Even busier

This week is full of final projects and work.  I seem to have no time for anything.  Working crazy hours on top of final papers and then trying to have time to work out along with seeing friends before I leave to go out of town.  I have no idea when I will fit it all in.  Trying to figure out how to balance my time better but having a hard time.  I think that it will all be worth it when I am relaxing back in Europe after christmas.  My mom got to hang out with my nephew today while I was working.. very sad I missed out.  He's rocking a really cute fohawk right now... he can really make you melt.  He's only a year and a half. 
Don't have much else to say...as I have too much on the brain right now.

Busy Week

Hi.

I feel like I haven't had any time for anything these past few weeks.  Had numerous house vistors, lots of work hours to be made up, and as always school work to get done.  This is the first night since I have returned from Ireland that I don't have anything to do or anywhere to go.  I LOVE IT.  I plan to get some homework done, I already cleaned out my car, I will work out, and watch some tv.  I've been looking forward to this all day now.  Booked my trip back to Ireland and to go to Prague for the day after christmas through january 14th.  I am looking forward to it.  Mom's begun dating our wonderful Irish tour guide... and they skype on the phone every night.  It's very cute.  I am very happy for her because after my dad past I never thought she'd ever be with anyon else. It's a much happier environment at home again...

Write again soon.

xx

More travel on the horizon?

Hello everyone,

It's saturday morning and I've already done my workout.  I really think Jillian Michaels is going to be kicking my butt these next few weeks but I am certainly determined to keep it up.  I just found out a few days ago that I will be going back to Ireland right after christmas.  I will only be there for a couple days.  I will be flying from Dublin to Prague for a few days and spend my new years with a close friend in Prague.  I don't think I've ever been so excited.  Here comes the stress preparations.  Buying my plane tickets tomorrow, get all of my school work accomplished, have my bills paid again, see all of my clients before I leave, christmas shop, christmas wrap, and have enough spending money to take.  I am so very excited though.... Prague has been one of my top destinations for some time now.  Alright, on to showerind and getting out of the house...  no work today.   Friend is coming into town from Seattle. :)

Back in the U.S.of A

After all of this travel time (well over 24 hours) I am back into the routine of things again.  Not exactly thrilled about it.  The colors around me aren't as bright or beautiful quite like it is in Ireland.  Flew back in through JFK on Monday evening and got back to Richmond late monday night.  I hate that airport... way too many rude people.  I took tuesday off from work to catch up on unpacking, laundry, and to get anything else done that needed to be done.  My grandparents and aunt also drove up from Florida to spend a week.  It's been so much all at once and I am exhausted.  Was supposed to have a client at nine this morning.  I went to work and no one showed for me.  Apparently my boss had done the client earlier next week and no one failed to tell me.  Venting a bit and came home to work on some school work before I have to go back to work. Have to order supplies and start the crazy work week... don't know where I will begin to find the time.

All is well in Killarney..

Hello Folks,

I'm now in Killarney, Ireland.  This is in the southern peninsula of the country if you don't know what I am talking about.  I absoultely love it here. So far, I've been to Belfast, Derry, Dingle, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Connemara, Westport... among a lot more.  Lovin' the people, the pubs, the coffees, and our tour group.  We've had a great tour guide so far for this whole trip... made a lot of things fun. Half of our closest friends in the group left today out of Shannon Airport.. while we still have 3 more days of travelling. Hate to say it but I feel quite sad now..  it was much more fun with them around.. I'm the youngest in this tour group... with the average median age being 75.   Food in Ireland is alright. You get lots of fish and chips, bangers and mash, pint of guiness or carlberg. . and you're set.   Anyway, made some great lovely friends and will definitely be back.  I recommend all of you to try a trip out this way ... you won't be sorry.  Make sure you go on a tour.. you will get to see many more things!

Alyssa

Greetings from Dublin :)

Hello from across the pond...

I've arrived with mom in tow safely to Dublin, Ireland... not without a bit of unfortunate circumstances along the way.  I was searched in the airport multiple times, almost restricted from getting on the airplane because my ticket record could not be found, experienced flight delays because of a generator problem, and then my seat itinerary moved me to another area in the plane away from my mother.  When we arrived in Dublin my mother's suitcase is no where to be found. They promised it to arrive to our hotel today and now they have said that they have no idea where it is.  In this weather here you need to be prepared with lots of layers and she has nothing but a spare change of clothes.  So, today after we slept a bit we had to raid Dublin's shopping district to buy some necessities to live off of until they find her suitcase.  Therefore we didn't get to see the sites too much.. only mainly shopping department stores... but I am getting my experience with the euro's system. You learn quickly that the American dollar is worth nothing here...   Despite all the issues to get here I am really loving this city.. it's chilly here and quite cloudy ... though I can't say I expected any less.  Tomorrow we are off to Dun Laoghaire to overlook the bay... then onto Belfast... Hope to post many pictures on here next week! 

October 7th... one of the hardest days of the year for me.

Today is the day that two years ago I lost my father.  The sadness that still surrounds me is very real.  Though I have had such a busy week that I haven't had too much time to think about it.  I took the day off today to spend it with my mom and our good family friends.  We all plan to honor my dad with a shot (or a few shots) of Jameson tonight... my dad's Irish drink of choice :)   So many good memories. 

On a brighter note... I am leaving for Ireland on Monday.  We will be travelling on an escorter tour and will get to see a lot of the main highlights of Ireland (including the northern territory).  I am so very excited.   I was supposed to go to Prague and Vienna last May but my uncle suddenly past away a week before we were supposed to leave and it had gotten cancelled.  I was very bummed because my good friend/love lives in Prague and it had been almost two years since we had last seen each other.   We re scheduled our trip to Vienna/Prague for now and that had gotten messed up too so we are going to Ireland instead. I think this was all part of Dad's plan for my mom and I.  He was an old Irish soul and embraced the culture so I think it seems rather appropriate that this is where we will end up :)

My house was just put on the market this week which also drugs up a lot of emotions for me.  It's the house I have grown up in and full of so many memories of my father.  In this economy though we can't afford to keep it.  We will see how fast it sells....

Sorry to bring up many depressing subjects but this is how I have been feeling this week... when I have time to dwell.  

Hopefully, in the next week I will bring you stories of Ireland! :)