When I worked at an academic law library, I had a student worker that I supervised who was from Turkey.  Shortly after she started working for me she gave me a keychain that represented the evil eye.  She explained to me that in Turkey, the evil eye is actually a talisman that wards off evil and bad luck.  I’ve had this keychain for about four years and whenever something goes my way, I like to joke that the evil eye is hard at work.  This morning, while I was getting groceries, I dropped my keys.  As I bent over to pick them up I noticed that the glass bead, the “evil eye” of my talisman keychain, was in pieces on the floor.  Gee, destroying an evil eye.  That can’t be good, can it?

After I dropped off the groceries at home and made a joke about the keychain to my hubby, I stopped by the bead store.  (My friend provided me with a beading lesson while in Ireland and there’s a chance that I’ve now picked up yet another crafty hobby.  Because, you know, I don’t have enough already.)  Anyhoo, when I was leaving the bead store I thought I heard an odd noise coming from my car, but rather than get out or anything to check it out I continued on to my parents house.  It wasn’t until after I came out with my mom that she (not me) noticed that I had a flat tire.  (So that’s what that noise was.)  Ends up, after calling the auto club and having a guy come out to put my spare on, that my tire had picked up a screw and it should be easily fixed tomorrow.  So really, this could have been much worse.  But I’m thinking that my evil eye is giving me a taste of what is about to come.  Which makes me wonder… would tape work on putting back together a glass bead, or is there some kind of glass glue that I should look for?

And technically awake.  I’ve even unpacked my bags.  But do you ever have those days where you’re basically sleep walking?  I’m trying to have a conversation with my hubby and all of a sudden, I just stop.  All of the words in my head simply disappear and I can’t remember what I had been saying or was going to say.  Or maybe I left my brain back in Ireland?  I mean, if people can leave their hearts in San Francisco, it is possible to leave other organs elsewhere, isn’t it?

We head back to Dublin tomorrow, so this is my last chance at being online before we head home on Saturday.  This has been such a great grand vacation holiday and so I’m sad to see it end.  Of course, the main reason why it’s been so great is thanks to my friends who let us crash at their place for the week.  Not only did we get to go sightsee during the day, but then we had fun hanging out with them in the evening.  The best part – my friend’s girlfriend is crafty!  She does beading and makes great jewelry (and even has an etsy shop – I’m trying to convince her to make stitch markers and row counter bracelets) and her mom knits (you can see the Sam the Scarecrow doll that her mom made on her etsy shop).  Anyway, if my friends/hosts are reading this – thank you for making us feel at home here in Ireland!

Once I get back home, be prepared for some spastic and sporadic blog posts containing pictures.  As of Monday, we had about 2200 taken between our two cameras, so ummm, it’s going to take some time to figure out exactly what we have.  Ya know?

Oh, I almost forgot!  I actually drove today!  Not much as it’s raining (the first time since we’ve gotten here thankfully) and I’m headachy from my stupid cold.  But I drove around the neighborhood near here on the way to the grocery store.  Woo Hoo!

I only have time for a quick post, but this one is important enough for me to try and squeeze in.  We went to the largest of the three Aran Islands yesterday, Inis Mor.  We were only there for about 5 hours or so, but I wish we had planned on spending a few days there.  The area is breathtaking.  We decided to walk the length of the island which was tiring, but probably the best way to enjoy the views and to be able to take pictures.  Unfortunately, because we were walking and the island is so big, we simply didn’t have time to see a lot of the “highlights” of the island.  Someday, when I win the lottery, I’m coming back and spending a week on the islands!

The most important thing about the island is that I finally found yarn!  There are several shops at both ends of the island that sell aran sweaters and when I asked at the first shop I went into, I discovered that they do have yarn – it’s just tucked away into corners.  The odd thing about this… while there are tons of sheep on the main land, I struggled to find yarn.  But on the island, where I finally found yarn, I didn’t see a single sheep.  Huh.

It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for almost a week now!  We spent the first few days in Dublin and are now in Galway, staying with some friends.  I have taken (literally) thousands of pictures (many of them are of sheep), but they’re either on the camera or on my friend’s laptop (which is at work with him) so I can’t show any right now.  But everything has been absolutely incredible here.  The scenery, of course, but the people are just so nice.  When anyone finds out that we’re from the states, they start chatting us up.  I’ve learned a lot about the country’s history just from these conversations.

I did have a bit of a stupid moment on our first full day here.  We were in Dublin and, upon advisement from many people we know who have visited here, didn’t have a car.  Now, for those who don’t know this about me, I participated in a 3 Day breast cancer walk a few years ago.  I know my feet pretty well and I know exactly where they’re going to blister when I walk a lot.  This is useful information to know because I put moleskin on before the blisters appear.

Anyhoo, we set out on foot on that first day and walked across the city.  From one end to the next.  And then back.  We did use some public transit as well, but we mostly walked.  And walked.  And walked.  Here’s the stupid thing… did I put moleskin on before heading out?  Nope.  Did I bring moleskin with me to use while we were out?  Nope.  By the time we got back to the hotel that first night, my poor feet were covered in blisters.  Ouch!

We now have a rental car so we can drive across the countryside instead of walking.  Of course, the roads are so bumpy that I nearly have blisters on my bum.  (And for those who are curious, I haven’t been brave enough to try driving just yet.  I’m going to give it a shot today.  I’m not too concerned about driving on the left or having the steering wheel on the right.  But the roads are amazingly narrow and the drivers are kinda crazy!)

And we’ll finally be in Dublin.  Not sure if I’ll have the chance to blog while I’m across the pond.  If not, I’ll talk to you all in a couple of weeks!

At this time next week, I will be wandering around Dublin – hopefully with my luggage and sanity intact.