Burning Questions

First of all I'd like to announce an official name change.
My Instructor known as The BFG is now simply, "Sully".
I'm sure you all have seen the Pixar film, Monsters Inc. Hopefully you will remember the huge blue monster who made little girls scream, but was really just a big teddy bear at heart.
I'm back in Sully's station at school, and one thing he does a lot is ask us these burning, unanswerable questions. Maybe you can help me out.

-If 7-11's are open 24/7, why are there locks on the doors?
-Why does Donald Duck wear only a shirt, but when he comes out of the shower he has a towel wrapped around his waist?
-How do they get teflon (non-stick) to stay on the pan?

I'm a Fan

A couple years back I made a bad decision.
My mom invited me to a small concert at Valleyview Church to hear a new Christian artist play, and I didn't go. I don't really know why I decided to stay home instead...but I should have gone. I missed out BIG TIME!
Luckily my mom still went and bought the album, self titled, "Amanda Falk".
I've listened to that CD ever since, and I've never got sick of it! She has a pretty mellow style, with lots of piano and guitar and beautiful melodies.
I was so excited when I heard about her new release, "Beautiful". Since I downloaded it from iTunes, I've had the songs stuck in my head all day! At school and at work I have them floating through my head, and its nearly impossible not to sing along with it in the car!
I absolutely love her music, so check it out!!

Hee hee hee

My little civic, Peppy, (He broke down on Sunday) is back on the road! Hooray!

I just decided I don't want to blog, so I'm not going to. Ha!

I'm such a rebel.

Wild in Scotland: the beginning

July 14- I left Fermoy and Ireland early in the morning. Christine drove me to Dublin airport where I boarded my flight to Edinburgh. My journal reports, "I'm just ready to fly home right now. I don't even really want to bother with Scotland."
I arrive in Edinburgh around 2PM where I'm met by Karen Mawhinney's cousin, Lyn. She gives me a driving tour of the amazing, beautiful city, and helps me sort out my train ticket to London.

Waverly Train Station in Edinburgh

She was fantastic and sooo much fun!
I stay overnight with Lyn and her husband Phil (minister of the Presbyterian church) in their gorgeous old townhouse downtown Edinburgh, and then she drops me off at the Wild in Scotland office building.
Its pretty awkward to begin with. There is a whole bunch of people standing around outside with big duffel bags. No one really knows what to say to each other.
Finally the office opens and we all start signing in, and get sorted into groups.
I find myself on a tiny white 17-passenger bus with only 7 others on board. Besides our enthusiastic and very Scottish guide, Fiona, I am the only one that came by myself. There are two Canadian girls that strike me as very possibly homeschooled (take that how you will), two Aussies, and three Brits: two girls and a guy.
Probably like the lone guy, I'm beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into.
Everyone seems way older than me, and they've all brought friends!
At this point I'm wishing myself on a flight home.

Edinburgh Castle overlooking the Princess Gardens

Whatever, I'll just take lots of pictures for everyone and pretend I'm enjoying myself!
Fiona tells us that we will have some more people joining us the next day, since they will be leaving their 4-day tour and joining us for an additional 5 days. Then she talks us through Edinburgh's history as we make our way out of the city. Eventually the bus goes quiet, and she turns up the music. I start to fall asleep. Driving does that to me...when I'm not at the wheel of course.

The Wallace Monument

Stirling was our first stop. It was a really cute little place, and Fiona's hometown, so she was really excited to show some of it to us. The castle was amazing! Unfortunately we only saw it through the bus window, and I didn't have my camera out to snap a shot through the glass.
Of course we stopped at the famous river where Braveheart had his great victory over the British army, and were told the tale of his life and death. I was the only one that hadn't seen the movie, a fact that brought me much shame over the week.
At this point we also introduced ourselves to overcome the awkwardness, which of course DOESN'T WORK. It just became more awkward.
I wasn't really seeing any potential tour buddies and was having visions of loner-ness on my horizon. Everyone seemed to be keeping pretty much to their selves, and I'm not really that outgoing- in case you haven't noticed.
We drove for another long time. The scenery in the lowlands of Scotland is really nice! Very lush. I found it far more mountainous than Ireland, and more trees. And of course its abundant with European charm.

Hamish, the Highland Cow

We stopped at one tourist trap along the way: a little gift shop/tea house which featured a Highland Cow named Hamish. He lured picture-snapping, pointing, giggling, tourists in droves, especially since the store supplies you with free baggies of kiwis, cooked potato, carrots, apples, and other assorts foods to feed the little porker. All Hamish does all day is scarf the goodies down...he doesn't even need eyes, which I guess is a good thing since that hairstyle is a permanent deal.
After a potty break, we bid Hamish goodbye and hopped on the bus again.

The River in Killin

For lunch we pulled over at a tiny village which I believe was called Killin. It was a really quaint little place, but I was pretty tired and unenthusiastic at this point, so I didn't really take many pictures. Plus I just have issues with taking pictures of villages and being a conspicuous tourist. It doesn't help.

Tim, Kathryn, and Jenny

At this point I was searching for a place to eat some lunch. Suddenly someone called my name.
"Hey Jill!"
The Brits were walking behind me, and Kathryn waved at me.
"Want to have lunch with us?" She asked. Normally I might not want to hang out with 3 friends who know each other, are way older than me, and possibly have nothing in common with me...but I wasn't going to be choosy! And I'm so glad. Kathryn, if you ever happen to read this: thank you for that invitation! You saved my week.
We went to a little fancy little tea house and ordered nothing but tea and a scone, totally enraging the old waitress.
The three of them were a lot of fun to hang out with- always cracking jokes and bugging each other. We eventually wandered down to the river in the center of the village and took some pictures.
Later in the afternoon we pulled over in rainy, and fiercely windy, Glen Coe. It was about this point that we entered the Highlands, and the landscape began to change. It became even more mountainous, the road signs were given in Gaelic (a slightly different dialect than in Ireland), and it was COLD.
We hiked up a trail for about 15 minutes for a view over the valley, where Fiona told us the story of its dark and violent history. (Many, many years ago) The Campbell clan was forced by the king to attack the clan that lived in the valley. On the way they ran out of food and supplies and ended up cold and starving on the doorstep of those they were sent to kill. The clan (unaware of the Campbell's mission) took them in and fed them. After a week of warm hospitality, the Campbells were forced to massacre their hosts.
Apparently you can still hear the eerie shrieks of the murdered in the valley, and anyone under the name of Campbell is unwelcome in Glen Coe to this day. There are still very hard feelings among the locals.
After that very depressing story, we were shipped out to the Commander Memorial, which commemorated past and present soldiers.
We had anther snack break in Fort William and watched the boats go through the lock system to get from one lake into Loch Ness.
I think we also went to a place called St. Augusta, but I have no pictures, and no other memories of what it was about...so...I guess it wasn't that interesting.
The bus pulled into our hostel in Altguish around 8 or 9 PM and we were all relieved to get off and stretch our legs. We were given two rooms, and I bunked with my new British friends, while the Canadians and Aussies went in the other.
The hostel was FREEZING, and the water was brown with peat, which apparently wasn't harmful and didn't have a flavor...but there was a mental block there when you were served cloudy brown water in your glass, or ran a bath (there were no showers) that looked like lake water.
We met up with the rest of our tour inside the pub next door. Two more Canadians (Calgary Cowboys...haha...the Brokeback Mountain kind), a really funny guy from South Africa, a British burn-out, two Germans (a girl and a guy), and two hilarously awesome Scottish women.
The group began to gel a little with the help of the new additions, and some bevvies.
So that pretty much sums up the first day! It was packed full, and we covered a lot of ground. Tune in next time I have an hour to blog for an update!

More Summer Photos

July was a pretty crazy month for me. I realized that I haven't blogged about anything that happened in July, really. So those things are coming up next. I'm kinda going backwards.
Since its getting late already and picture posts take me a freakin long time, today you only get the announcement. My Wild In Scotland tour will be up sometime this weekend hopefully!
You will get to meet my good friend Hamish, see the sights of Orkney, and experience all the wonder and excitement of 20-somethings staying up all night in a castle, with a lot of alcohol. (I was good, I swear)
I'll bet you can't wait!

Summer Photo Update #2

Mom and I spent about 10 days down at Camp Homewood this summer, cooking at the Woodsman (wilderness) Camp. That means outhouses, no electricity, a homemade running water system (boiled in the "missonary pot" if you want it hot), and only tents and tarps for shelter. I love it!!!
During the time we were there they were running a Jr. Boys camp (ages 10-12) for a number or roughly 50. It was a lot of fun, especially since Tim was counseling there that week, and I knew most of the guys from previous summers.
Mrs Burdett, the head cook, taught us a card game called "wizard". We played it quite a bit!
Each tent has to take turns in doing the dishes. This little guy, known as "Gorgeous James", or simply "Gorgeous", had a slight problem with shorts that were too large...Otis came up with the satisfactory solution of putting Gorgeous' extremely long braids to good use (as suspenders)!
Here Mom is demonstrating the grueling task of cleaning the grill. Of course, after the posing is done, the real work gets handed off to me...ha ha....
We saw a lot of mink while we were down there. I think there was a whole family of them living beside the lake! They were almost tame...not scared of us at all.
It was a beautiful week to be working there. The weather was perfect, and the lake was warm! We had a great time, and even got to spend a couple extra days at the main camp after to visit with everyone! That week really made my summer :)

Summer Photo Update #1

In a desperate fit of homework procrastination, I bring to you my summer photo updates: highlights since my return to Kamloops!

In today's episode: my bedroom's life story.

Beige, Pink, Purple, Brown: Layers of my life

This room has undergone a lot of change since I first darkened its door at the age of five. Back then it was a bland beige and I shared it with Tim. Back in those days, I didn't really notice or care about decor. I don't think any five year old really does. So don't judge me.

When I was about eight years old, and had had the room to myself for a while, Mom and I tackled the bad beige job, and it became a little girl's wonderworld of PINK!!! and KITTIES!!! and some more PINK!!!
I'd like to think I was a pretty tasteful girly girl. After all, I choose the dark green kittens-in-the-garden border as my accent, instead of picking out the pink kitten-in-balls-of-yarn border. That means something, doesn't it??

Please ignore the little nerd in the middle of the room there.
That was the adopted sibling. We don't like to talk about her much.
Oh My. WHAT is she wearing??

When I hit my teens, PINK!!! wasn't so hot anymore, and neither were the KITTIES!!!
At 14, I decided it was time for a change, and since purple was my favorite color at the time, naturally the walls would reflect that. Again, my natural good taste won out and I didn't end up with a cheesy PURPLE!!! smeared on the wall- I got a light, airy purple, with a dark shade for my accent wall that reminded me of a blackberry milkshake (mmm!). I realllly liked that purple. Actually I still like that purple. But it was time for a change.

One of the first weekends I got home from Ireland, my mom and I decided to attack the purple. We armed ourselves with sandpaper, rollers, and a lovely creamy brown...
I love the change!

The color in this photo is probably the most accurate.

I have to admit, it did make the "moving back" transition a little hard. Everything was a mess and I was overwhelmed with all my "stuff". Its only recently that the decor has started to take shape again. I still need to put up some pictures or do something to the big empty walls. Its hard to put holes in after all that puttying and sanding...
The classy finished product...
I tried hard to get the color as accurate as possible. Its a little olive greeny in these pics.

I think its pretty cozy...A while ago I refinished that desk. It was given to my mom for her 13th birthday so you can GUESS how old it is :P
It used to be a computer desk downstairs, and it got some pretty rough treatment. When I got a hold of it, there were big gauges on the top, and it definitely needed some TLC. I stripped it, sanded it, stained it, put on new hardware, and claimed it as my own. I LOVE this desk.
That ugly orange dresser? That's next on my to-do list...
I ditched the squeaky, cheap closet doors long ago. I love the curtain so much more. Makes the room feel more open somehow.
Decorating my room is definitely a hobby of mine. The state of my room affects me a lot. I like it to be clean (even though it definitely doesn't stay that way for very long!), peaceful, functional, and beautiful. Its a work in progress. I'm always adjusting it, and trying out new things. I love it when I find something for my room that fits perfectly and adds a unique little touch. Like this:
Jill's Bedroom Metamorphosis seems to take place on milestones. Maybe next time you hear about one, it'll be when I move into my very own place! (Don't hold your breath. It could be a while...)

Freedom!

Anyhoo, this past Wednesday was a pretty momentous day for me. After borrowing the Rav, bumming rides off friends, and waking my parents up early to drive me to school for the past month or so, I've FINALLY bought my very own car!
A shiny red mustang convertible! Ok, not quite. She's a 1990 Honda Civic and she runs real nice.
I'm pretty pleased, I have to admit. You know how parents always think their babies are the cutest, even though they look like shriveled red aliens? Ya...my Civic is my baby.
In other news: I've transferred all my Ireland pictures onto CDs now, so my computer will no long implode at the mere thought of using up any more disc space. This means that all those pictures I've been hoarding on my camera memory sticks can now go on my computer and you will begin to see a few photos from this summer. If I'm feeling generous.

Caffienated Consequences

I used to drink coffee a lot more than I do now. In the past year I've moved over to tea- not because I don't like coffee, but because in Ireland they just drink TEA allllll the time, and its also healthy for you...so its guilt-free. I like that.
If I drink coffee frequently, the caffeine doesn't effect me too much, but when I've been holding out for a while...well, things can get a little out of control.
When I poured myself a mug of coffee at C&C last night, the possible consequences didn't even cross my mind. I enjoyed it to the full (even though I accidentally put waaaay too much creamer in) and thought nothing of it.
Until I lay my head down to sleep at 11pm, and my eyelids seemed to have mysteriously disappeared behind my sockets.
And my toes wiggled of their own accord.
And I fidgeted, and tossed, and turned, and I thought, "OH NO! I'M GOING TO BE SO TIRED TOMORROW MORNING!!!!!" All in capital letters.
There was a buzzing in my brain, and my heart was doing a spastic dance.
Its sad, really.
One little mug of coffee at 7PM kept me up all night.
For real.
I never got past the dozy stage between 11 pm until 4 am.
After 4 it was game over. I couldn't close my eyes, so I basically watched my clock until 6 when I got up for school.
I think I should stick to tea.

Cast of Characters

I've decided on a few PJ ID's for my instructors.

1. The BFG. My instructor for Veg & Starches, and Entrees. It not only stands for Big Friendly Giant, but Big Frightening Giant, because his moods are across the board. One second we can be laughing at stupid jokes about the Spice Girls, and the next he's shouting,
"What the hell are you doing?!" (<- happened today. My blood ran cold.) He also happens to be very tall. He has to duck through doors. Its true.

2. Ned Schneebly. So named for his striking resemblance to Mike White's character in School of Rock. I almost laughed out loud the first time I saw him. He will be teaching me about Soups & Stocks in two weeks, as well as Meat Cutting at some point.

EDIT: Ned's name is now officially changed to Toby.
Ever watched "The Office" ? Need I say more?










3. Gordon Ramsey (Cold Kitchen- salads, sandwiches, etc) It took me a long time to settle on this one. There are probably more apt titles for this instructor, but none of them would pass the PJ editor's approval. Gordon is very, very loud. All of the time. He is what we would call an "Aggressive Communicator". He will probably make me cry at some point this year.

4. "Grandfather" is really the only name that can properly describe our instructor for baking and desserts. He seems like the sweetest old man ever. He is always smiling and happy, he has a sweet European accent, and a gray mustache, AND he brings us goodies to eat at lunch. What is there not to love? I am so excited for baking class, I can't even tell you.

5. Mr Clean is bald like his namesake, also very insistent on cleanliness. He appears to be friendly, but I was always slightly mistrustful of the Mr Clean we saw on the commercials because you never know when that massive fist could be turned against you. I haven't seen much of this instructor since he teaches Breakfasts over in the Norkam cafeteria.

There you have it. I can never be pegged for slander.

Free Time

I seem to go from one extreme to the other.
It wasn't long ago I was sleeping in every day, eating a leisurely breakfast, and then goofing off for as many hours as I pleased.
These past few weeks have been quite a bit different. To say the least.
I am genuinely busy...on the go all the time. If I'm not at school, I'm at work, and If I'm not at work I'm doing homework, and if I'm not doing homework I'm at Youth or C&C...
When I log into Facebook I realize its been a couple days since I last updated my status. Weird. I used to be on facebook ALL the freakin time. Now its like I'm never on.
Its not that I mind. I'm actually sort of enjoying always having something to do. I think I will even get used to the early mornings. What I don't like it being without a vehicle. I hate the transit system. I got off school around 12:30 today, but didn't get home til 2:30 because of those terrible buses. All that precious time down the drain.
Now I've sacrificed a good hour to catching up on email and facebook, and I work at 5. I have homework to do, but my brain is all mushy, and I'm feeling rather peckish.
Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day. I'm not looking forward to it at all. In fact I wish it was Wednesday morning right now.
Well, this is it for my free time today.
I may not be on the blog again for a while. I shall miss you all very much.

Mystery Fruit

The question DID flit through my mind...for about a millisecond. Then I thought, "Hey, its cool, its different, its crisp, and it works well. I'll keep it."
Nevertheless, the mystery is unsolved, and the question haunts many who enter here.

WHAT KIND OF FRUIT IS ON MY BANNER?!
A red skin, yellow flesh, black seeds...

Is it a passionfruit? A papaya? a mango? A wax creation that really doesn't resemble anything that grows naturally on this earth?

If you know, please put our minds at ease and share your infinite wisdom.

Also, credit where credit is due. I found the photo at www.omsfoodphotography.com and I think their site is awesome. Please don't sue me.

In the Kitchen: Day 1

Getting up at 6AM is not my favorite thing in the world. Its even worse in the winter, when its dark and COLD. Luckily for me its still September and even though August weather decided to head south early this year, its pretty mild outside in the morning, when I stumble to the car.
My dear sweet generous father got up early today as well to drive me to school...what a guy. what a guy.
Since it was our first day actually working in the kitchen most of us were there early to get changed into our whites (soooo professional) and buy our caps. Unfortunately for those suckers poor, poor, unfortunate souls that were counting on their debit cards, the machine was down and only cash was acceptable. I was one of the few that walked away donning a sweet checkered pillbox cap. And by sweet I mean ridiculous.
I've been assigned to the "Vegetables & Starches" station, which works closely with Entrees. I was terrified of our instructor to begin with because he came across as so harsh and strict in the past week, but today was really good because I came to realize that he's very fair and he's not out to get us...he just wants us to use our brains and be safe & professional. He could be pretty sharp with some of the Second Level students, but it was because he knew that they knew better, and it was never a personal attack.
I'll have to come up with a suitable pseudonym for him, as well as everyone else at school...its really easy for some people. There's a Second Level student that was put in charge of us for a part of the day, whose face and manner fairly screamed "Percy Weasley". And one of the instructors is definitely Ned Schneebly.
Anyway, today my group (4 of us altogether) learned different techniques for cutting carrots (batonnet), zuchinni (large dice), and cauliflower (florets), then we watched two L.II students create a stew, and then we blanched our veggies, had a break, then learned about risotto and pilaf rice dishes, and sauteed our veg to order when the cafeteria opened. It wasn't very busy so we were standing around a lot. I got to chat with the other people in my group, and we talked to our instructor (his PJ identity is yet to be decided) about random stuff...it was fun.
One scary thing happened though.
Just as we were finishing up the cafeteria stuff, one of the girls in my group that I've gotten to know a little bit looked a little droopy and said to me, "I think I need to get some water."
I have no idea where anything is, so I was like, "Sure I think we can get some over here." and started walking through a bunch of people. All of sudden her face went completely white and she was leaning on the table. I was like, "Oh crap, she looks terrible!" and basically grabbed her and pulled her past all these people and all of a sudden she just collapsed and I was like, "HELP!" and this guy beside me helped me put her down, and we're like "MR INSTRUCTOR GUY**! WE NEED YOU!"
She came to in a second and our instructor helped her on to a chair and I got her some water, and after a while she went home, but MAN....I was freaked out. I'm no good in emergencies or things like that. I just don't know what to do. I'm pretty useless.

Anyway that was my day...we got to eat a free lunch (cafeteria leftovers), and I got out at about 2 o'clock. I'm pretty tired now, but glad that everything went well and I think I will enjoy this course.

** We didn't actually call him that, ok? I've just got to think of another name for him. I won't call anyone from school by their real name...gotta protect the "innocent" and all that, right? :P
You guys that read this? You know who you are. You aren't innocent, and you will be named. Unless you can come up with a sweet PJ Identity. Then maybe I'll protect your anonymity.

My Ego Needs a Boost

I don't know how many of you have blogger accounts, but IF YOU DO....
there is a new feature which allows you to "follow" a blog. If you go to your dashboard and type in, say...for example....MY BLOG....and become a "follower", your picture will come up on my blog and I will know you read my blog and I will love you very, very much. And my self-esteem will go up, and then my grades will go up, and I will be a better student and succeed in life.
You will be able to sleep well at night knowing that this simple act of kindness has launched me into a better world.

I've already added a few of you that I read on a regular basis, oh and I'm just gonna put this out there-
even if I don't know you, or just don't know that you read my blog...I would still love to see your little face smiling back at me from my "followers" list. I'm just weird that way....

So now this post is over, and you can go and become my little follower...

Its Begins at Last...

Today was my last day sitting at a desk doing bookwork!
Well, sort of.
Since the course started last week, the class has been going through booklets about Health, Safety, Sanitation, Measurements, Conversions, Shipping, etc, etc...
We even watched some sweet videos on fire safety, made in the 70's and others made in the 80's. Some pretty classy acting in those things, let me tell you. Very impressive. The quality of the production reminded me of the Dharma Initiative tapes. Fun stuff.
Anyway, after much homework and stress I have at last completed the H-Line test, received my whites, and handed over the necessary forms, as well as laid the last of my life savings at the feet of the university.
Apparently that qualifies me to set foot in the kitchen.
Actually, we spent about 15-20 minutes in the kitchen today, learning "Knife Skills". I'm pretty much amazing now.
I can dice carrots and onions, and chop celery. Ya, pretty impressive, I know...

Tomorrow I start "Vegetables" with a few of my classmates, under the tutelage of the most intimidating instructor I have met so far. I am terrified.

I am very excited to get out of the classroom though! Even though it was great to get to know the other students (there are some seriously sweet people in my class! So thrilled to go through this with them!) and get myself back in to the 'school' routine, I want to improve in the practical ways, since the longer I am here the more I'm realizing how inexperienced I really am.

Since we took a test today and we start in the kitchen tomorrow, there is no homework tonight! A first! I'm pretty stoked about that because it means, 1. I can blog! 2. I can go help out at youth group tonight!

Unfortunately this freedom will be short-lived, as I will be getting up at 6Am regularly now, and working Friday nights and Saturday mornings, as well as an earlier weeknight shift. Brutal.

We had someone come into class today and explain about how there is a lot of bursary $ sitting around and telling us to apply for it. I'm hoping to apply and receive some for a car which would make my life so much easier!

So there you have it folks-- that is what my life is like.
I will attempt at putting up a blog at least once a week, but I'll have to see how busy/dead I am!

I LIVE!

Its hard to believe but I survived this week.
And by "this week" I mean these, past three days.
Its been stressful, hectic, sleep-deprived, and CRAZY.
In fact I am so tired now, that I won't write any more right now.
Maybe later.
Just wanted you to know that I didn't perish, and I passed my test.
In case you were wondering.

Server-tude.

I've pretty much always thought that the "waitressing thing" wasn't my cup of tea.
When I eat out I think, Man, I would hate that job. I could never do that.
But then again that's what I said about Tim Hortons too...I'm beginning to see a pattern**
I believe I touched on my dislike of waitressing briefly in my last post. Well today I went in for my first shift at Billy M's as a server. Uh huh.
I wasn't actually assigned any tables, because it was technically a training shift, but I did a little bit of everything and had a taste of the waitressing life, including an angry customer.
My conclusion: I still don't like waitressing. Big surprise! What a shocker.
It wasn't even the cranky people...Tim Hortons has sufficiently desensitized me to that! I just don't like the table-hopping, the fake smiles, and the customers with attitude. I gravitate to the behind-the-scenes, whether it was clearing dishes and wiping tables, or making milkshakes in the back. I just wanted to hop into the back of the kitchen and start doing the prep work I signed up for!
I sound pretty whiny, I'll admit. I actually had a fairly good night. I screwed up a couple times, but I wasn't stressed, felt fairly comfortable, and the girls there seem pretty cool. So as far as I'm concerned, I'll do this serving thing for a while and then either get in the kitchen or get out altogether. Since this is only a part-time, get-me-through-school deal, I don't mind so much and it isn't so depressing as Tim Hortons was.
Anyway, that is the update on my new job. Tomorrow I start culinary training! If I'm not too dead, I might write a little something about it when I get home. Lucky you!


**Hold on a sec, let's see if this works:

"I would hate to inherit a huge fortune, and a summer home in Tahiti. "

I'll keep you posted on how this turns out...

Summer's End

Today marks the end of summer for me. Sure its not the end of August, but "Summer" has always been about spending days outside, enjoying friends, sleeping in, goofing off...
at least to my inner child. (Sure I've worked during the summer, but its different)
Since I've been back in Canada responsibility has been set aside for a while. I've mostly had the summer to kick back and relax, enjoy camp, and reconnect with friends.
The C&C girls had an impromptu camping trip last night. We drove to our spot in the dark at around 9:30/10PM and set up our tent. we stayed up talking for hours and went for hike in the morning... I love that. Just jumping in the car, throwing stuff in the back, and hoping that you remembered the matches.

So that was a good finish to my lovely, relaxing, responsibility-free summer!
Tomorrow I start my first training shift at Billy M's, and Wednesday my culinary classes begin! Thursday I get a taste of both, and Friday will be spent taking care of any homework that may have cropped up. Saturday I work, and Sunday & Monday I can catch my breath from my first, very busy, week of the school year. And maybe have some fun :)
After that things won't slow down much.
Culinary will take me from 7:30-3:30 M-F, and I'm working 2 nights a week plus Saturday. Hopefully I'll be able to spend some time at Youth on Wednesday nights, and Saturday nights, and perhaps some hockey on Friday nights.

I'll be busy for sure. But I'm kind of looking forward to that.

Billy Miner is my Man

In yesterday's paper was a flyer shouting, "NOW HIRING" at the Billy Miner's Roadhouse. I'd already applied at Tumbleweeds, but they're not opening until October, and I kind of need to start earning some cash, er, NOW!
This morning I printed off my updated resume and coverletter and zoomed down the highway to see if I could make something of myself. Or something.
It was a strange time. The last time I'd dropped off resumes and anticipated interviews was back in the Pre-Tim-Horton's Days...and its not a feeling I am particularly fond of.
I hate worrying about first impressions, I never feel qualified, and my mind never works very fast when it comes to interviews.
Nevertheless I girded my loins, so to speak, and entered the restaurant.
And I saw Kelsey. It would be fun to work with Kelsey.
I asked for the manager and soon a middle-aged blonde with an apron and a slightly harried manner glanced me over, took my resume and sat me down at a nearby table. She hardly grasped my hand when I introduced myself and scanned the papers in front of her.
"Have you ever waitressed before?" She asked.
I wondered if she had seen the part on my resume where I applied for Prep Cook. And my work experience at Camp Homewood. And Tim Hortons.
"Um, no, but I have worked in an industrial kitchen type setting, and I'm used to the fast paced environment-"
She nodded without looking up.
"Hmmm," She paused, "What hours can you work?"
I explained to her my schedule, and she seemed satisfied. And then she said something else and left. I was pretty sure it was something like, "Wait here." But after a few long minutes I began to wonder if I had been excused from the premises. There was no sign of her. Feeling fairly certain that I should wait it out, I looked around. It was a pretty cute restaurant...lots of "wild west" decor and an open, airy feel. Most of the patrons at this hour (10:30 AM) were relaxed over-the-hill-ers enjoying a Saturday morning brunch. A few seemed to be regulars.
At last the manager returned, bearing a menu and a couple stray papers.
"Alright, we'd like to hire you," She said, bent over a schedule.
I'm hired? Just like that? I guess my innocent smile negates the need for a reference check.
"...as a server." She continued.
Wait.
What?
HOLD ON. I don't DO the waitressing thing. I don't LIKE the waitressing thing.
"I've never waitressed before," I said nervously, trying to point out that I had KITCHEN EXPERIENCE. PUT ME IN THE KITCHEN. I LIKE THE KITCHEN!
"We'll train you, and then you can get to know the menu and how everything runs," She said, jotting down a few things on her schedule. "When do your classes start?"

I walked out of there hired, certainly...but I don't know how long my shifts are, what I will be getting paid, and doing something I've always said I would never do.
Didn't I mention something about not being able to think straight in interviews? Its very sad.

Actually I'm not too worried about it. The waitressing won't be forever...just until I know the menu. I'll make sure of that. And I'll figure out the rest of it when I start on Tuesday. I'm just glad that I've got something to get me through university this year! Maybe I'll even be able to get a car....ahh luxury.

Solitary Confinement

So today I am home alone, and I think I'm either sick or getting sick. So I haven't done much.
I did happen to find this post on a random blog. And let me tell you, I giggled like none other. Maybe its the twisted Kostelyk humor in me, but I found it ridiculously funny.
So maybe it will amuse you too.
Right now I'm in a blogging slump in case you didn't pick up on that. I wish I could write more interesting posts...but nothing is coming to me right now. I'm sure once classes start I'll be able to fill you all in on the quirks of culinary school and the people involved. There are bound to be lots of 'interesting' characters and situations there!

Blaaaaaaahhhh....

Don't get me wrong- I had a really great week out at Homewood. I'll probably do a post later.
But that's just it...I'm doing everything "later" and its making me feel soooo disorganized and rumpled up in my mind.
My room has not yet recovered from the post-painting mess, I have a few appointments I need to make AND attend before school starts on the 27th, I'm trying to get a job, considering buying a car, should get rid of my "N", I still haven't had my orientation at the university....I need to buy JEANS (my absolute favorite shopping chore...), my emails are way behind, and what am I doing...sitting here BLOGGING about it.
I don't understand myself.
The fun part of my summer is OVER. No more hanging around, no more putting things off...its time for me to get down to business.
In fact I will make a list. And I will start tomorrow.

Argh. This week is going to be so much fun.

Heading Out

So its been a pretty stellar long weekend...I so enjoyed playing floor hockey on Friday, and rugby/football/keep-a-way + Soccer on Sunday night, even if it has left me looking as though I am physically abused. Huge purple & green bruises all up my legs. Fun fun!
Spent the day at LeFebvre's cabin on Shuswap lake yesterday-- water was sooo warm! Warmer than our pool. Spent hours in the water which is VERY unusual for me, and then played some "scum" (card game!) and then I fell asleep in the sand until dinner hehe...
I'm hoping to spend today being industrious (aren't I getting a good start??) getting ready for camp and preparing for MY FUTURE (aka School starts on the 27th), plus....meeting up with some friends who now live out of town! Should be a good day.
Now please excuse me while I check on my laundry and try to get some things done before I leave for town...I am a very busy person, dontcha know.

Oh ps. playing soccer the Girls (+Behn) beat the boys. That's right. We even had 1 less player for the first 1/3 or so. Paul, you were SO trying. Just face it. And then go back to the kitchen.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog

I have quite shamelessly neglected my blog this week. I'm tired of it to be honest. I think I might just quit.
But not really.
Its been a pretty good First Week Home. We had lots of company over, and I went to a road hockey night (and nearly coughed up a lung-- I really need to get in shape!), and a "surprise" birthday BBQ, and a youth & young adults BBQ, painted my room (maybe I'll put up pics later), and went to Gateway church on Sunday...its a little different than the Presbyterian services I've been attending all year!! It was good to sing some of the newer worship songs I like again.
I was supposed to go to my TRU orientation yesterday, but....apparently someone forgot about it, and that person wasn't me...
So now I have to get in touch with the program coordinator and find out if that is going to happen after all. But she's on vacation until August **th? So we'll see how that goes.
Anyway, its been so great to see everyone again! I really missed you all! I'm so excited about this year :)
This week will be busy as well. I'm hoping to catch up with out-of-town friends who will be IN town, and then Mom and I are heading down to the Island to cook at Homewood for just over a week. I can't wait to see my camp friends again, and of course the 2 Homewood-ing brothers! Contrary to popular opinion I am not going to Homewood for a long period of time! Somehow it seems word got around that I was leaving you all again. Not true! I'm pretty much in Kamloops to stay...for a while.
I start Culinary school on the 27th of August, which seems SO close! I'm really excited, but really nervous too, big surprise there! Its a 12-month program, and I'm hoping to snag a part-time job so that I can do it all in one go. Then...we'll see if I survive before I plan any further ahead :)

Anyway, I should go. If you're lucky, I might update this week :D

Back in my Home and Native Land

I slept in my own bed last night, snuggled up on my feather duvet next to my soft fuzzy green blanket. Oh, how I have missed that bed...
I kind of missed you guys too, I guess.
:P

I don't really remember what time we got into Kamloops yesterday, but it was probably around 8PM. As soon as we hit the Coquihala I was totally gone; mouth hanging open, probably snoring...the works. (no drool though. its too hot and dry here...)

Since around 7AM Monday morning in Edinburgh, I hadn't really had more than an hours' sleep at a time. The train to King's Cross in London was quite pleasant (I think we should have more trains around here) and I arrived between 5-6PM. After a quick search for Platform 9 3/4, I dashed across the street to St. Pancras station and caught to Tube to Gatwick Airport. That took pretty long, and the train was packed, and very uncomfortable. Not nearly as nice as the one from Edinburgh. It clanked and screeched and it was SO HOT. I caught a glance of the Gherkin (sp?) and what I think might have been Big Ben, and the train crossed London Bridge. So that was my experience in London!

Gatwick Airport was smaller than I expected, which was nice because I didn't feel so lost. It was roasting inside though. I bought myself a book (Making Money by Terry Prachett) and settled down for a very uncomfortable night on a bench by the Departures screen! There were quite a few others with the same idea, so there wasn't a lot of room. Around 12AM I decided to call it a night, and bunched up my hoodie for a pillow, and attempted at sleep sitting up. Not so successful.
About 40 minutes later the guy who was sleeping on the rest of the bench sat up and gestured for me that it was now free for me. I didn't argue. With a quick thanks, I lay down and tried to sleep again.
Maybe I'm just a pansy, but I couldn't get comfortable and sleep was nearly impossible.
I caught a few winks here and there, but it seemed like I was awake all night.
Around 4:30AM I sat up and began to read again. I got some breakfast at 7:30AM, and the trundled down to check myself in to my flight. Waited in line FOREVER, paid $ for my suitacase being 7 kilos over the limit (grr). At last I made it through and shopped around for a couple hours, and read my book.
Finally the Gate # came up and then once I got checked in there, it was just a long wait ahead of me...

We took off at 11:40AM July 22, and arrived around 2:30PM (which felt like 10:3o PM for me), but the flight itself took over 1o hours. That wasn't so bad when I flew in October because it was dark and I slept a little bit, plus I had headphones so I watched the movies. This time around it was BRIGHT and i had left my iPod in Karissa's bag, so no headphones...
On top of this, I was so tired and sore, and restless. The poor guy beside me was probably so annoyed with my squirming! I tried to sleep, but that only resulted in a headache from being in an uncomfortable position. Then I got motionsick for the first time in my life! It was intense. I was lightheaded, and my throat was thick and tight, and all the smells around were so disgusting (we were right beside the toilets, and there was food being passed around...yuk). Everytime I looked out the window I groaned. I was just getting out the barf bag in front of me, because all the toilets were occupied. I thought for sure I was gonna puke...it was a terrible feeling.
The only reason I didn't, I firmly believe was by the grace of God! I was praying so hard, "PLEASE settle my stomach! PLEASE don't let me puke!!!"
And I didn't, for no apparent reason, so HALLELUJAH! :P
It seemed like forever before we landed. And then going through customs was fun, as always. Then waiting for my bag took forever, because it was one of the last one's off.
My flight was supposed to land at 1:40, but with the delays and everything, I didn't walk out of there until around 4PM (which felt like midnight).
It was SO good to see my parents again!! I wasn't sleepy at first, so we did get some talking in, but like I said, as soon as we hit the Coq, I was out like a light.
I could hardly believe it when the car stopped and I was home!
So now maybe you can understand how happy I was to sleep in my own bed?

By the way, Kamloops is ridiculously HOT.

So today, I'm planning on unpacking what I can manage, and I'll hopefully have a nap later on, and then HOPEFULLY see good ol' brother Paul tonight! I'm so excited!

It is good to be home :)

The Yogurt Didn't Kill Me

I know its been a long time since my last post about eating expired yogurts...but in fact I haven't been dying from dairy products gone bad.
July has been so extremely busy...
I had a fantastic final week in Fermoy, working with a team from Bloomfield Church in Belfast in putting on a childrens summer Bible club. It was absolutely mad, but very fun!
Last week today I was saying goodbye to all my Fermoy friends. There were many hugs and tears all around, but I hope to go back to visit some day. I will miss them all very much!
On Monday I bade farewell to the Dobsons (the family I was staying with, and have spent a lot of time with over the year!) and Christine drove me up to Dublin airport to put me on my plane to Edinburgh.
I arrived in the afternoon, and was met at the airport by Karen's cousin, Lyn, who has kindly allowed me to stay at her place while in Scotland!
The Wild in Scotland tour left early the next morning, so I headed off there and spent the next 5 days experiencing the Highlands and Orkney.
Just got back last night, and went to Church with Lyn and her husband Phil who is the minister of a church here, this morning. Chatted with a few people after the service, which was great.
I'm planning on taking Lyn's little Scottie terrier, Angus, on a walk today, and hopefully I will get a few nice photos of the city as well. Its a really beautiful place...stunning city.
Anyway, I take the train to London tomorrow, and will fly out of Gatwick airport Tuesday morning at 11AM and arrive in Vancouver in the early afternoon! Gotta love short flights!
So that's what I'm up to.
When I get home I'll be sure to put up some pictures for you, and try to make my posts a little more interesting, but this is all I've got for right now.
2 days and I'm home....WEIRD!

How far will YOU go?

I have a confession.

I've been eating out of date yogurts for the past few days.
They expired on June 29th, and I'm still working my way through them. One to go.
Actually there are 2 sitting in the fridge, but one expired on the 15th of June and the package has been damaged. I'm not quite THAT brave. I guess I should throw it out.

I was listening to a radio program on the subject recently. Someone phoned in and confessed to eating a yogurt that was a month out of date! And they were perfectly fine. (except for a small mental disorder...)

How seriously do you take expiry dates?

Sunny Day!

It looks like we might get some sunshine today! I'm so pleased!
Last night the church got together to clean up the garden (read: back yard) of the manse, because it is fairly large and has become overgrown with weeds!
When we started at 7pm it was not raining, but it had been raining all day (see yesterday's video clip!). We got about 30 minutes in and then it began to rain again! At first we dived for cover until it let up, but then it came again and again and again...there was no point! We were soaked!
However, "many hands make light work" and what would have taken a very long time for a couple people to do was done in 2 hours when everyone pitched in. We were dirty and wet, but the garden has been weeded! They even planted a few new flowers.
Today we're all meeting up again. That's why I'm so excited about sunshine!
I think there's going to be some pruning and trimming done, and some finishing touches. Originally we were going to be working Friday and Saturday as well, but it looks like we're almost finished! Hooray!


(Boring post, I know...but I was desperate to write about something, and I've been doing nothing since I got back)

The Difference Between Kamloops and Fermoy...

Apparently Karissa and I chose the right few weeks for our trip, since this is more or less what the weather has been like since I got back!
While its hitting 42 degrees back home in Kamloops, its absolutely ferocious rain and wind over here, and we're still wearing socks, sweaters, and long pants.
The funniest part is...I think I prefer the rain!

(hot weather makes me grumpy)

I'm Nuts about Crunchy Nut...

Someone please tell me that we have this cereal in Canada and I've just never noticed it before.
Please.

I've become officially addicted to Crunchy Nut corn flakes over the last month. I love it...check out "Crunchy Nut tv ad" on Youtube and you'll see that I'm not the only one. I'm not usually one for peanut-y things, but there's something so right about the blend of honey and peanuts on corn flakes that delights my tastebuds. Its absolutely delish.

I'm not sure I'll be able to bear leaving it behind...


Oh yeah, Happy Canada Day!
(22 days...)

Goofing Off..

What's Up With Me?

So, I'm back in Fermoy since last Thursday, and while I was a wee bit out of sorts on Friday, yesterday and today have been grand. Saturday we delivered about 2,000 pamphlets advertising for the summer Bible camp next week, and then the Teens group went to Perks fun center for bowling, laser tag, and fun racecar games that are a complete rip-off but sooo sweet.

*two minute spider-killing interlude*

ick...it was a big black gross one. I got shivers down my spine looking at it. Couldn't very well go to sleep knowing that it was still roaming the house now, could I?
No.

Anyway, today at 3 some of the teens and I went to the Fermoy cinema to watch Prince Caspian. (One thing that sucks about living this side of the world is all the movies come out later. PC was just released June 26, as opposed to May 2 in North America)
I didn't quite remember how it all went in the book, as it wasn't one of my favorites (wahooo Horse & His Boy!!) so it was all quite new and exciting for me! While it was still pretty predictable (dare I say bordering on cheesy?...I don't know if I dare), I really enjoyed it and would watch it again with no hesitation. I could hardly believe it was 2 1/2 hours long, because it just flew! Plenty of battles and action (without the excess blood and gore, which I appreciate...) and entertaining new characters.
The only thing that really bothered me was how Lord of the Rings Wannabe it came off, with the whole Tree army thing, and the "live" river washing away the baddies. I'm not sure if those things were in the book or not, but it just felt like they were ripping it off LOTR.
As for the 'romance', it was so subtle that it really didn't matter until the end when you're kind of like..."Why?". But you don't really care enough to think about it beyond that.
Strangely enough I found that Prince Caspian prompted more spiritual thoughts for me than The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe did. While the former held more straightforward allusions, I found I was frequently drawing thought processes off scenes in PC, such as when Lucy asks Peter "do you remember who really defeated the White Witch?" (or something like that!). Like Peter I find I'm often trying to do things on my own, instead of remembering that it is Christ who has the power to win 'battles'.
There were plenty more little tidbits in there that I enjoyed, but you'll have to discover them for yourself.

This week will be busy enough to keep me out of trouble. I have a sunday school lesson to prepare, 3 mornings that the church is getting together to have a "gardening party" to shape up the manse backyard, a party at the cafe in Cork, packing and moving to Christine's (as the manse will be used to house the Bloomfield team that is coming down to run the Bible Camp), planning and prep for the coming week, possibly looking after some children at some point!, hopefully meeting with Katherine on Saturday, and I'm sure many more things will come up as well.

Then from the 6 - 13 is the Bible camp week which will be CRAZY I'm sure! On the 14th I fly out of Dublin to Edinburgh, and from the 15-20 I'm touring Scotland! Then I head down to London, and I fly home on the 22nd...I can hardly believe it.

On one hand I am really sad to leave everyone here. I've spent so much time with them, getting to know them, doing what they do, learning so much...
On the other, I'm kind of tired! And I miss home and my family and my friends...and familiarity.
Even though I've spent nearly 9 months here it doesn't quite feel like home. Its always felt temporary, which might be very much my fault, but nevertheless I'm not sure I ever settled completely! There's no place like home, and I am looking forward to it, which is actually kind of hard to admit in a way because I'd like to think of myself as a little bit independent and adventurous!
(Yeah riiiight....)

Anyhoo, now you know what my basic schedule is until I arrive in Canada!
I can't even begin to think about what happens after the plane lands in Vancouver, cause I'm just toooo tired.
And the jet lag is gonna be BRUTAL. whooopeeee.....

Grand Finale

So yesterday was the last real day of "fun travel" for Karissa and I.
We had great plans of seeing the Wicklow Mountains and exploring the great "Glendalough".
And I woke up at 5AM with the urge to spew my innards.
Yes...I came down with a nasty stomach bug on our last day.
I spent the day in bed and within sprinting distance to the bathroom. Not exactly how I wanted our trip to end...
Considering that its the first flu bug I've caught since I've arrived, I guess I can't complain too much. I was just disappointed about the timing of it.
I felt better today...wobbly and weak, but not sick to my stomach. Not that really mattered, since Karissa had to dash off early this morning to catch a bus, and we didn't get to do anything special to celebrate our trip.
Anyway, it was really fun and we had good times and good chats. Not everything went as planned (see above) but we learned to roll with the punches and enjoy the moment anyway! It was a great time, and I think we both did a lot of stepping out of the ol' comfort zone, and experiencing a lot of "firsts"!
I'm pretty tired now though. I think I need a vacation.

First Prize

Thank you Bonnie, for validating my musical abilities, and also for de-lurking. You make me happy when skies are gray....

er....

ANYWAY...

The song I was playing on the bells was indeed, "You Are My Sunshine", and therefore you win First Prize.

I've put 30 seconds of very hard thought into this prize...it will be great.
Since you are traveling vicariously through Karissa and I, this prize will bring you a great sense of accomplishment and achievement, and all those good things. Or maybe you will just feel very cold, because that's how we felt...




In case you didn't understand our babble, the video was taken on the top of this mountain:

Croagh Patrick!
Its incredibly steep near the top...it took us about 4 hours to get up and down again.
Apparently this is where St. Patrick fasted for 40 days before casting all the snakes out of Ireland. Traditionally Catholic Pilgrims would climb it in bare feet, as penance...or something.
Considering that the rock was very shale-y and sharp and pointy, and we're not Catholic, I think its a good idea Karissa and I did not prolong the pain and climbed in good shoes.
The views were FANTASTIC and it was totally worth it, even if we were half-dead by the time we got back to our hostel.
So Bonnie, I hope I enabled you to vividly imagine taking this trip. If you are feeling too tired to speak more than one word within a 15 minutes period, your legs are wobbling like a newborn lamb's, and you are so sweaty you look like you just came out of the shower...
I think its safe to say you have recreated our experience with frightening enthusiasm.
Enjoy :)

Bunratty, Blarney, and Beyond...

Karissa and I had a spendiferous time out in Bunratty! We spent some time roaming the Folk Village...kind of a park of preserved Irish buildings throughout the ages...and exploring the castle. Then at 5:15 our "banquet" started. We were greeted at the door by a very scary frog-like man in tunic & tights, and a young squire who asked if I was old enough to have Mead (legal drinking age is 18 here...hmmm). Karissa didn't even get asked, she just got fruit juice *snicker*. haha...
The mead was nasty.
I wanted fruit juice.
There was a harpist and a violinist performing in the centre of the hall, and it was very good. We were then offered a peice of brown bread dipped in salt. can't remember the name of it, but it was supposed to ward off evil spirits. Interesting theory...
Then the Frog Man called for everyones attention and brought an elderly couple to the middle of the room, and crowned them King and Queen of the night. Later Karissa and I figured they must have come with a lot of their family, and it was their anniversary or something. Anyway, they were really cute, and the "grandpa" was enjoying the attention! Very funny.
Closer to 5:45 we were ushered into the Banquet Hall...a very crowded room full of tables and benches, and a fireplace and a gate to the dungeon in one corner.
The Froggy Man gave a welcoming speech and our first course consisted of a DELIGHTFUL vegetable soup and brown soda bread. It was soooo yummy. I wanted to eat it all, but figuring it was a 4 course meal, I decided to restrain myself :P

After each course we were entertained for a while by Froggy Man and his cast of medieval helpers. They were a fantastic singing group, and we also heard some more from the Harpist and Violinist. Occasinally the Frog Man would require some audience participation, like the time he brought a young man (from a bus tour group) before the King and had him sentenced to the Dungeon for fooling around with the ladies (the guy really hammed it up), or had a man knighted for offering his seat to the Queen previous to the banquet. It was good "Craic" as they say.
The food was also fantastic! After the delicious soup we enjoyed some spare ribs, and then roast potatoes with veg and chicken thighs (no utensils besides a wooden plate and a knife!). Red or white wine to drink (Karissa poured herself a goblet of white wine thinking it was water...her face was PRICELESS when she took a gulp!!!) and water for those less inclined to the alcoholic beverages :)
For dessert there was a creamy little cake on a biscuit-y base, with strawberries and raspberries . YUM!

After the banquet ended we headed across the street to "Durty Nellie's Pub" for some traditional music...it was supposed to start at 9:30, but we waited around for an hour before they FINALLY showed up! It was good when it started though.
We stayed at a B&B as a special birthday treat. Definitely a luxury! Our own bathroom, our own TV, our own HAIRDRYER! It was really nice.

The next morning we traveled and traveled and traveled. From Bunratty to Limerick to Tralee to Dingle.
Dingle is a little seaside town on the Dingle Pennisula (in the West of Ireland, county Kerry) best known for its resident bottlenose dolphin, Fungi!
Apparently Fungi decided to move in sometime in 1983 (I think?) and hasn't left since. Now tourists such as ourselves flock to the sighting boats for a chance to glimpse him.
We were hoping to actually go swimming with Fungi, but that didn't work out...sigh. We ended taking the boats out just like everyone else. Spent about an hour getting a look at the dorsal fin a second before it went under. I'm not bitter. Not at all.

Took the rest of the day busing to Cork, where we crashed at my friend's apartment (she was out of the country at the time, but generously allowed us to stay there!). Took the city tour the next day and rang the famous Shandon Bells. Check out the video for a chance to see my musical talent in action.

We also went to the Cork City "Gaol" (which is Irish for "Jail") and toured the grim buildings filled with creepy mannequins and a scary exhibitions.
Today we headed for Blarney...and it was pouring rain. To lift our spirits we stopped for Tim Hortons in the local Spar...and I got a donut this time! Honey Dip...and very, very good. I heartily approve. The slogan for Tim Hortons here is, "A Taste So Big it has to be From Canada". Catchy...
By the time the bus arrived in Blarney the rain was worse! We decided to do our shopping first in hopes that by the time we were done, it would have let up. No such luck!
We made our way to the castle and explored a few of the outlying bits and peices before climbing the massive amounts of narrow winding stairs to get to the Blarney Stone.
It struck me as strange to go to all this work and wait in line, simply to kiss a piece of rock that loads of other people have just also kissed. Gross? Yes I think so. I really had no intention of kissing the Blarney stone at all. Never have. But there I was trapped between tourists, Karissa + More tourists, and a very far drop on either side. So I did what I thought best. fake it.
I got down in the very unflattering position, grasped the slippery wet bars and leaned waay back. And kissed the air.
"No, lean further back. Get closer" Said the guy that supports you. What could I do? He was obviously not fooled by my act. By that time I just wanted UP! I gave the rock a hearty smooch and got the heck out of there!
(I still haven't got the Gift of the Gab either...what a waste of time :P)
After that whole fiasco Karissa and I decided to get our money's worth and explore some of the grounds. We found a fairy glade, a druid's circle, and a witch's rock. Hooray. The rain was bucketing and were nearly drowned. We ran for the bus stop and got home, only to head out the door again and catch another bus to Fermoy.
Home at last!
So nice to have unlimited internet access, our own music, and my own bed!
Anyway its past midnight, Karissa is sound asleep, and I'm getting pretty sleepy. Hope you enjoyed the few pictures I was able to put up!

Jill