The Former Home of the Garfield Bar

On a previous post I talked about this building near my flat that has is closed down due to what looks like a fire. It was once home to the Garfield Bar. It is now a boarded up garden..

Something about this building is {haunting}. I want to know its story. The five W's...who, what, where, when, and why?

The rooms inside are dark, the roof is a vastness of vegetation and its presence is astounding in a little alley way in this developing city.

There is one piece of life in the decaying building. An all red barber shop {Tivoli Barber Shop}. The red {ScReAmS} in its loudness.

A Doozy of an Update

***I added a People Directory of the people who I refer to in my blog…more coming soon!***

Sickness…

My throat is feeling much better. I have to say that this was a very odd virus, but I think my white blood cells have defeated the intrusive enemy and I am going to survive.

Upon my mom’s arrival back from her Virgin Island escape {or as she claimed work trip} I received an email from my mom. After giving my blog a {standing ovation} she told me she {fell off her chair with laughter}. She exclaimed {I do declare your pictures put me on the floor. Good grief, for you to show the world your tonsils, do you not have any modesty. But oh no, my daughter takes the liberty of exposing herself on her blog and sends it half way around the world for all to see.} Upon analyzing the photos she claims {you most likely have a virus and it will run its course.} She gave me the remedy of {PUSH THE FLUIDS and take some ibuprofen for your throat. Also gargle with salt water, warm water to dissolve the salt.} She ended the email with {Hugs and Kisses}. I truly do love my mom beyond words! She always makes me feel better, even if she is half way around the world!

School…

Classes have started! It is hard to believe that I have been in classes for two weeks already. I have a large paper due next Monday and have already started the research needed and have started to outline it. My entire grade is based on the papers that I write to each of my classes {units} and they are graded by an external examination board. So, I need to write strong papers so that I pass my classes! It is really intimidating to think about and to do, but I am willing to put work into and I expect to see positive results in return!

I have to admit that some of the classes that I am in seem to be very elementary. For instance, I have taken both Quantitative Research Methods and Qualitative Research Methods at Edgewood. I am taking a Research in Health and Social Care, which currently is covering research methods. So, I am not learning a ton of new information and the information is on a very basic level compared to what I have already studied. I realize that once I start my research project things will become more individual and I will learn much more. Yet, it is still hard to sit in this class when you know everything that is being covered. I am however enjoying learning things from a new perspective! For instance, I am taking Supporting Significant Life Events and we are looking at how to support someone through adolecense. I have learned through high school health general information about life stages, but this is geared specifically for helping them through this point of time in terms of social work. It is really interesting all the variables that play into someone’s adolescent experience. It makes me wonder how anyone can live through it!

Housing…

My roommate from the U.S. arrived a week ago. Her name is Abbey and she is from Kansas. She goes to school however in Iowa! So she is a complete Midwest girl herself. It has been nice to have someone to joke around with and make light of some of the cultural experiences we have been going through.

Events…

On Thursday (9.17) Abbey and I went to a Celieh {a party with Irish music and dancing} and we learned how to Irish dance. I actually volunteered to be one of six people to introduce a new dance {note: this is in front of 200 people}. It was a ton of fun. After a couple of dances we met up with Niamh and Pj for a co-workers birthday party at Queen’s student union! It was a fun time of relaxing, having a couple of drinks and talking!

On Saturday (9.19) tagged along with Nuela to one of her friend’s birthday parties! It was a crack {really good time}. They had balloons with lights in them, which I found very fascinating! I was impressed!

On Sunday (9.20) I went to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs with Abbey and then we went to a Chinese buffet. So, this movie is 3D and supposed to be decent for all ages. I was disturbed by this movie! There were a couple of things, but one of the most disturbing is when huge gummy bears come to life and then a monkey attacks and kills them. He savagely tears the heart out of the gummy bear, rips the hair off of them and then they come back to life!

I also walked 5 feet away from Natalie Portman, who was right outside of my flat! I knew she had been in Belfast shooting a movie, but had no idea that I would be casually walking down my street and be walking right by her. She is very petit. Lovely girl.

A Whatchamacallit...

Theoretically I speak the same language as all those around me. Well, I come to know in a close and personal way the different dialect of English that currently surrounds me. There have been occasions where if I were a betting woman I would have lost a small fortune on if or not someone was speaking another language as me. The differences within the Northern Irish accents is basically like the stars in the sky! Everyone has a slightly different accent. Some have a really gruff accent that sounds like mumbling. Others have a light and whimsical accent. There are British sounding Northern Irish accents and Irish sounding Northern Irish Accents. People can identify a city of where someone is from based on the accents! I think that is pretty impressive! I realize that in the U.S. there are Boston accents, southern accents, Wisconsin accents and so on. But, to be able to say, "They must be from Cork because of that slight twang" is highly impressive. Also the fact that this island is much smaller than a majority of our states should tell you something in the amazing diversity of accents. The Northern Irish people and culture continues to impress me!

Hit the Ground Running

My first day of classes what a painful reminder that I am here to study.

I was assigned on Monday a 750 word paper on the nature of research and how that relates to health and social care, which is due tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. I was also given very few guidelines on what is expected for their papers. I do know they use the Harvard Referencing system, which I have never heard of. I am a APA girl myself! It is 10:46pm and I have my paper written, but I still need to do the referencing. I also have to get to school by 8:45 (when the library opens) to get the paper printed by 9am (when my class starts). Which means I have to get up at 7:45 and do the "grungy" look tomorrow...leave my flat by 8:15...which means I only have 9 hours to finish the paper and sleep! And my sleep is most likely going to be hindered because of my worries about getting a big fat red F

I know how to write papers. Actually I am sort of good at writing a paper. But, I know how to write a paper at home. I am unsure of writing one here because the papers are reviewed by an external review board. The person reviewing my paper doesn't know me. All they know about me is what they are reading! I seriously have a THOUSAND "what ifs" running through my mind regarding this whole paper writing and getting reviewed from an outside body thing. I just want to do well, but I am worried that my best isn't going to be good enough. I want to tell myself that I am just being silly, but what if I am not being silly and these worst fears happen; I fail! Sorry for this rant...I think I am going for a walk and get calmed down and reorganized mentally!

Sitting in my Throat

My mom is a nurse. Because of this I am used to getting very special care when

I am not feeling well. Of course I am also used to hearing about these random and unpronounceable names diseases that I might have as well and their not so fun prognoses. Well, sense my mother is on the Virgin Islands away from any type of communication with me and I am in Northern Ireland. The best I could think of was to take photos of my throat and email them to my mom, but they didn’t turn out the best and I doubt she would be able to make one of her diagnosis from them!

Is this a bit WeIrD???

Well, even so! I have to share my medical issues with someone…



Friday, September 11th: I felt fine when I got up to go to the last day of orientation at school. I felt fine when I met up with Niamh and Lisa for lunch and Burger King. I felt fine eating my very yummy burger on the lawns of city halls while enjoying the warm sunshine! My throat started to feel very dry while we went shopping. As my mom would say, “I couldn’t spit if you paid me”. I got a drink, but that dryness never went away.



Saturday, September 12th: Woke up at 11:30am with a mildly swollen feeling throat with mild irritation when I swallow. Thought it might just one of those mornings that take your body a little more time to adjust! Well, it never went away. It feels like that part that hangs down is sitting annoyingly on the back of my throat, which causes a sensation of needing to swallow or caught something up. It’s more annoying than painful. After weighing my pros and cons I decide to continue with the plans for the day! My throat is at the same place at the end of the day as at the start.



Sunday, September 13th: I realize upon waking that something isn’t right. It is more annoying and more irritated then on Friday. Yet, I don’t feel sick! I am not tired, weak, stuffy, icky stomachy, or anything else. Now I am worried I am going to wake up tomorrow morning and be sick! It this something that is going to spread. Is it the start of swine flu! WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME??? This is why I was given a mom who is a nurse. She would either get me some soup and rub my head or she would tell me that nothing is wrong with me and I need to “buck” up and get on with it!



I’ll keep you posted!

Me and My Thoughts...

I still feel a little huffy about this. I will try to be pleasant as express my thoughts. I am hope I am tactful and do not cause offense. If I do, please forgive me...

I am struggling with understanding the fascination with the U.S. and why so many people around the world get their emotions deeply invested in the political actions of my home country. I understand that people should take stock in the international and economical decisions and situations that are occurring, which does mean that the U.S. should be of concern due to its global impacts. But what about the issues that are just for the people whom call the U.S. of A. home? Health care and education reform are too topics that come to mind. I was confronted publicly by a third party who was not from the U.S. and seemed to have no person connection to it because they overheard a very basic conversation about the state of the health care system currently. I was deeply embarrassed and offended by this, but it went further than that. I wanted to yell, "Why do you even care what type of health system the U.S. has when you don't live there? Who do you think you are to make huge generalizations about a very huge and complex situation? Who in the world are you?!?!" I didn't ask any of those questions. Yet, I am still deeply bothered by this! Why do people look to the U.S., study what is going on in the U.S. and scrutinize the U.S. over its decisions when they do not affect that person? Like I said, I think people should when the topic is international affairs and economic issues. I am really am stumped on this issue. My brain actually is hurting from thinking about it! I can say this! I am very proud to come from the United States of America! I have been very blessed in my life!

No Flags Flying at Stormont

Stormont is the parlimentry building in Northern Ireland. The D.C. of N.I.! Niamh, through her summer job, was given a pass that allowed us access to have a wee nosie around! One thing that stood out to me is that there was no flags flying on the roof, although there were two very prominant flag polls. Niamh's explination is that half of the politicians wouldn't come into work if there was a British flag flaying and the other half wouldn't come if the Republic of Ireland's flag was flying.

I Went to Paris...

My Canon Rebel XS stopped working during my time in Paris and all the photos I took on it were lost. Thankfully I did have my smaller Kodak with me and I was able to still get a couple of great pictures.

Fajita Quesadilla

This was so good! I think I will be making this for YEARS to come!

A Night in November in September

Niamh and I at Robinsons after going to the play A Night in November in the Opera House!



A Night in November!

This was an amazing one man show! It was a great perspect on the troubles that occured in Northern Ireland! Here is a link to the general discription of what the play is about: http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article.aspx?art_id=2047

My Spices of Life in Belfast...

I can't get enough of fried egg gummies!!! SOOO Good!

I was asked if I always had an Irish twang…

I was hit on by a seventy something year old man in a pub the other night. He tried to touch my hair and got a ring caught in it. I was mortified! On his way out of the pub he blew me a kiss! I smiled out of pure uncomfort and niceness. What else was I supposed to do?

I get so nervous about crossing the street that even if people are walking across I will not walk because the “walk sign” is not on!

I have started to pick up on some of the phrases that are used here…we were muckers…spides and millies…wee…cheeky …and I have started to have them in my dreams, when I talk and when I type. Hopefully some of these phrases catch on when I come back home!

I am the only person who is wearing sandals outside. I think they think this is cold weather! I would be wearing shorts and a t-shirt if I were back home!!!

Cheers !!!

I Have to Study When I Study Abroad?!?!

My class induction (what we would call orientation) started yesterday! I am super excited about these classes (what they call units)! I know I am such a nerd. Next thing you know I will have tapped glasses and a pocket protector. Not really, but I can't help but be excited. This classes (units) I will be taking are from the Health and Social Care Degree (what they call a HND Course). I can't wait to get started! (Note: when I start complaining about the course work, please remind me of this post!)

Mondays 9am-1:30pm: Supporting Significant Life Events
This class looks at how people may be supported through expected and unexpected transitions associated with the human life cycle and change! My thoughts: I am super excited about this class because this is such a valuable life tool to have! Who shouldn’t know how to help someone through a really tough time in their life.

Wednesdays 9am-1:30pm: Research
I basically pick a topic of research and write a research paper about it! I am thinking about analyzing health care messages for diverse audiences. Looking at how this is done, if it is successful or if it health messages should be narrowed down to smaller audiences. This is just a thought, but I am really interested in knowing this!

Wednesday 6-9pm: Psychology for Health and Social Care
This looks at the health field from a psychological stand point. My thoughts: This is also just a great thing to know! Everyone has to deal with the health care industry at some point, but this is going to help me learn how to make a person’s dealing more beneficial to both sides!

Thursday 9am-1:30pm: Communicating in Health and Social Care Organizations
I have already taken a class that is somewhat like this, but this is going to be a little more specific in the topic that is covered. It will look at the different types of communication and the affects that these communications can have. My thoughts: I think this is going to be a no brainer class for me, but I would like to hear about this topic from a different point of view.

Simple Walk

As I sit, on a cloudy and not so gloomy day all that enters my mind is thoughts of excitement! Although many of the NI people I have met have said there isn’t much going on in this wee country, I have found that even a small walk to and from a shop can be filled with amazing architecture and entertaining people. For instance, there is this wee man who pops up all over the city playing a vioumpet. So I made that name up, but it is half violin and half trumpet. He looks extremely happy as he plays this amazing sounding instrument for people, like he is in his own little utopia. There is also this building that had to have been forgotten long ago and vegetation has been growing on the building and it is littered with old flyers and graffiti, yet it is one of the most amazing buildings here. There is only one little hole in the wall classic barber shop that remains open. This building must have a twisted history filled with a great and dark mystery, so I think!

Cooking for Food...

While I am in Northern Ireland I will be trying to save money by cooking most of my meals! I do cook. I am just not always that good! Or it comes in a box with simple 1-2-3 directions. I am going to try to step out of that group of culinary beings and try my hand at cooking "adult" meals and foods. I will be sharing this part of my Green Isle adventure on here..

Shrip Fried Rice:

Rice (cooked)
Shrimp
Onion (chopped in finely)
Soy Sauce

*Note: I have never cooked rice that took more than 5 minutes. I have never cooked shrimp. The store I went shopping at only had one choice of soy sauce. This left me unsure of how this will turn out!






It was pretty good. The shrimp tasted a little fishy, but I am not sure if it was because of my cooking or because of the shrimp itself. I think I might try this with chicken, some chives and maybe more veggies!

Walking, Raining and Enjoying

I am AMAZED that I am sitting in Northern Ireland right now! I am such a lucky duck! I am clearly in the typical honeymoon stage of any studying abroad experience. You may be asking how I know this! I am enjoying ALL the WALKING I am doing!!! I know some people really do enjoying walking to do there little errands. I am not one of them! Ever sense I was 16 I had a car, which has allowed me very easy ability to go and do what I want with limited need for walking. For heaven's sake I don't even have to go into the gas station after pumping, you just have to swipe a card! Even in Ghana taxis were so cheap that it wasn't an issue. Belfast is another story! My feet are KILLING me! I have walked so much the last two weeks I wonder if it is a record of some kind. Well, I am actually LOVING it! I LOVE that people here WALK everywhere! It is a great part of their culture and I am embrassing it with open arms. I just hope that when I go through the cultural adjustment phase that awaits me I will not hate to walk and that walking won't discourage me from going and doing!!!

An additional reason I am in the honeymoon stage is the rain isn't something that bothers me too much. Today it did a little because I actually curled my hair and forgot my umbrella. Not fun when it just randomly decides to rain! Although I was a little annoyed with this situation, the rain is not something that has realy bothered me! I enjoy the sweater wearing weather! I have been able to wear a scarf guilt free, which give me much pleasure! I know that there will be a day that I cry over the rain. I know that at some point it is going to get to me, but for now I am just happy to be happy! Enjoy the rain! Dance in the rain!

I am enjoying some of the perks of the walking and the rain! I have been loosing weight! I know, common sense, but it still feels really good to be feeling a little better! The rain also brings so much beauty to Northern Ireland. It is truly SO green, without the rain there wouldn't be much green! I was walking the other day and I was walking on millions of clovers! I giggled!

Botanic Gardens, Belfast, Northern Ireland

If I could make my own Heaven...it would be at these gardens...


This cat was walking around in one of the gardens. We were trying to temp him to come and introfuce himself. He did not budge from his current conquest. I thought this senerio would make a very fun children's book.


The rose gardens took my breath away! They had EVERY kind of rose you could think of. The colors on each rose were so lush! This rose was my PERFECT rose! The colors were like ice cream on a very warm summer day!


So, when I reference Niamh on this blog this is who I am talking about! She studied abroad at my school (Edgewood) last year and she turned out to be a very dear friend of mine. It was really fun to see her reaction to my reaction when we were walking around the gardens!


What a lovely walking path!


This leaf found a soft spot in my heart. I don't know what it was. It was just in the middle of my path. It looked so warn and tired. Almost like it lived a thousand lives. It was so weary, yet beautiful!


The Botanic Gardens also has a tropical indoor section, which has these water areas. I am going to try to catch them when the lilies are open on all the lily pads...it will take my breath away I am sure!!


Niamh again! We kept talking about how old this building was and that generations after generation had to had come and walked along those paths. This was in the tropical bulding, which had some wickedly cool plants. All it needed was monkeys and birds!




Throughout one of the buildings there was art displayed.




This was made by a group of blind people! It was a HUGE lizard!

Home Away from Home

I moved into my flat. As of now I am the only one living here, but I was told that I should have another US American living with me as well as a girl from China. My flat (aka apartment) is in the perfect location. It is about a 5-10 minute walk from my school. (It is up to 10 minutes because I do not trust myself crossing the streets and I have been trying to find short cuts, but I tend to get a little lost). I am just minutes away from any store that you can dream of!!! I have a T.K. Max (the UK version of T.J. Max), a Boots (It is a saphora, drug store and handy man store all wrapped into one), a mall, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Subway and pretty much anythig at my finger tips. **Note: I have not eaten ANY fast food sense I have been here...yay!** Enjoy the photos...


This is St. Annes. This is the view from my bedroom window.


These items will keep me going on a hard day!


I made my own wall decore. I thought how I hung my ear rings was clever!


This view is standing by my bed looking at the wall with the door.


This is the view of my bed from the door!