Converting

It's a chilly, windy day in Oz and I can't seem to bring myself to do anything.  I just raided my Pinterest boards for projects/baking that I can do to amuse myself because I just don't know what to do with myself.  Scarecrow is out golfing with his dad, the neighbor, and his buddy.  The rest of the family is gone for one reason or another.  This means I have a rare time that I have the house to myself.  And darn it, I should have decided before what I would do with this rare opportunity.  Not only that, but I have our car at my disposal!  But I'll tell you what, it's only when you have the means and the space to do something that you can't think of a single thing to do.  I might bake some rolls in a few minutes.  Or I might crochet a grocery bag.  Might walk the dog too.  Who knows, really.

Earlier in the week I tagged along with the sister missionaries and their P-day activity (preparation day for those not in the know).  One of the gals from church had offered to take them to the Cliffs of Moher.  She was going on about this crazy party and I said, "Gee, keep going like that and now I want to know what the party is!".  So I managed to invite myself on their excursion.  It was really a fun excuse to get out and see the country with some people who haven't seen it all yet.  And I really like hanging out with this gal from church, so it was nice to spend time with people I'm not related to (no offense family.  I just need to get out more). 

I've never seen the cliffs like this...ever.  I've barely even seen Ireland like this!  Snow!  I felt bad for the sister missionaries, they didn't get to see it in its full glory.  But they did get to see it in a way that very few people do.  It was pretty in a very mysterious sort of way.  I also hadn't realized how much I miss the bite of cold air after it's snowed.  I'm not a big snow fan myself.  That's the one weather phenomenon that I can really take or leave.  But it was nice to feel that refreshing cold blast coming off of the Atlantic.

So, my Irish quirk for the day.  I think it's happened.  It's been subtly working its way in for months and now, I think I'm finally converted.  As with everywhere you go, even to different parts of the U.S., there are different words for different things.  I was talking to my sister and niece the other day and started to comment on her jumper when I had to correct myself and say sweater.  I don't have to translate myself here nearly as much as I used to.  It will, however, be interesting to hear how I do going back to the States.  Some other examples of words that are different than what I grew up with that are now second nature:

Jumper: Is in fact a sweater, not a little pinafore dress that girls wear.
Boot: As in the boot of a car.  It's the trunk.  Once in awhile Scarecrow slips up and says trunk.  He even said dollars instead of euro the other night.  We're both clearly very confused still.
Bin: garbage can, trash, whatever.  Oh, I also put the rubbish in the bin now, not the garbage in the trash.
Mobile phone: Yes, they are called mobiles here as opposed to the cell phone of the U.S.  That's a dead giveaway that you're American.  You also ring someone's mobile instead of calling their cell.  Subtle, but trust me, people notice when you say "call my cell" instead of "ring my mobile".
A lift:  This one is very important.  I had this ingrained in me from my first go-round in Oz.  You never, ever, want to ask someone for a ride.  You want a lift.  If you ask for a ride you will be very surprised at the outcome given that it refers to favors of a sexual nature.  So please, I will give you a lift anywhere you like.  Just don't ask me for a ride.

And now I'm going to go do something.  Just not too sure what yet...