Fall is here!

The past few days have been busy and good. Yesterday I worked a 9-5 like the real world, and I gotta tell ya, it was miserable! I have a new appreciation for the 'real world' and the people who do it every day, or those who work even more than that. I also learned that I never want to have a job of that nature! haha.

Sunday was the Harvest Service at church. The church was decorated with fruits and vegetables and fall colored flowers. It made me think of Thanksgiving, only a month early. The children's sermon was the best part of the service, we compiled a list of things we were thankful for as a congregation, being led by the children of course. It was fun to hear different things the kids as well as the congregation shared. The funniest was the group of adults in the back that banded together to offer grandparents to the list. I enjoyed having a church service centered around thanksgiving.

I spent Sunday afternoon with the McGrath family. I went home with them to Ballyclare, not too far outside of Belfast. We went to tack their horse, and to ride. Megan always tells me about her horse, Flick, so it was great to see her ride. I also got a chance to ride Flick, although I learned that I am not quite a natural. Michelle (Mrs. McGrath) walked with me as we walked and laughed when I tried to trot! In the end of the day, I was a bouncing mess trying to trot. I guess horsemanship is not something I inherited from mom. I had dinner with them before the point, and it was great to just be with a family. The first time I met the McGrath family they were sneaking into church late, much like the Hunter family at UPC. I always joke with them about how similar they are to my family. It was great to be in a family's home and to feel so welcomed and included.

The rest of the week has been a week of first... The first time the photography club actually met, as well as the swimming class went swimming! I was grateful to be a part of them both, and having them take place gave me a lot more to do this week! The photography club will be a great way to interact with a cross-community project, with the boys from St. Patrick's and mainly girls from Castle High. In swimming, I got to watch a very different teaching style of swim lessons, and while at times it was frustrating to watch, it was good to see how it is done over here. In the coming weeks, I will be working with the stronger swimmers in the class at the deep end of the pool. In the past I have been sick of always being around the pool/lake and swimming, but now I am welcoming the chance to be so involved. Many of the kids in Ms. Rock's class go to the Saturday night Youth Club, and many of the Castle students in the photography club are in my year 10 PE class. It will be great to see some kids twice a week now, instead of just once.

Halloween is quickly approaching and I am anxiously awaiting fireworks! I am still working on the costume idea... The boys will dress up tonight for BB and should be adorable. I will have to take some pictures. I think I will wear devil horns that we found in the house to get a little in the spirit tonight! Fall is here, it is considerably colder, the leaves are fallen, and it is now getting dark about 6:30 or so. Bring on the 3:30 sunset, I brought my flashlight!