JOURNAL ENTRIES
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Thursday, August 03, 2000
Time: 08:10 AM
Journal_Entry
For once I won’t start with an apology and intead say hello, to everyone of the Gilliland/Mckee clan at home, I can’t wait to see you all but if you could all come here inestead of me going home, it would be so much nicer for all of us!
It has been a week full of changes. Last Friday as the world and its dog knows I was supposed to be on the bus towards the Big Apple, but logistics stood in my way(for a city that never sleeps the youth hostels stop admitting guests way, way too early!). however I think the name of Young Leaders was upheld on my behalf, from all views of touristry, international relations(Paddy your a charmer!) and word is Fifth Avenue is still recovering from the onslaught of foreign plastic.
I had a great weekend anyway, Emer and Diane
took pity on my abandonment(my wonderful host family having gone on vacation) and played perfect hostesses to a girlie weekend.
Congratulations should go to us all for finding America’s “cheesiest” disco, on Friday night in Georgetown, what fun was had
Miss Currie caused quite a stare in sequins,while Diane-Britney-Compton, had them panting for more.
It was nice to see that South and West Belfast continue to search for common ground! Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
Yesterday we all dutifully attended our last seminar in the splendour that is Connecticut Avenue. The Conference Committee realised that the rest of us are a pack of lazy eejits, and enlisted our help on the grand scale. To everyone that has ben tearing their hair out in the last seven weeks, you are doing a great job, it will blow Belfast away.
Following Kate’s mind-blowingly professional presentation, those of us not privy to the West Wing tour of the White House (lucky duckies) decided to go for a few games of pool in Buffalo Billards, is it our fault they sell beer in poolrooms here? I mean what are they thinking??
A good time was had by all, although their was some sort of strange phenonmena that made tiem stand-still in the bar, but speed outside, carrying off the last metro and alot of chances to get home.
Helen, Katherine and dispersed company, I hope that you did eventually make Springfeild, but I will check the bar on my way home tonight!
I didn’t even mention our hour of glory last week as stars of a Congressional Forum, hey maybe next time, just to prove to the world and my Mum that my trip hasn’t just been a tour of DC hotspots.
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2000
Time: 02:12 PM
Journal_Entry
Well Everyone it has been too long agin.
And now that i know there at least some people reading this I will try and make the effort.
My biggest highlight since I last werote was undoubtedly meeting those members of the Newcastle United squad not too high and mighty to talk to fans.
As a sometimes Liverpool supporter this was a bigger thrill than anticipated: Gary Speed, Shay Givens, Warren Barton and Bobby Robson among others, what a pleasure it was to see such skill and footballing grace at such close quarters.
Saturday’s match against DC United however proved what we girlies already knew that the point of going to a football match. our branch of the Gary Speed/ Shay Givens Appreciation society had a dissappointing second half when both of these Adonis-like men were substituted. With twenty minutes to go out walked Mr. Personality Alan Shearer and the crowd went wild!…..but it made little difference the score-line remained a dissapointing 3-1 in DC’s favour and we consoled ourselves that we weren’t Newcastle fans in the first place!
The bus ride from the stadium was one few will be quick to forget, especially the newly formed American contingent of the Mackellettes. Our cultural cross-communications knows no bounds when John is in a “singing” mood!
When we eventually got to Adams Morgan that night, we in true student style found a dingy bar that served all drinks at $2 which made for a lot of interesting pairings off! In fact romance wise it turned into a bit of a free for all- with a few old favourites popping up and a certain Qub/ UCG connection that was news to us all.
But hey guys I am just jealous!
Sunday, my host Mom and Dad threw a barbeque and almost everyone dragged their very hungover selves to Kensington for a quiet afternoon of food, American football and improvised blues singing!
Good time had by all.
But today I am under the weather and it for once is not due to the beer. So I am feeling a little sorry for myself but I am hoping to drag myself to our seminar tonight, if only to get prepped for Thursday Forum when four of us young Leaders will be presnting the programme to a Congressional Committee in the seek of funding. Actually the sickness could purely be nerves!! It is time to brush down my best public speaking voice and do the business. Wish me Luck!!
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2000
Time: 12:04 PM
Journal_Entry
HELLO TO CASTLEAVERY IN EVERYONE ELSE IN THE LESS PICTURESQUE PARTS OF THE WORLD!
DC CONTINUES TO TREAT ME WELL. AS A QUICK UPDATE: THANK-YOU TO JENNY AND BRONAGH FOR SATURDAY NIGHT GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL AND IT IS NICE TO SEE THE GROUP “BONDING” PARTY ETHIC BEING CONTINUED TO THE FULL (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)!
THIS COUNTRY GIRL IN THE CITY FINALY GOT HER COME-UPPANCE ON MONDAY, MANAGING TO FALL DOWN THE FRONT DOOR STEPS DESPITE BEING COMPLETLEY SOBER AND THEN PROCEEDING TO LOOK FOR A SCHOOL SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN TOO ONLY TO FIND THEY HAD MOVED IT OUT OF NW dC AND CHANGED IT TO NE, IF ONLY PEOPLE WOULD TELL ME!
BUT THE DAY BRIGHTENED UP. MONDAY NIGHT WAS TO BE MY FIRST TASTE OF THAT AMERICAN ENIGMA BASEBALL AND MY VIP TRIP WITH MY HOST FAMILY PROVED ATMOSPHERIC TO SAY THE LEAST THE ORIOLES BEAT THE FLORIDA MARLINS 5-3, IN WHAT HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTING SEASON (SO I AM TOLD!) BUT IT WAS ALL SO MUCH FUN AND I AM NOW A DEFINITE CONVERT. GO oRIOLES!
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Thursday, July 13, 2000
Time: 02:07 PM
Journal_Entry
Well it has been too long since I graced the world with my creative thoughts and literary outpourings.
In a week as full as those gone before it is difficult to know where to begin, but something must certainly be said about last night. We were honoured and priviledged to be invited to a dinner in “the Emerald Isle” celebrating the inauguration of the first Project Children: Young Leaders Board of Directors. The dinner itself was divinely delicious and the speakers that followed an inspiring revelation. We listened attentively to our illustrious guests detail their “side” of D.C. The side that the tour books don’t want you to see. We had a panel of Speakers ranging from a recovering alcoholic charity worker, to an Anglican pastor;various representatives of the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) a group of over 40 inter-denominational congregations that are working to improve the real conditons in underpriviledged areas, giving self-respect and hope to people with none. In a way it is unfair to single out any one speaker although I know that I am not alone in making special mention of the high school graduate Anh who at just 18 had probably more life experience that the entire of our group put together. Aisling and Helen spoke for us all in commending both Anh and the group as a whole and urging them all to keep fighting for the causes and the people that thay believe in.
In a week that seen me moaning about my lack of claims to fame or at least to the famous ie I didn’t get to meet Senator Mitchell, play golf with the President or have lunch with Gerry Adams, last night and my first day in J O Wilson Elementary School on Monday provided much needed perspective.
D.C. despite its beauty and historical merit is a city like every other across the planet, cursed with a multitude of problems: but there is also an army of people trying to change that. We were all priviliedged to meet real leaders last night, people with real heart and deep humanity and an unstoppable belief in the power of change.
On a lighter note, I would like to give special thanks and mention to Class of 2000 Amatuer Dramatics society, for their 12th of July re-enactment “The Drumcree Stand-off” staged late last night. The encore of patriotic songs(all present accounted for!) as a finale, left not a dry eye in the house. Although perhaps we owe the American patrons an apology for our tune free rendition of their national anthem.
It is nice to see that despite our political or ethnic differences we all retain a sense of humour and joy of the toally ridiculous or was that just the Happy Hour beer talking?!
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Thursday, July 06, 2000
Time: 02:58 PM
Journal_Entry
Well we sit here in sunny, gorgeous Washington and mayhem reigns back home. It is both frustrating and perspective creating to be so far away. It is all a kick in the teeth for the Peace Process we are continuing to struggle to be proud of. We are fighting old battles with the old words and old weapons; and getting the same old stalemate. This is not the place for me to politicise my opionion on any parades issue but I would like to say that it would be really nice to have a Belfast to come back to in August and one without any more blood spilt on it’s streets. This programme is about creating leaders in Northern Ireland and the Republic, leaders that should (we hope) be able to make the scenes that the Province has been witnessing this week a thing of the past.
Well don’t I feel better now.
On a totally unrelated topic I would like to point out to the world and to boys from Fermanagh that the way I was dancing on Saturday night is considered an art form in Newtownards, yet to reach the depths that is Newtownbutler, but if you want to be ahead of the pack lessons will be available.
Providing of course Mr. Fox you have time in your busy drinking/womanising/spreading malicious rumours schedule!
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Wednesday, July 05, 2000
Time: 08:25 AM
Journal_Entry
Dear World
Please excuse my complete lack of technical ability or rather my aptitude at pushing the wrong button at the wrong time which is why my last Journal Entry ends so abruptly and makes even less sense than usual. I am having a bit of a blonde day today! (HA HA)
I now am at a loss as to whether I should just start again or continue from where i have left off before, (option three, by the way, is crawling under my desk and hiding theruntil the laughter subsides) but I think I will leave it all for now, quit while I am far behind and leave the sorting out to the Expert.
Farewell one and all
I am off to find my dignity and my self-respect.
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Wednesday, July 05, 2000
Time: 08:10 AM
Journal_Entry
Well the Fourth of July has come and gone and the fireworks were out of this world!
Hopefully everyone has recovered from the weekends exerts in Alexandria and all other further flung destinations. Thanks to Colin and Leo for a great night!
But back to yesterday.
I suppose in some ways Independance Day acted as yet another lesson in cultural differences, my day started bright and early with a Children’s Bike Parade in Kensington, which was organised by my host Mom, my role of “Course Marshall” meant that i had to stand and block traffic allowing the parade to continue, almost like being at home, they must have thought it would make me feel at home!
This was suburban America at its finest and most. This was small town community fun and only a short Metro ride from haywire D.C. It was a priviledge to be a welcomed part of it all.
The itstaying true to our student roots we had all decided to meet in a bar in the early afternoon to congregate and celebrate together. Those that did make it were visibly distressed by the fact that
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Friday, June 30, 2000
Time: 03:35 PM
Journal_Entry
I was just reading some of the other’s Journal entries( what a talented bunch we are) and realised that I had totally forgot to mention our inspirational seminar on Wednesday.
The three young American guys caused a stir in more ways than one.
Their project “Teamwork for Tomorrow” which they set up as college gradustes makes a real differnece not only in the lifes of the kids they tutor and bond with but also to their own self-fulfilment. Within two minutes I was trying to formulate a plan in my head to be able to bring a similar project to Belfast and Northern Ireland.(As it turns out the wheels are already beginning to turn). Which is testimony to the charisma of our speakers especially as I am usually only on board such projects as a last minute, final leg sort of process.
But this is what Washington D.C. is doing to me, taking me places I have never been before or never even thought I could reach. Here’shoping you all will excuse my Journal jumps and I wish everyone this side of the Atlantic a happy 4th of July and the same to the other, granting you all an excuse to go to the pub. Happy Holidays!
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Friday, June 30, 2000
Time: 08:20 AM
Journal_Entry
OK EVERYBODY HI! AND APOLOGIES FOR NOT GETTING THE WHOLE JOURNAL EXTRAVAGANZA STARTED SOONER, I DID TRY, BUT ME AND COMPUTERS DON’T TEND TO MIX!
BUT HERE I AM IN BEAUTIFUL D.C. AND LIFE IS GOOD. I AM LIVING WITH A WONDERFUL FAMILY WITH THREE LITTLE BOYS WHO HAVE OPENED UP THERE HOME TO ME AND TAKEN SUCH AN INTEREST THAT REPAYMENT IS ALREADY OUT OF MY REACH.
THE FIRST WEEK PASSED IN A BLUR OF ACTIVITY.
TOURISTS DOING THE TOURIST THING WASHINGTON’S MEMORIALS WE TOOK IN OAKLEY BROOKS’ “DEATH TOUR” TAKING IN SPLENDOR OF ARLINGTON CEMETRY WERE WE WATCHED THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER- THE REVERENCE, THE MILITARY PRECISION AND ALL THOSE MEN IN UNIFORM!
WE WERE TOUCHED AND INSPIRED BY THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR THE WORDS PRINTED ON THE WALL AND CAN INVISION MARTIN LUTHER KING INSPIRE THE WORLD FROM THE TOP OF THOSE INFAMOUS STEPS. THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WAS BOTH TOUCHING AND ALL TOO REAL THE PERSONAL TRIBUTES ADDING TO THE SIMPLE POIGNANCY OF THAT NEVER ENDING LIST OF NAMES.
LAST WEEKS HIGHLIGHT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY OUR TRIP TO MOUNT LEBANON BAPTIST CHURCH. NEVER BEFORE HAD I FELT SO WELCOMED OR SUCH AN INTENSE FEELING OF COMMUNITY IT WAS AWE INSPIRING. AS A STUDENT OF POLITICS AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, MT. LEBANON LET ME UNDERSTAND MORE FULLY HOW A BAPTIST MINISTER AND A CHRISTIAN ORGANISATION COULD PROVOKE SUCH WAVES OF CHANGE ACROSS THE WORLD.
BUT THIS WEEK THE FUN REALLY STARTED WITH THE WORK PLACEMENTS, THE COMMITTEES AND CONTACT GROUPS ALL DEMANDING OUR ATTENTION.
I DON’T THINK THAT BY WEEK EIGHT I WILL BE LESS IN AWE OF THE CAPITOL AND EVEN BEING ON THE HILL BUT I AM HOPING TO AT LEAST HAVE STOPPED CUTTING OF MARYLAND CONSTITUENTS BY MY INEPT PHONE SKILLS!
SOCIALLY WE HAVEN’T YET EXPLORED ALL WASHINGTON HAS TO OFFER BUT WE ARE GETTING THERE THE BEER PROVIDING A GREAT SOCIAL LUBRICANT FOR GROUP BONDING. MUSIC MAESTRO MACKELL AND HIS ENTORAGE ARE HOT IN DEMAND DC MAY NEVER RECOVER.
Young_Leader: Ann Gilliland
Date: Friday, June 23, 2000
Time: 05:33 PM
Journal_Entry
Ann, welcome to Young Leaders 2000 from the Webmaster. We all look forward to following your summer adventure here in Washington, DC through your Journal. If you have any questions or problems with your Journal, please email webmaster@storywise.com. Good luck!