Unsure

Lately it seems as though the Universe is trying to point something out to me. The problem? I have no idea what the hell it is saying. Like my universe just started speaking in foreign tongues. Or like those dreams I have when I have to yell and scream something out but remain muted for some unknown reason. Actually no, it's like the Universe rings my doorbell and when I get up to answer it, there is no one there. As if the Universe has turned into some bratty next door neighbor. I am trying to listen very hard, but it's to no avail. WHAT? What is it? Should I be doing something different or am I not doing something that I should be doing? Is something bad about to happen? Or good? Or should I get a puppy? *Sigh.

I will just hang out and keep waiting for the message to get straightened out.

I haven't written since Vermont, mostly due to some craziness at the office and a bad cold that has kept me down. Here are a few of my favorite shots:

The church where E. is getting married in July
(damn power lines ruin the shot)


The Round Barn, Reception site of E's Wedding

At the Schoolhouse Market

watercans and license plates

Springtime

This weekend my honey and I are off to Pennsylvania's countryside for Penny's wedding. Yipiee!

No Rest for the Weary

I am back from my whirlwind trip to Dublin, Newcastle (Northern Ireland not England) and Belfast. It was a fantastic trip. Beyond the great scenery and my thrilliness (new word for you there!) of just being in Ireland was having the chance to connect with some really awesome ladies in my industry.

First there was S. who is also a President of a tour operator here in the Northeast. It was great to have the chance to speak candidly with another woman about the challenges and benefits of being a female manager in largely male dominated organizations. She and I will definitely stay in touch and I am glad to have someone to call when I need some professional advice from someone on the outside.

Then there was L., a fun and lovely woman from South Africa. Johannesburg to be exact. We were on the last leg of the trip together, she works for a tour operator there in Joburg. Funny how you meet someone and can immediately connect with them. If we lived closer I am sure we would instantly be great friends.

Meeting these lovely ladies makes me all the more nostalgic for my old groups of girlfriends who have all seemed to dispersed in the winds. I have not done a good job of getting out there to make new friends here in Long Islandville, and that is definitely something I now realize more than ever that I need to rectify.

I got a few good pictures on the trip and do love the new camera which will certainly get a lot of use this summer. Here are a couple of favorites (full set on my flickr account):

The beach at Newcastle
Flowers peeking out on the Antrim Coast

Rock Columns at the Giant's Causeway

More of the Giant's Causeway

The Awesome pool at the Slieve Donard Hotel

Just when I thought I could take a bit of a break and spend some time at home with my honey (who has been severely neglected between time away and jetlag making me oh so cranky), I am off again on Friday for a girls weekend with La Mamma and my sister for some wedding hoopla. Perfect timing for Mother's Day!

Ireland Bound

Tomorrow I am shooting back across the pond to Ireland, where I will be spending the next week. I am 2 nights in Dublin, 1 in Newcastle and 2 in Belfast. I am looking forward to the highlight of my trip, a 2 day journey through Northern Ireland where I will be visiting one of the places high on my places-to-see list, the Giant's Causeway.


This strange natural phenomenon consists of about 400,000 interlocking hexagon shaped basalt stone columns that lead straight into the sea. Legend states that once upon a time a giant, Finn McCool (don't you love that name?), built the causeway to serve as a bridge to Scotland so he could fight his nemisis. The Scottish side of the causeway on the island of Staffa also has similar shaped stone columns.

In preparation of this great trip as well as other fun events coming up this summer, I splurdged on a new camera today. I am super excited about my Canon S3 IS! Keep an eye out for new photos coming soon!

Benvenuta!

Please join me in welcoming this little darling, Rossella M. to the world, born to one of my dearest friends on earth, Giorgia.


Benvenuta Bella Bambina!

Unexpected

It was just about a year ago that we met, while on a visit to see my old friend Stephanie. I went outside to smoke with you, not because I wanted a cigarette, but because I just wanted to stand near you for a few minutes away from the cacophony of the bar. After going back in, I stole this blurry photo of you, never thinking that I would see you again, but rather as a prop to use while telling my Boston friends about a fun night out in Long Island and the cute boy with the sexy accent.

When you asked to see me again, and again, during the weekend visit, I wanted to come off as cool and smart but was sure you could through to my nervous core. Driving back to Boston that Sunday evening in the pouring rain, you texted a message to me which in that exact moment mirrored what I was thinking about you. Do you remember?

Once home, I couldn't quite recall what you looked like and referred to this blurry image over and over to jog my memory. This sounds strange, but the precious few times in life where I have met someone who took my breath away, their exact image is fleeting in it's accuracy. The exactness of your profile would appear in the moments before waking, or in a sideways glance, but never recaptured fully until our next meeting. Lucky for us, that didn't take long. I flew to LaGuardia the very next weekend to see if there was.... well, if there was really anything of substance there or if it just another dead end story.

I said a year ago that I'd rather regret doing something rather than regret doing nothing. You and I have had a year of firsts, and I regret none of the twists and turns life has taken since that April night, standing beside you outside in the chilly air.

Edinburgh

I love Edinburgh, but to be fair, I knew I would. I expected the city to be cute and quaint, but instead I find it rather proud and majestic. Craggy. I haven't seen much of it, sadly, as I have been stuck in a convention center most of the time I have been here. But that which I have seen I adore. It makes me long for the days living in Europe and wonder if I can convince Damir to move to Europe with me some day. Once married I would imagine I would even qualify for a coveted EU passport, eliminating all of the pain in the ass immigration stuff I had to go through when in Holland.

Alas, I am dreaming of life along cobblestreets, stone houses and flower stalls.

Oh And PS...

You know I love Will Ferrell, right? This kills me. Check it out.