Dublin

Well, we have been in Dublin these few days. Today we're going home to Galway. Dublin is a big bustling city, with high fashion and lots of Guinness. Yesterday was my sister Sophia's 12th birthday, and we celebrated by taking the "viking tour"! This was a crazy bus tour with a bus decked out like a viking ship, and we all wore viking helmets and yelled at passers by. It was quite an epic adventure. The bus was originally a world war 2 vehicle that crossed the English Channel. And part of the tour was, the bus driving into the channel and going around the water!! It was like the magic school bus all over again!! Let's just say, I'm glad I didn't see anyone I knew! Argggh!!! It was fun though. We also saw a statue of Oscar Wilde and his houses. We now have my grandparents with us, adding to the fun! We are going back today to the small town of Galway, but I'm sure we'll find some more adventures there!!

The Aran Islands

Today we took a day trip out to the Aran Islands. It was about an hour drive to the pier, and then after that we took the ferry out to the islands. on the island, we ate lunch, and then took a tour bus around the island. It was too late to rent bikes. It was so beutiful, with green and lush. The Irish say that they are undergoing a drought!!! hardly a drought, in my opinion. It was quite sunny, and wonderful. We saw an old cemetery and churchyard, which was really beautiful. All over the island, and much of Ireland are these fences and walls that go across the entire countryside in grids and squares. The walls are made up of simple stone stacked on each other. It reminds me of a fairytale,a dn medieval times. We took a walking path (more like a hike) up to a fort on a cliff. The fort was made up of rings of rock walls against a cliff. The cliff was a HUGE drop off one side of the fort, and there were no rails to keep you from falling!!!! I finally got enough courage to go on my stomach and look down over the edge. Let's just say that you don't want to get puched off of that cliff!!! (It went down into the sea, but even if you survived the fall, you would get dashed to pieces on the rocks) It was an amazing fort, though, with hug impressice rock walls. It was open air, but still an amazing sight. We also saw some seals lying on the beach!!! It was really cool. We finally got back around 8 tonight and made a quick dinner. We decided to have tea after dinner, and had earl grey tea and scones! We have been having tea at various cafes around the city every afternoon. It's very fun. Anayways, we will try to go to church tomorrow, and we'll see how that goes. By now it's finally dark at 11:15 pm. It stays light really late here. Oh, and by the way im not allowed in any pubs after 9 o clock. Darn. So we've been going early to watch the soccer games, but unless you're 18 the pubs close at 9. Oh well, I'll have to just come back when I'm 18!

Green..........!!!???!

"Wow" I thought, as I peered out of the window on board the airplane. What I saw as the clouds cleared was a mass of.......... GREEN!! I knew Ireland was going to be green. Why else was it called "The Emerald Isle"? It looked incredible from up in the sky, different patches of green, like a quilt. It was breathtaking. I stepped off the airplane, and all the time was thinking about how beautiful Ireland was going to be. I couldn't wait. Now that I'm here in Ireland, I can see how beautiful it is. It is very cold compared to what I am used to, but wet and humid, so the plants are thriving. I have never seen so many flowers in my life!!! The rolling hills, the beautiful flowers, the meadows with cows and sheep grazing. My hair is curly and frizzy because of the wet weather!!! I don't need to worry too much about sunburn. AND I get the workout of my life from walking for hours each day. Life is interesting, all the Irish people are kind and fun to listen to. I think I'm picking up an accent without even trying! So far the trip has been satisfactory. So beautiful, and I haven't even seen the pretty places yet. It will be hard to go back to brown and dirt. But I think I like both places. Ireland may be a beautiful, green place. It is unlike anything I have seen. But it is still not home. I'm still a stranger. I love my old, brown New Mexico every bit as much as I love Ireland, the land of green.

leaving

Sitting in the sunport of abuquerque realizing that I really am leaving. wow, I have all these incredible emotions. I don't know what to think. I'm going on an adventure, and I can't wait! We are going to Atlanta, first. Then to New York, NY. I'm excited because I've never been to New York. Then we have to change airports, and then I'm off to Ireland!!!! This is going to be a long day. I miss everyone already. God bless!

The Breaking Dawn.

This is just a small story, or what I like to call a word picture, of my interpretation of a sunrise. Nothing to do with Ireland, but when I get there I will compare the sunrises. Enjoy!

Darkness surrounded the small window overlooking the moonlit yard. Not a sound was to be heard, except for the occasional buzz of the crickets. On the edge of the horizon a crack of light appeared. It was dark, yet it was beginning to be light. All at once, as the light grew slightly stronger, the silence was immediately filled with song. The birds all awoke at once, singing to the sunrise. The sun had not risen, it was dark. But the light from the distance had awoken the birds. But, as it was still night, the crickets were still chirping in the tress. The medley of birdsong and crickets woke the girl. From pure silence, to beautiful song, the morn was broken. The birds sang to the dawn as the crickets bid the night adieu. Not quite dawn, not quite night. The birds and the crickets join in song for a few moments, one to say goodbye, the other to bid welcome the dawn. The girl sighed as the birdsong increased, and the cricket voices faded into the night. The sliver of light was no longer a sliver, but a glow that lit up the sky. The sun would soon make its round into the sky, and the girl sang a song in her heart, along with the joyful song of the birds. One more day, one more blessed day, had dawned. And all too soon, the birdsong would blend in the twilight along with the cricket voices, say goodbye to the sun, and welcome the starry night.

Getting ready

I am leaving in little over a week! The reality is starting to set in: I am really leaving for 7 weeks! This is incredible..... I have so many things to do! We have finally found a house to live in while we are there, and are still planning the rest of our trip. I cannot forget my camera!!! These are the things that I am planning on doing:
1. acquiring an Irish accent. I will be sitting there taking notes, and practicing every day!
2. learning some Gaelic. I want to learn at least a bit of my own ancient language. ;)
3. Taking some serious photographs. I am very intrigued by this place that has so much green. I am certain I can get some beautiful pictures!
4. Writing a journal of my adventures, perhaps getting some inspiration to write a book!
Ok, so you get the picture: I'm excited!!!! I'm also hoping to get some Celtic voice lessons or find a dance class while I'm over there! I am so extremely blessed to have this incredible opportunity. I just have to go.............