It's getting bad....

when you actually start dreaming about your favorite mall back in America.

The shopping here leaves a lot to be desired (pricey, small selection and almost no online shopping). If BF had let me know about this "situation" before I moved, I think I might still be back in the states!

Give me Money!!!

Well, not to me... to my friend Nora who is currently having not-so-fun health problems (to say the least).

Our friends in Boston have signed up a team to attend the Light the Night walk in Boston Commons to help support the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

There's a link on the side to donate (no pressure). Thanks!!!!

Celebrations

Saturday night, I went to celebrate the finish of my run and the birth of my friend Sarah- Karaoke style



Madness!

Finished!!!

Pals, I did it! I finished my half marathon on Saturday, and it was freaking tough! I ran my last long run (10 miles) the weekend before and it was fine, but actual race day was hard! People who say the crowds will help cheer you on the last 3 miles were WRONG :) And, the 3 hills at the end didn't help me either... But, enough complaining - I finished!!!!

Will update with pics from the marathon (but only if I don't look like I'm dying!)

Happy Arthur Day!

Major celebrations in Dublin today for Guinness's 250th birthday...People are leaving work early to attend events and everything (Quite like St. Patty's Day over here). I've actually got dance class (plus can't drink before my big run) so I'm going to pass on celebrating Guinness (plus I don't really like it.....shhhhhhhh!!! Don't tell my Irish friends!)

But cheers! To Arther!

Final Training Session

Yeah!!! I finished my final training session for my half marathon this morning and for the most part stuck with the entire training program - even while on holidays!

I thought it was going to be terrible training for a half marathon, but to be honest, it hasn't been bad at all. I quite enjoyed the long runs on the weekends and even saw deer this past weekend in Phoenix park during my ten miler.

Wish me luck for Saturday!

Come Dine with Me

There's a great (terrible reality) show on TV called Come Dine with Me over here and the concept is that 4 random people get together on different nights during the week and make each other 3 course dinners. After the dinner, the 3 contestants not making the dinner score the cook and the best cook out of the 4 wins lots of moola!

Following this concept, some gal pals and I have started weekly dinner sessions at each other's houses, rotating each week so that we all have a chance to cook.

Tonight, was my turn and I made egg rolls (again... what can I say I'm a one-trick pony) and pad thai. Yum!

We don't actually give out points. But with fun gals, wine and yummy food (if I do say so myself), I'd say I win(!) in this situation.

Dublin Fringe Festival

The Dublin Fringe Festival started a couple of weeks ago on September 5th and ends on September 20th. I thought it would be good to catch a show with some gal pals since it would take some force to drag the BF to one.

We went to see "Where did it all go right?" at the Pantibar on Saturday night. From the summary on the website, I had no idea what to expect.

But it was brilliant! Small, intimate venue. Funny and full of great dancing. Today is their last performance, but I recommend checking out the theatre company website for any upcoming shows cause it was a good laugh.

OctoberFest- Munich

Ten years ago the BF and his buddies lived in Munich for the summer. He worked in a noodle factory (That is my favorite fact about him.). This weekend they are all meeting up again in Munich for a mini reunion. How cute!

And what this means for me is....FREEDOM!

If you need me, I'll be at the chippers stuffing my face with curry fries after a long, drinking session or else lying on my couch watching X Factor and trying to recover.

Boozy Work Event

After our crazy client filled day yesterday, G hosted an event for all of us and our clients at the Guinness Brewhouse, which I had never been to before (Not even once with all the pals that have been over to visit!). So I was very excited about the prospect of going when the place was completely empty- except for our group.

We started off with a drinks reception in the Gravity bar which has lovely views of Dublin. We were then serenaded(?) by Celtic drummers who led us to our seats for a delicious dinner. To be honest, it kind of felt like a wedding! We then headed to Cafe En Seine for late night drinks (open bar!) so you can imagine the chaos that ensued after hours...

Pictures to follow once I track some down!

Playing Dress Up

I work in a very casual office and there really is no dress code here. Really! I've seen people in Pj's or worse- socks with Teva's!

But today, there's a large client event happening in the office and everyone is dressed to the nines. Suits were pulled out of the closet and dusted off. Heels were polished and make up is perfectly applied. Everyone looks super cute!

But my heels are hurting already :( soooo glad we normally get to dress down.

Marks and Sparks Deal

Marks and Spencer (yes, of Bridget Jones fame) have been doing a recession buster deal for AGES. I have been meaning to check it out but get entirely too lazy to go in and deal with the crowds. This weekend though while out shopping with my pal Rachael, she forced me to go into the market. Since I was already there, I thought I would give it a try.

Basically the deal is a main dish, a side dish, dessert and a bottle of wine for €12.50. Cheap! There was a very large selection of each item.

I got a whole chicken, side of "Ultimate" mashed potatoes, Creme Brulee (Yum!) and a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio.



I still can't believe the deal! It was pretty delish and super easy to make!

Football.... American Style

Happy 2009/2010 NFL season! Wishing I was in the U.S. for the first game of the season. BF let me get the Sports Package so we would have football games at home (Honestly, it didn't take too much arm twisting!). We only get some games and today there are no Philly Eagle games :(

I'm looking forward to watching the first live Eagles game next week... Go Eagles!!!

Aer Lingus Sale

Being a major planner, I booked my flights home for Thanksgiving (YEAH!) last month. But this week Aer Lingus had a sale for all flights. Should I check and see if my flights are now less? Did I want to know? Yes of course!

100 Euro less then when I booked!!!! BALLS! Think of the JCrew Sweaters, I could have bought ...Sigh... I'm never doing that to myself again.

Scottish Cuisine

If it's not already apparent, I LOVE food and love trying out new and crazy foods even more so - remember the goat's brain in Morocco?

While planning my trip to Scotland I was very very excited to try Haggis which is sheep's pluck (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices mixed with stock. It is then traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach - Yum, right?

I didn't get the traditional Haggis. I got them served in balls instead- deep fried.


Actually, everything was deep fried in Scotland. I saw deep fried sausage, deep fried pizza, even deep fried hamburgers! The pals and I tried a deep fried Mars bar because Scotland is famous for it.

Cute restaurant while there- Oink
Yes! That's a whole pig in the window.

Biggest disappointment - This guy

I saw an ad for it and thought it would be Vietnamese. Not so much. BOO!

Castles, Kilts and Whisky

The ladies and I had a lovely time in Edinburgh. We explored this gorgeous city Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, we were lucky enough to meet up with a friend who drove out into the highlands where we saw the monument to William Wallace (aka Braveheart). The highlight for me... the cafe where J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter. I totally geeked out! Below are some pictures from the trip.

Pretty Edinbugh street



Harry Potter's Birthplace!!!!!



View of Edinburgh Castle from Prince Street Gardens

Separate Weekends

The BF and I have spent loads of time traveling together, and this weekend we're taking a breather and traveling with pals.

He's headed to the Electric Picnic music festival with his mates. Think- camping in the mud with dirty port-a-potties and drunk people potentially peeing on your camp site. PASS!

I'm headed to Edinburgh with the ladies...Think - hotel with fluffy pillows, castles, shopping and eating lots of yummy foods.

To be honest, I think the BF wishes he was going on the girly trip!

BEST LUNCH EVER

I often talk about the lunches we get at work and how delish and amazing they are but today the chefs ACED it! I am obsessed with two things on our lunch menus- the tuna salad and the duck. It makes my day when either one is on the menu.

Today, they had duck. SCORE! But even better, it was cooked VIETNAMESE style. I nearly peed my pants from happiness when I saw the menu.

Sigh... It's the little things in life!

Visitors!!!

Yeah! My friend Lizzie arrived with her friend Jen this morning. We have been known to get up to crazy antics so looking forward to their visit this week!

Yummy!

Rancheros - BACON flavoured potato snack...Why don't they make such things in America?

Bliss

After a rough start to yesterday morning, I ended the work day with a relaxing massage- Best work perk EVER*

* I swear I'm not spoiled here at work... massage sign ups are relatively hard to come by, I just got lucky and someone had canceled :)