Day 2: Schools

Johnny had a better night last night (again, thanks to all of you who texted, called, skyped, etc. it was so great for him to know that you all still know he's alive, I think!). He woke up with two nightmares, one where he described having to choose which one of Sheila or I he would have to throw into a volcano (!).

Mostly I think it's still the jet lag as he probably didn't get back to sleep again after that until 1 a.m.

We got up this morning a bit late (9:30) with what we now know was a HUGE agenda.

Firstly, after a bite of breakfast we headed off to Johnny's school (a bit further away than we expected, but darling and a lot like Annunciation). On the way home it started raining and both kids complained that we don't have a car and that they were starving.

At that point we decided to split up.

I took Maggie over to her school which, also darling, was a bit more daunting as she is a "first year" which means seventh grade in a school that goes to twelfth grade, of all girls. So instead of mimicking Annunciation, she is going to Vis. We were told to come back when the kids weren't at lunch and headed back into the village to the Starbucks. I'd prefer a local coffee shop but the view is too spectacular to pass up.

This is Dublin Bay from outside of Starbucks (i.e. the ONLY reason we go there as there is this gorgeous back porch to the coffee shop. Cold and smokey but gorgeous).

The schools here are funny (no clue as to quality yet). They are free, but the state has dismantled everything that you usually get at school. Johnny doesn't get milk, and we had to buy Maggie a bunch of books. They both have uniforms like at home which we have yet to purchase (one will do).

Sheila and Johnny came to Starbucks and we switched again: Sheila to head back to the meeting with Maggie, while Johnny and I went of to UCD to a) check out my office, b) to try to buy used bikes and c) to go to the uniform shop.

He was thrilled to hang out on the top front of the double decker bus and we found my office, but that was about all we could do.

We headed home tired and cold, played soccer in the "front" yard, and waited for Sheila and Maggie to come home.

More tomorrow on how awesome Ireland is (and I suspect Europe more generally) on conservation. I will also do a bit more than just retell the day. My apologies on the writing. I did some "homework" for my online class tonight and this took second priority so my creativity (or lack thereof) shows.

-Lisa