Melventure: Destination Sea

Wow, it's October. It's Fall in Dublin: Yellows, Oranges, Browns, and Reds in almost all of the trees. The colors are even decorating and lining the streets, sidewalks, and paths now. Funny enough, the grass is all still a perfect kelly green color and soft as ever. It's been sunny and warm on/off for about a month, and then rainy/chilly on the other days. It's not that the weather is too cold for me, but it feels like it's time for Christmas presents instead of Halloween candy. Speaking of Halloween, the ongoing decision making for what costume to make is fun to think about. I don't usually care what my costume is or have set plans, but this year I have two parties already scheduled, so I want to have something really fun and creative to wear. I've joked about going as Miley and D going as the wrecking ball, but I'd rather go in a different direction. I'd rather be Kim and Kanye first (barf). Correction: I did go as Kim last year as a default for last minute plans in Buckhead. I actually wore my favorite black dress for going out in Miami, Fl :) Regardless, I am stepping my game up this year. I could go the vampire or zombie route, but I like doing pop culture costumes, so I've started thinking more strongly about Breaking Bad. That's the only spoiler I can give away for now. :D

And I really can't mention Breaking Bad without saying...that finale was boss. That series was boss. I will miss Sunday nights and Netflix binges with this show, but where one epic show ends, another one soon begins. I'd say more, but I gots to respect the folks who haven't watched it yet, or have been on the fence about starting it. For anyone who has ever felt like the under dog, science nerd, or person wanting your mind to be blown by creative and perfectly written scripts on TV....Breaking Bad is worth a go. I often chat with D about his thoughts with this show (we both really like it) and we agree it sheds light on the horrific pay of teachers and health care struggles, the desperation of the human spirit when facing death, greed, the war against drugs has many holes in it, and even people who think they're above certain things can find entertainment in a show like Breaking Bad and befriend the most unlikely characters and their flaws. That's great television.

The weather today is grey, cool, and wet. It has been raining all morning. I was spoiled by the sun and warm weather when I first moved here. It was the best spring and fall weather in July, August, and September that I ever experienced. I could lay in the back garden and wait for my clothes to dry on the line, sip coffee, read, and soak up a little sun. Today is not a day like that. Today I'm wondering how many days it will take my clothes to dry in the utility to room after I was them. Today I'm thinking about which shoes and clothes to wear for my run/walk/wog in Corkagh Park. I want to embrace the new weather and not give up my healthy strides, especially because it's been with faith and perseverance I've gotten into my routines. I plan on riding my bike and running outside even after it gets much wetter and colder (even if optimistically I hope it's a gentle winter :D), and I'd like to start using the pool again. I've been there once and liked the pool, but I've been on the fence since going back because without knowing where my new job will have me living yet, I don't want to be tied to membership dues. I'll just take one for the sake of my health and wellness and do one of their pay as you come fees. I spend 6 euro on pints in town, so 6 euro on 1-2 hours of lap swimming is an even better investment. ;)

On Thursday I rode my bike that morning, rode the bus into town early, treated myself to a tasty breakfast at Queen of Tarts Dames Street (scrambled egg, smoked salmon, brown bread, and tea) and sat by the window watching the morning commuters and tourists.

 I read my book by said window and enjoyed my tea (treating myself to milk and sugar today instead of just black..... but later I felt guilty about the sugar and thought next time opting for honey maybe) for ages, then spontaneously went and got my hair cut. I kept it long, just trimmed, and had a moisture wrap so it would be less dry. My real reason for wanting to cut though was for a fringe. Welcome back bangs, I've missed you.

I chatted with the woman who cut my hair for awhile, we met last summer, and it was nice having someone new to catch up with here. I've been joking with friends and family back home that I have a gift for making friends with tourists here, but then they leave, so then what. So, as silly as it sounds, I'm trying to go out on my own and make friends with more people who actually live here. It was Arthur's Day (the Guiness celebration) on Thursday, so there was music and craic going on all day in town.

 I walked around for the afternoon enjoying the fresh air, business in town, and music. I actually sat and wrote in my own journal for awhile and drank a glass of wine at the Market Bar. As much as I was enjoying my own company and my zest for adventure, I found myself a bit bored of the city. I was thinking here I am in Dublin and I love it, but I miss...... the other outdoors. A plus for living in Ireland is being a train ride away from the beach, so why was I still sitting in town when I could be sitting by the sea? Fall or not, I want to be by the water year round.





Feeling more confident that I could get there on my own, that's exactly what I did Friday. I rode the bus on my own, walked through town and Trinity College's campus to get to the DART station, bought a train ticket, decided on a town I could navigate on my own just fine and hill walk, and was off......

I spent the afternoon in Bray. On the train I read my book again until I saw the sea. The way my eyes and senses brighten and open up at the sight of it, always reminds me of every memory I have for seeing the sea after a long time without seeing it. I love the feeling and excitement of being close to the beach and how beautiful it is. I love how colorful and smooth the sailboats look in Dun Laoighre, I love how different the towns seem by the coast, and I love how when I got to Bray I felt like I was on a special mission for myself.

The train station in Bray, Ireland. Photo Taken By: M.

It was a sunny and warm day. I walked around the beach and saw families walking with their loved ones, men and women running and getting their daily exercise, people chasing their dogs, and people like myself just walking and enjoying the sand, water, and walk alongside it.

Bray: Small, seaside town on the East. Photo Taken By: M.

Hello, Beach. I have missed you. Photo Taken By: M.

Photo Taken By: M.

I climbed Bray's Head  and sat at the top of it for longer than I usually do when I'm with other people and just enjoyed the view. I kept almost saying to myself, 'Relax. Look at this view. Be here. You have no schedule to keep or time to be back. Be here.' I walked up the muddy, rocky, and steeper path and impressed a group of Brazilian lads who had gone up the easier path. I thought that's funny, because a month ago I would've been scared to do the harder path. I'm getting stronger and braver it seems and I'm glad. I want to conquer my fear of heights, but obviously stay safe. My friend Chelsea said she can't wait to see pictures of me climbing the sides of mountains. One day my friend, one day.

Photo Taken at the bottom of Bray's Head. Photo By: Jerry from Co. Clare.

Photo Taken By: M.

Photo Taken By: M.

Photo Taken By: M.

Photo Taken By: M.

Photo Taken By: M.

Photo Taken By: M.

All of these photographs are from the top of Bray's Head. Beautiful day to take a break from the city and enjoy fresh air. I want to take 'Melventures' like this as often as I can.

Before I left Bray, I stopped and sampled the most delicious gelato from an Irish/Italian man in his store. I ate the nutella gelato on the train ride home. Heaven across all senses.

Photo Taken By: M.

Photo Taken By: M.

 I voxed with my friends Krystle and B*Mac on the train back to Dublin. Always so good to hear my besties' voices and feel like we are closer than ever. It's so nice telling stories and staying in touch. I'm also encouraged by their words and appreciate the way they always make me laugh. I also had a gorgeous email from my friend Adina that I loved reading. I am surrounded by a beautiful part of the world, tasting delicious foods, challenging my mind and body to new strengths, and constantly surrounded by love from good friends like these.

I ended this "Melventure" by meeting Natalie at Govinda's and having a hearty vegetarian meal together. We also grabbed coffee and had some nice girl talk at Costas after. Happy Friday indeed.

Until next time....

Cheers,
M