Benjamin's Christening

Godmother for the first time!
Such a nice feeling and such a great responsibility.

Last Saturday, I realised just how alike my family are. The christening was due to start at 12 mid day. I had planned to get there early - around 11.40 to go through some things with Jenny and Sean - to practice anything I needed to. I arrived at 11.50  almost in a panic I was too late and wasn't going to know what to do at the alter with the baby ..
There were a lot of families and children running around the church and the car park was full, but no sign of anybody from my family. Five minutes passed by..no one from the Power/Tayor/Foley family had appeared and panic set in! Was I in the wrong church? Was I going to make wherever it was within 5 minutes and before the service started? I was thinking 'world's worst Godmother!'
Finally, I spotted my Grandma and let out a sigh of relief! At exactly 12.00 the rest of my family poured in - my parents and Jacqueline, Jenny, Sean and the boys, my aunt and cousins-all coming separately, all arriving on the dot of 12! It's definitely a fine art which my family possess.

Jack was dressed up looking like such a little man, and Ben was looking the cutest in his white outfit.

My cousin Johnny and I were Godmother and Godfather so we sat with Jenny, Sean and the boys, not a clue what we were supposed to be doing. As it turned out, not much at all!

At the church

That was my job...wrapping my Godson in his blanket! At that point, I was glad I didn't arrive one hour early at the church to 'practice' what I needed to do!

Love this little guy so much!!

 





































Back at the house

My gorgeous Godson; Benjamin Cole

Great Grandma:) 

Thank you Jenny and Sean for the honor of being Benjamin Cole's Godmother. I promise, I'll be the cool mom he will wish he had! ;)

Ps. I love my family.

It Happened Again...

18. Be Promoted in Four Seasons

I'm so lucky to say I could cross this off my 100 Things List again so soon.
I am now the Catering Sales/Conference Services Manager in Four Seasons Dublin. It's something I didn't see coming, at least not already, but it has and I am so grateful!

I'm excited to learn a lot and bring what I can to the new roll.

Wish me luck. I have a funny feeling I'll need it....

What's Been Happening

With so much travelling lately, I feel like I haven't had a post on what I have actually been doing in Dublin, so here it goes - some happenings from the past month...
(Sadly, all of these photos are taken with my phone, not with my camera.)

Lunch with Grandma

We normally always visit Grandma in her house, but this time we decided to take her out for a late lunch. She is 88 and one of the most independent people I know. She lives by herself, goes on trips with the 'old folks,' takes the train by herself into the city, drives, gets her own shopping and goes to church almost every morning.

 Skype Dates with Lydia and Maggie

Cinema trips -

So often I end up in the movies and watch anything that's on at the time we arrive. This month I got to see two movies I actually wanted to see:  The Internship and We're the Millers. Both were really good and funny. Combined with shopping and some dinner, I love movie dates!
Also a few movie nights at home too with Jacqueline. They always involve chocolate, coke and crisps...see below!!

Don't judge

 A Theatre Visit-

We went to see Shawshank Redemption at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. It had been such a long time since I had been there. I used always go every Christmas with my family for the Pantomime but haven't been in about 10 years. It's such a beautiful theatre inside, the pictures don't do it justice.

 Celebrations

Ali's wedding two weeks ago...such fun celebrations - Click here for photos
Got to spend some time with one of my best friends Zied before and after each days festivities

Pity about the weather!

 Dad celebrated 40 years with his company this week.They threw him a little party in there and put my little gift to shame! (It's the thought that counts, right?)

Congratulations Dad!

 A couple more things to report, but I'll leave them for the next post.

Until then... have a great week!

3 Days of Wedding Fun

Two weeks ago, I flew to Tunisia to be at Ali's wedding.
It's a special feeling watching someone you love get married.  It's nice to know someone you care abouts life is going to change for the better - so much to look forward to and get excited about. It was so special to be able to share that. 

Apologies for the shocking picture quality as most of these were taken with my mobile. I carried my camera in my bag every day for 3 days but pretty much never used it.
#gettinglazy! I need to start using my camera again...

Tunisian weddings are a lot of fun...random fun. They can last anything from 1 day to a week. Ali's  was 3 days of wedding frolics.

The first day was Souhir's day. There was a gathering in her house while she got her Henna done etc.
The second day was Ali's day. I arrived that evening to about 200 people all sitting outside his house with a small stage set up for the musicians. I wish I had pictures to capture some of the funny moments that took place that evening but unfortunately I spent most the night running for cover. There were water balloon fights (which turned into large water bucket fights), snow in a can fights (most of us were walking around with white snow all over our faces!) And even a proper fist fight...And no, not some angry ex coming to take their revenge!

Outside the house...

Time of his life!!!

Getting his Henna done on the baby finger

Some traditional music

Fireworks!

The last night brought the two families together for some more music and dancing. God help you if you don't like to dance  - the rath that will pour down on you if you stay in your seat! Not looking forward to seeing those videos...

Happy night!!!!!!!!

First Aid Certified

A bit late posting this however better late than never...

I did a First Aid course through the hotel a couple of months ago and we finally got our certificates.
It's a course I would recommend anyone and everyone take.  Why would you not? Hopefully it would never come to it, but you are allowing yourself the chance to possibly save somebody's life.

From my Instagram

Swimming With Dolphins

Last month I got to cross one more thing of my List:

56. Swim again with dolphins

It was on the same day we went snorkelling that we did this.
Getting to cross 2 items from my list in 12 hours = successful day!

Theatre of the Sea was the first place we went when we arrived on the Keys. Jacqueline and I had been there before a few years ago and loved it since then. It is a marine wildlife park which is home to rescued (and non rescued) animals.

Their mission statement is:

'To provide a wonderful home for our animals while sharing them with visitors in ways that inspire awareness and sensitivity towards animals, the environment, and conservation issues.'

...and they live up to that expectation completely.

Before getting into the water, you have to sit through 45 minutes of instruction. The dolphins are trained using hand signals, so you are told only to move as the instructor tells you. Everyone was slightly aprehensive getting into the water with these beautiful creatures. I don't think you realise how big dolphins are until you are in the water next to them.

It's such a nice experience and would highly reccommend it! Do it!!!