Traffic Jam

So as you can see from the
picture above, traffic jams here are a litttlle different than I'm used to. I told Gillian and Kieran that I felt like such a tourist for busting out my camera, but I couldn't help it. They thought it was funny because they are used to running into a cow crossing several times a week.

I woke up this morning to a cow mooing. For the first time since I've been here, they were literally in the back and side yard- we were surrounded! Paddy and William move the cows to different field after milking them each time (twice a day) so the grass will get a chance to grow. I went on a cow photoshoot.

Today was a nice day out in Cork city after a few days cooped up at home babysitting. We went into Cork (about 30 mins away) and Gill, the kids, and I went shopping while Kieran ran over to the hospital to visit his uncle. Gill introduced me to Penny's which is my new favorite store. It's very similar to Old Navy or Forever 21- the clothes are not worth much but you are hardly charged anything. I felt guilty buying some of the things I did for the prices that I did. I bought two pairs of shoes for 6 euros each (about $8ish). While we were in Cork, they drove me through some touristy areas so I could see those parts of the city. They drove me by a famous clock called the "four faced liar". The tower has a clock on the four different sides, but each clock says a different time and none of them are the correct time. I thought that was great. They also drove me by the Blarney Stone (to be kissed another day- maybe after the swine flu dies down?). I asked them for the story behind the stone and they say its just a gimmick to make millions off American tourists- I think it's worked.

Also, while in Cork we visited TK Maxx. I got a kick out of that because it seems like a complete knockoff of our very own TJ Maxx. I thought the stores were actually incredibly similar, but then again I can't remember the last time I went in a TJ Maxx in America.. Something that I think is great about Ireland that we don't have in America are butcher shops and/or fruit and vegetable stores inside the mall (while I was in the mall shopping for clothes, Eoghan went next door and bought fresh plums!).

On our way back to Killavullen, we stopped at Kieran's parents house to watch the Kerry vs. Meath football (soccer) game. Gaelic football is completely different from American soccer. The goal is a mix between a soccer goal and a football goal. If they hit the ball over the goal (and through the poles- what we'd call a "fieldgoal"), that's one point, but if they get it in the net below, that's three points. The final score was Kerry 2-08 to Meath 1-07. The number on the left is the number of goals and the number on the right is the number of fieldgoals (so Kerry had 6 pts worth of goals plus their 8 fieldgoals for a grand total of 14; Meath then would have had 10 pts total). It may sound confusing, but I eventually got it. Also, they can use their hands as much as they want. They would basically be carrying the ball up and down the field and occasionally bounce it or kick it. Very unusual.. Gillian says we're used to "The Queen's Game" where you can't carry it and theres only one way to score (in the goal). Because Kerry won tonight, they will play Cork two weeks from today in the finals. Cork is of course the team that everyone around here cheers for. I thought about buying myself a red Cork jersey at Penny's today, but decided against it. I'll just have to get decked out in red and white that day.

Gillian and Kieran were complaining about the "heat" today- I would say it wasn't more than 65 degrees! I was very comfortable in jeans and a long sleeve shirt, but it was almost cool to me! It got a lot colder as the day went on, so we came home and made the first fire of the season- in AUGUST!! I think I'm probably in for a cold winter..

Tomorrow is my first day of my new routine! Gillian heads off to school at 8:30 and should be back at 3:30. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm nervous, but I'm really not. I almost feel guilty answering anyone no, but I have been watching them so much on my own that I don't see what I have to be nervous about- I guess all that could change tomorrow morning! Hope the weather at home is better than it is here! Miss everyone