supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

That's pretty much what this blog is- it's a lot packed into a little space and you can't help but say it really fast. Kind of like trying to catch up on your journal writing. I tried to include a lot of pictures to keep it interesting. So here it goes:

1) February we traveled to Berlin with Teresa. It was awesome despite the frost bite weather. Seriously, you should visit there just maybe rethink the winter time frame. Favorite thing besides the yummy pastries- the sculptures.

Brandenburger Tor/ Brandenburg Gate- Berlin

Sauchsenhausen Concentration Camp

Doors to the camp

Where we ate breakfast. They had fantastic food!

Berlin's Holocaust Memorial

Teresa on the walking tour

If he's cold, you KNOW it really is that cold!

2) We also had a chance to do some hiking/nature walking (it depends on who you talk to) over Valentines at Gleann Dá Loch. It was very quiet so it was nice to walk around with the waterfalls and birds that were just beginning to come out for spring time.  We saw several mountain goats out on the cliffs as well. 

3) Steven made it up to Belfast the end of February for the Mitchell Scholarship for the mid year retreat. They took a great tour and even had a kid throw an egg at their van. The tour guide told them that if it had been 20 years ago it probably would have been a brick- not an egg. They also met with people who were active during in The Troubles- I'm not really sure how to phrase that. By this, I mean that the group had the chance to sit down with two men who now are in an open forum but during The Troubles, were clearly on different sides and trying to kill the other. One was Jackie McDonald and Jim (I don't have his last name just yet). Google them... you know you want to. 

4) Next came Brussels. This was a great trip also set up by the Mitchell Scholarship program. We had the opportunity to learn a lot about the EU and it's inner workings. We met with several groups who work directly supporting the EU, we had a tour of the Parliament building, discussion with IBEC (along with many other meetings). And we had time the last evening to walk around the city. We made it to the Belgian waffles- they were great. But I think I still prefer the homemade stuff. 

Our trip was really made great because of the family that we stayed with, The McBean family. We had a great time getting to know them in the time we spent with them- especially playing a few rounds of Monopoly Deal. 

Fagen, Sarah, Ryan, Me, Steven, Ibrahim, Deirdre and Paul

So there are a few more things to write about... but they are going to need to be on the next post (cue the suspense) :) We hope things are going great for everyone!