Amy's Adventures Abroad

The spectacular life I lead in good 'ol Oregon is about to change drastically.. Starting September 1st I will be the au pair for the Walsh's in the magical lands of Ireland. My heart has always longed for more adventure and different cultures. Come along with me as I venture out into new territories and explore my hearts desires.

[amybreannejohnson]

Out on the open roads of Ireland, exploring what is the great unknown to my weary soul. This magical place has pushed my limits and beaten down my mind... Life you amaze and scare me all together and at once.

[amybreannejohnson]

Been enjoying the beauty that surrounds me. There are so many moments in the day when I wish I could share this experience with others back home. It's odd thinking about going home and knowing that many wont know exactly what I'm talking about when I reminisce about my days spent on this Irish island. But maybe it'll be better that way. Having it only be mine.. Independent of others influences and thoughts

[amybreannejohnson]

Christmas in Ireland. The holidays always invoke in me a sense of wanderlust and childlike magic. The streets here were covered in Christmas lights and every shop window had elaborate wintertime themed scenes, they were beautiful. My family here was so warm and welcoming. There was a total of 18 of us, counting the little lads, that shared Christmas dinner together at Gran and Granddad's house. The following day, St. Stephen's Day, we shared together an old country tradition of doing the wren. We play instruments door to door to collect money for the children. The idea with the silly costumes is to disguise yourself so that no one can tell who you really are..

[amybreannejohnson]

Oh au pair life. You fascinating being you. So hard to explain to the unknown outsider who can't fathom giving up everything to care for someone else's children and from a stranger become a family member. It's exciting. Uncomfortable at times. Humbling and exhilarating. Your daily tasks are some that you'd never expect like mending a cloth fairy, 2-year-olds shiting their pants, watching your 9-year-old do irish dancing in the kitchen at 10pm and drinking wine and having a fag with your host mom. You feel things more when you're Au pairing too. Your senses are heightened because things are still so novel. You have few outlets in which to vent and release so you begin to find an easier rhythm of life that allows for fluidity. And you become to know this new country as your.. home..

[amybreannejohnson]

My best friend like a twin. You make my days here brighter and more bearable during the times I just want to ball my eyes out. Being so far away from home and disconnected from everything truly shows you who your real friends are. The ones who send cards just because. Who will wait up during the wee hours of the night or morning because the 8 hour time difference is sure a bitch. Or send you the delicious goodies you’ve been missing… I can’t wait to travel the world with you my sunshine xoxo

[amybreannejohnson]

It's the end of an era. This darling dear heads home in the morning. Don't know how I'll survive 8 more months without this beauty. Our shenanigans won't be the same.. But I'll be seeing you under the sweet California sun. Love you to bits..

[amybreannejohnson]

Au pair life. This whole experience is mind blowing. It's a mixing swirl of wonderment, gratitude, excitement, adventure, curiosity, sadness, confusion, longing and love. There will never ever be a time in my life quite like this. What will I do when I leave these lush lands and return home to relationships that will be forever changed because of my absence..? Learning to not fear the unknown and accept that things will always change continually. If romance isn't waiting for me when I return home: I will be okay. Simple fact. But hard to grasp at my core. Who's still a bit shaky and scared... 8 more months to go.

[amybreannejohnson]

Snip it's of what I've been up to during the last few weeks.. Cliffs of moher. You have my heart. So gorgeous. I seriously could stay here forever..

[amybreannejohnson]

That awkward moment the morning after when you find random pictures on your phone… Which let you know you made out with a hottie. Let’s just face it, I’m a flirt… Oh Ireland, can you be mine forever? Sincerely, The American Au Pair who's fallen head over heels for your craic.

[amybreannejohnson]

All Hallows' Eve 2014: Irish style. Costumes are called "fancy dress". My fancy dress was a devil, thought it'd be a nice change from my mostly sweet demeanor. The night was filled with tequila shots, black goblets, late night chips and a good ol fashioned slap to the face to a guy who was all together too deserving. Let me tell you gypsies are still alive and well here. Trying to steal (more like force) kisses from innocent travelers.. But my au pair friends and I are quite the sassy bunch and very independent and handled ourselves quite nicely. Our night ended at about 12:30 because Em and I had hosted a dinner party for our Irish crushes the night before and we're still wrecked (but it was worth it).

[amybreannejohnson]

It still amazes me how many people become au pairs. It’s such a strange concept when you really think about it. You give up a huge portion of your freedom and your entire normalcy of life. Which for the later portion was the appeal for me. I was searching for change, and in a big way. One that shakes you up and makes you explore within yourself your true strength and abilities. It answers for you questions you didn’t know you had until your there, in someone else’s home, calling it your own. To make the most of each day means to approach things with the lightness of a feather. Carefree, soft and blowing in the wind…

[amybreannejohnson]

Part two of my weekend adventures: Clifden, Ireland. Road tripping with theses ladies was so much fun! It's amazing how well we've meshed and lucky we got in finding each other. It was nice to have a 3 hour car ride in which we could chat peacefully, learn more about each other, and laugh like I haven't laughed in awhile. I bought some pub music CDs at a local shop and we jammed out to some crazy silly classics. I love that now whenever I'll hear one of those songs, it'll take me back to that place and time and all the gorgeous scenery, surrounded by great girls. We stayed at a lovely b&b hosted by the sweetest British grandma. We had a bottle of wine waiting for us in our room, which we indulged in while we got ready for dinner. We decided not to go out to pubs after dinner and instead spent a peaceful evening in our room, painting nails, having a photo shoot and gabbing on about the boys in our lives. In the morning we drove around and found a hidden unexpected beach. I collected treasures that fled me with joy! And then we took the long way home.

[amybreannejohnson]

While most of my days here in Ireland are filled with wonder and joy.. Others are a bit more somber. I expected some struggles in adjusting to a new culture and being so far away from everyone and everything that's so familiar to me. But you never can expect how that will make you feel and how it will effect you in all the various forms that it creeps in, like a thick fog in the early morning hours. It's days like these that I wonder if I'll last an entire year. But then again other days I wonder how I'll leave in a year. The human existence is so vast and such a troubling one at times. I wish so terribly that I could get a great big warm hug from someone that I've known longer than just a month... They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder.. Well baby my hearts bursting with fondness I didn't know was possible. But they'll be days like this...

[amybreannejohnson]

Our girls getaway to Galway was magical. Every time I travel somewhere in Ireland I feel like I’m living a dream. I truly have the most grateful heart. Alright, here’s a snip-it of my nighttime adventures. Friday night was spent in downtown Galway where I met a local boy. I proceeded to play a mathematical game with him and his friends where I lost, which resulted in me having to kiss the local boy, we’ll call him JJ. Angry Amy decided she wasn’t happy about that. So we parted ways. Shortly after, I saw him and his friends at another bar, in which I lost my friends in and since they were the only ones I knew I stayed by them. However, JJ was getting a drink at the bar and standing/chatting with another who. Whom his friends said was his gf and I should confront them. This new found boldness I’ve discovered in myself here in Ireland, decided that was a good idea. Well as it later turns out, they were fucking with me and she wasn’t BUT she went along with it. It was catchy and since I lost my friends I stayed and chatted. With this silly guy. We were later finishing up our Guinness’ outside, after he bought me a street rose from a vender, his friend comes over and says “hey, I can’t believe you’re out. You told my sister you weren’t going to anymore. And she’s at home with the baby.. Come on man..yatta yatta..” I was like wtf. Naturally. And after his friend walks away he says laughing hysterically, "remember the conversation we just had about being gullible.." Ugh. My poor innocent nature is so trusting! He was hilarious though. The next day my sweet friends and I explored and had coffee at this amazing cupan tae place. And walked around the Saturday market. Next we drove an hour and a half to Clifden for our romantic night at a b&b

[amybreannejohnson]

The children of Ireland (not pictured the 12 year old boy I mind. He's trouble) These lads have already won me over. My days are filled with fun and love that overflows. I love their endless snuggles and silliness. Many more fun adventures in the country side to come.

[amybreannejohnson]

The children of Ireland (not pictured the 12 year old boy I mind. He's trouble) These lads have already won me over. My days are filled with fun and love that overflows. I love their endless snuggles and silliness. Many more fun adventures in the country side to come.

[amybreannejohnson]

This weekends getaway was to Adare, Ireland. A quaint, historically traditional Irish village. The manor there was the most surreal thing I've seen. We tried to have a cup of tea but they were booked solid. As I walked around the grounds, all I could think about was wanting to have a man by my side softly kissing my cheek with his around squeezed around my side.. But I had to settle for my two new friends ;) Ones Canadian and ones from California. It's amazing how life brings people in at the right moments, making a more than coincidental puzzle a master piece. I feel as if I may wander this planet in an infinite search for a continued wisdom of who I am.. Oh and I went on an amazing date Saturday night with my British med man. But sadly didn't snap photos of that. He took me to a gorgeous french restaurant on the water front. I'm smitten.