Tradition!!!

(Warning: This post contains topless photos - of me)

;)

Christmas in Ireland wouldn't be Christmas in Ireland without a freezing dip in the ocean!!

I have to admit several things: It is a bit crazy and foolish... Stripping down to my shorts in front of my whole community isn't one of my favorite things to do... My toes will probably always be blue... and I will probably get sick (again)... But a memorable run into the freezing North Atlantic in the dead of winter with some friends is worth it!

I decided (for sure) to do it this year on Christmas Eve, while at a Christmas party. I don't know if it was male ego or party adrenaline that made me commit, but at the end of the evening myself and two of my friends had all publicly committed to run into the ocean. Now pride and self-respect were on the line... I couldn't back down. We all met at noon down at the beach - along with most of my neighbors and a good portion of the village. I was shocked, however, to discover that the tide was IN. Usually each Christmas swim falls when the tide is out, and we have a nice sandy beach to run across before we get to the water. This year, however, we only had the rocky top part of the beach and giant waves crashing into us as we entered the water!

There really is no way to describe the sheer pain of hitting freezing water in nothing but your swimsuit. The temps on land were just above freezing, and the water was a nice 11C (52F)... but the water didn't feel warmer (at all)! Once I entered into the surf there really wasn't enough time to do much of anything before I was pounded repeatedly by shoulder height waves. As the first wave hit, I decided to take the plunge and go under. The only problem was that I was so cold that I couldn't catch my breath. It was sheer panic washing over me as I took about a million small breaths just trying to fill my lungs. It was then that I realized that the wave hitting me had stolen my sandals (which I had foolishly worn into the water). So - as my friends ran for the shore - I was forced to endure a few extra moments as I dove for my shoes.

After I came out of the water there was about two minutes of pain and coldness which was followed by the strangest warm feeling that just swept over my whole body. As my body temperature fell the temperature outside began to feel warmer and warmer. For a few moments it actually felt like a summer's day, and I was content to be outside in just my wet swimsuit. Soon after this, Dee evacuated me to our home where a roaring fire, hot shower, and warm cup of tea were waiting on me.

I know that this does not sound like a lot of fun....... but standing on the beach with my friends... and being able to laugh together about it for the rest of the year makes the whole thing worth it!


Dee was kind enough to take pictures of the craziness. She said that it was so cold and windy out that her eyes were watering, and she couldn't really see what she was taking pictures of. I think that they turned out great! Here are just a few:



Me and the lads getting ready to go in!
( Notice that we were smiling BEFORE we got in...)




That is me on the right - about to get drowned by the big wave!




Still me on the right... Dee captured the moment that I jumped in...!






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Today's Random Pic... (By Dee)

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Hello from Amsterdam!

Just a quick pic that Dee took yesterday. No... that is not an optical illusion... the buildings really are leaning! We will write more about Amsterdam soon!






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Bank Holiday

This weekend is a bank holiday weekend in Ireland. This basically is a holiday for the sole purpose of celebrating the first Monday of June. These bank holidays are sprinkled around the year, and are a great break in the normal routine. This bank holiday weekend is especially nice because summer decided to show up! The last few days have been amazing.... a scorching 75 degree temperatures... sunshine... and a few days of no work....... does it get any better than this? I spent most of Saturday afternoon 'working' in the garden. Little did I know that Dee was checking up on me... I should have known better than to leave the camera in the house...







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A few more random pics...

Dee and R at the farthest west point of continental Europe.




I feel the responsibility to say and show that Portugal is just like any place in Europe. It is extremely beautiful and historic while at the same time modern. Too often I feel guilty about only showing the beautiful side of places here, and not showing the traffic... rubbish... or power lines.




Photo by Dee... this is yours truly!




Everywhere we turned we were constantly reminded of Portugal's past and present connection with the sea.




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T - 10hours

We are really at the finish line now... the only thing left to do...

- decide on final picture list
- finish mounting the pictures
- hang the pictures
- finish setting up the room
- finish food prep
- translate descriptions into Irish
- make price lists
- change and get ready for tonight
- hopefully get a nap in!

Dee took a few "before" pictures yesterday evening while we were setting up some lights... hope to give some updates during the day... I had no idea that this was going to be so much work... hope someone actually comes to it!

I love being an uncle!

We went to a harvest festival with my sister and her family today. The event was fun... although I missed seeing the moon pie eating contest! (What a heart breaker!!!) Even though I missed every photographer's dream - I had a lot of fun roughhousing and playing with my nieces and nephew! We wrestled with each other.... danced together (with the girls standing on my feet, of course)... They begged me for stuff as we walked through the crafts section.... we shared some boiled peanuts.... and we laughed and tickled each other all day long. What a great day!












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Brittany, France (cont...)

A few random pics by Dee...

Tradition!

It is that time of year again... I renewed my membership in the polar bear club by taking a quick dip in the ocean today. This little tradition all over Ireland is alive and strong in our area. People all over town postponed present opening and Christmas dinner long enough to meet up at the beach... strip down to swimsuits... and jump into the freezing north Atlantic. It was a blast. The best thing about it was the camaraderie on the beach after the swim and goofing off with some good friends. The temp on the sand was a warm 40 degrees F... I don't know about the temp of the water... but I know beyond any doubt that it was colder than on the land!

Another Converse Day! Wahoo!

I realize that this won't mean much to most of you, but the fact that I have been able to wear Converses all week is amazing! They only come out when it is dry and not too cold. After the horrible non-summerlike(is that a word?) weather we've had, it's great to be outside and breathe in the fresh air without freezing and getting drenched. So in honor of the good weather, I am posting a picture taken at the beginning of the summer when we went away for a retreat with some friends. Another great weather day involving hours of reading and Bert time(listening to my ipod).


Currently listening to: Eisley and RED
Currently eating: yogurt covered peanuts

Pictures...

I wanted to post a few more of my favorite pictures from my parents' visit.

They Made It....!

My parents made it to Ireland! I really can't tell you how good it is to have them here with us! I'll be posting a few pics over the next couple of days while they are here with us.... stay tuned!

Happy 30!

Happy Birthday W! To celebrate, we went to see the new Simpsons film. Laughed. Ate at W's favourite place. And W spent the rest of the day on the phone with friends and family. Great day!

Another Random Pic... (by Dee)

A girl who takes pictures of cows.... who could ask for anything more!?!

Today's Random Pic... (By Dee)

A Big Day...

Today is my beautiful wife's birthday!


Happy Birthday Dee!

I love you!!!

One of my(D's) highlights from London.........

I'll take two scoops of chocolate chip in a cup, please!

O.K., it costs 3.50 pounds for two scoops...right now 2 U.S. dollars = 1 pound....I will let you do the math, and might I say, "boy howdy, it was worth it!"


(we went twice)

Today's Random Pic...

Peig says it better than we could... what an amazing day!

A Garden Update...

I know it is hard to believe - but it has not rained (with the exception of one hail storm) in almost two weeks! It has been amazing! I have absolutely loved having the evenings to get dirty in my garden! Step 1 complete: Dig out rocks and gravel out of 2/3 of my garden. Step 2 complete: Bring in good topsoil and rework the area. Step 3 complete: collect cool rocks off of the beach and make a small border.

The picture does not show it -- but I have started planting heathers in the cracks on top of the rock, and along it's side. Next step: start planting the flowers/plants I have bought. I still have not made up my mind as to what I am going to do with the far side of the rock. There are a lot of stones and weeds there. It is going to be back breaking work to clear it. Stay tuned...

(Picture comment: Notice that Peig is still helping me!)

Did I Tell You I'm a Gardener?

Our front garden isn't spectacular. In fact it isn't really a garden at all.... but that is what people here call it. When we first moved in it was nothing but rock - weed - and more rock. Our landlord hauled in dirt and even planted grass... but there is still so much to be done. We have a large rock in one corner of the yard that is overrun with weeds and is looking desperate. It looked so bad last year (while we were in the states) that one of my neighbors said that she wanted to do something with it. Was that a hint of some sort? So.... now that it is springtime I have bought pair of wellies and a new shovel with the hopes of actually making a garden out of our little patch of grass. To be honest with you it is turning out to be a lot of fun. On nice evenings all my neighbors come out to work in their gardens... we all end up chatting, waving, or joking about our attempts. so.... with the help of Peig (our neighbor's dog) I am going to try and make something out of this corner. Stay tuned...