Overweight!!!! 12/14/2010
 Recently I traveled to Tavira, Portugal for a conference, and wore a huge smile on my face the few days prior to leaving as I anticipated warmer temperatures and catching up with some friends I hadn't seen in years. The smile quickly disappeared from my face at the airport as I was told by smiling Ryan Air employee that I was OVERWEIGHT. Well, not me personally, but my checked baggage was! Ryan Air is one of those companies that I have a 'love-hate' relationship with. I love them when they fly me to Paris for a weekend with a friend for only $50 round trip. I hate them when, as in this instance, I tried to book a 20 kg bag (45 lbs) to check-in but the computer booked only 15 kgs (33lbs) instead! That's right, people, I was 12 LBS overweight. Oh, and here's the really fun part...it was going to cost me €100 if I didn't get rid of some of my stuff. (I didn't even pay HALF that for the actual plane ticket in the first place!!!) Here's where the good story starts... So I wander downstairs to arrivals as I contemplate what to do. I was flying alone and had taken a bus to the airport, so there was no one to help me. I went to the bathroom and opened my luggage looking for ANYTHING that I could throw away...anything at all. Nothing immediately jumped to mind, and I couldn't stand the thought of actually throwing my CLOTHES away. No, I couldn't put 12 lbs of clothes ON my person, so I had about 45 minutes to figure something out. I sat down and looked around hoping for a plan to come to mind. (I felt like MacGyver!) Within a few minutes, I remembered a seemingly silly (at the time) radio programme I had listened to earlier in the week. The hosts were talking about asking total strangers for favours (ie. skipping the line at McDonalds, sharing a taxi, etc). Surveys were taken and the results seems to indicate that if you linked 'reason or logic' with your request the percentage of favourable responses increased drastically. The more logical your reason, the higher chance you'll get the response you want even to the most unreasonable request. I promptly decided to put this theory to the test... Yes, friends, I asked a woman, waiting in Arrivals for her daughter, if she would help me as I had no other option other than throwing clothes in the bin. I explained about Ryan Air and how there had been a mix up. I could see the wheels turning in her head, and she finally realised my predicament...and AGREED! So I stuffed a reusable shopping bag full of anything that seemed heavy, she took my mobile number and gave me hers...then off I went to try again with the nice lady at the check-in desk. Fast-forward 8 days...I arrive back to a snow-covered Dublin. I text my new 'friend' the next day telling her that I was back and that when the snow melted we could arrange a place to meet. No response. I waited a few days for the snow to melt in town and text her again. No response. I'm home now a whole two weeks (so three weeks from our encounter in the airport), and still no communication! My last attempt, I decided to ring her and offer to drive somewhere and meet her...no answer, so I left a voicemail. By the end of the day, I was pretty convinced I would never see my clothes again. I reasoned with myself..."Steph, they are ONLY clothes"...though I really wanted my Rookies hoodie back :) I knew in the scheme of things, it was no big deal at all, so I let it go. I wondered again, how in the world I continue to get myself in to these messes. Well, as you have probably guessed from the photo above, she did finally call me the next day. Her phone had been acting up, and she received my 3 texts and my voicemail all at once that evening. We arranged to meet today...a mere 25 days later...and she wouldn't even let me pay her. I honestly still can't believe this actually happened...I can't believe the plan worked!! 3 Comments Accident prone... 06/09/2010
 So, yes, I am one of those people that tends to be accident prone (having or susceptible to having a greater than average number of accidents or mishaps)....not usually big accidents but several small ones a day! Here's how I know:
All that said, I'm always in the market for a good home remedy or new way to get some stain out of something. Since moving to Ireland, I've discovered a couple that I have grown to love, and thought I'd share :) Burns: If you burn yourself on boiling water, the oven, or whatever in the kitchen, and don't have the patience or time to hold ice on it for the rest of the day, I found a solution...Vinegar! Simply soak a paper towel with whatever vinegar you can find (I even used a vinaigrette dressing once) and hold it on your burn until the burning stops. Sometimes for burns that are a bit worse, you have to soak the towel a few times and hold it on there for 20 to 30 minutes, but it works. I'm amazed each and every time! It even keeps blisters from forming, however, IF it is a SEVERE burn that broke the skin, I don't recommend this remedy. Oil stains: No matter how careful I think I'm being, if I'm near oil in my nice clothes, it WILL end up on them. So here's the trick! Place a thick layer Dawn or Fairy liquid soap (depending on which side of the ocean you're on) directly on the stain. Let it sit for several hours and then wash as usual. The stain should come right out...even if it's been there for a few days! If it doesn't come out the first time, repeat the process, but make sure you do not dry or iron the garment until it's gone. Hope you find these as successful and life-enriching as I have :) The Quiet Day... 03/24/2010
 Just this week I had a conversation with someone about moving to a new country. During the discussion, we both came to the conclusion that after our first year away, living in our new location really started to become the 'norm' in our lives. As I walked away, I knew this was why since the summer I have struggled to write posts on this blog! Going the places I go, eating the places I eat, dodging traffic in city centre, and so on are 'just life' for me and feel entirely un-blogworthy :) Today I thought I'd tell you about a day like I haven't had in a LONG time...The Quiet Day. Those who know me best know that quiet and I don't usually mix. I'm not the type to wander away to the mountains with a book and a journal for a day. Much to my parent's angst, I realized early on that even studying was easiest for me in the middle of the living room floor with the TV on, or now in a crowded coffee shop with all the noise and commotion. So how, you may ask, did I end up with almost an entire day of quiet? And what did I do to survive??? Glad you asked! A few weeks ago, my friend Kathi (from California but living here in Ireland) found out she needed knee surgery. With the knowledge that my own mother would kill me if I had surgery this far from home and no one was around for the 'just in cases', I offered my services...and TODAY was the day! My day started early, and after she was admitted, I had about 7 hours to wait around. It was a lovely, quiet hospital, and fortunately, it had a nice restaurant on the 4th floor. So here starts the wandering... Yes, first stop was the restaurant for a coffee and some breakfast. I had completely consumed a whole wheat bagel and some cereal before I realized they were putting out the hot food! It was probably better that way, but I was a little jealous of those able to enjoy the eggs, bacon, potatoes, and more. Following my breakfast, I sat at my table looking out at the Dublin mountains and spent some time writing in my journal. I loved not feeling rushed like I do most days with somewhere to be or someone to meet! Post breakfast, I found a quiet little waiting room with only room for about 4 chairs and worked on finishing the last 200 pages of my book. Before finishing the book, wandered to 3 different waiting areas for a change of scenery. My final spot left me trying to conceal a few tears for the characters in my book...I don't cry so pretty and didn't want to leave the other 'guests' alarmed :) Stomach growling so now back to the little restaurant...potatoes and cabbage were on the menu! After a quick visit to see how Kathi fared under the knife, I had another hour or so to myself while she slept. This time I set out for a walk. To say that the weather recently has been beautiful would be quite an understatement...I regretted not wearing my flip flops today! I followed the walk with another coffee and a Twix...you guessed it, back to the restaurant. I really enjoyed my day! Maybe because I wasn't the one having surgery. The quiet was exactly what I needed and I found being away from my computer didn't nearly kill me. I enjoyed the hospital and the very nice staff. Again I was reminded me of my mom and recalled all the years of wandering around the hospital she worked at. Even the traffic cooperated with our trip home! What a great day! Anybody else having surgery? :) Ok, ok...here's an overdue post! 11/15/2009
I know, I know...I have so let "all" of you down over the past few months with updating my post. In my defense, there ARE several contributing factors. First of all, since my move to Ranelagh, I have had very weak internet access (just ask anyone who has tried to talk to me on the phone). I thought this would be remedied by the end of October, but sadly it looks like it still may be a month or two. Secondly, I think I have felt that I've had nothing exciting to report. This fact may be because I have been here for 16 months, so Dublin life and my new friends, have now become a sort of norm for me :) The summer FLEW by and was packed with action and travel! Autumn has passed a bit slower, and I have found almost a weekly routine as I'm helping out each week at IBI. Winter (or at least winter temperatures) has recently arrived, and I can hardly believe we are looking at only 40 days left til Christmas. Following Christmas, I am GREATLY looking forward to a week back in TENNESSEE for my brother's wedding. Almost everyday, I think about seeing you all and how great it will be to catch up with a few during my whirlwind trip. Can't wait to hang out with the cutest little boy and prettiest baby girl in the world! I AM resolved to keep you better updated on my blog...so stay tuned! Check out my newest photos from a few days in Kinsale (WAY south). I spent a few days hanging out with the Maiden's kids, and took my usual 500 photos while the kids were all in school :) "I'm praying for you..." 06/09/2009
 Have you ever had anyone say that they are praying for you? Have you ever said this phrase to anyone close to you? These are powerful words! Back for a visit... 05/03/2009
 Well, I made it back to the States for my first visit after moving to Ireland! It's funny when you are away from a place for a long time (ten months to be exact), how subtly things change and you even find that you've forgotten some stuff that you kinda miss.  The Adventures of Grant and Steph! 03/20/2009
 Sorry this entry has been delayed! Other things came up...like my car story and then St. Patrick's day! So, here we go... Anyone who has known me for a length of time will have heard this statement from my lips more than a few times. It doesn't always precede an unfortunate experience like a snow plow/lawn mower crashing into my car, seeing a criminal on the news that spoke to me the day before, or showing up to what I thought was a dinner with friends to find out it was a blind date. I've often used it to talk about great things like getting some amazing stuff free for no apparent reason (long list...it's my super power!), being COMPLETELY surprised by birthday parties, or receiving money from insurance or tax returns that I didn't know about.   Pancake Tuesday... 02/24/2009
Being a "veteran" of almost 8 months, I was surprised to learn of a new holiday here! Today definitely ranks high on my list of days...it's Pancake Tuesday. Last week several people mentioned "pancakes on Tuesday" to me, and I thought, "yeah, sure I'll join you for pancakes on Tuesday." Little did I know that EVERYONE was going to be eating pancakes today. An Irish Valentine... 02/14/2009
 I don't really know why, but I've always LOVED Valentine's day! It probably all started in Elementary School when we got to decorate shoes boxes as a special Valentine's mailbox to tote home all the cards and candy from my classmates. I remember shopping with my mom and sister trying to pick out just the right ones...ones that not EVERYONE would buy. I remember sorting through them and picking the best ones for my best friends and trying not to write the same sentence on each. I love those little candy hearts with messages...except the green and yellow ones :) |
RSS Feed