Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Today had some disappointing events. I never got a call from the pharmacy about the job. I will give it till tomorrow to hear back from them, and then I will call myself. I also did not sell out for the first time today down at Teresa’s. The Irish don’t seem to be as fond of confectionary items as they are bread-like items. I sold out of the pumpkin cookies quickly, but was left with three out of the five bags of puppy chow (I did rename it). I was going to go for a walk today, but I didn’t think I could manage not getting soaked by the cold rain that rarely lets up for more than 15 minutes. It was a little warmer today than yesterday, but still in the high 40s, low 50s. The wind and the dampness from the rain make it feel even colder. The sun rises at 8 and sets at 5. In between there is a mix of rain and sun. I never would have believed how much it rains here. I would think that the whole country would have to be flooded.
Last night I lay awake plotting my trip to Italy. I think I figured out that if I can leave the 4th then I can take a flight to Bologna and a 50 minute train to Florence where I can remain the 4,5,6, and leave on the 7th for Frankfurt and take the overnight train to meet my parents. I actually only spend an additional 50 Euros doing all that and probably save money by spending it on food in Italy where it is cheaper than Ireland, especially Dublin where I would be instead. It’s a thought.
I finished my Nancy Drew novel today. I couldn’t put it down. It’s an easy read; I admit. The case of the Glowing Eye, yea yea yea, a bit corny but entertaining. At 5pm Zach and I left to meet Marat and Jordi for Spanish lessons – Paula couldn’t make it today. Jordi divided his time between Zach and me, but was more apt at teaching beginner Spanish, so Zach joined in on Marta and Benedict’s more advanced lesson. At 7 Jordi left for futball practice, so I went back to the apartment to fix dinner while Zach stayed longer with the two girls. Amazingly it wasn’t raining when I walked back to the apartment and I was tempted to go for a run. However, I discovered that working out in the house is the best way to keep warm and feel better altogether. I threw together a make shift zumba routine for some nostalgic memories and a bit of a sweat. I had enough time to get a shower before Marta came over after her English lessons to help me bake the pumpkin cookies. I added a little extra of everything so she could take some home too. Instead of making the sandwich, this time I left them as a cookie with icing and Marta suggested sprinkles, or something on top. I got some chocolate squares and a carrot peeler and created shavings to sprinkle on top. It’s all about presentation and they look very gourmet. I’m hoping to redeem myself tomorrow!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Job? Dog? Italy? And story night!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The weather today was a bit improved. Still a lot of rain, even hail, but some sun too.
I interviewed for that job today and hopefully I will get a call back tomorrow saying that I have it! Even if I don’t take it, I wouldn’t want to ruin my record because so far every job I have ever interviewed for I have gotten. hehehe :) The job itself actually sounds appealing in the fact that I won’t be dealing with sick people. Not appealing in the fact that I would start at 6am! Yea - in the morning. They need extra delivery staff and I would work five days a week from 6-10 getting in the delivery, cataloging it, and setting it up before the customers come in. There is a team of four who do it and then are looking to hire more for the Christmas season. I think I would take the job if it is offered to me.
I also came very close to having a dog today. The GSPCA had a small dog they needed someone to care for till they could find a home. I saw the thing - it was very well trained by someone and didn’t bark and really didn’t lick much either. She would have been a great dog to have around the house. Since I would keep it till they found a home for it or till I left and not just for a weekend, I figured I better ask Teresa just in case. Zach was all for it. Teresa had previously said not to worry about anything, the house was ours to do with as we please, but I asked just in case. Good thing too because she said dogs were the one thing she did not like in the apartment. People were fine, but no dogs. She doesn’t like them. I was actually kind of surprised. I was sure she wouldn’t mind. It was the first time I felt some dislike toward her. However, I can understand having a general no pets policy. I would probably do the same thing if I were renting a place out. I think this dog would not have been a problem whatsoever, but exceptions are hard to make in running a business. So whatever, but it was a let down. I went back to the shelter in person to tell them the bad news and how sorry I was that it was so. They were very understanding and said not to worry that she was such a good dog, she should find a home quickly.
I went back home to start baking. While I was in a hail storm came up suddenly. We had already had a mix of sun and rain all morning, but this was crazy. Small pieces of ice, but lots of them for about 10 minutes. Then it turned to rain and the sun came back out 20 minutes later. Roberto described it perfectly when he said it is like someone is turning a nozzle on and off all day and night. Monica called me around 2 to see if I wanted to join her on her lunch break. We grabbed smoothies – her treat – and took them to the children’s section of the library – her favorite place. I was surprised that no one told us not to have the drinks in there. I love the children’s section now. We browsed through picking out ones that were our favorites and suggesting them to each other. I selected a Nancy Drew mystery to start reading and checked out a picture book on Victorian London as well as a chapter book Monica raved over. We sat in the floor of a back corner near a heater and read for a little while. I was so wrapped up in my Nancy Drew mystery that the full hour of break Monica had was suddenly over. We said goodbye and I went back home to start baking this time for real.
Baking in a foreign country requires converting recipes from Fahrenheit to Celsius and Standard to Metric and vice versa. Why can’t we all just be the same??? Oh well, at least I’m exercising my brain. It also might require one to use forks for mixers and thinking ahead making sure the butter is room temp so that it can blend without a mixer handy. I have a very limited kitchen, but I make do. My baking included pumpkin cookies and homemade cream cheese icing. The only cans of icing available here are chocolate and vanilla, so you have to more from scratch, which can be a good thing. I decided to try it, Cream cheese, vegetable fat, vanilla and powdered sugar. It was delicious! I was very thankful. Experimenting and needing it all to be good enough to sell is a little nerve racking. I also made puppy chow, using powdered sugar instead of glucose this time! It tastes about the same with the exception of the Wheaties substituted for the Crispix. Crispix is better.
There seem to be so many exciting moments followed by disappointments and more exciting moments in this little span of only two months. I wonder what the following month will hold. Today I was on Facebook and Maddie contacted me to inform me she is in Florence, since rumor had it I was in Europe! Oh, Florence! The cheapest flight I can get there is 100 Euro and it is over a weekend so it seems I can’t go. If I don’t get the job tomorrow I will do my absolute best to get there. I don’t suppose it’s worth the price I would have to pay but I’m thinking it over anyway. I’ve come to find I may never know.
It was my turn for dinner so I baked a version of spaghetti casserole. Pasta, chopped tomatoes with herbs in a can, ground beef, onion and red pepper boiled, browned, sautéed, and baked. It was pretty good but could have used another can of tomatoes.
The kitchen was warm after all the baking, so we’ve been keeping the doors to each room shut to hold heat better. The bathroom is always FREEZING. It has a vent to the roof that allows air to circulate, but it is the air from outside. So, the only hope for warmth is the water or the space heater.
After dinner, Zach and I went to story night. It was packed. So much so that Monica didn’t get in before they stopped letting people in. Story night is hippiesque in the Indie kind of way. I love it. I love the stories and music. Two girls used a mandolin and sang a beautiful song about wolves. It was a full moon tonight so it was fitting. They sounded kind of like the Dixie Chicks for a comparison. It is two hours long and everyone sits on the floor waiting for people to stand up and volunteer a story. Marta and Roberto showed up at 10 (during the break) when they got out of their English class. Some of the stories I remember from the night are in the post below.
The weather today was a bit improved. Still a lot of rain, even hail, but some sun too.
I interviewed for that job today and hopefully I will get a call back tomorrow saying that I have it! Even if I don’t take it, I wouldn’t want to ruin my record because so far every job I have ever interviewed for I have gotten. hehehe :) The job itself actually sounds appealing in the fact that I won’t be dealing with sick people. Not appealing in the fact that I would start at 6am! Yea - in the morning. They need extra delivery staff and I would work five days a week from 6-10 getting in the delivery, cataloging it, and setting it up before the customers come in. There is a team of four who do it and then are looking to hire more for the Christmas season. I think I would take the job if it is offered to me.
I also came very close to having a dog today. The GSPCA had a small dog they needed someone to care for till they could find a home. I saw the thing - it was very well trained by someone and didn’t bark and really didn’t lick much either. She would have been a great dog to have around the house. Since I would keep it till they found a home for it or till I left and not just for a weekend, I figured I better ask Teresa just in case. Zach was all for it. Teresa had previously said not to worry about anything, the house was ours to do with as we please, but I asked just in case. Good thing too because she said dogs were the one thing she did not like in the apartment. People were fine, but no dogs. She doesn’t like them. I was actually kind of surprised. I was sure she wouldn’t mind. It was the first time I felt some dislike toward her. However, I can understand having a general no pets policy. I would probably do the same thing if I were renting a place out. I think this dog would not have been a problem whatsoever, but exceptions are hard to make in running a business. So whatever, but it was a let down. I went back to the shelter in person to tell them the bad news and how sorry I was that it was so. They were very understanding and said not to worry that she was such a good dog, she should find a home quickly.
I went back home to start baking. While I was in a hail storm came up suddenly. We had already had a mix of sun and rain all morning, but this was crazy. Small pieces of ice, but lots of them for about 10 minutes. Then it turned to rain and the sun came back out 20 minutes later. Roberto described it perfectly when he said it is like someone is turning a nozzle on and off all day and night. Monica called me around 2 to see if I wanted to join her on her lunch break. We grabbed smoothies – her treat – and took them to the children’s section of the library – her favorite place. I was surprised that no one told us not to have the drinks in there. I love the children’s section now. We browsed through picking out ones that were our favorites and suggesting them to each other. I selected a Nancy Drew mystery to start reading and checked out a picture book on Victorian London as well as a chapter book Monica raved over. We sat in the floor of a back corner near a heater and read for a little while. I was so wrapped up in my Nancy Drew mystery that the full hour of break Monica had was suddenly over. We said goodbye and I went back home to start baking this time for real.
Baking in a foreign country requires converting recipes from Fahrenheit to Celsius and Standard to Metric and vice versa. Why can’t we all just be the same??? Oh well, at least I’m exercising my brain. It also might require one to use forks for mixers and thinking ahead making sure the butter is room temp so that it can blend without a mixer handy. I have a very limited kitchen, but I make do. My baking included pumpkin cookies and homemade cream cheese icing. The only cans of icing available here are chocolate and vanilla, so you have to more from scratch, which can be a good thing. I decided to try it, Cream cheese, vegetable fat, vanilla and powdered sugar. It was delicious! I was very thankful. Experimenting and needing it all to be good enough to sell is a little nerve racking. I also made puppy chow, using powdered sugar instead of glucose this time! It tastes about the same with the exception of the Wheaties substituted for the Crispix. Crispix is better.
There seem to be so many exciting moments followed by disappointments and more exciting moments in this little span of only two months. I wonder what the following month will hold. Today I was on Facebook and Maddie contacted me to inform me she is in Florence, since rumor had it I was in Europe! Oh, Florence! The cheapest flight I can get there is 100 Euro and it is over a weekend so it seems I can’t go. If I don’t get the job tomorrow I will do my absolute best to get there. I don’t suppose it’s worth the price I would have to pay but I’m thinking it over anyway. I’ve come to find I may never know.
It was my turn for dinner so I baked a version of spaghetti casserole. Pasta, chopped tomatoes with herbs in a can, ground beef, onion and red pepper boiled, browned, sautéed, and baked. It was pretty good but could have used another can of tomatoes.
The kitchen was warm after all the baking, so we’ve been keeping the doors to each room shut to hold heat better. The bathroom is always FREEZING. It has a vent to the roof that allows air to circulate, but it is the air from outside. So, the only hope for warmth is the water or the space heater.
After dinner, Zach and I went to story night. It was packed. So much so that Monica didn’t get in before they stopped letting people in. Story night is hippiesque in the Indie kind of way. I love it. I love the stories and music. Two girls used a mandolin and sang a beautiful song about wolves. It was a full moon tonight so it was fitting. They sounded kind of like the Dixie Chicks for a comparison. It is two hours long and everyone sits on the floor waiting for people to stand up and volunteer a story. Marta and Roberto showed up at 10 (during the break) when they got out of their English class. Some of the stories I remember from the night are in the post below.
Stories
This story was told at the November storytelling session:
All people know that on all Hallow’s Eve you dress up as dead so that the spirits who are allowed to walk the Earth that night do not pull you back to the grave with them. What most people do not know is that there is another day that mirrors this one in May called May’s Eve. The people of Ireland know this very well and on this night no one goes outside. Everyone stays in with doors and windows locked. Family and friends are invited over and there is much merriment and laughter for it is the laughter that keeps the spirits who walk the Earth away on this night. Many years ago there was a woman named Peggy. Peggy’s husband had just died the previous year and she was very sad even though all her friends and family were gathered around her on this evening of May’s Eve. She was sitting and thinking when she decided to go for a walk. The sun had not yet set, and she needed some fresh air, so she slipped out of the house unnoticed. She was walking for awhile and thinking when all the sudden she looked around and she had arrived at the field she and her husband had kept when he was alive. It had been a long time since she had tended to this field. It had weeds where potatoes and carrots had once been. Her husband had encouraged her to plant a few rose bushes near one end saying that food for the belly was all well and good, but they needed to have food for the eyes as well. She found these bushes all grown over with weeds and she stooped down and began pulling at the weeds furiously, pushing back to reveal a single rose. She stopped and stared then she noticed the sky was as red as blood. The sun was setting just above the trees. She started with a fright. Everything was dead silent. No cows were mooing, no tree was blowing, dead silence. She was suddenly very afraid. She knew she had to get back to the house quick for anyone out on May’s Eve when the sun went down was as good as dead. She tried to run but her legs felt like lead. She couldn’t move fast enough. The sun had set and she was turning the corner towards her street when she heard *clop*clop*clop. She turned and saw a goat standing behind her. His hooves *clop*clop as he walked closer. He stopped and started into her with glassy yellow eyes. Peggy shuddered and turned around to keep going. She ran as fast as she could until she heard a *tap*tap*tap. She whisked around expecting to see the goat, but he was no where in sight. She kept going, and that’s when she saw him sitting perched on the stone wall just ahead of her near her house. She could hear the laughter and see the light. So close. The goat was sitting upright with hooves crossed over his chest and his back legs dangling and hooves *tap*tap on the stone wall. He started at her. She looked away and kept moving past. Nothing happened. Just as she thought she had made it, the goat leapt off the wall and onto her back. One hoof one each shoulder and sides. He was grasping tight with a mighty pinch. She could feel the breath from its nose buried in her neck. The growl from its throat was not of this world. It held to her fast crippling her movement. She struggled to get to the door. She was within reach, but the goat pinched her tighter and she could barely move. She was hunched over nearly crawling. The thing had her, she couldn’t reach the door. With the little strength she had left, she reached up and blessed herself - crossing her heart. The goat snarled. She did it again. He was growing furious. She did it a third time. The goat released her and she flung herself at the door. She was inside. The goat was gone! Her family and friends came rushing toward her. They assured her she would be alright. She was frantic. They helped her to her feet and told her to stand up. She revealed that she was standing. She could stand no further. Her back was still hunched. She had been crippled by the demon and now bore the mark of the beast. She lived to tell her story many times but she lived a lonely life because no one wanted to go to near the woman who bore the mark of the beast.
Two other people related stories of their travels in Japan, Malaysia, and India.
One man was visiting a family in Japan for the first time. While there an Uncle of theirs died and he was invited to the funeral. He agreed to go. In Japan, bodies are cremated and but buried. He said that the body was downstairs in this place they went. Upstairs they ate dinner and then returned downstairs and the body had been burnt and was not only bones. It was custom for everyone present at the funeral to take a pair of chopsticks and pick up a bone to be placed in an urn. He was observing this custom not thinking he would have to be a participant, but when it came around to be his turn, the family insisted he use the chopsticks to pick up a bone. He tried to object since he was not very skilled at using chopsticks, but the vehemently insisted. He tried and ended up dropping the bone. He was mortified and quickly picked it up with his hand and placed it in the urn. The family was shocked, but there was nothing that could be done about it. His story ended here.
Another man talked about his travels to Malaysia and India. The Asian sense of humor is very different from most. He said he was teaching English and the children would laugh at their classmates when they got something wrong, or if they injured themselves. To what extend this is actually true, I am not sure, but I do know that their sense of humor is based on something very different than what most Americans know. In India, he told of a city where all Hindus try to go to die. Here it is said the soul can be released from the cycle of reincarnation. The Ganges river is very sacred, but it is also very unsanitary. This I knew. Sewage drains empty into the river, yet they see it as untarnished Holy water fit for drinking, bathing and blessing. They also burn their dead, but in the case of a mother who dies in childbirth or during pregnancy, her whole body is thrown into the river because it is said to be pure. He said in one place he had been eating dinner at a restaurant up top a roof and the smoke from a fire was blowing overhead. He didn’t think much of it till he went downstairs and saw that the fire was one used to burn the bodies of their dead and there were many wailers gathered around mourning the deceased. It is said that the more people who mourn your death, the better afterlife you will have, so often people hire mourners to be at the deceased’s funeral. This seems like it could be true, but it was interesting to hear about another nonwestern culture nonetheless.
Dejame que te cuente is a Spanish book about stories told by psychologist Jorge Bucay.
All people know that on all Hallow’s Eve you dress up as dead so that the spirits who are allowed to walk the Earth that night do not pull you back to the grave with them. What most people do not know is that there is another day that mirrors this one in May called May’s Eve. The people of Ireland know this very well and on this night no one goes outside. Everyone stays in with doors and windows locked. Family and friends are invited over and there is much merriment and laughter for it is the laughter that keeps the spirits who walk the Earth away on this night. Many years ago there was a woman named Peggy. Peggy’s husband had just died the previous year and she was very sad even though all her friends and family were gathered around her on this evening of May’s Eve. She was sitting and thinking when she decided to go for a walk. The sun had not yet set, and she needed some fresh air, so she slipped out of the house unnoticed. She was walking for awhile and thinking when all the sudden she looked around and she had arrived at the field she and her husband had kept when he was alive. It had been a long time since she had tended to this field. It had weeds where potatoes and carrots had once been. Her husband had encouraged her to plant a few rose bushes near one end saying that food for the belly was all well and good, but they needed to have food for the eyes as well. She found these bushes all grown over with weeds and she stooped down and began pulling at the weeds furiously, pushing back to reveal a single rose. She stopped and stared then she noticed the sky was as red as blood. The sun was setting just above the trees. She started with a fright. Everything was dead silent. No cows were mooing, no tree was blowing, dead silence. She was suddenly very afraid. She knew she had to get back to the house quick for anyone out on May’s Eve when the sun went down was as good as dead. She tried to run but her legs felt like lead. She couldn’t move fast enough. The sun had set and she was turning the corner towards her street when she heard *clop*clop*clop. She turned and saw a goat standing behind her. His hooves *clop*clop as he walked closer. He stopped and started into her with glassy yellow eyes. Peggy shuddered and turned around to keep going. She ran as fast as she could until she heard a *tap*tap*tap. She whisked around expecting to see the goat, but he was no where in sight. She kept going, and that’s when she saw him sitting perched on the stone wall just ahead of her near her house. She could hear the laughter and see the light. So close. The goat was sitting upright with hooves crossed over his chest and his back legs dangling and hooves *tap*tap on the stone wall. He started at her. She looked away and kept moving past. Nothing happened. Just as she thought she had made it, the goat leapt off the wall and onto her back. One hoof one each shoulder and sides. He was grasping tight with a mighty pinch. She could feel the breath from its nose buried in her neck. The growl from its throat was not of this world. It held to her fast crippling her movement. She struggled to get to the door. She was within reach, but the goat pinched her tighter and she could barely move. She was hunched over nearly crawling. The thing had her, she couldn’t reach the door. With the little strength she had left, she reached up and blessed herself - crossing her heart. The goat snarled. She did it again. He was growing furious. She did it a third time. The goat released her and she flung herself at the door. She was inside. The goat was gone! Her family and friends came rushing toward her. They assured her she would be alright. She was frantic. They helped her to her feet and told her to stand up. She revealed that she was standing. She could stand no further. Her back was still hunched. She had been crippled by the demon and now bore the mark of the beast. She lived to tell her story many times but she lived a lonely life because no one wanted to go to near the woman who bore the mark of the beast.
Two other people related stories of their travels in Japan, Malaysia, and India.
One man was visiting a family in Japan for the first time. While there an Uncle of theirs died and he was invited to the funeral. He agreed to go. In Japan, bodies are cremated and but buried. He said that the body was downstairs in this place they went. Upstairs they ate dinner and then returned downstairs and the body had been burnt and was not only bones. It was custom for everyone present at the funeral to take a pair of chopsticks and pick up a bone to be placed in an urn. He was observing this custom not thinking he would have to be a participant, but when it came around to be his turn, the family insisted he use the chopsticks to pick up a bone. He tried to object since he was not very skilled at using chopsticks, but the vehemently insisted. He tried and ended up dropping the bone. He was mortified and quickly picked it up with his hand and placed it in the urn. The family was shocked, but there was nothing that could be done about it. His story ended here.
Another man talked about his travels to Malaysia and India. The Asian sense of humor is very different from most. He said he was teaching English and the children would laugh at their classmates when they got something wrong, or if they injured themselves. To what extend this is actually true, I am not sure, but I do know that their sense of humor is based on something very different than what most Americans know. In India, he told of a city where all Hindus try to go to die. Here it is said the soul can be released from the cycle of reincarnation. The Ganges river is very sacred, but it is also very unsanitary. This I knew. Sewage drains empty into the river, yet they see it as untarnished Holy water fit for drinking, bathing and blessing. They also burn their dead, but in the case of a mother who dies in childbirth or during pregnancy, her whole body is thrown into the river because it is said to be pure. He said in one place he had been eating dinner at a restaurant up top a roof and the smoke from a fire was blowing overhead. He didn’t think much of it till he went downstairs and saw that the fire was one used to burn the bodies of their dead and there were many wailers gathered around mourning the deceased. It is said that the more people who mourn your death, the better afterlife you will have, so often people hire mourners to be at the deceased’s funeral. This seems like it could be true, but it was interesting to hear about another nonwestern culture nonetheless.
Dejame que te cuente is a Spanish book about stories told by psychologist Jorge Bucay.
An Indoors Day
Monday, November 2, 2009
Today I got out of bed at 1:30pm. I literally did not wake up till 11:50 and then stayed in bed for a bit dozing in and out. I obviously had some sleep to catch up on. It was so cold outside and even in my room; I had no desire to leave the warmth of my duvet. When I finally did get up, I went to buy internet and returned home. Yeah!!! I have internet! He remainder of the day was spent inside. I wrote journals and read and watched an old Michael Caine movie called “Then There Were Giants”. It is almost like a documentary, but an older theatrical interpretation of correspondence between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin during WWII. It gets dark very early and all I could hear was rain. Rain all day long! The only highlight of the day was a call from Boots pharmacy about a job opening. I didn’t recognize the number and I thought it may be the interior decorating place I recently turned a CV into. However, it was the pharmacy that still had my CV from September. The man did not say exactly what the job was, but to come in for an interview tomorrow at 11.
Today I got out of bed at 1:30pm. I literally did not wake up till 11:50 and then stayed in bed for a bit dozing in and out. I obviously had some sleep to catch up on. It was so cold outside and even in my room; I had no desire to leave the warmth of my duvet. When I finally did get up, I went to buy internet and returned home. Yeah!!! I have internet! He remainder of the day was spent inside. I wrote journals and read and watched an old Michael Caine movie called “Then There Were Giants”. It is almost like a documentary, but an older theatrical interpretation of correspondence between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin during WWII. It gets dark very early and all I could hear was rain. Rain all day long! The only highlight of the day was a call from Boots pharmacy about a job opening. I didn’t recognize the number and I thought it may be the interior decorating place I recently turned a CV into. However, it was the pharmacy that still had my CV from September. The man did not say exactly what the job was, but to come in for an interview tomorrow at 11.
Monday, November 2, 2009
updates
London has been written! It is a lot, but I love the city, so take the time to read if you can. I still need to get pictures up, but they will all surface sometime after Nov. 14 - Halloween and London
The First of Many Goodbyes
Sunday, November 01, 2009
The day started off at 11:50am. I rolled out of bed wishing I had about 3 more hours to sleep for my wonderful nine hours a night! While walking Shop St., one guy today said “Hey runner girl”. It took me a minute to figure out it was the guy from the Galway half marathon I “ran”. He remembered me. We also saw into Julie from last night. She was the Austrian. I really like her. She has the warming kind of personality that just makes you feel at ease. She stood there and talked to us for awhile. I even learned some German. Ich heisse – my name is and wo ist die toilette – where is the bathroom. She was waiting on Johanna to go to a football match. We said goodbye to them and carried on with our day.
The people I’ve met have been wonderful. Teresa was telling me about people who enjoy traveling tend to be in the mindset of making friends. They are also in the frame of mind to allow experiences to affect them in a more open minded way. I suppose this is true of the people I have met while abraod.
I had mentioned to Marta last night that I might try to put together a scavenger hunt to play at Marzia’s going away party. I came up with the clues while walking around today. There were six stops not too far from each other that included Oscar Wilde statue, King’s Head pub, telephone booth, Bridge Mills School, a life preserver, the library and the final location back at Marta and Jordi’s apartment. It was a lot of fun thinking of clues. It reminded me of the birthday party Sarah and I had when we turned 13 I think. We had car loads of girls being driven all around Gastonia for a city wide scavenger hunt that our wonderful families had set up for us.
After our break, Mrs. Kester found us to say her final goodbye and hand over some subway coupons. She said to just call George about moving in to their apartment. If only he would be in Singapore a week later we could leave our apartment and then stay in a hostel for a few days, but I wouldn’t want to stay in a hostel for ten days.
One thing about all the rain in Ireland is that it makes for some beautiful and dynamic clouds when it isn’t raining. Today was very cold, especially when the sun went down. The coldest it has been yet. It was like October was mild and then all the sudden BOOM – November – COLD.
Zach and I were supposed to be at the Spanish house (I will not call Marta and Jordi’s which includes Roberto as of today) by 9:30. We arrived a little before 10 because it took us awhile to set up the clues and stop by the only open convenience store to get a prize. I was going to try and mix ice cream with a soda, but it was so cold we decided a bottle of wine would be better.
When we arrived a spread of potato tortilla containing chorizo salami and a delicious pasta casserole with béchamel cheese sauce were placed on the table for all to enjoy. Dessert was a Venetta – the folded ice cream with chocolate shavings. We sat around for a bit telling jokes. Demelsa was back from holiday with her au pair family and she told a few corny jokes about tomatoes and potatoes. Marta told a few more and we went out to find our clues. It started raining at the second spot, so we ran from there picking up clues and deciphering them for the next location. They seemed to enjoy it and appreciate the game, but I wish it hadn’t started raining in addition to the cold. Everyone was bundled in at least two jackets over many other layers. The clues led back to the apartment where a bottle of wine was waiting to be opened. We all had a glass and sat around talking waiting on Marzia’s bus to leave. She was catching the 2am bus to Dublin to catch a plane back to Milan. A little before 2 we all strolled down to the bus stop and sent her off with many goodbyes, but not before she realized she had left her camera’s memory card back at the apartment. Jordi was able to use his futball skills and sprint to the apartment and back just in time to save the day…er…night. We all quickly hurried home because it was so cold!
The day started off at 11:50am. I rolled out of bed wishing I had about 3 more hours to sleep for my wonderful nine hours a night! While walking Shop St., one guy today said “Hey runner girl”. It took me a minute to figure out it was the guy from the Galway half marathon I “ran”. He remembered me. We also saw into Julie from last night. She was the Austrian. I really like her. She has the warming kind of personality that just makes you feel at ease. She stood there and talked to us for awhile. I even learned some German. Ich heisse – my name is and wo ist die toilette – where is the bathroom. She was waiting on Johanna to go to a football match. We said goodbye to them and carried on with our day.
The people I’ve met have been wonderful. Teresa was telling me about people who enjoy traveling tend to be in the mindset of making friends. They are also in the frame of mind to allow experiences to affect them in a more open minded way. I suppose this is true of the people I have met while abraod.
I had mentioned to Marta last night that I might try to put together a scavenger hunt to play at Marzia’s going away party. I came up with the clues while walking around today. There were six stops not too far from each other that included Oscar Wilde statue, King’s Head pub, telephone booth, Bridge Mills School, a life preserver, the library and the final location back at Marta and Jordi’s apartment. It was a lot of fun thinking of clues. It reminded me of the birthday party Sarah and I had when we turned 13 I think. We had car loads of girls being driven all around Gastonia for a city wide scavenger hunt that our wonderful families had set up for us.
After our break, Mrs. Kester found us to say her final goodbye and hand over some subway coupons. She said to just call George about moving in to their apartment. If only he would be in Singapore a week later we could leave our apartment and then stay in a hostel for a few days, but I wouldn’t want to stay in a hostel for ten days.
One thing about all the rain in Ireland is that it makes for some beautiful and dynamic clouds when it isn’t raining. Today was very cold, especially when the sun went down. The coldest it has been yet. It was like October was mild and then all the sudden BOOM – November – COLD.
Zach and I were supposed to be at the Spanish house (I will not call Marta and Jordi’s which includes Roberto as of today) by 9:30. We arrived a little before 10 because it took us awhile to set up the clues and stop by the only open convenience store to get a prize. I was going to try and mix ice cream with a soda, but it was so cold we decided a bottle of wine would be better.
When we arrived a spread of potato tortilla containing chorizo salami and a delicious pasta casserole with béchamel cheese sauce were placed on the table for all to enjoy. Dessert was a Venetta – the folded ice cream with chocolate shavings. We sat around for a bit telling jokes. Demelsa was back from holiday with her au pair family and she told a few corny jokes about tomatoes and potatoes. Marta told a few more and we went out to find our clues. It started raining at the second spot, so we ran from there picking up clues and deciphering them for the next location. They seemed to enjoy it and appreciate the game, but I wish it hadn’t started raining in addition to the cold. Everyone was bundled in at least two jackets over many other layers. The clues led back to the apartment where a bottle of wine was waiting to be opened. We all had a glass and sat around talking waiting on Marzia’s bus to leave. She was catching the 2am bus to Dublin to catch a plane back to Milan. A little before 2 we all strolled down to the bus stop and sent her off with many goodbyes, but not before she realized she had left her camera’s memory card back at the apartment. Jordi was able to use his futball skills and sprint to the apartment and back just in time to save the day…er…night. We all quickly hurried home because it was so cold!
Some people like to ruin things for others…can’t let them – Oh, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN via Ireland!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Working for Eddie Rockets provides for some interesting conversation and thought, which might not normally occur so that’s a plus. I actually like the job as far as the people goes. Everyone is so friendly that we work with, the food is good and the job isn’t that bad. It is mainly the weather that can make or break a day. Today the weather was nice enough. When we took our break we were asking if we could stop by the Spanish Arch where they were doing a reenactment of Thriller at 4. Mei said it would be fine, and then John himself came in just in from China. He had spent 26 hours in transit with many delayed and rerouted flights. It was crazy. I’ve never heard of such bad luck, but he was just glad to be back. He is actually a really cool boss. He came in with a newly shaved Mohawk and a black jacket with a stud necklace – complete opposite of the camo jacket and orange ball cap he left with. It threw me off guard. He stayed and talked to us about how our weeks of travel had been and described his trip to China. He liked it better the last time he went, but enjoyed it enough. He told us he lost his phone and therefore source of internet since China doesn’t let foreigners use internet very often. He said he was kicked out of an internet café for being foreign since they control dissemination of information in China. He said it was amazing how dependent you become on internet. Zach and I said we knew about that all too well and John told us that we should go over to the other Eddie Rockets and use Wifi there free. He’d tell the staff to serve us while we sit there as long as we want. HAHA – wish I would have known about that two months ago, but it is a 20 minute walk.
The main event of the day had occurred just before taking our break and it happened to me. I was at the end of our route where the pedestrian area forks. I was on one side and Zach the other doing what we always do. I asked a family if they would like a stamp and the man came up to me saying I was a long way from home. I wasn’t sure what he meant by this, but assuming he’d picked up on my American accent I said yes. Then he proceeded to get closer to me and say “No, I mean you’re a long way from home. You need to go back to Eddie Rockets”. I wasn’t sure why he was saying this, or why he cared. It was all very confusing to me at the moment. When I replied that I was allowed to be here and asked why he was saying that, he proceeded to grab my elbow and push me back up the street saying I was a long ways from home. He told me he was going to call the community warden and report me. I broke away from his hand and told him not to touch me and that I had every right to do what I was doing and I am sorry he seemed to dislike me. I walked over to Zach on the other side of the street and told him what was happening. The man had walked back to his family once I had moved up the street, but by this time I was boiling. My mission was to the find the police who were usually walking around. I was half way back up the street before I found a Guarda officer. I explained to him what had happened and asked if I was in the right. He said I was correct and had every right to do what I was doing. He told me the man must be crazy and asked me to take him to the man. I said he was probably gone by now, but I gave his description to the officer. It was time for us to take a break and that’s when I headed back to Eddie Rockets.
When I told John what had happened he said he wished he had been there and he would have given the fellow a piece of his mind for being so racist. I had considered the idea, but I couldn’t really believe it. I had been so confused as to why the man kept saying what he did, but I guess maybe he hates Americans and his “far away from home” had two meanings.
When we went back out to Shop Street I kept looking for the man, but I didn’t see him. We headed to over to watch the Thriller show which was pretty cool. There was a huge crowd gathered by the river. The music started and a crowd of zombies come out and did the Michael Jackson Thriller dance. Zach and I escaped the crowd and headed them off to stamp a few people. After a lap up and down the street I saw the man again in about the same place. I warned Zach and sure enough the man came up to us again. He started off saying “I warned you already. I’m going to report you.” I calmly let him speak his peace then replied “Sir, I am sorry to tell you, but we have every right to be here and I have informed the Guarda about you. They are on alert”. At this he mumbled something and backed off, returning to his wife (who could only be just as crazy to support that). I haven’t seen him since.
I did find the community warden. I would say I am on a good acquaintance basis with him (I’ve talked to him a few times). He sometimes walks around the streets as well, but not everyday. I went up to him and told him about the whole situation. He apologized for us having to run into such a disrespectful Irishman and told me that I could use his name with the man if I ever encountered him again.
Amongst all this I brought up the conversation of currency. It is crazy to think that people exchange paper for goods that actually have value. Currency only has value because we believe it has value. If you had no currency then you would have to try to barter with what materials you have. If you need bread but the baker doesn’t want anything you have then you must exchange elsewhere and hope to go back with something valuable to the baker in order to get food. The Chinese came up with the system of paper money I think. Before then it was just gold, which actually has value. If we ever decided to stop believing in currency then the economy would come to a halt. In this day and age when it would nearly be impossible for each individual to be self-sustainable we would all die if the economy collapsed. Think about it. If we had to go back to the barter system, we couldn’t do it. With only approximately 3 percent of the population actually being able to grow their own food we couldn’t actually support our needs. Even if we try to grow food, most people don’t have enough land to sustain enough food needed for a whole family.
After Eddie Rockets, I went home to prepare the apartment for company. Zach and I were hosting everyone else for a Halloween party. I mixed up a halved recipe of pumpkin bread and rearranged while Zach fixed the rice and veggies. We went over to Marta’s to get our faces painted before going out for the parade. We were short on time and all I got was the white base of my face before we needed to leave to make it to the parade.
The parade was small, but unique. It had a transportable stereo system, flame juggler on stilts, tall gray faced stone people, goulish drums and sax, and a gang of dancing dead following behind. The rest of the crowd paraded behind the performers following them down to St. Nicholas Church for the finale. At the front of the massive stone church were belly dancers, more flame jugglers, loud creepy music and a flaming tree. They shot off sparklers and some fireworks despite a small shower of rain towards the end of the show.
Everyone then went back to our apartment for food and continued face painting till about 11 when we left to meet up with another girl and start walking around. It was really fun being in a different country (that still celebrates Halloween). They have more of a festive atmosphere and not as much commercialism; the costumes are more creative and homemade. Don’t get me wrong, there were still plenty of slutty men and women walking around, but the numbers were not as high as at Chapel Hill. So, it was fun to still have so many people walking around, but with a larger percentage of resourceful ones. I’m sure the temperature factored into many people’s costume ideas.
The pubs were so crowded that we mostly walked around taking pictures with people. We finally found a table and stayed there most of the night. When it was time to leave, it had started pouring. Unwilling for the night to end everyone wanted to see if other places were still open. I regretfully informed them that I was going back to my apartment, so I got the key from Zach and had every intention of making a run for it. In my reluctance to get soaked I waited around with them till they picked a direction. In the mean time I got talked into joining them and everyone started chanting “Ole, ole ole ole”. Jordi and I shared a vampire cap to protect our faces from melting in the rain while we ran walked to the other side of the river. Turned out everywhere was closed and we rerouted back to the apartment with the addition of three new girls who were friends of Paula’s and also au pairs.
I stayed up till 5am hosting an apartment of people that seemed like a UN conference with Austria, France, Slovakia, US, Spain, Italy represented. I didn’t want to be rude, but I wasn’t up to talking much. I washed all the dishes from earlier so I could stay in the kitchen without having to be engaging. I did offer tea and a few accepted. Clara, Julie, Johanna were the three new ones and we were down a Monica who had gone home so she could get up early to meet her parents. We had almost enough seats, but Marta, Paula and I sat in the floor and chatted for a bit. Marta asked me the word for someone who is living in someone else’s house while they are away and unknown to them. I was trying to figure out a word, but all I could think of was bum. Vagrant or squatter would have worked better. It got me wondering and I think the English language is only one with a widely used Thesaurus.
After awhile someone suggested a group photo then everyone packed up to head home around 4. I cleaned up a little more then started the task or removing all the makeup I had on.
I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I was a black widow. The spider Marta painted on my face was AMAZING!!! It was exactly what I wanted. It took up one side of my face with its legs extending to my nose and eyes. The web was opposite taking up my cheek, chin and neck. My eyebrows were raised and the eye opposite the spider dropped down into a point. My chest was also white and I had a plastic spider resting on it. My hair was teased and tossed around and put half way up. I wore a black dress with black tights and shoes. I also still had the tattoos on my hands and wrists from the day before. I had been careful to draw back what had washed off. Marta really is an amazing artist who is able to use pretty much anything as her canvass.
Marta's handy work
Creepy Roberto
Thriller showing
Working for Eddie Rockets provides for some interesting conversation and thought, which might not normally occur so that’s a plus. I actually like the job as far as the people goes. Everyone is so friendly that we work with, the food is good and the job isn’t that bad. It is mainly the weather that can make or break a day. Today the weather was nice enough. When we took our break we were asking if we could stop by the Spanish Arch where they were doing a reenactment of Thriller at 4. Mei said it would be fine, and then John himself came in just in from China. He had spent 26 hours in transit with many delayed and rerouted flights. It was crazy. I’ve never heard of such bad luck, but he was just glad to be back. He is actually a really cool boss. He came in with a newly shaved Mohawk and a black jacket with a stud necklace – complete opposite of the camo jacket and orange ball cap he left with. It threw me off guard. He stayed and talked to us about how our weeks of travel had been and described his trip to China. He liked it better the last time he went, but enjoyed it enough. He told us he lost his phone and therefore source of internet since China doesn’t let foreigners use internet very often. He said he was kicked out of an internet café for being foreign since they control dissemination of information in China. He said it was amazing how dependent you become on internet. Zach and I said we knew about that all too well and John told us that we should go over to the other Eddie Rockets and use Wifi there free. He’d tell the staff to serve us while we sit there as long as we want. HAHA – wish I would have known about that two months ago, but it is a 20 minute walk.
The main event of the day had occurred just before taking our break and it happened to me. I was at the end of our route where the pedestrian area forks. I was on one side and Zach the other doing what we always do. I asked a family if they would like a stamp and the man came up to me saying I was a long way from home. I wasn’t sure what he meant by this, but assuming he’d picked up on my American accent I said yes. Then he proceeded to get closer to me and say “No, I mean you’re a long way from home. You need to go back to Eddie Rockets”. I wasn’t sure why he was saying this, or why he cared. It was all very confusing to me at the moment. When I replied that I was allowed to be here and asked why he was saying that, he proceeded to grab my elbow and push me back up the street saying I was a long ways from home. He told me he was going to call the community warden and report me. I broke away from his hand and told him not to touch me and that I had every right to do what I was doing and I am sorry he seemed to dislike me. I walked over to Zach on the other side of the street and told him what was happening. The man had walked back to his family once I had moved up the street, but by this time I was boiling. My mission was to the find the police who were usually walking around. I was half way back up the street before I found a Guarda officer. I explained to him what had happened and asked if I was in the right. He said I was correct and had every right to do what I was doing. He told me the man must be crazy and asked me to take him to the man. I said he was probably gone by now, but I gave his description to the officer. It was time for us to take a break and that’s when I headed back to Eddie Rockets.
When I told John what had happened he said he wished he had been there and he would have given the fellow a piece of his mind for being so racist. I had considered the idea, but I couldn’t really believe it. I had been so confused as to why the man kept saying what he did, but I guess maybe he hates Americans and his “far away from home” had two meanings.
When we went back out to Shop Street I kept looking for the man, but I didn’t see him. We headed to over to watch the Thriller show which was pretty cool. There was a huge crowd gathered by the river. The music started and a crowd of zombies come out and did the Michael Jackson Thriller dance. Zach and I escaped the crowd and headed them off to stamp a few people. After a lap up and down the street I saw the man again in about the same place. I warned Zach and sure enough the man came up to us again. He started off saying “I warned you already. I’m going to report you.” I calmly let him speak his peace then replied “Sir, I am sorry to tell you, but we have every right to be here and I have informed the Guarda about you. They are on alert”. At this he mumbled something and backed off, returning to his wife (who could only be just as crazy to support that). I haven’t seen him since.
I did find the community warden. I would say I am on a good acquaintance basis with him (I’ve talked to him a few times). He sometimes walks around the streets as well, but not everyday. I went up to him and told him about the whole situation. He apologized for us having to run into such a disrespectful Irishman and told me that I could use his name with the man if I ever encountered him again.
Amongst all this I brought up the conversation of currency. It is crazy to think that people exchange paper for goods that actually have value. Currency only has value because we believe it has value. If you had no currency then you would have to try to barter with what materials you have. If you need bread but the baker doesn’t want anything you have then you must exchange elsewhere and hope to go back with something valuable to the baker in order to get food. The Chinese came up with the system of paper money I think. Before then it was just gold, which actually has value. If we ever decided to stop believing in currency then the economy would come to a halt. In this day and age when it would nearly be impossible for each individual to be self-sustainable we would all die if the economy collapsed. Think about it. If we had to go back to the barter system, we couldn’t do it. With only approximately 3 percent of the population actually being able to grow their own food we couldn’t actually support our needs. Even if we try to grow food, most people don’t have enough land to sustain enough food needed for a whole family.
After Eddie Rockets, I went home to prepare the apartment for company. Zach and I were hosting everyone else for a Halloween party. I mixed up a halved recipe of pumpkin bread and rearranged while Zach fixed the rice and veggies. We went over to Marta’s to get our faces painted before going out for the parade. We were short on time and all I got was the white base of my face before we needed to leave to make it to the parade.
The parade was small, but unique. It had a transportable stereo system, flame juggler on stilts, tall gray faced stone people, goulish drums and sax, and a gang of dancing dead following behind. The rest of the crowd paraded behind the performers following them down to St. Nicholas Church for the finale. At the front of the massive stone church were belly dancers, more flame jugglers, loud creepy music and a flaming tree. They shot off sparklers and some fireworks despite a small shower of rain towards the end of the show.
Everyone then went back to our apartment for food and continued face painting till about 11 when we left to meet up with another girl and start walking around. It was really fun being in a different country (that still celebrates Halloween). They have more of a festive atmosphere and not as much commercialism; the costumes are more creative and homemade. Don’t get me wrong, there were still plenty of slutty men and women walking around, but the numbers were not as high as at Chapel Hill. So, it was fun to still have so many people walking around, but with a larger percentage of resourceful ones. I’m sure the temperature factored into many people’s costume ideas.
The pubs were so crowded that we mostly walked around taking pictures with people. We finally found a table and stayed there most of the night. When it was time to leave, it had started pouring. Unwilling for the night to end everyone wanted to see if other places were still open. I regretfully informed them that I was going back to my apartment, so I got the key from Zach and had every intention of making a run for it. In my reluctance to get soaked I waited around with them till they picked a direction. In the mean time I got talked into joining them and everyone started chanting “Ole, ole ole ole”. Jordi and I shared a vampire cap to protect our faces from melting in the rain while we ran walked to the other side of the river. Turned out everywhere was closed and we rerouted back to the apartment with the addition of three new girls who were friends of Paula’s and also au pairs.
I stayed up till 5am hosting an apartment of people that seemed like a UN conference with Austria, France, Slovakia, US, Spain, Italy represented. I didn’t want to be rude, but I wasn’t up to talking much. I washed all the dishes from earlier so I could stay in the kitchen without having to be engaging. I did offer tea and a few accepted. Clara, Julie, Johanna were the three new ones and we were down a Monica who had gone home so she could get up early to meet her parents. We had almost enough seats, but Marta, Paula and I sat in the floor and chatted for a bit. Marta asked me the word for someone who is living in someone else’s house while they are away and unknown to them. I was trying to figure out a word, but all I could think of was bum. Vagrant or squatter would have worked better. It got me wondering and I think the English language is only one with a widely used Thesaurus.
After awhile someone suggested a group photo then everyone packed up to head home around 4. I cleaned up a little more then started the task or removing all the makeup I had on.
I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I was a black widow. The spider Marta painted on my face was AMAZING!!! It was exactly what I wanted. It took up one side of my face with its legs extending to my nose and eyes. The web was opposite taking up my cheek, chin and neck. My eyebrows were raised and the eye opposite the spider dropped down into a point. My chest was also white and I had a plastic spider resting on it. My hair was teased and tossed around and put half way up. I wore a black dress with black tights and shoes. I also still had the tattoos on my hands and wrists from the day before. I had been careful to draw back what had washed off. Marta really is an amazing artist who is able to use pretty much anything as her canvass.
Marta's handy work
Creepy Roberto
Thriller showing
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