Friday, January 25, 2013

Days 56-60: All good things must come to an End

Sunday


This day seems to be a blank for some reason...oh yeah I was sick as a dog and ended up not going to the meeting or doing much of anything besides lay in bed! I hate being sick :(


Monday


Spent most of the day out in service and got ready for our departure Thursday. I must say by the end of the day I was very upset because out heat cut out...again! I  was soo mad. It's bad when you can see your breath while in the house


Tuesday


We spent the day packing and cleaning. We also decided to leave the cold flat and head back to JoAnn's house for the rest of the time we were in Ireland. At the meeting we took a group picture of which I don't have the pics yet but will hopefully get later this week and will post up.

But here are more pictures from the going away party Fun times!!





I love Kareokee



Wednesday


We went out in service and finished preparations for our departure we also scared  Karen that also stays at JoAnn's since we kinda just moved in our luggage without telling her. We sadly didn't have her number and couldn't tell her face to face.

We wanted to spend the night at home just relaxing but Luca dragged us out the house one more time to see the city center and we are so glad we did. One of the major things that I wanted to do the whole trip was see traditional Irish music and dance. While the video quality is not very good the group was pretty good. The bands name was Puca and I ended up buying their CD. This person had a better view of them than I did of the dancing earlier in the year.

The band consisted of  Banjo, Guitar, Accordion, Vocalist, and drummer. They had a great sound and one of their original songs is suppose to be in a movie coming up. Don't ask me what move that is as he couldn't tell me :(


Thursday


We packed everything up early and jumped on the plane home. I hand't realized how long its been since i've seen the sun and realized that Ireland it completely covered in clouds almost all the time.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Day 51-55: Cold days not too much going on

So for the past few days we have been pretty much in our flat all day long. Thursday night the congregation put together a going away party for us and another couple, John and Zaha that are returning to Germany.


We had a great time I had an opportunity to dance which is always wonderful as I don't get a chance to dance often unless it is at a party! Good music good food and lots of fun.

Unfortunately Preben went from a progressively mild cold to a fever that night and we stayed home all day long on Friday he kind of reminded me of this cat picture that I found.

So sad but yet so extremely cute at the same time. We spent the day in bed watching Korean shows.

Today (Saturday) we went out in service however we found out that no one seems to have went out on Friday because of how cold it was. As we came back home sleet started to fall.

Someone mentioned to me at one point in time that since we have been here the winter has been mild...I am not thinking that we are just now really seeing true Ireland winter weather. I must say I am glad we've missed out on this "true" weather because I was very cold out in service and we couldn't stay out too long before calling it quits (as it was lightly raining as well).

Needless to say

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Day 29 - 51: A lot has happened

So first sorry for skipping soo many days of posting what has gone on we've been pretty busy with service and going out to various places. We took a tour on the west side of Ireland hitting a number of smaller towns and different signs. Galway was a nice port town.




In Windy ConnaMara

Castle on the side of the road

I will have to say that I've found a new love for hiking but with that being said I am very much out of shape it seems. We climbed a "hill" that seemed more like a mountain and I had to rest multiple times just to get to the top which was pretty sad.

Wicklow Beach
We had an opportunity to go to Wicklow which was awesome I must say and is the south of Dublin below are some of the pictures that I had an opportunity to take while there.

Preben and Doug
Docks in Wicklow
We also spent the day with a brother that lives in the area, Doug. He really showed hospitality to the two of us and gave us a fabulous tour of the area. The next day we went ice skating which was Preben's first time. He didn't do too bad for someone that has never been before.

Two of Three lighthouses in Wicklow

While there we had an opportunity to also tour the entrance and break room what use to be the Ireland Bethel. It is currently in the process of being sold. However brothers and sisters from various congregations come to take care of the maintenance needs of the building and there are still a few brothers with their wives that live there. The upcoming weeks they are going to have the school for Christian Couples there.
Water feature as you come in
The building formerly known as Ireland Bethal











In the evening we visited Doug's congregation which is downtown of Wicklow a beautiful hall and equally beautiful people with the exception of the constantly talking children... Brothers in Ireland seem to have the option of wearing facial hair.

Friday


We went iceskating which was fun this was Preben's first time going and surprisingly he nor I fell not once. I was not looking forward to it at first because of previous bad experiences with iceskating but I had an awesome time. Afterwards we went to the Gutierrez family's house (cute orange slices) and did some karaoke, played ping pong, and a few rounds of Mafia.










Saturday 


We went to a part at Yvonne's house and met a special pioneer couple had had an opportunity to live in China for a while and loved it but came back to Ireland to become special pioneers. After serving for two years here they've decided to give up special pioneering and move back to China.

They really encouraged us to take up learning the language which we were debating between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. After speaking with them we've begun to lean even more so to the Chinese. 

The next couple of weeks was spent predominately in the field service or going hiking or visiting friends.




Last Thursday



We went to hike a hill near a golf course and took some amazing pictures near the top. However as we were coming down the hill I had a bit of an accident while trying to record my journey back down by myself as i'd left the Preben, Luca, and Lee this was not so pleasant Going down Howth Hill. Once again I am reminded that I am out of shape and really need to find more outside activities to do in Florida.

Friday


Was spent out in service.

Saturday 


We went to Northern Ireland and saw the Giant's Causeway which was really awesome. We were told that we didn't have to pay if we went right to the causeway from a car park however if we went into the building we would have to pay for tickets.

Needless to say prior to going into the building this is what I told the group however I had to go back into the car to change my shoes and when I came back the group already paid for tickets... I was not happy with that however because we did pay we received an audio tour set. Which made the cost of the tickets worth it. This place was beautiful.

Apparently there are two stories of how this causeway was formed. (1) The Giant Fin McCool created it when we was going to fight a scottish giant turns out the Scottish giant was too big and he ran away. When the Scottish giant came looking for him Finn hid in the bead disguised as a baby and when the scottish giant saw how big the baby was he ran home thinking that the father must be really big

(2) because of volcanic activity the causeway was formed and changed over time due to weathering.

It was really nice seeing Jehovah's creation in such an unusual way. It looks manmade but isn't. I actually enjoyed the causeway more than the Cliffs of Mohar because we could get closer to the edge and there wasn't as many tourist in this location.

We had to climb up something called the Shepherd's Passage which was mad steep and a little scary. It reminded me once again how out of shape I was...

After the causeway we went to the Titanic Exhibit in Belfast which was pretty interesting. It reminds me of how people put so much thought and effort into a man made creation only to have it wrecked by one of Jehovah's creations...the iceberg.

On our way back we had an opportunity to see (from a distance) police activity as there was a protest that day because of issues with the British flag not being flown in certain areas. Unfortunately I couldn't get my camera out fast enough to take a picture.

Sunday


We went to the hall and played Ballderdash at a brothers and sister's house during dinner with friends.

 Monday 


Focus on doing return visits to let them know that I would be leaving and someone else will be by to bring them the magazines regularly. I have come to realize that Ireland is a place where it takes people a while to accept the truth however once they do they remain firm regardless of the persecution they may get from friends and family. The rest of the week will have a lot going on for sure from service to eating a friends house to packing. I will try to make sure I get back to updating regularly!

Tuesday


Was spent studying for the meeting and updating this blog! I am finally caught up which makes me a happy camper!!!












Friday, January 4, 2013

Day 28: Cliffs of Moher and West Ireland Countryside

So we headed from Galway to the Cliffs of Mohar on a nice day and we were able to see a nice portion of the county-side I have a lot of video but i'm unable to load it here for some reason.

We ended up getting lost in the Burren after coming back from the cliffs which was pretty scary considering it was a one lane road that had grass growing down it due to its lack of use.

All in the all it was a great day!








No he isn't a jumper but he was crazy for going out there


This place is famous for "jumpers"

My favorite sign



The cliffs were awesome they almost didn't look real





Thursday, December 27, 2012

Day 27: Howth Hike

So today was spent on the beautiful isthmus oh Howth the eastern boarder of Northside congregation's territory. We were a little worried at that we wouldn't be able to finish as it started raining during our journey and we had to turn back. A brave few continued on in the rain and some more after the rain let up.

My legs were on fire after all the walking and I wanted to go home. We however ended up going to s sister's house, muddy and all. It was her first party since she just moved in and was happy to have all us muddy folk.

We played a  couple rounds of Mafia and ate good food. It was a good day!











Hanging Around

Dirty Dogs
A scene off the beaten path



The Trail

Two sisters in bear hats!


Rachel > Janela - Rachel is awesome







Having fun at Rachel's