Today is the last Monday in October, which means it’s one of the four annual public “bank” holidays in Ireland (the others occur on the first Monday in May, first Monday in June, and first Monday in August). Most businesses and schools are closed. The weather has been a little wetter out, and I haven’t left the apartment all day… after all, it’s a holiday right...

Daylight savings time ended last night here in Ireland (and the rest of Europe). Even with the extra hour, I ended up sleeping in late, probably still catching up on sleep from staying up for the last U.S. presidential debate. I get up and do my usual routine of coffee, breakfast, reading the news on my iPad, responding to text messages from friends. The weather is still clear and crisp. Behind...

Dublin’s hard water has been wreaking havoc on my hands. They’ve been dry and cracking ever since I arrived. At first I just thought it might be from all the hand washing, constant use of sanitizer, or from doing the dishes. Then I read today that the minerals in hard water are the culprit. Thankfully the Burt Bees hand salve I ordered from Anazon.co.uk arrives this morning around...