Some flowers and a beach. A lovely week.

There have been some pleasant photo taking opportunities over the past week. I have witnessed blooming plants, a beach visit and even a trip to Ikea. Wednesday afternoon saw the departure of James back to Washington, which was extremely sad. Dear Jacki leaves tonight. It has been a spectacular two weeks of friendship and memory making. I'm feeling refreshed and very excited to get back into some projects that have been on hold while they've been visiting.

Last week we were able to squeeze in a trip to Manhattan beach. James read and Jacki drew while I decided to wander about in search of seashells. I've always been a big fan of shells. In Washington there are so many beautiful oyster shells, but they're not allowed to be removed from the beach. Down here I've found an abundance of clam shells, but they're tiny! I'm used to the mammoth clams of the Pacific Northwest. Down here most of the shells I've found have been smaller than a quarter! I don't know very much about common ocean life in Southern California, but I must say I am heavily disappointed in their sea life sizes ;)

::: Jacki frolicking and making a triforce for us

 ::: Soakin' up that sun

::: My shell collection! I found a button, too!

It was quite the trip to be at the beach and be in shorts, a tank top and super warm all while remembering that it was early November. The "warm year round" thing will take a long time to get used to.

Over this past week the weather has cooled down significantly though and we've had wonderful, life giving rain. Some wind storms too! This was greatly appreciated by me, until Andrew informed me that my tall (and top heavy) plants in the garden had been knocked to the ground by the gusts. Fortunately they weren't broken and the roots remained firmly in the ground. I've had serious issue getting them to remain upright ever since though. I bought support sticks from Home Depot, but the plants are just so heavy. After trial and error and the addition of bricks, I think I finally have them good to go again.

::: Some fun detail shots of the 'Love Lies Bleeding' variety, as well as a newcomer.

::: They're taller than I am. Note my brick stacking handy work

::: If Jacki is around while my camera is out then she will have her photo taken

It really has been such a nice two weeks. This last week was amazing for some solid BFF bonding time. I was sad to see James go, and I can't believe Jacki will be back up in Washington tonight *cry* The silver lining is that they were able to visit at all and I managed to get some really fun photos of us all. Plus, I can't forget how seriously revved up I am to get kicking with some sewing, crafting and papering! The hope is that next week's entry will be boasting some completed (or nearly completed) projects!

::: Just for fun! A shot of Jacki being cold outside of the Ikea. Love you always P2!

-MJ

Ireland Day 8 - Ho Hum

Hi!

Today was my first "bad" day. While nothing technically bad happened (except for my necklace snagging two delicate strands of my new scarf and messing it up a bit >:o ), nothing really great happened either. It was lonely. It's not realistic to expect everyday to be perfect, and I'm still hoping for them to all be as close to as possible. It's difficult enough to make friends back home, I don't even know where to start in another country when I'll only be here two months. I've managed to get the hang of riding the bus, working and finding food both in town and at Miriam's. I am ready to socialize and walk the town with other people. It would appear that I'm already well and settled, the routine has been set and I can't believe it, but I think I'm bored. That's horrible. What is wrong here? I'm not bored of Ireland, no, Ireland is just as amazing and perfect as when I landed. I'm bored with what I'm doing, or not doing, I guess.

Mooooooo :)

I caught up on sleep again this morning (very generous of Brad to let me come in at 1!) and rolled into town on the 12:15 bus. By the time I arrived at Shop Street the sun was out! SHOCKING AND FANTASTIC! I was so happy, all grinnin' ear to ear and snapping away with my camera. For lunch I ate at the McDonald's too. It was really roomy in there. While eating I made sure to take careful analysis of the food and here's what I came up with: the fries are identical in taste, smell and look as they are in the States, the chicken for the McChicken seems more like the old school nuggets and the bun for the McChicken was exceedingly fluffy. Overall, a good meal. I have satisfied my curiosity and now I won't eat there again (most likely xD).

McChicken, Irish style! Which is the same as American.

It was difficult to go to Eyre Square Center and away from the sun, and fortunately the weather held up a tiny bit for when I was finished at 5:30 (no sun, but no rain or wind either). Work went well, I was kept fairly busy throughout my afternoon shift. Learning new things everyday! At one point I needed to drop some envelopes at the post office, so I put a "back at 3:50" sticker on the window, locked the door and away I went. I tried my best to remember where Catharine said it was, but I ended up in the wrong place. Popping into a shop and asking did the trick and suddenly there I was! The post office was pretty busy, but the line was moving at a decent pace. There were probably 6 or 7 windows open (the Poulsbo post office doesn't even have that many!). Every time a new window opened an electronic voice would say which window to go to for the next customer and it would say it in English then Irish, so that was exciting. I was sold lick postage though and that sucked. Bleah.

A window at St. Nicholas Cathedral.

After work I went and ate dinner at Riordan's. The food was really good, but again I felt so freaking lonely. Everyone else was there in large groups or romantic twosomes :\ I considered going to a pub for a drink or two, but I ended up with leftovers and that would have been obnoxious. Also, I could have seen myself sitting there alone for too long and with too many drinks. Hm.

St. Nicholas Cathedral.

I don't have much else to report, sadly. Not a great day, not a bad day. Just a day. I was planning on being out and about until evening fell since I don't work tomorrow, but I felt too sad by myself. Grr, I'm starting to sound a little "take pity on me" here, so that's no good, it was how I felt though. Here's to a better tomorrow with a better attitude and more of a "just do it" attitude. Maybe shopping will help me feel better.

Honest to goodness skull & crossbone on the wall of the St. Nicholas Cathedral.

----------------------------

12:14 pm: bus stop: It's a bit windy today. The sun is peaking out. I'm glad I remembered to wear my new scarf.

12:28 pm: 33 bus: Looking at all of the houses here, I want to watch Disco Pigs and Breakfast on Pluto. Too bad I didn't put them on my computer :(

12:37 pm: Shop Street: It is finally sunny! Time to go inside :\

Three mail slots.

2:13 pm: Photo One: I suppose boys will be boys no matter where I am in the world!

3:23 pm: Photo One: About to take some photos to the post office! I hope it's still nice outside.

3:51 pm: Photo One: I love having such easy access to Aero bars, especially the mint ones!

4:17 pm: Photo One: Man, who has a kazoo anymore?!

The Spanish Arch.

5:59 pm: Closed up shop all alone today!

6:29 pm: Riordan's: Trying out a place to eat on Shop Street that Brad recommended.

6:56 pm: Riordan's: This sandwich is huge, honestly I'm not sure how to eat it.

7:53 pm: ???: Lost

7:57 pm: Claddagh Quay: Found the Spanish Arch, I know where I am now.

Aero baaaaaaar!

-MJ