A new home....

I am sitting writing at my dining room table, looking out my two very big windows at Thorndale Ave. We arrived yesterday after not too terrible of flights. We got our last American meal at Chili's in the airport while we waited for our flight. Our plans to meet Nora and the rest of the Ghana people at Outback didn't work out, the Ghana crew weren't allowed on their flight without visas or proof of jobs in Ghana. They remained in Chicago, and I am waiting to hear any news from Nora. They are working on getting letters from their site coordinator and emergency visas. I know they will make it, but it's an was an unwelcomed challenge.

Doug met us at the airport and we came to our little home at 31 Thorndale Avenue. We drew straws for bedrooms, i got the big one with the double bed. My ceiling is red and the walls are yellow below the baseboard, needless to say it is colorful and i like it. We got settled in, made things feel like home, cooked our first pizza struggled to find light switches, went out with Elaine (Doug's wife) around the city, made our first dinner - Ramen, cheese toast, and my first tea-, and watched a movie.

Surprisingly, the jet lag hasn't been too bad. regardless of my center of the plane, no where to sleep flight. We stayed up til 11 or so, watching Irish TV, being super cold in the house and freaking out a little about the new noises of our home. Getting in bed felt good. My blanket is SO warm and it feels like home, although we all discovered that they don't use top sheets here in Ireland. Lauren heard noises and got scared and came to sleep with me around 1am. Needless to say, this house is going to take some getting used to, but I like it a lot. Here are some pictures of it : )


The living room, yes the leather is COLD!

This is our carpeted bathroom, yes... no need for a bathmat here, odd, I know...

My bed, and the amazing Carolina flag, and the sink in my room, yep these Irish people are crazy! but it actually is VERY nice to have right there...

This is the fireplace with a dresser in it in my room, sadly no fires, but atleast I get a cool mantle since I've always wanted one!

This is my desk, between two windows on the front of the house...

The radiator, AKA my drier, already put to use and my sofa!

This is our kitchen, check out the crazy avacado green cabinets, they are hot! the stove and fridge are itty bitty, but fun. The washing machine is in the counter top next to the stove. Kinda crazy, but homey.

The view from my window of Thorndale Ave. All of the row houses are brick and ours looks much like these. We haven't yet met the neighbors, but we've seen some kids playing AND the ice cream man came today (but uh, who would want ice cream when you're already in a fleece in August!!!!)

Today we spent the day all over the city, going to all of our placements. I met Lesley, the minister I will be working with and found out that I will have the same offices for both my church placement and the Partnership placement. It will be really nice to only have one place and to not have to work out a crazy schedule of which place to be at and when. We are very much beginning to figure things out. Though we have much ahead of us. One of the men at Lauren's placement, 174 trust, right down the street is the epitomy of Irish Men. So far he is the only one we couldn't understand and he joked with us about beer and called Lauren a ginger because of her red hair. He is also the one who we call if we have house issues... needless to say, he will be fun to know!

Keep the emails and updates coming, they are fun to hear. I have already been laughing out loud at my computer and had to explain to the roomies (Rach it makes me miss you, making fun of me for it). I love you all.

Last post, this side of the pond

This will be the last time I will post in the States. It is a pretty insane feeling. While I am dreeding the flight (don't worry, I have taken every measure to produce extreme tiredness for this evening), I am caught in the sadness of saying goodbye to fellow YAVs who have become my dear friends. Last night started the goodbyes with Leslie at 3am, today continued when Lauren left for Kenya. Luckily, Nora will be with me at the airport, then meeting me at my gate in London for lunch! Our flights overlap and I am greatful for the London event to look forward to.

There are a lot of things on my mind right now and maybe even a little lump in my throat, but Nora is keeping me distracted and I am so so greatful to have two amazing girls to share my journey with in Belfast. There is more to come later, but I wanted to give you a little appetizer while we wait for the real thing.

Chicago is one town that won't let you down -Frank Sinatra

It is crazy to think that it has been four days since I left North Carolina. Saying goodbye was hard, and getting the extra security check because of my one-way ticket was mildly entertaining. I was happy to see two familiar faces at the gate, Jamie, a guy from Chapel Hill (who shares my love for Carolina basketball) and Nora from Goldsboro who will be serving in Ghana. We were soon joined by Dave, who will be serving in Peru with Jamie. During the wait for our 30 minute late flight we discussed leaving North Carolina, and I realized the longest I have been out of the state was the 2 1/2 weeks I spent in Europe last Christmas. It was an interesting experience looking out the window as the plane took off, knowing I won't be back for a year.

Chicago has been an exhausting, wonderful experience. It has been good to reconnect with people I spent only one short weekend with. As we waited for the bus at the airport, it felt like I was coming home to long time friends, although we had only really spent three days together in Louisville. I guess when you're thrown into a situation like this, people you are mildly aquanted with quickly become your good friends and support system.

Our first night, Lauren, Alison, and I (my future housemates in Belfast) sat up in my room laughing until our stomachs hurt. We all knew as we fell asleep that first night that we are going to have too much fun at 31 Thorndale Ave. The days are filled with lots of bible studies, worships, and talks about mission, globalization, and overseas experiences. I have struggled to stay awake through some, danced an Indian dance, and sang my favorite Ghanian song. We have heard stories from past YAVs and met with our sites to ask quetions and just spend some time together.

Monday was Lauren's birthday! About 30 of the Presbyterian YAV's (there are Lutherans here too...) went to a dump of a bar and had a great night. One, I have never seen so many Presbyterians at a bar together. Two, Lauren had an amazing birthday and yet again our bellys hurt with laughter. As Jamie put it, we are going to be trouble together. Last night was our evening free, so we walked to Lake Michigan, which may as well be an ocean, got ice cream- i was craving strawberry with graham crackers, and had a low key night.

As the days pass slowly, we are all anxiously awaiting getting to our countries. The old friends I greated at the airport have now become even better friends. It is sad and exciting to think we will all span the globe in a matter of days. However, I have a promised visit from Guatamala (Leslie) and incoming email updates from Ghana (Nora) and Kenya (Lauren, Taryn). As well as a trip to visit Africa.

I look forward to sending you news from Belfast. Until then, take care of you.

When I'm on my Journey...

This time tomorrow, I will be in Chicago, with the world I've known left behind. There is a part of me that is a little sad, but generally I am rediculously excited and annoyed to have to spend 8 days in Chicago. Although, I've heard it can be a pretty fun city and it will be good to see the other YAVs again...

It is weird to talk to people for what will be the last time for a long time and to leave for such a long time. But no matter where we go, we take a little of eachother with us. (so, all of you who are sad that you're stuck in the states while I get to go on a sweet adventure in Ireland, theres a little piece of you on a sweet adventure too!) Know that you will be missed, that I am who I am partly because of you.

As I think about leaving, my mind wanders to a certain song that we sing at one of my favorite places, on one of my favorite hills. One of the last nights of camp at Camp Illahee, the Pineview counselors serenade our girls. I will leave you with the words to this song....

When I'm on my journey don't you weep after me,
When I'm on my journey don't you weep after me,
When I'm on my journey don't you weep after me,
I don't want you to weep after me.

When the moon is rising and the stars begin to fall,
When the moon is rising and the stars begin to fall,
When the moon is rising and the stars begin to fall,
I don't want you to weep after me.

When the stars are falling and the sun beings to shine,
When the stars are falling and the sun beings to shine,
When the stars are falling and the sun beings to shine,
I don't want you to weep after me.

When I'm on my journey don't you weep after me,
When I'm on my journey don't you weep after me,
When I'm on my journey don't you weep after me,
I don't want you to weep after me.