The Un-Venice Day Trip

1.2.3.
4. 5.

Let me explain: We fully intended on taking the train to Venice today. Fully intended.
1. This man's job is to make sure no one was on the bus who didn't have a ticket. He did the hob well today, and we were pinched. Pinched in the law sense of the word, not the bad way. Not knowing what someone is saying when they are yelling at you helps soften the blow, I understood the word police though, smiling seemed to make him more mad, silly Bus Cop man. Needles to say after a 25 euro fine for both of us being smiled down to just one 25 euro fine we decided Venice was overrated and we could see the sights of Vincenza, which is pretty much spelled and sounds the same as Venice.
2. I almost won the bike race, but then was disqualified for not having a bike. Who knew Italians were such sticklers for rules!
3. I almost tricked Jocelyn into joining a convent by telling her it was Italian Trick or Treat day but she caught on. So in the end the convent lost a prospective nun and no one got any candy.
4. Carbs...this is why we walked the 4 miles home.
5. These dogs were very cute and if I spoke Italian I would have brought them home. Sadly they were in a committed relationship with an elderly woman with a beard...they told me I should look into buying 3 cats.

NOT PICTURED BUT WORTH A MENTION: The restaurant where we picked up a pizza last night hadon their menu a pizza with "finely shredded horse meat". Think about that next time you have a bad day....it won't make your bad day better, if anything it will just help you have a worse day, but just think about it for fun.

Say, "Sugar Coma" Gracie

In Italy there are just so many times you can go out and eat gilato. Sometimes you have to stay in and do arts and crafts. Tonight me and my BFF Gracie did just that.

I taught her how to use glitter in a responsible manner while still having fun.

And she taught me how to be really quiet in the kitchen so your mom doesn't know your eating the frosting off the cake...she's really smart for her age.

Vincenza, Italy

Today I was honored not only to take a body combat class on base but also to be serenaded by the Vincenza elementary school while they formed a living breathing Italian flag. They sang Volare and it would have brought a tear to Dean Martin's eye....even Sammy Davis' fake one. I then did laundry in a real live American washer and dryer and it was done under an hour! I also was able to buy American deodorant (a must when it hits over 68 degrees). And then we went out to the movie theatre on base (I am getting to use to standing for the National Anthem before anything starts) to see Sweeney Todd, which makes me not want to go to get my haircut any time soon. Tomorrow is my show at the Ciao Conference and who knows what after that. All I do know for sure s that there will be gilato involved.

Venice, Italy

Hey Ireland, it's called the sun, look into.

When I get back to Derybeg, they won't recognize me on account of the 4 shades darker I have become. Oh sunny and 68, I thought you had left me forever! Thank you Italy.

Does Your Dog Bite?

This is Spike.
Spike lives in Derybeg, CO. Donegal Ireland.
Spike likes to eat rocks.
Spike smells like he also likes to eat garbage.
Judy and Spike like to pretend to eat giant ice cream cones while cars drive by.
Spike wishes garbage fell from the sky as much as rain did in Derybeg...that would really make his day, but would be awkward for everyone else.

I am Tan

compared to some.

Happy Easter!

Back in Ireland for Easter and it's still cold here...and it might even rain.
Imagine that.

Me and Mom Hung Out Today

Annual Apparition To Mirjana - March 18, 2008

The visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo had daily apparitions from June 24th 1981 to December 25th 1982. During the last daily apparition, Our Lady gave her the 10th secret, and told her that she would appear to her once a year, on the 18th of March. It has been this way through the years.

This year several thousand pilgrims gathered to pray the Rosary at the Cenacolo Community in Medjugorje. The apparition lasted from 14:01 to 14:08.

Mirjana transmitted the following:

I have never seen Our Lady address us in this manner. She extended her hands towards us and with her hands extended in this way, she said:

"Dear children, today I extend my hands towards you. Do not be afraid to accept them. They desire to give you love and peace and to help you in salvation. Therefore, my children, receive them. Fill my heart with joy and I will lead you towards holiness. The way on which I lead you is difficult and full of temptations and falls. I will be with you and my hands will hold you. Be persevering so that, at the end of the way, we can all together, in joy and love, hold the hands of my Son. Come with me; fear not. Thank you."

We Need Sunscreen

Made it to Medjugorje and already so much grace can be felt here. I think this is a very special place and it is so cute to see the Irish kids walking around in short sleeves because it is so hot, but really it is in the 50's but still blazing hot for them.

Medj-Bound

Back in Ireland for a wee bit and then gone in the morning to Medjugorje. We will back in Ireland 2 am Easter Morning. Me and 30 Irish people in Bosnia Herzegovina, I'll be the tannest one in the group...I can't wait.

Highland Cows Ahoy!

I took a photo of flat teddy and then he took one of me...it's lonely sometimes.

Haggis Sushi

Tonight we went out for sushi in Glasgow.

For the record, there is not enough Pepto in the world to do that again.

I'll stick with blood pudding tacos from now on.

Tomorrow: highland cows on a stick

Letterkenny XLT

If I ever live in my own house that has more than one level and I happened to lose the ability to climb stairs, I am so going to get one of these things!

A Lovely Walk Went Wrong

We went for a lovely walk, blue skies, fresh ocean smell, lovely sheep...then the skies opened up and God dumped a millions tons of water on us. Flat Teddy lost a leg the wind was so strong. Luckily, Anne saw us and brought us in for tea and a fire. Then as quick as the storm came up it passed. Tonight the storm of the century should hit us and all of Ireland is talking about it, even the cows. For a place that rains everyday for people to talk about a storm it must be pretty darn big. I'm not scared though because tomorrow I am escaping to sunny Scotland.

McDonald's

I had a Shamrock Shake in Ireland...how original.

Some highlights of the trip so far:
It rained.
I was chased by both sheep and a dog...not a sheep dog.
It rained again.
I feel tan.

Slán go fóill

I'm leaving tomorrow for Ireland.
I will back in 36 days.

Check back here for:
Photographs
Videos
Reports of any arrests.