Notre Dame vs. Navy: The American Invasion

In preparation for the BCS National Championship game tonight between Notre Dame and Alabama, I thought it was a good time to rewind to Notre Dame's very first game of the season. This, of course, took place in none other than Dublin, Ireland! Perhaps it was the Luck of the Irish that led them to victory in that game and the title of the only undefeated football team this year (aside from the ineligible yet perfect Buckeyes... Urban Meyer, what!?).

Despite what tonight's championship brings, Notre Dame's first game brought our first visitors and made for a fun weekend. Fun, but also overwhelming! It was estimated that some 35,000 Americans descended upon Dublin for the Emerald Isle Classic, hence my referral to it as the "invasion." After living in Ireland for a bit, my senses went into overdrive from the ubiquitous sounds of boisterous American voices and sights of ball caps, tennis shoes, logoed polo shirts and lanyards. It was nuts having that many Americans here in Dublin!

We braved the tourist-ridden Temple Bar area, which we rarely visit as it is, 2 days in a row to meet friends for a night out and the pre-game Tailgate Party. As you see above, the streets were crowded as far as the eye could reach in every direction. Like I said, it was quite overwhelming, but we made it through the masses to a rooftop bar, where we planted ourselves to watch the game and enjoyed an uncharacteristically beautiful day.

Even though the city was packed and I was asked every day for weeks if I was visiting for the game, it was a blast. It's always great to show friends your city, and get a little reenergizing boost from home. It seemed like all the visitors had a great time in Ireland and it was a successful event for The Gathering, an Irish tourism initiative encouraging people with Irish ancestry to visit the country (the weekend was rumored to have brought in ~ €100 million!).

We won't be able to watch the game tonight since it starts at 1:00 AM for us, but best of luck to the Fighting Irish! We're rooting for you from across the pond!

All I Want for Xmas is... a Work Permit!

I can't believe the holiday season is upon us... Cue the cheery music, shopping madness, ugly jumpers (for my U.S. readers, jumper = sweater), and booze filled holiday parties. I've started getting in the mood myself, lighting my "White Christmas" Yankee candle and watching Love Actually, Elf, and even New Year's Eve. 

I also went on a holiday mission with my friend, Michelle, to the Euro Store (equivalent of the Dollar Store) for Xmas decorations. Ours are boxed up in storage, but we both still wanted a little festive touch for our Dublin homes. I got 2 stockings, garland and gold pinecone ornaments for a DIY garland for the mantle, and red tea light holders for €7 - now I call that a successful trip!

While I was putting up my new decorations, dancing around and belting out Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" alone in our apartment, I started thinking about what I wanted for Xmas. My Mom asked me a few days prior, and I told her I didn't want anything, just wanted to be home with everyone (don't you just love when people give that answer? Makes it soo easy on you, right? Ha). I then jokingly said, "If you can get me a work permit, that would be great." 

For anyone who knows me well and knows about my nightmare of a permit application process, you know this is no joke. You probably want this for Christmas too, just so you don't have to hear me complain anymore! It's unreal to me that this year is winding down and I'm still sitting here, waiting for the Irish government to pick up the application (MY THIRD ONE) from the stack it's been sitting in for a month and give me the "OK" to start working.

I had NO idea when we moved that it would be this complicated and torturous an ordeal. Finding a job was not the hard part; the permit process, however, has been the most ridiculous thing ever. I'll tell you what though... What I've missed in professional growth this year, I've gained 10x in personal growth.

This year, I'm more grateful than I've ever been for everyone in my life. As I told Mom, I could care less about presents and I'm looking so forward to spending time with my family and friends, even for the short week that we're home.

Since the Employment Permits Office informed me that they "don't accept bribes," after I asked if there was any way to expedite the process for the umpteenth time, maybe I'll just show up at the office with a bottle of whiskey (that is, if there was a physical location), pull a Marilyn Monroe and sing Santa Baby...

"Santa baby, slip a [permit] under the tree, for me
I've been an awful good girl
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight"

Thoughts?