This is a post from a year ago that I never published... maybe I was self conscious. Somehow though, now as I read through it, that "new" year marked a real starting point, or turning point, for our experience. We have lived in Ireland... we have really lived here. Yes, its been an adventure, but it has been a life too. In a way, I've felt at home here as much as I feel at home in my home town... oh, and I never did get to a course at Trinity. Another time... ha.
This marks the start of a new year. (As a mom of school aged kids, I think of a year as a school year, rather than a calender year.) I wanted to make a conscious effort to look back on this journey to Ireland and the reasoning and hopes we had as we set out on this adventure together.
I am so proud of these kids. This picture is from their first day of school, starting out their 2014-2015 school year in Ireland. They have adjusted, they have learned to be more flexible, they have made new friends, and they have seen so many things already in the past eight months. They had a great summer visiting more of Ireland but also touching base back home. Their friends in California, as they experienced, will always be their friends.
For me and Matt, of course, this move was primarily motivated by a good job opportunity as well as checking the box on our wish to give the kids an experience living in a another country. It has proven to be an excellent choice for Matt's career and for his learning and professional growth. For me, I'm learning this experience, like that of the kids, is about also learning to be more flexible, more open and letting go of some things. The plus side is I'm able to focus in on things I didn't have time or mental space for while juggling work & motherhood. And, while I've struggled a bit with not working, I am determined that I will look back and relish this times. I am trying to adjust my constantly frenetic pace a bit, and enjoy longer coffees, being able to blog (ha ha), and plan some very fun trips that we hope to make this year. Plus I'm looking into a course at Trinity College and getting more involved with the school and the American Women's Club.
In our first eight months, we have had some amazing experiences. We've skied in the Italian and Swiss alps. Tessa experienced her first ambulance ride in Italy following a spill on one of the beautiful runs. (Fortunately no major injuries.) I took the girls to see Taylor Swift in Berlin. We saw our old au pair there too. I also took Anna on a mother daughter trip to Paris. We have been to the North, South and West of Ireland. We have met some incredible people. We've seen many, many rainbows. We've seen almost as many castles. We've now got two resident fairies named Alana and Isabell. We learned good food is "gorgeous" and when you're looking good in your clothes you look "smart." Just about anyone can be referred to as "your man," something really fun is "good crack," fries are called "chips" and chips are called "crisps"... All very important to know in everyday life here in Ireland.
We are feeling more settled in now, but still have the itch to explore and see more. We realize that living in Europe is an amazing opportunity. We aim to relish that opportunity hope and pray that our kids will realize it is also their opportunity. They will undoubtedly come out of this experience more worldly but I hope they will appreciate living in Ireland, the people here, and all that we are doing.
Here's to trying new things and enjoying this experience to the fullest.
