“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." All Hallows eve went like this for me: Movies, deep conversation, all the sushi you can eat, thinking the night was over and getting into onsies, deciding the night wasn’t over and painting our faces, there were a few spiders, and saving a guy’s life. Yes, all in that order. How was your Halloween?
I’ve always looked forward to Halloween. Back home I looked forward to watching spooky (but not gory) Halloween movies. And if I’m being honest it was really movies like the classic Hocus Pocus. I loved the feeling of Autumn all around you even if the leaves weren’t quite changing color yet back in Texas. But it was just a feeling that you get and can’t see. It was there and I loved it. When I was younger I couldn’t wait to make my homemade costume (as I got older I usually procrastinated this until the actual day and ended up just throwing a sheet over me, cutting out whiles for my eyes, and going as a ghost) then head out and trick-or-treat with my family. We went out together, filled our bags with candy, laughed at each other and cried when someone stole our good candies. Then when we were done we would usually head home, dad would order a pizza then “check” our haul for any “suspicious” looking candies, and we would turn on another Halloween movie while we organized our candy and traded like professional barters to get the best haul we could. As I grew older this never changed for me. Even if I wasn’t dressed like a ghetto ghost, I was walking along the siblings and cousins that could still trick-or-treat and soaking in that Halloween night air. I didn’t want to go to the parties, Halloween (at least for me) was a family affair and I didn’t want it any other way. The seasons here are not hidden in any way. The weather here is colder, the trees have all changed into beautiful colors of oranges and reds, and there's no question Fall is here in Ireland. However, this Halloween was different, I didn’t go trick or treating however I did help my host family make the children’s costumes. And it cracked me up how much they actually took to the whole sewing routine. They have been sewing everything and anything they can since then. I did however have my friends and out here they basically are my family and the events that unfolded led up to a night I’ll probably never forget. And this is how it went…. My friends and I had just planned on staying in for movies and making homemade sushi. And that’s what we did, at first. I never in my life thought that Halloween night would be the time I learned how to make an Asian delicacy, but hey, there’s a first time for everything! I spent a good majority of the early evening laughing it up with my one of my best friends here Krystian (She is Australian) as she taught me how to make sushi. She is an expert. I learned the tricks to making the rice just perfect, and yes, you can go VERY wrong if you don’t know what you are doing. Trick-or-treaters came to the door and leave it to a bunch of young adults to forget to buy candy! We felt so bad! We would have offered the kids sushi if it would have held in their bags but you can see that wasn’t the best idea. Once we were filled with Sushi, and I mean FILLED, everyone just did their own thing. Some watched a movie, others talked, some even debated which is always interesting, and the night went on like every other weekend night. I guess that’s why it didn’t really feel like Halloween to me but I was with friends so it was okay. The weather here is starting to get colder, especially at night, and sometimes it can feel like you are a bear going into hibernation after you eat a big meal and all you want to do is sleep. So, some of us decided to call it a night, getting dressed in our onsie pajamas (that are REALLY big here) and getting ready for bed. But none of us felt like we weren’t ready for Halloween to end particularly when it felt like it never started. So, even though it was 10:45 pm we got up, painted our faces with our eye liners (I went with webs all over my face and spiders dripping down) and drove into the city. From what I have observed, Halloween is the biggest in the United States. I mean we take it to a whole new level. Here, it’s kind of just a holiday that some people will take part in. But what I realized as we drove into town is that anyone will take the opportunity to dress up. Everyone we saw was dressed up for a night on the town, which here usually means many of them were going to the clubs. My friends and I already decided that wasn’t something we wanted to do. I just wanted to be out and see what it was like. I was very surprised by the costumes some people had. Of course I saw the obvious witches and ghouls, but my favorites were the ones people actually had to put thought into like the Sanderson sisters, a group of friends dressed up as the little green toy soldiers from Toy Story, a few prisoners (which looked so convincing I could tell if they were actual escaped convicts), and some of the oddest costumes I had no idea what those people were. And when I asked them, they laughed and answered, “I have no idea.” Sometimes I forget where I am, that I am actually living in Ireland and I have to remind myself that the people here are different. The people of Ireland generally are very kind. Many of them will stop what they are doing to help you. For example, they will even stop and offer their assistance if you and your group of friends are trying to take a picture. We had several people offer and my first thought was, “Won’t they run off with the camera?” However, none of them did. Many of them stopped to ask us about our night, where we were heading, and parted saying they would catch up with us later, even when both groups knew we would never see each other again. It was so fun we made a game out of pretending to take a picture when someone walked by to see who would stop and who would keep walking. Saving a random guys life was a moment of chance. My friends and I were walking down the busiest street in downtown Limerick and the whole time I could feel someone watching us. When I turned around I noticed a guy dressed in a blue shirt, green tights, and a pink tutu walking after us. He didn’t look alarming, if anything he looked ridiculous, but he was definitely following us. When he finally noticed I was staring at him he called out to us “Ladies! Ladies!” and you can imagine him sounding like Captain Jack Sparrow, because that’s exactly what he sounded like. Needless to say this guy had had a few to many choice drinks and wasn’t all there. He asked us if we knew were a certain club was and we pointed him the right direction all while trying to slip away. We didn’t get away fast enough though, but I guess that was alright because he tried to be cool turning and saying, “I’ll see you ladies later,” and he didn’t even notice he was walking right in front of a moving car. All of us sane people with our wits about us reacted instantly, pulling him back just in time before our night turned into a real horror movie. He wasn’t even quite sure what happened and being the good people we are, we sent him down a very quiet car empty street. It probably wasn’t the best situation to be in, but I still think it was a good thing we were there. At least for him. Through the night what I realized was that I really wasn’t missing anything with the Halloween parties over the years. What makes Halloween fun is being with your family and friends and people that you can talk with instead of having to save their lives all night. Holidays are for memories and nights that you can actually remember, not hear about from someone else, and even though I didn’t get to trick-or-treat with my family, I made memories with the family I have here. In the moment I didn’t think that making rolls of sushi, getting dressed for bed then quickly getting dressed for town, painting spiders on my face, and saving a guy’s life would be a memorable night for me. But that’s the thing, we never really know we are making memories until the time has slipped away from us. I think Dr. Seuss said it best, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
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“You don’t need money to be rich, open your doors, heart and mind. Invest in people, friendships and relationships and watch how much you gain back.” The longer I’m here in Ireland, the more I want to stay. The more I travel, the more I never want to stop. What I’ve learned the most since my time here is that you can never do these things alone. I mean, I could travel all over the world and I’m sure I would have a great time but when you travel with friends and have someone to share the experiences with you, that’s what makes the time, money, and experiences worth it.
I spent last weekend in England with a group of church friends from Ireland. We are basically the traveling melting pot of nationalities. Two Australians, one Spaniard, two Irish, and two Americans, so needless to say we stand out in other countries with our accents however we hardly notice each other’s anymore. We arrived in Manchester England early Friday morning and myself and the other American Natalie couldn’t stop talking about is the fact that we flew on a plane for less than an hour and we were already in a new Country. Yeah, everyone could totally tell we were American. We’re used to traveling for hours before we even get out of our states (Natalie is from California and of course everyone knows Texas is a long journey), so this easy traveling thing is something that still amazes us. Since it was only nine in the morning we decided that we needed to stop for breakfast. Our driver (a native Englishman) took us to what is one of the most popular breakfast spots in the area. Merrie England- a small coffee shop with a reputation for good breakfast. The place looked straight out of the fairy tale Snow White and it was here that I of course ordered a traditional English Scone. I was just going to eat it with butter (I thought that was normal) when I was told that the only way to eat a scone is with heavy whipped cream and jam. They were right, it was better. We traveled to England for a YSA convention so most of our weekend was planned out with activities and dinners. In this time I met a lot of new people from all over England, Scotland, Denmark, Portugal, and South Africa. We danced, competed in an archery tournament (because how could you not when you go to England), ate more Curry (This meal is surprisingly popular wherever I go) and danced some more. I made new friends and I strengthened bonds with the friends I traveled over with from Ireland. Any free chance we got we went exploring our surroundings. Instead of seeing the shops, pubs, and busy sights like most tourists do, we just walked wherever we wanted and did whatever we wanted. In doing this, we came across some really cool things. First we found an abandoned playground. It had a great view of the countryside and the equipment was still working (although I had to think back on when I got my last tetanus shot). Here we did something we haven’t done in a long time. We just played like kids and I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun on a teeter-totter! Just down the road from the abandoned playground we found a secret forest. The stone path inside was overgrown and even though the access was right off the main street, it seemed like not many people journeyed in there. This place was beautiful with tall over grown trees and since the seasons are changing it also had fall leaves flying all around us. I could have stayed there longer but seeing as it was secluded it probably isn’t the best place to be at night. No matter where I go in Europe, I can always find an old church of some type. Yes, they all look about the same with stone work and graveyard sights but I always can’t help but think about the history that these places have seen. The people that walked right where I was and how different and similar our lives may have been. One of my favorite sights to see was Victoria’s tower. All weekend we had seen it far off in the distance and as we definitely weren’t walking all the way out there we waited patiently and finally saw it on Sunday. Driving up a VERY steep hill in a small stick shift car was hilarious and scary enough ( seriously it felt like we were completely vertical at some points), but the sights were more than worth it. After living in Ireland for almost two months now, I’m still glad to say that the sight of seeing so much green and beauty around me hasn’t worn off like it seems to do for a lot of the locals. We were so high we could see the mist rising off the ground, the horses running down in their fields, and the city going on like it always does in the distance. And there we were on top of it all. What I learned most from this trip is how amazing people can be. In a world of so much negativity it is good to see that there are still good people out there. We had older couples taking us in and housing us all weekend where we otherwise would have spent bundles of cash on hotels or (as was the plan at one point especially when you’re traveling with guys) sleeping out in a random field with a fire (In the freezing cold temperatures I’m glad we didn’t go ahead with that plan). I can’t remember the couples names but I remember the conversations we had. We talked about everything from our travels, to the way things worked back home, to what we still wanted to see. My favorite night was when we were all together and playing different games with everyone in the group with an older couple that loved games so much they had a room full of them. I especially liked their quick wit and playful banter (their English humor is pretty blunt). At one point we were so tired from our weekend none of us could think of the answer and the old English gentlemen rolled his eyes and playfully said, “I’m playing with a bunch of idiots.” Needless to say we all cracked up after that. I liked that guy. I’ve laughed harder and more in this one weekend (and for those who know me I laugh all the time) than I can remember doing in a while. It was almost constant and it’s not like we were seeing these amazing tourist attractions or spending our life savings on clothes and souvenirs. We were just together, having fun, seeing the good things in life, and not having to spend much money at all. If I’ve learned anything in my time out it’s that you don’t need to wait until it’s a good time to see the world and experience new things. If you wait, you’ll never go. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. All you really have to do is get yourself there. If a group of young adults with limited budgets can do it, so can you. Making memories doesn’t cost a thing, meeting new people doesn’t cost a thing, and forming new friendships doesn’t cost a thing. But you will lose everything if you don’t try or go. You will miss out on more than you can comprehend. I can’t imagine not knowing the people I’ve met and not having the best friends I have now all because moving to a new place is a scary thing. I’m glad I took the leap and got myself here because the friends and experiences have been more than worth it. I think its best said as this: “You don’t need money to be rich, open your doors, heart and mind. Invest in people, friendships and relationships and watch how much you gain back.” 2,628,002 seconds, 43,800 minutes, 730 hours, 30 days. Time flies by no matter which way you count it. As of today, I have officially been living in Ireland for one month and it flew by faster than any of these numbers. When I looked at the calendar the other day, I could hardly believe that time had flown by so quickly. I just got here! I still have so much to do and see! Aside from a small panic attack that time was passing way to fast, I remembered that in this one simple month, I have done many new things, learned so much more than I could have imagined, and met some extraordinary people along the way. And all of this in just one month.
In learning and experiencing a lot and since my arrival I have received the same question from friends and family back home. How is the food? What are you eating? So, I figured this week I would take a moment to take your tastebuds on a delectable journey, debunk some of the food myths, and fill you in on what you can and can not find here in Ireland. First off, yes, in Ireland you eat PLENTY of potatoes. And when I say plenty, I mean plenty. They are a must to almost every meal. And the funny thing is.......I'm not really a fan of potatoes. I'd rather not eat them. However, in moving to another country you have to accept that their ways of living will not be like your own so you have to swallow (literally) your dislikes and eat that potato!!! Of course the potatoes are usually baked or stewed and almost always accompanied by carrots, sweet potatoes (which oddly enough I love), or green beans. Now, one meal that folks back home wouldn't consider an Irish delicacy, but that usually lines the dinner tables at least once a week, is chicken curry! I know, I thought it was odd as well but it's very good! Chicken curry is just as it sounds, chicken and curry usually served with white rice and bread. It looks similar to the traditional Mexican dish Mole, just not as dark. Also, depending on the kind of curry the cook uses, the dish can be very spicy! So naturally, I like it! A very famous Irish meal that is known around the world and is actually served often in Irish homes is that of the Shepherds Pie. I actually had that yesterday! So yes, that meal is a regular. And yes, it involves potatoes! And what many people don't know is that their is also a sister to the Shepherds Pie and that is the Cottage Pie. They are basically the same except for one thing. The meat. So write this down. If someone is offering you a Shepherds Pie, then that means you will be eating ground Lamb Meat and a mashed potato crust. If you are eating Cottage Pie, you will be eating either ground beef or mutton with a mashed potato crust. As of this moment, I have only had the Irish beef version. Or at least that is what I have been told.... Recently at a neighbors house I was served Shepherds Pie, everyone makes things differently and this one had a distinct taste that I couldn't figure out. I guess the neighbors saw this and asked me if something was wrong, I said, "No, it's very delicious but I've just never tasted beef life this before." This followed by a pause that I believe was longer than necessary and they just smiled and moved on. I don't know if they were scared to tell me it could be mutton - I'm still not sure if it was?- or if they don't think it needed to be explained, but believe me, this kind of thing happens to me a lot. Now let's talk about fish. Since I live right off the river, naturally you can bet I eat a good amount of fish. The species can range from brown trout to salmon and I most typically eat salmon here. Just recently I had smoked salmon on pesto pasta. Yes, it was delicious and very healthy! So if you ever come to Ireland and stay for a while, you can bet on having fish often! Fruit is also a major part of life here and I love it! The fruit is not grown here in Ireland and like most countries has to be sent in. The oranges and avocados are from South Arica, the apples are from France, bananas from Belize, and our kiwis are from New Zealand. By Irish law every food must be labeled with the country of origin or it cannot be sold. I think it is fascinating to see where the food comes from and like me, how far some of it has to travel to be here. Almost every person on the world LOVE'S bread and I can tell you that Europeans take that to a whole new level! There's bread everywhere here! And literally almost around every corner. Every day on my way into town I pass by the cutest little bread store where the owners are hard at work baking every type of bread you can imagine. Completely fresh! And boy does it smell good!! Bread is a staple for any meal you have. Breakfast- you'll most likely have toast or a bagel. Lunch- you'll most likely having a sandwich, toast, or some sort of wrap. At dinner your meal is usually accompanied by a roll of some sort. Bead is everywhere here! And what surprised me most was that butter ALWAYS accompanies your bread. Even on your sandwiches! Instead of mayonnaise this is what you would do. You would spread a generous amount of butter on BOTH sides of your bread. Then you would layer your Irish ham, cheese, and cucumbers. And as Emeril would say, "BAM!" There's your Irish sandwich. And sometimes, if your walking through town or down your lane and someone invites you in for tea and a snack, you will either receive some biscuits or a sandwich! This first time I was offered biscuits for a snack, I had one thought, "biscuits? That's the weirdest thing to invite someone in for!?" But of course I accepted and when asked about how many I wanted I only said' "one please." When the biscuits were brought out and I saw that biscuits her mean cookies. Of course I quickly changed my tune and said, "Keep the biscuits coming!" As for the sweets, you can't get any better than the homemade desserts of any of the small bakeries here! From lemon tarts to chocolate mouse pies, everything is beyond delicious. And don't even get me started on the chocolates! They are so milky and creamy that you are sad after you've finished a piece......or a bar. Funny enough it's the opposite of home, where the cheap chocolate taste gross and the expensive chocolate is the good stuff. Here, the cheap chocolate is the best and the expensive stuff tastes like plastic. Needless to say I've never wasted any of my hard earned Euros on expensive plastic chocolate! I've been stalking up on sweets to send home that the owner of the shop now tells me this every time I walk in, "Maizie, I just stalked the chocolate and left the creamy ones on top for you!" Here in Ireland, even things you would expect to be the same are different. Take McDonald's for example. One won't be able to find a jalapeño burger or even something similar to what you could order back home right now. Nope, here the menus are tailored to the country. So instead of a The McChicken, you will find the McMor, 100% Irish beef and bacon, layered cabbage, cheddar, and Ballymaloe relish. Does that sound appetizing to you? I haven't tried it yet but I most likely will. However, coming from Texas I really only have one thing to say, "What does a girl have to do to get some Texas beef?!" Before I left home, I had a lot of people telling me what I would and would not be able to find here in Ireland. And I am glad to announce (for my sake) that most of them we're wrong. Many people told me I wouldn't find peanut butter. That myth is false. IRELAND DOES HAVE PEANUT BUTTER. It is not the extra creamy kind we have back home, but it makes a PB&J just fine. I also thought I would never see jalapeños here but they are surprisingly common! I know, weird! Ireland also has Oreos, Reese's peanut butter cups, snickers, and many other American candies. I was surprised to see how Americanized the food selection was! So if you come to visit, rest assured that you do not need to take up luggage space for your favorite treats back home. You'll find them here, and if you don't, you can just find something else you love. I know, I seem like an expert and it's only been one month. But you learn a lot when you're constantly taking in a new culture on a daily basis. But Instead of looking at it like I have 11 more months to go, I see it as I only have 11 months left. There's a lot more I still want to do, people I want to meet, foods I want to try, and before I leave I have to seek the answer to the everlasting question that I am not sure will be answered........what was in that Shepherds Pie? |
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February 2016
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