Reviewing where we are

Sweet Maybell, doing what she does best.

 Things have felt busy lately. Nothing in particular it seems. We've just been consistently finding ourselves at the end of the day asking, "Wow, what did we do today?". And that's a good thing, trust me. I don't feel like anything substantial has changed. Maybe it's just the time of year or we've just found a groove and we're riding it. But I sure do love being busy.

I feel lately that I've been consistently getting the same message. Does anyone else get that? You can believe it's the universe or your subconscious.  Believing what I do I feel like it's God trying to keep me on track. And that message that I've been getting in various forms, from speakers at church to conversations with friends, is happiness. It brought me back to my 2013 "To-do" list and evaluate how I'm progressing.

We're just going to blissfully ignore #1 on the list for the time being. That still stings a little too much to get in to. But how to be happy, even joyful, is a subject that the Scarecrow and I have been talking about a lot. I have really successful moments with #2 on my list and some substantially unsuccessful ones as well. Happiness is a choice. Isn't that we hear all the time? There are a lot of things that I/we can't change right now, at least not quickly. And so despite these difficult circumstances we have to make the decision to be happy in spite of them. The internet is full of 5 easy steps to (fill in the blank). There's a reason for that. They're good and they're helpful sources of inspiration. This week, this is my list of what I'm going to personally do to be happier.

1. Write in my journal EVERY DAY of the blessings that I have. Focusing on what we do have helps us to think less on the things that we don't.
2. ACTIVELY work towards changing our circumstances. Work, strange as it sounds, has always made me happy. I like having a project, digging in the dirt, putting my back into it. This whole unemployed thing has not sat well with me. There's a potential future opportunity which I'm going to be annoyingly vague about, but for now I need to find ways to better our circumstances. Stay tuned for that.
3. I've said this before, but the Scarecrow and I don't get out much. This is in part due to our financial circumstances. It's also because we don't particularly have many close friends here who we associate with regularly. We NEED this kind of association. We spent a lot of time yesterday with family and good friends. And we felt AMAZING afterwards. I need to find a way to make more of an effort in this department and surround myself with more good, supportive, loving people. 
4. EXERCISE more regularly. 

   "Exercise gives your endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their husbands." 

   Thank you Elle Woods. And the Scarecrow thanks you as well.

5. I find I forget myself when I'm thinking of others. I need to get out and SERVE in some capacity. I'm so grateful for my assignment at church with the youth. Here's to looking for more opportunities.

They're a little strange. Love them anyway.

Oh, and I'm going to try and blog more. Stay tuned for upcoming format changes.

Wait, is that summer I just felt?

The beautiful Shannon river

Bank holidays are one of the special little treats of living in Ireland and the UK. Seriously America, we need to get on this concept. And no, Memorial Day and Labor Day are not enough as barely the banks close on those days. I love Scarecrow's work hours as we always have the weekends together plus they observe bank holidays.

We started off the weekend on Friday night where we watched a soapbox derby sponsored by Red Bull. It was one of many events lined up for the annual Limerick Riverfest. For the derby they blocked off Denmark Street (a block over from the Milk Market for those familiar) and started at the top of the hill. It's not a steep hill but enough to get the job done. They built in an obstacle with some hay bales which made for some interesting moments. Despite the rain it was fun to watch the teams and see the various creations. Sometimes you need to go out and do something silly once in a while.

Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day. Sunny for the majority of it with highs around 16 or 17 C (about 61 F). We slept in as much as possible with the early daylight. Thank you northern latitudes, still not used to that yet. Did a few chores and then set out to spend the afternoon in the city at Riverfest. First we picked up Scarecrow's aunts who live in town to have them come for the stroll. They're both real characters and I love them to bits. We walked along the stalls for the BBQ festival and got to taste a few samples. It wasn't the American Royal in Kansas City but it wasn't half bad at all.

Mardie kept getting ahead of us and having to wait so myself, Scarecrow and Molly snuck past her and snapped this picture.

From there we wandered down what was called the continental fair. The street was lined with all kinds of different vendors and completely packed. I couldn't even count the number of stalls selling candy and treats. There was all kinds of different food and different goods. We settled on getting a 99 and having a little sit down to watch the people. A 99 is one of life's simple joys, just a cone of vanilla ice cream with a Cadbury flake stuck into it. Divine. The Red Viking tour company had a short, free bus ride of the city which we availed ourselves of. If anything else, after all the walking it was good to put our feet up and listen to a bit of history. It was pretty funny, the Scarecrow would point something out to me and no more than 2 seconds later the bus driver would start talking about it. It was so nice to see the  city centre so busy with people and with so much life happening. I could literally feel summer in the air despite the rain coat I was wearing. Just in case.

How fabulous are these hats!

3 goofy girls

It was warmer than it looks.

Monday we took Toto and a couple of her friends to Lahinch to jump in the ocean. It was a bit more grey to start but that didn't stop them. Let me just say that the water off of Ireland isn't quite as warm as the water, say, off of Florida. It's freezing! Thankfully the temperature climbed to about 18 C (65 F) and they had a ball. While the girls splashed the Scarecrow and I threw a baseball back and forth. I'd say we were the only 2 people on an Irish beach that day playing catch with a baseball. After about an hour the girls turned blue and got out of the water. They got dressed and we walked and played along the beach and played on the playground. After a large bag of chips each and another short walk we loaded back in the car for the hour drive home. Those were 3 tired little kitties, let me tell you! But it was so fun to get to go out and do something fun like that with the family. It made me long for warmer weather and more bank holidays.

This one's for you Christina! Remember?

Despite the shorter week it already feels long. These first couple of days of the week we're extra busy for some reason. Here's to an early bed time tonight!

We now return to Oz

I'm sorry for those who are diligent followers of this blog. I appreciate you greatly and hope that you'll continue to come back despite the gap in time. I've been away the past few weeks. Clicked my heels and headed back to Kansas for various reasons. Here they are in no particular order and with their subsequent outcomes:

1. I got to see and hang out with my family. Despite my ridiculous work schedule (more on that later) we had a great time. Got to hang out with my MoH (Meg of Honor), various friends from church, parents, siblings, and of course the sweet little niece and nephew. My Button got so big and decided to start walking/talking/singing after I left. And of course W was his usual sweet, silly self. Oh, and my sister's dog ate her ducks and they subsequently got new ducks. Hysterical.

He's such a character

Peek-a-boo! Big brother taught her how to say "Boo!"

New ducks!

2. Scarecrow and I were able to go to Denver and be a part of one of my best friend's weddings. She and I were roommates and friends all throughout college and have managed to stay really close since then. It was so much fun to be part of it all and her husband is such a sweetie. A happy life lays in store for them. Oh, and between the newlyweds, the Scarecrow and myself, and our other college roomie and her husband we are totally planning a vacation together. And now to start saving...

A beautiful day for a wedding.

Gorgeous bride getting done up.

Hair up!

The "04" club. We all met the bride in 2004. One of us was born that year...

Before heading back we got to catch some of the Kansas City Blues v. Denver Highlanders rugby match. The Blues were staying in our hotel and Scarecrow went up to chat with them. He though it was funny chatting with a fella from Cork who plays for Kansas City in a hotel in Denver.

3. Alright, the main reason I went over was to defend my thesis. For those who don't know I have been working on my Master's degree for the past 2 1/2 years. It was something I always thought I wanted and have worked really hard to get to this point. However, for the majority of that time I felt like I was swimming upstream. I knew it was going to be hard. Nothing worth having is ever easy. Particularly over the last few months I've felt my thesis fighting back. I wasn't getting clear results, I felt unsure as to the actual application of some of my data and in general have just felt lost. I was working towards what I realize now was an unrealistic deadline, forcing me to compromise my work and to not allow myself sufficient time to prepare. And so the day of my thesis defense was excruciating. I couldn't defend it or myself. I felt like an utter moron in front of my committee and to myself. My mind quite literally went blank and I was a fumbling idiot. Unsurprisingly, they didn't pass me. I suppose you could say they told me this in the nicest way possible but there really is not soft way to put it.

Scarecrow met me in the hallway after it was all over and we raced to the car so I could bawl my eyes out. I felt empty and scared that somehow I had wasted the last 2 1/2 years of my life, that I was now unemployable and  going to have to work in a Supermac's (Irish McDonald's essentially). But the Scarecrow told me he still loved me and was proud of me. We went home and my sweet mom who doesn't swear hardly at all hugged me and told me KU could go to hell. I know, but that's pretty strong language coming from her. Then we sat down and ate dinner with my parents and little brother. Afterwards the rest of the family including aunts, uncle, cousin, grandparents, and my sister's family came over and we ate cookie bars and played games. I was still hurting from the day but it was made less so knowing that everything was still ok. My nephew still thinks I'm Spider-Man. I can still laugh and play cards with my aunts and cousin. And Grandpa will still say I'm "dynamite".

The next day we flew home and now here we are. We're getting back to reality and I'm working towards new goals, finding work and finishing my thesis. This time though I'm going to do it the right way. Work towards completion, not a deadline. I'm going to work towards happiness and taking care of myself, my husband and my step-daughter. With new priorities aligned here's hoping for the best.

Date Day in Dublin

 Everyone loves a little alliteration.  Life got a little tedious in February and therefore not very interesting to blog about.  One big February highlight was taking the youth from church up to Belfast for their regional youth activity.  It was a LONG and EXHAUSTING day, but so much fun.  We really do have the best kids on this island.  Later in the week the Scarecrow and I celebrated the 6th anniversary of our first date.  We could hardly believe it either!  We re-created the date as best we could by going to Eddie Rockets and a movie.  This time though he didn't have to drop me off at Kilmurry Village. 

Dancing the night away at Charlie Chaplin's 2007

Easter Weekend 2007

 

Flying off to Madrid with the gang 2007

Goofy in Madrid 2007

 We look so different!  It's been a really insane 6 years.  We did the math and of those 6 years we've spent a total of 1 year in the same country, 6 months of that married.  Yep, sure do love this man.


The following weekend (i.e, this past weekend) we had a bit of excitement planned.  6 years ago we went and saw the movie Once.  Scarecrow was already a big fan of the lead male character and writer of the music, Glen Hansard.  I didn't know anything about him, having never heard of the Frames before, and was willing to go along.  It quickly became a favorite movie and "Falling Slowly" a favorite song.  As many will remember, it went on to win best original song at the Academy Awards the next year.

Fast forward and it was adapted into a Broadway sensation, wining 8 Tony Awards.  I'd heard it was going to be taken to London's West End and was a bit disappointed that it was skipping Ireland.  It's a show about Dublin for crying out loud!  And then, last minute, they decide to bring it to Dublin's Gaiety Theatre.  And you better believe we bought tickets to that!  So this past Friday we stayed the night in Scarcrow's friend's flat just outside Dublin city centre.  We started off the day with...IKEA!  The Swedes sure know how to design, it was a lot of fun.  We pretty much planned our perfect home which was fun to do together.

I love these cabinets.  They're a beautiful textured wood.

We went back to the flat, got changed, and hopped a bus into the city.  Scarecrow had picked a place for lunch and (with some coaxing from me) kept it a secret.  We wandered along Grafton street, through the small alleys of Dublin and enjoyed listening to the buskers.  I love watching street performers and listening to musicians.  It's a big thing in the city centres here, especially on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  We finally got to our destination and it was...a burrito shop!

New Favorite

Busking on Grafton Street

Every time someone asks me what I miss about the States the most I almost always say Mexican food.  I've really been craving a Chipotle burrito.  Well, the Scarecrow is amazing and somehow found the one little restaurant, I bet, in all of Ireland that is as close to Chipotle as you can get.  I was dancing I was so giddy!  Seriously, best husband ever.

Can you tell I'm excited!

From there we found the theatre and let me tell you, it is one of those classically beautiful spaces.  Red velvet seats, beautifully carved walls, a giant chandelier.  I love the way this show and the set was done.  The set was a classic looking pub and before the show they bring some audience members up where they can order a pint and listen while the cast jams before the show.  How cool is that?

I could go on and on about the production itself.  Scarecrow and I couldn't stop talking about it, analyzing it, why it was good, why it was beautiful.  I'll be perfectly honest, I cried a little during the scene where they're in the music shop and they first play "Falling Slowly".  I didn't realize how much I miss theatre, music and art.  It was a reminder to me that once I get my thesis done that this needs to continue to be a part of my life.  I need it for sanity's sake.










This is a big week for us.  Toto leaves Wednesday for a school trip to Paris.  She is super excited and is going to have a BALL!  Can't wait to hear all about it.  And Thursday I head back to the States for a few weeks to defend my thesis.  EEK!  I'm really nervous about it, not just the school part but to be away from the Scarecrow again.  Didn't like it last time, don't imagine I'll like it any better this time.  The upside is that he'll be coming over in April for 2 weeks and we'll fly home together.

And I love him so.  I wouldn't trade him for gold.

So for those of you who live back in KS, give me a shout and we'll get together.  I'm setting office hours for myself to work, 9am-7pm.  After 7pm I'm free to play so shoot me a comment or a FB message.  Oh man, this is going to be intense.  I'll miss you Oz...

Birthday Week

Scarecrow and I had another milestone this past week.  We FINALLY celebrated his birthday together!  Can you believe that!  This fact coupled with the fact that he turned 35 (a big deal, I think) meant I wanted to stretch the celebration out a little. We don't have a lot of money, which may be an understatement, but I still wanted this to be a big deal.

We started off by going to the cinema, a treat in itself for us.  The Omniplex recently started 5 euro Wednesdays.  Given that this is nearly half price they have been doing quite well on Wednesdays.  We went and saw Jack Reacher which Scarecrow had been really anxious to see.  Lots of action and a happy fella made for a great evening.

A couple of my most favorite things (because he liked them and selfishly because I get to enjoy them too!) were Internet ideas.  I gave them to him over the course of the week leading up to his birthday.  One was taken from a pin that I recently saw (if you know me you know I'm pretty Pintrest obsessed).  Here's the link to the page.  It's cute ideas for FHE (family home evening) for newlywed couple's.  This is something that members of our church have been counseled to do.  Life's busy, we need to designate some family time.  Confession; we haven't really "done" FHE since we've gotten married.  It's not something either of us were particularly in the habit of doing before we got married.  We've wanted to, and have talked about it a lot.  We just needed a little push.  So this was the push.    But we aren't just a newlywed couple, we're a newlywed couple with a 13 year old.  So that led to me Google-ing and compiling a list of 30+ COMPLETE FHE ideas.  I broke them into 2 categories, one for us to do when we don't have Toto and ones that we can do with her.  So click here for the FHE ideas for couples and here for the family FHE ideas.  I still need to print them on different colors of paper (one for couple, one for family) and stick them in a can.  But now the leg work is done we can get to family time!

Another thing we've been wanting to work on is having a more regular date night.  One of the things I learned during the marriage class at church (thank you John and Jean Morales!) was the importance of date night.  And not just bumming out in front of a movie every time.  When it comes to coming up with ideas we just aren't very creative on the fly and we don't really have enough brain waves to spare too much planning in advance.  Enter one of my favorite websites, The Dating Divas.  I stole yet another idea from them and expounded/tweaked it to make it work for us.  They had posted this link about a wedding gift called Can O' Dates.  They even listed a ton of ideas.  Unfortunately, do to the fact that we're not in the States, some of the ideas don't work for us and had to be removed/modified.  But here is the link for their version along with a cute printable to cover your can.  Here is the more Ireland/us friendly version along with directions to go back to the Dating Divas website for more specifics on certain ideas.  PS-I'll post what my can ended up looking like.  And so I have given my husband the gift of not having to wrack his brain for ideas when it's his turn to come up with FHE/date night activities.  How cool is that?

On the Scarecrow's actual birthday he took a half day and what did we do?  We ran errands!  Yipee!  We actually had a lot of places to stop that we can't do on a Saturday so it was perfect to wander the town, pick up his "real" birthday present (a leather case for his clerk stuff) and hold hands.  That night Toto and I made him a delicious cake.  Well, all I really did was supply the idea and the recipe and let Toto go to town.  It came out so well!

I love him more and more every day and every year.  He's a great dad, an amazing husband, and I couldn't have gotten better.  Lucky, lucky me.

Converting

It's a chilly, windy day in Oz and I can't seem to bring myself to do anything.  I just raided my Pinterest boards for projects/baking that I can do to amuse myself because I just don't know what to do with myself.  Scarecrow is out golfing with his dad, the neighbor, and his buddy.  The rest of the family is gone for one reason or another.  This means I have a rare time that I have the house to myself.  And darn it, I should have decided before what I would do with this rare opportunity.  Not only that, but I have our car at my disposal!  But I'll tell you what, it's only when you have the means and the space to do something that you can't think of a single thing to do.  I might bake some rolls in a few minutes.  Or I might crochet a grocery bag.  Might walk the dog too.  Who knows, really.

Earlier in the week I tagged along with the sister missionaries and their P-day activity (preparation day for those not in the know).  One of the gals from church had offered to take them to the Cliffs of Moher.  She was going on about this crazy party and I said, "Gee, keep going like that and now I want to know what the party is!".  So I managed to invite myself on their excursion.  It was really a fun excuse to get out and see the country with some people who haven't seen it all yet.  And I really like hanging out with this gal from church, so it was nice to spend time with people I'm not related to (no offense family.  I just need to get out more). 

I've never seen the cliffs like this...ever.  I've barely even seen Ireland like this!  Snow!  I felt bad for the sister missionaries, they didn't get to see it in its full glory.  But they did get to see it in a way that very few people do.  It was pretty in a very mysterious sort of way.  I also hadn't realized how much I miss the bite of cold air after it's snowed.  I'm not a big snow fan myself.  That's the one weather phenomenon that I can really take or leave.  But it was nice to feel that refreshing cold blast coming off of the Atlantic.

So, my Irish quirk for the day.  I think it's happened.  It's been subtly working its way in for months and now, I think I'm finally converted.  As with everywhere you go, even to different parts of the U.S., there are different words for different things.  I was talking to my sister and niece the other day and started to comment on her jumper when I had to correct myself and say sweater.  I don't have to translate myself here nearly as much as I used to.  It will, however, be interesting to hear how I do going back to the States.  Some other examples of words that are different than what I grew up with that are now second nature:

Jumper: Is in fact a sweater, not a little pinafore dress that girls wear.
Boot: As in the boot of a car.  It's the trunk.  Once in awhile Scarecrow slips up and says trunk.  He even said dollars instead of euro the other night.  We're both clearly very confused still.
Bin: garbage can, trash, whatever.  Oh, I also put the rubbish in the bin now, not the garbage in the trash.
Mobile phone: Yes, they are called mobiles here as opposed to the cell phone of the U.S.  That's a dead giveaway that you're American.  You also ring someone's mobile instead of calling their cell.  Subtle, but trust me, people notice when you say "call my cell" instead of "ring my mobile".
A lift:  This one is very important.  I had this ingrained in me from my first go-round in Oz.  You never, ever, want to ask someone for a ride.  You want a lift.  If you ask for a ride you will be very surprised at the outcome given that it refers to favors of a sexual nature.  So please, I will give you a lift anywhere you like.  Just don't ask me for a ride.

And now I'm going to go do something.  Just not too sure what yet...

Auld Lang Synge Oz

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Oz!  I have been, as has everyone else, busy.  This is despite both major holidays being what I have described to all who've asked as "quiet".  But it's been amazing to spend the holidays with the Scarecrow.  After nearly 6 years this is the FIRST CHRISTMAS TOGETHER.  Seriously, a long time coming people.  PS, I got a sewing machine.  Happy me!

New Year's Eve was equally quiet.  Strangely though, this is actually our 3rd time ringing in the new year together.  Funny thing, that.  We had Toto and a couple of her friends over and we made tacos.  Can I tell you how happy I was to eat a taco?  That is the closest thing to Mexican food I've eaten in 5 months.  And it was glorious.  Despite the fact that our stove top wasn't working we managed to make it work.  See, he does love me.

Now, for some non-paid advertising.  Don't ask me to pronounce it, but I love the blog La Maison Boheme.  She's funny, creative and inspiring.  I pretty much want her house.  And so, as inspiring is one of the things she's great at, she's inspired me.  First off, I bring you my...

2012 Year in Review

1. Finished my coursework at KU.  Though my thesis is still in progress, this made me very, very happy.

   2. The obvious.  I married my best friend.  What a great day that was.

   3. Oh, also obvious.  I moved to Ireland with said best friend. 

   4. I learned to drive a stick shift.  Go me.

  5. I learned to make bread.  Normally not a huge accomplishment.  But given my reputation for cooking and how outrageously good it is, this makes the list.

I liked La Maison Boheme and the idea of a 2013 to-do list rather than resolutions.  I don't keep resolutions.  I do, however, like crossing things off lists.  I'm generally pretty good at it.  And so now we have my...

2013 To-Do List

1. The obvious, finish my thesis and finish it well.  
2. Focus on doing things that make me happy.  Not only that, but not letting my attitude be dictated by anyone/anything else.  I want to be happy, I like being happy.  And so, why should I let things get to me and make me unhappy?  One of those things is studying more the scriptures and talks from General Conference, particularly this one. 
3. Write more letters and be better about communicating with friends and family.

And there you have it.  The Scarecrow went back to work this past Wednesday, Toto goes back to school tomorrow.  It's life and business as usual now in Oz.  And I say bring it on.