Overnight Visitor

After getting unpacked and doing all the laundry on Monday, I returned to work on Tuesday.  Paul's sister, Marie, was working in Dublin this week, so she stayed with us for the week.  Last night the two of us went to a couple of shops near our apartment, and when we were getting ready to leave we spotted an adorable little dog wandering around the parking lot.  We waited awhile to see if anyone was with her, but no one appeared.  We asked the security guard in the parking lot about her, and he said she had been there awhile but not with anyone.  She had a collar but no ID tags and was well looked after- beautiful coat and teeth.  We knew she had to be someone's pet and couldn't just leave her to wander near a busy road.

So, we tried taking her to the nearest Garda (police) station.  We were told that normally they would take her, but they had prisoners in all the cells and would have no place to put her.  They gave us the phone number of the dog warden, but when we rang, we got a message saying it was basically a 9-5 service.  We tried ringing another Garda station, but they wouldn't take her because technically she was found in the area of the first station.  There was no way we were going to let such a nice dog wander all night, so we took her back to the apartment.  Meanwhile, Paul was out getting my car serviced in an area where there is no mobile phone coverage, so he had no idea of our adventures.  When Paul finally got home at 11:30 last night he found us sitting up with the dog, and I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight!  He even let her up into the bed because she was whining.  

This morning I rang the dog warden to give the details of the dog but said that we would be more than willing to keep her until her owners were found.  She is such a good dog (perfectly house trained, didn't chew on anything!) that we couldn't bear the thought of her in a pound.  When I was finished with work I took her to a local vet to see if she had a microchip- no luck.  We printed posters, and when I was distributing the one to the security office of the parking lot where we found her, the worker said that someone had just been there with photos looking for the same dog.  We got in contact, and it was a very happy reunion between Penny and her owners.  Turns out their nephew had taken the dog out, switched it's collar with one of his friend's dogs, then lost the dog.  He didn't tell them until 11 at night because he didn't want to get in trouble!  At least it was a happy ending, and below is a photo of Penny.

Honeymoon in Jamaica

We got back this past Sunday night from a wonderful week in Jamaica.  We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios.  After an eventful landing in Jamaica- it was raining, and we were going a bit too fast, so we touched down for about two seconds then took off right away again- we arrived at our resort on Saturday night, the 16th of May.  

We spent time reading, relaxing by the pool/beach, playing chess and ping pong, and enjoying the warmth!  Snorkeling and a glass-bottom boat ride were included at the resort, so we took part in those activities.  We also climbed Dunn's River Falls- Jamaica's famous landmark, went golfing, and spent most of a day at a nearby Sandals resort (Dunn's River).  The mornings were beautiful, and our jet lag worked in our favor.  We were awake by 7 each morning, so we were able to make the most of the day, as it usually got humid and rained in the afternoon.  It was a fantastic getaway!  Here are a few photos.

The beach at our resort

In our villa

Out on the course

After dinner one evening

At the Dunn's River Resort

The beach at the Dunn's River resort

At the Hard Rock Cafe in Ocho Rios

Enjoying one last drink- a virgin Jamaican Smile (half pina colada, half strawberry daiquiri) before getting on the bus back to the airport.

Hurry up Friday!

Our suitcases are packed, and Friday can't come soon enough!  We will be departing Friday evening for London, then on to Jamaica on Saturday to celebrate our belated honeymoon!  I cannot wait for a week of relaxation and warmth!  I'll be sure to get some photos up when we get back.

The first weekend in May was the Bank Holiday weekend, and there was a traditional Irish Music festival in Louisburgh.  We didn't take part in any of the "official" concerts, workshops, or dances, but all of the pubs had groups of musicians who would spontaneously start playing together.  There were also a lot of people around the town, so it was a fun weekend.  Below is Marie and me in Joe McNamara's, one of the pubs.

This past weekend we hosted a poker evening on Saturday.  Sadly, I did not defend my title, but I put up a good fight and ended up finishing third.  We also got a few final bits and pieces for the honeymoon, packed, went to the cinema (saw State of Play with Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck- quite good!), and I did my US tax return.  Now it's just a matter of making it through the work week!  

Updates

Here's a brief update of what we've been up to the past two weeks!

-Attended our friends Stevie and Ness' wedding on Friday the 17th (see photos below).  It was a beautiful and fun day.  The reception was held at an historic house built in the late 1600's- gorgeous! 

-We've been house hunting in Dublin.  We are considering merging Paul's office/storage and our apartment.  For what we are paying in rent for the two we could be paying a mortgage just as easily, and it's a buyer's market now!  We're looking around but still not sure what we'll do.

-Last Sunday was a beautiful day here, and a few friends and I rented bikes and cycled around the Phoenix Park, then went out for dinner.  It was a lovely afternoon/evening.

-Paul was also cycling in the Phoenix Park during the week.  He and a few of his friends are thinking about doing something called GaelForce West this summer.  It involves running, biking, rowing, climbing Croagh Patrick, then biking again.  All in one day!  

-I signed up for and got all of my course materials to do a Diploma in Wedding Planning by distance learning.  It's an area that I think I have strengths in, and who knows where it might take me.  If this course goes well, I am thinking of doing either an evening or distance course in Event Management also.

-This weekend we've been relaxing and catching up on things around the apartment.  We went out for dinner on Friday evening and rented a movie last night.  We had a couple of friends over for breakfast this morning (I even cooked black pudding- yuck!), and Paul has headed off with them to watch a race (the cars that he has raced the past couple of years).  I keep telling myself that I need to get my taxes done this weekend.  If you live abroad, you still have to file but get an automatic two month extension- therefore I'm procrastinating a bit!

-Only a bit less than 3 weeks until our honeymoon to Jamaica!  I can't wait!

The Wedding Party

The first dance- they started off on a slow song, but then it broke into little snippets of about 10-15 other songs like "The Chicken Dance", "Grease Megamix", "I Like Big Butts", and others.  They had it choreographed perfectly.  The best first dance I've ever seen!

Paul and me

Long Easter Weekend

I had the wonderful privilege of having a 5-day weekend this past weekend!  Monday was a bank holiday, Friday our office was closed, and Thursday I used as my "privilege day" (a day everyone in the health service/public service gets to take off some time around Easter).

On Thursday I made a trip up to Banbridge in Northern Ireland (about an hour and a half drive from here) to do a big grocery shop.  The prices are so much cheaper, and the exchange rate between the pound and the euro is in our favor at the moment.  An example- a 1.75 litre of Tropicana orange juice is 5 Euro here!  Ridiculous!  I got it in the North for 2.76 pounds (approx. 3.07 Euro).  I got a trolley full- I was literally having to put my whole body weight into it to steer it around the store towards the end!  Our freezer, fridge, and cupboards are packed.  I figure we should only have to buy milk, bread, and maybe a little fruit for the next month.  A new budget was announced here last week with a few different tax increases, so I imagine this will become a monthly trip for me!

Friday afternoon Marie and Brian drove down to our apartment, then the 4 of us headed down to Tralee in County Kerry.  Paul's mom was already down there- she has a house there and had gone down on Thursday.  On Saturday evening there was an anniversary mass for Paul's granny who passed away a year ago.  After the mass, most of Bridget's 9 brothers and sisters and their families got together for tea and sandwiches.  We got up early Sunday morning and were on the road by 8:30.  That meant we were back in Dublin by noon, which was great.  Paul and I spent Sunday laying on the couch, watching movies, and eating chocolate and candy that we had given up for Lent!  I had brought back a load of candy from the States- Starburst, Peeps, Starburst jelly beans, Nibs, so I broke into those.  We also enjoyed our Cadbury Easter eggs!

Paul did a bit of work on Monday, then we went out for a bite to eat on Monday afternoon and went to a shopping centre south of Dublin to pick up a few things we needed.  It was back to work yesterday, but it's another 3-day work week for me, as we have a friend's wedding on Friday.  I think I could get used to this!

One of my main purchases in the States was a new laptop- we had been using the one Paul has had for about 5 years, and it was getting to be very temperamental.  We decided on a MacBook, and we really like it.  We have become Apple converts!  If you're in the market for a new computer, I highly recommend the MacBook.

Also while I was in MN, my sister gave me the first 3 books in the Twilight series.  I've finished the first two, can't wait to get through the third, and have rented the movie.  I was a bit skeptical before starting them, but they are great, quick reads.  Not just for teenage girls!  

Here are a few pics from this past weekend!

Paul on the way down to Kerry- we thought we were never going to get there!  With traffic and stops, it took around 4 1/2 hours.  (Less than 3 1/2 on the way back on Sunday!)

These two were taken in Moneygall, County Offaly.  Barack Obama's great-great-great grandfather left there for America in 1850.  As you can see, they are quite proud to have a claim to Barack!

My Easter egg (next to my water bottle to give you an idea of the size).  It came in a box with 3 full sized chocolate bars.  Like the egg wasn't enough!

Trip to MN

On Saturday, March 14 I flew back to MN for a little over a week.  The main purpose of the trip was that my mom had rotator cuff surgery in Duluth on the 17th.  Her surgery went well, and she's now in a shoulder immobilizer and starts physical therapy tomorrow.  I was glad I was able to be there and encourage her to do her exercises!

I spent most of the time between my parent's home in Floodwood, MN, and my sister and brother-in-law's in the Cities.  I made a couple side trips to North Branch and Duluth to see some friends, and I was also able to see some extended family.  It was great to catch up with people I hadn't seen in months!  Shopping was also on the agenda.  I still marvel at how much cheaper everything is in the US!  An example- sunscreen is on sale in the drug store chain Boots here for around 20 Euro a bottle.  I got two bottles at Target for $10!  I also did a bit of shopping for summery clothes for our honeymoon to Jamaica, which is coming up in May.  Yay for Old Navy!

While I was in the States, Paul celebrated St. Patrick's Day in Louisburgh, then took the ferry over to England on Thursday to visit some of his family there.  He got back Monday morning around 6am, just in time to pick me up from the airport around 8!  I spent Monday getting unpacked, doing laundry and other stuff around the apartment, and I went back to work yesterday.

This weekend I get to be a guest speaker for the current College of St. Scholastica students who are spending the semester in Louisburgh!  I did it last year also and talked about the whole process of moving over and the differences I've noticed between living in the US and Ireland. 

Here area  few pics of my time in MN!

Margo found some goggles on sale when we were shopping (to use at the pool at the gym), and Justin and Margo had to model them!

Me and Margo

Our attempt at a self-portrait using the timer on the camera!

Stamp 4!

Yesterday morning Paul and I got up early to join the queue at the Garda National Immigration Bureau. I had my new passport (with my new name) and our marriage certificate in hand. After waiting for a little over two hours, I left with my passport stamped with a stamp 4. The stamp 4 means that you are married to an Irish citizen, and you can get a job wherever without having to have a green card or a work permit. And, they stamped it for 5 years, which is great- I don't particularly enjoy having to go to the Immigration Bureau!

We haven't been up to too much out of the ordinary. Last weekend Paul went to a friend's bachelor party in Bristol in England, so I enjoyed some chick flicks and some time to read. Paul is fighting a cold this weekend, so we'll be laying low. We already have a few movies rented. A couple of weeks ago I was hit with a flu/chest infection and missed 4 days of work, so I'm keeping my distance and trying to stay healthy!

The house is progressing slower than I had hoped. We were waiting for awhile to get things from the engineer that we need to fill out paperwork before we can start clearing the land or anything. Patience is a virtue though, right?!?!

Paul has decided not to race cars this season. And no, it has nothing to do with being married or anything I said! We want to focus our resources (time and money) on building the house, and the racing can be a rather expensive pastime.

I leave for MN one week from today! I'll be there for 8 days, and will split my time between the Cities and Duluth/Floodwood. Mom is having rotator cuff repair surgery in Duluth on the 17th, so I'll be around to help for a few days. I also have plans to be back in July for my friend Meghan's wedding, and I know I'll have a bit more free time then, so I'll be able to get together with more people during that visit!