I am beginning to seriously question whether we are meant to have wifi in our place or not. I definitely do not mind the excuse to come to the lovely coffee shop, Halperin's, but I know the kids and the fam back home would like to communicate on a more regular basis. Let's get this taken care of already!
I decided next week I will go and investigate a place called Sally Gap that takes you up and through a central part of the mountains. It seems like a wild place that Sophia and Saul may have traversed though, so that makes it a definite trip for me.
I also have been kindly given a few local contacts by another mom at the school and I will begin to reach out to people next week as well. I'm surprised it's taken me this long to feel comfortable enough to start calling up and emailing people over here to discuss my book. I would assume finally getting settled in our home has a lot to do with it, but it is certainly interesting that I have been here over a month now and have not set up anything official yet. I haven't even set foot in a library! Don't mistake my surprise for anxiety or worry at this point, however. I'm fully comfortable in trusting that the cadence of this research is in perfect rhythm with my writing process.
Speaking of writing, I have good news! Tuesday morning Sophia and Tristan made up, and did so beautifully. As soon as I finished writing their conversation, it was remarkably obvious to me why they had to get in the fight in the first place. It was a good reminder that even when things seem to be going in a rocky direction with a friend, sometimes the rocks are exactly what we need to break through walls within ourselves that keep us from seeing others with empathy and trying to understand another's perspective. We need to remember we have the power to be empathetic of others, whether we fully understand or agree with their decisions. Boy, I love these characters!
In a week, the kids get a week off school and I want to find some places to take them around the country. A few day trips and maybe one overnight, depending on how far we want to go from home base. The kids and I will probably go check out Clew Bay over in County Clare during their break because it is the location where Grania O'Malley, the famed Pirate Queen, lived. We had a great interest in her (still do) about a year ago and her story was the chosen bedtime story for many a night. I was pleasantly surprised when my daughter, talking to her pottery teacher when I mentioned trying to check out that area, rattled off the most informative facts about Grania's life. It must have sunk in!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Monday, February 2, 2015
Heh, Hello!
Yes, well, ahem.... Okay. I'm late. Super late. Even later than Becky-time late. It certainly did stretch out longer than a week since the last time I wrote, but in my defense, a lot has happened. I know. That is just all the more reason I should have written more often to keep up with it all, but, ya know. So, biggest news is, We moved into our place!!! It's a lovely little condo thing (never would have seen that coming) and the space is perfect for us! It's two stories with three bedrooms and two baths upstairs (one bedroom has an en-suite, which will work perfect for visitors...hint,hint) and the downstairs has a nice entry, hallway, half bath, cosy living room and perfect kitchen/dining room with a balcony off the back we can even see some of the ocean from, after looking over some horse pasture! I'm very pleased I waited. Because most importantly, it feels right. And the location is fantastic. Five minutes from the kids' school, five minutes from the main motorway, and ten to fifteen minutes from the mountains. So grand!!!
The delay moving came in the form of a stomach virus that had me out of commission for a day and had me feeling like I wanted to be out of commission for three. But, no one else was going to lug the 50+ lb. suitcases from the hostel to the house for me, so I sucked it up and made it happen. (Can you hear the tiny violins now?) Lol I am just glad the bug I felt skipped the kids. They are loving the new place, and are pleased to be able to unpack finally. I will get the wifi running tomorrow and all my posts will soon grow pictures! Yay!
Over the weekend we went up to Glendalough to celebrate St. Brigid's Day and made St. Brigid's crosses out of reeds and had the most beautiful harpist play the most beautiful music during a meditation that was truly enlightening. The robin that visited us the first time we went there came back to welcome us as soon as we pulled up and it was a lovely, though bitterly cold, day. I intend on spending more time up in those mountains once it gets a tad warmer!
My daughter and I also started our pottery classes last week, and I am so pleased she loves it. I also enjoyed a comfortable return to the wheel after not having been on it for over a year, and came out with a lovely mug (which I will pull a handle for tomorrow) and a small bowl. It is quite important when instigating large changes in your life (like moving to another country where you know no one) to cultivate familiar links to the parts of yourself you enjoy experiencing. Pottery is an old friend and I am so thankful we can visit here. And I am thankful I'm only allowed two hours a week to do it, for it easily becomes something that I will spend most of my time doing. So, these limited little voyages into the potter's space in my brain will remain unobtrusive to my main purpose here, but will be respected as a cherished part of my weekly schedule.
Well, time for me to go take care of some things, like opening a bank account. signing up for wifi, and buying lightbulbs for the kids' bedrooms. Let there be light in all of your days, as well! Sending hugs!
cheers
The delay moving came in the form of a stomach virus that had me out of commission for a day and had me feeling like I wanted to be out of commission for three. But, no one else was going to lug the 50+ lb. suitcases from the hostel to the house for me, so I sucked it up and made it happen. (Can you hear the tiny violins now?) Lol I am just glad the bug I felt skipped the kids. They are loving the new place, and are pleased to be able to unpack finally. I will get the wifi running tomorrow and all my posts will soon grow pictures! Yay!
Over the weekend we went up to Glendalough to celebrate St. Brigid's Day and made St. Brigid's crosses out of reeds and had the most beautiful harpist play the most beautiful music during a meditation that was truly enlightening. The robin that visited us the first time we went there came back to welcome us as soon as we pulled up and it was a lovely, though bitterly cold, day. I intend on spending more time up in those mountains once it gets a tad warmer!
My daughter and I also started our pottery classes last week, and I am so pleased she loves it. I also enjoyed a comfortable return to the wheel after not having been on it for over a year, and came out with a lovely mug (which I will pull a handle for tomorrow) and a small bowl. It is quite important when instigating large changes in your life (like moving to another country where you know no one) to cultivate familiar links to the parts of yourself you enjoy experiencing. Pottery is an old friend and I am so thankful we can visit here. And I am thankful I'm only allowed two hours a week to do it, for it easily becomes something that I will spend most of my time doing. So, these limited little voyages into the potter's space in my brain will remain unobtrusive to my main purpose here, but will be respected as a cherished part of my weekly schedule.
Well, time for me to go take care of some things, like opening a bank account. signing up for wifi, and buying lightbulbs for the kids' bedrooms. Let there be light in all of your days, as well! Sending hugs!
cheers
Friday, January 23, 2015
What?! Friday again? (Part two)
Here I am with another week under my belt and no posts to show for it. Ah well. Such is life. I'm Happy to announce that on Monday we will be moving into a lovely little place. It is (very) surprisingly the top two floors of a townhouse in a section of townhouses, but seeing as it is the first place that has felt all around "right" to me, it is perfect. Plus there's a lot of kids around so, mine will have friends to play with. And it's well under my allocated budget, so that means a lot of opportunity for travel expenses to be where they need to be to fully appreciate this remarkable country.
We are off to Galway City early Saturday morning for a Lego League event my son's classmates are involved in and we are staying over night to explore some of the countryside over there. It is a two and a half hour drive due west, so I figured we'd make a weekend out of it!
More great news! I think I found the river in my book yesterday! It is called the Avonmore River and since the kids have a half day at school today, we are going to return there (I was there yesterday) and have a picnic on its banks. I am already excited to be back by it. It flows by the house I thought to be Sophia's which, to my utter disappointment the day I first saw it in person, is not the house of Sophia. But now I understand the house was there to lead me to the river I needed to see. It is so ingenious the way this all works out in life, don't you think? :)
Well, I must be off to gather picnic supplies before I pick up my fellow adventurers, so until next time (hopefully in much less than a week) take care and keep smiling. It lightens your soul.
cheers!
Becky
We are off to Galway City early Saturday morning for a Lego League event my son's classmates are involved in and we are staying over night to explore some of the countryside over there. It is a two and a half hour drive due west, so I figured we'd make a weekend out of it!
More great news! I think I found the river in my book yesterday! It is called the Avonmore River and since the kids have a half day at school today, we are going to return there (I was there yesterday) and have a picnic on its banks. I am already excited to be back by it. It flows by the house I thought to be Sophia's which, to my utter disappointment the day I first saw it in person, is not the house of Sophia. But now I understand the house was there to lead me to the river I needed to see. It is so ingenious the way this all works out in life, don't you think? :)
Well, I must be off to gather picnic supplies before I pick up my fellow adventurers, so until next time (hopefully in much less than a week) take care and keep smiling. It lightens your soul.
cheers!
Becky
Friday, January 16, 2015
Friday again?
Well that week went quickly!
Science fair was a big hit and I think it was an afternoon well spent. Once again, pictures will eventually make it. Lol The house I had thought we might be in by now got rented while we were in Dublin, but it was my fault for waiting until we left the city to call the renter back. The kids were a bit bummed, but I told them that just means there's a better place for us out there! So, we're still at the hostel. We've made friends with a traveler from Poland who has been living in Ireland for the past ten years. He is a globe trotter but is helping the owner a bit around the building.
It's been a grand week. The first swimming lesson was on Monday, I returned the rental car and bought a cheap used car (that I am going to hopefully trade in for a better car soon) and we looked at another great house on Tuesday, finally got all the correct school books sorted out and found a tie (!) on Wednesday and I discovered Devil's Glen outside Ashford and discovered a Paulo Coelho in a thrift shop I had never heard of on Thursday. My favorite part of the week I'll disclose was on Thursday morning when I put pen to paper directly writing on the book for the first time in almost a month! I had been using my writing time to make preparations before we left, and here, I had been using it running around trying to "get stuff done" and it felt so lovely to hang out with my characters again. Even if it was for an event that ended with Sophia storming off from a conversation she had with Tristan before he leaves for the war. I think I missed them. I wrote four pages in the time I had and it felt great. All in all a productive week despite winds of gale force yesterday and the day before. Remnants of the hurricane, I suppose.
So, here we are on Friday again and I am happily perched on a leather chair next to a window making me fondly reminiscent of my writing days at Wm Van's in Springfield. I randomly drove down roads this morning I hadn't driven down before (always a great idea when looking for a place you're not quite sure what place you're looking for) and saw a coffee shop at the end of a "T," saying, "Hello." Ahhh, the luxury of strong wifi and a full-sized keyboard at my finger's disposal to type out this blog! Pair that with a tasty Americano and I'm a happy camper!
Well, I am going to sign off and finish the rest of my wifi necessary work before my battery leaks dry. I forgot my converter at the hostel, so there's no recharging the juice until I get back up there.
Have a beautiful day and remember the magic!
cheers
Science fair was a big hit and I think it was an afternoon well spent. Once again, pictures will eventually make it. Lol The house I had thought we might be in by now got rented while we were in Dublin, but it was my fault for waiting until we left the city to call the renter back. The kids were a bit bummed, but I told them that just means there's a better place for us out there! So, we're still at the hostel. We've made friends with a traveler from Poland who has been living in Ireland for the past ten years. He is a globe trotter but is helping the owner a bit around the building.
It's been a grand week. The first swimming lesson was on Monday, I returned the rental car and bought a cheap used car (that I am going to hopefully trade in for a better car soon) and we looked at another great house on Tuesday, finally got all the correct school books sorted out and found a tie (!) on Wednesday and I discovered Devil's Glen outside Ashford and discovered a Paulo Coelho in a thrift shop I had never heard of on Thursday. My favorite part of the week I'll disclose was on Thursday morning when I put pen to paper directly writing on the book for the first time in almost a month! I had been using my writing time to make preparations before we left, and here, I had been using it running around trying to "get stuff done" and it felt so lovely to hang out with my characters again. Even if it was for an event that ended with Sophia storming off from a conversation she had with Tristan before he leaves for the war. I think I missed them. I wrote four pages in the time I had and it felt great. All in all a productive week despite winds of gale force yesterday and the day before. Remnants of the hurricane, I suppose.
So, here we are on Friday again and I am happily perched on a leather chair next to a window making me fondly reminiscent of my writing days at Wm Van's in Springfield. I randomly drove down roads this morning I hadn't driven down before (always a great idea when looking for a place you're not quite sure what place you're looking for) and saw a coffee shop at the end of a "T," saying, "Hello." Ahhh, the luxury of strong wifi and a full-sized keyboard at my finger's disposal to type out this blog! Pair that with a tasty Americano and I'm a happy camper!
Well, I am going to sign off and finish the rest of my wifi necessary work before my battery leaks dry. I forgot my converter at the hostel, so there's no recharging the juice until I get back up there.
Have a beautiful day and remember the magic!
cheers
Friday, January 9, 2015
Hello, First Relic!
First ruins sighting today!!! I sure wish I could figure out how and on what device I can post pictures to this blog from ... Bet you do, too... Well lucky thing there's an edit button! The pictures will make it eventually.
The building was an old church and it was on my way to Arklow to find a tie for my son's uniform. (No, he still does not have a tie) I came upon it after a curve in the road and (of course) doubled back for a closer look. The way it was overgrown was stunning and the wind shared little secrets with me as I followed a faint foot path around its exterior. Remarkable and so inspirational. Thanks for the lovely surprise on my drive!
Tomorrow finds us driving into Dublin so my son can support his classmates at their science fair. Should be a good time. I'm looking forward to entering the city center for the first time! I better get some rest. Loves!
cheers
The building was an old church and it was on my way to Arklow to find a tie for my son's uniform. (No, he still does not have a tie) I came upon it after a curve in the road and (of course) doubled back for a closer look. The way it was overgrown was stunning and the wind shared little secrets with me as I followed a faint foot path around its exterior. Remarkable and so inspirational. Thanks for the lovely surprise on my drive!
Tomorrow finds us driving into Dublin so my son can support his classmates at their science fair. Should be a good time. I'm looking forward to entering the city center for the first time! I better get some rest. Loves!
cheers
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Crossing fingers and winking for our new home
I neglected to post last night, but I assure you, you were all in my thoughts while I lay under three blankets and couldn't convince myself to type out a post using the usually functioning keypad on my phone in the chillyness of our hostel room. I knew you'd understand!
I am very expectant and excited to see what is in store for our new house and I am sure I will be posting the results by the beginning of next week if not sooner! For now, I will post a picture of the beautiful view from the car park of the hostel as I was leaving to take the kids to school this morning. Last night's menu was pizza for dinner and tonight will be.... Leftovers!!! Good thing I like spaghetti so much :) I don't think any of the gluten free pizza crust will willingly be shared with me. I am just happy to have found it for him.
Tomorrow I go to look at a car. It's not diesel, but it sounds like a good car. And it has other perks, like seat warmers and a moon roof. Sounds good to me! And it's manual, which was nonnegotiable in my mind. These hills are very fun to drive through, but I wouldn't want to approach some of the inclines without a dedicated first gear I can independently shift to, to rely upon. There's also something called NCT that a friend told me I should make sure is current for the whole time I'll have the car, and this one has one valid til October.
I enjoy feeling myself taking steps closer to be able to actually go out and get started doing what I came over here to do. The hostel is very near the Avondale House, which I found pictures of back in the States of the house reminiscent of Sophia's home, and I am glad it is so close. I am reserving the time to drop by and check it out for the first time until it feels right. I'll know.
One more really fantastic thing before I go... Right next to the coffee shop I've enjoying an Americano in every morning is a pottery shop! I stopped by yesterday and they are beginning classes again at the end of the month, so now I will have the opportunity to remake a bowl of mine that sadly did not survive the trip over here. My daughter is very interested in classes as well! The two talented artists I've met there are extremely kind and lovely girls. I feel so blessed for the opportunities given and care taken in making my life so wonderful. Thank you thank you thank you world!!!
Much love!
cheers
I am very expectant and excited to see what is in store for our new house and I am sure I will be posting the results by the beginning of next week if not sooner! For now, I will post a picture of the beautiful view from the car park of the hostel as I was leaving to take the kids to school this morning. Last night's menu was pizza for dinner and tonight will be.... Leftovers!!! Good thing I like spaghetti so much :) I don't think any of the gluten free pizza crust will willingly be shared with me. I am just happy to have found it for him.
Tomorrow I go to look at a car. It's not diesel, but it sounds like a good car. And it has other perks, like seat warmers and a moon roof. Sounds good to me! And it's manual, which was nonnegotiable in my mind. These hills are very fun to drive through, but I wouldn't want to approach some of the inclines without a dedicated first gear I can independently shift to, to rely upon. There's also something called NCT that a friend told me I should make sure is current for the whole time I'll have the car, and this one has one valid til October.
I enjoy feeling myself taking steps closer to be able to actually go out and get started doing what I came over here to do. The hostel is very near the Avondale House, which I found pictures of back in the States of the house reminiscent of Sophia's home, and I am glad it is so close. I am reserving the time to drop by and check it out for the first time until it feels right. I'll know.
One more really fantastic thing before I go... Right next to the coffee shop I've enjoying an Americano in every morning is a pottery shop! I stopped by yesterday and they are beginning classes again at the end of the month, so now I will have the opportunity to remake a bowl of mine that sadly did not survive the trip over here. My daughter is very interested in classes as well! The two talented artists I've met there are extremely kind and lovely girls. I feel so blessed for the opportunities given and care taken in making my life so wonderful. Thank you thank you thank you world!!!
Much love!
cheers
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Well, not a good wifi here at the hostel, but the kitchen at our disposal allowed me to make some kickass spaghetti! So yummy! I cooked dinner in a kitchen so cold you could see your breath while the kids got their homework done. Hot tea helped the process... Well, since the radiators kick off in our room soon, I'm calling it a night to try and conk out while it's still decent in here. Kids are buried with blankets. Thinking warm thoughts!!!
cheers
cheers
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