Monday, 30 January 2012
Ok... I'm a blogger!
Well, it's Monday morning, so Niall and I are officially starting our third week living together here in Belfast. I never thought I'd be a "blogger," but after much consideration, I decided it was time! Firstly, I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who has e-mailed me, sent me photos, videos, etc... I love seeing your name in my inbox and it makes me feel like I'm still a part of what's going on in Santa Barbara. With that said, I apologize if I have taken forever to get back to you! It really is hard sending out different e-mails to everyone, and I prefer not to spend hours on my laptop while my husband is at work. :) So I figured blogging might save some time, as well as make it easier for anyone who is curious about what's been happening here.
We live in an apartment building that is just a few minutes drive outside the city centre called "The Bakery," located on Ormeau (pronounced OR-MOW, mow as in mowing the lawn!) Road. We're on the third floor, so it's fun hearing the sounds of the bustling going on down below while still feeling set apart up here. We have a nice view of an old church right outside our window. Niall keeps it plenty warm for me... even though supposedly we're having a mild winter, I still get so cold! I sure do miss that Santa Barbara sun...
I'll put the first two weeks in a nutshell so that this doesn't go on too long. Saying good bye to everyone and leaving the home that I love so much was difficult... but once Niall and I were off on our journey, I really did feel a peace about everything. Not a day goes by that I don't think about and miss you all, but in the midst of my lonely times God is here, confirming that this is where He wants me. We got into Belfast late Sunday night and Niall had to work the next morning! So I woke up to an empty apartment, still in a bit of shock. :) That week I kept myself busy unpacking, organizing, moving around furniture, walking into the city, buying household items, etc. Niall and I spent that whole first weekend shopping... it was a drag, but looking back I'm glad we got it all done in one big chunk. (IKEA is my new worst nightmare!) Our place feels "homey" now-- it was so nice to be able to go out and buy things for our apartment, thanks to all of your wedding gifts!! What a treat, especially for me since I'm a woman and little touches mean the most.
Week two Niall's sister Avril came up to visit us from Naas (near Dublin). She was here Monday through Thursday keeping me company, helping me with a big grocery trip (very challenging without a car!), cooking, baking, and going into town. It was a treat for me to not be alone during the week... just having someone to talk to throughout the day is something I really miss. Our second weekend here was a lot more relaxing. We got to go go-karting for one of Niall's friend's birthday, went out to dinner Friday (our first nice date night here!), and on Saturday Niall's best man Enda came to visit us for the night. It was great having him here... our spare room is already coming in handy!
Yesterday we went to church again at CFC (Christian Fellowship Church). It's about a ten minute drive from our place... the topic was relationship, and how God created us to be in community with one another as a church and in our personal lives. It was a special message for me because I don't have any girl friends here yet, and I feel like I really do understand the importance of having people around you who know you and love you and will reach out... and the void that is felt with not having that. You never know what a simple gesture could mean to someone who is feeling alone!
Anyway, I want to keep things simple so that this isn't too overwhelming to read... overall I am doing better here than I thought I would be. God is faithful and He has blessed me with Niall, who brings me so much joy and is a great comfort in my times of sadness. I think we both enjoy the simple things the most... just doing nothing together on a Sunday afternoon, texting (without the international cost!), grocery shopping, grabbing a Starbucks... I suppose one benefit of a long distance relationship is when the two are finally together you really do appreciate it!
Well, I'll post more if I think of anything I else I want to say, but that's it for now. This week I am going to crack down on looking for jobs and sending in some resumes. I hope this blog doesn't discourage anyone from writing me, because I would still love to hear from you personally... but at least here you might be able to get a more detailed picture of our new start in Belfast. Send me any prayer requests, pictures, quick updates, etc... I love it all. Hope you are all doing great, I am always praying for everyone back home. :) Love you!
We live in an apartment building that is just a few minutes drive outside the city centre called "The Bakery," located on Ormeau (pronounced OR-MOW, mow as in mowing the lawn!) Road. We're on the third floor, so it's fun hearing the sounds of the bustling going on down below while still feeling set apart up here. We have a nice view of an old church right outside our window. Niall keeps it plenty warm for me... even though supposedly we're having a mild winter, I still get so cold! I sure do miss that Santa Barbara sun...
I'll put the first two weeks in a nutshell so that this doesn't go on too long. Saying good bye to everyone and leaving the home that I love so much was difficult... but once Niall and I were off on our journey, I really did feel a peace about everything. Not a day goes by that I don't think about and miss you all, but in the midst of my lonely times God is here, confirming that this is where He wants me. We got into Belfast late Sunday night and Niall had to work the next morning! So I woke up to an empty apartment, still in a bit of shock. :) That week I kept myself busy unpacking, organizing, moving around furniture, walking into the city, buying household items, etc. Niall and I spent that whole first weekend shopping... it was a drag, but looking back I'm glad we got it all done in one big chunk. (IKEA is my new worst nightmare!) Our place feels "homey" now-- it was so nice to be able to go out and buy things for our apartment, thanks to all of your wedding gifts!! What a treat, especially for me since I'm a woman and little touches mean the most.
Week two Niall's sister Avril came up to visit us from Naas (near Dublin). She was here Monday through Thursday keeping me company, helping me with a big grocery trip (very challenging without a car!), cooking, baking, and going into town. It was a treat for me to not be alone during the week... just having someone to talk to throughout the day is something I really miss. Our second weekend here was a lot more relaxing. We got to go go-karting for one of Niall's friend's birthday, went out to dinner Friday (our first nice date night here!), and on Saturday Niall's best man Enda came to visit us for the night. It was great having him here... our spare room is already coming in handy!
Yesterday we went to church again at CFC (Christian Fellowship Church). It's about a ten minute drive from our place... the topic was relationship, and how God created us to be in community with one another as a church and in our personal lives. It was a special message for me because I don't have any girl friends here yet, and I feel like I really do understand the importance of having people around you who know you and love you and will reach out... and the void that is felt with not having that. You never know what a simple gesture could mean to someone who is feeling alone!
Anyway, I want to keep things simple so that this isn't too overwhelming to read... overall I am doing better here than I thought I would be. God is faithful and He has blessed me with Niall, who brings me so much joy and is a great comfort in my times of sadness. I think we both enjoy the simple things the most... just doing nothing together on a Sunday afternoon, texting (without the international cost!), grocery shopping, grabbing a Starbucks... I suppose one benefit of a long distance relationship is when the two are finally together you really do appreciate it!
Well, I'll post more if I think of anything I else I want to say, but that's it for now. This week I am going to crack down on looking for jobs and sending in some resumes. I hope this blog doesn't discourage anyone from writing me, because I would still love to hear from you personally... but at least here you might be able to get a more detailed picture of our new start in Belfast. Send me any prayer requests, pictures, quick updates, etc... I love it all. Hope you are all doing great, I am always praying for everyone back home. :) Love you!
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