tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85493327127976432672024-03-12T18:18:19.301-07:00YOST NI Study CourseThe goal of this blog is to make personal connections to our own experiences and work with the youth of Northern Ireland through observation, discussion and documentation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-62278311675393932242010-09-10T20:34:00.000-07:002010-09-10T20:45:29.607-07:00Walls 2<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx2aASZUxZIDHT6eNpRcIKGXrQrTT4bafQUcVSSoy6LoSG2zR01NjzveIgIEPlw1-7RjKsZ36vAnOineIsK-A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-31963095027274638812010-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:002010-09-10T20:33:55.286-07:00Walls<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIetm3l7FT4OOioZ5ZpEX8-ihGiXGJxgBQrvGTt0g0Mxe6AzIof8WhzZSng8JH9Jt0v2lKIN8Tx17f3-ExVQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-89341379185500389772010-07-11T15:09:00.000-07:002010-07-11T15:10:38.542-07:00Settings Changed!Hey FYI All,<div><br /></div><div>I changed the settings on the blog, so if you identify yourself, you can post a comment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Joyce</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-44409013434708430862010-06-27T10:33:00.000-07:002010-06-27T10:36:05.186-07:00"What it Means to be a Witness"<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">This group personal observation report by Joyce, Kayla, Nicki, Leidy, and Sarah is about our personal experiences in Northern Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We explored the question “What does it mean to be a witness?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The group used personal turning points to examine the question using our thoughts and our feelings to support our stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By telling our personal stories we were able to gain some insight into ourselves and begin to question our role as a witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7k5KzIhXoJlZEYnCI7LXmKm742dwWaQMZ4EJFIr05e0FpEeQfQfICFVDzEECTXpOyaberPF7ZQ53e1zYt4g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-64957231494076331332010-06-27T05:54:00.000-07:002010-06-27T06:00:20.525-07:00"Gender Roles in Northern Ireland" by Joyce, Alissa, and Kayla<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><pre style="font-size: smaller; ">Our group noticed murals and other evidence of what expectations of male and female roles are in Northern Ireland. This video shows the evidence and asks the question, What does it mean to be male, female or other here?</pre></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwpB6_T4z2OPUiXJnBKuIoVvJIJeKa_Ac8dJK-dBrYzgP0lFFA6ZNbsLLPdwZ1UJ5jDNmxms1yyzsQYrrKtbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-51507060165475403332010-06-26T09:18:00.000-07:002010-06-26T09:51:27.676-07:00Lighting the WayThe second digital story created by Sarah, Robbie, Nicki, and Lisa addressed some general ideas about youth work across practices, cities, and countries. That the number one importance of a youth worker is to always stand as an open invitation for young people to be part of something safe and non-exclusive. Even though the issues that come along with the work can seem insurmountable at times, that no matter how big or small the steps you take as a youth worker, they are in fact in the right direction; the direction toward possibilities.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxG0u497W79khWDTXxS6FWRk32D24zVo2UJT7B_buHE2K3__b_3LKtRmjyyisfoIyL5b7_vtRxjE5Fxlw5sXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-40746008820833284562010-06-26T08:03:00.000-07:002010-06-26T09:18:16.582-07:00Relationships in RhythmThis video diary was created by Sarah, Lisa, Robbie, and Nicki with a special focus on relationships. These human connections shape the way we live our everyday lives and the space we live them in. <div>Staying at Corrymeela the first week of our trip taught us the importance in the notion of elastic community; a space that people can be different together through the community principles of Equity, Diversity and Interdependence. These principles work to ensure that through our relationships the focus is shifted from the self, to the other. This shift in focus works to enable endless possibilities which, in the context of Northern Ireland includes a shared future of peace and reconciliation. </div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxv-EAbSr5kvBqmzzo03EuqXkkerVziIVo1t-2AN0a1iQPNQG-1FUqpVZ1Ho4p473aCEcFy-uOYN2hL17Nhjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-49019430692702508322010-06-20T10:11:00.000-07:002010-06-20T11:09:10.995-07:00"Rituals of Space" by Alissa, Kayla and Joyce<div><br /></div><div>Our group noticed the impact of space and rituals on adults and children. In the contest of Northern Ireland, it explains to a degree why children can't be friends with children from the opposing side. There needs to be mutual safe space for opposing groups to share in new rituals. This space can be the corridor or hall to crossing boundaries and creating friendships based in similarities.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxf0PJjMtAB0njYjtDevjD-OhKyi6i3YBOkiSRNIdgCJ5-aAErlfNyq2ubYGdWgIx3WKzsk-Nj05zOKVVVRKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-16088508783525313232010-06-20T10:04:00.000-07:002010-06-20T10:08:41.742-07:00Digital StoriesDuring our course, our small groups created various digital stories exploring various themes in our learning. We would like to share those stories with you all. In the next week, our group will be posting these stories.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-81483170914545691302010-06-08T08:15:00.000-07:002010-06-20T12:10:29.175-07:00All good things must come to an end.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5IrwRHgbI/AAAAAAAAAO0/jTXCe6E6NLk/s1600/United+Kingdom+2010-1745.jpg"></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5F0aJFh2I/AAAAAAAAAOM/_Dlpow9cAr4/s1600/P6010688.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5F0aJFh2I/AAAAAAAAAOM/_Dlpow9cAr4/s320/P6010688.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484898162856789858" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Our group had the opportunity to explore Europe on our own for our weekend off. Some people went to Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh) others stayed in Belfast and visited nearby towns. Robbie went to Holland to meet up with a friend and got to explore Amsterdam and other cities in Holland. Brian participated in a hundred-mile fundraising bike tour. We're EXTREMELY proud of him, as he completed the entire journey- on a 1970's road bike and wearing pink helmet to boot!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5IrwRHgbI/AAAAAAAAAO0/jTXCe6E6NLk/s320/United+Kingdom+2010-1745.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484901312712114610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">For most of us, it is time now to pack up and leave Northern Ireland. We wanted to leave our loyal followers with individual thoughts on the experience and what we've learned, what we've discovered, or what it has meant to us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Michelle - "Its a bittersweet moment leaving this place. I have learned and experienced so much. The people, the coast, the city, my classmates and group leaders have come together to create this amazing and challenging experience that I will never forget."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Brian Hubbard - "I biked 80 miles around the surrounding Strangford Lough in Eastern Northern Ireland. I was amazed by the beauty that I witnessed on my bicycle tour around this body of water. The journey took me through rolling hills and small country roads. I observed the various landscapes and architecture. The journey was long and tough but well worth it! I took a day trip to Derry/Londonderry to see this city. I observed murals and went to a few museums."</span></span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5F1anlSUI/AAAAAAAAAOU/hz0FCZXM7ok/s320/P6010735.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484898180164569410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Joyce Strand - "This trip has been eye opening to the power of history. The people we have met have so many layers and complexities to deal with and yet the youth and youth workers we've met are the ones crossing the boundaries and bringing hope to their communities. I am inspired by the work happening here."</span></span></pre></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5F2gMG2rI/AAAAAAAAAOk/kzDXASncnR0/s320/P6020801.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484898198839810738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">One of the people we were able to speak to on this trip, told us lighting a candle is better than sitting in the dark. I think youth can hold that candle and they are looking for a source of fire. I am coming back from this trip with a figurative box of matches. Ross left us with the idea that one thing he's learned from a friend this trip, is that to a certain extent there will always be disappointments associated with youth work, but "you have to keep hoping for the possible."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CHEERS to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Possibility</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">!!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5HZ5oe_OI/AAAAAAAAAOs/sna77zVpMYs/s320/United+Kingdom+2010-1208.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484899906476768482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5F173EkOI/AAAAAAAAAOc/ms4BGvdfLPs/s320/P6020754.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484898189087903970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-50534256840294775512010-06-04T11:14:00.000-07:002010-06-20T12:10:53.668-07:00And We're Off...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDYl_6c4I/AAAAAAAAANs/ZYc1NiQZjyo/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDYl_6c4I/AAAAAAAAANs/ZYc1NiQZjyo/s320/IMG_0930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478984511469024130" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As our week winds down we’ve continued to meet with different youth workers and youth allies, today was no different.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We began our morning at the Girl’s Model School, a secondary school that provides a range of activities before, during, and after school to support teaching and learning.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">unique</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">school in Belfast that employs social workers, counselors, and behavioral, attendance, and family officers who all work together in supporting the students.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">All staff work together to provide academics and vocational training which includes cosmetology, manufacturing, music production, dance and much more.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Another unique aspect of this school is their emphasis on family involvement to promote life long learning as well as a goal in giving back to the community.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As Janice, the Community Involvement Coordinator s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">tated,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">“The purpose of this school is to help a family educate a child”.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The value of family and community this place holds left us wondering how we can implement the same into our own schools.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDZivWP7I/AAAAAAAAAN0/3oH0VoovVis/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDZivWP7I/AAAAAAAAAN0/3oH0VoovVis/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478984527774105522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">For lunch we stopped in the famous</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">St. George’s Market</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">located in Central Belfast.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Market offered many different global cuisines as well as jewelry, antiques, books, and textiles.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDawks-HI/AAAAAAAAAN8/TcByCTkcJCI/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDawks-HI/AAAAAAAAAN8/TcByCTkcJCI/s320/IMG_0945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478984548667422834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We continued on to visit Vernon Ringland a local organization called Youth Bank.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We learned about their work in the decision making youth-led process around allocating funding to different programs and projects working to impact change.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">They are also international and their model of youth work is used in many different countries outside of Ireland.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Vernon walked us through many different experientially based activities so we, as youth workers could learn exactly how they use this model with youth around the world.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The activities were interesting in how we were able to really experience and reflect on what we were learning around the system and policies around funding.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Through the process of listing different things we enjoyed during our time at Youth Bank we were able to narrow the list down to three themes that helped explain our experience; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">comfort</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">participation</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">interaction</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDb46RgnI/AAAAAAAAAOE/hvH7hW4mljg/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAlDb46RgnI/AAAAAAAAAOE/hvH7hW4mljg/s320/IMG_0976.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478984568085250674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As the weekend approaches, our excitement heightens in anticipation to leave on our</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">journeys</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> to different places.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Some of us will be traveling to Scotland, Amsterdam, and Dublin while a few will stay in Belfast to have some down time and explore the city further.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">One of our group members will also be riding a 100 mile bike ride to support </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-28571356385426014222010-06-03T16:00:00.000-07:002010-06-20T12:11:51.126-07:00Campus to Community<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5mYFN04lI/AAAAAAAAAPM/E_kM3xANGZ0/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5mWeboTPI/AAAAAAAAAO8/TEwb5xC8WEc/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5mWeboTPI/AAAAAAAAAO8/TEwb5xC8WEc/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484933932495949042" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br />Today we went to Ulster University and chatted with Ken Harland and Tony Morgan from the Community Youth Work division.They talked about the youth work sectors in Northern Ireland; voluntary, community and public. They spoke about the fact that families are usually not targeted in cross community youth work making the progress towards peace a struggle. A memorable quote Tony left us with was, "People don't give up power, there is a language of hope for young people, but there is still the grip." They then provided us with a wonderful lunch and showed us around the beautiful campus. Though classes were not in session we still got to taste what Ulster University had to offer.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5mXeBBm6I/AAAAAAAAAPE/yryxxOo6WeY/s320/IMG_1566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484933949564230562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br />Following our visit we headed over to Glyni, Gay and Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland, and had an informational session with Regional Development Youth Officer, Liam Larmour. Glyni is the only support system for LGBT youth in Northern Ireland which is a testament to the oppression these young people face in both their homes and communities. Their programming includes social recreation groups, advocacy art, housing, finances, jobs, counseling, and parental support for young people ages 14-25. Anyone who does not fall within this age range is still offered support through e-mail or by being referred other programs that can better serve their needs. Part of Glyni's philosophy is based on the following principals: youth have the right to exist, the right to enjoy full citizenship, and the right not to be discriminated against, with the aim to increase awareness of participants and equip the with skills to tackle issues affecting LGBT young people.<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TB5mYFN04lI/AAAAAAAAAPM/E_kM3xANGZ0/s320/IMG_1585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484933960086905426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Our week in Belfast is quickly wrapping up and anxiety is building around weekend travel plans. Some of us are worried about not having enough time to visit sites of interest and finish homework. Through all of this we were able to enjoy a home cooked dinner made my our group members. We are looking forward to more learning and experiences tomorrow.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-3829949458965134022010-06-03T00:46:00.000-07:002010-06-20T12:12:09.967-07:00A day filled with acronyms...<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Today we awoke well rested and ready to go! Our first stop was the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People, known to many as</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">N</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Y</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">W</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">e knew this place was geared to youth due to the bright colors, drawings on the wall and bean bag chairs in the lobby. We met with Laura a participation officer in the department</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">N</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">'s</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">main goal is to promote the </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, also known as </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">UNCRC</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. Laura posed a few questions to us regarding our knowledge of the UNCRC, she also gave us a few workshops to practice our recent learning of the rights. This really helped our group get a better feel for </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">N</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Y</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> and the work that they do.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdhz-QTBUI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Skr1r4-0AJ8/s1600/IMG_2112.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdhz-QTBUI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Skr1r4-0AJ8/s320/IMG_2112.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478455017232074050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdgszINFxI/AAAAAAAAAK0/-Rld3nXvxIo/s1600/DSCF0033.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdgszINFxI/AAAAAAAAAK0/-Rld3nXvxIo/s320/DSCF0033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478453794474628882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">After </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">N</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">C</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Y </span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">we all broke into groups and experienced the city which was HOT and filled with </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">marvelous</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">sunshine.</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Some of us went on a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Titanic </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">tour, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">City Hall</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> tour, shopping, and others just enjoyed the beaming</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> beautiful</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> scene that is daily life in</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">lively</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Belfast. You know what they say time </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">f</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">l</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">i</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">e</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">s</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> when you’re having fun, that wasn’t the case for us, our fun carried on well into the night as we headed out to </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Corpus Christi Youth Center</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> for dinner and round </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">two of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">freaky</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> fast</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">fun</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Wednesday!</span></span></i><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdinXHFloI/AAAAAAAAALU/7KoPdrbQ1Xg/s1600/IMG_2137.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdinXHFloI/AAAAAAAAALU/7KoPdrbQ1Xg/s320/IMG_2137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478455900077659778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdjTYAyrDI/AAAAAAAAALk/Xfv-9LI8hck/s1600/DSCF0043.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdjTYAyrDI/AAAAAAAAALk/Xfv-9LI8hck/s320/DSCF0043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478456656233933874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">At </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">CCYC </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">we got to talk with youth form all over </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Northern Ireland</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">England</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We were a little nervous about just jumping in and talking to them, but once a conversation started the time just flew. We hung out, played </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">football</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(soccer), pool, and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">danced</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The youth were</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> really</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> great and easy to talk to once we found out we had similar interests. We talked about school, family, music, etc. Before we knew it our</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">time was up</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">and we had to go. Many of us wanted to stay</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> longer</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> and chat.<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdi_hP8qPI/AAAAAAAAALc/1bND4H1Ji8U/s1600/DSCF0061.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAdi_hP8qPI/AAAAAAAAALc/1bND4H1Ji8U/s320/DSCF0061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478456315116038386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-76879440481348243212010-06-01T11:24:00.000-07:002010-06-20T12:12:34.403-07:00A afternoon at the museum (sadly, sans Ben Stiller)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVUOW8rHMI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/TL_VY-hzFMs/s1600/DSCN0848.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVUOW8rHMI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/TL_VY-hzFMs/s320/DSCN0848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477877127421041858" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The day started out with a necessary re-grouping session. We have found that since our transition to the fast pace of Belfast in a new space, we haven’t found as many opportunities to come together and check-in/reflect. It’s cool that we’ve jelled so much together in the past nine days (and the pre-trip seminars) that we missed those big group times and really noticed how it affected us to not have that time all together.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVUicr0ZmI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/G2isBczezcM/s1600/DSCN0824.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVUicr0ZmI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/G2isBczezcM/s320/DSCN0824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477877472558343778" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We had some exploring time to see parts of the city that we’d not yet had the chance to experience. The main excursion of the day was the Ulster Museum situated in the beautiful Botanic Gardens. The museum is free and has recently been renovated, with a new exhibit on the history of Northern Ireland and the Troubles. We were asked to try and notice what the exhibit might mean to each side of the conflict, and if we ourselves were individuals from each community how we might feel like walking through the museum.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVVTuDWo7I/AAAAAAAAAKM/tpq9gWLlB_U/s1600/DSCN0813.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVVTuDWo7I/AAAAAAAAAKM/tpq9gWLlB_U/s320/DSCN0813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477878319034049458" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVVsW6xSeI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GYgtfXuZ1Xo/s1600/DSCN0831.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVVsW6xSeI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GYgtfXuZ1Xo/s320/DSCN0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477878742320761314" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As for us three, we noticed minor things that stuck out to us. For one, the language referring to the paramilitaries versus the British army seemed different. The panels seemed to imply that the British army provided a “service” while the paramilitaries were more focused on “violence.” We also noticed a lack of artifacts, but there was a great amount of stories and powerful visuals.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tonight we also began cooking dinners for ourselves! While the adjustments to a busy, public kitchen were sometimes tricky (i.e. finding the cooking utensils near the end of our meal, making do with what we had), it was pretty fun! We were very worried about feeding everyone and hoping everyone would like it, but it turned out well in the end. We found that it was really another great time of interdependence, and a nice venue to meet some of the other travelers calling this hostel their home!<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVV_Tb6IgI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ppb2YPUpTSs/s1600/DSCN0841.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAVV_Tb6IgI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ppb2YPUpTSs/s320/DSCN0841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477879067803525634" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-33230189496482455552010-05-31T15:32:00.000-07:002010-06-20T12:13:10.861-07:00Building Bridges Between History and The Present<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ8m6ZaN7I/AAAAAAAAAIs/rtoWBJRQE08/s1600/DSCN0659.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ8m6ZaN7I/AAAAAAAAAIs/rtoWBJRQE08/s320/DSCN0659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477569685997893554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We started out the day with the infamous Black Taxi Political Tour in Belfast.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our tour was spent by going through different</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Catholic</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Protestant</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">communities examining history by looking at murals and other landmarks.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our first stop was at the international wall mural site, which changes it murals every two years in order to fully tell the complex stories of Northern Ireland’s political history. Each of these murals hold a significant piece of history, and our tour guide explained the different elements, which were presented pictorially.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We continued on at the Most Holy Redeemer Clonard Church.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our tour guide explained it as being like “a jewel in a </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">crown</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">”, saying that the Irish and British met secretly at this church to have conversations about how to end the conflict.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This was something that had never been done before.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ8nuGFcqI/AAAAAAAAAI0/D6qu5lgwGYE/s1600/DSCN0681.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ8nuGFcqI/AAAAAAAAAI0/D6qu5lgwGYE/s320/DSCN0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477569699875484322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Next we moved to the Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden, where the peace wall divides the Catholic from the Protestant communities for four miles.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This particular memorial garden provided information on the attacks of Bombay Street as well as honored those from that community who had died in the conflict.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We then looked at th</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">e</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">peace</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">wall, which was erected in 1969.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This particular wall has colorful graffiti and is open to autographs and a personal message.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ8n122BbI/AAAAAAAAAI8/KgjUWXW_DsA/s1600/DSCN0719.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ8n122BbI/AAAAAAAAAI8/KgjUWXW_DsA/s320/DSCN0719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477569701959042482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Throughout our tour, we stopped to view murals both in the Catholic and Protestant communities.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Each side contains positive and negative images depicting their culture, politics, history, and the conflict.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The last mural we visited had an adverse impact.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ91sNNKdI/AAAAAAAAAJE/-GHphHf9r7A/s1600/DSCN0731.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ91sNNKdI/AAAAAAAAAJE/-GHphHf9r7A/s320/DSCN0731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477571039398275538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our tour guide explained to us about the mural saying, “everyone is entitled to their culture, we can’t change them they can’t change us.”</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The tour provided us with greater detail the political context of the city we are residing in.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After lunch we visited Paul Smith at the Public Achievement office learning about his programs around civic spaces.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was interesting to learn that Paul modeled his program around the civic engagement programs in Minnesota.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Paul is connected to the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">University</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">of</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Minnesota</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">faculty in his studies with civic engagement.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He used the model of a co-creative process between youth and adults working together. Paul provided us with a metaphor of wearing colored glasses that shape our perspectives on life.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This perspective is defined by others and ourselves.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Especially in Northern Ireland, many people’s perspective and identities are shaped by the “other” rather than themselves.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The focus of </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Public Achievement</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in Belfast is bringing youth together against a culture of such a divide (e.g. Where 95% of schools and public housing our segregated).</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Paul left us with a message, he sees youth work as a craft he is still learning, and “particularly from young people, and that the minute you cease to learn from young people is the minute you are no longer a youth worker.”</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ92AvyK8I/AAAAAAAAAJM/cZR90Z0cmVU/s1600/DSCN0762.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ92AvyK8I/AAAAAAAAAJM/cZR90Z0cmVU/s320/DSCN0762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477571044912016322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We were offered the unique opportunity to visit a cross-community peace mural unveiling through a program led by Steven Hughes called “</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Crossing Bridges</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">”.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This program includes eight groups of youth, four Catholic and four Protestant.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These groups see themselves as one culture divided with shared perspectives.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> The mural depicts a shared history of the communities with a message of peace.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Steven Hughes explained how one side is more advanced in changing the negative murals to culturally positive. This mural is part of a project to advance this process.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ92WY2BSI/AAAAAAAAAJU/-njwM-IKs_0/s1600/DSCN0766.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ92WY2BSI/AAAAAAAAAJU/-njwM-IKs_0/s320/DSCN0766.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477571050721379618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We then got the opportunity to sit with the youth on a panel discussion on four speakers who were deliberately selected from diverse backgrounds.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They each had different perspectives, generations, and involvement with the conflict.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Panel members included a Civil Rights chairman, a Republican prisoner who participated in the hunger strike, a Loyalist advocate and a Good Relations officer to the Belfast Council.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The discussion began with two of the youth speaking on their experiences in the program.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of the youth stated about “</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Crossing Bridges</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">”, “we worked on this not just as</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Catholics</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Protestants</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but as young people together.”</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The panelists then spoke on insights into important parts of their lives.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The discussion also allowed for the youth to ask questions for clarification and a reflection period.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Civil Rights chairman ended with a message saying, “violence led nowhere, progress could only be made through non-violent protests and talks”.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ-gB7WTLI/AAAAAAAAAJc/pvvOYJ_GfKM/s1600/DSCN0772.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAQ-gB7WTLI/AAAAAAAAAJc/pvvOYJ_GfKM/s320/DSCN0772.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477571766783462578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-34066542715470238642010-05-30T16:24:00.001-07:002010-05-30T17:25:42.185-07:00Goodbyes are Hard, but hello's Can be Harder.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAMBFdAoMcI/AAAAAAAAAIk/oweOsLqEUck/s1600/DSCN0542.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAMBFdAoMcI/AAAAAAAAAIk/oweOsLqEUck/s320/DSCN0542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477222765010891202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAMBEmsZu-I/AAAAAAAAAIc/LK69l2noTkc/s1600/DSC03021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAMBEmsZu-I/AAAAAAAAAIc/LK69l2noTkc/s320/DSC03021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477222750430542818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;" >Goodbye to Corrymeela, hello to Michael and the bus.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">We left our happy home with a new found</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">strength</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">and</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">trust</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">. </span></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;" >A treat on the way was refreshing and on time.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Some crisps(chips) and a nap, with</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">Belfast</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">on our minds.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;" >Surrounded by buildings, "what have we awoken to?"</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;" >Eyes tired & bellies empty, we were not sure what to do.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;" >We broke into groups and headed up to our rooms.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The best youth hostel in town, still felt like marching to our dooms. </span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We were spoiled the past week, so this can be expected. </span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Happy to head out, our stomach's still neglected.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >After the Chinese buffet we started to perk up.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >A short walk around town and some of us had had enough.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Naps, Skype, homework and friends.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Forcing ourselves to work, we swear it never ends.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">But of course we are impressed, with the</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">hard work</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">and</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">dedication</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Seeing everyone create brought us laughter and motivation.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We look forward to a nights rest, in the new beds we inhabit.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Sad we won't look out our windows to see flowers or bunny rabbits.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">But now we are a family, ready to</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">redefine space</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Tomorrow awaits us,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">we can't wait to see this place</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-56218094266945310362010-05-29T12:46:00.000-07:002010-05-29T13:35:05.227-07:00We are leaving Corymeela and so it begins...<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Good </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">hosts</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">, good </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">hospitality</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and good</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">food</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">; f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">rom the way we were treated you would think we are royalty or something but no that is just the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Corrymeela</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> way. From </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> up to sun down we were to put it simply spoiled. Three solid meals, tea and coffee in between, fresh fruit, friendly smiles and kind words were common things found during our stay. We will have some MAJOR </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">adjusting to do as we move from having things done for us to doing things on our own. Yet the fact that the staff and volunteers here were so </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><i>freely</i></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">giving and kind makes us want to do the same for others, kind of like a pass it on sort of deal.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAF3TW2P1cI/AAAAAAAAAIU/eRLzgjnyOoc/s1600/Music+together+Blog+2.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAF3TW2P1cI/AAAAAAAAAIU/eRLzgjnyOoc/s320/Music+together+Blog+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476789796293563842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAF1nUjOWsI/AAAAAAAAAIE/NhnP8hwBoJk/s1600/Music+together+Blog+2.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Not only have we met new people while we have been here but we have also melded more as a </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">group</span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.</span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Although we all come from </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">different </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">backgrounds</span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and different youth work practices we are here on this </span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">common</span></span></span></span><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">journey to learn about another place and further our own knowledge. Rather than just scratching the surface or learning simplistically, we have been challenged to </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">learn</span></span></span><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">more complexly. By digging deeper into ourselves and being open to new experiences that just may change the way we</span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">see</span></span></span><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">things. Often times when working with people who are different than ourselves, we need to learn how to be</span> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCCC;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">flexible</span></span></i></span></span><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and accommodate to others, which is </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not always easy</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">but important. Many people preach to treat everyone equally but another way to look at it is by treating </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">everyone equitably</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">, meaning taking into consideration people’s needs and treating them fairly. For instance if a person has a hearing impairment it is not fair to treat them like those who can hear, because that leaves out an essential element to who that person is. Rather it is important to take into consideration our differences and assure that people are being treated fairly according to them. This lesson, among many others was told to us by our guest speaker </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dereck Wilson</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAF0zl5ao0I/AAAAAAAAAH8/QNbK075a91E/s320/Derek1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476787051554317122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;">Dereck</span> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">has been a youth worker for numerous years, he was</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF99;"><b>“one of the first certified youth workers in Northern Ireland”</b></span></i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">to be exact. He also set up one of the first programs to train youth workers. Throughout his experience he has focused much of it on</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b>peace </b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b>reconciliation</b> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">programs, including Corrymeela. Dereck had a wealth of knowledge he shared with us that many of us will</span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">never</span></span></b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">forget.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Dereck shared that when entering a</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><b>new</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">youth work situation it is important to remember that not only is each youth coming in with</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><i>their own history and background</i></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">but we are as well. Therefore it is important to remember to leave our</span> <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;">“baggage”</span></b></i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">at the door, to become grounded and approach the upcoming interactions with a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">blank</span></b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">slate. By being grounded ourselves hopefully the youth will be able to become grounded as well, being able to put their </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">past</span></span></b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">history in the back of their minds in order to be open to the experiences that may happen. When youth are open it creates a sense of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">diversity</span></b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><i>interdependence</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">. Along with </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">equitability, diversity and interdependence</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> are</span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">key</span></i></span></b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">aspects to have Dereck says, in any situation, particularly when working with groups in conflict.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Taking into</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">consideration</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">that not all youth are at a program of their own volition, perhaps it is mandatory of a sentence or maybe family life leads them to be there, Dereck mentioned that changing the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><b>attitude </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">from having to be there to choosing to be there can make a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">world </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">of difference. How this actually looks and takes shape is the challenge but it basically boils down to</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">acknowledging the youth’s situation</span></i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and asking them to consider making an active choice to be there.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> An interesting quote Dereck shared with us was: “</span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">Your feet are walking into new experiences before your head is into it.” </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When we first arrived at Corrymeela our feet were sure here but our true understanding of this place was far far away. Even after our time here has almost come to an end, we cannot say we fully understand but we are indeed at a deeper</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>understanding</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">of what youth work looks like in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">Northern Ireland</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We began the blog entry a few days ago with a sign we saw our first day on sight. Corrymeela begins when you leave, now as we pack up our bags to head to Belfast, our</span> <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCFF;">real</span></span></b></i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">challenge begins.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAF2_M-cYWI/AAAAAAAAAIM/CwK3wmNN680/s1600/Hellograss!.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TAF2_M-cYWI/AAAAAAAAAIM/CwK3wmNN680/s320/Hellograss!.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476789450046202210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-38435824743414566132010-05-29T01:33:00.000-07:002010-06-04T11:26:30.374-07:00Eleven Roses, Two Thorns<span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Today had it’s ups and downs. Literally.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We began our day on an expedition to explore the</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">wonder</span></span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">that is Northern Ireland.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Our first stop on our adventure was the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, which connects the mainland to a small island used by local fisherman.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Although it still serves it’s fishing purposes it has also become a well known tourist attraction.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> For most of us, this was an unexpected physical and mental challenge. This bridge loomed about 100 feet above jagged</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">death</span></span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">rocks and crashing</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">ocean</span></span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">waves, not to mention the rains and high winds that claimed a baseball cap. Many of our group members reluctantly dragged themselves across while others skipped across the bridge with great trust in the ropes and planks that made up this structure. The view on the other side was surreal. This was also a time that brought the group closer through encouragements and extensions of support. It was evident that the group was becoming more attuned to each others needs, which will certainly help us succeed in what we ultimately came here to do.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_77nd_zusI/AAAAAAAAAGk/a-4PA920amQ/s1600/IMGP1832.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_77nd_zusI/AAAAAAAAAGk/a-4PA920amQ/s320/IMGP1832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476090852414831298" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:";"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Moving from one place to the next in our coach van we were provided with constant entertainment by our driver Michael. Throughout our time spent with him he was cracking jokes left and right, telling tall tales, and getting to know us better. While we stopped to have a </span></span><span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">countryside lunch</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">he noticed one of us with our headphones in listening to music. He commented, "Are you jammin' darlin?</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Strawberry</span></span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">or</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">raspberry</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">?"</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We all burst into laughter and appreciated his witty Irish humor.</span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">On the way to our next sight, we stopped to visit the smallest church in all of Ireland called St. Gobban's Church. This secluded and</span> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">neutral</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">place of worship accepts all religions and all denominations. Donations to a special coin box inside the church is evenly distributed among charities. John Auld's cottage shares the same property as this church and we struck up a conversation with him while visiting. He proceeded to tell us about his service in the United States Navy and gave us the</span> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">pecial privilege</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">to enter his cottage. This was a place of wonder holding many artifacts from different generations, including a canoe dated all the way back to 450 AD and items from the Titanic. We've learned that often times relationships in Northern Ireland can take an especially long time to build, however we were welcomed by Mr. Auld instantly. In more neutral areas, such as where this church is located or at Corrymeela perhaps the Northern Irish take a more open and unguarded approach to others.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_79iTkO3MI/AAAAAAAAAGs/FaCKzKF1ZGA/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_79iTkO3MI/AAAAAAAAAGs/FaCKzKF1ZGA/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476092962738724034" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:";"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Our afternoon concluded at the Giant's Causeway, another famous geological</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">treasure</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">There are two different stories as to how over 40,000 hexagonal columns were formed. One is a mystical tale about two fighting giants and one is a scientific theory about volcanic eruptions. A short introductory movie clip about the Causeway ended saying that there's one kind of rock but two different stories and it was up to us to decide. As this site has awed countless travelers for centuries, it had the same effect on us. These two stories but one type of rock could symbolize the Conflict in Northern Ireland we've been learning about.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_79jV0xLFI/AAAAAAAAAG8/UjbxIWTpaaI/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_79jV0xLFI/AAAAAAAAAG8/UjbxIWTpaaI/s320/IMG_0701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476092980524821586" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_79i1IqvBI/AAAAAAAAAG0/QykoQ2C7ul4/s1600/IMGP1874.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_79i1IqvBI/AAAAAAAAAG0/QykoQ2C7ul4/s320/IMGP1874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476092971749915666" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:";"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Back at Corrymeela we were invited to watch or participate in a talent show organized for a group of kids, "Corrymeela's Got Talent". These youth were staying here for the week going through a program put on here focusing on cross-community</span> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">integration</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">. This gave us a special opportunity to interact with the young people in a fun way as a number of us chose to showcase our own special talents. Through interactions as well as encouraging the youth, a door was opened for us all to briefly experience direct work with Northern Ireland youth. It was inspiring to see how the youth workers here used fun and interactive activities as meaningful teaching opportunities.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:";"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">As Michael named us earlier in the day, "The group of eleven</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">roses</span></span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and two</span> </span><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">thorns</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> (representing the female to male ratio), we have used this day here in Ireland to build a stronger bond within the group. We were privileged to gain insight on another side of Northern Ireland, a very beautiful side...<br /></span><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_79jvJ_PII/AAAAAAAAAHE/KGwxihgUxho/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:";font-size:12pt;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><br /></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-4828899251255772862010-05-28T06:22:00.000-07:002010-05-29T05:34:24.661-07:00Participation and Pure Fun!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">"No</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" > </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">one</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" > </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">s born a good citizen; no </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">nation</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" > </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">is born a democracy. Rather, both are </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">processes</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" > </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" >."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">-Kofi Annan</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium;" > </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADpopj5AII/AAAAAAAAAH0/ImMFFd4lX4I/s1600/DSCN0623.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADpopj5AII/AAAAAAAAAH0/ImMFFd4lX4I/s320/DSCN0623.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476634031442952322" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium;" ></span>We had a bit of a "lie-in" this morning (sleeping in) as the volunteers of Corrymeela have come to understand our group to be slow-starters (to put it euphemistically). As we were we gathering for our morning session, we noticed the weans from Dunclug Primary School lining up to leave! So, of course a room of youth workers need to say their good-byes. It was quite sad to see all their positive <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">energy</span> leave our new home community, but we're looking forward to interacting with the next group of young people from a secondary school who we're told are staying until Sunday! We hear their sleeping habits are a bit more like ours... </div><br /><br /><div>For our morning session three of Corrymeela's long-time volunteers (LTVs), Sang, Raziyah, and Theresa, walked us through how they work with youth, treating us as if we were a group. Many of the games and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">experiential learning activities</span> follow similar methodology lines we are used to at the University of Minnesota, but the volunteers took care to point out how many of the activities are geared towards <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">bringing the two groups of the conflict together</span>.<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADZZsKdG8I/AAAAAAAAAHM/wD_uJ1p72G4/s1600/DSCN0617.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADZZsKdG8I/AAAAAAAAAHM/wD_uJ1p72G4/s320/DSCN0617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476616182257490882" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a>One activity had the entire group holding strings and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">working together</span> to raise a ball from one unstable pole to another pole 15 feet away. The key was to attempt this process without dropping the ball or tipping anything over - if so, we were to begin the process over! We came to realize this process cannot be accomplished without <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">listening</span> to everyone's perspectives in the circle. The LTV's explained their debriefing they hold with youth groups, and how they ask the right <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">questions</span> to get at the concept of how everyone may see one event (or conflict) from completely different perspectives, but how important it is to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">consider all sides</span> when attempting to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">explore </span>solutions to struggles.<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADiAhN4ZsI/AAAAAAAAAHk/bu9NE2AbL4A/s1600/P5230439.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADiAhN4ZsI/AAAAAAAAAHk/bu9NE2AbL4A/s320/P5230439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476625645426992834" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Afterwards, Alissa <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">spontaneously</span> led us in a relaxing back-rub circle and group <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">bonding</span> moment. This special moment reinforced what we learned during the activities as well: that even in the few days that we have been together, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">our group has become very cohesive and good at "having each others' backs", and positively working through any group dynamic struggles</span>. As for us three, we're very proud of our family of 16 (Theresa included!).</div></div><div><br /></div><div>For dinner some of us ventured to Morton's in Ballycastle, for "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">the best fish & chips</span>" in the world, according to folks that have experienced and/or lived here...we have to agree the fish was fresh, hot & flaky, and the chips were tasty! Afterwards, it was off to the town, The Central Restaurant, to have some '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">pure fun</span>!' For our first night experiencing the local scene, we were treated to traditional Irish hospitality. One of our group members was even given the opportunity to entertain the patrons with two songs! PURE FUN!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADk2vr7fbI/AAAAAAAAAHs/oWLu4t2INpE/s1600/DSCN0636.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/TADk2vr7fbI/AAAAAAAAAHs/oWLu4t2INpE/s320/DSCN0636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476628776047312306" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-69542719218280019602010-05-26T13:57:00.000-07:002010-05-26T17:00:10.691-07:00Bitter Spaces & New Beginnings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2sJH7aEHI/AAAAAAAAAF8/kv8D4Lt6_eE/s1600/DSC02968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2sJH7aEHI/AAAAAAAAAF8/kv8D4Lt6_eE/s320/DSC02968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475721994699411570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Today was a much needed day. Here at Corrymeela, we are having many critical conversations, sitting at the edge of</span> an ancient country and</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">attempting to understand its long and painful history.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The opportunity to take in some of the beauty and mystery behind this space had most, if not all of us, feeling wide-eyed and adventurous. The thought of our curiosity being intrusive or even destructive did not cross our minds until we ventured into the town of Ballycastle, more than eager to see what lay beyond the hills we had only glimpsed in our photographs. The sense of freedom we had been welcomed into at Corrymeela transcended its lovely walls onto the sandy beaches we followed towards the town. Frolicking in the sand, we pressed on admiring the colorful rocks (the beaches of Ireland are a geological treasure chest).</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zhQuqdcI/AAAAAAAAAGE/CL1ugL2N0Ks/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zhQuqdcI/AAAAAAAAAGE/CL1ugL2N0Ks/s320/IMG_1151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475730105960134082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2sIWEnMCI/AAAAAAAAAFs/6n2EBLn2YhA/s1600/DSC02954.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2sIWEnMCI/AAAAAAAAAFs/6n2EBLn2YhA/s320/DSC02954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475721981316247586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2sI8zft9I/AAAAAAAAAF0/aiKb3c91hAQ/s1600/DSC02958.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2sI8zft9I/AAAAAAAAAF0/aiKb3c91hAQ/s320/DSC02958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475721991713437650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Shortly after we stepped over an estuary and into the town limits; there were </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">signs of separation</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">all around us. The progress we had made just that morning in our understanding of </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">everyday life</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">in Northern Ireland was now being put to the test. Professor, Ross VeLure Roholt, had challenged us to use visual signs in order to understand who was in ownership of this town.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">Our inability to comprehend how the people in this community live time, space, self and the other was apparent as we tried to decipher meaning in every mural, street sign, door, gate, symbol, artifact and face we encountered. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">There was a feeling of tension we were not quite able to understand. Our position as tourists and outsiders left us feeling uncertain of how we fit into and/or affected this space. At the end of this experience we returned to the comfort of our temporary home where a new guest awaited.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zhw9dWzI/AAAAAAAAAGM/gWsMlusPadw/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zhw9dWzI/AAAAAAAAAGM/gWsMlusPadw/s320/IMG_1170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475730114612124466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zic8RSSI/AAAAAAAAAGU/e2c3xMEVOCM/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zic8RSSI/AAAAAAAAAGU/e2c3xMEVOCM/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475730126418299170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Lisa Rae is studied in English, Museum studies, and most importantly has twelve years of experience in youth work. She has helped to provide neutral spaces for youth of a sectarian society in Northern Ireland by supporting them in redefining museum space. Youth of all classes are only welcomed into museums under restricted circumstances, but she has provided them with the opportunity to take ownership of the museum through self-curated exhibitions. A highlight in our discussion with Mrs. Rae was how she put this magic into words:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">You need to put them in the right situations, at the right time, in the right place, in order to create an environment for them to uncover what they</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">already know.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">We discovered our own meaning in Mrs. Rae's powerful words after hearing the following conversation between two girls also visiting Corrymeela from an Irish primary school:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Girl 1: Why do Catholics and Protestants pure riot all the time?<br />Facilitator: Well why do you think that</span></span> is?</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><br />Girl 1: Because the Catholics don't like the Protestants, and the Protestants don't like the Catholics.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Girl 2: But they're not really all that different!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">This discussion is evidence that Corrymeela does what Mrs. Rae put so beautifully; We learned that our role as youth workers is to turn</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">bitter spaces into new beginnings</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">, and this place does just that.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zijmyJgI/AAAAAAAAAGc/c9YlICKgBJ0/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_2zijmyJgI/AAAAAAAAAGc/c9YlICKgBJ0/s320/IMG_1212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475730128207226370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-88949192345122370552010-05-25T10:06:00.000-07:002010-05-25T13:12:11.430-07:00Day 2 "Where do you belong?"<div>Fun Fact for the Day! Corymeela means <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">"Hill of Harmony"</span></div><div>-After learning this meaning we had a good chuckle because whenever someone mentioned hills someone else would start to sing <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">"The hills are alive with the sound of music..." </span></i>and we were never in musical harmony.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Day 2</i></b> began with getting adjusted to our new home at Corymeela. We found a great saying on the front door as you exit to help explain what this place is about.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_wKuqMMUxI/AAAAAAAAAFE/hqgFCcqIQfM/s1600/IMG_1865.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_wKuqMMUxI/AAAAAAAAAFE/hqgFCcqIQfM/s400/IMG_1865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475263043691369234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div>Our day consisted of learning more of how, what, where and why Corymeela does what it does. We still have until Sunday to be here, but we are getting a great idea of how <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">powerful</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"> </span>this place is and the work that it does.</div><div><br /></div><div>The morning consisted of us getting used to the six hour time change. We awoke to find beautiful <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">sunny skies</span></span></b> despite "the myth" it rains all the time in Ireland (we knocked on wood after we typed this). At breakfast we were pleasantly surprised to find Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies. Some of us also sampled the other cereal called Wheatabix (we think this is right).</div><div><br /></div><div>In order to slowly work ourselves back into the school work mindset we met with our small groups to discuss various questions we wanted to ask our guest speaker, <b>Ivan Cross</b>, who specializes in cross-community work in Northern Ireland. After our group discussions we met up in a large group for a quick check-in and debriefing to go over the various questions established which included: Why did he become interested in youth work? What is cross-community work? How is the program funded? How do you approach the youth about attending Corrymeela? How do you avoid burn-out?</div><div><br /></div><div>After a delicious and filling meal of breaded chicken or vegetarian dish, bread, and salad/slaw we met in our room for our discussion with Ivan. He began the talk by asking us to go around the room and give our names and to answer the question, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">"Where do you belong?" </span></i>This was a puzzling question for several of us as we don't often think where do we belong, it is one of those things you could say is often taken for granted. He continued his talk by explaining the significance of belonging, particularly in Northern Ireland. He explained that in order to do cross-community work, a sense of safety and security are essential, both of these elements are developed when the feeling of belonging coincides with where youth are told they belong.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many of you may be wondering what <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>cross-community</b></span> work is or what it looks like. It can take various forms but for the most part it is bringing two different sides together to talk and discuss in a neutral setting. An important aspect is to remember it is not about converting or eroding the other group but rather hearing the other group.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ivan shared with us some very useful and personal stories that many of us found enlightening and meaningful. Some of the main points we took away were noticing how he creates a safe space for the youth to become aware of themselves, taking <i><b>responsibility</b></i> for their <i><b>actions</b></i>, as well as knowing that they have a choice in what they do. He also takes the time to build trusting <i><b>relationships </b></i>with the youth he works with which helps create the secure space that is crucial to cross-community work.</div><div><br /></div><div>After talking with Ivan we had a brief discussion about tomorrow's agenda then we all rushed off to diner. Tonight we had a version of Shephard's Pie (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">meat</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">vegetarian</span>) with chips (french fries) as the mashed potatoes.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">sun</span></b> is setting on our day, we are left to reflect on what we have learned today. We have many questions swirling in our minds so we would like to leave this one with you to ponder... Where do you belong? Give it a thought, it may be more challenging than you think!</div><div><br /></div><div>:)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_wu9TG4bDI/AAAAAAAAAFk/FLN9-CUwHds/s1600/27945_401314759058_571779058_4032688_1907096_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_wu9TG4bDI/AAAAAAAAAFk/FLN9-CUwHds/s400/27945_401314759058_571779058_4032688_1907096_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475302877611715634" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549332712797643267.post-73519737817237162222010-05-24T13:44:00.000-07:002010-05-24T15:19:48.239-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r3ItCRsOI/AAAAAAAAAE8/l_3ggQD5cYw/s1600/IMG_9840.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r3ItCRsOI/AAAAAAAAAE8/l_3ggQD5cYw/s400/IMG_9840.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474960025922416866" /></a><br />Above Photo: "Kayla on the rocks"<br /><br />Day one: Laura Hughes.<br /><br />This place is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">poetry.</span></b><br />It is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">music. </span></b><br />It is the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">sun</span> and the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">cloudless blue sky, </span><br />a phenomenal first impression for those who have never seen the splendor that is Ireland on a sunny day.<br />It is the fresh sea air in your lungs and tossing through your hair, peeling back the layers of stress and grime acquired on the long journey of taxis, buses, airplanes, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">more airplanes</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">,</span> forgotten and misplaced luggage, delays, waiting, and <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">more buses</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">... </span>exhaustion.<br /><br />It is the feeling that you were meant to be here somehow, and that it was all worth it.<br /><br />It is the hills that touch the clouds, that make you want to run even though your tired legs felt immobile a minute before.<br />It is the people who go out of the way to brighten up your room and make you feel at home.<br /><br />It is the feeling you get, as you sit on the rocks facing an irish sea and an irish sun, that your heart and your soul are both<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">completely </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">alive</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and completely at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">peace</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span><br /></b><br />It is the feeling that you <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">needed this</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">,</span> and you need to be here.<br /><br />This place is the inspiring, breathtaking beauty that you desperately try to catch with your camera.<br />It is the wish that those back home, or those who have not known peace for some time, could see what your eyes are seeing<br />... as even your fancy camera could never do it justice.<br /><br />It is the strange feeling of unity and camaraderie with people you barely even know, but know that you will know, and come to hold dear in your heart.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">... right next to your mental picture of rocks and sea and sun and...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">green.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This place is Corrymeela, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland... and we are apart of it now.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_rzIrOBHwI/AAAAAAAAADs/NkDjcnh6U8g/s1600/IMG_9678.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_rzIrOBHwI/AAAAAAAAADs/NkDjcnh6U8g/s200/IMG_9678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474955627388280578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0_TvVw9I/AAAAAAAAAEc/ZPOVbczVLpg/s1600/IMG_9759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0_TvVw9I/AAAAAAAAAEc/ZPOVbczVLpg/s200/IMG_9759.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474957665490027474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0vG2a6tI/AAAAAAAAAEU/hsH1c_IOuyY/s1600/IMG_9839.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0vG2a6tI/AAAAAAAAAEU/hsH1c_IOuyY/s200/IMG_9839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474957387152157394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0fEJxB2I/AAAAAAAAAEM/uoFYZPjaBW4/s1600/IMG_9791.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0fEJxB2I/AAAAAAAAAEM/uoFYZPjaBW4/s200/IMG_9791.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474957111550084962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0MsYjh6I/AAAAAAAAAEE/9Pxd2wonbcA/s1600/IMG_9672.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r0MsYjh6I/AAAAAAAAAEE/9Pxd2wonbcA/s200/IMG_9672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474956795932018594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_rz6U2MhqI/AAAAAAAAAD8/uEHWrHtbYbc/s1600/IMG_9740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_rz6U2MhqI/AAAAAAAAAD8/uEHWrHtbYbc/s200/IMG_9740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474956480376243874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r1rSr4TLI/AAAAAAAAAEk/e1P0hVt2E6Q/s1600/IMG_9859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r1rSr4TLI/AAAAAAAAAEk/e1P0hVt2E6Q/s200/IMG_9859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474958421121322162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r2zuAmZsI/AAAAAAAAAE0/hEYzariJISw/s1600/IMG_9869.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nT2SbBV4MsY/S_r2zuAmZsI/AAAAAAAAAE0/hEYzariJISw/s200/IMG_9869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474959665406568130" /></a><br /><br />(above photos, from top to bottom: One of the corrymeela buildings/Sarah and Alissa finding treasures/tidepools on the beach/Robbie exploring the beach/some of the group enjoying the weather/Some of the group enjoying the view/The sun setting on a beautiful day)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0