Yes I'm alive!

I've just been very busy, or maybe very lazy, probably a combination of both. Too much has actually happened for me to remember. Our trip to America came and went far too fast. We had a fantabulous time. Four days in NYC with Aaron where we went to the National History museum and saw dinosaurs, went to the top of the Rockerfeller Center where Mick kept his eye out for his TV-Star crush (Tina Fey). We went up to the Top-of-the-Rock just as the sun was going down so we got to see the city with and without lights, absolutely beautiful both ways. We visited the Bronx Zoo on apparently what is the busiest day of the week and we ate a pound of cheesecake.

Then on to Oregon. We were picked up at the airport by all my friends and drive directly to the Concordia Ale House so we could get a pint of sweet, delicious, very much missed Oregon beer. This just started things off perfectly, I knew it was going to be a good trip. The next day, we headed down to Sunriver. This was fantastic as 13 of my friends got to go which is pretty amazing as everyone was able to get off time work or get babysitters and generally act like we were all 22 again. We all went out to the Lava Caves which were very different from the caves Mick and I visited in County Clare, Ireland, which were also very cool. I finally got to spend a bit of time with my mom and introduce Mick whom she'd heard so much about and finally got to met. I also got to spend some time with my brother which was much needed.


Back to Portland. We went for hikes in the Columbia River George, Kayaking with Jaimie's family on the Rogue River, Sarah's bachlorette party, walking around Portland, eating around Portland, Mick got to go shoot guns while I visited my fluffyfaced kitty cat. I took mick to the batting cages where he got to partake in the great aAmerican past-time of hitting baseballs. We got to spend a little time with my sister and my three nieces who are all so big now and so cute! We took the train up to Seattle and where we met up with Dominic and drank beers from our socks in the park. And then most importantly, I got to see my best friend in the world get Married. The wedding was fantastic, not a thing out of place, all was perfect. When Sarah and Morgan went off for their Honeymoon we watched after their house for them. They just bought a lovely new house complete with game room (pool and poker tables), a hot-tub, and koi pond out back! They really lucked out and so did Mick and I by getting to stay there.

Then before we knew it, it was time to go home. I didn't quite realize how much I missed everyone and Oregon until I was there again. It was so good to be home and be surrounded by all my friends and family. I miss you all and thanks for treating us so well.

Lots of love,
Judy

If you haven't seen em yet, more photos at Mick's Picasa:

American Holiday Part 1

American Holiday Part 2

Great weekend, baaaaaaad Monday.

On Thursday 10 of us headed west to Carrick-on-Shannon for the annual Shannon Cruise. Thursday night was nice and easy, we settled in for the evening and to enjoy a bbq on the docks. Friday was back to the river going at a top speed of 8mph! We stopped along the way for a quick dip in the cool (freezing) waters of the Shannon. There was only one fatality of Mick's new waterproof camera, which is probably still working perfectly at the bottom of the river. We sailed on and went to a pub beside the river for dinner, I had grilled Hake, which has topped my list of the best dinners I've ever had in Ireland. Back to the boat for some cards and drinking.



For more pictures go here.

Saturday contained more of the same intermixed with shooting scenes for "The Shannon Stranger II a sequel for the members of the Shannon Cruise from years back. We also had an important addition to the crew this year, Holly, the official boat-dog joined us. It was great having a dog aboard. On Sunday we lazily made our way back to Carrick-on-Shannon to head home. We had a farewell dinner at a local Italian restaurant and then I hopped on the back of Mick's bike and we were once again Dublin-bound.

And that's when thing's went bad. About 30 minutes into the bike ride my stomach started to feel queezy this was then followed by what mick could only explain as exorcist-style shenanigans including the worst stomach cramps I've ever felt (and never want to feel again). Long story short, at 2am we went to the emergency hospital where I remained until 2pm the next day. When I left they still didn't know what was wrong with me. I'm awaiting some more tests to come back from the labs. I'll then get antibiotics for whatever ails me. Most symptoms are pointing towards E.Coli which I could have got from something I ate over the last week or so. No one else from the boat trip has been sick so we're ruling out anything eaten then. I'm feeling much better today (Tuesday) and was able to eat almost a full dinner. I'll hopefully get lab results back tomorrow. In the meantime I'm confined from going to work as I may be contagious. All I know is that I feel better and it seems that whatever it was has passed. thank god!

Here I go again on my own...

Hi All it's been a while since i've posted and many fun things have come to pass.

I introduced Mick to Geocaching and it's our new favorite activity. It has taken us to mountains and castles and to lovely walks in the park. We've only done a few so far but plan to pick em up in our spare time. We had a week of absolutely amazing weather, got a sunburn and all, now it's back to a bit of rain and overcast. We took full advantage of the weather when we had it though, by going to beach, motorbike rides and bbq's a plenty!

We also celebrated mick's 30th birthday party (which is actually on the 12th, but due to a business trip had it early) traditionally over at Aslinn's house complete with bbq, bouncy castle and bone fire. It was absolutely fantastic. Then the next day we headed over to Trim Castle for a day in the sun among the ruins.

While we were busy doing this our flatmate sarah was busy moving out and getting ready for her move to Italy, so we'll be cat-sitting pebbles while she's away for the summer. It's nice to have a cat in the house again, but to be honest, pebbles is well... insane. It had to be said.

As for Mick's business trip, he's been called to Sydney Austrailia for three weeks. He's at the airport as I type this. I've moved from the thoughts of not wanting him to leave to just being plain jealous! I wanna go! I'm just trying to keep in mind that it's business and he will be working a lot. As well it's actually winter in Sydney right now so there won't be any fun times on the beach (just one's in pubs). He's promised we'll go back someday and i will hold him to that. I'll be using the next few weeks to get things done i've been meaning to do...not too sure what those are yet.

Oh I also passed my driving theory test last Saturday. Basically I've been driving for 12 years and I can legally drive in Ireland but I can't legally get insured which means i have to apply for my irish license before getting a car. However, actually obtaining a license is quite a lengthly process.
1. First I have to pass my theory test (done),
2. Then i've to apply for my provisional license
3. Next i have to take 6 driving lessons (up to 50 euro a session!),
4. Finally after 6 months i can apply for my full license and of course have to pass a driving test.

And of course each one of these steps costs money. I can actually get insured with only a provisional license but my insurance rates will be sky high!

There are a few things i'm looking forward to. I won't shut up about going to the states i'm very excited for that! I'm also looking forward to Mick getting home (I know... already??) then the day after he gets back we're heading to Claire and Mike's wedding up at Darver Castle which should be fantastic!

to view some of my latest shenanigans follow the link below.

Bits & Bobs 2009

If you didn't get the email...

I know what's been on all of your minds lately. When the heck is Judy coming for a visit??? We'll the time is near...well 3 months away. As an added bonus my amazingly awesome and handsome (and irish) boyfriend will be joining me. Clear your schedules for some proper Judy & Mick hang out time from August 27th to September 14th. Aaron we'll be in NY August 24-27 so prepare your couch/floor!

Oregon has a lot to live up to for mick, as you all probably know how I tend to exaggerate. We'll be looking for couches/floors/beds to sleep on and cars/vanagons to borrow for some short trips...so let us know if you have a spare.

We'll have 2.5 weeks to:
1. Go to the beach! who's in?
2. Maybe camping/rafting if the weather is as good as last sept.
3. Down to sunriver (Emily think i can rent the house again? not sure of the dates yet)
4. Up to Seattle for a day (DOMINIC!!!)
5. Drinking delicious oh so missed Oregon beer.
6. Sarah's wedding! (Sept. 6th)
7. Leah party? huh huh?
8. lots of visiting in between.

I'm a little excited if you can't tell. See you all in a few months.

Lots of love,
Jude

Damn Recession.

I finished my first full week back to work last week. I was actually suppose to be back to work the week before, but i fell ill with a case of strep throat which kept me home and in bed for the better part of the week. Not fun at all. Overall I'm, health-wise, i'm doing well now. I've still a bit of pain in my leg but I'm confident it's getting better all the time. I just need to keep up my swimming (2x a week), yoga (once a week) and physio exercises (5x a week). All that keeps me fairly busy.

I've also been toying with the idea of signing up with a softball team. But I'm not sure how the twisting of hitting would work with my back. Not to mention, I don't really have any sort of transportation and all the teams play outside the city centre. So I'll have to look into that a bit more, but i sure would love to play again. The subject of transportation has been on my mind a lot lately. I miss driving. I miss having the freedom to go anywhere I want whenever I want and not to rely on public transportation or the kindness of others. But I hate the idea of owning a car again, paying insurance and buying gas for it. The other option is to get a motorbike, it would be a hell of a lot faster to get through traffic, but i'd still have the gas and insurance to pay for. I hate traffic. What i really need is a flying machine—with no insurance and runs on water. :)

The recession is still going strong. I'm hearing all the time of people being laid off and businesses going out under. My job is going strong for the moment, everyone is working full time again and we're all working hard to keep it that way. However, 2 months ago one of my best friends, Guðrún, was laid off and she has now made the hard decision to move back to Iceland. There are no words to describe how much i will miss her. I'm sure it's much more scary for her, as she's lived here for 3+ years and has made an entire life in Dublin and the city attached itself to her heart as it has to mine. However, this will give mick and me a great opportunity to visit Iceland!

I'd also like to note that it has been 1 year and 5 months since anyone has come to visit me. I think it's time, don't you?

Well that's all from this side of the world. Hope you are all keeping well and drop me an email sometime!

Paddy's day and other miscellany.

Well not a lot has happened since last post. Paddy's day came and went. We enjoyed it by watching the parade from a rooftop on dame street where we had a fantastic view. I've mainly just been taking it easy. I went and saw the doctor on the 13th and he requested that I stay off work for another month! That was a bit of a blow, but I gotta do what the doctor says. The improvement in my leg/back seems to be going at such a slow pace I can't detect it, but the doc assures that it is healing normally. Over the last week I've been getting really stiff and it's hard to move, feels like i need a hip replacement. I'm hoping this won't last for too much longer. I'm swimming and just going for walks, but other than that, not much.

Any way here are some pics of what I've been up to.

Paddy's Day 2009 & other Miscellany

Catholic for a day.

So this week included Pancake Tuesday. In honor of the sacred holiday we made Blueberry Pecan Buttermilk Pancakes.


In other news my back/leg seems to be improving slowly. It's still a bit painful to sit for long periods of time but that also seems to be improving. I'm not getting as many pins and needles anymore either. I think I've finally seeing results and if I continue to improve I should be fine in a few months. And I'm okay with that!