rugby, ratatouille, relief

despite the lack of new posts on this blog, things have been happening, and life is still being lived.

1) i went to a rugby game on friday night, between 2 irish teams. it was pretty intense. if you've ever watched rugby, you will know it is a wild, barbaric kind of sport. far more violent than american football, and the players wear no padding at all. people here are very loyal to their teams (in this case, Ulster) and when there is a win, all supporters of that team jump onto the pitch in an excited frenzy.


the girls enjoying breakfast in their pajamas.

2) caitlin and lauren have this week off of nursery, so i have been trying to keep us busy. today we went to a movie, ratatouille, which was 2 hours long (what were they thinking? no child can sit for that long). but still, it filled the afternoon and the girls seemed to think it was okay. i think a trip to the zoo tomorrow is in order.

3) last night some people invited me to their house for dinner, along with some other randoms. we didn't eat until 7:30 (normal here) and then started watching a movie about some South African farmer/preacher at around 9:30. i didn't get home until midnight, because i had caught a ride with someone else. the movie was a christian movie, and all i could think was "please, god, let it end". probably not the best attitude. it was a relief when it was finally over.


the girls all dressed up for the Pumpkin Party at their nursery school.

4) i have found a website where i can watch current seasons of american tv shows online. i am really enjoying being able to watch america's next top model and the office. any other suggestions of what is good this fall? i don't even know what shows have started.

5) i got a spray tan last week! i met a girl through church who is a consultant for Temple Spa (a skincare company) and she has a spray tan booth in her house, which is right here in ballynure, where i live. it only lasts about a week or so, but having a tan always makes one look and feel better!


the girls enjoying some cupcakes (or buns, as they call them, which can refer to cupcakes, muffins, rice krispie cake, etc). L- Caitlin; R- Lauren

6) joanne (the twins' mom) and i joined Slimming World, a weight loss program in the UK. we went last thursday to get weighed in and will go each thursday. so far the eating program is not too hard and i think manageable. the other ladies at the meeting had all lost weight, so i think if you stick to it, it will work, so i am eager to get to it and see if i can shed some serious fat.