I am in Ireland!
I had a hard time getting through customs this morning. The letter that I was provided by Diane Middelton did not appear legitimate for the customs officials. She thought that it was a document that I could have created myself because it was not on "headed paper." After a phone call to Muriel, my host mother and principal, the customs officer allowed me through.
I collected my luggage and waited for a bus from the airport to Greystones station where Muriel met me. She jumped right into conversation. She offered me food when we arrived to her house and then sent me straight to bed. She insisted that I take a nap. She had a student teacher come from the United States before who insisted that she would stay up and while she was there ended up getting sick. Muriel was sure this was because of her lack of sleep early in the trip. I went to sleep and woke up a few hours later.
Muriel's husband, Alistair, and her two children, Alyson and Alexander were downstairs. I found out that Alistair owns a sailing school and the whole family is very involved in sailing. He has also done work with film, helping out with scenes on the water in P.S. I Love You, Saving Private Ryan and many other films. He is getting ready to start work on a television commercial. I had dinner with the whole family. Muriel's son comes home from university on Sunday nights for dinner and to watch Top Gear, a British television show about cars. The family has been so wonderful so far! I am looking forward to my next five weeks and all the experiences that I am going to have the opportunity to have!