Howth IS magic!

Kelly and set out for Howth, a little suburb of Dublin this morning. It was only about a 25 minute ride from the city.

Our day started with a full Irish breakfast (for lunch). We decided that we couldn't leave Ireland without having at least one. We had the cutest waiter. He was foreign, and he asked if I was Irish, and then where we were from and what we were doing here. When we tried to pay, we had the tip included, and he was like "No, it's only €8,50 each." When I told him that the rest was for him, he smiled this huge grin and said, "You are beautiful!" And, the breakfast was delicious (as you can see).




We then proceeded to take part in the Howth Festival. Though outrageous, we paid €4 each to ride the ferris wheel. But how many times does one get to ride a ferris wheel and overlook the Irish Bay? So here is Kelly looking cute on the ride.




Following that, we decided to go for a stroll on the pier (which is tremendously windy). Here is a view of the wee lighthouse.




This was a retro double-decker bus which I thought was pretty awesome...




Then came the highlight of the day- the SEALS! Seals live here! How amazing is that? And we came as one of the fish shops was throwing old fish out to them. They were pretty cute, and huge!




A video of the seals... sorry my camera work is a little crappy. I was too excited to focus.




After buying Irish Seal Sanctuary t-shirts for €10, we found the old abby ruins. They were amazing! AND THE SUN WAS OUT. It was like a love letter from God to me. I so needed the sun for- well, happiness. So Kelly and I wandered around the abby, and then just laid in the grass and journaled for a while. People probably thought we were weird, but that was the most at peace I had felt in a very long time. Ah, just look at that sky...




This is one of those standard pics you have just to prove that you were actually at somewhere that beautiful.




Another pretty shot




This is a view of the harbor from the abby.




They plant gardens at graves here. I thought that was a wonderful idea, and would like someone to plant flowers wherever I am buried.




I love it here.




This is Kelly and I enjoying the sun.




The most gorgeous day we've had in three weeks





Jordan met up with us later and we grabbed sandwiches in a Spar and then decided we were going to try to find the castle in Howth. After finding a dead-end in a neighborhood, we decided to just sit in the cul-de-sac and eat there. It was somewhat amusing to just be eating in a random neighborhood, but it was a nice one, and we made friends with a dog while we were there.

After walking for a while, we gave up the castle search and decided to head for home- the day really couldn't have been any better.

Now we're home, and Kelly and I are about to watch Milo and Otis (she's never seen it).

If I ever move to Ireland, I would live in Howth, that's for sure. I think I'm going to try to take Duncan back one day. I wouldn't want him to miss the magic :)

By the way, he seems to be enjoying the camp as far as I can tell from the brief phone calls we've had. I'm sure he'll leave a better account of his happenings tomorrow night!

<3
Whitney

www.howthismagic.com

The Adventure of Whitney and Kelly

Well, I'm "baching it," as we say in the Williams home, tonight. Duncan is gone for the weekend at a camp with the kiddies. It's really quite adorable. He called me earlier and I heard a child calling for him (I know, it warms the heart). I am glad to report that he is near to full health again. I don't know if it was the antibiotics or the 'health pellets', but he has made a very speedy recovery after taking medicine.

Knowing that I would no longer have my other half, I gladly took the chance to spend some time with Kelly. She and I are so alike, I wonder how we weren't friends sooner in life. Anyhow, we met up after work for Mexican food- a risk here seeing as Mexico is no longer just south of the border. The one little place I found on-line proved to be much harder to find in real life. After concluding that it was not at the address once thought, we decided to try to find one that Kelly had seen last week. The great thing about Dublin is that you can wander and end up somewhere... almost always. Seriously, we took a right and found a "Mexican" or Southwest restaurant, though a bit swankier than the one we had originally sought out. This one was attached to a hotel, but they had fajitas that came with sour cream and salsa, and that was enough for me!

After a brief wait in line at the ATM (and an attempt to avoid the drunken man sitting next to ATM asking -I think- for money), we headed in. We decided to order nachos and fajitas and split the two.

Nachos were a horrible choice. They were more like American nachos... you know, the nasty cheese, "chili beef"... yeah, not too pretty. But if I'm going to pay 20 American bucks for a meal, I'll be damned if I don't eat it.

Sadly, I am paying for that attitude now.

Anyhow, we enjoyed the dinner and after waiting about half an hour after they cleared our table before anyone bothered to bring a check, we eventually were able to pay and head for home. Wait staff is definitely not as attentive here as back home, but that's ok. It was just more time to have fun.

We decided to watch a movie when we got home- Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn. That is a very funny movie. I think I understand why they dubbed Audrey's voice in My Fair Lady now. Kelly and I thought that Duncan and I should incorporate a few things from the movie into the wedding. For example, it would be pretty grand if my entrance into the chapel was on a giant swing with dress and veil flowing behind me. Also, after our "you may now kiss the bride" kiss, there must be an awkwardly forceful embrace... and then we should float down Swan Lake on a plank of wood that can be mistaken for an alligator from a distance.

So, in other words, we had fun watching the movie.

We did have to stop half-way through to run downstairs to the Spar and see if they sold anything remotely resembling tums. Darn those nachos. We found some (that fizzle in your mouth by the way). I would like to share a photo of the box with you. Please notice the third ailment that can be treated...

They are so much more polite here :)

It was a good night for laughter and girlishness.

Duncan has been very sweet and left me little surprises around the apartment that I find here and there. I miss coming home to his sweet face which only confirms that I would be miserable here without him! Thank goodness he came :)

Love you all-
Whitney

TGI Two Years!

So, here are the pics from our two year date. We went out to TGI Friday's (yes, I know we're in Ireland, shut up-- they didn't have a Chili's) and had some booze and dessert. Enjoy!

Whitney looking pretty at the bottom of the stairs.

At the restaurant.

Don't ask how much we had to pay for this... seriously.

Me and my Baileys Coffee...and Whitney's Cosmo...

Ok, she took it back. Drat.

Whitney looking pretty again.

Get ready for this... it is quite possibly the worst picture ever taken of me ever in the history of picturing... EVER. Don't blame yourself, Whitney... you did what you could. And you have to marry this thing :-)

2 Fabulous Years

As we are about to head into town for a few drinks and desert, this shall be brief.

I must note that I spent about an hour and half at work calling hotels in Ireland to see if they could "recommend a reputable escort service" for one of the "associates" for my company. Helen is writing a piece on escorts and how hotels handle them. Because I have an American accent, I was declared the most appropriate to make the calls. I had two people kind of laugh, a few people recommend web-pages, a few people offer to e-mail me, a few flat-out nos, and one "Ma'am, that is illegal here." And if you saw the escort pages here, yes, it should be illegal. It is straight-up prostitution. I (and I don't know how) remained very composed during all of these phone calls, even had to improvise a bit. One of the foreign persons I spoke with thought I was asking about local restaurants. So I had to explain, "Yes, but the gentleman wants someone to meet him there." It was funny how some people didn't even have to think about it.

Anyhow, we're off to celebrate two wonderful years together, and hopefully we'll have pictures of such for tomorrow's blog.

Much love,
Whitney

FREE FOOD!

Berry bought us food tonight! The faculty adviser, Dr. Benzel, has been here for the last few days visiting with all of us interns, and as a farewell we all went out to eat at a place called O'Sheas, a quasi-Irish dining joint in town. Most of us had some excellent shank of lamb, and I had a pretty tasty crab claw appetizer, so all in all we left full and happy. It was the biggest and most expensive meal any of us would be having here... well, between Whitney and me at least.

As for me, I stayed home again with a day off, which helped very much towards my recuperation. My day consisted of alternatively napping and watching episodes of Venture Bros. on YouTube. I can't complain-- that's a good day for me. And I am feeling better by the day, so hopefully the sickness will be gone soon.

Whitney planned our Galway trip for next weekend, not this one, as she again had very much to do at work this morning. She is getting more to do on the whole, though, and I think she is starting to like her job better because of it. I am going on a weekend camp with Urban Junction from Friday to Sunday with the younger kids, which seems fun-- though I don't know how I am going to hold up with the 12-and-under crowd. Wish me luck is all I can say.

Cheers,
Duncan

P.S. (This is Whitney) Please send out a few prayers for my co- b.f.f., also named Whitney. She's headed to Estonia on a mission trip soon and I know she would appreciate any extra words to the Big Man upstairs...

Love you and miss you all!

Ashes to ashes....

No, Duncan is not dead.

My shoes are. Their soles have, unfortunately, departed. I love these shoes... not quite as much as the beloved flip-flops that almost met a similar fate earlier in the trip, but these were darn good shoes. I knew they were slowly fading, but I was quite shocked when I realized today would be their last day with me.

They will be greatly missed.

And I also have the predicament, should I buy more? I wear them nearly every day as they are my one good pair of dress shoes... I wanted to buy another pair just like them once I returned home, and I do not want to pack new ones. We will see if any great deals come my way. I suppose that will be the deciding factor.

Duncan went to the doctor today. He has bronchitis and is now taking antibiotics (and homeopathic health pellets that I brought home today!) He spent about €90 today, but it was well worth it to kick his ailment in the arse. He says he feels a little better than he did last night, though not by much. I would like to comment that I think the only Irish thing I have inherited is the immune system. I seem to be flourishing here!

Today was better at work. I am not sure if it was because I felt comfortable finding things to do on my own (like playing around with some photo correction) or if it was the hilarious e-mails I received from Helen. She bought a MP3/ voice recording/ spy watch on ebay... for no good reason other than the fact that there were 30 seconds left on the auction. Quite funny that girl is. I also had my visit from Dr. Benzel from Berry. My supervisor only had wonderful things to say about me, which was a nice self-esteem boost. He said I was a very valuable member of the team and they weren't sure what they would do when I left.

Duncan also met with Dr. Benzel. He said it was fine-- they chatted and the like. Dora, you would be glad to know that Dr. Benzel is taking photos of all of us at our work places. I said, "Did Dora put you up to this?" But at least we'll have pictures to advertise with next year.

I tried to take a picture of a funny dog specifically for the blog today. He was sitting on top of brick column at the end of a driveway. He was just sitting there, just to be king of all he surveyed, I suppose. It was quite humorous, but by the time I fished my camera out of my bag, he had hopped down.

Also to make this a wonderful day, I found a Mexican restaurant that Kelly and I are going to visit on Friday. Is it sad that I miss MEXICAN food most out of my American diet?

An Irish man chatted with Duncan today at the pharmacy. He asked Duncan if he saw the match last night and mistook Duncan for an Irishman, asking what part of the country he came from (the standard conversation starters here). Duncan replied that he was actually from the States which peaked the man's interests. Apparently, he really wants to go out West and see the beauty of the western states, but then Duncan's medicine was ready and they had to shake hands and depart.
I would like to add that I am tired of hearing hocking noises, and I am sure Duncan is tired of making them. Also, Galway is more popular than I ever would have thought. There is NOWHERE vacant to stay... we're considering borrowing a tent and sleeping on the beach...

Enjoy the photos!

The Good News Is...

...that I am not dead.

Though I am pretty close.

My cough has gotten worse, despite (or due to) getting cough medicine and a few days of relative rest. I have symptoms, along with a clogged ear and sinus headache, similar to those of acute bronchitis; which is good in that it can readily be recovered from, but bad in that it can take up to 3 or 4 weeks to do so. I have decided, independently and after much careful thought and consideration, that I could possibly be sick at this point, so we shall go to the doctor tomorrow and see what he or she diagnoses.

And it is sad that I am still sick, as our two year anniversary is on Thursday, and I would hate for that to ruin it. It won't, but I want to be well enough to go out or something.

So that is me at this point. As for Whitney, the highlight of her day was the sighting of the singular most horrific men's hair style she has ever laid eyes upon. Picture this: buzzed on the sides, buzzed on the top, buzzed in the front, with long greasy nastiness clumped from the crown down to the neck. Words can hardly capture it, apparently, so use your most vigorous imagination in visualizing this atrocity.

Also, her office is down to one staffed employee, 3 interns, and one intern turned staff (as of this week).

Bye until tomorrow!

<3 D&W

Thank God for Skype

As we are tired and getting ready for bed following about four different hour-long conversations, I just wanted to say how great it was to talk to both of our families (and for me to hear Jen and Whitney's voices). We miss all of you so much-- and I can't wait to see all of your smiling faces in person!

Have a good evening and Monday- you should hear from us again soon!
Cheers,
Whitney

Over the river and through the woods, to St. Kevin's house we go...

Today's "Wild" tour of Wicklow is brought to you mainly in pictures...

One of the first stops along the way was this view of BONO's house (the white one). This was as close as Kelly will get to her dream of meeting the star, so this was a big moment for her. However, and perhaps more astonishing, the castle you see belongs to Enya. Now, as to why she has a castle and Bono only has a house, I cannot answer. Interesting that they are neighbors though. Also residing in the area is 007- Roger Moore.


The second stop on our tour was at the "most filmed location" in all of Ireland. This is where some of the scenes from Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan were shot, and most importantly, P.S. I Love You (yet to be critically acclaimed). We were also let-in on the secret that Braveheart was filmed in Ireland and not Scotland because the Irish army was offered free of charge as extras.


Now, if you can't tell, it was quite COLD and windy...

... so cold and windy that I had to run back to the bus.

Upon our return to the bus, being the saint that he was, our bus driver gave us wee cups of Jameson whiskey. Duncan enjoyed his...
...and mine.
See how happy he is?

And now for your viewing pleasure, despite the vantage point being sideways, the first meeting of Whitney and Whiskey...



We stopped for lunch at a tea room. Jordan and Kelly REALLY like tea.

We also made a little friend!


Finally, we made it to Glendalough, home to St. Kevin. In fact, this is his cross. We made a wish when we saw it.


There were many graves, but this one was particularly interesting. Notice the age at which this person died (knowing that the average lifespan was around 40 at the time).

This is St. Kevin's "Kitchen" or church.
There were many a waterfall on the grounds.... lovely!


These are ruins from another church on the monastery grounds.

Why he is kissing me in a graveyard, you will have to ask him.

Jesus.


This does not do the view of the valley justice, but here it is.

This is the famed tower at Glendalough that housed all of the valuables and served as a lookout tower and bell tower.


I took a picture of Duncan looking quite suave.
So he took one of me.



Now we are home after a decent day of sightseeing. Duncan is a bit under the weather, "wrecked" as the Irish would say. His cough has not gone away and seems to be getting a bit worse. I finally convinced him that he needed medicine (you know men), so we picked something up at the pharmacy on the way home. Hopefully it will do the job.

The End.

A short one

Duncan just got home... he had a very long day.
We are both tired and are getting up somewhat early in the morning to hit the road... so this is a brief one just to say goodnight (and that today was better than yesterday).

Love you all!
Whitney

Homesick

I was really feeling the pains of homesickness today. I don't know if it was triggered due to frustrations at work, the unending rain, or missing Issie and Albert. All I know is that I wanted to be home a.s.a.p.

Seeing as we still have three weeks of work ahead of us (and one amazing week of travel), I have to... just get over it.

I had a pity party for myself for about 5 minutes when I got home... journaling about how being an intern is horrendous because you have no voice, your opinion doesn't matter, and, well, you can fill in the things you would say at a self-sponsored lamentation party.

Now, I realize that I only feel bad because of this bleak attitude I have adopted (which I shall blame on the rain). So, I have plans to go in tomorrow heart afire and ready to embrace the opportunity to learn. Positive, positive, positive.

If the sun would just come out tomorrow, wait, I'm not Annie; let's move on to other things.

Jordan, Beth, Kelly, Duncan and I had a feast tonight. We finally ate the duck I got from the luncheon last week. We also had bread, potatoes, white wine and some strawberries and Nutella to finish things up. It was a delicious meal, and we all were joyfully full (a nice change).

Duncan and I went to the laundry room, as a lack of clean underwear necessitated it, and the machine, that will not even accept ten cent pieces, read the two euro coin as a ten cent piece.

More aggravation.

Maybe I should pretend to be Annie. Does breaking out into song help? It was certainly entertaining at the Catholic Evensong service.

As for our days, I am staying pretty busy at work. I got most frustrated because there was a white headline placed on top of a picture. Part of the headline was hard to read because it fell on a white portion of the photo (i.e. looked like crap). So, I suggested to my supervisor that we
put the slightest drop shadow behind the lettering (which not only solved the problem, but made the headline pop a bit), and he said, no "We don't usually do that." So even though I showed him that it did look better (and to me, there was no disputing that fact), I was shot down, the lowly intern.

Now, moving on to better things... Duncan bought a pair of pants for €10. They are quite fetching. Other than that, he says nothing much happened today. However, he did get to play in a tot-sized inflatable castle (he got the best job).

We're tired (still). So we shall be heading to bed! We love you and miss you all very much.

Give our pets extra hugs for us tonight (or in the case of Nala, give her a little wave from across the room)!

Cheers,
Whitney

And They're Off...

That's us at the racetrack. We had fun, but we didn't win any money. It turns out that placing bets on which name you like the best or which dog is the prettiest is a rather faulty system. Though he didn't race in any real races (we only saw him in a preliminary one before we left), my personal favorite was one that I deemed "Black Butt." He was all white except for his butt. I thought that was awesome, therefore I loved him. I was willing to bet €2 on him, but he never came up to race. Oh well, my one €1 bet fell through, but my dog did come in second. I commend him for that.

As for our days, I was pretty busy at work. I actually did a little bit a of writing today, a few blurbs here and there to put into the magazine. I rather enjoyed that.

Duncan was able to go to work today also. He is planning a safety lesson for the younger kids. Seeing as I often refer to him as "Captain Safety," I think he is the right man for the job.

Today felt like Friday to me, so it is a bit disappointing that it is only Wednesday, but hopefully the weekend will get here soon enough!

Love you all,
Whitney