One Month Down

It's hard to believe that we left Dublin a month ago. I wish I'd been able to blog about our move-in process from that end - that would have been some entertainment! I really learned to stop worrying about making a fool of myself over there, because I did it multiple times a day.

This weekend we saw Nate's brother Pat for the first time since we arrived - it was good to catch up with him again. On Saturday we headed downtown to meet up with him and some friends, and we happened upon Busch Stadium. The Cardinals were playing Detroit on a gorgeous weekend afternoon. As we drove by I counted not one, not two, but three wedding parties getting their pics taken outside the stadium! I pointed and exclaimed, and Nate wondered if perhaps I was just looking at one big wedding party, but no. I specifically recall three brides, big dresses, veils and all. This town sure does love its baseball.

Five more nights in the hotel! Think I'm excited about it?

New Wheels

We've got wheels now! Both hybrids - we're committed friends of the earth now.

Nate opted for a charcoal Toyota Camry. He got a great deal on it because it's "pre-owned" (aka used), but only slightly so, and it's still a 2007. It's got some great features - it's amazing how the technology in cars is advancing.

I went for a Honda Civic. Not the most exciting of choices in concept, especially after the purple Cougar I had before we left for Ireland, but it's actually a pretty slick looking car. I like small cars - I'm much more comfortable in them, and I have a much better track record with them. My past driving blunders (several years ago now - only dents and dings!) usually took place when I was in a larger car.

So now we're behaving like little children with new toys - we're loving that new car smell!

Not too long before we're in our house too!! Then I just have to tackle the decorating and renovating on the areas we want to fix up. Hopefully the blog will be picture-enabled again in a few weeks!

Movin Along

The best news from this week came on Wednesday, when I was offered a teaching job!!! The offer came two days later than I'd expected, but I was simply happy that the outcome turned out the way it did. I am very excited to be rejoining my profession. Hopefully I'll be able to channel a bit of what I've learned abroad into my classroom - I've already got some ideas brewing.

The inspection process for our house is still rolling - we should clear that phase early next week. Two weeks to go until closing and I am starting to count the days. The novelties of hotel living have worn off, and I'm growing weary of the sterile decor, saggy mattress, and the marginal cookery in our kitchenette. I will miss the housekeeping aspect of our stay though - guess I'll have to get used to vacuuming again soon!

This weekend is car-hunting weekend - hopefully we'll make some progress on that front soon. Nate's been using public transport for work, so we haven't had too hard a time sharing our one rental car, but the time is fast approaching when we'll need separate modes of transportation.

That's all for now - I'm sure we'll have more news soon!

A Suggestion and an Update

If at all possible, I highly recommend avoiding purchasing a house, two cars, and searching for a job for the first time in three years all at once. It's a tad fraying on the nerves. Just a little tid-bit of wisdom for you to take with you.

A Few Updates:

• We put an offer on a house last Tuesday and it was accepted! So we're going through the inspection process now. If all goes well, we should be able to move in by the end of May!!

• I had my second interview at my former school on Friday, and I think it went well - I should hear some time today whether I have the job or not.

• We test drove two cars during our second weekend back (end of April), and we'll probably do it again this coming weekend. We're looking into hybrids!

• We've now been to two of our friends' kickball games as lazy spectators - nothing's better than watching your friends run around being athletic while lounging in the sun and playing with the grass.

I'll give more updates as they come! I expect I'll be able to post pictures again when I have my computer back, so maybe in June.