Week 19- Northern Ireland

Sunday, 4 October, 2009 1:05Am Newtownards, N. Ireland

As you can see it's very early in the morning. I've been wanting to write for a long time, but haven't had the chance, so I'm staying up late to get it done while I still have Internet. This week has been really good, and gone by very quickly.

We were in Portadown, then we spent a few days in Lisburn, I went into Belfast for my day off, we went and saw Fame, and had lunch at TGI Friday's. It was good, reminded me of Red Robin a little bit. Days off go by very quickly when you use the train. My next day off is in Pettigo, which is far away I've heard, so I think I may just stay in. I need to buy some things, but I want to rest. It's going to be on Tuesday this week, it will go back to Thursdays again after.

I'm really excited because one of my best friends is coming to visit me when I am in England in November. It's a big deal because I will actually get to see and spend some time with someone I know from home. It will only be a day, but I'm still very grateful. I will also be able to send some things home, I won't need, which will save room in my suitcase for other things I do need or want to bring home.

Yesterday (well Friday) was awesome. We started off by going to perform at a school that a lady that works for the choir's children go to. (That was a mouthful) Then we got a special tour of their music department which was amazing. The kids learned so much, and got to see so many instruments they never knew existed. They really only know the drums and piano. Maybe a few others. So they got to play on them and learn about them.

Following that, we got a tour of the Newtownards Fire Station. (FYI- Newtownards is not said the way it's spelt, at all. I'll have to tell you when I see you if I remember. Neut-n-erds, that's the closest I can get...prob still wrong though) Anyway, they showed the kids the fire truck and how they use the equipment, then we got to use the fire hose, they had so much fun, like so much fun, we al did. It was great. The guys were great with the kids and made them laugh so much. I wish I had taken a video. I have photos though. (Shsme, I keep forgetting to put up the links)

Then we headed to Belfast for a Hockey Game! So exciting! I never thought I'd get to see any kind of sports game here, let alone Hockey. The kids were looking forward to it as well. They performed 3 songs during the first break. We got to see most of the game. It's really different than a Canucks game. There were way less people, and the crowd wasn't very loud. They weren't quiet though. I guess just because it wasn't full. It was a tie game, which was strange to me. They shook hands with the other players and that was it. I was really confused, I was telling everyone the rules, no one we were with understood it, but they were cheering like it was the time of their life. The kids got things that make noise, don't know the name, but it was good fun. They were dancing and screaming.

Today we had a concert that had sold out with 700 tickets. That's quite a large audience compared to most of our concerts. It's always good when we sell out. It went really well, lots of energy, everyone enjoyed it.

I've gotta get some sleep now. Hopefully I can write more another time.

Monday, 5 October, 2009 9:45PM Enniskillen, N. Ireland

Hey there! My host doesn’t have Internet, so I’m typing this up hoping to get it sent tomorrow. As I said this week I have Tuesday off. Where we are is very close to the border of the Republic of Ireland (Southern Ireland) They call it both names here. Some people call it all Ireland because they think the split was very silly. I’ve come across more of those kind of people while being here. Even at the gift shops they don’t really have things that say “Northern Ireland” which I found really interesting.

Anyway, I have a confession. Part of the reason I haven’t been writing in here as much is because I was reading a book. I’m not a reader, unless it’s a book about something I want to learn about. Jenny told me about a book she had and said it was really good, and I could read it if I wanted. It was fiction but I said why not. It’s easier to carry around than my lap top and sometimes I’ll have a few minutes with nothing to do. It sounded really interesting as well. It’s called When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. Wow, I’m blanking. I think that’s the name. Well, I finished it today. I’m a really slow reader, I have to be totally focused to be able to read a book, it’s not easy to do on tour, so it took me about 3 weeks to finish. It was really good, but really sad. If you are a really emotional person, it might be hard for you to read. I think they should make it into a movie, but the author may not want to do it. I’m glad it’s finally finished, but now I feel bored. I didn’t bring books with me because I wanted to have extra weight for other things. I’m glad I made that decision. Most of the girls are trading books around, or sending them home once they are read. Jenny has 2 other books by the same author, so I will start another one when she can get it out of her suitcase.

Tuesday, 6 October, 2009 12:35PM Enniskillen

My host said there wasn't much to do in the town we wanted to go to in the Republic, so we decided Enniskillen would be a better idea. It turned out to be a nice day, a bit cloudy and cold, but not raining which is nice. We found Internet at McDonalds, it's free so I can't complain.

Michelle's host gave her money to take us all out for lunch at a cafe they like to go to here. Isn't that sweet of them? They insisted. We are so blessed. Sometimes we get treated like celebs too!

I'm off to lunch now!

Tomorrow I would really like to go into Southern Ireland, just because we are so close, it’s something different, and I think it’d be fun. I don’t want to travel to a city and spend money. I did good on my last day off. Jenny and I are both interested in doing something touristy, but we don’t have Internet to search for it, so we are going to bring our laptops and try to find a cafe that has it.

This week has gotten much much colder. It’s been raining or cloudy for the most part. If the sun is out, it isn’t for long, and it doesn’t bring much heat with it :( I pulled my winter jacket out of my suitcase on Friday. I haven’t worn it yet, I’m trying to enjoy my pleather one for a little bit longer. It’s cold enough to wear it though.

Oh! I can’t believe I almost forgot. We are going to see the Lion King in London! It’s been confirmed. The children don’t know yet, it’s a secret. I’ve heard it’s excellent, I’m quite excited.

Also, I should let you know my home address has changed. I’m not sure if any of you would need it, but if you want it please let me know. Or if you wanted to mail me letters while I’m here I have the office address you can send it to and it will be sent to me.

I’m phoning people to try and organize tomorrow, and then I will call my family and get some sleep :)

Tuesday, 6 October, 2009 10:54PM

On the way to my host’s house today we had to stop in the middle of the road because 5 cows had escaped. They were right next to the car. I grabbed my camera but not quick enough :( It was really funny though. The fence they got through was quite high, I’m not sure how they got out, but they were just wandering around. Across the street there were about 20 goats watching them very intently. Further down there was a field of sheep. Just a little taste of what the county of Fermanagh has to offer. It’s really beautiful here. I think we have now been in all the county’s of Nothern Ireland. Pretty cool. It only takes about 3 hours to get across the country. It’s just a “wee” one.

Last night 2 of the girls I am staying with lost teeth (Phephile and Tintswalo) Gabsile pulled out Tintswalo’s and about 5 minutes after getting in bed Phephile comes out with hers in her hand. It was funny how it all happened so quickly. They are on the side of their mouth, but they want to hide their smiles because they think they look silly now. You can’t even notice them, it feels different when it’s your mouth though.

I had a good day off, but I didn’t get the nap I wanted, I’m going to bed now. Early morning and we are going to Ballynahinch which is on the other side of the country. It’ll take a few hours to get there. Hopefully I can rest a bit.

Thursday, 8 October, 2009 11:46PM Ballynahinch, NI

I love the hosts I am with now, they have 3 girls, and I'm with girls. It's been really nice. We are in a nice big home in the countryside. They told me to go on the Internet and do whatever I want, then she brought up hot water for me to make my herbal tea and gave me cake and chocolate, it was wonderful.

Yesterday it was 4 C. I couldn't believe it. I put on my winter coat. All of our hands were freezing, we just weren't prepared for it to get that cold that fast. Anyway, today is was hot and sunny. I was outside with just a sweater on. The sun was shining in the classroom and the kids were all saying it was too hot. Very interesting weather they have here in the UK, the people will all say the same thing too. The girls played outside on the play park they built in the backyard, it's pretty fancy. They said everyone likes to come over to play.

We are off to Stormont tomorrow, but this time it's not the castle, we are performing at a church there. I can't believe we are going to be leaving for England next Saturday. Exciting stuff!

Got a new book to read from Jenny so I'll start that tomorrow if I can get all my work done. It's not too far to the next venue so I'll have to work quickly.

Talk to you soon!

Friday, 9 October, 2009 5:10PM Belfast, NI

Another crazy weather day today. It’s pouring rain, heavy rain. The most rain I’ve seen in a long long time. The wind is strong and blowing it everywhere. My 5 pound boots aren’t waterproof so I’m trying to stay inside. I’ve got my waterproof winter coat next to me. I’m glad I pulled it out when I did.

I’ve decided that this week I’m going without crisps (potato chips) and chocolate. They are 2 things I eat pretty much everyday, and it’s not healthy at all. I don’t want to continue to gain weight. It’s not always easy to eat healthy when other people feed you all the time. The fact that I can’t go to the gym to work it off makes it hard too. It’s really hard to not eat. I told myself I would do it last week but I gave in, but I today was day 1 and I made it through. I also don’t eat bread if I have the option. I do on occasion, but most times it’s the main part of the meal so I can’t avoid it.

I have to go eat dinner now, but I had to type this while I had a chance and still in my brain. I forget a lot of things I want to write...

Saturday, 10 October, 2009 9:02AM Belfast, NI

One night stays are awful. I always feel bad for the host families. They barely get to see the kids and yet they are so willing to have us in their home. I guess a bit of the kids is better than none.

So the other Chaparones think I will give in to the chips and chocolate, I know I won’t because I already made it through one day, that gives me enough motivation for the rest. Also, my trousers are getting tighter everyday, so I gotta lose a bit of weight, even if its 5 pounds. Weight is in stones here, it really confused me when I saw a scale. 1 stone is 14 pounds. It’s nice to see a small number when you jump on haha.

I’ve got to get some breakfast and get the boys going. We are going to Carryduff today.