Sakiika

A further note of the day is that dried squid is YUMMY! It is called 'Sakiika' and appears to be pretty good on the protein scale. The texture is rather like beef jerky and it tastes fishy (funnily enough). This is me (foolishly wrapped in blanket since can't be asked to attire self in normal clothes today even if it is getting a bit colder) and Tendesai, a great girl on Hiroko's course.

Norman

Yes, this is Norman. He is a dog. He is sitting on a bar stool. At a bar. He is quite well-behaved. I do not believe this is his lager; although, admittedly I have been wrong before.

There is nothing else to say.

Sesame paste from Kuwait!

This is some of the most heavenly food product have ever eaten! Monirah brought us pressies from Kuwait, in case this was not clear and it was thought possible that have managed to travel to Kuwait in the last week or so. This is my attempt to (without reading the manual) use the timer on my camera for the first time. It is fuzzy, but I have not time nor patience nor the vanity to try for the perfect picture. Also have perfume, (part of) a package of lovely pistachio pastries, and a Cross pen with my name on it! Monirah is precious.

Yesterday, had fortunate experience of hearing lecture by Deborah Cameron, Rupert Murdoch Chair in Linguistics at Oxford; obviously a very prominent linguist. Her talk covered the questionability of claims of female superiority in linguistic areas (and conversely, male superiority in technical spacial). Quite interesting arguments to bring up in casual conversation. Since I enjoy confrontation so :)

In Lexis today, was selected to be Editor in charge of coordinating development of a lexicographical (pompous word for dictionary) entry for the word field by the class. This was not an easy thing to do. The Oxford English Dictionary for learners has 7 senses of the word; and that is just the noun form.

Tonight's Llandaff Rotary Inner Wheel (ladies' auxiliary of Rotary) Quiz was quite successful and gerber daisy door prize is now residing in my cheerful window. It is yellow. It's name is Mildred. There is no particular reason for this. I was asked to repeat the word gerber since my pronunciation is so amusing :) And, yes, I do know it is Gerbera. Our team came in third. The word hanepoot is the name of a type of grape. Emetophobia is a fear of vomiting. And the Queen gives special coins out on Maundy Thursday, the face value of the coins being equal to her age. German, Austrian and Italian fans will be able to watch the FA Cup on mobile phones this year.

Note to Auntie Karen: Should ought to have thoroughly read collective noun book (which is now in storage) as part of quiz was 15 collectives. None of my favourites were on it (such as 'pod of whales' or 'murder of crows'). So I did the anagrams instead.

Relative to my pronunciation, it has recently become part of local amusement to take note of my vocalisation of 'Bye!' Apparently, I occasionally sound like a sheep to those unfamiliar with the Ark-La-Tex accent. haha.

Found out today that sweet Mrs. Gatten (Mrs. Hardin's sister) had a stroke last week and has died in Llandeilo. Her birthday was to be on May 22nd :(

Happy hump day

Where in God's name do the weeks go? It is not supposed to be Wednesday at the end of April... it is supposed to be a Monday night in, say, January! Except for the fact that that would mean a repeat of Quantitative Statistics. Which am personally in no mood to do.

Yesterday, went to Llandaff Rotary lunch (for maybe first time this year? not sure.). Gave moral support to Hiroko, who did her talk. Lord Lieutenant Norman Lloyd Edwards was a special guest yesterday (so am so glad that did not talk yesterday as would have been terribly nervous in front of the Queen's representative. Did manage to greet him in generally un-stumbly way.). Then, wore skirt to class, since went directly from Rotary, where was told by Katharine (or maybe that was Georgia today...) that my legs are whiter than hers.

Still playing with camera candle setting, as you can see. This is proof that Maurizio has indeed returned and is in generally good health. Although one beer is the limit for him at the moment. He is very distraught about this.

Hobbit Hole inhabitants went to the Funky Buddha Lounge last night. We moved tables three times, just to try out different seatings. Regular table --> tall table --> sofa and little puffy stools.

These are my housemates. Because Maurizio kept making Hiroko move, this is the best picture was able to get :)

Tonight, went on delightful outing with Archdeacon (and Llandaff Rotarian) John Lewis to St. Teilo's Church-in-Wales High School Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony. It was at St. German's Church, which is an amazing Oxford Movement period church, (designed by an architect named Bodley, I think. He considered this church to be his crowning achievement.) that is tucked away in Roath, where I would probably never have seen it had I not been expressly taken there! It has recently been renovated (over 1M!) and is just stunning. Fr. Roy has invited me to lunch with a small group when I visit there one Sunday soon! Is only 15-20 minute walk from my house, estimate. (at my pace. smirk.) Will take pictures then; was busy mingling and meeting interesting people tonight. And my hair actually stayed mostly curled. So impressed, I know you all are.

Dr. R. Brinley Jones gave an entertaining and inspiring address, which was undoubtedly inadequately appreciated by the students. He is President of The National Library of Wales. He arrived at a party once, where he was greeted by someone who said, "Oh, you must come and let me introduce you to the President of the National Library!" And he said, "I AM the President of the National Library." And they said, "Oh, it doesn't matter, come and meet him anyway."

And may I mention (again) that MySpace is just riddled with spyware and annoying things. Heaps of rotten eggs on you villainous people who got me on there, as am forced to run AdAware 3 times a day now. And yet it is so addictive... must have more friends...

Ireland - part 4

You just can't leave two lone chocolate covered McVitie's biscuits sitting alone in their packet in a darkened drawer so that you won't see them. They just keep eerily whispering your name and sending out telepathic messages of chocolate deliciousity. Am sitting in bed (catty-cornered to desk) making glutton of self. Have one more left. And then, will buy no more until 2007. At least not myself. Goodness... no self-control. Okay, the last one is gone! Whew!

notes for today:
**My friend, Lisa's 6 year old niece, Olivya, passed away on Easter Day after an infection and surgery were too much for her little body. Poor little angel.
**Saw kitty friend today. So sweet!
**Talked to my kitty on the phone this weekend - she licked the phone :)
**Reid and Jenn's #2 arrived on St. Paddy's Day! (Arden is her name. That is quite dramatic and famous sounding. I love it.)
**Munster will be playing Biarritz in the Heineken Cup on 20 May! I seem to be the only person excited about this.
**All the triplets are finally home. Yay!
**Cousine Lindsey has perhaps gotten the coolest retro dining set.
**Cousine Meredith is graduating some time in the next 2 weeks.
**Have eaten all of Greek Easter bread Georgia brought home from Greece.
**In Italy (and, according to Maurizio, all over the Continent), 13 is not unlucky; 17 is... this is because in Roman numerals, it is written xvii. And if you move the 'x' between the 2 'i's then it spells 'vixi', which is the first person past tense of 'to live'. Therefore, 'I lived'. This logical process seems slightly questionable to me. Thirteen is much more logical.
**Therese has emailed me that the last hurricane shelter is closing in Shreveport... no comment. but it is interesting.
**It has been claimed by The Irish on our course that goat's milk improves concentration. Katharine said that goat milk tastes, well, goat-y. I may try it anyway...
**Fabiana's bike has been vandalised for a THIRD time! Barbarians...
**Why is the Eurovision Song contest considered a worthy news story? And for more than a week now?

Okay, down to finishing Ireland trip...

10 April (cont.)
There is not a lot to do (nightwise) in Kinsale on a Monday night in the off-season. However... there is the best comedy piano show at the White House Inn and, oh my Lord, did we ever hurt our stomachs laughing. And we met random people. And were forced to do high kicks to 'New York, New York' with two New York girls who were also there (we were the token Americans for the evening). Excellent fun. Everyone was singing pub songs that we had just learned. Unbelievable.

11 April
Tuesdays in Kinsale is the Farmer's Market. There are some really old sites in Kinsale, but the Desmond Castle (400 years old) and (horror!) St. Multose's Church (1190) were closed. So more retail therapy. And then back to the White House for more musical fantabulous fun! Clare bought the CD, so we will be able to teach all of you the words to 'Amanda':

And when I met Amanda,
I threw away my panda...
(and it just gets better from there)

12 April
This is the day that shocked all of the Dubliners when we arrived... it was really nothing in American terms of travel.
We left Kinsale late, drove confusedly through Cork, which is undergoing an absurd amount of highway construction and signage is rather vexingly scattered. I was getting high blood-pressure. But we made it through, sprinted to the top of Bunratty Castle, stood in line, kissed Blarney Stone, sprinted back down, bought postcards and a Diet Coke and madly drove back to Cork, heading toward Waterford.

(It looks like I am being choked by my scarf while being man-handled by random old man. Am being choked by scarf, but the way you have to kiss the stone is to lay down backwards, grab the two handles -- as demonstrated to L -- and kiss the stone upside down. The man is there so that you don't go plummeting through the edge there. He is not a very happy person, which is a shame as he gets to hold women by the waist all day long. Why are both of my hands facing the same way? Does that mean I am a vampire or something?)

Foolishly, I decided had overwhelming need for a Munster hoodie, so we went on this ridiculous wild-goose-chase for one and could not find one that a) had a zipper all the way down the front AND b) was a small. So, we had to leave empty-handed. Yet richer for the experience.
(As well, would like to point out that Wild Geese was the name given to those who fled Ireland during the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries due to religious persecution and economic reasons.)

Drove like mad to Waterford, stopped at gift shop. Succeeded in not tripping or knocking anything over, especially the 500,000 euro Cinderella carriage. (why?)
THEN, I drove to Dublin for us (my license was here in Cardiff in my room -- such a good place for it to be, but Clare had driven all over God's creation at this point). Was quite proud of self for driving backwards!
Dumped stuff at B&B (after AM took 15 minutes to parallel park backwards -- not good times, yet funny), Pauline and Frank collected us in cab on way to Neary's Pub. And that's pretty much all she wrote... Ken met us out. Good times, good times! And Clare even ate a takeaway burger, which she apparently does not consider quality food... foolish girl. We'll learn you :)

13 April
Well, when we finally got ourselves in gear to turn the car in at the airport, i had forgotten my Dublin street map in the room. Was getting out of car to walk up and get it, when Clare says, "No! Let me drive you." There was no need as we were parked 5 houses away -- really, not a hike. "It'll be faster,"says Clare. "Just TRUST me!" Twenty-three minutes later when we completed a driving tour of the endless rabbit warren of alley-ways in the Harolds Cross area, we did indeed pull up outside Claughton House... (L is view of Dublin from Ha'penny Bridge. my little shoe mit was using as camera protection has now been littered into the River Liffey due to fabulously violent wind.)

When we dropped the car off, they didn't even inspect it; just asked if there were any problems :) Run away! Poor hubcaps.

By this point, was fainting from hunger, so when we made it back into town, went straight to Temple Bar area and found pizza sustenance. Toodled around neighborhood and peered in some shops. Clare finally got ice cream. And then, it was time to meet Pauline again! Yay! This evening began at The Temple Bar (to R), which is partly owned by Bono.

14 April
This was a really painfully early morning. [This was result of us (interpret, Attracter of Crazies) meeting random Sun Ireland editor-type character, and five of us going for a 90 euro cup of tea. At least Crazy person paid for it all.] Then, I forgot my calendar -- with passport inside -- at B&B; brilliant. Lovely hostess found it on entry table and called us from right down the road, so cab could rush back. Whew! Flew to Cardiff on vexatious flight seated amidst and amongst 97 14-year-old loud and gaseous rugby boys gone amok. Herds of young males are annoying.

So, back home and all is well!

Should I go buy more chocolate covered biscuits?
Someone is ringing a tinkly, tiny bell outside my window... (???)

Ireland - part 3

Sheep!

10 April (cont.) - tricked Kenmare parking police (or amused them) by moving car around visitor centre parking every two hours. hee hee.

Drove north side of Beara Peninsula to Healy Pass, to head south scenic way. And because Clare wanted to drive on another teensy road with cliffs on one side and dramatic drops on the other - Healy Pass. So beautiful! And in the middle, again, on the border of Co. Kerry and Co. Cork, you can see the sea on each side of the peninsula. I tried to pet a sheep that was meandering in middle of road. This did not go well.

Stopped at Adrigole Arts shop, immediately at the end of the pass. Cool shop. You all must go there. And THEN if you stop in the next town, Glengarriff, at The Blue Loo, you will probably meet a local character named Willie Somebody (he told us his name, but as forgot to write it down, it is gone). Do not worry about having to seek him out or ask for him; he will doubtless talk to you, regardless of who you are. He is really very nice, albeit slightly incomprehensible :) It is fortunate for everyone that he lives one block from the Blue Loo...

Made it to Kinsale before dinner time. This is just a lovely place! On the coast, south of Cork. (picture taken immediately after I tripped on invisible curb and almost went sailing off edge into Bay on top of swan was trying to artistically photograph)

Have decided that my personality needs to live close to water. Stayed at Pier House - and this is just a perfect place with the perfect hostess, Ann! We loved her, and I do hope she and her husband come to Cardiff for the Heineken Cup on May 20th (this is if Munster wins... everyone must send good energy to Munster this Sunday)!

************

I know this is pitiful, but my wrist hurts again. more later.

Happy Birthday to the Queen

Today is the Queen's 80th birthday (sadly, was not able to be one of the thousands outside Windsor trying to see her); she has reigned for 54 years, too! She has no plans to retire.

In other important news, Cherie Blair has cost the Labour Party over 7,500 GBP in hairstyling. This is causing quite a kerfuffle.

note: for some reason the first article blogged yesterday has disappeared. But at least the one with the pictures appears to still be there. If had to re-upload those pictures again, I might have come unglued.
******************

Ireland -- part 2

8 April - spent morning shopping in Adare, before heading off to Limerick for more exploration and evening celebration for Clare's birthday Upstairs at Dolan's Pub, famous for live music. Heard Clive Barnes play slide guitar -- okay show, but we both preferred the opening act of an acoustic guy, Pete Lamb, from Galway. At midnight, Ben the bartender brought Clare a half-pint with three birthday candles taped to it :)

9 April -Happy Birthday to Clare and Jeppe - headed toward Kenmare, via the Dingle Peninsula -- seriously one of the most beautiful places on earth. Stopped in Tralee for 'lunch' (lunch is rather hard to come by in Tralee on a Sunday). Stopped in Blennerville to see the tallest windmill in Europe and Ireland's only commercial windmill. Stopped at beach when someone shrieked in delight to see Tralee Bay turn to blue-green waves. It was so cool to see tall mountains on one side and sugar sand and waves on the other -- see, Florida isn't the only place with beach. Then we drove on the tiniest (so far on trip) road through Conor's Pass. Stopped at tip-top and could see ocean on both sides of the peninsula!

Stopped in Dingle (such a funny name). Did not see Fungie the famous Dolphin. Bravely set forth to Slea Head, along road which continues around the end and back to Dingle... point was to locate the Western-most pub in Europe. Stopped in Riaisc at lovely pub/B&B, Tig Bhric (Brick House - where I will definitely be staying next time!), before visiting monastic site and heading back along same road, as were informed we had passed the Westernmost pub in Europe. It is easy to miss things when trying to navigate tiny roads and be ecstatic over sight of constant ocean (guess who that was). Part of the reason we missed it as well might be that it is quite the dullest establishment on earth. But at least we can say we were there :)

AND they really do herd sheep down the roads (the one-lane roads) in Ireland!

Dinner back in Dingle. Clare bravely drove us to Kenmare, which is quite a bit further than it looks on the map due to tiny roads, wind-ey curves, mountains, tunnels, and pitch darkness. Arrived at 11pm. Crashed into bed.

10 April - shopped in Kenmare, famous for lace, although was unable to locate any pressies that could afford for persons back home. So I bought some yarn instead from the coolest girl named Tree. (Another name that I like is Echo. just a tangent.)

pictures have now maxed, so will have to trick Blogger now...

Ireland -- part 1

Notes for Today:
**Maurizio (long-lost housemate who had frightening surgery in Italy at Christmas) is home!!!!
**Had coffee with Katharine and talked about school, while not actually accomplishing anything concrete. Although some brilliant thoughts were conceived.
**Found darling black shoes on FABulous sale on way home from coffee shop.
**Well, well, well. Talked to Jeffy-Craig (aka, Dobie) Gillis, who attempted to inspire jealousy with descriptions of just how freaking gorgeous Destin is right now. And the fact that he was eating gumbo. Am now slightly jealous. Must go to some warm beach sometime soon. Although would probably be thought vampire as am so terribly pale :)
**Met new Cardiff Rotary Scholar, with Steve Jenkins, for evening toddy.

***********************

So, okay. First installment of the first two weeks of April in Ireland, oh Ireland, I'm coming home... (Clare did keep singing this song :) I think am Welsh myself, just to be clear.)

April Fools' Day -- flew to Dublin. took bus to city centre. attempted to locate hostel without map. consulted map in newsagent (could not purchase as had not had forethought to get Euros out of ATM yet). located hostel successfully on own directional skill. drank first pint of guinness. met Siobhan's friend, Pauline and her friend, Ken, who had been roped into 'entertaining the American girl' for the evening. amused in general and acted like fool (simply in honor of the day, you know).

2 April - excursion via mad taxi drivers from one end of Dublin (the wrong end, thanks to foolish bossy driver #1) to the other end where Pauline and friends were meeting at a lovely pub called The Morgue. Oh my Lord, there are actually horses drawing carriages with fruits and vegetables and things!

3 April - took train to Belfast. walked simply miles to locate place to lay weary head. (reason for not having place to stay in advance was feeble attempt by self to train self that it is okay to be spontaneous. Have decided am not terribly spontaneous person. You may all be shocked. It was just a little exercise.) Fortunately, things did work out fine and although my arm was pulled out of socket from lugging roll-y bag, stayed in lovely place on Botanic Avenue -- cunningly called The Botanic Lodge. Did not spend fortune or catch foot fungus. hoorah! They need to dust their floorboards, however.

4 April - strolled through Queen's University. visited British Council --Belfast. visited Stranmillis University College. both for Centenary. train back to Dublin. located by Pauline at Neary's Pub (this is the place where actors and famous people congregate. I saw no one infamous except for self in mirror.) -- she was slightly delayed by traffic, so in true Amrie-fashion, random people had managed to attach themselves to me and talk my head off. (note: they had been there since 1.00 and it was then 7.00, so i suppose i appeared more interesting than i was. especially with all the luggage. and they thought i had just flown in from America. dear, dear.) escaped from friendly people with Pauline. met her friend, Dez, over dinner and then proceeded to have another brilliant evening, in which many personalities were met, makeovers were given in ladies' rooms by a girl named Ita who thought I needed assistance, and slightly alarming people attempted to chat me up. (note: Amrie's luggage transferred comically from place to place to place during the evening.)

5 April - made train to Limerick, where was met by lovely Sister Antoninus (to R in pic)!!!! Have not seen her since she left Shreveport last summer to return to Ireland to live for the first time since she was 16! Stayed overnight at convent in Newmarket-on-Fergus and it was the most peaceful place I have been in ever so long. She and Sister Kim (to L in pic) and Sister Killian (in middle) were the most marvelous of hostesses; lovely dinner and cozy en-suite room with big puffy bed. Gorgeous grounds! Sister Kim makes a secret salad dressing that makes one's mouth water when one thinks about it :)

6 April - met Clare at airport, where cried because am a huge sap. drove us back to convent (as Clare nearly was killed twice within 45 seconds of exiting airport as she attempted to locate rental car disregarding reverse situation of driving). did brilliant job and didn't even get us lost! After breakfast (Clare does NOT approve of black pudding, white pudding, Irish sausages... such a sad loss. but more for me!), we drove to the Cliffs of Moher. Absol. fantastic... with some slight winds (this is a gross understatement. It was a gale.).

Stopped at cool ruined church and graveyard (to R) along coast on way back. So unbelievably cool.

Stayed overnight in Bunratty Castle Hotel (along the River Ratty --hee hee hee) that night. Durty Nellie's Pub (claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland, opened in 1620) was not so impressive. Was highly disappointed in it's lack of a decent-looking menu. Ate Irish stew in hotel pub... and Clare ate 14 profiteroles :)

7 April - walked through Bunratty Castle (along the River Ratty -- i just enjoy saying that) and part of the Folk Park until Clare was blessed with a little pressie from one of the 9,745 ravens building nests in the trees over our vulnerable heads. So then we left. And went shopping...

(you may read the history of Bunratty by following link, as would have disrupted flow of funny story to include above)

Before driving to Limerick and exploring a bit (buying some yarn, of course) on our way to Adare for the night. Where we stayed at the Dunraven Arms Hotel, which is known far and wide for it's magnificent fox-hunting tradition. Unfortunately, we were not involved in any fox hunting. Adare is an absolutely precious town and is apparently the wedding capital of Ireland. Again, unfortunately, neither of us were not involved in any weddings. Trip began going stagnant at this point (just kidding).

I want a thatched roof cottage (to R), please. Please, please, please? Thatched roofs are amazing insulation for cool in the summer and warmth in the winter; they are about a foot thick, used to be a sign of poverty and now are a sign of wealth. I just want one because it fits my personality, not to be pompous.

**************

wrist is now numb, so i must brush my teeth and go to sleep.

The Old Bird

is off to the Emerald Isle today! (was called 'old bird' repeatedly last weekend by funny person who couldn't believe i am so old. yes, i do like 80s music. yes, i am of your generation. yes, i can speak more languages than American. have chosen to take this as complement.)

Sorry mute for a week. Have not faded. Projects, Rotary, and miscellany galore this week...

Next update will include Clarence as she will return to Cardiff with me for Easter!

toodles.