Time flies when you're learning 24/7

A quick list of things I'm learning and places I've visited in the last 5 days:

Glendalough rests in a beautiful glacial valley located in Co. Wicklow, not too far for me. It was an early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, a hermit priest, and destroyed in 1398 by British troops.

Lake at Glendalough (one of two there)

Johnny Fox's Pub lays claim to be the "Highest (altitude) Pub in Ireland".  Met a group of American's from Chicago there enjoying several pints of Guinness! Pictured are three of my house mates Jean, RanJan & Lace with a new friend.

The best Fish & Chips is located next to the DART station (train) in Bray. 

 It's posted that it is "open until the wee hours"  

Edgar & Nury 

Two of my other house mates taking an afternoon swim in Loch Bray a small walk from Glencree.  Edgar is from Brazil and Nury is from Mexico City… the water was really cold & only our Latin contingent would attempt going in!

Bray

Driving "Irish style"; narrow streets, stick shift on your left and on-coming traffic on your right.  Not for the faint of heart!  Glad to report - no accidents yet.

I just finished working with a woman's group from Northern Ireland.  This was an incredible experience as the woman had been from the Catholic as well as Protestant communities.  Some have lost husband, fathers or sons in the conflict and some had male family members who had been para military.  I was witnessing the pain & possibility these women brought with them as they look for tools to build a healthier life.  

They came together to learn leadership skills to bring back to their communities to continue building peace.  What an absolute privilege to work with these women who have been through so much and yet look forward to a brighter future.  This is what a place like Glencree is all about. Below is a picture Glencree from the road to Loch Bray. 

Life here brings a daily blessing and a purpose, even in the small contributions.  Now off to do a tea station! 

Summer conference at Glencree

This weekend was a "baptism by fire" kind of weekend as we had the annual Summer Conference with every room full with politicians and other important figures from around Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  Incredibly interesting seminars and of course all the running around helping people (not really knowing anything but faking it well).  Long days and late nights.

It is no joke that the Irish finish every event off with a pub time into the wee hours.   These are two of my fellow volunteers manning the taps.

This coming week should prove interesting as I will get my first driving lesson on the left side of the road… standby for stories of courage under pressure from my teacher.

The weather has been wonderful with moments of sun followed by clouds.  I'm teaching everyone the phrase "Sun Break",  they just shake their heads.

It is true what they say about the beauty of Ireland.  I leave you with a picture from my temporary Attic bedroom window.  That's not a painting, that's Sugarloaf Mountain… breathtaking!

I arrive in Ireland

So Tuesday morning at 7:20 my handsome son Ross drove me to the airport.  This was the face (and hair) that was to be the last familiar one I would gaze on before heading to Ireland.  This is one of the faces I will miss.

Entrance to Glencree

After a three hour delay taking off at SeaTac and a short layover in Chicago; I winged my way (via American Airlines) to the Emerald Isle and landed softly in Dublin.  After immigration and meeting Nicky (the volunteer coordinator for the program) I was whisked away to my new home in the Wicklow Mountains… Glencree.

Right now I am in a temporary room - the last years volunteer corp have not all left.  I am up in a 8x8 foot room in the attic with one tiny skylight window.  I'm not complaining mind you, just reporting the facts.  I should more into my "bigger room with real windows" in a week or two when one of the women leaves for her home in the Netherlands.

So far I am the second person to arrive of the 2010/2011 group; with one more arriving tonight.  I have been told we are quite the International bunch with people from Tanzania, Brazil, Mexico & Sri Lanka.  We have an all ages crew too - with me being the "Grand Dame".  

Later this afternoon I will begin my photo journal of Ireland - thank God for digital media!

One country down… one to go

Great Barrier Reef

 hunting for food in the Mangroves - Aboriginal style

Kids with Charlie at the Crock Farm

My annual international community service trip with Rustic Pathways has come and gone.  It was a wonderful trip to Queensland Australia.

7 people on a 17 day odyssey "down under". The kids were great and I would travel the world with them any time!

 Our adventure contained: animals of all sorts, Roo poo, jungle swings, bungee jumping, Jabiru Bush Camp learning how to crack a bull whip, throw a boomerang & communicate with horses, surf lessons, the Daintree Rainforest and scuba & snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef.

A big thank you to Allison Scanlin who accompanied me on the trip and to Hillary Proctor who was once again my trusty Rustic Pathways guide (she was with us in Fiji 2 years ago).

So with this trip safely completed I begin my final packing for Ireland.  Five days and a wake up until I get on the plane for the land of St. Patrick!

Glasshouse Mountains

Allison working at the Steve Irwin Zoo

Missy flying through the air

Just arrived in Brisbane

Surfing

Brekkie at Jabiru

Bits all over

One can only imagine what it's like to pack out of house & home for several places at once.  When I left my "cottage house" several boxes went into storage.  Three boxes were sent to Ireland & a suitcase was packed for Arizona & one for Australia… shish.  


I am in Arizona as we speak and just heard my boxes have arrived in Ireland safe & sound and are being kept for me until my arrival in late August.  I return home (camping out in Andrew Rekdahl's guest room in Carnation WA) Friday July 16th in time to switch suitcases and leave for Aussie-land the 19th.  I get back from Australia Aug 5th and finally leave for Ireland August 24th.  If I wasn't a law abiding citizen I would look like I was on the run.

So much change… my mind is cluttered with itineraries, flight schedules and details I don't want to forget.  These are emotionally trying times for even the most stalwart of souls and there are times that I wonder if I'm up to all this.  Then I take a deep breath and know I am on the right path at the right time.  


Another passage marked: Sadly I had to say a final goodbye to my 4 legged companion Dusty.  He was a wonderful dog who lived a full and loved life. I miss him but know he had a great 15 year run!


Until I unpack again...

A final farewell to EC

Today goes down in the books, as my last day of work at Eastside Catholic.  It is a bittersweet moment as I drop off my keys, computer and close the door on a successful career there.  I'm proud of everything I have accomplished there and the legacy I leave behind.  I will be forever grateful to have worked with some of the finest colleagues I have ever had the privilege to know. Their integrity, passion and commitment for their subjects and students was palpable and did not go unnoticed by most.  I've counted myself lucky to be among them.  Working with my students, casts and crews has been some of the great joys of my life and I will never forget the road we travelled to build a Drama program together.

It is with a fond farewell that a bid EC adieu.

Now the next adventure truly begins!

Continued Goodbyes

Today is Eastside Catholic High School's 2010 graduation.  It is a day where I process in with my fellow faculty members to send our students off into the bigger world.  For four years we have mentored, guided, parented, corrected, held accountable, as well as laughed and cried with these fabulous young people.  I am proud to say I have been their teacher.  It is not without a welled eye that I write this as I will be leaving out into the bigger world myself.  Commencement… not an ending rather a new beginning.  God speed fellow travelers.