St. Paddy's Day

Hello everyone! I have some fun things to update you on. :)





After the four day group, most people left for mini trips on the five days we had off. I, on the other hand, looked forward to being alone in this house for a few days for my holiday. It didn't actually work out that way, however. Erin was also here tying up loose ends because she was leaving the following Saturday. One of the days off we went on a few visits to her favorite members to say goodbye. I got lucky because John Hart is her favorite and he happens to live with Paul Lockery, my own dear favorite. We took them out for dinner and it was so much fun! Oh how I love Paul. But you all knew that... Tuesday morning I woke up to a stranger in the house. Ovidiu is 26 years old and is from Romania. He is volunteering here for a year and living in the house with us, but he won't be a normal volunteer. They hired him to be our full time driver. This is a great plan! In addition to driving the bus during the groups (which will cut the costs of paying for a professional driver), he will also be able to drive us to visits and to the grocery store. I told everyone in the house that I knew that Ovidiu would be crazy because all the Romanians I know are crazy. Well let me just say that I was right! But more about that later. Another new volunteer arrived later that Tuesday. Lucy is in her mid twenties and she is from San Diego. She has been living and studying in Austria for the past few years and decided to take a break for the summer. She is very nice and funny, but I think it will take some time for her to feel comfortable here. When the Germans came back from Cork, we all sat down and had dinner to welcome the newbies.





Wednesday morning, I went to the bus stop at half six to take the bus to the airport. My friend from the States, Jessica Campbell, was coming to see me for a few days. I waited there for an hour until a lady walked by and told me that because it was St. Patrick's Day, the buses ran on a "Sunday Schedule". It sucked! So I ended up walking back to the house and calling a taxi. Luckily, the airport is only 20 minutes away and the taxi only cost be 15 euro. When I got there I saw that her plane was delayed by an hour and half, but I didn't mind. I was glad that she wasn't there waiting for me, because I was a bit late. It was SO good to see her! Jess and I have been friends since the first grade. We've always kept in touch, even after going to different schools in high school. She's the best! We came back to the house and everyone was awake and ready to hit the town! There was a parade at noon in city center. Apparently, we were all a little late. Everyone alive in this area was cramming the streets dressed in green wigs, leprechaun outfits, and shamrocks painted on their faces. There was no chance of seeing the parade, even though we walked down the road it was going to travel through. Some people brought ladders to stand on, which was a good idea! After watching most of the parade on our tip toes, we decided to get some lunch at Kate's favorite vegetarian restaurant. We then decided to go back home because the crowds were too much! Mary Fox decided that she wanted to make us a traditional Irish meal for a goodbye to Erin. At the time, we were all frustrated because Erin agreed and therefore changed all of our plans to what she wanted. But it ended up being very nice. Afterward we played some games and hung out. A few people wanted to drink with me, but no one wanted to go crazy like you're supposed to do on St. Patrick's Day! I was disappointed. :P





The next day was a working day. I sent Jess off to the village for exploring while we had meetings and cleaned the house for the party. Because Erin had been here for almost two years and was the house leader, the management organized a party for her here at the house with several members invited. I made meatballs (Grandma Hattie's recipe!) and cheesecake. All the food turned out very well! Jess came back and got to meet a few of my favorite members, including Michaelena! We all had nice time, and it meant a lot to Erin. Afterwards we went to Gibney's so that Erin could say goodbye. Jessica had to go to her hostel around half ten. It was too bad that she left because when I returned from taking her to the stop the party was just beginning! There was a crappy cover band playing pretentious punk rock music. Ovidiu started dancing in his seat and then got up and went crazy! It's so hard to describe the dancing that ensued. He said, "This music moves me! I must dance!" hahaha So good... At the end of the night we all got up and busted out the dance moves we've learned from the members. It was so much fun!





Friday was the beginning of our group. I was paired with Marian Cullen. She hasn't been in the house since I've been here, but I've met her before. She is such a fun person to be around! She's in her fifties and lives in the same hospital as Dora. (I was with Dora last November. She is the one who loves Patrick Swayze!) Marian is a really funny person. She loves to mess and play games. She liked to put me to sleep and then take my ring off. Then she'd order me to wake up and I would be shocked to find my ring missing. The game went on and on and I loved it! After everyone arrived on Friday, we had dinner made by Erin. Soon after dinner we headed out to the cinema. Khadija picked the movie, an Irish film called Zonad. Apparently it was about a man who escaped out of rehab and pretended to be an alien to be accepted into a family. Luckily, there was no room for Marian's wheelchair in the theater, so we were sent to Alice in Wonderland. I was so excited! Unfortunately, we had to miss the first twenty minutes. So I look forward to catching up on what I missed. I really loved the movie! Normally I dislike Tim Burton's recreations, but I thought he did an amazing job. I recommend it. :)



When we got back to the house it was after eleven. No one wanted to go to bed, especially the members who were close to Erin because she was leaving the next morning. After midnight Marian and I decided it was time. After I got her into bed I started to leave to get myself ready. She stopped me and asked me if I wanted to pray with her. It was SO sweet! She told me that she really loved being paired with me and that "we are just a good fit, dontcha think?" It really meant a lot to me to be with a member that I love and feel loved in return.



Saturday morning I woke up at seven to say goodbye to Erin. It is so weird to be in this house without her. Now I am the longest here. Strange... Anyways, after breakfast we went shopping in Swords. I had so much fun with Marian! She had loads of money to spend. We got movies and puzzles and she even bought a little puppy stuffed animal for me! So sweet! During lunch she told me about how she was in the beginning of the movie "Inside I'm Dancing." It's an Irish film about two young men who are both in wheelchairs and are living in a hospital setting (much like most of our members.) The movie is about their friendship and how they fight for their Independence. It's a really great film. Marian, Dora, and Dorothy (all CASA members) auditioned to be in the beginning of the movie in the hospital scene. She was telling me about the process and how she got to meet James McAvoy! So exciting! I sent the movie to my sister Sarah, so if anyone is interested in seeing it, let me know.



We had dinner at the house, followed by drinks at the Hilton. There was a three-man band from Spain playing music near our tables. Marian got us all up and dancing. The lead singer dedicated a song to her! She was beaming! During their break, he came over and gave the members CDs of their music and signed an autograph for Marian. He even kissed her hand! She was so excited and kept asking me how jealous I was. haha It was such a great night!



Sunday morning we all went to Mass and returned at the exact time that Jessica stopped by. She came to meet the members and hang out for a bit before she had to catch the bus to the airport. All of the members left by 4:15, which almost never happens. Sharon gave me permission to miss the meeting after the group so that I could take Jess to the airport. It meant so much to me to have that extra time with her.



I haven't done too much on my days off. We all got hooked on that reality show Jersey Shore. I don't know if you know about this show, but basically it's like the Real World only with all "Guidos" or Italian Americans. The show is so absurd but insanely fun to watch with the Europeans. :) I also moved my stuff into Erin's room. It's so nice to have privacy again! One more step closer to coming home!

I can't believe this time next week I'll be in Madrid! Life is moving a little too fast for me!