Places I've been, People I've Met, Things I've Done...So Far

I only have a few more days in Ireland, I cant believe how fast this part of the trip has gone. I have been to some great places while I have been  here, although the friends I have madewhile here have really made my trip amazing and memorable. Tallaght just recently had 2 young brothers from Oregon stay for three months, I instantly thought I only had a month to make a huge Brendan impact so they wouldn't forget me. I know they all have had such big of an impact on me. These are just a few photos. I have to save some to show when I get home!

I am definitely unsane.

Today is Thursday. I have to tell myself these things lately and more often then not it's out loud.  I noticed that I have been talking to myself a lot. Others have noticed it as well. I feel as though it keeps me sane yet to others  it may make me appear to be insane. I never understood why the word to be crazy or off your rocker is "insane" I think it should be "unsane."  That's my random thought for this cold cloudy Thursday. This weekend I am off to Galway with a brother named Cathal (cahal) he lives there but stays in the Dublin for work. I have never met Cathal so this weekend should be interesting and full of adventure. Galway is in the west of Ireland and is where Anya Pifer's family is from and lives. I am excited to see what is outside of the big city. I discovered a store called Penneys. When I say "I  discovered Penneys"  I really mean someone brought me to a store called Penneys...and I love it. I bought 2 pairs of shoes for € 7 each and stripped socks the last time I went...i mean what else would I buy in Ireland?! Everytime I am in City Center I am just blown away by the different types of people I pass on the streets.There are loads of students from other parts of Europe that attend Trinity college, or move to Dublin for English courses. The city is packed at night especially now being Christmas shopping season. Monday I leave for the main land with a quick stop in England to see Rachel and Adrain. I haven't seen them for 6 years so I am really excited to catch up. I will be in Paris from Wednesday to Saturday, then I head to Venice, then Florence then Rome. I must say I really look forward to Rome's warmer weather. I booked a really reasonably priced room with a grand canal view in Venice. I have a feeling I will be talking to myself a lot while I'm backpacking!

Important numbers to remember

23- the number of days that my farmer hat has been mentioned in some shape or form.

3- the number of times I have been to Penney's in 6 days.

65- the bus number that passed me up without stopping.

1- the number of times I have been called on by my surname when commenting.

0- the number of times I have lost my house keys. (shocking I know)

My congregation

Good morning... Afternoon..evening...this time thing is messing with my head!! I had a bit of free time before heading out this morning and I wanted to fill you in a bit about my congregation and the ministry. I haven't said much about either in detail. The Tallaght Congregation has at least 10 pioneers and maybe 11 elders.(these are very close estimates) there are usually about 85-100 people at the meetings. The hall itself is very nice, I think it was remodeled just a few years back. I really appreciate the variety of cultures and people in the congregation. There are friends from Ireland (obviously) England, Scotland, Poland, Nigeria, Congo, India, France, Germany, United States, Philippines, Guadalupe, Zimbabwe. There are plenty of young ones running around. It is so encouraging to see everyone at the meetings together. Yesterday was great because the friends were commenting on their favorite conventions. An African sister that was baptized in 93 said she knew she found the truth because of  all the smiling faces and the unity between the tribes of people at her first convention. She said there were police hired to to guard the convention, yet after the first day they didn't need to come back because they saw how peaceful and loving the brothers and sisters were. She started to cry as she was commenting. The ministry has been very similar to ours although the people here don't mind talking for a bit if it's not to cold. The territory is largely catholic or people who have been devastated by things the catholic church have done. Most people are very open to learning about the bible and want to see better conditions yet they really want nothing to do with religion. It has been a more simple approach to the ministry this month seeing as how the placement is tracts. Most gladly except them and say they will have a read over a cup of tea. The friends have been so kind in picking me up for the min and including me in social outings. I have made such great friends!

Turtle...Turtle

 I have been battling a cold the past few days. I don't think it's really a cold.. I think its because im cold...but everyone at the hall sounds like me (coughing,  congestion, nose blowing) its not pretty. I guess we could just all have colds. It's been a pretty normal weekend. I went out long days on Thursday and Friday and for a bit on Saturday. I froze Saturday. The novelty of wearing scarves and trendy winter clothes has officially worn off. I miss wearing shorts and flip flops...I never thought I would say that.  I have been told I look like a turtle on cold days because I stick my neck down into my coat and scarf as far as I possibly can. My hands only leave my pocket when I knock and and if I place something with the householder. Irish weather is truly delightful. Thursday night after service I made dinner for Lisa, Michelle, Jo, and Jemma.I made my sister Shannon's famous enchiladas. I think they enjoyed them but they could have been humoring me. I know they appreciated not having to cook themselves though. I wanted to treat them because they have been such great friends and have helped me a lot since I've been here!

Things I learned this weekend.

- You have to pay to park at shopping malls. (not cheap)  This made me upset and confused.
Although I did made out like a bandit with the sales I found!

- Teenagers queue in order to shop at Hollister.
This blew my mind and made me a bit sick. The store was so packed that they let people in to shop in shifts.

- I am a very indecisive Hotel booker.

- Tipping servers at restaurants and barbers is not expected nor required.
(I got my first and only haircut in Ireland)

- I miss Walmart more then I ever thought I would.

Rain rain go away.

Being in Dublin has really helped me appreciate a lot of things. One of those things is my car. This next bit may seem very dramatic...it most likely will be, but some stories have to be told (or written). My friends from Italy Fabio and Erica invited me over for dinner at eight very near city center. After service I looked online at the bus times and where I needed to catch one. 65b at 7:15. Simple enough. I got to the bus stop a bit early to be on the safe side..it was cold but the skies were clear..thats always a good thing here. As 7:20 came around I got nervous..maybe it was just running late. Made a few calls to make sure I was at the right stop..I was and finally The bus headed my way. The bus "65b" zoomed right past me. (this apparently happens here a lot according to my sources) I called Fabio and explained I would be a bit late because I had to take the Luas. A 40 minute ride on the Luas red line to city center along with a 15 minute ride on the green line. You would think they would be near each other like the map pictures show.. They are not. After I asked 4 people how to get to the green line it was already 8:30. Then the rain came. Needless to say I was soaked after I walked 15 minutes in the rain to the green line. I tried my best to look at this as an opportunity to take in true Ireland for what it's know for..rain. I don't think I tried hard enough. I finally got to Erica's house at 9:20 only 2 hours after I started this journey. (the bus ride home only took 20 minutes) I was quite soaked and had to hang my bright colorful stipped socks over the radiator along with my hat, and shoes. The evening was worth the trip and cold bare feet. There was another American sister there and a sister from Spain. The meal was great. Erica and Fabio just got engaged so they told us the story of how they met and also how and where they got engaged. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to show an engaged couple my work.. I may be coming back to Ireland sooner then I thought! 

A day in Dublin.

Today was my first trip to Dublin during the day. It really is an amazing city. There aren't a lot of iconic things to see like there is in other European cities but I had fun exploring  the back roads and alleys off the main roads.I spent most of my day in the Temple Bar area. It is full of character and history. Today I was inspired by a lot of the street art. 

                                                     Things I saw and did today

I ate luch at Cafe Irie. It was above a really cool vintage/art store.

I asked the girl who worked there to recommend a good cafe and she pointed up.

It was a really cool little place with great atmosphere and reasonble prices.

Dublin Castle.

It had to be done.

"It's the cheesiest."

Two weeks down. Two weeks to go. I feel as if my journey to France and Italy will almost be a vacation from a vacation. I leave for London on the December 3rd to see some friends before I head to Paris. I find that everyone has such strong opinions about European cities..."that city is rubbish" " "that city is expensive and dirty." Then of course you have the friends from Spain trying to sell Barcelona and Madrid. I will just have to come back. The party Saturday was great. The Tallaght congregation knows how to get down! A young brother named Ben put together such an amazing and sweet video for the sister who was moving away. I almost want to move here just so I can move away and get a going away video from Ben. I was summoned front and center for a dance off with a brother named Trevor. He didn't put up much of a fight..I think he was bit out of sorts that night so I don't think he gave it his all. Although he may have just felt there was no other option but to  surrender after I did/attempted the worm. The weather was very typically Irish yesterday so we didn't do much. Michelle, Philip, and I had a movie night and it was perfect. Today after service we picked up a few things from the grocery store and I received some very unfortunate news. There is no macaroni and cheese here. None. Michelle barely even knew what I was talking about when I asked her. I thought of the poor deprived Irish children who have never had Mac and Cheese, but mostly I thought about how I wouldn't be able to have it with my chicken this week. Needless to say I was very distraught in the boxed food section at Tesco. Tomorrow I hope to get to Dublin to do a bit of site seeing.... I still have not been. I hear there are some amazing vintage and used clothes stores that I should check out.

Important numbers to remember.

Three- the number of cereal boxes I have gone through since arriving.

Seven- the number of days it took me to defeat the evil jet lag.

Two- the number of plastic bags full of candy I ate that were meant for the Irish children.

Forty- the number of minutes it takes me to get to city center on the Luas.

Eight- the number of Rich Tea biscuits I ate after lunch on Friday. (they are my favorite)

Four- the number of travel size packages of Kleenex I have used so far in service.