Pissin' Down Rain!

We were stuck inside most of the day! I decided to step out on my own and see some of the local shops. I'm beginning to know my way around also, which is good! Again, I only took a few pictures....only because I didn't want to look like the tourist that I am!

I found this cute little shoe shop and bought some new boots!

They were on sale for 30 Euro, which is a really good deal! The kids are getting more used to my presence now, but I can still see some hesitancy with them concerning my authority. Kids are a lot of work! They are precious though, and I'm just focusing on having fun with them!!! I'm picking up little Alex on my own tomorrow from her playschool and am looking forward to the brisk walk up by the church! I'll make sure to take a picture and post it tomorrow!

Here are some more words that I have learned:

Nappie - Diaper

Creche(crash) - Daycare

Serviette - Napkin

...a sudden stretch - grew very quickly

We had some stuffed pork fillets tonight which were awesome! Filled with apple, bleu cheese and spring onions...of course some potatoes and cauliflower. I have also learned to eat properly with my utensils ( well, properly in this part of the world) You know...with the fork upside down and the knife in your dominate hand. It took a little while to get used to, but while in Rome!!!

More Later!! Learning new stuff everyday!!!

Here in Skerries!!!

I've made it!!! I'm still a bit shell shocked, but am trying to get acquainted as quickly as possible! The kids and I went for a walk today and it was "fecking cold" the town is straight out of a movie set! I'm not kidding. I can't believe that people carry on their daily lives in such a beautiful place. Do they even realize how amazing this little town is? I haven't seen much in the way of "night life" yet, but just emailed an au pair who has been here for a few months and hope that she will show me around. I'm going to try and make it into Dublin this weekend. If not, next weekend for sure! I'm still working out the schedule w/ the kids and hope to get in to a routine fairly soon! The family seems anxious for me to begin driving. I'm pretty nervous about it, b/c if you have seen how small the roads are there is not much room for error. Coming from Texas where you routinely have 6 lane highways to a small coastal town in Ireland w/ barely there roads, you tend to be a little weary about driving. Oh yeah, and don't forget that they drive on the left! Haven't gotten use to that yet! Here are some pictures of my room and some pictures of the town. Not very many, I had the kids with me and could only snap a few and had to take them very quickly!!!

More Later!...I'm trying to remember all of the slang that I can. Here are some words that have come up so far.

Sausie - Sausage

Plasters - Band aids

Many others ....just can't remember right now!

First Twinge of NERVES!

I would like to think that I am a fairly thorough individual. I plan, save, dream and organize ( don't laugh, I can be organized about some things!)

By doing this, I assumed that I would be taking all of the worry and nerves out of my trip. To my dismay...didn't work!

I felt my first; down in the pit of your stomach, pre-puking, light headed feeling earlier tonight. I think because I have said my goodbyes and now have nothing to do but wait.

Staying busy has always been my way of avoiding any true feelings, because undoubtedly my fears are displayed through pangs of physical discomfort ( see above!)

I suppose it could be worse! Just imagine how I would feel if I had not prepared emotionally for my travels...not good!

Without my family and friend's support...I don't know that this trip would have been possible. I'm stronger than I have ever been, and that is due to the love of the above mentioned.

I love to say "the above mentioned" sounds lawyerly!

Blog Title Change!

Thanks to my brilliant friend Angel G., my new blog title will be..."Keeping Up With Jones". It seems like such an obvious choice! Educated people do tend to flock together...at least that's what I've been told!

Back in Austin!!

Well, we have successfully moved my belongings back to my parents house and I am back in Austin until Thursday! It's actually quite nice to be here and not have to drag myself in to a job every morning. I am very excited about my trip and think about it atleast 10 times a day! I don't think that it will actually hit me until I have arrived and sleep my first night in a new place!

I am feeling a bit anxious about leaving the people that I love, but the good part is...they will always be there!!

I have scoped out a cool little coffee shop just two blocks from where I will be staying and I'm sure that I will be a frequent visitor!

Bless the Coffee Shop!!!

Annual Sick Day (week)!!

OK, so I guess it's my time to lay in bed, swearing to the ceiling and promising things that no human could possibly accomplish.

SSSSSIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!

Seriously?...At least this only happens but once a year. Unfortunately when the time does roll around, it hits me like a Mack Truck!!

Finally went to the doctor and was informed that I have a bacterial infection in my throat! Mmm Yum! Glands Swollen? Check! Impossible to swallow or breath? Check! Large, ( very attractive I might add) pustules on your tonsils? Check!

I am good to go!!!

I was going to give you a visual, but decided to spare you.

You can thank me later!

Preparing for the Long Haul!!

Well I'm in steady packing mode. Actually I have a lot more shit than I thought! Things seem to keep popping up no matter how many boxes I seem to fill.

How many bottles of lotion does one woman need? I was thinking of dumping them all in to one large bottle and being done with it, but the idea of smelling like a a musky old lady in a hot box swayed me a bit....

Ciao for Now!!