Welcome, Sydney Noelle!

My new niece is here!

Sydney Noelle Despins was born Wednesday, May 28th at 9:05a, weighing in at an impressive 9 lbs 7.9 oz and 21 inches.


Everyone is doing great! I kept calling home to get info; I was really anxious to hear from overseas that Krista and Sydney were doing well. I had a hard time knowing I wasn't going to get to see her, but luckily Liz was able to go to the hospital and see them! Thanks Liz! I can't wait to meet her. Based on this picture, I would say she has the Taylor nose and looks a lot like her mommy!

Ireland in review 5/22 - 6/2

Derry, near memorials

Giants Causeway, Co. Antrim

Stone walls, Giants Causeway

Stranmillis College, near QUB

Jane & I, the Quays, Galway

Jane & her friend Fiona

Holiday Cottages, Louisburgh

Connemara Region, Co. Mayo

Salthill shoreline, near Galway

The view from the Ward's kitchen

the Family Ward: Shiela, Brian, Jane, Romy & Daibhéid

Dance party

Jane & Ken

Soccer fans

Croke Park, Dublin

Fri 22 May - The students and faculty left this morning to head to Belfast for their exchange program. I was in the Business Centre checking my email, killing time before Jane arrived, and poof--she surprised me! All of a sudden she popped in the door and was there! It was very surreal--it had been 4 years since we'd seen her. We drove to her house in Lucan, a suburb of Dublin (I just tried not to freak out with cars seeming to come at us). She and her other roommate, Martin, rent from her friend Blanard. The most unique thing I remember that's different about their houses are the lightswitches. Don't ask me why. Jane went back to work and I took a long, lovely shower, walked to the pay phone which didn't work, tried to lock myself out of the house, and couldn't turn on the TV. That night Jane made a very yummy stir-fry and we sat up until the wee hours just talking and catching up.
Sat 24 May - I woke up--after 12.5 hours of sleep! This was the first night I really slept OK. Guess I needed it. Jane and I puttered around for most of the afternoon and took the bus into Dublin's City Centre. We arrived at a pub near Trinity and met Ken, her boyfriend, and two other friends. Ken was so nice! Really sweet and he and his friends were all really friendly. Jane & I walked to Croke Park--Dublin's sports arena--and watched a friendly match between Ireland & Serbia. There were 80,000 people! Unbelieveable. After the match, we met the group at the Stag's Head (where she had taken Janell & Jeff) and later moved on to Sinnotts. Very busy, lots of dancing by all of us! Fabulous fun 80s pop tunes. Finally at 3:15 am, we called it a night. WHEW! Great craig!
Sun 25 May - Jane & I drove to Carrickmacross, where her parents and sister live, and had lunch with them. I had met Brian, Jane's dad, when he came to the US while she was studying. However, it was so wonderful to finally meet everyone else that I've heard so much about. Her goregeous brother Daibhéid (Gaelic for David) was also there. We drove around the town, where she showed me her primary & secondary school, the local grocer (who asked me if I knew how to ride a horse & milk a cow), their old farm, and some new developments. The Wards' picture window looks out onto the countryside--absolutely idyllic!
Mon 26 May - Jane & I drove to Salthill, a seaside town just a few km outside of Galway. We walked the waterway, had some lovely honeycomb ice cream, and took in all the beauty of the seascape! That night we had a very filling dinner in the hotel restaurant. Wine of course.
Tue 27 May - Off to Louisburgh! We took the long way (not on purpose), but we were able to see several small mountain ranges, which convince me as to why the west is so majestic! Louisburgh was much of how I remembered it--there's more development, but very familiar. Strange when you revisit a place that's so vivid in your mind. The cottage manager was kind enough to let us into Cottage 1 and I took pictures of the place I remember so well.
Wed 28 May - I definitely supported the EU economy by shopping in Galway; I know it's expensive but everything is still lovely; a sheep for the new baby, a lace tablecloth for mom, a tie for Corey...take that economic stimulus, G Dubbs! Jane had a pedi at the hotel & I a hot stone massage--brilliant.
Thu 29 May - We drove back to Lucan today; I forgot my pants at Jane's (imagine that). She drove me to Dublin's train station so I could head to Belfast to catch back up with the group. Wonderful way to see the countryside. Without the border, it's really hard to distinguish the Republic from the North--of course this is from a Yankee's POV. Staying at Stranmillis College, just down from Queen's University. So green and beautiful--reminds me of home.
Fri 30 May - I had my appointments with faculty at QUB this morning--everyone was so helpful and inviting. I can definitely see me coming back in some professional capacity in the future. I went out to dinner with the faculty tonight--we had a visual feast of very fashionable young women dressed TO THE NINES. Everyone had a dress on, in addition to very stylish heels. I should do an entire entry on Irish fashion.
Sat 31 May - We left for Derry this morning, and went to Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle. The Causeway is ranked worldwide next to the Pryamids, and now I know why! An absolute amazing feat of nature. Gotta see it to believe it. Derry is full of murals and monuments dedicated to the liberation of the country, along with commemoration of those who fought in most recent decades towards independence.
Sun 1 Jun - We headed back to Dublin, which was relatively low-key, with the exception of a pit stop in the City Centre for more shopping. A lovely striped sweater for me and a scarf for Corey. Many Euros worth of Irish chocolate were purchased from Butler's Chocolate Cafe and I had a hot cocoa--I think I was on a sugar high for about 5 hours. Going home tomorrow--bittersweet, no doubt : )

Greetings from ireland!

Library, Trinity College
A page from the Book of Kells
Park Plaza Hotel, Tyrrellstown
Le Cafe en Seine
St Stephen's Green
We made it! I wasn't sure if i would have much internet access here, but viola! Tuesday the group/shuttle picked me up and we headed to the airport. We had SEVERAL delays, one being weather on the east coast, another being our plan had a mechanical error, and another being we used so much fuel we had to get more...so we barely made our connection to Dublin. Again, running through airports...it happens a lot. We made our 6 hour flight, but our luggage didn't. We got into the Dublin airport and heard our names over the loudspeaker, which we thought meant our tour service was there. Oh well. I just had to wash my clothes in the sink and borrow a shirt from a prof in the group. But yeah! I am back on the beautiful island! Yesterday we took a tour of the inner city Dublin Centre and spent the afternoon lunching and shopping. We found a great 1920s French bistro where we had lunch called Cafe En Seine, per the recommendation of the French prof we are travelling with. I had my first Bulmer's there (yum : )We spent some time walking around St. Stephen's Green, and I was struck at how fast people move around here. Put your shoulders back and don't get pushed around. Our guide told us Dublin is the 7th most expensive city in world and the 4th most in Europe. Our hotel, the Park Plaza in Tyrrellstown, is outside of the immediate city, but it's very nice, equipped the a US outlet, fancy, 1950s retro rooms, and free internet in the business centre. Emailing has been easier than using the phone, which is much more difficult than I remember. It was about 5 euro ($7.50) to call Corey for about 5 min, so I'll keep those to a minimum. Last night we had dinner at a very nice Asain fusion restaurant that is actually part of the hotel. The fishcakes, shiraz and white chocolate mousse was a great end to a long few days. Today we had a wonderful traditional Irish breakfast and our hotel is equipped with a instant gourmet coffee maker, which is ready to make excellent foam and any drink you would like. We went to Dublinia, a Viking history center, then we went to Trinity College and the phenomenal Book of Kells. I connected with Jane, and she is picking me up at the hotel tomorrow. Tonight is going to consist of a hot bath and a good book. I am not certain how often I will get to email, but hopefully my posts will be consistent! Slainte!

Suitcase checklist

Seeing that I am a professional procrastinator, I thought it might be helpful to start packing now for my trip to Ireland. I'll have all weekend to put practical outfits together and lament about my lack of clothes and stylish/appropriate footwear. What I still have to purchase: band-aids (for the anticipated blisters), universal plug adapter, phone card, sweat-wicking socks, and maybe another pair of loafers. I am anticipating packing will take me some time, particularly because I always tend to forget vital items, like a toothbrush. Jane and I pretty much have our part of the trip planned out and I'm really excited to meet her family. I'm trying to decide if I can re-learn how to knit by then, as the flight is rather long...Anyone who's traveled abroad lately have any suggestions of must-have items?

Hug your mom

Yesterday my mom and my cousin Mary and I went out for brunch to celebrate Mother's Day. We've been going to the same restaurant for MD for 3 years--and every year I get the same thing--an omelette with lobster and asparagus--magnificent. I'll try and remember to post the picture. It's such a fun annual tradition to look forward to.


Gina sent me this picture from our work party last week. I just realized my face looks blurry.

Upright again

After almost an entire week of being infirmed, I was really glad that I could enjoy some activities this past weekend that didn't include juice, dry toast and the boob tube. My inordinate time on the couch did allow me to finally watch Frida, Antwone Fisher and The Sea Inside, but let's face it: being sick gets you down (duh). Friday night's labor of love was Corey's multimedia video for environmental education (we watched the finished product at a modest 4:00 am); Saturday at 7:00 am we flipped pancakes for a fundraiser at his school. I was the syrup girl. Tres chic. His students love him. It's pretty incredible to see, actually. It's nice to be reminded that during those formative years, you really do remember those teachers and their impact on you. The weather is finally coming around, so spending yesterday afternoon at a baseball park was pretty much the best day I could ask for.