Yay video blog!
26 June 2009
21 June 2009
My opinion of this place has officially sunk so low to the point of being irredeemable.
Last night, we did a ghost walk with a group of teenagers. This means that they walk down to the ruins of a 16th century Friary and we tell them ghosts stories. Three of us went down early dressed in black cloaks. I was supposed to be the Black Nun and ring the bell to scare them.
Well, they weren't scared. Far from it. In fact, as soon as they saw me and heard the bell, the boys came running after me. They were pulling at my costume, pushing me, shoving me, and kicking me. They came at me three times. The only way I could keep them away was if I swung the bell at them, because no one wants to get hit by a heavy brass bell. I didn't touch anyone or hit anyone. After the third time of them coming and attacking me when all I was doing was trying to run away, I exploded and yelled at them: "if you touch me again, I swear to God..." that sort of thing.
And then I walked back to Corrymeela.
I'm going to be counting down the days until I can leave.
Last night, we did a ghost walk with a group of teenagers. This means that they walk down to the ruins of a 16th century Friary and we tell them ghosts stories. Three of us went down early dressed in black cloaks. I was supposed to be the Black Nun and ring the bell to scare them.
Well, they weren't scared. Far from it. In fact, as soon as they saw me and heard the bell, the boys came running after me. They were pulling at my costume, pushing me, shoving me, and kicking me. They came at me three times. The only way I could keep them away was if I swung the bell at them, because no one wants to get hit by a heavy brass bell. I didn't touch anyone or hit anyone. After the third time of them coming and attacking me when all I was doing was trying to run away, I exploded and yelled at them: "if you touch me again, I swear to God..." that sort of thing.
And then I walked back to Corrymeela.
I'm going to be counting down the days until I can leave.
16 June 2009
I think I'm tired.
Not physically tired. I've slept alright the past few days esp. since I had days off. I think I'm socially tired. I think I'm spiritually tired.
I think I'm tired of the routine of always meeting new people. The coming and going. Never spending enough time with people in order to feel comfortable. I hide, I shrink inside my shell. Waiting for the time to pass til I can go on with something else.
I'm tired of this conversation:
"Where in the States are you from?"
"California."
"Oh really? Where abouts?"
"I'm about an hour drive from LA."
"And do you study?"
"I graduated from university a year ago."
"And what did you study?"
"English literature and theatre."
"And are you going on to graduate studies?
"I'm going to start a master's program in the fall. I'll be doing costume design. Like theatre and stuff."
"WOW! That's neat. I didn't know you could get a degree in that."
(you along with everyone else) "Yeah, there are lots of schools that do."
Can't I just hang out with someone who knows me?
I think I'm tired of the routine of always meeting new people. The coming and going. Never spending enough time with people in order to feel comfortable. I hide, I shrink inside my shell. Waiting for the time to pass til I can go on with something else.
I'm tired of this conversation:
"Where in the States are you from?"
"California."
"Oh really? Where abouts?"
"I'm about an hour drive from LA."
"And do you study?"
"I graduated from university a year ago."
"And what did you study?"
"English literature and theatre."
"And are you going on to graduate studies?
"I'm going to start a master's program in the fall. I'll be doing costume design. Like theatre and stuff."
"WOW! That's neat. I didn't know you could get a degree in that."
(you along with everyone else) "Yeah, there are lots of schools that do."
Can't I just hang out with someone who knows me?
15 June 2009
sheep are weird
This whole weekend the sheep across the way have been louder than ever. Especially when it started raining. Really loud.
This morning Jessica woke up and went for a run. When she came back, she informed me that there were 3 sheep that greeted her when she walked out of Coventry. I can only assume that they had escaped and ended up wandering onto Corrymeela property. She said there was also a dead lamb on the beach. Someone needs to repair their fences.
This morning Jessica woke up and went for a run. When she came back, she informed me that there were 3 sheep that greeted her when she walked out of Coventry. I can only assume that they had escaped and ended up wandering onto Corrymeela property. She said there was also a dead lamb on the beach. Someone needs to repair their fences.
14 June 2009
the sky looks pissed. the rain talks back.
A storm is coming. I see it on the eastern horizon. Every couple of minutes there is a thunderclap. Even though it will mean being confined indoors, I hope it finds it's way to Corrymeela. Because it's more fun to sit inside with a cup of tea and listen to the rain pour rather than sit inside because you don't have anything else to do.
* * * * * *
As it turns out, it did rain. Poured and poured. I wrote that bit yesterday after I came back from a walk right before dinner. It started sprinkling at 7:30ish. But there was a group of us that were determined to go get ice cream. So we did. A young man by the name of Ethan, who was here for the week to interview as a long term volunteer next year, had a car. There were six of us in a five seater. We squished ourselves in there, but it was loads of fun. Maud's Ice Cream shop has probably some of the best ice cream in Ballycastle and maybe all of Northern Ireland. It is a chain ice cream brand so I guess that's not hard when they are all other Northern Ireland.
So by the time we ventured the one mile or so from Corrymeela to the centre of town, it went from sprinkling to pouring. We ran across streets and jumped over puddles and made it inside to the safety of the delicious sweet treat of Maud's. We laughed in the face of lightning. Smirked at the glaring eyes of the thunder.
When we got back, I convinced the group to play telephone pictionary, the beloved game of the Westmont theatre department 07-08. I also was persuaded to give 3 back massages. Word spreads quickly in these parts when all you did the day before was help out someone whose back hurt from vacuuming all day for housekeeping.
Today has been somewhat of a lazier day. I think I'm getting sick again. My throat hurt when I woke up this morning but it didn't look red until a few hours ago. I started reading the Cecelia Ahern book I got in Belfast, but I'm bored with it. The plot doesn't change much. The same stuff keeps happening to the characters over and over again. Even though the characters change, they are starting to annoy me more than anything else. High Fidelity was so much better.
I am flying back to America in a month. This is quite strange. What is also quite strange, I've been saying "grand" more and more. You'd think I was in Northern Ireland or something.
* * * * * *
As it turns out, it did rain. Poured and poured. I wrote that bit yesterday after I came back from a walk right before dinner. It started sprinkling at 7:30ish. But there was a group of us that were determined to go get ice cream. So we did. A young man by the name of Ethan, who was here for the week to interview as a long term volunteer next year, had a car. There were six of us in a five seater. We squished ourselves in there, but it was loads of fun. Maud's Ice Cream shop has probably some of the best ice cream in Ballycastle and maybe all of Northern Ireland. It is a chain ice cream brand so I guess that's not hard when they are all other Northern Ireland.
So by the time we ventured the one mile or so from Corrymeela to the centre of town, it went from sprinkling to pouring. We ran across streets and jumped over puddles and made it inside to the safety of the delicious sweet treat of Maud's. We laughed in the face of lightning. Smirked at the glaring eyes of the thunder.
When we got back, I convinced the group to play telephone pictionary, the beloved game of the Westmont theatre department 07-08. I also was persuaded to give 3 back massages. Word spreads quickly in these parts when all you did the day before was help out someone whose back hurt from vacuuming all day for housekeeping.
Today has been somewhat of a lazier day. I think I'm getting sick again. My throat hurt when I woke up this morning but it didn't look red until a few hours ago. I started reading the Cecelia Ahern book I got in Belfast, but I'm bored with it. The plot doesn't change much. The same stuff keeps happening to the characters over and over again. Even though the characters change, they are starting to annoy me more than anything else. High Fidelity was so much better.
I am flying back to America in a month. This is quite strange. What is also quite strange, I've been saying "grand" more and more. You'd think I was in Northern Ireland or something.
too cross to write
I haven't talked much on this blog about the beginnings of my time here. Let me fill you in.
The thing that bothers me the most about Corrymeela is that it is marketed as something completely different than what it actually is. I would call this hypocrisy. Others would call it good marketing skills. My previous perception of Corrymeela was this place (with an almost magically quality to it) where people came and discussed the important issues surrounding the Northern Irish conflict. The staff, the volunteers, and the visitors were of course working with people and families who had been severely effected by the Troubles. Helping them through art and discussion etc to work through their issues.
I would say that this impression happens about 20% of the time. The rest of the time, the volunteers are working their butts off to cater to every whim of every visitor. Why do we cater? Because "we" want them to come back. Why do "we" want them to come back? Because they give "us" money. Money money money. Corrymeela is marketed to the groups that come through as this spectacular place with such a vision for peace and reconciliation and openness as a way of bringing more people in so they can pay the bills.
Those higher up in the Corrymeela system put so much emphasis on welcoming visitors and how it's the volunteers' duty to make people feel happy and accepted and welcomed, but no one bothers to think about the volunteers. When I first arrived, I was dropped off at my room and told "This is Jessica, she's your roommate. She'll show you where the linens are" and POOF all disappear. When I tried to speak with one of the volunteer coordinators about my frustration with the lack of welcome and feeling as if I didn't belong, I was told that they don't have enough time to do it themselves. It's not easy to find your place when no one really tells you what is going on or where to go or what to do. And all the other volunteers are busy doing what is asked of them that they don't have the energy to talk to the new person. There are two new midtermers here who have been put on the list for fire cover (those are the people who are supposed to respond to a fire alarm) but haven't been trained.
My solace has been the friendships I have made. That has been what makes it worth it. Having fun while working with the other volunteers is the best part about what I do here. Chatting with your group or finding out that the 10 year old Derry girl likes the same music as you. Playing jokes on other volunteers with the kitchen staff. The gold of Corrymeela is the people.
The thing that bothers me the most about Corrymeela is that it is marketed as something completely different than what it actually is. I would call this hypocrisy. Others would call it good marketing skills. My previous perception of Corrymeela was this place (with an almost magically quality to it) where people came and discussed the important issues surrounding the Northern Irish conflict. The staff, the volunteers, and the visitors were of course working with people and families who had been severely effected by the Troubles. Helping them through art and discussion etc to work through their issues.
I would say that this impression happens about 20% of the time. The rest of the time, the volunteers are working their butts off to cater to every whim of every visitor. Why do we cater? Because "we" want them to come back. Why do "we" want them to come back? Because they give "us" money. Money money money. Corrymeela is marketed to the groups that come through as this spectacular place with such a vision for peace and reconciliation and openness as a way of bringing more people in so they can pay the bills.
Those higher up in the Corrymeela system put so much emphasis on welcoming visitors and how it's the volunteers' duty to make people feel happy and accepted and welcomed, but no one bothers to think about the volunteers. When I first arrived, I was dropped off at my room and told "This is Jessica, she's your roommate. She'll show you where the linens are" and POOF all disappear. When I tried to speak with one of the volunteer coordinators about my frustration with the lack of welcome and feeling as if I didn't belong, I was told that they don't have enough time to do it themselves. It's not easy to find your place when no one really tells you what is going on or where to go or what to do. And all the other volunteers are busy doing what is asked of them that they don't have the energy to talk to the new person. There are two new midtermers here who have been put on the list for fire cover (those are the people who are supposed to respond to a fire alarm) but haven't been trained.
My solace has been the friendships I have made. That has been what makes it worth it. Having fun while working with the other volunteers is the best part about what I do here. Chatting with your group or finding out that the 10 year old Derry girl likes the same music as you. Playing jokes on other volunteers with the kitchen staff. The gold of Corrymeela is the people.
pictures!
Slowly but surely, I will be uploading photos all day today.
Here's the link to the album.
Here's the link to the album.
 |
| Northern Ireland Adventuring! |
05 June 2009
say wha?
"Invite only" a term that makes it seem like I'm hiding something. But really, I'm not.
Here's what's happened: since I have used the word "Corrymeela" my blog has been targeted by Google. This means that there are several staff members at Corrymeela who have subscribed to my blog. I want to clarify to you, dear Reader, that I am not trying to hide anything from the Corrymeela staff. I could care less if they read this or watch the video blogs. My criticisms of Corrymeela are not anything that couldn't be said outloud here at the Centre.
What I can't handle is the Northern Irish (well, it probably exists in the South too) sense of humor. The staff thinks it's funny to tease me about what I write/say on this blog. This would be perfectly fine with me except for the fact that they do not talk to me unless it is to needle me about my video blogs. I love joking/teasing/sarcasm etc. when it's between friends. When it's from a practical stranger that you consider as someone more akin to a boss or employer, I don't like it. Not one bit. And that's because I am American and not Ulster. This blog was meant for family and friends anyway.
To conclude, for cultural differences, I am putting this blog under "Invite Only."
Here's what's happened: since I have used the word "Corrymeela" my blog has been targeted by Google. This means that there are several staff members at Corrymeela who have subscribed to my blog. I want to clarify to you, dear Reader, that I am not trying to hide anything from the Corrymeela staff. I could care less if they read this or watch the video blogs. My criticisms of Corrymeela are not anything that couldn't be said outloud here at the Centre.
What I can't handle is the Northern Irish (well, it probably exists in the South too) sense of humor. The staff thinks it's funny to tease me about what I write/say on this blog. This would be perfectly fine with me except for the fact that they do not talk to me unless it is to needle me about my video blogs. I love joking/teasing/sarcasm etc. when it's between friends. When it's from a practical stranger that you consider as someone more akin to a boss or employer, I don't like it. Not one bit. And that's because I am American and not Ulster. This blog was meant for family and friends anyway.
To conclude, for cultural differences, I am putting this blog under "Invite Only."
Belfast!
Oh, it's been a long time since I have updated you with any stories about my time here at Corrymeela. To quote my dear friend, Elizabeth Bennett, "I was too cross to write." Here are some bits about visiting Belfast this week!
Starting on Tuesday, it was my turn for time off. I heard that Elsa and Jessica were going down to Belfast for a meeting with a group that would be coming to Corrymeela. This meant that I could hitch a ride down to Belfast. Jessica was kind enough to arrange calling and emailing a family who are Corrymeela members, so we would have a place to stay. Their house was along a main road about a 40 minute walk from the City Centre. I guess a rundown of what we did will suffice, yes?
Left Corrymeela at around 5pm. We went to a Mexican place on University Road called Boojam. Very much like Chipotle, but way way better. It was great to have some flavorful food again. Then we went to the meeting. We got to the host family's home at around 8:30pm. They live around the Queen's University area of town. The husband and wife, Becky and David, offered us a glass of wine and we sat and chatted for a while. They have a really lovely home. It's part of that typical pattern of brick homes that are squished side by side, but with three stories and plenty of length. I slept in their entertainment room on the first floor (second floor to us Americans) where they had a pull out sofa bed. They offered us every convinience and gave us a key to their home. I could not imagine a better welcome into someone's home (nothing at all like the welcome I received when coming to Corrymeela. I was dropped off at my room and then disappearance).
The next day Jessica and I walked into the City. We met up with Elsa and went to the Victoria shopping centre. I found an H&M! However, Jessica, being the Bohemian-esque writer type that she is, despised going shopping and so we opted for wandering. We found a few used bookshops, where I was completely unable to keep my resolve not to buy anything. I bought High Fidelity by Nick Hornby and Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern. One of the bookshops was stacked so high with books that I felt as though they would topple at any moment. And the shop was huge. So very many books.
We got lunch at a place called Cecil's Sandwich Bar, recommended by Marc, another Corrymeela volunteer. I got a chicken curry sandwich for 1.90 pounds. It's was a large enough sandwich that I thought it would cost twice that. We sat in the sunshine on the lawns at City Hall with the rest of the city populace. The Northern Irish people take advantage of every moment of sun available to them, that's for certain.
We headed down Donegall Road that eventually turned onto University Road. Along the way we stopped at Ormeau Baths Gallery where there was a Polish art exhibit. Then we went to a coffeeshop where I delved into my book. High Fidelity is excellent, btw. I really liked the movie and the book is so great! I'm really enjoying the narrative voice of Rob. Anyways...
We were planning to have dinner with our host family, so we headed back. We accidentally took the long way back by not taking the correct path when we cut through the park across the street from the house. It took an extra 20 minutes and I was very tired by then. Becky made a delicious dinner of three different curries with rice and naan! Yum! We had dinner in the garden behind their home. The family was so welcoming and so hospitable, I felt like it was a bit of home.
We didn't do much that night, though looking back I wish we had. Apparently it was the Belfast City Council Waste Week which included a free fashion show of things that had been created out of recycled clothing. Totally my thing. But, we walked a long way that day and carrying three books and a camera was a bit much, so we didn't go. Instead, we figured out our way back on the bus system and watched a bit of TV with the family. Which, Becky and David have a couple of kids and they were very sweet and welcoming. They were not the type of pre-teens that sulk quietly as they stir their dinners into mush.
The next morning we went to the Botanical Gardens, which is more like a large park with a couple of greenhouses. There was a Palm House filled with palm trees and all of it's relatives and a Tropical Ravine. The Tropical one was glorious! You walked along a balcony that overlooked a dense forest of well tended tropical plants. Water was everywhere and dripped on your face whilst attempting to do artsy photographs. I had fun with the photos. I'm hoping to upload them to the computer and then to a gallery for you all this weekend. Stay tuned!
Matt, who gave us a ride to Belfast, also was very kind and gave us a ride home. When we arrived, I discovered that all groups had left. So what does this mean? Alcohol. Because when a group is on-site, people are on "fire cover" (meaning you are resposible for investigating and evacuating the site in the case of a fire aka no drinking). We walked into town to buy wine and beer and veggie snacks. We played a drinking game using cards called "Circle of Death" though it sounds worse than it is. That is if you play several rounds you will get very drunk. We only played three with about 12 people total.
Then we played Sardines. In the Main House. In the dark. I have not had so much fun since I arrived at Corrymeela.
And that was my week.
Starting on Tuesday, it was my turn for time off. I heard that Elsa and Jessica were going down to Belfast for a meeting with a group that would be coming to Corrymeela. This meant that I could hitch a ride down to Belfast. Jessica was kind enough to arrange calling and emailing a family who are Corrymeela members, so we would have a place to stay. Their house was along a main road about a 40 minute walk from the City Centre. I guess a rundown of what we did will suffice, yes?
Left Corrymeela at around 5pm. We went to a Mexican place on University Road called Boojam. Very much like Chipotle, but way way better. It was great to have some flavorful food again. Then we went to the meeting. We got to the host family's home at around 8:30pm. They live around the Queen's University area of town. The husband and wife, Becky and David, offered us a glass of wine and we sat and chatted for a while. They have a really lovely home. It's part of that typical pattern of brick homes that are squished side by side, but with three stories and plenty of length. I slept in their entertainment room on the first floor (second floor to us Americans) where they had a pull out sofa bed. They offered us every convinience and gave us a key to their home. I could not imagine a better welcome into someone's home (nothing at all like the welcome I received when coming to Corrymeela. I was dropped off at my room and then disappearance).
The next day Jessica and I walked into the City. We met up with Elsa and went to the Victoria shopping centre. I found an H&M! However, Jessica, being the Bohemian-esque writer type that she is, despised going shopping and so we opted for wandering. We found a few used bookshops, where I was completely unable to keep my resolve not to buy anything. I bought High Fidelity by Nick Hornby and Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern. One of the bookshops was stacked so high with books that I felt as though they would topple at any moment. And the shop was huge. So very many books.
We got lunch at a place called Cecil's Sandwich Bar, recommended by Marc, another Corrymeela volunteer. I got a chicken curry sandwich for 1.90 pounds. It's was a large enough sandwich that I thought it would cost twice that. We sat in the sunshine on the lawns at City Hall with the rest of the city populace. The Northern Irish people take advantage of every moment of sun available to them, that's for certain.
We headed down Donegall Road that eventually turned onto University Road. Along the way we stopped at Ormeau Baths Gallery where there was a Polish art exhibit. Then we went to a coffeeshop where I delved into my book. High Fidelity is excellent, btw. I really liked the movie and the book is so great! I'm really enjoying the narrative voice of Rob. Anyways...
We were planning to have dinner with our host family, so we headed back. We accidentally took the long way back by not taking the correct path when we cut through the park across the street from the house. It took an extra 20 minutes and I was very tired by then. Becky made a delicious dinner of three different curries with rice and naan! Yum! We had dinner in the garden behind their home. The family was so welcoming and so hospitable, I felt like it was a bit of home.
We didn't do much that night, though looking back I wish we had. Apparently it was the Belfast City Council Waste Week which included a free fashion show of things that had been created out of recycled clothing. Totally my thing. But, we walked a long way that day and carrying three books and a camera was a bit much, so we didn't go. Instead, we figured out our way back on the bus system and watched a bit of TV with the family. Which, Becky and David have a couple of kids and they were very sweet and welcoming. They were not the type of pre-teens that sulk quietly as they stir their dinners into mush.
The next morning we went to the Botanical Gardens, which is more like a large park with a couple of greenhouses. There was a Palm House filled with palm trees and all of it's relatives and a Tropical Ravine. The Tropical one was glorious! You walked along a balcony that overlooked a dense forest of well tended tropical plants. Water was everywhere and dripped on your face whilst attempting to do artsy photographs. I had fun with the photos. I'm hoping to upload them to the computer and then to a gallery for you all this weekend. Stay tuned!
Matt, who gave us a ride to Belfast, also was very kind and gave us a ride home. When we arrived, I discovered that all groups had left. So what does this mean? Alcohol. Because when a group is on-site, people are on "fire cover" (meaning you are resposible for investigating and evacuating the site in the case of a fire aka no drinking). We walked into town to buy wine and beer and veggie snacks. We played a drinking game using cards called "Circle of Death" though it sounds worse than it is. That is if you play several rounds you will get very drunk. We only played three with about 12 people total.
Then we played Sardines. In the Main House. In the dark. I have not had so much fun since I arrived at Corrymeela.
And that was my week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
