A Tale of Moving House and Marriage -A novice's view

I am dab hand at moving house.  I've moved from here to there so many times over the last 5 years you need both hands to count the many times. Some would say gypsy, I say nomad and searcher.  I'm pretty proud of my moving boxes and labelling expertise, which is not to say I like it or feel anything even resembling like, but I am good at it.  This is adulting the hard way as us newlyweds move house, buy furniture and build the dreaded flat packs; dystopia has been found in a furniture store.

Cruelty Free Face and Hair Products for Men

The origins of this post are a little disheartening to say the least.  I feel compelled to write a short note for men.  

To give a little background..   When briefly, via approximately 2 texts of 140 characters each brief I said to my brother the product junkie, that all the products he uses are tested on animals and for every product he has there is an equivalent available made by another company that is cruelty free, that does not test on animals.  To put this into context he is an animal lover, a horse rider and a dog owner.  His response was, "really, how do I find out though?".  Meaning where can I find said products and where do I find the information?   I thought to myself, well wait a minute what have I been writing about for the last 2 - 3 months.  It's a pretty dismal sign if even your family aren't reading your blog.  My text back was something mature to the affect of "MY BLOG!!!" hashtag sarcastic smiley face, or it should have been.   

My American life, the beginning. Emigration & Immigration

Quote -  Bono

I am a freckled ex-pat.  You could say my American life began properly this summer with my marriage and more recently with the approval of my green card. I feel lucky and know I am blessed. The anticipation and anxiety around this coloured card has been palpable.  Not only was there apprehension regarding it's approval and the interview process but now there's the exciting, wonderful, pinch me am I dreaming, I'm so grateful feeling paradoxically juxtaposed along side the realization that comes with all of that. "Permanent residency" and I am terrified.  It's bringing with it it's own kind of loneliness and nostalgia.  

Permanent Residency: but wait a minute, I'm Irish and more importantly I'm from "the Gar".  Now I'm the first one to call out Bono on being a self righteous knowitall so and so, I have a love /hate relationship with him, which I'm sure concerns him gravely. I'm proud that he's Irish, I'm a U2 fan, his wife's a stunner but he does go on a bit by times and I can't stand him holding court like he does but I love this quote from him (picture above) that's stenciled on the wall of the "The Little Museum of Dublin".  When I read it, I was instantly struck by how perfectly it synopsized my feelings about the beautiful island. Lately quotes like this one have been making me cry. 

Paul Mitchell- Cruelty Free Shampoo. A Review

I bought the color care shampoo and the strengthening conditioner. Paul Mitchell is an animal friendly brand and currently has the PETA and The Leaping Bunny cruelty free, does not test on our cuddly companions stamp of approval.

First the shampoo: I bought it on sale for $9 in Bed Bath & Beyond.   Participating in a normal shower routine, I reached for the Paul Mitchell Color Care Shampoo.  My first impression is that the smell isn't strong at all, it's pleasant but faint.  I pour a decent to average amount in my hand and go to work only to find my tools appear to be broken and my tools are not my hands.  

A Meatless Six Weeks..... My Vegetarian Voyage

Pescetarianism.  

I eat fish and so it is said I'm not a vegetarian.  Some serious googling was conducted to find out what the definitions are and what the etiquette and political correctness is around all of these labels.  I think vegetarians may take up arms with my self professed vegetarian-ness, so pescetarian it is. 
I am a peaceful person see but not ready to give up fish as well. A "green-eater" I have read is a person who avoids meat for environmental reasons.  That's me. 

If asked I say "I'm not eating meat, just trying it out, it's supposed to be good for the environment" to soften the side glances, roly eyes to heaven and the audible whispers "ah jaaayysus here we go, have ya seen yer one, gone all LA she has" followed by something else profoundly articulate referencing a meat injection, "Wha'?" says I, rolling me eyes to heaven.

As of this week I haven’t eaten beef, chicken or pork in 6 weeks and eating out has been fine in-spite of the vegetarian options in most restaurants being pretty poor. With that said I have had some delicious veggie burgers and fish dishes.  Used to it by now I can pick out the veggie alternatives straight away without having to scrutinize the menu.