Valentine's Day 2014

Anyone who knows me, truly knows I love holidays. This includes the Hallmark branded, ritualistic, and overly advertised 'holiday' for St. Valentine. Say or feel what you must, but there is something about the day that can be special for EVERYONE.

Growing up, my dad raised the bar high. My dad is first in line I assure you to say that Valentine's Day is over-rated, Hallmark sponsored, and dumb in the sense that you need a day annually to remind others you love them. Shouldn't well all go out of our way daily to be thoughtful,  loving, and generous in some fashion? Would it hurt anyone to see romance 24/7? Well, that's a different conversation to have anway.

But where I am going with this is, no matter how my dad agreed with the millions that Valentine's Day is "dumb" that never stopped him from leaving notes for my mom, sending me a note and rose to school every year, and being the sweetest valentine there ever was every day and even on "Valentine's Day". 

In America we go all our for everyone. Maybe after the day got tainted with "Single-awareness day" and rebels started wearing black etc, we wised up and said love shouldn't be limited to a significant other. Love is something that can be celebrated beyond the romantic sentiment. We wear red to school or work, make heart-shaped breakfasts for our kids, buy or make valentines for friends in family, pass out valentines to classmates and leave them in shoeboxes decorated with loads of glitter, pinks, reds, and more for our valentine's day parties at school, go off to high school and decorate friends' lockers, hope we have boyfriends to celebrate with but realize our best friends make better valentines anyway, and go off to college where we celebrate having each other and get dressed up, leave notes under our roommates doors, make dinner, drink, dance......then repeat this cycle as teachers, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, whatevers! Maybe this all sounds ridiculous to you or brings back great memories as you read along, but these are memories I have of this silly day each year.

In other counties, in particularly Ireland, I learnt that it's more an exchange between significant others. I'm glad in America we spread the love around and maybe others do too and its just the experiences I've had thus far that have shaped my new opinions. Nothings's worse than being 'single' and feeling the singleness on a day you know someone's gettin' some lovin'. Yuck. So some of my best valentines day memories have been made having dinner and cocktails with my best friends. To this day I wish I could still spend Valentine's Day with my roommates and best friends cooking pasta, drinking wine, going to see Channing Tatum movies at the theatre, and busting out moves DT at the loft where we get champagne and roses at midnight. Those were great times! 

Nothing too mushy to say about this year, although after 3 consecutive years of mailed valentines and Skype dates, it was cool to be in the same place with D this year. 

I went to work and celebrated with my class first. Valentine's Day fell on a Friday, so all week we'd been building up to our class party. Our kiddos went home full of cupcakes and carrying cards, chocolates, and roses for their moms. It was a fun day and sweet to see their mamas' faces when they saw their goodies. 

Happy Valentine's Day from Miss Melanie's Class; 14/02/14; Photo By: M.

Dublin; 14/02/14; Photo By: M.

Dublin; 14/02/14; Photo By: M.

Dublin; 14/02/14; Photo By: M.

Dublin; 14/02/14; Photo By: M.

To be honest, I know D never reads this blog but he would be absolutely mortified if I said anything about him a) remembering it was Valentine's Day, b) planning a thoughtful date and c) being anyone's "Valentine"- so I won't even go there. But it was a fun day.

:-) 

I hope wheresoever you were on V-Day this year, you felt the love and sent a little love too. Not that you need a day annually to deserve it. 

Cheers,
M

GLASNEVIN CEMETERY

In February there was a Groupon for family passes, so I tagged along with D and his uncles for a jolly good outing to Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

Gothic Architecture throughout Glasnevin Cemetery; Feb. 2014; Photo By M.

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

It's pretty safe to say I've done just about every single touristy thing to do in Dublin, with exception to St. Patrick's Day just around the corner. No matter how long I live here, I still like crossing my tourist to-do list off. 

If you're in Dublin or planning a visit, here is a site that may be useful to you. On Trip Advisor this destination is rated the highest. I know what you're thinking, "Really a cemetery is more popular than The Guinness Storehouse?" REALLY. It's an impressive grounds to visit. If you are not as familiar with Irish history, I'd strongly recommend visiting Kilamainham Gaol first and/or watching some Irish history documentaries beforehand. It's more enjoyable if you have a bit of background on the people you're seeing headstones for. 

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

We managed to get all the way across the grounds, which is impressive when you think over 1 million people are beneath your feet. Literally more people are buried there now than actually live in the city today. We had a bit of rain toward the rain, but no bother.... that only led to a beautiful rainbow to round off the visit.

Glasnevin Cemetery; February 2014; Photo By: M.

No trip complete with a stop at the bakery. Tea and "rockyroad" treats never tasted so good.

Cheers,
M

J A N U A R Y 2014

Baby Jesus made it to Dublin's City Centre. Christmas 2013 is complete. Photo By: M.

Bye Bye beautiful Christmas lights in Dublin. You've been most festive & lovely. Photo By: M.

I celebrated New Years with D, J & M in Powerscourt. We went hiking to the Powerscourt Waterfall and started 2014 with a healthy adventure. I hadn't ever been to that spot before and it was gorgeous. It honestly looked like a scene out of Lord of the Rings or something. I was in good company with great scenery. 

[Me & D on New Years Day 1.1.2014; Photo By: J.]

[Me, D, J, &M from New Years Day 1.1.2014; Photo By: M.]

[Wicklow Mountains on New Years Day 1.1.2014; Photo By: M.]

[Me & J on New Years Day 1.1.2014 at Powerscourt// Selfie By: M.]

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January also included a fun girly date in town to see the musical Wicked. 

[Wicked in Dublin 1/2014. Photo By: M.]

I'd yet to see a musical over here yet and I was quite EXCITED. The Grand Canal Docks are gorgeous at night and The Bord Gais was beautiful on the inside. It's a modern theatre house and reminds me of a mix of Phillips Arena with a Fox Theatre layout from Atlanta. 

[View of the bridge that looks like a harp by Grand Canal Docks; 1/2014. Photo By: M.]

The highlight of the evening for me (besides getting dressed up, eating dinner at The Marker Hotel, bit of girl talk and amusement from the story) was hearing Defying Gravity LIVE! 

[Wicked in Dublin on The Grand Canal Docks; 1/2014. Photo By: Passerby.]

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This was my January Jam
& it spent many late hours into the night 
helping me study English grammar, write lesson plans
and stay FOCUSED. ;)

Study and Celebrations on finishing our first assignment and getting my official stamp! Photo By: Fabio

CELTA came and went. It was 4 consecutive weeks of 9-5 days in town. 

The view from our tea/coffee/study lab. Photo By: M.

It was intense, but we expected as much (1. We were paying for the education and push; 2. There's a lot to cover in a short period of time, 3. Cambridge has high standards for a reason, 4. Teaching adults was surprisingly difficult at first because it's a completely different comfort zone, set of skills and dynamic from what I'm classically trained to do as a special education teacher; 5. I made friends with the students we taught from all over [Brazil, Spain, Italy, Iran...etc] and enjoyed getting to know them and helping them learn English, 6. By the end of it I could feel the Cambridge stamp to on my back and started feeling more natural at what we'd just really been thrown into. I am officially a certified CELTA teacher and can teach English anywhere in the world! :-D

#teacherdoodles; Photo By: M.

[ie.CELTA input sessions galore; 1/2014. Photo By: M.]

CELTA was a cool experience though. I liked having the structure back and routine. It felt good to wake up at the crack of dawn and watch the sun rise come up over the city.

[Sun Rise on Henry Street; 1/2014. Photo By: M.]

From early morning bus routes; walks through the city with the daily commuters; sunny days and rainy/windy/a dose of all weather; tea/coffee breaks; the "I can eat this sausage roll b/c I just taught/studied really hard/woke up really early/am awesome" conversation; happy hours on Friday with the "CELTA family"; meeting new friends; learning about other cultures; gaining new teaching skills; and setting out on a challenge to come out victorious....... CELTA, the end.

England, Italy, Ireland & USA on our last Friday of CELTA:  Buddy Pic. Photo By: D.

I may look to teach English on the side or part of summer when I'm not teaching swim lessons. Right now I'm so thrilled to be teaching special needs again, as that's my first passion in my career. I love having the option for both though and it's good to have a new style of training in my continued professional learning interests.

Little did I know I would go from studying to be an English teacher and teaching English to adults full-time over January, only to dive head first back in to special education! Hey, I'm at peace with that.

[An early valentine from Fi to celebrate my job offer after the course. So sweet; 1/2014. Photo By: M.]

Now it's time for a little defying gravity of my own..... ((Sorry I'm not sorry, I couldn't resist!))


Hooray!!!!!!
Hooray for the upgrade from holiday visa to work permit visa and a job!!!! Happy Happy Joy Joyy!!!!!!

Sometimes when you believe in something, work really hard, don't take no for an answer, walk in faith, learn from lessons, take different paths along the way, humble yourself, pour your heart and soul in to a cause and a goal, seek out help from strangers, serve others, accept support and criticism with grace and a smile..... you don't get what you want, but sometimes you do. And this time, I do. It's not the way I imagined it, but it's exactly the way it is meant to be and I am so grateful! 

Cheers,

M

Irish land memories from 2013. . .

Stepping out of my comfort zone and putting miles between myself and my closest team of support was a huge move for me. But as much as I knew I would miss everyone, I never looked back. Some girls grew up dreaming of their perfect wedding or future home, many saved for their perfect car, but for me it's always been a about travel. Call me a dreamer, wanderluster, or hopeless travel bug.... I have always wanted to travel the world and live in other countries. The opportunity to learn other languages, experience other cultures and meet people while maturing myself..... This is exactly where I am meant to be (at the present). August 2013 opened the newest and biggest chapter of my life to date.

September was full of busy tasks like visa applications, trips across Dublin to perfect ongoing applications, interviews for teaching positions, & settling in past "holiday-mode" and into "life here". The epic wait for applications and timing was unknown and I had to draw upon faith and patience in ways I'd yet to have to before. I was able to enjoy my first fall in Ireland: rich in color, fresh air, Oktoberfest, exploring the city and having a real break from work to get to know responsibilities here. Everyday was a new adventure, even with work involved! Being in a new place though taught me how to stay connected with friends and family where ever I am and get to know the company of myself on my own. Did I mention I knew next to no one here? Have you ever read a buzzfeed online about how hard it can be to 'make new friends in a new city over age 24'? It is! But you just roll with it! It's a memory and something you go through when you move, ya know?

 In October I went on my first trip to England and stayed in London over a long weekend. Londontober was incredible! I felt like I was walking through history (because I was) both from the books I read in school and of my own life. It was an amazing trip (*See Londontober post from a different entry) and I would love to visit London again. I'd never had time off like this before and after loads of saving, planning, and starting new things in Dublin- it was beyond a gift and treat to go on this holiday! The photo above is me on Oxford Street. The white lanterns draped throughout the city were the first things I noticed when the sun came up. Aren't they cool? This trip symbolized goals I had for this move, steps I was taking for my future, and having a wish and actually getting to see it through. You really can live your dreams (I'm sorry to sound cliche, but actually I'm not sorry). It takes blood, sweat, and tears sometimes and doesn't always come at the time or in the exact way you picture it... but it can still happen and might just be better than you wanted! Before this trip I was frustrated, because I really wanted to be settled and in my new job already. But now looking back, how amazing I could be resting up from 2 very big years of teaching in Georgia and visiting an iconic city like London? Why was I making myself feel guilty for something out of my control and also so special? It's human nature I suppose, but really.... we just all need to get out of our heads sometimes!

 November was the start of the holiday season for me and it was the first Thanksgiving I spent away from home and family. It was tough loving the adventure I was on but wanting to share it in person with the people I love the most and not being able to. I've said it once and I'll say it again a thousand times, technology is a great thing as it's helped me stay connected to everyone!

 Christmas, New Years, and the end of 2013 flew by! I was volunteering in a school and experiencing just what it's like to be a teacher in another country. I was also enjoying all the new traditions of Christmas in Ireland!  I was so blessed to join a fabulous school with wonderful administrators, teachers, and students for 3 months. They all welcomed me and made me feel like such an important part of their school. This made me homesick for my own roots again in a school, but having had the time to get to know the differences and similarities hands on in a school system here finally had me feeling prepared and confident to be in charge again. I wasn't sure how being a volunteer would go, but being accepted and placed in such a great school was the perfect fit. It also reminded me of my teaching practice at UGA and made me nostalgic as well as crazy for having to 'go back in time' in a way. While it was humbling and not easy the whole time, I never felt like I was taking a step backwards. Everything was a step forward and preparing me for each new door on my way to a job. I could honestly feel like I was getting this and that much closer to a job, but it was just taking time and I wasn't sure how much longer I could go without a proper job. All I was waiting on was for "Santa" to bring me the prezzie with my name on it. It didn't come right away, but not too long after January 1, 2014 I received a job offer! That was a pivotal moment in my life! Hooray I could stay! From holiday to volunteer to part of the community!

That brings me to January 2014 and the re-birth of this blog.

Thanks for reading and for being such great supporters. 

Cheers,

M

Céad Míle Fáilte

A Hundred Thousand Welcomes, 2014!

Hiya, Friends!
I hope everyone enjoyed safe, healthy, happy times celebrating the end of 2013 and beginning to 2014. 
May this be our greatest year yet together.
xx

Cheers,
M

Decemeber Stories

December in Dublin. .  .

Happy Christmas!

Sending so many hugs, wishes of joy, health and peace, and everything you need all year through to everyone near and far! I am thinking of you this Christmas! Happy Holidays!

Here is a taste (pun intended) of Christmas in Dublin:

Costa has the cutest holiday cups for coffee. Photo By: M.

Fall leaves? What? Where is the snow? Photo By: M.

Decorations in The City Centre. Photo By: M.

Christmas at Clery's. Photo By: M.

December afternoons in Dun Laogherie. Photo By:M.

Tuesday dates with Nat by the boats. Photo By: M.

December sunsets. Photo By: M.

12 pubs of Christmas. Woof. Photo By: M.

My first trip to Ballycotton with D and his family. Photo By: C.

Christmas Crackers! Photo By: M.

Happy Christmas 2013! Photo By: C.

Christmas cheer on Grafton Street. Photo By: M.

Happy New Year!

 Christmas and 2013 have come and gone. Looking back on 2013, it feels like an astonishing journey and year of growth. Now looking ahead at 2014, I hope to grow more and go even farther.

Cheers,

M