The power of cinema...

Over the past few days I have watched two movies which have both set my mind thinking about ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, and conflict/reconciliation on a broader scale. The two movies I watched were ‘The Iron Lady’ and ‘Hunger’.

Most people will know that ‘The Iron Lady’ features Meryl Streep playing an elderly Margaret Thatcher who is looking back over her life, while being plagued by dementia. I was not alive during Margaret Thatcher’s time as Prime Minister, however her legacy has certainly lived on. From what I have read, and the many conversations I have had about her policies, I do not think I would have been in agreement with Margaret Thatcher during her time as Prime Minister.

‘Hunger’ follows the story of Bobby Sands, an Irish Republican hunger striker who died in 1981 after 66 days on hunger strike. These movies are inter-related as Margaret Thatcher was PM during this turbulent time of Northern Irish history. As someone born in the late 80's into a Northern Irish Protestant family, it is unlikely that Bobby Sands and I would have seen eye to eye on many issues.

Watching both of these movies stirred up many emotions for me. Even though I did not live through this most turbulent time of our history, the events of ‘The Troubles’ have impacted my life, along with the lives of everyone who has lived in Northern Ireland, whether we realise it or not.

These movies forced me to look at both Margaret Thatcher and Bobby Sands in a new light, as human beings. Margaret Thatcher is a mother, a wife and someone who, I presume, believed she was doing right thing. Bobby Sands was a son, a friend and someone who also, I presume, believed he was doing the right thing. These movies, respectively, lead you into a relationship with the main characters. A challenging place.


If I had been alive in the early 80’s Bobby Sands and Margaret Thatcher both would have been my neighbour. Both are children of God. Would I have loved them? I need to ask myself this question continuously. 

My faith calls me to love my enemies and not to judge others. I know I do not always live out this call, but, with God's help, I will continue to try.

My first college road trip & Christmas in a home away from home...

It is a fact: I love Christmas!

In recent years, what I have grown to love the most about Christmas is being able to spend intentional time with family and friends. The lead up to Christmas 2011 filled me with mixed feelings. Never before had I spent a Christmas away from my family. Even though I have not experienced intense homesickness this year so far I was worried it would come at Christmas! Thankfully, the week before Christmas was a busy one for me, which included travelling through five different states; Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.

College Road Trip with Stratford Students! 


As most of you know, my YAV placement this year is with the Martha O'Bryan Center at Stratford High School. The majority of my time is spent assisting students with college applications. From 19th - 22nd December we took 40 students on a College tour to Memphis, TN, Baton Rouge, LA and New Orleans, LA.  Throughout our time we covered at least 1200 miles, now coming from Northern Ireland that is just insane to me! The size of the US continues to amaze, and at times overwhelm me.

This time opened our students eyes to the possibilities available to them, and broadened their outlook on college experience. Throughout our time away we visited University of Memphis, Tulane University, Louisiana State University and Dillard University. Not only did we visit colleges we also got time to hang out with the students in a more relaxed setting and even go on a Louisiana Safari! This time together has been the highlight of my YAV year so far. I feel that my relationships with both my colleagues and the students have been deepened. 

Our group at University of Memphis

Some of our students at LSU

Some of our girls and me at Tulane

Our Louisiana Safari!

My next road trip to South Carolina with Lee Catoe!


I arrived back at my house around 9am on December 22nd (having spend the previous night on a bus from New Orleans to Nashville), and I then had about one hour to get myself ready to head to South Carolina (another 500 mile trip) to spend Christmas with Lee (a fellow YAV) and his family.

A visit to the pig farm, where our
Christmas morning sausage came from!

Lee comes from a small town in South Carolina, but a large family! Most of our week there was spent with his family members, something I really enjoyed. They made me very welcome and I felt completely at home. Christmas away from home, was not feeling as sad all of a sudden!

Lee's church, Rocky Creek Presbyterian

Making a start on the yummy Christmas sweets!

Putting the Cadburys decorations on the tree, thanks mum!

I am now a proud Gamecocks fan!

On Christmas Eve we went to a candlelit service in Lee's church. It was great to be a part of this and this gave me an opportunity to meet lots of Lee's family!

After church we went to Lee's brother's home for dinner, which was wonderful! And the first of our present giving began. Lee's brother's family got me a Gamecocks shirt (the University of South Carolina football team), which I will wear with pride! I am into most sports, and American football is growing on me, so I now have a college team to support, alongside my adopted NFL team, the Titans. My loyalties can be bought with clothing, so if anyone wants to came my allegiances for basketball or baseball just send me some clothing!

Lee and I both commented that we felt like brother and sister when Lee's mom and dad gave us our stockings on Christmas Eve! We then went on to open our presents, from both South Carolina and Northern Ireland.

Catoe Christmas Dinner, totaling around 60 people! 

On Christmas morning we joined more of Lee's aunts and uncles for breakfast consisting of grits, fresh sausage, biscuits (not the Northern Irish kind!) and gravy! 

After church, we headed to Christmas dinner with a large gathering of Lee's family!

 

The best word I can use to describe my 2011 Christmas is blessed. For many people spending Christmas away from home can be painful, however for me it was a great experience. Yes, there were occasions when I missed home and our family time, but it did not spoil the time I spent in Jefferson, SC. Plus, mum has promised to cook Christmas dinner when I am home in April - I think this kept me going!

So, Christmas 2011 was different for me, however it was one that I am thankful for.