Summertime (and the living is easy)

The play was terrific! Very unique and a strong message about people's relationships with drugs (both illegal and legal) and the affects the pharmaceutical industry has on the world socially and politically. It was performed in St. Patrick's Cathedral which made the performance all the more beautiful.

I have taken up jogging. Yes. I have just completed week one of my nine week intro program to running known as Couch to 5k. So far so good. I am now not only going to be an obnoxious blogger who blogs about living abroad and amazing culinary experiences, but also running. Also I now drink what many refer to as a "green monster" the oh-so healthy smoothie with the main ingredient of spinach. Mine is more of a sludgy mud colour but miraculously tastes delicious. I was skeptical at first but it truly is more than edible.

We are experiencing a heat wave. As in the temperature may at it's very highest reach 70 degrees fahrenheit (that's about 21 celsius). I have actually heard Irish complaining about how hot it is. I laugh because of course this is a lovely temperature and unless the forests are ablaze from wild fires due to dry climates, well this is nothing aside from beautiful.

I have been sunning myself and enjoying being outside as much as possible because although they say it's going to last till Wednesday you never know. What makes the sunny days especially nice is that the evenings are so long here, it doesn't get dark till at least 10.30!

The other night I went to see Moonrise Kingdom in the cinema that is literally across the street from me (one of the perks of city living). I went by myself which in my days of single-hood is something that I learned that i like doing. Hey, Carrie from Sex and the City did too! The Irishman is in South Africa for two weeks doing something he calls working. Whatever. I have been enjoying my alone time. Yesterday I went to five galleries. Yes five. I like going to galleries because, first of all, you get to see art which I like (obviously you will have gathered this by now) second of all, they are free and finally it's a good way if you ever need to kill time or get out of the weather be it rain or shine. Today after treating myself to some frozen yogurt and then read a book in the park. A tiny lady bug came over and landed on my flip-flops.

And I'll leave you with that. Happy Summer!

Ireland: Coming to a City Near You!

I'm back from two lovely weeks in the USA. My brother graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a BA in Philosophy. I am a very proud sister. Portland is a wonderful city and I had my fill of coffee and craft beers as well as some amazing Thai food, Spanish tapas, and Vietnamese sandwiches.  Yum!

Then I spent time in Long Beach, CA, where my darling parents are now living, basking in the sun and eating all the avocados. I actually managed to get sunburned within the first thirty minutes that I ventured out. Clearly I should apply for Irish citizenship based in that alone.

The Irishman came to visit! We went to Catalina Island for the day and a Dodgers baseball game so that he could have a true American experience. We went out with my dad on his boat and saw two dolphins, sea lions and pelicans. He also met my cousins which for some reason makes me feel really old. My parents have met a few Irish people in Long Beach and so, of course, they had a dinner party so that everyone could be well, Irish. This culminated in singing, telling dirty limericks, and of course the bottle of Middleton being empty. Did I mention they were Irish?

While on my travels I tried to think of comparing and contrasting (I remember this being a writing exercise in school that seemed so silly!) my life in Ireland to life in America. I think that the USA has better food, mostly because there is more diversity in type of food. In Portland we went to a breakfast place a la Southern style cooking where they served bacon and eggs with fried chicken and biscuits. (I opted out on the fried chicken). Biscuits, by the way, as in the bread like delight, not the cookie like things served with tea in Ireland. How American am I? Gushing on about food.

Side Note: Which reminds me, when I was talking to my brother's friends about life in Ireland they all asked me "what do you eat?" Now, I'm not sure if this is because a. they still believe Ireland to be in the perils of the Great Famine or b. that all the Irish consume is potatoes. Assuming it is the latter they are mostly correct. The potato remains a staple of the Irish diet along with butter and tea. The Irish, however, do eat other things and as there has been an influx of immigrants from far away exotic places they have brought their food with them and is has been incorporated into the Irish menu. For instance there is a lot of Indian food and so you can now put curry on your chips! Also, they have shops-or grocery stores-where one can buy most food products and prepare their own meals as they wish. Although I did have to go to three stores before I could find black beans.

Americans complain a lot when they are traveling. I have noticed this over the years, it's like some sort of bonding. "Oh, you're cranky and tired and didn't sleep on the flight?" "OMG me too! Let's bitch about it together." And speaking of bitching, JFK airport is terrible and the lines for security and hour wait for my luggage was ridiculous. Ok now I shall go back to my grateful self who is glad that I can travel and travel safely.

It's gray outside and my skin is peeling. Gross. Tonight I am going to a play in St. Patrick's Cathedral, I am looking forward to it. I'll be back with more soon, stay tuned!

Weekend Update

As promised I managed to sneak in another post! And check out the newish layout and title. I know, you're amazed. It rained all day, again. I am very much looking forward to getting some sun in the States these next two weeks.

The workshop went really well! Then I was whisked away to Westport (in Co. Mayo) with the Irishman and his family. We took the train and I saw more adorable leaping lambykins (or otherwise known as lambs, obviously). I like taking the train, it's very European and civilized. I eat cheese and drink wine as I look out the window and listen to some crazy lady ramble on about how trains in Europe are more efficient than in the US (which is true, of course).

Alright I will leave you with this lovely photo of Westport and I will be back with more soon upon my return. Now it's time to sleep before my early start!