It’s the May bank holiday weekend in Ireland, which means I have Monday (today) off. The weather has been raining for the past few days, although today it’s just been overcast. Given the situation with my arm, I didn’t make any plans and have been just staying in Dublin.
Last week was rather boring, as I was unable to return to work without my doctor’s permission. The people at work have been very understanding and have not pressured me to go back to work, but I’m eager to do so given that I’m still relatively new in the job. I’ve been trying to keep myself busy with some small projects and mostly have been staying home. A couple of friends visited during the week to keep me company over dinner and watching some TV series in the evenings. One day, I tagged along with my friend N to some house viewings, as he is looking to buy a place despite the crazy real estate market here. We drove about half an hour outside of Dublin heading northwest to County Meath, where many people end up settling due to the unaffordable cost of living in the city. The landscape turned rural very quickly with fields of sheep and cattle. Personally, I would have a hard time imagining myself living out in the country.
On Thursday, I finally got a letter from my orthopaedist saying I could return to work as long as I didn’t use my right arm. After chatting with the director on my team, we agreed I would return to work on Friday, mostly proofreading and some other tasks that don’t require much typing. Thankfully the plaster cast/splint comes off next Thursday. It’s actually not a full cast, as there’s only a soft bandage and gauze on the inside of my arm. Still, I’ve had to keep it dry and can only wear T-shirts and sleeve-less fleece vests, since long-sleeved shirts and jackets won’t fit over it. I’ve been draping a raincoat over my right shoulder but have had to put a plastic bag over my arm to keep it protected from the rain. At least it’s been relatively warm out, with highs in the mid to upper 50s F / mid teens C. It would have been much worse had I been in this condition during the colder winter weather.
Saturday was my usual routine of sleeping in а little late in the morning before my SuperValu grocery delivery arrived. It wasn’t a large order this week, and I managed to get it up to my apartment in one trip on my own. In the afternoon, I met up with my friend CJ to help him with his resume/CV. Other friends have been away for the holiday weekend, so I just stayed in for the rest of the day watching some new TV series and texting with distant friends.
On Sunday, my friend J invited me to join him and a couple of other of his friends for brunch. We met at the South Shore Cafe in the Harolds Cross neighbourhood about a 20 min. bus ride south of the Dublin city centre. The restaurant was bustling with young people in their 20s and 30s, and despite not having a reservation in advance, we were seated right away (albeit at more bar style seating and not at a regular table). Everything on the menu sounded tasty. I ordered “mixed-up” (I.e., scrambled) eggs with feta and tenderstem broccoli served over a slice of rustic bread, garnished with chive oil. Delicious! By the time we finished eating, the rain let up so we went for a walk back towards city centre. I haven’t been very good about going for walks this week, so it was good to get in some steps while bantering about random topics.
Today has been very relaxed. I just got back home from seeing the The Northman, a Viking revenge movie based on the same story as Shakespeare’s Hamlet. I saw it with my friends E and B, who are part of an informal movie-going group that my friend CJ and I started. The film was quite intense and violent, but well-made overall. We were somewhat irked that the people seated behind us had a baby with them (who does that… and especially to that kind of movie?!), although the child was quiet for most of the time. It looks like the rain is going to start up again soon, so I’m planning on staying in for the rest evening and just take it easy.
Until next time….
