June 2010
73 posts
The End...
And now for The End…We went to the Center for our goodbye reception and it was so sweet and simple. They presented us with official little program completion certificates and spoke a few words about the adventures. Anyone who has had contact with us or helped us out was invited so it was great to see some familiar faces. We were asked to say a few words and I just didn’t know what to say. How do...
The Middle
As we waited for the boat the five of us stood there smelling of manure and salt water. I’m sure we were quite an eye sore. We headed straight to the adventure site and really didn’t know what we had signed our selves up for but I was excited. We ran off and put on our wet suits, got our helmets and threw on a life jacket and proceded to jump into this adventure van. He explained that we were...
The Beginning...
What a day, I have to split it up! So this morning and afternoon were just the beginning of the day! We headed over to the center for 10am, and met with the local MP of Downpatrick. She was so kind and welcoming to us, and gave us yet another political opinion. It just amazes me how many active political parties there are in this country. We took a few photos with her and then headed off to the...
Saturday, Saturday!
It was such a calm day, and I was totally okay with that. We were able to sleep in a little bit, but of course for the most part we were all wide awake like we had to go to our placements. We headed over to Castle Ward which was just beautiful. It is so full of history, and had lots of great little features in the castle including hidden doors. I love a good hidden door! I was a little bothered by...
“The trouble with her is that she lacks the power of conversation but not the...”
– George Bernard Shaw
Hard to believe...
To kick-off my last two days, a few observations I have made about the area… 1. They love Chinese food, I’ve seen more Chinese restaurants here than in any U.S. city. 2. They don’t like or use peanut butter. 3. There is only one degree of separation in Northern Ireland 4. Craic is not a drug. 5. Sprinkles are an important part of daily life here. 6. ...
Out with a bang...
I tell ya what. Our last day went out with a bang! We were picked up bright an early by Maynard who showed up in a pink shirt, a pink tie and cowboy boots. Needless to say, he set the mood for the day. We headed into the Belfast area and were scheduled to meet Chris from BBC Radio to do a quick interview about what we have been doing while in Ireland. He was so kind, and we were out on the dock of...
Friday!
Good Morning and Happy Friday. I can’t believe it is the end of placements, but I’m sure it will be a good day. We have a concert this evening so I’ll be posting later than usual-but be sure to tune in!
“I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing.”
– Oscar Wilde
WatchStreet Band in Dublin
Important People Day!
Today was an interesting day and started off by heading to Stormont Castle to meet the First Minister, Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. As we approached the castle we were greeted by a man who knows anything you can possibly imagine about the castle and gave us a brief tour as we waited for our meeting. They were so welcoming and had tea ready for us, which us young...
Photos..
Sorry for the delay on photos from yesterday, our internet was playing mind games. I’ve just posted a few so that it actually loads them…another adventure today is in the works for sure!
P.S. Congrats to the Blackhawks! Thanks for keeping my boyfriend distracted while I’ve been gone!
Dublin the Fun
I have just gotten home after a long 15 hour day! So please pardon my shortened post.
We were up early and on our coach to head to Dublin. We arrived in the city after about a two hour ride, and headed to the tourism bureau to pick up our hop-on, hop-off bus passes for all the local sites. We got on the bus and our first stop was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It was absolutely beautiful in the church,...
The totally rocking out version of Country Roads →
Enjoy, this should wake you up! We are headed off to Dublin!
WatchMaynard singing!!!
Country Roads-Take Me Home!
Well our first rainy day was still a great one! Despite knowing that due to rain frizzy hair was going to be an ongoing battle today along with keeping Maynard in line, we went into the day with positive attitudes. Ha! We drove for quite awhile to go back up near towards the North coast. We met up with Gary, who does Maynard’s job except for the Northwest region of Northern Ireland. He lives up...
It was bound to happen....
After 10 days without a drop of rain in Ireland, we’ve got a rainy day ahead of us. I was beginning to think all this rain in Ireland was a lie!
“The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor. He takes my measurements...”
– George Bernard Shaw
Maynard Monday & The Black Dress
Today was an interesting day full of culture. A Monday with Maynard is quite a way to start the week-but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We went down to Shankill Road which is a very Protestant area in East Belfast. Last week a man was shot down in front of a church on Shankill Road, and Maynard felt that it was important for us to see the area and where this man was gunned down. It was very...
WatchCarrick-a-Rede
Monday...
I’m feel pretty tired from all the running around this weekend, but it is the beginning of the last week! Busy day ahead…
Dear Subway's of the United States...
Dear Subway’s of the United States,
I have always been quite fond of you-and your “eat fresh” attitude but I feel incredibly jipped. As I was walking along I noticed that here in Ireland the Subway’s have a snack menu featuring nachos, pizza bread, and a random bowl of meatballs. Now as much as I don’t understand where the meatballs fit in, I still can whole heartedly appreciate a good...
That Titanic thing was huge...
Today was a calm day yet I’m still exhausted! We got to “lay in” this morning and met up with Tim at the St. Patrick’s Center. We were able to spend the morning in the St. Patrick’s Exhibition and really were able to find out a lot more about St. Patrick. I always thought I knew quite a bit about the fellow-but it turns out there was a lot more to learn. The exhibit they have put together is...
Words can't describe...
As you can see pictures did yesterday more justice than my words could! I’m off for another adventure!
“All money is tainted, tain’t none of it mine.”
– Thomas Francis McGuire
"I think I've met you before"
The internet was down last night! I apologize for the delay!
Today was supposed to be calm day but it was not. We went right into Belfast and met up with Tim who said due to weather we would be heading up the North Coast today instead of tomorrow. We began to drive up the coastal drive and the views were absolutely unbelievable. We stopped along the way at St. Patrick’s Parish, Andrew Jackson’s...
Has it been a week already?!
Good Morning! I hope everyone has a great day-I’ve got a busy one ahead of me, but I’m posting pictures of the view last night.
Don't Drink & Drive...
Today was quite a calm day, and I can’t say that was the worst thing in the world. I’m so exhausted. I thought for sure by now I’d be better on their time-but I’m not. I hit a wall at about 3 in the afternoon, but usually can survive! We started off the day in the St. Patrick Center. The center is absolutely beautiful-and they are the reason we are here. We went up to Tim’s office, and this man...
Luck of the Irish...
Thought for the day: Yesterday as we were sitting in the office I was joking with Maynard about buying a lottery ticket and winning it in Ireland since I can’t seem to win in the States. I told him I was a pretty lucky girl-and I might have a chance. He said, “I think we are all born with the same amount of luck-and some people just need to use it quicker than others…”