Visit from the Minister

It was a Friday, and all four of us were up in the early hours of the morning in Castelblayney, anxiously awaiting the Minister for Youth, Frances Fitzgerald. Throes of children from different Youth groups came from all parts of Monaghan to promote Youth in Ireland. We were among those present in the cafe, sitting on the comfy sofas that adorned the local hang-out place.
    Soft music was issuing from the iPod speakers beside us and all held their abated breaths as the minister entered, clad in purple. She took her seat in the front row among fellow TDs and local councillors to listen intently to the speakers who followed.
    Before long, it was our turn and with hands only slightly shaking, we took our places in front of the crowd assembled there and told them about everything we were doing, including this blog, and what we hoped to do, which is getting a Youth Cafe for our local town.
    Seeing the Youth Cafe in Castleblayney completely changed our attitude toward getting a Youth Cafe, in a positive way, making us want this more than we did before. It was amazing to see such a relaxed and welcoming place in a town where young people can hang out together or attend talks and the like.
   Then, it was time for the minister herself to say a few words acknowledging what we were there doing. She seemed interested in what everyone there was doing, from small children who use the Youth Cafe to Youth Media Groups to Youth Workers. She seemed to really realise the potential of what we all were doing for the community and showed some sort of wish to further that so that we can do more to help the young people in our community.
   It was great to see how she was using the newly instated post of Minister for Youth in the best way possible, where a lot of ministers may groan and grumble, she took it upon herself to tackle the issues affecting young people in Ireland. To our surprise (and a pleasant surprise at that), she seemed intent on setting up other Youth Cafes in Ireland because of the positive effects it had on the community of Castleblayney.
   In short, the day was a success and not only our gorup, but the rest of the Youth Workers succeeded in raising awareness for our cause. It was a brilliant experience and definitely one of the highlights of 2012. As well as that, it was gratifying to know that our efforts were paying off, and as a side-note, look out for our imminent video on how our community really needs a Youth Cafe.

The Angsty Musings of a Wednesday

Taz here.

Sometimes (often) people disappoint you.

It's not their fault really-how could it be? They have no idea what you’re thinking, what you're wanting. And if they do, they obviously don't need to abide by it. When someone doesn’t live up to your standards, can you really blame them for being themselves? (Well you could, but it wouldn't be right of you)

Sometimes (usually) our expectations are too high.

While yes, you're one of my closest friends, no, I can't assume that you can read my mind when I say "No bother" and mean something else. And yes, it's true that you're sweet and cute and damnIshouldn'thaveeatenthosebuttereflies, no, you can't control your own level of maturity. And yes I know that you're the new girl and you have your own worries today, but could you end up being nicefunnyquirkytumblrhonestloudawesome a new friend instead of someone else who just doesn’t get it?

Sometimes (frequently) we tell ourselves to expect less next time.

Which is a good idea. If the most we hope of people is the ability to make eye contact, they can't really disappoint, can they? And maybe you were expecting a really happy blog but I'm 15 and angstangstangst and maybe you should have thought best case scenario she writes about frogs!


Sometimes (always) that doesn't happen.

(Not the writing about frogs part (well actually it's seriously unlikely I'll ever blog about frogs), the telling ourselves to expect less part)

Because it doesn't matter if you're 84, we all still seem to be children and children just want more and better. And you want more and better of people but they want more and better for themselves and usually their more and better isn’t your more and better. I'm not saying we should look for less and worse, but well you made a valiant effort wouldn't be a bad way to look at people.

Sometimes we disappoint ourselves.

And it sucks.

smart phones are so 2011

If you are reading this right now, it probably means you live in somewhat civilised society, meaning that you more than likely own a mobile phone. Or for you Yankees ‘cellular phones’.

So a while before Christmas I dropped my phone in the toilet. Unfortunately poor little Sammy didn’t make the jump (yes, I’ve named my phone, and you haven’t? what do you do when you call it? Just call it’s number? That’s so inhumane.) So a moment of silence for her please?

Wh-what are you doing? Why are you reading on? I said a moment of silence! You sir/madam, have no respect for phones!

Anyway, I ended up with my dad’s old nokia. You know, the ones that were nearly everyone’s first phone, with all the legendary games on it? Yeah, that one. However, my dear father took a dislike to his recently purchased smart phone, so it is currently in my possession. That’s why I decided to write a blog about why the good ol’ phones are clearly superior.

Oldie

Figure out how to work immediately

Newie

Can’t figure out for couple of weeks

Oldie

Does what it’s meant to do, allows you to communicate with people. With a few cherries on top of course.

Newie

Has a thousand pointless apps that take up so much space that it makes it impossible to find what you really need.

Oldie

Charge for 15 minutes- last the whole day

Newie

Charge for 15 minutes- doesn’t turn on

Oldie

Charge over night- lasts a couple weeks

Newie

Charge over night- lasts the day

Oldie

Falls- maybe a little scratch, but it’s still good to go

Newie

Falls-damaged beyond repair

Oldie

Simleys are really cute

Newie

Simleys are really creepy

PS; I wrote this blog a couple weeks ago, and have since slightly lightened to the new guy. However, I’m lazy so I’ll post this one anyway. Until next time, later J

-Teri

PS; and yes, yes I am completely ignoring the fact that it's valentines day.

fairytales

Hey everyone,

Penny here sorry i didn't get a chance to blog last week so i'm blogging this week. I couldn't blog last week because i was in a pantomime Cinderella and this has helped me decide to do a bog this week about fairy tales. we have all grown up with them and we all wish that we are going to be the princess and will be swept off are feet by a handsome prince, but lets face it that will probably never happen and i apologize if it has to some people this is just my opinion. since we were young people (mainly Disney) have been giving us the opinion that everyone has this happily ever after and as a child yes it is nice to think i will be Cinderella some day, but once we get to teenage years it is not so nice you learn that not everyone gets the happily ever after or that one dance with the prince who you love and get married to even though you just meet. I think that Disney is filling our heads with false hopes that we will never find in today's society now my friend disagrees with me and she is going to write a story about true love and that happily ever after in today's day and age and personally I hope that she does because i want people to have their happily ever afters and to find the person of their dreams because then there might be a chance for romance to to survive. some people might say i'm a hopeless romantic and so what if I am.

see you later,

Penny