With the blink of an eye, 28th of June is here again, which means I am celebrating my ninth anniversary in Ireland! After nine years, this is the first time I am not on Irish soil. I have to say it is well justified as I am in Catalonia celebrating my dad’s eightieth! A date I could not have missed (without getting into big trouble, lol). However, my June blog post has been written while I was in Ireland, just to mark such a special milestone for me. As my mind is focused on next year’s celebrations for my ten years in the Emerald Isle, I have had to force myself to stop stepping into the future and keep grounded to this year’s achievement: nine years! It can be too easy to simply keep making plans for the big ten, as I even have a notebook where I add ideas, things to do, presents to get for me, epic days to go on, and much more. Nevertheless the here and now is what matters so, let’s celebrate my nine years in my beloved Éire!
For a change, probably badly needed after a miserable start of June, with plenty of rainy and grey days, making it feel more like autumn-winter, we are relishing (or somehow enduring) another heat wave. When I moved to Ireland nine years ago I would have never imagined that I would see temperatures reaching 30 degrees never mind going beyond that! During the first two weeks of June we have had far too much rain, so it is nice to see the sun shining and scorching temperatures, because as my partner always says, rain will be back soon enough. I hope it does, lol, my threshold is somewhere around 25 degrees and cooler nights when one does not need a fan to sleep. We will be soon heading to even hotter lands, which does not suit me at all but sometimes one has to make sacrifices, not every day dad turns 80!
My usual cupán tae, despite the hot weather, instead of a candle flickering away I have a small fan blowing away, not on the couch today but in the office room where it seems to be cooler. Chief Superintendent Smudge the Cat is next to me on her chair, the sofa is too warm for her, so is the sitting room. I do not think she is very happy with the fan but she is secretly enjoying the cool air, her left eye keeps checking for the beast that is producing cool air. Obviously no blanket either, who knows it will be probably needed next week. Let’s get down to business to celebrate my Irish anniversary.
Nine years ago, watching Europe mainland vanishing on the horizon was a moment to remember, a memory to treasure, a gift to embrace. It was the beginning of my Irish quest, the starting point of an unknown path, the opportunity to get my life back. I am glad I was bold and brave enough to follow my dream by leaving my comfort zone, embarking on a crazy adventure called “I owe this to myself” and never giving up despite the struggles along the way. When the book of life seemed to have no more blank pages that ferry across the Celtic Sea from Cherbourg brought me to Rosslare and offered me the amazing chance to keep adding pages and more pages, the chance of healing my soul and nourishing my heart, the chance to be me again. My dream (for those who have not read older blogs or heard it from me): when I was seventeen years old I spent a month in Cobh learning English and the Emerald isle caught both my soul and my heart, the seed of grá for Éire was sown and since then I had always been dreaming of moving to Ireland. However life always has different plans than those we want to go with, which meant my dream being postponed and postponed and postponed again. As the years went by my will to move to Ireland became stronger and stronger and stronger than ever. My 2017 New Year’s resolution was to follow my dream, work hard to make it possible, give it a go. Six months later I was at the stern of the Oscar Wilde ferry saying goodbye to family, friends and much more, but at the same time with the biggest of the excitements as I was able to look forward.
Nine years later, I have to pat myself on the shoulder: what an achievement! Dreams come true as long as you work hard, follow your heart wherever it may take you, soothe your soul with unforgettable memories, nourish your determination with the power of a great success ahead, and as already said, do not forget to work hard. I have to proudly admit that I am stubborn, if I want something I can only go for it, that is me. I will come up with the brightest of the plans, the craziest steps to follow, and of course, having little margin for failure, to simply ensure I succeed. It might look easier than it actually is, but nothing comes to those who do not fully commit. My stubbornness and determination have brought me a long way, great companions of endeavors although both can be a devil in disguise at times. Nine years later, I have become my own hero.
Nine years later, I also need to acknowledge all the hardships along the way. I have made plenty of sacrifices, often endured the toll of being away from family and friends, even forgotten the importance of reconnecting with my roots. The struggles have been outshone by the achievements probably too many times, making it look like an easy quest, however these struggles have become the sturdy foundation to keep going. Sacrifices, when it comes to work, having to restart my career in more basic roles, has sometimes been an arduous mission, and still is. The toll of being away implies missing family gatherings, funerals and sometimes special occasions, making it hard to accept I cannot be there. Forgetting the importance of reconnecting with my roots has sometimes me on a lonely path, reminding me to make an effort to stay connected with my origins. Nine years later, I have somehow learnt to embrace the hardships, it is what it is.
Nine years later, as I always say, I would definitely do it again. No regrets at all. What an incredibly amazing journey I have had the pleasure to enjoy. Breathtaking hidden corners discovered, the kindness of its people embracing me, the soundtrack of songs and tunes added to my playlist, the laughter, banter and the great craic. I have travelled north to south, east to west, however there is still plenty more to visit. I have walked on long empty beaches feeling the wilderness of the Atlantic Ocean caressing my soul. I have driven along coastal winding roads, stopping every five minutes to take pictures. Four seasons in one day is definitely very Irish. And of course, live music: you cannot help it but dance to the rhythm of trad tunes. Nine years later, Éire keeps surprising me, long may it last!
Go raibh míle maith agat, to all of you that in a way or another have helped me to make my dream come true, to those with whom I have crossed paths, to my family and friends for still being there despite the distance, to my Irish family for making me feel so welcome, to my work colleagues for the hard work and fun ( and of course, the sweet treats), to my Irish partner for his unconditional support and endless enthusiasm for my crazy ideas.
Go raibh míle maith agat to the Emerald Isle, for having given me the chance of getting myself back, allowing me to be Princess Merida and defy my own destiny, unleashing my creativity. It has taught me that everything will be grand even though it appears the sky is falling.
I shall wrap up this June blog post with the promise of an outstanding celebration of my ten years in Ireland, the count down has just begun!
Jay Cee Moon ©
Jaycee Moon 