Mostly Food

So I've been doing some things, getting some packages, seeing some people, trying to do actual school work...

Last week Caroline and I went out to eat with our friend Nike and Ive got our parting picture after dinner. This past weekend I hung out with a couple of friends from the CU, Jenn and Judy, both post grads, which is scarce in the CU. We had dinner at Judy's flat on campus and drank tea into the night, just talking about school and our futures, and playing M.A.S.H., the fortune teller game that you'd make in church, tic tac toe and other fun games from our childhood. That was really a enjoyable night.

As far as packages, thank you everyone who's sent me things. I've loved them. Mom, you know I got the package full of makeup that I had bought before I left and then forget to bring with me, so that was lovely!! And for those of you who dont know, Steve was kind enough to stop by my parents house the morning I was leaving to pick up all of my extra things I could not carry in my suitcases. That was super nice, because as it turns out, the contents would have been the equivalent of another packed to the limit suitcase (and I already had 2 stuffed cases!) Thankfully, I received that ginormous 'parcel' today and you can see in the picture all of the things on the floor (and a few clothes on the bed). Besides boots and some thick clothing, I had bathroom supplies and food.

My most excited thing in there was the worlds most amazing salsa (in Kerry's mind). Yes, over the Christmas holiday, I discovered that Tostinos had brought back a most beloved salsa. Seriously I was in such pain when they had discontinued the salsa. I searched for it online only to discover a public just as upset as I. And I feel they have done a very bad job letting the public know that it's back. I happened to buy 2 bottles the day before I left (the day i found it). Just to make sure this was it, that was my salsa, i opened the 1st bottle as a taste test, while Mom was cooking her last meal. 15 minutes later, still standing at the kitchen counter, I had finished off the jar of salsa. Yup, that was the correct salsa! Now I have it, but am waiting to dig into it until Im in desperate need for it! (I feel the same way about my Mountain Dew that he sent as well, as it's my favorite and most addicting soda, I'm only going to open it when completely necessary!!)

I have, however, eaten 2 Little Debbie Fudge Rounds (wish I had stolen the other Little Debbie's from my parent's kitchen), looking at a possible one more (and since it's after midnight then it's not 3 in one day!), I've already dug into the Fritos, which made it here in surprisingly good shape, seeing as how it looked a bit crushed when I rescued it from the box, and the package arrived at a good time because apparently we were already in need for more Apple Barn apple butter and the next bottle has already been opened and found a spot in the fridge... My flat mates dig the apple butter. They use it way more than I do! haha

So thank you guys very much for sending me 'the parcels'. They certainly made my days!! :)

I took a picture of my Spaghettios, because it's not often that you will see a bowl of spaghettios in Ireland, and it's laying next to my Irish soda bread, so that's a nice little meal... A little americano, a little irish...

The last pictures are the dinner I made. I've been getting heckled by a few flat mates (I realize that it's more their culture and they arent aware of how insensitive or non encouraging they can come across) and once I finally got my loan money, I went shopping, mostly for ingredients. So i decided to make something, but waited until after 10pm to get in the kitchen so I wouldnt have as many critics overseeing me. So I made "Capellini with shrimp and creamy tomato sauce", which is one of several 10 minute recipes I found online. The sauce was coming along. When Maria came in she was impressed by the smell and was surprised that I was the one making it! haha. But I added the picture online of what it's supposed to look like (with it's jumbo shrimp) and then a picture of my leftovers. The sauce was pretty good. I used spices and everything! (including garlic, oregano, salt and pepper - hey that's a big deal for me!)

Then lastly I'm uploading a video of Joseph walking, tho I'm sure he's even better at it now!