Belated Christmas Presents

Yesterday, we received our belated Christmas presents from my 24 year old sister (the one that lives in Chicago). Before I tell you what she got us, just a brief background, she is probably the smartest out of the four sisters. However, she completely lacks common sense. One time she stayed over my house and left the tap running after brushing her teeth. We came back after a day out, eight hours later, and it was still running. She's silly...

Anyways, on to the presents. I received a yearly subscription for Self, the US health magazine. YEAH! And she got hubby, Boston Red Sox PJs. Cute idea... in theory...

In practice...not so much...

My buddy is small, but not a KID's Small. How funny! I could not stop laughing all night just thinking about her present!

Manpri's 

Ten years!

It's my ten year dating anniversary with Hubby! Are we still suppose to celebrate this even though we are now married? We figured, yes...any excuse to go to Saba, my favorite Thai restaurant, for cocktails.

A scanned(!!) picture from our first three months of dating. This was at my college university's formal ball dated February 22, 2002.

A picture from New Year's Eve 2011. Funny, how nothing really changes in ten years! 

Sunday Driver

To practice for our driving test (Yes, neither hubby nor I have our Irish driving licenses), we rented a car over the weekend.

The scary part of this whole experience for me - having hubby drive. In all the years that we've known each other, this is only the SECOND time, he's driven with me in the car. The first time, we were in Brighton Massachusetts, and he stalled at an incredibly busy intersection. How embarrassed was I? VERY!

This time around, we went automatic, but the whole time we were driving, I kept giving him directions (since I have 15 years experience compared to his 2 years) - "You're too close to the next car, ekks, slow down...it's a red light, stop." Relationship saved though as it was only in my head! :)

Do you trust me with your life?!!?

He's taking the test before me next month. I figured he could be the guinea pig before I signed up (plus I can't seem to find my permit!).

Number 1

Woop! The factory has been voted the number one place to work (in the US).

It's true, I drink the kool aid (or rather Vita Coco coconut water), I really enjoy working here AND everything they say in the article is pretty true, we do get some amazing perks (such as my lovely breakfast of an egg omelet with tomatoes, mushrooms and TRUFFLE OIL). YUM!

I better go... I'm late for my massage...Kidding. I know I'm being a brat ;p

Want to join? Send me a comment. We're always looking for good people! 

Cop out!

Two decisions were made this week, and I'm totally copping out on my goals in life.

1. I may not run the entire half marathon in Paris- When I signed up at the end of November, I thought I had loads of time. With the holidays, I didn't run as much and now I've got five weeks to run 13 miles. I'm currently on 3.5 miles. I don't know if I'll be able to make it. Ekks. It may be a "walk/eat croissant/run/eat a crepe" situation.

2. I won't be getting a manual Irish driver's license - So when I moved here, my American license did not translate so I thought to myself "Since I have to take the test anyways, why don't I learn a new life skill and learn manual". Silly me! Those manual lessons were the worst hours of my life. So stressed- stalling at lights, teenage boys pointing and laughing at me (no lie). So this weekend, I forced asked Hubby if we can just get an automatic car so I don't have to learn and ta-da!, my magic worked. Automatic car = no stress! (Apparently though, the test is still really freaking hard. )

Do I feel bad about copping out? A little, but it's made my life 1000% less stressful so it's for the best! 

Best news ever!!!

I've been living in Ireland for three years and not once during that time has a family member come to visit me. Maybe because I'm a middle child?

BUT...yesterday I received news that my sister and her husband are coming to Ireland at the end of February. Not only that but they are bringing my FAVOURITE family member.....This guy!

The baby is coming to visit us!!!!!!!!!!!  Whoppee! I can't wait!

Also, I came into work this morning and my favorite drink, Vita Coco, was available in the fridges. A fabulous start to a relaxing weekend!

Belated New Year's Post

Ekks... I'm behind on my adventure posts! :)

Hubby and I headed to Westport, County Mayo on New Year's eve for a friend's wedding. We had such a short time there and sadly only saw the inside of the wedding hotel and the church. We didn't even head down to the village area with it's lovely canal and apparently amazing pubs with great live trad music. Oops! Definitely one to add to the potential travel spots for weekend trips.

The wedding was our first after our own wedding so was really nice to sit back and just enjoy the readings and ceremony and champagne!!! :)

Bride and Groom with a festive Christmas tree 

Prom pictures! 

New year, new hair for hubby! 

The gals with the bride 

My daily view

New year, new work team, new desk... the view from the new desk is pretty sweet, no? Aviva stadium and the gasworks... makes Mondays less painful

Yippee!

Our little wedding got posted to a fun wedding blog (my wedding dream come true, besides marrying Hubby).

You can find the two parts here and here.

Resolutions

I generally never do resolutions, but I love making lists so figured why the heck not this year.  I'm a generally optimistic person, so my resolutions are going to be positive-ish (someone's been going to yoga a bit too much?)

• Eat more veggies and drink more water. The junk food in the office is overwhelming and I would like to be more healthy so I'm going to put this on the blog and hope by making it public, I'll actually follow it (as I eat a rice krispie chocolate treat- Doh!) 
• Wear more clothes - I have this terrible shopping addiction. I was hoping that since there was no Jcrew in Ireland, I would hopefully control the amount of shopping. Incorrect. I'm hoping to reorganise the closet and wear more of the stuff that's sitting in the back.
• Visit Belfast. Hubby and I have said this every year since we've moved here. Three years later, we've STILL not made it to the North. For shame! 
• Get an Irish Driver's license- I stall at red lights and stop signs. So embarrassing considering I've been driving for 16 years. 

That's it! A nice and easy list that is definitely manageable. Hope you made some good resolutions. 

Belated Wishes!

Happy Belated Christmas and New Year!!!

Hubby and I spent time in the country for Christmas with his family. The internet was so slow, I thought I was transported back to 1997 when we had dial up internet (hence the lack of posts). Seriously, how do people live like that? :)

Anyways, the weather was so warm over Christmas (55-60 degrees F), hubby and I took lots of long walks in the countryside.

For New Year's, we headed to the west of Ireland to Westport for a friend's wedding. Pics from the countryside are below for your viewing pleasure.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday break!

View of the countryside

Walks through Sally's Cross

Walk among the trees

Rainbow from the train on New Year's day