Jigs & Reels & Star Spangled Banners

Happy bird day!

2010-01-31T22:18:00.003Z

So my Birthday was the 21st of January. I had a lovely evening with Richy on Thursday and then Friday had dinner with my family and friends at Bordinos! It was a perfect night! Was so happy some of my besties could make it out!

Some of the girls!
This dude scares me a bit! But it was snuggie night on Dickson so we got or pic with one of the brave snuggie wearers.
Rich and I
As we were leaving, we realized that Ashley had a pinada' in the back of her car. Random I know but we thought it was funny to set the little unicorn on Dickson Street and watch people's reaction! Poor little guy got a beating! :)

Ellen and Ted!

2010-01-31T22:14:00.003Z

Ellen and Ted were in town over the New Year and we had a little something to celebrate with them!!! They are getting married too!!! Yipee! So excited for you guys and happy to get to spend some time with you! We hope to visit you in DC soon! :)

New Years

2010-01-31T22:08:00.004Z

So I'm going back a bit! For New Years Eve Richy and I went to spend some time in Eureka Springs, AR. My parents have a little holiday home about 10 minutes from there on the lake so it worked perfect for us! Here are some pics from the trip!

We came across the coolest retro, vintage shop...I wanted to take home this chair!
Richy wanted to see what the big Jesus was all about!
Crystal clear day!
View from the lake house!

today..in the snow

2010-01-31T22:00:00.004Z

So I've been a terrible blogger lately. I know why too. I'm employed! :) Really enjoying my new job though. I find it interesting and changeling. The company is great and so are the people! Anyway three weeks down I should be getting used to things and will find more time to blog. I've missed it!

So....being the big kids that we are...we couldn't pass up all the recent snow had to offer....

New Job!

2010-01-11T01:43:00.002Z

Well I am starting a new job tomorrow that I'm thrilled about! Rockfish Interactive is the company! Wish me luck! :)

2009 In Review

2010-01-05T17:42:00.014Z

At the start of a new year I always like to reflect on the past one. It is fun to think of all that can happen in a year, the good, the bad, the sad, the exciting....I did my best to pick highlights from this past year. However many I feel like are inside of me, ones I can't really explain or that a picture just doesn't get. Living 11 out of the 12 months in Ireland in 09 and some in 08 was the best experience of my life. Here is my 2009 in review......

In January we had a quiet month. I had a few finals to take to finish up the first semester so much of what did was study...We did have a fun weekend though when we went to the Mc Cusker's local football club's ball....

As the new semester started I found I had two free days during the week, so I decided to volunteer some time to a local charity shop called Oxfam. I did the windows and helped merchandise the stock.
In March Jessica and Brian came to visit! We also worked in a fantastic Paddy's day in Dublin! Seriously one of my best days ever!
Here we are mid day! We worked in a jump in the Irish sea, a parade, an all day long pub crawl, a football match, some dancing in the street, and so much more!

We also took a trip to kiss the Blarney Stone.. legend has it kissing this stone will give you the gift of gab...luckily for everyone I know...I missed the stone...can you blame me in the position they make you kiss it?!

We got to celebrate Easter with a lovely dinner at Andrea's house! I loved feeding the baby lambs...and then later having lamb for dinner...oh dear...
In April, Cristin came to see us! Here we are at the Guinness factory..trying our best to get the pint down!

Also about 5 months before the death of Michael Jackson, we got to go view his belongings...
We hosted a few parties and made new lifelong friends...
We worked in a fantastic trip to Rome.
Joan and Ronan, our lovely friends got married in Rome.

We celebrated the 4th of July with our friend Nathan Jones. Nothing like a bucket of chicken and a few beers to celebrate our independence...followed by a big night out of course! :)

Tommye and Ginny stopped into Dublin for a night..
The summer was full of visitors and we loved it. Here we are with Mallory and Bright surfing in the Atlantic...
Not long after Mom and Dad made another trip! Here we are on the Southern Coast of Ireland..Co Cork.

On Richy's birthday we got ENGAGED!!!

The start of September we went on a 4 day camping trip in Co Kerry with our dear friends Colly and Linda.

Spur of the moment Leah and Ann booked flights to visit!! Here we are in the streets of Galway.
Also Guinness celebrated 250 years so naturally Dublin went mental for this...I convinced the bar tender to let me pull a pint! I have a thing or two to teach to the bar tenders in Fayetteville..
On our camping trip we made plans to visit Colly and Linda in Bangor. Linda is always full of surprises and planned a mini hen party for me! A massage followed by a bottle of champers by the bay! Brilliant!
Next it was time to celebrate all my hard work during the year...Graduation day at Griffith College!
By now we have moved out of Dublin and are waiting for the much anticipated visa paperwork for Richy. Kieran and Mary had a fabulous leaving party for us with family and friends. Here are all the ladies of the house. Mary, Andrea, Lisa, Seoirse, and myself.

The same night, Richy with his brother Steven and sister Andrea. Andrea had big news in 09 as well. She and husband John are expecting twins!

We finally made it stateside! We had a little surprise welcome to America party for Richy! A great night's "craic"

We took a trip to Little Rock so I could make the 9th annual Christmas party with my beautiful college friends. Richy had a fantastic night out with Ben, Brian, and David! Both already looking forward to next year!

Getting in the spirit we took a stroll on the Fayetteville Square.

We had snow on Christmas eve!

Here is a Christmas morning Mc Cusker family picture! Gotta love technology! Not sure why we failed to get an actual Morton Family pic...seeing as we were all there...in person!

Happy New Year!

We look forward to our memories in 2010!

New Name, New Life

2009-12-18T20:13:00.004Z

so I've changed the name....was kinda sad to see "Joanna does Dublin" go, but been there done that...so moving on! Haven't posted in a while cause things have been nuts and don't seem to be slowing down. The official job hunt has started, so be thinking of us! We are headed to Little Rock this weekend for my college friends annual get together! Looking forward to see people I haven't seen in a year! Pics below are some of what we've been up to so far!

Richy and I did a mini tree with our first ornaments from friends in Ireland..thanks Lucy,

Mc Cuskers, and Tullys
I have to say he has done far better than I ever did in Ireland! :)
The lights on the Fayetteville Square
Tacky Christmas sweater party with friends.
At a U of A basketball game! Richy's first ever game of Basketball! There wasn't a packed house but it was fun all the same!
wooo pig!

and just like that....

2009-12-04T04:13:00.002Z

And just like that.....we were in America! After...5 months of waiting, 1 month of goodbyes in Dublin, 1 month of goodbyes in Armagh, 10 suitcases, 2 passports, 1 packet of visa paperwork, a few tears, 14 hour journey with a 2 minute nap...... we made it! Just back to Fayetteville this evening and I have to say there is no place like home!

The plan of attack is to get settled, fill out the mountain of paperwork still required for Richy on this side of the Atlantic, take care of wedding stuff, and most importantly find jobs! We are completely open to going anywhere for jobs so the adventure continues!

I have loads of posts to catch up on from our last month in Dublin! Things were so busy and hectic there at the end that I thought I'd wait til we were stateside...

Can't really call the blog "Joanna does Dublin" anymore...any suggestions?

Girls weekend in Dublin!

2009-11-20T11:39:00.005Z

karaoke taxi home at the end of the night! Lucy and I had the driver take the long way home so we could finish "total eclipse of the heart"

Alva and her honey Flavion who we picked up in our karaoke taxi along with 3 of his French friends! They didn't know what to make of the situation!

Naomi, Lucy and I

Alva and I

where was Angela?! wish I would have gotten a pic with her too :(

So last weekend Richy had his "Stag" party with all his lads around Armagh, and I had a mini "Hen" party with my friends in Dublin! Lucy was the ring leader of this weekend and she did a fantastic job! I met her in Dublin Saturday and we treated ourselves to a few hours at the spa! I've been under a lot of stress lately so it was just what I needed! We then met Naomi, Alva, and Angela out for dinner and drinks on the town! It was a fabulous night! Thanks girls for such a fun night out!

close

2009-11-18T19:40:00.002Z

you're getting so close, USA, I can almost taste you........

Richy's interview at the Dublin embassy is this Tuesday....Please pray that everything goes smoothly.

I will certainly miss Dublin and Ireland, but I am ready to start fresh in the USA. I do have to say I miss the American positive attitude, which I didn't know we as a nation had, until I was told by too many Irish people to count that we did..Slowly though I started to notice, that yes we may see the glass as half full instead of half empty...Things really are "awesome" aren't they?!

pics to come of my weekend in Dublin with the girls!

All Graduated!

2009-11-13T11:46:00.003Z

The clock tower at Griffith College

it is official!

someone felt left out...did you know only women here wear the hats?

Graduation at Griffith College was yesterday! I found it odd that I got my results in early Oct. and they didn't have the ceremony til now, but whatever floats their boat! Also I was thinking the robe would zip up the front...I clearly would have worn black had I known that it didn't! :) It was a nice day and good closure! Richy was so sweet to sit through the boring ceremony! I love him to pieces! So the Masters degree is now behind me...in front is a massive job search! Wish me luck! :)

misty madden

2009-11-13T11:08:00.004Z

Well folks our walks have gone from busy streets to calm countryside. I snapped a few photos on our morning walk with the Mc Cusker family dog Buffy. Although I miss the buzz of Dublin, the calm is refreshing.

news up north!

2009-11-10T17:03:00.002Z

I've been a bad little blogger lately! One night coming home from the gym a bull had got out of his pen and was just chilling on the side of the little country lane way....I burst into the house to get my camera so I could go back for a pic. I have to say I got some strange looks from the McCuskers..and I don't blame them! Richy and I are both a little picture happy and I am forever thinking things are different or neat-O (even after nearly a year and a half in Ireland) Anyway...the stupid camera died so no bull pic for the blog!

Had a fantastic long weekend up in Bangor with Colly and Linda! Linda had a lovely surprise for me so I'll put pics up once I get them from Linda...let's just say I had a mini hen party! :) We are so blessed to have such great friends up here in the North! Pics to follow!

here is the story morning glory!

2009-10-31T19:43:00.003Z

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"

2009-10-28T16:42:00.002Z

October Dip

2009-10-28T14:02:00.002Z

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!

2009-10-27T14:16:00.005Z

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.

2009-10-24T17:06:00.003+01:00

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

2009-10-19T12:02:00.002+01:00

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

2009-10-17T15:06:00.005+01:00

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

2009-10-17T14:29:00.002+01:00

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

2009-10-13T15:20:00.004+01:00

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! :)

Joan and Ronan to Dublin!

2009-09-28T17:30:00.003+01:00

Ya may remember from previous posts that we went to Joan and Ronan's wedding in Rome! Well Joan and Ronan made it to Dublin Saturday night! We had a blast! Was so nice to catch up and then spend the day Sunday shopping, eating, walking, and wandering about Dublin! We're hoping once we figure out Richy's Visa to visit them in Manchester England where they are currently living! Thanks Joan and Ronan for a fantastic time!

we all need culture!

2009-09-28T17:21:00.004+01:00

So Culture Night in Dublin was Friday night and after spending most of the day in bed with a head ache (i felt like miss Hanigan from Annie!) Richy dragged me out of the house for some much needed culture...what acting like I was 21 in a Dublin pub the night before isn't culture?!!?

It was a very enjoyable night though! We got to see the James Joyce House from the book the Dubliners, Christ Church, Dublin Castle, and the Chester Beaty Museum. Basically Dublin puts on Culture Night once a year and everything is opened to the public from 6pm to midnight for free! We met up with some friends that were out and really had a lovely night!

Immigration, flataion, smation

2009-09-28T17:16:00.002+01:00

Just a little update on Richy's visa process! The first part of the paper work has been approved in the USA! Good news, now we are waiting on the American Embassy in Dublin to contact him for the second part of the process. He'll have to gather info and fill out more forms, and then go for an interview. We were told to let them contact us, so please pray that they do this soon and we can be on our way to the Fabulous U S of A!

To Arthur..and the Fake Accent?!

2009-09-28T16:59:00.005+01:00

Well like I said Arthur's Day was last Thursday and the city sure had a buzz...

Here are a few pics from the evening! As a challenge Richy said I had to pull a pint of Guinness that night from behind the bar! He needs to think of harder challenges though cause I managed to pull if off with no problem!

When I asked the bar man could I pull a pint, he made me ask the manager...so in my best American accent I said, "I've come all the way from America to pull a pint of Guinness" I was totally shocked when he told me, yeah I could, but that was such a fake American accent!

Hoping to get that real accent back though soon, cause Leah and her roommate Anne are coming tomorrow for a week! They had the week off, and Richy and I certainly had the time so it all is working out great!

Raise your Glass

2009-09-24T12:03:00.003+01:00

So today is the 250th birthday of Guinness! Of course Ireland has seemed to embrace this as a national holiday! Most pubs in Dublin are having surprise guest performances today, so with the purchase of a 9 Euro ticket to the pub down the street, Richy and I will join in the fun!

I believe the worldwide toast is at 17:59 or if you're like me and hate a 24 hour clock..5:59 PM Dublin time! So think of me and and the madness in Dublin at 11:59 AM or better yet raise a pint of Guinness!

PS not a fan of this Guinness...but for today I'll pretend! :) Like their cute ads though!

so behind

2009-09-19T12:38:00.002+01:00

Hi there,

Well I finally have my new computer! Amazing how out of touch you feel when you don't have Internet or a computer! Feeling a bit homesick as Razorback season kicks into gear but hopefully we'll be home or stateside soon!

If everything goes as planned we should be making a move back across that big ocean in December. Please say a little prayer that nothing is delayed in Richy's paperwork. Dealing with the US Government has been great so far so hopefully things will roll on smoothly! More to come soon! :)

Camping in Kerry! or the festival of four!

2009-09-08T14:33:00.006+01:00

Well I did it! I grabbed the bull by the horns and camped...for two days at that...and in the rain! It was truly a great trip with great company! Our friends Colm and Linda came down Wednesday night and we headed out for Co. Kerry the next morning. After a long car ride we made it to our camp site! Now I do have to say the camp site was Posh! There was a really nice living room with a fireplace, a kitchen for breakfast and totally clean showers and bathrooms. It honestly was cleaner than the hotel we checked into the last night! We were in such a beautiful part of Ireland that the rain didn't even put me off to much! It was just a chilled out road trip with no agenda! Have a peak at some of our snaps!

horse racing on the beach was a first for me!
could not get over the setting! so beautiful! Euros won = 0
Colly and Linda surprise Richy and I with a Champagne toast in this lovely Gypsy caravan! we were so surprised and loved every minute of it! we ended up having a bit of a sing along! of course everyone knew their Irish songs but me! so I sang the song from the little mermaid...everyone loved it though!
how cute?!
Linda is so detailed! candles, heart napkins! thanks again!
empty beach with footprints......to the water
toweling off...nothing like a little skimpy dip in the ocean! :)
the boys exploring a castle!
the girls on top of a cliff!

walking up the cliff! fun walk but got totally drenched coming back down!
in the little living room! making smores!
our lovely little tent! it was so windy and rainy that we thought we might have a wizard of oz experience and wake up in a different place!

engaged!

2009-08-30T14:29:00.008+01:00

So exciting news from Dublin! Richy asked me to be his wife Friday night! Friday was Richy's birthday and he kept telling me he didn't want anything for his birthday, except a nice dinner in the house and then a few drinks after in our favorite bar! Easy enough right?! Well after a steak dinner and birthday cake Richy was in the bedroom changing his shirt...or so I thought....he told me to come in here and see what he really wanted for his birthday...

I was watching a special on Princess Dianna so I took my happy time going in the room...but when I did there was Richy on one knee with a beautiful ring....telling me he wanted me to be his wife! :) We're both so over the moon! Richy has already been quoted saying..."this engagement business is great craic" as only an Irish man could say! I agree!

The ring is beautiful! It is an antique from 1910 in the Edwardian style..I kinda think it has an art deco feel to it! I can't take my eyes off it! The boy did great!

luck of the irish

2009-08-25T11:27:00.002+01:00

Okay so my project is due tomorrow! good thing we've finished! A presentation is all that is standing in my way of a masters degree! Last week I had a computer disaster with dishwashing liquid..aka fairy liquid! Computer is being fixed and hard drive was retrieved...but for about 24 hours I was led to believe nothing could be fixed!

So get my computer back tomorrow as well! Have loads to blog about..since I haven't even really blogged about my parents trip!

Be back soon! :)

Mama and Daddy Morton

2009-08-12T16:29:00.002+01:00

Well my Mom and Dad made it back to Ireland. I was so happy they were able to come again, cause I was missing them badly. Will put up more pics soon, here are a couple from the trip! Really into this dissertation project at the moment and finding it a bit hard to keep up with the blog!

more pics from Mallory's trip!

2009-08-10T13:15:00.004+01:00

Making fun of the music I think! ha!
Bright with my friends Lucy and Valerie
Mallory with my friend Naomi!
A bite to eat at the Crown Pub in Belfast!
Mal and I
Rain Rain go away! Outside an art museum...perfect for rainy weather!

Six Ugly Ducklings

2009-07-30T10:28:00.000+01:00

Mallory, Bright, and Galway

2009-07-29T19:13:00.004+01:00

always a sucker for the animal shot!
fresh oysters and Guinness of course
Actually a really nice combo

Mal and Richy
The very swanky "g hotel"
the cute streets of Galway
chatting with the locals
something was funny...maybe it was our "Irish songs"
Me in my new favorite shirt, courtesy of the Gramlings for my B-day!

So busy with school right now so bare with me on the slow posts! Anyway after a fun day surfing in the Atlantic, we headed into Galway to stay and go out with friends. We booked into a hostel, which i was a tad nervous about! It ended up being nice though and not scary! Here are some pics from the rest of our trip to the WILD west! :) Galway was a perfect place to break the girls into Ireland! We had loads of locals singing us songs...some fantastic...some not so great! But the funniest one by far was the "I'm going to kill my cat song" The lyrics went something like "i'm going to kill my cat...he pissed in my flat..." it went on and on. I laugh every time I think about it!

Mallory's visit!

2009-07-22T11:24:00.005+01:00

"No....Mr. USA immigration officer....I didn't touch livestock...."
wouldn't you like to be a cow living here!?
Mallory and I....keep in mind this was right after our surf lesson!
Taking in the views
Cliffs of Moher...take your breath away!
Little Bright with her big board
after the lesson...so worn out! New respect for surfers, you use muscles you didn't know you had!
away we go....surfing in Co. Clare!
wish us luck!
warming up!
loving the wet suits....okay not really!
a bit of a nervous smile from me! but excited all the same!
Mallory and Richy! Cheers!

My good friend Mallory Gramling and her friend Bright Bullard came to visit! I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time! Mallory and Bright fit right in and everyone had a blast! They had been in Ireland just over 24 hours and we were away to the west coast! Here are pictures from our surf lesson and the famous Cliffs of Moher!

Surfing has to be one of the coolest things I've ever done. As you may know I'm not an ocean girl! I love to swim and love to go to the ocean, but I just don't get in past my shins. I think it goes back to my first ever beach trip when we saw a man nearly drown because of the rip tide.....also my fear of sharks! Silly I know! Anyway I think I have overcome my ocean fear! The setting was beautiful, the water wasn't that cold and trying to surf was too much fun! All four of us got standing up at one time or another! Hang Ten!

More pics from the trip to come soon!

Year In Dublin

2009-07-16T13:01:00.004+01:00

So yesterday I officially have been living in Dublin for one year! Can't believe it, the time really flies by!

hoodies and horses

2009-07-13T14:25:00.006+01:00

Well one of the most interesting and disturbing experiences in my almost year here in Ireland. We had been talking about wanting to go to the horse fair in Dublin for a long time, but I never really thought we'd actually go. When we got a call from Richy's sister saying her husband John wanted to come buy a pony for his nieces and nephews we jumped at the chance to go!

On arrival I was overtaken by the sight. Nothing but "knackers" and their horses as far as the eye could see...

For those who aren't familiar with the term knacker I will explain. It is a term given to those whom dress in tracksuits all of the time! It usually isn't a nice term so don't go around calling people knackers. Usually knacker is associated with trouble makers, etc.

Anyway for some strange reason knackers love their horses, even though most live in apartment complexes it doesn't stop them from buying them. It isn't uncommon to drive by such places and see horses tied up in the green space of the building. So picture an apartment complex with the little green space and now picture a few horses tied up! I didn't believe it til I saw it!

So as we were watching this spectacle take place I started to get a bit nervous when someone yelled "fight" and the cops and everyone took off running or on their horse to see the fight. We decided to just stay put. Eventually people came back. Then a man came and stood next to me to get out of the rain.

He looked like a local of the area but was nice and wasn't in a track suit! ha! I asked him if he was buying a horse and his response was and I quote.."na na ye wouldn't want to buy yizzer horse here, nothing but drug deelers and travelers selling horses here wha?" there were no spelling mistakes there...just my best attempt to get his accent across to ya!

Well that was enough to turn me into a total freak(I read the paper and those are the last people in Dublin you want to mess with). I swear my own footsteps had me jumping after that statement! We met John and Andrea and they were disappointed by the selection, so no horse for them! Here are a few pics from the eventful day!

a very nervous Joanna and a calm Richy as usual!

John in the red rain jacket giving the horses a look. He stuck out in the crowd! ha!
poor guys! :(
hanging on for dear life to see what the "fight" was all about!

does PETA handle international issues?!

4th weekend!

2009-07-07T15:43:00.004+01:00

Nathan Jones came to stay the weekend with us. He is doing a study abroad stint in England so a shot flight later he was in Dublin! Here are a few pics!

We met our friends Flavion and Alva out at one of our favorite pubs and had a great night Friday. Then on the 4th I took Nathan to the Jameson Whiskey factory to sample Ireland's finest. Then it was a drive through the mountains, KFC...yes you heard me...I really wanted it for the 4th! Then out in Temple Bar where we all did a little jig! It was a fun weekend!

loved seeing the flag!

enjoying KFC!
taste test!
Flavion, Nathan, Richy Mac
Alva and I looking shocked.....
probably cause this dude kept trying to get in our picture!

shoes, the 4th, and Mallory's visit!

2009-07-06T13:10:00.004+01:00

I have finally figured out the best combo for footwear in Dublin! Since I walk everywhere I quickly learned the importance of good shoes. My 10 dollar cute sandals from forever 21 just weren't going to cut it.

Here is my lineup!

pair of Clarks sandals..they make cute styles over here!

pair of nearly flat boots..keeps rain off my legs and good for walking!

pair of converse sneakers...not typically my style but good for walking and goes with a lot!

pics to come soon, we had Nathan Jones over for the 4th and Mallory Gramling and her friend Bright Bullard are coming for a stay tomorrow! Very excited!

Also we went to a horse fair yesterday in Dublin...and that experience was certainly one of a kind....unless you were wearing a track suit you stuck out like a sore thumb...

blog neglect

2009-06-27T13:50:00.004+01:00

I have been neglecting my blog lately as I'm getting really busy with my summer project. It is a group project and I have the best group ever! We're doing an online interactive magazine. So a magazine that lets you watch video, look at pictures and other cool interaction elements. Will totally post when I'm finished.

Our subject matter is purely a creative magazine. So subject matter will consist of photography, interior design, art, graphic design, video, animation, etc. etc. I'm currently working on a story about the New York wedding photographer Angelica Glass at the moment.

Richy met Angelica after knocking her down (Richy and his crazy dance moves...lol) in a NYC night club and they remained friends ever since!

Angelica was over shooting a wedding in Scotland earlier this summer and she came over to Dublin for a few days to catch up! She brought her friend Joel who is a cinematographer in California. We had a blast showing them around and watching them in their creative element! Check out their blogs to see their work! Truly amazing!

http://angelicaglass.bigfolioblog.com/

http://joelserratofilms.bigfolioblog.com/

and wow...I just checked Joel's blog and there are pics of Richy and I on there! They turned out great! Very impressed! We had fun getting our photos taken...we took Angelica and Joel to see some cliffs outside of Dublin and before we knew it they were snapping away at us...probably cause there was nothing else to see since a big fog had come in! Enjoy!

When it is time to go home!

2009-06-18T11:13:00.004+01:00

we started our day with a picnic breakfast in the park! I miss the food!
love the trees! kinda like an Italian staple, I had to see the trees, much like people visiting Ireland have to see the sheep! :)

Well usually there comes a point in a trip when you actually won't be terribly sad to leave...maybe it is your homesick, maybe it is certain events.... On our last day in Rome we had a few experiences that made it officially okay to head back to Dublin. Don't get me wrong....we had a great day, but there were a few signs. Like having a seagull fly at us with a pigeon in it's mouth, getting lost in the ghetto by the train station, wandering for nearly 2 hours looking for the best resturant ever...

On our last day we headed out to the country side to see the catacombs, or where loads of dead people were buried and some still are...after spending some time under ground we headed back into the city. Oh and also that day we went into a place where the decor was the bones of 4000 dead monks. I'm talking the creepiest thing I've ever seen. Think chandeliers over your head made of femurs........and full on skeletons everywhere you look. I'm scared Richy Mc Cusker! haha!

I would 100% recommend a trip to Rome for anyone! We actually found the prices to be quite reasonable, was a bit spoiled though cause a flight from Dublin was only 2 hours, so I got the experience without the jet lag!

Rome Wedding!

2009-06-17T19:02:00.006+01:00

Pictures from the main event in Rome! Joan, Richy's long time friend got hitched in one of my new favorite cities ever! You may remember that Cristin and I attended the Hen Party this spring! Joan looked stunning and those Jimmy Choo shoes sure didn't do any wrong! :) Thanks Joan and Ronan for a fabulous day!

Irish weddings are usually a whole day affair as I've learned from previous ones and Richy got it in his head this one in Rome started at 5pm. After receiving a text from Joan (Richy did a reading) to see if he printed off his prayer, Richy responded, "yep have it Joan see you at 5" After the text Richy left me in the room while he went to find a place to buy a phone charger.

He left his phone and a few seconds after he was gone, a text came back on his phone from Joan. For some reason I just thought I should have a look and the text said, "wedding is at 4 not 5"

Anyway to make a long story short I was able to get Richy before he went wandering the streets of Rome for a charger and we did make it to the wedding, but I have to say never knew I had it in me to get ready for a wedding in 20 minutes! ha!

end of Rome Day Three!

2009-06-11T17:10:00.003+01:00

So I left off on day three! here are some more pics if you can stand anymore! :)

On to a wine bar after dinner! The area is called Trastevere. (the girl who sold me my boots told us that is where she would go) Go there if you are in Rome, the next time we go we will stay there too! It was just such a cool area and a liter of wine cost us 9 euros!!!! We loved the area so much we took a cab back the next night!

the best of our trip! we finally found the area where the locals live. was so cool to see Italians singing along with Italians. This place was packed and people were still coming in when we were for dinner at 9:30 and 10pm. The reason we knew we were out of the tourist spots which are at their peak at 7pm!
a bird and i
cool pic taken by Richy in yet another bar he had on the agenda!
I love kitty's, but for some reason decided not to pet these little ones....
The ruins with all the cats.....
a cool 1950's bar in Rome we loved!

Food, Architecture, History, Wine.. Rome I love you!

2009-06-11T14:29:00.007+01:00

Well on Monday Richy and I got back from a fantastic trip to Rome! We had a good four days there and got to see and do so much! We went for Joan and Ronan's wedding and had a great time at the wedding as well! Sadly I forgot to take my American to European adapter so my camera battery was dead for the wedding (will hopefully snag a few pics off some of the wedding guests) We did find an adapter between the wedding and the reception so all was not lost! :) That was an interesting experience by the way. Picture Irish guy and American girl arguing with three Italian men about what was the right adapter! haha a funny experience!

Here are a few of my favorite pics from the trip!

I actually have worn myself out uploading pics so I'll add more tomorrow...day three got cut off! :)

Day Three
Easily entertained
Sort of embarrassed about this picture...busted for eating like my 10th gelato! Such focus!

I love love love the food in Italy! I could never live there or I'd take up like 3 plane seats!
My little Italian treat to myself! :)
When in Rome....buy Italian leather boots!!!
shopping is clearly on my mind by day 3
A hotel Richy wanted to check out...not your typical hotel. It was like you had to ring a bell and then you were let in by a butler. We had no shame and asked to look around. Made our way to the roof top bar! Very cool...I'm learning through Richy that it pays to be BOLD

Day Two

A pic of a pic of us and the bride and groom at the wedding! Another post from the wedding will follow!
At the Vatican in front of St. Peter's basilica...Truly amazing..The Mother of all Cathedrals in my opinion.
A view from the top!
So worth the line and the euros to climb to the top of the dome! My knees were a little wobbly though!
Proof that my mom is right and that I do need to stand up straight! :) note shoulders and knees must be covered in the Vatican!
from a distance I thought this dude was playing the Guitar! LOL

Day One
outside our tourist trap restaurant! Very good though, but I felt like I was in the USA as everyone was from there! Day three we found where the locals hang out and eat!

Gelato in front of the Colosseum
over 2000 men killed here....be like going to bud walton to see men fight lions...not so much!
The "Wedding Cake" Building. Behind me the tomb of the unknown solider and men with machine guns guarding it. Not a fan very intimidating those guns....
another tourist trap..the gear is a "roman soldiers" who then wanted 10 euros for the pictures. we chucked 3 at him and walked on our way with him following us for a while. not cool! Day one we were overcome with excitement that we forgot ourselves and fell into major tourist traps. 8 Euro Gelato, Roman Solider pictures, being drawn into a restaurant cause we were complimented by the door man. Finally we got our "cop on" (heads back) and avoided spending unnecessary money! Living in Dublin has certainly given us a radar for these sorts of things! :)

Mandy and Eric

2009-06-01T16:28:00.005+01:00

Also this weekend back home in Arkansas my good friend Mandy got married to long time boyfriend Eric! I was so sad I couldn't make the wedding but I hear a few dance moves were done in my honor. Here is a pic of Mandy and Eric and another of our close group of college girl friends with Mandy before the wedding! I miss you all! After a honeymoon this couple will be moving to California! Couldn't be more excited for them both and hopefully a trip to the west coast will be in the works for us soon!

Sunny and HOT Ireland! :)

2009-06-01T15:49:00.004+01:00

Gotta love my weird looking knees...? Get those legs some sun!

Well the sun has finally arrived! I couldn't be happier! We had a hot weekend and I loved it! Friday Richy and I showed our new friends from New York and Santa Barbra around (next post)! Saturday while Richy was at work Naomi, Lucy, and I had a picnic at Lucy's! We're talking lovely cheeses, meats, breads, dips, fruit, and wine! Out on a blanket in her yard, we manage to eat and chat for an entire afternoon! Then Sunday Richy and I copied our picnic from the day before at St. Stephens green and the Phoenix park! I should mention I did get dragged home in between for a football match! ha! Today is so nice and I'd love to go out, but I'm actually sunburned, so I'll wait til the sun goes down a bit! LOVE THE WEATHER!

I hate to say this, but I honestly believe I am a happier girl when the weather is nice and the sun is shinning! There is just something about being outside! :)

34 years

2009-05-27T14:56:00.004+01:00

"Miss Mary" and Kieran and Sorcha(lisa's little cuttie)
Steven and Lisa
Richy and I (don't you love the new hair?)
John and Andrea
The Mc Cusker Family

So on Sunday we went out to Digby's after mass to celebrate Mary and Kieran's 34th wedding anniversary! The food was fabulous and the company even better! My parents are coming to visit in Ireland again in August! I'm so excited!!! They say it is to celebrate their 40th thru their 50th anniversary! (EVEN THOUGH IT IS ONLY 39 IN AUGUST!) Richy and I are both so blessed to have parents who have happy marriages!

Party at "The Dome"

2009-05-27T14:40:00.004+01:00

The morning after the carnage
   The cute hostests! They fixed a great meal for everyone!

   Like a bar in your backyard! :)
   "The Dome"

So I'd heard rumors and seen pictures, but finally I was able to experience the dome for myself! For the millennium Richy's neighbors decided to convert an old barn into a party place! Complete with a fireplace, fridges for beer, and plenty of comfy seating, "The Dome" lived up to my expectations! The party was for Richy's childhood friend Liam's 30th birthday bash! We stayed til about 2 and there were still people arriving as we were heading out!

I was kinda happy to dart out when we did, cause I had this feeling I was going to be asked to sing again...The only song I had in my head was the "fifty nifty United States" ya know where you sing all the states! The singing had started and I wasn't in the mood for embarrassment. But great to catch up and great to finally get to experience "The Dome"! Oh and the local priest came out for an official blessing back when the dome first opened I thought that was worth noting! :)

The Barge

2009-05-25T13:17:00.005+01:00

Good luck in Scotland Colm!

Friday night we walked down the canel to meet friends at the 51 club for Colm's leaving party. It was a really nice evening and there were tons of Barges in the canal. We stopped to snap some pics in front of a popular bar called "The Barge" notice all the people out enjoying the weather!

Celebrate

2009-05-21T13:10:00.004+01:00

   The boys
   The girls
   My failed cheese dip...nothing can replace Velvetta.....

So with finals life has been a bit nuts! I mean it is only a test right, but for some reason this semester didn't click very well with me, so lots and lots of study was required! Anyway nearly finished now! The weekend after the 5th of May we had a little Cinco de Mayo party! Just invited some close friends over for tacos and margaritas! Cinco de Mayo was a new concept for my Irish friends, but they jumped on the bandwagon just like we Americans do! :)

This weekend we are headed to Madden (the McCusker neck of the woods) for a 30th birthday party in "The Dome"...... stay tuned!

Skype

2009-05-12T17:44:00.001+01:00

Hi there!

Some of you had mentioned you had trouble calling me on my skype number ya know the 479 one? Anyway I had accidentally let the number expire, but it is up and running again!

So you can keep calling on that same number!! It should now work seeing as I have actually paid for it too this time! :)

Miss everyone! Keep the calls coming!

The BEST sandwich EVER!

2009-05-06T15:48:00.003+01:00

So this weekend we went out to the country for the day and ate lunch at the cutest place ever. It was very Fayetteville and kinda reminded me of a smaller and more quint Smokehouse. Anyway you could get wine and organic fruits and veg in the front and then in the back you could get tasty food! I loved my sandwich and think everyone should try it out!

Bread was a wheat baguette with some seads on top, but i'm sure any roll or baguette will do!

filling is

Chorizo

Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil

Goats Cheese

Grilled Eggplant

Garlic Mayo

YUM TO THE YUM!

I so wish I would have snapped a photo of this little place, but I have a feeling we'll be back!

What is YOUR fav combo for a sandwich?! I'll give it a try!

time to post...

2009-05-05T13:13:00.007+01:00

Here are a few pics from the past two weekends. Below is Richy's first flower buying experience! We have a window box that I was dying to plant flowers in, so we finally got around to that this last weekend!

We took a drive about an hour outside of Dublin through the mountains and ended up at the Ritz Carlton. Very fancy and in my designer opinion too over done and stuffy. Not a bit of contemporary flair what so ever. If it was an old hotel I could understand, but it was just built!

Anyway snapped a few pics of a wedding reception going on! Below is probably the best glass of red wine I've ever had! Was so so nice to get to sit outside on a patio with nice weather! The things I took for granted in the ville! :)

For any "Far and Away" movie fans! This is where part of the movie was filmed. The house above is Nicole Kidman's (Shannon) Family Manor in Ireland.....and below is the front yard where they take Tom Cruise (Joseph) out to shoot him the next day in the fog...Does anyone know what I'm talking about?! I love that movie!

We then went to a National Park called Glendaloch..It was a lovely place to hike around! So much to see and again it was a nice day! Above Celtic Cross and below pretty water fall that was a hike and a half to get to the top of!
This area below kinda reminded me of Colorado in the summer...!?!?

TINKER ALERT!!! lol! I finally got to see my first Tinker/Traveler/Gypsy grouping! These people kinda live on the outskirts of society. Known for being sneaky, avoiding taxes, over the top weddings, and just kinda setting up residence wherever they please, tinkers are evidently all over Ireland!

Dublin Flee Market!! 10Euro for a cup of joe and a little painting of yourself
Live entertainment at the Flee Market too!
I was amazed at how many people were there! Selling everything from art to photography to furniture to clothes! There was a lot of pure junk too! :) It was very interesting to look around!
In yet another Dublin Park!
Love all the Tulips! My Favorite flower!
The house on the corner of our street that is for sale! Wonder what the price tag is?!?!
Famous Graffiti Artist at work! It says in the heart Babylon falling.....kinda explains the Irish economy! I heard on the news that Ireland is the most hit of all economies besides third world countries.

lately...

2009-04-27T13:32:00.004+01:00

Well I've not been on top of the blog this past week or so, but basically I've been working hard to finish up the semester. I have one more week of normal classes and assignments and then testing at the end of May. After that is all said and done I begin working on my Master's project in June and will finish up the end of August. After that who knows, but the tentative plan is to make a move stateside. We're kinda thinking New York City would have the best options as far as jobs for the both of us..so we'll see! It can be a bit overwhelming thinking of moving again and figuring out jobs in the SAME country for both Richy and I, but I know God will take care of us. We just have to be open to his plan. Happy last week of may! :)

guilty but love good food.....?

2009-04-16T19:12:00.003+01:00

The guilt I have over eating the lamb is consuming my mind!!! My Dad grew up on a farm in Iowa. When we were younger and went for trips to the farm Leah and I would spend hours with the chicks and baby pigs.

I think we went back for Thanksgiving one year and I asked my mom where the chicks were..

Her answer was "in the freezer"

We also had pet rabbits growing up though and I've had rabbit for dinner too...(not our pets..at a fancy restaurant)

Bottle fed lambs....sure enjoyed my lamb dinner...

I draw the line with horses, dogs, cats... only saying that cause i know these are on the menu in some countries not to far from Ireland..

Where do y'all draw the line...or what is the strangest thing you've ever eaten???

Irish Easter

2009-04-15T20:39:00.005+01:00

Well meet my new baby..........We decided to bottle feed for obvious reasons! lol! Seriously how cute are these little guys?

I'm a natural I know I know! :)

"Bonding" with the Richy Mac!

A great ending to my great Easter Weekend

Poor little guys and girls were abandoned by their "real" mothers.....actually a blessing though cause they are now "pet" lambs and that keeps them from being someones dinner when they get way bigger.

Anyway after Mass we had a nice Sunday in Armagh/Madden. We got to see friends and family that we hadn't seen in a while. Mary Mac fixed us a fabulous Easter meal. We enjoyed the beautiful weather and had a few drinks on the patio. The next day we headed to Cavan to see Andrea and John's progress on their new home. This is where the my little babies come into the story! John's family are sheep farmers and their house is on the farm. It is lambing season so there were baby lambs everywhere!

After a tour of the farm Andrea and John fixed us an amazing dinner, BUT I don't even have the heart to tell you what the main course was.................................. : (

Visitor round two!

2009-04-14T13:57:00.006+01:00

finally we drove through Belfast. This wall keeps two neighborhoods completely separated....i've seen this now a few times either on the tour bus in Belfast or with Richy giving tours to visitors...it really is hard for me to wrap my mind around. I drive Richy and I'm sure his family crazy asking questions about all the troubles in Northern Ireland, but it really is such a complex issue...that the questions will keep coming I'm sure.
nothing like climbing in castle ruins
attempt to get a group shot!
weather was so much nicer than the last time I was here with my parents and sister..

Giant's Causeway..it doesn't look it but we are on a mountain of these rocks..
at the giant's causeway...Cristin and I got stuck up on the rocks...kinda like climbing a tree and then you are too scared to get down! Exactly what happened to us..
Crossing is actually scary...obviously not for Richy though
Rope bridge..in Northern Ireland
surveillance camera!! too funny
love the ads.....
Don't love the beer....but it makes for a nice photo
a "session"
shaking it on the dance floor! ha!
With the bride to be Joan!
At the McCusker home getting ready for the "hen"night
Armagh cathedral
Dinner at Millers
a pint of beer...i mean cider..in temple bar!
love the smoking ban in Ireland..cept don't love on a pretty day sitting outside all you smell is smoke...notice women in background!

As I mentioned before Cristin Lane Glover Groce came to stay with us in Dublin. We had a great 5 days. She wasn't jet lagged really cause the flight was so short from Newark to Dublin so the minute she was off the plane away we went! We spent some time in Dublin shopping for art, seeing the sites, eating in fun restaurants, and hitting a few pubs. We also worked in a "hen" party in Armagh for one of our friends. What a night! We then spent our last day touring the north coast with a quick spin through Belfast on the way home! By the end we all had bags under our eyes! It was so great to spend time in Ireland with Cristin! It is always nice for my friends to see what I'm up too across the pond.

Cristin in Dublin

2009-04-08T11:46:00.003+01:00

Well about a week after Jess and Brian left..Cristin arrived in Dublin! I feel so spoiled lately with my visitors! Anyway we had a great time messing around Dublin, attending a "hen party" in Armagh, and taking a day trip to the north coast! I'm a little behind on school so once I get feeling better about that...up go the pictures! Sad to see her leave, but will always remember the fun we've had these last 5 days!

Bye Jess and Brian!

2009-03-27T16:59:00.003Z

Here are Jessica and Brian in The Phoenix Park. The park has heards of wild deer (but they are kinda used to people) and is the largest city centre park in all of Europe! Luckily when we took a little visit we were able to find the deer straight away!

Well today Richy dropped Jessica and Brian back to the Dublin Airport! Wednesday we met them up in Belfast. They had been traveling in England and Scotland the previous week after leaving us! It was so nice to get to hang out one last time before they headed home. We loved hearing about their travel experiences. We were able to have dinner with some of Richy's best friends, Colly and Linda, who live just outside of Belfast, tour the city, and squeeze in a few more pints and bangers and mash! We then took a tour of Armagh and Madden (where Richy grew up) before heading back to Dublin! I was happy they got to meet Richy's Dad, Mom, and Brother! We ended the trip going to pubs with traditional Irish music! Great and LATE fun!

Sad to see them leave but I have a sneaky suspicion they will be back one day.......

Up next is Crisitn's trip to Ireland!! Really looking forward to this trip as well! :)

St. Patrick's Day in Dublin

2009-03-20T14:08:00.007Z

Paddy's day in Dublin was fabulous!! Couldn't have asked for a better day! to recap...we started the day off by driving to south Dublin to take a dip in the 40 foot swimming hole. Think this is kinda a local thing, but every Christmas day hundreds of brave people take a dip in the Irish Sea...Jessica, Brian, Richy and I thought we'd give it a go! All I can say is brrrrr and we saw far too many old men's bums...ha! Good experience I have to say and it sure woke me right on up!

Then it was home for showers and a traditional Irish breakfast..toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, beans...yum!

Off to the parade next. People in green were everywhere...it was shoulder to shoulder and at that moment I was so happy stores couldn't sell alcohol until 3. After we got tired of the crowd we nipped into the first of many pubs!

Later that afternoon we headed to croke park to watch a football match then headed home stopping off at pubs and a quick bite to eat along the way! What a fun and eventful day! I had mentioned earlier in a post that I had been warned about horrible drunks, but we managed to avoid all the crazy people! Towards the end of the night we had fun dancing in the street with randoms! Some man had a tin whistle and this girl who was organizing everyone to do Irish dancing! Too funny...Of course we all joined in! It will be a hard day to top! So much fun!

Ireland = Beautiful... visitors part 2

2009-03-20T13:18:00.006Z

After the failed stone kiss attempt...we headed to another fishing town called Kinsale on the south coast. After wandering in and out of little stores, lunch of fish and chips and oysters, we headed out to the country side to see what we could see.....what a discovery we made!!! This area was so natural and untouched! WE LOVED IT! Enjoy!

Visitor Highlights part 1

2009-03-18T20:18:00.009Z

After our stop in Cobh we stayed the night in Cork, the second biggest city in Ireland. We had a fun night out on the town with some of Richy's friends who live there! We also got to stay in a fancy hotel that Richy helped designed! Very swanky!

More of the little town.

Brian and Richy by all the big fishing boats!

Jessica and Brian had heard of this statue of a woman called Annie Murr, who was the first immigrant to go through Ellis Island in NYC. This statue points in the direction of NYC! Who knows..maybe we'll be pointing our way there next!!?!

This is a little fishing town called Cobh (pronounced Cove) This is just outside Cork on the southern coast.

This is an awkward picture is of me attempting to kiss the famous Blarney stone..legend has it, if kissed you will receive the gift of gab...funny story in the trauma of being practically baptised into wall by the random man, I ended up kissing the wall of the castle instead of the Blarney Stone...I mean I kinda thought the stone would be on a stand and you walk up and kiss it normally...not back bending to kiss a stone that isn't in sight! haha
Waiting in line to attempt to kiss the stone!
not all together sure why this pic is sideways, but my friends Jess and Brian waiting in line...they both kissed the stone!
In front of the castle! We thought we had too many pictures of the same so decided to shake things up!

Well Jessica and Brian made it to Ireland from Conway Arkansas! Richy and I had been looking forward to this trip for months!! I took some 367 pictures so I'm just putting up a few highlights! Separate Paddy's post (note Richy said why do all you Americans write Patty's day and not Paddy's day?!) Anyway we had a BRILLIANT time with Jess and Brian!! Couldn't have asked for better weather too by the way! It was sunny and actually kinda warm!! sunny and warm aren't usually words I put with Ireland! ha!

Friends are here!

2009-03-13T12:25:00.002Z

Well today I picked up a very sleepy Jessica and Brian at the Dublin Airport!!! I'm so excited they are here! Let the fun begin.....Blog posts to come soon! :) Oh and happy Paddy's Day!! I'm told Dublin is a mess of drunken Irish teens, so we'll more than likely go to the parade early, hit a football match, and finally the pubs closer to our house! :) CHEERS!

Swans

2009-03-08T12:53:00.004Z

As I may have mentioned before we live very close to a canal! It really is nice on a sunny day to take walk around it and observe the swans. They are curious creatures that's for sure! We watched two male swans approach each other with their feathers puffed up...One decided it was a bad idea and began to retreat, but the bigger meaner swan was having none of it...he chased the swan down the canal, before both took off flying! The mama and babies are nice and just go about their own business! Here are some pics of our walk around the canal.

The OxFam Shop

2009-03-04T15:38:00.004Z

As I think I mentioned before I help out one morning a week in the OxFam Charity shop down the street. They have me organizing the donated items so they look nice. I also do the window for the shop. Working with limited inventory is changeling but I enjoy helping out! Usually by the end of the day the window is in shambles (annoying) but at least people are buying what I stick in it! A nice little creative outlet for me during the week and for a good cause as well!

www.oxfamireland.org/

Panicake Tuesday! aka FAT Tuesday!

2009-03-04T14:58:00.004Z

I look horrible here! We'll blame it on walking home from my night class in the rain...notice the crazy hair!

Well the Irish know how to do Fat Tuesday! Called Pancake Tuesday over here you can guess what we pigged out on! Richy was the chef as I wasn't certain pancakes could be made without the help of Aunt Jemima! The pancakes were excellent...more like what I would call a crepe, but very yummy! After the first round of pancakes with bacon and an egg, we moved on to dessert. Pancakes with chocolate and ice cream! Funny that the USA is the only country that gets a bad wrap for being overweight! ha!

Good time to travel!

2009-03-01T15:50:00.000Z

I came across this blog and thought it was interesting. Especially the article on European travel! Check it out and book your flights! I have mentioned that my friends Jessica and Brian are coming in March and now my friend Cristin is flying over in April! So excited for both trips!

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/flight-patterns-europe-on-sale/

a little bit of snow?!

2009-02-27T16:47:00.000Z

Well I meant to post this a while ago, but it snowed in Dublin about the same time Fayetteville Froze so I felt it mean to put up pictures of actual pleasant winter weather. The snow in Dublin was gorgeous. It didn't stick at all though. Just huge snow flakes that just showered from the sky! It was odd though cause you'd be walking in the snow and then without warning it would be pouring rain! It never really gets below freezing here thank goodness! My friend from India was so excited cause it was his first time to see snow! But he learned... and after 3 days was ready for it to be gone! Just a slushy mess after all! :)

lately

2009-02-23T14:15:00.000Z

Hi there! Well I noticed I haven't blogged in a while and I think this is in part because last Monday I came down with a nasty cold and I'm starting to get back into school. I only have four classes this year, but one is so hard for me I might as well be in 10 classes! I do have more spare time though this semester so I attempted to look for a part time job, but unless I was comfortable delivering pizzas or cutting people's hair I was out of luck. I decided instead to volunteer at a charity shop down the street called Oxfam International. So one morning a week I head out to help them display their goods in a pleasing manner. It is rewarding and I get to see some cool stuff people have decided they don't want anymore. Also I am spending more time in my gym...it is about time! :)

We had a busy weekend, Friday and Saturday we were out with friends and then Sunday Richy's parents came down from Madden to visit. They hadn't seen our little home yet and we had a great day just wandering around Dublin. We nipped into a pub at about 4:30 for a pint and I'm still amazed at how in Dublin you can go to a pub at this hour and it is completely packed! There was a group playing traditional Irish music which was nice too! Then it was home for Richy and I to fix dinner! I think we pulled it off, can't go wrong with chicken, spuds, and veg!

For some reason I forgot the darn camera. Anyway can't believe how fast Feb is going. Friends Jessica and Brian are coming to visit so soon! We're getting very excited!

one year ago

2009-02-13T15:43:00.000Z

Well one year ago I arrived in Dublin to explore the possibility of making the big move! After three job offers I thought I'd be moving a lot sooner than July! Funny though how things have a way of working out! Grad school has ended up being a good move for me. Thought I'd put up a few pics from my trip to Dublin last year!

Since Richy is working tomorrow he took me into the a cathedral where St. Valentine is buried. It was kinda neat to learn more about the real reason Valentine's day got it's start. St. Valentine also has books where you can write your prayers. We both put a little prayer in the book.

Happy Valentine's day everyone!

Lovely Weekend!

2009-02-08T20:11:00.000Z

Looks like McCoy is getting used to this picture taking thing!
Crazy rugby players! To think they don't wear padding! CRAZY!
Painting of Dublin by Jack B. Yeats.

We had a nice and relaxed weekend! Friday was a movie fest! We watched the Irish film "In Bruges" with Collin Farrel. Very funny and clever movie! Then it was "Dream Girls" which we both decided we don't like. I'd seen it before but was hesitant to say I hated it cause of all they hype with Jennifer Hudson and the Oscar.

Saturday we walked into town and went to the National Gallery Museum. I really enjoy getting to wander in the gallery. The paintings were amazing and the building itself is a work of art! An Irish artist I really liked was Jack B Yeats. We then had a late lunch early dinner at a Thai restaurant called Saba! After watching France Vs. Ireland in rugby match in a pub we headed home! Such an enjoyable day out!

I stole the first pic from The Rew Crew blog! I just loved this picture of my girls with their baby boys! Rachel and McCoy(who is probably past the baby stage seeing he is walking) Leanne and Holden and Lauren and Jackson!

Things are looking up!

2009-02-03T16:23:00.001Z

As some of you may know the design industry has been brought to it's knees in Ireland. So many designers, architects, and anyone in the industry are literally out of work. Well today Richy found out he has a new job with a company called meadows and byrne as a trainee manager. I'm so proud of him because he has been working so hard to find something in a field that he has never worked before. He was picked out of over 100 people who applied, so I think that says a lot! I think it is always good to have many different areas of experience on that resume/cv to draw from! Upwards and onwards!

Belinter House....more pictures! :)

2009-02-03T14:43:00.001Z

More pics from inside this amazing country lodge. I would be a content girl if my home has this feel one day..on a much smaller scale though! Richy agrees so now just get us some jobs please.....ha! We couldn't believe how cheap our scones and coffee were....9 Euro for scones and coffee for two. In Dublin it would have been 20 Euro at least!

My kind of animals on the wall! :)
Yum yum yum yum yum!
Making himself right at home in the library!
all the wellies for the guests to use on the grounds...Can't believe I still don't have a pair of my own!
Love this pony hair chair.

The entry way and reception area! Always been a sucker for black and white check flooring.

The Curious Case of Richy McCusker...

2009-01-29T14:43:00.000Z

Richy has to be one of the most curious people I know! With that being said I get to see some really cool and interesting things because of Richy's curiosity. This week we were both off so we went up to Cavan to help Richy's sister and her husband paint their new house. On the way up Richy planned a fun day out for us! Looking back over the pictures I realized I had the perfect blog title for this set of pics......Enjoy!

Here we are at the "Hill of Tara" Where the head king of Ireland used to sit. Richy loves these kinds of places...to me it is just a pasture with weird little hills and lots of sheep sh**.

Richy going to all the little hills to read about them! I only braved a few because of the mud everywhere. I mean I had mud on my knees..how does that happen!?

My day was made when I saw this momma with her babies..I was only brave enough to snap the pic from this position.

Give Richy the camera and we get much closer. Momma is getting a bit nervous though. We realised quickly that the babies are only a day old. Cause when little baby got up it could barely walk and had it's umbilical cord still hanging down!

Curious people get better pictures! :) Isn't this baby too cute?!

As we were leaving we could see this old church remains from the road so we went off the path to find it! Glad we did. Richy quickly found a way into the site, that i probably never would have noticed!

This pub was across the street. Such a cute little Irish Pub!

I turn my head for one second and someone is on top of the darn thing!

"what else can I climb?"

On to the Belinter House Hotel! Such a cool hotel in the Irish country side.

In the parking lot. Curious Richy found a "cool" American Van...so naturally he opens the door...

Oh my Gosh!!!!

I am completely prepared to tell the owner of this van that Richy is touched and it is his day out of the institute! HA! Luckily no one was in the parking lot! GEEZ!

I wanted to put up pics from inside this Belinter House, but my Internet is kinda slow! Maybe my next post! It was beautiful inside!

Hopeful!

2009-01-26T22:41:00.000Z

Well here is our latest recssion fun! Make cool posters of ourselves! yay! Anyway with all the doom and gloom around it is hard to remain hopeful, but with a little faith I think it is totally possible! :) Got this cool idea from Andrea Knights blog! Thanks girl!

What are your favorite quotes or Proverbs?

2009-01-26T14:20:00.000Z

Just thought I'd do a blog on some things I find interesting about Ireland.

4,062,235 is the population of Ireland. The size of Ireland is just a bit bigger than West Virginia. I feel that going to college at the U of A has given me connections all over Arkansas..meaning I can drive somewhere and go oh yeah I'm in Lonoke...Shea's parents live here...and so on and so on.. Well I feel Ireland has the same thing going..Everyone knows of everyone else..

Arkansas's population as of 2000...so I'm sure this has grown is 2,673,400. Just to put # of people in perspective.

Some odd facts...or at least I find them odd.

Presidential contender Barack Obama’s maternal great, great, great grandfather Fulmuth Kearney came from Moneygall, in County Offaly. Mr. Kearney came to America in 1850.

(and they don't let you forget this one lately!)

One of the most popular radio shows in rural Ireland is still the weeklybroadcast of local obituaries

The vikings founded Dublin in 988 (old old old)

And a few Quotes by notable Irish

"All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed."
- Sean O'Casey

"You know it's summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer."
- Hal Roach

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
- Sigmund Freud (speaking about the Irish)

"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart."
- Jonathan Swift

"Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement."
- C. S. Lewis

Now some Irish Proverbs!

If you dig a grave for others, you might fall into it yourself.

Cheerfulness is a sign of wisdom.

"Maireann croi eadrom i bhfad."
A merry heart lives long.

May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.

"Nil aon tintean mar do thintean fein."
There's no fireside like your own fireside.

Anyway what are your favorite quotes or proverbs?! One of my favs is by Henry David Thoreau,

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined."

Happy Birthday to ME!

2009-01-23T14:27:00.000Z

I had a fantastic Birthday on the 21st of January! Mom and Dad surprised me with a 9am my time phone call, that means they had to get up at 3am their time! I spent the day walking around Dublin and shopping (note buying and shopping are two different deals) I had a nice little chat with Leah on her way to work and got to talk to other friends as well. I was excited to find out that Lauren and Daniel Rew had their baby boy Jackson! Yay I'm so excited we get to share our birthdays! Then Richy was home and we had some yummy wine and cheese before heading to dinner. I absolutely loved the restaurant Richy took me to! It is a fabulous Pizza place called Miller's Pizza! The gourmet pizzas are definitely something to write home about! Then we had an after dinner drink at the Dylan Hotel! Very posh! I love the interiors of this place so it is just a treat to walk inside for me really. www.dylan.ie check it out!

Thank you for all the birthday well wishes! I have the best family and friends! :)

Not Your Normal Sunday Drive

2009-01-19T09:46:00.000Z

Sunday we decided to take a drive to South County Dublin. I quickly realized this is the Hollywood Hills of Ireland. So many beautiful mansions overlooking the Irish sea. Stunning! Lots of famous Irish film directors, authors, and band members live in this area. We had a great time just wandering about, even though you can probably tell it was quite windy. Notice how green everything is! We entertained ourselves all afternoon and ended the outing with fish and chips in a quaint little pub.

Today I have one more test to finish up the semester and then I have a two week break until the next semester starts. During this time I am going to spring clean (so I don't have to do it in the spring...office quote here) I am going to create Richy a website, use my gym membership, read a new book, and look for a part time job!

GET THIS!

2009-01-16T12:06:00.001Z

Notice to any "artists" out there! If you move to Ireland and create original work you are not taxed on your income. I can see where this idea was good in theory. Preserve the arts and help struggling artists get going...fine! As you know I am a huge fan of original art, but I think this law is being taken advantage of. Artists like Bono, Collin Farrel, and many other Irish stars aren't paying taxes in Ireland. Everyone in Ireland has their ideas about how to get out of the recession and who should be taking pay cuts. Here is mine...tax the millionaire "artists" their 40% like the rest of the Irish public are paying and I think we'd see a large surplus of money! Imagine if Hollywood didn't pay tax?! Don't think we would let that one fly...esp with Obama about to take office : )

(note I am not claiming to be an economist, or an expert on Irish culture, but I just can't get over this one. I know there are loads of nutsy American laws as well! )

Fayetteville get together!

2009-01-16T12:01:00.000Z

I forgot to put up pics from our Fayetteville Holiday party at Molly and Coy's house! So wonderful catching up with everyone! This crowd all are doing such different and interesting things right now! I have to say though when we get together it is as if nothing has changed! Sometimes we act like big 16 year olds! ha! Thanks Molly and Coy I really enjoyed getting together with everyone!

Some things I have observed!

2009-01-10T16:19:00.000Z

Here are a few things that I have found to be interesting while being in Dublin. Also I got lots of questions when I was home so here are some answers to common questions I got!

Drinking age is 18 here! Driving under the influence is taken more seriously here in my opinion. Richy won't drive after two beers. I also have to say that I don't think the Irish people I surround myself with drink anymore than friends and family back home. The drink thing would be a stereotype here in Ireland I believe!

Irish young people going "traveling". It is very common for a person to graduate get started in their profession and then just stop for 6 months to 2 years to travel the world. We're talking all over and nearly every continent. When questioning the expense of it all, I am told most take out loans. Which leads me to the next big observation.

If you are Irish and you go to a public college (kinda like a state school..ie U of A) you don't pay for college. I'll repeat. College is literally free here. Of course you have to have the grades, etc. My friend Clair went to a well known college in Dublin and said she paid a 700 euro registration fee. ( think I'm right on that number) The education is great here too! So since students aren't burdened with student loans, whats taking out money to travel the world! Probably the best education yet!

We spell word different than Irish and UK people. For example Color and Colour. Favorite and Favourite. I learn more nearly everyday! Weird!

This just might be me, but do most of y'all have a mini trash can in every room? Kitchen , bathrooms, laundry room, bedrooms? well most of the homes I've been in have one trash can. This American can make some trash! Richy had to give me a lesson on recycling and I thought I already went above and beyond!

Anyway enough random thoughts for now! Happy Saturday!

A few more home pictures!

2009-01-10T11:13:00.000Z

Christmas eve at was at Mom and Dad's this year. We change between ours and the Gramlings! Anyway probably my favorite time all year! Loved getting to catch up with old friends and new friends!

Here are a few more pics from being at home! Our Harry Cat was so happy to see me as well (he didn't even care how horrible I looked after traveling all day!) This family pic was taken probably 8 times til everyone was happy with their looks and position of the tree. ha! Here is Dad chillin like a villain by the lovely wine bar. Leah and I on Christmas day. I'm sure there will come a day when staying in our PJs all day won't work, but we're gonna do it as long as we can! Thanks everyone for the best Christmas yet! I loved being home and can't wait for my next trip!

Lots to blog about!

2009-01-06T15:08:00.001Z

So I'm a bit behind on my blogging! I got to go home for a while which was so so so nice! I loved getting to spend time with family and friends. Luckily Fayetteville had warm weather too so that was an added bonus!

Where to begin! Well you've seen my posts visiting with Rachel and Leanne and Emily. Then I was off to Little Rock for our "friends 7th annual Christmas party" Ashley hosted this year again and did a lovely job! As we all spread out it is nice to come together for some much needed time with the girls! : )

Here we have Sarah (Memphis, TN) Courtney (Fayetteville) Kandace (Little Rock) Ashley (Little Rock) Cristin (Providence, RI) Jessica (Conway) Mandy (Little Rock) Annie (Little Rock)

Yours Truly (Dublin) Shea (Charlise, AR)

After being back in the ville I had a fun night out at Bordino's! Thanks to Sarah Clark for moving tables and we were all able to sit in the front bar! ha! Bordino's half price wine bottles made for a fabulous night out!

Molly, Emily, Joanna, Theresa, Leah, Suzanne, Lindsey

One more night out with some friends who happen to all go to my church. Mallory joined us as well! I was having a serious Mexican food craving since it is few and far between on this side of the pond! Sometimes I dream about cheese dip!

Mwah, Brandy, Jo Kaye, and Kristen....Jo Kaye your house looks fab by the way! : )

I loved getting to see everyone, but the best part about being home was just being home! Dad, Mom, Leah and I had the best time! Besides Leah and I being messy...haha! We went on nice walks around campus, went shopping, went out to eat, went to the movies! Played games (Dad you loved them) ha! What a vacation?!

Okay so gotta get back to my studies...lots more pics to come!

Happy New Year!

Hair Cut

2008-12-23T05:43:00.000Z

I've always known that a hair cut is a regional thing....and now I know it is global as well! So I finally got a hair cut today and it was about freakin time! I think my hair was about to fall out! Southern gals have big hair...it is just what we do right?! My two hair cuts in Ireland took out about 60% of my hair...it is just a bit of a different style...not one way is right or wrong...its just different! I now have a nice blunt cut and hopefully it will grow back nice and full again! I know Richy will be thrilled I got a cut cause I have been confused about my hair for months! see before and after pics! pics from my fun filled weekend in LR to follow....in the morning!

The Boys!

2008-12-22T19:31:00.001Z

So Friday I went over to Rachel's to visit and catch up! I was amazed at how big McCoy is getting! He was so happy and just really lights up the room with his cute personality! Leanne and Holden came over too, which was fabulous cause I hadn't met Holden yet! He is a sweet sweet baby too! Love him! We had a few glasses of wine and just had a great time catching up! I do miss these girls, but it is so nice to be together and it seems nothing has really changed! You know you have good friends when it is like this I believe! It does make me sad I don't get to see these little guys on a regular basis, so I've very thankful for blogs! I feel more in the loop this way! Rachel have a nice time in Eldorado and thanks again for the fun afternoon!

Fun at the McCuskers!

2008-12-22T18:26:00.001Z

What a fun weekend at the McCusker household! We kind of had a mini Christmas with Richy's Mom and Dad, Sister Andrea and her husband John, Brother Steven and his girlfriend Lisa. We had a great night and a fabulous dinner the next day! It is really so nice to have such a wonderful family away from home! Miss you all!

We watched the last X-Factor which is like the Uk American Idol. I loved it and was happy with the end results! The girl band on the TV is Girls Aloud! I think I may be a fan! After the show we stayed up singing and listening to Steven play the guitar!

What a Saturday night!

2008-12-14T18:47:00.001Z

So fun pics to come! Too tired to upload them all now, and I need to be designing this dreaded website I have due! Late night at the McCusker house though! Think it was about 4 in the morning before all the singing and laughing ended!

p.s. I need to learn some good songs over the break that I can sing. So far I have embarrassed myself with the Arkansas fight song and the state song...ya know the one where you name the states in alphabetical order...oh and I sang some girl scout song about the Titanic. Being such a musical family, I'm lucky the McCuskers let me in their house! Mom and Dad are probably rolling their eyes cause the Morton's in general are quite musical as well...Leah and I just missed out on this talent!

I miss my Sunday School Class!

2008-12-14T18:27:00.000Z

One of the things I miss the most about being away from home is my church (First Christian Church). The last few years I was in a Sunday bible study called Focus. Well Focus had a tacky Christmas sweater party the other night and I was sad I was missing out! It made my day when I opened up this email from Brandy today to see they missed me too! : ) Glad you had fun guys! Rev Ryan, I'm really looking forward to the Christmas eve service as well as a Sunday Sermon. See everyone soon! Glad the party was a hit!

2008-12-12T18:45:00.000Z

Well I wish I had something interesting to blog about but clearly I do not. Just trying to get school finished for the semester while thinking about Christmas shopping and packing for my trip home! The one annoying and totally "Joanna thing to do" is I finished up my Documentary today. Spent an hour getting it off the computer and onto a DVD. When I turned it on for Richy to view .he watched the whole thing and after it was finished he said "that was brilliant, is it too late to change anything?" My stomach dropped...stupid me misspelled the word DESIGNER on the opening credit! MAJOR MISTAKE! Just when you think your finished with something......

Hopefully more entertaining blogs in the next few weeks! woohoo!

Christmas Tree!

2008-12-09T13:48:00.000Z

Here is a lovely picture of my Christmas tree from last year. I just loved it. Since we haven't had time to decorate here in Dublin (probably won't since we're both going home...shhhh) this pic will have to do for now! Mom has the house all decorated at home I hear and Miss Mary has their house decorated all pretty as well!

Just trying to finish up my semester! Lots of hard work still to come. Home on the 18th! How fun?!

Thanksgiving in Ireland?

2008-12-01T10:41:00.001Z

   Richy trying to break the egg! The things that entertain us! : )
   The hosts and Darren!
   Lucy and Eoin!
   Turned out great! And I thought cooking a turkey would be hard! ha!
   The Portobello Pub
   Richy the daredevil!
   To feed the swans...Has anyone seen gray swans before? Reason I ask is cause I hadn't and I told Richy someone had put ashes on some of the swans..haha
   Richy got the fun job of cleaning and stuffing the bird!
   Mom sent me cute napkins and other Thanksgiving treats! (don't think I found these in Dublin)
   A 13 lb turkey should do the trick!
   The day always starts with a mimosa if you are a Morton!

Who would have thought? Honestly I wasn't sure how it would go, but we had a fantastic and tasty Thanksgiving! We invited Eoin, Darren, and Lucy over for the holiday and cooked a feast! It was really a nice day and it did feel like Thanksgiving even though life was going on as usual outside our flat! While the turkey cooked we went and fed the swans and had a drink in the pub! After we pigged out our energy was drained, except we did have a debate about if you put an egg in your fingers and tried to break it would it? The answer is NO!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2008-11-26T21:44:00.001Z

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! Will have a full update on my Irish Thanksgiving...only problem I've run into so far is Pumpkin for my pie can't be found anywhere...boo hoo! Oh wPublish Postell Jane can make me one at XMAS! : )

We Had a Ball!

2008-11-24T16:55:00.001Z

This guy is famous.....so naturally we had our pic with him! : )
Richy's sis Andrea!
At the McCusker's before the ball!

This weekend we headed to Richy's home to attend a Gala Ball for the local football club's 75 birthday! This black tie wall was such a fun night out! Think this may have been my first black tie event.. Anyway we sat at a table with Richy's sister and husband John and some of Richy's cousin's! I even recycled a bridesmaid dress and added new some gloves and new jewelery.

My favorite part of the night was the dance! Richy and I are getting good thanks to our swing dance lessons! (at least WE think we're good) ha! could just look like a complete mess!

Now it is back to work for me! Lots of deadlines for my Master's! Happy Early Thanksgiving! Yes I will attempt to cook! Wish me luck!

Because I'm turning into a computer geek....

2008-11-20T13:24:00.000Z

Most people use Internet Explorer as their web browser. There are better and free options. Google just came out with a new browser that is way faster and supposedly safer than the alternatives. Google.."Google Chrome" and download for faster Internet! If you use a Mac you can't get Chrome just yet, but FireFox is excellent as well...

My Internet Authoring teacher would be so proud!

We knew I had a problem...

2008-11-20T13:07:00.000Z

Well I found out last night...the nausea I get when I see blood or someone hurt in front of me..not only applies to real life but to Movies as well...

Last night Richy and I went to see the movie Hunger which is a movie based on the 1981 hunger strikers in Belfast. I have to say the movie was brilliant and amazing acting...kinda doubt it will make the American market though which is too bad.

However the last 30 minutes of the film we see the lead basically starving to death. It was horrible and I got all hot and sweaty. Had to peal off layers of clothes and take off my uggs. I nearly fainted in the theatre and had to stop watching. If this actor could convince me that he was really starving enough for me to have my usual reaction to seeing pain then the man deserves an academy award.

This last weekend!

2008-11-17T10:38:00.000Z

This weekend was a nice one! Friends over Friday for drinks and dessert! Saturday we just laid low for the day and watched the movie "Dan in Real Life" very funny! Later that evening we had a wedding reception at Harvey Nicholls! Great fun, great food and drink, and so nice to meet more of Richy's friends.

Next weekend it is back to Richy's hometown for a fancy ball! Really looking forward to this one! :) And Jessica Zimmerman you would be proud....your bridesmaid dress is making a come back!

Can't believe how close it is til Christmas! Dublin is certainly ready for it! Pictures from Grafton Street! You wouldn't believe the windows! I had to snap some shots!

Bleeding Horse

2008-11-14T15:06:00.000Z

Last weekend to celebrate a long week of research and a birthday some of my fellow grad students met up at the Bleeding Horse pub! We are quite an eclectic group! Out of about 20 or so there are only three Irish people. The rest of us come from the fabulous US of A! China, Luxembourg, Romania, India, and Brazil! I enjoy learning about where everyone is from. We all bring a different perspective!

Conversion Rates!

2008-11-11T20:21:00.000Z

Who would have thought watching the conversion rates of the good ole US dollar to the Euro would cause me such joy! I have watched the Euro drop or the Dollar gain strength (however you want to say it) since I arrived in July! When i got here it was about one euro equal to 1.68 dollars. Today it is one euro equal to 1.25 $! Things just got cheaper!

What does this mean to you......???time to come visit!!!! HURRY WHILE IT LASTS! yay! Also watched my flight home for Xmas drop by $700.00 since arriving to the emerald isle!

More Scotland!

2008-11-09T19:08:00.001Z

View from the top of the royal mile!
The Royal Mile! Such a cozy and old part of town!
Richy met Bob while going to College in Edinburgh!
two guesses what I was singing......???
Bob you're (thanks for the spellcheck mom!) the best singer I think.....
After our short night out it was back to Bob's for some karoke
Richy found Jesus at the pub....
At Bob's pad! Gordon couldn't resist! A few drinks before heading out!
We had a fun Scottish welcoming party waiting for us! Bob and Gordon
Fly fly away! Only a 45 minute flight from Dublin to Edinburgh! We arrived to Edinburgh about 11 at night...

Hi there! More pics of our trip to Scotland! Enjoy! Such a great weekend!