Sorry it took a while to get back to my blog. Last week I was very busy with work and meal prepping and workouts so I didn't really had time to even think about updating my blog. And as I said in my last blog post, last weekend we spent the Irish Christmas at my boyfriend's mother in the countryside.
But, as promised, here is a little sneak peak how my very first Irish Christmas went and also a little summary of year 2016.
So, last Friday after I got home from evening shift, I had quickly my cheat meal which was pizza! After that we packed our stuff into a car and left to the countryside.
Car drive took a bit less than 2 hours or then I just lost the track of time.
It was pretty late when we arrived there, so only thing we pretty much did, was took a shower, ate a bit and went to bed. There was loads to do and discover on the next day anyway.
Next Morning we got up, had breakfast and headed to town. Carrick-on-Shannon isn't very big town, but it was nice anyway. We walked around the tiny town, visited few shops that were still open and got few more presents and little something for ourselves as well. I bought for myself a book.
Later we got back to the house of my boyfriends mother and her husband.
We had dinner and loads of chocolate. I think I can still taste all the chocolate I ate, haha. And mince pies! We had mince pies with cream. At first I was thinking who eats mince meat pies with cream until everyone laughed at me and I realized it didn't meant mince meat. They were absolutely lovely!
In the evening we were all sitting around the table and playing poker for few hours. It was fun and something new as well for me as I had never ever played poker before.
(Mince pie with cream)
So, in Finland most of the people celebrate Christmas already on Christmas eve, which means that they have Christmas dinner and presents on Christmas eve. Also traditionally go to the cemetary and bring candles to the graves of those who have passed away. Also Christmas sauna is usually a must.
In Ireland, on Christmas eve people just prepare for the Christmas day. On Christmas day you have Christmas dinner and presents. So, all that was new.
On the next day, in the morning we shared presents, we had nice walk around the countryside and then we just waited for the amazing Christmas dinner. My belly and taste buds were super excited about it.
In Finland, in the table there is ham, maybe turkey, fish, potato casserole, carrot casserole and swede casserole, different vegetables and gravy, and let's not forget the wine.
In Ireland, people have turkey and stuffing, maybe ham and loads potatoes, vegetables, gravy and wine of course.
And the dessert! Oh my goodness, the Christmas triffle was absolutely gorgeous. My belly was seriously in a point that it would explode in any minute.
I had been on that meal plan for few weeks and it's not too much, so when I ate so much, I kinda pushed my poor belly into it's limits. But I survived the food coma.
I have been good this year because Santa brought me a own dumbbell so I get a little extra boost to workouts that I do at home when gym is closed. I also got nice new gym bag and a gift voucher to the tattoo shop! Yesssssss! Also got a new pyjama and I think the clothes I have the most, are pyjamas, which tells quite a lot about me, haha.
(Instagram: ellusstiina)
I really enjoyed my first Irish Christmas. It was very nice and I felt part of the family.
Of course some recent event's in Finland with my family back there were shadowing a bit my mood.
But we are going over to Finland in 21 days for few days.
So... 2016, how it has been?
Well, it has had it's up's and down's, good's and bad's, something old and something new. Big steps.
I'm happy that my health didn't took any backsteps this year, so my emphysema and asthma are quite on track and I'm still breathing. Trust me, it's a huge achievement.
All in all, so much has happened in such a short period of time that sometimes I'd like to just sit back and think what has happened along the way and try to internalize all this, but it feels I don't have time for that. I'm just all go go go and sleep.
Ever since I decided to move to Ireland, it feels like time has flied. The few months I had time in Finland went so fast, I didn't had time to think about anything.
Same now here. When I got here, I started very soon at my job and it has kept me busy and gym as well. Sure, it's good that I keep myself busy so I don't have too much time to sit and think about the folks in Finland, as harsh as it sounds, but trust me, it's a good way to eliminate the home sickness.
I think I'm slowly settling in. It takes me very long time to adjust into new things and I think I have finally started to get my foot in here.
Any promises for 2017?
Stay away from cigarettes, take care of my lungs, work hard, workout even harder, eat healthy and live free, whatever it means to myself. Get and be more creative, read more, give myself a permission to rest.
Happy New Year and good luck to all of you for 2017 !
xoxo
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