We had a great time with Sam and Brian this past week! So sorry to see them leave after 5 days. We went out to Bundoran again, and there was no surf but the weather was lovely. The Duwes got to see the countryside and some great old pubs, and we got some time with family. It's just so nice to have family around from time to time, and it was lovely to have Brian and Sam here.
Harp fell in love with Sam immediately, we went to the Book of Kells and the Long Library at Trinity, spent a lot of time in Lush, averted disaster when Josh found my lost engagement ring, and the Duwes took a tour of Wicklow. We spent a lot of time in the pubs, and it was just really nice to have the time to spend with them.
June is a busy month, the Dressendorfers get here tomorrow, and the Hassels are leaving Ireland to head back home this week. This is just too bad, we were becoming good friends, but we're in for a trip over my birthday, we just need to book it.
I've got to get Harp confirmed with his pet sitter and clean up to get ready for the Dressendorfers, try to Skype with my mom and Kelley and D, work in a yoga class and replenish the beer stocks for another solid week. We're heading out to Dingle and the Galway area, then back to Dublin for the weekend.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
2 years
Nothing is really new this week, we had a lovely anniversary, and it's cool to have spent it here. First anniversary was in Santorini, second was here in Dublin, so I've got no complaints! We went to Bentley's, a posh little oyster bar by the Green that was lovely, with local Irish oysters that are really very good. I'm a lucky wife.
We're excited that Sam and Brian are coming out Saturday. We'll head back out to the northwest Saturday with Harp, even though the weather will be the predictable shit. They can see the coastline, maybe attempt to surf if there is any activity in the water, and see the countryside. The boys will golf Monday, Sam and I can hit my yoga class, she can take Harp out on a run, or she can just hang out if she prefers. I'll take them anywhere they want to go in Dublin, Guinness, Jamison, Kilmainham, the museums, Christchurch and or St. Patrick's, Howth, the Green and Grafton...whatever they feel like.
Josh is in London for a couple of days, of course there is the tube strike there right now, his luck, but he'll be back late tonight. Harp and i are getting ready to have guests! We did find the British version of Project Runway, called Project Catwalk, ha, Kelley Osborne is the sad and chubby host. It's worse than a poorman's version of PR, it's just horrible and they try so hard to stage bitchiness, i am in love with it right now in small doses. I cannot watch a full show, it's too tedious, but i can drift in and out and mock them out loud to Harp. He's my stand in for Steph, who would be disgusted with this cheap imitation. But she'd watch it anyway, given the black hole i have for any other option. So every single weekday at 1, i am pathetically addicted.
We're excited that Sam and Brian are coming out Saturday. We'll head back out to the northwest Saturday with Harp, even though the weather will be the predictable shit. They can see the coastline, maybe attempt to surf if there is any activity in the water, and see the countryside. The boys will golf Monday, Sam and I can hit my yoga class, she can take Harp out on a run, or she can just hang out if she prefers. I'll take them anywhere they want to go in Dublin, Guinness, Jamison, Kilmainham, the museums, Christchurch and or St. Patrick's, Howth, the Green and Grafton...whatever they feel like.
Josh is in London for a couple of days, of course there is the tube strike there right now, his luck, but he'll be back late tonight. Harp and i are getting ready to have guests! We did find the British version of Project Runway, called Project Catwalk, ha, Kelley Osborne is the sad and chubby host. It's worse than a poorman's version of PR, it's just horrible and they try so hard to stage bitchiness, i am in love with it right now in small doses. I cannot watch a full show, it's too tedious, but i can drift in and out and mock them out loud to Harp. He's my stand in for Steph, who would be disgusted with this cheap imitation. But she'd watch it anyway, given the black hole i have for any other option. So every single weekday at 1, i am pathetically addicted.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Bank Holiday Weekend!
This past Monday concluded a 3 day weekend that has had amazing weather. Almost 70 degrees, for like the past 5 days, we've spent every single day outside. We rented a car and got up early to head to the west coast for a surf trip.We had an awesome time, after finding no waves in Streedagh, the boys' usual spot, we headed up to Bundoran, and found a brilliant day with 9 ft waves, tons of sunshine, and fairly empty water. Harp adored getting into actual waves and was exhausted by the time we were done as he spent hours leaping over each wave that would break. There are some great cliffs right beside the water, which were a bit dangerous as they are riddled with what are called the Fairy Bridges...literally sinkholes that have fallen thru the hillside down to the ocean crashing below. But anyway, if you are careful, you can head right out along the edge of the cliff and really get an incredible view of the surfers, literally right out below you. So after Harp and i were finished throwing his ball into the waves, we'd head up to the top of the cliffs with my camera and the long distance lens...the reason there are so many damn photos you'll have to sort thru if you check out the link below is because i could actually see Josh's face thru that lens from the to of the cliffs. It was awesome to have such a powerful camera! Of course, by the time i get up there, Josh has been surfing for at least 90 minutes and is still riding a few waves but i missed the chance to get most of his good rides when he was fresh and not exhausted. Next time we're out there, i'll have to figure out a way to placate Harp on the cliffs for a while before we head down to the beach.
We went to Yeat's grave which was in an incredible Irish cemetary, all old celtic crosses and the church sports a carved cross from a monastary that dates back to 500 ad, had fresh crab claws for dinner, and didn't crash the rental car. It was totally a victory. We got back in Sunday evening, hung out with Ciaran and Sarah Jane on our roof deck for the evening, then on Monday we went hiking in Wicklow. We managed to find a sheep trail we followed thru the bogs til we got to a mountain (of the Irish sorts), that we climbed. Harp loved it, was climbing around like a mountain goat and leaping into bog pools--we all had a good day and were completely exhausted when we made it home.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/BankHolidayJune09?feat=directlink
Monday, May 18, 2009
Home!
We made it back to Dublin, safely and with no drama. Truly, by the time i had my bags from baggage claim, and made it out to meet Mick and Josh, we called and Harp was ready to be claimed. After all of those papers, those appointments, on and on...there was no trouble and the people at Lissenhall released him immediately.
Harp had had no adverse reactions to the trip, we got him home and he checked out the place, and on Sunday we took him up to North Bull Island so he could run the beach. He loved it, i think he like the dunes best of all, and he barked at the kite surfers. We had a lovely day. He's been for runs with Josh in the mornings already, and it's great to have him round the house while i am here in the day, we're checking out the parks, and he dislikes the rain, so he figured out quickly that the umbrella works for him too if he sticks close to me.
I've got an appt with the SPCA here tomorrow abt some volunteer work and their Safe Haven grant, but nothing else is new, we're settling back into life here! Pics from the visit to the States and Harp's first day at an Irish beach are below.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/StatesAndHarpSFirstIrishBeachOuting?feat=directlink
Harp had had no adverse reactions to the trip, we got him home and he checked out the place, and on Sunday we took him up to North Bull Island so he could run the beach. He loved it, i think he like the dunes best of all, and he barked at the kite surfers. We had a lovely day. He's been for runs with Josh in the mornings already, and it's great to have him round the house while i am here in the day, we're checking out the parks, and he dislikes the rain, so he figured out quickly that the umbrella works for him too if he sticks close to me.
I've got an appt with the SPCA here tomorrow abt some volunteer work and their Safe Haven grant, but nothing else is new, we're settling back into life here! Pics from the visit to the States and Harp's first day at an Irish beach are below.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/StatesAndHarpSFirstIrishBeachOuting?feat=directlink
Thursday, May 14, 2009
On my way back home
Alright, I am in OHare, Harp has been loaded into his kennel and i had to leave him with the cargo loading people, Sandy and i dropped off the rental car and made it to our terminals, i talked the people at the check in counter into allowing the shock collar and receiver to travel in my checked bags by demonstrating how it worked, and i am finally in the gate waiting for the flight in about 3 hours. Harp is officially out of my hands til we can pick him up tomorrow morning at Lissenhal...
Had great visits with Kelley and the kids--D loved Mary Poppins on Broadway and it was just so good to have a chance to hang out and re-acquaint myself with those kids. I really miss them, and simply don't get to see them enough. Also a really good time to be home with mom and dad--they took amazing care of Harp for 5 months for us, and he's definitely going to miss them. I bet he is missing them right now while he's stowed in his kennel, waiting for them to load him up. I got to see Sam and Brian's new house, which looks incredible, and they get to move in soon. And then Sandy and i got to drive cross country, all with a nasty head cold. We actually had a good time, it was a pleasure to spend the time with her, we stayed with the Macek's in Davenport for a few nights, and i enjoyed myself. They all graciously made the trip very easy on Harp and on me, and i appreciate that immensely. Mick and Josh will pick me up at the airport in the morning, then we'll all head over to Lissenhall to wait on the process of release for the baby...
Ok, so I am watching them load the plane with food and everything else, but haven't seen Harp's kennel yet...I am going to check in with my husband, call my momma to update her and my dad, decompress with some trashy mags and junk food at the airport, then get on the plane and hopefully sleep the majority of the flight. I'll update on how it all went from Ireland!
Had great visits with Kelley and the kids--D loved Mary Poppins on Broadway and it was just so good to have a chance to hang out and re-acquaint myself with those kids. I really miss them, and simply don't get to see them enough. Also a really good time to be home with mom and dad--they took amazing care of Harp for 5 months for us, and he's definitely going to miss them. I bet he is missing them right now while he's stowed in his kennel, waiting for them to load him up. I got to see Sam and Brian's new house, which looks incredible, and they get to move in soon. And then Sandy and i got to drive cross country, all with a nasty head cold. We actually had a good time, it was a pleasure to spend the time with her, we stayed with the Macek's in Davenport for a few nights, and i enjoyed myself. They all graciously made the trip very easy on Harp and on me, and i appreciate that immensely. Mick and Josh will pick me up at the airport in the morning, then we'll all head over to Lissenhall to wait on the process of release for the baby...
Ok, so I am watching them load the plane with food and everything else, but haven't seen Harp's kennel yet...I am going to check in with my husband, call my momma to update her and my dad, decompress with some trashy mags and junk food at the airport, then get on the plane and hopefully sleep the majority of the flight. I'll update on how it all went from Ireland!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
In the States
Josh and i were back in the States, he was only in Austin for a couple of days for Ab's wedding, which was beautiful, but then had to get back to work in Dublin. I stuck around Austin for a few more days with Steph and the girls. We stayed with Hanna and Eddie, who were wonderful to put us up for so long. Of course Steph had such big news! And we got to see most everyone, and eat most everywhere, that we wanted to get to. We checked on the house, which appears to be doing pretty well, got to see all the renovations the Carters have going to their house, and generally enjoyed Austin despite the shitty weather. After Austin i went to visit my family, and Harp, for about a week which has been so great. Harp is same as always, and it was so good to have him back! Managed to see good friends from high school, and even got to see Boyle for a bit, and she is doing so well.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Travels and Plans
Such a slacker with my postings. We've been to Amsterdam and Spain lately, both incredible.
Amsterdam was great, it's a really beautiful little city, and so unique. The canals and the bridges, the age of the city and how well preserved it is, then just how laid back it all was. Amsterdam struck me because they seem to have taken two vices that every community faces, that of drugs and of prostitution, and rather than react puritanically, they actually took the time to make a different approach. Obviously, "soft" drugs are legal there, and prostitution is legal in the red light district. As we walked thru the District, I was struck by several factors. First was the enormous police presence. This is one of the safest areas of the city, as police turn out in heavy density. The district is also the major bar scene in the city, it's their Bourbon Street, Temple Bar, or 6th Street region, so they have quite smartly corraled a large percentage of the people who are there on holiday and out to get a little crazy. The women, and the men actually, who are working the windows and the sex shows are so much safer in a regulated and protected environment than the women who turn out to street corners. Prices are listed, customers know what to expect, there are significant health and safety regulations at play, and if anyone gets violent or tries to cheat anyone else, the police are there to step in.
I remember being in Stockton and a decent percentage of the women in my shelter worked the streets. I saw one who I knew to be quite pregnant working one evening, I noticed her as she had creatively altered some of the clothes she got from our donation basket to make them work out on her corner. She showed up at my shelter again after she got absolutely savagely beaten by a man who had solicited her, then raped and beat her, then left without paying. She had no recourse really, she could report the assault, but would have encountered a significant amount of trouble after multiple prior arrests as a prostitute, so in her eyes, it was just an aspect of her job and life. She was more vulnerable than most of the women who came thru my doors, and that's really saying something.
This system actually provides health care, regulation and safety checks, the prostitutes pay taxes...it just makes so much more sense than ignoring that it happens everywhere. Same with drug use.
Amsterdam itself was gorgeous, the city centre is pretty purely the ancient canal houses with few modern structures. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Amrath, in an old shipping and customs house that was spectacular. Also went to the Van Gogh museum, the Ann Frank House, and toured the canals. Amsterdam is a whole lot cheaper than Dublin is just for day to day expenses. We really liked it and will be going back once warmer weather permits.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/Amsterdam?feat=directlink
Spain...Josh loves Spain and now I can easily see why. Our main goal was to get out of the rain and soak up some sun, but of course we brought the Irish weather down with us; it rained and was pretty cold the whole time we were there. Despite the weather, Spain is remarkable. We flew into Girona, rented a car and drove all up and down the Costa Brava, then down to Barcelona for a couple of days. Barcelona was lovely, nice and old, and everything is highly decorated. We intended to spend three days there, but decided to head back to the coast a day early...we found a spot called Begur, a tiny town on the beach that has an incredible hotel, El Convent. It really is an old convent, built in 1730. It has a natural spring that the nuns felt had healing properties, they built natural spring pools for people to soak in in order to be healed of whatever ailments. Josh and i both got in, we'll let you know how that goes. We just bummed from beach to beach, stopping in the cafes and seaside bars, and we managed to get some sunshine on the last day. It was a great trip.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/Spain?feat=directlink
We're heading back to Austin this week for a quick trip back for both of us; Josh comes back after the weekend and I'll stick around with Steph for a bit. Then I'll head up to Colorado for a week, then out to NJ to see Kelley and her family for a little bit, then back to CO. Sandy and i will then drive Harp to Chicago from Denver, he and i will fly back to Dublin together from O'Hare in mid-May. I'm Harp-proofing the house now, and there is a high hope our stuff may get here this week, and then we need not continue to live out of suitcases for a 5th month, and sleeping in separate double beds.
I'll post sooner than later!
Amsterdam was great, it's a really beautiful little city, and so unique. The canals and the bridges, the age of the city and how well preserved it is, then just how laid back it all was. Amsterdam struck me because they seem to have taken two vices that every community faces, that of drugs and of prostitution, and rather than react puritanically, they actually took the time to make a different approach. Obviously, "soft" drugs are legal there, and prostitution is legal in the red light district. As we walked thru the District, I was struck by several factors. First was the enormous police presence. This is one of the safest areas of the city, as police turn out in heavy density. The district is also the major bar scene in the city, it's their Bourbon Street, Temple Bar, or 6th Street region, so they have quite smartly corraled a large percentage of the people who are there on holiday and out to get a little crazy. The women, and the men actually, who are working the windows and the sex shows are so much safer in a regulated and protected environment than the women who turn out to street corners. Prices are listed, customers know what to expect, there are significant health and safety regulations at play, and if anyone gets violent or tries to cheat anyone else, the police are there to step in.
I remember being in Stockton and a decent percentage of the women in my shelter worked the streets. I saw one who I knew to be quite pregnant working one evening, I noticed her as she had creatively altered some of the clothes she got from our donation basket to make them work out on her corner. She showed up at my shelter again after she got absolutely savagely beaten by a man who had solicited her, then raped and beat her, then left without paying. She had no recourse really, she could report the assault, but would have encountered a significant amount of trouble after multiple prior arrests as a prostitute, so in her eyes, it was just an aspect of her job and life. She was more vulnerable than most of the women who came thru my doors, and that's really saying something.
This system actually provides health care, regulation and safety checks, the prostitutes pay taxes...it just makes so much more sense than ignoring that it happens everywhere. Same with drug use.
Amsterdam itself was gorgeous, the city centre is pretty purely the ancient canal houses with few modern structures. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Amrath, in an old shipping and customs house that was spectacular. Also went to the Van Gogh museum, the Ann Frank House, and toured the canals. Amsterdam is a whole lot cheaper than Dublin is just for day to day expenses. We really liked it and will be going back once warmer weather permits.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/Amsterdam?feat=directlink
Spain...Josh loves Spain and now I can easily see why. Our main goal was to get out of the rain and soak up some sun, but of course we brought the Irish weather down with us; it rained and was pretty cold the whole time we were there. Despite the weather, Spain is remarkable. We flew into Girona, rented a car and drove all up and down the Costa Brava, then down to Barcelona for a couple of days. Barcelona was lovely, nice and old, and everything is highly decorated. We intended to spend three days there, but decided to head back to the coast a day early...we found a spot called Begur, a tiny town on the beach that has an incredible hotel, El Convent. It really is an old convent, built in 1730. It has a natural spring that the nuns felt had healing properties, they built natural spring pools for people to soak in in order to be healed of whatever ailments. Josh and i both got in, we'll let you know how that goes. We just bummed from beach to beach, stopping in the cafes and seaside bars, and we managed to get some sunshine on the last day. It was a great trip.
http://picasaweb.google.com/erinhittman/Spain?feat=directlink
We're heading back to Austin this week for a quick trip back for both of us; Josh comes back after the weekend and I'll stick around with Steph for a bit. Then I'll head up to Colorado for a week, then out to NJ to see Kelley and her family for a little bit, then back to CO. Sandy and i will then drive Harp to Chicago from Denver, he and i will fly back to Dublin together from O'Hare in mid-May. I'm Harp-proofing the house now, and there is a high hope our stuff may get here this week, and then we need not continue to live out of suitcases for a 5th month, and sleeping in separate double beds.
I'll post sooner than later!
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