tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79981428696198229792024-02-19T05:35:39.191+01:00Sipping jetstreamsChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-76409757535638294072013-07-21T17:31:00.004+02:002013-07-21T17:31:50.480+02:00Made with love, Gramma.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjVm8hlHdvFcKl6JkPndMZxp1Z-CZwvxBtYrFgEmom7JG0JhF8m90-Kly-Dbh6HkkFBZ9Mc1OK6079OpIigRgXicecskWuIlywY34oRpoyTRrfnteNRh_XMQdDSyv3YSffjVUEudEI3iJ/s1600/pietitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjVm8hlHdvFcKl6JkPndMZxp1Z-CZwvxBtYrFgEmom7JG0JhF8m90-Kly-Dbh6HkkFBZ9Mc1OK6079OpIigRgXicecskWuIlywY34oRpoyTRrfnteNRh_XMQdDSyv3YSffjVUEudEI3iJ/s640/pietitle.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With the awareness of the looming transition to the working world, I preemptively took advantage of the the time I had this summer to spend at home. While enjoying the slow Saskatchewan pace and silent nights at Crooked Lake, K & I crossed something off the very top of our bucket list. For me, <i>learn how to make Gramma's infamous apple pie </i>(which I would live on if calories didn't count), for K, an attempt at <i>mastering the equally delicious rhubarb with lemon meringue pie.</i> Mouth watering stuff people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Despite consuming what is likely approaching a fatal amount of Gramma's apple pies, I am hopeless in the kitchen and completely ignorant to the proces it takes to put together the piece of art that I so often crave. Instead I operate on the assumption that the basement deep freeze at 202 Alberta Drive is a magical place of never ending pies stocked by hard working pie fairies whose uniform includes a mini flour covered apron. And if you do raid the magical freezer's stock, upon the simple act of returning an empty pie plate, you will be rewarded with a full replacement pie!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp3BKVYG5pWCnW9ew2LHr4oWZHzJqKYh7R4s5lJvPJ5TweMxLmkO0NzAy_bpbU_tw4qY2KIVNJoUPA5RpYfbOgPWxGhUyCDNpunkAWxTmHl6HgYMRhITVeCHsfXoVlJtvtMmsTZ3K_nER/s1600/pie15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp3BKVYG5pWCnW9ew2LHr4oWZHzJqKYh7R4s5lJvPJ5TweMxLmkO0NzAy_bpbU_tw4qY2KIVNJoUPA5RpYfbOgPWxGhUyCDNpunkAWxTmHl6HgYMRhITVeCHsfXoVlJtvtMmsTZ3K_nER/s640/pie15.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL1zAca4C9tM64_KI70AC_9AVipDzK_YdzWqLZWXZPOvwKYxwg2e0sEp_mqU_ED3L7UheuRkI_XVLp1RZMXDPTcDoIvEldOkw9zLiZFUtYtSlgAceEDLoQMPcNp2cD0ZmOz_5zDdgtyQg/s1600/pie1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL1zAca4C9tM64_KI70AC_9AVipDzK_YdzWqLZWXZPOvwKYxwg2e0sEp_mqU_ED3L7UheuRkI_XVLp1RZMXDPTcDoIvEldOkw9zLiZFUtYtSlgAceEDLoQMPcNp2cD0ZmOz_5zDdgtyQg/s640/pie1.1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIs3IJYmYCF5MDMAqPLjanLImnVdR7gVfwio22otPKIAq-vWfQQuZfsSP4YnKqrrjaLLZAHlV6t9BfgOytUBw1ODyCq5QLoSUuszgy4oZtKmd-t3HVuw9CGmc3UDd-I2Ks-9x18Zgw5lK/s1600/pie2.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIs3IJYmYCF5MDMAqPLjanLImnVdR7gVfwio22otPKIAq-vWfQQuZfsSP4YnKqrrjaLLZAHlV6t9BfgOytUBw1ODyCq5QLoSUuszgy4oZtKmd-t3HVuw9CGmc3UDd-I2Ks-9x18Zgw5lK/s640/pie2.1.jpg" width="638" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihV1trjxwAjrTtBXee292oUoFGuhYj58BCHDde8MJMohaTmbhz-w3IThd8U-i1rrdPiDubZljOvti10lqe6eI4m79vADEHKDpaExLSrBQaJBHN3JtgHxsUIG7pq26sqkoIn51BO3Cu8Sn7/s1600/pie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihV1trjxwAjrTtBXee292oUoFGuhYj58BCHDde8MJMohaTmbhz-w3IThd8U-i1rrdPiDubZljOvti10lqe6eI4m79vADEHKDpaExLSrBQaJBHN3JtgHxsUIG7pq26sqkoIn51BO3Cu8Sn7/s640/pie3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0K7MIZ06rdyjDxxMwEpaA7G5klK-qQJSYT58okyeVcs15pySp8OHuVfwKkPAEzBrNivi6LTIh8LhrAxRzm4kJalm2B0f33IDJt3fQdFLmdxYX7aDxIit_LE9734NqjqYARi5Nkfguj9wJ/s1600/pie6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0K7MIZ06rdyjDxxMwEpaA7G5klK-qQJSYT58okyeVcs15pySp8OHuVfwKkPAEzBrNivi6LTIh8LhrAxRzm4kJalm2B0f33IDJt3fQdFLmdxYX7aDxIit_LE9734NqjqYARi5Nkfguj9wJ/s640/pie6.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Gramma was <u>incredibly</u> patient with both K and I; providing the sweetest aprons, pausing for photos, and most importantly not breaking stride despite the numerous egg shells that seemed to find their way into the mix. It was a very special day for K and I, one which I definitely will never forget.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzg6jgSSQSJUW3Y7Ivzgtc3wj4YEHGved-6jN_Bm8vjt_RS2y2eArO_B5hVrfefmxceggCtR9TZQ24r397u0B4zeXc3IGF7pCURVNp3Xxxizp2Ziej03KjzHe4bGwEfEZjK_hzVtpKRq4/s1600/pie4.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzg6jgSSQSJUW3Y7Ivzgtc3wj4YEHGved-6jN_Bm8vjt_RS2y2eArO_B5hVrfefmxceggCtR9TZQ24r397u0B4zeXc3IGF7pCURVNp3Xxxizp2Ziej03KjzHe4bGwEfEZjK_hzVtpKRq4/s640/pie4.1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLzcGBjmc0OAA0eDq_wQOdku-UxymkgPO7bxL6KZEu070w1NsZ97NdHfFWDPJ20NeRFvOqaWN8btzcY5KGpsvbxtHWOoQoz7UJgvv47Alx8pUYnZRq1D7WjTCZ4oh_4zfYii6QGiN0_I6/s1600/learning+the+ropes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLzcGBjmc0OAA0eDq_wQOdku-UxymkgPO7bxL6KZEu070w1NsZ97NdHfFWDPJ20NeRFvOqaWN8btzcY5KGpsvbxtHWOoQoz7UJgvv47Alx8pUYnZRq1D7WjTCZ4oh_4zfYii6QGiN0_I6/s640/learning+the+ropes2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP_5al0eBlebRGDyFMARnKN1rosTrx3W9YBYew4vvN3kd0i0HoMsL1nrN0sFlkfL3c6PKmNfj4DPrDV5ZZnq2JVs3rsxNJ49uSpCAS-8l_HrgMm6IRW_HA7Oi0y9T_Fc2x87QmLdqqfmt/s1600/pie7.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP_5al0eBlebRGDyFMARnKN1rosTrx3W9YBYew4vvN3kd0i0HoMsL1nrN0sFlkfL3c6PKmNfj4DPrDV5ZZnq2JVs3rsxNJ49uSpCAS-8l_HrgMm6IRW_HA7Oi0y9T_Fc2x87QmLdqqfmt/s640/pie7.1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMe7kugb6sJB1zlTp3ipQpjuGUN7JLGKgQg6TxuMOVv2PHrofRTekgJF_HByn6M4WfHD6iIo_UuHjPCJ2Qi9IABreGsim6EwiOaH3PX1EJjTKObMk3aHhq1G3Ye0-tz9x3XuztjHGC8YQ/s1600/pie11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMe7kugb6sJB1zlTp3ipQpjuGUN7JLGKgQg6TxuMOVv2PHrofRTekgJF_HByn6M4WfHD6iIo_UuHjPCJ2Qi9IABreGsim6EwiOaH3PX1EJjTKObMk3aHhq1G3Ye0-tz9x3XuztjHGC8YQ/s640/pie11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Our interpretation of the step, "<i>whisk until you achieve 'soft peaks'"</i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSPgmDUOLBuczqFIvrDbEyNKCEggq-PTVShFy3vDo6P2NrrDWz_2wjpPmsa45SKUlbR9yX7k-BtNQmP_FCobfLJ1xC8NSzpx7gK9hIxObwpVgRoKK4q_MzBZoJ8dbLO8PAe8WRbsUx6e0/s1600/pie12.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSPgmDUOLBuczqFIvrDbEyNKCEggq-PTVShFy3vDo6P2NrrDWz_2wjpPmsa45SKUlbR9yX7k-BtNQmP_FCobfLJ1xC8NSzpx7gK9hIxObwpVgRoKK4q_MzBZoJ8dbLO8PAe8WRbsUx6e0/s640/pie12.1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcMLPnrOGZiyZu5vLmTn3l82ud7TwsU9hpCfE9bSxFHztiYeCYZE6Ulo9gZ1QfCmuYNrv-c0GswefVOncRHKY01QmzuyXt7V7-V51nj4Pas1sKE_4J7kCJ7gUtysUUeWIWCMN7vS-6OmT/s1600/pie13.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcMLPnrOGZiyZu5vLmTn3l82ud7TwsU9hpCfE9bSxFHztiYeCYZE6Ulo9gZ1QfCmuYNrv-c0GswefVOncRHKY01QmzuyXt7V7-V51nj4Pas1sKE_4J7kCJ7gUtysUUeWIWCMN7vS-6OmT/s640/pie13.1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44GxrZOqMdADFrEZB5_Ojt32r5sfaGYXFABIYVXewZjWDUeO5NENQLNrdo0Sk5Yl9LTeOxtRx5vqUrpEJeRdPzA_e2yJLQ5j5ycf3SSKdYTgrLwPCAH9r3UFAVQsgNfHUxAzcazhkqfzd/s1600/pie8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44GxrZOqMdADFrEZB5_Ojt32r5sfaGYXFABIYVXewZjWDUeO5NENQLNrdo0Sk5Yl9LTeOxtRx5vqUrpEJeRdPzA_e2yJLQ5j5ycf3SSKdYTgrLwPCAH9r3UFAVQsgNfHUxAzcazhkqfzd/s640/pie8.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONGQe0AXPGUjib-9gwcPnbu6VgJI9e6g6BptZ8uR8tCxZrGKr2JjLN4qf3Rbud8vNYchxyqoGdNcD92JokyKyhuibO_Ll4QNSLSvX9k0BY72aUKxrtBSIPMU4ur6tCFaM_8AgrfKYPU0c/s1600/pie17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONGQe0AXPGUjib-9gwcPnbu6VgJI9e6g6BptZ8uR8tCxZrGKr2JjLN4qf3Rbud8vNYchxyqoGdNcD92JokyKyhuibO_Ll4QNSLSvX9k0BY72aUKxrtBSIPMU4ur6tCFaM_8AgrfKYPU0c/s640/pie17.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZPa-H1jCAJR6AaNoo7lUDyaoWNXH_NQ_nSKvKrgSggG4wN29C1ZhAAtpILU9cJ_RvUttahcvjQR8baWhFgNEJBJw2k8Qhv8DoU2vLRPeL59uGN5yeuYUEzKrCzcX5jGXi9ZCIhQGTwtz/s1600/pie16.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZPa-H1jCAJR6AaNoo7lUDyaoWNXH_NQ_nSKvKrgSggG4wN29C1ZhAAtpILU9cJ_RvUttahcvjQR8baWhFgNEJBJw2k8Qhv8DoU2vLRPeL59uGN5yeuYUEzKrCzcX5jGXi9ZCIhQGTwtz/s640/pie16.2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The lesson was a success on so many levels; delicious pies were made, we have an abundance of photos with cutesy aprons, K walked away with her own container of tapioca, but most importantly, we were able to spend a wonderful day with a woman we admire.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Thanks Gramma. You're the best.</span></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-5493483138858463332013-06-10T02:39:00.000+02:002013-06-17T02:39:46.852+02:00"It's a beautiful day for a drive."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCu40UHWiwsp7UkujFcy37j6PJD66LSliYSF3E0EavAl1lUrm_7dai_DiQUmRKiZWt2lrC54YTSwblnM30hoV9Caw9h2JTMNfmSbr86xNpxirtTy60Tsopn0gGnZxhZS0eQ00bRWHCorj/s1600/roadtripnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCu40UHWiwsp7UkujFcy37j6PJD66LSliYSF3E0EavAl1lUrm_7dai_DiQUmRKiZWt2lrC54YTSwblnM30hoV9Caw9h2JTMNfmSbr86xNpxirtTy60Tsopn0gGnZxhZS0eQ00bRWHCorj/s640/roadtripnew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">It's a line I grew up hearing, but never quite understood. If it's a beautiful day, wouldn't you rather be outside enjoying it, as opposed to trapped inside a gas burning machine for hours? (<i>I still think modern science could nail down the teleporter if it really wanted to</i>). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">But here in Saskatchewan, a beautiful day means that there are no ice slicked highways, no 50km/h winds blowing your little machine around (not to mention killing your gas mileage), and no dense fog disabling vision. No, a beautiful day in Saskatchewan equals a nice leisurely drive.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9bSwoCKHWKAZq-SKVC4Q3aNQh0Rc7zoLPyjON3Z2GvzI2KcwbAbmTQDx4Qy3HKxs-XNYeW_2t8DHAIiw1vbcF75ZOuzkBRqBwlRxN4D7q6mNGcw2_8DxNCtbNxmg0hXvZuzJ8gaXsRRv/s1600/roadtrip6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9bSwoCKHWKAZq-SKVC4Q3aNQh0Rc7zoLPyjON3Z2GvzI2KcwbAbmTQDx4Qy3HKxs-XNYeW_2t8DHAIiw1vbcF75ZOuzkBRqBwlRxN4D7q6mNGcw2_8DxNCtbNxmg0hXvZuzJ8gaXsRRv/s640/roadtrip6.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW5F_Rwjjo5YjQ4rUG6NxIJJnjYwAR-AXcvWWMPBOzf_7CS7R0k8BVWvbsGgxDN_wjC2sYlKMTQkCG37Vg7rstrzvvwWdGcUztgiUHqYB0sQV5GCG-q_QDI83GpBdt6dxcJdiWrq8R-o9/s1600/roadtrip14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW5F_Rwjjo5YjQ4rUG6NxIJJnjYwAR-AXcvWWMPBOzf_7CS7R0k8BVWvbsGgxDN_wjC2sYlKMTQkCG37Vg7rstrzvvwWdGcUztgiUHqYB0sQV5GCG-q_QDI83GpBdt6dxcJdiWrq8R-o9/s640/roadtrip14.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-xqUc12G6agRJilV328UHomn74ehtKQnwcO5HylouWcDBBAYNpnQ0NrNmDMAsfB05Dz3fmj86xozhCNeRfN4v8ZG1gqoEXxZ232jh3Ik8sJbnJ9c1Jz0G8dAgGdauyxNDkaejJmficGz/s1600/roadtrip3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-xqUc12G6agRJilV328UHomn74ehtKQnwcO5HylouWcDBBAYNpnQ0NrNmDMAsfB05Dz3fmj86xozhCNeRfN4v8ZG1gqoEXxZ232jh3Ik8sJbnJ9c1Jz0G8dAgGdauyxNDkaejJmficGz/s640/roadtrip3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">It's a beautiful day for a drive. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I finally understood it today, as I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my road-trip across these silent fields. I grew up in this gold blanketed province, but always seem to need time away to appreciate its beauty. The bluebell skies, the golden fields, the stagnant dugouts still frosted, defiantly ignoring Spring. And the flat, flat landscape, that makes driving a breeze! It's a field of dreams man. It's home.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMevMu_FBuN5CS4o_9PxWPjk9DLEvFd6HzSegOTRKtvr8ULPAI82NKnI7NJpFe5zRbl4brJxY9unmJh-SPKrCoi4tGHLZhuYZNQzUhwM0J4TDjZNRHOB73DIvKm5OtZw25PDElpNSmaLBt/s1600/roadtrip13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMevMu_FBuN5CS4o_9PxWPjk9DLEvFd6HzSegOTRKtvr8ULPAI82NKnI7NJpFe5zRbl4brJxY9unmJh-SPKrCoi4tGHLZhuYZNQzUhwM0J4TDjZNRHOB73DIvKm5OtZw25PDElpNSmaLBt/s640/roadtrip13.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Roadtrips remain forever unchanged. Blasting John Gormley's AM show while childishly racing trains. Watching farm machinery crawling at a snails pace, passing through deceivingly sleepy towns - venture two blocks off the highway to Main Street and you're guaranteed to find a town bustling with excitement; busy with school programs, various local initiatives, and filled with dedicated citizens wearing numerous hats all to selflessly keep their town alive.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5edUHdQFsWVCjL-jyys0vuEglVHW1DAnzCyPoHxq0-BQ4W9hYFWExlNI7gxGuRzRN-op71ABCG6a0twUkakbVMC44pQ1PQiDiHSZ9sdQwl25EyXRTjiLI_k9YsW93G5IhnOHH-KHR8ND/s1600/roadtrip8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5edUHdQFsWVCjL-jyys0vuEglVHW1DAnzCyPoHxq0-BQ4W9hYFWExlNI7gxGuRzRN-op71ABCG6a0twUkakbVMC44pQ1PQiDiHSZ9sdQwl25EyXRTjiLI_k9YsW93G5IhnOHH-KHR8ND/s640/roadtrip8.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIiklTJd3hqy5yWfC54GsMdO7hopEax8HVeJjHPVPdtKUf6Ntphvw5pgdi3qBtEy0y1M9JM7plQwujxaosYdqCRipBe_C4EYdyE8fpcMYGHhhAizO9u636T0Krb7fF4to4jrSzvizsCGj/s1600/roadtrip11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIiklTJd3hqy5yWfC54GsMdO7hopEax8HVeJjHPVPdtKUf6Ntphvw5pgdi3qBtEy0y1M9JM7plQwujxaosYdqCRipBe_C4EYdyE8fpcMYGHhhAizO9u636T0Krb7fF4to4jrSzvizsCGj/s640/roadtrip11.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpHRHLkR-xYAKwrePsyDF3m6rRK0Rlb_xOdHYzsa2upG4crJgOb6dd-amVqjVI6W2z4a9BGfmYBWgMEls3AywEByetyIMcMTOPLemGMBVrrjK5m4rQJDGCnepyjWqC54RIqP-Yqwn3Uth/s1600/roadtrip9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpHRHLkR-xYAKwrePsyDF3m6rRK0Rlb_xOdHYzsa2upG4crJgOb6dd-amVqjVI6W2z4a9BGfmYBWgMEls3AywEByetyIMcMTOPLemGMBVrrjK5m4rQJDGCnepyjWqC54RIqP-Yqwn3Uth/s640/roadtrip9.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">And this my friends, it just the drive.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I wouldn't change it for the world.</span></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com1Saskatchewan, Canada52.9399159 -106.450863933.7957244 -147.7594579 72.084107400000008 -65.1422699tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-67345537896915519442013-05-31T17:27:00.000+02:002013-06-11T17:27:39.982+02:00Back in the New York Groove.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I tried to say goodbye, and shut down this page, rationalizing that it was not necessary anymore. I'm home, I'm boring! But then, as I was tackling the boxes of storage my parents have long been threatening to throw out , I came across a stash of photos, taken exactly seven years ago. Suddenly I'm back in Antigua at 2pm on a Wednesday afternoon in Saskatchewan.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvOxKaHhc7D6sL_yzhfeaTs9wXrrAlPAycDvHAwpcDz54QDl76YUxeXIm6Q4oHkXb7S8KDbPrQ8ad8XS4OUzucfKdcR5TydgFV1nGRfCwNlWRXJY_y11gBJUeE6jC8JHTNV0Z5T6VyptU/s1600/guate1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvOxKaHhc7D6sL_yzhfeaTs9wXrrAlPAycDvHAwpcDz54QDl76YUxeXIm6Q4oHkXb7S8KDbPrQ8ad8XS4OUzucfKdcR5TydgFV1nGRfCwNlWRXJY_y11gBJUeE6jC8JHTNV0Z5T6VyptU/s640/guate1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmGljFusITvgwdWvs5JkVJCilCsQreHGYF9i8Pn3mIRlJk1jmZ0FCeOS0ytQLIeo_tYUQ-kpUC2KzAQpde84eWSWcTvKRRxANeuVJUwyitCXB86yNhBELJJ3sb4AnN6iOe6GTlpEC2j7X/s1600/guate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmGljFusITvgwdWvs5JkVJCilCsQreHGYF9i8Pn3mIRlJk1jmZ0FCeOS0ytQLIeo_tYUQ-kpUC2KzAQpde84eWSWcTvKRRxANeuVJUwyitCXB86yNhBELJJ3sb4AnN6iOe6GTlpEC2j7X/s640/guate2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSOHrcZR0frcHV4QoIxGnAXIzVZt4vgQmPO7Qk708iiJk9m8sjnqfDDCC5HY5A82eVlkO9JUiFwoBsuOJWXLlPurcL-dXL2LWvvbfRX49st4rCmtvEfI1BVUHU0CwCscSK3XSeA1ilcCT/s1600/guate3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSOHrcZR0frcHV4QoIxGnAXIzVZt4vgQmPO7Qk708iiJk9m8sjnqfDDCC5HY5A82eVlkO9JUiFwoBsuOJWXLlPurcL-dXL2LWvvbfRX49st4rCmtvEfI1BVUHU0CwCscSK3XSeA1ilcCT/s640/guate3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLF12z-JpLOTPhiJjGdjGlm_1_zPyXhdOeQVlvcPs8nX-4-5ZQkoX4iLpcuC0DL010CKQ07Xnh69pBTAhQRmq8R2Xs9-qYB-7WFsbOdHU0hyphenhyphenZlQh_-2PKniuTyY2zOIWyRbM57nsOWlJN/s1600/guate4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLF12z-JpLOTPhiJjGdjGlm_1_zPyXhdOeQVlvcPs8nX-4-5ZQkoX4iLpcuC0DL010CKQ07Xnh69pBTAhQRmq8R2Xs9-qYB-7WFsbOdHU0hyphenhyphenZlQh_-2PKniuTyY2zOIWyRbM57nsOWlJN/s640/guate4.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I was 20, on my first adventure, eager to explore. I knew how many quetzales it took to feed my new coffee addiction, to purchase ripped dvds in the market from Javier, to take the chicken bus to Ciudad Vieja.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> I relied on Volcan Agua for direction, and surprised myself by becoming a 'napper' after exhausting marathon session spanish courses. Said classes took place on a rooftop surrounded by flowers, with a view of the three volcanoes; occasionally interrupting afternoon session with a quiet rumbling. I had no idea how lucky I was.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDfjejWxZYSDlPV4j1yK0znT9rnC78NBTqHD5F27slUweyU0ORAGCcgXZ1Bl02zhIDsANJankGY-0zc4TQwU4P5WCt7-tVgQ7FL0UTBA9zBfu4pJCQLvbzuqrBhjhlDn3MFqdt10XBzNl/s1600/guate7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDfjejWxZYSDlPV4j1yK0znT9rnC78NBTqHD5F27slUweyU0ORAGCcgXZ1Bl02zhIDsANJankGY-0zc4TQwU4P5WCt7-tVgQ7FL0UTBA9zBfu4pJCQLvbzuqrBhjhlDn3MFqdt10XBzNl/s640/guate7.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNrRlySVjZNCifAUOx1EUO-bCqBF4hdayNk3dBBwF5peVXEjXaxLCQGVDHq9Ko-25S3cOgBvNWy0vUQ99ZeBTRtSgCBhDJUW5YHBhqdl2IZnlrgSlFrJRA-CQbLKr76Za7SXyfLd-M3ad/s1600/guate6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNrRlySVjZNCifAUOx1EUO-bCqBF4hdayNk3dBBwF5peVXEjXaxLCQGVDHq9Ko-25S3cOgBvNWy0vUQ99ZeBTRtSgCBhDJUW5YHBhqdl2IZnlrgSlFrJRA-CQbLKr76Za7SXyfLd-M3ad/s640/guate6.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQoyDDseQpQVXk2dgIu9KzubVbneSu4S8nTp4fbp9-UDzGKBWHcXtpcOC4oeFqcyeeKAnKMlnmdQIwfLz6oXngUvSFHzsp1EL14NX0SblHvNm4O3dbTTxyZbH3dNMv3h9Prdad19K9rws/s1600/guate9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQoyDDseQpQVXk2dgIu9KzubVbneSu4S8nTp4fbp9-UDzGKBWHcXtpcOC4oeFqcyeeKAnKMlnmdQIwfLz6oXngUvSFHzsp1EL14NX0SblHvNm4O3dbTTxyZbH3dNMv3h9Prdad19K9rws/s640/guate9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwERSSIBfwRVOlOZ2Up9KrUAsF7RJx5bIuT1sbqYqsdn4liJpTM8CSh2dIidqGH0LKAst1YsmAEGVLHCK6PnQM_xVI-jlY9w5oKQXcRbpzg1po8FL3_mPjL-rTWQ_TyXYYswAyk5ZHnpA/s1600/guate5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwERSSIBfwRVOlOZ2Up9KrUAsF7RJx5bIuT1sbqYqsdn4liJpTM8CSh2dIidqGH0LKAst1YsmAEGVLHCK6PnQM_xVI-jlY9w5oKQXcRbpzg1po8FL3_mPjL-rTWQ_TyXYYswAyk5ZHnpA/s640/guate5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">On my last day of courses my instructor re-gifted me his mother's donated Disney Top Girl Power Hits CD. (How on earth did he know me so well). It was fun, and it was difficult. But you adjust. I came to crave beans with every meal, slept through the roosters crows, and fumbled with the beautiful Spanish language, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">unapologetically</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> abandoning any effort to master the subjunctive tense.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">There are many more places I want to share and document. Adventures I want my friends and family to consider embarking on. And most importantly, I promised a certain German girl I would share stories about Saskatchewan - because she promised to visit. So here it comes. Endless photos of the prairies (until the real world comes calling), and a wrap up of all those last Irish adventures I was too caught up with to share. Feel free to stop reading at any point, I won't be hurt. Truthfully, this page is a personal scrapbook.</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-37391732283605372602013-05-17T17:03:00.001+02:002013-05-17T17:37:50.545+02:00First cottage trip of the season.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyE3KHR2Z9BG1JBNy3NebScEwRBI3spfgin_sS1MsDdeUdTei_kzV1ZZ27Q4dDjgNjJWilWJfgZe8mIlABHYk8aKt6EsDwxJ8VMet2hckF94s7-GoICU1IjsqFw3aCyAIAnupQYzQnLj2/s1600/lake+life2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyE3KHR2Z9BG1JBNy3NebScEwRBI3spfgin_sS1MsDdeUdTei_kzV1ZZ27Q4dDjgNjJWilWJfgZe8mIlABHYk8aKt6EsDwxJ8VMet2hckF94s7-GoICU1IjsqFw3aCyAIAnupQYzQnLj2/s640/lake+life2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The vehicle is overflowing with groceries and essentials: Sunflower seeds, check. Bean bag game, copious decks of cards, fishing rods, check, check, check. Sangria ingredients, <u>double check</u>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Its officially that time of year; time to move to the lake! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The place this little spot on the internet gets its name from. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Our piece of paradise - <i>I'm not kidding.</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9jdTVPR-JIL0CFbYNTUlOnLzD6dND-LiAfrgyP_qfWfv5Wg-_t48uRJQTieCsyQi7AHj-I45pD5blN8Yb3JvM9gaU7R3zRVFSft9t11Duk7CH3n6MfDzrdvmUa1vLoMLOW2HF3PDa6m_/s1600/lake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9jdTVPR-JIL0CFbYNTUlOnLzD6dND-LiAfrgyP_qfWfv5Wg-_t48uRJQTieCsyQi7AHj-I45pD5blN8Yb3JvM9gaU7R3zRVFSft9t11Duk7CH3n6MfDzrdvmUa1vLoMLOW2HF3PDa6m_/s640/lake2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3VmEfuI_ozM6oeb_VO2kqPnkK3dTNOy-W1fokH7wEVk3eZ08Re8uFbZbo-Hm_dsgzNbXt0dYgA9sEeci5tfDEGAG_OVE30ekfdvE2gC4tubbsAQe2RriBFtFqsg7U_TalLaHtD7X85_R/s1600/lake4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3VmEfuI_ozM6oeb_VO2kqPnkK3dTNOy-W1fokH7wEVk3eZ08Re8uFbZbo-Hm_dsgzNbXt0dYgA9sEeci5tfDEGAG_OVE30ekfdvE2gC4tubbsAQe2RriBFtFqsg7U_TalLaHtD7X85_R/s640/lake4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmqK3waMVD42JSihAynL4cesmBawjZBRCZVwKx_W8cO_Ep7JtijzvS41vv0nsOPWJdhOhQK7ZlQyFuSbWwkpAyw_j3gTMavIsP0UIPLbusqGnEsIryIDcgSiyTB_UeltDKUT2vUSJhM5u/s1600/lake6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmqK3waMVD42JSihAynL4cesmBawjZBRCZVwKx_W8cO_Ep7JtijzvS41vv0nsOPWJdhOhQK7ZlQyFuSbWwkpAyw_j3gTMavIsP0UIPLbusqGnEsIryIDcgSiyTB_UeltDKUT2vUSJhM5u/s640/lake6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlrlyc60eZjnGJErR6tEESSVQwDgQ65MRXj_yLj5z138AOer6E3GPRA5R8yQo2ustvi-GFGiQdb7TSbg6VQmKbo2urDXjE9yCuehR27Jd13f165PJNLpaFqZVpzck3hheEtaXDtbJBaMn/s1600/lake7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlrlyc60eZjnGJErR6tEESSVQwDgQ65MRXj_yLj5z138AOer6E3GPRA5R8yQo2ustvi-GFGiQdb7TSbg6VQmKbo2urDXjE9yCuehR27Jd13f165PJNLpaFqZVpzck3hheEtaXDtbJBaMn/s640/lake7.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">If you're in the area, don't be shy. We welcome visitors, especially those bearing gifts of sangria and willing to give water-skiing a try. In the mean time, we'll be busy reading books, eating chips and dip, and finding the sun. (Just kidding, there will be much more landscaping, picking rocks, repairing the deck, and dry-walling than anything. We're Wilsons!)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO-7HTSRal579PAhtET2BfW_gHUUskUaoawJeGnReVD47dn43zgaqhjhBQht-t3uVKbwcYVBocqiUnlhmvIWJrOtVagjI6kWFa4Fogjfdy-jY_gZdxcF49bvWQ7g5kUDp0CobWdHOS5Y5/s1600/firstcottagetrip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO-7HTSRal579PAhtET2BfW_gHUUskUaoawJeGnReVD47dn43zgaqhjhBQht-t3uVKbwcYVBocqiUnlhmvIWJrOtVagjI6kWFa4Fogjfdy-jY_gZdxcF49bvWQ7g5kUDp0CobWdHOS5Y5/s640/firstcottagetrip1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">We love lake.</span></i></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-53654734162420279732013-05-15T21:29:00.000+02:002013-05-15T21:36:39.068+02:00A Farewell letter.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Dear Ireland, it is time to say goodbye, to finally admit I have left you.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdiugi2uPQ2G1EFgdiwNNAoHbgpiMPfBr5RpUmfhWb0vHrmTIvqbdts1DyvNZ1xC_6GDvXCjnVLEimF8MAHfwkfccNGrwihRokpYq3Ns1rBH2lAKENp68q6h92grtQNtNRB1K4U4dnChz/s1600/farewell2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdiugi2uPQ2G1EFgdiwNNAoHbgpiMPfBr5RpUmfhWb0vHrmTIvqbdts1DyvNZ1xC_6GDvXCjnVLEimF8MAHfwkfccNGrwihRokpYq3Ns1rBH2lAKENp68q6h92grtQNtNRB1K4U4dnChz/s640/farewell2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Truthfully, I have been avoiding this post. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I generally tactfully dodge goodbyes with an innocent "<i>oh no, I'll see you before I leave"</i>, and I am certainly not ready for this one. After almost an entire month back in Canada the majority of my sentences still begin "<i>did you know that in Ireland..</i>." Last evening's family supper ended with the entire table huddled around an Iphone watching Irish Comedian clips. Please know that you are missed.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRllE9urViUvUjGkPagOhI5giXG6MJL09axXZj8kB14saRGiuGZOOZr-JkQHrAIgk0iecuY8pKOgnSmX2NlxI3zliM-vZluFyzFwIQmuuzBWxaltuY1d9WSSaprePhypkygRud1TYqQAxo/s1600/farewell4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRllE9urViUvUjGkPagOhI5giXG6MJL09axXZj8kB14saRGiuGZOOZr-JkQHrAIgk0iecuY8pKOgnSmX2NlxI3zliM-vZluFyzFwIQmuuzBWxaltuY1d9WSSaprePhypkygRud1TYqQAxo/s640/farewell4.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">You see, I just cannot let go to your big damp island filled with endless shades of green and hands down the friendliest people with a serious love of laughter. There are no photos that capture that infectious attitude and welcoming nature.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPS9RfkPgizgSlTSWuDzTRquC-NWvLwoGIl7K9-7ns3aBq89_ZQdvEBmAJNGZihaEtQZzuTfjdKqVp0BffK6NHad-xMDmTzZmdx9Lg5MKSzBE025zf3SefMU6HXso7vgJE3hJvuxujLxki/s1600/farewell5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPS9RfkPgizgSlTSWuDzTRquC-NWvLwoGIl7K9-7ns3aBq89_ZQdvEBmAJNGZihaEtQZzuTfjdKqVp0BffK6NHad-xMDmTzZmdx9Lg5MKSzBE025zf3SefMU6HXso7vgJE3hJvuxujLxki/s640/farewell5.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHwOU-VUO93GxOycN4xWq8ACj71TwmXagmArQHaS3xgWqB7Vgtk3o2ce1XH1v2Imc_LlxJbhyphenhyphencHdHqjm_BoQhtX6mV7X5euwI5GZLDNr8xuzcu7XGLb-H3NcvSoK7G51bI7EyKAk53XXQ/s1600/farewell7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHwOU-VUO93GxOycN4xWq8ACj71TwmXagmArQHaS3xgWqB7Vgtk3o2ce1XH1v2Imc_LlxJbhyphenhyphencHdHqjm_BoQhtX6mV7X5euwI5GZLDNr8xuzcu7XGLb-H3NcvSoK7G51bI7EyKAk53XXQ/s640/farewell7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">It still feels like just yesterday the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> spontaneous decision to move to Ireland was made. One Skype conversation with two persistent friends later, and I found myself booking a flight with zero idea of what life on the Emerald Isle consisted of.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i> Peer pressure at its finest. </i>My ignorance of the Irish history was soon made evident, my jaw constantly hitting the floor - seriously Belfast, who knew.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys6QaLp0W80ulIZWLS2l4C8bJLvR-YyF9cMvNyLE7lDQ0F-qu74X4XsX9Qd6GE1iReTap2W8bLnyC3IlT59Uav8XIYAMfCzQV2aX794a6bNrLYjTwER09E6e_GnkSOxfGhQ1UyKzAONaq/s1600/wk+4+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys6QaLp0W80ulIZWLS2l4C8bJLvR-YyF9cMvNyLE7lDQ0F-qu74X4XsX9Qd6GE1iReTap2W8bLnyC3IlT59Uav8XIYAMfCzQV2aX794a6bNrLYjTwER09E6e_GnkSOxfGhQ1UyKzAONaq/s640/wk+4+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfRHW3uFgfnGf9OsskJ8Y64pWFasZUIFImfL9vz7SEXnKwIGMns83g3mlHHIkWNX39x0Pb0NojcU0IMEymNp_he3OfdpvEKZ9mETVtxANtAyt23B1hEO0DQCqTLnYHXD4N9UARvPYzla4/s1600/howth8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfRHW3uFgfnGf9OsskJ8Y64pWFasZUIFImfL9vz7SEXnKwIGMns83g3mlHHIkWNX39x0Pb0NojcU0IMEymNp_he3OfdpvEKZ9mETVtxANtAyt23B1hEO0DQCqTLnYHXD4N9UARvPYzla4/s640/howth8.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYk67k_8LmJi0FVpiEEAECfdxIUmBnxuibTCsdeAYvdg98Qb94aRTiv3VChWT4tds9ekUiBHf-Bqv9-IRsDtUlx1tMksQnmIuZ09Xq3xFzwEahdL0uyCbuFlwO_ewaN3TY9NnFrn3UKygX/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYk67k_8LmJi0FVpiEEAECfdxIUmBnxuibTCsdeAYvdg98Qb94aRTiv3VChWT4tds9ekUiBHf-Bqv9-IRsDtUlx1tMksQnmIuZ09Xq3xFzwEahdL0uyCbuFlwO_ewaN3TY9NnFrn3UKygX/s640/14.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The three short months on your island were surreal. I am beyond grateful for the chance to explore it all. From our cozy Dublin apartment, the carpeted hills, and the dramatic West coast cliffs. The painted sheep speckled across every farm, the love for high-intensity sports - pubs filled with every rugby, hurling, or football match, the salty Howth air and incredible fresh fish, Belfast's looming display of live history, and the perfect rip in the relaxed surf town of Donegal, there was so much to take in. Calm beauty and wild adventure on every road, train, or bus trip.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LtDylvrjbkUwU7RVVU331ZuCPgDPlHdbHufzlB6TBq0JN5pTekcIXuEC2fWIFioJgdc998Yc9Vn5Ombvca-BE-DghvnkSs5X6hjYYP6gS7xyDtBX_D62Kb71vTi89LYcXkK7qHsIKIrv/s1600/farewell78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LtDylvrjbkUwU7RVVU331ZuCPgDPlHdbHufzlB6TBq0JN5pTekcIXuEC2fWIFioJgdc998Yc9Vn5Ombvca-BE-DghvnkSs5X6hjYYP6gS7xyDtBX_D62Kb71vTi89LYcXkK7qHsIKIrv/s640/farewell78.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLVx_9UQhokD5hY_MxJWZhyZ2HZ18QqbWqOSiE_mDQkN0prUhdDxJ7Tkd3HDzlD1z-CmEGHYkmvDY2gIa_yLVhbFmfLnKtAqoq-2mrpTq-AQCNgousI0h-2g3NRJAljh_crtQQr4jsxRE/s1600/wk6-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLVx_9UQhokD5hY_MxJWZhyZ2HZ18QqbWqOSiE_mDQkN0prUhdDxJ7Tkd3HDzlD1z-CmEGHYkmvDY2gIa_yLVhbFmfLnKtAqoq-2mrpTq-AQCNgousI0h-2g3NRJAljh_crtQQr4jsxRE/s640/wk6-4.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gz8jxuFL5Zz55zV8UA_ii9mfNmz9bKwAcF2wGjdVq7Qv2DqvuzYqfooKr4sKL0Z-r2PMtp6BRvgy7IRbNvEPBnzonmB4o480vqghyphenhyphen8rcUuwBOPgiTaB6OSVVWM_cfOCF24Rj35imRggT/s1600/farewell21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gz8jxuFL5Zz55zV8UA_ii9mfNmz9bKwAcF2wGjdVq7Qv2DqvuzYqfooKr4sKL0Z-r2PMtp6BRvgy7IRbNvEPBnzonmB4o480vqghyphenhyphen8rcUuwBOPgiTaB6OSVVWM_cfOCF24Rj35imRggT/s640/farewell21.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidElm9xtwtJyOmOBZpJx8srkcikgiKDnjHYcapUMtLfPkg7MhMirBSh4AncNXpTqpbvx1_aSy73hKIACN_df3MQwEkzoflfpZZblTo87aKU4JJm6gfbNvFEld0N3mB93oPPvMBapvGGIIG/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidElm9xtwtJyOmOBZpJx8srkcikgiKDnjHYcapUMtLfPkg7MhMirBSh4AncNXpTqpbvx1_aSy73hKIACN_df3MQwEkzoflfpZZblTo87aKU4JJm6gfbNvFEld0N3mB93oPPvMBapvGGIIG/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">And man Ireland, did we have fun. I dedicated a post to celebrating the <a href="http://www.thecrookedlake.blogspot.ca/2013/04/five-irish-favourites.html" target="_blank">randomness that is Ireland</a>, which leads to some great adventures and constant laughter. I can't be the first to tell you that s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">ome things on the great big island are a bit different. F, S and I constantly exchanged looks of confusion, taking about a month to adjust to the infectious laid back attitude and way of life. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Along the way I tried to pinpoint these differences, making a list of things that I couldn't imagine giving up, and those that consistently led to a face palm...</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Will miss<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.35pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Won’t miss<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.25pt;" valign="top" width="154"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- that accent</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- live music <u>everywhere </u> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- fish and chips</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- fresh fresh fresh cheap delicious fresh fish (mussels, scallops, and clams oh my!)</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- my deer friends in Phoenix Park</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- Fallon & Byrne (saved expat lives with quinoa and black beans).</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- my visitors</o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">- running across the street like a lunatic</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">- the permanent scent of fresh cut grass</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">- real Guinness</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">alksjdf;lkajsd;lfkjas;dlklksdf</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- perpetually lost in translation while speaking english (dear professor, i thought 'call on me' meant phone you, not come to your office.)</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- running across the street like a lunatic</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- a kitchen stocked with only one non-stick pan and two forks</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- cheap umbrellas</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p>- LIBRARY COP. (There was coffee in our mugs everyday, take <u>that).</u></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Despite any confusion we might have initially encountered, Dublin, you were the perfect home for F and I. Your cold rainy nights had us bonding over documentaries, 'modeling' long underwear, mastering slippery cobblestone streets, and truly appreciating every moment of sunshine. That blue filthy carpet, tiny kitchen, animated convict neighbor, old skeleton key, and bedroom shower... are all missed. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">You should hear us blubbering on and on about you in Sask. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Our friends are annoyed.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMM3GAWodzQUnrRwCOvug45r-V9Gi84N-InsfsYU8CoYswmFJI8bb7Uqy816dj74mKCcyJ1QTUrMPRuKp7YBXwKqgzR5fWGZrnVtRJhyuQM6rXlDvAqr3QkdtIdqPfb9f_9wB317Mh5zZ/s1600/farewell13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMM3GAWodzQUnrRwCOvug45r-V9Gi84N-InsfsYU8CoYswmFJI8bb7Uqy816dj74mKCcyJ1QTUrMPRuKp7YBXwKqgzR5fWGZrnVtRJhyuQM6rXlDvAqr3QkdtIdqPfb9f_9wB317Mh5zZ/s640/farewell13.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnYXyKlI9vXCThgSUHp8IkCDOSgEOxWvV4ds3jNc19bhkaB9fkYixzBqC5_oIDeRQAr1kaFT0iDySvRVQS8QPORod3yPy9FWVVx7097E43BI5FFfvm3-cdqPRZbgfXDUFvVXQ26c24L4e/s1600/farewell11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnYXyKlI9vXCThgSUHp8IkCDOSgEOxWvV4ds3jNc19bhkaB9fkYixzBqC5_oIDeRQAr1kaFT0iDySvRVQS8QPORod3yPy9FWVVx7097E43BI5FFfvm3-cdqPRZbgfXDUFvVXQ26c24L4e/s640/farewell11.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 290.6pt;" valign="top" width="291"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFdmwfTBIC4YEQttGJa3LKvgRIF1La3Ib5CaOlbsxEv4CLJu5rHxtvGVJDxKboc45nMbEnrvVwBd_czsHn3oyiJ0bequ0laqFTRHlg2_0lfbW6GjSauWMXsppUPpVKlqqbFz2GYW6_uUJ/s1600/farewell8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFdmwfTBIC4YEQttGJa3LKvgRIF1La3Ib5CaOlbsxEv4CLJu5rHxtvGVJDxKboc45nMbEnrvVwBd_czsHn3oyiJ0bequ0laqFTRHlg2_0lfbW6GjSauWMXsppUPpVKlqqbFz2GYW6_uUJ/s640/farewell8.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo8Nif4mI3NDuWVoZT83Lm6YxpWpXP585brEBNKkK7uXY8jEaqZ713YUPaZQ-v2fw5zYhBVdWcMKvt-QF5LefXDSOFe2GQvi524Z1_Jsr3elc-rt-38LZGWe_HcogRLkHC2OnQqVFjf_2/s1600/farewell12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo8Nif4mI3NDuWVoZT83Lm6YxpWpXP585brEBNKkK7uXY8jEaqZ713YUPaZQ-v2fw5zYhBVdWcMKvt-QF5LefXDSOFe2GQvi524Z1_Jsr3elc-rt-38LZGWe_HcogRLkHC2OnQqVFjf_2/s640/farewell12.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpvjxVw9dMLP0Rz17ygYy7iJgzjCptrJ5uCaIz2m_xLLkNQGDHEtmgg8gHPnyYu5X5Nm2F4zpvqXiYAZ2dyF-tR_P0mVa6rHPJt9fXlBtnSLjJTrN_JplwsOwewnbdIcsqvBYgcUfB-oa/s1600/farewell9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpvjxVw9dMLP0Rz17ygYy7iJgzjCptrJ5uCaIz2m_xLLkNQGDHEtmgg8gHPnyYu5X5Nm2F4zpvqXiYAZ2dyF-tR_P0mVa6rHPJt9fXlBtnSLjJTrN_JplwsOwewnbdIcsqvBYgcUfB-oa/s640/farewell9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">And Ireland, your reputation brought the visitor I had been waiting for, saving a coast for our eager exploration. How lucky we were to take in those clear waters and jagged cliffs; an absolute sight, speaking directly to the pride of the Irish. L's patience tested as I hugged each corner on your narrow Ring of Kerry roads. A few rental-car scratches later, you allowed him to live out his race-car fantasy on the windy traverse; one happy boy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff8LoRE3KlWBJ36bVrWaPHUjdl22fcHmCyvzrSKPepXcTY9QimE00aKL7QQd2NItwU6B4DBDxky6RqaFfX-Y8NnVU1lMTC5PwzEaRdZGMNWG_PHYqyt1C7wqXIPxBbbSv0IP5bROUe9m8/s1600/wk5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff8LoRE3KlWBJ36bVrWaPHUjdl22fcHmCyvzrSKPepXcTY9QimE00aKL7QQd2NItwU6B4DBDxky6RqaFfX-Y8NnVU1lMTC5PwzEaRdZGMNWG_PHYqyt1C7wqXIPxBbbSv0IP5bROUe9m8/s640/wk5-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S-MqzifBNJgaU534IUn6xsZyEdspMt3Z4k9HPISlU3B7GZnc2rGSwwS_YLbvoAK43Oaa8yj3luv6v4RTHKiYIEbB4kmB3e0dOAQq-kEqo3dcUzipOuH1KTIhi_WjBT03XF98xS1Yqxvt/s1600/paddys+huf+post+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S-MqzifBNJgaU534IUn6xsZyEdspMt3Z4k9HPISlU3B7GZnc2rGSwwS_YLbvoAK43Oaa8yj3luv6v4RTHKiYIEbB4kmB3e0dOAQq-kEqo3dcUzipOuH1KTIhi_WjBT03XF98xS1Yqxvt/s640/paddys+huf+post+1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFlcu3TTfpp0ncGd1pgFJGN8g2hSC6J6biu-LroG8-YKrNDN7aoN39AX7NmiyEqduYzJk8jJKZ4OiL-6vdfmJag6fU91PdnJM4ZwfgLjyahn_XHUav-jtBHaWWa8bjOHL2Tr6e4Hemg2t/s1600/wk6-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFlcu3TTfpp0ncGd1pgFJGN8g2hSC6J6biu-LroG8-YKrNDN7aoN39AX7NmiyEqduYzJk8jJKZ4OiL-6vdfmJag6fU91PdnJM4ZwfgLjyahn_XHUav-jtBHaWWa8bjOHL2Tr6e4Hemg2t/s640/wk6-6.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdh4eoHVICjqrOLrSKgfuppkMguWmMWGZtSaqx5-m3ulouBtAQSM6yW-YzptRE6x6wiLfn72pLO9AZOZm708pCkuaWRl1kXcHjJefTN98c_erTKbKXPbNrISkgmoj0yuPSKr6m9A5re5a/s1600/howth11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdh4eoHVICjqrOLrSKgfuppkMguWmMWGZtSaqx5-m3ulouBtAQSM6yW-YzptRE6x6wiLfn72pLO9AZOZm708pCkuaWRl1kXcHjJefTN98c_erTKbKXPbNrISkgmoj0yuPSKr6m9A5re5a/s640/howth11.jpg" width="640" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrcPgw5tO1b4ATA5y4mkyl3bpN5UCICa0U7Y-EywoOswt_Ptvx0fFD3Hmb_rBEwySUbFIwgGPgSvN_3KYl4EZuhwyqrlFEgJSlP9jHTHfUPQZmcaZ-oiMKXFEdGb1FQEZZdwA23r_kp3s/s1600/wk6-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrcPgw5tO1b4ATA5y4mkyl3bpN5UCICa0U7Y-EywoOswt_Ptvx0fFD3Hmb_rBEwySUbFIwgGPgSvN_3KYl4EZuhwyqrlFEgJSlP9jHTHfUPQZmcaZ-oiMKXFEdGb1FQEZZdwA23r_kp3s/s640/wk6-8.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmPwBTH6KSDCHY9UWngEUCjPuibpg2kzLGfxdwtEkjw-_JhX6-a3v9xGAHdNoA8DpiDUszoY6YoGHo9wqP4PEFRBmCthunX3rGX7drEgTkSyHcKiMGREdVJVCPrWsp1kHDMrStlH4Y6Uz/s1600/farewell+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmPwBTH6KSDCHY9UWngEUCjPuibpg2kzLGfxdwtEkjw-_JhX6-a3v9xGAHdNoA8DpiDUszoY6YoGHo9wqP4PEFRBmCthunX3rGX7drEgTkSyHcKiMGREdVJVCPrWsp1kHDMrStlH4Y6Uz/s640/farewell+21.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
You drew me in with your casual street wear, cozy pubs, constant comedy, and <u>friendly</u> people. They are the first thing I noticed, and what I will miss the most. The constant '<i>thank ya luv, oh you're grand,</i>' doors held open, exchange of pleasantries, and conversations among complete strangers. The Irish were never too busy for a quick chat or exchange of (for the most part) gentle one-liners. No wonder they say there are only two kinds of people in the world; the Irish and those who wish they were. I've never been more proud to have Irish roots. <br />
<br />
And just like that, it's over. I'll keep your reputation alive with every recommendation that my friends and family will allow. Thank you and farewell.<br />
<br />
<i>C.</i></div>
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Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com1Ireland53.41291 -8.243889999999964948.561612999999994 -18.571038499999965 58.264207 2.083258500000035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-9647752241934897622013-05-07T15:00:00.000+02:002013-05-09T19:13:20.220+02:00Sunny Streets of Dublin.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">A sunny day is a rare occurrence in Dublin. But when that big yellow sphere does grace us with her warm presence, you quickly find every and any excuse to head outdoors. Dubliners fill the parks and streets, welcoming the much needed Vitamin D. It's on days like this that photos can finally capture the beauty of the real city of bridges.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJsPQshIKW0R2Pm2YkAZ36e8BIMZ0-Sg16hMfKddE2sagIl10nBZnxvU6dOzI1lWbFLX2_hSg8nhztSXE0Oy3STCWRFZSAFSuTp-GEjri6Kl-tv-z7sWzIIEuxrxql2Y0gjn1mgJyqkcV/s1600/farewell19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJsPQshIKW0R2Pm2YkAZ36e8BIMZ0-Sg16hMfKddE2sagIl10nBZnxvU6dOzI1lWbFLX2_hSg8nhztSXE0Oy3STCWRFZSAFSuTp-GEjri6Kl-tv-z7sWzIIEuxrxql2Y0gjn1mgJyqkcV/s640/farewell19.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvHl2Fh0vuAILtxrZhrPj8RX2cObATMFAdS3-Br7wg5L5oHMZ3YJLetbEQoDu7yrjp8WEnvjxYeEIgAyFFrrIBVM09bk28TMmYS9sYCsDfgmTd57BZWw20OUUbkoy6sHGf9Uq6rcdB_AK/s1600/farewell17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvHl2Fh0vuAILtxrZhrPj8RX2cObATMFAdS3-Br7wg5L5oHMZ3YJLetbEQoDu7yrjp8WEnvjxYeEIgAyFFrrIBVM09bk28TMmYS9sYCsDfgmTd57BZWw20OUUbkoy6sHGf9Uq6rcdB_AK/s640/farewell17.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAXcl6vfLssgwJh5j62BUt8njrXLel9GRI4kBzktLxh16PoBTSP25KWsP_9X_M9CgbG9tBXzMUNFGxvb49W7bjI-CBc1puIPocx3yuJdP_qpnLx1wlhMfxwoBhmfr6mq0GISbxJC4_htk/s1600/farewell18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAXcl6vfLssgwJh5j62BUt8njrXLel9GRI4kBzktLxh16PoBTSP25KWsP_9X_M9CgbG9tBXzMUNFGxvb49W7bjI-CBc1puIPocx3yuJdP_qpnLx1wlhMfxwoBhmfr6mq0GISbxJC4_htk/s640/farewell18.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHSt1IAxRN6nmo1Ua9R3DCjgjJFso9oIb3TMUQHQhrnPeMeITOtvfv2rXcku3xgppcLwReiwX_lbOk2LtLg4nYv8z-OYsqbN1YVh7pZGMoBe4rlno6Grshk5Dw8RjjyfkxhRooEJDEw6W/s1600/farewell16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHSt1IAxRN6nmo1Ua9R3DCjgjJFso9oIb3TMUQHQhrnPeMeITOtvfv2rXcku3xgppcLwReiwX_lbOk2LtLg4nYv8z-OYsqbN1YVh7pZGMoBe4rlno6Grshk5Dw8RjjyfkxhRooEJDEw6W/s640/farewell16.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7dJIjCaowPySWkGqA4img9VFwjf5Le0lmDpArxK1p_v8QpN-gvNYYK9ddUXIWy16roL1ApU_hBb3q4alBVRbICnN9sxHbCryuJt6GRQah4PZBbXuDEbaEBqGFbqvQE6DN7p_nBztqzNo/s1600/streets+of+dublin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Vn1uDTKbksz82RkvHhFJJonnUtibK-qwFaoDNYYCYDSod7yDqLHuV0y1a1FNDRAMPQTMhQmu2Yd8OUk0JzI_GZYRRXYF_RjLJil0Bkpr6u9vM7T92gh7MIAJ3NulgEtKVInWyYCoOu89/s640/streets+of+dublin3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitveCKgS91zMO6R9qxrCyatfEn6cUS8VG-ojO72XX_QRnpNp6eKx9zeR70sEWJG7fcz-TnuKAOPRySPa5BWgfwMEzDVwbUMdufszDb_N4sE5AH9aBd6uq7nSFSBKk_MXDQHFJgV3ngxgB2/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitveCKgS91zMO6R9qxrCyatfEn6cUS8VG-ojO72XX_QRnpNp6eKx9zeR70sEWJG7fcz-TnuKAOPRySPa5BWgfwMEzDVwbUMdufszDb_N4sE5AH9aBd6uq7nSFSBKk_MXDQHFJgV3ngxgB2/s640/IMG_1506.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkncZs1gOhOAwJz19HLucQ6oPnmUMFbt_LWvKaqPAS9SxCPzFyJiwUWeyl_b3r5h5d7f8VwtkkQHqY3igNeVrh4g1wRHtF9HI925BB1BtgC8arQX76wlBKDvoEssODUium18zRZTmNzuWJ/s1600/streets+of+dublin5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkncZs1gOhOAwJz19HLucQ6oPnmUMFbt_LWvKaqPAS9SxCPzFyJiwUWeyl_b3r5h5d7f8VwtkkQHqY3igNeVrh4g1wRHtF9HI925BB1BtgC8arQX76wlBKDvoEssODUium18zRZTmNzuWJ/s640/streets+of+dublin5.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63ula3lDke52quP42up8rq9GL4oO3jIQAkwUd5w2lh4gOmF7NnGLB1Dx-OVyCU1lnelC4qnQsXjjGFCCAGTXu2dBo7L1dI1ZUeAhHmpn6DGgSLpY2JtLmpSOh2pPq2MvPBsHekYzEXImj/s1600/streets+of+dublin4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63ula3lDke52quP42up8rq9GL4oO3jIQAkwUd5w2lh4gOmF7NnGLB1Dx-OVyCU1lnelC4qnQsXjjGFCCAGTXu2dBo7L1dI1ZUeAhHmpn6DGgSLpY2JtLmpSOh2pPq2MvPBsHekYzEXImj/s640/streets+of+dublin4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And if the clouds stay parted into the evening, Dubliners will rejoice in their luck, the evening inevitably continuing in the shiny cobblestone streets; dancing under the Temple Bar lights with live music and new friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJx-0utpImOSx3uBzgHyZo2bBp4yOJNaKSJAdhUUsMzs-JO5lcTJqo6H-oDyY7gOww14PCq8z3SwoNdtkq8ohrvfsvGYrvwXOR01HaZG5wzvTSCmBuF4UKjpZ76nVBtU_RZTkbsNJuIje/s1600/streets+of+dublin7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJx-0utpImOSx3uBzgHyZo2bBp4yOJNaKSJAdhUUsMzs-JO5lcTJqo6H-oDyY7gOww14PCq8z3SwoNdtkq8ohrvfsvGYrvwXOR01HaZG5wzvTSCmBuF4UKjpZ76nVBtU_RZTkbsNJuIje/s640/streets+of+dublin7.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf_wrhEUlZPxyQwkhIYOjayyqcKrlC6KIZbLUbdvpLQlpDXVN8iX9FhoPkq3O1Qv8Nme26-uW7-aJK4n0-say-k9Hoswiwg1zZcQFAHasdRz924IspuOv1ZSQf-SSAxudPWjhQV6Cz7BB/s1600/streets+of+dublin9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf_wrhEUlZPxyQwkhIYOjayyqcKrlC6KIZbLUbdvpLQlpDXVN8iX9FhoPkq3O1Qv8Nme26-uW7-aJK4n0-say-k9Hoswiwg1zZcQFAHasdRz924IspuOv1ZSQf-SSAxudPWjhQV6Cz7BB/s640/streets+of+dublin9.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx95ItOkrFvQEFMi2EegaVl0BIQc7LWkDqimex4QpAhoYSfKPMor5Qy87FOE50SDZMbTrv-lbzdiM3j5sQdegNZkUeMDmCUDOdAoq471eU5XB4Vy8spaak_lcLtqJ9luet5br1C1sBRR1/s1600/streets+of+dublin8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx95ItOkrFvQEFMi2EegaVl0BIQc7LWkDqimex4QpAhoYSfKPMor5Qy87FOE50SDZMbTrv-lbzdiM3j5sQdegNZkUeMDmCUDOdAoq471eU5XB4Vy8spaak_lcLtqJ9luet5br1C1sBRR1/s640/streets+of+dublin8.jpg" width="460" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-14245220199925683542013-04-17T00:23:00.000+02:002013-04-17T12:21:41.376+02:00Going the Full Monty.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Last week the girls and I took an evening off for a birthday celebration. After seven years of April exams I typically ignore the date, making the evening off a very special treat. The night spent ushering in the next year was a pretty good representation of the last; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><u>an unbelievably fun time.</u></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">In my opinion, you really cannot go wrong with a corner </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">table hugging the fireplace and close</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> friends that know your every weakness - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">ordering apple pie in place of birthday cake, <i>my heroes</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U-HJy9vyr28_zaS-WGSoUjLYh_6mqCxuuZrqYqsRVupMh3XtMD7R5LfIuVrh9j5TGhtyZ7zmY9sEWiG2mQvWEWZn3siIwc1FpGuUOBQSrz76aFQtS9gDb0pfrDBcKta8-BB6qEXjZy-K/s1600/bday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U-HJy9vyr28_zaS-WGSoUjLYh_6mqCxuuZrqYqsRVupMh3XtMD7R5LfIuVrh9j5TGhtyZ7zmY9sEWiG2mQvWEWZn3siIwc1FpGuUOBQSrz76aFQtS9gDb0pfrDBcKta8-BB6qEXjZy-K/s640/bday5.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4oiGm0MMTtC7mp9peGqkVWSvbR0vfk_89nd1OZx06xsEKq_M3GFh2h7MfKNc2rSV_GXbLhM3eNZhFUvf84QiV_o30i6G901zsgT0nHPF9NWERPOZu_darCfRRujHmo9rOABgeWPdnSUe/s1600/bday6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4oiGm0MMTtC7mp9peGqkVWSvbR0vfk_89nd1OZx06xsEKq_M3GFh2h7MfKNc2rSV_GXbLhM3eNZhFUvf84QiV_o30i6G901zsgT0nHPF9NWERPOZu_darCfRRujHmo9rOABgeWPdnSUe/s640/bday6.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkytu5YSUvWw9yLi__cjomvnZr_epU3Nt76hCCQK4aECGLmfZttxoEan8bQLp0iRcbkMzq5EjPUNkHsLT2tLUJGZjEifhoeDaR93zCg83-r1Y7U_BNr-S64Rj422Bev7Ty9fG5EWEwGuKE/s1600/bay5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkytu5YSUvWw9yLi__cjomvnZr_epU3Nt76hCCQK4aECGLmfZttxoEan8bQLp0iRcbkMzq5EjPUNkHsLT2tLUJGZjEifhoeDaR93zCg83-r1Y7U_BNr-S64Rj422Bev7Ty9fG5EWEwGuKE/s640/bay5.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">A serious fit of laugher is best followed by a musical, (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>but really, what isn't)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">. And given the intense case of giggles even before the 'Full Monty' you can only imagine the screams that ensued during the show...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1agE6kDIZrfiZayjE69YCYz26do8G70qY6QUc7jJi5MvN8wzpA7uVmiRTJIonNsnCSkhhdfbIQ5aAoOYxC9dFvYLr5KSHo9Ma2y6wr5iiABKlnswl-pUFG3oAYLVaUdMvK23AZ4QzjsdH/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1agE6kDIZrfiZayjE69YCYz26do8G70qY6QUc7jJi5MvN8wzpA7uVmiRTJIonNsnCSkhhdfbIQ5aAoOYxC9dFvYLr5KSHo9Ma2y6wr5iiABKlnswl-pUFG3oAYLVaUdMvK23AZ4QzjsdH/s640/IMG_1758.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5bKa8-wg72nk_hX7Y_zcw9XuOrXABYK1DlQt9ZTZieVzj-vD5FfUSniIcXCfQxiqHmNkZ9O4RRhn5tzo7eTIJTZdCg25A7s46WO06QIqcHjk_1eZDSzwW01OMe8GbILqWkI8Rs7qfPzV/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5bKa8-wg72nk_hX7Y_zcw9XuOrXABYK1DlQt9ZTZieVzj-vD5FfUSniIcXCfQxiqHmNkZ9O4RRhn5tzo7eTIJTZdCg25A7s46WO06QIqcHjk_1eZDSzwW01OMe8GbILqWkI8Rs7qfPzV/s640/IMG_1750.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ4-6PyKbs8wN-peBr-TbcLnfz6PT0Hfue0VnVBtN3Iz8R3aO9dH37_Z-8Za6s-_km7zOeutDmYRIFq9evx4Z1Sdt_xHfmkpwSt1xDrH6FJIkwnGXHOtINwSkzuMHdpZIHLPSZaY6vruT/s1600/IMG_1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ4-6PyKbs8wN-peBr-TbcLnfz6PT0Hfue0VnVBtN3Iz8R3aO9dH37_Z-8Za6s-_km7zOeutDmYRIFq9evx4Z1Sdt_xHfmkpwSt1xDrH6FJIkwnGXHOtINwSkzuMHdpZIHLPSZaY6vruT/s640/IMG_1756.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Thank you Ireland for the oh so perfect scheduling of that performance.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Thank you library girls who offered me a job at Hollister today, you made the birthday an easier transition than you will ever know.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">And the biggest thank you to friends and family for all of your messages last week, you sure know how to make a girl feel blessed.</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-5115115679472718102013-04-12T23:30:00.000+02:002013-04-13T19:32:26.209+02:00Five Irish Favourites.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The lack of Five Irish Favourites around these parts has absolutely nothing to do with a shortage of photos to share, delayed rather due to a serious stack of papers standing between myself and graduation. 7 more days! Seven short short days. (Just keep swimming school friends! We are <u>so</u> close).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The excitement of the impending celebration is dampened by the realization that my time on the Emerald Isle is dwindling. I feel like I just arrived, and more importantly, have finally found my groove here and adjusted to the randomness that ensues in Ireland. T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">rust me when I say there are certain things here that at first are difficult to wrap your head around. Eventually though, you will adapt the Irish mentality, relax and embrace any confusion or inefficiencies with a shrug and a laugh. Nothing phases the Irish! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Oh, your office is closed from 1:15pm - 2:15pm, makes total sense. Mowing the lawn in the rain, might as well! A mechanical bull on campus, sounds about right</i>. <i>Free ice-cream outside the gym, yes please.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My five favourites this week are a celebration of the randomness that is Ireland. So random. I love it.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBsKlXCmCJKB2PbncbHghQ8s3aCextV-efds-Fa0cKzwqzem8XT7pYW49UjErDYKSgSVOza7RSDCP5aKQCRItc9onaYZ4RmIXP3SFflTlXvyF3FPoDrVoNlu3Zv5WdKf75yZtP41aXtQO/s1600/wk7-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBsKlXCmCJKB2PbncbHghQ8s3aCextV-efds-Fa0cKzwqzem8XT7pYW49UjErDYKSgSVOza7RSDCP5aKQCRItc9onaYZ4RmIXP3SFflTlXvyF3FPoDrVoNlu3Zv5WdKf75yZtP41aXtQO/s640/wk7-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judge Judy on campus as she is granted the Vice Presidency of the University College Dublin Law Society. Huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTo0S0PuWeFfHRpk94cdI1cfDW-yt3ahHCoEmtDWOoPV8zf6EWw18BVoy0GUz7-dw_NMwA93Lm8aTdhKXPi0pOt5pvPibR8v9kEqjWJfwrwqxVulnPIRhVpNSGZjGOWpplbfD-VlAUUXz/s1600/wk7-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTo0S0PuWeFfHRpk94cdI1cfDW-yt3ahHCoEmtDWOoPV8zf6EWw18BVoy0GUz7-dw_NMwA93Lm8aTdhKXPi0pOt5pvPibR8v9kEqjWJfwrwqxVulnPIRhVpNSGZjGOWpplbfD-VlAUUXz/s640/wk7-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in the <u>brand new</u> soccer stadium during the Ireland v Austria world cup qualifier. <br />
Beacause who need a roof in a country where it rains 99.9% of the time? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2JN5kHadhvx8lP6PPze8fz18j4QHivVXR4E1U-Wi4_jNm-ij91yJBhX-z2gaSH-ZOHn1DPzdT95wAm8wrFlWbrGn2UDw6fkQLDcBi3p6xYHxstphC1KOTTg2ZGp6I_Kr0a9CEGFybB1d/s1600/wk7-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2JN5kHadhvx8lP6PPze8fz18j4QHivVXR4E1U-Wi4_jNm-ij91yJBhX-z2gaSH-ZOHn1DPzdT95wAm8wrFlWbrGn2UDw6fkQLDcBi3p6xYHxstphC1KOTTg2ZGp6I_Kr0a9CEGFybB1d/s640/wk7-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The streets of Dublin. No words.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZLgTHEINSCfdpNaMkfBJy7PAF3mu3vszEyQaOCI60BrmCYeodYVLY_qFpkY5JVOFjQXijjlZlDoR9JfccgRUuGh6bXwyDx6E26rxaznDQRAAkck-dHXt9egiABne1GGLB_r9hqkWEWpw/s1600/wk7-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZLgTHEINSCfdpNaMkfBJy7PAF3mu3vszEyQaOCI60BrmCYeodYVLY_qFpkY5JVOFjQXijjlZlDoR9JfccgRUuGh6bXwyDx6E26rxaznDQRAAkck-dHXt9egiABne1GGLB_r9hqkWEWpw/s640/wk7-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sheepdogs in Dublin! Go sask!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjxKgFsPUS2J0ESeEubmUFTMky1de6uAiYvN-dCX1PINGfnnNvbSk6DMIS3yCsz19MMno10Cz3Guj6KB2cDp7swdn1Zeay4QzZO-Z62VXYtmgMnxoAQBGfTBSF7EpV_Kv0A_Tv-yf0SMc/s1600/wk7-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjxKgFsPUS2J0ESeEubmUFTMky1de6uAiYvN-dCX1PINGfnnNvbSk6DMIS3yCsz19MMno10Cz3Guj6KB2cDp7swdn1Zeay4QzZO-Z62VXYtmgMnxoAQBGfTBSF7EpV_Kv0A_Tv-yf0SMc/s640/wk7-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> An arcade ride which simulates a roller-coaster. First reaction, how lame, we want to race! Second reaction, pure joy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Now back to embracing the randomness that is Ireland for seven more days, soaking in everything I can.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Ireland, I am not ready to say goodbye.</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-35590130183670031682013-03-31T23:30:00.000+02:002013-04-01T12:22:07.350+02:00Happy Easter.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Easter weekend with family, friends and good food. In Ireland the holiday extends four days, a calm quiet taking over the city. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">E</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">aster Sunday was crammed with paper research as we muddle through the pages standing between us and graduation. (So close!)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Every Easter my thoughts travel back to the Semana Santa, or <i>Holy Week</i>, celebration in Antigua, Guatemala where I know for certain that Guatemalans have worked through the night to create the beautiful wood shaving 'alfombras' that cover the cobblestone streets. Tourists and locals alike carefully maneuver around the works of art, awaiting the afternoon processions which will trample the carpets, coating the small town in a beautiful layer of rainbow dust.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr-OCbVedF_mlpi1LG6ByTnuZnT6-L9ICD5gIkHlgrSKPylCtgnuenG7PcP2xOqIv8p1LHTiQJY3gEmcYG-oVE3UNIZXPZ7jKXJxH_Ww9EpyJyZJk5GQZ7olr_0Ec1N5j2o48WPtuYYf3/s1600/semana+santa+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr-OCbVedF_mlpi1LG6ByTnuZnT6-L9ICD5gIkHlgrSKPylCtgnuenG7PcP2xOqIv8p1LHTiQJY3gEmcYG-oVE3UNIZXPZ7jKXJxH_Ww9EpyJyZJk5GQZ7olr_0Ec1N5j2o48WPtuYYf3/s640/semana+santa+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZTn3gJd_JjMdrsRjz3ma2afEBu2v2WzvxdYJlxI9dB3HlFciyC55XY1yNzEAs9nvEIPQugqSdrd3weSCoIyjiKzw5kgYcI8Wz957C8_MKo3IZkPW1Hcd0KITgzRxkoyh7oHyhrZLZoJz/s1600/semana+santa+2+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZTn3gJd_JjMdrsRjz3ma2afEBu2v2WzvxdYJlxI9dB3HlFciyC55XY1yNzEAs9nvEIPQugqSdrd3weSCoIyjiKzw5kgYcI8Wz957C8_MKo3IZkPW1Hcd0KITgzRxkoyh7oHyhrZLZoJz/s640/semana+santa+2+(2).jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Alfombra creation is a painstakingly detailed tradition with coloured sawdust prepared for weeks in advance, and hours spent in a hunched position carefully sifting sawdust through stencils to create the ornate alfombras. But locals are happy to expend the effort, alfombra designs considered a source of family pride with stencils passed on through generations and wealthier families displaying their status by incorporating flowers wherever possible. After an unsuccessful attempt to sift the coloured dust with the Guatemalan precision in Antigua 2007, I will stick to what I know, and continue writing papers this Easter weekend.</span></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-45254419226996374332013-03-29T11:28:00.001+01:002013-03-29T11:28:35.526+01:00Five Irish Favourites.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Our road-trip of West Coast Ireland is best remembered by the succession of breathtaking views. The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">idyllic rolling green hills partitioned by carefully placed stone fences, the warm white sand beaches, jagged shores and dramatic cliffs, all responsible for a perpetually drained camera battery. This week, my five favorite views from our adventure.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCt5r47WeTUQLAGes2dGdEkGistQkT4yJO8qxkTLmPjxTqGWYzEXfCUzjY7oQlsoZFlrdBfgshSdE24Vg1jLRl2ByNf3Mj2N1e4FVetvvTs3r2VAg5wjcKoMZ3vTSgkEh2vSuTelDgMse/s1600/wk6-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCt5r47WeTUQLAGes2dGdEkGistQkT4yJO8qxkTLmPjxTqGWYzEXfCUzjY7oQlsoZFlrdBfgshSdE24Vg1jLRl2ByNf3Mj2N1e4FVetvvTs3r2VAg5wjcKoMZ3vTSgkEh2vSuTelDgMse/s640/wk6-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew Ireland.<br />
<i>Waterford, Co. Kerry</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiTkF5dsQZvW_Lf1P5jfaJt5StRa3B1ZOwMB_NBgv7Ir9E6ZXxnkSsienVZbFwPqtd-xIQTrEWNOXTS0ygPl27FWpDhlA2Ux9WdZO89Y9me31ZvAMcgfu4JvtB4U88ehL3ar7BV46d710/s1600/wk6-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiTkF5dsQZvW_Lf1P5jfaJt5StRa3B1ZOwMB_NBgv7Ir9E6ZXxnkSsienVZbFwPqtd-xIQTrEWNOXTS0ygPl27FWpDhlA2Ux9WdZO89Y9me31ZvAMcgfu4JvtB4U88ehL3ar7BV46d710/s640/wk6-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy on the streets of my city.<br />
<i>Dublin</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFlcu3TTfpp0ncGd1pgFJGN8g2hSC6J6biu-LroG8-YKrNDN7aoN39AX7NmiyEqduYzJk8jJKZ4OiL-6vdfmJag6fU91PdnJM4ZwfgLjyahn_XHUav-jtBHaWWa8bjOHL2Tr6e4Hemg2t/s1600/wk6-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFlcu3TTfpp0ncGd1pgFJGN8g2hSC6J6biu-LroG8-YKrNDN7aoN39AX7NmiyEqduYzJk8jJKZ4OiL-6vdfmJag6fU91PdnJM4ZwfgLjyahn_XHUav-jtBHaWWa8bjOHL2Tr6e4Hemg2t/s640/wk6-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighboring castles, no big deal.<br />
<i>Blarney castle, Co. Clare</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-77sFO0QuRV5bVbQey96ZE7iTkt4EP5dM1MivqiQhoMP_W543OmHY7rJYx0A-ABNZS_HN7xSIs5sAUdAOHuIPqwjAjYyH5YeRy3bIjdnGew5Q3T-gJdhgEuhd1oJQwSQ-cRIlHwBu4YN/s1600/wk6-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-77sFO0QuRV5bVbQey96ZE7iTkt4EP5dM1MivqiQhoMP_W543OmHY7rJYx0A-ABNZS_HN7xSIs5sAUdAOHuIPqwjAjYyH5YeRy3bIjdnGew5Q3T-gJdhgEuhd1oJQwSQ-cRIlHwBu4YN/s640/wk6-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcoming spring. We beg of you, please make your way to the East Coast.<br />
<i>Co. Kerry</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrcPgw5tO1b4ATA5y4mkyl3bpN5UCICa0U7Y-EywoOswt_Ptvx0fFD3Hmb_rBEwySUbFIwgGPgSvN_3KYl4EZuhwyqrlFEgJSlP9jHTHfUPQZmcaZ-oiMKXFEdGb1FQEZZdwA23r_kp3s/s1600/wk6-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrcPgw5tO1b4ATA5y4mkyl3bpN5UCICa0U7Y-EywoOswt_Ptvx0fFD3Hmb_rBEwySUbFIwgGPgSvN_3KYl4EZuhwyqrlFEgJSlP9jHTHfUPQZmcaZ-oiMKXFEdGb1FQEZZdwA23r_kp3s/s640/wk6-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured from the car window. Unreal.<br />
<i>The Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry.</i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Wishing everyone a Happy Easter weekend with family and friends, and (fingers crossed) some spring weather. Family, please think of me as you devour Grandma M's apple pie, lucky buggers!</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com6Ireland53.41291 -8.243889999999964948.5614705 -18.571038499999965 58.264349499999994 2.083258500000035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-26631278952369725542013-03-27T20:00:00.000+01:002013-03-29T14:46:35.257+01:00The greenest of all days.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">After a recovery week, it is finally time to share a quick post on our St. Paddy's adventure!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYxRVPuLqwuabwtL2YlhktXqkbMrqJqHexQOgDFP69Fz4It7jDHSHnW5Mz9-wVe8KqhOFoGTNDjGAD91IqZeJzp277tjAyiprtuBRALFtpcmXms9P7RnWb90VGM5GoFjl5uQ3a4-hJmi4/s1600/paddys+huf+post+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYxRVPuLqwuabwtL2YlhktXqkbMrqJqHexQOgDFP69Fz4It7jDHSHnW5Mz9-wVe8KqhOFoGTNDjGAD91IqZeJzp277tjAyiprtuBRALFtpcmXms9P7RnWb90VGM5GoFjl5uQ3a4-hJmi4/s640/paddys+huf+post+1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0imLulOKbdCmOw3ZaeWdUEBhtGcljrBsSS-cAYmi2p1W5zY0rLHqGBN6BjG5hidhQMjqj4a-lbIvaRsRXptU4gPPQ7Id6-73zKR0sTfqc92AE2ccsGebiOHTTZwFWJdTtwJADw9oWe5b_/s1600/paddys+hus+post+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0imLulOKbdCmOw3ZaeWdUEBhtGcljrBsSS-cAYmi2p1W5zY0rLHqGBN6BjG5hidhQMjqj4a-lbIvaRsRXptU4gPPQ7Id6-73zKR0sTfqc92AE2ccsGebiOHTTZwFWJdTtwJADw9oWe5b_/s640/paddys+hus+post+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbUXfN-TCtJnrw87tRkFRb4wOtsPRBrpIeqTEt0wwX6ypchVqdfjPUp5xZIOsinEBgE-ovXbfSTJJKR75c8ByWKdoZ3S-3rR-VTojKBrAewXw6v91rPWQnd2k7ngybN0IlizpiI6b0j4v/s1600/paddy+huf+post+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbUXfN-TCtJnrw87tRkFRb4wOtsPRBrpIeqTEt0wwX6ypchVqdfjPUp5xZIOsinEBgE-ovXbfSTJJKR75c8ByWKdoZ3S-3rR-VTojKBrAewXw6v91rPWQnd2k7ngybN0IlizpiI6b0j4v/s640/paddy+huf+post+3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcHnHK8E9LVMll-UsAvQFalXN2m9p8SOjuvW2y38IFMlxS6Aeu1lVDuhUKjJ_4K-cn3bhBC_KXhvIdjo5w1X2yI7L-ycV01q2XOjIVFkBGg8bwbqGSmKzlI_fgEkYUXmAQtT-ZE4OvEt9/s1600/st+patricks+festival+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcHnHK8E9LVMll-UsAvQFalXN2m9p8SOjuvW2y38IFMlxS6Aeu1lVDuhUKjJ_4K-cn3bhBC_KXhvIdjo5w1X2yI7L-ycV01q2XOjIVFkBGg8bwbqGSmKzlI_fgEkYUXmAQtT-ZE4OvEt9/s640/st+patricks+festival+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HqD7C6sfkjMiY_YDgL4j1hyphenhyphenLGXC4ViRWt5f5KDKT-Kid2ky61S5h2Oq5S-ACOYF9SpAhbRJvZK_ff-XXhCk6RuRn4Jf2eXg4M0p2hjaLsXf9laMMK14xKuJt9moQTVvk7Gq_UvpSU4A0/s1600/st+patricks+festival+3.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HqD7C6sfkjMiY_YDgL4j1hyphenhyphenLGXC4ViRWt5f5KDKT-Kid2ky61S5h2Oq5S-ACOYF9SpAhbRJvZK_ff-XXhCk6RuRn4Jf2eXg4M0p2hjaLsXf9laMMK14xKuJt9moQTVvk7Gq_UvpSU4A0/s640/st+patricks+festival+3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fs7IKJNKuYdwKQBPtNU2L0nOUfui9hvZGIvLwE2vqKopz2zmnjdlvAeOpDoV_AigAwoh6l8SVdruubfNFHLMll5ZHM11L_T3wOmiWUMPRmD1oZCoOLF-lOo6K8nJmB06J727Ut6vtWmC/s1600/st+patricks+festival+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fs7IKJNKuYdwKQBPtNU2L0nOUfui9hvZGIvLwE2vqKopz2zmnjdlvAeOpDoV_AigAwoh6l8SVdruubfNFHLMll5ZHM11L_T3wOmiWUMPRmD1oZCoOLF-lOo6K8nJmB06J727Ut6vtWmC/s640/st+patricks+festival+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/" target="_blank"><i>Photos courtesy of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">official St. Patrick's Festival</span></i></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The days leading up to the holiday were spent bouncing between pubs and watching the streets fill with tourists donning Leprechaun suits, felt hats, and goofy grins. Oddly, I found myself sheepishly hiding my camera away, not wanting to be mistaken for one of them. I mean, I live here, kind of... I know how to catch the bus, maneuver the grocery store, and cross the street, (trickier than you would think). As far as I'm concerned, thats as local as it gets. As such, I took very few photos of Dublin, and am really kicking myself for it now.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">March 17th in Dublin begins with back to back parades. First the 'People's Parade,' a new addition, followed by the infamous city parade, broadcasted across the world. After spending the previous day battling the unpredictable Irish weather, we opted to begin St. Paddy's in our warm home, wandering downtown to catch the tail-end of the show. Some were braver lining up hours in advance to ensure the perfect viewing point, only to later discover the 'People's Parade' was literally just people from other countries 'parading' the streets. Empathy shiver.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6b1jipaRrknSGUkHp0Pre-iqnIILvuOP-SMP6IIWx8-M8_8YSgsqHNeXcLmvtlojV5qANzPYU4ocMH4d41npd7ZDxjZf6enQtq9aEJmiG5DHJftT3ZoWqQFN4cqZ6L9y3RXZ82wyfS_Q/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6b1jipaRrknSGUkHp0Pre-iqnIILvuOP-SMP6IIWx8-M8_8YSgsqHNeXcLmvtlojV5qANzPYU4ocMH4d41npd7ZDxjZf6enQtq9aEJmiG5DHJftT3ZoWqQFN4cqZ6L9y3RXZ82wyfS_Q/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Irregardless, the energy from the crowds and streets of green are absolutely intoxicating. No one seemed the least bit phased by the dreary weather. Perhaps because '<i>everyone is Irish on St. Paddy's!</i>' </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, according to a sign in the Guinness storehouse.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I give </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Dublin City <u>huge credit</u> for ensuring the biggest party day of the year is also appealing to families. The city hosted two separate areas boasting live music, dancing, and fair rides, littered with kids sporting green ice-creamed stained teeth, having the time of their life.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrx_X6r-savSxyphH66Obnjkt-zBhaOEdQQghyphenhyphenGRT8dpLRAw5oFKCx_e8xIv28vVDaGDhVCj_bN12Ja0Nm13ebdcUw1-JVrrW2rLaLavD9CBAkMZJM2Bjq3wJ01cyJQUeRW7k_xPwUzQA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrx_X6r-savSxyphH66Obnjkt-zBhaOEdQQghyphenhyphenGRT8dpLRAw5oFKCx_e8xIv28vVDaGDhVCj_bN12Ja0Nm13ebdcUw1-JVrrW2rLaLavD9CBAkMZJM2Bjq3wJ01cyJQUeRW7k_xPwUzQA/s640/5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GPsIbO4sCFVT6SKaT1ri3wbm6IV8RIY0YRr9WXMVSgTXjWkSmzVhcUqC-NwasEFdxSelycZJD085HRFS39nxYZ9747f7G31xFqIJ7RmQVsoStF8k2X_XR3EzeCGcqc1Qgc32qwjh9YP4/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GPsIbO4sCFVT6SKaT1ri3wbm6IV8RIY0YRr9WXMVSgTXjWkSmzVhcUqC-NwasEFdxSelycZJD085HRFS39nxYZ9747f7G31xFqIJ7RmQVsoStF8k2X_XR3EzeCGcqc1Qgc32qwjh9YP4/s640/3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The boys and I thought it appropriate to partake in most the Irish activities possible, booking tickets to the All Ireland Championship matches. Our crew was happy to stick it out in the rain surrounded by Irish fans as we were introduced to a brand new sport, <i>Hurling</i>. Back-to-back games made for a chilly, but entertaining afternoon, perfectly complemented with screaming fans, green hats and cupcakes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRAH1bGOOxNsZj1ogexRbRry3m9o8XyOhH4Mj1FKbn0HRKqBr_JHaFZ28gwOUdV5YDsY0q_BOKDOwnJ5RwuBCbvjU-9Rp3vXA4HmrP4oIC8Ye2uDyJfd1Pn1w_UilMQ3A__DDLQX21X3E/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRAH1bGOOxNsZj1ogexRbRry3m9o8XyOhH4Mj1FKbn0HRKqBr_JHaFZ28gwOUdV5YDsY0q_BOKDOwnJ5RwuBCbvjU-9Rp3vXA4HmrP4oIC8Ye2uDyJfd1Pn1w_UilMQ3A__DDLQX21X3E/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_DOSsf_CT1X5avAzLqCfsYCarjcDjx1hq5jP_3Jg2oid6QNNSVDb9cixL519wigKA6qrxJfrO0qFlgdF_3WJxf33uaWEXlL6bq9Ue4iWS-7jE7B6SdAeVzqmjUsehW9pCE2h0IhFmxic/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_DOSsf_CT1X5avAzLqCfsYCarjcDjx1hq5jP_3Jg2oid6QNNSVDb9cixL519wigKA6qrxJfrO0qFlgdF_3WJxf33uaWEXlL6bq9Ue4iWS-7jE7B6SdAeVzqmjUsehW9pCE2h0IhFmxic/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH18uJf7_g8cJBqMa_g_lqQJk3c-0d14tJOJ3VlNUHr3LAJSbxI8AzALdlyMyGg_-ZI0sQw0jj5U_4DmOgbGuA2ivFPEG78_lWrhPv-PRvU6se-Cl5LZ_mF6Vat0rYIGz72mUJH5lUQwpW/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH18uJf7_g8cJBqMa_g_lqQJk3c-0d14tJOJ3VlNUHr3LAJSbxI8AzALdlyMyGg_-ZI0sQw0jj5U_4DmOgbGuA2ivFPEG78_lWrhPv-PRvU6se-Cl5LZ_mF6Vat0rYIGz72mUJH5lUQwpW/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Not long after J generously purchased us all leprechaun hats, L sold his to an Irish fan! (For profit, of course).</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-EHUdPc2OGOdH8UosQX6KXWavQTvH7kWEoguZsbgJE09MDENZ6Buot8Dk9g1OaRQyQSFofNuzZq_F0e4vmxHa1POHoZRtGll4m29X8W30BIV92GKz1rocM_bdxGaHGdlae_kIF934JCV/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-EHUdPc2OGOdH8UosQX6KXWavQTvH7kWEoguZsbgJE09MDENZ6Buot8Dk9g1OaRQyQSFofNuzZq_F0e4vmxHa1POHoZRtGll4m29X8W30BIV92GKz1rocM_bdxGaHGdlae_kIF934JCV/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">As alluded to, Dublin swells with nearly one million visitors during St. Paddy's, meaning packed streets and even more packed pubs. Considering it takes 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, you can imagine the queues. After getting our fill enjoying the crowds and energy across Dublin, we welcomed an invite to a St. Paddy's celebration at an Irish apartment. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The evening proved yet again that nights surrounded by your closest friends and fun new ones are the very best kind. Shamrock glasses and a Paddy's birthday are added bonuses. We joined right in with the Irish traditions </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">repeatedly </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><strike>screaming</strike></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> singing variations of Rattlin' Bog when not busy '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">picking and kicking' leprechauns off of our hot whiskey, (a drink challenging Guinness as the most popular on the Emerald Isle).</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0STNrw6nBKZlxbhTTtBNnfsaP6oIfTK1oxE-RA_UEz36oIcnZ44KaognvxzwGDKu5kxTlAyKArvJuCUq_KL8UqtZn6FLnmTBthHrnQ7svfec4l9FujBL9m1Oe_4fMVdCPc3U3VlyAf3s/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0STNrw6nBKZlxbhTTtBNnfsaP6oIfTK1oxE-RA_UEz36oIcnZ44KaognvxzwGDKu5kxTlAyKArvJuCUq_KL8UqtZn6FLnmTBthHrnQ7svfec4l9FujBL9m1Oe_4fMVdCPc3U3VlyAf3s/s640/11.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNvahoxF4xf6V1Khakyr2iCpgPZmJnFfBzhzGN-pVSYjxIJmbhb_pvJ3FdYDTxNA0TSOVzOt-qq7YS7zQ3_bjlwtn_khA8xLLQ40mIrEt_LM0o6b_0hv-7gStYkLWm6gEwMCgvzrXhWY9/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNvahoxF4xf6V1Khakyr2iCpgPZmJnFfBzhzGN-pVSYjxIJmbhb_pvJ3FdYDTxNA0TSOVzOt-qq7YS7zQ3_bjlwtn_khA8xLLQ40mIrEt_LM0o6b_0hv-7gStYkLWm6gEwMCgvzrXhWY9/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj08i3uE214W_CqQrLFj9LBjrtBh54gCL2It6aJsY1J70lRT0MLKFgr_zQYO5-mvaxR4UNyOgxmXMEBEW8ejf7UAFzdxC8r6CyzGWLTgn0TLTEb9gqIHtnFrn_dKYXeArBqqVWCe1asF5a/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj08i3uE214W_CqQrLFj9LBjrtBh54gCL2It6aJsY1J70lRT0MLKFgr_zQYO5-mvaxR4UNyOgxmXMEBEW8ejf7UAFzdxC8r6CyzGWLTgn0TLTEb9gqIHtnFrn_dKYXeArBqqVWCe1asF5a/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLum75hjr3UgTYXsLya0KccHrfo3VRcCA3elHNRDXR25nHp_deto6pIoQ5UiWRf3C1ChRZtmi5IPBb-4ON7LzRmi7BrXNAiLUG0LjqUJEQ8vnHvHQHEJA0BP66WjrGZji0ZXTs_66ldRc/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLum75hjr3UgTYXsLya0KccHrfo3VRcCA3elHNRDXR25nHp_deto6pIoQ5UiWRf3C1ChRZtmi5IPBb-4ON7LzRmi7BrXNAiLUG0LjqUJEQ8vnHvHQHEJA0BP66WjrGZji0ZXTs_66ldRc/s640/18.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Exhausted besties, happy to celebrate together (and slightly relieved the holiday is over).</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGHjbbAZaNnaBFrM8JGCtrqTcQjdJeewZ3aZReOe99RgSnI__stqvFZOG2m3tAe4Bzi2-2iskCm3rz2SXkxFhbvdhuA_z6CHQmZFEm5b5KoXImlOD0t-4MplGrVXXxm5TLfkc9xNJPex5/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGHjbbAZaNnaBFrM8JGCtrqTcQjdJeewZ3aZReOe99RgSnI__stqvFZOG2m3tAe4Bzi2-2iskCm3rz2SXkxFhbvdhuA_z6CHQmZFEm5b5KoXImlOD0t-4MplGrVXXxm5TLfkc9xNJPex5/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Thank you to our hosts and to this incredible country for a fantastic March 17th like no other!!! Next year this time, we will be sure to share the Irish love and hospitality while celebrating in Canada.</span></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com4Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-85832448618283694002013-03-17T08:00:00.000+01:002013-03-17T12:22:34.138+01:00Happy St. Paddy's!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Coming straight from the Emerald Isle!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>May your blessings outnumber</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The shamrocks that grow</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>and may trouble avoid you</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>wherever you go.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>~ Irish Blessing</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">We are about to head out to navigate this sea of green. Day plans begin with a city parade, hurling match, outdoor Irish concerts, and pub hopping for most of the afternoon. Here in Dublin it is mandatory to wear green, pace yourself, and <u>never ever</u> utter the words "Happy St. Patty's." (It's Paddy's, as any Irishman will be quick to correct you).</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzsyOR3f9QTaNSQKQfgkJcTtaPwj_ME1nt6hQ0kWuXI9Vf3N5Qgur_ARzJXUXjjt8s27GaPTWyveGAKB_I-ibfTvafeR900Fyo9NcsKgkMIq3xyydq3sbBP0AAo0_v5bR8hKqWINUU3B_/s1600/st+paddys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzsyOR3f9QTaNSQKQfgkJcTtaPwj_ME1nt6hQ0kWuXI9Vf3N5Qgur_ARzJXUXjjt8s27GaPTWyveGAKB_I-ibfTvafeR900Fyo9NcsKgkMIq3xyydq3sbBP0AAo0_v5bR8hKqWINUU3B_/s640/st+paddys.jpg" width="632" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">To get us in the spirit,</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">photos from last year's St. Paddy's celebration in beautiful Australia. I cannot believe it's been one year since we celebrated <u><a href="http://www.thecrookedlake.blogspot.ie/search/label/Australia" target="_blank">this wedding</a>. </u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Many photos of Dublin to come once we have recovered from the holiday! Have a wonderful day everyone.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>May luck be our companion</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>May friends stand by our side</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>May history remind us all</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>of Ireland's faith and pride.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>May God bless us with happiness</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>May love and faith abide us.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>~ Irish Blessing.</i></span></span></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com1Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-21608050360398920202013-03-16T12:32:00.000+01:002013-03-16T13:33:06.046+01:00Gaelic Football.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Gaelic football is almost completely unknown outside of Ireland, but here on the Emerald Isle it is a very popular sport. A game known for its speed, intensity and strategy, gaelic football is typically described as a mix of soccer, football, rugby, and even basketball. Confused yet? So were we...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoShMYbFxcWGWxZEIFqUMqSPEtnlCO37ZV0VYJUACOkV0E8qsJcc85jEZ_9VLLC9SSxIb6gTn3CuTesdG3Xr6lXe-GZicafecrLzq3hxbh3fanzHHXZFJ7-tvQ8k0RSIsnbspVrKnbkSo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoShMYbFxcWGWxZEIFqUMqSPEtnlCO37ZV0VYJUACOkV0E8qsJcc85jEZ_9VLLC9SSxIb6gTn3CuTesdG3Xr6lXe-GZicafecrLzq3hxbh3fanzHHXZFJ7-tvQ8k0RSIsnbspVrKnbkSo/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Last week the boys and I attended our first Gaelic football match and spent half the game figuring out the rules, the other half either in shock or laughing at the heckling from our surrounding Irish counterparts. Lets just say they were majorly displeased with the referee.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Like rugby, teams consist of 15 people, and like english football a round soccer ball is used. If you have ever watched Aussie Rules, (which I know at least four of you have), the rules are quite similar. The game is short with two 30 minute halves. Players are only allowed to carry the ball for four steps and then must pass it as if bumping a volleyball, bounce it like a basketball, or volley it off their foot like a soccer ball. A very coordinated bunch!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMXY6DE7kBXopNotM-vY0p-EMazbSb-YpqKkC6UseOexr3hvaRyd9gHl_oVQMemsgtB9183ULLrRFLxuRxU_ctUU_vzae7TAbqG3UnvZgj7Vzdl1DoRHzGXSRutwQWXz37sOO_Tdm9zc6/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMXY6DE7kBXopNotM-vY0p-EMazbSb-YpqKkC6UseOexr3hvaRyd9gHl_oVQMemsgtB9183ULLrRFLxuRxU_ctUU_vzae7TAbqG3UnvZgj7Vzdl1DoRHzGXSRutwQWXz37sOO_Tdm9zc6/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were pleasantly surprised with our seats, we were basically sitting on the pitch!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">By far the most confusing part of the game was attempting to determine out how much body contact, ie: blatantly pushing and punching in the face and ribs, was actually allowed. The match was <u>incredibly violent</u>. It seemed like everything was fair game. We later read that "<i>forbidden tackling moves include pushing an opponent, side tackles, punching, and tripping</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">." This explains why the fans were so angry...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Tomorrow we are taking in a Hurling match at the Ireland Championships Finals. Hurling is coined the "fastest game on grass," and supposedly just as violent as gaelic football. To quote Jason Statham, "[hurling] is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> a cross between hockey and murder." I am very afraid...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #464646; font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.3498053 -6.2603096999999934 53.3498053 -6.2603096999999934tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-63308607859682633722013-03-11T09:00:00.000+01:002013-03-11T10:13:29.466+01:00Guinness Book of World Records.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This afternoon the Canadians visit the Guinness factory and as such, it seems appropriate to find the answer to a a long nagging question; what exactly is the relation between Guinness beer and the Guinness Book of World Records?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYYEGVoJzloV_UxgWh7m2oAZqwI0J9auBmFmC2P0igVe18bWmPeHX06L6GSi5UhdNBkEzm9E4pTnP-FTLRCKmAM-34vk6wTFXbLf_VGz8-AEPuqyUKE10sltN44gD6OgibSjUMHJCvoWx/s1600/guinness1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYYEGVoJzloV_UxgWh7m2oAZqwI0J9auBmFmC2P0igVe18bWmPeHX06L6GSi5UhdNBkEzm9E4pTnP-FTLRCKmAM-34vk6wTFXbLf_VGz8-AEPuqyUKE10sltN44gD6OgibSjUMHJCvoWx/s640/guinness1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Images via <a href="http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/" target="_blank">Guinness World Records</a></td></tr>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In 1951 Sir Hugh Beaver, the then Managing Direction of Guinness, was hunting in County Wexford, Ireland, when he missed a shot at a golden prover. The missed shot sparked an argument during the evenings hunting party as to which was faster, the golden plover or the red grouse. Unable to find the answer to his question, Sir Beaver realized a book "<a href="http://guinness.book-of-records.info/history.html" target="_blank"><i>to settle arguments in Great Britain's and Ireland's then 84,000 pubs</i></a>" could prove quite useful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An Under Brewer in a London Brewery recommended Sir Beaver contact the McWhirter Brothers, Norris and Ross, two sports journalists who at the time ran a 'fact finding agency' supplying statistics to UK newspapers. The McWhirter brothers were hired for the project and published the first "Guinness Book of Records" in 1955.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wonder if Sir Hugh Beaver ever imagined that his simple question would ignite such a challenge to the world, exposing us to strange talents and people, celebrating the different, and entice the Bachelor to challenge the world's longest on-screen kiss. *<i>Cringe.</i>*</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSxpZ1daxajtNP5RtSNKZa1IM3qDGOb6wR6UYMxEo4UAtWvWA7zdZzgNRSYaMtcvsRJuSLgqQ1yHUxKrM4w4Wk7XR6D0q8_CA7rqYN0QpcJ7aaVnEwpBHnGFyo4lnr-jPsUNeslohWNNu/s1600/350px-26330red_grouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSxpZ1daxajtNP5RtSNKZa1IM3qDGOb6wR6UYMxEo4UAtWvWA7zdZzgNRSYaMtcvsRJuSLgqQ1yHUxKrM4w4Wk7XR6D0q8_CA7rqYN0QpcJ7aaVnEwpBHnGFyo4lnr-jPsUNeslohWNNu/s640/350px-26330red_grouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some 35 years later Sir Beaver's question that started it all was finally answered. In 1989 the 36th edition of the record book held that, <i>"<a href="http://guinness.book-of-records.info/history.html" target="_blank">Britain's fastest game bird is the Red Grouse which, in still air, has recorded burst speeds up to 92.8-100.8 km/h 58-63 mph over very short distances. Air speeds up to 112 km/h 70 mph have been claimed for the Golden plover when flushed, but it is extremely doubtful whether this rapid-flying bird can exceed 80-88 km/h 50-55 mph - even in an emergency."</a></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Fascinating stuff... onto the Guinness!</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0Guinness Storehouse, St James's Gate, Dublin 8, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3419363 -6.286698500000056827.8199018 -47.595292500000056 78.8639708 35.021895499999943tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-51540126327562901862013-03-08T16:00:00.000+01:002013-03-09T09:39:48.621+01:00Five Irish favourites.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This week has been a countdown, a countdown which has only two hours remaining on the clock. Tonight <b>L arrives</b>! J follows shortly after tomorrow. I can hardly contain my excitement!!!! Heading out to the airport now, have a lovely weekend everyone.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Discovering the Jameson Distillery on my walk home.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>Preparing welcome packages for the boys.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2-tI7dVW27vAasgyzqbCCL4pd9piUZL4yB84iFlng2idu-dTaPAgZK9YLfLk0-bhZe71t8buxC-qxzd-pdYjYMFLISibjDU2gCGDPEiM_3SHKbOC-IExwHIVfUO1keUxncdSgVN6XjKg/s1600/wk5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2-tI7dVW27vAasgyzqbCCL4pd9piUZL4yB84iFlng2idu-dTaPAgZK9YLfLk0-bhZe71t8buxC-qxzd-pdYjYMFLISibjDU2gCGDPEiM_3SHKbOC-IExwHIVfUO1keUxncdSgVN6XjKg/s640/wk5-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>It's a Christmas miracle! My basil plant has lived a WHOLE MONTH. This is quite the feat for me.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fresh mussels for tonight's seafood feast. Help? So intimidated...</i></td></tr>
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Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com6Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463173 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532933 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-62041941406055070472013-03-04T23:08:00.002+01:002013-03-04T23:27:12.583+01:00Everybody's gone surfin'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwKNY0YjOJqzKUrvROSkDaUNkAVE8hTK6ovSjL0fxIpFdNEjYiWKJoAXml_PxNxtixA1CqAWJrUmdSDOheJNZDQ6w-EgiRbC4jPbOeoWNGb2d95CUlHYvMj9SCCqrYLwLd_Uk4-AnlyNy/s1600/coast01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwKNY0YjOJqzKUrvROSkDaUNkAVE8hTK6ovSjL0fxIpFdNEjYiWKJoAXml_PxNxtixA1CqAWJrUmdSDOheJNZDQ6w-EgiRbC4jPbOeoWNGb2d95CUlHYvMj9SCCqrYLwLd_Uk4-AnlyNy/s640/coast01.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IwZ0MM2chrE8wmwwiwwUxDZr6q3_5hvv-7YiWaOjytezltZJp5WSWYen0hogzmq4PQ8qcntXfwuEyhvSfPmDIJX7SJ3rOMAqLihWq1yFOvgKeQkRkZZYO_BUkm6tzS_68kqAZsiBwsmN/s1600/coast4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IwZ0MM2chrE8wmwwiwwUxDZr6q3_5hvv-7YiWaOjytezltZJp5WSWYen0hogzmq4PQ8qcntXfwuEyhvSfPmDIJX7SJ3rOMAqLihWq1yFOvgKeQkRkZZYO_BUkm6tzS_68kqAZsiBwsmN/s640/coast4.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk61YwcD40pDtaAxDZitMMnus_1be540dV4jg5nLN_aIwL3z6D8ii54AfXneThlnk8bNF74HdlkVQ1kjU0j1szUtwHNioCFBLRL3umXflIBa-Wya6ZLtWD6xBklOmd-HpeDqJOyR3Ng6gh/s1600/coast14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk61YwcD40pDtaAxDZitMMnus_1be540dV4jg5nLN_aIwL3z6D8ii54AfXneThlnk8bNF74HdlkVQ1kjU0j1szUtwHNioCFBLRL3umXflIBa-Wya6ZLtWD6xBklOmd-HpeDqJOyR3Ng6gh/s640/coast14.jpg" width="464" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This weekend we made our first trip to the beautiful West Coast of Ireland. Four hours by bus brings you to the calm coastal town of Bundoran, where the locals we met proved the impossible; they were were even friendlier than Irish on the east. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">If lucky enough you will arrive just in time to catch the soft pink sunset blur with the blue ocean horizon. And like always, once on the coast the mind completely relaxes, your thoughts go blank, and you are amused simply watching wave after wave hug the shore.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSESfdvvvCED89p_ZNLIbbabAAiPlJi_LLFheBVn_znds8D740iRIr_8B-BuV6-OgEGP6mBjdy5jLplKLQgAjFOIcvhZTZvN3fWgd8kWVKVWc4pJuFlbJNaKFFqLJc2tLciaUf86aXZPpO/s1600/coast15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSESfdvvvCED89p_ZNLIbbabAAiPlJi_LLFheBVn_znds8D740iRIr_8B-BuV6-OgEGP6mBjdy5jLplKLQgAjFOIcvhZTZvN3fWgd8kWVKVWc4pJuFlbJNaKFFqLJc2tLciaUf86aXZPpO/s640/coast15.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">After discovering Ireland's surf scene, I have been searching for an opportunity to get back on a board. So when I came across a weekend itinerary packed with frigid morning surf lessons, yoga sessions to loosen the stiff shoulders, and a chance to meet Irish ladies as eager about the above activities, I booked us in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ayc6c4XiOSGpNy2YS_mgnpMdzzidERqaM9ew7YHFKT_AbAZs17ScGj5rDCZnRD54v-zq7SFgxyOhOABw0jk-Dp0E9wgisu8SX8quunlikhm1qElhievwvCsearMt0OP9xNWN2nlYs7ZJ/s1600/coast17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ayc6c4XiOSGpNy2YS_mgnpMdzzidERqaM9ew7YHFKT_AbAZs17ScGj5rDCZnRD54v-zq7SFgxyOhOABw0jk-Dp0E9wgisu8SX8quunlikhm1qElhievwvCsearMt0OP9xNWN2nlYs7ZJ/s640/coast17.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGZRyw3mgpLgjoiWiAro2lzBBsGWUiBUtag0JwtGa5cGKOIFDYsAHunxoBoYZ0wCsFwGvfG7pBZ0HTUY9xyjRuh6VabCaVad4oQpgTt-ZzMXEtR3WYVg34SS25E7rcow6OC2nD0zgfSsg/s1600/coast7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGZRyw3mgpLgjoiWiAro2lzBBsGWUiBUtag0JwtGa5cGKOIFDYsAHunxoBoYZ0wCsFwGvfG7pBZ0HTUY9xyjRuh6VabCaVad4oQpgTt-ZzMXEtR3WYVg34SS25E7rcow6OC2nD0zgfSsg/s640/coast7.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hGr-pOU1Ytgcvpq7kR3DUn1fdcYuDHRfmGx5PSDBcqUURL5yZAo8dJOmtijXfOsMydrcJRxssystNoNw4j3CR-e5CDzvPTVzcW8iwVGQ_fqIF0o1vYGCgx39o5b5-NX2EQvdsAIga3sq/s1600/coast2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hGr-pOU1Ytgcvpq7kR3DUn1fdcYuDHRfmGx5PSDBcqUURL5yZAo8dJOmtijXfOsMydrcJRxssystNoNw4j3CR-e5CDzvPTVzcW8iwVGQ_fqIF0o1vYGCgx39o5b5-NX2EQvdsAIga3sq/s640/coast2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The yoga portion of the weekend was important to entice F to attend; she had made it pretty clear early on that she had</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> zero</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">intention of surfing. However, minutes before I was taking off for the first session</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">, she had a sudden change of heart and opted to brave the cold waters for her <b>first surf ever!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">It was <u>incredible</u> watching F catch her first wave, and eventually even stand up on the board!!! Immediately following the beach was interrupted with our two voices screaming in excitement. Thank goodness for the balaclavas to mute the sound, which aside from looking oh so stylish, are completely necessary to avoid hypothermia...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgrwtW7qRwf1Fs2eaaPAEtLE-uCqSILNgGa3xL0HcfvI2GzTm-iqttPvMTFGqRO95XkG9dkIO0MaYvTXDeq51ZYiAgdNXhiEpBTT__NIKaMtggPpk3dFWwmB8DTGD7OyK9KqX21AEfFea/s1600/coast18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgrwtW7qRwf1Fs2eaaPAEtLE-uCqSILNgGa3xL0HcfvI2GzTm-iqttPvMTFGqRO95XkG9dkIO0MaYvTXDeq51ZYiAgdNXhiEpBTT__NIKaMtggPpk3dFWwmB8DTGD7OyK9KqX21AEfFea/s640/coast18.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp7VemQKA3Lsa0zFZwokQIqxSlftNmVgECMPy5OHRYQseexgiCSNH9Yns6WcXIog-RoEfOtb_7bycgjz9Qwt2OIv3npwU1KDeUTX-_YkSN7BYInM78QDjXWYPTRlJVEMWg2WYPDHIyk4Z/s1600/coast9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp7VemQKA3Lsa0zFZwokQIqxSlftNmVgECMPy5OHRYQseexgiCSNH9Yns6WcXIog-RoEfOtb_7bycgjz9Qwt2OIv3npwU1KDeUTX-_YkSN7BYInM78QDjXWYPTRlJVEMWg2WYPDHIyk4Z/s640/coast9.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58NfxNCEgDwM2OM5MP1lgIUmWo8gIKlWZlJOl7pTfAV7uqdUQiWweiqNBPGmNq2JZbc6sDaKbf0wAUnwtHMebGuKdKCOQTcvlqh0yvJsQyZcauoYXSQ-RKUINK0JanVO_rah97cRzx3VS/s1600/coast8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58NfxNCEgDwM2OM5MP1lgIUmWo8gIKlWZlJOl7pTfAV7uqdUQiWweiqNBPGmNq2JZbc6sDaKbf0wAUnwtHMebGuKdKCOQTcvlqh0yvJsQyZcauoYXSQ-RKUINK0JanVO_rah97cRzx3VS/s640/coast8.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Poor S was hit by a stomach virus the first night, and battled the bug the entire weekend. But being the trooper she is, she stuck it out for the entire trip, exploring coastal walks surrounding the town.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE8LRqFhHjHJrpS06VED5iK3oYosmz_U2UL1kkTz7rbnrPiGYHp5DOJFnPbzJWuOf-SA1e9XiAn-sBaZ30AqPXc0uLxai4iPRoO5Ju-FuiHrUBcOcWZo4COPPnnBwgdsGb0cFi6G7RUs5/s1600/coast10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE8LRqFhHjHJrpS06VED5iK3oYosmz_U2UL1kkTz7rbnrPiGYHp5DOJFnPbzJWuOf-SA1e9XiAn-sBaZ30AqPXc0uLxai4iPRoO5Ju-FuiHrUBcOcWZo4COPPnnBwgdsGb0cFi6G7RUs5/s640/coast10.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztt_hKSsNB0EW1muJk6gnu9cKCa_xi1cILDUUTbw2XFBHsqgDkbdFPoGy1aULSzw4H4ce3OhfbjQdKoek5sRcGi28hDoigwZkZt80rC5xhQ15EDYVDL-78CsB_euAS-p7-AGJOmcWnQjf/s1600/coast11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztt_hKSsNB0EW1muJk6gnu9cKCa_xi1cILDUUTbw2XFBHsqgDkbdFPoGy1aULSzw4H4ce3OhfbjQdKoek5sRcGi28hDoigwZkZt80rC5xhQ15EDYVDL-78CsB_euAS-p7-AGJOmcWnQjf/s640/coast11.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Even I, a yoga rookie, will admit that after a morning of paddling, yoga saved my poor shoulders lives.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqomYMilZbFR9wfGNbWjMYRVnxwuts0keCGHGT-rFVxZ2OtYxrnBxJ6qKpUjX8NI48JMi2j3wAbvxiQVXsOfHr2crqfgO04V5WWQi4uxOnfSdAEC74piuytDwavTisqItSVQROGEHwJqqV/s1600/coast13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqomYMilZbFR9wfGNbWjMYRVnxwuts0keCGHGT-rFVxZ2OtYxrnBxJ6qKpUjX8NI48JMi2j3wAbvxiQVXsOfHr2crqfgO04V5WWQi4uxOnfSdAEC74piuytDwavTisqItSVQROGEHwJqqV/s640/coast13.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNYnSjTvvUfteglo8-9ZwfxtY_J_MOGLcKWFD9tbRZ_OMzBDEjq-Rv_secfZ7OL4tagFJZ4fnZsvw0dniEmAOAVHIvtZOC5fshhnQSDtKEs9P4tQSjgiKY-YmdpdjE6rgrMA04ZjroeBx/s1600/coast1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNYnSjTvvUfteglo8-9ZwfxtY_J_MOGLcKWFD9tbRZ_OMzBDEjq-Rv_secfZ7OL4tagFJZ4fnZsvw0dniEmAOAVHIvtZOC5fshhnQSDtKEs9P4tQSjgiKY-YmdpdjE6rgrMA04ZjroeBx/s640/coast1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Big smiles for a very successful weekend in North Western Ireland. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Bundoran, I hope to see you again very soon!</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com6Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland54.4791416 -8.277934100000038628.957107099999998 -49.586528100000038 80.0011761 33.030659899999961tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-42235846537950762842013-03-01T10:16:00.000+01:002013-03-07T13:41:23.204+01:00Five Irish Favourites.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Today is the one month anniversary of my time in Ireland! To celebrate, you guessed it, five favourites in and around Dublin this week.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys6QaLp0W80ulIZWLS2l4C8bJLvR-YyF9cMvNyLE7lDQ0F-qu74X4XsX9Qd6GE1iReTap2W8bLnyC3IlT59Uav8XIYAMfCzQV2aX794a6bNrLYjTwER09E6e_GnkSOxfGhQ1UyKzAONaq/s1600/wk+4+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys6QaLp0W80ulIZWLS2l4C8bJLvR-YyF9cMvNyLE7lDQ0F-qu74X4XsX9Qd6GE1iReTap2W8bLnyC3IlT59Uav8XIYAMfCzQV2aX794a6bNrLYjTwER09E6e_GnkSOxfGhQ1UyKzAONaq/s640/wk+4+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They never get old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDoSBPjelmyghoHKOpSHEGHumlhx67SegOMD6DxvIWFdxb6yqYXkuqMP2D7t9-EO6cCijKoLYGT4Vrdw0LL00gsAfxDB1VWNmCN21_Rgj_0NhXXIQqiOju0czYNvOgB8GcMo74dMGRDuO/s1600/wk4+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDoSBPjelmyghoHKOpSHEGHumlhx67SegOMD6DxvIWFdxb6yqYXkuqMP2D7t9-EO6cCijKoLYGT4Vrdw0LL00gsAfxDB1VWNmCN21_Rgj_0NhXXIQqiOju0czYNvOgB8GcMo74dMGRDuO/s640/wk4+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The first signs of spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSQDIvInM2UKfVD8QQ5s3aSUJcXAvCUDfaEn34dZeRj7s-FLOLrZHLmgg7zj5t3RK-EhIm_ofLMIdBRf26nJPTiSOCizlZhdfyw0myBxYkPfRRmA_RLP_N5GXQmUw4l6OlVq78MnflHVK/s1600/wk4+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSQDIvInM2UKfVD8QQ5s3aSUJcXAvCUDfaEn34dZeRj7s-FLOLrZHLmgg7zj5t3RK-EhIm_ofLMIdBRf26nJPTiSOCizlZhdfyw0myBxYkPfRRmA_RLP_N5GXQmUw4l6OlVq78MnflHVK/s640/wk4+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Eggs on <u>everything</u>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bLmhIBUbLkUn8YCYu1uQAJIo8y-fm_9JdyMxgW-WLzKWAhBjHogm7xU5N8INMZTMw_-MI2X48lpvG_AYR40QfKSl3NqgZOYSX8BL7r5iZmduOnZn19dWsYEh163g2f9b2cu74xb341Xt/s1600/wk4+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bLmhIBUbLkUn8YCYu1uQAJIo8y-fm_9JdyMxgW-WLzKWAhBjHogm7xU5N8INMZTMw_-MI2X48lpvG_AYR40QfKSl3NqgZOYSX8BL7r5iZmduOnZn19dWsYEh163g2f9b2cu74xb341Xt/s640/wk4+-+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving in and <u>finally</u> trying my first Guinness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasfYoqDsTvUCz4LGlbhjKuEuRCsyQZugfpX7UI_SX1e5_LtPaByNuXjc13IciKkIEU5VVoNVXZcYYORB8nxi2LLvPbAVlMQW5hGkgwV2UjC1EJ9SRd3cZv95JJ-vCw6_zyP0ZrWIGrHHM/s1600/wk4+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasfYoqDsTvUCz4LGlbhjKuEuRCsyQZugfpX7UI_SX1e5_LtPaByNuXjc13IciKkIEU5VVoNVXZcYYORB8nxi2LLvPbAVlMQW5hGkgwV2UjC1EJ9SRd3cZv95JJ-vCw6_zyP0ZrWIGrHHM/s640/wk4+-+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Mornings spent travel planning. My Canadian visitors arrive one week from today and I could not be more excited!</td></tr>
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Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com4Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-83868021857704429642013-02-27T21:33:00.000+01:002013-02-27T21:40:24.781+01:00Sore cheeks.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Saying the Irish love to laugh is a ridiculous understatement. This country is home to the friendliest and funniest bunch I have <u>ever </u>met. D</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">ry and self-deprecating humour seems to be ingrained in local personalities.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My first week here we attended a comedy show featuring local legend Neil Delamere. Two minutes into his act, F and I caught each other's eyes; both wide eyed and confused. Our mirrored reactions confirmed what we each had been silently thinking, we could not understand a word Delamere was saying! Literally, not one word.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Anxious to hear what the crowd around us roared about, we squinted our eyes in concentration and began translating. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Thankfully the ears quickly adjust, and the language became clearer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Here is a taste of Delamere's act. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Warning! Viewer discretion is advised</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> (</span><span style="color: #444444;">mom</span><span style="color: #444444;">).</span></i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kLPyEHyrVdM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Yesterday evening we visited a pub</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> featuring local comedians every night of the week. The show was hilarious. <u>Absolutely hilarious</u>. I had the fortune, or misfortune, (I have yet to decide), of being pulled in as a reoccurring part of the show. It was all in good fun though, and we will be heading back for the next round of comedians! Because in Ireland,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> you will inevitably have sore cheeks from laughing so hard.</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-78331995752650803672013-02-22T12:00:00.000+01:002013-03-07T13:39:50.288+01:00Five Irish Favorites.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">If I used photos to accurately depict my week, you would be scrolling through images of a tangled blonde mop peeking out from bed, accompanied only by a massive pile of toilet paper, (kleenex is a student luxury), and a laptop burning through episodes of the Good Wife, because that's basically like studying law right... riiiiight?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I am so stir crazy I have ambitious plans of trying something touristy this weekend, a visit to the Trinity Library comes to mind. Time spent in a library seems the most acceptable way to avoid impending paper deadlines. For now, five more Irish favorites!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More coloured doors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attending classes in a castle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovering this river by our home.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1fB1am0pPiute5StOHxFex29QsH737BMLLSbqp_7NPPlT4UweoY1tfR3BAO9w8NusDxCLxmdPCjWfHfHXmOl0qK36eRAOBfydznEoBWtn4IGwcPzCRsNy_r_395JBkOZ69l1DlHz83lX/s1600/wk+3+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1fB1am0pPiute5StOHxFex29QsH737BMLLSbqp_7NPPlT4UweoY1tfR3BAO9w8NusDxCLxmdPCjWfHfHXmOl0qK36eRAOBfydznEoBWtn4IGwcPzCRsNy_r_395JBkOZ69l1DlHz83lX/s640/wk+3+-+5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">And lastly this terrible sneak photo of the Phantom of the Opera performance on campus. <br />
The photo does not reflect the performance, the student's musical abilities blew me away.</td></tr>
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Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com2Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-604182581331286942013-02-21T11:29:00.004+01:002013-02-21T14:06:44.434+01:00A beef-less week.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">While Canadian beef products continue to be recalled, across the pond we are avoiding ready-made and frozen food, (poor us, I know). This clean eating has little to do with a burning desire to consume fresh produce, and more to do with avoiding horse meat... <i>say whhhat</i>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Dubbed the "horse-meat scandal," the story begins in Ireland. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">In November 2012 the Irish Food Safety Authority (IFSA) ran routine tests on frozen beef burgers and various ready made meals for sale at an Irish grocery store. The IFSA found horse meat in 10 of the 27 hamburgers tested, despite the products '100% beef' label. While the initial discovery was made in November, the horse-meat scandal is a hot topic only now as IFSA continued to run tests for two months before <a href="http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/press_releases/horseDNA15012013.html" target="_blank">revealing their findings</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> to the public in mid January.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKG6HNSuzaBOQpTTdui3uqHl6NfUQR75pNxx92seEGSaLVAFTxo_huhIxhUGy0bbtbX4knKtPhUnDZfQWFf8tdlFM2BWjO_FhzwFDci5G0IKYs1rQ87FCDbigyx99CMZqh7uSVhwPlriH/s1600/horsemeat+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKG6HNSuzaBOQpTTdui3uqHl6NfUQR75pNxx92seEGSaLVAFTxo_huhIxhUGy0bbtbX4knKtPhUnDZfQWFf8tdlFM2BWjO_FhzwFDci5G0IKYs1rQ87FCDbigyx99CMZqh7uSVhwPlriH/s640/horsemeat+post.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Mornings spent catching up on the latest scandal headlines. </td></tr>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Continued testing has revealed the intensity of the scandal; blocks of frozen 'beef' in Northern Ireland containing upwards of 80% horse. Naturally these Irish discoveries led to other European states performing tests. One of the most alarming reports found that beef in French Comigel's frozen lasagna <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/08/horsemeat-scandal-french-firm-exporter" target="_blank">was up to 100% horse</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">. Horse meat has since been found as masquerading for beef in the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, France, and Germany, with the list continuing to grow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Interestingly, the French scandal has been kept separate from the Irish scandal. Comigel, the French producer mentioned above, has apparently traced the source of horse-meat in their products back to a Dutch meat trader who fraudulently sold Comigel's subcontractors horse-meat imported from South America and Mexico. The blame process here is complicated, with agencies arguing over who first approved the importation of the South American meat into the European Union. <i>The Guardian</i> has written a great article on the basics of the scandal and provided the image below to clarify between the two different beef networks.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubhB9OEI3UDIm5J9LMN3qObKdFvMAC9RunlUUbgs3EGxrKwZjbJXY6z_ely0WW0u5p9FtBSOqwLmzYylwicPuZKc6OsdEn0I5TJJ3CxAYqRis3Bangd00KUBrRumPIBXZbWCO0nk7jPXZ/s1600/comigel+horse+scandal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubhB9OEI3UDIm5J9LMN3qObKdFvMAC9RunlUUbgs3EGxrKwZjbJXY6z_ely0WW0u5p9FtBSOqwLmzYylwicPuZKc6OsdEn0I5TJJ3CxAYqRis3Bangd00KUBrRumPIBXZbWCO0nk7jPXZ/s640/comigel+horse+scandal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Full article <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/graphic/2013/feb/15/horsemeat-scandal-food-safety1#" target="_blank">here</a></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">After the Irish FSA released its report, the finger pointing in Ireland and the UK began. The original Irish publication identified three specific beef producers as the source of the horse meat: Silvercrest Foods, Liffey Meats, and the Dalepak. Silvercrest and Dalepak are subsidiaries of ABP Food Group, a massive European beef producer which has been on the defense since the reports release. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">ABP Food Group has made several claims, first pointing the finger to continental suppliers, and subsequently claiming suppliers in Poland as responsible for the contamination. (The Polish government intiatied its own investigation which apparently found no irregularities in their domestic suppliers).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">As far as I can tell, the Irish horse-meat scandal is far from over. The blame game continues while Food Inc. supporters are likely breathing a collective "<i>we told you so</i>" sigh. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">While ABP's complicated supply chain continues to be traced, meat imported from Romanian has received the highest degree of suspicion; a ban on horses in cities are thought to have increased export of horse meat from Romania. In addition, t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">he Irish FSA is taking heat for not alerting UK Food Standards Agency of the issue in November. The IFSA claims they did, UK claim they didn't, and so on and so on. I can't keep up. Looks like another week of Quinoa patties!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">In case you are interested in learning more, here are some links from around the web:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">- <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/08/horsemeat-scandal-french-firm-exporter" target="_blank">The Guardian on Comigel</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">- <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/12/world/europe/horsemeat-contamination-qanda/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a></span><br />
- <a href="http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/press_releases/horseDNA15012013.html" target="_blank">FSAI press release</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/20/us-horsemeat-romania-idUSBRE91J11T20130220" target="_blank">Reuters on Romania horse-meat</a></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-57731085842494720762013-02-18T11:41:00.001+01:002013-02-18T11:41:27.056+01:00By the seashore.<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlYD5V8gZGnou2D94arx0rX5L8Ogzza08POWr5k1TfaiEKIgV2XZXN_JaQK1K_P6bHiVlJbKeZPX_lkS_zq5Ee_n_uORXWeDP722t0uow3BqAXQGhL-ltJzIQcAQgs7eLCab71WAVkJkA/s1600/howth99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlYD5V8gZGnou2D94arx0rX5L8Ogzza08POWr5k1TfaiEKIgV2XZXN_JaQK1K_P6bHiVlJbKeZPX_lkS_zq5Ee_n_uORXWeDP722t0uow3BqAXQGhL-ltJzIQcAQgs7eLCab71WAVkJkA/s640/howth99.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfRHW3uFgfnGf9OsskJ8Y64pWFasZUIFImfL9vz7SEXnKwIGMns83g3mlHHIkWNX39x0Pb0NojcU0IMEymNp_he3OfdpvEKZ9mETVtxANtAyt23B1hEO0DQCqTLnYHXD4N9UARvPYzla4/s1600/howth8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfRHW3uFgfnGf9OsskJ8Y64pWFasZUIFImfL9vz7SEXnKwIGMns83g3mlHHIkWNX39x0Pb0NojcU0IMEymNp_he3OfdpvEKZ9mETVtxANtAyt23B1hEO0DQCqTLnYHXD4N9UARvPYzla4/s640/howth8.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqyVTzEt7sU-fHYRWCYOYw7R5U7oyHD_3e94sRVlX06hInvgi5QKcdICZ4WTtCYSGicnhoRkp_QiSwHe662_tUR3gHqPzZcbrQwanXHTL4Mh05tLARQ7ysLOmUDQickgegyA7Lacn8pja/s1600/howth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqyVTzEt7sU-fHYRWCYOYw7R5U7oyHD_3e94sRVlX06hInvgi5QKcdICZ4WTtCYSGicnhoRkp_QiSwHe662_tUR3gHqPzZcbrQwanXHTL4Mh05tLARQ7ysLOmUDQickgegyA7Lacn8pja/s640/howth2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KMGP399mD53Yfo7ozS-KXWM7eAoQkNcODENxDWeGPwrdazs_I3qaTMbhVCFgw7C9P22Dla-W20riCKdDbwVX3vJ57bGvx_RPZnWyIOrSWxZbmnQL2fMYDjFepq5a1xWMcgmUTTjbR8I4/s1600/howth15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KMGP399mD53Yfo7ozS-KXWM7eAoQkNcODENxDWeGPwrdazs_I3qaTMbhVCFgw7C9P22Dla-W20riCKdDbwVX3vJ57bGvx_RPZnWyIOrSWxZbmnQL2fMYDjFepq5a1xWMcgmUTTjbR8I4/s640/howth15.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm-phWwA9BA4ETc3tzMARc-MYUeh5JCHTr9rbyTnxrBQqe2L4C-gTC4xycm6Z7TsH8BV6SR8rPgdPZN6JP1QwdYYl_r5lk-zfj0pPliDODWoOnhlTptkQfbSeqKdeHigBcCUCP64tp2pM/s1600/howth13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm-phWwA9BA4ETc3tzMARc-MYUeh5JCHTr9rbyTnxrBQqe2L4C-gTC4xycm6Z7TsH8BV6SR8rPgdPZN6JP1QwdYYl_r5lk-zfj0pPliDODWoOnhlTptkQfbSeqKdeHigBcCUCP64tp2pM/s640/howth13.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithWtDQplkWO-Asu6v5NDx5ivNzuKD7eDK9ULEfOalVJokmUKKbAJwSEiRo_BQnd_1RiRjdczRsw8hFRQOi8RWzNZSJ8mVg91BPUiQXQQuOHUCDQSOpNOodFCDG-9KIFFUF07PuR3FybrG/s1600/howth12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithWtDQplkWO-Asu6v5NDx5ivNzuKD7eDK9ULEfOalVJokmUKKbAJwSEiRo_BQnd_1RiRjdczRsw8hFRQOi8RWzNZSJ8mVg91BPUiQXQQuOHUCDQSOpNOodFCDG-9KIFFUF07PuR3FybrG/s640/howth12.jpg" width="526" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">By the seashore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> this sleepy fishing town is a blanket of calm, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">blues and greys as far as you can see. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">oats patiently drift as the ocean wind gently spreads the aroma of the catch of the day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Pastel homes are linked side by side,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> and mussels soaked in garlic warm the fingers.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4RqW6isbUXajhXchd9Ca0c4_glO8sODuIHYRr3wzKL1mFrGKjIOJ3HxAYczdOoy-owqv3ED9rJHqHqOLvYTkeyUbPifBd_puVyL_t3fo-cX6lCHfNwDOXwYbywp5GpucIJdl7KeyMI3L/s1600/howth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4RqW6isbUXajhXchd9Ca0c4_glO8sODuIHYRr3wzKL1mFrGKjIOJ3HxAYczdOoy-owqv3ED9rJHqHqOLvYTkeyUbPifBd_puVyL_t3fo-cX6lCHfNwDOXwYbywp5GpucIJdl7KeyMI3L/s640/howth3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinwiZdD3stISd98Ms6EIjZOn0cZ3NTLb53NusB7Y-qaZZ1tMsOV4V9PTzQ21p6O_ZbEUmp7NkHuz530Kmlh6NXiNTodzb5ouhG8yi2kSYnoyJeShGNIjy88Fnhz-4v1Dqch49SkBN-MNN/s1600/howth14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinwiZdD3stISd98Ms6EIjZOn0cZ3NTLb53NusB7Y-qaZZ1tMsOV4V9PTzQ21p6O_ZbEUmp7NkHuz530Kmlh6NXiNTodzb5ouhG8yi2kSYnoyJeShGNIjy88Fnhz-4v1Dqch49SkBN-MNN/s640/howth14.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CUJbz-s2-GQTxaTzC9yUafdKowesbbgmj7F9GA9fMZnYG2IV2Ws25UAMs_c0wq44XLOHZuRx-cEwy2Ip7orUDsw7ZJsi1FtsNTfdkxtWgXJpShcmryLv1AuXtKEGzr7-bIXZ0wGBw-io/s1600/howth10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CUJbz-s2-GQTxaTzC9yUafdKowesbbgmj7F9GA9fMZnYG2IV2Ws25UAMs_c0wq44XLOHZuRx-cEwy2Ip7orUDsw7ZJsi1FtsNTfdkxtWgXJpShcmryLv1AuXtKEGzr7-bIXZ0wGBw-io/s640/howth10.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdh4eoHVICjqrOLrSKgfuppkMguWmMWGZtSaqx5-m3ulouBtAQSM6yW-YzptRE6x6wiLfn72pLO9AZOZm708pCkuaWRl1kXcHjJefTN98c_erTKbKXPbNrISkgmoj0yuPSKr6m9A5re5a/s1600/howth11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdh4eoHVICjqrOLrSKgfuppkMguWmMWGZtSaqx5-m3ulouBtAQSM6yW-YzptRE6x6wiLfn72pLO9AZOZm708pCkuaWRl1kXcHjJefTN98c_erTKbKXPbNrISkgmoj0yuPSKr6m9A5re5a/s640/howth11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxw230EcbZAm6ny3qms9j0BFLxotIxjSVDApE7xVSknC6yADfusi5BqUxaYKhzjMA0wurIaTDjNGMUqJQ8XsBwWJ7bwu5yCFfHf04HOCG-x4ZEWyO3Jg_KwblvWcYedq8-jXuFD2wgAKCT/s1600/howth9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxw230EcbZAm6ny3qms9j0BFLxotIxjSVDApE7xVSknC6yADfusi5BqUxaYKhzjMA0wurIaTDjNGMUqJQ8XsBwWJ7bwu5yCFfHf04HOCG-x4ZEWyO3Jg_KwblvWcYedq8-jXuFD2wgAKCT/s640/howth9.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Oh Howth, the perfect escape. Though we reeked of fish on our journey home, we will soon return for your fresh seafood and calming waters.</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com1Howth, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3858469 -6.064684299999953527.863812399999997 -47.373278299999953 78.9078814 35.243909700000046tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-28051475481451623102013-02-15T10:00:00.000+01:002013-03-07T13:40:55.124+01:00Five Irish favourites.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Rainbow doors.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This cutey named Stella.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">A warm escape.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Exploring the Irish country-side in a camper van, and <u>always</u> rocking this frizzy rain kissed hair. </i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1sB3Ek2ADDLLzapNHTA6Ss4xwuXSHYXfRRYfmfh1DrW4MFbM-_l-5Oy8Hx6EhqWXIoFCVcQYRnysWZlJ9xNzJfYOTNYapj3vkzbRH47COkG4wNMX1V8Z3vvUuvINKwG3ylbCpzRIW3t_/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1sB3Ek2ADDLLzapNHTA6Ss4xwuXSHYXfRRYfmfh1DrW4MFbM-_l-5Oy8Hx6EhqWXIoFCVcQYRnysWZlJ9xNzJfYOTNYapj3vkzbRH47COkG4wNMX1V8Z3vvUuvINKwG3ylbCpzRIW3t_/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">A Tim's discovery in Dublin!</span></i></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com4Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-55980246268905446112013-02-14T01:41:00.000+01:002013-02-15T12:15:32.809+01:00St. Valentines lives here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Really, he does.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9r9g1Sd43zDTwZZFZT9kD8Vsncup0PAZC1SGCl0zCmJ3OMXA6n_lQhCnAUAtbxYUi6imotHvZAk6QELdOJWndfj2K7A5vMU2JQhLBrpVrBV8xU3q2ae-shntOkvLqcVYcrmrMTVDMGjO/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9r9g1Sd43zDTwZZFZT9kD8Vsncup0PAZC1SGCl0zCmJ3OMXA6n_lQhCnAUAtbxYUi6imotHvZAk6QELdOJWndfj2K7A5vMU2JQhLBrpVrBV8xU3q2ae-shntOkvLqcVYcrmrMTVDMGjO/s640/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">In 1835 Pope Gregory donated Saint Valentine's remains to the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in an attempt to promote Catholicism in Ireland. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">When you find yourself in Dublin on the 14th of February, you naturally plan a visit to the man himself.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxCra7DnxtfEenJOhQwJZfZlZoNLZQQjVKo-1U3MVjf6Wnzd6FOGuCm5znBE-EJdkbVTZCzizq1LEhNzf9DZeCI5qm0e0soY3sA6IQi_tUUFpBfVu1Woz27nNGwK6X3r8McW5XBAndBDX/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxCra7DnxtfEenJOhQwJZfZlZoNLZQQjVKo-1U3MVjf6Wnzd6FOGuCm5znBE-EJdkbVTZCzizq1LEhNzf9DZeCI5qm0e0soY3sA6IQi_tUUFpBfVu1Woz27nNGwK6X3r8McW5XBAndBDX/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9goroGL30U4SDWiQOJzQkvD0QM0_fIhfbnAffKN6kPG-n5xroQc6hA1-6YWEdXDFhAJSuE7CXXfvRIqUcRzK6ndV_uC4E9Het_DzU-yM0fqcVbX3Xk2PVCPggqyEA5v70Q4m-x5xs_gb/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9goroGL30U4SDWiQOJzQkvD0QM0_fIhfbnAffKN6kPG-n5xroQc6hA1-6YWEdXDFhAJSuE7CXXfvRIqUcRzK6ndV_uC4E9Het_DzU-yM0fqcVbX3Xk2PVCPggqyEA5v70Q4m-x5xs_gb/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienvR-fxQhQ1G2PEYaKwjDK6p8LRALFpjOhkxR-ab217G7xoVZWuElaMc95UKev6W2vnqfkxvu1haEczKzqtJUXUPe_h6jQygQnwDdkPQx1jzBw4qX1TUkX5TAB5wfkPEGUJF6TtO1TkxM/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienvR-fxQhQ1G2PEYaKwjDK6p8LRALFpjOhkxR-ab217G7xoVZWuElaMc95UKev6W2vnqfkxvu1haEczKzqtJUXUPe_h6jQygQnwDdkPQx1jzBw4qX1TUkX5TAB5wfkPEGUJF6TtO1TkxM/s640/11.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspz4bEtZ7qUoRA346NXGL9egz3Pfcc_4wi6UFXLy408DlD2HdQFC_q67bW0KBSnOImjb9A43OGIDtLL-TDgn0xcn8pf8MAx10BL7D5yV8KeSAQzfJ5LZiA2PmSsjAgi7rgQizETLmOL_v/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspz4bEtZ7qUoRA346NXGL9egz3Pfcc_4wi6UFXLy408DlD2HdQFC_q67bW0KBSnOImjb9A43OGIDtLL-TDgn0xcn8pf8MAx10BL7D5yV8KeSAQzfJ5LZiA2PmSsjAgi7rgQizETLmOL_v/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs_fPlOeJTMDH_AiR4YtJRZDHcCbRscZsTFGIL2KY5Ry2jdHrn9pIywMmjayacct6KvpM8Y4goude23jb4EJBYm4hjvRPnSFsibX9ib7gIoVKCJYAlXdMn5d46tVTj71eOFR52CkOMbPZ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs_fPlOeJTMDH_AiR4YtJRZDHcCbRscZsTFGIL2KY5Ry2jdHrn9pIywMmjayacct6KvpM8Y4goude23jb4EJBYm4hjvRPnSFsibX9ib7gIoVKCJYAlXdMn5d46tVTj71eOFR52CkOMbPZ/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Here we were reminded why we celebrate love on the 14th of February. There are several variations of St. Valentine's story; the prevalent version in Ireland seems to be that St. Valentine married couples in secret, without their parents blessing. Another variation explains that the ruling Emperor Claudios II was of the opinion that single men made better soldiers, and as such restricted marriage. St. Valentine continued performing marriages despite direct orders from the Emperor to cease, and was eventually sentenced to death, beaten and beheaded. St. Valentine is said to have <i>l</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>ived and died for love</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61Y_q4ChLVUbzFPIMUYMism-zPmMOYO8t81eCrAjmZoJP0QbDz-DGZY40u7JNl5XoRrslfPSdAqPDIcflrYpGJT1BPIuQzJTxbPc3WkgUJVeDgUPxWdcrVFT8w1mcdxhJVrivrh8UiyEl/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61Y_q4ChLVUbzFPIMUYMism-zPmMOYO8t81eCrAjmZoJP0QbDz-DGZY40u7JNl5XoRrslfPSdAqPDIcflrYpGJT1BPIuQzJTxbPc3WkgUJVeDgUPxWdcrVFT8w1mcdxhJVrivrh8UiyEl/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH39cXz5WcYwvk-diOInSiTgbD9vIvzjiYhX9SZwxgVFAH12Sw5CHabL3lQVeCgXq51nUzGQ4nVAfehR13B4l4nx8YKqjNnt0zfSHEBqAlgwYAOEt9DiACcjTnaucOmMTVpnmvCR06U5-/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH39cXz5WcYwvk-diOInSiTgbD9vIvzjiYhX9SZwxgVFAH12Sw5CHabL3lQVeCgXq51nUzGQ4nVAfehR13B4l4nx8YKqjNnt0zfSHEBqAlgwYAOEt9DiACcjTnaucOmMTVpnmvCR06U5-/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu6wldU5-4ZScD5MQTN-79GMr-_GFvliSNs97Vz159X0rvDBZNhR0ta8P_W7dFsiAmU2ssxUL-w860JtY49HBb7VN75ros4ygZZGlYDIp1GAZYI5dPVD_Lby4sjiMCyBDekmLLBeLlcf4/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu6wldU5-4ZScD5MQTN-79GMr-_GFvliSNs97Vz159X0rvDBZNhR0ta8P_W7dFsiAmU2ssxUL-w860JtY49HBb7VN75ros4ygZZGlYDIp1GAZYI5dPVD_Lby4sjiMCyBDekmLLBeLlcf4/s640/7.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">When the sun <b>shines for a full day</b>, (a Valentines miracle), you are guaranteed to enjoy the day regardless of your participation level in cheesy celebrations. For some, the perfect Vday includes exploring a new park in the warm sun and indulging on several new pairs of shoes. On such such days impromptu outdoor concerts of Bruno Mars covers are well embraced, followed by a sunset run in the beloved Phoneix Park.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRJSFaogWcD_8jYVDYXMtv_GUDYS4E7u_wJrVLvGwlGNqOByOH8B0AUKeIiPfl07jGxefmorz131WRpoxQWhICE6y37XTn1TfL7Sb38i53wtW1jRG42KEdYQtVAQH4JaZko0LBGyY0-vw/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRJSFaogWcD_8jYVDYXMtv_GUDYS4E7u_wJrVLvGwlGNqOByOH8B0AUKeIiPfl07jGxefmorz131WRpoxQWhICE6y37XTn1TfL7Sb38i53wtW1jRG42KEdYQtVAQH4JaZko0LBGyY0-vw/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw5Cr5IJ65U6JK7iYjJXXGw-8siDGsfj5Hx8f1RBgoMiUXLsM42DN1TIbWq3QDAL6UMGR5GJBu57V9H83Y7q0Cc0AAn-i3JnWN4Y1rTjgA2xNziH-aWWtCwhf4cRPrnf3cbaalTd3WS_Y/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw5Cr5IJ65U6JK7iYjJXXGw-8siDGsfj5Hx8f1RBgoMiUXLsM42DN1TIbWq3QDAL6UMGR5GJBu57V9H83Y7q0Cc0AAn-i3JnWN4Y1rTjgA2xNziH-aWWtCwhf4cRPrnf3cbaalTd3WS_Y/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">And lastly, as if the day wasn't perfect enough, you will fill the apartment with the aroma of yummy glogg before heading downtown to take in an outdoor screening of Amelie complete with popcorn, hot chocolate and cozy blankets to keep you warm under the stars.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq54QXgXtS1oRpngaWhWIival9bCCJQgxQ_vzjFra21B0KVmwhMaN7i0SYfd_1v4l7rVxt0cZZ67lb7w9luDzTbSAa-g0w24ixWiF0RF3Gbtx3bBbSYEFegLPnb99MTB2z5wmlRrl60ge/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq54QXgXtS1oRpngaWhWIival9bCCJQgxQ_vzjFra21B0KVmwhMaN7i0SYfd_1v4l7rVxt0cZZ67lb7w9luDzTbSAa-g0w24ixWiF0RF3Gbtx3bBbSYEFegLPnb99MTB2z5wmlRrl60ge/s640/10.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">So there you have it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">If you look past the pubs and general debauchery, Ireland is a pretty romantic place! Happy Valentines day all, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I hope you enjoyed it with your loved ones close by,</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-16604036358241613922013-02-11T22:52:00.000+01:002013-02-12T11:41:22.240+01:00Spin around the world.<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">It is no secret, I am a spin junkie. For most of my undergrad I was vehicle-less relying on my two pedals and legs to commute. I biked to work, rain or sunshine, and loved every minute of it. But, when the inevitable winter chill hits, transforming Saskatchewan into a skating rink, I'm out. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I respect those <strike>crazy</strike> brave people who strap on a helmet and master the slick streets. Really, I do. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bErf1QhKe1pF9-4BNnIVIAwWmwAL-_x3lJj9Tc6EWhsumG4yp2a01YpSHmz8LX6EbwZrbv1YVFG_TpMpac6hHVbDgTPUGBeLoLsKzHB-7G9Jw3bnlQFOpzY0asucBCSIJjPwmnEAF6i0/s1600/ecuador+bike+snow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bErf1QhKe1pF9-4BNnIVIAwWmwAL-_x3lJj9Tc6EWhsumG4yp2a01YpSHmz8LX6EbwZrbv1YVFG_TpMpac6hHVbDgTPUGBeLoLsKzHB-7G9Jw3bnlQFOpzY0asucBCSIJjPwmnEAF6i0/s640/ecuador+bike+snow2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The exception: Me in 2009 biking an Ecuadorian Volcano.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">To</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> get my fix, winter months are spent pedaling indoors at spin classes. During one such class in Dublin, I realized</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> I have unintentionally 'spun' in every country I have called home. After an hour of sweating it out under the direction of an Irish accent, I laughed as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I realized how much of the country's unique culture is apparent in the gym. Can you figure out where each of the spin classes described below was held?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Answers include: Saskatoon, Guatemala, Ecuador, Sweden, Calgary, & Dublin</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">1) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I distinctively remember laughing through entire classes here. Spin is held in a small room consisting of floor to ceiling windows, that <u>never open</u>. In this hot country, an exercise room without fans, AC, or open windows is not good; the humidity like a thick blanket. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Class is comparable to the night club; lights off, a disco ball flipped on, and Spanish music pumping! A little round man leads the class, walking around the room dancing and singing, swaying his hips the way only latin men can.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><b>2) </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This spin studio feels like an exclusive club, where all the girls have matching lulus and seem to have been friends for life. The studio is so obviously designed by a woman with ear plugs for loud music, mint scented towels to clean your bike, hair elastics for all, and amazingly energetic instructors to keep you motivated on the days you regret showing up.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">3)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> The gym here was home to a number of birds whose cages were strategically placed between cardio machines, allowing the parrots the perfect view from which to squeal at and heckle gym patrons. Those parrots, they can actually be quite motivating as they criticize your form! After a while you won't be bothered when class starts anywhere from 10-60 minutes late, or is randomly cancelled without notice.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8g0NS_rCKR4qz-aMSQp9SN6Vh1r5SBv8eKvnddWYMxk9ap_Bxj8jqh58MWtApKufViqmvfuNSNfRtUrNF9hgt8s5YPKZtpVvRlbD-9Ti57ASFuQ2jtGvDfeONQkfgYBrY5p20tXrrvrk/s1600/pedal+faster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8g0NS_rCKR4qz-aMSQp9SN6Vh1r5SBv8eKvnddWYMxk9ap_Bxj8jqh58MWtApKufViqmvfuNSNfRtUrNF9hgt8s5YPKZtpVvRlbD-9Ti57ASFuQ2jtGvDfeONQkfgYBrY5p20tXrrvrk/s640/pedal+faster.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Slow poke! Slow poke!"</i></td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">4) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Here classes also start late, and no one seems to be bothered, too busy visiting with their neighbors and making new friends. The instructor, a thick man with an equally thick accent, is amazingly motivating despite hardly sitting on his bike. There is no cheating by pretending to turn the resistance up. When the thick man yells "resistance at 14 and 100 rpm, GO" he means it, and will stand in front of your bike until your machine hits that impossible number. But after class, he will congratulate you for working so hard, and try to hug you despite your sweaty state, because in this country, people are <u>so nice</u>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">5) </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My first introduction to spin classes, and likely the most serious experience to date. Regular 6am classes are the norm, your instructor will show up and pedal hard even when 7 months pregnant. Most memorable quotes include, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"<i>if you're talking you're not working hard enough!</i>" and "<i>you can do anything for 30 more seconds</i>!" She is right. It was here I would first consider becoming a spin instructor, because in this rat-race country, my mind always seems to fall back to work.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><b>6) </b>Here</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> you learn how to recognize numbers in an attempt to fumble along with the instructions in a foreign language. I am typically the lone female in a class filled with men in the shortest shorts imaginable, speaking to man's desire to attain a very slim physique in this area of the world. Classes are consistent, tardiness is not permitted, and Swedish House Mafia themed months are common.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Incase you actually read this far, (I am impressed!), highlight line below to reveal answers:</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: black;">1) Ecuador, 2) Calgary, 3) Guatemala, 4) Ireland, 5) Saskatoon, 6) Sweden</b></div>
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Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7998142869619822979.post-62211781100961437612013-02-08T22:35:00.001+01:002013-03-07T13:41:45.646+01:00Five Irish favourites.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I made it! I am here! It has been one week in gorgeous Dublin, and I am just finally figuring this city out. Thus far I have enjoyed aimlessly walking the windy streets, exploring the incredibly lush parks, essentially <u>getting wonderfully lost</u>. It really is so exciting to be in this new country. I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> am curious and anxious to soak it all in.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This post is later than intended due to my aversion to taking my camera out in the rain. However, I have quickly learnt that if you hold out for sunshine, you could be waiting for weeks. Here is to embracing running in a downpour, frizzy rain kissed hair, and living in rubber boots.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">With that, the first of a new series, "Five Irish Favourites." Five images of the things I was excited to discover this past week.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04tYYHD1qTXR3WMzLdwmgY3QAoQhhZJWidTJpiLsU2Zl-Pi9CUodyIrwi6Suw-ry0vJY9KvyURvicyNDJ_nyH-7Dgk2Yx5NEBI6O7LLlDPEwKxbgz9kkC4nIgtq8l198evipWV0LmIF-7/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04tYYHD1qTXR3WMzLdwmgY3QAoQhhZJWidTJpiLsU2Zl-Pi9CUodyIrwi6Suw-ry0vJY9KvyURvicyNDJ_nyH-7Dgk2Yx5NEBI6O7LLlDPEwKxbgz9kkC4nIgtq8l198evipWV0LmIF-7/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8fsVC3RZUmXtL6rSz96Afr-OhyphenhyphenhUcYP4DGOjb29WxF9WWWmXvnC2KimqiyKHGEZyZEhx6pbVWANteMR2bIur3Z0xEiukpYNGtgu53G1zED5A_-GOFoX7_kmkhYw5Ce_AKFhi6mB7A02H/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8fsVC3RZUmXtL6rSz96Afr-OhyphenhyphenhUcYP4DGOjb29WxF9WWWmXvnC2KimqiyKHGEZyZEhx6pbVWANteMR2bIur3Z0xEiukpYNGtgu53G1zED5A_-GOFoX7_kmkhYw5Ce_AKFhi6mB7A02H/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Phoenix Park</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Imagine my excitement in learning my new apartment is located directly across from the largest city park in all of Europe, (a huge thank you to F for finding our cozy home). At 707 hectares, (or 1700 acres), this lush area is three times the size of Central Park, and covered with running trails. Conceived as a Royal deer park, it is now home to over 100 wild fallow deer. I am in love with this park, morning runs feel like a gift.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AjLoHIOtryWPOpEoQeISGcZZ1H9lwh4_1xCcEqDQ-CK3gkW5lGmxJfsg3l0EPR492fG__yRyiJO_aAhU3dffqMFaOLQXPrQ0O-XnhDZQHxZB7qB1G_K44WwMzuo434JLTRlCxgxG7Sjl/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AjLoHIOtryWPOpEoQeISGcZZ1H9lwh4_1xCcEqDQ-CK3gkW5lGmxJfsg3l0EPR492fG__yRyiJO_aAhU3dffqMFaOLQXPrQ0O-XnhDZQHxZB7qB1G_K44WwMzuo434JLTRlCxgxG7Sjl/s640/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>The Guinness Brewery. Conveniently located right across the street from my bus stop.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidElm9xtwtJyOmOBZpJx8srkcikgiKDnjHYcapUMtLfPkg7MhMirBSh4AncNXpTqpbvx1_aSy73hKIACN_df3MQwEkzoflfpZZblTo87aKU4JJm6gfbNvFEld0N3mB93oPPvMBapvGGIIG/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidElm9xtwtJyOmOBZpJx8srkcikgiKDnjHYcapUMtLfPkg7MhMirBSh4AncNXpTqpbvx1_aSy73hKIACN_df3MQwEkzoflfpZZblTo87aKU4JJm6gfbNvFEld0N3mB93oPPvMBapvGGIIG/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Temple Bar</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This infamous downtown area is just a quick bus ride or walk from home. The windy cobblestone streets are home to pub, after pub, after pub, each packed to max capacity and boasting live Irish music on the weekends. Exactly how you imagine Dublin.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcuYpMEwXohEmILL6y5Xf9k9q-uyUmOIbtUiue59oT6E_eUIqscknbV51ysyd-rLeDTzQLhiPguzcToNUS6_No059UQn9pyX4n_EJ_EJrV-LK4GuZYTY1hKyk6MO3q22QxvMRZQfzoW_W/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcuYpMEwXohEmILL6y5Xf9k9q-uyUmOIbtUiue59oT6E_eUIqscknbV51ysyd-rLeDTzQLhiPguzcToNUS6_No059UQn9pyX4n_EJ_EJrV-LK4GuZYTY1hKyk6MO3q22QxvMRZQfzoW_W/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>My first beer in Ireland. Gasp, not Guinness.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X5mEnCvvJoDA3UL5SqawKQcua0V1RbWRFZ3Wz7w8CUPXdsmzh_ewXn5ah7-86X4lRxlsfQm3Ge153TTDu0dDUNKbUYcOvsdu_92orblB03eMT33N6TBmpVFSDzbQdfJFSWEALmzoxnyM/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X5mEnCvvJoDA3UL5SqawKQcua0V1RbWRFZ3Wz7w8CUPXdsmzh_ewXn5ah7-86X4lRxlsfQm3Ge153TTDu0dDUNKbUYcOvsdu_92orblB03eMT33N6TBmpVFSDzbQdfJFSWEALmzoxnyM/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Amazing seats at the football game.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">S' boyfriend has season tickets for the Republic of Ireland football games, lucky us! The match against Poland was so fun; spent meeting new Irish friends, discovering just how many Polish immigrants are in Ireland, and cheering for the boys in green. (2-0 Ireland).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This week was full of so many firsts, making it near impossible to limit myself to five favorites. My mind is overflowing with exciting new discoveries and of course frustrated bouts of confusion, but more to come next Friday! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Ireland and I, we're going to get along just fine. <i>My restless, roaming spirit is so content.</i></span></div>
Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512244007982289808noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463208 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532898 -5.6148626999999935