That old creole language of Gullah just jumped back across the pond, so to speak. Last week, I was chatting with a kindergarten teacher here in Dublin about a story she was teaching in class, The Little Red Hen. She was telling me that she wanted to have the students hear different versions of the story, so she did an internet search and came up with an audio/visual story to share. She did a rather funny impression and tried to tell me what "language" she had played. She went on with "Guh, Guh," and I guessed correctly..."Gullah."
Are you kidding me? Of course in Charleston I've used Gullah to teach before; it's part of our history. I think it's rather special to be able to share stories in Gullah, as well as traditions like sweet grass basket weaving with the students. It amazed me, and made me pretty proud, to be able to share with someone over here (who actually found it on her own) about Gullah.
In her search, my teacher friend found a website which explores Gullah culture in South Carolina. The Gullah.net website (http://www.knowitall.org/gullahnet/) offers music, stories, history, etc and is a great resource for teachers. I'm now pleased to say it's not a regional thing, that teachers all over the world can use Gullah to enrich their lessons. The Gullah version of The Little Red Hen was a big hit in Ireland last week; maybe others will soon give it a try!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
It Comes In Threes
I've always heard that bad things come in threes and I'm not usually one who believes in superstitions, but I have seen this proverb to come true on more than one occasion. Luckily I'm not writing about bad things, but rather all the good that has been happening to me here in Dublin in the last week. It seems that I've got the good things coming in threes too.
I've had my share of traveling and playing since I arrived here and I've even put in time volunteering so as to get my foot in the door at DCU, a college here in Dublin. I have enjoyed my time but I have found it hard when I'm in between my adventures and volunteer hours because I'm not one who sits idle very long. Back home in the states, I was quite known for going to work, teaching the full day and then tutoring or babysitting in the evenings after work and on my weekends, not to mention keeping someone's dogs for a few days at a time. I like to be busy, and in a place where you don't know that many people, it can be difficult to do.
Fortunately, I have recently found myself a few things to occupy my time. I began nannying today for an adorable little two year old boy. I'll keep him three to four days a week in the morning while his mother goes to teach primary school and his father works in his studio. The child is amazing and at his young age has an abundance of musical knowledge, which I find super cool.
After nannying, I'll be heading to DCU at least twice a week to run a conversation class for the adults there. The class is very informal and I can choose how I want to run it. I'm taking my neighbor with me to have an extra set of hands because he has an ESL background and like me, he's not been working here.
After all this, twice a week I'll be tutoring a Portuguese student for an hour. Today was my first day with him and he's only been speaking English 7 months but he's getting a good grip on it. He's very shy reading aloud but I told him to have a glass of wine before he comes over so he won't be so intimidated. I'll buy a cheap bottle for Thursday to help him. I've written many papers of the factors of second language acquisition and one thing I can say for sure is confidence counts. If you want to learn, you have to practice, so I hope I can help him.
It makes me feel really good because I've gotten myself into all of the things I love and I am finally finding my place here. I am sure there will be times I'll be down on my luck or feeling homesick, but I am happy to have these "jobs" lined up and more happy to finally have a little income!
I've had my share of traveling and playing since I arrived here and I've even put in time volunteering so as to get my foot in the door at DCU, a college here in Dublin. I have enjoyed my time but I have found it hard when I'm in between my adventures and volunteer hours because I'm not one who sits idle very long. Back home in the states, I was quite known for going to work, teaching the full day and then tutoring or babysitting in the evenings after work and on my weekends, not to mention keeping someone's dogs for a few days at a time. I like to be busy, and in a place where you don't know that many people, it can be difficult to do.
Fortunately, I have recently found myself a few things to occupy my time. I began nannying today for an adorable little two year old boy. I'll keep him three to four days a week in the morning while his mother goes to teach primary school and his father works in his studio. The child is amazing and at his young age has an abundance of musical knowledge, which I find super cool.
After nannying, I'll be heading to DCU at least twice a week to run a conversation class for the adults there. The class is very informal and I can choose how I want to run it. I'm taking my neighbor with me to have an extra set of hands because he has an ESL background and like me, he's not been working here.
After all this, twice a week I'll be tutoring a Portuguese student for an hour. Today was my first day with him and he's only been speaking English 7 months but he's getting a good grip on it. He's very shy reading aloud but I told him to have a glass of wine before he comes over so he won't be so intimidated. I'll buy a cheap bottle for Thursday to help him. I've written many papers of the factors of second language acquisition and one thing I can say for sure is confidence counts. If you want to learn, you have to practice, so I hope I can help him.
It makes me feel really good because I've gotten myself into all of the things I love and I am finally finding my place here. I am sure there will be times I'll be down on my luck or feeling homesick, but I am happy to have these "jobs" lined up and more happy to finally have a little income!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Americana
This morning I attended the American Women's Club of Dublin's first general meeting of the year which was held at the Bewley's Hotel in Ballsbridge. I went with my friend Jamie and her mother in law, and we ran into another friend Chelsea there. The meeting was made up of probably 70 or so women of all ages and all walks of life. We were under the impression that the meeting began at 9:30, however it did not actually begin until about 10:20. The first portion of the day was meant to be a "meet and greet" but the old members were quite caught up with "catching up" with one another, there were few people who actually reached out to welcome us. The former president was one of them, and she was polite so I'm thankful for that. I will say that not one of the current board members approached me to speak. The new president, a 27 year old mother of two, was quite busy breastfeeding at the speaker's table and then chasing her toddlers around. This threw me off a bit.
Before starting the meeting, I wandered around the conference room looking at the few different tables, but of course I gravitated to the American food table organized by Jane Donnelly. Her items ranged from marshmallow fluff to Old El Paso Green Chili Sauce. I was very close to buying her one container of Old Bay Seasoning, but I've already requested my friend Beth bring it when she visits. I did need change for the bus though, so I bought a small package of Peanut Butter M&M's. I got Jane's email and website so I can browse when I'm really in need of a taste from home.
The meeting finally began with a guest speaker, a Mr. Godfrey Graham. Mr. Graham is a 75 year old former photographer from Dublin. He spoke of his love for photography and how he got his start, as well as some of the interesting things he's done throughout his life. I enjoyed this very much, but it was a bit disorganized and it was hard to follow him at times.
The actual meeting was the strangest part of the whole morning. The president ran back and forth across the room after her youngest and spoke in such an informal manner. There was never a call to order announcement or minutes review or any of the things you would expect to take place at a meeting. The former president asked to speak and was turned down (at that moment) and you could have cut the tension with a knife. There is some hugely unspoken hostility between the old and new presidents. It was uncomfortable for me. If this organization is so big and so established (they've been meeting since 1972) and charging 60 euro for membership fees, then it needs to do one of two things. Either a) hold an official meeting where things are done correctly, i.e. give your members an itinerary and have someone take minutes, offer a nursery for children of members to be kept out of earshot, etc or b) don't set the meeting up with board table and look the part but not play it. I have to say that I felt more out of place in this room of American women than I've felt the entire time I've been abroad. Yes, I think they have a good organization and yes, I'm pleased to see they offer so many different activities, but I think overall, it was poorly organized and I personally don't care to be part of it.
Before starting the meeting, I wandered around the conference room looking at the few different tables, but of course I gravitated to the American food table organized by Jane Donnelly. Her items ranged from marshmallow fluff to Old El Paso Green Chili Sauce. I was very close to buying her one container of Old Bay Seasoning, but I've already requested my friend Beth bring it when she visits. I did need change for the bus though, so I bought a small package of Peanut Butter M&M's. I got Jane's email and website so I can browse when I'm really in need of a taste from home.
The meeting finally began with a guest speaker, a Mr. Godfrey Graham. Mr. Graham is a 75 year old former photographer from Dublin. He spoke of his love for photography and how he got his start, as well as some of the interesting things he's done throughout his life. I enjoyed this very much, but it was a bit disorganized and it was hard to follow him at times.
The actual meeting was the strangest part of the whole morning. The president ran back and forth across the room after her youngest and spoke in such an informal manner. There was never a call to order announcement or minutes review or any of the things you would expect to take place at a meeting. The former president asked to speak and was turned down (at that moment) and you could have cut the tension with a knife. There is some hugely unspoken hostility between the old and new presidents. It was uncomfortable for me. If this organization is so big and so established (they've been meeting since 1972) and charging 60 euro for membership fees, then it needs to do one of two things. Either a) hold an official meeting where things are done correctly, i.e. give your members an itinerary and have someone take minutes, offer a nursery for children of members to be kept out of earshot, etc or b) don't set the meeting up with board table and look the part but not play it. I have to say that I felt more out of place in this room of American women than I've felt the entire time I've been abroad. Yes, I think they have a good organization and yes, I'm pleased to see they offer so many different activities, but I think overall, it was poorly organized and I personally don't care to be part of it.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Just Keeps Getting Better
Although it was really low key, my week in Cardiff was a lot of fun. I had only ever visited the city once and that was just for the day with 29 Russian students, so this past week has allowed me to really explore. As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to get out in Allan's little neighborhood to run, shop, and get my hair done. I took a few other days to go into the city centre and to get out to Cardiff Bay. It was great to see more of Cardiff and it leaves me wanting to plan another visit because I think the city has a lot to offer.
My first few days were spent right around Allan's neighborhood, but Friday I got up and headed by foot (about 20 minutes I think) to the centre. I walked through some shops and into the visitors centre where I watched a short film on the history of Cardiff. I headed through Bute Park which is next to Cardiff Castle and took a boat taxi (another 20 minutes) up to Cardiff Bay. The taxi, which cost only 3 pounds, was worth it if you enjoy being on the water like I do, but a bus is another easy, and cheap way, to get around town.
When I got to the bay I was really surprised at how modern the area was. There were a ton of new builds and in the visitor's center here, where I watched another bit of history, I found out that the whole area had recently been rebuilt to offer easy access to the water, a freshwater lake other waterfront activities. There were many workers in the area setting up for a Red Bull two day event (racing I think). The shops here were neat, lots of artists around too.
I ended up taking the bus back to the city centre and walking (after getting my first ever coffee-ish drink at Starbucks) back to Allan's. I don't drink coffee but I was exhausted, and since I had a caramel drink it masked the flavor pretty well.
Allan and I rested and then headed out to meet his "boys". He wanted to introduce me to his friends so we first went to the Pen and Wig. This is a cool little place and has a great beer garden. After this we walked to another great place, The Buffalo Bar. It is nothing like what is sounds. The decor was nice and their outdoor beer garden was quite comfortable too. There were no site of wings anywhere! Finally we walked to another of Allan's favorites, but I like this place least of all. It was just a bit plain for me, but of course Allan says they were looking for a minimalist decor. It seemed to have the crowd of a Cypress or maybe even Raval, but it didn't have the ambiance, which is what I like.
Saturday morning we planned on hiking but the weather was bad so we painted in Allan's house and then we took a drive out to an area I'm not familiar with but we had lunch in a place called the Angel. The food was really good. We walked around this town a bit and then headed back that afternoon to just hang out and watch movies.
Sunday we got up really early to try and catch the sunrise over Cardiff Bay but unfortunately it was cloudy out so we didn't see much. We drove all over Penarth looking at the neighborhoods because Allan is considering moving out of his place into something new, and perhaps I'll move to Cardiff in a few months so I get a say! After our drive we each had massages at the gym near Allan's place and boy I needed it. I needed it so much in fact, I booked one for Monday morning too. Once I was well rested we went over to Llantwit Major and hiked along the coastal path. This is an easy hike and it's just beautiful, but Allan had to make it more exciting of course, so on our way down we took an unconventional path. Rather than follow the route marked for us, Allan had me treading through fields and jumping over fences, walking through sheep pastures and climbing walls. Interesting for sure. It was a little intimidating because I'm not one to break the rules and I was scared we were going to get in trouble for trespassing, but it was fun.
We had lunch at an amazing restaurant in Cowbridge that afternoon. I had a goat cheese roast (essentially a stuffing with the cheese, spinach, pine nuts, and other special ingredients) and then on the plate was also yams, broccoli, roasted potatoes and cauliflower. Oh my goodness, heaven. The Quarter Penny Cafe has my vote for good eats.
Sunday evening we took it easy and Monday morning I had another massage to work out the many knots I still had in my shoulders. I caught my flight back to Dublin late in the afternoon and now I'm trying to catch up on emails, phone calls, laundry, etc before my sister arrives this week. Looking forward to bday celebrations with the ones I love here in Dublin. Upset my birthday won't be with my friends and family back home, but I know they'll be with me in spirit! 29 scares me for some reason, but the way things have been going here, I know that life will just keep getting better, so there is nothing to be worried about at the ripe old age of 29!
My first few days were spent right around Allan's neighborhood, but Friday I got up and headed by foot (about 20 minutes I think) to the centre. I walked through some shops and into the visitors centre where I watched a short film on the history of Cardiff. I headed through Bute Park which is next to Cardiff Castle and took a boat taxi (another 20 minutes) up to Cardiff Bay. The taxi, which cost only 3 pounds, was worth it if you enjoy being on the water like I do, but a bus is another easy, and cheap way, to get around town.
When I got to the bay I was really surprised at how modern the area was. There were a ton of new builds and in the visitor's center here, where I watched another bit of history, I found out that the whole area had recently been rebuilt to offer easy access to the water, a freshwater lake other waterfront activities. There were many workers in the area setting up for a Red Bull two day event (racing I think). The shops here were neat, lots of artists around too.
I ended up taking the bus back to the city centre and walking (after getting my first ever coffee-ish drink at Starbucks) back to Allan's. I don't drink coffee but I was exhausted, and since I had a caramel drink it masked the flavor pretty well.
Allan and I rested and then headed out to meet his "boys". He wanted to introduce me to his friends so we first went to the Pen and Wig. This is a cool little place and has a great beer garden. After this we walked to another great place, The Buffalo Bar. It is nothing like what is sounds. The decor was nice and their outdoor beer garden was quite comfortable too. There were no site of wings anywhere! Finally we walked to another of Allan's favorites, but I like this place least of all. It was just a bit plain for me, but of course Allan says they were looking for a minimalist decor. It seemed to have the crowd of a Cypress or maybe even Raval, but it didn't have the ambiance, which is what I like.
Saturday morning we planned on hiking but the weather was bad so we painted in Allan's house and then we took a drive out to an area I'm not familiar with but we had lunch in a place called the Angel. The food was really good. We walked around this town a bit and then headed back that afternoon to just hang out and watch movies.
Sunday we got up really early to try and catch the sunrise over Cardiff Bay but unfortunately it was cloudy out so we didn't see much. We drove all over Penarth looking at the neighborhoods because Allan is considering moving out of his place into something new, and perhaps I'll move to Cardiff in a few months so I get a say! After our drive we each had massages at the gym near Allan's place and boy I needed it. I needed it so much in fact, I booked one for Monday morning too. Once I was well rested we went over to Llantwit Major and hiked along the coastal path. This is an easy hike and it's just beautiful, but Allan had to make it more exciting of course, so on our way down we took an unconventional path. Rather than follow the route marked for us, Allan had me treading through fields and jumping over fences, walking through sheep pastures and climbing walls. Interesting for sure. It was a little intimidating because I'm not one to break the rules and I was scared we were going to get in trouble for trespassing, but it was fun.
We had lunch at an amazing restaurant in Cowbridge that afternoon. I had a goat cheese roast (essentially a stuffing with the cheese, spinach, pine nuts, and other special ingredients) and then on the plate was also yams, broccoli, roasted potatoes and cauliflower. Oh my goodness, heaven. The Quarter Penny Cafe has my vote for good eats.
Sunday evening we took it easy and Monday morning I had another massage to work out the many knots I still had in my shoulders. I caught my flight back to Dublin late in the afternoon and now I'm trying to catch up on emails, phone calls, laundry, etc before my sister arrives this week. Looking forward to bday celebrations with the ones I love here in Dublin. Upset my birthday won't be with my friends and family back home, but I know they'll be with me in spirit! 29 scares me for some reason, but the way things have been going here, I know that life will just keep getting better, so there is nothing to be worried about at the ripe old age of 29!
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