'bout ye

Well what a crazy 3 days we have just had. Camping started well in the humid heat on Wednesday, putting up the tents was a struggle but everyone worked hard. Everyone then had some time to relax,

this proved to be the calm before the storm, because as everyone worked on their reviews of the summer

the storm broke

tents were blown over or flooded, and scared couples huddled together

but we were brave and survived.
When Thursday arrived you would have thought the storm had never happened. Everyone took part in a gender workshop which showed up some extremely sexist views (and may have triggered some gender confusion amongst the group, more of that later).
The pool provided some wonderful relaxation and a great chance to cool down


Although some people really need to learn that when you fall asleep in the sun you shouldn't have your hand on your chest,

what a wonderful white hand print Marty has on his chest, although why is that middle finger so long????
I managed to maintain a dignified sense of decorum when it came to dressing for camp.

Thanks Phyllis for brining me that hat all the way from Australia...and yes the corks are for keeping away the flies.
Having missed a camp fire on Wednesday night we all settled down for some great discussions and even better marshmallows toasted by Zachary.

Friday was a busy day preparing for the Host Families arriving for our Farewell Supper and party. Groups of young people kept sneaking off with each others clothes as they prepared their party piece. The supper was excellent, (thanks Frank for the savoury stuff and as for Kevin's desserts...wow!!!!!). The entertainment was introduced by Nadeen and Heather, Chrissy kicked off the proceedings with some tunes on his flute

Then Steven and Mickey confused all with a very funny baseball skit (just Who was Where When I dont know scored???)

We has some great singing from Stephanie with backing by Alex and then they were joined by Janice and Emily for a dance display

Brian then showed that he can remember more than 4 words to a song (although PJ did have to help him along the way)

Liz then showed us all how to really sing

bringing tears to Heather's eyes.
Susan got in on the act with her poetry recitation

then got her own private party as the boys re-enacted The Full Monty

thankfully everyone retained their modesty, apart from a slight wardrobe malfunction with TJ (never mind no one saw it)

Frank presented his awards (the 21st annual Griffins), Heather and Leigh got their page 3 award for services to the beach community

Sara was reminded of her balloon mistake (its Red White and Blue NOT Green White and Orange)

and then things got very very confused.
First the girls appeared wearing the boys clothes to perform a little piece based on yesterday's gender workshop. Then the boys struck back to ressurect the Spice Girls, is this scarey or what....

...Chrissy I know an agency where you could earn a lot of money!!!
Random gentlemen were pulled from the audience but none seemed to be having as much fun as Frank and Kevin


Will their wives want them back???

All to soon the festivities came to an end, the NI young people got on stage to say goodbye

then everyone joined in for a farewell dance

there was much hugging and tears but a great time was had by all.

More blog soon

Well camping is just around the corner, and may I suggest you all get up bright and early on Wednesday morning and tune into Postive 89.3fm to hear us all on the breakfast show at 730am, tune in or miss out.

Those who have followed this blog will have heard of Liz Boissonneault (give or take a few letters here and there) but most of you wont have seen her in all her splendour, so here we go with our pin up girl for this blog

...now what i really want to know is she really going to put that back in her mouth???!!! Thanks to Kevin B for that great pic

Anyway Saturday was our Pond Party though some of the girls had a private pool party earlier that day so arrived fashionably late,

nice one girls, thats Naomi, Cheri, Fiona and Emily having fun at Kevin B's cousins mums aunts swimming pool (I never could work out the relationship but it's something like that!!!)

Meanwhile down at the pond everyone was having fun,

what a collection of boats, floats and noodles

Mickey swam like a fish and kayaked like an eskimo

Brian sang like a broken record...after 3...3 "in the town where i was born"

go on Brian, give us the next line, you can do it...please, please, please
look at what his singing did to poor Emily

Fiona tried to drown herself the noise from Brian's vocal chords was so bad

Nadeen and Liz came to investigate the noise, they were sure some poor Moose had fallen into the pond

Naomi had tried to ram her canoe down Brian's throat but that still didn't help so she came ashore to escape his lilting tones, by this stage even Daniel O'Donnell was starting to sound like a good option

Heather and Anneliese did their best to get away from the drone

Zeb's hair proved to be the perfect barrier, and the harder he peddled the better chance he had of mowing Brian down

Justin, our waterbaby, joined forces in the bid to sink Brian's singing career

And it all came to an end, people started to head off leaving 3 lonely souls wondering how they were going to get home but relishing the peace that had fallen over the pond

and then there were none, all had gone, leaving behind a lonely pink towel....awwwww, by the way if it's your towel please let us know so we can return it to it's rightful home

Thanks to you all for turning up and behaving so well, it was a great day in the sun (cept for that damn singing...Brian SORT IT OUT NOW!!!!!).....and thanks to our host mummy and daddy for letting us use their pond....Frank and JoAnn you are wonderful

Sunday was a nice early start for Val and I as we popped off to church and heard some real singing, we visitied Oak Hill Christian Church and heard Liz Boissonneault sing (Brian sign up for lessons now). It was a very inspiring morning and we went on to their place for coffee and donuts afterwards. Thanx for the invite Liz and Kev.

Monday was a nice relaxing day for us, we went up to Naples and took a Paddle Boat/Ship/(thing what floats with people in it) ride around Long Lake on the Songo River Queen II. What a nice rest before the madness that is camping. (you have no idea the debate we are having here in the Griffin's regarding the status of the floating vessel we were on!!!)

more blog soon, and dont forget to tune in on Wednesday morning.....89.3

Thursday was a packed day in the MICP world. We started the day at Positive 89.3fm the radio station where Liz Boissoneault works. Everyone had the chance to make a little jingle, "Hi my name's ... and I listen to Positive 89.3 fm in Northern Ireland online at positive.fm" We were so good!!!! But beforer that everyone got a tour starting in The Zone situated in positive fm's basement

youth groups can book this area for their own use and it is equipped with a pool table, computer, big screen tv and lots of comfy chairs. We then moved upstairs where Mickey took over as chairman when we took over the board room,

Then Liz let us all cram into her office, she is the stations 'momma'

After that we popped up to the studio where I gave an in depth interview in my best Mel Gibson voice

Stacey followed up with a female perspective

..and Mickey stepped down from his chairman role to record a jungle
We all left with a pile of bumper stickers, some fun memories and a distinctly POSITIVE attitude!! Listen out for the interviews sometime this week.

After our radio stardom it was back down to earth and hard work as we volunteered to clean up the Maine Irish Heritage Centre in Portland, Marty and Heather proved to be dab hands with a mop

Brian operated in true mentor fashion

some people suggested he should act like Harry Potter and ride off on that broom (at least thats where I think they told him to stick it)!!!!!!!!

Naomi polished like a trooper

while Stacey built up a close relationship with NUNU

There was outdoor work as well (although we really should have washed the windows first)

Everyone then took advantage of the clean surroundingsa to rest, chat and get a bite to eat

apart from Brain who was debating about which country he should become President of...

Friday was Lobster Bowl day for those who enjoy some real football, the game was delayed for 2 hours due to thunderstorms, which didn't help an under the weather Marty,

Get Well Soon Marty!!!!,

(ex) Coach, me, enjoyed the experience

the game was a soaked affair, as the blurry pic shows

though Nadeen was a sunbeam shining through the rain

I finished Harry Potter, i finished Harry Potter (took me 2 days but I know who dies etc etc etc).
What a busy time, but before that some host parent news. The Boisseneaults are continuing with the child slavery theme, this time poor Cheri got chained to the mower, just look at her go,

you may think she's smiling but it's really fear, look what is lurking in the garden beside her

Liz (her host mum) sends me this message which makes it look like the girls are having fun but really I know different!!!

So after the twins went to a film with Liz and Annelise,
and stayed up really, really late at the Beaulieu's last
night, I took them to church, then to a BBQ with strange
people I work with, Naomi comes home and wants to mow the
grass again. So she does that and Kevin makes Cherie take
a turn. She did brilliant and was elated that she was
driving! haha included a picture. :-)

Oh yeah, we picked out a present for you today in Freeport
too. ;-D

I hope my pressie isn't the snake!!

Meanwhile Naomi is being sent out to work on a ranch in the wild west somewhere,

Ride on Cowgirl.
Liz also passes on this message to all host families,

Please let people know that we picked Monday, July 25 for
the Whale Watch at 2:30 pm in Kennebunkport. Tickets are
$32 each unless we can get a group of 20 to go.

We are planning a train trip to Boston on Saturday, July
30 and we will be going to the Museum of Science and the
Aquarium, and possibly Fanuel Hall. The train is like
$35.00 ( I am trying to get FREE tickets from someone i
know, he will let me know soon).

OK, that's all for now I think. I'll leave you alone!

Liz

So contact Liz if you want to take part in either event, details in the host family handbook.

In other news.....a bus load headed down to Boston on Monday to see the Red Sox play, unfortunately they lost 1-3 but despite it all we had a good time, here are some pix of the game.

Thank you to everyone who went on the trip and helped raise funds for the Program, its very much appreciated.

Of course some people(Nadeen & Stacey) managed to get their pic taken by the Red Sox official photographer

On Tuesday Val and I took Heather and Nadeen with us to the Shaker Village near Gray. It was a very interesting trip and I recommend you get there if you have the chance. There are only 4 Shakers left in the community (which is the last Shaker village left in the world).

On Wednesday we made a very very very early start (3am) and went to Boston for the day, here are some pix from the tour.

We also visited the aquarium where we saw some very ugly fish (this one was over 4 feet long!!)

some cute penguins,

and a brave diver (there is a shark in that tank)

More blog and keep your beady eyes out for spelling errors (OK Lix!!!!)

Friday night was the 40th Yarmouth Clam Festival which I know some of you got along to. Valerie and I qwent with our host mummy and daddy and had a great time watching the parade. (Thanks JoAnna nd Frank) Here are soem fo the many pix I took. If you have some of you at the Festival then send them in.

This is a clam(well not a real one but a person in a clam suit).

After that night's fun it was back to work on Saturday morning with the Car Wash at VIP's in Saco. We raised $404 in the 4 hours we worked. Everyone got soaked, and some cars even got washed. We had some wonderful walking adverts attracting the customers in,

Who could resist their pleas for money??

And this band of merry washers, polishing, scrubbing, soaping and rinsing. What a wonderful way to make money.

After an exhausting 4 hours Val and I returned to our hosts and were treated to a night out at the theatre. We saw a production of Miss Saigon, the singing and sets were excellent, a perfect end to a long day.

On Sunday Val got up bright and early to head to church to hear Sheila Vennell (Stacey's host sister) take the service, I sadly couldn't raise my head from bed. The rest of the day was taken up with me reading Harry Potter (hence the dealy in this blog, but im on page 513 so not far to go now). We had a special dinner cooked by Frank, I had swordfish and Val fought with a lobster.

more blog soon

Oh dear, it had to happen, we lost the car!!!!! Well Val parked it so SHE lost the car!!!!!!!!!

Anyway lets get the story up to date, we arrived in Portland to take part in the volunteering at the soup kitchen. We couldn't find our way so we asked a local gentleman for directions, he was very knowledgeable, even was able to tell us the opening times (6 thru 7 Monday to Friday, it's a good dinner). It turns out he was one of the regulars, only we could stop a homeless person and ask him the way to a homeless resource centre!!!!

So Val wanted to park in a parking lot near the centre but we weren't sure if it was legal and didn't want to get locked in, I stopped her from parking illegally on the street "they'll tow us away" I thought...fanous last thoughts.... So we parked beside some cars in front of a housing block.

The soup kitchen volnuteering went very well, some of the regular helpers praised the politeness of the NI young people and asked me to pass it on. So congratulations to you all, you did yourselves proud. Thank you to Mary Gordon for inviting us.

After we had finished we had a date at the Boisseneaults for dinner so Naomi, Cheri, Val and I made our way to the car....but there was NO CAR!!!!!!! I thought Val had hidden it but then one of the residents from the housing block told us it had just been towed away. Apparently we needed a permit to park there...oooopppppssss. The phone number on the signs was incorrect so the guy helped us get the right number and another lady from the house helped too. Thanks to them all and to Kate from the soup kitchen we made it to the Towing company just as our car arrived. $65 later we had it back, thanks to Kate and Larry for helping to pay, it was really unneccessary but very much appreciated. Larry even lead us back onto Route 5 so we could get home to the Boisseneaults. Hey what would this trip be like if it wasn't for our car stories!!!!

Dinner was fun but late (we are so sorry Liz and Kevin). We got to learn that they keep the girls working hard, during the day they have to work in the garden,

and at night they have to work in the bar

Dinner was Kevin's Steak and Guinness pie...delicious and dessert was Liz's white chocolate popcorn...I love DESSERTS!!!!!!!! Long live the dessert making side of America.

Here are the "twins" with their host parents and host grandparents(who have been looking after them when Kevin and Liz are working) around the Titanic bell.

Lix is very interested in the Titanic and has a large collection of memorabilia, here are the girls around some of it,

Liz works in a Radio station and has invited everyone to visit her there on Thursday 21st July at 1030. This is before our volunteering at the Maine Irish Heritage Centre so we can make it a good day out. Contact Liz for details of how to get there, check the host family handbook for contact details.

more blog soon

Everybody's going surfing and doesn't half of Maine know about it thanks to the TV News Crew who turned up. Great interview Marty "it's about Catholics and Protestants coming together now"...now? what now! but I was just about to have a swim!!!!!! Seriously Marty you came across well and as for the surfing skills everyone demonstrated, well as the newscaster said (rather sarcastically) "I hope they don't turn pro"

Brian made a point about how to carry a surf board correctly, so for all those who don't know (or didn't listen) here you go...

I love the off-the-shoulder wetsuit look Brian, let's see if it catches on in the surf capitals of the world. Justin doesn't seem to have mastered either the look or the carry but it still looks good to me.

Whereas Marty likes to go for his TV interview pose,

Everyone else likes to use the boards in the water (do you think the guys missed part of the lesson!!!)

After surfing on the 12th I received my first parking ticket!!!!! 3 years in America and my first ticket, how was I supposed to know you needed a permit. Well we went on to Stacey's host family (the Vennells) great dinner, although I managed to resist Larry's many offers of Moxie. Val rated the Moxie as extra strength cough mixture. They even do a diet variety..what's the point, all that taste without the benefit of sugar!!!

After dinner we were invited to their church to give a talk and have dessert. Imagine my fun when I saw the poster advertising the event,

so while Val did her talk I had loads of time for dessert, and what mighty fine desserts they were

Stacey decided to take a very special seat in the church as it's owner hadn't turned up

just take a look at the name plate on the seat...and don't tell him Stacey was using it!!!

The evening finished perfectly in Kennebunkport when Stacey's host sister Sheila (who is coming to study at Queen's University Belfast in the autumn) took us on a horse and carriage ride around the town.

Thats Sheila and Stacey sitting up front but I forgot to take a picturre of the horse, his name was Tiny and he has been trained to do all his toilet business in a specific manhole along the way, what a clever horse. (who said this blog wasn't educational)

After more surfing on July 13 we went home with Chrissy and his host family the Klings. His host sister Sara was so concerned about Chrissy missing the 11th night bonfires that she made him a cake and a nice card and decorated his room with some nice balloons (she even looked up flags on the internet so that she got the right coloured ballons). As you can see from the picture she made a little error!!!!!

This is Chrissy with his posse, Sara, Paula (his host mum) and Erika (his other host sister). We had a fun time with the Klings, dinner was excellent once more and it was great to hear of Sara's 5 months at school in England. The Klings are heading up to a lake in Fryeburg next week so Chrissy gets to relax up there for a few days. Lets hope they don't use Sara as a navigator, apparently after a recent trip to Boston they ended up taking 4 hours (or 4 days as Chrissy likes to say) to get home having gone via every major(and minor) city in New Hampshire. I've no doubt that Chrissy's kind comments made every minute of those 4 hours an absolute delight!!!!.

more blog soon

Some news from the Boissonneaults (Naomi and Cheri's family) and the Sawyer/Raszmann's (Marty's family)

Liz and Kevin Boissonneault are organising a whale watch trip the week after next, anyone interested should contact the Boissonneault's directly, the details are in the host family handbook. Meanwhile Liz had Cheri and Naomi out for lunch and the waitress asked...wait for it....were they TWINS!!!!! it's now official, separated at birth, reunited at last!!.

They also got the most enormous cookie cake (and I bet they ate it all too).

Val and I visited Marty's hosts last night and had a great time. Dinner was excellent, dessert was provided by Maryy and Zeb who had baked Brownies from scratch (no pre-mixed packets from them). However it would be nice if Marty unpacked instead of living from his suitcase!!!

Here are the boys relaxing with Deb and Seth.

Finally the boys, Marty with Eben and Zeb, Eben, Marty.

Finally Val and I want to invite you to our Pond Party (well it's really Frank and JoAnn's Pond Party but we are claiming ownership). We're looking for as many on the American and NI young people to join us from 1pm on Saturday 23rd July for a splash around in the Pond. Bring your swimsuits sunblock and noodles if you have one. Pizzas will be at 530 and then your family can pick you up around 7-730. The venue is 12 Gin Mill Lane (Frank and Joann Griffin's home)

next blog will be the surfing

Well wasn't it fun, setting off Friday morning with our sights set on New York City. All went well until that weigh station in Conneticut where they discovered the brake lights on our bus were jammed on and we couldn't continue until we got them fixed. Even Brian trying to steal the Police car didn't help.

Things didn't get better as we were escorted to the 'Rest Stop with the least amenities in the world' where we got to sit for over 5 hours...in the rain. Just in case you forgot how pretty it was(n't) here's a wee reminder.

Finally we were on the move again but too late to make NY before night fall so we stopped at our hotel in Stamford. Congratulations to everyone for their patience and behaviour during that long long trip.

Saturday was a much better day and we got to the Big Apple in glorious sunshine. First up was a trip to Liberty Island and that famous statue. As we got off the boat Leigh decided to cheer up a couple of bored looking SWAT men.

Then we all gathered at the foot of the statue

The girls did their best to look as pretty as Liberty

We then jumped on the boat again to make our way to Ellis Island and see where many immigrants landed on their way from Europe. The views of Manhatten are great, here Val and I do our best to block the best bits!!

After lunch we were back on the boat and off to the Empire State Building, it was big and it was fun.

We then split into our small groups to make our way to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. Here we are in Times Square.

Sunday we visited the United Nations building (extortionate Gift Shop, I've a good mind to write to Koffi).

After lunch we split into different groups to visit different museums. My trip to the Intrepid was excellent.

Now it's time for you all to send in your pix and stories so we can show everyone the different things we did.

The Blog goes on, with a modified layout which should make things a little easier to read. First some news of a community event, next Thursday (July 14th) from 530-715pm we are looking for volunteers to help out at a soup kitchen for the homeless on Preble Street, Portland. Contact Mary Gordon for more details (check the host family handbook for Mary's contact details). Hope to see many of you there.

Val and I are busy with our host family visits and we were up at Sebago Lake visiting Mickey and the Mullen family at their summer camp. The pix will give you a good idea of the fun Mickey is having, he's been pushing those big guys around so they decided to get him back,

Mickey took us to the beach at the camp, so here we are enjoying the gale which was coming in off the lake!!!

and finally one of Mickey with Yogi the dog

Mickey had Justin with him for a stayover, here's a pic of Justin at the host family picnic last week, so hey Justin get in touch and send us some pix.

Marty has been everywhere (it's been like trying to nail down jelly getting in touch with him) so get us some pix from your travels and send them in, here he is back at the picnic.

Finally Freeport Fiona (as we like to call her now) has a list of things that she's done (her journal must be bursting at the seams) she's been to the Sea Dogs, shopping, the beach, canoeing and lots more. Here she is on the Eastern Prom with her host sisters Emily and Katie and their friend Rachel.

Next Blog in a few days when we get back from New York

Well the blog seems to be going down a treat so here's some July 4th stuff, feel free to send in your pix and stories to me and we'll get them up here for all to see. Don't forget to let everyone back home in NI know about the blog so they all can see what you're upto.

Also here's a quick advert for a Beach Party, this Thursday (July 7th) from 12noon to 330pm at Crescent Beach State Park. Bring your own lunch, so if you're free then get along.

Well what do you think of these two beach babes enjoying the sun and water at their host family's pond?? Please keep the comments to yourself!!! but seriously we had a wonderful time in the water and Frank's cooking was simply amazing (or is that amazingly simple???!!!)...I better watch myself, I've got 4 weeks left and I depend on him to feed me.

Heather and Nadeen joined us with their host parents Bruce and Susan Schuyler, I think you'll agree Heather suits her glowing tan (lobster red I think they call it).

It was the day before Susan's birthday so she got presented with one of Frank's amazing cheesecakes. Happy Birthday Susan.

The puppy belongs to Frank and JoAnn Griffin and is one of a pair they have.

Later that night we took a boat on to Little Sebago Lake with the Micucci's who hosted last year. This is a picture of a firework (aren't they impossible to photgraph?? if you have any better firework pix then send them in)

Elsewhere Naomi and Cherie (now known as The Twins) had a couple of days down in New Hampshire, I hear there is a great sparklers picture but they won't allow their host mum Liz to send it to me...come on Liz, you know I wouldn't do anything I shouldn't with it!!!! Here's some pix from their trip.

They also had a meet up with Fiona over the weekend, dinner looks good.

Tuesday July 5th was Leigh (and Susan's) Birthdays, here's some pictures from Leigh's host family's home (the Vaughans in Kennebunk)

Thanks to Robin Vaughan for inviting us all around and laying on such a great cake (and ice cream).

Now don't forget to send your stories and pix....and keep popping back to the blog for more news.

Well these three posers just show how well the first few days adapting to the Maine rainy weather has been successful....makes us wonder why we packed our sun screen but we know (hope) things will get better!!

Well...just what does Valerie add to the picture?? maturity? nah she adds dignity and our mentor Nadeen adds that bit of depth that has been lacking so far!! Seriously it's good that the reports from all is one of fun and contentment...makes it fun for all that everything is going well so far

...and Tj's new hair-do stands the test of time and attracts both the Irish and American ladies(lucky guy) may long the friendships last
title="Stacey, Brian">

aren't we lucky to have such dedicated mentors taking everyone under their wing...Brian you're a star...and Stacey looks so pretty

Oh aren't they the perfect family....Cherie and Naomi have settled well with Kevin and Liz Boissonneault..all together now...Near and Far wherever we are etc etc etc(Titanic song for those of you who don't know), although Liz has to lose that Man U jacket!!!!

Can't anyone put him down??? I know he's pocket sized but that's no excuse!!

Go on spot everyone having fun.....more news soon