Almost 4 months in Ireland – still to early to tell!

After 3 weeks in the job I got my first pay packet! At least thats what I think the weird lodgment is in my account! It has been so long since I had any lodgement to my account that when I first saw it I presumed it was an error from the bank! I am not joking either!

I have managed to base myself in Cabinteely which is only about 10 minutes in the car – at peak hours! However, I am getting into the habit of going into work early and trying to get stuff done before others arrive.

But my plan doesnt seem to be working because there is always someone else ahead of me!

This week we will have a new tenant in the house – a spanish girl who works in an environmental company. Her English is good but its not perfect! Paul will be happy cause he is learning Spanish at the moment!

Again, this weekend involved another move for me. From one room into another At this stage I really am fed up of moving and I just want to stay somewhere for a little period of time. It reminds me of how I left after backpacking for over a year – i just wanted to stay put somewhere!

Thaksin is still making an impact in Thailand and his assets were frozen by the junta! There is still talk that the elections will be held by the end of the year but I have my doubts that that will go ahead.

Bertie is back as Taoiseach and I wish him well – NOT! I really dont trust that guy and I am waiting for a whole pile of interesting revelations in the Mahon tribunal!

I am also doing some website developments in my spare time. Because I am on my own at the moment and Nang is still in Thailand then I might as well use my spare time effectively. Watch this space for further developments!

The GAA season is in full flow at the moment and there have been a huge number of draws which just adds to the coffers of the GAA. And I actually think they deserve it! THey managed to build an amazing stadium as an amateur organisation and you have to take your hats off to them!

Henry has left Arsenal and I think Wenger will follow but the most interesting news this week was Thaksins take over of Manchester City.

After all the talk he has actually gone ahead and bought the club. Although his assets were frozen he seems to have managed to keep a few bob aside for buying City. There is talk that he will get Ericsson as the new Manager. Now some cynics refer to the fact that Ericsson has recently bought a massive pad in Phuket and he will act as Thaksins spy while on trips to THailand. I think that is stretching it too far!

I bought new phone – a Nokia 6300 and it is great. It is very simple to use but I havent had a huge amount of time to get properly into it. The bluetooth headset that came with it is crap though and I think I will have to buy another Plantronics one (the other one went into the washing machine!

During a trip to Woodies I was prancing around the store listening to my mp3 player but then it just fell from its holder and crashed against the floor. On first glance it was OK. But when I made it home it just wouldnt work. After hours on the net trying to find a solution I have resigned myself to the fact that the hard disk is knackered. I got it working again briefly by dropping it again – yes thats the only thing that worked but it just went again a few hours later.

I am looking at buying a new mp3 player but in the meantime my DOPOD is doing a decent enuf job!

I have been really quiet for the last 2 weekends. By the time Friday comes I am completely knackered and I dont have the energy or the drive to head out. I think I might feel different if I was based in Thailand but there is something about being back home.

I seem to have lost my thirst for adventure and excitement. Something about Ireland just makes me lazy and uninterested. It could have a lot to do with the fact that when you head out here it is all a bit of a hassle. First, there are endless arrangements about where to go and you have to plan with loads of people beforehand. Going out on my own in Ireland just wouldnt cross my mind. But in Thailand I would have no hassles heading out alone!

Then there is the hassles trying to order a pint and the infamous rules about a round of drinks!

After all that hassle you still have to get home and beg a stupid taxi to get you home for a small fortune!

No thanks!

I am slowly settling back into things but as yet I dont think I have committed to staying in Ireland fulltime yet. I just havent seen anything that would really make me want to stay. I am not giving up and I wil keep fighting for the next year or so. I think it relates more to me than Ireland. My own attitude seems to change when I come home – it could be me or it could be the environment but its too early to say! I think I will have a better idea after Nang gets here – if we can sort out the visa.

The house in Yasothon should be finished in the next week and I will post some photos on here when I get them. It will be a areally nice house and I cant wait to see the finished product!

L8r