a very long post

Well, we still have no internet… but apparently the owner of the homes that we are staying in is still trying. It’s incredibly frustrating. So I am in Newcastle again sitting at the library.

I will try and remember interesting things that have happened since my last post.

Luke and I went to dinner one night to a place in Dundrum called The Buck’s Head. Apparently it’s a big deal around County Down. And it definitely lived up to the hype. I had soup and chips (basically fries) and Luke got a ribeye and mash (Mashed potatoes, of course).. I ate most of his. It was delicious. Most of the things on the menu sounded gross, most things around here come straight from the ocean… and we all know I don’t eat things that live(d) in water.

We all have been playing Trivial Pursuit (pop culture edition)… I have been on the winning team each time (I do like my pop culture). It’s usually really fun, even though there are a few like me that get a little too competitive. Including Luke

Friday nights at the local bar has country western karaoke…. So naturally, we had to attend. They had a large American Flag apparently from the Vietnam War (note the apparently). So there were probably 40 people in this tiny bar and 15 of them were JBUers. It was quite interesting. No worries, I did not do any karaoke…. You could’ve guessed I’m sure. So from now on Friday is karaoke night and Saturday is disco night at the local Maggie Murrays.

We did get our bikes finally and they have been a great help. Meg and I rode to the beach (about two miles) and found the most incredible view. The beach is beautiful and across the water you will usually find about 50 seals…. Crazy
After we sit at the beach for awhile we ride basically into the jungle. There are multiple paths that take you into fields of overgrown bushes and grass. Really incredible. It’s my favorite spot in NI so far.

We went to Sunday morning church in Newcastle and it was pretty much small church America.. nothing too exciting. And then we went to one of our Professor’s (Hadden Wilson) church in Ballynahinch. This church was much more contemporary and welcoming. Following that church service we went to the Wilson’s home and had more sweets than my stomach can handle. His wife, Betty, is probably the coldest person I’ve met. She’s very honest and has no problem telling you her opinions. She’s fun. I helped her finish up the food and get it presented and she got frustrated with me because I didn’t know what ‘cling film’ was…. Turns out it is saran wrap. There are lots of small translation issues like that.

Let me talk a little bit about Hadden. He has his doctorate in Thermodynamics or something ridiculous…. He taught that for many years and then switched to ministry. He has been a pastor for who knows how many years and was the missionary in residence at JBU for a few years as well. He has, by far, the best voice I’ve ever heard. It would be like an Irish equivalent of Morgan Freeman (if I’m remembering correctly)…..
Hadden teaches our Irish perspectives on Christian Life and our Philosophy course… and he also basically lives with us. He is wonderful.

One of our other professors is Derick Bingham. He teaches our Irish Literature course. I feel like he is way too qualified to be teaching us. He wrote the biography on C.S. Lewis called A Shiver of Wonder. He is a professor at Queens University in Belfast. He comes on Wednesday and we are always thrilled. Our first assignment was to read a chapter of Lewis’ Miracles and we had an in-class writing assignment… turns out it’s been awhile since I’ve done those

Our Art class is taught by Amanda Croft at Queens’ University on Thursday’s. We won’t start the actual lectures until this coming Thursday, but she has been to our homes and then yesterday we met her in Lisburn and went through an art exhibit as she desperately tried to make us understand art. She is also way too qualified to be teaching us… but we’ll take her.

On a good note, I do get my coffee everyday… Jean, you ruined me.

We all passed the head cold to each other. It’s been fun. Most of us are pretty much cured though.

The worst thing about the traveling is the driving. We all pile into a bus/van type thing… And Hadden usually drives 20 mph faster than any of us would like. The roads are bumpy and curvy and I usually immediately put my head in my lap.
*for Luke’s family… you can imagine his stomach never settles during these trips*

On a good note, Emily and I did finally figure out how to Zip and Link our beds. So we now have one bed. It’s fun. Except neither of us slept that well last night. I like to be tucked and she does not… we’ll work it out.

It doesn’t appear that anyone is facing much homesickness or culture shock yet.. but apparently it is the 6 week mark that we will feel it. More than anything is that we face a lot of boredom. There is limited things to do in Dundrum (especially with no internet) so we feel a little bit like we are on an Amish vacation. No computers, 3 channels, etc. but we try to keep our spirits high. So far the weather has been incredible, which is nice.

Well, there ya have it.

Now I am going to desperately try to get some pictures up.