Adventures in Ireland, Part 2: Dingle Peninsula and Cliffs of Moher

When we last left off on my adventures in Ireland, Chris and I finished the Ring of Kerry and were on our way to Dingle. While I loved everything I've seen so far, this was probably my favorite day. We started in the small town of Dingle, which even as my guide book said, there isn't much to do there, but it's so beautiful. We spent the prior evening listening to a traditional Irish music session, complete with some impromptu dancing (by Irish dancers, not me, while I can certainly kick it, true Irish dancing requires coordination that I clearly do not posses). The town itself is very quiet and to put it simply, adorable.

The drive around the peninsula was breathtaking. Once again, I'll leave the pictures to speak for themselves.

We refer to the above as the "before" photo since shortly after it was taken, I went exploring and ending up stepping in mud up to my ankles. My poor, poor All-Stars. I immediately went to a stream to clean them off, but alas, I fear they may not make the trip back home (on the bright side, I keep buying stuff so I need to make room somehow)!

After the Dingle Peninsula, we headed to the Cliffs of Moher. I was told that we need to have good weather to properly see the Cliffs and fortunately, Mother Nature was on our side.

Yes, all this beauty in one day. It was awe-some. And of course, we ended the evening listening to some more traditional Irish music, because that's how I roll, Irish-style.

The week wasn't over yet. Coming tomorrow: Galway and Kylemore Abbey.

XOXO, Elizabeth

Please note: comments will be closed while I'm abroad.

Adventures in Ireland, Part 1

Greetings from Dublin! One of the goals I had when I started writing full-time was to go somewhere for a month to write, relax, see the sites, etc. Because when else can you just up and leave home for a month? (Memo to any potential burglers out there, someone is staying in my apartment so you'll have to find outdated appliances somewhere else.) I decided on Ireland since a) they speak English, b) I've never been outside of Dublin, and c) why not? So I set-up base at an apartment in Dublin for four glorious weeks. Fortunately, a couple friends of mine have agreed to join me on part of my travels. My friend Chris (my concert bestie, if I mention that I'm going to a concert there's a 90% chance it's with Chris) not only agreed to spend his birthday in Ireland, but that he'd be willing to drive so we could go on a roadtrip. I was extremely happy about this because I didn't want to drive in Ireland for two reasons:

The sheep are no joke. Being from Wisconsin, I'm used to having to look out for deer. The first time a sheep was in the middle of the road, it took me a second to realize what it was. I said, "sheep?" quietly. Then "Sheep!" when I realized what it was, followed by a "SHEEEP!!!!"

The first stop on the road trip was the Rock of Cashal, a beautiful castle (which I apparently didn't take any good photos of!) then we were off to the coastal town of Kinsale. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

The next day, we needed to head to Kenmare for the following day's drive around the Ring of Kerry. Fortunately, this nice couple we met that morning recommended stopping at Mizen Head on the way, which is Ireland's most Southwesterly point. I'm so glad we did because it was absolutely gorgeous (this is a phrase I'll be using a lot to describe Ireland).

The next day was the Ring of Kerry, which is a beautiful peninsula in western Ireland. When my mom (whose father was from Ireland) found out that we'd be going there, she wanted me to try to contact one of the possibly last family members still in Ireland. Here's how this conversation went:

MOM: You need to go to Sneem, because my cousin was there six years ago and met one of our relatives. She was in really poor health back then, but what you need to do is go to the first house on the right when you enter Sneem, bring a bottle of booze, knock on the door, and tell them who you are. ME: Yeah. I'm not doing that. MOM: You're being ridiculous.

Yes, I'm being ridiculous. I'm not going to knock on some random door that may or may not contain someone related to me. I'm pretty sure about a dozen Lifetime movies started with some young girl knocking on a stranger's door with alcohol. Plus, there are four different ways to enter Sneem and there's been some new construction. So, sorry Mom! I did take this picture for you!

The coastal drive was beautiful (there's that word again!).

One thing that I didn't get to see was Skellig Michael. I don't have a "bucket list" but have been thinking about starting one with Skellig Michael at the top of it. The weather didn't allow us to go out there (the conditions haven't been great for almost a month, you really have to hit it just at the right time). Skellig Michael is a small, steep, and sharp island 8 miles away from the coast. During the 7th century, a group of monks decided to set-up a monastary there. It's hard enough to reach there now with all our modern advances, but for whatever reason, these monks traveled there and built huts and lived there until the 12th century. Next time...

I think I've probably bored you all enough with my photos. But if you want more, don't worry, I've got plenty more pics from the trip that I'll be posting tomorrow, including the highlight of the trip so far: the Dingle Peninsula.

Until then...

XOXO, Elizabeth

Please note: comments will be closed while I'm abroad.

Ten Years Ago: Before and After

I've been debating for awhile if I was going to write something about the ten year anniversary of September 11th. I don't want to share my experience that day for the fact that it is still very difficult to recount. I am very fortunate that at the end of day, all my loved ones were accounted for as was I. But I wanted to share a few thoughts. Not only do I remember everything about that day (from what I wore, which I never wore again, yet refused to throw it out for years), but I remember every detail about the day BEFORE. It's as if a part of me needs to hold on to my pre-9/11 life. My sister was visiting me and I had the day off work. We walked around the city, I took my sister to see Moulin Rouge, and were going to go to Windows on the World (at the top of the World Trade Center) for a cocktail, but it was rainy and foggy so we went back to my apartment, ordered Chinese food and watched Memento. She left the next morning on a United flight that departed around 8am from Newark airport. Fortunately, her flight was diverted and she was safe.

When I think about that specific day, I think about the people I spent it with. I don't think I would've fared as well as I did without being with my co-workers at Scholastic. We had to evacuate the building after the first Tower fell and we just started walking in a group uptown. We made sure everybody had a place to go, we took care of each other. It wasn't until I got home later that night that the weight of what happened sunk it. And I think part of that was because I didn't have anybody else to take care of (typical Cancer). It was time that I took care of myself and made sure that I was okay. I wasn't at the time, but sometimes time is the best healer.

I will not be watching anything on Sunday. I probably won't turn on my TV or go online. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about what happened. I'll always remember. I don't need to watch the footage of what happened that day, I saw it in person and it has never left my mind. I will go to the waterfront at night to see the tribute in lights and remember in my own way.

But the thing that I really wanted to share is the AFTER of that day. What struck me the most was how united we were as a country. I was terrified to go back to work that Friday, but when I started walking to Scholastic, I noticed that all these delis and stores had signs out front that said, "NYPD, FDNY come in and take what you need." I started to feel better, more confident with every step. Then I walked by the memorial that was in Washington Square Park just as I heard something flying overhead, which initially freaked me out. It was a fighter jet, and I thought, "We are going to be okay." I remember last year being so sad thinking about where our country is now. We are so divided. It shouldn't take a horrendous tragedy for people to be kind to each other. For people to want to help their fellow man. We are all human. We are all here. Everybody is allowed to have opinions and just because you're louder doesn't make you right.

So I hope that this weekend, and every day, we remember that we are really all in this together. Be kind to each other. Spread the love. And appreciate each day that you've been given, because it truly is a gift.

Much love, Elizabeth

UPDATE 9/11/12: In reading this a year later, I'm struck by how much the later part of this blog still rings true. I become more disturbed each day with how inconsiderate people can be toward one another, especially if they don't share the same views. And, to not get too political, I'm very unnerved with the outright disdain some people are showing toward women in this election. A lot of lives were lost eleven years ago today because of what America stands for. Let's not have it be in vain. LOVE, RESPECT and PEACE, E

UPDATE 9/11/15: This morning, I walked along the waterfront to reflect. I got back home, and decided to read this post. It's so sad how much animosity we have in this country right now. I wrote the original post when we were at the same point in the 2012 presidential campaign, but we have even more vitriol now (most of it due to one particularly hateful candidate). Regardless of your political leanings, we are all human. Let's try to be more understanding of one another. Love must always win, especially on a day like today. XO

UPDATE 9/11/17: Where do I even begin? Things are even worse now. I've been up since 4am this morning, like many mornings since the election. I can't sleep because I'm frustrated and sad and angry. I've re-read the above and want to clarify something. Everybody is allowed to have opinions, yes, but there is no such thing as a good Nazi. Black lives do matter. LBGQT+ people deserve the exact same rights as straight people. I'm not going to stay quiet when rights of others are being threatened. So many people died sixteen years ago today, and it wasn't so racists and Nazis could take over this country. There have been many times over the past few months that I've wanted to move to another country, but I won't.  This is my country and I love it. I'm one of the good guys. I call my reps every day. I march. I'm an ally for Dreamers, Black Lives Matter, Immigrants, LGBTQ+, and women. If your "opinion" is one of exclusion and hate, may you discover what is really burning up inside of you and leave the rest of us, and the future of this country, out of it. For the rest who are as scared and tired as I am, do not give up. Resist. Call your reps. And most importantly, VOTE. XO, Elizabeth

I Left My Heart in Decatur...

Happy Labor Day everybody! The bosslady isn't letting me have the day off, but that's okay. I'm leaving for Ireland in a couple weeks and I'll be there for a MONTH so I can have a proper vacation then. Came back late last night from the Decatur Book Festival. It. Was. Amazing. There were so many wonderful authors and book bloggers there. I'm not even sure where to begin. I guess I should start with The Gold Star Award for Awesome, which goes to Stacey from PageTurners and Vania Stoyanova for taking such good care of me and the other YA authors in attendance. I pretty much called Stacey the second I arrived because I was lost (shocker!) so she helped me find the author check-in. Vania arranged welcome dinners/breakfasts for a bunch of us authors. I pretty much stalked them the entire weekend. I'm going through a bit of withdrawal today because I can't text either of them to say "What are you doing NOW? Can I join you?" Yes, we authors can be a needy bunch.

Saturday night I got to meet some fab authors (can't believe I didn't get a photo of us!): Myra McEntire, Stephanie Perkins, Jackson Pearce, CJ Redwine, Rachel Hawkins, and Victoria Schwab - how about that for dinner companions? (Of course I spent most of the evening talking poor Stacey's ear off).  Beth Revis stopped by, but I was on the other end of the table so I only got to wave to her. Next time!

Vania hosted an awesome breakfast with a bunch of us and I got to meet some awesome book bloggers. I love book bloggers. Seriously, I'm not pandering. I genuinely have nothing but the utmost respect for people who want to spread their love of books. I guess that's from being the daughter of a librarian! What can I say, I was raised well...

I got to see the Witches panel with Rachel Hawkins, Jackson Pearce, and Victoria Schwab. It was hysterical. Those guys were cracking me up. Who knew witches could be so funny? (Especially since I was scared of the Wicked Witch of the West when I was a kid.) But halfway through their panel I thought, "Crap! My panel is coming up. Better get your A-game on, Eulberg!"

I've been looking forward to my panel for months. I'm huge admirer of my fellow panelists: Stephanie Perkins (LOVED Anna and the French Kiss and can't wait for Lola and the Boy Next Door), Terra Elan McVoy (Terra and I worked together back in the day at Scholastic and have kept in touch. I recently read her latest, The Summer of Firsts and Lasts, and it's SO good, highly recommend it! PLUS, Terra is the Program Director for the DBF so she was responsible for having me there, I was so honored to be invited!), and Jennifer Jabaley (finished her Crush Control on my flight to Atlanta, the book and Jennifer are so much fun).

After the panel, I went down to the signing where I met so many awesome people (I'm aware that I keep using he words "awesome" and "amazing" but I only preach the truth!). Award for best t-shirt goes to Crys who showed her love for the one and only Miss Austen.

I'll admit, when I first saw the shirt I thought, "Oh, I wonder if she's read Prom & Prejudice yet, and if so, that she doesn't hate me!" I know there are a lot of Jane Austen purists out there who don't like it when people do retellings, but so far I've had nothing but positive interactions with fellow Jane Austen fans and Crys was no exception!

I also found out from Karis that Prom & Prejudice AND The Lonely Hearts Club both made the Summer Reading List of a local Middle School. This made me REALLY excited because I haven't heard that before. I made it, Mom! (No seriously, I totally forwarded the link to her. She'd be pretty proud of this, I know I am!)

Sadly, it was time for me to go home. Not before I got a photo with the infamous Stacey!

I can't believe that I didn't get a photo with Vania. That's so not right. Luckily, I'll be stalking, I mean seeing her soon and we'll change that!

Thank you to everybody who came out to the panels and signings, the Decatur Book Festival committee and volunteers for making everything run so smoothly, and, of course, Scholastic for sending me (especially Emma in publicity, aka my airport buddy). You guys ROCK!

XOXO, Elizabeth

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