Not Completely.

The End.

That was the last post I made on this journey of walking and of living [Talitha Koum]. When I read it back now it seem all too ironic. That one adventure of Dublin was not the pinnacle of all I would/will do, though it did change my understanding and appreciations. But then why would this blog end. [warning: this is a lot of self discovery as I type, my journal is further away than my computer.] And so on to the next adventure. Walking with the help of incredible roommates that make it all possible and walking in the wake of God's strength and joy. I want to see this new city, these new people with God's eyes. So there it is my goal, in it's entirety, short as it is. I want to keep living and walking and learning and seeing. And if I can be diligent enough, keep writing.

-Paige

End.

The count down is pretty close to over; this week we fly. It seems like such a world away from the point of sitting at my kitchen table in idaho being frustrated by immigration and visa departments. Is it wrong to think my kitchen will look completely the same when i return. I feel so much like I've just stolen time but will soon be dropped back into the normal ticking. A year of difference for everyone. I'll come back a year older, stories richer and a few potatoes larger. haha [just a warning].

2 days ago i was in Rome. The tour started in Northern Ireland [to try to get a bit of my heart back... o well I guess I will just have to return] then to Berlin, Praha, Frankfurt [only for a night], Zurich, Florence and then Rome. These girls I live with teach me so much and the new addition to the flat [sir Drew- the brother] is doing the same. I never know where to start...

we saw the pope... this is not him...

slice of beauty

My little cafe decided a couple months ago that I was a morning person. So I have been opening up shop in the wee hours. Luckily people in Ireland don't need their coffee at 4 am like they do in the states, but 8 am seems to come earlier and earlier each day. It's mornings like this past Thursday that make early rise and shine very much worth it.

This is my walk to work, past tall building and hungover tourists out to see everything they can. [no one told them Dublin does not open until at least 9 or 10]. This city is one not hard for me to call home and with a plane ticket purchased and an end in sight the city seems even more beautiful than it did. The three of us joke often that it seem more like a magical place than one of reality. I think that because of this banter I'll be a little confused to find people a year older and wiser once I am state side again. Is it not like one of those dreams where it feels like it's been forever but actually no one has missed you because they thought you were just making a cup of tea.

I have been able to do so many amazing things, one of which recently has been a good amount of filming. A couple student independent project let me join their team and on one of the shoots I learned how to make scones!! haha. This world is a happy place and I share it with you freely.

So here is a little scone love for your February [It's berry filled].

much much love,

-paigee

Yes it's true.

Never will this landscape feel normal to me. It always makes me feel like reality has disapeared and where have i found myself? O, just at the Cliffs of Moher [and traveling around Galway Co].

In a fairy circle, where we saw a leprechaun, honest!

It does not happen often that the 3 of us have a day off together. But when it does, good things follow. The bus took us from one side of the country to the other. This sounds impressive until 2 hours later you can see the ocean again. haha. Just the same we made the journey and then had heart stopping views of beauty again and again.

I hope I do this place justice. And yet, I can't say I've had many visitors!! :]

Love love love,

-Paige

Call back to the Holidays.

This is Thanksgiving in our little Dublin flat. We invited the neighborhood [our building] and they came! [The threats helped]. The three of us managed to pull off all the usual dishes, at least the ones we liked.

Christmas in our flat looked very different. There was not a house full of people but rather the incredible trio ready to take on the holiday. We left out cookies and milk for Santy, played lots of christmas music and danced till we could dance no more. As I am writing this trying to remember Christmas it seems so long ago. Perhaps that is because it is indeed a long while since the lights came down and the trees were put in the bins. I've been bad at updating, this I know. It can be blamed on having too much fun and too many adventures beckoning our names. Fair enough?

As promised...

Here it is. Dublin home. We are pretty much a fan of the whole deal and can't seem to imagine how it would have all played out if we lived somewhere else. I get to use a skeleton key, an intercom and walk up flights of stairs to merely look out my window and see even more beauty. my definition of beauty can sometimes be singular to only me but it is hard to argue with the treasure hunt feeling of a skeleton key. And i have no doubt that my window leads to a beauty that is universally recognized.

Another month?

How is it possibly October? Danielle and I were talking about this yesterday... we have been here about 8 weeks but when you say that we have lived in Ireland since Aug. and it is now Oct. well that just sounds so much more permanent. That feeling is also my excuse for not updating in so long, if that works.

This past month has been full of figuring out routines. Which way to walk to work, what time to have breakfast, who gets to making dinner etc. And of course our routine seems to fall more on the unplanned side but we are starting to be regulars in a couple spots, which is good craic indeed.

A couple weeks ago work showed to be harder than I projected. Something about kids being back in school and parents free of restraint made everyone venture out to my little cafe. At that point I had yet to really grasp the routine of work and with the sudden rush [along with a fall-out in my brain] it was a less than wonderful week at Metro. That said, I learned a good amount. Especially in that silly fast paced world I needed to figure out what I based my worth on and who's words meant the most to me. I am learning quicker than I knew I could.

Our flat continues to be wonderful. There are 4 flats in our building and they are each filled with quality people. It feels a little like school complete with pranks, cards and lack of sleeping. It is easy to call it home. It is rare that the 3 of us eat dinner without friends. If the neighbors are not over then they'll be by for tea later. There are 6 of us who seem to vaguely represent "Friends" complete with character casting and all.

I am trying to get involved in the wild world of film here in wee Dublin. So in a crazy effort to accomplish something I signed up for an 8 week workshop today that will hopefully teach me some things along with introduce me to some movie makers. Here it goes, living the dream. :] This place continues to be unreal... pictures to prove my point coming soon.

so so much love.

-paige