Valentines in Dublin

Dublin was amazing.

It was so great that I even forgot I had a job for a little while.

We ate. A lot.

We did most of what we said we wanted to. We went to a few of the restaurants and cafe's from my first trip over. We went to a few new restaurants. There was a little shopping and a little photo taking. And a lot of walking around. I even managed to come home with two new pairs of boots. Oops.

We took the train into Dublin from Newry. I absolutely love the train, when I can manage not to fall asleep. Luckily the screaming children helped keep me awake on the journey down. Our first night there we met up with some friends, Trevor and Jo. There was a lot of listening to Daire and Trevor talk about the dumb shit guys do when they're kids :)

Valentines couldn't have been anymore perfect. We walked for a nice breakfast and then went to Guinness Storehouse for the tour. Although, I found the Yuengling Brewery in Pennsylvania to be a lot more interesting. It's a shame they don't let you tour the old factories at Guinness. I ended up with some great photos anyway. We decided to walk all the way back to the hotel, instead of getting a cab. Then we had sushi at Yamamori, my favorite sushi restaurant in Dublin. It was as great as the last time we ate there.

Our last day in Dublin, completely exhausted, we walked around the shops a bit and then went to Trinity College to see the Library.

I love Dublin. In small doses. It's kind of like the New York City of Ireland. Small doses. I think we both needed the little getaway and some time to disconnect from everyone else.

So many thoughts...

8 days until our February break begins. 10 days until we're in Dublin.

There's so much in my head at the moment. Most of which won't make sense to most.

We went to see CW Stoneking play this past weekend with Lorcan. I know the man isn't even American, but I found myself completely zoned out and feeling like I was home for a little while. I then looked around me and whole bar was standing there. This amazing music and they stood with the occasional head nod. You might as well be dead if this music doesn't force you to feel and move.

I'm tired. I'm worn out. No more than usual though.

I'm aching for Summer and my brown skin.

Dublin. I haven't been there since I bought my camera. I haven't spent any real time there since my first visit, nearly 3 years ago. Frankly, my eyes and thoughts were occupied with other things then. There will be a Guinness tour. Cafe re-visits. Hotel re-visits. Drinking. Maybe some dancing and dining? Museums. Walking. 3 years.

February 11th. That will mark 3 years since I first got off that plane. We're doing something special I hope. Dublin won't be until two nights later.

Work is kind of hectic, but it's keeping me busy. I prefer it that way. I like that I'm part of this move and a new school building. I like that my OCD and organization are coming into more use than irritating my Husband. Left and right I have to deal with staff disliking me for this or that. Mostly for doing what the people who pay me have asked me to do. Me? I don't care anymore. I have a job to do. I'm sorry if you don't do anything at work and you have all this free time to walk around hating me. Re-dun-dancy. At the end of the day, when you realize I was just doing what management asked, don't just expect me to be your friend and ignore the way you've treated me.

The internet. It's boring me. I prefer to email those who matter. It seems to be a breeding ground for cheating partners. I've seen it over and over again the last few years. If you cheat, you're a pussy... and no, sex is not the only form of infidelity. Nope. I can't get into this one.

This and That, but Mostly This.

I had plans for a post, but as the night goes on my body is aching in more places. Let's see what I can come up with,

Work has been busy. In a good way. I have a load of stuff on my plate that I've been asked to do. I don't mind, but that means there won't be any slow days for awhile. I also need to remind myself that everyone is looking out for themselves and when it comes down to it, that's what I need to do. I hope to make this job a long term thing. As long as Daire is working there, it's where I want to be. I'm adaptable enough that the rest of the crap doesn't matter.

My back? Well. Wednesday I was told that I'm basically stuck with it. I'll have days of no pain and days of pain. I just need to keep doing what I have been and trying to figure out when too much walking/biking is too much. It's going to get irritated and I'm just going to have to deal with it. So that's that.

Not much has been missed other than that. We have 18 days until our next break from school. The plan is to spend it in Dublin and celebrate 3 years since the day we met in person. We're hoping to stay at the same hotel too. We need it I think. Get away, just the two of us. Maybe even see something other than the inside of our hotel room this time or not.

I'm aching (literally!) for this cold weather to go away. It makes me feel lazy. Come Spring/Summer time, I'll be checking off the local parks and gardens from list. I give myself until that warm weather to come to an agreement with my new macro lens. We'll put our differences aside.

Speaking of my camera, I have a few things in the works. Things I'd like to talk about, but we all know there are people from work reading this. I just hope the ideas fall into place.

My photo book is still in the works. I had to take a break from it. This page has already been changed. I feel like I might need to take some other photos in order to complete it. I only want the best going into it. I don't want to settle on my choices.

I've been cooking a bit again. Like I told myself I would. Not surprisingly, there's been a lot of bacon involved. Bacon from the gods. Burns Night is approaching. Daire will be having Haggis and I'll be taking the opportunity to have Lamb. Daire doesn't care for it.

We spent more time walking. I finally got a pair of red Hunters boots. We discovered some really great Summer picnic spots. Nice, secluded spots for laying in the sun. Oh Summer. I dream of you.

Photo Spam.

If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.


I'm truly too tired to get into it anyway.

I've updated my Redbubble account. Next I'll be working on my Flickr pages. In between all that? Working on my photo book.