Since when are they in Europe....

Well folks, it's that time of year again and whether you admit it or not, most of ye will be tuning in to see how Jedward do at some point of the week. Of course we all deny liking it or just say "well i only watch the results"

But every year I hear people give out about countries like Israel or Azerbaijan can take part in the Eurovision. So here's a little lesson on how Eurovision entry works:

Participation in the Eurovision is open to active members of the European Broadcast Union which is a big collective of state broadcasters. To join the EBU your country needs to be:

• part of the Council of Europe
• Part of the European Broadcast Area (EBA) 

Confused yet? The EBA is an area defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Here's the complicated definition:

The "European Broadcasting Area" is bounded on the west by the western boundary of Region 1, on the east by the meridian 40° East of Greenwich and on the south by theparallel 30° North so as to include the northern part of Saudi Arabia and that part of those countries bordering the Mediterranean within these limits. In addition, Iraq, Jordanand that part of the territory of Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey and Ukraine lying outside the above limits are included in the European Broadcasting Area

Is that a bit too much? Here's a nice map:

 

  Entered at least once

  Never entered, although eligible to do so

  Entry intended, but later withdrew

So that's how it works (We'll leave out the question of what defines Europe). So on Saturday evening when you're "not" watching the Eurovision and someone (who's also "not" watching) asks "Hang on, they're not European") you can show off your new found knowledge - while not actually watching the Eurovision, obviously.

Not all who wander are lost..

I often draw comparasions between myself and bilbo baggins at the very start of the lord of the rings. Constantly going over old maps, packing and unpacking as if about to head off on another great adventure. The restlessness and boredom of being stuck at home, in a place where life moves too slow.

Every now and again, my wanderlust kicks in. I find somewhere i want to go or an adventure i'd like to undertake and i put it on the back burner. Yes i'm quiet travelled by normal standards and i go on plenty of adventures but the big adventures, the ones I dream of have yet to come. Each time i come home, my mind wanders to my next trip, my next big adventure. I have a world map that i keep looking at. Its taunting me, teasing me, its calling for me. But "real life" (in particular the lack of money) keeps getting in the way. But one of these days, i'm going to put my rucksack on my back, walk out that door leaving the "real world" behind and see what the world has to offer me

Volunteering

Today i was one of 83 UL students presented with the first ever UL Present's Volunteer Awards by Professor Don Barry. In the weeks leading up to today I didn't give much thought to the ceremony. When i applied for the award i was just getting another piece of paper for doing what I do anyway. But listening to Professor Barry, guest speak Tony Murphy (Director of Services, Mid-West Enable Ireland) and the various students interviewed in the videos during the ceremony today, my thoughts changed. In particular I found Tony Murphy's speech on how and why he got involved in volunteering really moved me. I felt quiet honored to be part of this bunch of incredible students who give up their time to help out a diverse group of community organisations.

One of the key points of Tony Murphy's speech was the question - WHY do we volunteer? So I was sitting there thinking about this all day. Yes I love scouting, i enjoy the activities, i enjoy the idea of being involved in something and i love the opportunity to travel the world but the big draw for me is being able to inspire young people and have a positive impact on their future. It makes all the stressful days getting stuff ready, the boring meetings about policy, the bitchiness of some people, the lack of communication from "up top"- it all seems worth for the one moment when you've told a young scout about something you've done and you can see they're thinking that they could do that someday.

It's truly hard to capture the satisfaction of volunteering with young people. I'd truly encourage everyone to volunteer their time to help other people in someway- even if it's one afternoon a year, just go for it.

Further rambling from the desert

It's hard to believe I'm going home in 2 days time. It's been a strange experience here in jeddah. Overall I think the camp isn't a disaster but a missed opportunity. With rovers from all over the world, so much could have been achieved but instead the saudi's have used this as a pr stunt.

It's not all bad. Making loads of friends (some interesting opportunities for collobaboration coming up), getting to learn about Arab culture and islam and getting to see this amazingly diverse country. Yesterday we went to the king Abdullah university for science and technology (kaust) which is the most amazing place ever (it has it's own cinema and shopping centre). And today we went into the Jeddah city centre which is like a completely different world.

You can watch tomorrow's launch of the messengers of peace here http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/news/2011/are_you_changing_the_world_today

hello from saudi arabia

So i've been here almost two full days. Its an odd but enlightening experience here- deffinately a culture shock. The biggest challenge is the heat- it is far too humid for my irish body. The food is a challenge at times, curry at breakfast

Yesterday we went to the beach and played some sports followed by a course on improving dialogue. Today we visited a traditional scout camp and a market. Tomorrow is the Saudi's National Day.

One of the strangest things we've encountered is the tents- huge things with carpets and air conditioning. Very strange compared to what we're used to. At the same time many things are very similar (the song "everywhere we go" seems to be international).

Overall this has been an amazing experience so far and I feel quiet honour to be able to attend.

Off to a not so good start

So I'm here in dublin airport. It's been an interesting couple of hours since i left home yesterday.
Got delayed coming up when the bus broke down and then had my phone stolen from right under my nose. Thanks to lorcan and moose for letting me crash with them, maire doody for keeping me sane via fb chat, to Andrea for her sympathy and offer of help and to florin, elaine and Garda karen for their help when I found out the phone was gone.

So it cant get any worse can it? My Saudi adventure is about to kick off.

Counting down the days...

So there's only 3 full days till I leave and I still have no idea what to pack - seriously, what do you bring to a Peace Camp in Saudi Arabia??? Come 2pm on Tuesday they'll be no more time to worry- just better go with the flow.

Its been a strange experience trying to tell people why I'm going to Jeddah. I usually have to follow it up with "yes, I'm serious". I get a mixture of "how strange", "congratulations" or (the most common) "you jammy ****". The best response I got was- "If anyone else told me they were going I would believe them but it's you"