My Life as an Irish American Girl

It was suppose to be a rainy nasty day in New York, but instead it was a beautiful warm day. Let me define warm. Warm in the spring time is 50-60 degrees. In this case it reached 50° which felt really nice. I still had my winter coat on because it was breezy and plus I didn't want to get sick.

At 9:15am, I woke up and texted my dad to see if it was raining in the City. FYI for those of you that aren't from New York, instead of calling it Manhattan, we like to use the term City. Anyway, my dad confirmed with his work buddy that it wasn't raining. So we decided to meet up for lunch on his lunch break. Not a very healthy choose, but it's delicious so we ate at Wendys.

My dad and I used to have our lunch date at Steak n Shake which was around the corner from his job. But now it moved to lower Manhattan. Let me get off topic for a second, RENT is VERY EXPENSIVE in the city. Especially ten short blocks from Times Square. Okay rant over.

Left my house at 9:50am to catch the 10:08am bus. Usually it comes early but this time it was late. But it wasn't a problem I managed to catch the train and get to where my dad on time.

We walked three blocks to Wendys, I got us a table upstairs in the resturant. He had a delicious burger and I had nuggets, fries and a small frosty. If you never been to Wendys, then you have to go and try this DELICIOUS frosty.

After I walked the sixteen blocks from my dad's job all the way to West 38th, I went into 7/11 and grabbed a cup of lipton tea. Then I found a bunch of benches outside Holiday Inn that were opened to the public. I was only five blocks from Times Square. One of my favorite places in the City.

That's when I took out my photography skills and snapped some pictures on my walk. I love walking in the city because I can get things off my chest. Expect you have to be a fast walker, cause everybody walks VERY fast like they are in a hurry. (Never understand why NYC people are like that) 

Mexico Airlines

Private Plane

Air Europa

Jet Blue Airlines

Japan Airlines

Air France

Hawaiian Airlines

Unknown Airline

United Airlines

Delta Airlines

British Airways

Quantas Airlines

Fedex

Henry (Left) William (Right) in their pajams singing

Henry and I built this together out of blocks

William eating a plain bagel as he says smiles

A selfie before bed time

Henry on his motorcycle bike

Last week I decided to put my game face on. It was time for me to take my weight loss seriously! If I keep going down the bad road, of becoming fatter, then I will sooner than later develop serious health issues. As I watch the TV show My 600 Pound Life, I remind myself how I do NOT want to end up like that person. Bed ridden, addicted to food, not able to bath, just NO! Two weeks ago, I had a wake up call. I wasn't losing any weight. Instead remaining at the same number for too long.

The time I was sixteen, I started gaining weight and eating non stop. At the time I figured it was normal for a teenager to be that way. I also drank lots of soda till I went to bed. But as I got older, I devoloped painful thigh pain. Everytime I'd walk, my thighs would rub together and create a painful rash. It was unbearable for me. It wasn't until I turned twenty-six that my thigh pain stopped.

At the age of twenty-six, only two weeks ago, I decided to go for long walks. Don't care where I'd walk to just as long as I walked. Two to three miles a day is what my goal remains. I REFUSE to gain more weight! I REFUSE to sit on the couch or in the kitchen all day eating like I did ten years ago! Most importantly I REFUSE to quit!

Last week I walked ten miles. Not in one day, but in one week. This week I plan to walk about the same weather permitting of course.

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to battle my weight.

Thanks

On Saturday February 17th, my parents and I drove to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to visit my little brother Ryan and his fiancé (my soon to be sister in law).

When we arrived at their apartment, Ryan ordered lunch from Christopher's a sandwich place. I had chicken tenders and french fries.

 After lunch, He attempted to make me a cup of tea. This is the first time I ever seen someone prepare tea look so complicated to make. But I applaud his effort. Since Victoria wanted to get rid of this giant stuffed R2D2 which was taking up space in their closet, Ryan let me keep it.
My parents and I drove back to the hotel and took an hour nap. Then we went to the pool and the hot tub. The hot tub was relaxing but the pool was a little on the chilly side. But the best part of being in the hot tub, was watching the snow fall outside. When it snows in Harrisburg or any part of P.A, it REALLY snows. We got a total of four inches that evening. Keep in mind, I HATE snow!

After the pool, we drove carefully in the snow to the Longhorn Steak House for dinner. Never been there before. I got the chicken tenders and fries. Yes I LOVE chicken. It was delicious. Even better, service was excellent.

That same night, we went to Sheetz for dessert. For those of you that don't know what Sheetz is, Sheetz is a mixture between a gas station, convenience store and a fast food place. One thing that they have that's new is an ice cream machine with different toppings to choose from. I got chocolate and vanilla with rainbow sprinkles. It was DELICIOUS! In my opinion I thought it was equal with Carvel.

On Sunday, my dad wasn't feeling well, so Victoria and Ryan picked us up at the hotel. We went to L.C.B.C which stands for Lancaster County Bible Church.

For Lunch we went to Chili's one of my favorite restaurants. I got grilled chicken with french fries. The portion was small but it was delicious. Service was slow but we had nowhere to go so it turned out to be fine.

After lunch we went to the Colosseum. The Colosseum is exactly like an adult Chucky Cheese. Where you can win tickets then use your tickets to get prices. It was so much fun. Downstairs they had bowling which was really a lot of fun. I love bowling. I came in third place.

The four of us drove to Ryan and Victoria's apartment. I love their two cats Aegon and Khaleesi. Not sure what breed Aegon is but Khaleesi is partially a Maine Coon. Everytime I used the bathroom, Khaleesi would meow and put her paw on my shoulder. I love cats.

We were invited to have dinner at Victoria's mom's house in Palmyra. So we drove down there. The baked chicken was delicious. I met her mom's four cats, and Victoria's Step dad's boxer Max. We also met her step dad's parents. In my opinion, they seemed like friendly people. Easy to talk to.

Victoria drove us back to the hotel and we went to Sheetz for dessert. I got the ice cream again cause it's my one and only time I get to eat that stuff.

For our last day, my parents and I went to Walmart in Palmyra. One of my favorite places to shop cause it's so cheap and plus we don't have it in New York. I got new pajams that say "Oh Sheep it's Monday" and a poster that says "Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful" Ryan met us in Walmart then I went in his car as we drove to Funcks for lunch. Funcks is a family resturant. I've been there twice it's delicous.

At Funcks, I got chicken thighs with french fries which was delicious. The three of us drove back to Brooklyn. It was a nice weekend vacation. Happy I got to see my Ryan and Victoria.

What most people don't know about me, is that I wasn't always a happy girl. Back in 2013, I suffered from a bad depression. A lot was going through my head. To be honest, I didn't always find myself beautiful. I was a very insecure person with a lot of trust issues.

During my depression, I remember turning on KLOVE, Two songs began playing on the radio "Just say Jesus" by 7eventh Time Down and "Strong Enough" by Matthew West. While those songs played, I remember breaking down in tears. As I'm in tears, I started texting my brother Ryan who was away in college at the time. He spoke some big encouragement that I will never forget.

"I will always be here for you. Remember what you are going through right now, isn't forever."

 Over those hard three years, Honestly I believe God was holding my hand steering me away from my bad thoughts of wanting to run away. I never had the courage to do it.

What happened to all your other hobbies? Like writing, taking photos of planes, drawing, reading and even crocheting? Yes all those hobbies still exist.

Remember back in March of 2017 when I visited London? Well now that it's 2018, I purchased a DK Eyewitness book on London and a map of their Underground system. The book has arrived which is so exciting! It came with a pull out map of London. Talk about awesome!

Now that I have the book, my new hobby will allow me to study more about England's capital. Plus work on memorising some of the underground stops and where they lead to.

I have thought about writing a book based on my trip to London and Ireland. Still pondering whether or not I should do it. But if I do, it will be published.

Not sure how many of you remember when I posted about my trip. Here's the link if you want to reread it again. http://www.irishamericangirl.net/2017/06/four-years-later_3.html

As I look back at Wednesday's stabbing terror in Dundalk, Ireland, I am so thankful that this didn't escalate to a much worse situation. Unfortunatly this terror claimed one life and injured two people. A man who was from Japan hoping Ireland would be his next step in his journey of 2018. Sadly his life was taken away. My heart and prayers go out Yosuke's family in Japan. My prayers also go out to the injured people. Let us never see something like this EVER again!

For the past four years, we started a new Christmas tradition. Every year on Christmas Day, at my house, me, my parents, brother Bren, my mom's three sister's, my grandma, uncle Brian, Uncle Leonard, my four cousins Henry, William, Lily, Renae, my brother Ryan and my soon to be sister in law Victoria all celebrate Christmas.

The four cousins, my brothers and I do secret santa where we each get a cousin to buy for. My mom and her sisters also do a secret santa with each other.

Of course every year my brothers and I exchange gifts with each other. However I do have a budget
🌝

Before our family Christmas party, my brother Bren and I will take turns this year opening gifts from each other and our parents. Usually we have my brother Ryan with us, but since he lives in PA, we are going to do his gift exchange when he comes later.

After opening our gifts from our parents, my mom makes french toast for brunch and I make delicious Irish tea to tag along with it.

For dinner we have a buffet of assorted foods like baked turkey breasts, ham, baked ziti, egg plant, italian bread and much more.

Before dessert, we gather in the living room by the tree. We each take turns opening a gift from our secret santa.

Finally we have tea and dessert. My grandma makes a homemade cheese cake, my dad buys Hagandaz icecream and my brother Bren makes Cow Boy Cookies. (I don't understand why they call it that but anyway!)

My favorite part about Christmas is giving gifts to my family and friends. Seeing their reactions also makes me smile.

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate it!
Happy Hannukah to those who celebrate it!
Happy Almost 2018! 

Hey Guys,

I've known Hope and her family for as long as I can remember. We were in the same HomeSchool group. She is kind and loves Jesus.

She has a youtube channel called Having Hope. Also she and her sister Sarah posted this video yesterday. They are both going on a missions trip to Europe for three weeks.

Also if you want to watch her youtube videos its Having Hope ! Click on the link to see her amazing videos.

They need six thousand dollars by February. If you would like to donate to help them reach their goal, click on the link. continuetogive.com/hopeandsarah

You can even share this blog post with your freinds and family to help spread the word around. Or even better share the donation link to help donations spread.

God bless you all!

Chloe

On Wednesday December 6th,while we listened to Christmas music, my friend Abby and I baked two different kinds of cookies.

 First we decided to bake what we thought would be the hardest cookies ever, turned out to be the easiest. We made these Candy Cane Blossom cookies. As we followed the recipe, we decided to use green food coloring to make the cookies green for Christmas. The recipe does say you can use the food coloring to make colored sugar, but that would require work the day before. Plus in my opinion, I think the cookies tasted amazing without the colored sugar on top. To mak things even more funny, I couldn't find the candy cane flavored hershey kisses, so I just bought a big bag of regular kisses. Hey it all worked out.

Next we made Sugar Cookies. If you never made these before, then you are missing out on a lot of fun. These are really easy to make. Plus they don't take that long to bake. With all the different cookie cutters, it makes the cookies look even better. I specifically bought Christmas cookie cutters at Dollar Tree.

While the sugar cookies were cooling down, Abby and I went upstairs into my room and put the lights on my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. She made my tree look amazing.

Once the cookies were cool, we put vanilla and chocolate frosting on them. Made them look even yummier then they were before. Once they were frosted, I placed the cookies in the fridge for a good thirty minutes. That way the frosting would harden and make it less messy to eat.

All in all I can say it was a great day. Thankful God gave me Abby in my life. She's so much fun to bake with.

RECIPES 
Candy Cane Blossom Cookies 
Ingredients
1 bag of Hershey kisses (Regular of Candy Cane flavored)
1/2 cup of better, softened
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of Vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups of all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoons of salt
1/4 teaspoons of baking soda
2 tablespoons of milk (May need to add more)
Red or Green food coloring
Parchment Paper

1. Preheat oven to 350° Get two trays and place one sheet of parchment paper onto the trays.
2. In a large bowl mix together butter, sugar, vanilla, milk and a egg until well blended. In a seprate bowl add flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly combind the mixture with flour, baking soda and salt with the first mixture. 
3. Add red on green food coloring to the bowl with the dough Mix well until the dough is the color you chose. 
4. Using your hands, roll dough into one inch balls. Place balls on trays,
5. Place trays in the oven for ten minutes. 
6. While the cookies are cooking, unwrap the Hershey Kisses into a bowl. 
7. When cookies are done in the over, place the hershey kisses on top of the hot cookies. Let cookies cool down afterwards. 
8. Place cookies in the fridge for twenty minutes to let the cookies harden a bit. (Tastes better) 

On December 21st, 1960, in a hospital in Drodgeda, Ireland, my granny gave birth to a big baby named James Christopher Noel Mullen who weighed ten pounds fourteen ouces. He lived in Dundalk till He was three. Then he moved to Corby, England. His earliest memory is jumping off the arm of the sofa with his freinds. One of his friends gave him a push which made him fall right into the glass cabinet. To this day, He has a scar in different areas of his face. At the age of ten, one of his favorite memories was when he got to visit the U.S Airforce Base in Laken Heath. He got to see the concord that flew twice the speed of sound. Along with military planes and helicoptors.

It was tough leaving all his friends and family behind in Ireland. He only planned on staying in America for a year then move to Austrailia. When he first entered America, He was very homesick. Back 1986, it was dollar-fifty a minute to call Ireland. His parents didn't have a phone so he had to call the Jonny Byres a corner store. His mom had to run up to the store to talk to him. He used to write letters. His first job was was working in Harlem at apartment buildings.

Back in Christmas 1986, his sister Lorraine came to visit from Ireland. He started working there back in August 1986 at the Racket Club a Tennis Cluob in Brooklyn, New York. In January 1987, at the Racket Club in Brooklyn, New York. That's when He met Leisa O'louglin my mom. 

He always ponders what life would be like if he had stayed in Ireland. He likes to think he would be living in a house in the Point Road of Dundalk, Ireland. He has no regrets and loves to visit his family every opportunity he gets.