Dia duit! Yesterday, Jess and I spent the day at one of Rangeley's local playgrounds. When we got there, I squealed with excitement and bolted towards a rock wall. I could almost feel Jess rolling her eyes and smiling behind me.
When I reached the base of the rock wall, however, my enthusiasm vanished. "Wow," I breathed nervously. "That sure is a long way up."
Jess soon appeared next to me. "That's nothing!" She shouted in disbelief. "You should have seen the the size of the rocks I climbed in Belize!"
"Well if you're so good at it, then why don't you race me up?" I challenged, trying to hide the frightened tone in my voice.
Jess grinned. "Sure! Ready, set, go!"
Within a matter of seconds we were both scaling the rock wall. Jess pulled ahead of me quickly, and reached the top when I was only half way up!
I pulled myself up out of breath as Jess cheered me on. "Ok, maybe you are a little fast..." I admitted reluctantly. "What now?"
"Well, since I won, I think you should push me down the slide." Jess replied with a smug look on her face.
"Fine," I pouted and followed her to the top of the slide.
When she sat down, I gave her the biggest push I could muster, hoping that she would go so fast that she'd fly off the end of the slide. An 11-year-old girl can only push so hard, however, and Jess skidded to a halt before her feet even touched the ground.
When it was my turn to slide down, Jess stood firmly in my path.
"Come on Saoirse!" She called.
"But I might run into you!" I yelled back. Yes, Jess and I ticked each other off sometimes, but I didn't want to slide right into her! What if she got really hurt?
"I'm not moving!"
"Ugh, tá sí stubborn." I whispered under my breath before closing my eyes and pulling myself forward, down the slide.
Just as I thought my feet were about to rocket into Jess' stomach, I flew off the slide and landed on the ground with a thump. I opened my eyes to see Jess standing right next to the slide, smiling mischievously. "You said you weren't moving!" I reminded her.
Jess shrugged and started walking away--towards the swings.
I ran after her and hopped on the only swing before she had the chance to. She glared at me with a scheming look in her eye. "I dare you to stand up and swing." She offered.
"That's easy!" I exclaimed, and slowly placed my feet where my bottom was supposed to be. I suddenly started to wobble, and before I knew what was happening, I was lying on my stomach!
At first, all I heard was someone squeak, "Where's my headband?!" It took me a moment to realize that it was me.
After the shock subsided, I heard someone laughing hysterically. I turned my head to spot Jess giggling so hard that she had to lean against a pole to keep from falling over!
When I recovered from my, erm, incident, my stomach started to growl. "Jess!" I shrieked. "Do you think that building over there has a vending machine? I'm starving!"
"I guess we'll just have to go and find out!" She called over her shoulder as she sprinted towards the big double doors.
Sure enough, inside was a HUGE vending machine! "Oooh, they have king sized peanut butter cups!" I squealed. "Jess, can you reach the number pad for me? Or, since you're 14, maybe you can pick me up and I can reach it?"
"Don't worry, I've got it." She said as she typed in E1. "Let's eat them outside. There was a picnic table by the playground."
Jess was quiet as we ate, and stared into space as if she were deep in thought. "Saoirse," She finally said. "I noticed that the building smelled as if somebody dunked it in chlorine. Do you think there's a pool in there?"
I frowned. "It looks like it's a Rec. Center, so maybe. But I do NOT want to go swimming! I didn't bring a swimsuit!"
"Can't we at least go check?" She pleaded.
I sighed, defeated. "Fine. But no swimming!"
Jess was right--inside there was a huge indoor pool, plus two hot tubs. She immediately raced towards the edge and felt the water with her hand. "It's so warm! I'm definitely going swimming, even if I have to get my clothes wet."
I slipped my flats off but didn't move away from the door. "Come here Saoirse!" Jess called. I told her that I refused to get my feet wet, so she put a towel down next to the pool.
"Come on, Saoirse. You have to go swimming!"
"No way!" I responded. "These are designer clothes! I'm NOT getting these wet!"
Jess came up behind me with an evil glint in her eyes. "Seriously, Saoirse. Live a little!"
"Well, I actually care about how I look!" I said coldly. Suddenly, something bizarre happened. Jess put her arms out, and pushed me!
My freckled arms started windmilling, and I almost balanced myself. But one wrong step backwards sent the water rushing up at me at a nauseating speed. Just before I hit the surface, I felt white hot anger and cold betrayal. But, the moment I was submerged, that all went away. I froze underwater for a few moments, bubbles rushing past me in slow motion. I couldn't believe. I was GLAD that Jess had pushed me in!
After a long, wet swim, I reached the staircase where Jess was waiting, laughing even harder than she had while I was swinging. Once I pulled my sopping body out of the water, I sped after Jess. "It's your turn!" I shouted, and shoved her into the pool.
We spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, despite the lack of swimsuits. Before we went home, we sat down in the grass near the playground to dry off.
Jess bumped shoulders with me and said "You're pretty awesome, you know that?"
I bumped mine right back saying "You're not so bad yourself."
~Saoirse
Dia duit agus fáilte a chur roimh mo bhlag! Today, Jess and I spent much of our day at a pond near our cabin. When we got there, I was amazed to see a ton of ducks following us around! They were so friendly, although part of me guesses that that was because they were hoping for some food...
First, Jess and I explored the cattails looking for baby frogs. Jess says that baby frogs don't look like frogs at all--they're actually kind of like fish!
"But how can a fish turn into a frog?" I asked.
"It's not REALLY a fish. It's a tadpole. It's kind of like how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly." She explained.
"Wait, are all fish just baby frogs, then?!" I cried in disbelief. "I've been eating baby frogs my entire life! That's disgusting!"
"No no no!" Jess argued. "Well," she said thoughtfully. "Some people do eat frog legs..."
After that little "episode", we headed onto a bridge that overlooked the water.
Suddenly, I screamed.
"What is it?!" Jess exclaimed.
"I think I just saw a baby frog!" I pointed at a shimmering fish that was now swimming away, but lost my balance and nearly fell headfirst into the water! Thankfully, Jess grabbed my arm right before I tumbled in, or else I really would have been swimming with the fishes!
On our way back to the cabin, Jess and I stopped to sun on some rocks that separated the pond from the rest of the cabins. Suddenly, as we watched the ducks squabble, a mother and baby deer pranced just a few feet in front of us! Unfortunately, they bolted into the woods as soon as I squealed, "Bambi!".
Before we headed inside, we stopped on our porch to watch the sun set.
It was álainn!
When we did finally go inside, Jess begged me to watch one of her favorite TV shows, "Dawson's Creek". It was ok, even though I didn't understand a lot of the things the characters talked about. I asked Jess what certain things meant, but all she said was that I'd learn when I was older. Oh well! Maybe I'll Google them tonight?
We even got Twizzlers!
Oh wow, it's super late! I better be getting to bed. Dea-oíche!
~Saoirse
Dia duit! Today, my family and I drove for hours up to our cabin in Rangeley. The ride would have been agonizing, but fortunately, Mam and Daid let my friend Jess from http://byebyebelizehellomichigan.blogspot.com/ .
We didn't get there until 7:00, and didn't finish packing until 8:00, so we didn't get many pictures. I'll be sure to take more tomorrow!
Here's a picture of Jess and I getting ready for bed:
Dea-oíche!
~Saoirse
Dia duit gach duine! I'm so excited! Sayoko awarded my blog the...
Now I have to answer a few questions...
Thank the person who nominated you:
Go raibh míle maith agat an méid sin, Sayoko! Translation: Arigatō, Sayoko! You have no idea how much this means to me!
Tell your followers why you started a blog and why you keep
doing it:
I started a blog because I really wanted to show other kids who have had to move to new places or learn new languages that they aren't alone. I felt really alone and different when I first moved to America, and I don't want anyone else to have to feel that way.
Describe a usual day in your life:
I wake up, get dressed, do my hair, grab some toast from the toaster, get on my roller skates, and rush over to the Southern MTTB to visit Kaya and Josefina. When I get home, I sometimes write a blog post, and then I play with Addy up in my room, eat dinner and read myself to sleep.
What was your best collaboration?
Me, Jess' and Dani's triple birthday part with 14 girls in all, including Charlotte&Zoe!
What was your worst collaboration?
How can a collaboration be bad?!
Nominate five other people for this award:
Charlotte&Zoe from Charlotte & Zoe's World.
Jess from Bye, Bye Belize! Hello, Michigan.
Quinlyn's dolls from The Dolls of Happy Valley.
Elizabeth from Musings of a Time Traveler.
Julisdolls from Julis Dolls.
Thanks again Sayoko! If you hadn't already gotten the award, your blog would definitely be one of my nominations! <3
~Saoirse
Dia duit agus fáilte a chur roimh mo bhlag! Yesterday morning, Daid told me that the Southern MTTB is trying something new. This September, it's going to allow all of the children that use the Southern MTTB when time traveling to the present to receive a good education (like Kaya and Josefina, for example) to attend school at the Time Traveling Base. Daid says that that way, Kaya, Josefina, and future time traveling kids won't have to worry about fitting in with modern children, and can learn at their own pace.
At first I was devastated! "Ach ansin ní bheidh mé a fháil chun a fheiceáil Kaya agus Josefina an oiread!" I wailed. There's no way I'm going to let anyone prevent me from seeing them. Well, maybe I wouldn't mind not seeing Kaya as much...but Josefina is the nicest person I know!
"Ná bíodh imní ort, Saoirse," Daid interrupted. "Ós rud é mé ag obair ag an TTB, aon cheann de mo leanaí i idir aois 8 agus 18 a cheadaítear a bheith i láthair."
It took a moment for this to sink in. Since he works at the TTB, any of his children in between the ages of 8 and 18 are allowed to attend...
I jumped off the couch. "Tá mé idir aois 8 agus 18!" I screeched stupidly.
Since it was Monday, I threw on my roller skates and raced over to the Southern MTTB. Kaya and Josefina were waiting at the door.
"What took you so long?" Kaya grumbled.
I ignored her. "Guess what?" I gasped, out of breath from skating my way over here. If I timed myself, I bet I would've beat some kind of record!
Neither of them said anything in return (they clearly don't understand the whole guessing part of "Guess what") so I continued on my own. "Daid just told me that the three of us don't have to go to public school anymore--"
"YES! SCHOOL SUCKS!" Kaya cheered, cutting me off.
I rolled my eyes. "Let me finish! Instead of public school, we'll be attending school at the TTB. We don't have to worry about classmates finding out about your secret anymore!"
"I'd rather have no school." Kaya sighed. Despite her disappointment, a glowing smile was painted across Josefina's face.
"Think about it, Kaya! We don't have to wear modern clothes at school anymore! And who knows, maybe we'll meet other kids who time travel. Maybe one of them will know where your tribe is!"
Kaya's eyes brightened at the mention of her family. "Ok, maybe this isn't completely awful. It's way better than going to a public school like last year..."
"See, Kaya?" I exclaimed. "Now I can't wait to start school! Maybe I'll meet someone from the 80s, or the 50s! I'd love to see someone walk in the classroom in one of those poodle skirts!"
Sin uile do anois!
Slán!
~Saoirse
Dia duit léitheoirí mo bhlag! Last weekend, Jess invited Dani and I over to her house to swim. But, of course, being the spacey person that I am, I left my swimsuit at home! Good thing Dani brought an extra, or I may have had to go skinny dipping!
At first, Dani and I sat on the deck while Jess swam all by herself. The pool was freezing!
Eventually, Dani hopped in the pool with Jess, and I finally worked up the nerve to join them after sitting all by my lonesome.
The pool was really cold, but it was also fun! I was the first one out because I was so cold! I shivered for at least 10 minutes afterward. Back in New York, water wasn't nearly as cold in the summer as it is here in Maine!
Sin é go léir le haghaidh anois!
~Saoirse
Dia duit! Welcome to my blog! As most of you know from this post, Monday was a very, erm, eventful day for me. Daid didn't get home until four thirty, which gave me a lot of time to brainstorm excuses. I had come up with a somewhat believable story about getting lost and thinking he was a kidnapper, and when his car rolled into the driveway I thought I was ready.
But, of course, I was wrong. The moment he poked his head into my room I burst into tears.
"Ní gá do thoil, inis duine ar bith, Daid!" I cried. "Cad a tharlaíonn má chinneann an domhan ar fad amach? Ní fheicfidh mé a fheiceáil Kaya agus Josefina arís!"
Daid laughed and sat next to me on the edge of my bed. "Oh, Saoirse! Tá mé ar eolas go léir chomh maith! Bhí mé aon smaoineamh go raibh a fhios agat, cé."
I just stared at him, confused. What does he mean he knew all along? How could he have known? The only reason I knew about time travel was because of a very careless mistake. "Cad atá i gceist agat?" I asked.
"Bhfuil a fhios agat cén fáth a bhog muid ar shiúl ó Éirinn?" Daid answered. I nodded. We left Ireland because we were shunned by our church, town, and friends. Daid lost his job, and everyone refused to publish Mam's books. Stores wouldn't sell to us, my friends at school wouldn't talk to me. We were running out of both food and money very fast, and hardly had enough to book a flight to America. If it weren't for Seanmháthair's help, we might still be in Ireland today. I never knew why this happened, though. It happened very gradually--so gradually that I hardly noticed. I asked Daid to explain, and so he did.
Apparently, ever since Daid was a boy, he had loved the idea of time travel. He was fascinated--obsessed. It all started when his daid died in a car accident, and he thought going back in time would bring him back.
By the time he had met Mam and had me, however, he had moved on to other interests. That is, until he heard a rumor that America had had access to time machines for years. His obsession returned, and soon people found out about it.
We lived in a very religious community, and some members of our church had very strong opinions. These members were mainly one group of women that seemed to be the puppet masters of the town. They despised the idea of time travel. They believed that all things happen for a reason, and we shouldn't be given the power to change those things. When they heard about Daid, they were, to say the least, extremely upset. They started spreading rumors about our family, and people slowly began to believe them. First, our church shunned us. Then our friends. It wasn't long before Daid came home crying. Crying because he had lost his job. I had never seen him cry before.
But, through all that, our family stayed by us. During our last month in Ireland, Seanmháthair asked us why we were moving across the ocean to America. Daid smiled and said, "Is é Meiriceá ar thalamh de gealltanas. Mé i mo chónaí thar lear mé fós i bhfeidhm cheana féin le haghaidh mo phost aisling. Tá a fhios agam go mbeidh sé a dhéanamh ar ár teaghlaigh sona."
When Daid said this, it all suddenly made sense. I saw him at the Southern MTTB because THAT is his post aisling!
"Tá tú ag obair ag an MTTB?" I offered hopefully. If he did, I wouldn't have to tell another time travel-related lie again!
Daid smiled in his way that lets me know that everything is all right. He chuckled when he exclaimed jokingly, "Bhí a fhios agam cheana féin go bhfuil Kaya agus Josefina i ndáiríre d'aois, ach ní raibh a fhios agam go raibh a fhios agat!"
I guess all's well that ends well! Slán go fóill!
~Saoirse
Fáilte go dtí mo bhlag! This morning, after Daid left for work and as Mam was working away on her first American novel (she's a writer, and has published quite a few books in Ireland), I slipped on my roller skates and headed towards the Southern MTTB. It's only a couple of miles away from my house, disguised as a bean factory. I've gotten pretty good at rollerskating, so it doesn't take very long for me to get there.
When I arrived, I skated through the door and towards the wing containing all of the 19th century time machines. Josefina, Kaya, and I had planned on meeting there each Monday, and had done so without fail since summer began. As I rounded a corner, a hand grabbed my shoulder. "Saoirse?" A familiar voice said.
I spun around, throwing my hands up in the air in surprise.
"Daid?!" I squeaked, my throat closing up in horror. Cad atá á dhéanamh aige anseo? I wondered. Sé ceaptha a bheith ag an obair!
His eyes mimicked the same terror I was feeling. "Cén fáth go bhfuil tú anseo? Conas a fuair tú anseo?" He whispered harshly.
I was stunned. Shocked. I didn't know how to respond. Suddenly, booking it out of there crossed my mind. I'm fast on roller skates--he wouldn't be able to catch up. And skating takes a lot less effort than running does, so he wouldn't be able to follow me all the way home. I knew that I would have to talk to him eventually, but I wanted time to think. Leaving seemed like a very plausible option.
So that's exactly what I did. I turned around, and skated towards the nearest exit as fast as I could.
I was so blinded by fear that I almost skated right into the wall next to me. I was out of the 19th century wing in a matter of seconds. I half expected to hear footsteps following behind me, but all I heard was Daid yelling, "Saoirse! Fan!"
It's been a few hours since I got home, and Daid still isn't here. I feel awfully guilty. Kaya, Josefina, and even the entire Southern MTTB counted on me keeping this secret--and I blew it. What if the Southern MTTB gets shut down because of my actions? Then I may never get to see Kaya or Josefina again!
Scriosta mé gach rud!
~Saoirse
