Taking Time To Chill

     Friday was a very, very long day. Not the "fun" kind of day either,just  very long and tiring. The day started off early. Too early. I greeted the gloomy, rainy day by hitting the snooze button 15 times. At that point in time, I would have probably done anything to just have one more hour of sleep. When I realized that this wasn't possible, I dragged myself by my fingernails out of my warm bed and got dressed for a day of work. To be honest, I looked a little like a homeless person. My hair was slicked back into a messy ponytail, Nothing I had on that day matched, and my make-up was lazily and sleepily applied. I looked and felt like crap, however, I was ready.

     My coordinator picked me and my two boy teammates up and drove us to the Kilcranny house (which is a peace and reconciliation centre that me and my teammates volunteer to help them with events and things, quite often). They had just got all the renovations done in their other building so we were asked to help move some stuff from the old building into the new one. It wasn't so bad at first, but then it got a bit more tiring. By lunchtime, when the Dominos Pizza arrived, I was so hungry, and it was quite possibly my favourite part of the whole day. After lunch we were asked to scrub bird poop off of some bunk beds that were stored in this huge barn. I wouldn't normally mind cleaning things, but In Northern Ireland, it rains. So, here we are, me, my two guy team-mates and my coordinator, scrubbing at rotten bunk beds in the cold, getting soaked to the bone by the water and the rain. It's not like I didn't want to help out or anything, because I really like to help people out, and the people at Kilcranny are just so wonderful and appreciative. It is just not best situation or timing. After cleaning “Crap” for what seems like ages, we finally get to leave. I'm sure we would have worked for longer, if I didn't have somewhere to be, and I needed to get home to change and dry off.
 
  We rush home and I get changed and head over to Exodus for a meeting with my mentee. I was a bit late,but I feel like the general people in the town would appreciate me looking decent and not soaking wet, and covered in bird poop. The Mentoring session went really well, I really love meeting with my mentee. It is one of my highlights of the week. As soon as that's over, and I say bye to my mentee, I start the long walk home and it starts to rain. I love Northern Ireland but it always rains in the most inconvenient times. When I finally get home, I eat supper quickly,Shower and change, then it was time to head to the community centre to help with a play that the kilcranny house was helping with. The play was really lovely and I had a fun time helping out, but by the end I was absolutely falling asleep. When I got home, I crashed and slept very well.
 
When I have days like this, ones where I have no time to just stop and chill, it really makes me appreciate the days I do have time off. Sometimes, when I have some time off, I feel like I have to find something to do or always be busy. This Friday, however, made me re-think “time off”. I mean, It wasn't the hardest day I have ever had, but it just was really busy. Next time I get some free time, I will for sure be taking it easy. It's days like this that really make me enjoy chill time. So, basically what I'm saying is, take some true chill time today, because you will appreciate it even more when you have a super hard day. :)

Posted via email from Mel Dominguez

"So here's to starting over..."

  
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My Life according to Radiohead.

So, one of my friends on Facebook tagged me in this "note"  and It is basically where you take one band or artist and using only their songs you answer all of the questions. Basically trying to be clever. I thought it was pretty cool so I decided to fill it out on my blog with the song titles from my favourite band Radiohead.

My life according to Radiohead:

 

Are you a male or female:

Subterranean Homesick Alien

Describe yourself:

Scatterbrain (As dead as Leaves)

How do you feel:

Like spinning Plates

Describe where you currently live:

In Limbo

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

Go to sleep

Your favorite form of transportation:

Sail To The Moon

Your best friend?

Kid A

You and your best friend are:

Climbing Up The Walls

What's the weather like:

No Surprises

Favorite time of day:

Morning Bell

If your life was a TV show what would it be called?

How To disappear completely

What is life to you:

Life In A Glass House

Your relationship:

Where I end and You Begin ( The Sky Is falling In)

Your fear:

Fake Plastic Trees

What is the best advice you have to give:

True Love Waits

Thought for the Day:

Thinking About You

My motto:

 We Suck Young Blood (Your Time Is Up)

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Today...

   So, I'm not going to lie. This last week has not been the best week for me. In fact, there was very little that I did like about it. I found myself depressed most of the time. The events themselves are really not of importance, and they probably would have just blown over had they occurred at a different time or with a different presentation. The real problem of my depression is that the actual mood it puts me in. My mood makes the actual event, whether bad or good, tainted by a down attitude. So basically, it is not necessarily the event or encounter, that affect whether or not I go into depression, but rather, it is my depressed mood that sets the mould for the encounters and events that happen every day.

    I'm not a super whiny person when I am depressed, although, at times, I guess I can be depending on how oblivious I am to my condition. This week I was very conscious and aware of how I was feeling. I can always tell when I am depressed, because I sleep any time I get, away. Sometimes I feel like If I can just wake up in another moment or on a different day the problem will just go away. I am always wrong in thinking this, but I find myself naturally repeating the same course. What I have found, is that "depression sleep" is not real sleep. I always wake up tired and even more emotionally drained than before. I honestly think that when I am depressed, and sleep, I never actually intend to wake up feeling rested or magically better; I just want to waste time.

   That is basically what depression does to me. It wastes my time. I often walk around like a shell of myself and I watch my life play out like a movie. When I say "movie" I don't mean a super suspenseful and really interesting one. I mean the kind of movie that you just want to scream to the screen at the main character to wise up and realize the obvious. Sort of, as if you know something the main character doesn't know. That type of annoyance is most likely felt by people who are around me.  When I am just a shell of a person I basically, have no part in the decision making of my own life. someone has to make those decisions, even if I feel I can't be bothered.

   It is so true that depression effects everyone. So, its not just me or what I feel and want in this world. I affect other people, like my family and team-mates. Attitude is so important. Depression happens and sometimes you can validate it as necessary, but all in all, I have realized ( and I often have to keep reminding myself of this) that I have to get over it and keep moving on. It is important to aim forward, because I cant change the past, and I can't keep living in certain moments, or stay put, because life will leave me behind. Even the richest man can't afford to waste time. I need to try and remember that with God, things just have a way of working out. So today, I am starting over with a positive attitude and just going from there. Making my only aim forward, and keeping hope alive.

 

Posted via email from Mel Dominguez

September Newsletter!

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More than ever...

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Bible,Bacon bagels,Mexican candy,long walks, and Mentors.

   So, today was pretty much, like, the best day ever. It's sort of funny because, nothing ground-breaking happened today. I didn't win a million dollars, I didn't Get to have a Skype date with my dog, Phoenix, I didn't even have a good hair day. Things just seemed to go really well today. It all started when I woke up this morning. From the moment my alarm when off at 7am, I had a smile on my face. Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays, I, along with a few of my team-mates,wake up early to go to something called "First Stop", which is basically a place you can go to read your bible and have a cup of tea before your day starts. I absolutely love it. I really do feel like my day is off to a better start when I go.

   After, First stop, at around 9am, I usually go to "Ground Coffee" and get a cream cheese and bacon bagel. It's pretty much become routine. Ground is right up the side walk from Exodus (the building that first stop is held in) and it's food is actually really good, but the coffee is disgraceful. I don't know if maybe I have only gotten coffee every time "the New Guy" is hired to make it...or if they just have sucky coffee but I have given them plenty of chances, and they fail every time. I think the number one reason I love ground so much, though, is because they have free wi-fi. Today, however, the free wi-fi was not working, but of course, it didn't hinder me from having an awesome day.

   After Ground Kelly and I didn't really feel like walking all the way home ( about a 30 minute walk) so we decided to make our time in town useful. We went to TK Max, and I bought some really nice Boots (With the fur!) They are super comfortable, warm, and they were at a reasonable price! After we decided that our time in town was well spent, we walked home, enjoying the sights of the Green grass,Heavy rain filled air, and the grey sky.

   After being home for about an hour, The door buzzer goes off and I run to answer the door. Alas! To my surprise, my huge package from home arrived! I sign for it and frolic, like a special needs deer, upstairs and rip the package open. Inside, was everything anyone's little heart could desire. Mexican candy, Reeses, Jiff peanut butter,salsa,Sour Patch Kids, converse, orange coasters, clothes, make-up, cereal bars, a coat and much more to the extreme. A smile instantly spreads across my face.

   After I open the package and share my gifts with my house-mates, I head to my room and get on Skype. I love Skype. Skype is just the coolest thing ever! how amazing is it that you can see and talk to someone who is halfway across the world from you and it's totally free! ( now I'm not advertising for Skype or anything, I just truly adore it.) It just so happened that I caught my sister, who lives in Brazil, on Skype just before she left for a weekend trip. I was so excited, I got to talk to her at least before the new week starts. After we talked, and she left for her trip, my brother got on facebook chat and I got to talk to him, which is something that is more rare than the opportunity to own a baby panda. Needless to say, I was so excited to finally chat with him. Then my mother got on Skype and I thanked her endlessly for the package and shared my day with her. 3 family sightings on the "online list" in one day. Amazing!

   At around 2:15 me and Kelly head back into town to hit up the library. I love the library. I, of course, run to the books arms and mind open to the endless pages of words and adventures that await me. I always have trouble determining if a book is good or not. so, I select a book at random, check it out, take it home, and read it. Usually, it's a pretty sound method. This time, I picked out a book called " Fangland". I hope it's good. Checking our watches, we realize that we spent quite a bit of time at the library and it's almost time for me to meet my mentee at exodus.

   At Exodus, I met my mentee, Tina, and we talked about our day and things about the bible and assigned bible readings for the following week until we meet again next Friday. The mentor programme is one called “Get Connected” and it is run through Exodus. It is a really neat programme designed to help out someone who is younger than you and to be a Christian influence and example. Today was our first actual mentor session. I have never been a mentor before, so I was, of course, a bit nervous as to how it would go, and how my mentee would take to me. After meeting for an hour with my mentee, I feel like we get on great and I felt like she was real and open with me. I had a lot of fun, and it is just so great getting to share and talk about the bible with someone and have fun while studying. It went great.

   I took a long walk home, by myself, this time, and listened to my favourite band, Radiohead, on my ipod. Sometimes, I feel like there is nothing better than a calm down moment, such as long walks by yourself, just chillin'. When I got home I talked to my house-mates about my day and I really just realize how blessed I really am. Blessed to be in Northern Ireland, blessed with friends, and family. Blessed with such great team-mates, and blessed with support and encouragement. Life is unpredictable, but I feel like With blessings like these, it is impossible to have a bad day.

 

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I'm not living, I'm just killing time.

  
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Accent

   Have you ever had a moment when you realize that your different form other people? I totally had a moment like that. On Thursday, I went shopping in town with a few of my team-mates, and it was a really good day. I got a lot accomplished and got some things that I really needed. Our first stop was TK Max and that's basically TJ Max but instead of a J there's a K. It has A lot of really nice clothes and accessories for super cheap. I got a bag or purse, and as I was checking out, the guy who rang up my stuff asked me if I wanted to buy a bag to put my bag in (often, you have to buy a plastic bag for like 10p, it's something they always ask) and I thought it was hilarious that he was asking me if I wanted a bag for my bag. I started to laugh loudly and I try to explain why I thought it was just really funny, but he just stared at me as if I was a talking toaster or something. I knew the joke wasn't really as funny as I thought it was but at least crack a smile or something?

   After TK Max, we headed to Starbucks and I got some coffee. As I was waiting at the counter for my drink, there were two guys, about my age, maybe a wee bit younger, waiting for their drinks. The lady making the coffee put a drink on the counter, and the guys were confused as to what it was. Well, wanting to help, I turn to them and ask them what they ordered and told them what the lady put out on the counter. They just stare at me just like the guy at TK Max did. Feeling pretty awkward, and wondering why people keep staring at me, I get my drink and head off to sit down thinking how odd my interactions with people have been that day. As I take a sip of my coffee ,and start up a conversation with my Team-mate Kelly, it hits me that I have an American accent.

  I have gotten so used to hearing the Northern Irish accent that I forgot I had an American one. No wonder people where giving me odd looks, it wasn't just because my jokes were super lame, it was also because I'm from America. It was really the first time in a long time that I felt a difference between myself and the people here. I just thought that it was hilarious that I forgot I was different. Sometimes I even forget that I'm in a different country. For sure God has blessed me in being able to work and live here.

Posted via email from Mel Dominguez