MARCH
-A group of 7 other girls and I began a series of dinner parties based on a tv show here called "Come Dine With Me". In the tv show, a group of 4 or 5 strangers take turns cooking a 3-course dinner each night during one week, and they score each other 1-10. The top score wins 1000 pounds or Euro. We did it a bit differently- we cooked in pairs, spread it out over about four months, and ended up not scoring each other. It was basically a good way to enjoy some good food, good wine, and good company!
-Started attending a weekly Pilates class- would recommend it to everyone!
-Spent a long St. Patrick's Day weekend in Louisburgh with Paul's family. Here's part of the parade:
APRIL
-We enjoyed a night away at the Lyrath Estate near Kilkenny- when we arrived we received an added bonus of a complimentary upgrade to a suite. We first thought that a piano in the room was a bit odd
-I made a trip to Minnesota for nearly two weeks over Easter and the May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May). I was able to see lots of family and friends, took in a Twins game, and did some shopping for my niece, who is scheduled to make her appearance in early September! I'm just realizing that I took very few pictures this trip, but here's one of Margo and Justin at the Twins game.
MAY
-The abstract that one of my colleagues and I submitted regarding a joint pulmonary rehabilitation programme between hospital and community physiotherapy services was accepted for presentation at the Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Society Conference, so I did a short presentation at the conference, which was held at the University of Limerick.
-The Queen of England and President Obama visited Ireland within a few days of each other, and the security was CRAZY! As you know, English/Irish relations don't have the best history, so the queen's visit was very significant, and security was extra vigilant. The afternoon before she arrived, there were members of the gardai (police) patrolling along the side of the motorway that I take to and from work, and this lasted until her departure. She wasn't ever really even on this road! Other roads, including pretty much all of Dublin city centre, were completely shut down. A few days later Obama made a very quick visit- he went to Moneygall, County Offaly, to where his ancestors have been traced, and a public rally was held in Dublin. Paul and I were in line for about two and a half hours, and we didn't even get through the security screening. We were roughly a mile from the stage, and it was solid people all the way. Luckily a large screen was set up behind us, so we all turned around and were able to watch his speech. Even though we didn't get anywhere near him, the atmosphere was great.
-The Mayo World Convention, a gathering of all the Mayo Associations in the world, was held in Westport at the end of the month. Paul (who has now been elected the treasurer of the Mayo Association in Dublin), was on the planning committee, and it was a great event. The Taoiseach (Prime Minister), is a Mayo man, so he was the guest of honor at the black tie dinner on the Saturday night. He made it a point to meet everyone there, so I got to shake a hand that within the past two weeks had also shook Obama's and Queen Elizabeth's! Here's Paul and I on the night.
JUNE
-Enjoyed some dinners and cinema trips out with friends
-Spent two weekends in Louisburgh
-I had surgery to remove a uterine fibroid on the 29th and spent 5 days in the hospital. The hospital experience was a bit different to those I've seen in the States. Because I have private health insurance, I was lucky to have a room to myself, but people without this insurance stay in 6 to 8 bed wards. Here's a pic of my room:
JULY
-I got home on the 4th and have been feeling better everyday. I can't drive or do any heavy lifting for 6 weeks, so I'm not scheduled to go back to work until August 17th. I've read a few good books (Tina Fey's Bossypants has been my favorite so far), and have become hooked on 30 Rock- I sense a theme here! Paul has been taking great care of me (and the house), and I've had lots of great visitors too.
