Happy Thanksgiving!
I have just finished my last blog for greenme.ie. They don't have the funding to give me a job which is a shame. I have loved every minute of it. These are hard times to be trying to get funding and I wish them every success.
The turkey should be in the oven as I write. There is no Thanksgiving in Ireland and so it's a working day. Like St Pats in America. I prepared the food last night and Cesar was due to put the turkey in the oven at 2.00. I wouldn't dare ring to ask or I might get eaten along with Mr Turk.
Rian is sick and that is an extra stresser. He got a virus and his asthma kicked in. I was so worried about him last night. Cesar was bringing him to the doctor but was not relishing the packed waiting room.
It's just ourselves for Thanksgiving. Irish people don't understand a turkey so near Christmas. Speaking of the turkey, it is hard for a vegetarian like myself to clean a turkey but I got on with it and pointed out to Cesar that I really must love him if I was willing to save him that job.
He was thankful.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wild Wild Night
It was a wild wild night last night and I don't mean in bed.
I realise I have talked about the wind before. I know, sometimes I've talked about nothing else but last night took the biscuit. It must have been blowing at 80 mph. I tried to get out of the car at the fish and chip shop and was afraid the car door would slam and break my leg. The fish and chips were great though.
All night long it howled so loudly. It really had something to say for itself. Surprisingly nothing was damaged or blown away. Cesar's contraption for storing the surf boards and the coal etc was back on it's hind legs but going nowhere. I am amazed that everything remains intact over here regardless of the weather. The only casualty so far was Rian's IKEA tent which blew away in the spring and is probably in Boston by now. Luckily he wasn't in it.
Rian and I went to a clothes swop in Strandhill on Saturday. Everybody donated 10 euro and brought a bag of clothes they don't wear. The idea was to refill the bag with other clothes. Unfortunately there was nothing to fit me and I do not see any point in cluttering my life. The charity was street children in Mongolia which I am familiar with from Charlie Boorman's moterbike movie.
I am in my last week here blogging at the environmental web site with no talk of a permanent job. I have loved every minute of it and have learned so much. Blogging is an area I want to stay in and the environmental field is just great. We'll see.
There's a lot of doom and gloom everywhere but we have to soldier on. We made our hard choices when we packed up and left America. It hasnn't been easy but whoever said life was meant to be easy?
I realise I have talked about the wind before. I know, sometimes I've talked about nothing else but last night took the biscuit. It must have been blowing at 80 mph. I tried to get out of the car at the fish and chip shop and was afraid the car door would slam and break my leg. The fish and chips were great though.
All night long it howled so loudly. It really had something to say for itself. Surprisingly nothing was damaged or blown away. Cesar's contraption for storing the surf boards and the coal etc was back on it's hind legs but going nowhere. I am amazed that everything remains intact over here regardless of the weather. The only casualty so far was Rian's IKEA tent which blew away in the spring and is probably in Boston by now. Luckily he wasn't in it.
Rian and I went to a clothes swop in Strandhill on Saturday. Everybody donated 10 euro and brought a bag of clothes they don't wear. The idea was to refill the bag with other clothes. Unfortunately there was nothing to fit me and I do not see any point in cluttering my life. The charity was street children in Mongolia which I am familiar with from Charlie Boorman's moterbike movie.
I am in my last week here blogging at the environmental web site with no talk of a permanent job. I have loved every minute of it and have learned so much. Blogging is an area I want to stay in and the environmental field is just great. We'll see.
There's a lot of doom and gloom everywhere but we have to soldier on. We made our hard choices when we packed up and left America. It hasnn't been easy but whoever said life was meant to be easy?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Beautiful Day
It's a gorgeous day today. Tomorrow is predicted to be wet as have the last 4 been. There is no doubt that these good days are sweeter by their rarity. One really does feel like smelling the roses.
I am doing my work experience in the Institute of Technology Sligo which is a college campus with a Business Innovation Centre. I have whats called a hot desk which is for the use of Greenme. It's entrepreneurs heaven. There are lots of incubation businesses here and entrepreneurs in training and research labs for businesses and a host of things geared towards developing business in Ireland. There are government programmes to help businesses get off the ground and up and running. I love being here.
Every day at lunch time I go for a walk on the running track on the athletic field. It's a great feeling to look at all the familiar landmarks from when I was a child. Sligo General hospital on my left and the Mental Home ( now The Clarion Hotel )on my right. So far I haven't got rained on, almost but not quite. I eat at my desk which suits my pace as I'm usually engrossed on a subject for the website.
I am learning a lot about the environmental industry and feel it is the way of the future. I am learning to write as discipline as well as just for fun.
Ultan did very well on his spech therapy test and is getting a break for a few months. He is managing well at school even though he is in the mainstream. He is learning to solve his problems if he can, but can still get advice from Cesar or me if he needs it.
Rian went on his first sleepover to the respite house last weekend. There was a little conflict with another boy but nothing major. He seemed very content and wanted to go back the next night. He is on a diet. We were back with the dietition again and are taking a new run at it. Smaller portions are the key but poor Rian loves his food. I have to say he is very agreeable about it and seems to want his tummy to get smaller even if he would still like to keep eating.
Cesar is finally pulling out of his chest infection. He complains of the cold a lot in the house at night. He has a lot more asthma and doesn't seem to sleep much. I remember him being the same in the States just not so bad for so long. I use interventions such as hot water bottles and a big log fire but he doesn't get to sit at the fire until everybody's gone to bed as there is fierce competition for the TV. If Cesar wants to watch his programs he has to go to the igloo aka our bedroom.
If I want to go look at the beach on my way home I can but I really don't have the time. The domestic load here is as heavy as anywhere. I may not be wrecked from cleaning houses and battling traffic like I used to be but time is still a scarce commodity.
I am doing my work experience in the Institute of Technology Sligo which is a college campus with a Business Innovation Centre. I have whats called a hot desk which is for the use of Greenme. It's entrepreneurs heaven. There are lots of incubation businesses here and entrepreneurs in training and research labs for businesses and a host of things geared towards developing business in Ireland. There are government programmes to help businesses get off the ground and up and running. I love being here.
Every day at lunch time I go for a walk on the running track on the athletic field. It's a great feeling to look at all the familiar landmarks from when I was a child. Sligo General hospital on my left and the Mental Home ( now The Clarion Hotel )on my right. So far I haven't got rained on, almost but not quite. I eat at my desk which suits my pace as I'm usually engrossed on a subject for the website.
I am learning a lot about the environmental industry and feel it is the way of the future. I am learning to write as discipline as well as just for fun.
Ultan did very well on his spech therapy test and is getting a break for a few months. He is managing well at school even though he is in the mainstream. He is learning to solve his problems if he can, but can still get advice from Cesar or me if he needs it.
Rian went on his first sleepover to the respite house last weekend. There was a little conflict with another boy but nothing major. He seemed very content and wanted to go back the next night. He is on a diet. We were back with the dietition again and are taking a new run at it. Smaller portions are the key but poor Rian loves his food. I have to say he is very agreeable about it and seems to want his tummy to get smaller even if he would still like to keep eating.
Cesar is finally pulling out of his chest infection. He complains of the cold a lot in the house at night. He has a lot more asthma and doesn't seem to sleep much. I remember him being the same in the States just not so bad for so long. I use interventions such as hot water bottles and a big log fire but he doesn't get to sit at the fire until everybody's gone to bed as there is fierce competition for the TV. If Cesar wants to watch his programs he has to go to the igloo aka our bedroom.
If I want to go look at the beach on my way home I can but I really don't have the time. The domestic load here is as heavy as anywhere. I may not be wrecked from cleaning houses and battling traffic like I used to be but time is still a scarce commodity.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Happy Days
"The Times They are a Changing" Very true today, Bob.
America finally stood up and was counted. We can go back to being optimistic. America's reputation can be restored. What a statement to the whole world. America has elected a good man who can work hard and is very capable. Barack Obama would not have been allowed to vote in the year of his birth. Who would have thought?
Cheers to all my good friends in Kensington, Maryland. This time 4 years ago some of us were crying at the school bus stop.
Not today!
America finally stood up and was counted. We can go back to being optimistic. America's reputation can be restored. What a statement to the whole world. America has elected a good man who can work hard and is very capable. Barack Obama would not have been allowed to vote in the year of his birth. Who would have thought?
Cheers to all my good friends in Kensington, Maryland. This time 4 years ago some of us were crying at the school bus stop.
Not today!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day
I am in such a state of jitters about the election today. I am glad I am not there as my nerves couldn't take it. Oh! How I miss NPR. I miss it a fair bit. Our own RTE is covering the election until 3.00 AM and then they are going to broadcast NPR but I will not be awake. There is nothing that can keep this 52 year old out of bed at that hour.
I heard Bruce Springfield addressing a Barack Obama rally in Ohio and it brough tears to my eyes. To hear him speak so poetically about the American dream and how it is so distant from many people's lives was very moving. He spoke so simply and to the point I wondered could he run for president himself someday. He talked abut people's right to a job, a house, an education. He talked about fair play for all.
Can Barack Obama achieve that? I really doubt it but I believe he understands it and will try hard to make things better for people.
I remember when I was growing up in Ireland in the 60's America had an image of decency to it. Sure, there were political problems but it was a place somebody could emigrate to and get a job and raise a family and educate them and give them their start. Maybe this was just an illusion and not true at all.
There isn't even an illusion anymore.
I heard Bruce Springfield addressing a Barack Obama rally in Ohio and it brough tears to my eyes. To hear him speak so poetically about the American dream and how it is so distant from many people's lives was very moving. He spoke so simply and to the point I wondered could he run for president himself someday. He talked abut people's right to a job, a house, an education. He talked about fair play for all.
Can Barack Obama achieve that? I really doubt it but I believe he understands it and will try hard to make things better for people.
I remember when I was growing up in Ireland in the 60's America had an image of decency to it. Sure, there were political problems but it was a place somebody could emigrate to and get a job and raise a family and educate them and give them their start. Maybe this was just an illusion and not true at all.
There isn't even an illusion anymore.
Monday, November 3, 2008
And the blog goes on
I lost part of my last blog so I will try and remember it. Actually, Cesar lost it but he was trying to help and so it was in a good cause.
As you probably figured the weather got better and the clothes are drying. Cesar brought the bedding to the launderette in Bundoran and got three bagfuls washed and sorta dried for 28 euro.
It was a relief and a great birthday present.
My birthday was Thursday the 30 and very enjoyable even if I didn't think of it before midday. Ah! 52 and so forgetful. Mum was in town for a doctor's apointment and joined us for fish'n chips and cake. The cake was made by one of my former FAS classmates, Sean and was a great success.
This was a good birthday because I feel good about work. The blogging job is going well and I am learning a lot. The learning curve was steep but is getting better and I am very contented. The website is Greenme.ie and I write blogs and news but not in my own name as yet. I am learning lots about environmental sustainability and find it very interesting. I am also learning not to write so folksy.
Of course, life is continually busy but happy. Cesar has a second chest infection and is on another course of antibiotics. We can only turn on the heat for 2 hours a day. We light a lovely fire every evening but Cesar doesn't spend any time in the living room as there is a line up for the various playstations. I just read and am impervious to what's on screen. I am worried about him. He said walking in the cold made his asthma much worse but he always told me when we were in the housecleaning business that he was allergic to cats. I am encouraging him to start swimming again. When we get our own house I swear it will not be heated by oil. Liquid gold.
Rian won a big Hallow'een basket at school and is doing great. He loves school and goes off in his taxi every morning as happy as Larry. He is having his first sleepover at the respite house next Saturday and is delighted.
Ultan is not so fond of school and is having some socialization problems. The joys of mainstreaming. Still, it's a part of development for all humans and all we can do as parents is be watchful.
We had a grand Hallow'een. Trick or treating was a slow process as we had to drive and were invited in for tea at every house. Ultan likes the tradition of money instead of sweets. I like not pigging out on candy until Christmas.
Tomorrow is America's big day. Please don't let it get screwed up again. Cesar and I sent our votes to the US Embassy last week. We shall see!
As you probably figured the weather got better and the clothes are drying. Cesar brought the bedding to the launderette in Bundoran and got three bagfuls washed and sorta dried for 28 euro.
It was a relief and a great birthday present.
My birthday was Thursday the 30 and very enjoyable even if I didn't think of it before midday. Ah! 52 and so forgetful. Mum was in town for a doctor's apointment and joined us for fish'n chips and cake. The cake was made by one of my former FAS classmates, Sean and was a great success.
This was a good birthday because I feel good about work. The blogging job is going well and I am learning a lot. The learning curve was steep but is getting better and I am very contented. The website is Greenme.ie and I write blogs and news but not in my own name as yet. I am learning lots about environmental sustainability and find it very interesting. I am also learning not to write so folksy.
Of course, life is continually busy but happy. Cesar has a second chest infection and is on another course of antibiotics. We can only turn on the heat for 2 hours a day. We light a lovely fire every evening but Cesar doesn't spend any time in the living room as there is a line up for the various playstations. I just read and am impervious to what's on screen. I am worried about him. He said walking in the cold made his asthma much worse but he always told me when we were in the housecleaning business that he was allergic to cats. I am encouraging him to start swimming again. When we get our own house I swear it will not be heated by oil. Liquid gold.
Rian won a big Hallow'een basket at school and is doing great. He loves school and goes off in his taxi every morning as happy as Larry. He is having his first sleepover at the respite house next Saturday and is delighted.
Ultan is not so fond of school and is having some socialization problems. The joys of mainstreaming. Still, it's a part of development for all humans and all we can do as parents is be watchful.
We had a grand Hallow'een. Trick or treating was a slow process as we had to drive and were invited in for tea at every house. Ultan likes the tradition of money instead of sweets. I like not pigging out on candy until Christmas.
Tomorrow is America's big day. Please don't let it get screwed up again. Cesar and I sent our votes to the US Embassy last week. We shall see!
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