here is the story morning glory!

So just a quick update. Richy and I will hopefully be stateside the first week in Dec. Keep the prayers coming that everything goes smooth with the very final immigration steps. We decided to save some money and stop paying rent in Dublin, so we are now based at Richy's parents in Madden, Northern Ireland. We will be spending lots of time in Cavan with Steven and Andrea as well! Once we get to the states we will probably be staying with my parents until we get jobs and immigration stuff that we have to deal with on that end sorted...yes it continues! bla!

We are so so lucky to have supportive families who are willing to do what they can to make this process easier. It was hard to leave our cute little flat in Dublin, but I feel like a little chapter has come to a close with a new chapter just waiting to be written. In the mean time I'm intrigued with the differences that come with living in Northern Ireland as opposed to Ireland...2 different countries you know....

More blogging to come! Really just about 30 some odd days and we should be on our way to the U. S . of A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"polishing me boots"

October Dip

Someone wanted a morning dip in the 40ft! Lucky it is 65 degrees out! Now into Dublin for a good wander!

Lions and Tigers and Bears..Oh My!

Last week the rain stopped long enough for Richy and I to head to the Dublin zoo! Here are some of my favorite shots!

Is it wrong I wanted to make him into a rug?!!
I'm convinced this big kitty is eating a sheep from the petting zoo.....plenty to go around here in Ireland...?
My dream is to visit Africa and see the animals in their natural environment!
Richy made me call the hogs in front of this .....Hog
Two new friends?! Too cute!
Searching for the elephants...
They were kinda giving us the cold shoulder..don't ya think!?

Living is in the details.

The other day Richy and I had the afternoon free (most afternoons are free) but we weren't working on portfolio work, etc. so we decided to hit a free art gallery. On the stroll back along the canal, there were market stands selling gourmet foods. Anything from cup cakes, to duck eggs, to fruit, to specialist sausages.

We needed some fruit so Richy and I got talking to the fruit man, deciding what we were going to get. After deciding on Strawberries, grapes, and pineapple, the man said to Richy, "where ya from boy"? Richy said, "I'm from Armagh." The man, "ahh I could hear that in your accent, do you know the Moores?" Richy, "yeah yeah I know them, do you know Francie Moore?" "Francie Moore.....does he sell fruit by the cathedral?" Richy, "aye he does". Man, "well do you know the Mc Parlands?" and this went on for about 5 minutes! Then he looks at me and says and where are you from, you're not from Armagh....? I was scared to tell him for fear he knew every Irish family in Arkansas. Anyway, "Arkansas...a long ways from Armagh", I said. He looked at me and smiled.

Then he looked at Richy and said "ah well you have a quar beautiful lady there son." (picture this in a thick Irish Accent too please)

And that was that! I loved the complement, but the word "quar" had me baffled. When I asked Richy he hardly knew what it meant, but said it means very or really...kinda an exaggerated term.

I blog about this strange little story because it adds to the whole experience. The random interactions with people of a different culture keeps things so interesting for me. Kinda like design is in the details, well so is living abroad and traveling for that matter. All of these details add up to give me one overall view and love of Ireland. I don't ever want to forget the details!

Gospel Choir

Last night Richy surprised me with a trip across town to see the Dublin Gospel Choir. I'd been wanting to do this for some time, so was excited to see what this was all about! In a weird way it reminded me of sister act...probably only cause they were preforming during Catholic Mass. They were excellent. After Mass we headed to the pub down the street no doubt! The Cobblestone. It looks ruff from the outside, but once in has a nice eclectic crowd. A large group playing Irish music were in the front of the pub. Then home for dinner! A fun and different night out!

North, South, East, West

Just realizing that in a year and some change, we've seen so so much of Ireland! Coast to Coast really! It helps that Ireland is the size of West Virginia! I love love love this little Island's coasts!

North Coast

South Coast



East Coast


West Coast

Face Lift

I finally gave in and gave my blog a facelift! New look for new phase of my life! Can't decide what to call the blog after I'm no longer living in Dublin...?? Any ideas?! Will I just keep it the same?! Help!!

young and fancy free...Leah to Dublin

Leah got picked to sample whiskeys at the Jameson factory...the first taste doesn't look good...
looking happier now...?
The weirdest pub in Julie's new town near Galway.
In our favorite not weird bar in Dublin!
The girls on the River Liffy
Leah and Ann in the weird pub!
Julie, Leah, Ann, and I all in the weird little pub! Gave us so much to talk about! :)

I was speaking with Leah (my little sister) a few weeks ago and told her she needed one more trip to Dublin. This was on a Wednesday...she explained that she didn't have anymore time off besides next week. So after discussing this over with our friend Ann (Leah's roommate and co-worker) the two of them booked a flight on Friday to have them in Dublin the Tuesday morning! Fantastic!

We had a great time playing around in Dublin (even tried on a few wedding dresses), made a trip to Galway to stay with Julie in her new seaside cottage, and even a trip to Belfast! I was so so happy they could squeeze one last trip in! Here are a few pics from their stay! Sorry Richy...you must have been taking all the pics.. Maybe once Leah catches up on work she'll send me more pics..she did the majority of picture taking! :)