Night Out

Thursday, July 31 at 9:45am

I’m going into work late! Last night was fantastic (click for pics). After doing some travel planning on the computer, Nuala and I went to Gortahork to enjoy the sunshine, pass the time, and wait for everyone else to wake up from their naps/come back from their runs and go to dinner. I had my first spicy meal in Ireland (!!!) – chili chicken stir-fry – at the Ostan Loch Altan. After dinner and desert, I was presented with gifts, including ‘History of Ireland’ jewelry, a knit hat and scarf (so clutch for Hoboken winters!), three books (do they know me or what!?), and a poem written especially for me.

Settling
Light like a butterfly
Strong as an mighty ancient tree
Wise and competent
Confident as a big she bear
Where does this bear sleep?
Anywhere she likes!
Innocent and vulnerable
Expecting the best
Deep spirit of the universe
Open to the world
Bell ringing echoing the truth
Of being who you are
Our Kate Freed
“Star!”

Instead of going home, I decided to join Murt for the two-hour car trip to drop off Ciaran and Brian (author of the poem and former Shankill Road clergyman). We stopped at the ‘bridge of tears,’ a location on what was the Donegal railroad that transported emigrants to Derry for boats to America. Families throughout Donegal would walk to the bridge and say goodbye to their loved ones for the last time. There is currently a rock there with Irish writing on it, which we took a solemn picture beside.


Honestly, taking ridiculous photos in random locations is a necessary evil on any holiday. Today I’m bringing the guitar to work because no one has heard me play. Should be a productive day.

Ulster American Folk Park and Time with Co-workers

Tuesday, July 29 at 11:10pm

Today was great. Full stop. We went to the Ulster American Folk Park – an open-air museum dedicated to the emigration of Scots-Irish (Northern-Irish) to America. Famous emigrants/emigrant’s children include Davey Crocket, Woodrow Wilson, Ulysses S. Grant, Stonewall Jackson, Andrew Jackson, and Mellon (as in Carnegie-Mellon). The transition from old to new world was beautifully done with a trip through a recreated boat.

I hadn’t fully recognized what was typically American until I saw it juxtaposed to the Irish. Notable items include: log cabins, burning wood in fireplaces (as opposed to peat), wood fences (as opposed to stone walls), maple trees and syrup, quilting, “general store,” corn (not potatoes) and pigs (no sheep). There were actually transplanted homes from PA, maple trees, corn fields, and the like. I actually felt like I was in a colonial settlement. There was even one tree that had begun to change colors and drop red and orange leaves.

Tonight I went out with a few of the members of the Solas project. We had Irish pizza at this lovely restaurant that played Italian music and the old crooners. We sat in plus living room furniture and viewed impressionist art on the walls. The pizzas were not like home but weren’t bad and the desert was quite good.

A few phrases I am hearing all too often are “last week here,” or “rest of your time.” It’s hard to imagine that a week from tomorrow I will be back home – after visiting London. It is all ending way too quickly. I am just trying to enjoy it as best I can.

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Wednesday, July 30 at 4pm

Today was quite emotional. I woke up earlier than any other day this trip and went to Letterkenny to visit the Acquired Brain Injury Program, Moving On. I left incredibly humbled. The training program caters to people with mental and physical injuries (for example, from a car accident). Whereas some people have a sense of superiority around those with mental or physical injuries, I feel inadequate. The accomplishments of the program’s participants are quite extraordinary, as well as their sense of pride and determination. Although I may have more physical strength holding the door open for one of them, they are much stronger for walking through it.

Today was also my last diary and day with the whole group of participants and staff. I am really going to miss many of them. Tonight the staff is going out for dinner so I’ll probably cry again (for the third time in public).

A very cool thing for me: I met someone and was able to identify their Donegal Town accent. Then we were able to do three degrees of separation through multiple paths. Only in Ireland.

Last Weekend in Ireland

Sunday, July 27th at 12:30am

Time is passing all to quickly. This weekend I'm in Donegal Town. Last night we watched the men's team in the inter-firm finals - possibly the best game I've ever seen. It was fast-paced, intense, and card filled. First, picture a perfect Irish downpour - rain everywhere. Add a three-year long rivalry between the best two teams in the inter-firm league (we won two years ago, they won last year). Next, throw in the type of personal talent and cohesiveness that make for beautiful passing, flicking, and footwork. How could it get any better?

Laghy Waste scored in the first half with a beautiful goal. In the beginning of the second half, they received a yellow-card in the box (uncalled for - too much diving) leading to PK. The score is now 1-1. More pushing, cursing, and there are yellow cards everywhere. Laghy Waste scores with five minutes left with a shot from about 40 yards. Simply beautiful. Movie Madness scores with three minutes left. Another second yellow card (effective red) and red card for Movie Madness and we move into overtime with 9 players against 7. In overtime, Laghy Waste scores two goals to seal the championship. The entire match was a nail-biter (Nuala threatened to "eat her hat" at one point) and just beautiful to watch.

Afterward, we came back, got dressed-up (heels, makeup, the works) and headed out for the celebration. There were barbeques at the pubs for the players and supporters and a presentation of medals. I also got to listen to a great guy who played guitar and covered everything from classic rock to eighties pop to recent hits. The coolest part was sitting on the back patio and looking at the constellations - something near impossible in Hoboken. It was a long night and a great deal of fun.

Today was the first day without rain and plenty of sunshine during my entire trip to Ireland. I actually wore a tank top and sunglasses. After doing some laundry, Nuala and I went to her Mom's house where her neice and nephew were visiting. Talk about angels. I truly felt like I was either on a movie set or in heaven, walking barefoot in the grass, rolling green hills in every direction and the sound of church bells. We brought her wee nephew to the trampolene and soaked up the sunshine. It was the perfect day to relax, get a tiny bit of tan, and enjoy the Irish country-side.


Tonight I tried Irish Chinese food from a restaurant called Shamrock Chinese Take Away. It is completely different here - I didn't see General Tso's on the menu, nor dumplings/wontons. They did have sirloin steak, curry chips with peas, chicken or beef hamburgers, and other traditional take-aways.

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Monday, July 28th at 10am

The weekend has been pure gorgeous! Woke up this morning and the sun is still shining. We finally got the weather that I've been wishing for!

Yesterday was just an easy-going day. Went to Nuala's mom's house for dinner with the family, read for a bit and tanned on the trampoline, went to dinner with friends. Now that the clouds have lifted, I can really appreciate the beauty of the rolling hills in southern Donegal and the Montana-esque mountains in the northwestern corner of Donegal.

Today we're going on a beach walk and bringing our lunches for a picnic. If only I hadn't sent my shorts home with my family!

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Monday at 5pm

The variety of beauiful scenery here is astonishing. I got a tan at the back strand (click for pictures) today - 75 degrees, sunny, and a nice cool wind. I'm really going to miss it here.


I also happened to see Gerry Adams today at the beach. Astonishing. Such a small island.

A few things to bring home

Friday, July 25th at noon

A great deal of the work I set out to do is completed so I have some time for reflection. When it comes to knowledge and skills I would like to bring back to the States, they can be categorized as personal, social, cultural, or work related. Here I'll focus on the latter.

The first idea that I really enjoy is the Social Model of Disability. It shifts the burden of adaptation from those with impairments to the whole of society. It asserts that different impairments do not necessarily limit ability, that society limits ability with value judgments and access. For instance, it is easier to add a wheelchair ramp to a home than teach a person how to get themselves and the chair up the stairs. The problem is not with the person but with the design of the home.

As it applies to mental health, the social model favors integration over segregation and public awareness over personal adaptation. One instance of implementation in Ireland is employment-based programs that provide skills training to clients and awareness training to employees. In the Solas program, we've done away with labels (forget about boxing people, we have no boxes) so that anyone can show their vulnerabilities and strengths - whether they are diagnosed or not. It provides a huge sense of equality and individual value that isn't too common in the States.

Another awesome idea is Person Centred Planning. This is the idea that regardless of diagnosis, everyone has strengths, weaknesses, and goals they would like to achieve - be it higher education, a career path, development of a skill, or some other accomplishment. Within the framework of any program are core and optional modules. This allows any program to be tailored to fit the needs of each individual. There is a great amount of flexibility in the training programs (a part of the health services here) that allows each person to reach their maximum potential, increase their societal contribution, and likewise their sense of personal value.

All of this goes along with the idea of socialized vs. private care - the government here takes an earnest interest in the welfare of its people. Similar to universal education, universal healthcare ensures that the country will have a competent, competitive workforce. The combination of clinical, training, and social assistance as a means to better health is not simply improving the life of each individual but the nation as a whole. It is truly a holisitic approach to health and well-being.

And notice, I have not once used the term medicine. Clinical intervention is only one aspect of healthcare.

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Quote of the day, a la Nuala: “We’re all in this together, whether you’re a dog or a dolphin or a cow or a pig…”

Five Weeks Since I Left Home!!!

Thursday, July 24 at 8pm

Today was thoroughly satisfying. At work, we continued developing our vision, finishing with our BHAG (biggy hairy audacious goal) and vivid descriptions. By the end, we were all giddy with pride in the one page document we had created after hours upon hours of meetings. I am happy with our completed vision and my contributions to that vision.

Today we also discussed the Myers-Briggs personality types and their impact on business interactions. An interesting side-note: different cultures have predominant personalities and America is mostly ESTJ (I am INFJ). Another interesting conversation involved the positive and negatives of “consensus” (which is an entire activity at RYLA) and how it compares to group agreement. The vision work has definitely expanded my understanding team leadership and working with other members of the program has opened a whole new perspective of facilitation for me.

In other news, I’ve been reading Servant Leadership by Greenleaf, a compilation of several essays he wrote. The chapter I am currently perusing involves the role of the trustee in various institutions, including higher education. As it has been exactly five weeks since I left home, I have but a week left in Ireland. I find more and more of my thought turning to home – what I intend to accomplish over the next couple years, how I will use the knowledge and skills I’ve learned here to make those reality, and how my goals have changed as a result of this experience.

After work today, I watched a movie to unwind and then went for a jog. The sky is cloudy but not quite overcast and there were raindrops falling the entire time, yet not enough to be considered a drizzle. It’s approximately 70 degrees outside, with a gentle breeze. I made a loop of the countryside around town, passing cows, fields, and people working in their yards. On my way back, I stopped at Centra for some provisions and then walked home. I could hear so many different types of birds, the wind in the grass and trees.

I’m really happy here. It isn’t home (nothing can compare to Hoboken), but it has its own appeal. I’ve been listening to new artists, playing guitar daily (I can’t believe how many songs I remember!), reading, playing soccer/running, meeting new people, and walking all over the county. Aside from lifestyle, my work life is thoroughly fulfilling and enriching. All I have to say is that this summer has raised my expectations in terms of future employment and lifestyle.

Irish Times

Wednesday, July 23rd at 5pm

What a fantastic couple of days. I was really happy at the close of work on Monday because we accomplished a great deal. That evening I watched two films, both set in the States, just to hear the accents from home again and see some familiar scenery. I'm a sucker for domestic films all of a sudden.

Tuesday was a special day: we went to Slieve League, the sixth highest cliffs in Europe. After the two hour drive, we arrived at the beautiful beach cliffs. A fog had settled about the top and we climbed/hiked for a while up to the top. However, we turned back as it was very dangerous (we could only see about 30-40 feet in any direction. We had a grand time. Highlights included my stepping into a giant puddle and soaking my shoes, and "Next Parish: New York City." Slieve League makes the Cliffs of Mohr look like hills. To see more photos, click here.



Yesterday night, my inter-firm football team was in the semi-finals. We were one-all at the half and after a scoreless second half, had penalty shots. We lost 4-5 in PK (I went second and scored mine!). Although we lost, it was a fantastic match. I didn't have too much trouble from sore muscles or asthma, however I have battle scars to show! I was full-on kicked just below the right knee and have a 3x2 inch blue bruise. I was also kneed in the left quad and it is incredibly sore. Friday night the girls are going out to watch the men's final and then out to celebrate a great season.

Returned home to Donegal Town, showered, ate dinner and watched Big Brother. It is the simplist reality TV show and yet incredibly addictive. This is why I do not have a TV in my house. In the morning I ate a "New York Bagel" - it was actually pretty decent - and instant coffee. I cannot wait to have the real mccoy.

Wednesdays are always great days as we have an influx of additional participants and visitors. This morning we were able to present all of Monday's work and received very positive feedback. Afterward, we went to Lunniagh and I did the entire walk barefoot (well... I was also out of socks after my trip in the puddle yesterday). The weather today was the warmest it has been in a while, probably 18-20 degrees Celsius (65-70F). I had several fantastic conversations with various people and learned a bit more about debriefing and personal development. In the diary, I learned the most fantastic song:

"Black socks, they never get dirty
The longer you wash them
The stronger they get

Sometimes, I think I should launder them
Something keeps telling me
Don't wash them yet
Not yet."

Afterwards, we enjoyed the wonderful weather with tea/coffee and desserts. Tonight I may enjoy jazz music at An tSean Bheairic or trad music at the Shannon. Either way, it'll be a great night.

Manic Monday

Monday, July 21st at 4pm

Well... not a manic Monday at all. Nuala and I stayed in the office today to get a lot of paperwork done. I am quite happy with today's accomplishments. In order to have something to share, I will include a few quotes:

• In a meeting, it was stressed that student interns from abroad are great for the program, and I was thus described as "cheap and cheerful."
• In reflecting on the substance of a play, it was said that "everyone in Ireland has relations; it's all about who you know and everyone in Ireland knows someone."

Currently reading a great article from Time Magazine about Nelson Mandela's lessons on leadership. Also, great short film: Billy's Balloon.

Northern Ireland

Saturday, July 19th at 11pm


For our last night in Donegal, we went to dinner at Teac Jack's and went to my manager's home for the evening (quite a good time). We then woke up early this morning and drove east to Northern Ireland. We passed Derry, stopped at Dunluce Castle, and traveled on to Carnlough. The transition to the north was immediately visible. Besides the British road signs, many towns we passed through were decorated with either Union (British), Northern Irish, or Irish flags. It is currently the marching season, and the visible segregation of Catholic/Nationalist and Protestant/Unionist communities is very visible. For more photos, click here.

After a wonderful lunch in Carnlough with the family that hosted me in Northern Ireland some ten or so years ago, we went to Belfast to meet one of the girls we hosted twice. After shopping (all the season sales are on right now!), we met Zoe and caught up. Then Billy (the dad of the family I stayed with from Carnlough) took us on a mini-tour of Belfast. We drove the Falls Road, which has multiple IRA monuments and several murals, including the solidarity wall (with a picture of Bush entitled "America's Biggest Mistake" and a syphon running from his mouth to an oil field) and the mural of Bobby Sands, the first hunger striker to die. I was surprised that multiple Protestant Churches had been converted into other uses, including the City Centre Tesco and Irish Cultural Centre. I look forward to seeing (and shopping) more tomorrow.

It is really cool to come back to Northern Ireland and reconnect with the children that stayed with us through Project Children and their families. Zoe looks great and the McCambridges (the family I stayed with) are just as I remembred them. Driving through the town we lived in was incredible - so many memories came back. We are in great hands in Carnlough and I'm really glad we were able to swing a weekend up here.


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Sunday at midnight

So I'm back in Donegal. Visiting the North was definitely an experience I could not have skipped. Although I spent a summer there when I was younger, I didn't actually understand the conflict. I remember viewing murals and wondering what they were, seeing a bonfire and it was just something fun. With more knowledge of the troubles, my experiences have a whole different perspective in hindsight. It was a bit emotional seeing the family I stayed with for a whole summer after ten years. I was also very effected by the tour of Belfast (1 1/2 hours!) through the Unionist and Nationalist communities, the most bombed hotel in the world (the Europa), and the school where the conflicts started (covered in bullet holes and colorful non-political murals).

Belfast is an incredible city. It is rich with culture and notable people in the arts, sciences, and politics. There is a sense of pride (home of a British Prime Minister, the current Irish President, CS Lewis, the Titanic, footballers, WWI heroes, scientists, and musicians like Van Morrison and Snow Patrol) and also a huge division - quite literally with a wall still existing between Falls Road and Shankill Road.

After walking around for a bit, I caught the bus home and settled in. I have visitors in the house this week (exciting!) and the semi-finals for the inter-firm team. Things are going so well, I've finally acclimated (as much as an American can in a month), and I'm having mixed feelings about leaving in two weeks. Cannot wait to see everyone and return to my regular diet, not ready to leave the wonderful people I've met and this incredibly meaningful and effective health program.

Vision

Thursday, July 17 at 2pm

Wow, time is flying. I just looked at the date and it struck me. I don’t think I’m ready to leave just yet and now it’s all going to feel crammed.

Last night we saw Little John Nee and the Dead Rooster Blues. He was the 360 performer, incorporating spoken word, original music, and acting to tell a story. VERY enjoyable and very talented.

Work today was thoroughly enriching. I finished Emma (last night) and there is a quote from my next book, Servant Leadership that I find apropos: “old rules of traditional, hierarchical, high-external control, top-down management are being dismantled… They are being replaced by… a sense of vision that people are drawn to, and united in, that enables them to be drive by motivation inside them toward achieving a common purpose. This has changed the role of manager from one who drives results and motivation from the outside in, to one who is a servant-leader – one who seeks to draw out, inspire, and develop the best and highest within people from the inside out. The leader does this by engaging the entire team or organization in a process that creates a shared vision, which inspires each person to stretch and reach deeper within himself or herself, and to use everyone’s unique talents in whatever way is necessary to independently and interdependently achieve that shared vision.”

This quote reminds me a great deal of our manager and the process we’re currently undertaking. Today we met with the consultant, worked a bit with the core values and moved on to the core principle. We were able to decide on one and just reading it makes me excited about the work I’m doing. The whole process is doubly exciting as I’m learning more about team development and leadership to bring back to the RYLA program as well as taking part in the foundation building of an organization that I’m really excited about.

“To provide the opportunity for recovery and re-emergence.” Similar to the RYLA model, we provide physical and mental challenges and the structure of mutual support to allow each person to develop greater confidence and abilities.

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Interesting news articles:

• The Coming Activist Age by David Brooks
• Everybody's Business: Lessons in Love, by Way of Economics by Ben Stein
• While the U.S. Spends Heavily on Health Care, a Study Faults the Quality - "... the United States spends more than twice as much on each person for health care as most other industrialized countries. But it has fallen to last place among those countries in preventing deaths through use of timely and effective medical care."

Mom's Post

Wednesday, July 16th at 8pm

Today was an exciting day because we were going for a walk with the Solas program. We woke to a rainy day which was a bit concerning but Kelly and I were happy to be joining the group. We went for a walk at near Dunlewy called An Chuirt (to see more photos, click here). By the time we parked the vehicles the rain had stopped and off we went, about twenty of us. At first I was concerned about my pace because of the cane and the sore foot (I have been making the girls slow down to wait for me), but today there were other members of the group who were more then happy to walk with the cripple (that would be me). I had quite a few enjoyable conversations about the differences between America and Ireland.



Afterwards, we all had lunch together which comes with tea; I’m in heaven since I don’t drink coffee, it is really wonderful to be able to get a decent cup of tea almost anywhere. While talking with Brendan over lunch, much to my surprise it seems that I may be able to get Irish citizenship as my grandparents were Irish. The possibility is highly gratifying to me and of course once I get home I will be looking for the necessary papers to make it so.

After lunch we had a group meeting called the diary in which we talked about our good experience and our challenges that we experienced on the walk. It was all very straightforward and positive which I found to be very enjoyable. Afterwards, a few of us had dessert and tea and had great craic.

Now it’s off for some jazz for the evening.
-Mom

Vacation Week

Tuesday, July 15 at 10am

It’s a lovely day here in Falcarragh - by 9:30 am the sun is out once again. Yesterday, just by chance, Kelly and I met up with Kate’s group at Glenveagh National Park (click here for photos). As we were walking the Lough walk which is 4 km to the castle, we said hello to everyone we met and about four paces beyond a pretty girl calls out to us “you’re Kate’s family”. After introductions we now knew Nuala and Cormac, Kate’s boss and one of her walking companions. The Lough was beautiful and large. Kelly and I enjoyed the flowers and the walk and I was looking forward to the tea shop at the castle. Ireland has the most amazing desserts, approximately 20 cakes and crumbles to choose from, all made fresh in the castle bakery that day. I got the black currant crumble with cream -- it was heaven. Driving here is so much fun once you get used to it. Any one who likes rally driving would love it here especially the back road.

Last night by mistake, we went to the wrong venue and we were greatly disappointed after driving over an hour to Ballybofey to see a violinist. The manager of the theatre was wonderful. He charged us the difference between the show we intended to see and the one at the Ballybofey Arts Center and we stayed to watch a very funny English comic. I can’t tell you the last time I laughed so hard. Every day is something new and exciting; on the agenda today is shopping in Letterkenny and horseback riding on the beach in Dunfanaghy.

-Mom

Talk about serendipity. Three people from my program recognized Kelly and therefore my family. One gentleman saw Nuala and Kelly talking and actually thought it was me and as he got closer, realized the difference. Considering neither of us had disclosed our plans for the day, it was quite interesting to be passing in the bus and say, “there’s so and so, there’s so and so, that’s my family!!!” Even those on the bus with me immediately saw the resemblance in the passing moment.

Tried Irish bacon today; very much like ham. Our bacon is called “streaky bacon” out here. I think I prefer my chicken and tuna sandwiches. The comedian, Jeff Green, was absolutely stellar – I recommend him if he ever makes it to NYC. In other news, Jonathan spoke with the astronauts (in space) for work. I’m so proud!

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Tuesday, July 15 at 5:20pm

Today was quite productive. Went to Letterkenny for some shopping. We spent 100 at one store and picked up all sorts of cute tops, jewelry, and sweaters. We also went to Tesco to pick up some provisions. Lunch was great; I had a chicken, tomato, onion, and pesto toastie. By the way, toasties are my favorite new lunchtime meal. You pick what you like from a list of meats, accessories, and sauces and its grilled like a Panini only on brown bread. Fantastic.

Afterward lunch we drove to Dunfanaghy for horse-back riding. We walked across the beach and over the dunes. It was blustery and from the water’s edge, we could see the sand blowing toward us in white wisps along the ground and the Atlantic Ocean in the bay, varying from deep blue, to teal, to aquamarine, to sea-foam green, to clear against the sand. It was fantastic except for the wind and my horse, Neptune. Mine was the moody horse that liked to whip the reins about, rip off my legs against cars and bushes, walk me into trees, stop at random, and walk outside the line of horses (I was passed by two). I’m so thankful for Katie’s lesson because the horse responded to my commands half of the time. It was Kelly’s first time riding and she had a much more amenable horse, Hannah. “It was really, really fun,” states Kelly, beside me at the dining room table.

Tonight we’ll eat dinner and then watch the Blair Witch Project at the Ards Forest Drive-in, another great part of the Earagail.

Tory Island

Sunday, July 13 at 1:15pm

Mom and Kelly are here!

Friday I got a good bit done at work – I’ve been implementing technology solutions to streamline their business processes – sounds sorta like that job offer I turned down… After work, I cooked a meal for Mom and Kelly and we enjoyed catching up upon their arrival. Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to Magharoarty to take the fast ferry to Tory Island. We were followed by Dougie the Dolphin who came out to play with a blond dog.

Tory is gorgeous. Full stop (period). We first stopped at An Caife (the café) for some food; I had soup and brown bread to calm my stomach after the boat ride. After checking into our hostel, we did a three hour walk to the east end of the island. The cliffs were incredible and we had a great time exploring that end of the island. We took a nap before going to the Tory Hotel for dinner. I had strip sirloin with mushrooms and onions in a cream sauce over garlic bread – to die for. Kelly had the roast beef and Mom had the fresh haddock. After dinner we enjoyed the trad music at the bar from outside in the lobby in the comfy chairs. We met the King of Tory and other local personalities.

For all the fun photos, click here.

Overall, it was a great night of good food, people and music. This morning we caught the first ferry back and went food shopping. Tonight: A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream at An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny.

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Monday morning -

A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream was spectacular! Shakespeare with Scottish accents is incredibly entertaining. Introduced Mom and Kelly to Twirl (for a list of new chocolates and candies I've been fed, stay tuned).

Sunny days...

Thursday, July 10 at 7:30pm

It has been a long two days. Yesterday we went to Lunniagh (click for more photos) and walked the sand dunes, beaches, and rocks. My muscles were at the height of pain, however I enjoyed walking barefoot through the sands. We went approximately 6 miles, including climbing hills and jumping creeks. After the long walk and a toastie (panini made with bread), I was quite satisfied to sit and enjoy the diary.

Today Nuala and I began our tour of the other HSE programs that our manager oversees. We visited TOBAR and TACA, two national disabilities programs. We spent the morning with TOBAR, a facility for training those with intellectual disabilities (Down Syndrome, Autism, etc). After lunch, we visited TACA, a joint FAS (National Training Agency – the letters correspond to the Irish) and HSE community-based work placement program. They offer Employer Based Training, Community Occupational Support, and Supported Employment, three different scenarios to help those with mental and physical disabilities.

I was very impressed by the breadth of rehabilitative and training programs offered in Ireland; those with disabilities aren’t simply entitled to monetary support from the government, healthcare (universal coverage), but also a system of community-based and socially modeled programs to build confidence and integrate the disabled back into society. Where we in the States have laws in place to protect the rights of the disabled, the Irish not only protect their rights, but provide various options for those of differing abilities to enter meaningful employment and get back on their feet.

My favorite part of the programs I have had the opportunity to visit is something called Person-Centered Planning. All “clients” take a few months within a program to acclimate and complete a Keystage Quality of Life Profile. Clients, staff, and interested parties (family or counselors) meet to discuss a person’s strengths, weaknesses, and life goals. This information is then used to determine what programs are best suited to personal development. Each program has Core Modules to be completed (specific life or vocational skills) and then Optional Modules, which may range from Irish language or culture to computer skills. Each person receives the training that they most need.

This week I have really been in the thick of things with work. On Monday I took on a greater responsibility in the Solas program (I facilitated a planning meeting and held some one-on-ones), yesterday we had a staff meeting to discuss Health and Safety measures (which I chaired), and today I visited the other programs. I’ve been reminded that I’m not here simply for the walks, although they are fantastic. Mental health and disabilities is a really heavy subject that weighs on your heart. Tomorrow is a big day in the office as we’ve begun to use the wiki, I have a personal spreadsheet program to test with some of the participants, and we have to rewrite two of our defining pieces of literature.

In other news, Mom and Kelly arrive tomorrow. I have a packed week set out for them. This evening I was stopped by an older gentleman looking for directions (very possibly a Northerner escaping the weekend marches) and I was able to tell him where to go – a sign that I’m beginning to get way too comfortable here.

Also, some Irish cultural things that I’ve noticed and enjoyed:

• Irish time – five minutes late is on time
• Tea and toast – a staple of the diet, I have it multiple times a day
• The weather – is both “muggy” and “blustery,” leaving the ground “mucky”
• “Don’t let a tooth get in the way of a good story.” – fibbing
• “Good on you” – good job or way to go
• “It could be pissing from the heavens” – reference to the rain
• The dress code for work of various sorts is much more casual and an Irish person was astonished that appearing at work hung-over in the states would negatively impact your employment

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Thursday, July 10 at 9:35pm

Picture this in your mind’s eye. I’m a bit out of sorts after the last entry. I decide to walk the 2km to the beach. The air smells delicious, like fruit and salt. Halfway to the beach, I’m met by a horse in someone’s side yard. It approaches me and Katie’s equestrian lesson comes directly to mind: 1) check the ears (forward = friendly), 2) let it sniff me to get acquainted (no it won’t eat me), 3) approach from side. I give it a good rub and then proceed to the beach.

Upon reaching the beach, I take to the sand and walk toward the dunes, with an amazing mix of songs playing. If you don’t have these songs, download them:

• Bob Marley – Eveything is Going to Be Alright
• Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten (starting on the beach)
• Tom Petty – I Won’t Back Down
• Natalie Merchant – Wonder
• Les McCann – Green Green Rocky Road
• KT Tunstall – If Only (now I’m up on the dunes)
• Dispatch – Out Loud
• Yes – I’ve Seen All Good People (sitting at the top)
• Paolo Nutini – These Streets (trekking across the top)
• Jamiroquai – Use the Force (back on the beach)
• Regina Spektor – Another Town
• Peggy Lee – Just One of Those Things (in the water)
• KT Tunstall – Suddenly I See
• Boston – Foreplay/Long Time (back on the road)
• Keane – Somewhere Only We Know

When I reach the far end of the beach, I decide – why not – and climb the dunes. Unlike the packed wet beach, the dunes are soft and I sink with each step. I take off my shoes and start hiking about. The sun is descending above the mountains in the distant, just behind some clouds. I find the highest point on the dunes overlooking the beach and sit down. Yes is playing in my headphones and sand it blowing up around my legs. Perfect. I decide to trek on and walk along the top of a line of dunes and take some photographs.

Eventually I come back down, walk around the back of the dunes with the sun streaking through the clouds. The water is a deep blue and the clouds are shades of grey against a lighter blue sky. I begin to walk through the waves breaking on the shore (Nuala and Bernard would be shocked as I refused to step in the surf at Lunniagh) and then proceed to walk home barefoot (now Claudia is shocked as she reads this at her computer screen).

I must be the only person I know who visits the beach in a wool jacket and Ralph Lauren button-down. My jeans are wrecked from the sand and salt water. My spirits are absolutely refreshed and I feel incredible. There is no beauty like the mountainous Donegal shore at sunset (click for more photos).

**I am now informed that the beach is called, "the back strand."

Banjaxed

Tuesday, July 8 at 6:30pm

I am back home again in Falcarragh and it is quite nice to relax. My entire body is banjaxed (beat, spent) from all the recent activity. Between the bruises, blisters, and sore muscles, I’m a walking mess.

Today we got to sleep in before going to Fintown for a walk. Fintown is the site of an antiquated, yet working train line from the days when Donegal was on narrow gauge. The rest of the tracks throughout the county have been ripped up and the rail bridges and paths can be seen in various places. We rode to the end of the preserved rail-line and then made the long walk about Lough Fin. The scenery was quite beautiful and I picked a clover from the many along the path.


Lunch was stupendous. My various muscles (from my feet to my shoulder blades) were sore from surfing on Saturday morning and football last night. Rode back to Falcarragh with Eamon and started some laundry. I’ve rented a DVD from the local Spar to watch tonight so that I can take a hot shower and simply relax my body. I know tomorrow will be twice as sore so I’m trying everything I can to take it easy. The movie I chose is Reign Over Me, a film with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle and set in NYC.

What a day!

Monday, July 7 at 9:50pm

I am sooo beat. I'm going to try to make this quick so that I can go take a hot bath. Woke up early and went to work. It was a hectic morning but we made it out to Ards Forest Park (click for more photos) on time. Yes, my favorite walk so far was Ards Friary, and we were in a different part of the forest. It was incredibly beautiful and the temperature got up to the high sixties (gorgeous!).

Halfway through the walk we found a children's playground to stop at and I got to run around. It was a good craic and I loved being like a kid again. After the walk, Nuala had to make a run so I (with tons of support from everyone) led the afternoon planning for tomorrow's trip to Fin Town. It was a little nerve-wracking but all went well and everyone was in such good spirits from the walk.

Nuala got back and picked me up at my house. We had a wonderful conversation in the car as we drove the coast road and the Gweebarra Bends. Made it back with just enough time to change for my match. It was such good fun. We (Loughy Waste) won 3-1 against the Revellers and I scored the last one (dribbled from midfield, right foot to bottom right corner from 25 yards). It was incredible to play and yet I'm so out of shape. Well, Nuala says I played well and looked fit but the ref (hearing my wheezing) told me I "should lay off the fags," meaning I should quit smoking. Made me laugh.

Off to take my bath. My shoulders were sore today from surfing and now my legs are like spaghetti (let's not even discuss the blisters). Wonderful day. Will add footie pictures soon.

Donegal Town

Friday, July 4th at 10:15pm

Happy Independence Day! The lady at the shop wished me a happy holiday at lunch today.
Today was a very interesting day. We were working on our core values and purpose today with the a consultant. What an interesting process. I’ve done mission and vision statements, but this is a whole different level. The core values are over-arching (and not necessarily linked to the mission). They help with any decisions and guide the way you act. At first, I likened it to the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” However, I later realized that its more like the capitalized words in the Four Way Test: Friendship, Goodwill, Fair, Beneficial. It took almost the entire day to get it down to four. However, the process was just incredible to be a part of and watch. So core values (unchanging through all) moves on to the core purpose, then vision and later mission. I have definitely been taking some notes for RYLA!!! We will have at least two more session and both with be loads of fun!

Currently in Donegal Town. Gorgeous. Very quaint, big enough to have everything you want in a town and small enough to still feel like home. There is a castle, a town square (the Diamond), plenty of pubs and shops. My American friend’s phone isn’t working so hopefully I’ll see her. Tomorrow morning I’m catching the 8:45am bus to Bundoran for a three hour surf lesson. In the afternoon I may go to the cafe that comes highly recommended to me. On Sunday I’m going to visit the Castle and to a Gaelic Football match (not football, more like this game that we played at Union School that Parisi was very keen on).

Coolest bit of the day: I’ve been invited on to an inter-firm football team (sweet!). I’ll be playing on a team for Nuala’s boyfriend’s company on Monday nights in Donegal Town. Our teams are yellow and black. I’m so excited for some exercise (yes! football!), to meet more people, and use up some of my spare evening time. Nuala’s been amazing, keeping me from going mad. Playing out here will be a good craic.

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Sunday, July 6th at 12:30pm

The weekend has been a great craic. On Saturday morning, I walked to the bus and took off for Bundoran. I think it was the first time that the weather was 55 degrees, overcast and I wanted to go the beach (tra). I waited at the surf shop for a bit and then got ready for my lesson. The wet suits were absolutely necessary and so wonderful. The beach was long and gorgeous and the water was warmer than the air, so it was great to jump in. However, the tide was going out and the waves were quite short - by the time you were up on the board, there was little power in them.

The other surfers were real fun people and interesting. My instructor was from New Zealand and the other surfers were from Galway, Belfast, England, Cork, and South Africa. I spoke to one guy about his wanting to move to Canada, which I found interesting. The coolest part of surfing was I got up on this really good wave and so did another guy directly beside me and our boards came together. All I know is that I fell back and ended up with my feet on my board and my butt on the front of his board and we rode it into the beach together. We were both really apologetic, checking on each other’s safety but all was well and it made for a good laugh.

After surfing, I had two hours to kill before my bus so I went across the street to the pub for lunch. A couple from the surf lesson was there and we ate chicken and vegetable soups together. After they left, I read a bit more of my book (I’m up to page 161 of 381 in Emma by Jane Austen). Then two girls from my lesson came in and I got to talking with them.

When my bus arrived in Donegal Town, I met Nuala and Padraig at the Diamond and called Meggy. We had food/dessert at the Blueberry, this lovely tea room. I had chicken nuggets and chips (french fries) - the nuggets were so much better than the states, reminded me very much of sweet and sour chicken without the sauce. Came back, showered, napped and got ready to go out again.

...

8:15pm

Took a break from writing to go out and do things (imagine that!). Back to last night, we went out to the Diamond to hear the bands playing for the Donegal Music Festival. Some were superb. Interesting note: public imbibing is allowed in Ireland. So everyone would go to the off-license (liquor store) and pick up cans of beer and bring them out. Meggy and I decided to use the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day a little bit late. It was a great craic sitting in the Diamond on the monument to the four masters (our mini Washington Monument), hanging out and listening to the bands play. After Nuala and Padraig went home, Meggy and I went out for the night and visited some local places and heard more great music. It was an absolutely fantastic night.

This morning we slept in and took it easy. Read for a bit, listened to my music player, and began writing this when we decided to go out. Stopped at a restaurant for brunch, then off to Podraig’s Gaelic football match. It was incredible to watch, very physical and fast-paced. After the game, Nuala and I went off with Jody (the rottweiler)to visit her family. Drove all over the area and saw some cool stuff, including a car stuck in the surf at this beautiful beach.

Overall, Donegal Town has been a great experience. It is a small community, yet has plenty of shops and entertainment. The surrounding land is gorgeous, rolling hills and trees throughout the countryside + sandy beaches. So far, my favourite weekend visit.

Interesting note: Populations
Falcarragh, Ireland: 842
Donegal Town, Ireland: 2,339
Rutherford, NJ: 17,871
Hoboken, NJ: 39,853

To see more picture of the weekend, click here.

Better Days

Thursday July 3rd at 9:30am


I'm beginning to feel less homesick now. I've been allowed to stay after work and use the internet. Yesterday I purchased my airline tickets home, played guitar for an hour, finished The World is Flat (read it!!!). I'm beginning to feel like a part of the Solas team and not just a visitor. Today I'm designing and building the wiki and listening to music on my Zune (glorious).


Yesterday, we walked Lough Agher (lough = lake). Very long and satisfying.

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Thursday July 3rd at 5:30pm

Good day. Listened to music, added a year and a half of minutes to the wiki, chatted with Nuala. Staying after too finish up so I have something to show tomorrow. Have to decide what to do tonight and what I'll eat. Tomorrow is Friday and two weeks...

Homesick

Monday, June 30 at 5:45pm

I’m officially homesick. I am wondering if seasonal affectiveness disorder is real because all this cloudiness, drizzling, and cold air is getting to me. I’ve realized that I enjoyed Dublin because a) it was a city, b) I spent hours at a time talking to people my age, and c) it was sunny and 5-10 degrees warmer. Listening to my music on the bus ride back also compounded my homesickness as it reminds me of different people and events. If I could describe my disposition in a playlist right now, it would be slower, yet hopeful:

1. Still Fighting by Ben Folds (or simply the entire Rocking the Suburbs album)
2. Come Sail Away by Styx
3. Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2
4. Tonight Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins
5. The Ocean by Teitur
6. Wake Me Up by Norah Jones
7. That’s the Way by Led Zeppelin

Another reason why I could be out of sorts: I have very few responsibilities here, practically none when compared to my usual life. Go ahead and laugh, I think everyone has told me at least once to cut back and take on less responsibility. However I do enjoy taking on huge projects and tasks and seeing them through. It’s strange to sit with the Solas group, plan an event, and have little impact (I haven’t much to contribute as I don’t know the area). I did answer the phone this morning when none of the staff members were in the office (I had trouble taking the message because the woman on the other end spoke so quickly with her accent).

Work was good. For several hours I forgot about everything else and was really happy. We went to Horn Head for today’s walk which was refreshing and arduous. It didn’t rain. The views were spectacular (as always) but my heart still belongs to Ard’s Forest. A note on the landscape: Donegal is probably the most rugged, wild, and uninhabited part of the island. On the way through Northern Ireland on the bus yesterday, I noticed how stunning the land there was: lush, green, a patchwork of farms and fields with different crops and animals. The northern counties of Ireland were the best for farming and that’s why the British settled up here. Returning to Donegal, the land is equally if not more gorgeous, yet it is a mixture of mountains, bogs, and beaches. The patchwork here is created by stone walls, separating sheep (as opposed to lines of trees and bushes between fields of wheat). In the past, this entire area was forest (think Rocky Mountains) and was cleared for the timber. What was left was the acidic soil which accumulated greater amounts of water due to the lack of trees, creating bog. The contrast is striking as you move across the north.

Right now I’m really looking forward to this weekend. I have a surfing lesson in Bundoran at 10am on Saturday and will be meeting up with Meggy afterward in Donegal Town where they are having a music festival this weekend. I’ll also be staying with a Nuala (administrator of Solas) who has so kindly offered to put me up for the weekend and I’ve decided to cook her and her boyfriend dinner in return.

Today I may practice guitar, read my book (150 pages left out of 630), come up with more things to write. Honestly, writing this blog is one of the few things keeping me sane right now. Without internet, phoning, or seeing people, putting this together is my only link to the rest of my world. Miss you all.

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Tuesday, July 1st at 8pm

Today was quite an interesting day. We went to the Doagh Famine Village at the Isle of Doagh to learn a bit about Irish history. A brief summary of the key interesting points:

1. Up until the last thirty years, Ireland’s population lived in poverty using traditional methods of survival developed over th past couple hundred years, including fishing off cliffs with long wooden polls during August and September, collecting all the fish that they could for the winter months (salting and drying the fish), eating seaweed, trapping rabbits throughout the winter months, and living in stone/mason two-three room houses.



2. Ireland joined the European Union and adapted its educational system and business laws to encourage foreign investment. It quickly became the most affluent country (outside financial districts like Luxemberg) in the European Union and was listed the Best Place in the World by Britain’s Economist based on a criteria of income, health, freedom, unemployment, family life, climate, political stability, security, gender equality, and family and community life. (I also recently read about this in The World is Flat. Are we taking notes America?)
3. A wake is held for three days to represent the three days before Christ rose and to wait to see if the person actually woke-up. Everyone at a wake says only good things about the deceased for fear of their spirit (or the chance they are in a coma). A plate of snuff (which both men and women enjoyed) would be placed on the body to limit consumption to one per person (taken as they knelt to pray) and allow them to watch for breathing (hence the phrases ‘quicker than snuff at a wake’ and ‘snuffed-out’ for deceased). The wake was (and still is throughout much of Ireland) held in the home of the deceased or a relative. The door would be taken off the house, laid across two chairs, and the coffin placed on top. In Britain, a bell would be attached to the hand of the deceased and attached to a bell above ground, leading to the phrases ‘saved by the bell’ and ‘dead ringer’.
4. The Irish famine was compounded by a wind storm on January 6, 1839 that damaged the fishing and farming industries in Ireland (and Britain). This led to the fact that despite being an island, the population could not turn to the sea for food during the potato blight. When the British government established a pension in 1909, it used the storm as a mark of age to qualify people. The term windfall comes from the association of the wind storm with a free acquisition similar to the fall of an apple from a tree.
5. The conflicts in Northern Ireland are rooted in Ulster Plantations (early 17th century) when British and Scottish landlords were given land under governmental policy to control the territory and the Williamite warms (between the local Irish and landed British). The Protestant population maintained wealth and control, legislating limitations for the status of Catholics. The ‘Troubles’ were a period beginning in 1968 when the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association’s march in Derry ended in violence. “Many Catholics consider themselves Irish and nationalist (one independent Ireland) while many Protestants consider themselves as British and unionist – wanting to maintain the union with Britain.”

I had a great time walking throughout the museum. It was truly an educational experience as I learned a great deal and was able to fill in the gaps of my knowledge of Irish history.

Today was very different than our usual Monday-Tuesday routine. Generally, I arrive with the staff at 9:30am, participants arrive at 10:30am, we leave in the mini-bus at 11am and go on a several hour walk (walking, talking, and listening – check the website), arrive back around 2pm, eat lunch, plan for the rest of the week, participants leave by 3:30pm, and we stay for a bit longer. Tomorrow will be a Wednesday schedule with all-staff meeting at 9:30am and weekly diary in the afternoon.

I have little energy in the evenings lately. I’ve been napping and actually purchased ice cream to pick me up. The weather is quite chilly (late October weather) and I unfortunately did not pack enough warm gear. Quite looking forward to this weekend.