An average sized journal, this one was covered with layers of fabric and paint and marker. The covers had obviously been decorated several times, and it made for an interesting textural and visual composition. Inside are the records of one Riley Aisling McLoughlin.

October 19, 2006

We're here. In this crappy place called Rhy"Din. There's like, one place to go to hang out and drink that's near the house. And Mum and Daa go there too. I have no where to go to get away from them! At least at home there were places to go that they didn't go. It was sooo embarrassing! I had snuck away earlier and went to the Red Dragon Inn to explore, and I met this cute guy there, Cameron. We flirted a lot, and then I ended up heading back home to do some unpacking, then I left again go back to that place, and he was there again! So I'm sitting in his lap and we're flirting and laughing and Mum comes in" And that was it. Completely killed my chance at looking cool. She and I got into a screaming match, and then Daa comes! Cameron ran for the kitchen and Daa went after him. I managed to stop him by crying, but the damage was done. All those people were staring and watching! It was awful! So then they sent me home...But I slipped around to the back and found Cameron again. And he asked my age so I had to tell him that I'm 17. And he said I'm too young. Oh my gawd. Too young for what? It's not like I wanted to do him right there or anything! Too young to have a little bit of fun" But whatever, I'm sure I can find someone else to hang out with around there. Surely not everyone saw that awful display with me and the 'rents. They act like I had nothing back home, like I didn't leave any important people behind...What am I supposed to do here" I don't know anybody, so I was trying to make friends. I don't know...I miss Sean...And Mary and Dahling and Shannon...I just wish I had somebody to talk to. I miss Ireland...I need to think of something to do...I guess I'll redo my room from what it was. Nothing in this place is the same so why should my room be the same? At least I've got my own room. I had to fight for this one but I did get it, finally. No way was I letting one of the brats have the best room in the house. And I'm putting a lock on the door to keep them from messing any of my art up. There is a marketplace near by, maybe I'll be able to find some materials to work with that we don't have back home. Or at least some interesting fabrics so that I can make some cool clothes or a comforter for my bed. I suppose I should try and get some sleep now, maybe by tomorrow those people will have forgotten about me getting yelled at...Or maybe I'll wake up at home and this is all a bad dream. That would be really, really good.

October 22, 2006

Eeeek! I met this really cute guy! His name is Bradley! He talks funny, but not funny like most of the people. I think his accent is from America. From the South. Like, in the United States, not like South America. He's really, really tall. I feel like I'm looking waaaaay up, but that's okay. He's fun, we just mess around really. There aren't a lot of places for people to go hang out. I hope things work out. Not like a relationship or anything, just I hope he keeps coming around.

October 29, 2006

Reminder: Always carry a pair of pjs when I'm sneaking out so that I can change into them when I sneak back in. Got caught sneaking in last night. I tried to get out of it with a fib first, and that didn't work. Mum and Daa were furious...And then Mum told Daa about the other time she caught me, and about me and Bradley snogging in the RDI! I tried, I really did, I tried not to be disrespectful and to just take the scolding, but they made me so mad! They act like I'm 5 years old or something! Like I don't know that bad stuff is out there! Of course I do! And of course I know that guys are thinking of things more than snogging! But we're in public! So it doesn't matter what they're thinking of! Besides, they got married when Mum was just a year older than me. We woke Brenna up with our yelling, which I feel bad about because Molly had to get up and hush her, but it's not my fault, I didn't start yelling, they did. Daa even cursed. I really have to figure out a better way to get in and out of the house. The front door just isn't cutting it. Maybe I can build myself one of those rope ladders and just use the window. Ha. Or knot my sheets up. That would really be effective. I'm finally starting to get along here, I have a friend, and they act like it's a crime, or something. They tell me that I'm not acting like I miss home or my friends because of how I act here, but they're just too blind. Because I miss my friends and I miss home. I leave the house because I need time to think where the brats aren't making racket, or Molly or Mum or Daa aren't telling me to do this or do that. And now that the bakery is opening back up at some point they're going to make me do even more. I don't want to work in the stupid bakery! I just want to go have a life!

November 27, 2006

I haven't written in awhile, I know. I've just been very swamped lately. We're getting some decent business at the bakery, and I have to work and baby sit. And school. It's coming to the end of the first half of the year and so there's the testing that the system must needs torture us with. I've been studying like mad. Mum and Daa would not be happy if I did badly. And the happier I can keep them, the more I can get out of the house as long as my chores are done. And that means I can see people, Bradley in particular. He's been busy, though. I have seen him twice, though. One was a couple weeks ago. He was very sweet. He made this drink, well, not really a drink because of the cherries...But they were soaked in whiskey. It was actually quite yummy. The Nexus kidnapped him though, and dumped him back with no shirt. Which, I must admit, I didn't mind too much. He did put my coat on though. It looked ridiculously small on him, but it was adorable anyway! He walked me home, because I was kind of tipsy from the whiskey cherries. He said a name for them, but I don't remember what it was. He said he and his friends have them at their parties. Maybe some time I'll get to go to one of those parties with him...

But anyway. That was a few weeks ago. I went back to the Inn last night and he was there! We drank tequila. And snogged. I had a good time. Oh but I'm about to be late for work! I'll come back and write the rest of the night later! If I'm late Mum will be angry for sure!

May 14, 2007 Well. It's been a bloody long time since I've written. Guess I've been caught up in life, though really there hasn't been anything interesting anyway. Working, babysitting, and going to school. Although finally I've at least graduated school. Did that a few days ago, anyway. I also turned 18. April 1st. Fool's Day. It was a surprise to my parents when I was born 'cause I wasn't due for another couple of weeks. I think finally I'm getting some freedom. It's not like they can say anything anyway. I am an adult now. The other night I was at the Red Dragon and this man was there. It was...Interesting. He recognized my accent. And he's very much out of my league in terms of life experience, I know that much. He put his hand on my leg without a second thought as to my possibly smacking him silly. But then, I get the impression that he could break me without a second thought as well. He kills people as far as I ken. Anyway. I'm not really sure what to think so much about that. Last night was, well, I don't even know how to put it. Infuriating but also kind of amusing if one thinks about it. I was talking to this woman, Maeve. She's from Africa and she's doing a zoo here. And out of no where this guy comes up and starts asking a question, something about them being firm. I didn't realize what he was asking, and then he just reached out and grabbed my boob! So I tried to make him sorry for it, but I'm not sure I managed to really do any damage. I slapped him and kicked him. And tried to punch him. Well, I did hit him in the stomach with my fist, but I think he was just pretending that it hurt. It was infuriating that I couldn't really hurt him when I wanted to. But then, I guess to anyone watching it would have been fun. He was very tall. He actually lifted me up onto a chair at one point while I was yelling at him. That didn't make me any less annoyed. He's not as big as the other man, Mish. The rest of his name is difficult for me to remember. Especially because I was drinking whiskey that he gave me. And I don't even know the man's name from last night. Anyway. I have to help with dinner before I can even think about getting out of this house tonight.