A few years back my lil pumpkinhead niece (Allyson, aka Alley cat) and I started an annual Aunt/Niece day...We go to NYC one day a year to spend time together...NYC--it's close and yet far enough from Philly that we can still get lost...lol. This year we decided to make stops at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty --finally! (for me!) Seeing that I'm 28 years old and have resided about 90-100 miles of the damn thing and never once went to see it (up close anyway)...I suppose it's one of those things that if you don't see it on a [View Full Entry]

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That's what I'm singing...just cos I don't have a physical house doesn't mean I'm not 'home.' Yep, back in the good ol US of A crashing with me darling sis til I get settled. I arrived this past Sunday, (after much deliberation on the Ireland end of things).... was quite sad to say goodbye to such good people and such a magical place. I'll have to drown myself in a pint of stout soon...if anyone cares to join me....? Follow it up by one of joy to celebrate the good people of PHILLY! I have to say I did miss the [View Full Entry]

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You know when something's coming to a close....you can feel the anticlimactic buzz in the air....yep, it's starting to creep up on me....the thought of leaving an island of which I've become so utterly amazed by. I thought I'd nickname Cork 'the city in the park' - that's what it's like here...you go anywhere and you're surrounded by overgrown bushes, trees, flowers, etc....it's just so fresh and alive....when they say it's green, it is seriously GREEN. No wonder they are associated with that color.....you go just beyond the houses on any outskirt of any town/village/city and it's like you'v [View Full Entry]

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That was a part of my horoscope today--live and let live....supposedly it's a day to be happy....extend positive vibes....so i'm going to use the power from my carebear belly and radiate all things good......ooooooommmmmm....ja feel it? Anyway June is almost over!!! Bring on the proper summer months! I've been enjoying myself lately I must say....My one friend has a car here so we do loads of things--road trips to kool little spots, this past Monday I went on a nature hike in these mountains in Gougane Barra, West Cork (a forrest park, seemed almost enchanted, magical) oh and a nice thigh [View Full Entry]

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Just had a nice weekend in County Kerry...took loads of photos, mostly slides which i don't get on CD when i get them back....but i might have a few B&W once I finish the roll....I found (so far) my favorite beach in Ireland--Caherdaniel, if i had a wetsuit, or even a bathing suit..i would have went in for sure, the water was clear and clean, looked so refreshing/cleansing!!! a few surfers there and brave swimmers, i'd say the current there is pretty strong but there was this stream that went sort of inland...i got the idea the main part was fairly [View Full Entry]

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hmmm, today is decision day, i think i shall stay....my ticket was arranged in the beginning for this very action so it makes it just too easy to stay! the weather is so nice...mild, only slight bit of humidity! kool breezes....actually got a bit of my tan on the other day at the beach! gorgeous! i was looking forward to seeing everyone back in philly but i just can't leave yet... i got a few photos back, i'll upload a few.... also if anyone knows anyone who might be looking for a roommate in a month's time please let me know.....i'll [View Full Entry]

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Well that time is approaching, when all good gypsies return to the mother land....but i can't, i just can't! i've met loads of good people here, I'm finding it hard to leave....I've debated extending a month, to get some of that good irish summer (ha!) but seriously there's loads of events - i'm in the european city of culture 2005...cork, yea! But another month should allow me to do some pretty kool things! camping, which i've never done, (except as a doll with my face...ha ha) but that's sad isn't it? to never have been camping...so i hear there are loads [View Full Entry]

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We woke up in Ballyshannon and drove the short distance to Donegal town, another visit (for me--was there with Bri) to the Donegal castle....Still the same, small but kind of kool! We had coffee and debated going to Creeslough, where grandmom's family is still alive and residing....hmmm, seemed a hike so we decided this day would be as good a time as any to wet our feet in the Atlantic...We moved west towards the Atlantic.... We accidentally ended up in Glencolmcille, which was kool nonetheless, there was a folk village there with loads of thatched roof cottages!!! My favourite, I swear [View Full Entry]

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We took what turned out to be, unintentionally, a 3.5 hour walk along one of the most scenic, coastal roads in Ireland - Sky Road - it's very name communicates the feel/view you get when walking it....It's set overlooking the Atlantic and rises to about 500 feet...there's a clear view of a few islands and is certainly a gorgeous walk, minus the fright you get from the narrow road of which you must share with passing cars...lol. We met a local/tour guide, so he thought....who delighted in giving us the history of Clifden, and even let us walk down his land, [View Full Entry]

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Day 2 we started our 'road trip' - we headed northwest for a few hours, stopping in Galway city for something to eat/coffee and a look around before heading to Connemara where we got a B&B, in a cute, coastal town called Clifden. We had a good night here...had dinner/wine in an Italian type restaurant then headed to Lowry's bar for a trad session (traditional irish music, yea i'm kool, getting the lingo)...Of course, we closed the bar and also, of course the party didn't end there.... ;) some locals invited us back to their pad across the street from the [View Full Entry]

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