I was asked if it was strange to be away for Thanksgiving, and honestly it was not, although I did miss my family and friends. I was lucky that my daughter hosted a Friendsgiving, and that she invited me. But it wasn’t until earlier this evening that I was given the opportunity to reflect on …
Author Archives: brooklyntobelfast
November 14, 2019
This past Saturday we all went in to work to tell our funders what it is we do up here. We are under the umbrella of a religious service organization, but as often happens there are disconnects between the ethos and mission created by well-intentioned persons, and the people who are actually doing the work. …
October 31, 2019
Belfast, Derry, and many places throughout Northern Ireland celebrate Halloween in big ways. Most schools are closed for the week, and teachers used last week to have family conferences; many children had a week of half-days last week, as well. My housemate and I can hear and see fireworks in multiple neighborhoods. Some are so …
October 10, 2019
October 9, 2019
I’m feeling more and more comfortable. I know where at least one family lives, and can make my way to the petrol station where we have an account, and to the grocery store nearest where I live – all without GPS. Happy days. Overall things are going well, and I feel more connected to Belfast, …
September 23, 2019
During this sabbatical I have had to constantly remind myself, that my time is my own. I have had plenty of knee jerk starts and anxious jolts, a feeling that I must rush somewhere, or that there is some urgent paperwork needing my immediate attention. What a gift to consciously let go of all that, …
September 18, 2019
Here is some of what I see…
September 17, 2019
Today a mum asked one of her young ones to be careful of her tummy. She let me know she had just come out of hospital, because “I got sterilized”; she is 23 and has five children, the oldest being eight. Her children look neglected at times, and she herself looks tired and hard. Her …
September 11, 2019
Feeling a bit disconnected from my home today. Trying to establish routines for myself, so that not everything feels new. It was good to talk about 9/11 with people over here; I had started my student teaching at Bank Street the week before and the response of the Bank Street community, confirmed my desire to …
September 9, 2019
When my dog Phryne sees sheep, she comes alive, in a way that I haven’t seen before. It’s like she’s had an inner and dormant sheepdog inside, that has been woken up. If she weren’t on her leash, there’s no way I could ever get her to “stay”, or to even “come”. This new environment …
Brooklyn to Belfast 