More Ireland Videos

Medieval Town of Carlingford - P actually admitted if we moved back to Northern Ireland that he'd prefer to live here than in County Down (!) Shocker to me...



Visiting the famous 3000BC (that is before the Pyramids, ya'll...) prehistoric burial chamber (not good for those of us who get a little claustrophobic - -




walking around a lovely, sunny day in Dublin - -

Ireland 2010- video shorts

So after our whirlwind summer of fixing up the condo, buying a new house, starting work on it as well, planning and having our wedding reception celebration/1 year anniversary - - we then immediately left for Northern Ireland to see P's parents.

Unfortunately, my mother-in-law had a difficult summer with 2 strokes and we felt an extra push to get there to see her.

It was a quick trip - I was there for only 7 days and all 3 of us were suffering badly for whatever reasons the jet-lag. It seemed we were up every night and wanting to sleep during the day - just painful, really.

This trip - my 3rd to Ireland - was a little uneventful as we were there specifically to spend time with Nana Ann. Too bad we weren't able to do one of our big road trips as the weather was absolutely amazing - brisk but full of sunshine - only an hour of rain during one afternoon. I always expect it to be freezing and wet and I was unprepared for such cooperation from Mother Nature!

As usual, I just turned my Olympus Pen EP-2 to video recorder every so often so that my loved ones can get a feel of Patrick's Ireland.

Enjoy!

The All-Ireland Gaelic Football

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to "The Field" - the Irish bar downtown which seemed to be the only bar showing the All-Ireland Gaelic football champion game. It was 7am, early, on a Sunday but we weren't the only ones there braving the $20 entry (ouch!) and drinking Guinness and eating a traditional Irish breakfast "fry".

The big deal was that P's County Down made the finals for the first time since the early 1990s so there was no way he was going to miss this. He even made his Da' send him a shirt with the Down colors and emblem.

Well, we were highly outnumbered by the Corks (the southerners) and P tricked me into trying "Black Pudding" - which he later told me was made out of coagulated blood. Oh...my...gawd. I guess I am on Team Edward now.
Gaelic football is extremely interesting. They can use their hands as well so it's somewhat like soccer but quicker-paced with more scoring. Also, worth noting is that these are not professionals but athletes actually from the Counties themselves. Such as "Number 7 is a dentist in Newry" - - they are really just lads from your county neighborhoods so it lends a huge pride to have them represent in the All-Ireland.

Sad to say, after leading the first half the North lost by a couple points. But 'twas still a great time hearing all the Irish accents, the cheers and sitting next to the Catholic priest....

Bonita Vista High School Reunion - 20 Years!

We came in from Ireland last week to have me home just in time for my 20-year high school reunion on Saturday. I was jet-lagged and my back hurt from an earlier day of modeling runway (my lower back hurts more and more from wearing uber high-heels). But I took off all my crazy runway makeup and brushed out my hair and took a quick nap so that I could somehow get through the evening without crashing.

My always-dependable high school beau Joey picked me up so we could chat driving downtown. We both left our spouses at home. The truth is, although my Patrick initially wanted to go to see an American high school reunion, spouses are - for the most part- bored out of their minds at these things. So I made the executive decision that at $80 a ticket he could stay home. :)

Well, it was a WONDERFUL time - - it really amazes me how it's been 20 years since some of my peers and I have seen each other. Some I saw at the 10-year but there were a handful that didn't make that one. This party blew the other away. And I love that it was organized by 4 sweet, nerdy school pals. They really threw a great party! Everyone agreed it was very successful. And so much fun to see everyone!

Some fun moments? I did see a couple new enhanced gals working it out, I got hit on by the newly single star athlete who came out 10 years ago - I kept insisting I wasn't drinking and she kept insisting she wanted to buy me a drink. Heck, I didn't even let her get me a water for fear of her slipping a roofie in it. (I am kidding - sort of).

I was apologized to by my single biggest bully from 7-10th grade - until I got very recognized for my singing talent and just didn't care anymore about her and she stopped. That was nice to hear her say, "You know--- I wasn't really nice to you for a while there, was I, Elsa? I'm sorry - - I'm not like that anymore.." That makes 2 people who as adults apologized for hurting my feelings and saying awful things there for a while when we were kids. Not too shabby.
Other interesting moments? Well, Brian's very blond wife drank so much that a foot away from me as I was approaching him to say hi she went down - - Hard. Blacked out for almost 10 minutes, they had EMTs on the floor with her. I am just surprised at this age that people don't know their limits. It really was an unsettling scene there for a bit. And I never did get to talk to Brian after that.

A great highlight was our idea to shoot a picture of those of us from Ella B. Allen School (elementary). To think I've known those kids since kindergarten about 30 years ago and played at their houses just blows my mind! I am so proud of all of us and so thrilled to spread the Allen-School Love.

Other highlights are unmentionable - just worth noting that it's interesting to be the only one sober there and hear some of the things said to me by not-so-sober peers. I may have the Gift to Gab but I don't divulge things said by others that may be regretted. :)

Lastly, is it worth mentioning how I am in the absolute minority not having kids and just barely getting married??? I had a lot of quick conversations with a some peers on marriage number 2 and telling me of their kids in Jr High and some - even HIGH SCHOOL already!! HOLY FRIJOLES!!! Everyone thought my life is so neat and spontaneous - and it is - - but I felt compelled to tell them that I gave up having a normal life, husband, money and kids because of my pursuing an artistic career. I guess they feel the 'grass is greener'.

To the few who are not with us anymore - - my heart and prayers go out to them, their families, their kids - - it saddens me that they passed away so young. I will say it again: we are so blessed to be alive and have our health. Truly blessed.

Many, many cheers to Beth, Kelila, Mike and Ron for throwing a radical party!
I was so jetlagged that my eyes were burning and my legs were shaking but I had such a special time.
Enjoy the slideshow below!

BVH 20-Year Reunion

San Diego Blood Bank Runway Show

Did I get your attention??? This was a very colorful Under-The-Sea-themed runway show for a big charity party benefitting the San Diego Blood Bank back in June at a mansion in Torrey Pines. All photos courtesy of Gates Photography - gracias!

Feel free to click on the slideshow below for more -

SD Bloodbank Runway show

Wedding Reception/Anniversary

I am now a step-mom, wife and home-owner - - too busy for blogging as my readers can see! This summer has been full of moving to our new home, working on our condo, and planning for our First Anniversary/wedding reception bash last weekend.

September 21 marked my First Anniversary with my loved husband. Since we eloped last year we felt that we would throw a reception so that family and close friends could celebrate.



Here is just a hint of some of the pictures from our photographer and friend Heidi Lee. More to come when I get all the pictures but first we are off to see the in-laws and lads in Norn' Ireland..

Thank you all, for coming to San Diego to share our special day - - we felt very loved and surrounded by goodness.