So my travel companions, two additional like-minded educators and I, are starting the ritual of packing. I know, it's still just over 2 weeks until we leave, but we are women and require this organizational time. My concerns over the weight of my suitcase have been resolved, so now it's just the question of what exactly do I need to take.
You would think that since I've been to Ireland twice before this would be easy for me. When I go to visit my children, I put the suitcase on the bed and just throw clothes in as they come out of the wash. I do that multiple times a year, and never for more than one week, so I've got that down to last minute. But with Ireland I need a little more planning time, at least I think I do.
I try to blend in a little more and look less touristy, so many of my clothes are blacks, browns, greys, and not bright floral colors. Definitely no Hawaiian shirts! My accent is an immediate giveaway, but at least I try not to be too flashy. I'm still trying to figure out about the white athletic shoes. I've read more than once that is a dead giveaway for a tourist. I have to admit I haven't spent a lot of time looking at the feet of the Irish people to see what they are wearing! And my shoes are white so there is nothing I can do about that.
Never knowing the weather patterns in Ireland I need to accommodate for all seasons. I'm sure I did this before, but it totally escapes me. I look at my partially filled suitcase and feel like I'm forgetting something. Other than adding in pj's, my unmentionables, and cosmetics I actually think I'm pretty well packed. Maybe I am getting this down to a "T" and didn't realize it!
Guess it's time to actually make a list. I used to make a packing list all the time and rarely forgot anything. That might be a good idea at this time. So off I go to make my list and restart the whole packing process.
Slainte!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Maps and Travel
I had a little time this morning and decided to check my blog, wiki and website. On each of these I have a widget called a cluster map. I find it very interesting to see those little red dots on the world map from where people have visited my site. It also tracks the number of visits.
It's a curious phenomenon to consider how people from another country have discovered your site. Most of the visits on all my sites with a cluster map are obviously from the United States. My work wiki with training information has tons of hits from cities where I have made presentations, but it still has hits from all over the world. Same for the website with my poetry and book information. As for this blog, I just added the cluster map widget this last week, May 21st, I think, and it has had over 15 hits. Now I do have to admit that my Celtic Thunder blog probably caused some of that, but the Netherlands and Germany?? That was a surprise to me. The reason I say that my CT blog might have generated some of the traffic was because this blog is picked up by Google Alerts depending on the topic and tags.
I don't really expect that this individual blog will be of much interest for those who don't know me. The whole reason for it was to provide a place for me to write my thoughts and observations, and journal my trip to Ireland which is coming up in 19 days! I do have to say even though I've been there before, I'm still excited to be returning to the Emerald Isle.
In closing, I'd just like to say, you never know who is looking at your blogs, or where they come from. Wish some of those people had left comments. Maybe they could have let me know!
It's a curious phenomenon to consider how people from another country have discovered your site. Most of the visits on all my sites with a cluster map are obviously from the United States. My work wiki with training information has tons of hits from cities where I have made presentations, but it still has hits from all over the world. Same for the website with my poetry and book information. As for this blog, I just added the cluster map widget this last week, May 21st, I think, and it has had over 15 hits. Now I do have to admit that my Celtic Thunder blog probably caused some of that, but the Netherlands and Germany?? That was a surprise to me. The reason I say that my CT blog might have generated some of the traffic was because this blog is picked up by Google Alerts depending on the topic and tags.
I don't really expect that this individual blog will be of much interest for those who don't know me. The whole reason for it was to provide a place for me to write my thoughts and observations, and journal my trip to Ireland which is coming up in 19 days! I do have to say even though I've been there before, I'm still excited to be returning to the Emerald Isle.
In closing, I'd just like to say, you never know who is looking at your blogs, or where they come from. Wish some of those people had left comments. Maybe they could have let me know!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Celtic Thunder - Take Me Home
So my count-down is at 22 days at the moment. I'm keeping busy with last minute organization and cleaning. But a girl does need some down time, and the perfect distraction is the Celtic Thunder Take Me Home DVD promo.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=57748610
It's definitely worth a look. If you've seen Celtic Thunder before and missed the spring tour, as I did, this is definitely a treat. Now I'm really anxious for the PBS promos (probably August for most west coast stations) and the announcement of the fall tour dates and venues. And before that I'll have pre-ordered the DVD and CD on Amazon. Unfortunately, if PBS doesn't air the shows quickly, their fund raising will suffer with all the pre-orders at Amazon. If PBS was using the DVD and Cd as a June fundraiser, I'd be more than happy to contribute to them in order to get the DVD and Cd.
There won't be too much concern, I'm sure, once they are offering tickets for the shows. The CD has 5 new songs that are not even in the DVD. I'm curious to hear the new one for Ryan Kelly, and really curious to hear Keith Harkin doing Wichita Lineman. That was a definite surprise.
For now I'll just be watching the promo video a couple of times and wait for the PBS airing of the show, of the arrival of my copy of the DVD and CD.
Back to organizing and cleaning. Guess my distraction time is over! ;)
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=57748610
It's definitely worth a look. If you've seen Celtic Thunder before and missed the spring tour, as I did, this is definitely a treat. Now I'm really anxious for the PBS promos (probably August for most west coast stations) and the announcement of the fall tour dates and venues. And before that I'll have pre-ordered the DVD and CD on Amazon. Unfortunately, if PBS doesn't air the shows quickly, their fund raising will suffer with all the pre-orders at Amazon. If PBS was using the DVD and Cd as a June fundraiser, I'd be more than happy to contribute to them in order to get the DVD and Cd.
There won't be too much concern, I'm sure, once they are offering tickets for the shows. The CD has 5 new songs that are not even in the DVD. I'm curious to hear the new one for Ryan Kelly, and really curious to hear Keith Harkin doing Wichita Lineman. That was a definite surprise.
For now I'll just be watching the promo video a couple of times and wait for the PBS airing of the show, of the arrival of my copy of the DVD and CD.
Back to organizing and cleaning. Guess my distraction time is over! ;)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thinking back and looking forward
When I first went to Ireland, I met a very special person, and now friend, with whom I have always shared the love of poetry. In thinking about my upcoming trip for this year, I thought I'd post this poem he wrote after our first trip. It pretty much explains the impact that Ireland had, and still has, on both of us. I keep a copy of it posted on the wall above my desk to remind me of our special connection and that similar connection with Ireland.
Untitled
I walked along Galway's
Toothy grin shaped bay
And somewhere there in between
The indiscernible line of the gray-green
Waters, sky and land
My spirit met that of Ireland
And together they soared
Across the waves and hill-lined shores,
Dancing hand in hand
Floating buoyantly upon the wind
In ways I have yet to understand
And in ways I never want to end.
Christopher
I walked along Galway's
Toothy grin shaped bay
And somewhere there in between
The indiscernible line of the gray-green
Waters, sky and land
My spirit met that of Ireland
And together they soared
Across the waves and hill-lined shores,
Dancing hand in hand
Floating buoyantly upon the wind
In ways I have yet to understand
And in ways I never want to end.
Christopher
When I first went to Ireland, I met a very special person, and now friend, with whom I have always shared the love of poetry. In thinking about my upcoming trip for this year, I thought I'd post this poem he wrote after our first trip. It pretty much explains the impact that Ireland had, and still has, on both of us. I keep a copy of it posted on the wall above my desk to remind me of our special connection and that similar connection with Ireland.
Untitled
I walked alone along
Toothy grin shaped bay
And somewhere there in between
The indiscernible line of the gray-green
Waters, sky and land
My spirit met that of
And together they soared
Across the waves and hill-lined shores,
Dancing hand in hand
Floating buoyantly upon the wind
In ways I have yet to understand
And in ways I never want to end.
Christopher
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Weighty suitcases
So I've put up a blog post on MS and referred to this blog. I did mention something about the weight limits on suitcases and thought I'd post about that situation here. So here's the skinny.
On domestic flights in the US, Southwest specifically, you are limited to luggage that weighs no more than 50 pounds. On international flights, like Aer Lingus, you are limited to 80 pounds in 2 suitcases. BUT, and this is the problem, on domestic Aer Lingus flights, like the one we are taking from Dublin to Glasgow, you are limited to 44 pounds. So our suitcases cannot weigh more than 44 pounds when we leave, or until after we return from Glasgow.
I was really concerned because I weighed my suitcase when it was empty and it was already 10 pounds. Considering this, I've been really concerned with the whole weight issue. So last weekend I loaded up my suitcase with a bunch of clothes that I thought I would be taking, minus shoes and cosmetics. And to my surprise the suitcase only weighed 25 pounds!
Then I tried carrying the suitcase. Lugging around a 25 pound large box-type item is a pain. So I can't really imagine loading up this suitcase to weigh more than 30 pounds by the time I leave. Besides, with staying in B&Bs that are mostly 2 stories and portering our own luggage, I'm glad mine will weigh less than the 44 pound limit. I may fill it up with souvenirs purchased in Dublin the night before we come home (although everyone I know has already received Irish souvenirs from previous trips).
Maybe I should consider taking along a 4th person just to handle our luggage! Some nice strong lad would be great company. Should have thought about that earlier on. LOL
So for all of you independent travels, be well aware of the luggage requirements if you are planning your own trip and flying between countries.
On domestic flights in the US, Southwest specifically, you are limited to luggage that weighs no more than 50 pounds. On international flights, like Aer Lingus, you are limited to 80 pounds in 2 suitcases. BUT, and this is the problem, on domestic Aer Lingus flights, like the one we are taking from Dublin to Glasgow, you are limited to 44 pounds. So our suitcases cannot weigh more than 44 pounds when we leave, or until after we return from Glasgow.
I was really concerned because I weighed my suitcase when it was empty and it was already 10 pounds. Considering this, I've been really concerned with the whole weight issue. So last weekend I loaded up my suitcase with a bunch of clothes that I thought I would be taking, minus shoes and cosmetics. And to my surprise the suitcase only weighed 25 pounds!
Then I tried carrying the suitcase. Lugging around a 25 pound large box-type item is a pain. So I can't really imagine loading up this suitcase to weigh more than 30 pounds by the time I leave. Besides, with staying in B&Bs that are mostly 2 stories and portering our own luggage, I'm glad mine will weigh less than the 44 pound limit. I may fill it up with souvenirs purchased in Dublin the night before we come home (although everyone I know has already received Irish souvenirs from previous trips).
Maybe I should consider taking along a 4th person just to handle our luggage! Some nice strong lad would be great company. Should have thought about that earlier on. LOL
So for all of you independent travels, be well aware of the luggage requirements if you are planning your own trip and flying between countries.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Six degrees of Separation
You know there is that saying about all people being connected by no more than six degrees of separation. I really did experience that today. Quite a bit less than six degrees.
I have been hearing my Tech Director talk about a project he has been working on with a professor at UC Irvine. He never mentioned the professor's name, but talked about how the professor and some of his doctorate students were interested in studying the program that we are working on. Today I received an email from the Tech Director that he would be taking the professor around to a few of the school sites in our district to observe and get a feel for the program. In the email he mentioned the professor's name, and it really rung a bell with me. At least his last name.
We had lived in the San Fernando Valley as I went through high school and my sister had a best friend named Judy. Her last name was the same as this professor from UC Irvine.
It had been at least 40 years since my sister and Judy had known each other. We all move on and our lives change. But I just had to ask.
Lo and behold this professor was the brother of Judy and remembered Judy's friendship with my sister and our family. I just remembered the name. I really didn't have too much to do with the family, but the name rung a bell to me.
So the surprise of the day finding an old family friend through my Tech Director. What a day!
I have been hearing my Tech Director talk about a project he has been working on with a professor at UC Irvine. He never mentioned the professor's name, but talked about how the professor and some of his doctorate students were interested in studying the program that we are working on. Today I received an email from the Tech Director that he would be taking the professor around to a few of the school sites in our district to observe and get a feel for the program. In the email he mentioned the professor's name, and it really rung a bell with me. At least his last name.
We had lived in the San Fernando Valley as I went through high school and my sister had a best friend named Judy. Her last name was the same as this professor from UC Irvine.
It had been at least 40 years since my sister and Judy had known each other. We all move on and our lives change. But I just had to ask.
Lo and behold this professor was the brother of Judy and remembered Judy's friendship with my sister and our family. I just remembered the name. I really didn't have too much to do with the family, but the name rung a bell to me.
So the surprise of the day finding an old family friend through my Tech Director. What a day!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Another Monday Morning
So here I sit after creating and responding to more email that I'd like for a Monday morning. Then again, maybe better now than later.
Before I headed off to work I received an email that Celtic Thunder will be releasing a new DVD and CD through PBS promos in June. Evidently it was filmed during the Canadian tour this spring. While it may have some of the same songs as the initial DVD and CD's, I'm quite happy it will have new versions of the additional songs and also a chance to hear Damian's "new" voice. Just what I need to hold me through until their fall tour.
I adore this group and their music. I know that some feel their production is a little over-board, but they evidently don't understand the underlying purpose of it all showing modern Celtic man as he progresses through life. Many look at this as it should be a concert, but it's not, it's a show with layers of interest woven through each of the songs. And most of all, it's sheer entertainment. A great evening out.
Beyond Celtic Thunder, I've been totally engrosses in preparations for my summer vacation to Ireland. I'm still waiting on confirmations for 2 different B&Bs in Northern Ireland. Guess I should have booked this a few weeks ago. I may have to continue to look for locations nearby, but I'm hoping for the best.
I also am going to try and add to this blog in terms of widgets and stuff. Now that I've successfully changed the look, it's time to move ahead. We'll see what happens with that.
Back to work for now.
A
Before I headed off to work I received an email that Celtic Thunder will be releasing a new DVD and CD through PBS promos in June. Evidently it was filmed during the Canadian tour this spring. While it may have some of the same songs as the initial DVD and CD's, I'm quite happy it will have new versions of the additional songs and also a chance to hear Damian's "new" voice. Just what I need to hold me through until their fall tour.
I adore this group and their music. I know that some feel their production is a little over-board, but they evidently don't understand the underlying purpose of it all showing modern Celtic man as he progresses through life. Many look at this as it should be a concert, but it's not, it's a show with layers of interest woven through each of the songs. And most of all, it's sheer entertainment. A great evening out.
Beyond Celtic Thunder, I've been totally engrosses in preparations for my summer vacation to Ireland. I'm still waiting on confirmations for 2 different B&Bs in Northern Ireland. Guess I should have booked this a few weeks ago. I may have to continue to look for locations nearby, but I'm hoping for the best.
I also am going to try and add to this blog in terms of widgets and stuff. Now that I've successfully changed the look, it's time to move ahead. We'll see what happens with that.
Back to work for now.
A
Friday, May 1, 2009
A Favorite Spot
This is one of my most favorite spots in Ireland. It's around a small town called Furbo, and right on Galway Bay.
Trying out new things
Okay, so I thought with an upcoming trip that I should at least have a place to put my journaling and thoughts as I travel. While I'm not going anywhere for a couple of months yet, I wanted to get used to using this site before I leave, so not everything is too new.
I've been watching other blogs show up on Google Alerts that I have set for Celtic Thunder. Most of my friends know about my interest in Ireland and now Celtic Thunder, a musical group of 5 Irish and Scottish men with incredible talent who are currently touring Canada. Their tour will finish up next week in Vancouver and they will head back to Ireland until the fall tour starts around October.
As for my interest in Ireland, I'm not sure I can put that into words. This will be my third trip to the Emerald Isle, and I just can't seem to stay away. There is something very appealing about Ireland. If you are in Dublin, it's pretty much like any large city (actually smaller than some of our largest ones, but big enough for me). But for me the charm is when you head out of the big city and into the countryside. It's this wonderful lush green countryside that keeps pulling me back. That and the rocky waters along Galway Bay. There are actually only a few people who really "get" what I'm talking about when my conversation turns to Ireland.
This trip is different from the others in that it is my design. I am traveling with 2 other ladies, but I am the tour director, per se. I also will be doing all the driving. Now that alone should be interesting. It's still 44 days until we leave, but time is marching on quickly, and I still feel the need to finish as many details as possible.
So this ends my first blog of what I hope will be many on my trip. It's just another log in and password to remember with hopes that I'll have time to write while on the road.
EP
I've been watching other blogs show up on Google Alerts that I have set for Celtic Thunder. Most of my friends know about my interest in Ireland and now Celtic Thunder, a musical group of 5 Irish and Scottish men with incredible talent who are currently touring Canada. Their tour will finish up next week in Vancouver and they will head back to Ireland until the fall tour starts around October.
As for my interest in Ireland, I'm not sure I can put that into words. This will be my third trip to the Emerald Isle, and I just can't seem to stay away. There is something very appealing about Ireland. If you are in Dublin, it's pretty much like any large city (actually smaller than some of our largest ones, but big enough for me). But for me the charm is when you head out of the big city and into the countryside. It's this wonderful lush green countryside that keeps pulling me back. That and the rocky waters along Galway Bay. There are actually only a few people who really "get" what I'm talking about when my conversation turns to Ireland.
This trip is different from the others in that it is my design. I am traveling with 2 other ladies, but I am the tour director, per se. I also will be doing all the driving. Now that alone should be interesting. It's still 44 days until we leave, but time is marching on quickly, and I still feel the need to finish as many details as possible.
So this ends my first blog of what I hope will be many on my trip. It's just another log in and password to remember with hopes that I'll have time to write while on the road.
EP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
