touristy things, I have gotten a feel for Belfast that not many people from outside of here get.
Okay, here's a hint for anyone who doesn't know me so well. If you want to get on my bad side, call me psycho. Or crazy or schizo or any variation of the sort. This is a good way to ensure me getting pissed at you. And I won't forget it, either. You see, back in the day, way back in the early 90s, before the Internet, before Mars exploration, even before Justin Timberlake, I was just a normal teenager going about my life with my nice little high school boyfriend. Yes, we were known as a couple back in those days b/c our relationship was practically life long when measured in high school years. Given our inexperience in romantic relationships, we made a lot of bad decisions in our dealings with one another. For example, to win arguments, we would completely break down the other person by twisting the knife where we knew it would hurt most. Now for me, this was a few things, but one of them was crazy, or overemotional, or irrational, or whatever. Now go a little further into my teenage life and you will see the big black hole known as the attack. Now, the attack led to a police investigation and a grand jury hearing. Statements were taken, questions were asked, witnesses were called. Something like this does not stay a secret long in high school land. Especially when witnesses are fellow classmates and you have to turn in your subpoena to the attendance office as your excuse note for why you missed class. There are two ways this helped lead to my psycho complex. 1.) The attacker said I was lying. His defense was based on my being irrational, crazy, overemotional. 2.) When word got out, there were those in school who believed I was lying, and then called me psycho. Oh wait, there's a third. 3.) When I had trouble dealing with the fact that I had been attacked, my sweet high school boyfriend believed I was overreacting and said, "It's been two weeks, you should be over it."
Why am I bringing this up now, you ask? Ronan phoned me today and said that his friends believed I was a psychopath and that if they were him, they would not get near me with a ten foot pole.
Yes, honey, my day was fine, how was yours?
Yippee yi yay! I have passed the 20,000 mile mark! Woohoo! I signed up for American Airlines' Advantage program, which is like the frequent flier thing, earlier this month, and they gave me credit for the flights I had taken since June, and low and behold, I'm almost at Gold Status. Gold is 25,000 miles. I had read about the miles phenomenon and how some people become obsessed with getting more miles, like through their credit card or whatever. I feel like that now, though the only way I can get the miles is to actually fly. I'm looking at easyJet now for flights between Belfast and Edinburgh b/c......drum roll please.....
I'm moving to Edinburgh. Saturday. This Saturday. Why I am looking for flights is b/c Ronan and I are back together. I am hoping that we will be treading many miles between the two countries. The flight is only 50 minutes. However, the trip from Derry to the airport is about two hours. Hey, I didn't say it was perfect. There is also another airline that flies from Derry to Glasgow, and then you can take the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh, so whatever works.
Wow, these pop up ads are driving me insane and I can't believe it's nearing 7 in the morning. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of staying here, and now a feel a bit overwhelmed with the reality of leaving here. I have so much stuff in my room and so much laundry and yeah, I really need to start packing. Oh dear, I think I'm making myself nervous now.
Ronan is coming here to Belfast on Friday (tomorrow!). I'm so excited. It has been over a month since I've seen him.
Well, I think I'll take a shower now. Don't think I'll get back to sleep. Hope all is well.
Lots of love,
Sabrina ;-)
I'm moving to Edinburgh. Saturday. This Saturday. Why I am looking for flights is b/c Ronan and I are back together. I am hoping that we will be treading many miles between the two countries. The flight is only 50 minutes. However, the trip from Derry to the airport is about two hours. Hey, I didn't say it was perfect. There is also another airline that flies from Derry to Glasgow, and then you can take the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh, so whatever works.
Wow, these pop up ads are driving me insane and I can't believe it's nearing 7 in the morning. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of staying here, and now a feel a bit overwhelmed with the reality of leaving here. I have so much stuff in my room and so much laundry and yeah, I really need to start packing. Oh dear, I think I'm making myself nervous now.
Ronan is coming here to Belfast on Friday (tomorrow!). I'm so excited. It has been over a month since I've seen him.
Well, I think I'll take a shower now. Don't think I'll get back to sleep. Hope all is well.
Lots of love,
Sabrina ;-)
Monday, January 12, 2004
Today I looked very much like an American. I felt like I was dressing up as an American for Halloween or something - with my tie-dyed Hard Rock Cafe shirt, track suit bottoms, baseball cap, I was the epitome of American gear. I also had my (American) accent back totally for like a day, before the Belfast brogue started slipping back in. As you can tell, I still have my American way of communicating with 'like' and 'totally' and don't even get me started with 'dude'.
In a strange twist of fate, the cab driver I had today remembered me from driving me home like months ago. I didn't remember him, which I usually do, but he remembered I was from Chicago and everything. Interesting.
Peter's friends are here from Germany, so I am the only person in this house right now who is not speaking German. I wish I could. Peter just came in and said something to Eva in German. I knew what he was saying from the context and wished I could reply in German, but I had to settle for English. I know a little bit of a few languages, and there are just some sayings I like in certain languages. For example, "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?" in French - meaning 'what's wrong?' or 'what's the problem?' In Japanese - "Ohisashiburi desu ne" means "I haven't seen you for ages". The longer you haven't seen someone, the longer you hold out the last syllable (which is pronounced NAY). Pretty cool, huh? Or, German - Geshundheit when someone sneezes. Eva just explained that it means 'health'. The Irish 'Slainte' which also means health, but is a toast when drinking.
I really want to study French again and become fluent. I would really love to study multiple languages. I have been looking more into law school over here and some offer a combo with French. I'm supposed to be able to complete the degree in a shorter period of time since I already have a bachelor's degree. Law, here, is an undergraduate degree.
I spoke with the representative from the volunteer project in England and discussed their organization possibly sponsoring me to volunteer here in Belfast at the Community Centre I like. I also got a message from the Scottish organization to ring them tomorrow so we can arrange my visit. I filled out an application for a Christian peace centre here in Northern Ireland, about an hour away from Belfast. I just want to know if I'm accepted, visit them all, and then choose. Like by the end of this week would be ideal. I feel like I'm just drawing things out here at the Cottage and I'm really, really ready to move on.
********************************
Don't make it a big deal, don't be so sensitive.
We're not playing a game anymore, you don't have to be so defensive.
Sleep to dream - Fiona Apple
In a strange twist of fate, the cab driver I had today remembered me from driving me home like months ago. I didn't remember him, which I usually do, but he remembered I was from Chicago and everything. Interesting.
Peter's friends are here from Germany, so I am the only person in this house right now who is not speaking German. I wish I could. Peter just came in and said something to Eva in German. I knew what he was saying from the context and wished I could reply in German, but I had to settle for English. I know a little bit of a few languages, and there are just some sayings I like in certain languages. For example, "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?" in French - meaning 'what's wrong?' or 'what's the problem?' In Japanese - "Ohisashiburi desu ne" means "I haven't seen you for ages". The longer you haven't seen someone, the longer you hold out the last syllable (which is pronounced NAY). Pretty cool, huh? Or, German - Geshundheit when someone sneezes. Eva just explained that it means 'health'. The Irish 'Slainte' which also means health, but is a toast when drinking.
I really want to study French again and become fluent. I would really love to study multiple languages. I have been looking more into law school over here and some offer a combo with French. I'm supposed to be able to complete the degree in a shorter period of time since I already have a bachelor's degree. Law, here, is an undergraduate degree.
I spoke with the representative from the volunteer project in England and discussed their organization possibly sponsoring me to volunteer here in Belfast at the Community Centre I like. I also got a message from the Scottish organization to ring them tomorrow so we can arrange my visit. I filled out an application for a Christian peace centre here in Northern Ireland, about an hour away from Belfast. I just want to know if I'm accepted, visit them all, and then choose. Like by the end of this week would be ideal. I feel like I'm just drawing things out here at the Cottage and I'm really, really ready to move on.
********************************
Don't make it a big deal, don't be so sensitive.
We're not playing a game anymore, you don't have to be so defensive.
Sleep to dream - Fiona Apple
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