The accents, I tell you!

If you know me at all, you know my obsession with the unique ways people talk. Not only am I fascinated by interesting accents, but I also focus in on the particular phrasings people use. Ireland is chock-full of fascinating tidbits of language-related intrigue!

Here's a few:

1. Like: The Irish tend to add the word "like" to the end of some sentences. It is very similar to the way we American's use "like", except they finish their sentences with it. Not EVERY sentence ends this way. Just the ones where it would make sense and perhaps give the listener a better understanding of the method/attitude/feeling with which a situation or conversation occurred. Example: I stayed up all night. So now I'm wrecked like. But don't you worry about me, pet. I'll be alright.
2. That is not on: I don't believe this is unique to the Irish, because my Scottish friends say it too. Using this saying is replacement for the all-American "that was not cool" or something like that. I love this one. I think I'll integrate it into my repertoire.
3. Cup: Or Cuppa or Cuppie....all relates to having a cup of tea or coffee. I've been offered some version of this several times (daily) since I've been here. I'm in love with tea, especially with milk and two small teaspoons of sugar. Heaven on earth.

My purpose in coming to Ireland is far bigger than just getting cultural lessons, but I do love that element of this trip so far.

I went into downtown Killarney yesterday, just a mile's walk or so from where I am staying. My friends/pastors here walked with me to show me the way. We tried to find a little shop where I bought a claddagh ring 14 years ago, but we couldn't seem to spot it. The downtown has grown quite a bit and many shop signs have been updated. Mac's (my favorite little eatery) moved, but is still there! Yay!! Best chicken and chips (fries) ever!! I am definitely going back down there next week. I'm afraid I'll have to buy a second bag to bring back all the goodies I want to buy. Items on my wish list: new claddagh ring (nicer one this time!), a bodhran drum, t-shirt with Gaelic on it, secret gifts for my niece and nephew, a wool sweater, etc, etc, etc.....

Here are some things I've learned since I arrived:

1. Killarney's downtown shoots Neenah's downtown out of the water. But, that's not saying much. Seriously though, Killarney is super great.
2. If you walk slowly and look up at the shop signs, you're a tourist. (just like NYC or any other large city in the world, I suppose.)
3. Irish bankers are so nice. And a $100 gets you only 67 Euros right now. Such is life!
   
4. Coca-Cola in Ireland is AMAZINGLY better. It's made with real sugar, not corn syrup.
   
5. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to pay for anything myself, unless I'm alone or I force my money into their hands/purses! My hosts are being too generous and Ireland is very expensive. I'm going to have to be clever on how I repay some of this generosity!
6. The houses don't have screens in the windows. No bugs. Well, there are a few, but not like Wisconsin. It's lovely!!!
   
7. The people are so friendly. I haven't met a person that I didn't like. I haven't met a lot of folks yet, so I guess that could change, but I doubt it.
8. I am praying that God will use me here. I feel like it has already happened some, but I know there's more I could do. So, I'm just asking, looking, waiting for opportunities. One thing I do know is that the Lord loves the Irish and so do I.

Love,
Katy

My Lovely Hostesses

I have the pleasure of staying in such a cute house right next door to Al and Christine Dreher (the pastors of the church I'm working with here). Their neighbor, Gillian, has offered me a nice, cozy little room of my own for the next three months. Her sister, Orla, is also staying here for now and she is a gas. (really funny) They call the backyard the "garden". And Gillian's garden is adorable. She's got a few flowering bushes and trees, surrounded by a high wall that encircles most of the house. So cozy.

Orla has already offered me a tour of the Ring of Kerry, which is the county that we are currently in. I believe we did that drive when our mission team was here 14 years ago, but I hardly paid attention back then and I also didn't have a camera. This time will be MUCH better.

I feel so thankful that the arrangements for my time here worked out so well. I even have wireless internet access at Gillian's house. She has the sweetest dog too - Pepsi - who is a small "lassie" collie. He's gorgeous and well-tempered. Cuddly little lad.

Okay - this is a short entry today! Don't want to see obsessed with being on my computer!! :)

Love,
Katy

The Trip

My trip to Ireland went really well. My dad, brother and I arrived in Chicago FAR too early, but it worked out the best since I haven't been through O'Hare in years. First blessing was Starbucks. I furnished myself with an ice cold Vanilla Latte....venti. Next I found a back corner seat in the waiting area by my gate, which happened to be the very last gate in that corridor. Lastly, there was an electrical outlet right next to my chair. For the next few hours (I told you I was really early), I played around on my brand new iPod touch and watched a couple episodes of Friends on DVD. It didn't take long for me to start realizing what an amazing thing it was that I was about to do! Going back to Ireland felt like a dream coming true and I had to mentally pinch myself a few times. The flights were good and pretty much uneventful. Crossing over the North Atlantic can be a little bumpy at times, but mostly it was just LONG. I couldn't sleep at all. Partially due to cramped quarters and partially excitement, I just listed to my iPod. Man, that was a good investment!!

My only "nervous" moment during the travel was at Immigration in Dublin. My immigration officer was extremely serious and didn't crack a single smile. He shook his head and said "that's not enough" when I told him how much cash I had on me for my 3-month stay. Praise the Lord that I brought my most recent bank statement to show how my money I actually had access to. He was approving after seeing that paperwork. When he asked me what I do for a living, he wasn't too pleased to know that I'm unemployed mostly and just work as a temp (I didn't want to lie!). He looked at me suspiciously, wondering surely, if I was trying to find work here. He said, "What are you doing here for 3 months?", in not a very friendly tone. I assured him I am only visiting friends and helping their church for NO pay at all. I am supporting myself financially. I could tell he wasn't buying it. That's when I really thanked Jesus that the Drehers had sent a "welcome" letter from their church to prove I was coming over to volunteer. The officer read it over and grilled me about the Drehers.

Officer: "What does Allan do?"
Katy: "He's a pastor."
Officer: "Is Allan married?"
Katy: "Yes, to Christine."
Officer: "Do they have any children?"
Katy: "They have Dylan and Desmond. One is a foster child and the other they just adopted in June. I don't know which is which though." (Can you tell I was nervous? Now I remember that it is Dylan who is fostered and Desmond who is adopted - sweet boys by the way!!)
Officer: "Well, you certainly have your story straight."

I so wanted to say, "It's not a STORY....it's TRUE." But, I wisely kept my mouth shut and prayed like gang-busters in my mind.

Officer: "Do you have a return flight?"
Katy: "Yes, for December 14th. I wanted to make it for just shy of 3 months....to be safe."
Officer: "Show me."

I pulled out my receipt for my ticket. He examined it closely. Then he (begrudgingly, in my opinion) stamped my passport with a 3-month visitor's visa, for departure on December 14th.

WHEW.

Officer: "You are NOT allowed to work here."
Katy: "Yes, definitely."
Officer: "Welcome to Ireland."
Katy: "Thank you."

I walked calmly and confidently away from immigration and found my luggage and the Drehers. Hallelujah.

So much more to tell already, but I'll save that for the next blog!!

Love, Katy

Irish Culture lesson # 1

In case you might have wondered, "Éireann go Brách" means "Ireland Forever" or "Ireland until the Judgement Day", depending on your perspective.

Originally, when I started this blog, I had written "Erin go Bragh" - which is the Anglecized version of the Gaelic saying. So, in honor of all the Irish friends I am about to make, I thought I should put the Gaelic version on my blog instead. :)

The first time I went to Ireland, back in 1995, I bought this cool t-shirt at a little gift shop in downtown Killarney (again, that's Anglecized - the city's name is really Cill Airne).

The t-shirt was black and it had a grouping of Irish instruments on the front and the words "Sin Sceal Eile" underneath the image. I asked the guy who sold it to me what the words meant. He said "That's Another Story" and I said, "Well, I've got time." Haha....kidding. Seriously though, that's what the words mean. I guess it's something people say sometimes when they get off on a tangent while telling a story. The Irish are known for being good storytellers, so I'd guess this could happen pretty often if you run into a person who uses Gaelic much in their every day life.

The shop guy went on to ask me how old I was. He looked to be around 23 or so. I said, "17". He said, "How long have you been 17?" (That's a joke for my fellow Twilight fans....) Again, seriously, his real response was, "Well, you should come out tonight. We'll have a good bit of crack."

I think my eyes widened to the size of silver dollars. Was this bloke offering me drugs?

He laughed at me, told this crazy American girl to relax, and finally explained that it just means to have fun.

I still passed on the offer. I was only 17 after all!

So, here's a recap of today's lesson:

• Éireann go Brách - pronounced "erin go bragh" (gutteral "gh") / Ireland Forever!!!
• Cill Airne - pronounced "Killarney" / the cool Irish city I'll be staying in or near
• Sin Sceal Eile - pronounced "shan scale aylee" / That's Another Story
• Good Bit of Crack - to have a good time or have fun
• Bloke - a common Irish/Scottish/English way of saying "Guy" or "Dude"

I cannot wait to learn loads of interesting facts about Irish culture! Be prepared for many lessons / postings down the road.

Love,
Katy

A Dream...Delayed

Hello my friends and family!
I decided (with some prompting by good friends) to start a blog about my experiences during the three months I will be in Ireland.
You might be wondering why I would start writing now, since I'm still in Wisconsin at the moment. Well, it probably has something to do with the fact that I had a dream last night about going to the O'Hare airport (Chicago) in a couple of weeks.
My niece and nephew (Kate and Eli, respectively) were with me in the dream and I was scheduled to board my plane in about an hour. I suddenly realized that I had forgotten two very important things back in Neenah. My ticket and my passport. Oops.
Man, I was freaking out. I started crying because I knew that there was no possible way that I would be getting on that plane and I'd have to postpone my trip until I could get my passport and book a new ticket.
We returned to the car so I could just sit in the backseat and cry my eyes out. My brain was scrambled with "why did I forget those things!!" and "oh my gosh, I need to call the Drehers and tell them that I'm not arriving as planned." It was an awful feeling.
As I write this out, I think I know why I dreamed about having to push out my date of departure.
I went to Ireland in 1995 and for the past 14 years, I've wanted SO much to return. It has taken a LONG time to get to this point and I think part of me cannot yet believe it's really happening. I must secretly expect something to keep me from actually going. And there have been a few occurances that I have made me wonder if it would get put off....but NO! I refuse to let God's Enemy (and mine) convince me that it won't work out.
Let's see.....here's a few things that happened that threatened my the delay of my dream to return to the Emerald Isle:

1) A handful of family problems
2) Finances
3) Dental Work
4) My dad's motorcycle accident

Yeah, I refuse to let anything (except God) stop me from going on this trip.
This dream may have been delayed for 14 years, but it was for good reasons I think. I have matured and grown in peace, confidence and strength. So, it's okay that it has taken 14 years to get here, but it won't take me any longer now.

September 17th....Ireland or bust.

Love,
Katy