Can’t get my mind of you

Cork

Reality exceeded my expectations, Cork was wonderful!

In short, it was a weekend full of great conversations; tasty Irish food and home baked bread and scones; music, song and guitar; something as random as a caravan-get-together(!!!!); wine and more good food; Lovely Irish people with a genuine interest of getting to know the Swedish girl; sleeping till late; lots and lots of rain; waterbottles and fires to warm cold feet; laughter; and a lot of motherly care from Mrs O’Donovan (she sent with homemade jam and coleslaw!) and she always said  “Love” or “Darling” with here warm and cheerful Irish accent, which melted my heart!

A great weekend! Thank you O’Donovan’s!

Outside the roads were floded, but inside a fire and an Irish meal made of smoked Bacon, cabbage and praties (potatoes) was waiting for us. It was delicious!
We sat down by the fire with a bottle of red wine, and got to know each other. After a while Tony, Mr O’Donovan, picked up the guitarr and entertained us with his music. Short after Fiona joined in by playing the fluit and sang. Oh Lord, she has a beautiful voice. Listening to the two of them singing and playing old Irish songs, was magical. Get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Tony let us wish songs. I wished for Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan I got.

We talked for hours, about life here in Dublin, in Sweden. About school, politics, music. And about Irish history in particular.
The strategic geographical location of Ireland has made the country an important pawn of the great powers. During centuries, the Irish people have have been so miss-treated, but have been fighting for their right to live.
Tony and Fiona sang many old Irish songs from The Famine, while Margret told me about the dark ages when the British Empire was starving the people to death. Only 170 years ago, in the 1840’s, the Famine took 6 million people. Actually more people than there is in Ireland today.

They sang “The Praties they grow small”, a song from that time.

They insisted on me playing something swedish. Played a short tune by Kent.

At 3,30 am, I was tucked in with 6 blankets and two water bottles.On Saturday we went out to Kinsale, and had a great walk to an old fort. Yet again they could tell about ages when the English, Spanish and Americans fought for Ireland. Unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs, so I don’t have any photos from that.

Lovely Tony, Margret and Fiona

Les Misérables

Oh, the Joy when I found the 25th anniversary of the West End’s production of Les Misérables.

I was ten years old when I heard the most beautiful song in the world; “On my own”, sung by Éponine (Lea Salonga) in Les Misérables. If you haven’t heard or seen the musical before, this is your chance. See it!

If you want to cheat, fast forward to:

-17 minutes and 35 minutes: Beautiful Lea Salonga sings “I dreamed a dream” and “Fanthine’s Death: Come to me”
– 1h 30 minutes: Eponine’s “On my own”
– 1h 46 minutes:  Jean Valjan’s “Bring him home” (Alfie Boe is remarkable, left me speechless)
– 2h 27 minutes: Jean Valjan’s “Bring him home” (All former Jean Valjeans perform)

Chances, people tell you not to take chances

Chances, people tell you not to take chances
When they tell you there aren’t any answers
And I was starting to agree 
But I awoke suddenly in the path of a lightning bolt

Happy Birthday Niroshi!

Happy Birthday Niroshi!

It is not only the first advent today, but also my big sister’s birthday! And once again I wish I lived closer so that I could give her a big hug. Or, actually, I wish I lived closer so that she could give me a hug. Because, her’s is one of the best, promise! And right now, when I’m a bit stressed over school, what I wish for the most is: A hug from her, her delicious cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate 
Luckily, I’m going to spend christmas with her, so hopefully I’ll get all three in just 22 days!

Niroshi,
Peter and I wish you not only a great birthday, but also a wonderful first advent!

Älskar dig, puss!

Tomorrow’s a new day. For everyone.

Today I was reminded that I don’t want to remember my year in Dublin as not experiencing, but only studying.

Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow I will take a stroll to the nearest water’s edge, and remember my place. Remember that many moons have risen and fallen long, long before I came…

Just be ready then…

Tethered to a bird of sorrow
A voice that’s buried in the hollow
You’ve given over to self-deceiving
You prostrate bow but not believing
You’ve squandered more than you could borrow
You bet your joy on all tomorrows for the hope of some returning
While everything around you is burning
Come on we gotta get out get out of this mess we’ve made
And still for all our talk we’re both so afraid
But will we leave this up to chance like we do everything
Love is gonna find us again

Love is gonna find us, you gotta be ready then…