Howdy,

This mornings update comes courtesy of moms email (thanks mom):

We are just settling into the place we are renting by the week. But the tenants are still living there too. They leave for China at some unspecified date...soon...so, I'm not sure how that whole situation is supposed to work. Here's the address, I think:

#8 The Coachworks
Synge Lane, D8
Dublin, Ireland

I think, I'm not sure about the whole "coachworks" part because she spells in CHINEESE. So I'll let you know when I confirm that address....

But its a great location about a 10 minute walk from the center of Dublin City, and there are fresh fruit/flower markets on just about every block. Its like a farmers market everyday! And if you want to buy some meat, guess where you go? The butchers. And fish? The fish and pultry guy a few doors down, and he'll tell you what he (or his son, or nephew) caught thta morning...I still haven't gotten to cook anything from scratch yet. We've been eating out A LOT. Last night we went to "The Mexican Restaurant" adn I think its the ONLY one in Ireland. It was...lacking. I think i'm gonna have to go out and buy my own stuff and make salsa from scratch. And contrary to past posts and previous info, there are plenty of fresh veggies to be had. I even found good avacados, and a MANGO. I never thought I'd see one of those this side of the Pacific. Just up the street from us, there is a really neat swap market kind of thing happening too. Lots of import places from the rest of Eurpoe. I'm dying to shop....I have yet to buy anything (Matt is shocked) because at this point it would just be one more thing to carry around the cioty with us until we are truly settled. Ah, the agony....

Matt has 2 really good leads from yesterday. He has found that he gets really good responses from recruiters if he tells them that he will fly to London to go to the embassy there to get the little stampy thing that says he can work legally here. London, because he has to do it standing somewhere outside of Ireland. I know: NOW we find out. Plus a lot of people are telling us that the best way, and almost the only way, to get an in at a company, is to walk into the company itself, and say your ready to start working. We haven't tried that, yet....still relying on the old fashioned way. So, its encouraging that he's had as much response as he has. Plus we know a few people now living in London. An elder from Matts's parents congregation and his wife are living there short term for work, and an old buddy from Matts work too. So, at the very least it will be an excuse to go to London....:) We'll let you know if anything really pans out.

Thats about it for now....we are off to get the rest of our luggage from our original B&B and transport it to our (and I use the term "ours" losely) new apartment....8 count 'em 8 bags :)
I always was optimistic,

cheers