Home Sweet Home!

I got home a couple hours ago, and am getting sleepier by the minute, but I want to unpack and stay up until a normal bedtime (it's only 4 pm).

My flights were fine today, but I was scared I wasn't going to make the connections each time (Lima to Miami -- Miami to London -- London to Dublin), so I ran and got all sweaty (took a shower when I got home). I ended up having plenty time after running to the gates though. It's just that I never knew if the lines would be long for checking in bags, security, immigration, collecting my luggage, rechecking my bags, etc. Plus, I'm not familiar with the airports to know if the terminals / gates are miles away and I have to take a train or shuttle bus or if it's a 20 minute walk. Anyway though, I made them all fine and with time to spare.

In Miami, I bought a Pizza Hut pizza with my credit card since I don't have dollars (only euros) and then later saw a nice banana at a little kiosk store that I wanted to get. But that store wouldn't take my credit card and threw the banana back at me and told me to put it back (she was quite rude). There was a guy behind me that was awfully nice and he paid $1.06 for me to have the banana. I told him thank you very much. And on the Miami - London flight, I was sitting next to a really nice girl about my age who's from Jamaica. She was telling me about the island and she seemed really nice. We watched the same movie and shows on the flight, and we exchanged email addresses, so maybe if I ever go to Jamaica, I will have a friend.

I'm glad to be home, but I miss Peru at the same time. I really liked talking in Spanish, plus I just really enjoy the people in Peru; they have such a different and lovely view on life, they're all mostly happy even if they don't have much. It really makes you wonder about the quality of life that exists in the Western world cultures. I do like the lack of humidity here in Ireland though, I don't miss that part of Peru in the rain forest!

I will write some more about my adventures in Peru tomorrow, for now, I need to clear the mess that I've made on my bed so that I can sleep tonight!

Fly Away Time!

I'm all packed (have been for a week now) and I'm off to Peru for two weeks tomorrow afternoon. It should be a fun time. I'll tell you about the trip when I get back, as I'm not sure how often I'll get to a computer down there. Until next time, enjoy this Ziggy comic I found ;-)

The Magic of Whiteness

Tonight I went to a couple new places with my co-workers to celebrate two girls' birthdays (although, more than anything, it was just an excuse for everyone to go out drinking I think). But, I had a nice walk over to the first pub with one of my co-workers (thanks, Dave) and the pub was really nice (most pubs over here are unique, and I think this is one I'd go to again).

The pub was next to a canal, and seemed to allow people to cross the side street and stand by the canal with their drinks (which was nice because the sun was shining). Also, a lovely swan came swimming along the canal (it's amazing how white and elloquent-looking these animals are). Then, it decided to get out of the water (it lost all graciousness by doing so!) and waddle past a large scared dog (who was trying to muster all the confidence he had to try and act like he wanted to attack the swan -- but when the swan started hissing, the dog quickly retreated). Shortly thereafter, the swan waddled into the middle of the busy road (not the side street)! I'm not sure if it got safely back into the canal or not, but I'd imagine so, one of the security gaurds followed it and helped direct traffic around it. It was entertaining anyway, it's not everyday that you see something like this.

Yearning and Turning

So, I had my first Employee Engagement meeting today at work, but it wasn't as engaging as I'd hoped it'd be.

A month ago, we all took the Gallup Poll, and now that we have the results, we have to spend the next year figuring out how to maintain / improve on the scores. I've been appointed the new coordinator of this task for the year, which I was super excited about at first. I thought that this would be a great opportunity to make a difference and help people want to leap out of bed to get to work (I know I would like to feel this way each morning...). Today's meeting was rather drab, or maybe it was my fault -- maybe I wasn't as engaged or excited while I was talking about the questions. In fairness though, it's a tired process; a process that employees at Bank of Ireland have been having to endure for countless years. Plus, all the scores were above 4, and many above 4.5 (total score is 5).

Still, I thought it would be a good opportunity to figure out ways to spice up people's workload, working environment, and overall relationship with each other and with their managers. I'm not sure if I can achieve this. I have/had some ideas that I thought would be fun to do, things that I did for myself at my old job because it helped me relate more, but I'm not sure if it'll go down as fun with everyone (I tend to have a strange sense of humor compared to the masses...), still, I think I'll try it next month. Overall, everyone gets along great with everyone else on our team, but I do feel that a lot of people are lacking meaningful work, or even work in general, yet others are overwhelmed with a heavy workload. To me engagement is at a more personal level, and not really one that can be hashed out in a group environment...

Another piece of news that was disappointing to take today was that the one large project that my boss asked me to help with, he gave to another one of my co-workers, on the basis that I was going on vacation for 2 weeks. I had done a little bit of work on it, as much as I could for the time being (meetings and discussions need to take place at this point), but I was kind of hoping that I could do the project, whatever that might have entailed (building a new LGD model). I would like to learn more than I am, and plus, everyone around me is really smart with their mathematical degrees, and well, I'd like to feel like I'm contributing more, like they all get to do.

Backdoor Trumpet!

Did you know that "termite farts are believed to be a major contributor towards global warming"? Just a silly piece of trivia for you because I don't have anything spectacular to write about today. Although I did thankfully book my hostel for this coming weekend in Peru (there was a misunderstanding between my brother and myself, where we both thought the other booked the room). Anyway, I did get the hostel (6 days before arrival at this point!), so I won't be sleeping on the street -- AND it's next to Starbucks! Yea, Chai Tea :-)

Back to termite farts... So, I find that piece of news quite entertaining. I can picture a new comic series starring farting termites! I might have to play with that idea, could be a good stress relief; I'd imagine most funny situations in comics arise from real life, plus throw in a some farts into the mix once in a while, and it's sure to stir up some humor. So of all creatures, termites and global warming...? If only we could figure out how to turn their wind power into the next energy source instead (minus the methane smell of course...).

What if farts really were to become the next source of energy? We could all walk around with bubbles on our butts to harness the methane wind for energy producing companies.

Haha, maybe my little termite comic will have all the little termites wearing bubbles on their butts... I'll come back to this topic later. For now, it's bed time... :-)

(http://www.smellypoop.com/facts_on_farts.php) original spot where I discovered that termites fart.
(http://www.jgi.doe.gov/education/bioenergy/bioenergy_4.html) explanation, if you really want to learn about this, about using termite farts for energy.

Animal Kingdom

I love animals -- always have and always will.

Animals have an innocence about them that is immediately appealing. They are beautiful creatures, without the corruption that the ability to think and discriminate brings to our minds. They love us irrespective of who we are, what we do, and how we act. That kind of acceptance is something we all yearn for, and that is what draws us to animals. The same applies to humans, you want to be around those who are nice to you.

I went to the zoo in Phoenix Park today with the disabled kids that I volunteer with. The zoo was really great, it was more of a habitat for the animals than a captive environment. I was paired up with a really sweet girl named Emily, and we took our time meandering through the pathways (though we didn't get a chance to see her favorite, the giraffes, because we were forced to stay together as a large group). Anyway, it was still lovely (the weather was gorgeous) and Emily and I had some pleasant talks. I had been considering quitting the CASA organization because I've been paired with some naughty and spoiled kids the last couple months (we have a different kid each time), but this outing and being with Emily is making me reconsider staying with the group now. When people are appreciative, it's much nicer to want to give your time to make their lives happy.

Enjoy some pictures from today...

Movie Madness

Today was productive.

I was a good girl and went to the gym. I ate a very yummy, very greasy pizza last night and definitely had to somewhat counter yesterday's feast today. I did a little longer of an exercise than normal because of it. You see, we got a new Tesco downstairs from the apartment I'm living in (which is so completely awesome!!) and I went down to check it out. I had no intention of buying anything, but got enticed with the fresh pizza. I also saw a trashy magazine (Cosmopolitan) that comes with a easy to read (and probably equally trashy) book to read (Jungle Lipstick, author of Sex in the City). I figured it'd be perfect for the plane ride to Peru, so I also bought the magazine/book combo...

Today I got myself mostly packed for my trip to Peru and I've read up on all the precautions you should take while traveling around there. Kind of scary some of the things that are mentioned, such as taxi drivers taking off with your luggage if you get out of the car before they do. Hopefully I'll come back in one piece two weeks from next Saturday. I only have 3 days on my own in Lima before my parents and brother meet me, so as long as I can survive for those 3 days on my own, I'll be fine and will then have company.

I watched a couple movies today, one was light and funny (License to Wed) and one was funny and somber (The Bucket List). I enjoyed them both immensely, but particularly The Bucket List. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it without a second thought. It's about taking the life you have left to live (knowing that you're about to die from cancer) and living it to the fullest.

One thing I took away from this movie was: Ancient Egyptions had a belief that when their souls got to the entrance of heaven, the gods asked them two questions that determined if they were admitted or not. 1) Have you found joy in your life? and 2) Has your life brought joy to others? You don't have to answer those questions, but they are quite reflective questions that inspire you to go out and live your life a little differently, because in all fairness, whether you belive in God or not, those questions are the here and now and the most meaningful aspect to our lives as we know it. It puts life in a new light.

I also decided to try and make my life more joyful for myself (in a different way to the movie I described above, although it would be cool to start creating a "bucket list" of my own). Anyway, you don't need to know the details of the changes, but I decided I want Lisa to be Lisa. I often feel like the guy in the song, "The Great Pretender". Two weeks ago, I made a major change that will most likely be permanent, and on Friday, I made another major change that will be ongoing. I hope that the combination of these two actions will lead to a happier life.