My nephew cheered me today by reciting Tiki Tiki Tembo to me on the phone. The books I send are shaping his little mind! Hooray! So cute.

SA, that sounds very exciting. Does your visa let you work?

Oh, that's so cute, Allyson.

My cupcakes are cooling. I hope I can get them cool enough to glaze tonight, because with the 7am meeting tomorrow morning, there's no way I can do it then.

I should also have dinner. But that seems like effort.

if I could read Gaelic, I would totally say thank you enthusiastically.

You doesn't want to be Welsh in Ireland. Trust me on this.

My nephew cheered me today by reciting Tiki Tiki Tembo to me on the phone.

I meant to tell you, I got my nephew Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and gave it to him last week. We had a lot of conversations like "Oh, he wants to drive the bus. Are you going to let him drive the bus?" "Yes." "But remember, the bus driver said we can't let him drive the bus. So do we let him drive the bus?" "...Yes?" Mostly he was fascinated by how angry the pigeon got. Understandably.

And then he was overtired and wouldn't eat dinner and lord knows I'm in no position to judge anyone's parenting skills, but I will anyway: my SIL is a loon. I don't think any of that was related to the book, though. The important thing is that he likes me best. So, thank you for the book recs!

SA, that sounds very exciting. Does your visa let you work?

Yep. There's a program for recent college graduates to apply for a work visa to other english-speaking countries, and since work visas are pretty difficult to acquire for the Isles, I went ahead and got a combined one for ten months in both Britain and Ireland. I have leave to find whatever employment suits me. I'm kind of thinking bartender, or maybe something in a kitchen, but ce la vie. It's a pretty cool program, and definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

You doesn't want to be Welsh in Ireland. Trust me on this.

Well, I'm not welsh, but I was a student at a Welsh institution the last time I went to Ireland. Frankly being American is enough for me!

Frankly, being American is enough for me!

I lurves me some Americans. I am one of us, but I can still see how people who do not speak the language might be considered "other".

Yep! I'm moving to Ireland come August.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

And, okay, I won't be back there 'til October, but still.

if I could read Gaelic

Guideline the first: don't call it Gaelic. It's Irish.

I have leave to find whatever employment suits me.

Well if you want to work in archaeology, I can probably help. But it's easy to find any kind of work in Ireland. Bar and restaurant work is probably easiest, just because managers will snap up anyone who speaks English.

Also, how did you go about applying for a visa to work in Ireland and Britain? I know le Bloke wants to stay in Europe to work, but he's not sure how feasible it is.

After trying on a bunch of dresses I found one that was dressy enough for the black-tie optional wedding(and I can probably wear at the other one) and fit me properly.

Yay for successful dress hunting! There are so few nice summer dresses up here. They are all spaghetti strapped or halter style.

Congrats to SA on the BA getting!

Monday mornings are the worst. At least I forced myself up before 7 or worse.

Crap! I just got reminded that it's a friend's birthday party tomorrow. The theme is 30's gangsters. I have little money and no fancy clothes. Suggestions, anyone?

Bueller?