Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Ireland Weeks 1&2

So I'm in Ireland! That's pretty cool. This is for sure my dream vacation.
Last week we were  introduced to the Bundrowes house, which is an old house in which we are currently living. We went on a reflection hike, a hike to an old grave, and even tried out surfing! I got to my knees but I have yet to stand up.
The first week was mostly introductions. We played game with the Foroige crowd, which is the youth group we will be working with over the next three months. It was goo fun.
I got to help Brian cook a meal for the h ouse. We made Fajitas. It was wonderful. I love being able to cook whenever I want.
This week we started off with a rest day, during which I was able to make ravioli for the house so it really wasn't much of a rest. On Monday we did our first group project. We met up with the kids from Foroige and cleaned up a beach! We ended up with about twenty five bag of trash. Along with a ton of rope and plastic bags, I also found a toy horse and some shoes. It was good fun getting to know some of the kids whom we will be working with. The immediate gratification of a beach clean up is also quite nice.
Yesterday is probably my favorite day so far, as we went on a very fun hike. It was raining the whole time, and the trail was closed due to a landslide. We hopped the fence and did the hike anyways, then had to climb through the landslide. It was really fun regardless of the rain and mud. We ended up at a waterfall and attempted to get in some journalling time in the rain. Now my journal looks more like a watercolor painting than a journal. Oh well. It adds character.
We travelled to Galway today where I learned that my computer will not be fixed any time soon. I am currently at a really awesome hostel using their computer to type this. Who knew European keyboards are different?
I will blog again as soon as I can! Until then, goodbye.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Out West

              This past week was incredible. We stayed at my uncle Stewart’s ski condo for a weekend, and went skiing. I was much better this time than the last, thankfully. Practice makes perfect.
              I also got to hang out with my aunt Karen a ton. We experimented in the kitchen with desserts and sauces and pretended we were good enough to go on Chopped. I taught her and my cousin Zach how to play my favorite card game, Nerts. The weekend was a lot of fun. I love being able to spend time with my family.
              Over the week, my dad and I went into Yellowstone. After a three hour snow coach ride through the snow, we pulled in to find my dear friend Mallory, or Smurf, waiting for me. While she worked the next day, My dad and I snowshoed and cross-country skied for the first time. Both sports are a lot of hard work.
              The next day, Smurf, Ritter, and I went snowshoeing for five miles. It was a lot of hard work, especially with all the fresh snow and bison tracks making the hills terrible, but it was a lot of fun. I am glad I got to spend time with my friends even on this dad and daughter vacation. I also enjoyed the best PB&J I have ever had in my life half way through the hike. Who knew those little peanut snacks could be so satisfying?

              Now, we are flying back to Minneapolis and driving back home. This month has been one of the best months of my life. It’s sad that it is coming to an end, but that tends to happen with all good things, so I might as well accept it. We’ll be home on Tuesday and then it’s off to Ireland next Saturday. Until then, farewell!