Our Micra Machine

Well, we thought we could get away without a car, but we were wrong. I know, some of you are laughing right now.

On Thursday we went through post-grad orientation with other folks in Blayne's program. It was wonderful to get to meet the people he'll be learning with this year. They are very friendly and fun to be with. Several of them are from around here in Ireland and told us that the best local sessions are out in the countryside and go til 1 or 2 in the morning, and when they heard we didn't have a car they said "that won't do at all".

So, here is our little micra. After lots of help from Matt Chafin (our insurance agent in the states) and quite a few phone calls, and two bus trips to Nenagh (say nina) about 25 miles out from where we live, we have our own Nissian Micra. It's tiny, but (Jen, prepare to be jealous) it gets 52 mpg on the highway (not that there are many of those around here, but it's still rocks-or as the locals say "it's brilliant".

Here's Blayne lounging on one of the two sofas in our apartment. I'm sitting on that sofa now looking through the album that David & Natalie made for us...it's so good to see faces of dear friends and laugh at such fun memories. I'm looking forward to making those sorts of memories here and to hearing how things are going on with all of you. I'm missing home a bit right now, it's Friday night and we're just chilling (wierd, huh?). But our adventures here are only beginning.

So, tomorrow we'll be out for a drive around the countryside. We are very much looking forward to the freedom we'll have with a car! It's been a strange week for us, but good. Good to be together in this adventure. It alternates between really busy and thumb twiddling. I'm looking forward to getting into the rythym of life next week as Blayne begins his program.

Well, I'm cooking dinner and it's just about ready, so I need to run, but love you all lots!