Spring Break!

Well I got a little more done on my house over the break. I was determined to get my kitchen painted, and was able to accomplish that task. When I first moved in I painted all but three rooms, one of which was the kitchen.

I had debated over the color for awhile. I wanted to paint it green, but I wasn't sure how it would blend in with my living and dining room. I finally decided I didn't care, went to Home Depot, and bought the color I wanted. I was so pleased with the results. I think you'll like it too!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

March 17th happens to be my most favorite day of the year. It is a reminder of my nearly two years of living in Ireland. As you can imagine, Ireland holds a very special place in my heart!

Usually on this day, I am preparing shepards pie, and bread pudding for all my friends. Today, however, my kitchen is out of commission because I am painting it.....green, incidently!

I have so many memories of Ireland; the people, tea and biscuits, rain, fabulous landmarks and landscapes, Rose McGlynn's cooking (you haven't lived til you've had Rose cook for you!), the amazing church I worked with there.

So in honor of this day, I'll leave you an Irish Friendship Blessing:

May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

I sure wish I was there today! The Irish know how to do up Paddy's day! Instead, I will continue painting my kitchen my favorite color!

My First Love

Have you ever been shaken to the core by a song or album? I have always enjoyed music of all kinds, from hymns to punk. My first experience like that was the first time I heard a U2 song. It was.....well.....kinda spiritual. It was like I was sucked up into the speakers and actually part of the song.

I've been a follower of their music for many years now, own all the albums, seen them in concert 3 times (twice in Dublin), I've even been to three of the four members' houses (well the outsides anyway). They never cease to have that same effect on me after all this time. Certain songs transport me back to certain times in life, some sad and some exhilarating.

One of the things that impresses me most about U2 is not their music, but their social activism. If you look at every single one of their album covers, you can learn about various social causes they have supported such as poverty, political prisoners, AIDS, malaria, and economic stability in empoverished countries. You can read up more on their cause to end poverty at www.one.org. I also appreciate their non-partisan approach to such social causes.

I once read a book about the band, and learned three of the members were involved in a grassroots Christian church in their early years as a band. They were even baptized in the Irish Sea, not far from where I lived in Dublin. Many of their early songs were actually songs of praise.

So this week they released their latest album, No Line on the Horizon. I have been listening to it non-stop and have been reminded why I love them so much. At the moment, I am totally taken with a song called Magnificent. It's a throwback to their more spiritual roots.

Magnificent
Magnificent

I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven't had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent