We're in the clear!

So the incubation period of seven days has come and gone and still no symptoms of a flu. We'll still be taking the Tamiful, but I think it's safe to say, we're in the clear!

You're not joking, right?

I was at work yesterday and received a call on my cell phone from a number I didn't recognize. Normally I don't answer, but I already had two missed calls from this same number. Below is roughly the conversation that occured.

Me: Hello?
Caller: Hi is Ly there?
Me: Yes, this is Ly. Who is this?
Caller: This is Helen from the Department of Public Health. Have you been traveling recently? Specifically were you in Boston last week?
Me: Yes I was. Is there a problem?
Caller: Were you and your BF on flight EI136 on Aer Lingus?
Me: Yes, we were.
Caller: Have either of you been feeling sick? Feverish? Sore throat? etc.
Me: No, we've both been feeling fine.
Caller: Well that's good. We have reports that someone on your flight last week is now infected with Swine Flu.
Me: Umm...what?
Caller: Do you remember what row you were sitting in?
Me: We were in row 35.
Caller: Oh ...well this person was in row 37, but don't worry. They just got really sick and didn't die. (Thanks for being so reassuring!)

Anyways, the conversation dragged on a bit more as we confirmed details of the flight, our address, etc. It's all so strange! I think of these situations as one of those things that happen on the news but not to anyone I know and certainly not to me.

I was completely impressed with the Department of public health. They were super efficient and sent over Tamiflu for both of us to start treatment that same afternoon as a preventative measure. Basically if we don't have symptoms by Sunday morning, we should be in the clear. In the meantime, don't worry...we're not contagious....yet....

Finally summer...sorta

Walking home last night, it finally felt like summer. It was sunny (for once). Everyone was out drinking on the pub sidewalks in our village. There was a slight breeze that brought in the smell of the sea across the street from our apartment (No, really. We live that close to the sea!). The apartment complex also just cut the grass so that summery smell also permeated the air.

We have a long weekend due to a bank holiday on Monday so I have my fingers crossed that the weather stays this way. Although, knowing Ireland, we'll be sitting in the rain in no time.

European Champions

Congrats Barca! Way to beat Man U.

Broken Dreams

So after going to my first Irish dancing class yesterday, I realised that my dreams of being the next Lord of the Dance may not become a reality. The Irish gals in my class were born with an innate sense of the dance steps (123 and sevens?) while I had no idea what those terms even mean. I was a hot mess in class and just moved my legs up and down. It was a pitiful attempt.

The teacher sent us some instructions so that we could practice until next week. See below. This all looks rather Gaelic to me.

Side Step – (8 bars) (Seven’s)
Hop 2,3,4,5,6,7 followed by two 123’s and seven back to place finishing with two more 123’s

Start with right foot up over left knee and hop on left foot (this is 1) move to the right by placing right foot on floor and left foot behind (2,3) repeat twice for 4,5,6,and 7 – dance two 123’s - you now have right foot in front and need to change to left to dance back to place – this is done by stepping forward on right (1) and bring left foot forward followed by right behind and (2,3) and repeat twice for 4,5 and 6,7 and finish with two 123’s.

Umm...What?

I'll still be attending classes for the next couple weeks, but I think the dancing dream is over.

Becoming Irish

No I’m not getting an Irish Green card or applying for citizenship.

Today, I will be partaking in something that will turn me into a true Irish girl (not dying my hair red either). Today, I'm going to attempt a bit of Irish dancing... Yikes! My lack of hand-eye coordination could prevent success in this endeavour, but I hope in five weeks time, I'll become a proper Michael Flatley (including the tight gold leotard). I'll even settle for being one of those girls in the background (maybe the one on the far right with all that hair.)

Boston!!!

I'm finally back in Dublin after a lovely, lovely trip to Boston. It was everything I had imagined it would be... Target and CVS galore. (Kidding, but not really... I miss those two stores immensely.)

One of my younger sisters graduated from Boston College and so we got to enjoy a fantastically, non-boring FIVE hour commencement speaker in the rain and cold. Lovely. T, you owe us big time for making us sit through that painful session.

After that lovely and cold celebration, the weather became gorgeous, sunny and hot (86F/30C). I spent all week catching up with friends and family doing very summery, US-type things including- eating hot dogs, drinking in the afternoon sun (This favorite pastime of mine transcends all cultures.), walking along the Freedom trail and watching a baseball game at the beloved Fenway.

It was a fantastic trip and I miss my friends and family already :(

Ireland vs. America

I was soooooo excited on Saturday as I was getting ready for my flight to Boston. It's been six months (which isn't too long) since I've been back. I think Ireland was scared I wasn't going to come back after seeing all my friends and family so it gave me a little reminder present.

Ok, Ireland, you win. I'll see you next Sunday.

Roast Leg of Suckling Pig

That's on the lunch menu at work today... Yikes! Poor little piggie.

17 Again

No... Not the new Zac Efron Movie....

Last night I attended a charity event for Barnardos at the Laughter Lounge down by the quays. As I entered the club, I was pulled aside and carded. As you may know the drinking laws here require you to be 18. To the bouncer who carded me last night I say "Thank you, sir. I shall visit your place of employment often. "

Cute as....

These delicious treats are one of my new found favorites since moving here. They come in white or milk chocolate and are in general just really fun to eat. The office always has lovely treats for us, but today they have fully stocked the kitchens with them. Thanks G!

P.S. Yes, the wrapper does feature a cow's bum ...extra cute points.

Smut TV

We do get some American shows over here (24 being the most important one), but I don't get to watch some of my favorite smut TV. There's nothing better then sitting in front of the TV on a Sunday afternoon, mindlessly vegging out to bad TV. However, there is one show that I have recently discovered which I'm in LOVE with.

Snog, Marry or Avoid.
It is the BEST. The concept is simple. They take a trashy person, totally under-dressed and skanky and make him/her under into a normal person. They they go back and visit them a couple of weeks later to see how they are doing. In normal makeover shows, the person stays with the new, hippier version of themselves, but in this show they revert back which I love. The show is filled with over the top ridiculousness and is a staple in the apartment.

Here's a short clip of the magic. See for yourself.

Renewed Blog Interest

Ok. I'm serious now. It's been months since I posted an entry. I wasn't sure if I would be into this whole blog thing, but I'm going to give it another try. Since my last entry six months ago, I have traveled loads -Paris, Cork, Galway, London (multiple times), Prague and Morocco. I can't believe how lucky I am to be living abroad and get to visit so many wonderful places!

Since then I've also learned to love a lot of Dublin things
- SandyMount Strand- the beach across the street from my apartment
- Brown Thomas- Ireland's Neiman Marcus
- Street side cafes - So many!
- Ballsbridge Village- It's our local town and it's postcard adorable.
- The weather -It's true. I enjoy it. You never know if it's going to be rainy or sunny or be both at the same time
- Constant soccer matches - So many every weekend... all channels...lovely
- The yoga studio across the street from my house- Irish accents telling you to do downward dog? Cute.
- Afternoon drinking - They do a lot of it here, and you all know it's my favorite thing in the world.
- Long summer days- It doesn't get dark here until 9:30 so you feel like you have the whole day to do stuff after leaving work.

And things that are not so adorable about Dublin
- Shopping- Seriously... it is not good here. Pricey and no selection AND it closes at 6:00. Retail therapy after work? Not so much.
- Not having a car- I don't like bringing home groceries

All in all, I have been enjoying my lovely little life over here and will post more often. Promise!