How Do I Begin..

This visit to Ireland is turning out better than I thought it would be. Perhaps, I am filled with less worries this year round and that has allowed me to soak it all in.

I have done more travelling and experiencing this trip than I have done in a long time. Travelling, whether far or near, has been a series of "going thru the motions" but the last few days, I have seen, tasted, walked and chilled out more than I have.

I know Ben would probably clobber me on the head - all these comparatives, but it is a fact that I must acknowledge.For everything that I have done, I can have photographs to show you, stories to relate and synopsis to provide. YET words and photos would never be able to show you the feeling of "being there" can. And that really is the heart of it.

We all go through so many experiences day in, day out. Some of us may have a habit of recounting it back to the ones who share our lives. And some other don't. I have always through it offensive and excluding - the latter category. But now I realise that sometimes, once the moment's come and gone, the emotions exhausted - there really is nothing left to tell.

And maybe... just maybe... in attempting to encapsulate it in words, mere words, would not do it justice. No, no justice at all.

Perhaps that is why they say - somethings are better left unsaid.

Two chaps basking in the side street of Cork City Sunday morning, playing familiar tunes - but the point of this would be that grey clouds hung overhead, and this pic was caught in a moment when the rest of the town cast grey and gloomy.

Quickie Update

It has been a whirlwind of a trip and I am just finding the time and space to lodge some thoughts that have been flying through my head. It'll have to be short cos I wanna run downstairs (am at a bed and breakfast) and have a last smoke before turning in:

• Sights of tenancity - all over Dublin, Galway and likely Cork city, restaurants are plastering their shop front with promotions that hopefully would fill tables and meet covers. 
• Sights of rebellion - all over the street light shafts, you'll find some call for protest.
• Sights of a time gone past - as the bus zipped past the countryside, a lone cottage stands in the middle of a field. Its owners either died of starvation in the potato famine or immigrated before they died. From the size of it - I'll wager that it was the former and not the later.

That's all that's coming to mind for now. Maybe tomorrow night I'll be able to draw out more!

Trust and Leap

A year ago, I was looking towards going away with trepidation, anxiety and fear. Lots of it. Not only was it for the business that was to take place, but also the maggots in my head.

A year later, my step is light and my heart is afloat. The stakes are higher this year - every business exchange would be in my own name, for my own future - no one else can be held accountable or responsible. But it is all water under the what-ever. 

It has been a long long long journey to this day. But the end is not even anywhere near. I took my offer letter out last night in the midst of packing, and recalled how then today felt so far away.

If I have learnt anything - ANYTHING at all - in these past 2 years, it is that patience pays. Motivation helps. And a silent smile does so much more than a thousand pats on the back.

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap! 

And we'll trust that whatever is in the lil green bag, would be enough to catch my fall.

My Day

I'm taking Lydia and Luke to watch Toy Story 3 this weekend, before they head back to school and I off to Ireland.

It's not really an expense that I can do with, with the trip coming up and all that. But yet, I thought to myself - it's Father's Day weekend. And while other kids are probably making cards and such for their daddies, my two would be slightly at a loss (especially with Sunday being a Sunday school day!).

So we'll celebrate Father's Day our own way - a day for the 3 of us.

Priceless

They say the best things in life are free ~ and the last two days have proved exactly that. While it may not have come without its own dollar amount, as I put aside the various entrance tickets for the eventual scrape book ~ the priceless item of the family's first "holiday" is really the quiet moments of one-ness, unity and family-union.

I may be a grand down. My feet may disown me once again. My body might retaliate by refusing to move without protest. It was all worth it!

Months of planning, keeping cool and calm when well-intent protests came up from the folks ~ The Highlands Adventure has come and gone.

And I'm thinking - Doggone it! It was something I should have done a long time ago (cos seriously, the savings from the many bottles of alcohol would have more than paid for it!) - but I'm glad that I still had the chance too.

Barbsie is off to bed tonight a very happy camper!