Am I back? Was it all a dream?

Ah well I am home. Since there will be no pictures for obvious, toilet like reasons, I guess you will have to form your own pictures based on my words!

What a course of events that led to my return. I spent the last 2 days in Dublin... I was determined to experience the good parts of this city because every time I'm there, I just can't tolerate it. It's like NYC except it doesn't have the same artsy, creative feel. The people are VERY cranky and the pace is extremely fast. I guess NY is fast too, but not in the same way. It's hard to explain...

So, thanks to Danny I was shown some really beautiful parts of Dublin at just the right times. Govinda's was graced with our presence twice of course! I can say I would never live there, but I would certainly visit again :)

Spent some time with Susan (Subo!) in the park and that was precious! Susan... you seriously would have fit in my suitcase.

Thanks so much wonderful Kevin for meeting us and minding my bags... the lift and everything. Next time we'll hang out a bit for sure!

Dublin Airport. Surprisingly calming but rough to leave.
Who got lucky with 3 seats right in the middle of the plane? Yep. Spread the sleeping back out, stacked those little flat, white pillows and embraced my 7 hours to just rest. I wrote a lot, but mostly listened to the recordings from that house party that night in Galway. They are absolutely brilliant! I recorded a lot of us talking and laughing too so it lifted my spirits and since there was about 6 hours of recording, I was sorted for the entire flight!

Time to initiate the plan.

I am NOT going to let my homesickess get the best of me this time. No matter what. I know the energy is going to be different walking on this ground. But it doesn't have to change mine.

Being practical though... I set foot out of that plane and took a breath and it felt like I was breathing hot water in. Yeah. HUMID and sticky... I forgot what that feels like. Not my favorite, but no worries!

So, the bus was $40 gracing me with a 6 hour ride, for just a 3.5 hour drive, from Toronto to Rochester. With taxi and shuttle that would add another $25 and would have landed me in my apartment at 11pm. Renting a car $90... yeah, for $15 landing me in before 7... that was a no brainer. I rented a HUGE long car... very funny. Left the airport with my several new CDs piled on the front seat and away I went. The drive was wonderful. I DID have to keep telling myself to STAY RIGHT though! I went to my mother's first to grab my banjo and computer. I looked out her backyard at the creek and realized I could actually SEE the heat. It was 90 (32 C) degrees still at 7pm. It was during this portion of the drive to my apartment that I realized... the pace of driving on the highway didn't bother me, but driving in the city felt fast. I was looking to get from point A to B and was there in 7 minutes. All summer, that would have taken me at least an hour and I would have enjoyed the process. As I was driving through the city, I felt like I was moving at lightning speed. Mental note to learn the bus system here and take it more often. Arrived home.

Some of you might remember I subletted my apartment to a girl I thought I was very clean. Unfortunately, I returned home to ... well... DIRT and I was not pleased. Hurdle #1... get over it and clean. Turned the music up... and I scrubbed every little surface I could manage to reach... The place is shining! Also, because she was here, I packed up most of the apartment so I basically had to move in again... but that was kinda fun... I put everything back in it's place... kinda like decorating again... Made my bed (oh Michael, I know you hate me for moving it up here, but to be able to have slept in it was a dream and thank you!)... crawled in it and crashed about midnight last night (yes, it did feel like 5 in the morning as jet lag was obvious already).

Awoke and didn't know where I was. That will happen for a bit I know. I am up early which I suppose is good for school starting. Plus, then I don't miss the day! I have loads to do.

Ok so for all of you worried... and rightly so... don't be. I will be fine this time! To everyone I left behind in beautiful Ireland. I will miss you, but know we will stay in touch and I will see you soon. Keep your ears open for a cool art teacher who might want to do an exchange for next year so I can get over there! Or just an interesting job for me! I so appreciate all the good times we had this summer. Thanks for all of your help!

To everyone here at home... can't wait to see you all!
Ma & Charlie... I hope you're having a blast in Italy :) Enjoy!

I'll be in touch after school starts!
Smiles.

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Just one more thing... Some of you might remember a little poem thing I wrote in February 2006
"What Is It About Ireland..."
A bit has changed for me, but I still love it so I rewrote it a bit and put it here.
I also realize there are places and people in Ireland where this wouldn't apply, but for me and the people I surround myself with, it is perfect.
ENJOY.

Ireland is...

a place where people want to be happy...
a place where music is love...
a place where men dance openly and aren't afraid to show joy...
a place to be an individual and not worry what others think...
a place where makeup, tanning, clothes do not matter...
a place where people dress how they want without worries of what others will think...
a place where the dead are laid to rest in the most beautiful places...
a place where a pint is encouraged...
a place where people play music for free...
a place where people watch music for free...
a place where simple is better...
a place where water dances...
a place where "even the ducks are happy"...
a place where, even in the less beautiful areas, one appreciates the nature...
a place where people welcome new faces...
a place that has the most beautiful landscapes, it will take your breath away...
a place where you are loved for who you are and the smile you bring to those around you...
a place where "sorry" has more than one meaning...
a place where people leave work behind them while enjoying themselves...
a place where you don't steal...
a place where "cheers" really makes me smile...
a place where strangers will talk to you with no ulterior motive... just to get to know you...
a place where children are happy, really happy...
a place where people tap their feet to the music just because it "comes naturally"...
a place where you aren't surrounded by noise...
a place where people tell the truth right to your face...
a place where people say what they want to say... not what they believe you wish to hear...
a place where larger people are loved too and not frowned upon or stared at or judged...
a place where music is played from the heart...
a place where people can be free...
a place where one can talk to everyone and love it, rather than feel burdened or like they are wasting time...
a place where the air feels like silk in your lungs...
a place where it doesn't matter the social status of your job. Everyone is valued for their contribution to the world...
a place where I would want to raise a family...
a place where people wave to you from their cars as you are walking on the street...
a place where the crystal eyes of the Irish lead right to the soul...
a place where hitch-hiking makes me so happy...
a place where people do things without the fear of getting in trouble...
a place that relaxes souls...
a place where the pace of life seems more natural... not rushed...
a place where people sit to enjoy a dinner and REALLY enjoy it rather than inhaling their food...
a place where people want to help you...
a place where people value their land...
a place where people feel strongly of their culture...
a place where people know their history...
a place where rain is a part of life...
a place that stays in your heart long after you leave... letting you know you will return...

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