Well Kit, Jamie and I arrived in Pisa yesterday afternoon and rented our little red Audi to head to our accommodations in Monte San Savino. We took the short drive into Pisa city center first to see the Leaning Tower and have a lovely pizza lunch before heading to the province of Arezzo.
We arrived in town and drove a circle around the tiny center before finding our keys at Paola and Mirco's shop, L'appaltino. We walked the short distance to our amazing accommodations (Molly's house) and unpacked. The house is a beautifully renovated two story apartment just over one of the main squares.
We walked out to a tiny store to get a few groceries and then to the butcher for a lovely spinach stuffed turkey loin. Jamie fixed our dinner and we spent the night playing on the computer, etc (very exciting) but we were all so tired from our early flights so we headed to bed early.
This morning we woke up late and did a nice yoga podcast before heading out to the markets in town. It didn't take but about an hour (at most) to walk the entire city and see the markets (which all close at 1) so we decided to grab lots of items from the stalls and shops and make a picnic. We walked a bit in the afternoon but then decided to drive the short distance to Gargonza for a quick view of the castle. We found the most delightful place for a picnic and enjoyed our snacks "Under the Tuscan Sun." It was a magnificent way to spend our first full day in Italy.
Tonight we built a fire to keep us warm and watched a sweet movie about Dublin of all places (Once). We drank our wine and snacked on leftovers from our picnic.
Tomorrow should prove to be an exciting day as we plan to get up to exercise and then drive to a few nearby towns. I think we are heading in the direction of Siena. Who knows exactly what the day will hold but I'm excited to share another day with my gals exploring the Tuscan landscapes.
Domani??!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Oh the Places You'll Go
In the children's sermon at church this morning, Andrew, the minister, said he'd like to read a little passage from a well known author. He mentioned the title of the book, Oh the Places You'll Go, and then introduced the author himself, "Dr. Zues". I had to smile. I'm going to miss the way the Irish pronounce things, or shall I say, "tings".
"Dr. Zeus", Andrew said, wrote a great piece on "The Waiting Place" and he proceeded to read from the book...
The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Now Andrew ended his reading there but the story goes on to say:
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.
Every time I hear about this book, or quotes from it, I think of graduation. Graduation is a time when young adults set off into the world for new adventures. Perhaps they plan to attend college, to travel abroad, to volunteer, to begin an internship or to start their career. Who knows, but in the time between graduation and what's next, people tend to wait.
I too am waiting. The last few weeks have been a time of contemplation for me. I have to decide what my "better break" will be, or at least what's next. Oh the Places You'll Go is a constant reminder to me that there are bigger and better things out there, always. It doesn't mean I'll always be on the run, but it does mean that I'll set my sites high and be encouraged to look forward, no matter where I am in my life. I can appreciate all that I have and be optimistic about all that is to come.
I hope that you too will be encouraged; encouraged to appreciate what you have and be thankful for all that God has given you, and at the same time, excited about what He has in store for you.
So remember:
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
"Dr. Zeus", Andrew said, wrote a great piece on "The Waiting Place" and he proceeded to read from the book...
The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Now Andrew ended his reading there but the story goes on to say:
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.
Every time I hear about this book, or quotes from it, I think of graduation. Graduation is a time when young adults set off into the world for new adventures. Perhaps they plan to attend college, to travel abroad, to volunteer, to begin an internship or to start their career. Who knows, but in the time between graduation and what's next, people tend to wait.
I too am waiting. The last few weeks have been a time of contemplation for me. I have to decide what my "better break" will be, or at least what's next. Oh the Places You'll Go is a constant reminder to me that there are bigger and better things out there, always. It doesn't mean I'll always be on the run, but it does mean that I'll set my sites high and be encouraged to look forward, no matter where I am in my life. I can appreciate all that I have and be optimistic about all that is to come.
I hope that you too will be encouraged; encouraged to appreciate what you have and be thankful for all that God has given you, and at the same time, excited about what He has in store for you.
So remember:
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Great Debate
I'm sure at one point or another in reading through my blog that you've noticed the title. The blog address is hesinireland but the actual title of the blog is "My Year Abroad." It's interesting because the original plan was for me to be in Ireland for a year (thus the blog address), but of course, plans do change. I may have mentioned it before, but my friend Jennifer Tharp once said "Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser." I'm not sure where she got that, but it has stuck with me ever since she said it.
You see, my plan was to come to Ireland and I felt very confident that the Lord had a reason for that. I still believe He did. I came here and I worked with an amazing group of people up at DCU. I met a cute little fellow, Ari, and got to know his family while nannying for them. I met amazing people (mostly Americans) and I know I'll be friends with them forever. I believe 100% that there was a reason for me coming here.
With that same confidence, I know that the Lord has other plans for me now. My time in Ireland may soon be coming to an end, but I will not have completed "My Year Abroad" just yet. There are other opportunities for me out there. Recently, I found a very interesting website called Aupair World where I created a profile for myself and in the days since doing so have had many families reach out to me interested in me becoming their next au pair.
I've never worked as an au pair before, but I believe that in my many years of babysitting I've built some pretty good skills in childminding and I can say that my early childhood and elementary teaching backgrounds pique the interest of many families. On top of that, these families see that my Masters is in teaching English and all of a sudden, I'm a top choice for them.
The families mostly want someone to help with the kids in the after school hours and work with them on homework, etc as well as participate in the children's extracurricular activities. I can do this. These families also really want their children to learn English, or to improve it, so I've got that experience too.
My "problem" lies with knowing where to go. I've spoken to families throughout France, Italy, and Spain and I feel very strongly about certain places. I am debating, in the most reasonable manner possible, and weighing the pros and cons of each. I even created a color coded table so I can better visualize my options (that's such the teacher in me)!
No matter the plan, I know I've got someone looking out for me. I will know when it's time to make a decision where I am to go. As for now, I'm enjoying learning a little about these families all over Europe and letting them try to "win" my favor.
You see, my plan was to come to Ireland and I felt very confident that the Lord had a reason for that. I still believe He did. I came here and I worked with an amazing group of people up at DCU. I met a cute little fellow, Ari, and got to know his family while nannying for them. I met amazing people (mostly Americans) and I know I'll be friends with them forever. I believe 100% that there was a reason for me coming here.
With that same confidence, I know that the Lord has other plans for me now. My time in Ireland may soon be coming to an end, but I will not have completed "My Year Abroad" just yet. There are other opportunities for me out there. Recently, I found a very interesting website called Aupair World where I created a profile for myself and in the days since doing so have had many families reach out to me interested in me becoming their next au pair.
I've never worked as an au pair before, but I believe that in my many years of babysitting I've built some pretty good skills in childminding and I can say that my early childhood and elementary teaching backgrounds pique the interest of many families. On top of that, these families see that my Masters is in teaching English and all of a sudden, I'm a top choice for them.
The families mostly want someone to help with the kids in the after school hours and work with them on homework, etc as well as participate in the children's extracurricular activities. I can do this. These families also really want their children to learn English, or to improve it, so I've got that experience too.
My "problem" lies with knowing where to go. I've spoken to families throughout France, Italy, and Spain and I feel very strongly about certain places. I am debating, in the most reasonable manner possible, and weighing the pros and cons of each. I even created a color coded table so I can better visualize my options (that's such the teacher in me)!
No matter the plan, I know I've got someone looking out for me. I will know when it's time to make a decision where I am to go. As for now, I'm enjoying learning a little about these families all over Europe and letting them try to "win" my favor.
Friday, November 18, 2011
What's Up With The Weather?
I get it, it's Ireland. I know I can't expect to have anyone forecast the weather and it be accurate, but really, it's as bad here as it is in Charleston!! At home I'm used to the fluctuating temperatures and the sporadic showers, but it is ridiculous here too. A few weeks ago I was bundled up in my winter coat, scarf, boots, hat and gloves. I just went out at 7 pm and was hot walking in my jeans and a tee shirt with just my fleece over it. I can't begin to figure it out. I heard that it was close to 30 back in Charleston today. After checking the temperature just now I realized that it was currently 52 in Dublin. It's night time here, day time at home...strange happenings. The thing I really love is that I can't control my heat so it's on in my flat, but it's hot, so I've got the window open. Can we say wasteful?
The forecast shows temps in the 50s for the next week with light rain and clouds. I guarantee it will be raining one minute, sunshine another, cold in the morning and warmer in the afternoons. I think perhaps I should do the weather here in Dublin...hey, it could be my new calling!
The forecast shows temps in the 50s for the next week with light rain and clouds. I guarantee it will be raining one minute, sunshine another, cold in the morning and warmer in the afternoons. I think perhaps I should do the weather here in Dublin...hey, it could be my new calling!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The End is Nigh
I have been back and forth over the last few months trying to figure out what exactly I'm doing and where exactly I'm headed. The latest plan was to move to Wales, but things do change and now it seems I'm heading back to South Carolina.
It only just hit me that I'm leaving Dublin in one month. It's crazy to think that I've been here as long as I have been, but it's also crazy to think my time is up. In the short period of time I've spent abroad, I've met some amazing people, visited some beautiful places, and learned an abundance of knowledge, mostly about myself.
Thinking about heading back to Charleston is really exciting for me. I'm ready for the smell of pluff mud, the sunshine on my face, the friends and family that have always meant so much to me. When I was younger my mother gave me a book with a quote inside that I've always enjoyed. It said, "I'm Charleston born and Charleston bred, and when I die, I'll be Charleston dead." I've been proud to be a Charlestonian and those who know me find that quite evident. The thing is, I'm nervous about going home.
I know I haven't been here long enough to adjust to "city" life completely and I know that I've complained along the way, but there are things I'll miss about living in Dublin. I'll miss all the accessible green space. I'll miss the ease of running out the door to grab a coke from the Spar. I'll miss being able to walk everywhere (and I hope not to gain too much weight when I'm not walking as frequently at home!). I'll miss the genuine appreciation Dubliners have for sunshine. I hope not to take it for granted when I return home.
I think I've come to a rather obvious conclusion. No matter where you are, you always miss things about the place you're not. "The grass is always greener on the other side" will be so true when I return...both metaphorically and literally! I'm sad it's coming to an end but I've got one good month to do it up here in Dublin and I plan to make the most of it. I'm going to enjoy this city and the lovely friends I've made, and be all the more thankful for the opportunity I have had.
It only just hit me that I'm leaving Dublin in one month. It's crazy to think that I've been here as long as I have been, but it's also crazy to think my time is up. In the short period of time I've spent abroad, I've met some amazing people, visited some beautiful places, and learned an abundance of knowledge, mostly about myself.
Thinking about heading back to Charleston is really exciting for me. I'm ready for the smell of pluff mud, the sunshine on my face, the friends and family that have always meant so much to me. When I was younger my mother gave me a book with a quote inside that I've always enjoyed. It said, "I'm Charleston born and Charleston bred, and when I die, I'll be Charleston dead." I've been proud to be a Charlestonian and those who know me find that quite evident. The thing is, I'm nervous about going home.
I know I haven't been here long enough to adjust to "city" life completely and I know that I've complained along the way, but there are things I'll miss about living in Dublin. I'll miss all the accessible green space. I'll miss the ease of running out the door to grab a coke from the Spar. I'll miss being able to walk everywhere (and I hope not to gain too much weight when I'm not walking as frequently at home!). I'll miss the genuine appreciation Dubliners have for sunshine. I hope not to take it for granted when I return home.
I think I've come to a rather obvious conclusion. No matter where you are, you always miss things about the place you're not. "The grass is always greener on the other side" will be so true when I return...both metaphorically and literally! I'm sad it's coming to an end but I've got one good month to do it up here in Dublin and I plan to make the most of it. I'm going to enjoy this city and the lovely friends I've made, and be all the more thankful for the opportunity I have had.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
What Happened to the fall, y'all?
Fall is my favorite time of year, or so I thought until I moved to Ireland. It's a different ballgame here. There have been a few reminders of the fall season here in Dublin, but for the most part, I have to say that fall is my favorite time of year in the south (SC, TN, NC, etc), not Ireland.
I always look forward to what the fall brings in Charleston. I enjoy putting my pumpkins and mums out on the porch. I love the football games and tailgating, of course not as much for the sport as for the socializing, but still. I love the leaves changing colors and every year trying to decide when is the best weekend to get to the mountains to see the full effect. I love the fall brews of beers you can find in speciality shops and restaurants. I love that we tend to have great concerts in Charleston in the fall. We can usually count on Widespread Panic coming to town for a weekend. The fair stops in Ladson for a week. The Fall Festivals at churches and schools tend to take place on one Saturday or another. I love the start of oyster roasts (you must follow the "R" month rule for oysters), though I don't eat too many. I love the get togethers for Beaufort Boil (aka Frogmore stew). I love how finally, in the fall, you get a break from the oppressive heat in Charleston. It takes a good while to cool off, but when it finally does in the end of October beginning of November, it's worth the wait. It's so nice to pull out the jeans and sweaters that have been packed away for months. Of course it might be 80 degrees by Christmas, but it's what we are used to. Fall in the south is fantastic.
Fall in Dublin didn't seem to last but a week. The leaves started changing but for the most part, the colored leaves are in the street and the trees are still green. The parks all uprooted the plants that were growing and put down new flowers for the winter months. This is smart of course because you'll have beautiful blooms even through the winter (I'm assuming). There wasn't much decorating taking place for Halloween here until the weekend before it came. People put up their jack-o-lanterns but mostly windows were done up with those plastic peel and stick things. There were a few houses with spider webs or dangling ghosts, etc, but it's not like the decorations you see back home in the neighborhoods in Charleston. Granted, there aren't yards here so people make do I suppose. I was surprised to not see many trick-or-treaters out, but that could be because of where I live.
I think the thing that most surprises me is that BEFORE Halloween even came, Christmas decorations were going up. When Beth and I visited Dun Laoghaire on October 18, the Gresham hotel was already putting their outside decorations on the walls and the main street had up their light display. The main shopping street here, Grafton, has their lights up so it will create a winter wonderland walkway for shoppers. The shops at Kildare Village all had their holiday sales on and the windows all had reindeer cutouts stuck in them. Starbucks is already offering specials on their Christmas blends.
I know that in the states we have Thanksgiving which breaks up the time between Halloween and Christmas, but it's strange to jump from one to another. It's not super cold here yet, but looking at all the Christmas stuff out, you almost think there should be snow on the ground. I'm not sure why I have that in my mind, but it seems it would make more sense to me that way.
I certainly missed my summer in Charleston, even though I know it was ridiculously hot this year, but I've also missed my fall there. All of this of course goes with me missing home in general, because it's what I know. I am looking forward to actually seeing the displays lit here this Christmas and I hope I'll catch some carolers on Grafton Street. I have a feeling the city will be really pretty with all the festive decor.
It's been interesting to go through the last few months here in Dublin as all my previous European travel has taken place in the summer. This past April I came to check out things here in Dublin, but this is my first fall, or lack thereof, and my first winter ever in Europe. It will be nice to see how things are done here and if I'm lucky, I'll get to see some other parts of Europe this winter too.
I always look forward to what the fall brings in Charleston. I enjoy putting my pumpkins and mums out on the porch. I love the football games and tailgating, of course not as much for the sport as for the socializing, but still. I love the leaves changing colors and every year trying to decide when is the best weekend to get to the mountains to see the full effect. I love the fall brews of beers you can find in speciality shops and restaurants. I love that we tend to have great concerts in Charleston in the fall. We can usually count on Widespread Panic coming to town for a weekend. The fair stops in Ladson for a week. The Fall Festivals at churches and schools tend to take place on one Saturday or another. I love the start of oyster roasts (you must follow the "R" month rule for oysters), though I don't eat too many. I love the get togethers for Beaufort Boil (aka Frogmore stew). I love how finally, in the fall, you get a break from the oppressive heat in Charleston. It takes a good while to cool off, but when it finally does in the end of October beginning of November, it's worth the wait. It's so nice to pull out the jeans and sweaters that have been packed away for months. Of course it might be 80 degrees by Christmas, but it's what we are used to. Fall in the south is fantastic.
Fall in Dublin didn't seem to last but a week. The leaves started changing but for the most part, the colored leaves are in the street and the trees are still green. The parks all uprooted the plants that were growing and put down new flowers for the winter months. This is smart of course because you'll have beautiful blooms even through the winter (I'm assuming). There wasn't much decorating taking place for Halloween here until the weekend before it came. People put up their jack-o-lanterns but mostly windows were done up with those plastic peel and stick things. There were a few houses with spider webs or dangling ghosts, etc, but it's not like the decorations you see back home in the neighborhoods in Charleston. Granted, there aren't yards here so people make do I suppose. I was surprised to not see many trick-or-treaters out, but that could be because of where I live.
I think the thing that most surprises me is that BEFORE Halloween even came, Christmas decorations were going up. When Beth and I visited Dun Laoghaire on October 18, the Gresham hotel was already putting their outside decorations on the walls and the main street had up their light display. The main shopping street here, Grafton, has their lights up so it will create a winter wonderland walkway for shoppers. The shops at Kildare Village all had their holiday sales on and the windows all had reindeer cutouts stuck in them. Starbucks is already offering specials on their Christmas blends.
I know that in the states we have Thanksgiving which breaks up the time between Halloween and Christmas, but it's strange to jump from one to another. It's not super cold here yet, but looking at all the Christmas stuff out, you almost think there should be snow on the ground. I'm not sure why I have that in my mind, but it seems it would make more sense to me that way.
I certainly missed my summer in Charleston, even though I know it was ridiculously hot this year, but I've also missed my fall there. All of this of course goes with me missing home in general, because it's what I know. I am looking forward to actually seeing the displays lit here this Christmas and I hope I'll catch some carolers on Grafton Street. I have a feeling the city will be really pretty with all the festive decor.
It's been interesting to go through the last few months here in Dublin as all my previous European travel has taken place in the summer. This past April I came to check out things here in Dublin, but this is my first fall, or lack thereof, and my first winter ever in Europe. It will be nice to see how things are done here and if I'm lucky, I'll get to see some other parts of Europe this winter too.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
There's A First Time For Everything
This morning my alarm went off at 6:15 and although I was wide awake, I tried very hard to stay in bed the next 30 minutes while I waited for the water to heat. After turning the alarm off, I went to lie back down and hit my head rather hard against the wall...strike one. I tried to roll over and get comfortable again, but I couldn't seem to doze back off like I normally do, so I pulled myself out of bed.
I had packed everything last night as I always do, but I knew I needed to get showered and pack my toiletries, etc. as well as pull two things out from safe keeping here in my flat. The first thing I needed was my passport and the second thing was my wallet with British pounds. Now, this flat is small, extremely small, and being that I'm a bit OCD about things anyway, there isn't much room for error here when it comes to finding items in the place. I grabbed the purse from the same place it normally rests, and I went to get my passport from the cubby by my bed, but it wasn't there. Sometimes, after just using it, I place it in another cubby on the other side of the bed, so I checked, but had no luck. I remembered pulling it out a few weeks ago to teach a lesson to my tutoring student, so I looked with my lesson plans, but it wasn't there either. After I emptied every purse and cubby in the place and checked both my suitcases, I texted Allan letting him know I was freaking out. My flight was at 10:00 this am, but at almost 7, I hadn't showered and didn't really see the point as no passport meant no travel.
Allan called and I asked him to check his bookbag since he was here a few weeks ago and we had discussed taking my passport with us when we visited Northern Ireland. I didn't think we took it with us that day, but low and behold, Allan found my passport in his bag, in Cardiff! I was quite stressed at this point but Allan said to get to the airport with my id and the copy of my passport Mrs. Poole always said to keep when traveling. I took a quick shower but didn't do hair or makeup, just ran out the door and took a 25 euro cab to the airport.
I asked the guy at Aer Aran if I could use what I had to travel to immigration at Cardiff airport and get my passport, but surprise surprise, he said no. If I were an Irish citizen then I wouldn't need a passport, but as a US citizen I couldn't go anywhere without it.
Over at the Aer Lingus desk (that's who my flight was booked with originally) I had two options, cancel and get about 66 euro back or change my flight for an additional 100 euro. I stepped aside and called Allan back to get his opinion and so we decided to change my flight to next weekend. This means I'll fly to Cardiff on November 10 and return to Dublin on the 14 (the anniversary of Daddy's death). Then I'll be in Dublin for a week and the following Thursday, November 24th, fly back to Cardiff for Thanksgiving.
I feel pretty good about having a copy of my passport should anything happen with the mail since Allan's sending my actual passport to me via post, but it's still rather stressful. I guess it is also a great comfort that Beth works for passport services and if I need anything, she could more than likely take care of it for me. It's just disappointing that I'll be here in Dublin this weekend when I planned to visit Allan. There is a first time for everything and other than losing luggage, wallets, cameras, etc, I've not had this travel experience so I suppose I'll now just scratch this one of the list and hope it doesn't happen again!
I had packed everything last night as I always do, but I knew I needed to get showered and pack my toiletries, etc. as well as pull two things out from safe keeping here in my flat. The first thing I needed was my passport and the second thing was my wallet with British pounds. Now, this flat is small, extremely small, and being that I'm a bit OCD about things anyway, there isn't much room for error here when it comes to finding items in the place. I grabbed the purse from the same place it normally rests, and I went to get my passport from the cubby by my bed, but it wasn't there. Sometimes, after just using it, I place it in another cubby on the other side of the bed, so I checked, but had no luck. I remembered pulling it out a few weeks ago to teach a lesson to my tutoring student, so I looked with my lesson plans, but it wasn't there either. After I emptied every purse and cubby in the place and checked both my suitcases, I texted Allan letting him know I was freaking out. My flight was at 10:00 this am, but at almost 7, I hadn't showered and didn't really see the point as no passport meant no travel.
Allan called and I asked him to check his bookbag since he was here a few weeks ago and we had discussed taking my passport with us when we visited Northern Ireland. I didn't think we took it with us that day, but low and behold, Allan found my passport in his bag, in Cardiff! I was quite stressed at this point but Allan said to get to the airport with my id and the copy of my passport Mrs. Poole always said to keep when traveling. I took a quick shower but didn't do hair or makeup, just ran out the door and took a 25 euro cab to the airport.
I asked the guy at Aer Aran if I could use what I had to travel to immigration at Cardiff airport and get my passport, but surprise surprise, he said no. If I were an Irish citizen then I wouldn't need a passport, but as a US citizen I couldn't go anywhere without it.
Over at the Aer Lingus desk (that's who my flight was booked with originally) I had two options, cancel and get about 66 euro back or change my flight for an additional 100 euro. I stepped aside and called Allan back to get his opinion and so we decided to change my flight to next weekend. This means I'll fly to Cardiff on November 10 and return to Dublin on the 14 (the anniversary of Daddy's death). Then I'll be in Dublin for a week and the following Thursday, November 24th, fly back to Cardiff for Thanksgiving.
I feel pretty good about having a copy of my passport should anything happen with the mail since Allan's sending my actual passport to me via post, but it's still rather stressful. I guess it is also a great comfort that Beth works for passport services and if I need anything, she could more than likely take care of it for me. It's just disappointing that I'll be here in Dublin this weekend when I planned to visit Allan. There is a first time for everything and other than losing luggage, wallets, cameras, etc, I've not had this travel experience so I suppose I'll now just scratch this one of the list and hope it doesn't happen again!
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