Botanic Gardens

On my day off this week, Jacqueline and I took a trip to the Botanic Gardens. I wanted to do something different; be out in the air (a rarity for me these days), and enjoy some nice scenery. It had been a long time since we had been there, maybe fifteen years. From memory, not too much had changed although obviously I wasn't too interested in my surroundings when I was 9.
Jacqueline and I are finding it more and more difficult to see eachother at all with our work shifts, let alone spend an entire afternoon together, so it was nice.

There were so many strange looking sculptures dotted around too. Some were made beautifully, some were just plain weird...

These guys for example - weird! El latino on the left here looks like someone's pulling him through the ground in Miami.

Pippi Longstocking here looks like something out of a horror movie, rather than a childrens story.

 This guy? Well... I wouldn't walk too close.

I know a few people who would tell me this thing resembles my hair... they are probably right most of the time!

Well, when you think of Botanical Gardens, you think of flowers..

There are also a few big greenhouses with all different types of plants..it was really quite interesting!

And more randomness...

A place to go....

To shelter from the rain...

To reflect...

To make a wish and hope for the best...

For protection....

Because maybe everyone needs a scarecrow in their life...

AMOR VINCIT OMNIA

Well, it's been a while since my last post. As usual, things changing on a daily basis...most I don't think I can post about on here..however...onwards and upwards!

This past week I realized how great it is to use the words " best friend " and really feel it. Whether that is a boyfriend, or a girlfriend(s), and whether they are near or far, last week I realized how amazing some of my friends are. The worst (and the best) thing about having travelled so much, is that I have amazing friends spotted in random corners of the world. Some of them know eachother, some don't...and the sad thing is, I know, I will probably never be in the same room as all of them at the one time again. Maybe my wedding... However until then, thank God for the wonders of Skype and MSN.

Last week I got to catch up with two of my closest friends, Belu and Lydia. It was almost as if we were back in our uni days just having a conversation in one of our rooms. It's such a great feeling to know you have people in your life (outside from your family) that genuinely care for you, your wellbeing, and that care about the people you care about, which for me right now, is probably the most important thing. I can't write about everyone on here, at least not in this post, because there would be way too many things to write!

I love the feeling of having talked to people who really get you. Who know everything you are going through, the good and the bad, but will always stay by your side. (Ok I sound like a sap). I love sharing my stuff, and listening and hopefully helping others get through theirs. It seems everyone around me is unsure of their footing at the moment in one aspect or another...hopefully everyone will come out of it happy at the end of the day. I wish I could help everyone.... I wish...

Dublin --> NYC --> Buenos Aires

Just because we are far apart, who says we can't have a social life together?? This week, we are planning to have dinner together...what will it be...Italian, Chinese, Indian??
Also a big congratulations to Beluchis on a great promotion at work. I am SO happy and so proud of you! Keep going! Maybe one day I will be the GM of a hotel a few blocks away from you, and you the GM at the Hyatt! Vamos!!!! Felicidades!!!!

Last week I also got the chance to meet up with two of my old tennis best friends. We had a lovely dinner and a massive catch up! Emma, Vanessa and myself grew up together. From the ages of 8, we were introduced through tennis and kept a friendship for the past 16 years. It's hard to believe it has been that long. We have shared SO many unbelievable memories -hours on a court sometimes 4, 5, 6 times a week, fitness regimes which stemmed from the 5p CHALLENGE, to Beep tests, to medicine balls to impossible cardio routines.
We learned how to win and how to lose, we learned what it meant to be part of a team, and to rely on others, we laughed, we cried and we gradually grew up. It feels great to be able to be together and feel like we have never been apart, even though it's been a long time since our tennis years.
We didn't only share time together on the court at practice...tournaments were the most fun! After our matches, we would go out for family dinners, have sleep overs, catch up with other friends who were coming from all around Ireland. We shared Halloweens together ( ohhh the pictures!!!), went to countless movies, shopping trips, and travelled around Ireland.
I can say with little doubt: my tennis years in Ireland were among the happiest times of my life.

Thank you for years of laughter...

R-E-U-N-I-O-N!

96. Organize a reunion

Marriages

Babies

Loves

Sickness

Proposals

Losses

Triumphs

Graduations

Job offers

Life choices....

These are just some of the many things each of us have experienced and encountered in the past 7 years of our ever changing lives. Things we have experienced away from eachother - most of it- completely unaware what the other was going through. When you are the best of friends in your teens, but then go to live in different countries in different parts of the world, it is hard to keep on top of everything that changes in eachothers lives. Since our days together, it seems we have all been made to grow up at different paces. Life has given each of us troubles, but also granted us a lot of happiness along the way and finally, 7 years later, led us back together for a REUNION in one of the world's greatest cities...LONDON!

Gracie met me when I arrived in London and we spent the first night talking and catching up till after 2 in the morning - reminiscing about the times we lived through in Barcelona, both wondering how we escaped it alive!!!! We knew we only had a few hours together (a day and a bit) so we tried to make a plan of action for the time we had. We met Sofie the following day at the tube station and the proper (mini) reunion began. As the sun was splitting the skies, we decided to stop off at M&S and stock up for a picnic in Hyde Park. A short picnic turned into hours of catching up, reminiscing, laughing, coming to realizations, planning and, of course, a little photo session.

All the "in love" couples that had come out to the park for a relaxing and romantic afternoon were dreadfully interrupted by 3 "adults" shouting and jumping up and down. I think it was at this point we realized not much had changed since our teen years in Barcelona. Apart from the fact Sofie is now afraid of miniature dogs who come over to say hello, and stuffs wasps in plastic bags with her lunch. (You think you know someone!!!)

After our picnic, we went to get ready for our Sushi dinner. Grace told me she had eaten across from Hugh Grant in the restaurant we were going to, so I had high hopes! It was the only let down of the trip!!!!!

Yes, the coke was mine!

The next morning before I left, Grace and I went to invade a giant M&Ms store we had spotted the night before. It was AMAZING! I am pretty sure Grace has returned at least 6 times since that morning.

Time of our lives!!!

Before getting soaked with rain on the way to the airport, we met Sofie for a goodbye Starbucks brunch.

At the very end of our weekend, we realized we didn't have any pictures together. We resorted to asking a lady who works in Starbucks - not the most talented photographer I've ever come across. This picture was originally taken from what looked like 19 miles away and was completely blurry. At least now you can sort of make out who was in the photo.

Slightly random picture, but how much do I love London?! This street was the cutest ever. Lots of little houses like this, I wish I got more photos!

What could this picture signify? 

Maybe the endless possibilities each of us are greeted with and should appreciate. Maybe a welcome to the unknown. Maybe a look towards the future. Maybe a return to the past. All I know is that we are alive(!) and need to enjoy and embrace every moment we are given. Things can change at any moment, for the good or bad, but each moment we live through is what shapes our personalities and moulds us into the people we are.

Last weekend reaffirmed a great friendship between three people...a friendship I hope we will keep forever.

To friendship...and to the next reunion...