Ireland - Here We Come!

Life in London is still treating us very well! Fortunate to have many friends from home already living in London, our adjustment to this new city has been quite easy. Instantly part of a group, Mike and I have managed to meet many "friends of friends" and never struggle to find weekend plans. Still searching for a job in Marketing, I've continued working with the horses in Hyde Park to feed my passion and make some extra money. Although the job market is a bit tough right now, I remain optimistic about the future months and am quite content with my current situation! Mike's job is going well. After being on call for the past week, he woke happy and relieved this morning (it will be another five weeks before the 24hour week long responsibility will return).

Beyond work and play, Mike and I have been successful tourists in this city, taking advantage of the many outlets London has to offer. From a train ride to the Cotwalds with my parents, to exploring the different Boroughs that make up London, to going to the theater and museums and internationally known attractions - I don't feel that we have wasted a second in our stint abroad. In some ways, it's hard to imagine that we have only been here for two months, as our list of new experiences is quite lengthy.

We will be taking our first trip in less than two weeks across the UK to Ireland. Flying into Cork and out of Dublin, we will rent a car and travel between the two. A place that Mike and I have both wanted to visit for a very long time, we couldn't be more excited to finally experience a piece of true Irish culture!! We will return from Ireland on the 2nd of February and will be sure to post some pictures and share our stories.

Stay warm to those of you in New England! We hope all is well to everyone, wherever you may be. Cheers!! (PS - I've added a few more pictures below....)

Our New Year's Eve Adventure

After spending a week with my parents, gorging ourselves on good food and family fun, we finally had to say good bye on Monday. It was GREAT to see them and they obviously enjoyed themselves tremendously. Even more, their New Years Eve celebration was certainly one they will never forget. The night started off in my parents' fashion by going to a nice restaurant and enjoying a leisurely dinner. It wasn't 'til the clock struck eleven that the night took a different course.

Dressed for warmth, we ventured out into the streets of downtown London, to join the mobs of drunken people herding their way towards the London Eye. After almost an hour of walking amongst broken bottles, excited teenagers and screaming celebrators, we reached our end point. With a flask of brandy for them and a couple cans of beer for us, Mike and I and my parents brought in the new year while watching the famous London fireworks overhead.

Shortly thereafter, my parents hopped to safety in a cab and made an escape back to the hotel. Mike and I continued the adventure, roaming the streets and hitting up our local Islington pubs until closing. New Years Eve 2008 proved to be more fun than any of us would have expected and big props to my parents for being such troopers!! Happy 2009!!