"I'll need a boat with a good strong sail
To weather all the storms and the gales
I'll grab the bottle, grip the rail and say my prayers
And then I'll throw that bottle out
Into the deep blue sea
And then I'll sail away
Yeah I'll throw that bottle out
So far it can't hurt me
One day, one day, one day
One day, one day, one day"
- Polly Paulusma - One Day
A special person said this song reminded them of me... me and my box. I'm known for doing quite a lot of random scribbles and bits of writing, especially at the more tricky times of life. And earlier in the year I decided that it wasn't good to re-read any of these as it brought back things that maybe I didn't need to bring back. So I made a box, a box of 'things to hand over and forget about'. One day. One day I'll hand them all over. Individually I've handed them over as I've put them in the box, but one day I will hand it all over. All of the past 'stuff' that's now kept tightly in that box.
One small enclosed space can hold a lot of truth about life. One small enclosed space is where I live. On a remote, small Scottish island. Can you get any more enclosed than community life here on Iona? In an odd way, community makes you very enclosed. There are a lot of introverts in community. There are a lot of extroverts in community. How do the two merge? How do they get on? How do they communicate? How do they work together? How do you hand things over? It's been a fascinating few weeks here on Iona and these are the kind of things I've been looking out for. It's amazing. People are fascinating. Emotions and feelings. Words. Body language. Behaviours. You can think you know someone very well, and then you share community life with them...
The afore mentioned person introduced me to a lot of music lately, and these words made me think about relationships in community life, that go on no matter what...
'Did you ever lay your head down on the shoulder of a good friend?
And then have to look away somehow? Had to hide the way you felt for them?
Have you ever prayed the day would come you’d hear them say they feel it to?
Did you ever love somebody who never knew?'
Community life is great. But it's hard. So stick your hard bits in a box and mark it for God. Continue as normal.
One day...
Monday, 25 October 2010
Sunday, 10 October 2010
"Show Me How Pretty The Whole World Is"
Do you ever have a day when one artist is singing at you, to you?
Do you ever have a day when the words being sung ring true to you?
Do you ever have a day when the tune, the harmonies, the voice rattle through you?
Do you ever have a day when something is talking to you but you don't know what's being said?
Do you ever have that day?
If so, say hello to God.
Hello God!
Today has been that day for me. That day often happens but sometimes that day passes me by without me realising. Why don't I realise when it's oh so obvious? Because I'm a human who gets caught up with life and who isn't always on the look out of God (although I likely should be). But, God is always on the look out for me.
~
"I can almost see the sky. When I need to I close my eyes. You're the only things worth holding on to."
~
Today it feels like there is more than just God to hold on to. I know, deep down, that holding on to God is more important that anything, but there are also other important things to hold on to; important people, memories, moments, words...
~
"I miss the sound of your voice."
~
Isn't it nice when your phone rings when you're sat at your desk at work and it's a special person ringing? A special person ringing just to hear your voice; to hear your voice to help them to know that life is ok.
Such a simple thing as hearing a voice can make us feel so much more comfortable with our life and it's an unexplainable feeling when you've found someone who can do that for you. I'm not saying that only one person can do that for you, but to find someone who can do that is revitalising. It's precious.
How would you cope without friends, without your chosen people? How would you cope if you couldn't hear their voice, see their face, feel their touch? Friendship is so important and it's at times when life is stretching you to your limits that friendships are that bit more obviously important.
Important.
Treasured.
Loved.
Love = a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection.
Realise love. Feel love. Appreciate love. Love in return.
~
"I miss the still of your silence."
~
Do you ever have a day when the words being sung ring true to you?
Do you ever have a day when the tune, the harmonies, the voice rattle through you?
Do you ever have a day when something is talking to you but you don't know what's being said?
Do you ever have that day?
If so, say hello to God.
Hello God!
Today has been that day for me. That day often happens but sometimes that day passes me by without me realising. Why don't I realise when it's oh so obvious? Because I'm a human who gets caught up with life and who isn't always on the look out of God (although I likely should be). But, God is always on the look out for me.
~
"I can almost see the sky. When I need to I close my eyes. You're the only things worth holding on to."
~
Today it feels like there is more than just God to hold on to. I know, deep down, that holding on to God is more important that anything, but there are also other important things to hold on to; important people, memories, moments, words...
~
"I miss the sound of your voice."
~
Isn't it nice when your phone rings when you're sat at your desk at work and it's a special person ringing? A special person ringing just to hear your voice; to hear your voice to help them to know that life is ok.
Such a simple thing as hearing a voice can make us feel so much more comfortable with our life and it's an unexplainable feeling when you've found someone who can do that for you. I'm not saying that only one person can do that for you, but to find someone who can do that is revitalising. It's precious.
How would you cope without friends, without your chosen people? How would you cope if you couldn't hear their voice, see their face, feel their touch? Friendship is so important and it's at times when life is stretching you to your limits that friendships are that bit more obviously important.
Important.
Treasured.
Loved.
Love = a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection.
Realise love. Feel love. Appreciate love. Love in return.
~
"I miss the still of your silence."
~
Monday, 4 October 2010
Too Long
It's been too long. Too long for many things.
First off, too long since I posted last. I don't do this communication thing well and I apologise. Life on a small, remote Scottish island is very busy and there isn't often time to sit and write, especially on a computer. Paper and pen, on a rock, by the waves, in the sun...yes. Computer and keyboard, in an office, not working, out of the sun...no.
Secondly, too long since a good chunk of time off with nothing planned and time alone. This also adds to point one. But it also adds to point three.
Thirdly, too long since a lie in, a solid nights sleep and enough time in bed to function at full capacity. My body is tired and becoming weak. My mind is tired and my knees are sore. This is not a good sign.
Isn't is good that we have a new Hospitality Team Leader arriving on Sunday? An extra pair of enthusiastic hands to hopefully take some of the work load. A smiling face around to hopefully lighten the air. A person to be interested in the well being of the staff. It will hopefully be a good change for us, to introduce a new member of the resident team at this tired and weary time of year. Especially this year. Especially this week. Everyone is stretched and now more so than normal.
Life is an odd thing and I fully believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes those reasons are hard to find. And at the moment that is the case, that reasons for things are hard to find. Why the hurt, upset, anger, loss, judging, criticising, blame, tears....? The list could go on. What is the reason for the whole situation, and for the individual situations surrounding it? It's fascinating to think about. Maybe I will never know the answer. Maybe I will never know what good has come of this. At the moment the good things to come out of the recent changes hasn't yet become apparent but I'm going to keep searching. The good things must be there, somewhere. Becoming closer to those you really do care for and love from the deepest part of you? Working out who your true friends, support network, family and God-given angels are? Being made to smile because of the little things and realising how important the little things are?
"Be still and know that I am God..."
"We have not time to stop and stare..."
"Close your eyes, get some sleep, it's too late now to change anything but it's alright, get some sleep. It's so dark outside so close your eyes and feel the world turn round. If you're not lost, I guess that makes you found."
First off, too long since I posted last. I don't do this communication thing well and I apologise. Life on a small, remote Scottish island is very busy and there isn't often time to sit and write, especially on a computer. Paper and pen, on a rock, by the waves, in the sun...yes. Computer and keyboard, in an office, not working, out of the sun...no.
Secondly, too long since a good chunk of time off with nothing planned and time alone. This also adds to point one. But it also adds to point three.
Thirdly, too long since a lie in, a solid nights sleep and enough time in bed to function at full capacity. My body is tired and becoming weak. My mind is tired and my knees are sore. This is not a good sign.
Isn't is good that we have a new Hospitality Team Leader arriving on Sunday? An extra pair of enthusiastic hands to hopefully take some of the work load. A smiling face around to hopefully lighten the air. A person to be interested in the well being of the staff. It will hopefully be a good change for us, to introduce a new member of the resident team at this tired and weary time of year. Especially this year. Especially this week. Everyone is stretched and now more so than normal.
Life is an odd thing and I fully believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes those reasons are hard to find. And at the moment that is the case, that reasons for things are hard to find. Why the hurt, upset, anger, loss, judging, criticising, blame, tears....? The list could go on. What is the reason for the whole situation, and for the individual situations surrounding it? It's fascinating to think about. Maybe I will never know the answer. Maybe I will never know what good has come of this. At the moment the good things to come out of the recent changes hasn't yet become apparent but I'm going to keep searching. The good things must be there, somewhere. Becoming closer to those you really do care for and love from the deepest part of you? Working out who your true friends, support network, family and God-given angels are? Being made to smile because of the little things and realising how important the little things are?
"Be still and know that I am God..."
"We have not time to stop and stare..."
"Close your eyes, get some sleep, it's too late now to change anything but it's alright, get some sleep. It's so dark outside so close your eyes and feel the world turn round. If you're not lost, I guess that makes you found."
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Day 5 – 6.7.10 – Tuesday Vancouver – Pemberton
Started off the day heading over to Granville Island to visit the market. I’ve never seen so many different types of fruit and veg in one building, and also bagels, pancakes, pastries, snacks, flowers... Wandered some of the touristy shops and some of the more expensive arty shops, enjoyed lunch at the sea wall and watched the many taxi boats go back and forth.
From there we dropped of Maurice and Heather and continued on out of Vancouver towards Pemberton. We stopped off at the Shannon Falls which were stunning, water falling from glaciers... the water was pretty cold! Stopped off in Whistler and planned to go up in the cable car thing but it was already closed so we wandered around, dodging the hundreds of boarders and cyclists.
Made it to Pemberton and found the worlds dodgiest hostel where the people were totally drugged up and a wee house was held up by a slide. Thankfully, we had the wrong hostel! Had dinner out in a nice restaurant on the balcony overlooking the mountains. They look somewhat like Scotland has taken steroids! Back to the hostel where Alma (one of the owners) gave me a book of pretty Canada pictures and gave us advice on what to do if you encounter a bear. She also made us empty the car of food or the bears would rip the car open to get to it!
Made it to Pemberton and found the worlds dodgiest hostel where the people were totally drugged up and a wee house was held up by a slide. Thankfully, we had the wrong hostel! Had dinner out in a nice restaurant on the balcony overlooking the mountains. They look somewhat like Scotland has taken steroids! Back to the hostel where Alma (one of the owners) gave me a book of pretty Canada pictures and gave us advice on what to do if you encounter a bear. She also made us empty the car of food or the bears would rip the car open to get to it!
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Canada Trip 4.7.10 – 15.7.10
Day 1 – 2.7.10 – Friday
Iona to Edinburgh
After a few tricky goodbyes, many hugs and a rush to the jetty, a rough ferry crossing was the beginning of much travelling. Woozy stomach was settled by listening to music and sleeping on the bus to Craignure. A few harsh awakenings with braking later and I hopped off the bus in the rain to hear an announcement that the ferry was having problems with its main engine. Oh, great! While sitting in the ‘Craignure Tunnel’ as I like to call it, I enjoyed people watching...mainly American’s with bizarre hats and German couples arguing! So, now that the train has been missed, Cal Mac set up travel back to Edinburgh for me in the form of a taxi with an overly anxious American woman and two German guys, one of whom tried to eye and feel me up most of the way...
Day 2 – 3.7.10 – Saturday
Edinburgh – Gatwick
Who would have thought that such a short leg of the journey would take 5 ½ hours?! Delayed plane never helps. Interesting turbulence... stunning sunset. Roasting hot hotel now!
Day 3 – 4.7.10 – Sunday
Gatwick – Vancouver
5.30am alarm... zzz! Quick shower, watch some Wimbledon highlights on TV (what’s one of them?!), hop in a van and end up at Gatwick South Terminal at 6.40am. Yawn! Straight through security, pick up a massive chunk of money, grab some breakfast and start the 15 minute walk to the gate! Now on the plane deciding what to watch on the TV... and ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz is on... yay!
First ever trip to an airplane toilet – interesting experience! Enjoying the entertainment thingy, watching some film about a country singer, but I can’t remember what it’s called! May be tie for some in flight games soon, after I finish my hot chocolate...
Ice bergs over Greenland! Free chocolate mini ice creams! Declaration card filled out!
Only an hour of the flight left and I’m sore and tired and ready to get off now. Dum deed um. Hopefully going to have some nice views on the way down.
There were lovely views on the way down to Vancouver and it’s the strangest feeling coming in to land when the runway begins in the sea! There’s no being sure you are going to land on dry land!
Found luggage and off we went to find the hire car. I was so relieved when Martha hopped in the driver’s seat first! She’s at least driven on this side of the road before. Watch out for dad trying soon...
Drive in to the city and saw my first yellow school bus – they do exist! Also saw a few electric buses and other bizarre things. Walked up Granville Street, hunted out Heather and Maurice and continued to wait for Heather to get her costume on to then run around the street carrying a fake kite and wearing a blue wig. Fetching! Back up to Heather’s flat where Maurice cooked us dinner and then I crashed out by 9pm... 23 ½ hours awake!
Day 4 – 5.7.10 – Monday
Vancouver
6 am and wide awake. Toast time! Loaded some photos on to Facebook and then went back to bed till 9am. Silly jet lag!
Nice lazy morning including maple syrup and brown sugar porridge with a nice cup of tea. Waiting now on dad and Martha to arrive and I think we’re then off to Stanley Park.
Quick stop in to IGA store before a brief sit down at the flat. Out to dinner at Earls around the corner next which was lovely. Pretending to be Heathers birthday...although it’s still 12 days away! Back up at the flat now, loaded a few more photos and now watching TV before bed. I’m knackered with this time difference thing!
Iona to Edinburgh
After a few tricky goodbyes, many hugs and a rush to the jetty, a rough ferry crossing was the beginning of much travelling. Woozy stomach was settled by listening to music and sleeping on the bus to Craignure. A few harsh awakenings with braking later and I hopped off the bus in the rain to hear an announcement that the ferry was having problems with its main engine. Oh, great! While sitting in the ‘Craignure Tunnel’ as I like to call it, I enjoyed people watching...mainly American’s with bizarre hats and German couples arguing! So, now that the train has been missed, Cal Mac set up travel back to Edinburgh for me in the form of a taxi with an overly anxious American woman and two German guys, one of whom tried to eye and feel me up most of the way...
Day 2 – 3.7.10 – Saturday
Edinburgh – Gatwick
Who would have thought that such a short leg of the journey would take 5 ½ hours?! Delayed plane never helps. Interesting turbulence... stunning sunset. Roasting hot hotel now!
Day 3 – 4.7.10 – Sunday
Gatwick – Vancouver
5.30am alarm... zzz! Quick shower, watch some Wimbledon highlights on TV (what’s one of them?!), hop in a van and end up at Gatwick South Terminal at 6.40am. Yawn! Straight through security, pick up a massive chunk of money, grab some breakfast and start the 15 minute walk to the gate! Now on the plane deciding what to watch on the TV... and ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz is on... yay!
First ever trip to an airplane toilet – interesting experience! Enjoying the entertainment thingy, watching some film about a country singer, but I can’t remember what it’s called! May be tie for some in flight games soon, after I finish my hot chocolate...
Ice bergs over Greenland! Free chocolate mini ice creams! Declaration card filled out!
Only an hour of the flight left and I’m sore and tired and ready to get off now. Dum deed um. Hopefully going to have some nice views on the way down.
There were lovely views on the way down to Vancouver and it’s the strangest feeling coming in to land when the runway begins in the sea! There’s no being sure you are going to land on dry land!
Found luggage and off we went to find the hire car. I was so relieved when Martha hopped in the driver’s seat first! She’s at least driven on this side of the road before. Watch out for dad trying soon...
Drive in to the city and saw my first yellow school bus – they do exist! Also saw a few electric buses and other bizarre things. Walked up Granville Street, hunted out Heather and Maurice and continued to wait for Heather to get her costume on to then run around the street carrying a fake kite and wearing a blue wig. Fetching! Back up to Heather’s flat where Maurice cooked us dinner and then I crashed out by 9pm... 23 ½ hours awake!
Day 4 – 5.7.10 – Monday
Vancouver
6 am and wide awake. Toast time! Loaded some photos on to Facebook and then went back to bed till 9am. Silly jet lag!
Nice lazy morning including maple syrup and brown sugar porridge with a nice cup of tea. Waiting now on dad and Martha to arrive and I think we’re then off to Stanley Park.
Drove down to Stanley Park and parked up next to some Mounty horses, very cute! Saw some eagles flying, many ducks and swans, quite a few turtles and some raccoons, including cute fluffy baby raccoons! Had to laugh at a heron landing, it looked so unstable and certainly not as elegant as it is whilst in flight! All of this was around the Lost Lagoon which is just an amazing place. Went over to the totem poles next, via the yaught club and the beach wall, passing by the naval base and Canada Place too. Wandered back to the bar & grill to have lunch (including poutine!) via a lovely beach and kiddies water area where Maurice got a tad wet!
After Stanley Park we headed off up to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Wow! It had been recommended to me by some guests we had in the Abbey last week and I’m glad they did so coz it was stunning. Very expensive mind you! Amazing views from the bridge and it was glorious sunny. Enjoyed the tree top trail too. Can’t even begin to imagine the work that went in to the park as a whole, it was so well put together. Apparently the bridge can hold two 747 planes! Enjoyed a cup of tea with some tiny black squirrels running around. Cute!
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Adventures...
So this whole blog thing is clearly not a success! I've discovered that life is a bit too busy here, and time is tight... time off is tight, more to the point. And even in that time off, my internet connection is in my office... it is not tempting on days off to be in the office!
Life has been busy and adventurous, to say the least. Having been one team member down for the whole season so far, I'm so glad to be back up to a full team - in hospitality at least. Carol who used to be the Hospitality Team Leader (HTL) in 2008 has returned to help out for 6 months, and to be the extra team member that we haven't had lately. Interviews for HTL are happening this week though - 2 via Skype, and 1 here on island. Here's hoping that one of them is what we are looking for, and we can officialy be a fully staffed Hospitality Team in the not too distant future.
I've had some amazing times here, to say the least. The people still amaze me each day and I love them to bits. My life would be so difficult without my extended family here around me. I have the best housemates! All 7 of us don't get together very often but when we do we have a total blast. We are all meeting up this Sunday night for a potluck pudding gathering (yes, life does revolve around food here!)... Laura is leaving in just under a month so we thought we should have a leaving do type thing for her. However, Julie and Fran are both going on holiday this week for a fornight so we decided this week would be good. Really looking forward to all being together :)
I'm wondering how the next two weeks will pan out... Julie and Fran are my two buddies who help me majorly with work things more than anything, but I also spend an awful lot of my time with them in the evenings, out for walks etc. So, I have a feeling that to have them both on holiday at once will be quiet a challenge for me. Soon find out!
I have a feeling that an awful lot has happened in the last month since I last updated... but I have no memory at the moment... maybe I should get my diary! But that is nowhere near me right now... so you'll have to deal with not knowing!
For now, the kettle and Arrested Development are calling me... I'll try to update again soon, honestly... Bug me if I don't!
Life has been busy and adventurous, to say the least. Having been one team member down for the whole season so far, I'm so glad to be back up to a full team - in hospitality at least. Carol who used to be the Hospitality Team Leader (HTL) in 2008 has returned to help out for 6 months, and to be the extra team member that we haven't had lately. Interviews for HTL are happening this week though - 2 via Skype, and 1 here on island. Here's hoping that one of them is what we are looking for, and we can officialy be a fully staffed Hospitality Team in the not too distant future.
I've had some amazing times here, to say the least. The people still amaze me each day and I love them to bits. My life would be so difficult without my extended family here around me. I have the best housemates! All 7 of us don't get together very often but when we do we have a total blast. We are all meeting up this Sunday night for a potluck pudding gathering (yes, life does revolve around food here!)... Laura is leaving in just under a month so we thought we should have a leaving do type thing for her. However, Julie and Fran are both going on holiday this week for a fornight so we decided this week would be good. Really looking forward to all being together :)
I'm wondering how the next two weeks will pan out... Julie and Fran are my two buddies who help me majorly with work things more than anything, but I also spend an awful lot of my time with them in the evenings, out for walks etc. So, I have a feeling that to have them both on holiday at once will be quiet a challenge for me. Soon find out!
I have a feeling that an awful lot has happened in the last month since I last updated... but I have no memory at the moment... maybe I should get my diary! But that is nowhere near me right now... so you'll have to deal with not knowing!
For now, the kettle and Arrested Development are calling me... I'll try to update again soon, honestly... Bug me if I don't!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
The Right Place
First off, apologies for not updating you in a very very long time. Holy Week, Easter, Edinburgh, Orthodotist, Travelling, Guests, Work, Meetings, Volunteers, Illness...
Sadly I still don't have much time just now to update as life is still very busy, but I shall leave you with a nice song for now, untill I have time to update on what's actually going on here.
I decided the other day that, although I was totally knackered and needing some rest from everything, that The Right Place by Eddi Reader was song of the week...
The lights are on our side, driving out of town tonight
This night the colour of blue glass
The warm wind is in our hair, summertime is everywhere
It's funny how today just flew past
I've been in the wrong place, I've been in the wrong place
Long enough to know I'm in the right place now
Five or ten lifetimes ago, there lived a girl that you don't know
She walked about and answered to my name
But let's not talk of strangers now, of where and when or why and how
I've turned around and I'm looking at a new day
I've been in the wrong place, I've been in the wrong place
Long enough to know I'm in the right place now
I've been waiting so long, I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
Now I don't mind if the sun goes down
The night can't hurt me now
The summer's young and the road is clear
I thank whatever brought me here
I've been in the wrong place, I've been in the wrong place
Long enough to know I'm in the right place now
I'm in the right place now
Sadly I still don't have much time just now to update as life is still very busy, but I shall leave you with a nice song for now, untill I have time to update on what's actually going on here.
I decided the other day that, although I was totally knackered and needing some rest from everything, that The Right Place by Eddi Reader was song of the week...
The lights are on our side, driving out of town tonight
This night the colour of blue glass
The warm wind is in our hair, summertime is everywhere
It's funny how today just flew past
I've been in the wrong place, I've been in the wrong place
Long enough to know I'm in the right place now
Five or ten lifetimes ago, there lived a girl that you don't know
She walked about and answered to my name
But let's not talk of strangers now, of where and when or why and how
I've turned around and I'm looking at a new day
I've been in the wrong place, I've been in the wrong place
Long enough to know I'm in the right place now
I've been waiting so long, I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
Now I don't mind if the sun goes down
The night can't hurt me now
The summer's young and the road is clear
I thank whatever brought me here
I've been in the wrong place, I've been in the wrong place
Long enough to know I'm in the right place now
I'm in the right place now
Sunday, 21 March 2010
'Once I was a stranger...'
"Once I was a stranger to the sky
I'd look up from the ground
and block my eyes
Like black smoke in thin air
Tried to be content with what was mine
But my heart was aching all the time
And the scars are still there
And hey, every angel has its time
And hey, I'll write when I arrive
Hey, I've come to claim what's mine
In an elevator to the stars
take a long hard look at who you are
If you're unfamiliar
'Cause one day comes
when you must face yourself
Such a waste pretending someone else
Can still fulfill you
And hey, every angel has its time
And hey, I'll write when I arrive
Hey, I've come to claim what's mine
If your motivation's just to win
That's a handsome trap you're standing in
And its jaws can break you
I would never claim I've seen the light
But I heard the truest song tonight
Whose tune can change you
And hey, every angel has its time
And hey, I'll write when I arrive
Hey, I've come to claim what's mine
I've come to claim what's mine
I've come to claim what's mine
I've come to claim what's mine
Once I was a stranger to the sky
I'd look up from the ground
and block my eyes
Like black smoke in thin air"
Every Angel - The Push Stars
Do you ever think that there's a day when suddenly you aren't a stranger? To the sky, to the world, to people, to a place, to work, to nature, to conversation, to God, to yourself. This last two weeks have been a test of that. How much of a stranger am I to all of these things? "Once I was a stranger to the sky"
Our volunteers (vollies) arrived on Tuesday 9th and then our Work Week guests arrived on Saturday 13th. After spending all of staff training with just the 20 or so residents, this was an overload of people. 25 extra staff members and 22 extra guests joined us to live and work in community, so within a week we had over tripled in numbers and suddenly we, as residents, had become the minority. Odd feeling. "Cause one day comes when you must face yourself" This sudden amount of people made me face myself. This may make no sense to begin with, but I shall try to explain how... When you have to work 12/13 hours a day to get the work done that needs done; to cover days off, to organise and oversea the work week jobs being done, to look after 4 vollies in a kitchen you aren't familiar with, to open two centres for guests, to go to services, to do the orders, to go to meals, to build community and get to know those around you; you have to learn to take time to yourself wherever and whenever you can. In your office (until the phone rings or someone comes in), in your room, in services, in your home space (shared with 6 others), in the small time gaps you have to go walking... What do you do with these times to use them to best suit you and your needs? "Tried to be content with what was mine"
I found this challenge tough, but I found it useful. The hardest thing about all of this for me was that time with friends was less than normal and less than I would have liked. My friends here are amazing and I wouldn't have them any other way, so not getting much time with them has been very strange for me. But I've also realised that if I want to appreciate them and have the best relationship I can with them, then I need to have space for myself also or I will be tired, worn out and probably not the best company. A hard lesson to learn, but one that is invaluable. "Every angel has its time... I've come to claim what's mine" My friends are my angels, but I have to claim my own time too. This is a lot easier when those angels are always there and when they realise that you need your time and help you to keep to that. My time with them is more treasured this way, and treasured is how I like it. "I would never claim I've seen the light, but I heard the truest song tonight, whose tune can change you"
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Yarg!
After a few days in Glasgow doing the last few bits of our staff training we all got the rest of the week off. I took this week as an opportunity to spend some time with my awesome friends...
A quick stop over in Edinburgh Sunday night to Tuesday afternoon spending some time with friends and family, and then Tuesday evening to Friday afternoon in a youth hostel. We drove down to Boggle Hole youth hostel which is about 7 miles south of Whity, close to Robin Hood's Bay. It's an awesome hostel! It has been made to look and feel like a pirate ship (hence the 'Yarg!') and it's really welcoming and cosy. And the best bit is that Auntie Sue starts work there tomorrow (she always wanted to be a pirate) and so I can hopefully stop by there again at some point this year to say hey! We had a day in Whitby being tourists, eating cake, drinking hot chocolate, shopping and taking silly pictures and we spent a day trying to walk to Whitby along the cliff edge from the hostel (don't worry, there's a path!) but we failed at that as we didn't quite realise how far the walk was.... So, after a few aches and pains and very very muddy boots, we made it back to Robin Hood's Bay for toasties, ice cream and a wander along the beach before dinner in the local hotel. Very nice :)
Now I'm back up on the wee isle and straight back to work. I placed a few orders before I left and came back yesterday to discover just how big the orders were... it's quite hard to move anywhere in the burrows just now! So, I'm slowly working my way through unpacking that, cooking meals, getting the centres ready for the volunteers who arrive on Tuesday (YAY!), preparing for work week guests arriving and the rest of the job bits also...
But, for now, I must go to my room and enjoy the warmth (unlike this room!) before a nice long snooze :)
A quick stop over in Edinburgh Sunday night to Tuesday afternoon spending some time with friends and family, and then Tuesday evening to Friday afternoon in a youth hostel. We drove down to Boggle Hole youth hostel which is about 7 miles south of Whity, close to Robin Hood's Bay. It's an awesome hostel! It has been made to look and feel like a pirate ship (hence the 'Yarg!') and it's really welcoming and cosy. And the best bit is that Auntie Sue starts work there tomorrow (she always wanted to be a pirate) and so I can hopefully stop by there again at some point this year to say hey! We had a day in Whitby being tourists, eating cake, drinking hot chocolate, shopping and taking silly pictures and we spent a day trying to walk to Whitby along the cliff edge from the hostel (don't worry, there's a path!) but we failed at that as we didn't quite realise how far the walk was.... So, after a few aches and pains and very very muddy boots, we made it back to Robin Hood's Bay for toasties, ice cream and a wander along the beach before dinner in the local hotel. Very nice :)
Now I'm back up on the wee isle and straight back to work. I placed a few orders before I left and came back yesterday to discover just how big the orders were... it's quite hard to move anywhere in the burrows just now! So, I'm slowly working my way through unpacking that, cooking meals, getting the centres ready for the volunteers who arrive on Tuesday (YAY!), preparing for work week guests arriving and the rest of the job bits also...
But, for now, I must go to my room and enjoy the warmth (unlike this room!) before a nice long snooze :)
Monday, 1 March 2010
Nearing The End Of Training
We have been in Glasgow for the weekend, as a Resident Group, to attend a Committe Meeting in The Iona Community's Glasgow Office. We also enjoyed dinner at a Community Members very nice flat at the top of a very steep hill with very lovely views across the city, some time with the Youth Development Team, a spot of shopping, staying with various Community Members, lots of eating, church services with our hosts, Holy City event and a very cold but informative pilgrimage around Glasgow. We started our pilgrimage in Govan Old Church, which is the church that George MacLead, founder of The Iona Community, was minister for many years. It was amazing to go inside and see this place that I had heard so much about.
Our Pilgirmage was led by Alison Swinfen, a Community Member, and I also attended a session last night at Holy City that she was running based around Refugees and Asylum Seekers... Her story is so real, so honest, so terrifying... I would love it, and I'm sure she and her husband and their foster daughter would love it even more, if you could go to any of the below websites to have a look at what is happening to them just now, and to do what you can to help them...
Online Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/rima/
Official website: http://www.letrimastay.org.uk/
NCADC: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/NCADC-Campaigns/rima.html
Last week during staff training we did a days First Aid course, run by a guy from Inverness. I understand now why at the start of our weekly pilgrimages around the island the leaders always say that they have basic First Aid training and that you don't want to be the person to find out how basic.... One day isn't a long time, and I know now how basic that training is! Was a good day though, and quite a giggle... Especially when a question was asked as to how we know what the signs of hypothermia are, and wondered what you should do if the majority of the people in the room at the time are displaying those signs... it really was a cold cold day!! Here is a photo of us on our training pilgrimage, stopping for a quick bite to eat and to catch our breath...
Last week we also spent a day down at Camas, the Iona Community's outdoor adventure centre on Mull. It was a beautifully crisp day, and was a very nice change from being in the Abbey all day long. They have two little kittens there just now, one of whom loves attention...
There is a massive amount of work to be done before our vollies (short for volunteers!) arrive on the 9th, and before our work week guests arrive on the 13th... and we are now all on holiday until going back to Iona on Saturday... So, this does mean that I am doing lots of work today, back in Edinburgh... but, I shall (try to) put that to the back of my brain tomorrow as I will travel down to Whitby to have a few days holiday with Eilidh, Sarah, Sue and Becki :) Can't wait to be out and about and enjoying the company, good food, outdoors and relaxing and refreshing before a busy season begins.
And a few more photos for you...
Our Pilgirmage was led by Alison Swinfen, a Community Member, and I also attended a session last night at Holy City that she was running based around Refugees and Asylum Seekers... Her story is so real, so honest, so terrifying... I would love it, and I'm sure she and her husband and their foster daughter would love it even more, if you could go to any of the below websites to have a look at what is happening to them just now, and to do what you can to help them...
Online Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/rima/
Official website: http://www.letrimastay.org.uk/
NCADC: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/NCADC-Campaigns/rima.html
Last week during staff training we did a days First Aid course, run by a guy from Inverness. I understand now why at the start of our weekly pilgrimages around the island the leaders always say that they have basic First Aid training and that you don't want to be the person to find out how basic.... One day isn't a long time, and I know now how basic that training is! Was a good day though, and quite a giggle... Especially when a question was asked as to how we know what the signs of hypothermia are, and wondered what you should do if the majority of the people in the room at the time are displaying those signs... it really was a cold cold day!! Here is a photo of us on our training pilgrimage, stopping for a quick bite to eat and to catch our breath...
Last week we also spent a day down at Camas, the Iona Community's outdoor adventure centre on Mull. It was a beautifully crisp day, and was a very nice change from being in the Abbey all day long. They have two little kittens there just now, one of whom loves attention...
There is a massive amount of work to be done before our vollies (short for volunteers!) arrive on the 9th, and before our work week guests arrive on the 13th... and we are now all on holiday until going back to Iona on Saturday... So, this does mean that I am doing lots of work today, back in Edinburgh... but, I shall (try to) put that to the back of my brain tomorrow as I will travel down to Whitby to have a few days holiday with Eilidh, Sarah, Sue and Becki :) Can't wait to be out and about and enjoying the company, good food, outdoors and relaxing and refreshing before a busy season begins.
And a few more photos for you...
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