So, even though I like think to think I am rather spontaneous, and all that jazz, I am a person of routine. And since today is Sunday, I was thinking, yup time to write a blog. I opened the page, and just stared at the screen. And I couldn't help wondering why didn't I have anything to write about? Then it dawned on me. I live in England now, in West Bromwich. Hello! I already know this, and have written about all my new experiences here and blah blah blah. But today, I had that wonderful comfortable feeling that maybe I am no longer a visitor, but this is indeed my present life, and I really don't have that much to report on it, it is now an everyday thing.
I had a wonderful weekend hanging with my mates, doing some shopping, chatting, and drinking coffee, and tomorrow, I will go back to work. Yup, I live in England and its not really that big of a deal anymore the newness is going away (OK it is still a very big deal, but I am finally getting used to it).
Tomorrow I start yet another new project at the YM, working with the head of childcare (no I am no longer in the nursery). I am helping her organize all the new out of school clubs, and nurseries that the YM will be opening in Januuary 2007. It will be very administrative, but in quite a different way than what I did in the Senator's office in Delaware. I look forward to it, and am excited about giving someone a helping hand. Also tomorrow will be the first time I meet the board of the YM West Brom, which should be interesting.
Lets hear from you too. Cheers!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Moving Forward: Y - M - C - A Style
Ahhh another week, and another blog. Its a weird feeling of time going by so fast, and yet at the same time so slowly, but I keep moving forward.
Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend a session about the Y Care International. This is the larger organization that the West Bromwich YMCA is a part of in the United Kingdom. Y Care links West Brom to the bigger picture of what is going on in the rest of the UK and the rest of the world, actually. This session was about how do we incorporate what is going on abroad with what is going on at home (isn't this always the question foreign policy vs. domestic?). The YMCA is the proud owner of the largest Young Peoples Movement in the world, and they want to bring some of that social justice momentum to my (yes, my) residents in West Brom. They want the residents here to take ownership of not only their environment here, but realize that they are the future, and they can make a difference. (Yes, I must admit, my heart was racing throughout the whole session. FINALLY, someone speaking my language, CHANGE and ACTION!). We learned about young peoples' rights, and what programs the Y Care provides to help create these movements; programs like visiting Parliament and speaking to MP's (Members of Parliament), and also creating letter writing campaigns.... Finally we were given a task, we were made aware of some of the atrocities of what is happening to young people in the Honduras, and how we can support their movement. Their humanity needs to be acknowledged, they need to be recognized as people and not just gang members. To help support them as they take on the task of battling with their government for fair treatment, and to stop the unlawful killings of young people in their prisons. (for more information please click on the above link).
Now the question is how do we accomplish this task? And the light bulb clicked on...we already have in place a group of residents who want to take some ownership of their home here, so why not add this on as an activity, after all it only takes a spark.....Now we just have to get them interested, and battle the question of why would one (Y residents) want to help people so far away when there are their own problems right back here at home? My answer is, through helping others you can help yourself. We are all in this together (to paraphrase the great MLK). Now all I have to do is convince them :-)
I also wanted to share with you a little history of where I am living. West Bromwich is a part of
what is called the Black Country, this is a part of England, which was at one time very industrial and home to lots of coal mines. The story goes, that Queen Victoria was riding on the train, and when she arrived in the Black Country she requested to have her drapes drawn, for she thought it was too ugly to look out of her window. While the Black Country may not be the prettiest part of the country, I disagree with Queen Victoria, its def worth looking out your window. The culture, history, and language (the dialect of the Black Country is the same as that of William Shakespeare and Chaucer, it may sound funny, but its the original English) here is a small part of what makes England great. And I had the opportunity to learn a lot more by visiting the Black Country Living Museum. I had a chance to experience a 1900 village (which actually does look a lot like present day West Brom) go down into a coal mine and have the coal miners experience, and play on an early 1900's fairground. It was fun, to take a trip into the past, and have a better understanding of where I am. (to see pics, check out the pictures link in the sidebar)
Cheers!
Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend a session about the Y Care International. This is the larger organization that the West Bromwich YMCA is a part of in the United Kingdom. Y Care links West Brom to the bigger picture of what is going on in the rest of the UK and the rest of the world, actually. This session was about how do we incorporate what is going on abroad with what is going on at home (isn't this always the question foreign policy vs. domestic?). The YMCA is the proud owner of the largest Young Peoples Movement in the world, and they want to bring some of that social justice momentum to my (yes, my) residents in West Brom. They want the residents here to take ownership of not only their environment here, but realize that they are the future, and they can make a difference. (Yes, I must admit, my heart was racing throughout the whole session. FINALLY, someone speaking my language, CHANGE and ACTION!). We learned about young peoples' rights, and what programs the Y Care provides to help create these movements; programs like visiting Parliament and speaking to MP's (Members of Parliament), and also creating letter writing campaigns.... Finally we were given a task, we were made aware of some of the atrocities of what is happening to young people in the Honduras, and how we can support their movement. Their humanity needs to be acknowledged, they need to be recognized as people and not just gang members. To help support them as they take on the task of battling with their government for fair treatment, and to stop the unlawful killings of young people in their prisons. (for more information please click on the above link).
Now the question is how do we accomplish this task? And the light bulb clicked on...we already have in place a group of residents who want to take some ownership of their home here, so why not add this on as an activity, after all it only takes a spark.....Now we just have to get them interested, and battle the question of why would one (Y residents) want to help people so far away when there are their own problems right back here at home? My answer is, through helping others you can help yourself. We are all in this together (to paraphrase the great MLK). Now all I have to do is convince them :-)
I also wanted to share with you a little history of where I am living. West Bromwich is a part of
what is called the Black Country, this is a part of England, which was at one time very industrial and home to lots of coal mines. The story goes, that Queen Victoria was riding on the train, and when she arrived in the Black Country she requested to have her drapes drawn, for she thought it was too ugly to look out of her window. While the Black Country may not be the prettiest part of the country, I disagree with Queen Victoria, its def worth looking out your window. The culture, history, and language (the dialect of the Black Country is the same as that of William Shakespeare and Chaucer, it may sound funny, but its the original English) here is a small part of what makes England great. And I had the opportunity to learn a lot more by visiting the Black Country Living Museum. I had a chance to experience a 1900 village (which actually does look a lot like present day West Brom) go down into a coal mine and have the coal miners experience, and play on an early 1900's fairground. It was fun, to take a trip into the past, and have a better understanding of where I am. (to see pics, check out the pictures link in the sidebar)Cheers!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Now, I get it!
Well, let me tell you a treat is waiting for you in this entry, a two for one type of deal, if you will, about my lovely weekend in London, and starting to find my place at my job. I will start with the work I am doing, because it might be a bit more boring, and that way you have to keep reading to get to the fun stuff.
As I may have stated before, I have been on assignment at the YMCA in West Bromwich, where
thus far I have been working in all its various departments. Which is cool, but I did not come here to be a childcare worker, or a dishwasher, but I am willing to do whatever, it takes, if it means a helping hand to someone. Then as the weeks continued I found it to be more busy work. I didn't feel fully utilized and needed, and I found myself asking; why did the YMCA request to have social justice volunteers here? Then I remembered my initial interview which had made me accept this project in the first place; which was to work with the 16-25 year old residents who live here. To be a part of the support work team here, which helps the residents gain independence, and hopefully empowerment.
Now the question was how do I do that? The residents come from all different backgrounds, with lots of different stories to explain why they are at the YMCA, some simply wanted to get out of their parents' house, some…have a greater need, but regardless they are all a part of this community, yet they have no ownership of it other than a small dorm room. So, with my type A personality and my go getter attitude Julian (my partnenr in this enterprise) and I set off to create a Residents' Activities Panel (RAP). Allowing the residents to start leading, planning, and having a bit of fun during their stay at the YM. We have gathered a group of about 12, and like a good Presbyterian, we have divided them into committees, and even appointed two co-chairs for the RAP. Now all we need is a bit of money and support from the powers that be at the YM.
The next project I have started on with some of the staff, is working on the qualifications program (basically high school certificates) that has recently started here at the YM. The program has the residents complete 150 hours of course work, that vary from sex education, to healthy living, and leadership. The program lacks resources (again no money, and this time no academic projects) which makes it a little hard to complete the requirements. So off we went again, volunteering my time, to help research funding sources and grants, and to find coursework available to help the residents accomplish this task. Finally, I feel like I am beginning to serve the people and fulfill needs here at the YM, and not simply being a warm body. Not to mention its been a lot of fun getting to know the residents who live here, they truly are a wonderful group of people.
Now for the fun….
I had the joy of spending an amazing weekend in London, where I finally got myself out of this sleepy slump and out enjoying travelling and exploring my new surroundings along with a fellow volunteer Sally (who is such an incredible person). London is truly a fantastic city, and I found myself having a Carrie (from Sex and the City) moment, of falling in love with the city, and the city becoming my friend. Walking along the South Bank, hanging out in Piccadilly Circus, attending Rupert Everett’s book signing at Harrods’s (yes the guy from my Best Friend's Wedding), ice cream in the afternoon, going to cool flea markets, and open air markets, seeing Kensington Palace (Princess Di's previous home), the dreadful tower of London, and of course my favourite thing just sitting on a park bench and people watching.
It was one of those weekends that renewed and awakened the spirit, and reminded me why I love to travel, and that I can only make my year in the UK even better depending on what I put into it.
As I may have stated before, I have been on assignment at the YMCA in West Bromwich, where
thus far I have been working in all its various departments. Which is cool, but I did not come here to be a childcare worker, or a dishwasher, but I am willing to do whatever, it takes, if it means a helping hand to someone. Then as the weeks continued I found it to be more busy work. I didn't feel fully utilized and needed, and I found myself asking; why did the YMCA request to have social justice volunteers here? Then I remembered my initial interview which had made me accept this project in the first place; which was to work with the 16-25 year old residents who live here. To be a part of the support work team here, which helps the residents gain independence, and hopefully empowerment.Now the question was how do I do that? The residents come from all different backgrounds, with lots of different stories to explain why they are at the YMCA, some simply wanted to get out of their parents' house, some…have a greater need, but regardless they are all a part of this community, yet they have no ownership of it other than a small dorm room. So, with my type A personality and my go getter attitude Julian (my partnenr in this enterprise) and I set off to create a Residents' Activities Panel (RAP). Allowing the residents to start leading, planning, and having a bit of fun during their stay at the YM. We have gathered a group of about 12, and like a good Presbyterian, we have divided them into committees, and even appointed two co-chairs for the RAP. Now all we need is a bit of money and support from the powers that be at the YM.
The next project I have started on with some of the staff, is working on the qualifications program (basically high school certificates) that has recently started here at the YM. The program has the residents complete 150 hours of course work, that vary from sex education, to healthy living, and leadership. The program lacks resources (again no money, and this time no academic projects) which makes it a little hard to complete the requirements. So off we went again, volunteering my time, to help research funding sources and grants, and to find coursework available to help the residents accomplish this task. Finally, I feel like I am beginning to serve the people and fulfill needs here at the YM, and not simply being a warm body. Not to mention its been a lot of fun getting to know the residents who live here, they truly are a wonderful group of people.
Now for the fun….
I had the joy of spending an amazing weekend in London, where I finally got myself out of this sleepy slump and out enjoying travelling and exploring my new surroundings along with a fellow volunteer Sally (who is such an incredible person). London is truly a fantastic city, and I found myself having a Carrie (from Sex and the City) moment, of falling in love with the city, and the city becoming my friend. Walking along the South Bank, hanging out in Piccadilly Circus, attending Rupert Everett’s book signing at Harrods’s (yes the guy from my Best Friend's Wedding), ice cream in the afternoon, going to cool flea markets, and open air markets, seeing Kensington Palace (Princess Di's previous home), the dreadful tower of London, and of course my favourite thing just sitting on a park bench and people watching. It was one of those weekends that renewed and awakened the spirit, and reminded me why I love to travel, and that I can only make my year in the UK even better depending on what I put into it.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
One Month
Well I have been living in West Brom for one month today, in England for a bit (month) and some change, and have been away from home for a month and a half almost. And I feel like I have already learned so much, new words, new flat, new mates, and its only been a month. Gosh I can only imagine what a year will bring me. Well here are some of the things I have learned and experienced so far.
I have had more tea in the past month than I think I have had in my whole life. Lets face it a cuppa tea really does make everything better!
You have breakfast, then tea, then dinner, then tea (which is tea with a snack), and then some people have supper.
Having an American accent in the Midlands is cool - Even if people do compare you to the girls from the movie Clueless (hmmm I feel like I have heard that before...)Birmingham has a huge music scene, and the art festival was one of the coolest things I have gone to as yet. I really might enjoy this whole British Indy Rock scene.
Learned how to play net ball (basket ball without the dribbling)
Attempted to get into Football- Go West Bromwich Albions?
Learned how to cook a bit (I am not ready for Iron Chef, but hey I might make someone a good wife after all)
It is hard to make friends in a new country, but that doesn’t mean one, should give up trying.
British Soap Operas can really hook you, my favourites are Hollyoaks, Emmberdale, and of course East Enders (hey it’s no Grey's Anatomy, but it def grabs your attention)
City Centre Birmingham is a lot of fun to hang out in, whether you want to chill at the park, or go to the clubs, go shopping or walk along the canal.
I can do things by myself....
And here are a slew of new words that I have learned....
Mobile-cell phone
Jumper- sweater
Blokes- guys
Mates- friends
Ta- thank you
Ta ra- good bye or see you later
Telly- TV
Snog- kiss or make out
Cuddle- hug
Crisps- chips
Chips- French fries
Motorway- highway
Cinema or Pictures- Movies
Cheers - thank you, good bye, pretty much you can use it whenever
Car Park- Parking lot
Take Away- Take Out
Petrol Station- Gas Station
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