Northern Ireland Confidentialtag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-15340042009-05-30T21:34:00-04:00True untold stories from UlsterTypePadwhat shall we give in return for so much? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-683007332009-05-30T21:34:00-04:002009-06-19T21:41:18-04:00By the time you read this I will be on a plane, headed to a destination new but familiar. For 15 months I have pondered the statement on the Belfast City Seal and many, many times I have thought of how appropriate it seems to my very fortunate circumstance. When my departure was first announced, a friend asked me, "What have you learned here?" I turned that around in my mind for weeks and at last I think I know. I hope I have learned ways I can give back -- or pass on, in even a small proportion --...mapgirlyou'll never walk alone tag:typepad.com,2003:post-683006172009-05-30T09:25:00-04:002009-06-19T21:33:48-04:00It was impossible to be sad on the way to the airport or at the airport. My friends made sure there would be no moping, no tears. Well, no moping, at least. P&E, delightful as individuals and as a set, kindly picked up me and all my luggage and drove me to International. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and they were extremely gracious to get up early for this road trip. I just love being with them -- they are great company and so interesting and talented. HC called as we were in route: could she meet me at...mapgirllovefesttag:typepad.com,2003:post-674601592009-05-29T22:10:00-04:002009-05-29T22:10:00-04:00Friday 29 May, the last full day in Northern Ireland. 7 a.m. Leave hotel, begin commute. Try not to think about the fact that it's the last full day in Northern Ireland: the last time I'll be here, or that I'll see this, or that I'll drive on this road. 7:20 a.m. Cry all my makeup off by the time I've reached Sandyknowes Roundabout. Resign myself to the fact that I probably will cry all the way to work, but resolve not to cry at work. 7:45 a.m. Arrive to find cards on my desk. Read the first one and...mapgirlwouldn't it be great if it were like this all the time? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-672287412009-05-24T18:37:49-04:002009-05-24T18:42:14-04:00So asks Van Morrison at the end of "Coney Island," and the answer is an emphatic yes. Today, along with a friend, I retraced the sites Van mentions in the song. I waited until the last possible day -- and it was another incredible experience in County Down. The weather was sublime. The scenery was breathtaking. The people were divine. What a country. So ends the last weekend here, and dare I say it was one of the best. I'll tell you why later. But for now, we enter the final few days. I think I have to move, because...mapgirlalternate name: 'mapgirl city'tag:typepad.com,2003:post-668603012009-05-16T09:08:39-04:002009-05-17T16:03:36-04:00I'm on a fool's errand this morning: trying to figure out where I'll live when I relocate to America. I get there two weeks from today, you know. Seriously. I'll live at a hotel for the first 3 weeks, which I'm actually excited about.* But eventually I'll need to have a permanent address where I can receive all my magazines.** I actually will be working quite far from Atlanta proper, so I can either (a) live in the bowels of suburbia*** and OR (b) have a killer commute. This is a very difficult decision. I've polled nearly everyone I know...mapgirlimminent departuretag:typepad.com,2003:post-666986392009-05-12T17:12:31-04:002009-05-12T17:12:31-04:00I've purchased the one-way ticket and it's non-refundable. Just when I'd gotten the hang of things. -- I finally figured out "the back way" to the international airport. -- They finally finished the construction work on the M2!!!!! I can't believe it! My commute is about 5 minutes shorter and much less stressful. -- I now get irked if people use Great Britain, England, Northern Ireland interchangeably or incorrectly. -- I love brown sauce.mapgirluna promesatag:typepad.com,2003:post-666176512009-05-10T18:20:00-04:002009-05-10T18:20:00-04:00A promise: to post entries about my trip to Spain. I actually wrote on the road, in a notebook, old-school. It is going to be a busy week, but I should have items up by the weekend. A sampling of pics are up on Flickr.mapgirljunkietag:typepad.com,2003:post-666175572009-05-10T18:14:00-04:002009-05-10T18:14:00-04:00Sunburned. Sated. Skint [that means broke]. It was a great week in Spain, and I'm glad to be home (although I'm not quite ready for the work re-entry that awaits me). This was my last major trip during my life here in Northern Ireland. Time's up. But there I was, reading the full-colour advert magazine at the Radisson, drooling over the suggested city breaks (weekend trips). Vilnius, anyone?mapgirlgreat stansted moment 2 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-666178052009-05-09T08:23:00-04:002009-05-09T08:23:00-04:00Setting: Stansted Airport My magnetic personality sets off the security machine. I assume the position and undergo the humiliating patdown from a female security officer (FSO). FSO (Official tone): What state are you from? Me (puzzled): Illinois. FSO: The capital of Illinois is Springfield. Me: Yes, that's right. Well done ... most people think it's Chicago. FSO: I'm trying to learn all the US capitals. Give me another state. Me: Indiana. FSO: Indianapolis. Me: Right. Wisconsin. FSO: Cheyenne? Me: Nope. Madison. That's a tough one. Have you been to the States? FSO: Yes, a few years ago -- Florida. Me:...mapgirlgreat stansted moment 1 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-666179352009-05-09T08:15:00-04:002009-05-09T08:15:00-04:00Setting: Stansted Airport, just past midnight Immigration agent (reviewing UK entry card): You're here on a work permit. Have any of those details changed? Me: No, sir. IA (flatly): It says here you're a manager. Me: Yes. I looked at that while I was standing in line. Sounds a little lame. IA: It does. You need to beef that up. Me: Well, the thing with managers is, everybody's got one and usually they don't like them. IA: That's right. I never see mine, though, so it's not so bad for me.mapgirl