Getting Remonked?

 I always think things like this are interesting and challenging. I want a shirt that says, "Jesus was homeless"... The New Monasticism

General

After successfully making bananas and apples part of my daily diet, I've decided to eat more oranges (and plums, this week!), and since I live a stone's throw (for a very good thrower) from Tesco now, I really have no excuse not to. If I don't institute this fruit-eating, butter biscuits will take over my system entirely and I'll come home 50 pounds heavier, yet 50 pounds poorer.

Rachel and I went to Tesco this morning for breakfast stuff, and then walked back again a few hours later for "high tea" supplies, a.k.a. cake. We are making friends with the Welcome/Security man. He now knows our names. His name is Andrew.

Yes, today on this wonderful day off (I love Mondays), Rachel and Esther (my flatmates) and I invited a few of the boys over for afternoon tea. It was all very English, a fact which we discussed in great detail.

This weekend I read "The Bell", which is a book I don't highly recommend, but has merit for a artistically well-woven story, a strong look at religiosity and faith, and just plain good writing. Why don't I recommend it? It has love stories described in terms of magnetism and can't-help-it-ism, and I found it all a bit melodramatic.

I believe I mentioned that I moved. Did I? I moved. It's not that exciting of a story, but I'm happy where I am and now I'm near the Tesco, as previously stated, and I have access to a guitar, a keyboard, some internet (not wireless) and a garlic press! Also, I'm a twenty-minute walk from the office, which is quite nice. The building is somehow unfortunately in a constant battle with the stubborn Irish wind that makes it hard to open car doors sometimes. It's like living sideways in a wind tunnel, and at night it can get pretty noisy.

That must be it, or that needs to be it because I am falling asleep, friends.
by the way, we don't do daylight savings until March 25, so we're only 7 hours difference until then!! It's like being just a little closer to home...

take care

It's Like a Carnival Every Day

Portstewart Tesco Grand Opening

The crowds at the ribbon-cutting

Deep-fried Mars bar. You can deep fry anything, turns out.

Skeptical, yes, at first. It was heavenly.

The contestants at the Ping-Pong Panic Tournament 

at the Flowerfield Mansion (aka the boys' house)

True Colours

I'm not sure exactly how to begin to post as my brain in spinning from the personality assessment "class" to which the staff and interns were subjected this morning. Personality tests are interesting at first, intriguing next, and suddenly and without notice, they become a bit horrible. 

In an office, it is important to know your own working style so that you can better understand which jobs and roles fit you, right? Well, I'm not even really well-suited for the job I'm doing here at the church, which is mostly administrative. In fact, the personality best suited for most of what I do was the personality type with which I related the absolute least. 

As a recent graduate leaning toward jobs that are high-stress, low-return, low-pay, and low-availability, I'm not always as optimistic as I'd like to be about the upcoming years, due to such low expectation for future financial security. That is alright with me on most days, to be honest. 

In other news, the sun has been around more often, missions teams are coming together, the church found a venue, I ate a lot of cake today -- things are going well here. 

  

PHOTOS!

picasaweb.google.com/lemrak

Found this on my iGoogle today... thought it might be useful for some of you out there. Hope this helps!

How to Not Be Annoying

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Most of the time, an annoying person doesn't realize how his or her behavior is perceived by others. If you suspect that you're annoying others - or you've been told you're annoying and think they might be right, here's how to avoid the little things that often get on people's nerves.

Steps

1. Think first. Think about what you are going to say before blurting it out.
   
2. Build self confidence. Being insecure can lead to annoying traits. Until you have built your self confidence up don't try too hard.
   
3. Break counterproductive habits. If you laugh loudly at everyone's jokes, even if they're not all that funny, read up on how to avoid laughing at inappropriate times. Try a different approach - be genuine and be yourself. If people find you annoying when you're being true to yourself, then you need to find new, more accepting people to be around.
   
4. Respect boundaries. Everybody has boundaries - you need to learn what they are and try to avoid crossing them. Boundaries vary widely from culture to culture and even from individual to individual.
   
   • Do not go around poking people constantly. In fact, don't touch them at all if they don't like it. Of course if they grant permission, then by all means have fun, but otherwise cut it out before you start.
     
   • Mind your own business. Avoid butting into a conversation by (for example) saying, "What are you talking about?" If you hear someone talking about something with another person, and you only catch the last sentence, leave it be.
     
   
   
5. Be humble. Just because you're confident doesn't mean you have to act like you're better than anyone else. Don't do or say things that might let you appear to be arrogant, like bragging about your wealth or success.
   
   • Don't correct bad grammar/spelling or inaccuracies of others because most people don't like being corrected.
     
   • Don't excessively tell people that their beliefs are wrong; gently and nicely mention that you disagree.
     
   • Don't complain all the time. Remember the world does not revolve around you. If you complain too much, others will find you depressing and avoid you. Read up on how to be optimistic.
     
   
   
6. Learn to listen. Conversation is a two way street. If you're talking constantly, others will get frustrated and quit trying to communicate with you. As a general rule, always listen more than you speak.
   
7. Be conscious of your surroundings. Be aware if you are standing in doorways while having a conversation, driving 20MPH in a 40MPH zone, or if your children are being obnoxious in a public place. Consider how your actions are likely to affect the people around you, and you will gain their respect.
   
8. Be polite and hygienic. Don't peek down people's shirts for instance, don't fart, don’t talk about looking down people’s shirts or farting. Take care to brush and/or floss after meals so as not inflict your breath on others or allow strings of food to flap back and fourth when you speak, and don’t talk about specific instances of impolite or unhygienic actions that offended you in the past.
   
9. Learn to read facial reactions and body movements. Pay attention to the facial expressions and body language of those around you and work to immediately identify and stop whatever you're doing that is annoying others.
   
10. Think of others. For some it is easy, but others, it is not. Try to put yourself in others' shoes and treat others the way you would like to be treated.
    

Tips

• It is easy to be annoying if you talk too much. Think about what you say before you say it. Remember the famous quotation, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt". Not talking at all is no fun for anyone, so you should try to strike a balance in conversation.
  
• Don't know if you are annoying? Ask a person that you would find likely to give you an honest and constructive answer. Be prepared for criticism and be willing to accept it gracefully. The person may not be ready to give it all immediately, so give him/her time by explaining your situation, thoughts, and feelings to make it clear you can handle helpful criticism. Don't take this to an extreme, either, as it will probably be quite annoying, itself.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Have Respect for Yourself
  
• How to Have Good Manners
  
• How to Know if You Are Irritating
  
• How to Be a Good House Guest
  
• How to Stop Swearing
  
• How to Cope With an Annoying Friend
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Not Be Annoying. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

From Dad

Lemeriks are fun

poetry can be a blast

Haiku's are the best

I've given all I have to give, but have I given all?

There is so much I'd like to share, but no one took the call.

While some may listen with their ears, their hearts are far away.

There's a decision they must make while it is called today.

I grow weary on this path I rarely shed a tear,

that some will miss His saving grace on this a favored year.

I must renew a passioned fire of faith, hope and love.

and press on toward the sacred goal, on earth as is above.

(if you didn't catch that, I wasn't being spiritual with the blog title, this is actually from my earthly dad--he's clever)


this blog is to tide you over until the next one, which will come soon, and will tell you all about my wonderful visits from Holly and Amber, recent outreach stuff, and some upcoming things. take care!

Megan