Europe has been getting more snow, and Dublin is no exception… there have been flurries on and off throughout the day, although it’s not sticking. According to this forecast map for this week, Ireland is supposed to get hit the hardest with snow (in green) on Thursday and then rain (blue) this upcoming weekend: Today is my first day of the “CMA Academy” study program...
Apple fritters (take 3) — the real deal
The weather continues to be cold and grey in Dublin. After a couple of disappointing results trying to make apple fritters in the air fryer, I decide today to go all out and do them right by following a classic recipe that uses yeast-risen dough and deep frying in oil. It takes 4 hours (!) from start to finish, due in large part to the 2 risings for the dough. However, the pauses work well...
Lazy Saturday, parsnip fries
It’s a grey, cold day In Dublin. I’ve been a homebody, taking my time with the usual routine of breakfast and reading/watching news, puttering around the house, doing laundry, etc. After signing up for the CMA prep course yesterday, I’ve received a few into emails to get me started with the programme, but I’m allowing myself a lazy weekend before starting in earnest next week. I’m feeling a bit...
Short walk to Dublin Castle; enrolling in CMA prep course
Yesterday I had my weekly dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) group Zoom session from 9:00-10:30pm, and afterwards I binge- watched a few more Breaking Bad episodes while chatting with friends over text messages. I’m a little groggy this morning from having stayed up late. My weekly SuperValu grocery order is scheduled for delivery between 10:30am-12:30pm, and while I’m waiting...
Another job application, spring-like weather, call to FedEx
It’s been a productive day. I get up earlier this morning, have breakfast and check the news, then open my career to-do list spreadsheet. There’s a Finance Manager position at Ireland’s National Treasury Management Agency with a submission deadline of tomorrow, so I set about customising a CV and cover letter for it. It takes about 1.0-1.5 hours for me to analyse the job...
Long walk through North Strand to Clontarf
It’s clearer out this morning, and my walking buddy CJ texts to suggest an outing. We meet up at our usual time at 1:30pm and head north east to some parts of Dublin I haven’t seen before, namely the North Strand and Clontarf. As we approach the North Strand neighborhood, we pass by Five Lamps, which is a well-known landmark to all Dubliners. The Five Lamps was constructed in the late...
Walk to Rathmines for lunch, call with CMA coach
Yesterday evening one of the smoke alarms begins to chirp intermittently, and after some trial and error I determine it’s the one in my bedroom. The new shoe storage bench from IKEA turns serves as a good substitute for a step stool. There are three plastic tabs holding the smoke alarm in place, and I carefully use a flat head screwdriver to pry each one open until the assembly is freed from the...
Short walk on a drizzly day
It’s been a low energy day… lockdown fatigue is definitely setting in. I didn’t have the greatest sleep, so this morning I’m slow to get up and moving. After breakfast, I find myself getting drawn into reading news articles and watching videos, including a recent episode of RTÉ’s “All Walks of Life” series featuring the Tanaiste (deputy minister) Leo...