are you fluent?

We are currently in Derry, Northern Ireland. 4 more days left until we fly home. It has been a great trip with many stories. We just haven't had much internet access here in which to post anything.

One little quip from the other night as we got into town late. Bad weather changed how we got back to our car after spending 2 nights on the Aran Islands. We pulled into Derry and didn't know directions to our B&B so had to stop to ask people on the streets. I walked up to a young woman outside of a night/dance club to ask for directions. During the conversation, she asked me if I was fluent in English. !!! Struck me as quite amusing. Onto Belfast today via the Antrim Coast.

some random thoughts, feelings, observations just before midnight on July 18, 2009

I can't sleep.

I have a ring on my left ring finger. It doesn't look like my hand when I catch sight of it out of the corner of my eye.

We haven't packed for Ireland yet, and we are headed to Seattle tomorrow for a Monday morning flight.

I have a family-in-law now for whom I feel a tremendous amount of love and affection today. All 4 of them said, "welcome to the family." I guess that was one of the things I hadn't really thought about in anticipation of today, and it took me by surprise. I am not sure how to otherwise express what I am feeling and felt about this today ... I guess I do feel like a part of Mike's family today where I hadn't previously. I want to spend more time around them.

So many good friends visiting this weekend. It was great to see everyone.

Beautiful ceremony. It did feel like us. Even though we were self-conscious in the middle of everyone's attention.

I need sleep and I'm tired. Perhaps my monkey-mind will settle down and my chest overflowing with emotions will calm just slightly.

Pictures and more to come.