So, after being shocked to learn that I was in fact joining my family on this journey, the question quickly turned to what on earth am I going to do over here. As most of you know, I have spent the last 20 years working....a lot. (A HUGE shout out to my amazing law firm Nilan Johnson Lewis for letting me take this trip!). After months of putting my investigative and negotiating skills to work on planning the perfect and most economical living situation including flights, housing and schools for the kids, I have really enjoyed the new set of details of getting settled into life in Dublin. I have studied the bus and train system, made sure we have the most cost effective bus passes, figured out how to get a cab to buy uniforms for the kids and a bike for Johnny. These tasks are right up my alley....and now they are coming to an end.....
Today, Lisa and I went to UCD to meet her new colleagues and see her office and where she will be lecturing. I was struck by the fact that everyone in my family is delving into a new situation that will force them to be engaged in this culture including a way to meet new people. And, here I sit....completely capable of working around the clock with wireless internet that I ensured was set up and working the same day we arrived. It is not really in my nature to do anything other than work...I have been teased for not really having any hobbies....in fact last week, my dearest high school friend was over and as we discussed my lofty goals for our trip, he teased me about being lazy and unimaginative. I took this as a great compliment as he knows me so well...and I know the positive side of those traits is that I am efficient and content.....some of my greatest attributes. But of course being efficient and content is not the best way to maximize an extremely expensive and lengthy trip to Europe.
So.....I am starting to think about what to do. This afternoon, I stopped by the Dublin Cookery School that is literally across the street from our house. (Yes, after analyzing and memorizing the neighborhood map to find the shortest distance to everywhere, I hadn't noticed it on my own. My brother-in-law had to tell me about it, after his five-minute perusal of Google Maps on his iPhone).
The cooking school has multi-week classes I am considering on Monday or Tuesday evenings. Although my indecision on whether to take "Cooking for Friends" or "Quick and Creative Meals" will likely paralyze me to the point of not signing up for anything.
In the meantime, I put my own kind of creative thinking to work. As most of the blog followers know...on special days, I love a good cold gin and tonic at sunset. But there is no sunset here. Since we walk everywhere and carry all groceries in our backpacks....we had to sacrifice room for milk and eggs to make sure we had all of the ingredients for my perfect drink. Unfortunately, there is no ice in Ireland....so I decided yesterday to prepare for the ultimate drink by making homemade ice in plastic cups we have here at the house.
Here is a picture of the cocktails Lisa and I enjoyed this evening.....
And, so as not to waste my precious ice cylinders, we plan to reuse them and are prepared for tomorrow as well.....
There is nothing unimaginative or lazy about that!
OMG, I was laughing so hard "there is no ice in Ireland." Um, you have water and you have a freezer so therefore you have ice. Maybe taking an ice making class at the cooking school for starters? By the way, I'd vote for easy and quick meals. Maybe you should try doing nothing for a few days/weeks to see what that's like and that would probably be a new situation for you. Love ya, Kathy
ReplyDeletehahahahaha oh you have no idea how much this made me laugh!!!
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