Contamination...

While in Sligo taking surfing lessons a while back Chris and I met two very cool people, Clare and Nigel...and they live in Dublin! After much effort from both sides, we were able to meet up for the long anticipated Contamination Exhibit at the Science Gallery. All four of us were very excited for the exhibit. We were all equally disappointed, but very much enjoyed the company!

The first station was the "Kissing station". You could pay 3 euro to kiss a petri dish full of agar (it was like the science fair all over again...minus the kissing a petri dish part), then it incubates for 24 hours and is put on display so everyone can see all the bacteria you have in your mouth and on your face. These are the samples from the last 3 weeks...go ahead, click on the picture so you can take a closer look. There was one sample that had e.coli growing on his chin...Um, that dude had poop on his face! GROSS!

All the stations went downhill from there...

The Brainwave game was the saving grace of the exhibition. You strap sensors on your head, then relax or concentrate really hard to increase your alpha waves. In doing this you are able to move the magnetized ball into your opponent's circle...The hardest thing to do is relax on demand! I tried the concentrating really hard route, but that didn't work so well!

Anniversary dinner...

So Chris and my first year anniversary was officially Tuesday, June 23, 2009. I skipped yoga and was grandly rewarded by Chris cooking me dinner, then cleaning up the kitchen afterward...washed dishes and everything...he's gonna be hard pressed to top this year after year!

Eggs Florentine anyone?

Anniversary weekend...

In celebration of our 1st year anniversary, Chris and I took our new SatNav out for a spin and headed down to Wicklow County...Powerscourt waterfall, Glendalough & Glenroe Farm here we come!

It's like he's coming outta nowhere!

We ate lunch at this lovely cafe...delicious paninis.

Powerscourt waterfall...

The waterfall was breath taking and it was super fun climbing all over the rocks!

Glendalough...aka Wicklow National Park...

Chris and I headed down to Glendalough (valley of the two lakes).

We walked through St. Kevin's cemetery and monastery...

On the walk to the upper lake!

Glenroe Farm...

Chris and I headed to Kilcoole to Glenroe Farm for the petting corner, nature walk and good old fashion fun! Typical of our outings, we were the only adults without kids!

Barefoot hiking...up the Croagh Patrick

For those of you who weren't aware, a couple months ago I decided to set out on a spiritual pilgrimage of hiking the Croagh Patrick barefoot. I have been training my feet by walking outside on our garden path of stones and in the park. I also researched prayers I felt resonated with my personal spiritual beliefs to recite at each of the three stations. I rented a car and drove to Westport on Wednesday, then after a hearty, full Irish breakfast, I set out on Thursday, June 18th. Thank goodness Chris decided to bring his camelback to Ireland!

Here is the official start to my pilgrimage at the base of the mountain...it began with a prayer I recited to the Roman and Norse Goddess Abudantia.

Up the first leg of the mountain. This was the most difficult part b/c the terrain was so diverse, the wind and rain were so fierce I kept losing my balance. Thank goodness for my sturdy walking stick. It definitely kept me from falling over a number of times! I felt like I had already completed a mountain after getting to the top of this section!

Ah, sweet, sweet bathroom break. I have never been so happy to step out of the wind and rain and into a dirty, minimalist bathroom with soggy toilet paper all over the concrete ground and a lack of toilet seat! But then it was onward and upward!

This was the first station, at the base of the steepest part of the mountain. I walked around it 7 times while reciting a prayer I chose to the Celtic Goddess, Brigid.

When I reached the summit, the wind increased to 60 mph. I walked around the second station with much difficulty, while reciting a prayer to the Celtic Goddess Nemetona.

I DID IT!

Once at the top, I put my shoes on and did my final station. #3: I walked around the chapel 15 times as I recited the Hail Mary. I thought it was extremely appropriate as the wind was blowing about 70 mph while hailing. I then started my descent. It took me roughly 4 hours to reach the summit and complete all three stations, then another hour to get to the base again. Here, I fully completed my pilgrimage by reciting a prayer to the Sumerian Goddess Inanna while walking around the statue of St. Patrick (pictured earlier).

Though physically challenging, the experience was worth it! I felt so many things on this pilgrimage, I can't put it into words. Thank you to all who gave so much support and encouragement!

St. Anne's Rose Garden...

Chris and I made the most of the beautiful spring afternoon and took a day trip on the DART to St. Anne's Park. Upon entering the park, we came across this grey squirrel. I hadn't seen a squirrel in a while so we sat and watched him. He found a clementine, then proceeded to peel and eat it! It was fascinating to watch!

We came across this tree that reminded me of Edward Scissorhands' hand!

Chris and I saw a sign advertising a farmers market, so we checked it out. Everyone was SO nice and encouraged us to taste everything even though we weren't going to be buying anything that day (we will definitely go back). I tasted some amazing sun-blushed tomato relish and the best pesto I've ever had! DEFINITELY going back! Chris got himself a HUGE ice cream cone too...

Now on to the Rose Garden...Chris wasn't the only one taking picture! These were my favorites!