Holy Crap it's Christmas

Good Morning,

Though I stayed up late last night catching up on American TV shows that I've fallen behind on, I popped out of bed this morning at 9:30.  It already feels like Christmas morning to me.  I am beyond excited, and I'll tell you why...MY PARENTS ARE COMING TODAY!

Yep, you read that right. Momma Karen and Daddy Pat are on their way right now to the Emerald Isle.  Their plane lands at 11:05 in Dublin then they are taking the bus to Galway.  I am so ready to hug my parents. Now it really feels like Christmas to me.

Christmas in Galway has been one of the best experiences thus far.  This town decorates EVERYTHING. The streets are draped in lit up garlands, the shops stick Christmas trees wherever they can,  a giant Christmas market has taken over Eyre Square, and Christmas jumpers are worn by everyone! I must say, the festive jumpers are great, they have become somewhat of a game for me and Liz. Almost like slug bug. Some jumpers remind us of this...

Mr. Mark Darcy being a dweeb in his favorite reindeer jumper. Thank you Bridget Jones Diary

And some jumpers and the men/women wearing them make us feel like this...

But we still love them, no matter how stupid :)

One of the best things about being here for Christmas time is that I am learning all these new Christmas songs! At home it's the same ones every year, which I love of course, but here there are a few I've never heard.  One is called driving home for Christmas, and the whole country goes mad for it! 

They were shocked when I told them I had never heard it before. And to be honest, I'm not too crazy about it. But for culture's sake you must listen.

And this next one has become one of my absolute favorite songs. There is just something about it. It's on the radio every 10 minutes, and I'm not even close to being tired of it. 

Try to ignore his teeth. Maybe even minimize your screen during the video, it's not a good video, but the song is great.

Here is a little video I found that really shows Christmas in Galway. And it has a sweet message to go along with it. 

Ok, I'm done with the videos for now. I got a little excited. Can you tell that I'm in the Christmas spirit? I have watched White Christmas at least 4 times.  Which to be honest, that's kind of a slow year for me. Usually I'm at least in the double digits by now. I lied..here's another video...

If you haven't seen White Christmas, go find it and watch it and fall in love. 

Enough with the Christmas Lauren! Move on already! I can read your minds :) Life in Galway has been incredible lately. I feel like I have made some real - honest to goodness - miss them when they aren't around - can't wait to tell them about my day - friends.  Random trips to McDonald's for McFlurrys end up taking 3 hours because we just can't stop talking (yes Liz and Paul I'm talking about yall). I get to not only spend time with friends, but their family as well. Our friend Paul has had us over to his family's house a few times for Sunday dinner and to watch a movie.  I can't explain how nice it feels to be in a real family home after being away from one for so long. And his family is so loving and so fun. 

I'm sitting here in my apartment drinking my morning coffee, and waiting to get the call from my mom telling me that their plane has landed and they are in Ireland. I am so excited I feel I might cry.  I feel like up until now I have taken for granted being home for Christmas surrounded by family.  Usually, whether we are in Allen, TX or Overland Park, KS, the house is jammed with loud hungry Neats and we are just laughing for days.  I hate that I am going to be away from that this year. 

I can picture it now... We are all sprawled out in a living room somewhere, making the hardest decision known to man...what Christmas movie to put on...Dad yells "SCROOGE" from somewhere in the back of the room (he's playing minesweeper on the computer so he must yell from a distance)...Dave is standing ready to put whatever movie in we decide on.  He doesn't care what we choose, as long as we just freaking decide already.  I'm demanding White Christmas like I always do.  Mom jumps in "no Lauren, not again, we HAVE to watch something else".  Lenna and Jason are just laughing on the couch about who knows what, but Jason looks up just in time to say, "NO Lauren, no, not again." And finally Dave just puts on whatever the kiddos want (usually Buddy the elf).  Then we all sit down to watch...but spend maybe 5 minutes watching the movie, and the rest of the time just talking over it, and wondering why we even put it on in the first place. 

Man I miss my wonderful family. 

Now here's a song that my wonderful, talented, amazing friend Robert Kelly wrote and performs.  He is an amazing musician, and an even more amazing person.  This song makes me miss Texas though...listen to it and you can feel how much love is written into the song. click the link for it!   https://soundcloud.com/backdownsouth/robert-kelly-im-coming-home

Ok, love yall to the moon and back!

Merry Christmas 

Lauren

Gone with the Wind and Rain...and now I'm Back!

SHE'S ALIVE!!!
I know y'all have been waiting in eager anticipation for this blog post that I keep promise is on it's way.
Well wait no longer my friends! I am finally writing it!!!

So much has changed in the almost 2 months since my last entry.  Once you get a glimpse of what my crazy life has been like you will understand why I wasn't able to blog like I should.

Since the previous entry I have:

• Moved houses twice (in the same week mind you)
• Changed jobs twice (also within the same week)
• Welcomed a dear, sweet, beautiful, kind, hilarious partner in crime to Ireland to live with me
• Spent a magical week with one my best friends in the whole world who flew all the way from Houston to spend Thanksgiving with me...How could I be so blessed?!
• Went to Scotland!!!! 
• Had an American Thanksgiving in Saint Andrews Scotland. Just like the Pilgrims/Indians intended.
• Got to spend a wonderful few days with my lil cousin Becca. I love her so much.
• Danced in an ancient castle under the stars in Scotland
• Got a new ear piercing! (sorry mom and dad, I forgot to show you on skype the other night. Don't worry, I don't look like a gypsy or anything)

Of course thousands more tiny things have happened that I don't have the time or space to mention.  It has been a trying few months.  I have had my highest highs, and my lowest lows during this last few months.  At one point we were almost homeless.  God has taken care of me throughout this entire time, and taught me more than I thought I needed to know.  He has given me the best roommate I could ask for.  That is right, many of you have heard, but now you are hearing it from me, Liz Atwell is officially living in Ireland!!!!!

For those of you who don't know Liz, I feel sorry for you.  She is amazing in every way! Liz and I met in college during the Spring of 2009 when I was randomly added to her organization as a replacement for a girl that quit.  We were assigned to be prayer partners, and we immediately hit it off.  And now, almost 4 years later, we are roommates in Galway, Ireland.  It's amazing how things work out. 

I am now working at a place called McCambridge's. I work up in the office helping with different daily accounting things. I do some filing, answer some phone calls, randomly have psych myself up to speak over the intercom. And it turns out...

 Liz works there too! She is working as a Christmas Hamper maker. It is such a fantastic place to work. We have met some of the nicest people, and our bosses are hilarious.  Luke, our manager is from Australia and we come home every day with some new random statement he's made. 

McCambridge's is on the busiest pedestrian street in Galway City, called Shop Street.  It is a coffee shop, restaurant, deli, gourmet food, wine, chocolate shop.  Basically anything you want they  have. And we get a discount! Life couldn't be better. 

I have so much more to talk about! Ashley's visit! Our trip to Scotland.  That will have to wait till the next entry. Which will happen very very soon. 

Now for the next installment of the Dreamchasing playlist! This song is from one of my favorite bands; The Weepies.  This song really describes what the last few months have been like. Listen to the lyrics...

"I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else, But in the end the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself. You and me, walk on...'cause you can't go back now."

Not gonna lie, I'm a little weird-ed out by the whole puppet situation in the music video. But we will have to deal with it together.  To be fair puppets aren't used enough in music videos.

That is all for now friends.

I promise, I will be back soon. 

Love to all

Lauren