JOURNAL ENTRIES
Publish Journal Entry
14 Jul 1998
14:27:51
Hi there! Is there anyone reading this or am I just typing away here on my own?
Well chances are, if you’re reading this either [a] you’re bored at work and
decided to play around with the computer [b] you’re playing around at home because
you’re keeping a low profile or the host family’s kids are doing your head in or
[c] you really are a sad git who is doing it for the fun and excitement of reading the
thoughts of my mind. [God forbid!]
Any old way, thanks for tapping in to see the thoughts and opinions of moi. [I’m
actually really flattered you took the time to look me up!]
So far I’ve had a good time out here, getting to know everywhere and everyone. –
Well, I just about know everyone’s names, but I still get lost in these damn streets!
Even the bloody taxi drivers don’t know where I’m going. – Noel I sympathise
with your experiences [if you didn’t understand that; read Noel’s page!] Still,
I’m getting better and directing them to less and less wrong turns! The excuse
“I’m a tourist” works great – failing that just don’t tip the git if
he’s a smartalick!
Work is going grand for me folks. I’m in Habitat for Humanity International.
[Yeah, you knew, but you just forgot ‘cause everyone keeps telling you what
they’re doing and no-one can remember who the hell is doing what!!!!!] It has been a
bit quiet, but things are picking up now. Basically what Habitat does is, build houses
around the world in communities where the housing is really poor. They are built as a
community effort, uniting black and white, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian, and yes
Protestant and Catholic [Currently working in N/W Belfast. I’m am researching into
the barriers which it aims to break down and in particular how the communities interact
with each other AFTER the project is finished. It’s really cool community development
kinda stuff, requiring me to phone and e-mail all over the States and the rest if the
world.
If you’re interested in any of this or anything at all, give me a shout! If not –
send me an e-mail anyway! jonathan_graham@habitat.org [not really a difficult e-mail
address to remember now is it?]
Oh well better get back to work [well not too much!] catch you guys later. If
you’ve been up to anything interesting let us know.
By the way if anyone is near K Street or 16th St [or thereabouts] and wants to meet up
for lunch anyday; call me.
One final word; I heard people were having problems with the journal site and the
website in general. Must be all fixed, cause it has ran smoothly all afternoon! And for
everyone who is not computer literate out there- don’t worry, it is really easy to use and
enter info to the journal site and issues page.
Publish Journal Entry
26 Jul 1998
21:12:33
I can’t believe that we’ve been here 3 weeks! It seems like no time since we arrived,
yet now we’ve reached the half way barrier, and are now on the downward run. Oh well, I’m
sure we’ll cope. I’ve got loads to do at work and still want to loads of shopping and
sightseeing- it’s a hard life isn’t it!
I’d absolutely kill for a decent cup of tea!! Yes it may say Englisg blend on the
packet, but you know it doesn’t taste anything like the stuff back home. I’d also love a
mars bar and a mormal packet of crisps. also I’d love something that isn’t 99% fat free,
cholesterol free, only 2 calories per unit and all the rest of the healthy stuff over
here! Give me something 100% added FAT!! good wholesome food that you don’t give a damn
how bad it is for you, PLEASE! Even proper sugar would be a start instead of ‘sweet and
low’ [that says on the packet that it may cause cancer; well gee isn’t that comforting! We
won’t put any weight on, but the future doesn’t look too rosey!]
I guess that’s ‘the different culture’ type of thing we’re out here for. Hey ho, I’ve
got used to it now. Any old how, better go I’ve so much work to do, etc. etc. etc. [well
actually there’s a good film coming on the t.v. now] T.T.F.N.
Publish Journal Entry
29 Jul 1998
20:51:46
Greetings and salutations one and all!
Yes I am still alive, incase anyone from work is out there, and I haven’t been
skiving. I haven’t written lately because I’ve been incapacitated by the dredded ‘Intern
Bug’. Some bugger is going to pay for a batch of dodgy sandwiches!!
However now I have returned, almost, to full health and plan to return to work
tomorrow.[freak weather occurences, good tv, chance to meet someone important, free lunch
permitting.] It has to be said, staring at magnolia painted walls and ceilings and
listening to the endless whines of starting and stopping central airconditioning vents
[yep, sorry for those who don’t have it!] it is good to be out of bed and back into the
real world – well as close as D.C. can pass itself of as anyway! I do intend to go back to
work tomorrow and start tidying up my little research project – and if you’re really
interested e-mail me and I will tell you all about it [address up above a bit!] and if
that still doesn’t put you off, you can even have a copy of the finished product, signed
by me no less! [some people admittedly don’t get out much and this would be a real thrill
for them, and incase you are thinking, no, I can’t think of anyone like that either!
Anyway getting back to what I was er. typing. I have done a fair bit of sightseeing
over the past week and stuck some interesting sites on the intern lounge if you are
interested in sightseeing but don’t know what to do on your day off,; it is cunningly
titled “Doing the Sites on Your Day off” – yes I did make the title up and i’m
rather proud of it; catchy isn’t it!? For those websters looking in from the outside, you
can’t access this really top secret info [ooh, I bet your jealous! – if you’re really
interested though I might let you see it for a fiver, can’t say fairer than that!]
I have to say I had a ball today, meeting the First Lady was an amazing experience and
I’ll never forget it! definately worth waiting for so long in the heat, and even to get to
talk with her!! Can’t wait for the photos.
The party was great with the kids, especially seeing the ones from our plane – they’ve
changed so much since Dublin, most are a lot more confident and having a ball of a time, I
have to say I felt like a big kid myself joining in the party atmosphere – but hey, that’s
what it’s all about when working with young people!
thanks to all the folks I hung around with today, it was good fun at the Old Post
Office and TGI Friday’s [I would like to point out that I have received(to date)no
renumeration for that brief advertisement for the aforementioned eating establishement in
Pennsylvannia Ave, but it serves good grub!] And walking around the monument later this
evening. It was good to relax and chat away, look forward to doing it again soon.
Well, that’s your golden words of wisdom for tonight. – Not very enlightening now were
they? Oh well, at least you can feel you know me a wee bit better. Now take care and mind
crossing those roads boys and girls!
Publish Journal Entry
29 Jul 1998
20:55:24
Ad idem:
-Well I know technically this is a new journal entry, but I’m still here from the last
entry, infact I’ve just submmitted it, but what I wanted to share with you is that I’ve
had a real notion to play a game of tennis. Does anyone know where you can play? Does
anyone fancy a game? – Don’t answer if you are a good player because I am crap and I don’t
want to be like, you know, running all over the damn place- just a bit of light leisure
entertainment in the afternoon sun [gee- doesn’t that sound kinda posh or what missus!!?]
Catch y’all [it’s a Southern thing] later……
Publish Journal Entry
30 Jul 1998
14:27:03
Hi, I’m back at work, and working hard, even if I do say so myself. I’m still
not feeling 100%, but hey, I’m getting there! Work is as busy as ever, and just
incase you lot think I don’t do anything [moi?]. Here is a list of places that I have
been in contact with over the past few weeks –
Thailand, Philippines, Fiji islands, Solomon islands, New Zealand, Indonesia, Nepal,
Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad, Guatemala, Dominican
Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, Colombia, Belize, Brazil, Haiti, Jamaica, Tobago, Zimbabwe,
Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, England, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Bolivia, India, Antigua, Barbuda, Japan, Papua New Guinea, USA,
and of course Northern Ireland. Impressed or what!!!!!????? That’s a total of 52
countries, international research or what!! I can tell you are all jealous. Naturally with
all these contacts, it has made organisation of information rather frantic, so I’ve
got a lot to get sorted and written up before I leave next Friday. However I just thought
I’d share with you all, that I am actually working. Although I will say, that it does
tire you out an awful lot, doesn’t it!!?
Well must dash now, take it easy until the next exciting installment, and if
you’re really lucky I might include a lovely recipe for some chicken casserole – now
wouldn’t that be nice?! If I can’t find the recipe, don’t worry I’ll
give you a dodgy web site address to amuse yourselves with…… bye!….bye!
Publish Journal Entry
30 Jul 1998
14:37:56
Okay, I’ve a question. What’s going on with the time box here? [The wee time bit
telling you when the last entry was made] It says my last entry was at 14.27, when it was
really 16.27. This one will probably say something like 14.50 instead of 16.50. What time
zones are we in? Does anyone know the answer to this strange mystery? Does anyone really
care? Answers on the back of a postcard, first lucky winner will receive a Blue Peter
badge [wahey, what a prize!] runners up will get sod all. Bribes and canvassing allowed.
Make all cheques payable to Chief Akabula’s Spiritualist Healers. Abbreviations will be
accepted [oh come on, think about it!!!!!!!]
Publish Journal Entry
03 Aug 1998
09:39:48
I finally found some chocolate! And yes, you guessed it, it tastes nothing like back home. Just one question though, why is a mars bar called milky way?????? – strange, but true! Can’t write er. type now, have so much work to do [actually it is nearly lunch time] I’ll fill you in on my exciting weekend later, stay posted to this space, or in the words of internet advertising bookmark this site!