Today there’s been a bright blue sky above Dublin, although with slightly chillier temperatures in the 40s F / high single digits C. I have plans to meet up with a new friend, N, for a walk at 12:00 noon. We meet Christ Church, then head to St. Patrick’s Cathedral Park for a coffee, then continue our walk through The Liberties all the way to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) where...
Anti-lockdown protests in Dublin; practicing CMA exam questions
There’s been a big anti-lockdown protest in Dublin today. I’ve been staying in all day studying for my CMA accountancy qualification exams and had no idea it was going on. A friend sent me a video posted on social media, and then I noticed the sound of helicopters overhead. The gardaí clashed with protestors and several were arrested after setting off fireworks...
This-and-thats… jobs apps, boozeless wine, crab cakes, and doom-scrolling
Has another week passed?! They are beginning to blend together… at least the changing weather here in Ireland helps mark the passage of time. It’s another day of blue and partly-cloudy skies in Dublin, but chillier. There were a few food items I couldn’t order in this morning’s weekly SuperValu grocery delivery. This motivates me to get out in the afternoon for a walk...
Walk to Rathmines and Harold’s Cross
Today brings bright blue sky with some patchy clouds. My walking buddy CJ and I meet up for a walk down to Rathmines for lunch and then a stroll over to the Harold’s Cross neighbourhood which I haven’t seen yet. Lunch is back at Hush, one of my favourite finds. This time I tried a prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich, which was tasty, and CJ tried the pulled pork spice...
Walk to Merrion Square; Ireland ranked #2 in Global Food Security Index
It’s overcast today, but the rain has dissipated. This afternoon I head out for a walk towards Merrion Square and end up making a few criss-crossing laps around the park to get in some steps for the day. Tree blossoms are beginning to appear: Views of the Georgian architecture surrounding Merrion Square: The Davenport Hotel, which retains the facade of Merrion Hall, a church dating back to...
COVID restrictions extended until at least April 5th
After much anticipation and multiple press leaks over the last week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced an updated “Living with COVID” plan for Ireland this evening. The strict “Level 5” restrictions will continue until at least April 5th — only essential businesses will remain open (grocery stores etc), everyone who has been working from home are expected to continue to...
Afternoon walk: Portobello, Saint Catherine’s, The Coombe
My weekday routine is becoming old hat — get up, have breakfast, read/watch the news, update my career to-do list, cover some lessons in my CMA study programme. The hard-copy of my CMA study materials is supposed to arrive via FedEx, but I receive an email saying they attempted delivery this morning even though I was awake and in the apartment the whole time. I call into FedEx customer support...
Afternoon walk and late lunch kebab wrap
It’s a sunny day, with highs in the mid 50s F / low 10s C, and I make plans with a new friend C this afternoon for coffee and a walk. We meet up near Sprangers Yard then stroll over to St. Patrick’s Cathedral Park, which surprisingly C has never seen before; he’s from Co. Wexford and lives in the Dublin suburbs so doesn’t spend much time in the city centre. There are lots of people out...
Chocolate chip scones, rainy day, pubs closed until mid-summer (at least)
I had started this post earlier in the day, then forgot to actually “publish” it, so it will be posted a day late. It’s Saturday so I let myself sleep in a little bit later than usual. It’s rainy and grey out, and I’m feeling like making some sort of breakfast treat. There’s a really good Irish scone recipe I found a couple of years ago, but it’s somewhat involved, so instead I decide to try a...
Lockdown through April (?!), Ulster Bank, and the Angelus
It’s been a typical Friday. After my usual routine of breakfast and online browsing, my weekly SuperValu grocery delivery arrives around 11:00am. I update my to-do list with the latest job postings. As forecasted, it’s a rainy grey day out, so I decide to stay in to finish this week’s reading assignments for my CMA study programme and review some previous material...