Add a Dash of Independence

Last night, just before the break dancing group came in to use the space (I'm so used to it, it's not even very exciting to see break dancing anymore), I had a one-on-one meeting with my supervisor here. And it went so well!

First off, I discovered that I'm not crazy for wanting to live here. She moved here when she was just 17. I'm going to start setting as many leads out as possible so I can return. Done and done.

Second, I have a few things that I might get to head up at the Centre, which would be exciting. And I told her that I would like to get practice in leading worship, as it's something I've always wanted to do but never have. I also get to paint a mural on the wall in the Centre! I've always wanted to paint a mural, and now I'll finally get to do it...hopefully I can come up with something fitting.

And I brought up the fact that I feel so isolated sometimes, and I just want to get out and do something rather than just sit at home. (I'm used to a college-student's pace. I can take a lack of sleep for the sake of an adventure.) So on Sunday evening, rather than going home I'll be heading to Belfast with her (where she lives) and spending Monday and a bit of Tuesday there. What will I do? No idea. But I'm willing to go out and get lost for excitement's sake. What kind of abroad intern would I be if I didn't have at least one adventure on my own?

Today: staff day. I haven't a clue where we're going and what we're doing, but I'm sure it'll be grand. I'm definitely going to have a hearty breakfast, because I think most of it will be outdoors. (Something I would have hated in Minnesota just because it's all so familiar, but here...outdoors isn't so bad at all.) I want to climb a grassy hill or something. And I'll be sure to take photographs.

my father moved through dooms of love

(Written by ee cummings.)

my father moved through dooms of love

through sames of am through haves of give,

singing each morning out of each night

my father moved through depths of height

this motionless forgetful where

turned at his glance to shining here;

that if(so timid air is firm)

under his eyes would stir and squirm

newly as from unburied which

floats the first who,his april touch

drove sleeping selves to swarm heir fates

woke dreamers to their ghostly roots

and should some why completely weep

my father's fingers brought her sleep:

vainly no smallest voice might cry

for he could feel the mountains grow.

Lifting the valleys of the sea

my father moved through griefs of joy;

praising a forehead he called the moon

singing desire into begin

joy was his song and joy so pure

a heart of star by him could steer

and pure so now and now so yes

the wrists of twilight would rejoice

keen as midsummer's keen beyond

conceiving mind of sun will stand,

so strictly(over utmost him

so hugely)stood my father's dream

his flesh was flesh his blood was blood:

no hungry man but wished him food;

no cripple wouldn't creep one mile

uphill to only see him smile.

scorning the pomp of must and shall

my father moved through dooms of feel;

his anger was as right as rain

his pity was as green as grain

septembering arms of year extend

less humbly wealth to foe and friend

than he to foolish and to wise

offered immeasurable is

proudly and(by octobering flame

beckoned)as earth will downward climb,

so naked for immortal work

his shoulders marched against the dark

his sorrow was as true as bread:

no liar looked him in the head;

if every friend became his foe

he'd laugh and build a world with snow.

My father moved through theys of we

singing each new leaf out of each tree

(and every child was sure that spring

danced when she heard my father sing)

then let men kill which cannot share,

let blood and flesh be mud and mire,

scheming imagine,passion willed

freedom a drug that's bought and sold

giving to steal and cruel to kind

a heart to fear,to doubt a mind,

to differ a disease of same,

conform the pinnacle of am

though dull were all we taste as bright,

bitter all utterly things sweet,

maggoty minus and dumb death

all we inherit,all bequeath

and nothing quite so least as truth

--i say though hate were why man breathe--

because my Father lived his soul

love is the whole and more than all

I found this poem today through my favorite time-waster, and I just wanted to share it.

My New (Borrowed) Friend:

I'm no pro, but I'm excited to learn. Three chords mastered: G, D, and E Minor. Apparently if I get C down as well I know enough to play "Blessed Be Your Name"--something to work towards!

Just one kid came to our event tonight. Bummer. So rather than use our lesson plan on just one person, we got out the Wii and the ping pong table and let him have at it. At least we're prepped for next week already!

I heard the words "cheer up, pup" more than once today. I guess I forgot my smile at home or something. There is a wee thing bugging me today, and I'm hoping to get it resolved quickly... Looks like God will be hearing quite a lot from me this evening, along with the occasional strumming of a chord.

Nerves nerves nerves

Someone from Portadown (a town basically next door in America-terms, but average distance in NI-terms) read my blog for a half hour tonight...and that totally makes me nervous. Eeek. Fyi, person, I love your country. You should let me live here forever. We can swap, it you like.

(The only reason I know this is because of a nifty site called Google Analytics, which tracks all these little details about each and every single person who visits my blog.)

Please watch.

Wee Adventures in the Kitchen

Today, I made myself a salad for lunch. And then I realized they don't have ranch here. No bother, I thought. I'll just use something else. But no other options were sitting in the fridge OR the pantry. Shooooooot. So, I got inventive and made my own--and it was actually not bad. But next time, I will definitely plan ahead...

And then today when I was searching through the cupboards (being nosey, no big deal), I found pancake mix! And chocolate chips! So, in honor of my dear Crownies whose last-resort meal is always a chocolate chip waffle with peanut butter on top...I decided to make myself a pancake. And it was TOTAL flop. I'm pretty sure a better description would have been crepe mix rather than pancakes...because they were super thing, super watery, and super weird. Somehow I managed to both under-cook and burn one of the two I made...(and the other one was completely under-cooked, by the way). Both attempts went straight to the trash, and the rest of the batter went down the drain. Never again.

(Oh, and by the way, random fun fact: you can buy pancakes here just like you would any other bread product, ready-made in the bakery aisle. No joke. So weird. Next time I'm cravin' a pancake, that's where I'll head first. No more freak-show ones for me.)

So, because of this...I think I'll probably resort to something manageable for dinner. Like spaghetti. That's easy enough, right? Right?

Take two: pasta, chicken breast, and bolognese sauce (a.k.a. spaghetti sauce)

Saturday, a.k.a. a day of soup, tea, and laundry

No plans today, and that's swell. I didn't even set an alarm to wake up this morning, which meant my day didn't start until 11:30am (something I would've hated when I was back in the States, but something I'm growing used to now that I'm here and the days are much calmer). I've been listening to this song all day thus far, and will continue to do so until the lyrics are swimming around in my head.

This evening:

Playing my worship music as loud as I can stand, and spending a chill night at home by myself, as Lexie is going to a youth event at a church in Belfast with a group of friends. (I would go, but I think I need a night alone. Always having a shadow/being a shadow is not a way to live.)

Skype date with Dianne and Becca from Crown, YES. Love these girls. And simply cannot wait to see their faces and hear their voices.

Cleaning the bathroom, perhaps. I know, not exactly a fun task...but I always feel refreshed after it's done. Hopefully tonight will have the same effect.

Taking it easy with soup and tea. I will get rid of this sinus cold. I will, I will.