In a city called Dingle...

Well I have been in Ireland for an entire day now. It is honestly the most beautiful place I have ever been. I just keep oohing and awwing over the scenery. We started out our day at a place called Bunratty Caslte. It was built in 1425. It was very cool and we got to walk inside and outside in the garden. We toured around with our group looking at all of the towers. Which, might I add, had very very steep spiral staircases that we had to climb in toms (worst traction ever) and the entire time Cydnee and I kept saying "How did a princess do this??". Haha those were rough times. (I am currently trying to add pictures and it won't let me!!!!)
Well moving on...
After the castle we drove in our big bus. There are only 20 girls and it is a full size bus so we all have our own two little seats. It is just way nice. We drove through the countryside of Ireland and along the coast to our next stop. It was about a two hour drive and it was perfect. Besides the fact that I enjoyed a small nap because jet lag was really getting me...I also got to look out the window at the gorgeous view. I took a ton of pictures of it. It was exactly how you see it in all the movies (i.e. ps i love you!). There were grazing fields with small sheep and the coast was to die for. I wish I could show you all of the pictures now!! Hopefully in the next city we will be able to add pictures. Once we arrived at our destination, Dingle (hence the blog title) we were able to go to our little bed and breakfasts and get settled in then were free to explore. 7 of us our in one bed and breakfast, the one I am in. Then the other 20 or so (the professors have their wives and one has his three kids) are in the other. It is right on the water and in the middle of town. I love it!!! We dragged our 52 pound suitcases (I'm not the only one mom!!) up the stairs and then put on our jackets and left. Cydnee and I talked to our cute little Irish bus driver and he suggested a few places. We ended up going to a place called Herrington's for fish and chips. I am not a big fish person but I figured since I am only here once I might as well try the authentic food. And let me tell you...it was delicious!! I loved it. It was just a little tiny shack like restaurant and we got cod fish and chips. It was so fresh and tasty. I also was able to get a diet coke with approximately half an ice cube, better than none. After we ate we went down into the center of town and went into a few different pubs (no drinking) and listened to some Irish music. It was so fun to be right in the middle of things with all of the natives. It's not hard to pick out the Americans, for some reason just walking around we apparently scream "we are americans!". Everyone has been so nice here and were all giving us suggestions of their favorite places. It was a great! We are off to bed now so that we can get up in time for breakfast. I hope this works!!!
xoxo
Kelsey

Quick Trip

Nope I'm not talking about everyone's most favorite restaurant QT, I'm talking about my journey across the pond to Shannon, Ireland. The flight from NYC to Ireland was only 5.5 hours! I was expecting 8 or 9. I took a little advil pm and was OUT like a light. I don't remember the trip at all, just waking up 5.25 hours later. Really though, I woke up with only 15 minutes until landing. Poor Cydnee had me sleeping on her shoulder the whole trip. Luckily she was out for most of it anyways too! There was apparently a meal served at some point but I am not sure when. So all in all the flight was a success. I made it alive and got some sleep. I am still in the airport waiting for the rest of our group but from what I have seen (from the air) Ireland is BEAUTIFUL. I can't wait to actually explore this beautiful country! WOO WOO! I will post pictures once I have some. Shout out to dad for letting me take his IPad!

In just 10 short days I will be...

Starting the summer of a lifetime. My good friend Cydnee and I are heading off to start our study abroad in Great Britain. We are meeting up with our group in Shannon Ireland on June 22nd and then we will be traveling throughout Ireland, Wales, and York for 2.5 weeks. After that we will arrive in our flats in the center of London where we will be living for the entire month of July. We finish off after 6 days in Scotland. I can't even wait!!

Lately I have been trying to pack for a 2 month vacation. Any ideas?? I am brining one giant, seriously GIANT suitcase and a backpack. Here are a few pictures of the places we are visiting...don't worry I will try and blog throughout the trip.

Shannon, Ireland

Paris, France (BEAUTIFUL!)

Kensington, London (Location of our flats)

Oxford...or Hogwarts???

Scotland

Here's the thing...I am a horrible blogger, I have come to terms with that. But at least I'm blogging, right? Hopefully it will improve. But, here isa shout out to one of the best ladies around. SHERYL GOFF. I'm just hanging out at her house right now watching prison break and eating delicious shrimp on the bar-b (barbie?). It's been an eventful night in bountiful and can I just say I am loving this weather?? 75 degrees. I'll take it.

And a note from Elder Cook:

"I am grateful for this opportunity I have to represent Jesus Christ and find the Lords chosen at this time. We are finding them! We gave a book of mormon to Doris this week in the first lesson and told her to read a chapter and pray to know if it was true. When we went back she said with a smile on her face. I know its true! I prayed and received an answer. That’s what can happen if we pray with the faith knowing that he will answer! She is preparing to be baptized! I love this work!"

Lookin' good in El Salvador. So proud of all he is doing!

Dancing Queens.

About a month ago the little girls I teach had their dance recital. They performed the Wizard of Oz and the 3 year old classes I taught were the "snowflakes" and the "poppies". I am too lazy to blog about it but my good friend Cydnee Squire did. So check it out here!!!

I have the best friends...really though, I do.

Last week I turned 20, woo woo! Itwas a fabulous birthday weekend and I am so grateful for my amazing friends. The weekend started out Thursday night where my good friends Rachelle, Cydnee, Emily, and KaLynplanned a tea party for me. It was so fun! Rachelle and Emily decorated the room like a real life tea part it was so cute. Needless to say we didn't act extremely proper and it was quite the crazy tea party, I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time.

KaLyn flew in from Arizona on Thursdsay morning and I loved it. It was supposed to be a surprise but no body can really surprise me, seriously, I wish it wasn't true but somehow someone always ends up telling me or I just figure it out. On Friday Makelle was going to surprise me by flying in but my mom accidentally told me...of course. But even though it wasn't a surprise it was still a great time. We had SO much fun. Mostly we just tried to make it to as many new restaurants that we could. Don't worry, I've been working out all week to work those calories off. I don't really have any pictures from this trip because Makelle and KaLyn have them all. But here is one that we took Saturday night while we were at Spark in Provo, a place with mocktails haha don't worry, no alcohol. We sent it to my mom with the caption "Just starting the night off with a few drinks" :)

Thanks for coming Makelle and KaLyn, I had a fabulous time. You are the best ever! I can't wait to see you ladies in a week.

Well, that's all I have for this post. I hope that was a good update for you all. I will get better at taking pictures, especially since I got a new fabulous camera from my mom and dad for my birthday!! The next week or so will include packing up my room (I have way too much crap!), trying to figure out how many clothes I need for 2 months worth of traveling, also trying to fit that all into one suitcase and one carry on, and finishing my finals! What?! Done with class already?? I'm a junior at BYU now. YESSSSSS.

P.S. ONLY 13 DAYS UNTIL I LEAVE FOR IRELAND!!!

my peeps.

Worst blogger ever award goes to...me. Sorry guys, but thanks for reading Chelsey B., Cydnee, and Mom :)

So just a couple of weeks ago my favorite Utah people, my peeps, moved away. Jean and Austin. Well only Jean moved and Austin is to follow, but let's be honest one alone is not the same as the two together. They moved out to North Carolina because Jean is heading to PA school at Wake Forrest University...the little genius. We spent every Thursday night since January having thirsty Thursdays. These included me getting dropped off at school by Austin then Jean and Austin picking me up afterand us heading to a little grocery store where any refill on Thursday is one cent an ounce (you better believe I always went with the 44 oz). After we had our caffeine in us we headed home to watch 24. We made it through seasons 1-6 in approximately 6 months...impressive huh? Sadly we weren't able to finish the series but we will I am sure. Jean had never seen any and Austin and I had seen most so it was hard for me to not give up what was happening. I often got in trouble for saying "Oh, I hate that guy" when he first appeared on screen or "Yes! He's my favorite!". But, despite my bad give aways we had a greattime and Jean made many delicious meals (that lady is a chef!!). I am sad to see them go and I will always miss our Thursdays. Good luck in NC guys!!!!!

An actual thirsty Thursday scene.

Jean and I in Salt Lake at Hatch Family Chocolates...delicious!

Oh you know, just the best job ever!

i LOVE my job. seriously LOVE it. i have the best time with these two kids and i get paid for it...could it get any better? i don't think so...well, teaching three year olds dance comes close. lately we have been able to go outside for our little outings since the weather has been so nice. a nice perk to this job is that i am learning A LOT from toting around a 2 year old and a 4 year old!

top ten things i've learned from being a nanny:

1. car seats are your friend. no matter how crazy kids get in the car they are buckled in a seat which means they can't run away, they can't make a mess, and they can't hurt each other :)

2. sometimes taking the long way home will be the best choice you make ALL DAY. something about cars puts kids right to sleep...

3. cranky princesses have to take naps.

4. mcdonalds is ALWAYS a good choice. ALWAYS. playing on the playground will give you hours of enjoyment.

5. there are approximately 2395943865 crafts you can do with a paper plate.

6. if you are 2 watching a movie over and over is not boring. it is in fact your favorite thing to do.

7. mickey mouse shaped nuggets for lunch are a good choice 100% of the time.

8. slip on shoes are a MUST for kids under 5.

9. they will repeat and believe EVERYTHING you say even if it is "diet coke is good for you, i promise".

10. markers are NEVER okay...no matter how convincing those little cuties are.