New layout: From Under The Duvet..: February 2006

Sunday, February 26, 2006

"What makes us happy..."

This was the task assigned to us tonight in youth fellowship. We were asked, in groups, to write down what would make us happy...
  1. Five Years Ago
  2. Present Day
  3. Five Years from Now (The Future)

So... Here's what my group came up with...

Five Years Ago...

  • ice cream
  • raining on games' day and not having to do hockey/cross country (we've all been there..)
  • not having to take responsibility for something
  • no important exams
  • birthday presents

Present Day

  • Ireland winning the rugby (Trimble is lovely and boy can he move!! And if Mr Welsh ex thinks I'm ever going to let it go...)
  • bouncy castles
  • skiving school and not being caught (from the girl who goes to Victoria...)
  • not having homework
  • coming to YF (it was decided we should suck up...)
  • sunny days
  • rainy days
  • snowy days
  • windy days
  • stormy days
  • pj days (definately my suggestion!)
  • holidays
  • passing driving test (that will probably remain a dream of mine for quite a while...)
  • road trip days
  • mountain days
  • ice cream
  • presents
  • Peter Kay

Future...

  • graduating
  • buying your own car
  • living on own/leaving home
  • no school uniform!
  • new types of ice cream (anyone spot a theme?)
  • longer rainy days
  • getting married - there was a question mark after this one!! Five years is too soon for me

And then the final point that I suggested and will take all blame/credit for... I'd learnt about 15 minutes before this list making that my assistant minister and his wife are pro-Bush. And, as all regular readers will know... I'm not as pro-Bush as I am Mexican... And I'm not at all Mexican. So, for the final point of what I am looking forward to wth great excitement is... Getting rid of George Bush as President of the USA

Their faces were hilarious! It went a bit quiet. Gemma gave me the thumbs up and Mark coughed "debate".

I do have issues with Bush. Have a look at Eyes Wide Open - a moving exhibition into the human cost of the war on Iraq. I posted this on my old blog on the first of February:

The death toll of British soldiers has hit one hundred in Iraq.

One hundred people.

One hundred people who's parents are mourning.

One hundred people who's friends are crying.

One hundred people who will not step foot in through their door again.

One hundred people.

Some with partners.

Some with children.

One hundred people.

One hundred lives.

This is not including the deaths of more than 100,000 Iraqis and the 2,242 US soldiers killed to date in the conflict.

Yes, they aren't even keeping a track of how many Iraqis they kill - doesn't that terrify anyone else?! And I think one of the worst things about it all is that Bush is saying how all this maddness, all this killing was ordained by God... How can God condone so many innocent deaths... Is this giving Christianity a good image?! It's not! If he'd waited a while the UN may have went in with the forces and Britain and America would not be spending so much money on this aspect of "War on Terror".

We went on to look at Romans 5 verses 1 - 11. Marty made the point that we can just go to God and say "hello, what about you?" (said in the Belfast accent the Engilsh readers probably think I have...) - we are a word away from the creator of the universe! I think that's amazing. Marty went on to say that, if we admired and wanted to talk to someone really powerful in the world that we couldn't do it - he was going to use the example of GWB but that wasn't quite safe. But it still blows me away.

I know not everyone who reads this is a Christian. And I respect that. But I am so I ask that you respect me.

Something that really really bothers me is these people who, for one reason or another - they may be gay and people in the church have rejected that; they've stood up for something, maybe in social or political issues, and have been rejected etc- have left church. They sit and they complain that they left church because their views, beliefs and values were bickered about and snide comments were made about them. And that's why they left - people couldn't see anything but the difference. But then, when someone who has beliefs different from them, the person who left church because their opinions were disputed and blasted out of the water, they criticize their beliefs and opinions. Don't they see the hypocrisy? It's fair enough if it's just a mild stating that you believe different from them because of (a), (b) and (c) but to do the very thing that made you leave a place...? Where is the sense?

Anyway, there are my thoughts on this Sunday night. I have printed out my final draft of my RS coursework and will drop it round to the RS Department before going on my fieldwork. I got it down from 4848 to 3818 so I think that's enough. I'm not overly worried any more - except if I've managed to loose marks!!

Lent starts on Wednesday - I'm going to be reading The Purpose Driven Life with my church this lent. I haven't decided if I'm going to give anything up this year but may try to set myself goals to become a better person and to give more time learning about God, who He is and what that means to me.

May I point you all in the direction of Hopeful Imagination who did a wonderful thing during Advent. I can't wait to see what happens this lent. It starts on Wednesday and there will be a daily post except on Sundays.

Rachxx

posted by Rach @ 10:18 PM   2 comments

Friday, February 24, 2006

Three Posts In One

Why A New Blog

Well, I decided to have a new online home because:

I’m getting concerned with the amount of people who found my old one by search for c_ast-rat.io*n (without the added in punctuation, obviously) especially because it was just concerning an article I commented on. Oh well. And I didn’t really feel at home in my last blog so here’s a new start. Of course, as Martin suggested the real reason is belligerency and me just wanting to annoy you all by making you change your links.
---------------------------------

A bit of an update

I had a reasonably ok half term – I met up with MaryLaurence (I’ve decided to refer to them as a whole rather than two people :P) in Belfast. It was nice to see them both again – I hadn’t seen Mary for a whole two weeks! (How we survived the several months before that I will never know ;-)) I also was able to buy some crafty stuff etc. The rest of half term, unfortunately, was spent largely working. Although I was able to go to Paul’s and have a wee chat which was pretty cool.

I have been super busy since returning to school and this weekend I’ll be working on some of the following:

- RS Coursework: my final deadline is Monday. I need to take out a minimum of 1500 words to get away with it. I’m considering deleting every four word or maybe footnoting paragraphs.
- English Coursework: a work in progress but it has to be finished by the end of March.
- Geography Fieldwork: I have my geography fieldwork in Lisburn on Monday, the Mournes and Murlough Beach on Tuesday. I am in geography for a full day on Wednesday (which, if I don’t survive it, I love you all). And my fieldwork report’s first draft needs to be in the following Wednesday. I get penalised if I’m over 750 words. Yuck.
- Careers:
o I need to plan a 30 second presentation on my work experience
o Complete my CV
o Fill in an application from
o Produce a 1500 word report on my work experience experience
o This is all within the next two weeks
- Do my latest Eat the Word which is on an incredibly obscure topic.
- Psychology: complete a mind map
- English: complete a mind map

There is less than TEN teaching weeks left… I’m so dead…

Among all this I have to go to GB because judging is three weeks away and the display is five weeks away. I’ve to go to Anchor Boys as their “Parents’ Evening” is less weeks away than the GB display (I think). I’ve to keep up going to the gym if I’m ever to finish my Duke of Ed. I need to seriously get into my computer class again because I missed the Access Exam – although mum says she can do it with me if I go one random Tuesday night. My church is also starting to read The Purpose Driven Life over lent and I’d quite like to get beyond the thirteenth chapter (unlike when I tried to read it before) so hopefully having sermons related to it will help matters.

---------------------------------

A *Bit* of a Rant...


I would consider myself a very fair person. In a team I ensure I pull my weight and help get stuff done. I rarely don’t do the work we’re asked to do for class and in this entire year I’ve forgotten one subject folder once and I forgot two English books on two occasions. I work hard. What really irks me is when the people in my class (it’s usually the two people I sit beside in geography) don’t do the homework and so read of my answers (sitting between them I can’t hide my work from both), they rarely bring the textbooks which means I, being the middle person, usually have to share and they don’t listen in class and then ask me when we’ve got work to do what work it is!

Yesterday in class neither of them had done the homework – but they weren’t alone as only six out of the class had – and so the teacher went mad and then allowed the non-homework-doers (nhd) do it in class while the people who had bothered to do the homework had to do another question (which the nhd weren’t asked to do). One of the girl’s hadn’t brought her folder with her so asked if she could see mine – she couldn’t because I was using it to answer my question. She then asked if I’d brought my textbook – I hadn’t because we weren’t going to be using it that day – so I said no. I got the dirtiest look and a question asking why I hadn’t “bothered” bringing them. What I thought of saying isn’t repeatable… It really irks me when people who do little or no work throughout the year manage to fluke exams because they put in a week’s work in in May time… I work hard and get stressed regularly throughout the year (I think the most common screen name is probably something to do with nervous breakdowns…) and I get good results consistently – in class tests and external exams.

Sorry, rant over.

---------------------------------


Anyway, it’s Friday night… I’m feeling a bit strange as I ate a Dairy Milk and three Reese’s cups within an hour of one another… And I’ve so much work to do… Tonight will be spent trying to make a dent… Either that or shouting at my computer as it is silly with my RS footnotes (the footnotes are quite big and seem to be making sentences at the end or start of the page disappear…).

Oh the joys of being an AS student…

Rachxx

posted by Rach @ 6:57 PM   1 comments

Welcome

Hello Dearest Reader

Welcome to my blog (that would be a online diary > a web log > weblog > blog). Stay and listen to my ponderings about life, love and chocolate.

Rachxx

posted by Rach @ 6:56 PM   0 comments

FlickR

As you can probably see there is a little box on the sidebar with photos in it - you can click on this and view them. Note: the slideshow is very fuzzy because I uploaded small photos so it's probably better to not view them in it.

Rachxx

posted by Rach @ 6:56 PM   0 comments

A List of Links

Friends

Paul Bowman - my NI youth worker and loves Oreos and Reese's Cups (so his house would be a good place to go and snack)

Julianne

Amy

Rachel J

Reality Czech

Rach W

Ciaran

Annie

Amy

Mark

Etc

Bible Gateway - different versions of the Bible

Underground - passionate about the persecuted church

Emerging ChurchPrayer Lava Lamp - I love this!

Prayer Candles

Zero28 - "a growing group of people trying to take peacemaking and social justice seriously" in Northern Ireland

Mannafest

Daily Bible Readings

Garfield Comic

Dilbert Comic

Calvin and Hobbes Comic

Foxtrot Comic

Bunny Comics

ASBO Jesus Comics

My website.


Another Stress Reliever

Idea a Day - an idea for making the world a better place with a new one everyday

Quote Garden

100 Ways to Improve the World

Post Secret Blog - updated every Sunday

Virtual Bubblewrap (stress reliever!)

Giant Microbes (I want these!)

Astromony Picture of the Day

Make Poverty History!

Pandora - type in a favourite artist or song and listen to similar artists. It's really good and all legal

An Exhibition on the Human Cost of the War in Iraq

A Warm and Fuzzy Tale

Global Youth Fund

Bono's Speech - AMAZING

Wikipedia - free encyclopedia online

Lovely Story

Colouring Fun (because you never get too old)

posted by Rach @ 6:54 PM   0 comments

100 Things

Edited March 2008.

  1. I am called Rachael with its unusual spelling.
  2. I'm a Christian and that influences the rest of my life.
  3. I am probably still seen as a feminist but I'm really more equal now!
  4. I generally love life.
  5. I’m usually optimistic but can be rather cynical.
  6. I love dancing, though hate dancing in front of people.
  7. I try to be eco-friendly (although that is difficult with having to fly back and forth to uni!)
  8. I’m a pacifist.
  9. I have issues with bigoted people.
  10. I like spending time thinking and there’s always plenty to think about
  11. I’d love to be good at inspiring people and love those who inspire me.
  12. I love taking walks.
  13. I love the beach.
  14. I love mountains (without rucksacks).
  15. I have completed my Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh.
  16. I was a helper at Anchor Boys for four years and miss them now I’m at uni.
  17. I am a sub-officer at Girl’s Brigade, again stopping for uni.
  18. I have been in the GB since I was three.
  19. I’m 19.
  20. I was born prematurely (by about a month) on 9th November.
  21. I was nearly called Poppy because it’s so close to Remembrance Day – I’ll stick with Rachael!
  22. My middle name means “She makes the impossible possible”.
  23. I am studying Applied Psychology and Cardiff.
  24. I’m unsure what lies immediately beyond the degree.
  25. I think I've been put off doing a PhD for life.
  26. I completed Psychology, Religious Studies, Geography and English literature at A level – and got an A in each.
  27. I found all those subjects very interesting!
  28. I’m a huge reader and I really love it. I love the way there’s a book to suit every mood.
  29. I love writing. My stories are very haphazard. But I hear my poems are good.
  30. But I’m probably too critical of myself so am quite cynical about compliments.
  31. I’m a bit of a perfectionist.
  32. I want to publish at least one book.
  33. I love cooking and baking! There is just nothing that beats the smell of freshly cooked cookies.
  34. People have prayed that they get some more of my cheesecake…
  35. I am currently single.
  36. I love sleeping - especially when my bed is warm and snuggly.
  37. I am a passionate person. And I refuse to think that’s a bad thing. Just don’t get me started on some topics! It’s probably best to stay off Northern Irish and American politics.
  38. Give My Head Peace, The Blame Game, Dry Your Eyes and Folks on the Hill are all hilarious and it’s a great shame they aren’t shown elsewhere as no one else is skilled enough to get our humour.
  39. I try to explore all the options.
  40. I adore travelling.
  41. I have been in the Czech Republic, Spain (Majorca and mainland), Portugal, England, Scotland, America (Florida, New York City, Las Vegas, Portland OR, California: San Francisco, Morro Bay, Napa Valley, Los Angeles, San Diego), Germany (never got out of the airport) and Romania.
  42. I loved the Czech Republic and really want to go back – and will be summer 2008!
    I will also be going back to the States – Colorado and Portland, each for a week.
  43. I want to travel to New Zealand and South Africa.
  44. Possibly living in one or both.
  45. I am a goal-driven person.
  46. I’m determined.
  47. I can also be very stubborn.
  48. I’m a rugby fan. I support two teams in rugby: Ireland and anyone playing England…
  49. I love writing and receiving letters. Getting post is an ego booster!
  50. I have a very eclectic taste in music. My current favourite CD is one called WOW 2007.
  51. My favourite comedians include Dylan Morran and Colin Murray.
  52. I really love the soothing feel of the sea.
  53. I absolutely adore my friends – I think they rock and are a great blessing to have in life.
  54. I love my church – there are amazing people there and it is one of the things I definitely miss when I am at university.
  55. Some of the charities I support are Tearfund (especially with their fight against HIV/AIDS work) and Open Doors.
  56. I love the (RED) business group and want them to bring out a (RED) VW Bug.
  57. My dream car would be a 1952 blue VW Bug – but with a modern engine.
  58. I have been driving (on my own) since November 14th 2006. I love driving – not so keen on parking, however.
  59. My favourite flowers are daisies because they look so cheerful.
  60. My cat is called Daisy and she’s been about since Princess Diana died.
  61. My sister owns Daisy’s brother called Tibbs but I prefer to call him The Rat.
  62. Our dog is called Sandy (and/or Fluffy, The Polar Bear, The Fluff Monster etc)
  63. I really don’t like mushrooms and stood up at the front of church at the age of three to announce that to the world, also adding that they taste like slugs. That early statement has really hung around!
  64. I am afraid of fish because of a couple of icky incidents and I really don’t like eating them beyond a fish from the chip shop or tuna. And can’t bear to be around dead whole (eyes etc) fish. I would never ever own a goldfish!
  65. I have a look that is infamous and it cannot ever be done if not provoked – it really has to be deserved and it is quite severe and probably causes nightmares!
  66. I absolutely adore taking photos and take way too many.
  67. Records include taking over 200 in one day at the North Coast (I was trying to get one with the waves hitting the rocks “just right”) and I took over 850 in 18 days in the Czech Republic.
  68. It’s surprisingly difficult to come up with 100 things about yourself…
  69. I’m currently prayer sec for Cardiff uni Christian Union (2008/2009)
  70. I love chocolate.
  71. However, I don’t eat Nestle products and really prefer to buy and eat Fairtrade chocolate – I can’t deal with the guilt knowing a lot of the cocoa from the Ivory Coast is gathered by young children who have been trafficked there.
  72. My main non-fairtrade chocolate weakness is Malteasers
  73. My cat, Daisy, is also addicted to Malteasers – and will come towards you any time she sees the red packet.
  74. Some of my favourite movies include The Shawshank Redemption, Pride and Prejudice (both BBC old version and the new version), Amazing Grace and Copycat.
  75. Some of my favourite artists are Chris Tomlin and the David Crowder band.
  76. My favourite “secular” song is Brown Eyed Girl.
  77. Some of my favourite Christian songs are Amazing Grace (Chris Tomlin’s version), How Deep the Father’s Love, Before the Throne of God Above etc.
  78. Some of my favourite Northern/Irish bands are (apart from the typical U2!) Ash, Metro and Brian Houston.
  79. I love candles.
  80. I also love blankets.
  81. According to many of those who love me I will end up marrying a minister/youth worker/missionary/someone in “full time Christian work”. The biggest voices of opposition to this idea were Janice (my minister’s wife) and Val (my youth worker’s wife).
  82. Val has since caved.
  83. I love organising things! Both events (like the bouncy castle party with Sophie and Rebecca!) and things.
  84. Although I have not alphabetised my DVD collection – mainly because at uni my DVDs live in a CD carry case.
  85. Despite this I have been compared to Monica from Friends.
  86. Things HAVE to be clean and organised – although that doesn’t always smoothly translate into tidy.
  87. I own a beautiful Paperchase diary and items in it are colour coded.
  88. Maybe the comparison with Monica wasn’t too far off.
  89. I love children and would love to have some someday.
  90. If I have two girls I know what two of each of their names would be – I have four females I’d love to name kids after (two names per kid!).
  91. With boy names I’m at a complete loss though – I just have veto power after Anchor Boys etc put me off many names!
  92. I am rather glad I only have to come up with eight more things!
  93. I think glasses make guys look nice. Well, I am, generally speaking, attracted to guys with glasses.
  94. I own a very pretty laptop.
  95. I have a thing about buttons.
  96. I enjoy sewing.
  97. I can knit.. ish. The scarf I just need to cast off is a biblical scarf. In that it is ridiculous in terms of lines with different lengths and holes. Therefore… it doesn’t conform to the world’s opinions on what a scarf should be!
  98. I have a really bad habit of starting books before I’ve finished other ones!
  99. I own a gorgeous painting of a cow called Aaron by Caroline Shotton – it’s very pretty!
  100. I have never been so glad to get to 100!

100 things about me... (written Feb 2006)



  1. I am called Rachael with its unusual spelling.
  2. I'm trying to be a Christian.
  3. I have been since 7th February 2003.
  4. I became one at an event called Star Wars in my church.
  5. I’m trying to go deeper in my faith.
  6. I need to work on that.
  7. A lot!
  8. I am probably still seen as a feminist but I'm really more equal now!
  9. I generally love life.
  10. I’m usually optimistic.
  11. I love dancing.
  12. Though hate dancing in front of people.
  13. My cat and teddies are the best audience.
  14. I’m an environmentalist.
  15. I’m a pacifist.
  16. I have issues bigoted people.
  17. There’s no need for them in this world.
  18. I like spending time thinking.
  19. There’s always a lot to think about.
  20. I love inspiring people.
  21. I love people who inspire me.
  22. I love taking walks.
  23. I love the beach.
  24. I love mountains (without rucksacks).
  25. At this moment in time I am doing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh.
  26. I have completed the expedition and residential.
  27. I have done my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh.
  28. I have done my Silver Duke of Edinburgh.
  29. In other words, I am not a direct entrant to Gold.
  30. I am a helper/leader at Anchor Boys.
  31. I am becoming a sub-officer at Girl’s Brigade.
  32. I have been going to GB since I was three.
  33. That’s a long time!
  34. I’m old!
  35. Well, 17.
  36. I was born on 9th November.
  37. I was born premature.
  38. I was nearly called Poppy because it’s so close to Remembrance Day.
  39. I would have liked Poppy.
  40. At least I would have more chance of people spelling my name correctly!
  41. However, people would have made comments about the cat from Playdays
  42. who was called Poppy.
  43. I’ll stick to Rachael.
  44. My middle name is Louise.
  45. Louise means “She makes the impossible possible”.
  46. I like that definition.
  47. Although many would argue it’s the other way round.
  48. I’d love to study Applied Psychology.
  49. Preferably at Cardiff.
  50. But I need three As at A-level.
  51. Yikes! (half way there now)
  52. I want to become a psychologist.
  53. I think I've been put off doing a PhD for life. (although I have to do a doctorate)
  54. I am doing Psychology, Religious Studies, Geography and English literature at AS level.
  55. They are in order of enjoyment so English lit will probably go.
  56. I’m a huge reader.
  57. I love reading.
  58. It’s relaxing.
  59. And interesting.
  60. And there’s a book to suit every mood.
  61. I love writing.
  62. My stories are very haphazard.
  63. But I hear my poems are good.
  64. I don’t like much I do.
  65. I’m too critical of myself.
  66. I’m a bit of a perfectionist.
  67. I want to publish at least one book.
  68. I love cooking.
  69. I have been proposed to because of my cheesecake.
  70. I should have said yes!
  71. I’m single.
  72. Getting over someone.
  73. Well, trying to.
  74. I love sleeping.
  75. Especially when my bed is warm and snuggly.
  76. I am a passionate person.
  77. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
  78. Just don’t get me started on some topics!
  79. It’s probably best to stay off Northern Irish politics.
  80. Give My head Peace, The Blame Game and Folks on the Hill are both hilarious.
  81. But aren’t shown elsewhere as no one else is skilled enough to get our humour.
  82. I explore all the options.
  83. Sometimes get in trouble doing it.
  84. I love travelling.
  85. I have been in Spain (Majorca and mainland), Portugal, England, Scotland, America (Florida), Germany (never got out of the airport) and Romania.
  86. I loved Romania.
  87. I’ll be going back!
  88. I want to travel to New Zealand and South Africa.
  89. Possibly living in one or both.
  90. I’m ambitious.
  91. I’m determined.
  92. I’m also very stubborn.
  93. I’m a rugby fan.
  94. An Ireland rugby fan.
  95. Proud of it.
  96. I love writing and receiving letters.
  97. I have a very eclectic taste in music.
  98. Are you still reading this?
  99. Or have you just scrolled to the bottom?
  100. Shame on you if you have, well done if you read it all.

Ok, there we are - an insight into my life. Stick around and read some more.

Rachxx

posted by Rach @ 6:50 PM   0 comments