And our, well really Lauren's, last words to Dublin were 'Sup!' in response to two cute Dublin men making their way home from the pub. We unfortunately were making our way to the airport at 4:30am to catch our early flight to Edinburgh that we decided on last night. I am quite rested sitting on about 3 hours of sleep... While Lauren laid awake listening to the thump of pub music outside our window. She is here physically, but not so sure mentally.
Although we only spent 22 hours in Dublin, I feel like we got to see what it's all about. The Irish are quite possibly the kindest, most helpful people in the world! After walking the streets for about 4 minutes we had a mild heart attack when a cop van pulled over and interrogated us, asking if we were lost. Apparently the bulky camera and map in hand gave away that we were tourists. They were funny and helpful pointing us in the right way. We ate some delicious toast with Nutella and coffee at a cute cafe and people watched above the street. Then we walked around the city seeing the Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's cathedral, a beautiful park and even attended a small Catholic service. We had a wonderful traditional Irish dinner and decided to make our way to our hostel's pub crawl. At first we loved meeting all the foreigners, mainly Aussies, but then we realized since we were only here for one day that we could not leave without meeting some REAL Irishmen! So we decided to break off from the group and go to more populated pubs, where being quite thirsty I asked the bartender for "two waters, please" The two Irishmen sitting at the bar replied in disgust "don,t you want a real drink?" And that is how our long , deep, genuine, easy conversation began with Conner and Ian. They are both teachers and in a band. They hate Colin Ferrel, Coldplay and even Bono! When we told them we were only in Dublin for one day they w quite disappointed in us, but after explaining all that we saw in one day they seemed impressed.
Five truths about Dublin and the Irish:
1. They love Oasis, we heard Wonderwall 5 times last night!
2. They drink Guiness like water
3. They seek pleasure from mocking American accents
4. They are very passionate about what they believe in
5. They are quit cynical but open to differing opinions.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Procrastination, thy name is Neat
Howdy All!
This is my first entry on this little blog. Actually this is my first entry on any blog since my xanga days. Thankfully I deleted that a few summers ago once my friends at camp found it...I will always be embarrassed by my 9th grade self.
Anyway, I am the second member of this travel team, my name is Lauren and I hope you like reading what I have to say. Angela and I are leaving TOMORROW. So of course that means I haven't started packing yet :/ She is doing well, practically all done. Here I am writing this instead of stuffing my backpack with clothes and hair products (us curly girls require a lot of hair products, there's no way around it).
On the eve of our departure I am concerned only about a few things:
1. How many books will I need to take for this trip?
2. How will I manage my fantasy football team while overseas?
3. Can I possibly live without my Aggie Ring on my finger for 23 days?
4. How many pairs of socks and jeans will I really need?
Other than these odd, random worries, I am surprisingly void of concern. Though scenes from Taken keep flashing through my mind, I remember the defense moves Sandra Bullock taught us in Miss Congeniality and I feel at ease. If readers that do not know me can't already tell, I enjoy movies...probably a little too much.
Truth be told, I am more excited for this trip than I have ever been in my life. I know it will be challenging, exhausting, and sometimes scary, but that is why I am so excited. I also know that I am going with one of my best friends. We've been through a lot together. From 9 year olds at Reed Elementary, to 22 year old college graduates we have been friends through every up and down. Even after we went to different colleges, our friendship only grew stronger.
Just like Ang's last post said, traveling is a true test of a frienship. Honestly, I think we will do great. One thing I love and admire about Angela is that you never have to guess what she's thinking. She respects herself and others too much to lie or pretend. I know I need that. While I am a people pleaser to the max, Angela is strong and decisive. She knows where she is going. And I'm just the lucky one that gets to go with her :)
Where will we be next? Tune back in and see.
I leave you with a quote from one of my new favorite books, Rose in Bloom (thanks for introducing it to me Summer)
"...she sailed away to see and study the big, beautiful world which lies ready for us all if we only know how to use and enjoy it."
Love,
Lauren
This is my first entry on this little blog. Actually this is my first entry on any blog since my xanga days. Thankfully I deleted that a few summers ago once my friends at camp found it...I will always be embarrassed by my 9th grade self.
Anyway, I am the second member of this travel team, my name is Lauren and I hope you like reading what I have to say. Angela and I are leaving TOMORROW. So of course that means I haven't started packing yet :/ She is doing well, practically all done. Here I am writing this instead of stuffing my backpack with clothes and hair products (us curly girls require a lot of hair products, there's no way around it).
On the eve of our departure I am concerned only about a few things:
1. How many books will I need to take for this trip?
2. How will I manage my fantasy football team while overseas?
3. Can I possibly live without my Aggie Ring on my finger for 23 days?
4. How many pairs of socks and jeans will I really need?
Other than these odd, random worries, I am surprisingly void of concern. Though scenes from Taken keep flashing through my mind, I remember the defense moves Sandra Bullock taught us in Miss Congeniality and I feel at ease. If readers that do not know me can't already tell, I enjoy movies...probably a little too much.
Truth be told, I am more excited for this trip than I have ever been in my life. I know it will be challenging, exhausting, and sometimes scary, but that is why I am so excited. I also know that I am going with one of my best friends. We've been through a lot together. From 9 year olds at Reed Elementary, to 22 year old college graduates we have been friends through every up and down. Even after we went to different colleges, our friendship only grew stronger.
Just like Ang's last post said, traveling is a true test of a frienship. Honestly, I think we will do great. One thing I love and admire about Angela is that you never have to guess what she's thinking. She respects herself and others too much to lie or pretend. I know I need that. While I am a people pleaser to the max, Angela is strong and decisive. She knows where she is going. And I'm just the lucky one that gets to go with her :)
Where will we be next? Tune back in and see.
I leave you with a quote from one of my new favorite books, Rose in Bloom (thanks for introducing it to me Summer)
"...she sailed away to see and study the big, beautiful world which lies ready for us all if we only know how to use and enjoy it."
Love,
Lauren
Monday, September 19, 2011
The ULTIMATE road trip!
"I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." -Mark Twain
haha. I have heard that the easiest way to know if you are truly compatible with someone is to go on a road trip. Lauren, I have no doubt that we will love each other even more after our exciting European adventures!
Here, see our travel route!
haha. I have heard that the easiest way to know if you are truly compatible with someone is to go on a road trip. Lauren, I have no doubt that we will love each other even more after our exciting European adventures!
Here, see our travel route!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
It's Official!
All the reservations have been made, the plans have been laid--WE ARE ALL SET AND READY FOR EUROPE!!!!!!!
Lauren Neat, my dear friend since 4th grade, and I are headed to Dublin in exactly 2 weeks!! We will be exploring Ireland, Scotland, the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany until October 21st. We have made a sacred covenant to one another and to you: our dear, few readers that we love and wish we could take with us! You have just been invited to journey with us on the adventures we will embark upon, the situations that will forever change us, and our list of crazy things we MUST/WILL do while over seas. Maxine and Karen, or shall we say Pat and Steve more so, please don't worry when you read our Daily Reflections of the Day's Occurrences. We have sworn to make a daily, maybe every other day, post updating where we are in our adventure. We will switch off writing it, and although I am highly competitive, I am okay with you liking Lauren's posts better- she's pretty good.
I cannot believe we leave in 2 weeks! I have dreamed about this trip for years and years and years! And soon it will be a reality, and with one of my best friends!! Lauren and I have talked about how we will be the greatest travel companions! I think there are a couple reasons for this: 1. We have never gotten in a fight. 2. We both know what we want but are also carefree (meaning we will stand up for what we want and mainly go with the flow) 3. We can carry a really great pillow talk conversation. 4. We are both spontaneous and able to adapt.
In conclusion, be excited that you are invited to come along with us on the adventure of a lifetime because we are soooo excited to share our crazy, fantastical, unforgetable experiences with you!
-ang
Lauren Neat, my dear friend since 4th grade, and I are headed to Dublin in exactly 2 weeks!! We will be exploring Ireland, Scotland, the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany until October 21st. We have made a sacred covenant to one another and to you: our dear, few readers that we love and wish we could take with us! You have just been invited to journey with us on the adventures we will embark upon, the situations that will forever change us, and our list of crazy things we MUST/WILL do while over seas. Maxine and Karen, or shall we say Pat and Steve more so, please don't worry when you read our Daily Reflections of the Day's Occurrences. We have sworn to make a daily, maybe every other day, post updating where we are in our adventure. We will switch off writing it, and although I am highly competitive, I am okay with you liking Lauren's posts better- she's pretty good.
I cannot believe we leave in 2 weeks! I have dreamed about this trip for years and years and years! And soon it will be a reality, and with one of my best friends!! Lauren and I have talked about how we will be the greatest travel companions! I think there are a couple reasons for this: 1. We have never gotten in a fight. 2. We both know what we want but are also carefree (meaning we will stand up for what we want and mainly go with the flow) 3. We can carry a really great pillow talk conversation. 4. We are both spontaneous and able to adapt.
In conclusion, be excited that you are invited to come along with us on the adventure of a lifetime because we are soooo excited to share our crazy, fantastical, unforgetable experiences with you!
-ang
Monday, September 5, 2011
The time has come...
the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
So my "many things" that I'd like to mull over via blog will consist of the journey of life post graduation, sharpening the skills that the Lord has blessed me with, random everyday thoughts, my exciting traveling adventures, and reasons why I love life exactly where I'm at.
If I'm completely honest, I have been pretty anti-blog, since the whole Xanga phase back in sixth grade. Don't act like you never made posts similar to: "Today I ate foot loops for breakfast :( Normally I eat cinnamon toast crunch, but my dumb sister ate it all... oh well. Off to school I went where I saw (input cute boy's name here) who actually looked my way while passing each other after 3rd period! Good thing I was wearing my Abercrombie shirt today, so he knows how cool I am"...
Anyway, out with the old in with the new. Xanga is no more. I enjoy reading blogs thanks to my college roomies, and so I thought now would be a good time to start one.
I heard one time that "life is not easy but it is simple." I think so many times we over analysis and worry about certain situations and later look back and think 'really that was not that big of deal.' Through the journey of life maturity develops a concept of understanding the concept of delayed gratification. The perspective of knowing that 'even though I am not supremely happy at this very moment I know I can be again later' and giving your all at whatever task you are involved in, is revealed through maturity which only life experience can bring about.
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
So my "many things" that I'd like to mull over via blog will consist of the journey of life post graduation, sharpening the skills that the Lord has blessed me with, random everyday thoughts, my exciting traveling adventures, and reasons why I love life exactly where I'm at.
If I'm completely honest, I have been pretty anti-blog, since the whole Xanga phase back in sixth grade. Don't act like you never made posts similar to: "Today I ate foot loops for breakfast :( Normally I eat cinnamon toast crunch, but my dumb sister ate it all... oh well. Off to school I went where I saw (input cute boy's name here) who actually looked my way while passing each other after 3rd period! Good thing I was wearing my Abercrombie shirt today, so he knows how cool I am"...
Anyway, out with the old in with the new. Xanga is no more. I enjoy reading blogs thanks to my college roomies, and so I thought now would be a good time to start one.
I heard one time that "life is not easy but it is simple." I think so many times we over analysis and worry about certain situations and later look back and think 'really that was not that big of deal.' Through the journey of life maturity develops a concept of understanding the concept of delayed gratification. The perspective of knowing that 'even though I am not supremely happy at this very moment I know I can be again later' and giving your all at whatever task you are involved in, is revealed through maturity which only life experience can bring about.
I am thankful for the life experiences I've had, for I know the Lord has a good and perfect plan and is preparing me for great things which I cannot even comprehend.
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