chasing dreams

You would think we could write more often, or at least I could as I'm still waiting for the great news about my Green Card. They are looking at applications from the week that I mailed mine in so we are crossing our fingers that we get some news by the end of this week. We wrote on the application that my first day would be this coming Monday, I sure am hoping that I will be in the office soon. I'm enjoying working with the clinic on screenings but it's time to be in the office as a practicing doctor. The next thing to figure out is how to get all the remedies over here that I will need. Started networking and have a few meetings set up, which helps me feel more settled. Also, gives me other professionals in the community to refer to, it's nice to get some of this sorted before I get into the office, so I am grateful for this time. Going to the American Woman's Club of Dublin on Thursday. It's a group obviously of Americans living and working here in Dublin. I'm hoping there are women that have some suggestions to settling into Dublin as well as they have several activities that sound like a lot of fun. One does involve hiking, yes I know the largest hill is about 1,000 meters or 3,280 feet but it still sounds fun. Speaking of other conversions the dollar is not looking so good. 1 Euro is worth $1.38, I guess that's more normal but when we were first looking we saw that the dollar was a bit stronger than that. The good news about that is when I transfer funds back home to pay off student loans it's like I pay an extra 40% each time, you won't hear me complaining about that!

Adam is working hard in school. It's the third week already and the group projects and presentations are adding up. Group meetings on Friday and Saturday as well as after school some evenings. Thankfully the group works well together and are very efficient at getting things done. And they even have fun together. We visited Octoberfest with a few of Adam's classmates, you get beer one liter at a time which can make for a quick night. Another classmate had everyone over this past weekend for a barbeque. His apartment has a grill, the first one we have seen.

We also made a trip to the zoo since we have last posted. It's northwest of where we live but only about a thirty minute bus ride. We often go places on the bus we have never been so I'm always concerned about how to know when we get there without going too far past it. Thankfully the bus to the zoo shuts off at the zoo stop so you know everyone has to get off the bus, it's like that with the Ikea buss too. The zoo here is much smaller and doesn't have the all of the same animals. Of course there are the obvious elephants, giraffes, zebras but there were a lot of rhino's and even pigs and cows. Although if you grew up in the city a pig and a cow are not something you are familiar with.

My bike is now all fixed up, it's been a long process. It was nice to ride into town this morning and be back home within one hour. It's normally quite a time consuming trip to one store. Although my trip to the grocery was fun with my bike. Backpack filled with the heavy groceries and then two bags hanging from the handlebars. Needless to say cars and buses stayed clear of me. I'm just enjoying the efficiency of my bike, although my butt is not used to riding yet.

It's time to start exploring more of the country, so we are looking for places to take the train too. Apparently you can surf on the western side of the country so Adam's very interested. I found a place near Dublin where we can become certified to jump out of airplanes without help. Although riding our bikes in traffic in the bus lane is an adrenaline rush enough. I'm interested in seeing Giant's Causeway, not sure if you have to go through customs to get there though.

Still settling in but getting used to the way things work. A friend back home said to make sure I realized it would take about three months once landing here to get fully settled. At first I though she made it a few months too long but she was absolutely right, crazy but true.

Oh and I cannot believe I did not know about the cosmetic store Lush before moving here. There is one on Pearl Street, I suggest stopping in the next time you are that direction.