What's that about?!

You don't get a post in weeks and then 3 all come at once! They're easier to read individually anyway rather than those 3 being one big massive post!

How exciting is that about Norn Iron playing in America! No freakin' way!

East coasters!

For all you guys on the east coast, I have a treat for you. Or should I say, my wee country has a treat for you-

USA Tour - Update
Contrary to recent reports, The Irish Football Association would like to confirm that Northern Ireland will play two matches in the United States of America in May 2006.
The match schedule has been agreed as follows:
Sunday 21 May
Northern Ireland v Uruguay in Giants Stadium, New Jersey
Friday 26 May
Northern Ireland v Romania in Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago
Further details regarding the kick-off times and ticketing arrangements will be announced at a later date.
www.irishfa.com

ohh yeah! Norn Iron are playing two games on the east coast! If you're on the east coast, you have to go and support our wee country. Take photos, buy hats, paint your face, do football the American way - way over the top! Do it! Let me know if anyone is going to go and I will post some chants for you to sing and a list of a the team so you know who everyone is. Lawrie Sanchez's Green and White Army!

Ohh yeah, Jenna!

And another thing,
Jenna Elvis Marie Berkan visited me!

On Saturday she came up from London where she was on Friday and Saturday and visited me for a few hours in the afternoon before jetting off to Italy on her way round Europe. How frickin awesome is that!?

I do have pictures but am limited by this library computer, I shall see if I can post them sometime soon though. It was a great afternoon with loads of talking, big hugs and, if I'm being honest, a sad heart after she left. What went through my mind as I sat on the train from Manchester Piccadilly back to Cheadle Hulme after seeing Jenna off was that saying, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"

How do I do this again?

It has been an absolute dog's age since I've posted, or at least it feels like it.

Happy (fill in the blanks for the appropriate holiday/birthday/barmitzah/national celebration that I've missed by not having posted in so long)! I hope you had a great day.

I wanted to post again to tell you all a wee bit more of what is going on with me right now.
Yesterday was mother's day and I had a wee bit of a weepy day. It was hard. If any of you know me, my mum is my hero. She has been amazing over the years and has kept my family going. She's just amazing.
It was so hard in church when there were people home from uni, children who wouldn't normally come with their parents to church and new families there. Then towards the end the children and whoever else wanted to, came up to the front and got flowers to give to their mums. Everyone around me was getting them or giving them out and I just wanted to cry. I did at the end of the service, I just couldn't stop them any longer.
One of the ladies in church who's daughters are in our oldest youth group came and put her arm round me and invited me to their house for lunch. That was nice.
I was at their house all afternoon and then went to church at night. Our oldest youth group meet after church on Sunday night but I just asked if I could go home, I wasn't feeling all that happy.

That was my Mothering Sunday.

I might have the opportunity to go home before I come out to America which would be fantastic but I have to check flights etc.

But hey! I'm coming to America in 3 weeks! I have to ring Caleb tonight to plan it out but if anybody wants to see me or do something, let me know and we'll plan it in. Do keep that last weekend I'm out there free (27th/28th/29th) because I really want to have a party or something for me birthday! We could have a Celidh!

Anyway, I'm still here and I'd still like comments and ideas for me coming to Washington/Oregon in 3 weeks time. Peace out

Still Alive

Hello folks,
Am still alive, still here.

Thanx for the comments about me hair. It was getting a bit long I will admit, but that's why I had it cut after that picture was taken so stop with all the euro mullet comments please! Thank you! Some people...

So, the Capernwray students are here on 10 day outreach and that's kool. They're a great group and they'll be doing a whole lot over the 10 days, especially as it's mission week in Cheadle Hulme. They're good lads.

Any ideas yet of what people want to do down the West Coast come next month?

Just thought I'd blog while I had a chance. Please do comment, I love reading you guys when you comment.
Ohh, and here are some people I've been meaning to ring. If you read this, why not call me first as a nice surprise?!-
(in no particular order, I promise, I really, really do. Don't hate me)
Marisa
Caleb
Jeff
Ashley
Βethany
Sharon
Jenna

I might have forgotten someone, in which case, I'm sorry but just ring me anyway!
I need a new phone card and I don't know when I'll get it so don't hold your breath you people and as I said, ring me first, ey?

Thanx guys! I like you all a lot

This is actually a picture from last night. From left to right-Jonny boy, a good friend Malcolm, myself and Malcolm's brother, another good friend, Nathan.

Title ideas?

I'm just going to write and see what comes out.
I'm currently sat in Norn Iron in my family's home. Also in the house is my mum, dad, brother, sister and then 4 friends of either my sister's or my brother's. It's a rather packed house.

We had a surprise birthday party for my brother's 18th last night and that was great with about 20+ people coming, hence the 4 other people in my house. That's also why I'm sat in my family's home in Norn Iron.

Twas a good night had by all I recon. We had a wee celiedh and I called it along with a friend of our's, Jonny boy who has just recently become a father to Luke. His wife Jaime is Canadian and so I saw her as well last night which was great. It was actually great to see Jonny and Jaime as I've not seen them in quite some time. Jonny's hair has grown and of course, he's become a father. He's still such a laugh though. Adrian and Joy were there too, that was brilliant. Met wee Hannah too. The funniest thing last night by a long way was as we played the music through a big amp for the celiedh, the two babies lay fast asleep just next to the amp! What a laugh.

It's weird though, really weird, being home for just 2 days. I'm finding it hard. My head is in Cheadle Hulme but I'm geographically and physically in Dromore. It's hard. I'll be back in Cheadle Hulme tonight and tomorrow morning at 9.30am I'm leading the contact service before church and then teaching kids klub during the church service. Madness.

Yeah. It's weird. I got me hair trimmed today too. It got a bit too wild.

So who's going to be around Washington then in April?! Who's going to be around on the 27th/28th April? I'm thinking of a wee birthday celebration then, that's all. Hey Shreck, can you get over to the West coast? I'd love to see you if you could.

Feel free to comment yet again, I'd love to hear from you all. Tell me how you are.

I'm coming to America (via Canada)!

I'm coming to America! That's right!
Ok, so let me apologise for dropping off the face of the earth for the past month, the computer at our house has been down for about 3 weeks so I am typing thanx to Sarah Clerc and the usage of her computer. I've also not been feeling on top form but I have had a wee lift from booking flights to North America!

So on 15th April (Easter Saturday, hope that doesn't cause anyone religious offence, is it ok to travel on the weekend of Easter?!) I fly into Vancouver airport at, hang on, let me see, 16.55 I think. So hey, see you there!

I'm there until Saturday 29th April which means I'm in the country for me birthday (27th). I'm thinking I'll be in or around Seattle for a bit but am hoping to get down through Oregon and possibly down in California. We will see as it is only 2 weeks and that's a lot of driving (even for you guys!)

So, post away! I don't know when I'll be back on a computer but at least I'm coming to America! Bring it on!

New blog, whoo hoo...

I haven't blogged in about 10 days now and I make no apologises for that. To be honest, I've been feeling pretty down of late and so have not had the drive to blog nor any happy words to publish. I just thought I'd blog now though so I have a new blog bit that maybe some people would like to add a fresh comment too. I know, it's all so boring and drab.
There we go, I'm blogging so there's a new blog on the screen. Whoo hooo............

Hello everyone,

A very happy (and delayed) new year to you all! I hope whatever you did was good, fun, wholesome and clean fun.

I am back in Cheadle Hulme now and have been since last Tuesday evening.I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. To be honest, I'm having a hard time re-adjusting my head if I'm being honest. I got into a lazy, no-work-to-do mindset when I was back in Norn Iron. Now, I'm finding things a bit more of a struggle. I dunno, it's just strange, can't quite put my finger on it.

I taught for the first time since getting back tonight. It was at Impact, the 14+ group after church. I was so unsure and shaky about this one as I prepared as I asked God what He wanted me to do with it tonight and He seemed to give me an idea that would take all of 5 minutes in a group that can go on for an hour and a half.

I was like, "wha!? Is this it?!" bit of a stupid thing to say to God really.

I give Him all the credit, all the glory and all the thanks after tonight.

I got a text when I got in from someone who was there tonight and they were just saying how it was a great time for them and God and they got a lot out of tonight, I was so thankful for that steadying text. Even if I hadn't got that text tonight, I knew when I was doing it and when it was over that God had used me and all my nerves, stupid thoughts, doubts, all left me. I know it's cliche but you know what, it's so unbelievably true, that God just used a silly wee man like me. I was doubting, I was a bit apprehensive but you know what? God used me. It was God tonight. He did it. He gave me the ideas and even though I was unsure, God did it! God did it! It was God!

What can I say? Hallelujah

One more thing...

Hey folks,
One last thing before bedtime that I just remembered.
My family got the new Capernwray 2006 holiday brochure through today and there are about 3/4 pictures from our Spring school in it.
I think you can download it from the website so if you fancy spotting our Bible school, do it! There's a fantastic picture on the inside back cover of Jacqui and Kendra on the rope swing, huge big picture, just brilliant. See if you can spot me in there too! There are some obvious ones and some subtle ones but there's a wee challenge for you.
Man, I hope you guys have enjoyed about 28 posts all tonight!

Was just wondering one other thing, could people put me on their links on their blogs? I don't want to sound like I wanna take over the known blogging world, but it'd be great if more people knew about me wee blog. Thanx! Feel free to post like mad about anything on me site or indeed the Capernwray holidays brochure.

Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, we'll support you ever more!

This is the last post of the evening/morning but I shall leave you, for the mean time, with a wee tribute to our wee football team. The victorious team that beat England recently of course.
This is our national stadium and although this picture is from a few years ago, it shows Windsor Park (the stadium itself) and a lot of Belfast in the background brilliantly. You can see a big yellow building in the background and that's one of two main hospitals in Belfast. I think I was born at that one. Not sure though.

The badge you can see is the crest of the Northern Irish football team. Ohh, I'm going to have to go, I'm filling up with so much national pride...

Check out Mr.President!

Ok, this dude was apparently a US president, James Buchanan the 15th US president between 1857 and 1861 but just look at what he says! "My Ulster blood is my most priceless heritage..."
For those who don't know, Ulster is another name for Northern Ireland. It actually refers back to areas that the original island of Ireland was split up into (I hope that's the correct way to explain this) and Ulster is made up of the 6 counties of Northern Ireland along with 3 counties from the Republic of Ireland.
Ulster is actually a name that protestants, rather than Catholics would use.
This fella, Jimmy, is from Northern Ireland! Ohhh yeah! US president, thank you very much. We produce only the finest for export.

Let me also explain this picture further. This is what we in N. Ireland call, "muriels". We actually mean, "murals". These are massive paintings on the sides of houses. They are, or were, mainly all political and to do with paramilitaries (our terrorists if you like) and could be found in the cities, big towns or in places were there was a strong paramilitary presence.
These muriels are common and a lot more are becoming about our heritage and so on. I'm near sure there's even one for Steve McQueen.

A Map

This is a map of my beautiful country. If you look carefully you can see the town, Dromore, where I come from. See if you can find it! (you have to say that in a cheesy kid's TV presenter voice)

More Giants Causeway

This is another picture of the beautiful Giants Causeway. Just enjoy.

The Giants Causeway

This is one of the most beautifulest parts of Northern Ireland. This is the Giants Causeway. A natural wonder as these pillars formed naturally. There is a story of a giant, Finn Macoul (not sure how to spell it, sorry fellow Northern Irelanders) building these stones as a bridge to Scotland, hence the name, the Giants Causeway. Type in the Giants Causeway or Finn Macoul (see if you can find the correct spelling and post it!) on Google and I'm sure there is much more information there.

My Beautiful Land

Well everyone,
I said I'd post some pictures of my beautiful country and I thought I'd start with the flag of my country. Don't know if it's best to start with the flag but more pictures are following soon.
Just so you know, my beautiful country is called Northern Ireland, not Ireland, not Britain, not England but Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland.

I got a hair cut

This is me and me new hair cut. I like it although it's a good bit shorter than before.

I hope and trust you all had a fantabulous Christmas. My Christmas was ok, nothing exciting really. You get to about 3/4pm and it just kinda stops. It's weird. It's like, "flip, what are we going to do until we go to bed?"
Generally new DVDs or movies are always a good bet.

I played football yesterday, that was exciting. The guys from my home church had the traditional Boxing Day (the day after Christmas day for all you Americans) football (soccer for all you Americans) match. We just play among ourselves and it was about 11/12 a side on a full side pitch. It was freezing yesterday morning but we played on anyway.
The game ended 6-6 despite one team (not my team) having many quality players strangely all on the same team.
I scored a hat trick (3 goals for all you Americans) so that was a personal achievement.

So yes, yesterday I think was more action packed and exciting than Christmas day itself.

Please post and let me know how your Christmas day was and if you played in any traditional Boxing Day football matches with the guys from my home church too.

Happy Christmas everyone!

I just had to do this!
Happy Christmas everyone! I don't know who'll read this or anything like that but I thought seeing I got 5 minutes in the middle of Christmas day, I would post and make sure everyone I know and everyone who reads this knows I wish them a very happy Christmas!

I hope you are all enjoying the day. Enjoying the food, the family (where possible), the presents and all that jazz.

No Christmas message from a Christian would be complete without the mention of Jesus. I know some people groan and complain when Jesus is mentioned again and again but you know what, I'm not going to make excuses and I'm not going to explain Him away. Underneath all the food, family, wrapping, tinsel, Christmas trees, presents, sweets, church and more food, it's all about Jesus. It was about Him to start with but we managed to pile that much stuff on top of Him that we completed blurred Him out and covered Him up.

I know you guys know that, I'm not out to insult your intelligence, I just hope that on this day, the Saviour's day, that you take time out to spend it with Him.
As one of my friends at my new church said, "hope you enjoy the birthday party"

Typical!

So,
I finally got a picture of me, with me long hair, on me profile.
I went to the hairdressers today as I needed it trimmed, badly. But, I went in with a picture of what I wanted and my hair is now shorter than I had imagined and shorter than the guy's hair in the picture.
I sound bitter, but I'm not. I like my new hair.
But it was shorter than I imagined. I'll have to change the picture on me profile now. That's ok, I now know how to.
Well, what an adventurous day.