The time of my life.

The book I finally finished by: Cecelia Ahern. "As long as you're around, your life is too. So just as you shower love and affection and attention on the husbands, wives, parents, children and forever friends who surround you, you have to do so equally with your life, because it's yours, it's you, and it's always there rooting for you, cheering you on, even when you feel like you can't do it. I gave up on my life for a while, but what I've learned is that even when that happens and especially when that happens, life never ever gives up on you." Fret not I have no sharp objects or large quantities of prescription pills near by I just felt like sharing that quote. Good book, if you can get past the giant unrealistic Life character. Today I got some leads on jobs and was told by three I would be contacted next week. Those of you who know me already know that I am virtually unpacking in each establishment, mentally working a shift. Until then, I'll enjoy another unemployed weekend up in Fermanagh, Maguire's Bridge for New Years. Hopefully I return to some good news as I regretfully turned down a fulltime job for over minimum wage at a beautiful hotel due to the towns bad drug reputation and it's a loyalist town, which may not mean much to me, any place that is strongly religious to that point was unnerving.

The gift of hope.

Tonight I went to Midnight Mass (at six) at an old folks home. Seriously, I'm going to heaven, I know. But, the main message I got out of the whole thing was "live in hope." The rest was subjective. It really made me miss my granny, she is the reason why I went but it also made me thankful because my grandma could kick their asses, if it came down to it. Maybe that was inappropriate but just my way of saying she's in good physical health, and I'm thankful. I must say I've been feeling the Irish luck lately. It's good when things are good, obviously. Looking forward to Christmas with a bunch of family and food and wearing my new Dorothy Perkins red dress on boxing day, it's very UK of me. Merry Christmas to all and all the best xoxo.

Sumin' up the South (so far)

I really enjoyed my time in the South of Ireland. Favourite places in no particular order: Adare, Dalkey (where Enya and Bono live along the coast), Howth, and Dublin! Okay, that last one comes first. My bonus last full day in Dublin I was able to view the Book of Kells. I guess it was meant to be, and so interesting. I thought of my designer and even writer friends. Pretty incredible. The pages I saw: Picture - The temptation of Christ and written - "My father giveth you the true bread from heaven." Whatever that means. It said that the most important thing christianity introduced to Ireland was writing. Probably the thou shall not kill, love thy neighbour stuff goes without saying. Yesterday I went to this place called the Loft in Powers Court by Grafton Street and it was pretty much an attic in a shopping centre with all local designers and next door was art work by I'm assuming local people as well. I like that craic. (I've found that you can pretty much use that word in place of any word and it makes sence. Origianlly I thought it was just, 'fun'.) The South introduced me to a lot of things I've never been privy to. 1. Traveling Gypsies and 2. Organized romanian beggars. I saw a mother and baby out in the cold middle of December I came close to telling her off but I was on a tour bus so it was a bit of an issue. Oh and Guinness, 3. Right. In Ireland it's a two pour process to pour a pint of Guiness and in 'real life' I would never order the stuff but it's actually quite alright. I've been reading a book since Fermanagh by a Dublin writer named Cecelia Ahern. If you meantion her, most will bring up what a shoddy politician her father was. Her first book was PS, I love you. It's so good. I just started seriously reading it in Dublin but it's like 1. walk through Trinity College or 2. Read some chick lit? Exactly. It's the first book of hers I've read and if I was a rude house guest I would stay in my room until it was done. Oh, the title is, "The time of my life." Oh, before we part I must highly recommend the movie 50/50. Totally not Irish. But how often can you recco a comedy about cancer? Probably my favourite movie of the year, maybe longer. So those are the verbal highlights for now, organizing my pictures are going to be pretty daunting but will get done soon.

"A day like any other."

Exhibit at the Museum of Modern Arts by Rivane Neuenschwander. Google this person OMG it blew my mind. The museum was closed except this one exhibit. Good enough. The first room was just paintins of tiles, floors and walls: rooms. The next looked like torn wallpaper with toliet paper scattered on the ground and dripping water noises coming from the wall. Some people may be thinking, I dont' get art. But it was a cool experience. THEN! The best room, at first thought I thought this is shit, but the exhibit was called "I wish your wish" and it was all these wishes typed on coloured silk ribons. You could take a ribon and replace it with one of your wishes. The one I took said "I wish I knew what I wanted to be when I grow up." For me, it's more than just career aspirations, kind of like, what do I want out of this life, that'll take a lot of effort to answer now though. You're instructed to tie the wish around your wrist and by the time it fades or falls off your wish should come true. Cool, eh? The other room I thought was wicked was portraits of your first love. There was times set up where you could speak to a professional criminal sketch artists and describe the person you first loved. What an interesting artist eh? I'm pretty obsessed at the mo.

Dublin in a day.

It took me a whole of two seconds to fall in love with Dublin. It's so beautiful. I unknowingly booked a hostel with the Liffey River at its doorstep and in the middle of everything. It's themed with writers and playwriters which is pretty cool. Today I hopped on and off the Dublin bus tour. I visited Trinity College, which, probably just to mess with me, the book of kells could not be viewed today, yesterday, or tomorrow. Not meant to be. The campus is stunning, however. Most places I just window-viewed but I did go into the Writers Museum. Afterwards I somewhat regret but it had some interesting points. Although I am unfamiliar with most of the work, some names are obviously more well known than others. It was interesting to see their writing on paper, from so long ago. Really inspiring. Shitty looking too. There's hope yet. The highlight had to be the Guiness Brewery tour. Seriously. It was better than I thought. After yesterdays mishab I thought I may skip it but glad I didn't. It's so futuristic and fun. At the very top of the self-guided tour on the seventh floor is a bar where you can see all of Dublin, and the sun was out for icing. It tried snowing today, my first glance at the white stuff this year, but sun won. Temple Bar area is pretty touristy, but also pretty irishy. Love hearing all the live music walking along the street, tonight I'm going to check out some live comedy. Hope it's funny. I'm expecting dry, sarcastic, crude, yet charming Dublin. Accents are much easier to understand the more south you get I find too. I think I'll go to the shopping district for some delicious ethnic food. My pho and burrito were amazing yesterday... hopefully I stumble across good sushi, it's been over a month!

Picture perfect.

The other night I was walking home, in Craough (well, my home until Monday) down this narrow ill-lit country road on a dark windy night and I couldn't help but take a moment and appreciate how beautiful and peaceful it was. Then I smiled like an idiot because sometimes the voice in my head says, "you're in Ireland dog!" Yes, apparently I have an American Idol Judge narration in my head. The strange part about that walk is I didn't have to worry about any wildlife coming out of the woodwork, just fast driving cars. Last night was another Irish moment at my cousins engagement party in a small local pub, where I saw my first live band perform here. The real Irish singing took place after last call, old fashion army songs I'm guessing. I requestion Sir Mixalot but I guess that wasn't an option. Then driving home we crammed 10 people in a taxi van meant for seven home and away we went down the narrow roads again at half two. (That's Irish for two-thirty.) Tonight I'm going to see my very first Mice race. I'm assuming it's like horse racing but with mice... it's for charity anyway so what the heck?

From the prettiest little town in all of Ireland

Seriously. That's what the postcards say. I'm in Adare, the neighbouring town from where I'm staying. It's pretty darn cute with an ex-manor, current hotel along the water and little shops with thatch roofs. Not bad, Adare. Yesterday I went to Co. Clare and visited some castles. I say that so matter-of-fact eh? Toured inside one and it was pretty awesome. My leg muscles are actually pretty sore from climbing the narrow steep brick stairs. That shows you just how out of shape I am! Yikes. Went into Ennis which apparently my grandpa's side of the family is from. This visit has pretty much consisted of my grandma's family. Women really are better at keeping in touch. Anyways, neat town. I got my first mobile! Seeing as my other wireless phones have been cellphones of course... Numbers on my status if you'd be so kind as to txt me yours :) My internet usage has been very limited lately so I really should be applying for jobs. I plan to be in Dublin by Monday unless I land a job before. Library is filling up and I feel like an ass for not being more wise with my time so peace out home fries.

Traveling gypsies

My grandma used to call me a gypsy for sleeping over at my friends houses as a teenager. But I've seen the TV show almost one whole time and I think this crew is a bit different. Whatsup with all the nice houses and living in campers on the front lawn? I may not come to an understanding on this one... I'm now in the South of Ireland, in Co. Limerick. Again in a small town. Today I ventured out on my own into a nearby town called Adare. It's supposed to be one of te prettiest towns in the south. Yah, it was pretty nice. Visited a manor that's now a hotel. It was pretty cool. I've been sick my whole time here which has been less than stellar but my cousin is also suffering so we've been medicating and healthying up all weekend. Tonight we deserve a night out! So, unless you want to read about my kleenex usage and what type of non-prescription pills I've been popping I think I'll cut this short and start getting ready! Tomorrow should be a day of sight-seeing as my first day here was complete shit outside.

The City

City's are meant to be visited during the work week. Then you can see them in all their glory. I think, anyway. (Unless it's Vegas, the the weekend is just fine.)

Life in a backpack

No computer (although there seems to almost always be one handy), no cell and very little clothing options. Seemingly a lot of sinus medication since landing in Fermanagh. You'd think the drink would have eradicated any illness. I've met a lot more distant family members. For example: My grandma's brother’s wife and kids. Sounds simple but my grandma was one of 15 so imagine all the relations! She was interesting. Now 80 something she went off to work at the Banff springs when she was in her 20's and over to Winnipeg (God knows why there, work probably). Anyways it was interesting to see someone of her age travelling without settling overseas. Today is my last day in Fermanagh so a big party tonight although with my 8hr bus trip to limerick I'm quite wary about too much drink. I almost made it two days in a row but when an 80-year-old woman insists you take a drink, YOU TAKE A DRINK! Then I came to my 'home' with the offer of Irish Moonshine basically... when’s that going to happen again? Gross! It's called Ponce (ponch-ae). As I head south I must start looking for work. Eyes are on Galway although Dublin would be AMAZING, probably more affordable living in Galway as I start to settle and plan some mini-trips. So that's my update for now. Going swimming today. Maybe my first form of exercise except for dancing since landing.

It's just an experience

Last night I went to Saturday mass at a catholic church in a town I have yet to learn how to spell. Linskea...not quite. Anywho, it was for the people I'm now staying with because it was an anniversary of their father. No relation to me. And like a good Irish Catholic I followed up the service with several pints of beer at their local. I'm flip-flopping between two of my moms cousins at the moment in County Fermanagh. Also, when I say my cousins it could be my parents cousins kids... that would take far too much effort to type out and I haven't even been good with keeping up with my personal journal. So you're welcome. Anyways, it was good to go to church. I used to always with my granny but I do feel like I'm being watched not sharing in the same religious belief anymore. I still respect the good nature of religion, anyways best not to go any further down that road... it's just an experience. Today I am going to my 'cousins' football game! Please don't rain Ireland. The thing about the rain here is it changes so often. Rain. Sun. Rain. Sun. Hail. Rain. Rain. So if you think you've got strange weather BC, take a 10 hour flight.

Fermanagh

Yesterday I went to see where my grandma lived and was born. The weather here was quite shit so didn'tdo much exploring. There will be more time for that. Anther thing I find really interesting here is that family seems to stay together. Often buildings houses on the same big property. Tonight I'm going to see some local rock band with different cousins. So here's hoping I last longer then 11:30 this time around! Later... narrow curvy coastal roads do not mix well after a night of vino. BUT, I survived the road and my queeziness and made it out to Donegal Town. Lovely little place but the nearby town with all the big fishing boats was the best. Tonight's Big Generator, that's a band who are supposed to be a big deal so looking orward t that!

Whattup 400 readers!

Thanks for the consistant readership folks... I don't know who has all viewed my blog but I do have a pretty good idea :) Tonight is my last night in Ardboe, onto my homestead tomorrow Fermanagh for a week. I hear it's closer to the water so I look forward to the landscape. My map viewing extent is 3 minutes tops, so traveling is fun with my geographically lacking brain functionality. I think I get small town anxiety. I know, Tahsis's old number one biggest fan feels uncomfortable in a small town? I think it's the lack of socializing that leaves me anxious, although I've really enjoyed my experience on the farmland. The cows were a big high for me. I was able to cook several meals which lead me to my next idea, cook my way across europe? How cool would that be if I could crash at people's houses just by cooking? Holla if anyone wants to make a reality show about that, fine print: You must supply the booze... and my tolerance is up. Today's UK show quote: Lady Gaga, the only thing straight I do is my whiskey.

The things you'd thought you'd never do...

My blogs have been pretty rushed the past couple of weeks where I've just been trying to vomit out my experiences to share them with everyone back home who is interested in my travels but my vision for my blog was always to be something more profound. The cultural similarities and differences are as small as they are big. By the time I leave where I am at on Thursday it only really gives me two weeks of the country side in Northern Ireland where I will be re-rooting to another remote part of Norther ireland where my grandparents homestead is and then it's off to some cities! I must say that the music and fashion are as much a part of my UK experience as the drink and trashy reality television. Music is pretty similar but just better here. Maybe because I'm on holidays...

The hair of the dog...

Portrush and that area just so happens to have caught my eye. I suppose I'm drawn to places near the water and the castle overlooking the water was enchanting, although we just did a drive by. We did a quick walk around Giant's Causeway which is amazing and the sunset was unreal! I look forward to going back and doing the hike in the spring. Port Rush will forever been known as Port Bush now though. Bushmills provide an interesting tour. I did my research that's for sure, 3 times distilled, 8 year old whiskey, black label has been my drink of choice in Ireland. Last night however, I paired that with far too many other beverages making it a bit of a difficult morning. Thanks for my first Irish hangover Johnny and Louise. Last night we were in Mitherfelt at Dormans and then over to Mary's. Dormans was in the paper yesterday, voted the best pub in northern ireland I believe? Big places and with lots of levels. Home by 12 though so I'll have to try the late night disco's another time. Tonight is a lazy one with some homemade chicken soup and a good night of sleep as tomorrow is a shopping day with my cousin Madonna.

Day of diet... (and drink!)

Today is a carb free day to prepare for the weekend ahead! Made the best chicken veggie soup I've ever had and can't wait until dinner, or supper... the one at night time. I commented on how narrow the roads are but felt I had to paint a picture. Today going to and from town you seriously have to pull over to the side if any traffic is coming your way. Otherwise you zoom like hell as there's no deer to worry about. Dogs, however. But that's another story for another time, not a good happy one either!

One week today.

It's been a couple days since my last post. I'm still out in the country with family. Seems like this entire town is related in some way or another. Every restaurant, pub, shop etc... narrow roads and big families! I've really been noticing the subtle differences. How every room has a door and how you close it after you enter it, how you keep your shoes on, unless someone has carpeting upstairs, how potato bread or soda bread (which are both delish!)are options I've never heard of. Sunday was afternoon tea, we know it as thanksgiving or easter dinner because that was the portion size and food variety. Irish fry's are good, but not good for you. We know them as hangover breakfast (only better). People are so happy to show you how to get places instead of just telling you, I wonder if it's because there's not much to do in the country? I know what it's like in a small town, all the time in the world! Oh, I'm still in Arboe, right outside cookstown by the way. Yesterday I took myself to Belfast via bus. Lovely city, was hoping I'd want to set up shop sorta speak, but no. Been there done that, check! Great shops and buildings and the people are lovely. Carrying on. The other day I wore my tiara hat and visited some castles and local landmarks (no, no pubs were involved on this tour)! I wonder though, can being a tourist lead to too much polite superficial conversation? I run the risk of turning into a 'nice' person if I don't get some roots soon.

Butter sandwiches and a stripper

Last night I went out with the family. Age range 24- late 60's to Dermot's brothers pub in Cookstown. It just so happened that we crashed somebody's surprise 30th birthday party and they had a spread on the table of sandwiches and seriously what you would imagine an Irish party platter to look like (cocktail weiners, sausage rolls. As the night went on this blonde stripper shows up! Honestly it wasn't raunchy or anything but I guess I missed the leather belt bit.
Music is really similar and the new Rhianna song is like their anthem here since the publicity she got for filming on someones farmland topless. Older and young people all listen to the same pop music. Just through the actual bar area you can see another pub on the other side, that side all full of 80+ gentleman sitting at the bar with their pints, it was unreal. I loved it. I just wondered what they thought. It's so strange because we all speak the same language, but I miss half of the conversation unless someone is directly talking to me, then on 25% I miss.

Heaven is a place on earth...

I'm rewriting last night's drunken banter (while sipping a glass of rose from lunch: Irish Stew). Heathrow airport may in fact be hell on earth, with all the line ups and line ups and the line ups. But my flight was spectacular, just above the clouds so it was like a thick fluffy carpet and clear sky with light cloud and sun. I felt like I was in heaven looking out my window seat. Those of you who have ever talked to me about traveling know that flying is not my forte but I've been pretty blessed with nice flights. However, just outside Belfast was a thick black cloud as we were landing. Just a warning for the rainy weather to come. Oh and apparently one of the lead singers from boyzone was on my flight and Martina, my ride was like that's boyzone! But I couldn't understand here so I thought she was asking me about boys right off the flight! I was all, boys what? So he probably heard, never heard of them but I guess they're pretty big here for the past 10 years.
Last night's dinner gathering was wonderful. 4 desserts people, seriously? YES! A chocolate cake at the end, "welcome to Ireland Mary." How sweet? And a couple Bushmill nightcaps. The house here is beautiful in Cookstown. Looking out the dinning rooma nd living room as I write this there's a acres of green grass and oak trees. It's just beautiful. Maybe I'll stroll out to see their cattle later.
It's really interesting learning all the different wordings and meanings. Conversations a bit rocky at times with my "pardon?" interuptions but better than I thought. I like how traditional people seem to be, and open at the same time. Like, in England the gentleman are just that. There's a nice air about peoples temperment over there. I have yet to go out in Ireland but tonight we're going to a brother of the couple I'm staying withs pub. Harrys? Should be some good crack there. That's irish for fun.
I do need to start planning the rest of my trip around Ireland. Planning also not my forte, but everyone else seems to have a good idea of when I'm going to visit them so that's helpful! Looking forward to meeting some more of my Irish cousins tomorrow, sunday night disco? Sure.

Leaving London a few pounds lighter...

See that play on words that just happened? I think for realzies too... all this walking and not eating much. Surprisingly haven't been drinking much, saving myself for Ireland tomorrow! And the disco...yikes!
Wicked just so happens to be the best musical  I['ve ever seen and the cast here was perfect! Really enjoyed it. Then just had a farewell wiskey with my friend at this pub downtown Waxy O'connors.
London CHECK... maybe I'll be back to see what I missed...

They built this city on rock and roll...

Today I visited Camden Market (saw cyber dog Lisa but it wasn't open while I was there so did not go in). It was a really great market, maybe one of my favourites.
Today kind of felt like Amazing Race: London on the tube. Got lost a LOT and therefore did not meet up with my Russian friend, Sasha until the Rock and Roll tour that took us into Soho. Pretty boring tours here but some really interesting points. Saw where the Beatles recorded as well as pubs that Mick Jagger performed in and hung out with Keith Richards and the street where Oasis took their album cover photo to their Morning Glory album. I saw where Elton John worked when he was 16 before his name was Elton John and many other great places that without taking notes are hard to remember! I saw where John Lennon and his wife met as well as where Paul Mcartney (spelling?) met his first wife.
I haven't seen many of the tourist attractions but I do not feel that leaving London without seeing these landmarks won't put a damper on my London experience as it has been great. Minus the crazy traffic! A 6 lane round about? WHATEVER! You see, all the buildings in london are an attraction so when you see the 'attractions' they are not as mind blowing.
Off to pick up my tickets for Wicked and an English Pub night out with my new friend then off to Belfast tomorrow!

Protests in London Town

No, not occupy London, students have a voice too you know! There were maybe 20 students protesting outside The National Gallery and 5 times that many police officers if not 10x. And a helicopter... I was thinking, shit did somebody bomb something? But I guess last year it was a real problem.

Rewind: Met a new friend today on my bus tours, she's from Russia and by luck she gives gallery tours for tourists! It was great because she knew so much about the different paintings that it was so much more enjoyable. We spent the day getting lost in different markets, china town and various areas and I had my first pint accompanied by fish and chips... don't forget the mashy peas! Delish. One of the markets we got lost in was Portobello Market and it ranged from no fucking way I'm paying for that to, shit it's that cheap? One place we went to was called "One of a kind" and the chick closed the story and gave us a tour in the back room. I guess the owner collects vintage fashion, louis, channel, D&B etc and some of the stuff isn't even for sale he just likes to share his collection but the rest is hundreds to thousands. It was a pretty cool tour. Better than most of the paintings in the National museum, which, by the way, you can see online so you don't even have to visit London!  We walked in the park past kensington Palace but never turned over so tomorrow I have a lot of sight seeing to catch up on and going to see WICKED!

People are so awesome and friendly here. I seem to be chatting with some lovely Brits.

Fabulous fashion in london!

So, last night didn't so much got lost as found on exactly the right street for a first night in London! I hoped on the tube and asked the gentleman sitting next to me what the best stop would be... he said Bond Street because that's where all the shops are... wowser! Alright bright lights everywhere for Christmas and the window displays are the best I've seen! Including New York and Toronto ya'll. I could have bought 50 new outfits and that would be with editing. I LOVE London Fashion. My favourite shop would have to be Dorothy Perkins, but even their gap isn't so khaki.
Slept for a good 12hrs last night... and let me admit that I no longer have the childish ambition to sleep on the top of a bunk bed anymore! I've got Vancouver across from me and Thailand under me... I definitely don't have the party dorm in the basement but that's good as climbing down the bunk bed latter is as hard as it was for me to climb the professional latter! It's all good though! Off I go on my hop on hop off bus tour!

God bless the queen...

After 15 hours of traveling, some light snacks, zero sleep and 4.5 awesome movies (Adam, 500 days of summer, Bridesmaids, Juno and .5 of Something about Mary for old times sake) I've arrived my ex-manchine turned hostel in the 'rich area' in London. Wish it was the downtown area but now I know.
Feeling pretty lost but liking the ambiguity of it all. Already met a roommate from Vancouver, however.
Tonight I figure I'll just get lost in the dark and tomorrow I have my bus tour so I'll have a better idea. Hopefully I stumble across one of those free museums or art galleries that are so popular here!
PS Icelandic music (dance and homeland) is pretty friggin awesome, I must do more you tubing once better access to a computer AND the place seems kinda cool too... from what I took in from the flight and airport.
That'll be all... places to get lost in and things to see!

Found this quote while doing minimal travel research...

"You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford" - Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

My soundtrack to London.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w&ob=av2e

Are you excited? Where are you going? How long are you going for? Are you going alone?

I'm interested. I'm going to London, Ireland and hopefully eventually all over Europe. I bought a one way ticket and yes, I am going alone.

Not that long ago somebody shared something profound with me that stuck, even though I can't remember the exact wording. He said that life is like a tree and the choices we make are the branches that determine which direction we grow.

Another question I've frequently received is, "why are you going?" Which I reply, "Why not?" I'm looking forward to seeing different things, old things, and meet new people with different stories and and lots of dry humour.

I just hope I can understand it all through the accents.