AU REVOIR IRELAND!

Well, the time has finally come. Des and I are on our way to journey out into the world and finally make the dream of travelling together a reality! With all the build up, hard work and patient waiting prior to our departure this morning, it is quite a surreal feeling that the day has arrived! We are unbelievably excited for the road ahead but missing our family and friends in Ireland already.

After buckets of tears being shed this morning by all, I have had some time to reflect on the past 2 and a half years in Ireland which have been nothing short of unforgettable and an experience which has built memories and bonds that can never be erased.

Here are some things (in no particular order) which come to mind.

Watching my sister raise two of the most gorgeous, beautiful, sweet, kind, loving, thoughtful children I have ever met....and being a part of their day-to-day lives and family events! Watching Juliet learn to talk, count, run, ride a bike, do ballet, dance and become a little girl, rather than a baby right infront of my eyes! Watching Benji grow from a tiny 3 month bump in Carelia's belly to a hilarious, kind spirited, sparkly little toddler who can already practically run faster than I can and is now repeating all words-including elephant! (How fitting as we are hoping to see and ride those in India!). Watching him go mad about horses and get no bigger kick out of anything than making himself dizzy!

Chatting to my sister 5 times a day about things of no real importance but knowing we are 5 minutes away from eachother whenever we want to laugh, chat, cry or go to the Vivey inn for a night of Bulmer's and excitement! Being there (white knuckles and all) while Carelia learnt to drive and so excited when she could finally venture out to our house in the countryside to call in for a cup of tea! Always knowing that my closest ally is just a short distance away and feeding the swans in St. Steven's green.

Hikes with Simon, lunches at google and his decieving lemoncello shooters. Runs with Simon (especially in the early days when I was living with them on Wolfetone!) and the mountain running club in the gorgeous green mountain scenery with Fred.

Powerscourt picnics with Carelia and the kids, watching Des and the kids play circus, picking them up from school and playing by the beach with them and Charlie.

Theresa's unbeatable hospitality, home cooked meals (and her delicious and thoughtful way of always including the awkward vegetarian into the dinner) , her golf tips, Des Sr.'s roasted potatoes, big beautiful fires, their endless kindness and generosity and Susan and Lisa's incredibly welcoming and inclusive ways---aswell as always having a bed for Des and I to sleep in after a night of lots of fun and wine.Watching them both get married. Paul's finger shake "oh no you did'n," Ed's hilarious one liners and all the family gatherings over the years...especially the extended family ones which included Theresa's wonderful sisters and Des Sr. and his brothers beautiful singing.

The smell of rain, green lush grass in every season,beach runs and country bike-rides, the beauty of a rare snowfall, Christmas morning swims in the baltic Irish sea, experiencing 4 seasons in 1 day in Ireland, sheep, church bells, mulled-wine, Irish coffees, Bulmer's, Guinness and discovering a new-found love for POTATOES! Colourful doors, umbrellas, Irish pancakes, stone walls, late-night chippers...especially curry chips, Grafton street at Christmas time, the warmth of an Aga, beautiful wild daffodils, fresh fish and chips, vegetarian guinness stew, wild holly at Christmas, wellies, castles and the uillian pipes.Parking on sidewalks, waiting hours for busses, taking the train, cycling 45 minutes just to get a jug of milk while living in the country. Ice skating in ski boots, roosters waking me up everyday in my suburban house and traditional music. Locals that give directions even though they have no clue what they are saying...they just want to help out!

The Giant's Causeway, seeing U2 live, Watching Manchester United in old Trafford, being close enough to England to visit my 94 year old Nana, horse back riding, surfing and the friends that are some of the most loyal, thoughtful and and caring people I have ever met and not to mention all those who created work for me when I was without a work visa just to help out! Jenny and Ron's wonderful hospitality, wine tasting and gorgeous dinners, painting with Jenny and cooking Canadian Thanskgiving dinner with Carelia and Carmen.

All our houses over the years (Carelia's, Carmen and Ronan's, Kat and Damien's, Charlesland, The Annex and even the dreaded house share that has allowed us to save the money for this trip!). Greystones, everyone at the Happy Pear and the 3Q's...cheese LT's and the wonderful work environment each indiviual created.

Wine and fun with Courtnee and Mark...having a fellow huskie in Ireland with me! Sunday night shinanigans with Carmen and Ronan and their unforgettable 5 course dinner in honour of our engagement....the weekend at Achill where we celebrated our engagement with 20 of our friends! All the great times with the Enniskerries, gigs, weddings, parties, camping (I will never forget the Hotel Freelander!), pub rugby and football matches.

 All the Canucks who have come for visits over the years, Dublin girls nights out, being close to other European countires that have allowed me to travel to Italy, Budapest, Prague and England for next to no cost.

Ireland is my second home now and there's no place like it on earth. The Irish are amazing people and the closeness to everyone that I have experienced during my time there will never be forgotten. I love you all and thanks for all your support in preparation for this trip! xxoo