A New Year...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It has been a while since I posted, really my only excuse is pure laziness and enjoying time off. We had an eventful New Years weekend: We ran out of oil Saturday morning. So, it was a cold one to say the least. As I sit writing this I am waiting for the new oil supply that came about two hours ago to work its magic and reheat the water so I can have my first shower since Saturday - yes, nasty I know, but I don't do cold water when its 30 outside and there is no heat. If I were somewhere tropical it would be different. And you thought I was high maintenance and had to shower HA. or maybe its the need for hot water that makes me high maintenance? lol. Church sent me home Sunday with a space heater that has kept our living room sufficiently warm. I also learned the pure joy that a hot water bottle in you bed at night (or for naps) can bring. Really, it wasn't all that bad at all. And I was more than happy to stay in my PJs and not shower : ) YUM! haha.

All the New Years events put on by Belfast City Council were cancelled due to 80-100 mph winds, rain, and overall just nasty weather. So sadly, no fireworks : ( The famous Hogmany in Edinburgh was also cancelled! I was hopin to go, so I am glad I didn't! I spent New Years (an evening that really could pass with no notice in my opinion) with a couple from Lauren's church and their friends. We had amazing chicken curry and more Indian starters, played who wants to be a millionaire, which was fairly British so I was very little help, and watched the new year celebrations in countries across the east. I even saw fireworks in the Philippines where my fellow YAV friends are serving! But it was a fun evening, and nice to be in a warm house! While we didn't practice this tradition, we learned of a Northern Irish new years tradition, of opening the front and back door at the stroke of midnight to let the new year in and to let the old year out the back door. I did this today when the oil man ran the big hose through the house. haha. The best part about their house was this cool clock, seen below! I was so stoked to watch it change! (even if the year didn't....)


On top of no heat or hot water, we have a houseful of people. Lauren's boyfriend and Alison's three friends are in town. Yes, it has been an adventure! We are all heading to Dublin tomorrow for an overnight trip. I am really looking forward to our trip, plus, Alison studied abroad there so she knows her way around like a champ! We have a built in tour-guide! I am sure I will post about our trip this weekend.

Until then, I hope you are all well, and have survived the Holidays!!