Now that I have been back home for nearly a month, I have been antsy to start writing again. I'm not good at the short story, but me and non-fiction do pretty well. So, I have decided to start another blog dedicated to my time as a doctoral student. Not so much as to bother anyone with my relentless posting (like anyone is so terribly interest), but writing seems to keep me a bit centered and it allows me to practice. I have had to practice to ensure thoughts come through my finger tips half way coherently.
I hope I can share my ups and downs during the next adventure and keep anyone who is interest posted on work, family, and school. I intend to start over with the family blog since I started it without practice. I just need to get it done; so stayed tuned for that.
I hate to loose this blog, so I am going to keep it up for awhile until I can print it out. But, if anyone is interested...
www.docstudent2014.blogspot.com.
Sunday, August 15
Sunday, July 25
It's hard to believe that a week ago today we were flying over the Atlantic to get back home. Resuming normality has been much easier than I had anticipated. I was so tired of living out of a suitcase that we were completely unpacked the next day; a record for the Teaff's following a long trip. Seriously, someone should call the record books. What made our welcome home so wonderful (aside the fact from just being back on Texas soil) was that we were surprised to find that Chris and Erica, two of our good friends, had cleaned our house, mowed the yard, washed our sheets, etc. No gift or party could be a more perfect surprise. I called Erica in tears because I could not believe anyone could be that kind......or crazy. But if you know these two, kind and crazy sum them up fairly well. :)
I guess I should summarize our last week in Ireland. The weather was a bit more fickle than it had the entire time I was there. The kids quickly learned that they would not melt in the rain. A fine lesson to learn if you ask me. Bless their hearts, they were riddled with jet-lag the first few days, and as a result were exhausted during the day and wondered around at night. They adjusted after about two days or so and we were off and running. Can you guess what they were most excited about as they walked the streets of Dublin? The people, the sites? Nope. Pigeons. Yes, my small town kids spent much of their time scaring and/or chasing pigeons. Go figure.
They both wanted to see a castle, so we took them to Malahide Castle in the initial days. They were so excited to take their first train ride, but excitement quickly wears down when you are exhausted and are fighting with your sibling. It was a bit of a trek to the castle once we arrived in Malahide. They perked up a bit when we passed by an awesome playground. We had to tip the scales in our direction so we told them after the castle we could go play. They reluctantly agreed and we headed up the long drive. Robert and I loved the castle. The kids? Well, you give them castles--they wanted castle ruins. So it goes with kids. They had a blast at the playground and it was cool to see them making friends with all kinds of kids, Irish, Chinese, English, etc.
We went to Bray one day and took them to the beach and them the aquarium. I think, that was one of our favorite trips. The beach is full of sea beaten rocks and we had the brilliant idea to take some so that we could display them once we got home. Robert regretted that idea about a hour after lugging rocks in his backpack. Well, we are home now........and those rocks were a brilliant idea. They are beautiful.
Last big trip was to Powerscourt house and gardens. Gorgeous. All six of us went. A quick train ride to Bray and then caught a bus to Powerscourt. The bus driver even let the kids sit in the driver seat and take pictures. The kids favorite part was Tower Valley, where an old watch tower was built and you could walk to the top. I got some great pictures.
I was sad to say goodbye to Dublin, but it is wonderful to be home. After one eight hour plane ride, (the last two of which I was about to loose my mind since the plane was jolted around with turbulence), a delayed connection and two lost bags, not to mention two tired children--I was ready to get home.
I learned a lot. I learned that I am much braver than I had ever given myself credit for. I learned that I can go after what I want and not have to apologize for it. I learned that the world is much more that what is in my little universe. I learned that the people in other corners of the world pay attention to the US and our actions and reactions. The Irish love to ask about Obama. They are laid back and friendly--not too much of a stretch from my Texas roots. It has been a roller coaster ride, both exciting and scary. I have taken a part of Ireland home with me. But as the story goes, there is no place like home.
I guess I should summarize our last week in Ireland. The weather was a bit more fickle than it had the entire time I was there. The kids quickly learned that they would not melt in the rain. A fine lesson to learn if you ask me. Bless their hearts, they were riddled with jet-lag the first few days, and as a result were exhausted during the day and wondered around at night. They adjusted after about two days or so and we were off and running. Can you guess what they were most excited about as they walked the streets of Dublin? The people, the sites? Nope. Pigeons. Yes, my small town kids spent much of their time scaring and/or chasing pigeons. Go figure.
They both wanted to see a castle, so we took them to Malahide Castle in the initial days. They were so excited to take their first train ride, but excitement quickly wears down when you are exhausted and are fighting with your sibling. It was a bit of a trek to the castle once we arrived in Malahide. They perked up a bit when we passed by an awesome playground. We had to tip the scales in our direction so we told them after the castle we could go play. They reluctantly agreed and we headed up the long drive. Robert and I loved the castle. The kids? Well, you give them castles--they wanted castle ruins. So it goes with kids. They had a blast at the playground and it was cool to see them making friends with all kinds of kids, Irish, Chinese, English, etc.
We went to Bray one day and took them to the beach and them the aquarium. I think, that was one of our favorite trips. The beach is full of sea beaten rocks and we had the brilliant idea to take some so that we could display them once we got home. Robert regretted that idea about a hour after lugging rocks in his backpack. Well, we are home now........and those rocks were a brilliant idea. They are beautiful.
Last big trip was to Powerscourt house and gardens. Gorgeous. All six of us went. A quick train ride to Bray and then caught a bus to Powerscourt. The bus driver even let the kids sit in the driver seat and take pictures. The kids favorite part was Tower Valley, where an old watch tower was built and you could walk to the top. I got some great pictures.
I was sad to say goodbye to Dublin, but it is wonderful to be home. After one eight hour plane ride, (the last two of which I was about to loose my mind since the plane was jolted around with turbulence), a delayed connection and two lost bags, not to mention two tired children--I was ready to get home.
I learned a lot. I learned that I am much braver than I had ever given myself credit for. I learned that I can go after what I want and not have to apologize for it. I learned that the world is much more that what is in my little universe. I learned that the people in other corners of the world pay attention to the US and our actions and reactions. The Irish love to ask about Obama. They are laid back and friendly--not too much of a stretch from my Texas roots. It has been a roller coaster ride, both exciting and scary. I have taken a part of Ireland home with me. But as the story goes, there is no place like home.
Tuesday, July 13
Since Northern Ireland
I have seriously neglected this blog. But I think everyone that reads this is also on my FB, so there is not much you have missed. My last entry was about Northern Ireland, therefore I am not sure what was in between that and Scotland. Robert and I went to Edinburgh, Scotland for a few days. Oh, and before that (I do remember this, because it was painful), Robert and I decided to head down to the Brazen Head for a few drinks since it was our last night in Dublin before the kids arrived. Bad idea. I am getting old and my body has a hard time metabolizing any alcohol it consumes--especially alcohol of the Irish variety. It would have been fine if Robert didn't pick up all the strays at the pubs. He went to use the toilet (as they say here) and brings back some Irish guy that wants us to join him at his table. After a pint(s) and some unintelligible (not to be mistaken with intelligent, I am not real eloquent after 12am) conversation, it was time to go home. Unfortunately our subtle exit was not soon enough, I had to let Colum know that there was no way I could be coherent the next day. Low point. But I suppose I had to initiate myself to a slight hangover before I headed home. Well, I did it right.
The next day, we jumped on a pre-sunrise plane to Scotland. Once we boarded the plane it took less than a hour to land in Edinburgh. I love Europe. Edinburgh was extraordinary. It had to be, hands down, the most gorgeous city I have visited thus far. We did some sightseeing the first day, smiling the whole time--even when we got lost trying to find our hotel. We hopped on the bus tour, our first stop being Holyrood Palace, the residence of Mary, Queen of Scots. I was so excited to go in and see it, but my excitement was quickly squelched as the palace was closed for a royal visit. Queen Elizabeth was about to arrive for her annual garden party. Oh well, how many times to I get to see a royal palace up close. We decided to hop back on the bus and go to Edinburgh Castle. Beautiful. Then Discovery Earth. It would have been something we would have normally saved for the kids, so we felt a little incomplete in that tour, but it was fun nonetheless.
Our apartment was right next to Holyrood Park and to my relief, it was full of runners, hikers, and bikers. Something I don't see nearly as much of in Dublin. I was able to get my runs in in the morning. That always keeps me on an even keel and made me love Edinburgh that much more.
I wanted to make sure we got out and saw some of the Scottish county side while we were there. What are two things you have to see while your in Scotland for only three days? Yep, the Highlands and Loch Ness. Phenomenal tour. The Highlands were wonderful and since we got to see the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the lake (or the loch)--it made the long trip that much more worthwhile. Did I mention we got to take a cruise on Loch Ness as well? We didn't spot Nessie, but it was not for lack of trying.
We did some more sightseeing on our final day. We headed up to Carton Hill which is incredible. We heard music coming from Holyrood Palace and we headed that way to see what was going on. We caught the tale end of the Scottish military rehearsing for the Queen's arrival andgot to visit with a nice older Scottish man who was happy to explain to us what we were seeing. He inquired about our heritage and when I told him that I was told I was part Scottish, he said "Aye, you have Scottish eyes". I took it as a compliment, because we left Scotland loving it.
We flew out of Edinburgh wishing we could divert Carl, Melissa, and the kids' plane there. But since we could not, we were on pins and needles flying back to Dublin, because we were about to be reunited with the kids. I will stop here and let you know how it is going later, but you can probably guess.
The next day, we jumped on a pre-sunrise plane to Scotland. Once we boarded the plane it took less than a hour to land in Edinburgh. I love Europe. Edinburgh was extraordinary. It had to be, hands down, the most gorgeous city I have visited thus far. We did some sightseeing the first day, smiling the whole time--even when we got lost trying to find our hotel. We hopped on the bus tour, our first stop being Holyrood Palace, the residence of Mary, Queen of Scots. I was so excited to go in and see it, but my excitement was quickly squelched as the palace was closed for a royal visit. Queen Elizabeth was about to arrive for her annual garden party. Oh well, how many times to I get to see a royal palace up close. We decided to hop back on the bus and go to Edinburgh Castle. Beautiful. Then Discovery Earth. It would have been something we would have normally saved for the kids, so we felt a little incomplete in that tour, but it was fun nonetheless.
Our apartment was right next to Holyrood Park and to my relief, it was full of runners, hikers, and bikers. Something I don't see nearly as much of in Dublin. I was able to get my runs in in the morning. That always keeps me on an even keel and made me love Edinburgh that much more.
I wanted to make sure we got out and saw some of the Scottish county side while we were there. What are two things you have to see while your in Scotland for only three days? Yep, the Highlands and Loch Ness. Phenomenal tour. The Highlands were wonderful and since we got to see the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the lake (or the loch)--it made the long trip that much more worthwhile. Did I mention we got to take a cruise on Loch Ness as well? We didn't spot Nessie, but it was not for lack of trying.
We did some more sightseeing on our final day. We headed up to Carton Hill which is incredible. We heard music coming from Holyrood Palace and we headed that way to see what was going on. We caught the tale end of the Scottish military rehearsing for the Queen's arrival andgot to visit with a nice older Scottish man who was happy to explain to us what we were seeing. He inquired about our heritage and when I told him that I was told I was part Scottish, he said "Aye, you have Scottish eyes". I took it as a compliment, because we left Scotland loving it.
We flew out of Edinburgh wishing we could divert Carl, Melissa, and the kids' plane there. But since we could not, we were on pins and needles flying back to Dublin, because we were about to be reunited with the kids. I will stop here and let you know how it is going later, but you can probably guess.
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