La Bella Vida

26. Balloons!!!

2012-01-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

~~26. Do a photoshoot~~

(100 Things List)

Last month when Lydia and Yolanda were visiting we revisited our college days and decided to do a photoshoot; only this time we had a good camera, and a better setting than a dorm room (with toilets in the background)

We went to the cliffs near my house,a place that brought back a lot of memories for me of my childhood. It was still the exact same...pretty beautiful...

Que lindos recuerdos!!! Gracias chicas!
Thank you for helping me cross one more thing off my list. (I hope it was the first photoshoot of many)

Hope everyone is having a good week..

To be Healthy or Not to be?? - Cupcakes V. Smoothies

2012-01-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Been a quiet week apart from work so not many pictures...it's strange not to have any visitors or not to be going anywhere..
I've been training in work and getting myself ready for my first manager shift on Thursday! Eeek!

I am seriously contemplating doing a ' healthy eating month ' . I put so much crap in my stomach it's crazy. Even as a write this, I've just had a chocolate bar and a large slice of cake!!! Things need to change! I am in the process of psyching myself up for a month of food deprivation...when I get enough courage, I will blog it!

Ironically I got a bit of baking done... (!) For Christmas I got some new stuff and I wanted to make use to it.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Cupcakes

And now for the healthy:

Smoothies:

Decisions Decisions..............................

I visited my amazing little cousin too and his amazing mommy:)

My favorite picture!

Happy Monday! Have a good week!

Number 38: My Dutch Family

2012-01-11T06:11:00.000-08:00

Last week I got the chance to cross another thing off my 100 Things (Click)

~~38. Visit the Sassis in the Netherlands or have them visit me in Dublin~~

It's unusual to have something to look forward to as your holidays are drawing to a close but this Christmas in Tenerife, it was different. I was initially dreading the thought of returning to cold, dreary Dublin, but when I remembered what was waiting for me when I got back, it changed my mood every time!
The Sassis awaited!!!
We are an unusual set of friends... we could be the younger sisters of Elise and Sami, or the big sisters of Noor and Roos...either way, I love them all as family! I've had the pleasure to watch the girls growing up into beautiful young ladies and think of them as little sisters and will always watch out for them as such.

We reunited in a rather unusual place for the first time... the Guinness Storehouse. Unusual as most of us do not drink, or are way underage, but it is a major Dublin tourist attraction and a first for all of us. You go on a self-guided tour, but I'm not sure how much information we took in as most of the time was spent chatting and catching up...

The black stuff

Learning about Guinness....

The tour takes you step by step through how Guinness is made. You can taste it along the way, also taste the grains used...

As Sami and 'Uncle Khemaies' sampled the good stuff, the girls admired the wonderful panoramic view of Dublin from the top floor of the storehouse.....drinking cokes!!

Panoramic views of Dublin City - unfortunately the photos didn't show it too clear

When we were finished there we had a rather interesting taxi journey back into the city center........Karaoke taxi!!!!! ...Not the kind of thing you would want taking you to the airport at 0500 in the morning, but on this occassion - perfect!

I wonder is David free for Saturday night!

Ok... this video was without the music, but flashing lights still going!

I asked them for months before Decemeber what they wanted to do while on Irish soil, and the reccurring requests were for two things - to visit a traditional pub and see an Irish dancing show. With that in mind, we met Jacqueline in the city and caught the bus to take us to the highest pub in Dublin for a truly traditional Irish evening! Johnnie Foxes is the highest pub in Dublin and is one of the most popular tourist attractions. It lays on a 4 course dinner, as well as an Irish dancing show - perfect!
We caught the bus up the mountain, unfortunately no longer a Karaoke venue, and an hour later, were seated at our table ready for the show. I didn't really know what to expect, but the first thing which was perfect was the atmosphere! The place was packed , every table full with people ready to have some fun.

Fun!

We had such a great night! Fun music, decent food but the BEST company!

It's amazing how much you can learn from children. (Noor, I know, you are a teenager, but you know what I mean) There is an innocence and a naivety that unfortunately disappears as we get older. And although most people are either made lose that, or chose to, I decide every day that I want to keep it. I want to see the best in people, I want to trust people, I want to forgive people, and I want to dream because it's only when you dream, and believe, that amazing things can happen.
I watched in admiration last summer, as these girls played the piano and sang so elegantly. They are the reason I have Number 48 on my list and motivated me to start playing the piano again. (Ok, I have a ways to go, but the pieces are picked out, and the first lines underway!) Sometimes you need to look to different people for motivation...whether that be friends, family, boyfriend, celebrities, sometimes you need a kick start to make you realize your life is passing you by and you have to make things happen and DO things, instead of letting life carry you...

Here is a small part of the video:

I'm also starting to learn some Dutch...OK, it is a tonguetwister...but you gotta start somewhere!

Before we said our goodbyes on the last day, we decided to visit Funderland; a traveling theme park which comes to Dublin every December/January.

I hadn't been there for a very long time, since I was about 13 and all I could remember of it was a lot of rides I was WAY too chicken to go on. Now, looking back at it from last week, I can remember there were too many rides I was WAY too chicken to go on!! The one person who was definitely no chicken was Noor. I tried to make a video of just how EXTREME this ride was but it didn't record :(

Here is the face of ~~fear~~ BRAVERY !

Feet firmly back on the ground!!

Then we played a few games, and after the four of us yelling at her " come on, come on, COME ON, " Roos won herself a frog !!! Pure delight!!!

Winner!!!

After a couple more rides, including bumper cars where I suspect Roos was secretly trying to kill me, we were rewarded with a candyfloss. (Until I was at least 14, when asked what my favorite food was, my consistant answer was candyfloss!)

Sisters

These people are some of the most important people to me in the world. It was so nice to have them in Dublin, and I can't wait to go over to the Netherlands soon for a visit.
No matter how far apart, or for how long, they will always be my Dutch family... Love you all.

Santa found us in Tenerife

2012-01-06T18:45:00.000-08:00

For the 7th year in a row, we celebrated Christmas away from home. Normally it was spent in Florida during my uni years, and again last year, Dubai in 2010 and this year we celebrated in Tenerife. It took me a long time to get used to a warm Christmas it just never felt like the holidays. I remember spending Christmas day one year on the beach in Long Boat Key, Florida, and being so mad with my parents for not being at home in the cold! But as the time is passing, I'm getting more and more used to the warm Christmasses. Having said that, there really is no place like home at that time of year.
The most important thing, however, is spending it with your family and loved ones. I can't imagine not being with my parents and sister on the 24th and 25th. Last year, I had a few more people to juggle my holiday celebrations with, but this year it was just the 4 of us, in sunny West Africa.

As I had visitors up until the 19th, and had to work up until the 21st, I met my family already there on the 22nd. The first thing I was warned when I arrived was about the driving. My dad had rented a car and apparently had not yet got the hang of driving on the other side of the road with a stick shift, to add to the fact the roads were very windy and the traffic seemed to come from everywhere. (I've never before witnessed stop signs ON a roundabout!)

I landed just in time for the sunset and we headed for our "cottage." I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived!

I was a bit obsessed with these doors

The house was in the middle of a mountain; up really high, about a 7 minute drive to the beach. Some of the houses around were also beautiful! I could definitely see myself buying a home like that somewhere!!

I was only there for 5 days and to be honest, I didn't push myself to do too much. I had planned to do a couple of touristy things but after a very busy previous two or three weeks, I decided the best thing for me to do was rest..and that is exactly what I did. We spent most of the time by the pool at the house, doing a bit of Christmas shopping and exploring the local area.
It was real nice to be in a new place, and around every corner, we found new and interesting things!
It seemed so much of the arcitecture had old andalusian influences (quite similar to some places in FL) so it was really nice to take photos.

The night of the 24th, we went to a Japanese restaurant for some amazing sushi. Well, I had the amazing sushi, the rest of my family think the idea of eating raw fish is disgusting. I did get my mum to taste it though...the other 2 decided against it. The restaurant was in one of the nicest (if not the nicest) hotel in the area...

10 year old girl pose

Sunsets

Relaxing!

Christmas Day

I just realized I barely took any pictures on Christmas day..probably because we pretty much stayed in our pjs all day and played with our presents!!

Just chilling

These things normally TOTALLY freak me out (remind me of war movies or something!!) but they looked pretty cool that day

Dreaming...

To dream is to live...

"Dream no small dreams, for they have no power to move the hearts of men " - Von Goethe

Have a good weekend!

Una Visita Corta

2012-01-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I got the chance to reunite, if only for a few days, with one of my closest friends. We have experieced so much together -

Room mates at university for 2 years.
Team mates for 3 years
Celebrations like my 21st birthday in the Bahamas on a cruise, like birthday weekends spent in Miami (us sharing a tiny bed, the rest on the floor!)
Trips to NYC
Visits to Disney World

I really could go on and on, but now I will just add the latest to our adventures:

Una visita corta en irlanda!

After two years apart, we finally got to reunite in Dublin. I also got to meet the other half of Lydia , her sister Yolanda, who is just as lovely as her big sis:) There is not much nicer than spending the weekend with your sister, your best friend and her sister.

Pasamos tres dias tannn divertidos!!!

When I finally got off work on Thursday, I met the girls at the train station to take them home. After previous long and tiring days for all of us, we decided the best thing to do was to stay home the first evening. We ordered in a Chinese, put on our PJs, became couch potatoes infront of the fire and the Christmas tree and spent hours catching up.

After a good nights sleep, we were ready to explore Dublin. Yes, I am from here, but since I've been away so long, I feel like a tourist sometimes. We got the dart (train) into town, and realized just how unbelievably COLD it was when we got out. First place we headed for: Starbucks; to warm up with a coffee or hot chocolate...

Then we headed to Dublin Castle.
When the girls told me they wanted to go and visit there the previous night I had thought it was going to be very boring. But with a good tour guide, and the beautiful interiors of the castle, my camera and I were pleasantly surprised! Some of the paintings were related to vikings, and old English Lords and Earls. The history was very interesting and the four of us enjoyed the visit...

These were some flags representing different family names, most of them Irish, but some foreign too, including Spanish..

Where state functions are held, including the Queens dinner when she came to visit a few months ago

Throne on the right

Middle row, 3rd window from the left, Bram Stoker himself spent time working on his masterpiece: Dracula!

We also visited the small chapel attached to the castle..

Sisters!!

We headed for St. Patricks Cathedral, which was a long walk in the cold, and by the time we got there, had lost a bit of interest in it and were more looking forward to lunch in a warm restaurant with a hot drink! But we had lots of laughs along the way...

It's SUCH a good feeling to have a really good friend around you, someone who genuinely cares what's going on in your life.. People are lucky to have even 1 or 2 REALLY good friends in their lives, I'm so lucky to have a few more than that, but Lyd is definitely one of them...

Yoli and Lydia seem to have a similar relationship to that of mine and Jacqueline's. It's not just that we have a sister, they are also our best friends, people who we talk to about EVERYTHING, and trust in 100%. It was so nice to be together , the four of us.

Getting into the map!!

The streets of Dublin

As ready as we will ever be for the freezing cold winds... we were muffled up!

My beautiful sister

Scarf, hat AND hood - still not enough

Lydia's eye fiasco! If you know her, you can just hear her "ah ah ah ' ss"

Typical Victorian doors in Dublin

We had lunch that afternoon in Bewley's on Grafton Street and we finally warmed up before setting out on our expedition to the History Museum...
The museum was quite a disappointment for me. I had expected something apart from ONLY animals, however, that was not to be. I felt like I was at a Taxidermist. (That word freaks me out!!) Hense, there are no pictures from inside the museum!!!

After a busy day, we got the train home, showered, and got ready to go back out again!

We went for a delicious Italian dinner and were sandwiched inbetween A LOT of office Chrismtas party dinner tables but the atmosphere was great! Everyone was singing and dancing, lots of music, and great food!

Una noche hermosa!

The time together went by way too fast. But isn't that always the way? When something is perfect, you never want it to end!
We had a perfect three days together, and in the last one we got to do a photoshoot!!!! Although is was beyond freezing outside where we did it, the pictures were definitely worth it! - Soon to be posted!!

Our last night together, we spent by the tree, drinking hot chocolates and saying our goodbyes.

Thank you girls, for a perfect 3 days!!!

Number 18

2011-12-18T12:38:00.000-08:00

~~18. Be promoted in the Four Seasons~~

After a few months working in Four Seasons, I knew for sure I was in the right place to start a career. I always had my 'plan' from my first day of classes at university, when I knew for sure I wanted to work in Hospitality. However, plans go astray, life situations change, but you have to find your own way SOMEHOW!

Last month I found out about a Manager in Training program which I felt could be the best way for me to grow in this industry.
Three days ago, I was interviewed and told I got the position! As long as I don't burn down the hotel in the meantime, I am more or less guaranteed a management position in the Four Seasons. To me...that seems pretty good!

Have a great week!!!

Countdown to Christmas

2011-12-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas tree (real one!) bought and put up - check
House decorated - check
Presents bought - check
Visitors on the way (including Santa) - check
Days requested off work - check
Flights to Tenerife booked - check
Freezing cold outside, snow on the way - check
Lots of time infront of the fire - check
Lots of dinners and get togethers planned - check
Impossible to walk in town without getting belted by someone elses shopping bag - check
Christmas cards and presents arriving in the mail - check

All of this equals an excited Joanne!

Everything in the city is decorated... the Christmas Starbucks cups are out again, Christmas lights are on from 16.30 when it is already dark. It's impossible to leave the house without 3 layers of clothes on and a hat and even then you feel the cold... everyone around is in good Christmas spirits and of course, Christmas music playing in every shop and radio station...

Let's remember we go together

And so the decorating finally began...

Every Christmas we open the lights to find most of them are NOT working! This year was no different and we had a mad panic to get new sets so we could finally decorate the bare tree!

Some of the working lights(!) plus a small part of the presents!!

We've had these lights since I was a baby and every year I worry they won't work anymore, but once again, they light up! Definitely my favorites!

I am now ALMOST organized and looking forward to a special visitor tomorrow for a few days...welcome to Dublin, Lydiuch!!! :)

Have a good night and happy Christmas countdown!

Feliz Cumple Belu!!!

2011-12-13T15:06:00.000-08:00

Querida Belu,

FELIZ CUMPLE!!!

Ya sabes que te deseo todo el mejor, ahora, y para toda la vida. No puedo esperar el proximo diciembre para celebrar tu cumple y TU MATRIMONIO en Argentina.

Gracias por tu amistad y por ser una amiga muy especial en mi vida. Soy muy feliz de tener una amiga como vos.

Feliz cumple, que pases un lindo dia junto a tu familia y Marce.

Te quiero mucho!!!

Ice skating

2011-12-01T17:28:00.000-08:00

Last week I went ice skating with Jacqueline. Both surprised neither of us ended up on our butts. Swan Lake, here we come.

Not much to say but just a few pictures...

It is officially the first day of winter today, and the holidays are drawing nearer. Let the Christmas shopping commence.

A good weekend to all.

10 Things I'm Thankful for and 10 Things I'm Hopeful for...

2011-11-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my American friends and family!

This is my first year in six that I have been out of the US for this celebration. I remember this time last year, panicking about how we were going to fit everyone into Sale e Pepe for the Thanksgiving Brunch.. but having a lot of fun in the process.. how much I miss those times, the celebrations afterwards, previous years at university with all the girls, dinners, travels, creating memories. Now, here in Ireland, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving, and even though it hasn't been the easiest year, I feel I should give thanks to some people and for some things that have happened to me since Nov 2010...

In no particular order and without getting too mushy...

THANK YOU X 10 :

1. To my sister, Jacqueline, for being the BEST sister a girl could ask for. She is my confident, best friend, and just the most amazing little sister.
2. To the Four Seasons, for welcoming me into an awesome company
3. To my parents, for their love and attempted understanding
4. To my best friends, in particular * , Maggie, Asia, Belu, Lydia, Lorena, Gloriana, Ali, Taoufik and Zied. These people are no ordinary friends; they have become family to me over the years of knowing them. My relationship with each of them is different, and has evolved over the times we spent together, but I have 100% trust in all of them, and love them, and hope they will always feel the same about me
5. To God for my health and the health of most the people in my life
6. To the people around me who have given me the inspiration to better my life in any way possible
7. That I was able to do some traveling (although not enough!)
8. That I visited Disney World a few times (seriously, it's my favorite place!!!!)
9. That I saw my Dutch family after 2 years (And will again in a few weeks:) and reuinted with 2 great friends, Grace and Sofie in London, after so many years apart
10. For the feeling of being 100% and totally in love. (and everything that goes with that)

I read a quote the other day .... all emotions are good. I think that makes sense. If you didn't care about something or someone, you have no emotion... it doesn't matter. When you feel, you know it matters.

Hopes X 10

1. To travel to as many places as possible to visit friends and family, and to experience new places&cultures
2. To accompolish as much as possible from my 100 Things I want to do list... http://labellavidaaa.blogspot.com/2011/08/100-things.html
3.Good health for EVERYONE in my life
4. To move forward in the Four Seasons
5. To purchase a property
6. ...
7. To be physically and mentally fit
8. To celebrate my best friends wedding (a little after next Thanksgiving, but it's ok..!)
9. To see all of my best friends as much as possible (normally this would be easy, but mine are in every different corner of the world!)
10. ...

There are many many more things I could write in this section, but most of it is covered in my 100 Things list.

What are you thankful and hopeful for??

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Enjoy your day!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-11-21T08:47:00.000-08:00

Yep... Fall is over and winter has begun.. and we know what that means...Christmas isn't far away! It's still surprisingly NOT cold. Everyone has warned me of the snow from last year, and the havoc it played, but I'm still waiting for it to get even remotely snowy. I'm secretly excited for that weather to come so I can finally wear hats and scarves again, and wear my overly priced new boots!

Cold nights

Last week I realized (once more) that I am not a baker. A few days ago I decided to give it another try and baked a rainbow cake. The idea was great, the pics I saw online looked really awesome. Unfortunately mine looked like a reject from the rainbow cake factory...

Mixing all the colors was awesome!!! I felt like I was taking part in that scene from Hook with the lostboys in Neverland! ...." All my favorite neverfoods........."

Yes...those are chopsticks in my cake. I needed something to balance it!

Michael Buble was in Dublin a few days ago and switched on the Christmas lights on Grafton St. (My favorite street in Dublin city) The Brown Thomas Christmas windows were also unveiled and they were so nice!! I can't wait for my December visitors to get here so I can take them here...

Happy Christmas!

How nice!!

The streets of Dublin...

I FINALLY found a place in Dublin that makes Gelato. This makes me very happy. And the good thing about eating ice-cream in Ireland, it doesn't start melting on you 2 minutes after you buy it. I was able to stroll around Grafton St. ice-cream in hand, for a good 20 mins before I finally finished it.

YUM..

All the shops have started to decorate too for Christmas. So exciting. I love this time of year!! I already want to start Christmas shopping but I think it's a bit early to start hiding all the presents in my room. At least I will wait until we get our tree!

Brown Thomas

Every year the windows in Brown Thomas are decorated differently. I haven't been here at Christmas time for so long that I haven't seen them, or really appreciated them before...I wonder how much time goes into these before they are unveiled to the streets of Dublin. I can't speak for the last 8 years, but this year, they were so pretty...

This is my favorite

Anyone want to go Christmas shopping for me in Louis Vuitton??

I actually cannot wait for December to start. One of my best friends and her sister are coming to visit in the middle of December. Lydia, I can't wait!! Then of course it's Christmas week (and a trip to Tenerife), and then on arrival home, I will be greeted by my lovely Dutch family for a few more days of visits. What a nice month!!
I'm off to work.... ! Goodnight!

The Search for Inspiration

2011-11-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else in need of some inspiration?

A book I am reading at the moment has made me question my motives, my reasons for doing things and has made me realize I spend too much time coasting through life. Most people just do what is expected of them, fulfilling their requests rather than their dreams. It’s so easy to just sit back, and do what you’re supposed to do; fulfil your obligations, letting life guide you, instead of you guiding your own life.

In the middle of my book, just yesterday, I started to question what drives me, what is my inspiration?

Some people find inspiration through music or through beauty. Some people find other people inspire them. This can all be true, but I feel the real inspiration has to come from within. Those other factors can make you question yourself, or kick start you into action but it’s you that has to push yourself and keep that going when the idea of it is not so exciting anymore, and the realization that to get where you want to go may take hard work.

Sometimes your dreams of the future are your inspiration, but that can only get you so far, because as the future draws ever nearer, sometimes those dreams are just as far away as they were at the beginning. Sometimes that is because of choices, but also, sometimes because of circumstances which can’t be changed – linked to this, some people are motivated by God, but sometimes He has different plans, or shorter plans, for some people. That’s why I want to make sure I live life every day to the max.

At the moment I find myself with SO many things in my head, my mind is racing from the moment I wake up till I fall asleep at night. For example, yesterday, on my day off, I wanted to bake, I wanted to take a bath, I wanted to join a gym, I wanted to buy a jacket and a pair of welly boots, I wanted to visit my Grandma ,I wanted to see my friends ,I wanted to make about 10 phonecalls, and I wanted to hop a flight to Florida, Tunisia, and Poland all at the one time! And the weird thing is, even though I am tired, I feel like I have the energy to do all of those things.

Coming back to the book (and closing this rant!), it really is becomming clearer to me that not much is impossible. People around you may say it can't or won't ever happen, but if you find the strength and motivation within, I think everything is achievable.

Just a thought....

Go and find your inspiration!!! Have a good week ...

Ten Days Straight...

2011-11-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

I wish I could say 10 days straight of vacation, or 10 days straight of the beach, or 10 days straight spent with the love of my life..but no.... what I mean is 10 days straight of working. I am somewhere in the middle of a ten day stretch without a day off. It might not seem so bad if the last 3 days of it were not overnight shifts. Alas, they are, and they start tomorrow!
I haven't had much time to do anything in the last week. I find myself getting home from work after midnight and catching up on phonecalls/emails/reading/family in the hours from midnight to 4am which results in my sleeping until midday where upon I shovel in breakfast, shower and get ready to go back to work.
Trying to find ways to unwind at the moment is proving a difficult task! I made myself have a bath a few days ago - light some candles, took my book in and relaxed. I also did some baking... Nutella cookies.. they were yum!!! The recipe made 20 and they were all gone in two or three days.

The BEST chocolate!!!

After a visit to the doctor a few days ago, Jacqueline and I went down to the village and enjoyed a beautiful, crisp evening. When it got dark, we went to Starbucks for a coffee, yummy Mocha, and a slice of cake. When I walk into Starbucks it instantly reminds me of FL!

I'm off to bed to sleep for 12 hours and be ready for tomorrows overnight shift!

Have a good end of the week!

Mi Paraíso

2011-11-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

In this post, there is no need for many words... every picture brings a memory and reminds me how much I love and miss this place...
These pictures are only from a few weeks ago before I left.

As my dad pointed out to me the other day, my body may be in Ireland, but half my heart is somewhere else...

Lunch at PF Changs...yum

Naples Beach sunset...

Marco Island....Cape Marco, anyone buy me a place here?:)

Dream house


On the pier of my favorite place on Marco. Here you can come to watch dolphins swim by, pelicans landing, and the sound of Osprey flying overhead. In the night you hear nothing but the splish splashing of water as fish are jumping, dolphins 'going home' and there always seems to be a clear sky with the moon overhead and lots of stars. Something Special.

Memories...

And more amazing memories...:)

I miss you, Florida. See you soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oextk-If8HQ&ob=av3e

Goodnight!

Birthdays, Engagements and more Birthdays!

2011-10-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

This week has been a week full of birthdays, and preparing for them - i.e SHOPPING!

As my days off are limited, I need to make the most of them and this week they were both dedicated to the above.
They were also two days of "growth" for me! I drove my dads car alone for the first time in Ireland on the highway... As I am used to driving in a country with large roads, wide lanes, no roundabouts and on the opposite side of the car and road, that driving in Dublin is no easy task. I don't know how but I survived it - twice - two days in a row! And since then, that same shopping centre has completely FLOODED with the rains of yesterday, so that may be my last trip there for a good long while.

Here's a pic!

This is pretty much the only place I enjoy going shopping here! It's indoors, so out of the cold and rain (ironic?!), it has AussieIce ; a yummy ice cream shop, Starbucks, and lots of nice shops. Hopefully they'll have good sales for water-logged items.

October 23rd was my mums birthday...we didn't do much for it unfortunately, but she did love her presents.
October 23rd was also one of my besties birthdays- Asia. And although we are far apart, we got to have a middle-of-the-night Skype date to catch up..She thought it would be funny to take a picture of me looking a wreck in my PJs while she is still nice and dolled up having just come home! Thanks!!

October 24th was my friend Tarin's birthday and we have yet to celebrate properly. Although today she was brought a mini cake in work, if that could be counted as a celebration (no).We will rectify that with a HUGE cake for dessert when we go for dinner!

There was also another very special occassion which took place two weeks ago (but I couldn't write about it until now!) It has been the best news I have got in a long time. One of my best friends got engaged to her first boyfriend and first love!! Felicidades Belu!!!! I cannot wait to celebrate with you in Argentina next year and share your special day. Te quieroooooo

How nice it was to read the email with the subject reading: Es Oficial!! Nos casamos!

On this good news, I will leave you... and with my song of the week, LOVE IT:

Paradise, by Coldplay. I can't post the link for some reason, but Youtube it!

Goodnight!!

Magic Kingdom

2011-10-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

On to our next adventure: Magic Kingdom... and that is what it was : MAGIC! This has to be one of my favorite places in the world. It really is a place where dreams come true. Everyone is always happy, children laughing, parents laughing, couples in love sharing the magic, and friends, like me and Maggie, living the dream!!

None of it could have been possible without the dreams and dedication of one man : Walter Elias Disney.
His legacy has allowed billions of people from all over the world, experience immense happiness every single day. His dreams have allowed the dreams of SO MANY others come true.

Walt Disney was a film producer, director, screen-writer, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon and philanthropist. Obviously a man unafraid to dream, to look into his imagination and create the impossible. He found ways for EVERYBODY to escape, to dream and to believe.

Thank you, Walt Disney, for the years of happiness you have given me and my family, my friends, and one day I hope my children.

Here you leave today, and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy...

This is where I start to get REALLY excited...pitty we missed these signs on the way this time as we decided to pay Gainesville a visit. Ups. (This is an old pic)

YAY!!!

Magic Kingdom was decorated for Halloween, and already had a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and although Maggie and I didn't stay for it, it would be much more suitable for me than Universal's Halloween Horror Nights!!! Seven Halloweens spent in the States, and I never made it to one!

The first picture everyone has to get

On the way to the magic...

Even they were going!

Main St.

Fantasyland

For me, this is the most magical place. It was where I went on my first ever ride from my favorite Disney movie - Peter Pan! I always wanted to fly like Peter -anything that resembled Pixie Dust I sprinkled on my head in the hopes that I took off......I'm still waiting.
For me, Fantasyland is the essence of the Magic Kingdom.

My FAVE!!!

Love is all around!

Frontierland

Here are two of my favorite rides ; Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain, as well as Liberty Square right next door with the Haunted Mansion- love it!!

Thunder Mountain and the Haunted Mansion

Splash Mountain

We were ready to get wet...and we got soaked!

Wohooo! Not long till one of my favorite times of the year! I wish I could spend it with ALL the people I love

I could have taken so many more photos but Maggie probably would have flung me off one of the rollercoasters. She put up with a lot as it was! But here are some other randoms...

And just as the day was drawing to a close, and we thought our purses were safe, we found this awesome candy shop on the way out!! Heaven! We decided to stock up on candyfloss (cotton candy for all you Americans;) and fudge! Yum...

What a wonderful two days!! Thank you Maggie for sharing it with me!!!

Animal Kingdom

2011-10-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

This week I went back to Disney World with one of my best friends, Maggie, aka Maglet/Whale/Moo - the list really does go on. We had the best time!!! I hadn't been to Animal Kingdom in over ten years, and Maggie had never been to Disney World before (for shame!) so it was a super exciting 2 days in Orlando!
Disney World is a very special place for me, with A LOT of happy memories, and there are not many people I would want to share it with. Maggie has been one of my greatest friends since our first year of university together. We were room mates for 2 years, team mates for 3 years and friends for 5 years. She knows EVERYTHING about me..the good, the bad and the ugly. There's a saying that goes something like

" You'll always be my friend, you know way too much"

Welcome to Disney!!!

Tree of life

I loved this land.. they had one of the best rides - Expedition Everest; a roller coaster that goes backwards into the dark and a huge drop. We shared a look of panic when we started to go backwards, remembering the huge climb we had just done - thinking we would plumit about 80 feet the wrong way!! Thankfully, that did not happen! Asia also had all these cool murals and at some parts, really made you feel as if you were walking through a small road in Thailand.

Another thing we really enjoyed in the park was the Lion King show. I remember loving it when I was a child; the music, the colors, the dancing and singing and it was still just as good to this day. Even though we were absolutely freezing in the giant and packed auditorium, we were loving every second of the performance.

These guys were amazing!!!

I am now left singing " I just can't wait to be king" ...

Another highlight of the trip was the safari into the "African Plains" It was unbelievable! We went out on a safari truck and drove right by every dangerous animal imaginable! At one point we were stopped next to a rhino who was about 30 feet away on my side of the truck and staring right at us! I was picturing him charging at us, horn first! I asked Maggie if she thinks they had guns (like you would in a regular safari) ... but we couldn't imagine the employees of Walt Disney World would be carrying rifles around. Oh well. Here's hoping no one ever pisses one of these guys off!

Spot Dumbo!

We survived!!!!!

We had such a great day and we couldn't have been more excited for our next adventure: Magic Kingdom.

For now, I'll leave you with this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXs8OS6EdAE

Have a great day!!!

Number 59

2011-10-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

~~59. Get my face drawn by a caricaturist~~

This week I finally got to do this while visiting Animal Kingdom. The person drawing me kept telling me I should go into modelling... I guess he says this to anyTHING that sits opposite him, including men and 70 year old women!

I realize it is not a very flattering picture of me giving the fact I look close to 40 years old, however, it is one more thing I can cross off my List!

I guess there will be a few new posts in the upcoming days from my trip to Disney World with Maggie. Even though I've been to Disney 100 times, I still ended up with over 250 pictures from just 2 days!

Have a good night!

Botanic Gardens

2011-09-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-09-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

~~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...

Caught between the crossfire of Heaven and Hell...

2011-09-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

The last month has been " different " to say the least... learning a lot about my job, myself and other people. I have started to make an indent into my 100 Things list... I realise there are so many items on it that will be ongoing, or something I won't want to do just the one time. Nevertheless, I have begun!

~~15. Learn how to bake and do it a lot!~~
I decided to start with the baking. I made an attempt at red velvet cupcakes. They were more like 'red velvet BUTTER cakes.' I was planning to take them into work, but since the risk of posioning was so high, I decided against it. Posioning all my colleagues might not go far in convincing people I am a 'team player'!!

However, all that icing sugar on top of them made up for the buttery taste and they ended up not too bad!

Needs a lot of work! This week: banana and strawberry muffins!

I wish I could make cupcakes as good as this place,one word: amazing.

Yum! Dulce de leche.

This blog looks like it's only about food...I think I have a problem!

I really think it was a good idea to write my list as it's giving me SO much more direction, and helped me set a lot of short and long term goals. I was used to doing that sort of stuff for tennis, but at this moment in time, it seems more important to set them for life, itself. It has been hanging on my wall for the past few months, on bright pink and orange paper, attracting me to look at it every day and slowly I am starting to cross more and more off it, maybe even faster than I thought I could. During this past month I got the chance to visit a few different places and crossed off some other things.

Other new developments: I have decided to get my fitness back!! Next week I will start to take spinning classes - trying to get people to go with me is probably harder than the class, itself. I was even considering doing this home work out, but I don't want my parents to think the house is falling down around them as this elephant is trying to get in shape so... plan aborted!

Last week I got to spend some time with Jenny and Jack. We had plans to go to the zoo, but because of our crappy Irish weather, had to stay in. Great chats and fun, as always. Visiting Jenny is sort of like visiting a big sister, and watching Jack growing up every time I see him, is amazing:) Looking forward to a certain trip in October!

I think we have a male model in the family!!
This week: to the ZOO!

Have a good week everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AhU12zC8fc&ob=av2e

Feliz Cumple Lore!!!

2011-08-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

AMIGAS! Qué harías sin ellas? Son parte fundamental de la vida. Mucha gente entrara y saldra de tu vida, pero solo los amigos verdaderos dejaran huellos en tu corazon. Estan en las buenas y en la malas. Aunque, claro, no todas son iguales. Este blog es dedicado para una de mis mejores amigas del mundo!!! Una amiga especial, se llama LORENA!! Aunque vivimos seperados, y hace mucho tiempo que no nos hemos visto, es la clase de amiga que siempre esta para atender el telefono, contestar un mail rapidisimo si necesito, o simplemente la que me hace saber que esta ahi cuando la necesito. No hablamos cada dia, o cada semana, pero yo SE, cuando la necesito, ESTA.
Conozco a Lorena desde 2006, cuando estabamos juntas, trabajando en tunez, en un hotel espectacular! Ella estaba trabajando como una Entertainer magnifica!! Pienso que es el trabajo perfecto para su personalidad! Y yo, la 'Public Relations' Un poco mas aburrido. Desde entonces...volvimos loco todos los trabajadores en tunez, todos los guests, cocinamos cada noche nuestra chicken, chips y harissa, fuimos a hacer shopping en la medina de Soussa, vimos peliculas, bebimos un monton de hot chocolate cada noche, hablamos como dos loros sobre todo, entre tantas otras cosas!

Dejame presentarte: ...... LORENA!!

Nuestra primer fotito!

SI..estabamos juntos en ese momento...... que lindo recuerdo!!!

Hammam Sousse Superstar!!!

Nuestra casa por 3 meses...una casa muy feliz!
En casa.........

Nuestra hot chocolate... cual es el mio?!! Siempre bebimos esos todas las noches, hablando de todo lo que pasa!

Dinner time!! Siempre con buenos amigos y familia!

Mi hermano, nuestro amigo Hassine, y Lore

No tengo palabras!!! Es una genia! Te quieroo!!

Gracias, Lorena, por cinco anos de amistad...siempre que estaba triste, vos me animabas, siempre que necesitaba hablar, vos me escuchabas y mas que nada, gracias por hacerme saber que sos ahi...siempre!
Te deseo un muy feliz dia... que mejor amiga que vos!

FELIZ CUMPLE!!!

Te quiero!!

100 Things

2011-08-18T17:16:00.000-07:00

In no particular order:

Go on an African safari
Marry the love of my life
Have my children
Travel around Asia for 3 months
Travel South America for 3 months to Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico
Have breakfast in Paris with my other half outside the finest bakery in the sunshine
~~Make my parents and sister proud~~
Win someone back
Live in the States again
Live in Tunisia
Travel around North America for 2 months, visiting Boston, Chicago, California, Colorado, Seattle and DC.
Take a trip to NYC with my boyfriend
Take photography classes
Become a semi-professional photographer
~~Learn how to bake and do it a lot!~~ . . .
Own at least 3 different properties around the world
Get my Irish drivers licence
~~Be promoted in the Four Seasons~~ . . .
Transfer to somewhere else in the world, either temporary or permanently
Experience true human flight - see video! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cs-zZ0Qu5Y
Be in the cockpit of an airplane for a take-off or a landing
See NYC by helicopter (As in the scene from 2 Weeks Notice!)
Travel around Tunisia for 3 weeks
Have a dream wedding and plan it mostly myself
Take part in a photoshoot
~~Do a photoshoot (hopefully many of them)~~
Write an autobiography
Speak Spanish fluently
Speak Tunisian Arabic fluently
Move to a Spanish-speaking country for 3-6 months straight and study and speak ONLY Spanish, no English!
Write a successful blog and have over 100 followers
Buy an amazing camera
Join a gym and use it!!
Buy a small picnic basket
Have a picnic in Central Park, NYC
Buy a really expensive handbag
Open a restaurant
~~Visit the Sassis in the Netherlands or have them visit me in Dublin~~
Visit Ula and Asia in Poland
Visit Penny in Denmark
Be the best mum and wife I can be
Have a guest bedroom in my home, always with fresh flowers by the bedside and an open door for all visitors
Have a cinema system at home
Own one property with a lot of land
Go camping and roast marshmallows over an open fire
Get back into tennis
Take a course on interior design
Take up the piano again and learn at least 2 new pieces
Learn a bit about flowers and gardening and plant my own small garden
Build one of my properties from scratch, designing it myself
See someone I love get better
Visit the North Pole and go sledding with reindeers
Go to a music festival
Attend a film festival
Go to an opera
Do something with my teeth so I don't always have to wear a brace!
Swim again with dolphins
Snorkel again in a coral reef
~~Get my face drawn by a caricaturist~~
Visit a famous museum
Become GM of a resort
Own my own business and be my own boss at some point
Be proper friends again with someone from my past
Learn how to drive a stick shift
Go back to university to do a masters
Learn French again and speak is as close to fluently as possible
Redecorate my room at home
~~Help my family with money~~
~~Return to FL soon, at least for a visit and as much as possible~~
Visit Greece
Go on another cruise
Holiday in Mauritius
Holiday to Bali
Holday to Bora Bora
Go to Friguia Park in Tunisia
Attend an arts and crafts class
Grow my own fruit and veg
Throw a themed party soon
Camp in the dessert
Dance Salsa - well!
Win the green card lottery
Go on my first skiing holiday
Have lunch/dinner soon on 5th Av. Naples, Fl with two amazing people
Work some time from home
Help someone achieve their dream
~~Start a proper savings account!!~~
Organize my old clothes, and donate to a charity and/or to someone that needs them
Open my own hotel
Own a boat
Take time off work or work part time for a while when I have my children
Invent a perfume and design the bottle
Invest in a small property and rent it out
Take a life coaching course
Go to Disney World with the same 2 people
Send my mum and dad on a surprise holiday
~~Organize a reunion~~
Find a job that I can earn some extra money from home (data entry etc)
Explore a jungle or rainforest
Try Paragliding
Put a message in a bottle and throw it out to sea
Ride along vineyards on horses with someone I love

Wish me luck!!!

Jobs, Concerts, Birthdays and Reunions

2011-07-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

The last 2 months have been hectic to say the least... I finally came to terms with being in Ireland (sort of), had accepted a job, mentally prepared myself to start it, where upon I got another offer, which after a lot of consideration, decided to take. To most people, it might be great to have the two offers, but for me, it caused so much stress! I find it very difficult letting people down, so for those 4 days I waited to call the first job, my face gained about 10 lines, and making the final phonecall took about 10 years off my life!

These photos were taken upon request. I waited two weeks to be alone in the changing rooms so no one would see how sad I looked!

Work has been a strain - SO much to learn, and at the same time, so much going on in my personal life. It's hard to take it all in, but for the most part, I am enjoying it, and thankful to be kept busy. I am learning a lot and can really see myself growing within this company,whether that is in Ireland, or somewhere else.

Social life is virtually non-existent, but that's OK right now. I have some short term travel goals set, and they are what's keeping me going!

Last month Jacqueline and I got tickets for the Take That concert here in Dublin. It was AMAZING! I was never a huge Take That fan or anything, but I always enjoyed their music. Since the concert though, I love them! To anyone out there reading this: If you ever get the opportunity to go to one of their concerts, go!

We also celebrated Jacqueline's 21st birthday last month. A lot of planning went into it to make sure it was extra special. We went to a park, had a lunch by the beach (a bit cold, but still!) and then an amazing dinner (the best sushi I've ever had) After dinner I resigned, and left the young ones go out to party till 7am!!!

Elmoo!!

She can go on big rollercoasters, but teacups she hates!

Can my house be like this??

Her birthday drink

Happy Birthday, Jac!!!

This last month also brought about a short reunion with my Dutch family! Having not seen them for more than 2 years, it was amazing to be reunited! The girls had become so grown up, speaking fluent English which I still can't believe.. and with such great parents, it is no wonder they have grown up into such beautiful young ladies.

They are both hockey stars so I better get some practice in before they visit again so I can take them on, on the pitch! They also put me to shame by playing the piano (and singing) brilliantly last week. I learned piano for about ten years of my life and embarassingly enough, I can't play even ONE piece! It made me realise I want to take it up again soon, which, in turn, brought to my attention how many things in the past I said I'd do, but never got around to it.
Recent and ongoing events in my life have really made me wake up, and realise that life is WAY too short to keep saying "tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow." I made a promise to myself I will live in the moment as much as possible and DO what I want to do, when I want. (I feel a verse of " It's my party and I'll cry if I want to" coming on...I will refrain) There are SO many things I want to experience and acompolish in my life, and I am going to start acting upon them now.
I am in the process of writing out a (long) list of things I wish to do. Some of them are totally random, some very small, some very big, some maybe almost impossible. But, if it's on my list, it is NOT impossible, and I hope I will make the right opportunities for myself, and take the right risks, to get things done. I might write the list on here in one of my next few posts, and check off when I have completed something. I have already posted it up on my bedroom wall as a little motivation every time I wake up in the morning.

Wish me luck getting started!

On a lighter note, weather has been beautiful here some of the days in the past month...as in bikini weather!! In Ireland!! Me + bikini + Ireland = rare occurance!

WEATHER!!! BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!!

FLOWERS!

Some random pics... our neighborhood got attacked by seagulls the other day! You should have seen it! I would guess there were about 1000 birds. I tried to take some pics from my bedroom window..here's what I got...

MAKE A WISH.
Mine is for the man I love ...
Buenas noches a todos, hope all your dreams come through!

I'll get by with a little help from my friends!!!

2011-07-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

To ANYONE out there reading this blog:
Could someone please tell me how I can post my pics larger without altering the quality of the image??? Any suggestions welcome!

My pic of the week!
Have a good night everyone!

My little sister!

They're Always After Me Lucky Charms

2011-07-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

Love will find its way

After eight years away, I am back living in Ireland. Don't ask me how I feel about it because I am completely torn inside...one part of me is very happy to be back with my family, the other half is broken; leaving behind some amazing people. I am definitely living under the philosophy that: if you are meant to be with someone, you will end up with that person. I never believed in Fate before...but he does, so now I have to. That also goes for friends - if they are as special as you imagined them to be, then they will always be in your life. If they weren't, I guess they will slowly start to disappear. I am going to share some pictures I've taken of Ireland last summer when I was visiting, and more recent photos too. It is SUCH a beautiful country when the sun is shining, and that is when I try to take most of my pictures.

Ahhhh blue sky!

Fields of gold...

I LOVE this pic!!! :)

I didn't mean to get this pic...I don't think I even saw the woman there, but after I saw it, I loved it!

Ashford Castle for my Birthday

These are some of my favourite typically Irish pictures I've taken. Not professional AT ALL, but I just liked the scenery! I plan to start taking photography classes and then there should be a vast improvement in my photo-taking skills! For now, I'm afraid you're all stuck with this!
Like I said before, I LOVE when there is a blue sky in Ireland, because that, against the green grass and hills makes for such nice photographs. I just wish I could take better ones!! If you've never been to the Emerald Isle, you have to come in May. For whatever reason, it's normally the best month weather-wise. When I was living away, I barely noticed the weather from one day to the next (probably because it was always good!). Now though, whenever it's nice out, I'm like " Yessssssssssss, let's get some photos!!"

Slight interruption everyone!! If anyone IS actually bothering to read my dribble, I need some help!! I am trying to play around with the size of my pictures - when I upload them here, it brings them up small, when I actually want to upload them as close to original size as possible. If someone knows how I can change the size(make it bigger), without altering the quality of the image, I'd really appreciate it if you left me a comment! Many thanks!!! :) Now back to some more (oddly sized) pictures...

Overall, one of the best things about Ireland is the people. Unfortunately Dublin has become like most other big cities, everyone is so caught up in their own heads, and not much attention is payed to the surroundings. However, it's still like the old times in a lot of places 'down the country.' People say hi when walking past, everyone knows everyone in small towns, gossip is spread, rumours are nurtured, but bonds are formed and friendships made. Driving from Dublin to the countryside is always fun! You never know what you might see. You may run into a heard of cattle crossing the road (what seems like, by themselves), you may also be driving alongside dozens of kamikaze sheep, and there are huge possibilites of finding yourself heading down a one-way street, facing a tractor coming the other way. You will drive past a LOT of farms-you'll smell them before you see them, lot's of little fruit and veg markets, lots of old ruins, and hundreds of little colourful towns!

Cows, cows, cows

Hello!!

These ice-creams used to be called '99s' -as in 99p, now they're about 2euro!!! (But worth it!)

One of the things I missed most about Ireland when I was gone was the sweets!!!!! In the US especially, chocolate or crisps or any sweets really, are not the same! I realize some of these are not Irish made, but you can't get them in the States, Tunisia, Spain, or anywhere I've lived! These are some of my old faves...yum!!

French Fancies- amazing!!!

Ok, I know this definitely isn't Irish, but WHO doesn't like Nutella? Embarassing fact: I like to eat this with a spoon!!

This was my Easter present! Whenever any shop had these in the States, I used to stock up!! I even got him to like them!!!

This year I celebrated my 24th birthday at Ashford Castle with my sister. It was SO beautiful there!! We had an amazing dinner, went FALCONING (!), explored the castle grounds, took a boat trip, got massages and listened to about fifty 85-year olds sing Irish songs until 2 in the morning!

Rapunzel? I think not.

Before our massages

This was fun! Something I probably never would have done if I hadn't visited Ashford Castle

Being home also lets me spend time with my extended family, like my cousins, which is brilliant!!! I am so happy I get to see JD, one of my cousins son, growing up! He is the cutest little thing and I love when I get to spend time with them.

Tiny hands...

Tiny shoes...

Tiny feet

"Smile for the picture..."

Some other random pictures. I mostly seem to take my camera out when I go somewhere with my sister. I don't like bothering other people with it since my habit of snapping away, seems to be becomming more intense!!

Long distance love...

Well... I have had this blog ready to go for months, but for some reason, never got around to posting it.I will try to use this much more now, I feel like I need to'document' things going on in my life at the moment, since there is SO much! Some good things, and unfortunately some bad things too. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster at the moment, but worryingly, with more lows than highs.

Anyway, this blog is not going to be about moaning, it's going to be about embracing life while we can! Enjoy!! Goodnight!