Day 2

donegal coast, atlantic ocean

doe castle

andrew and me thinking about climbing this mtn.

halfway to the castle

the castle. all the doors were this color. very neat.

I have to give a shout out to my mom for making this shirt for me. I was great, you are so crafty mom. Thanks a million. 

We had quite an adventurous day, and we are sitting here now in Sligo town now reminiscing. Andrew's having a pint of the black stuff, and i'm sipping a rockshandy, my new fav drink. Its actually just club orange and club lemon (think sunkist). Very delicious and non alcoholic actually. SO, we left our hotel this morning and headed off to a castle we were planning to see. We first got sidetracked by Doe Castle which was bleak and empty of course, but on a very neat location on the bay. We next got sidetracked by a friary which also had scenic bay views. After these, we were def headed to the second castle, but ended up on the side of a mtn. Literally. We took a wrong turn and the roads started getting more narrow, then they turned to rock and we knew something wasnt right. So, we got out and walked around. We found a fresh spring with the most amazing tasting water, better than any bottled water ive ever had. For about a hot second we contemplated climbing it, but then we realized we wanted lunch. 

We finally made it to Glenveagh National Park and Castle. After waiting out a short rainstorm and eating lunch we made our way to the castle. Instead of taking the bus like normal people, we decided to walk the 4km to the castle. Luckily the wind had died down and it was a gorgeous walk. We took lots of pictures of the flora and actually ate some blackberries along the way. The castle itself was only built around 1870, but the gardens were amazing. We walked around the grounds for a while taking pics and enjoying the nice day. 

Now we are headed to an Italian restaurant in Sligo to eat some dinner and get more rest. Andrew says we are climbing a mtn tomorrow to reach some grave of an old irish queen. I told him we are going horseback riding. We'll see who wins....

Road trip day 1

goofball

Note Andrew shirt.

Hope Castle in the background. The town's local 18th century castle.

The golf course by andrews house. I would be too distracted by the view to play.

The beach in the town we are staying in. What you dont see are the windsurfers because the wind was insane from the leftovers of hurricane bill.

After a tour of the lovely Castleblaney, Andrew's hometown, we headed off for what we are calling, The Irish World Tour 09. First stop: the Ulster American Folk Park This is an outdoor museum depicting the life of an irish immigrant and the trades people that might have immigrated as well. After about 10 old houses & cabins, you get on a replica of a ship and "sail" to America. Then you see houses, many brought from America and rebuilt, where the Irish immigrants live. At the end of the tour is an amazing immigration museum where you can research ship records and letters in order to track geneology. My kind of stuff.

Afterwords we drove to Doneghal and took in the gorgeous views of the hills and water. We ate dinner at a hole in the wall pub called The Glen which opens up to a nice restaurant. I had a dish called Chicken Maryland. Involved was fried chicken, a corn fritter, fried pineapple and bananas wrapped in bacon. Thats right, and it was delicious. Def going to try and make it when `i get home.

Arrived

So i'm here safe and sound. I spent yesterday walking around dublin, getting my irish cell phone active, and getting acclimated to the time. I had lunch with my good friend Deidre almost right when i arrived. She is working on her PhD in Women's Studies. I even got a chance to go back to the Centre and see her office. Thanks Dee for letting me use the internet! 

I managed to beat my jet lag, something I have always failed to do. The trick: staying up till midnight of the day you arrived. Well, i arrived at 9:30am, so its not an easy task. Especially since I slept maybe an hour on the plane. But, i persevered and now i'm sitting at Andrew's parents breakfast table awake and ready to go. I woke up this morning with sunshine pouring in the window, and when i looked out, it was a gorgeous view of the Irish hills. Andrew said County Monahan is known for its little hills, and they gorgeous.

Last night we had a fantastic dinner at their country club with his parents. I think the wine from dinner also helped me sleep last night, hence allowed me to get in irish time. 

Andrew and I are about to embark on our road trip, and hopefully i'll have some pictures to post soon. 

Departure

This is what I found when i tried to start packing for my trip. Spencer will miss his mommy.

So its amazing how times have changed. First, unless you are a first class customer, Delta makes you electronically sign in. No choice really unless there is a problem with the computer sign in. I miss personal interaction with someone as I mentally prepare to depart. I understand that an electronic sign-in is convenient, but i'm afraid that the rapid speed that social media is taking over will severely inhibit the next generation's interpersonal skills. This worries me. However, more on that later, no worrying for me on this trip. 

So, sitting in Bham Shuttlesworth waiting on my flight to the ATL.  One crazy character to mention. Hippie dude with no carry on at all, sporting an appalachian trail t-short, shaggy hair and a vitamin water. He has a personal ID tag (the kind you put on luggage) around his wrist and looks extremely confused bc two flights depart from our terminal at 5:00. bless his hippie heart. I'm also enjoying the gay security officer. Lets hope we find more characters along the way.

Mohawks

Has anyone seen these mohawk bike helmets? Who are these people? Are they a gang, or can anyone wear these helmets? I'm a little scared of them, i'm gonna be honest.

Headed to the airport in a few. I will have a computer with me, so hopefully i'll be able to update this pretty frequently. Stay tuned!

The search for perfection

Right now we are in the thick of trying to find a house. I should say, not just a house, the PERFECT house. Unforuntately, jordan and I have differing options on perfection. So far we havent found one we can completely agree on, and its getting very frusterating. One might be in a great location, but its not big enough. The other might have a great layout with space, but is in an unincoporated area (hence county schools). Even after making a pro-con list together with my mom and dad, the debate continues. I need a house fairy to come visit me and make this right. The kicker to everything is that in the midst of this search, i leave the country on wednesday. Talk about some bad timing. Ive promised my mortgage broker I can be found while abroad...Does rural Ireland have internet capability? I guess i'm about to find out.

Throwback Thursday- First Installment

I put this picure up mainly because SP had to go, and bc it's throwback thursday (which is a new segment I just created).This is intended to take us back to our yesteryear, and all the fun things we might remember from our younger days. Tonights topic: The Neverending Story.

Based on the 1979 German fantasy novel, Die unendliche Geschichte, and adapted into a film in 1984, this tale of the quest for one's lost imagination was part of most of us "80's baby's" childhood. Whether you cried when Atreyu's horse sank into the "sad mud," or when we see the young warrior flying around on Falcor, the gay dragon, this one is definitely a classic. Everyone should really go back and watch it now, just to see how cheesy 80's movie music was, or to experience special effects before they were mastered. I am sure there is a deeper, philisophical meaning to this story, but i'm not going there.

Next week: The Lite-Brite

Results ARE in

And Sarah Palin is back! Just kidding...There is no reason for this photo today except for it made me laugh. It also kinda scared me.

In actuality...



The Birmingham Track Club posted the results from the Greystone 5K, and they are:

Jeris Burns: 1st place, Time: (birmingham record) 15:37....

I wish.


Actual score:


Females (20-29)
Place: 17 Overall: 125 Time: 30:50

I'm just glad I finished without walking, and under 31 minutes.


In other news...Jordan and I went looking at houses again today, and we might put an offer on something soon, so stay tuned!

The (time) traveling wife

In an effort to make blogging even more fun for all while i'm overseas, I have found this googlemaps gidget that allows me to post my specific location in Ireland straight to my blog. cool, huh? Normally this would be done with my blackberry, but I wont have that with me, so andrew's mac will have to do. I dont plan on continuing this when I return, or even using it while i'm here, this is just a trip gidget, then its gone. I really dont want you crazy people knowing where I am at all times.

(Homemade map of trip's rough draft intinerary)

On that note, the itinerary for the trip is almost complete, and I did find a duffle thanks to my business partner, Daniel. Part I will be with Andrew venturing around the north and northwest of the country for almost the first week. Then back to Dublin to visit with the Dublin Central Rotary Club for a night on the town. Part II will include a train ride down to Cork to spend time on the beach with my feminist girls, drinking wine and exploring the south. Part III, back to Dublin to hit up the old hot spots, then back to the states. Wow, ive been looking forward to this trip for over 2 years. I cant wait. It's strange to live somewhere long enough to start to feel at home, only to leave soon after. So, visiting is quite bittersweet.

On another note, ive gotten alot of crap when I tell people I'm going over by myself. Any other time, especially on a trip abroad, Jordan and I would go together. Traveling together is one of our favorite things to do. However, this trip is a bit different, because it is all about visiting people that helped me feel at home in a foriegn place. Special friends that God placed along my trip specifically to help me through the journey. So, this visit is all about seeing them again and exploring their beautiful country.

Results Arn't In

I ran my second 5k this weekend: the Lori Johnson Memorial 5k at Greystone. My goal on this one was not a time, but just to finish without stopping. I had not trained as well, and the course was much harder. Surprisingly though, I did finish without stopping and got around the same time as the last race (30 mins plus some secs). I dont have the final results yet, bc they haven't been posted, so I cant say for sure how I fared. So, I know many people will hate me for saying this, but i'm going to try and run a 5k a month. Its not really helping me loose weight (for all those haters) bc i still eat whatever i want, but it does make me happy to start and finish something challenging on a monthly basis. SO... the next race is...

Paw for the Cause Society 5k

This one might be a little difficult seeing that i get back from Ireland two days before the race, but i'm going to give it a try. Speaking of the trip, I am currently looking for a "pack" to take. I dont want to take a suitcase because Ill be traveling around alot, and I would really like something I dont have to check on the plane. And the cheapest, biggest one I can find it this one:

The North Face Base Camp Duffle: $110-160.

Folks, this is a cool looking bag, but frankly, I dont want to pay over $100 for this. Id really rather not pay anything. So, anyone have one of these (or something similar) I can borrow? Comments welcome. :)

"Arr, this be pleasin' to me eye"

I cant sleep because my migraine medicine, while it has healing features, also contains caffeine, so my blog is getting a mini-makover. This background renovation is to celebrate my upcoming return to the Emerald Isle. yay.

p.s. On an unrelated note, for those on facebook, go to settings-language-English (pirate)- and enjoy. Thanks Capt'n Andrew for that gem. See you at the airport in two weeks, or two turn o' yer weekly hourglass, and a shot o' rum. And make sure Ireland is prepared for the mayhem that will ensue me matey.

A Friendly Promo

Click here for great coffee

Last friday, our practice hosted a retirement party for several of our clients who have been fortunate enough to retire this year. Each of these clients inspire me in their own way, so it was a treat to be able to not only play a role in their retirement, but also celebrate with them; especially in such a turbulent economy. We wanted to make the gathering informal, fun and relaxing, so I suggested we hold it at my friend Brett's coffee shop. (Brett if you are reading this, I borrowed the above picture from your blog, i hope that's cool...) Primavera Coffee is in Cahaba Heights, behind Miss Myra's BBQ. He not only serves fantastic coffee, but it was the perfect fit for our event. This, coupled with fantastic food from Mudtown Restaurant, made the night a complete success. Everyone should go support my friend the entrepreneur, especially if you like coffee, tea or chocolate! yummmmmm...

Two things

1) My passport came in the mail last Thursday. Thank goodness, my trip can commence. Its amazing how quickly a government agency can get something to you when you pay twice as much as normal. Thieves.


2) On the way home from lunch in English Village, in the middle of Mtn. Brook, the police had a roadblock checking... Id's. In the middle of the day. In mtn brook. Can I reiterate this any more? I was so confused. What if I didnt have mine on me? Would they have just ticketed me? I was in the middle of the road, holding up traffic. I sarcastically asked the officer, after I kindly gave him my license, if this was one of the courtesies of mtn brook? He just reminded me that my license expired in December. Well, thanks mr. policeman. Thanks for making sure everyone in mtn brook has updated Id's. I guess since crime is low there they just get bored. Maybe there was an escaped convict on the loose in the Village. who knows. wtf.

Gaston-Eversull Wedding

We had a packed weekend, and I feel like I am just now recovering. Jordan's sister, Emily got married, so we had alot of family in town. Many of the relatives that came for the wedding were ones I have spent little or no time with. They came to our wedding, but I barley remember my vows much less who all was in attendance. So, I got to officially meet people who I can now consider family, and I had a blast with them. Several were Jordan's cousins in from Chicago, New York, and Texas, so even he hardly gets a chance to see them. Others were aunts and uncles who also live far off. I think by the end of the weekend, we had promised to visit all of them. Thats alot of travel, so it might be a busy jet-setting 2010. I need to rack up some amex pnts.

It really was a lovely wedding. Jordan and I were both in it, so of course, we stayed pretty busy. Her dresses were actually one of, if not the most, comfortable bridesmaids dress I have ever worn. So that made the day even more enjoyable. Arden, the photographer from our wedding, took the pictures, so I can wait to see how those turned out since she is fantastic. What is so neat about Emily and Jason is that they incorporated his firefighting into their wedding. Not only did they have a fireman figurine holding the bride on top of the bride's cake, but they actually left the reception on the back of a a Rocky Ridge fire engine. It was actually really neat.

We decided it would be a great idea to have all the cousins over to our place after the reception. The oldest was around 30 and the youngest was 11. It was quite a mixed crowd, but we still managed to have a great time...and break the light in my frig...I think jordan and I both slept around 15 hours on sunday just trying to recover.

A full weekend

This past weekend involved quite alot of stuff into just a few days. First, we found out on Friday night that Olivia had her sweet baby boy, John "David" Reed Jr. I wanted to just head on up there, but I waited since it was late when we got the news. So, we went over to the club to meet up with a new junior member couple for dinner and drinks. We walk in and the new couple has started doing tequila shots right away! Im all about some tequila, but it was 6pm, and I was not feeling that quite yet. Surprisingly the night stayed calm somehow. It's always fun to meet new people. Dont get me wrong, we LOVE our friends but it's fun to meet new people.

Katybeth and I got on the road early Saturday morning to go see Liv, JD and baby David. I wish I had taken pictures, but i was so enthralled with the baby, that I didnt take any. While we were there is was also good to see Jensi and her babies (the pups). When I got back saturday night, Jordan and I went to see the new Judd Apatow movie, "Funny People." It was fantastic! I am trying to get Jordan to post his thoughts, but he says he needs to see it again to make sure he didnt miss anything. That means we probably wont hear from Jordan. But, in my opinion, it was hilarious. I knew it was a drama going in, so I knew not to compare it to The Hangover, or Knocked Up. Plus I love seth rogan & jason swarzman. Adam Sandler was even really good in this. I dont think his recent movies have been that great. Its worth seeing in the theater.

Sunday we hit the links and played 9 holes with some new friends, Artie and Erin. We had never played golf with another couple, and it was a blast. My game is steadily improving, and I want to play as much as I can while the weather is still this nice. After golf we went over to my parents house to celebrate Kimberly and Jeff's birthdays. When we finally got home, we just crashed and watched Entourage. Tired. Next weekend wont be much different since we are gearing up for Jordan's sister, Emily's wedding. Time to rest up.