Au Revoir, Irish Bible Institute

I'm slap down in the middle now of a what I'm sure could be considered a big week.

Last Sunday, I officially graduated the Certificate of Applied Theology from IBI.  Here's a picture of me and my new certificate in what appears to be a Hogwarts dress uniform.

While I'm not a big fan of formal occasions (particularly when it's my formal occasions) and due to bad planning came particularly underdressed for this particular occasion, and had a cold, I really enjoyed the afternoon. It was a great opportunity to catch up with my friends from the college and let my parents and friends get a glimpse of the IBI world.

I'm going to miss college life this year but have found the odd random excuse to give it a visit. With my certificate, I got membership to the alumni society, Cairde (apparently, friends in Irish) and with that, conintued membership of the library which should prove useful. Two of my friends, Paul and Paddy have started in the college recently and I couldn't be more excited for them. They stand to gain a lot including an increased understanding and appreciation of their faith, a great opportunity to develop in their own walk with Jesus and an invitation to a great community of  believers.

Goodbye for now, IBI. See you when I continue on to the diploma.

I was going to write something else in this post, but since this is getting long, that can get its own post.

Most Famous Stan McConnell

If you're anything like me, when you get bored you look up random things on Google. In the course of doing this, I discovered that this site is THE no.1 result for "stan mcconnell" (with my Bebo page in third place). Ok, I don't know if Google results are the ultimate measure of fame, but I reckon its the closest thing we have.  So, with that in mind, I hereby declare myself the most famous Stan McConnell in the world. Unfortunately, I do less well in the results for "stephen mcconnell", my real (official,non-nickname) name. but I'm ok with that since there are significantly less results.

I am shocked, unhumbled and in awe at this random achievement and welcome any challenges on my claim.

If you're another Stan McConnell, who like me, is vain enough to google your name and you stumble across my site, drop me a line. If I find you to be more famous then me, you can win the above plaquetificate.

My plans

HI guys,

I was holding off writing about my plans for this year until I was more certain of them. I've finally gotten to the stage where I'm sure, so I'll blab.

I'm not returning to IBI this year. So, for the first time in 18 years, I'm not a student. I've finished my certificate in May and plan on finishing the diploma in the next couple of years. In the meantime, I want to get more hands-on learning and experience in youthwork.

What I'm doing instead of Bible college is working with 3Rock Youth in a leadership training program. I'm ecstatic about the year ahead. The more I hear about 3Rock and what I'll be doing the more excited I get. In the program, I'll be helping create resource for youth and leaders, working in school and more in the broad Dublin area. The role seems like the perfect fit for what I'm seeking to do. I'll be continuing to work with Gap alongside this.

I'm also considering a change in my part-time job. I've got one in mind which lets me pick my own hours and gets good money but may prove unpopular - door to door market research. What do you think?

Hymn in Internet Cafe

Yo, I'm in town right now in a internet cafe and the music being played by the staff here is the worship song, Days of Elijah, I think in Spanish.
I'm enjoying it.