Maybe Next Year...

Yesterday afternoon Paul, Dermot, and I took in the Gaelic Football quarter final match in Croke Park in Dublin.  Mayo played Meath, but unfortunately Mayo lost by 3 points.  Gaelic football is kind of like soccer, but the ball can be kicked or fisted over the crossbar for a point.  A ball kicked into the net is a goal (3 points).  A player can also run with the ball, but every three steps they have to "solo" it to themselves.  Each county has a team made up of the best players in the county, and they are unpaid.  It's an interesting game to watch, and Croke Park is HUGE!  It seats over 80,000 people!  To compare, the HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis seats a little over 46,000 when set up for baseball.  Here are a few pictures.

Croke Park

Mayo in red, Meath in yellow

Paul and Me

All moved in!

Moving day on Friday went very well!  The weather cooperated- we had a warm, sunny afternoon.  We had three friends helping us, and with my car and two vans, we got everything moved in about 3 hours.  We spent Friday evening and all day yesterday getting unpacked, and we've made great progress!  Now all we have to do is get Paul's office furniture moved over from the old office.  We're taking a break from all that this afternoon and heading to the Mayo Gaelic football match in Croke Park.  They're playing in the quarter finals here in Dublin!  Below are some pictures of the new place.

View of kitchen from dining room

Another view of the kitchen

View of dining room from sitting room

View of sitting room from dining room

View from balcony off of sitting room

Paul's office- a work in progress

The guest room- always ready for visitors!

Our room

Minnesota and Wisconsin!

Last Thursday, July 23, I departed Dublin for about 10 days to visit Minnesota and attend my friend Meghan's wedding in Wisconsin.  I had a wonderful time and was able to see so many family and friends.  I spent time in Duluth, Floodwood, Hurley, WI (where the wedding was), North Branch, and the Twin Cities.  I was able to do some "touristy" things that I hadn't done in a long time- the Science Museum and Minnesota Zoo.  I also took advantage of the things I miss in Ireland- Target, Dairy Queen, Coldstone Creamery, etc!

Me and Meghan- it was a beautiful wedding, and my sister Margo was my date

Dad, Me, and Mom at the Rose Garden in Duluth.  Mom and Dad met Margo and me in Duluth on Friday on the way to the wedding and on Sunday on the way back from the wedding

I spent time in Duluth seeing some of my wonderful friends- Jessica with Isaac and baby Piper

Courtney and Benjamin

I also stopped in North Branch and had dinner with more wonderful friends.  Here are Connor, Sara, and Jarett

Justin and Margo playing at the Science Museum

Margo and Me at the Science Museum

Margo and Ella at the Minnesota Zoo

I arrived back in Dublin around 7 this morning.  It's a Bank Holiday here today, so I'll be back to work tomorrow.  Then, Friday is moving day, so I'll be busy unpacking my suitcases, then packing the rest of the boxes!