You're probably wondering how I can remember anything that was twenty-years ago. You wont belive it but I have an amazing memory. Sit down, get comfy and enjoy this story.
In the summer, the year 2004, my parents let me go to Ireland by myself. It was my first time flying overseas. It waas an exciting month for me. The year I turned thirteen and offically became a teenager.
My mom took me inside the airport and made sure I got through security. One of the nice stewardists on the Aer Lingus flight, directed me to my seat and occassionly checked on me. Back then you had to fill out an immigration card.She helped me fill it out.
Finally after six long hours, we finaly landed in Dublin. Apparently I was asked if I needed a wheel chair and without processing the question, I said yes and they wheeled me out and hlepd me get my bags. My Aunt Lorraine was very surprised. She couldn't beleive what she saw.
Aunt Lorraine and I drove home to Dundalk which was about an hour north from the airport. My granny was waiting for me when i got to their house.
When we arrived at the house, my aunt helped bring in my suitcase inside. My granny gave me a big hug and a kiss. I went upsatirs into the bedroom I was staying in, and got settled.
Because I was a very picky eater and didn't eat meat at the time, I had to pack my own food in my suit case. Except for things I knew I could buy over there.
My granny made me pasta for lunch. After all I was straving cause I didn't eat anything on the plane except fro a small bag of pretzels.
The next morning, my granny and I took the bus up to the town. There was this restruant called the Copper kettle that she would always go to and socialize with her sister and friends while she drank her coffee. We met Aunt Blondie, Kitty and Mary insdie the restruant.
Because I was such a picky eater, and didn't eat meat at the time, my granny asked the chef to make me fresh hot chips and a piece of toast for breakfast. He was such a gentleman always went out of his way for me. I ate my breakfast and had a lovely chat with the ladies. Also listened to their conversations whle they drank their coffee.
Aunt Blondie would give me two euro to go to the shop next store inside the mall to get myself a fun magazine. I walked next store and found a really cool one that came with a free bracelet. After I paid I jogged back into the Copper Kettle and showed them what I bought.
Granny took a picture of me and my aunt Blondie outside hte Copper Kettle. The we said goodbye to Blondie and her friends. The two of us walked over to the Long Walk which was a small mall. She took me shopping in Penny's and at Tesco's. Two of my favorite stores. She bought me a couple of new T shirts. When we went into Tesco's, she let me get some Cadbury chocolate. Buttons was my favorite. Particiually the gaint ones.
Afterwards, we took the seven's taxi home and granny let me play outside in the backyard. Aunt Lorraine had a dog named Jeta. She was a cute black and white dog. I played fetch with her a lot.
On Saturday, my Aunt took me to the sports club where they had a gaint swimming pool. The only part I hated about the pool was having to wear a swimming cap on my head. Back then I had long hair so it made it difficult to put on.
We swam around and then went to the shallow end and talked about different topics. That was one of my favorite bonding memories with my Aunt. After we swam, we picked up granny and went bowling. I don't remember who won but it was a lot of un. Minus the fact that I got yelled at for leaving my new jean jacket at the bowling place by accident. Bowling was alwasy one of my favorite activities.
Later that afternoon, when I was in the backyard playing with Jeta, my cousin Neil stopped by and granny took a picature of him and I. Back then we didn't have phones.
As you can see I ahd a tank top on. That's because It was summer in Ireland. It didn't get as hot as it gets in America but it does reach seventy degrees which feels warm enough when the sun is shining.
The month flew by really fast. I remember having an awesoem time. i ejoyed creating memories with my granny and Aunt.
When I flew back home, my mom picked me up and we drove to Tuscarora. It was quite the summer vacation.
In June 2004, which was the first year my mom homeschooled my brothers and I, the three of us went to our first Field Day at Marine Park witih the Leah Homeschool Group.
When we were at Marine Park, my mom got talking to a few moms. This one mom whose name was Mrs. Poit, introduced her five kids to my brothers and I.
After Field Day, Mrs. Poit invited us over to their apartment in Bay Ridge. When i first met her and her little sister Abby, I was shy and nervous. But after hanging out with them for a couple of hours, thats when I knew she was my best friend. Her name was Margaret. She was ten years old. We were three years apart. Twenty years later, we are still friends. She's like a sister to me. Now that she's a Drill Sargent in the United States Army, I call her Sarg as her nickname. Outside of her job I'm the only one who calls her that.
