As 2013 Draws to a Close

It's been several months since I've posted anything in this blog.  That doesn't mean I haven't forgotten about it, but as is often the case, real life seems to overtake us and builds an ever-increasing list of priorities over the "write in my blog" task.

Since I've last posted, Liz has travelled to Paris, I've visited Rome, we've seen plays, movies, travelled around Dublin and Ireland, enjoyed parties and felt the joy and excitement that comes from living in such a wonderful place as Ireland.  The kids are enrolled in the Irish school system, Liz is busy with helping the kids on a daily basis, and I'm neck deep in work, church, and other activities.

Grand as it is, life here does come with its share of knocks and bruises, because honestly, that's real life, and it comes at you full force regardless of where you live.

But I don't think I nor any of us would trade the experience we've had for anything.  We're eagerly looking forward to 2014, in what is likely our last full year in Ireland.  And as we take it one day at a time we'll try to put on our tourist hats and head out and see this grand place, soak up the local customs and culture, and if we can, try to be as Irish as we can get.

As part of that, I hope to get back into the habit of posting updates at least weekly.  They probably won't be the long updates, but I hope to catalogue our journey here as much as possible.  Alternatively, if you're not already friends with us on Facebook, a lot of what we experience is captured there, if perhaps in not as much detail as what is afforded on the blog.

So, here's to a wonderful 2013, and looking forward to what promises to be an even better 2014!

Bull Island

Less than a half mile away from our home is a sandy beach front, Bull Island.  Geographically, it's pretty interesting, it's actually man-made, though completely inadvertent, the effect of seawall construction to protect the Dublin bay.

Fortunately for us, it's easy to get to and for an ocean lover like myself, perhaps one of the greatest elements of living in Ireland.  Here's a collection of pics I've taken since I've arrived.  

Now that summer has (sorta) arrived, we hopefully will be spending more time here. 

Hopefully we can get him out of that hole!

 The kids were all dressed, walking along the beach.  Can we walk in the surf,dad?  Oh sure, but just up to your ankles, OK?  Oh sure, dad, no problem . . . .

 Hmmmm, a little deeper than the ankles, I think . . . .

 Yeah, that's a lot deeper than the ankles.

 Fully dressed and soaked (and freezing).

YOU KIDS!  I SAID ANKLE DEEP! Oh look at those faces .  . . oh you know I can't stay mad at you!

 

Guess who's feet those are?

 Now, on a much sunnier and warmer day when they were actually supposed to get wet . . .

 Playing in the sand (which is a very fine, silty sand.  Makes for cleanup nightmares)

 This was a particularly windy day; the tide was going out and the wind was blowing out to the ocean, so the water receded so fast you could see it.

 Star of the Sea statue.

 Some swimming shelters and steps, though on this day it was highly advisable to stay out of the water.

 The Pizza Hut of Bull Island didn't do too well, I guess.

 This lovely yellow wildflower is called Gorse, but you don't want to cuddle its inch-long thorns.

 The wind brings out the windsurfers and kite surfers.  It was cold that day, so these fellas were the real deal.

 Howth as seen from the sea grass and dunes.

 A ferry in the distance.

Poolbeg power station and its very prominent smokestacks.

Happy 4th of July

This was something of a reflective holiday, the first US Independence Day where I have not stood on American soil to celebrate it.

Luckily for me I have some very thoughtful Irish co-workers who were thinking of me . . .

 I didn't wear this to work, but I wanted to!

 The bank's restaurant featured "Philly-style hot chicken hoagie with American-style fries, ketchup, and mustard"  Awww, that's so thoughtful!

 The service kitchen was even flying Old Glory herself!

 But the best of all, my desk was decorated to the max!

You guys are the greatest!  Thanks to the whole AIB team who did something really nice for me, it meant a LOT!

Trim

If there's anything in Ireland you'll never run out of it's rain.  But if there's TWO things, it's castles.

While all the castles are in various states of repair and interest, there certainly are a lot of them.

Of course, with that many castles, there's bound to be a few that are famous for one reason or another.

Maybe Mel Gibson playing a Scottish rebel?

FREEEEEEEEDOOOOOMMMM!!!!!

anyway, I digress.

Trim castle was actually used in the movie Braveheart, mostly because I'm assuming it's in overall pretty good condition.  It still has the original castle walls and the keep is great shape too.

A view from the top.

Now, this isn't Trim, this is St. John's Priory near Trim.  It's not nearly in as good as condition but the kids loved it because you could CLIMB on it!

Forget those stuffy tour guides and velvet ropes to keep everyone in line.  Go ahead, climb around!  Do what you want!  No rules here!

I can practically hear the angels singing . . .

Actually, the Priory was really cool because the cathedral still had the original arched window frames.

Sariah standing in the rain; caught mid blink, I'm assuming .. .

Don't fall, Cookie!  We don't have castle insurance.

Hello, beautiful!

Now, finally, look at this flower picture.  Is it not the most amazing pic you've ever seen?  I love it!

Friends & Glendalough: The Return

Last week we had our 2nd visitor from the US.  This time it was a good friend who we knew when we lived in Connecticut.  

While he was here mostly for business,we did manage to take him around some sights, including Glasnevin cemetery.  After were touring the ornate tombs and headstones, which didn't take long because of the foul weather, we noticed that we were locked in!  It was a little weird because we had just seen the security guard drive by, so we know he knew we were still in the cemetery.  Luckily for us, we found a gate that only looked locked, so we undid it, and left.

   

Undaunted by the weather, we took him on a tour of the Howth peninsula and marina.  

 Aaron and Liz being troopers on the seawall.

 Cold and raining sideways.  Summer in Ireland at its finest!  Hope you enjoyed your visit, Will!

Our friend departed back to Washington state that weekend, so it was time for another family adventure.  I still wanted the family to see Glendalough, the Wicklow Gap, time permitting, Kilkenny castle.

 I can see why the Irish love Glendalogh, it's a beautiful place.

 Sariah contemplating by the peaceful river.

 David attempting to navigate across the river.

 Cookie in deep meditation.

 Cookie not knowing I'm taking a photograph.

 Cookie knowing I'm taking a photograph.

 "Ahhh! what is that bright yellow orb in the sky! It hurts my eyes!" (notice her shirt? UDUB represent!)

 Cookie deeply reflecting upon the history, meaning, and purpose of life.

 The cemetery of Glendalough.

 Fashion queen showing off her hot moves.

 One of my favorite pics.

 Just a beautiful place.

 Couple of ducks also enjoying the brief moments of sun and warmth.

As we departed Glendalough we made our way across the famed Wicklow Gap.  Back in March when I took my first trip to Glendalough, the bus didn't make the drive due to the inclement weather.  So, understandably I was pretty excited to see it for the first time and have my fam experience it with me.

I had already seen some pretty amazing views in Ireland and was thinking this was going to top them all. While the drive was beautiful it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. 

Part of that may have been due to a message I received that my mom was gravely ill and in an intensive care unit.  Obviously, we cut the tour short and headed immediately back home so I could make some phone calls and find out what exactly was going on.

As I write this, my mom is back home and recovering nicely after what was a very serious medication accident and infection shut her kidneys down and nearly claimed her life.  Fortunately for us, she has bounced right back and is doing much better.

After calling her and talking to her see how she was doing, one thing she said was that as soon as she gets better she's coming to Ireland!