The Emerald Isle...

My iPhone didn't know how to post pictures... so here goes it on the computer!

I am standing in front of a castle-- those were close to the best part about this place.

Ireland is very green!

This is the Irish National Stud... he is a very expensive racehorse bred all over the world.

And these are the cliffs of Moher. They were beautiful!

---

Ireland was a wonderful place to visit. You've gotta love a country that believes in magic and loves to have a good time. Our plane ride home was just about as interesting as the one over! An Irish woman with 4 children (yes, four) got on the plane. Before take off, the kids were running amok and concerning passengers left and right. For the duration of the 7 hour flight, the mother would yell, "Miley! Sit down, Miley!! Miley!!!" (Please reread that with a hoarse Irish accent) Then she would yell, "Geri! Geri! Shut up, Geri!" HA! Just what I had been thinking! It didn't do any good. Each child visited the bathrooms at least 37 times each. They jumped around and bumped into passengers, all the while the mother screamed their names. At one point she leaned over and tried to spank them with her ear phones. They snuck into first class and rattled everyone's cage. One of them hid from his mother for about 10 minutes. She wasn't too concerned. Before landing in New York, this ill equipped mother changed each of the children into rather cute matching outfits for their arrival. Then, she proceeded to go to the bathroom to change herself. Who was watching the children? Good question.

After a 7 hour lay over in New York we finally made it back to Houston. I'm pretty sure I could hear, "Geri!!! Shut up, Geri! GERI!!!!!!!!!" in my sleep. Irish talking, of course.

It's good to be back, I love the USA.

The Emerald Isle

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin

In beautiful Ireland, there are about 42 different shades of green. It is magnificently pretty. On our tour through the countryside, we bounced along little rural roads through fields and hills. On occasion, a spot would spring up that constitutes a photo. On our last stop, we parked near a farmer's gate to look out over the bay. We landed the massive charter bus on a steep incline, and used every bit of break power possible to keep from sliding down the hill.

Before exiting, we were warned to stay off the farmer's land. He is apparently known for spreading manure on the gate to ward off curious tourists. With that noted, we climbed out, snapped a quick picture and boarded the bus again. It was about 11:30 and hunger was setting in. The women I am traveling with packed fantastic snacks, AND they share. :)

After all had found their seat, it was fairly quiet (our chatty tour guide had yet to appear) except for the sound of Lori's voice offering peanut m&ms. We couldn't resist. She passed them to the seat behind her, and finally to us. After Lisa and I each had a handful, I attempted to pass the large bag of candy back up to Lori. My endeavor proved faulty as the sugary loot slipped out of my fingers and landed on the floor of the bus. Ordinarily this would not have been quite the tragic situation; however, as we were on a steep incline, the sound of marbles barreling down the bus echoed in the weary silence. Embarrassed, I ducked as all eyes turned to set accusations.

And THAT, perhaps, is why you aren't supposed to have food on the bus. I owe Lori some m&ms.

Blankity Blank Cussword, Four Letter Word

Miles above the earth, in the dark of night, when all should be sleeping, a passenger aboard a 777 became disgruntled.

The evening coffees had just been served, and I was busy fashioning a drug cocktail to help me sleep on the long, cramped flight. It consisted of Advil pm and sudafed. That should do the trick! My thinking was focused on making the flight seem as quick as possible, while setting my body to European time. I had planned masterfully. Comfy eye mask- check! Neck pillow- check! iPod equipped with John Mayer sleepy time playlist- check check!! What could ruin my full proof plan??

An UNKNOWN country band, on their way to Paris from Austin, happened to sit next to and behind us. At some point during dinner, a mysterious event occurred. At which, the hardly gentleman behind me became deeply offended. Consequently, for the next SEVEN hours he proceeded in using every form of profanity imaginable, and occasionally rammed into the seat in front of him. Ahem. It was "blankity blank this and blankity blank that. Four letter word, YOU!!"

I do think he had a very limited vocabulary, or the one that starts with F is just his favorite. Thank you, sir, for keeping me awake in a sort of drugged annoyance.

We made it to Paris safely, and went on to Ireland. At around 8 o'clock I had been awake for roughly 36 hours and traveled halfway around the world. Needless to say, I was ready for bed! Although it was still light outside at nine, I took another Advil pm ( to ensure sleep) and crawled into bed. Whew. So tired. I had no problem falling into a very deep slumber.

The next thing I know I am out of bed in a panic. "Lisa!!! Wake up!! We've missed the bus!" (Lisa is my aunt and roommate) She stumbled to her feet, grabbed her watch and said, "Its ten after ten. Why are we awake?"

Apparently I had no answer.

I am very confused at this point, when she returns from the bathroom and says, "Lauren, it's night time."

To which I reply, "Oh. I wondered why you weren't upset." And without another word, I got into bed and went to sleep.

Did you know it doesn't get dark this time of year in Ireland until 11?? I believe this, along with extreme exhaustion can be blamed for my delirious behavior that caused my poor aunt to wake up and get out of bed a mere HOUR after we'd been to sleep.

But if I'm honest, I'd like to blame the very rude dude sitting behind us on the plane. Blankity blank, YOU!!!!