Derry Diary #9
7 July 2004
Rosemount, Derry
A big ball of warm - all day.

I went out to take a picture of this big bright thing in the sky this morning, so I did. I was told it was the sun. But I want to wait for forensics though. However I did just finish chatting on line with one of my Apprentice Boys of Derry (http://www.abod.info/) friends who got sunburned at the beach today. The good ole Irish tan.

The work today was pretty much like the day before. Funny how routines go isn't it. Bobby did try to teach the wanes the fine art of kick ball. (A game played with a large ball which is pitched on the ground and you kick it with your foot. Similar to baseball). Anyway, they began to make up their own rules and the game quickly fell apart. The kids also met an ex-patriot who's name is Diane. They told me that she was about middle-aged. When asked what that meant, they said "You know, around 30." Which I guess makes me, well, dead. The woman was visiting from Spain and happened to be in Rosemount. Go figure.

Half of Brooke Park went swimming while the other half including our kids stayed at the center. They were told that the shock of seeing American's in bathing suits would cause blindness. Whatever the reason, the kids played dodge ball again and rounders. (Are you beginning to see a pattern?) Val had a discussion with a couple of the older helpers, Orlagh and Shauna about the future, teen pregnancy and other tidbits. Both girls want to come to America and dance in Las Vegas, then become doctors. I think that is a plan. Dancing your way through medical school. The conversation turned to the obvious which is the abundance of teen mothers walking about in the neighborhood pushing prams. The girls acknowledge that it is a problem and that it does curb and notion of a future life.They told Val that many of their friends are pregnant. Education, education , education.

Mel and Andrew outdid themselves this evening for dinner. Curry chicken, fried veggies and rice with some flat bread called naan I think or it's called flat bread. Anyway you get the idea. After which we went with Mark, Liam, Gorgina and Samantha, Sean, Mark, and Christian to the Foyle Cup soccer match in the Brandywell. The Foyle cup draws youth teams from around Ireland, Europe and even America. We watched a team from Germany beat the Derry City team one-nil (European for 1-zip). It was actually a nice walk with good company. Even the Rosemount hill was avoided which is a killer for me. I mean, after all, isn't that why God created cars?

In honor of my last Immersion to Derry I got another tattoo. This one is on my forearm and was created by "Dirt" the tatooist at Tribal Markings. He remembered me from last year. Cal got one too, a huge one on her neck. It is quite attractive. I especially like the coloring on the skull. Nice touch.

Matt handled the prayer/journal this evening and for the second nite running our discussions cleared the air and the heart of burdens. You know what though, this partner of mine is awesome. She can put into words concepts and ideas, much better than I can. She is clear and to the point. I ramble some. I know it is hard to believe, but I do. She is on top of anything the kids are doing and right there with a solution or a compromise. She is a gift...and so is her tattoo.

Tomorrow we have invited for dinner 3 relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday. Good friends I have known since I arrived in Derry with a group 6 years ago. More later on this venture. I think the kids are looking forward to this.

It is 1 am. I'm on my way to bed.

More later,

paul and Cal