tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24839461377888552492024-02-07T21:52:50.114-06:00Nine-ish MonthsIn approximately nine months I will (Cosmos willing) have transformed - have experienced a new way of life - have grown in multitudinous ways...Don't worry - the only thing I'm pregnant with is excitement for my trip!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-85331537057662376172012-06-08T21:20:00.001-05:002012-06-08T21:31:40.229-05:00London and Home...and the EndSo on May 10 I went to London for my last week in Europe. I stayed with my generous friend and her roommate for FREE near King's Cross/St. Pancras (you know, Platform 9 3/4). It was great, fantastic, and I cannot WAIT to go back.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimLPgubdd50Oz-hdi-LuUw1nEylUibxEapcQZ9VR-3-r2WEZvbJjHLsJZR-5LuzqJa3iGLBd0oPGC_NPfg6filn-q5oVJa0BoQT9ADg-H6gBiu-Yfqbn4SpkvIkE0CA5B2XqRJkcscXAl/s1600/London+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimLPgubdd50Oz-hdi-LuUw1nEylUibxEapcQZ9VR-3-r2WEZvbJjHLsJZR-5LuzqJa3iGLBd0oPGC_NPfg6filn-q5oVJa0BoQT9ADg-H6gBiu-Yfqbn4SpkvIkE0CA5B2XqRJkcscXAl/s320/London+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covent Garden! Awesome place. Like my hat?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBwINE1AFQ9AAfSAxSQvbzjR6Q08MW9GdSxVRdNMj6tYg7w6VTnADaqrPObI0FCOJ4JNpZQMLKsgHXWYy8ovd718Ru3cyBcnW2e22RwVzHWU_OuQgYb7u6muX7npDrG2SJKv1-gSEyWzq/s1600/London+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBwINE1AFQ9AAfSAxSQvbzjR6Q08MW9GdSxVRdNMj6tYg7w6VTnADaqrPObI0FCOJ4JNpZQMLKsgHXWYy8ovd718Ru3cyBcnW2e22RwVzHWU_OuQgYb7u6muX7npDrG2SJKv1-gSEyWzq/s320/London+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two iconic London sights. The Tube and the Black Cab.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoD00ed8jfNeMzDkePgHv5VIFGXYr9GHWC_swWz7YeV8ZTydVBsFiD8nJ_V25eWDbfZqF0VF1o4QBf71CX5kcsO3dNSAx7g49kB0Vb6rBSbsYHyybD48MnC7PXMSZoZjGNaG-spcSei8x/s1600/London+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoD00ed8jfNeMzDkePgHv5VIFGXYr9GHWC_swWz7YeV8ZTydVBsFiD8nJ_V25eWDbfZqF0VF1o4QBf71CX5kcsO3dNSAx7g49kB0Vb6rBSbsYHyybD48MnC7PXMSZoZjGNaG-spcSei8x/s320/London+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to get him to laugh but he didn't even blink!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoR2efvxQ_PBTWzBAT3MWuipHZU7j3wmtCeA__Gm5mxmVaA4pMgoG3dWWEyE-169FQnYLRPtpkim4Rmbu_p4QP7ykChGlA_h9ANKz3DbyZghAEPfQtPqFdhncC0B-fOPHm2dNxVdXk9X-/s1600/London+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoR2efvxQ_PBTWzBAT3MWuipHZU7j3wmtCeA__Gm5mxmVaA4pMgoG3dWWEyE-169FQnYLRPtpkim4Rmbu_p4QP7ykChGlA_h9ANKz3DbyZghAEPfQtPqFdhncC0B-fOPHm2dNxVdXk9X-/s320/London+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a BEAUTIFUL day sitting in St. James Park near the Duck Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47E8s8eVqpmwgxS1qVnGHlqD_ITbfzBtP7MY9tmYx_UTE_Ue0l8CJA5xXQfn6x2wEExAv1kipNx_J84ExviGaP3MUD6e2Iqbg_Ik7wd7e3MFn5CH_AsK8Gky01csZ0v8clodV3OpceOV2/s1600/London+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47E8s8eVqpmwgxS1qVnGHlqD_ITbfzBtP7MY9tmYx_UTE_Ue0l8CJA5xXQfn6x2wEExAv1kipNx_J84ExviGaP3MUD6e2Iqbg_Ik7wd7e3MFn5CH_AsK8Gky01csZ0v8clodV3OpceOV2/s320/London+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaitlin and I had our own lovely day sitting at the park. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73ZEmt0IOL9hs0hvy7VSXHJVARoFm70uOW6orh3v-_K69jrFoKyboKd0nicE3zHROKjUenV0iit0aeJFg7FqnS8-fxbwiql39ANEK1OXoHzOrQ-j1RoAIXk54HMB70T2XILIN__rD22eG/s1600/London+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73ZEmt0IOL9hs0hvy7VSXHJVARoFm70uOW6orh3v-_K69jrFoKyboKd0nicE3zHROKjUenV0iit0aeJFg7FqnS8-fxbwiql39ANEK1OXoHzOrQ-j1RoAIXk54HMB70T2XILIN__rD22eG/s320/London+11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT'S THE HARRY POTTER BRIDGE AND I CROSSED IT. No wizard sightings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1EcKBLPWbWR5PCCRt1mw9vmVIpiz6eaegRVa1UdvU33CRfeOWUKNQXLC-5HfCpl4VEX0NLrviQzkc2vbJfwdczVZkGjy1D_aiWcH9Kqu2hKn4f-eMYLWI-OYprHTuCpSkXquEFw0GiS5/s1600/London+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1EcKBLPWbWR5PCCRt1mw9vmVIpiz6eaegRVa1UdvU33CRfeOWUKNQXLC-5HfCpl4VEX0NLrviQzkc2vbJfwdczVZkGjy1D_aiWcH9Kqu2hKn4f-eMYLWI-OYprHTuCpSkXquEFw0GiS5/s320/London+12.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The often misnamed Tower Bridge as seen from Tower of London. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1w8OrX09cY7gEYN4thsJFqIEHrzxz8F7T2AyxNV5mAny9ReQQOQiPtVOm-dzKO2ViwLyGdHghI0D360DsW2YP-bEYS2zghyCludAAR-gq4ez1mL3aeARPP-nGpWluhtm2c5fypfxK3bF/s1600/London+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1w8OrX09cY7gEYN4thsJFqIEHrzxz8F7T2AyxNV5mAny9ReQQOQiPtVOm-dzKO2ViwLyGdHghI0D360DsW2YP-bEYS2zghyCludAAR-gq4ez1mL3aeARPP-nGpWluhtm2c5fypfxK3bF/s320/London+13.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wouldn't be complete without a visit to Twinings. Which I happened to stumble across. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Bnp1tf8q4Rcwt29HClgD1IM1etkfCjMnxnJuIOfYtU_OqLRI4pqL4drHCI13n8F-bS_-vi8qWod0ILd2BIUE6H3XpBDQIrn_qqV2eYLFvf6Lw6c4NJsOOEJl9j_O6nj1r-Fcm6ArVUlv/s1600/London+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Bnp1tf8q4Rcwt29HClgD1IM1etkfCjMnxnJuIOfYtU_OqLRI4pqL4drHCI13n8F-bS_-vi8qWod0ILd2BIUE6H3XpBDQIrn_qqV2eYLFvf6Lw6c4NJsOOEJl9j_O6nj1r-Fcm6ArVUlv/s320/London+14.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Pret. Love. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-kCUSNIbFfHGzB5E68CbjpzG7zJevpic1Xz_fIE7gFIEiZb7iE_CtvCImTdqsbbSmyfWkj5iuF145amqc1r69-r_CDk8uX6a2yfQQqWVryTJxgbe6QkkTPgFDJ3zX_TjhqKXFru1jVrr/s1600/London+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-kCUSNIbFfHGzB5E68CbjpzG7zJevpic1Xz_fIE7gFIEiZb7iE_CtvCImTdqsbbSmyfWkj5iuF145amqc1r69-r_CDk8uX6a2yfQQqWVryTJxgbe6QkkTPgFDJ3zX_TjhqKXFru1jVrr/s320/London+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right! Top of the bus!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxoZvb9BUwiLK_7a4ccK9mRyvBsEybLnZZ3OzdcUwXuHCmOnBwHbwhUhyphenhyphenEaPjUx2xvNu4j7gWZsi45BmiHl8harLuOwJU4loSMkuFa4H9uT0waEA4yEmElMMrDI3Qz6qbiHcF5vSAN9K7/s1600/London+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxoZvb9BUwiLK_7a4ccK9mRyvBsEybLnZZ3OzdcUwXuHCmOnBwHbwhUhyphenhyphenEaPjUx2xvNu4j7gWZsi45BmiHl8harLuOwJU4loSMkuFa4H9uT0waEA4yEmElMMrDI3Qz6qbiHcF5vSAN9K7/s320/London+6.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd hoped my dress-like-a-witch-trying-to-dress-like-a-muggle disguise would work but it didn't. :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsB-wmRV94iSer0i7wbRLQRh0JgnjSBitRvkpiaJ41i3EmYD62wZho7BTwaSDQ2BsDChRNSgur1aLBFqV9kZxmLpb5SIQ6ddJ4vQRp4vpMdW_MqB1wx0BjRl89vyLzdXtO0ju4QNbY87L/s1600/London+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsB-wmRV94iSer0i7wbRLQRh0JgnjSBitRvkpiaJ41i3EmYD62wZho7BTwaSDQ2BsDChRNSgur1aLBFqV9kZxmLpb5SIQ6ddJ4vQRp4vpMdW_MqB1wx0BjRl89vyLzdXtO0ju4QNbY87L/s320/London+7.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cue hyperventilation. This is THE DESK that Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility were written on. WHOA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhX2mjBODSEKfSQNioZ5FuDS9uNQlljg9ZMpQft1x0xodMmR9lS57inK-2V1M3jm6K-5evGuZ1zL0HmSjEnR_CXEv3f89_-YF3HmxahFKgo_mbn5pfXz6Vm2W825PYNbotBndQDtAW_CF/s1600/London+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhX2mjBODSEKfSQNioZ5FuDS9uNQlljg9ZMpQft1x0xodMmR9lS57inK-2V1M3jm6K-5evGuZ1zL0HmSjEnR_CXEv3f89_-YF3HmxahFKgo_mbn5pfXz6Vm2W825PYNbotBndQDtAW_CF/s320/London+8.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me outside Jane Austen's kitchen. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I actually went to the Jane Austen House and Museum for a writing workshop about food! I turned out some pretty good stuff and also got to write while sitting in Jane's kitchen. SO EPIC AND LIFE CHANGING.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks9yEugrNIAaKPltUWN7ZVldm-5oEE2wZQXwB08Ubxhbf5OpArrl8VWdRzTwofRxVtwmxYhs1Wl4Ggm6PUKvLLgORh_Ud6ZAhHA-qt3SEzf8ZfLlLP1ou1_XkZGDaSlU7Zb5kwWkbFglr/s1600/London+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks9yEugrNIAaKPltUWN7ZVldm-5oEE2wZQXwB08Ubxhbf5OpArrl8VWdRzTwofRxVtwmxYhs1Wl4Ggm6PUKvLLgORh_Ud6ZAhHA-qt3SEzf8ZfLlLP1ou1_XkZGDaSlU7Zb5kwWkbFglr/s320/London+10.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe my favorite photo. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Well, on May 17 at approximately 2pm I landed in Chicago after a lovely flight in which I watched "Alfred Knobs", "Jane Eyre" (the Michael Fassbender one), and "The Descendents". I actually like transatlantic flights b/c of all the movie watching. Maybe like is a strong word.<br />
<br />
I've grown. I feel different. And I like it - it's not just a matter of maturity, it's a matter of becoming more of ME! The person I am meant to become. I've met AWESOME people* who have impacted me so much, people that have helped me learn more about me, put up with me, and simply been there in my darkest hours. Travel and losing my dad and not seeing my friends or family for almost nine months has been...life changing.<br />
<br />
Radically.<br />
<br />
And so my dear beloved readers, after just over 100 posts, and 260 days, and I've no idea how many photos, and six countries.....it's the End.<br />
<br />
It's been amazing. AMAZING. And ridiculous and tough and heart wrenching and challenging...<br />
<br />
And it's not over! Well this part is - but the trick of life you learn while traveling, the trick of living each day consciously and refusing to just struggle through and slug on? That will continue. And there will be LOTS of baking involved.<br />
<br />
So check me out in a few weeks at <a href="http://girlpenspoon.wordpress.com/">girlpenspoon.wordpress.com</a>. Right now there's not much to see. Just a template. I'm working on it!<br />
<br />
Baci per sempre,<br />
<br />
Mari<br />
<br />
*Special shout out to my Rhomers -especially Natalie and Megan and Caitlin, Mas de Madelena, Sebastian, Sam, Sara from Poland, Brie from Santorini, my MICers -especially Emma, and everyone else!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-74996747638680412512012-06-08T20:03:00.000-05:002012-06-08T20:06:38.975-05:00KY Derby via Ireland<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILmfaDfPBx663SqDNk7JYqCG0CMoKj2RugpKKcYVzCV-rvf6VeEzbnByib6nUA9zcELOFcj1QeraCvegQ1MQ_zkVWoG3uhVRuPfJcuFrPUkGcfuJddCdx_1EcBW3a2iMz76RO9wo-hX9G/s1600/derby+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILmfaDfPBx663SqDNk7JYqCG0CMoKj2RugpKKcYVzCV-rvf6VeEzbnByib6nUA9zcELOFcj1QeraCvegQ1MQ_zkVWoG3uhVRuPfJcuFrPUkGcfuJddCdx_1EcBW3a2iMz76RO9wo-hX9G/s320/derby+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See those things on the left...those are Chocolate Earl Grey with Cream Cheese Icing Cake Balls...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV2oLiq24ndHN5UMi8hhHNbLp5Q4QhRAIoyQvGbsMXM_mn7pf_o1R4_Hzbt40OZRra5RvX8_rY44Vab5SbKtixG8RY55maXSJ9mV2H73lr82oTlV9NGirRWK_YHZW-t79Bo2HCMZS1Edc/s1600/derby+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV2oLiq24ndHN5UMi8hhHNbLp5Q4QhRAIoyQvGbsMXM_mn7pf_o1R4_Hzbt40OZRra5RvX8_rY44Vab5SbKtixG8RY55maXSJ9mV2H73lr82oTlV9NGirRWK_YHZW-t79Bo2HCMZS1Edc/s320/derby+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any Derby Party has to have Bourbon....Lots of Bourbon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIa96AfKz9jSvHEPzwR_KR-Oz1Fw0rKQskBeOoFnhd7v551rOfA3ksngeB1_HB0WoF-YYF1ZMLriAeM3KY9paAaReDr89efkUzJ4cncqvJbZawYVoBZFcwb0-iSWVttHZQoskLHY0Q5QS/s1600/derby+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIa96AfKz9jSvHEPzwR_KR-Oz1Fw0rKQskBeOoFnhd7v551rOfA3ksngeB1_HB0WoF-YYF1ZMLriAeM3KY9paAaReDr89efkUzJ4cncqvJbZawYVoBZFcwb0-iSWVttHZQoskLHY0Q5QS/s320/derby+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only other chica to where a hat! The beautiful (French) Raphaelle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BtjGtGzlbGVUCnuVN1RKTXTQ47pn7YH1P-dCoCPNLVKQCq0jNrrKkCEWqEdHH8PhRYKi-7fw4tsLurgzRngjlPeSGI-JAegm5cIShjaBFLIgGZoeBOzqtMMiEOJA_5EnrlHaELDNPDMV/s1600/derby+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BtjGtGzlbGVUCnuVN1RKTXTQ47pn7YH1P-dCoCPNLVKQCq0jNrrKkCEWqEdHH8PhRYKi-7fw4tsLurgzRngjlPeSGI-JAegm5cIShjaBFLIgGZoeBOzqtMMiEOJA_5EnrlHaELDNPDMV/s320/derby+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arnaud had a hat too. Not sure where he got it. I think he was sharing it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
I think my KY Derby part Italian style was quite the success. Not many pics, not good quality at all, but an awesomely awesome time getting to share a piece of my culture with my sweet European friends.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I served:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Chocolate Earl Grey Tea Cake Balls</div>
<div>
Chicken Nuggets and Southern Fried Chicken Goujons with Mango Chutney and BBQ Sauce</div>
<div>
Sweet Baby Corn</div>
<div>
Carrots</div>
<div>
Low fat hummus and sweet chili hummus</div>
<div>
Strawberries and grapes</div>
<div>
A shot of bourbon with mixer</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was awesome!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Baci,</div>
<div>
Mari</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
PS Congrats to I'll Have Another on the Derby and Preakness win and good luck with the stud farm!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-26551437679102130022012-05-21T18:05:00.001-05:002012-05-21T18:05:36.075-05:00I'm baaaaaack!So...I'm back. In the States. Gli Stati. Los Estados.<br />
<br />
Weird.<br />
<br />
No really. It's so weird. I honestly feel like I never left, or maybe was just gone for two weeks.<br />
<br />
Life has just picked back up where it left off.<br />
<br />
Almost.<br />
<br />
Don't worry, I have a couple last posts for this one but I'd like to announce (again I think) that this adventure isn't over!<br />
<br />
I've learned SO MUCH and most of it about myself. One of the most important things is living consciously. Actually paying attention to what is going on around you. I really want to keep that - it has been hard when I was abroad! Especially in Ireland when I had my own apartment to deal with, classes, and recent grief. It was tough.<br />
<br />
So. The plan is to simply try to find the beauty in the small things, make the most of the wonderful country that is America, try to focus on quality over quantity... and blog about it :)<br />
<br />
I don't even have a title yet. Working on it.<br />
<br />
But, to that end I'd like to invite you to take part in this awesome giveaway from OneSheepishGirl! It's both a lovely leather journal and an e-course about creative journaling!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://onesheepishgirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/giveaway-win-journal-memory-making-e.html?showComment=1337639961636#c5196851820032293752" target="_blank">Just check out the rules here.</a>..<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
Mari<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-11957316260370478652012-05-10T05:52:00.000-05:002012-05-10T05:52:13.553-05:00Getting Real...Well, the day has come. Today I go to London, and a week from now I'll be on a plane home to the USA.<br />
<br />
I packed last night. It weighs too much. Story of my life.<br />
<br />
I'll try to post an update while I'm in London. I have a lot to look forward to:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I get to stay with a friend from freshman year.</li>
<li>I get to meet up with the amazing Natalie AND fly home with her.</li>
<li>I get to go to <a href="http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Austen's home</a> Saturday.</li>
<li>I get to participate in a <a href="http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/whats_on/events_all.php" target="_blank">writing workshop at Jane Austen's home</a> Saturday.</li>
<li>I'm going to try my darndest to get to Paris for a day or two.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Then, God and airlines willing, we will land in Chicago next Thursday at around 2PM. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's becoming real. So real. Painfully real. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm leaving what has been my home for eight and a half months. And when I get home a really important person will be missing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But all of my friends will be there (well, scattered but still). And my family. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And so, if I don't get to post again before, Happy Mother's Day to my amazing Mommy and wonderful Step-mom. Thank you so much for your love and support throughout my grand adventure. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hmmmm...I might have a name for my next blog....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Baci,</div>
<div>
Mari</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-60079902852620599512012-05-04T20:31:00.000-05:002012-05-04T20:31:54.449-05:00Guess what...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFsjYZGCR5YBR8xsIizUJepICFLIBlZmafEOoB2EcddDgGfy0LjgTH8Neo0RbQC3bqsvXMaPPH01Y5wa-obkj6H7dtjB0pCR_FgzFA8zFN6e16z3cNdNZwHvrSDXymZ6p_cjCikFGKyg-/s1600/DSC03732+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFsjYZGCR5YBR8xsIizUJepICFLIBlZmafEOoB2EcddDgGfy0LjgTH8Neo0RbQC3bqsvXMaPPH01Y5wa-obkj6H7dtjB0pCR_FgzFA8zFN6e16z3cNdNZwHvrSDXymZ6p_cjCikFGKyg-/s320/DSC03732+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He said, "Nice to meet you" and handed me the bread and went on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I go home in 12 days. 12. Less than two weeks. I have a paper to turn in Monday, and an exam Wednesday and tomorrow I'm throwing a Kentucky Derby Party.<br />
<br />
I admit. I'm conflicted. Seriously - I'm torn up inside.<br />
<br />
I've been on the European continent since August 31, 2011. I've been in Ireland since January 17. I've lived in Italy, spent 8 days stranded on a Greek island, been to Auschwitz and Krakow, spent 8 days in Barcelona, 20 days on a farm in Valencia, and kissed the Blarney Stone twice. I'm headed to London and Paris. It's been amazing.<br />
<br />
And I don't want to leave. I really don't.<br />
<br />
But I do.<br />
<br />
I want to hug my mom and my stepmom and my stepsister and all of my friends. I want to visit my dad's grave.<br />
<br />
But there are so many challenges at home.<br />
<br />
To that end I would like to announce that I shall be ending this blog in the week I return home. But the proverbial journey isn't over. Robert Frost said,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
"I can sum up in three words everything I've learned about life - it goes on"</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that is so true. These amazing adventures I've had that I've gotten to share aren't going to end just because I'm back in the States and dealing with "life". I've been dealing with it these past nine-ish months and I've learned that for anything to matter you have to be present. </div>
<br />
That's my challenge, staying present. Not allowing myself to just zone out for days at a time. Sure, the occasional Downton Abbey or Pride and Prejudice or Transformers marathon. But not for days at a time and preferably with friends.<br />
<br />
I want to continue this journey with you all, and I hope with more people. So, I'll be starting a new blog. It doesn't have a name yet, but it does have a purpose - to continue all the growing I've done. To live consciously. Eat healthy. Love yourself, but not selfishly.<br />
<br />
I would like to share something else with you. I just read it, and it's very well put. It's <a href="http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/what-they-dont-tell-you-about-grief/" target="_blank">what they don't tell you about grief</a>.<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
Mari<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-64881212097658674822012-04-18T10:47:00.000-05:002012-04-18T10:47:24.513-05:00Natalie's and Mari's Grand Adventures! Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the rest of the featured photos from our adventures!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00li_o9X13IS8ag9eAYt9_8qHwhfjGZV72TLR0aERiPRtuSi9M5sDA-Fq2cCBXxjvBTw4d9Kndns_wavnCB5B3ms76XBeF5GtaWpqKEdu4ctt1cPrPhXKz0J0GedwK6ITt5soiYA5XlNy/s1600/nm+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00li_o9X13IS8ag9eAYt9_8qHwhfjGZV72TLR0aERiPRtuSi9M5sDA-Fq2cCBXxjvBTw4d9Kndns_wavnCB5B3ms76XBeF5GtaWpqKEdu4ctt1cPrPhXKz0J0GedwK6ITt5soiYA5XlNy/s320/nm+16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you ever get the chance to drive the <a href="http://www.ringofkerrytourism.com/" target="_blank">Ring of Kerry</a>, you totally should.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu5BVL40bDZtvFhVNBFVN4h6vRpkjFi3fxC2yn_YY5_bYReUhFFRDtFOV11R_WU5Dgb2zEQhHXKusS3o5KW9v5BGnMmhinLeKNe6iGo3TTxM1f5x9xjwtz9nct6AmaWv3LiItwn69VmDP/s1600/nm+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiu5BVL40bDZtvFhVNBFVN4h6vRpkjFi3fxC2yn_YY5_bYReUhFFRDtFOV11R_WU5Dgb2zEQhHXKusS3o5KW9v5BGnMmhinLeKNe6iGo3TTxM1f5x9xjwtz9nct6AmaWv3LiItwn69VmDP/s320/nm+17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seriously, mountains of Ireland on one side...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4wXVglmmVCzcoXUjT4IbQN4YKEEhtkTwMN5LxFguyer4qBwDaaDCb0rQOxJ7tb5hDD8LR0BSZgnQybbo7kJeZUpEdTVhyphenhyphen-fFGM3_vqA0xngs78f_mobG_Kwr-fWAQAAHZEQKj5Frdt1a/s1600/nm+18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4wXVglmmVCzcoXUjT4IbQN4YKEEhtkTwMN5LxFguyer4qBwDaaDCb0rQOxJ7tb5hDD8LR0BSZgnQybbo7kJeZUpEdTVhyphenhyphen-fFGM3_vqA0xngs78f_mobG_Kwr-fWAQAAHZEQKj5Frdt1a/s320/nm+18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...the sea on the other. Best done with awesome friends. BTW never take a pic of yourselves at the same time with two different cameras. You'll look at your own. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdwe51iVFJNIbYYtcRnlKbdQMBC9Pjkk5gZKKznb-JKcdGLu0LheTvQvSCrzbj_VJ8CKx7ZzaRHa6NCaWrZgaarSV1bTKI8yFQYbBgR-t5hszAPDYQy44WX-HP4wbX9t_IRwWGQGndB75/s1600/nm+19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdwe51iVFJNIbYYtcRnlKbdQMBC9Pjkk5gZKKznb-JKcdGLu0LheTvQvSCrzbj_VJ8CKx7ZzaRHa6NCaWrZgaarSV1bTKI8yFQYbBgR-t5hszAPDYQy44WX-HP4wbX9t_IRwWGQGndB75/s320/nm+19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stunning. Just stunning. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaQwC0N49P6bAqyBE6AaGNlqumFG5yvUWl66nWQa5Hb1BX3sKLKFXZ1TE5B05aWbE0f6AcYWJT7zdReN4Ynx5zJkrKr6iwfcZV8y6PspJG9VsV3htZmjy1zum9VEw2Lfr5m80uvivrdUQ/s1600/nm+20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaQwC0N49P6bAqyBE6AaGNlqumFG5yvUWl66nWQa5Hb1BX3sKLKFXZ1TE5B05aWbE0f6AcYWJT7zdReN4Ynx5zJkrKr6iwfcZV8y6PspJG9VsV3htZmjy1zum9VEw2Lfr5m80uvivrdUQ/s320/nm+20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AND OH YEAH WE GOT STOPPED BY A SHEEP. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTRYvfUmkMpAusTntAZ0m-fNSLnit6Vam1vkUyWmoxe5bxGsBLqp6jZlG6niOJeJ1UOnkb-82XI4a3t2pr3lXjum7IhK8Sgf-2gsN5DtyuZwgGat9IBhk8GuqDFRZf7P6BTuJpHH8LWRL/s1600/nm+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTRYvfUmkMpAusTntAZ0m-fNSLnit6Vam1vkUyWmoxe5bxGsBLqp6jZlG6niOJeJ1UOnkb-82XI4a3t2pr3lXjum7IhK8Sgf-2gsN5DtyuZwgGat9IBhk8GuqDFRZf7P6BTuJpHH8LWRL/s320/nm+21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A REAL SHEEP WHO GAVE US A LOOK WHEN WE STOPPED AND STARED AND LAUGHED B/C WE GOT STOPPED BY A SHEEP.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4n7z6Drd5bPIZ5DQnIP5yKbDe_cfNt9hmjN6Jxu1bnEuMohm3L4Rjre51yQDV6SkaaipBnZbK5zZhcYIkZEAsq7swpwta0A1jCAQFFLNj4Gv6eIYYHeZUSIzf08vY_lyRNKEUwJrV3N-/s1600/nm+22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4n7z6Drd5bPIZ5DQnIP5yKbDe_cfNt9hmjN6Jxu1bnEuMohm3L4Rjre51yQDV6SkaaipBnZbK5zZhcYIkZEAsq7swpwta0A1jCAQFFLNj4Gv6eIYYHeZUSIzf08vY_lyRNKEUwJrV3N-/s320/nm+22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another Ring of Kerry. Notice the look of bliss on my face. The cold look of bliss. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-uHAG5yN0i98j00n23mkwIF9GdhRE2I3u6DjEsLl9agiG5HDruUgFRfWoM138ekE-cSE0AVvIcvYLzqFyGrpBY7hOsod4tY6bhSpooMVzfv8BGXemq9-L7V_REl5QECjEZRmflYGaWPc/s1600/nm+23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-uHAG5yN0i98j00n23mkwIF9GdhRE2I3u6DjEsLl9agiG5HDruUgFRfWoM138ekE-cSE0AVvIcvYLzqFyGrpBY7hOsod4tY6bhSpooMVzfv8BGXemq9-L7V_REl5QECjEZRmflYGaWPc/s320/nm+23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a couple of days later. We visited <a href="http://www.aranisland.info/inishmore.html#.T47g06tYtB4" target="_blank">Inishmore </a>of the <a href="http://www.aranislands.ie/" target="_blank">Aran Islands</a>. My nails were painted the same color of this house. The man who was working on the roof waved at us. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC05ak27jB2Bt7e6T7YsmPqXp97aRsrChDq4HqAi7NachRkHR7f7axi-fS1tT5dkvvh3DvSUvGv_4o2rjyTsu36k5ZkLBLouH6w5KMbS-0Oekcrn2pc5TCwuUOKtasqwBsrv629cK0wh8P/s1600/nm+24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC05ak27jB2Bt7e6T7YsmPqXp97aRsrChDq4HqAi7NachRkHR7f7axi-fS1tT5dkvvh3DvSUvGv_4o2rjyTsu36k5ZkLBLouH6w5KMbS-0Oekcrn2pc5TCwuUOKtasqwBsrv629cK0wh8P/s320/nm+24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See those two dark spots right in the middle? THOSE ARE SEALS PLAYING WITH EACH OTHER! Because the Aran Islands have a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10113805@N02/5747655951/" target="_blank">seal colony</a>. Sadly, these two were the only ones we saw.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwoIvip5f3eTiCTDIz1YMQg8zMeM4Y_yZ_kRYeSJRDbEqovZ7niXKo8h1wkQW3r3wt0dY170CSinGp9cz7GkQy3yk4YezC4DZcZEbyhhyHq2u0muotd2nRHMZwp2TovwYdMwRGTNTFmuc/s1600/nm+25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwoIvip5f3eTiCTDIz1YMQg8zMeM4Y_yZ_kRYeSJRDbEqovZ7niXKo8h1wkQW3r3wt0dY170CSinGp9cz7GkQy3yk4YezC4DZcZEbyhhyHq2u0muotd2nRHMZwp2TovwYdMwRGTNTFmuc/s320/nm+25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just us, on the Aran Islands. It was an amazing trip!</div><br />
Again, sorry these posts took so long. Not only am I in the last week of classes with all sorts of tests and papers, but my grief requires a lot of sleep. Also, I can proudly say I haven't been homesick the whole trip! Except, I am really ready to go home. Not to leave Europe! But I also need to be home. Complicated emotions.<br />
<br />
From this day, I have 22 days till I leave Ireland for London, and just 29 days till I fly home.<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
MariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-8001351228371303702012-04-18T10:28:00.000-05:002012-04-18T10:28:55.879-05:00Natalie's and Mari's Grand Adventures!First off, again, my most deepest apologies for not posting sooner. Especially this post. This post is full of awesome.<br />
<br />
You see, the beginning of March one of my bestest friends in the whole world came to visit me here in Ireland. You know her, Natalie, we studied in Rome together last semester. As I may have said before, she's still in Rome! So she visited and we did a whirlwind tour of Ireland. Seriously - whirlwind.<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=ie&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=210348375215155666695.0004bdf5230907933177f&ll=52.610654,-7.838308&spn=1.468896,3.492176&t=m&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=ie&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=210348375215155666695.0004bdf5230907933177f&ll=52.610654,-7.838308&spn=1.468896,3.492176&t=m&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Nat and Mari's Southern Ireland Adventure</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<small><br />
</small><br />
I'm dividing this post into two because I have a lot of pics I want to share with you. But as always, you can view all of them at <a href="http://marithompsonroma.shutterfly.com/pictures/1979" target="_blank">my Shutterfly site</a>.<br />
<br />
So to begin....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7XoKmQ0HKiE95V-_2750BR_7nzcQ50AH-Ock4gk3v1gDffperCnoIuxV00nqNOZbesr1tBvllOK2CJ6uGuaQ-Z-15BcHGIejLf_G6_gZKUP3gN5rsydhxAebWd74e5zIU80l-0SKhCNf/s1600/nm+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7XoKmQ0HKiE95V-_2750BR_7nzcQ50AH-Ock4gk3v1gDffperCnoIuxV00nqNOZbesr1tBvllOK2CJ6uGuaQ-Z-15BcHGIejLf_G6_gZKUP3gN5rsydhxAebWd74e5zIU80l-0SKhCNf/s320/nm+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We met up in Dublin. Walked around. Went to Temple Bar area. Saw this awesome 'advert'.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd7KVPYQuf3nx_zPnsoJuRQ7HwA9evhqRGbrihY0riYIo62c31wlcv34dAdTVIqD6K7CBwRxc1YXRPBSV9vO7Hthm_xlohZ3Olkl-nSleHVv9aXDVQZvlxJ5Wrt9WLOspYFONlpeJRil7/s1600/nm+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd7KVPYQuf3nx_zPnsoJuRQ7HwA9evhqRGbrihY0riYIo62c31wlcv34dAdTVIqD6K7CBwRxc1YXRPBSV9vO7Hthm_xlohZ3Olkl-nSleHVv9aXDVQZvlxJ5Wrt9WLOspYFONlpeJRil7/s320/nm+2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">This strange orb is on the Trinity Campus in Dublin. There is another in the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laqgup1wAOs&feature=related" target="_blank">Vatican Museum</a>. It's actually a sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro and there are several more around the world. No one is quite sure what it means. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRwSR7EjzBk8JdMwCZY2MHNQctaVM7ZyoH7xvzjiPctl0Wv9AtTi9cb690PSX-WFjtxKGhWQ9FNBeMhT3Mtg9zs8q8rPqb4Xt-kbwmgovmdzIT14EtwrKyhSXQqsDTo799QGjRGS8ax7_/s1600/nm+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRwSR7EjzBk8JdMwCZY2MHNQctaVM7ZyoH7xvzjiPctl0Wv9AtTi9cb690PSX-WFjtxKGhWQ9FNBeMhT3Mtg9zs8q8rPqb4Xt-kbwmgovmdzIT14EtwrKyhSXQqsDTo799QGjRGS8ax7_/s320/nm+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">ME AT TINTERN ABBEY. There's another, </span><a href="http://www.castlewales.com/tintern.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">more famous one in Wales</a><span style="text-align: center;">. But I didn't know that. I thought this was the one from </span><a href="http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19411" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">the poem</a><span style="text-align: center;">. Guess what. I don't care. It was absolutely beautiful.</span></div><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWjfsY2jGIzY7paiAeHzWGBbPpiRgqPhvacvQnYVlLXAaTjO4yRZZRjrjSOvkDc4h7y_ocsK7nL6TrFE2Y6CC1LBn4I09hbep38vD3T64WrLcrJNFOAGgeSPFMPdliV3UZxcseZsgPXBr/s1600/nm+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWjfsY2jGIzY7paiAeHzWGBbPpiRgqPhvacvQnYVlLXAaTjO4yRZZRjrjSOvkDc4h7y_ocsK7nL6TrFE2Y6CC1LBn4I09hbep38vD3T64WrLcrJNFOAGgeSPFMPdliV3UZxcseZsgPXBr/s320/nm+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">Our friend Rosemary is in the band! We visited her in Cork where she has been studying all year. It was so nice to go to a pub with her and listen to her play the fiddle with other Irish musicians playing various instruments. </span></div><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-sd0jFMspeohkXRBvunEQhBQc6Y4SppXcyahfuKmTCRY-zUr4I2PyiciPOJia060WaJe1otS6K_HKp1WNfgUSYzTyYRHLei8XAVcz3SoNcRLERxRWCPmHVGLNyZBHIMBpf_kPdDex9gE/s1600/nm+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-sd0jFMspeohkXRBvunEQhBQc6Y4SppXcyahfuKmTCRY-zUr4I2PyiciPOJia060WaJe1otS6K_HKp1WNfgUSYzTyYRHLei8XAVcz3SoNcRLERxRWCPmHVGLNyZBHIMBpf_kPdDex9gE/s320/nm+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">That's right. Blarney Castle. And guess what...</span></div><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3BcXJIDs8PuLvV_PMUoJ3EJAJdTKjznhUWCHJPj6lYQjgCo9Y6uZoJA2bEWsj3FM8I0ZeFQXeXkC0RV7tBIKS-Tbuj4y1xIP-yVa0te3UZhGXPqfZGj5O2f1W3Swlalffl2r0zileuVJ/s1600/nm+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3BcXJIDs8PuLvV_PMUoJ3EJAJdTKjznhUWCHJPj6lYQjgCo9Y6uZoJA2bEWsj3FM8I0ZeFQXeXkC0RV7tBIKS-Tbuj4y1xIP-yVa0te3UZhGXPqfZGj5O2f1W3Swlalffl2r0zileuVJ/s320/nm+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">(Tehehe - we loved this as </span><a href="http://marithompson.blogspot.com/2011/10/napoli-capri-e-pompei.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Capri </a><span style="text-align: center;">was one of our other great adventures)</span></div><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv07ZspA1XkWgR5bRoGCqQjAfiCpbdCwI-yFc2L9FC9ZSC_usvN3gmziRQAqeOHmJqfg-L5LOo52eP9wMDCf-BGAbAn3Or87BAz4EhCV_btP3tvDoRIvvDOs0RKstQ25q4d6O8pajehNRc/s1600/nm+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv07ZspA1XkWgR5bRoGCqQjAfiCpbdCwI-yFc2L9FC9ZSC_usvN3gmziRQAqeOHmJqfg-L5LOo52eP9wMDCf-BGAbAn3Or87BAz4EhCV_btP3tvDoRIvvDOs0RKstQ25q4d6O8pajehNRc/s320/nm+7.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">(This was a neat little place where people who explored the areas beneath the castle left their marks)</span></div><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyvytpI6siR8wcX2ZTMPbm8SFVbCTq4GzdmrmnniCqfk-VixyWfgWnJAvcGdM3gqMNJutd2WxbTRA5Z3S0zTd346xqGxduk4jUs5-Klh8vGO6cyZHIJh6toI8rStdFnkSmI5AtT-7KYgi/s1600/nm+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyvytpI6siR8wcX2ZTMPbm8SFVbCTq4GzdmrmnniCqfk-VixyWfgWnJAvcGdM3gqMNJutd2WxbTRA5Z3S0zTd346xqGxduk4jUs5-Klh8vGO6cyZHIJh6toI8rStdFnkSmI5AtT-7KYgi/s320/nm+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">WE KISSED THE BLARNEY STONE! Had to literally bend over backwards to do so. However, we were thus gifted with the gift of </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blarney" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">blarney</a><span style="text-align: center;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfVlHhGaPvFXFUs0YI6W0xomA7uZCGomTlZhJ1AmdpLwH2aO_3OhB4Pums0dyGoL9ssfC1fU64FZ05AqAZUtGuIoc_oAGvLST7WC4cE0ILmGh5i6BS6DG11_P7eULicqQ2lHjav2DM3M4/s1600/nm+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfVlHhGaPvFXFUs0YI6W0xomA7uZCGomTlZhJ1AmdpLwH2aO_3OhB4Pums0dyGoL9ssfC1fU64FZ05AqAZUtGuIoc_oAGvLST7WC4cE0ILmGh5i6BS6DG11_P7eULicqQ2lHjav2DM3M4/s320/nm+9.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> The Blarney Castle grounds are about a lot more than just the Stone. There are amazing gardens. <span style="text-align: center;">They had a poison garden. There would have been a marijuana plant but...well, you can read.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd0aJNuB5FSaHZYLa0vUiOy5pt9dzCMXyTyB60QazQ9LsK7tkcz2Xc39O1YNsFqemSNJt3G0tXpOvfthpE9WUMFNG306S0wWYOOqQz5k9oglReOGiW6rSAxnZL_3gbrl5PEg4A-zFzQOk/s1600/nm+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd0aJNuB5FSaHZYLa0vUiOy5pt9dzCMXyTyB60QazQ9LsK7tkcz2Xc39O1YNsFqemSNJt3G0tXpOvfthpE9WUMFNG306S0wWYOOqQz5k9oglReOGiW6rSAxnZL_3gbrl5PEg4A-zFzQOk/s320/nm+10.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> The trees were so huge! And gorgeous and nifty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3MRZWsqufmCDjU6rZTsogxS0UX-BCbloSze7QqeLXPvzyKNc63C0Yjx26MqJSiEVzHbpxmlNIrTvaNs1p_FVC9Z-mB253EkI0fnwYeIn12-FN8U4C4d3ciTzC0y0053o0h7X1_P_qOGC/s1600/nm+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3MRZWsqufmCDjU6rZTsogxS0UX-BCbloSze7QqeLXPvzyKNc63C0Yjx26MqJSiEVzHbpxmlNIrTvaNs1p_FVC9Z-mB253EkI0fnwYeIn12-FN8U4C4d3ciTzC0y0053o0h7X1_P_qOGC/s320/nm+11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is us in the Fern Gardens. I felt like I was in dinosaur times. Roar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUX8R9iqZjQocVBOMSbxKbFW4geklqI6bha3OkkFtlzxaOxQiaPssr8gEnX1F6DGFXcuGFV3QKPgpMGaoVpc3pYwqZzROQqYYhQMGpa4WBxNxabLNhVoXOHNdqe_JWqhrUGY94GLVlQ2i/s1600/nm+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUX8R9iqZjQocVBOMSbxKbFW4geklqI6bha3OkkFtlzxaOxQiaPssr8gEnX1F6DGFXcuGFV3QKPgpMGaoVpc3pYwqZzROQqYYhQMGpa4WBxNxabLNhVoXOHNdqe_JWqhrUGY94GLVlQ2i/s320/nm+12.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">In the Fern Garden. Another large tree. Awesome lighting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGQjc578U9T4himmckG_vtyV-ARjuJjwNRkaxMZhOrHuUx0e8bX7VcO1Xf5E9O3PAO5GZj-hlh6QvWGQ1UPMfxIXideWvz-eEpJ5oX8YVgL3MRQFE-_4SLW5rm6YcWtfgK9TswVZusaci/s1600/nm+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGQjc578U9T4himmckG_vtyV-ARjuJjwNRkaxMZhOrHuUx0e8bX7VcO1Xf5E9O3PAO5GZj-hlh6QvWGQ1UPMfxIXideWvz-eEpJ5oX8YVgL3MRQFE-_4SLW5rm6YcWtfgK9TswVZusaci/s320/nm+13.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is her "Are you seriously taking a picture of me?" face. Yes. Yes I am. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQfQt1sqgpT6fVB7OIjiQM7Ky1on7nSLgDo3mn05V-Q7DVBbpj9f5hUi-sqm-8HHrTuBz0LA9jArhbqxYM1pWf-qhmglwCoN6MhjwEE5vsO1IyJZ4n69Xsrj1hS_tNi70yLQfFRQfSw-V/s1600/nm+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQfQt1sqgpT6fVB7OIjiQM7Ky1on7nSLgDo3mn05V-Q7DVBbpj9f5hUi-sqm-8HHrTuBz0LA9jArhbqxYM1pWf-qhmglwCoN6MhjwEE5vsO1IyJZ4n69Xsrj1hS_tNi70yLQfFRQfSw-V/s320/nm+14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See my head there?! Another super duper awesome tree. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOG-2SYzmRZ97gih8Ytt8WITtIk0iLaeJVa8BxbYBy05auFFgEwIp_F2rBtJuFgIg0PCaB8ud4nt1eZFP1whLcl-RDJT8UbGAJZ0fdc3vNnhws-vwREDCHnhnSVvf8doWMZMrAMyhLymJ/s1600/nm+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOG-2SYzmRZ97gih8Ytt8WITtIk0iLaeJVa8BxbYBy05auFFgEwIp_F2rBtJuFgIg0PCaB8ud4nt1eZFP1whLcl-RDJT8UbGAJZ0fdc3vNnhws-vwREDCHnhnSVvf8doWMZMrAMyhLymJ/s320/nm+15.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is in the <a href="http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/rock-close" target="_blank">Rock Close</a>, my favorite garden on the grounds and so magical! These are the wishing steps. If you go up and down them backwards without opening your eyes thinking ONLY of your wish it will come true within the year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I might have peeked. Stay tuned for part two!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-5785500493319787342012-03-27T15:08:00.000-05:002012-03-27T15:08:28.454-05:00Happy St. Patrick's Day! (yes, a bit late)So...I've been overwhelmed with stuff.<br />
<br />
But I had a lovely St. Patrick's Day!<br />
<br />
Did you?<br />
<br />
I can bet mine beat yours...for the simple fact that I'm in Ireland. Not Dublin, but still...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eejkfAGnayaZH-3gz_ZvUB8iPMcihfpCBXmgX6CgfGIxqe0x3EUZUVAbCaa3Ep1MO71D_Q29cfdT4_v_or6ZDkgglE1Eu-k-DcjvHJNoPEsoNee7B0URLVW8Ukx-sVyiguzRtqGeIHMt/s1600/st+pat+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eejkfAGnayaZH-3gz_ZvUB8iPMcihfpCBXmgX6CgfGIxqe0x3EUZUVAbCaa3Ep1MO71D_Q29cfdT4_v_or6ZDkgglE1Eu-k-DcjvHJNoPEsoNee7B0URLVW8Ukx-sVyiguzRtqGeIHMt/s320/st+pat+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We celebrated. The French boys got all dressed up. See Tommy in the background with a hula skirt?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PshfOiZgnZ-FkEaGNb1JD_nKL9SqPkn63JBA33qJ1xj0DF5oKhCsxf0-KqVxuc5oaHJZIEs6h1-xncp5rr3AyQDnH34fgAd42m7XHy8PRrIBeZfcGm6Y6yZ_e77lLSwbNNBqqkVUSWsu/s1600/st+pat+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PshfOiZgnZ-FkEaGNb1JD_nKL9SqPkn63JBA33qJ1xj0DF5oKhCsxf0-KqVxuc5oaHJZIEs6h1-xncp5rr3AyQDnH34fgAd42m7XHy8PRrIBeZfcGm6Y6yZ_e77lLSwbNNBqqkVUSWsu/s320/st+pat+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aren't those some awesome glasses? Never mind that I haven't seen a single clover, let alone a four leaf one...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1SqKA_yigTb0HyyFCnCdncqO5zEE3pkvX9C83GskpNgk-BC_TepScqYfmelxfStorqCNphyphenhyphenjQQ98l7J2hesXy_IR59pPu280M8qiFFXXfMxbW3wN7F5ujgoskkGhXnJMizE0NSxJ3Fl4/s1600/st+pat+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1SqKA_yigTb0HyyFCnCdncqO5zEE3pkvX9C83GskpNgk-BC_TepScqYfmelxfStorqCNphyphenhyphenjQQ98l7J2hesXy_IR59pPu280M8qiFFXXfMxbW3wN7F5ujgoskkGhXnJMizE0NSxJ3Fl4/s320/st+pat+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not gonna lie. I find this odd. Really really big guns...and smiling soldiers casually riding next to them...he's about to wave...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66NaPzmFKvysWVQet8MdP2HFthP78g3G6-KhiZl3DUnkGEQ1c4VqojhyphenhyphenwOKZLPMKtpVFO6SlvKwg4Z1-yX-JNOA83Od-zmxTxTrX37vv7Tumz41UpHny-kTuc6aJ82XUz77VgwuOGUqyZ/s1600/st+pat+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66NaPzmFKvysWVQet8MdP2HFthP78g3G6-KhiZl3DUnkGEQ1c4VqojhyphenhyphenwOKZLPMKtpVFO6SlvKwg4Z1-yX-JNOA83Od-zmxTxTrX37vv7Tumz41UpHny-kTuc6aJ82XUz77VgwuOGUqyZ/s320/st+pat+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A LEPRECHAUN!!! FOLLOW HIM!!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYkXZ1a1VRGQ2PVnvwLkXeJ_xLvG-Gf_jepKlw4GasmeAGMs5Sz20wFu5rkYdv3ZzwMDkGcOlNa5SG9ExTn3dXADqg5AA-JssN-hZAdzM9XkwIZirEWYNcDHwWNcOJ8AWZX3EFAZSVF0f/s1600/st+pat+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYkXZ1a1VRGQ2PVnvwLkXeJ_xLvG-Gf_jepKlw4GasmeAGMs5Sz20wFu5rkYdv3ZzwMDkGcOlNa5SG9ExTn3dXADqg5AA-JssN-hZAdzM9XkwIZirEWYNcDHwWNcOJ8AWZX3EFAZSVF0f/s320/st+pat+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a very multinational parade. This is the Filipino group! There was dancing and everything!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi4DU6_j8eXmLkV5eY71ZqRUwPibg3lzAWQrIc4s2UwVktwV4waENxkawkEmzaZYpRf4ghMecGGHBb-Jm-0JIRCVCoypmfQuzuNEANIU0FW1oQBgKD_TmP4w9RN7SwlQetmRp0n7H7xR5/s1600/st+pat+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi4DU6_j8eXmLkV5eY71ZqRUwPibg3lzAWQrIc4s2UwVktwV4waENxkawkEmzaZYpRf4ghMecGGHBb-Jm-0JIRCVCoypmfQuzuNEANIU0FW1oQBgKD_TmP4w9RN7SwlQetmRp0n7H7xR5/s320/st+pat+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's right. It's not a St. Paddy's day parade until someone breathes fire.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PEKsFk8xZiYRtw8Vzf6VnLPjJWdvFCG6RCKTVUNlPfxXwi0yOzbl4j9-v_gjdr0Q6E9twIrKAHnMvqYVNqNlPHtFkNuUNzpDsqvQbIqDYUC5V-4o-e8ITQ2PvCeo8Mkt08-OiA8xsZ91/s1600/st+pat+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PEKsFk8xZiYRtw8Vzf6VnLPjJWdvFCG6RCKTVUNlPfxXwi0yOzbl4j9-v_gjdr0Q6E9twIrKAHnMvqYVNqNlPHtFkNuUNzpDsqvQbIqDYUC5V-4o-e8ITQ2PvCeo8Mkt08-OiA8xsZ91/s320/st+pat+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Erm....Did we travel through space to Scotland? Who cares! Kids in kilts playing bagpipes (semi)decently!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYS6SaBBnFtmVaj-IqAFOkomPiaU-0wYfkBnO75BjBBwTDiZoP1KYLuz_nRB70cka_h4eRWGfTYQLO58LGm3U1RUgGJrX4Jk-fd2NW_2XioyS-_7xHdZ3ffC2fQuIxhw_J8c0cXNw4rbpC/s1600/st+pat+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYS6SaBBnFtmVaj-IqAFOkomPiaU-0wYfkBnO75BjBBwTDiZoP1KYLuz_nRB70cka_h4eRWGfTYQLO58LGm3U1RUgGJrX4Jk-fd2NW_2XioyS-_7xHdZ3ffC2fQuIxhw_J8c0cXNw4rbpC/s320/st+pat+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Raise your hand if you dressed up your dog for St. Patrick's Day! Really?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdisksdNTvIPrx-RkQ0wSMi4gh4uVraJhYG0Jqvy73Jjap95hyphenhyphen_au6UKeM1R24tZIzpO8KrlB4yA67cJCgr_fsMv9STFAJnSOQ5s3qy7BZM6gocOx-NIJgm6CNH9vMn1v5Bddd4JgChje/s1600/st+pat+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdisksdNTvIPrx-RkQ0wSMi4gh4uVraJhYG0Jqvy73Jjap95hyphenhyphen_au6UKeM1R24tZIzpO8KrlB4yA67cJCgr_fsMv9STFAJnSOQ5s3qy7BZM6gocOx-NIJgm6CNH9vMn1v5Bddd4JgChje/s320/st+pat+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You know what a national holiday parade needs? A protest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8AOdOxwugUdBwTUxODoH4o2Q7AL_7Lu8tse54P1mORsTVEgGP3c-nHjgq45-yKPKgsNTNPRLQV4CqfwBxuWZ41QedaLiXV3WT6o9QfgpXEN28Qg3EqmhF6J6tpUypLbogzCyCSt5TONo/s1600/st+pat+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8AOdOxwugUdBwTUxODoH4o2Q7AL_7Lu8tse54P1mORsTVEgGP3c-nHjgq45-yKPKgsNTNPRLQV4CqfwBxuWZ41QedaLiXV3WT6o9QfgpXEN28Qg3EqmhF6J6tpUypLbogzCyCSt5TONo/s320/st+pat+10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, these dancers had skillz. Sadly they did their dance before they passed us so I didn't get a great pic. Actually, my friend Magnus snagged this one for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the rest: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" height="425" id="Slideshow" name="Slideshow" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmarithompsonroma%26page%3Dmarithompsonroma%2Fpictures%26node%3D2124" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmarithompsonroma%26page%3Dmarithompsonroma%2Fpictures%26node%3D2124" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object></div><div style="margin-top: 0; text-align: center; width: 425px;"><a href="http://marithompsonroma.shutterfly.com/pictures/2124?eid=116">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=embed" style="background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0;" width="1" /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 425px;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Afterwards we went home for a couple of hours to lay low...then to a pub for a couple of drinks followed by a trip to a friends apartment! Fun times. </div><br />
Hope yours was just as good ;)<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
Mari<br />
<br />
P.S. The past few days have been GORGEOUS. Definitely a mood improvement. It's been a hard past few weeks emotionally, plus midterms now followed by the wrapping up of a semester...eek.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-12007614347046924012012-03-01T19:10:00.000-06:002012-03-01T19:10:48.331-06:00Let's go to the Market!I have a new Saturday morning plan...that doesn't involve sleeping to about, oh, 3PM every week.<br />
<br />
True story.<br />
<br />
So this past Saturday morning I managed to roll out of bed at 9:55AM. At approx. 10AM (i.e. 10:05) I walked two blocks up my street to the famous Milk Market! There I met up with some other international students and basically started to really appreciate Limerick more.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eV91ABIxLmiL67hFTlHwv0rgO3XUnrND0KWJfqEYrle5EF7DOzt_X6shPZgIzeoGYyX7XjE3mb_OSP2KwG6SLXowL26fs7lgaEzrktJDUPZKiBLi87tKG74jLj_-3Bipt8XlURI1l-BS/s1600/mm2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eV91ABIxLmiL67hFTlHwv0rgO3XUnrND0KWJfqEYrle5EF7DOzt_X6shPZgIzeoGYyX7XjE3mb_OSP2KwG6SLXowL26fs7lgaEzrktJDUPZKiBLi87tKG74jLj_-3Bipt8XlURI1l-BS/s320/mm2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were several garden stands set up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Not only was the permanent market filled to the proverbial brim, the streets surrounding the market were filled as well with stands and people.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4xui_XJ8bl1vA1_QY8App3CmWVoO_qIf_BH-UwR8AJe_MuO8oLgR0CkRWwzWnfafBwar_fYN84ZUdr9URnV7v20D5BuA11UzBeo6iLDJbp_ZoMQ72sS7u_YOSAzgttppxYal6QAMJ1bd/s1600/mm3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4xui_XJ8bl1vA1_QY8App3CmWVoO_qIf_BH-UwR8AJe_MuO8oLgR0CkRWwzWnfafBwar_fYN84ZUdr9URnV7v20D5BuA11UzBeo6iLDJbp_ZoMQ72sS7u_YOSAzgttppxYal6QAMJ1bd/s320/mm3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She had free samples of really really good chocolate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There were all kinds of vendors - fresh produce, smoked meats, organic veggies, cheese, pastries...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjx84e9w52HL7HpvPrZvU0RhghLtcSqPcmJjEX2V3ah9iEhuhgx2Ha4f36q8_usiRZNILfyKE4_xu3bzruF2iyrz2zu9P3cO8QEfAuruNXpKgB0LSaQZzZ_O0uSiA-tOyKYe3wN5PpSmD/s1600/mm4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjx84e9w52HL7HpvPrZvU0RhghLtcSqPcmJjEX2V3ah9iEhuhgx2Ha4f36q8_usiRZNILfyKE4_xu3bzruF2iyrz2zu9P3cO8QEfAuruNXpKgB0LSaQZzZ_O0uSiA-tOyKYe3wN5PpSmD/s320/mm4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorites as you probably know by now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The most impressive part for me was the spirit. Rather than the tired Limerick filled with abandoned buildings and empty lots I was used to, here was a Limerick awake and bustling with a very apparent sense of community.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ18rn9bGnzoaG8yZEnsspWoji1R2dEHYZNa2pYIG4LLZ0pmiDNBA153QqGCJXkRhoUK_xMEASmePA8XBT80IIBkVsDxo3Z8z2UqiHyDkIs46104cnuJqi2uHKR5JvZoOqvV5LWAFwu0D/s1600/mm1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ18rn9bGnzoaG8yZEnsspWoji1R2dEHYZNa2pYIG4LLZ0pmiDNBA153QqGCJXkRhoUK_xMEASmePA8XBT80IIBkVsDxo3Z8z2UqiHyDkIs46104cnuJqi2uHKR5JvZoOqvV5LWAFwu0D/s320/mm1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh fish! Didn't smell that bad actually.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So guess what I'm doing this Saturday? Before taking the bus to meet my friend Natalie (of last semester's adventures) in Dublin I'm going to the market. I won't be buying anything - though that chocolate will be calling my name....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDLGqRoE1jSa12E9sMbZWsqi34UHQDo8Bm1_UshR_0zzKEXaWcynWcuFfpczIOl7ouL8ftjrLBACrtYYJwjuMneoirjk6aYO5G6tpfdCU9OR9DvfLB8Y_gsNg25x1TQ8PXA_FvGFNN5Q6/s1600/tea+guy+at+mm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDLGqRoE1jSa12E9sMbZWsqi34UHQDo8Bm1_UshR_0zzKEXaWcynWcuFfpczIOl7ouL8ftjrLBACrtYYJwjuMneoirjk6aYO5G6tpfdCU9OR9DvfLB8Y_gsNg25x1TQ8PXA_FvGFNN5Q6/s320/tea+guy+at+mm.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my tea guy. He sells high quality loose tea! And coffee beans...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I take that back. I probably will get a nice fresh cup of coffee. I'll have a breakfast of samples. <div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJen7-Ke83f6p6gXmWnzGP03i10QDj4hhyXvyemXt2S-LdiMUT9ZFK211AKr33URRc0rnhx-R94Nxbh3wVPrAnYOupKCQ5adJNuK5dhB8Ht3I6XmcVRDmQhVb_8lGZmzevcwID3q_SxYvE/s1600/mm5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJen7-Ke83f6p6gXmWnzGP03i10QDj4hhyXvyemXt2S-LdiMUT9ZFK211AKr33URRc0rnhx-R94Nxbh3wVPrAnYOupKCQ5adJNuK5dhB8Ht3I6XmcVRDmQhVb_8lGZmzevcwID3q_SxYvE/s320/mm5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;">The food everyone thinks of when they think of Ireland.</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I must say, one of the things I will miss most about Europe is the prevelance of fresh food markets. It's one of my goals to shop Farmer's Markets when I get back to the States. It's about more than the food - it's for the sense of community and closeness as well. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Baci,</div><div>Mari<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-13981881323491572602012-02-27T09:44:00.000-06:002012-02-27T09:44:17.839-06:00The Perfect Sunday AfternoonGuess what guys...I'm a model!<br />
<br />
Just kidding, I have NO PLANS on entering the fashion industry. But, yesterday afternoon another foreign exchange student, Janne Cecilie of Norway, wanted to take some pictures. For some reason I was her only volunteer. The rain stopped, the sun peaked out, and we went down to the Park...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJQey1qqm01xd9kWFTGfx0ITIgeTcD5V2ratOQKNA6UeYWdq6STEB-rjYcuWFusGhwc25y2mtcqxnJkd9GYxHO7e181Z3_AkFvfSHSiXC6MtiSe9K7Y80C4BV334f-B9dioAwwyZVlOHK/s1600/me!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJQey1qqm01xd9kWFTGfx0ITIgeTcD5V2ratOQKNA6UeYWdq6STEB-rjYcuWFusGhwc25y2mtcqxnJkd9GYxHO7e181Z3_AkFvfSHSiXC6MtiSe9K7Y80C4BV334f-B9dioAwwyZVlOHK/s320/me!.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see more pics on her <a href="http://mikromikron.blogspot.com/2012/02/photoshoot-with-mari-lynn.html" target="_blank">bilingual blog</a>! It was so much fun - when it warms up we hope to do a shoot with dresses! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Baci,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mari</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-17224667539051500332012-02-26T06:53:00.000-06:002012-02-26T06:53:14.697-06:00UNESCO Pizza? PLEASE!!!!<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17154139">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17154139</a> <br />
<br />
Watch this video for a few reasons:<br />
<br />
1. It's short.<br />
2. It will make you hungry.<br />
3. I've eaten at that pizza place in Naples (and damn was it good).<br />
4. UNESCO protected pizza? Why not!?!<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
Mari<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspkJvDX2KWNvKHaTOVXevkVkonVEAgtQJ_i7vgAlefX8lwPURdcN7t_dplO2mODlFLjqbPn7RQgRPSHrCC2HbVFMU1WWlHIy9VFAcFyn29n18XOk2vNKa-hPb_onAVw6KS0mvRW8lycpL/s1600/best+mem+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspkJvDX2KWNvKHaTOVXevkVkonVEAgtQJ_i7vgAlefX8lwPURdcN7t_dplO2mODlFLjqbPn7RQgRPSHrCC2HbVFMU1WWlHIy9VFAcFyn29n18XOk2vNKa-hPb_onAVw6KS0mvRW8lycpL/s320/best+mem+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me eating pizza from the place above.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>P.S. Da Michaela's is also the pizza place in "Eat, Pray, Love".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-58178337783923657592012-02-23T08:00:00.001-06:002012-02-23T08:00:00.736-06:00Artsy Fartsy Thursday - Cereal Box Re-do!Hooray for the second edition of Artsy Fartsy Thursday! Today we're looking at what to do with those cereal boxes...I mean, come on. We all love cereal. We have those boxes and since they're relatively sturdy, why not do something useful with them?<br />
<br />
Like make a magazine/notebooks/papers you accumulate and have no where to put because you aren't in your native environment holder!!!<br />
<br />
There's super simple directions<a href="http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2009/11/tool-time-tuesdaymore-like-recycle.html" target="_blank"> here.</a> No really, make a mark about 5 inches up on the box and use a ruler to draw a line to the top opposite corner and then make the diagonal cut. Voila!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBxbCvrMSXF7v4kaxB01nMYI3z8eUZ053Y45zGMJa5pXJ3oCBi7hNqhU5ZyPipoDiHaXUWpLKf0viZLrOl5pOCysHgfrpURt3nDG50tI9e-kyxHrtQB943dVtyL-r3UoIni81s1VriCML/s1600/mh+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBxbCvrMSXF7v4kaxB01nMYI3z8eUZ053Y45zGMJa5pXJ3oCBi7hNqhU5ZyPipoDiHaXUWpLKf0viZLrOl5pOCysHgfrpURt3nDG50tI9e-kyxHrtQB943dVtyL-r3UoIni81s1VriCML/s320/mh+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I didn't make my cut so low. But I still like it! And guess what...I USED MORE ATLAS PAGES!!! I still have 9 left...so lots more crafts in store! I didn't cover the inside of the box either. No point really for me, although it would make it "cleaner" if you did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO2O-8Hv4DoNL9hkqeO2gsBM9WNxiY7VJkgLBLcbIvFg-Dz-1tGE-wd2XyTJudwgQ3sOQnsMzP-YUiNHAgf1aNXqcxW0AAt6eaZQF-wtSJqw5HrmdOXPrb1VUM8YeGBzHTudIjx5niDQg/s1600/mh+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO2O-8Hv4DoNL9hkqeO2gsBM9WNxiY7VJkgLBLcbIvFg-Dz-1tGE-wd2XyTJudwgQ3sOQnsMzP-YUiNHAgf1aNXqcxW0AAt6eaZQF-wtSJqw5HrmdOXPrb1VUM8YeGBzHTudIjx5niDQg/s320/mh+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here it is on our counter ready to collect random papers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, that's this week's edition of Artsy Fartsy Thursday! Tune in next week for another study-abroad student friendly DIY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Baci,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mari</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-45883223707096278222012-02-20T17:16:00.000-06:002012-02-20T17:16:37.135-06:00Wish I was there...Um. I love oranges. In fact, I'm about to eat a clementine (orange's sweet little sister). But you know what I really wish?<br />
<br />
I wish I had been in Italy for this: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17106486" target="_blank">the Ultimate Citrus Food Fight.</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5PZ1mOwx2zRhWjgQtSoylN7wp9TIhFhsLgmaS-hOw7EQvdzzERfzyYFxW-dKSEtUtryrS1xvdDWNfUvIuT5g912yYpk_MXHrSylYr9No7cv0r3JMIevI7AtmmGSHQKQjM4DTiZHmLes_/s1600/oranges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5PZ1mOwx2zRhWjgQtSoylN7wp9TIhFhsLgmaS-hOw7EQvdzzERfzyYFxW-dKSEtUtryrS1xvdDWNfUvIuT5g912yYpk_MXHrSylYr9No7cv0r3JMIevI7AtmmGSHQKQjM4DTiZHmLes_/s320/oranges.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://healthtips-sastha.blogspot.com/2011/07/12-reasons-to-eat-oranges.html">http://healthtips-sastha.blogspot.com/2011/07/12-reasons-to-eat-oranges.html</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Oh, Italia, you constantly find ways to tug my heart strings.<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
MariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-49848369559187658792012-02-16T09:00:00.001-06:002012-02-16T09:00:03.530-06:00Artsy Fartsy Thursday - Paper Flowers!Here's the first edition of Artsy Fartsy Thursday! I don't know why, but since arriving in Ireland I've become very arts and craftsy...perhaps it's necessity birthing creativity. Or maybe a little too much <a href="http://pinterest.com/maritravels/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> (feel free to follow me!).<br />
<br />
Whatever the case, it's inspired me to start a new weekly feature called...Artsy Fartsy Thursday! Kitchy and a bit crass? Yes. But I can hardly take myself seriously since I've turned into a...crafty person...Really, I look at a paper towel roll and start thinking "What can I do with this?"<br />
<br />
Anyways. This might be a travel blog but part of travel is adaption, especially when you are staying in one place for more than a few weeks. You want it to feel like home. Which brings me to...<br />
<br />
Paper flowers! Neither of these are original. The first you've already seen on my blog when I <a href="http://marithompson.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-decorate-your-apartment-with-no.html" target="_blank">discussed decorating on a shoe string budget</a>. You can find the tutorial for the rose-like flowers (and yes, hers look much better than mine) and pics <a href="http://kristasewinspired.blogspot.com/2011/10/vintage-paper-flower-tutorial.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Today I made two new ones from a new tutorial. I like these as well. They definetely add diversity to the table display and kind of freshen it up. And yep, I used the Atlas I bought (it will play a central part of the next few Thursdays).<br />
<br />
Basically, this flower is origami + double sided tape (aka one of the greatest inventions evah!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8HG3NzyBfNaEWT1XBUcfrCno66ReYxgbZBjNoD5-28SySyUCc-DZ0EnMS4Uu3_zBJhf0nNCF4_FlQwhaHf5ARxoOqXnneI9Qys4dW6VV2AASh-uW8VAbpTM2FlA7rcBt7kqEIcHo3W6d/s1600/pf+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8HG3NzyBfNaEWT1XBUcfrCno66ReYxgbZBjNoD5-28SySyUCc-DZ0EnMS4Uu3_zBJhf0nNCF4_FlQwhaHf5ARxoOqXnneI9Qys4dW6VV2AASh-uW8VAbpTM2FlA7rcBt7kqEIcHo3W6d/s320/pf+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEgqz0edAKUjVrog7uoUAGHGL7aW60UGyPlkxBXMQLOpVHrDtWttPGJl7bojL8QWbX9w89tI2sxeivtnbib491Ila2RBid9vZFSwq693f3Ifx5XYjdaApmMPXgnHcQSLbiOItC0tC6AZY/s1600/pf+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEgqz0edAKUjVrog7uoUAGHGL7aW60UGyPlkxBXMQLOpVHrDtWttPGJl7bojL8QWbX9w89tI2sxeivtnbib491Ila2RBid9vZFSwq693f3Ifx5XYjdaApmMPXgnHcQSLbiOItC0tC6AZY/s320/pf+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you'll see in the <a href="http://www.fancypantsweddings.com/how-to-make-paper-map-flowers-real-northern-california-wedding-amber/" target="_blank">tutorial</a>, she says to fold down part of the paper to make it flush. I made a smaller flower without doing that and here's what happened...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD49vqqF4MlFNs301AYDrR3LFpAs8DfNkIHohfxwMuU5bLFkAsYIe0-4GAzYGPGXO3CHpxFgmGWgAQVgwmSSI1_3qFiIzbkyHv6KQMsyDwQ0UaEFyoa7AqdMBf9wO3K3gMAuXK5u6KSvMh/s1600/pf+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD49vqqF4MlFNs301AYDrR3LFpAs8DfNkIHohfxwMuU5bLFkAsYIe0-4GAzYGPGXO3CHpxFgmGWgAQVgwmSSI1_3qFiIzbkyHv6KQMsyDwQ0UaEFyoa7AqdMBf9wO3K3gMAuXK5u6KSvMh/s320/pf+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kind of reminds me of a juicer, but I like it nonetheless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, that brings us to the end of our first Artsy Fartsy Thursday! Hope you enjoyed! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, hope you had a wonderful Valentine's day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Baci,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mari</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-20354244093109338732012-02-15T18:23:00.000-06:002012-02-15T18:23:17.337-06:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!In case you're unaware, Emma is my roommate. She's the Ausome Aussie I've mentioned before. And guess what...<br />
<br />
TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!!! In fact, she turns 19. Which means she only has one year left of the "But I'm a teenager" excuse.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko9qJZnLYGJV8TdLSCzpkLG5pPtSHkE7oOMut906-I08r55XB_33i6Dn1nfMkCo6gbJUOSu0HnPHODF81362oB0HqxzJlxVHH81XqvkK8uRHAC7L88dDGArUlPd5C3oeIh1b7DQjNtxQG/s1600/emma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko9qJZnLYGJV8TdLSCzpkLG5pPtSHkE7oOMut906-I08r55XB_33i6Dn1nfMkCo6gbJUOSu0HnPHODF81362oB0HqxzJlxVHH81XqvkK8uRHAC7L88dDGArUlPd5C3oeIh1b7DQjNtxQG/s320/emma.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she beautiful?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Happy birthday Emma! I'm so glad to get to experience it with you! Thank you so much for everything you've done for me over the past weeks. It has meant so much.<div><br />
</div><div>Baci e abbracci,</div><div>Mari<br />
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-54957406761915308792012-02-13T13:24:00.001-06:002012-02-13T13:27:11.661-06:00Cliffs of Moher<div style="text-align: left; width: 425px;">Okay, Ireland is beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: left; width: 425px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left; width: 425px;">Really, really beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: left; width: 425px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left; width: 425px;">Super duper beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: left; width: 425px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left; width: 425px;">This was my first trip since arriving in Limerick. Several of the international community went. We got on the bus at 10AM and an hour or so later descended at the majestic Cliffs of Moher. </div><br />
<br />
<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" height="425" id="Slideshow" name="Slideshow" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmarithompsonroma%26page%3Dmarithompsonroma%2Fpictures%26node%3D1919" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmarithompsonroma%26page%3Dmarithompsonroma%2Fpictures%26node%3D1919" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object><br />
<div style="margin-top: 0; text-align: center; width: 425px;"><a href="http://marithompsonroma.shutterfly.com/pictures/1919?eid=116">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=embed" style="background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0;" width="1" /></div><div style="margin-top: 0; text-align: center; width: 425px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 425px;">After about an hour and a half we got back on the bus and traveled up the coast and stopped at a pull off giving us wonderful views of Galway and the Atlantic ocean. The rocks were stunning.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 425px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 425px;">It was wonderful to get to see so much of the country everyone falls in love with. I definitely have much deeper feelings for Ireland now. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 425px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 425px;">Baci,</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 425px;">Mari</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-9862431587377865112012-02-03T18:06:00.000-06:002012-02-03T18:06:35.905-06:00Weekend Plans! 2/3 -2/6I stole this idea from <a href="http://onesheepishgirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/weekend-plans-23-25.html" target="_blank">One Sheepish Girl</a>. She's adorable! (Notice the book she has on the top of her page...!!!)<br />
<br />
Anywho, it's been another long week, but the weekend is finally here. Unfortunately, I'm so tired. No suprise all things considered. So this weekend I'm going to take it easy. Most of the other international students are going to <a href="http://www.google.ie/search?rlz=1C1SKPC_enUS383US383&q=cork&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=DHQsT-vdDoe0hAeYubH9Cg&biw=1280&bih=675&sei=EHQsT6qsDsimhAe3w8SCCw" target="_blank">Cork </a>or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingle" target="_blank">Dingle</a>. Me, I'm having some quality time with my duvet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0NwDeCUhzQV53rb0tV5jEEruKcex_I47wBDHNi5Lvm43IH0vT6ET0a9h1f6InxDXAyaeQCHpn_v89mX6It3aMVduh2vkp8y0YppDLaSQU6ZHgCV6ujJm_KdcdaZqhx0vAlKkU5hIuFaG/s1600/duvet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0NwDeCUhzQV53rb0tV5jEEruKcex_I47wBDHNi5Lvm43IH0vT6ET0a9h1f6InxDXAyaeQCHpn_v89mX6It3aMVduh2vkp8y0YppDLaSQU6ZHgCV6ujJm_KdcdaZqhx0vAlKkU5hIuFaG/s320/duvet.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's really warm and comfy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I also have a really long to-do list. But since I don't have classes on Mondays I have a three-day weekend to do it. Several of the things are pretty easy - like go out and have a cup of tea or file taxes.<br />
<br />
Oh, wait.<br />
<br />
That second one probably won't happen this weekend.<br />
<br />
I'm also planning on finding some hiking boots. Ireland has some amazing hiking opportunities! I'm planning on taking advantage of it. There are supposed to be some <a href="http://www.irishtrails.ie/trails.aspx?c=Limerick" target="_blank">trails around Limerick</a> - I might try out one of those on Sunday.<br />
<br />
Other than that, make some<a href="http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/vegetablesandvegetarian/r/leekpotatosoup.htm" target="_blank"> Potato and Leek soup</a> and sleep.<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
MariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-15685365092468553772012-01-30T11:39:00.001-06:002012-01-30T11:49:24.504-06:00Self Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0DxV12_j1aboFK3IBEncdaeKElXTbVvyAnKPcRt92TIDRuJ2FBmqQCAsgzFoAv3JH4lBJs9uxuEf5qzf5yWuqWg64MYY54KQVPxMIXpVaTEvsw8IT8pAbGPZQidjX205caik-hPVFHR4/s1600/30+jan+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0DxV12_j1aboFK3IBEncdaeKElXTbVvyAnKPcRt92TIDRuJ2FBmqQCAsgzFoAv3JH4lBJs9uxuEf5qzf5yWuqWg64MYY54KQVPxMIXpVaTEvsw8IT8pAbGPZQidjX205caik-hPVFHR4/s320/30+jan+.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I'm participating in a self-portrait challenge hosted by <a href="http://thepapermama.com/" target="_blank">The Paper Mama</a>, my latest blog find. I love her freshness and honesty. I found her via Pinterest - are you on <a href="http://pinterest.com/maritravels/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a>yet? </div><br />
<b>Currently I'm...</b><br />
<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Obsessing over… </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">what to have for dinner. Not an object - though that would have to be new hair-dos I suppose, but my stomach pretty much determines my day...I'm thinking left over soup and a peanut butter sandwich! YUM.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Working on… </strong><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Videos for another blog I write for. I'm kind of in love with container gardens - they seem so easy! Too easy...also, all my school work for tomorrow.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Anticipating…</strong><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> Getting cards from my family! I have an Irish address, and there's nothing like getting mail from home, especially when you're thoughts are there.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Listening to… </strong><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">the telly (like my local slang thrown in there?). Currently it's on Scrubs reruns. Can you believe I'd never seen a full episode until I got to Europe?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Eating… </strong><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Well, drinking coffee. About to eat my homemade lentil-potato-onion soup!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Wishing… </strong><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> I had more time and energy to do everything I want on my blogs, for school, and with my new friends (and old!).</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
And yes, that is a bright, red, lipstick - Rimmel No. 12 in fact. It's a corral because I thought that would work well with my skin tone. I got several compliments today at school about it. Why, when I am a strong proponent of natural looks, have I suddenly donned a bright red? Confidence. I'm a firm believer that only the most confident women can truly pull off reds. And as a sign of my new found confidence (which, I should let you know is a work in progress) I wore red lipstick today.<br />
<br />
What do you think? Does it work with my skin tone?<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
Mari<br />
<br />
P.S. There's also this <a href="http://www.moorea-seal.com/2012/01/red-lipstick-challenge-participate.html" target="_blank">Red Lipstick Challenge</a>. I agree with pretty much everything she has to say on the subject and once I figure out how to add buttons, I'll by announcing my participation in her challenge.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-63596378870672655282012-01-28T17:56:00.000-06:002012-01-28T17:56:07.518-06:00How to Decorate Your Apartment With No Money and No Desire To Accumulate...Okay, the long title says it all.<br />
<br />
Emma and I have no money. Emma and I have no desire to accumulate things.<br />
<br />
The decorations you are about to see are things that I got to take home, found, and otherwise spent 1.50 Euro on.<br />
<br />
Hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn25flMYqGrt5VhF11q3xjejX6dDRLWOQ38GO0mLQjItTETw8aU6368rGk6dkj4TvH9MaqgzsQAfJh-ilmeAnGd_rGaS0lSjFG0YBJZtwROPvwWA3JoVziBKJ2ZwZ4I53PsEFI3ZHubAb/s1600/coffee+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn25flMYqGrt5VhF11q3xjejX6dDRLWOQ38GO0mLQjItTETw8aU6368rGk6dkj4TvH9MaqgzsQAfJh-ilmeAnGd_rGaS0lSjFG0YBJZtwROPvwWA3JoVziBKJ2ZwZ4I53PsEFI3ZHubAb/s320/coffee+table.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found the tray in the bottom drawer of the kitchen. We got the candle for 1 Euro at the Euro store. The pinecones were given to me by the family in Spain. And I made the flowers using <a href="http://kristasewinspired.blogspot.com/2011/10/vintage-paper-flower-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> out of a 2007 Ireland atlas I got for 50 cents at a Charity store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAzwOGPUOs3mzkIVkc3eS61GMhhkaX2r-jVR0jDCx-3w1wWlba-KG6AafZCunDxXlgUvwxlP_cS2-tic-c0Vp2BbZuhPutUrsvX0Do03aYTsvKy-3r0h-lA6XCCEflhrHf495Wohlj4Q0/s1600/coffee+table+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAzwOGPUOs3mzkIVkc3eS61GMhhkaX2r-jVR0jDCx-3w1wWlba-KG6AafZCunDxXlgUvwxlP_cS2-tic-c0Vp2BbZuhPutUrsvX0Do03aYTsvKy-3r0h-lA6XCCEflhrHf495Wohlj4Q0/s320/coffee+table+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aren't the flowers so pretty? You're supposed to use a hot glue gun but since I don't have one of those I used safety pins through the bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, we have the walls! The first one is my Barcelona wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hYbx92-Hjd4KN9htquKXHpwoImnWQVjgpEKbKT9G09cKR3iRIJmIAa87KrvtOspvbIkjHSqRH-Y87pUzMK103zPnjBbbGGjShsLgVTRXdAC2TjiOWnJBUJFHomhKXqx9itYYNUjFHW_-/s1600/DSC03754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hYbx92-Hjd4KN9htquKXHpwoImnWQVjgpEKbKT9G09cKR3iRIJmIAa87KrvtOspvbIkjHSqRH-Y87pUzMK103zPnjBbbGGjShsLgVTRXdAC2TjiOWnJBUJFHomhKXqx9itYYNUjFHW_-/s320/DSC03754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used the city map I got while there and added the postcards I picked up. It's a little sparse - I might find some ticket stubs that are still in good shape. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-RIOEXgdCijpvoirQUlh38KaIanRW2ejAX6MehOTf4YL95SFVAIMgrRbBL99aOWXYQKrc5guxJx4__wwfA6yIDkirmZEuo8hzBkf5klF3y_l16kUkJ0cExaywMYzMLYqfrZQwP4dGA4o/s1600/ireland+map+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-RIOEXgdCijpvoirQUlh38KaIanRW2ejAX6MehOTf4YL95SFVAIMgrRbBL99aOWXYQKrc5guxJx4__wwfA6yIDkirmZEuo8hzBkf5klF3y_l16kUkJ0cExaywMYzMLYqfrZQwP4dGA4o/s320/ireland+map+.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the Ireland wall! It's a work in progress and a team effort. The letters and hearts I cut out of the same atlas I used to make flowers. The map of Ireland and the Limerick page also come from it. The other pieces are things we've done and picked up. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd8tapc60mwlLe-nRtmU_bOyHSK5HAR-rKE-nW61KqPlscmjv0WNP97TH1FGR7L0bbZZlUe0Dr5a2OZeANU5wkmXbHfsoK9n6EF9UGSQ_YyicUTWeSp9SmMalm8qfwIrusqWfdiiwNngT/s1600/ireland+map+close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd8tapc60mwlLe-nRtmU_bOyHSK5HAR-rKE-nW61KqPlscmjv0WNP97TH1FGR7L0bbZZlUe0Dr5a2OZeANU5wkmXbHfsoK9n6EF9UGSQ_YyicUTWeSp9SmMalm8qfwIrusqWfdiiwNngT/s320/ireland+map+close.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Map, ticket stub, pamphlet, and some Indian food (because we've had it twice since we've been here!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, there's two really low budget, low effort options for giving a very personal touch to your apartment - and spending very little money!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Baci,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mari</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-82334468293101906842012-01-26T12:10:00.000-06:002012-01-26T12:10:32.217-06:00Well hi! From Patrick St.And now, for the long awaited and anticipated first blog post from my new apartment!!!<br />
<br />
I have an Irish address. As in, Ireland. How flipping cool is that?!?!<br />
<br />
It's above an art gallery (which is why I say we have a pet dog....because during the day they play this art film that is a black lab howling inside what sounds like an echo chamber...we can hear him two floors up). It's right across from the grocery store (which is a good thing, except being able to just run in and get something isn't good for my bank account). It's right downtown amongst all the stores (again, bank account). And...right around the corner from the best pubs (I don't need to explain that, do I?).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7DECrEyox1-6Xcdk1O3MG2MLTEot3CS6Jx3NAFDasUAwdHJvJ0iZ3Sym0lHURlxg4iwGLrbBimkYETJ5jO_twplup-kJRIEn-_azC4ZE6iLBDKFLZQW_1fYUa_OvCPNbSCYCdMJSZD5S/s1600/apt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7DECrEyox1-6Xcdk1O3MG2MLTEot3CS6Jx3NAFDasUAwdHJvJ0iZ3Sym0lHURlxg4iwGLrbBimkYETJ5jO_twplup-kJRIEn-_azC4ZE6iLBDKFLZQW_1fYUa_OvCPNbSCYCdMJSZD5S/s320/apt+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got these pics from Emma.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We finally have internet, we have cable, we even have a home phone (because it was in the bundle). We have a washing machine. A dish washer. We added a coffee pot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwzP9UVJOelXHR2QtRepQnIV4wklk4Jv132Rl3HqM_51fD3A5QxiJ61EijnvuOnua8cPQBa3Ok5f12c_8DreYysYNC7T6AJSiy_6PRCYF-cBbzHyNqjGg18pY0bgI78PkIJr5Ga6QkEh5/s1600/apt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwzP9UVJOelXHR2QtRepQnIV4wklk4Jv132Rl3HqM_51fD3A5QxiJ61EijnvuOnua8cPQBa3Ok5f12c_8DreYysYNC7T6AJSiy_6PRCYF-cBbzHyNqjGg18pY0bgI78PkIJr5Ga6QkEh5/s320/apt+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stuff on the wall is a map of Barcelona and post cards I got there. Working on a similar one for Limerick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Life is going.<br />
<br />
Except for the whole bills part...that's fricking terrifying. Frickin. Terrifying. And being responsible and what not. Which is not to say that I'm a stranger to responsibility. I'm not. But on my own, in another country...well, it can get overwhelming.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I have a roommate. An ausome aussie roommate.<br />
<br />
We did some touring of the city, I suppose you might want some pictures....<br />
<br />
<object name="Slideshow" id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" align="middle" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmarithompsonroma%26page%3Dmarithompsonroma%2Fpictures%26node%3D1821" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmarithompsonroma%26page%3Dmarithompsonroma%2Fpictures%26node%3D1821" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://marithompsonroma.shutterfly.com/pictures/1821?eid=116">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=embed" /></p><br />
Baci,<br />
Mari<br />
<br />
*drafted a week ago - only published once pics could be added.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-1311055253609399092012-01-22T14:40:00.000-06:002012-01-22T14:40:56.067-06:00LifeMy Dad died yesterday. He was 69. He had many lung problems - he was always afraid he would suffocate, but instead he fell asleep and did not wake up. He had been sick for over 10 years, so while it wasn't unexpected, the death of someone so close is never expected and never easy. You always hold on to the hope that some miracle will happen.<br />
<br />
I am not going home for the funeral. He did not want me to come home. He wanted me to stay - and I know that if I went home I would not be able to get on the plane back here. He is not there anyways. He said many times that he wished he could be here with me, travel with me, come see me - now he can.<br />
<br />
This semester will be a struggle for me. You will notice this reflected in the blog, I am sure. The nature of this semester is very different anyways - there are no big trips planned, not even weekend excursions. Yes, I will get out and explore Ireland, but not in the way I did Italy. I will be taking four classes, participating in a choir, doing some work online, and focusing on breathing and taking each day at a time.<br />
<br />
I have three months and twenty-five days until I touch down in the States again. In 41 days my Roma cohort, the great Natalie, will come to visit me.<br />
<br />
I am honored to be going through this journey. I am honored to be continuing this journey. I am honored to have so much support from family and friends. I am honored that you are reading this.<br />
<br />
Now, in the words of my stepmom, Sheila, it's time to "lock and load".<br />
<br />
Thank you so much, dear readers, for you support and prayers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-1055878450504532522012-01-16T18:11:00.000-06:002012-01-16T18:11:07.859-06:00So you want to live in Limerick....Not a problem! (apparently)!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCjLgZR4WAgQ9dG1ipJEgu4sSx6uu4W2aXIxg4oQ616u-YlbqFyxRiFdLkYPBaMCvA_aW4MvfUZfgRZqgUGq-Wgh1YWTet-kqwNIwZrLXFUOAIEzcsjPaZ8RgkOMzaygpt60ukNu1J4Gg/s1600/emma+king+johns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCjLgZR4WAgQ9dG1ipJEgu4sSx6uu4W2aXIxg4oQ616u-YlbqFyxRiFdLkYPBaMCvA_aW4MvfUZfgRZqgUGq-Wgh1YWTet-kqwNIwZrLXFUOAIEzcsjPaZ8RgkOMzaygpt60ukNu1J4Gg/s320/emma+king+johns.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma the Ausome Aussie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Emma (my Ausome Aussie roommate) and I arrived Thursday night. Friday afternoon at three we saw an apartment (in a prime location I must say) and pretty much decided it was the one for us.<br />
<br />
We submitted our paperwork and, barring natural disaster, we move in tomorrow! (at which point you'll get pics - they've taken it off the listing site).<br />
<br />
I'm waiting for the ball to drop. This was too easy. As I said, it's in a great location near the river in the city centre of Limerick. It's right across from a large grocery store and pharmacy. It's just down the street from <a href="http://primark.ie/page.aspx?pointerid=6dc023f3fda74ef7bcf6e4c79f2d0553" target="_blank">Penney's </a>- which might be more con than pro ;) - and...yeah.<br />
<br />
I've had my eye on it for over a month. Emailed the lister, inquired about a four month lease, made an appointment for Friday afternoon, gave our reference letters (bank statement, letter of acceptance at MIC), paid the deposit...and we move in tomorrow!<br />
<br />
I thought it would be harder. Something tells me it won't be this easy in August when I get a place in Chicago.<br />
<br />
Don't worry, more posts to come about Limerick, Ireland, and the Irish...I'm working on compiling lists of witty observations.<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
MariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-6879499964225445882012-01-13T18:49:00.000-06:002012-01-13T18:49:32.957-06:00Dublin, or......how I almost got deported before ever leaving the airport.<br />
<br />
Yes, you read that right.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBET6rMA1rSJK4oXvBVIPg8OJu0MrsvWX1WrHUy7T6chXwDCysqUXhKnTBTQgL0_i9Q8ec9ErXVp9XpLR8IAFCVGkllTvFjSRsm0Xcr2hJP13_rmf6zyeRMtxvHTcwQK08eY8SCv0e3Y6K/s1600/baby_picture_photo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBET6rMA1rSJK4oXvBVIPg8OJu0MrsvWX1WrHUy7T6chXwDCysqUXhKnTBTQgL0_i9Q8ec9ErXVp9XpLR8IAFCVGkllTvFjSRsm0Xcr2hJP13_rmf6zyeRMtxvHTcwQK08eY8SCv0e3Y6K/s320/baby_picture_photo_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from babypicturesphotos.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That's how I felt (and looked for that matter) yesterday at about 12:30PM or so Dublin time. <div><br />
</div><div>At approximately that time the Immigration Official (Mr. Grumpy) informed me that since I didn't have an official letter from MIC stating enrollment I was going to be sent back "to where I came from". (Which, I suppose, would have been Barcelona). </div><div><br />
</div><div>Heart. Stopped. </div><div><br />
</div><div>He refused to let me enter as a tourist (because I couldn't "be both student and tourist and I said I was a student and now I just wanted to change my story"?). I couldn't check my email because I couldn't register for 10 minutes of free wifi because I didn't have a cell phone for it to send my password to. I couldn't be escorted to a phone to call MIC because there was a line of people and, as Mr. Grumpy put it, "Did I expect all those people in line to wait on me to be escorted to a phone?" Also, he refused to give me my passport back. </div><div><br />
</div><div>He told me to just go sit down. I did. I tried not to dissolve into a mess of salty water. </div><div><br />
</div><div>After Mr. Grumpy and his partner, Mr. Unconcerned (now with his feet up on the desk - not kidding), had dealt with the other 12 or so people in line he waved me back up. He asked for the name of the school I was <i>supposed </i>to be enrolled at. Then he asked how much I paid for these classes I was <i>supposed </i>to be taking. He looked up the number, called MIC, and said "I have a young woman here by the name of Mari Lynn Thompson who is presenting herself as a student at your university for the semester but she doesn't have a letter."</div><div><br />
</div><div>OF COURSE I DON'T HAVE A LETTER. IT'S SOMEWHERE ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER AT HOME IN KENTUCKY WHERE I HAVEN'T BEEN FOR FIVE MONTHS. </div><div><br />
</div><div>They confirmed my enrollment. As he began to stamp my passport eh said "You didn't present yourself very well here this morning."</div><div><br />
</div><div>Um, no shi* Mr. Grumpy. I've NEVER had to go through immigration when going from one EU country to another. I didn't know I needed the letter - I've been in Europe...</div><div><br />
</div><div>"And I am very very sorry." Truer words never spoken. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Mr. Grumpy took my picture, gave me my passport back, further instrctions about having only a month to go to the local police station and get all my blah blah blah. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I got my suitcase and dissolved into a salty water mess. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Then, bus to Limerick where I met Emma. She's awesome. She brought me peanut butter. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Baci,</div><div>Mari<br />
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-28705875921873583452012-01-10T13:15:00.002-06:002012-01-10T13:15:57.966-06:00Yum tea....By the way, I'm on Pinterest now.<br />
<br />
But about the tea!!! New tea post for <a href="http://mydailycupoftea.com/frutti-del-bosco-from-rome" target="_blank">MyDailyCupOfTea</a>!<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
MariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483946137788855249.post-84418868760810651132012-01-08T13:03:00.000-06:002012-01-08T13:03:17.449-06:00Hola!Hola guys, this is just a general catch-up post to let you know what I've been up to.<br />
<br />
I've been on walks and seen beautiful vistas...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWC-gouEQH41Dinj2KC2cmDVyzjcYrp1BxtSaY8782Rd7keL8Vle8zdQjvzGARHWZzrG0Mcw8u9X6qBqqdxoVfiYtbXqdJrPgA3H6qL1LE7R0LXBIBFGU3yMBrIiEsFA-aWAVj4jt33hh/s1600/mm+moun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWC-gouEQH41Dinj2KC2cmDVyzjcYrp1BxtSaY8782Rd7keL8Vle8zdQjvzGARHWZzrG0Mcw8u9X6qBqqdxoVfiYtbXqdJrPgA3H6qL1LE7R0LXBIBFGU3yMBrIiEsFA-aWAVj4jt33hh/s320/mm+moun.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vRXcvfC0Ljiv2fAPGI0k59XMZRjPXJf7KgQEtfN8mTI5KglDCtCALpB-N5K7dd-fTubUt7R3TYo7bWXkgaf4x7xPsGOSnGdoxXcr-facy2jjz0ZR-aWtKcKf15lI3kauJgxOi-5fF21e/s1600/mm+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vRXcvfC0Ljiv2fAPGI0k59XMZRjPXJf7KgQEtfN8mTI5KglDCtCALpB-N5K7dd-fTubUt7R3TYo7bWXkgaf4x7xPsGOSnGdoxXcr-facy2jjz0ZR-aWtKcKf15lI3kauJgxOi-5fF21e/s320/mm+sunset.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I've fed the animals...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXOsG6G9AXi0mBofLyzS0OCrwv6HekDrok689QY2Z6XNBWg19YTw9wgxHUbsXULpGQ8E-4mKJCTrnW8s6cgxWmExwz7IzGxBi0N84XEwolOrG_mNDLEEVESe9tEPs_KSgGP-I4ppO2qLB/s1600/mm+pollitos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXOsG6G9AXi0mBofLyzS0OCrwv6HekDrok689QY2Z6XNBWg19YTw9wgxHUbsXULpGQ8E-4mKJCTrnW8s6cgxWmExwz7IzGxBi0N84XEwolOrG_mNDLEEVESe9tEPs_KSgGP-I4ppO2qLB/s320/mm+pollitos.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POLLITOS!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I've been <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=330822143608776" target="_blank">interviewed </a>by a Spanish News Station...(hope the link works!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQBG9rQsc6ZGVYU-HTMLX76vDqC4i8IQ-aCGhWEZI95vvagm8zIf5t9qbDU1gcYIQbLt6ajSyJssXAgBXjbycM8lHFth78s6BzbN5a4ruue0rs6BSZj8vVJim36M-HIradfmVDcWHbRHo/s1600/mm+news.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQBG9rQsc6ZGVYU-HTMLX76vDqC4i8IQ-aCGhWEZI95vvagm8zIf5t9qbDU1gcYIQbLt6ajSyJssXAgBXjbycM8lHFth78s6BzbN5a4ruue0rs6BSZj8vVJim36M-HIradfmVDcWHbRHo/s320/mm+news.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I've been to a Three Kings Day parade...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cm8UW7lQ9F4u2bPGs5JWJ-YWxoRCJEENQwePkCkinaS-zEnk6p749i1GyH_mUfCLahTDztYzf4RKyh-bZOccygWCziGLUE0gVzHxAqAlIxeIfNcuG_mAvOu4b_qLxAGGtTWWJCx9ZxY_/s1600/mm+parade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cm8UW7lQ9F4u2bPGs5JWJ-YWxoRCJEENQwePkCkinaS-zEnk6p749i1GyH_mUfCLahTDztYzf4RKyh-bZOccygWCziGLUE0gVzHxAqAlIxeIfNcuG_mAvOu4b_qLxAGGtTWWJCx9ZxY_/s320/mm+parade.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I've started <a href="http://mari365daysof2012.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">a new project</a>...<br />
<br />
And in five days, I'll be in Ireland!!!<br />
<br />
Baci,<br />
MariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498065893671905332noreply@blogger.com0