Jam Packed Weekend

Although September was not the most exciting month with summer weather coming to a close, there were a few happy/sad events to keep us busy. Thursday was Auther's day, the 250th anniversary of Arther Guinness starting up his brewery. Town was absolutely insane that if you were able to get into a pub, there was a free pint at 17:59 (5:59pm) to commemorate the 1759 opening. Needless to say since Milltown is next to nothing, I did not have my Guinness.

But Friday was the turning in of my big project and Kat's last day. So I got off a bit early and was the first one to pick off another session in McSorley's with a night of Guinness. But this time instead of staying to the very end with the tearful send offs, Edell, Tullia and I buggered off early since there was much to do! We said our goodbye's to Brandon Kat and Liam, before heading into town. We took turns on Tutti's bike since our feet hurt from our heels. It was culture night so town was packed with everyone checking out galleries and exhibitions. We were a bit hungry so before we took part in culture night we stopped for some much needed Kebabs at Zaytoons. Tastes great, but makes you feel terrible the next day, well worth it though.

Saturday was Patrick's Going away Party since himself and his girlfriend and heading off to tour India and teach English in Vietnam for a while. They are both architects and since there is no work, they are going to go enjoy life and just wait until things pick up again. They have a great penthouse apartment right on the Quays so we all spent most of the night on the balcony. It was a crisp clear autumn night that we were able to count 16 spires from his balcony. That is a lot! Good chats and a bit of dancing concluded the night before strolling home at an ungodly hour in the morning. Time does fly when you are having fun.

The following night was an engagement party for some friends. A college mate introduced me to them over the internet and the four of us hit it off. They have great friends so even though Ben and I knew no one, we had a great night. We do hope to make it to their wedding in June, and finally get our mutual friend over to Ireland! Many strange yet interesting conversations to be had. Luckily we had been exposed to their most outgoing friend before so we knew what to expect from him.

It made for a very busy weekend, but it did much to lift our spirits even with the goodbye since most of the people leaving are just happy to have had a decision made for them. Monday was Kat and Dom's last day in Ireland so I met up with the two of them, Sean and a few of their other friends at Peter's Pub for a few cheecky pints and for one of the best toasties I have ever had! (Grilled cheese, ham and tomato on white bread) I needed a bit of soakage since the guy sitting next to me kept filling up my pint when I was not looking and I really did not mean to get that hammered on a Monday night. Sad to see my friends go, but since they were so happy about it, that really helped!

Strange Anomaly #43

A few bits and bobs about clothing:

One; there are so many tags in shirts because the instructions need to be in so many languages.

Two; sizes here are a bit different as well. Sizes size 6 here is a size 10 back home. They have English and European sizes so where my shoes back home are a 10 I am either an 8 or a 42. Which is huge here by the way.

Three; since Irish are not exactly the tallest race of people, all of their trousers are super short and jeans only come in one long length (which still is not long enough for Ben and I) so what they do is alter and hem everything. Frustrating, so I just go to the American stores so I can find proper length but spend a fortune!

Dublin Suburbs

Katrin's team has slowed down since their big project wrapped up, so it was not really a big surprise that there were more redundancies. What was sad though, was Kat was included in that. She is quite happy since her and Dom decided to move back to Germany since they are out of these recession times. Know then, that I would only have a few more weekends with her, we decided to drive around the Dublin suburbs to take a look at architecture that we just never got around to seeing.

First stop was Ballymun. This was once a very run down village with large concrete arpartment blocks that were dark and depressing. A few U2 songs are even inspired by they large towers. Some have since been demolished but some were remodeled. New townhouse socially affordable housing has since been rebuilt. Some great little row houses have been built and just as we got out of the car to get in a walk, the sun came out!

After stretching our legs, we were off to Skerries. It is a coastal town way up north about a hour or so outside city centre. It is a great little coastal village. We stopped in at the old mills to the farmers market where we grabbed a few muffins to tide us over. We drove into the village centre where we were able to get free parking and walk along the coast picking up shells and chatting away. The sun was shining brightly and made for a glorious day. After our long walk we were famished so we found a great little cafe and had a few more nibbles and a coffee to tide us over until dinner.

Next stop was Malahide Castle. The grounds are emaculate and with trees still full of leaves, the shade was a bit welcoming. We wanted through paths in the trees, and it may not be a forrest, it still felt great being among the trees. I had not realised how much I have been missing that. We walked around part of the castle, but did not need the tour. Once you have seen a few dozen castles, you have pretty much seen them all.

With the sun setting a bit, we were back to Dublin to pick up Ben and get dinner ready at their place. It was Sean's birthday so it was as good as excuse as any to get together for some dinner, drinks and some board games. It was not too late a night since the next day was Ikea.

Jen has been needing a new dresser for her new place, so since she needed a bit of muscle, Ben and I joined her at the new Ballymun Ikea. It was just like any other Ikea, but it was still interesting to go see. Now I can say I have been to Ikeas in multiple counties and continents. I had forgotten how much I do loathe big box retailers, but Ikea helps you forget that with its flashy displays. Ticksters!

Strange Anomaly #42

Sure I have my own superstitions, but a black cat crossing my path was never bad, I mean, I do own two. But here, a cat crossing your path is good luck. That means I got tons of it!

McDonnall Family BBQ

Sean is my new extended family here and it meant a lot to me that I got invited to one of his own family BBQs. Since I have a great memory for names, I felt like I already knew all his brothers and sisters. His nephew was having his first communnion so the family all got together at Sean's house which is next door to his parents. He had all the BBQ goodies there and Tullia and I ate until we were stuffed and then ate some more. The occasion was his nephews first communion. Daragh went around to his family and neighbours to collect money, which he made a small fortune.

When night started closing in we headed inside for a sing song. Sean has a few guitars so between Dom, Tom, Colin and Sean there was always a tune being strum. Even his little nephew Conner climbed under the kitchen counter with a guitar and started singing away. Sung a few irish songs as well, and even impressed Da McDonnell with my 'extensive' Irish as we had a chat in Irish.

As we got a bit peckish, Tullia and I had to fight for the last of the ribs and when they ran out before we were satisfied, we were promised another future barbque. As the night drew to a close, our voices ragged from singing, we filled up on chili before jumping into a taxi. All around good family night, although it was not my own, I never felt like an outsider.

Strange Anomaly #41

There are little to no yards here. So how can you have a yard sale you may ask? Well, a Car Boot Sale. The boot is the trunk of the car, so you put all the stuff you are going to sell in your boot and when it starts raining you just close it. Genius!

Strange Anomaly #40

Telephone calls you always have to pay for no matter what. They always wondered why Americans talked so much on the phone, which getting free local calls will let all those teenage girls chat for hours!

Catherine's 30th Birthday for 4th of July

Catherine's 30th happened to coincide with the 4th of July so double reasons to celebrate. It was a small celebration at her new place on the sea, Tutti, Ruth and her boyfriends, the two of use and Catherine's boyfriend Andrew. We all brought our own meat, and she had all the fixins. Hot dogs, burgers, potato salad and sweets! We were in heaven. It threatened to rain, but luckily it only drizzled for a few minutes before leaving the sky blue all the way out over the sea.

We ate until we could not eat any more while Andrew and Ben cooked away. We had a bit of cake just to top off the night for Catherine's birthday. We all caught the last train back to Dublin, a 45 mintue cab ride would have been a bit out of our budget!

Strange Anomaly #39

There is graffiti here, but not of the caliber or the extent that you see in other towns, it is better then most European cities. There are some places in Dublin that encourage the artists to use their graffiti skills that change every few months or so.

Playing with cute kids/kitties

I miss playing with my kitties and no one here has animals. That makes me sad since the zoo is so expensive and I was in need of cuddle time. With Maurizo's birthday, him needing a night out with his soon to be wife, and the fact that they are leaving to move back home soon; Tullia and I volunteered to watch their kids. Tutti is Camilla's godmother and I had met Nora a few times so when we showed up in all the pink that we own (the two and four year old girls love pink, big shock) they were so happy to see us. I don't really own pink so I had to make due with orange and purple which worn together sort of look pinkish.

I knew to come bearing gifts, so I brought mix to make chocolate chip cookies and marshmallows. When Camilla threw the fastest temper tantrum, Nora bribed her out of crying with the marshmallows. Glad we brought the sweets! We watched cartoons, they helped me stir the cookies, the older boy helped me put them on the cookie sheet, and then they were the best little helpers in helping me eat them.

The girls were extra cuddly and we giggled, ran around, bounced, painted our nails and I got to brush through the largest near deadlock mat of curls in the back of Nora's head. It was a bit of a miracle that I got through 95% of it. Detta was shocked later that night I managed to do it, but when I have them distracted with pinkilicious candy, cartoons and chocolate chip cookies, it all really helps.

Tutti made some the best gnocchi which the kids gobbled up. The youngest even ate our portions as well. Not that we were eating much but still. Good little eater. Once the kids were fed, each girl curled up with us and promptly fell asleep. I even had their cat snuggle up to me and fall asleep as well. I was in heaven. Alfredo helped us put the girls to bed and we tucked in with our wine and watch some more cartoons. He even put himself to bed and we had a nice night then the two of us chatting. The worst part was it was a Sunday night and when we finally walked ourselves home at 1:00 I knew that Monday was going to be a long day...... but it was worth it!