Living in Ireland Inventory

My friend Kaitlin Nelson in the States is doing a project for a social studies methods class. She had asked me to answer a few questions about Ireland so I though I'd post my responses for your benefit. Here they are:

1. What is your favorite part of being in Ireland? What do you think is most different and what is most similar to the United States?

It’s all about attitude. Most of the people I hang around are great. they're warm, welcoming have a good sense of humour. One of the differences though, about some of the population here, is that people are more prone to ‘have a moan’ which is generally a light complaint usually about something that could’ve been prevented or something so far out of control that you’d wonder why anyone would be burdened by it. It rains a lot more here than where I’m from, and on top of that, there’s no thunder to be heard here! What gives? I like that I can walk place to place here and catch the bus which comes by every 10 mins or so.

2. What are the traditional food people eat in Ireland? Are there foods that you would see in the United States but don’t see in Ireland?

Potatoes, Potatoes, and Potatoes! It’s not uncommon to have 2 or 3 different preparations of potatoes served in the same meal. As a matter of fact today at lunch I had both boiled and chips (fries) on my plate. I just tried a local food here called ‘pasti’ the other night. If you ever see it near you, …Run! There’s also meat concoctions called black pudding and white pudding that I don’t much care for, however their bacon here is like a thick ham strip. Num nums. (they call ours ‘streaky bacon’)

3. What does someone from Ireland wear on a normal day? What do they wear on special occasions or holidays?

Pretty much the same as in America, each class will dress respective to their lifestyle. Although the students uniforms look like those of the houses in Harry Potter!

4. What does a typical house look like? Is it different or the same from homes in the United States? Are the houses in neighborhoods or more spread out?

They call ‘em 2 up 2 down (in reference to the # of rooms up and down stairs. In a moderate to low income housing development like I live in, space would be tighter than the standards in America ( but maybe that’s just because I’m from TX, hahaha) Our fridge is the size of college student dorm room fridges and same with the washing machine. Neighborhoods are densely packed; this island ain’t getting any bigger.

5. What is the most frequent form of transportation in Ireland? (Cars, busses, subways, bikes, walking, etc.)

Here in Belfast it’s Cars and Busses. There is no subway here, and riding a bike like I do you have to be really carefully as the streets are very narrow and crowded. There will be more people walking about on the streets than you’d find in America, but then again the way the city is set up, it’s more convenient that way. In America the places you’d typically go in a day are just so spread out you’d benefit with a car. (but the environment wouldn’t…aww L)

6. Are there any possessions people might have that are of value to them? Are there any possessions Americans would have that people in Ireland do not value?

I don’t know where to start on that one, sorry J

7. What do people usually do for fun in Ireland? (Parks, recreation, entertainment, etc.)

Pubs and Clubs

8. Are there any special standards of beauty that are different from Americans? (ie. American women shave their legs/underarms and wear makeup…is there anything like that that Irish do or do not do?)

I’m sure all the shaving is the same, however since there is rarely abundant sunshine here, the vast majority of the population would be pale. Spray-tan or Fake-bake as it’s called is more prominent here. Also there would be very sheik hair styles here and lots of hosiery and eye-shadow.

9. What are the signs of non verbal communication? (In the United States a thumbs up might be a good thing. Are there any symbols that they use that are similar or different?)

In passing someone (usually between men) instead of lifting your chin and letting your head rock back (as in a ‘what’s up’ motion) the men tend to jerk their chin to the side leaving the head to tilt to the other side. …I don’t know why it amuses me so much. J

10. What are the languages used in Ireland?

Mostly English here in Belfast, although there are some shops and plaques here in Gaelic. If you go down to the Republic you’ll find the Street signs are in both English and Gaelic.

11. What does a typical family look like? Do people tend to have more or less kids? Is the household the same as it would be in the United States or do other family members live in the same house (Aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.)

One of my co-workers is a Granny and she’s got to be no more than mid to late 30’s. I wouldn’t see a lot of big families now, but the age at which girls have their children seems younger than in the States. Like in the States, most Grandparents tend to have their own residence.

12. What is the government like and how much control do the people have? (Is there voting? What are the police in charge of? What kind of jails are there?)

As Northern Ireland has come out of the fighting and rioting of the Troubles, its police force is actually world renown for the advancements, in such areas as forensics, they would have from dealing with such violence. The Parliament here is split between representing the Unionist movement (those who wish to stay connected to the UK) and the Republican movement those who wish for Ireland as a whole to be self ruled. There is gerrymandering over the precincts here, but I can’t say much more detailed than that.

13. Are there any social or religious conflicts going on in Ireland currently?

Here in Belfast the peace walls are still up and there still remains an animosity about not going near or mingling with ‘the other side.’ But for the most part people are generally starting to enjoy a sense of peace.

14. What are the systems of trade an exchange? What kind of money do they use? Are there markets and stores that are similar or different from those in the United States?

The currency here in Belfast Northern Ireland is Pounds Sterling whereas the currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro. With globalization in the economy, the markets are starting to resemble the shops in America. However most here in Europe will be set in a sort of strip mall style rather than each store is its own edifice.

15. What type of education is available in Ireland? Are there colleges and Universities? What age do kids start going to school and what is the school system like?

Instead of splitting into three (elementary, middle and high school) the system here only has two (Primary and Secondary schools) for kids entering school until 18. Yes, there are plenty of Colleges and Universities here.

16. What are the major religions practiced in Ireland? Which is the most prominent?

Christianity – either Protestant or Catholic

17. What American holidays are not celebrated in Ireland?

Thanksgiving and Fourth of July.

18. What do people do for St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland?

Not as much as the US actually, there’s a parade and the Catholic kids get off school but the protestant kids don’t.

Growing up

March 7, 2010

I’m learning, stumbling as I may be, about being passionate about your work and yet holding back so that it doesn’t consume your life.

Maybe that’s what lunatics did; indulge their passions so much that it eventually alienated them from their context.

I don’t want to be a lunatic, but I do want to see things through this year.

Unfortunately, I have a start-up and choke record that could make a novice stick-driver chuckle.

I get jazzed and enthused about new ideas for SWAT, the youth ministry here, and how we can shape the way each night will go. But then when it comes to planning, and communicating those plans to the other leaders, I drop the ball.

In this particular line of work it, my dropping the ball is a disservice to the youth and I’m ashamed each time I do it.

I know the of the time and preparation that goes into this work, but I also know no one person could, or should, go it alone. And so this helps me to put my “aims” into perspective.

After all, I just want to be one of the tires on the bus God is driving.

~Phen