Hope everyone at home is doing great. This week I keep telling myself to get on the computer and update our blog, but the weather has been amazing these past few days! I've been able to break out a couple pairs of my shorts... I'm soaking in all the sun I can get while it lasts (it's supposed to cool back down to "normal temperatures" this weekend). Irish people really do appreciate the warmer weather when it comes around. Yesterday I was in the city sitting out on the lawn in front of City Hall writing a couple letters. There were loads of people around me-- young people having picnic lunches with friends, old men sitting on park benches with their eyes closed just soaking it in. The sunshine really does lift your spirits.
Let's see... where to start. The weekend after Niall's last post was St. Paddy's weekend. It was also Niall's dad's birthday on the 16th, and then Mother's Day here was on Sunday the 18th. So, it was the perfect weekend for the Madden family to come visit us! Niall picked up the Madden clan from the train station on Saturday. We enjoyed a nice lunch at the apartment before going for a walk around Stormont Parliament Buildings, home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative body for Northern Ireland.
Notice where the Irish flag hangs... that is where Niall would like to mount a flat screen... Mrs. Dohm, you may need to get him on the phone to talk him out of it! :) (though I'll admit, I'd like to have one to watch the summer Olympics in London!)
We got home and played a ripping game of charades (like we always do) before hitting the sack. Sunday we woke up to a BEAUTIFUL sunny day. It really does light up the whole living room. We made a big Mother's Day breakfast, got a coffee in the city, walked around, then watched the Grand Prix before the Maddens got the train back home. We loved having them.
That week I worked a lot which was really nice for me. It always helps to stay busy and I like being around people. I'm getting more familiar with all the regulars that come in and I don't feel quite as clueless anymore! Here's a couple photos from work... don't worry, we usually do have customers, but I took the one of the inside after we were closed. :)
As soon as I got off work on Friday, Niall and I headed down to Mallow, Co. Cork to visit Tony (Niall's good friend from college and one of his groomsmen) and his fiance Fiona. It was great to hang out with them and see their lovely new house. We drove for about 30 minutes into the city on Saturday which was cool because I had never seen Cork before. It was a big, bustling city with lots of people out.
Driving through some Irish countryside near Tony and Fiona's house.
Niall is considering leaving his engineering career for something a little more hands on... :)
We stopped in Naas and enjoyed time with the family before arriving back into Belfast on Sunday night. It's always nice to get back home and into the usual routine. Yesterday after Niall got off work he took me to Helen's Bay, a nice area on the coast, just a 20 minute drive from the city. Although it's a bit different from the familiar Pacific Ocean, it was so nice to see the beach! The days are getting longer and longer here, and since we had our daylight savings it stays bright out until about 8 pm now. After our walk we grabbed a beer and a bite to eat at "The Dirty Duck," voted best pub food in Northern Ireland. As you can see in the photos, the sunset last night was unreal!
Well that pretty much sums it up. Once again, overall life here is going well. We're coming upon the three month mark now and I feel pretty settled in, though I'm still getting used to the idea of Belfast as "home." The sunny days we've had this week are constantly reminding me of Santa Barbara. There are a few girls at the cafe who are leaving soon so shifts have been a bit inconsistent of late. I only got two shifts this week, one on Monday and one tomorrow. So the days when I'm not working can sometimes be difficult. I try to stay productive and fill my time, but I still get lonely and wish so badly that once in awhile I could just zap myself back to CA and be with friends! This whole transition is a process and I'm still learning about patience and new beginnings. Some days I wake up and feel great; other days I wake up and feel really down. Luckily I have a great husband who encourages me and is always willing to listen when I want to share my heart or just have a good cry! Hang in there Niall. :)
I love you all dearly and not a day goes by that I don't miss everyone. Heather, Taylor, Mom, Dad... I'm counting down the days!!! :)
xox
erin
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