Nice rug, I say, its a nice rug!

Well the most important thing to happen this week was me (Jude) getting the news that the The Irish Immigration Center are soon to take me on in paid employment (as soon as I receive my work permit in couple of weeks). In the photo here with me at an Irish Immigration Center event are from left to right: my colleagues, Clare, Gobnait and Ann Marie.

Obviously we are both delighted at the news. I have been working there in a voluntary role since 11th Feb, starting at 11.00am and finishing at 5.30pm (my choice of hours). I have been helping them as things start to get busy in dealing with the new 12 month Irish Work & Travel visa. We just knew that working here, even in an unpaid capacity, would have it's rewards eventually, if not here then elsewhere. The Center seems to be happy with what I do for them so I guess everyone's a winner in this little story folks. It certainly means that everything is falling into place just as we have hoped since way back in August when we decided to make this 'wee' move. It is of particularly good timing too as we move into our new apartment this coming Tuesday 03 March.

So yesterday (Sat 27th) we had to get up early to go move furniture we have bought for our new apartment. It was being moved into our friend Michelle's apartment as she had very kindly agreed to store it for 3 days until we move in. So with this in mind we took things easy on Friday night yet we still managed to visit a pub to play some pool. We had a close match with Marguerite performing heroics but with Jude finally winning 9-7. Here Marguerite is posing proudly after winning her first game.

Here is Marguerite in Michelle's apartment doing what all good girls should do after 'directing' furniture moving for 2 hours, fixing her nail polish. Aye, well its like this folks, the fact is that Marguerite need not have bothered as she hardly got her hands dirty anyway. When Jude and Michelle were doing all the lifting and moving all they could hear Marguerite saying was, 'right a bit, left a bit, down a bit, up a bit, easy does it, ah shit, now you've gone and broken it'. Jude was not sure if he wanted do all that lifting heavy things and all that kinda malarky but Marguerite just told him to get on with it and quit moaning like a wee lad. Anyway through Marguerite's wisdom and another 'thumbs up' from Jude, we managed to buy among other things, a rug. Nice enough rug mind you, if you happen to be blind or if you happen to be a dog or a cat, or even better, if you happen to be a blind dog or cat! Hey, dont let me put you off it, it's yours if you want it and you don't mind hoaking it out of the skip at the back of 20 Queensbury St Fenway Boston. Like I say, it is a really nice rug.

So after a quick rendition of Ireland's Call in Michelle's apartment it was off to see Brian O'Driscoll destroy the English. Here are the gang a little later in The Green Briars Irish pub in the Brighton area of Boston. Left to right are: Sylvia, Niamh, Victoria, Michelle (who certainly earned her pint) and Marguerite (who eh......well....had nice nail varnish on). This was at 12 noon just before Ireland kicked off against England. Well far too much swall was consumed during the game and poor Marguerite was later found tucked up in bed and snoring like a champion at 6.30pm, yes pm, aye as in the afternoon like. Wha? Here it's smiles all round as Ireland win and we sit on to have a Samuel Adams and look forward to a very exciting week moving in to Apartment 52, 111 Park Drive, Fenway Boston. Oh and feel free to post any of the following items to our new address: Nambarrie tea bags, pack Mars bars, pack Snickers bars, copy of 4-4-2, copy of Andytown News (Saturday edition) and a chunky Milky Bar. That should keep us happy for a week or two! Wha?

Today, Sunday 01 March, we awoke to a land covered in snow. So after last week's beautiful spring-like weather it's back to baltic I'm afraid. 'Muttley' hats, ear muffs, gloves and extra layers were all doned this morning as we made our way through a blizzard to The Marriot for an early 10.00am and a few teas to watch Utd v Spurs in the league cup final.

Folks we are in Boston 1 month today, aye and your right in what you are thinking, go on say it, ok I'll say it for you ...........................doesn't time fly?