Family Tradition

My grandfather on my mom's side carried the last name, Prunty. It is nice to know the ancestry was traced and to know I am Irish, not just on St. Patrick's Day. I was told as a child that we were related to the Bronte sisters, but didn't know just how much Irish was in our family until after my grandfather had passed away and the genealogy books were given to us. Hopefully one day I can travel to Ireland and trace more of the family heritage. 

Sláinte!

Prunty Coat of Arms / Prunty Family Crest

This surname of PRUNTY is the anglicized form of the Gaelic O'Proinntigh, a personal name meaning bestower, generous. This east Ulster name is better known as BRONTE. Other spellings include BRUNTY and PRONTY. It is an Ulster Gaelic surname appearing in the 17th century County Monaghan Hearth Money Rolls as O'PROUNTY, chiefly in the barony of Cremorne and in those of County Armagh as O'PRUNTY. Ireland is one of the earliest sources of the development of patronymic names in northern Europe. Irish Clan or bynames can be traced back to the 4th century B.C. and Mac (son of) and O (grandson or ancestor of) evolved from this base, the original literal meaning of which has been lost due to the absence of written records and linguistic ambivalences which subtly but inexorably became adopted through usage. Genealogists and lexographers accept that the patronymic base does not refer to a location, quite the contrary. The use of the prefix 'Bally' (town of) attaching to the base name, identifying the location. The base root was also adopted by people residing in the demographic area without a common ancestor. These groups called 'Septs' were specially prevalent in Ireland. The first Normans arrived in Ireland in the 12th and 13th centuries to form an alliance with the King of Leinster. Under Elizabeth I in the 16th century, settlers from England established themselves around Dublin, then under English control and Presbyterian Scots emigrated to Ulster, introducing English and Scottish roots. The ancestor of the three famous women novelists Charlotte BRONTE (1816-1855), Anne BRONTE (1820-1849) and Emily Jane BRONTE (1818-1848) was Patrick O'PRUNTY, the Ulster Gaelic poet; their father was the Rev. Patrick BRONTE, who was the son of Hugh PRUNTY, a small farmer in County Down. The lion depicted in the arms is the noblest of all wild beasts which is made to be the emblem of strength and valour, and is on that account the most frequently borne in Coat-Armour.

New Years Day

I'm looking outside the window at a peaceful, calm morning. The sun is out, birds chirping, there is a cat rolling around on the ground (probably the neighbor cat who is a Zoe look alike). Something feels different today. Something new, refreshed, restarted. I always try and come up with resolutions that I usually end up breaking. Last year I decided not to make a resolution, but instead come up with something different. I opted for "A year of firsts". I don't think I really did as many as I would have liked, but I did do some things I hadn't done before. Tried new restaurants, ran over a 5K race, etc.

This year since I just moved to San Diego I am focused on getting back to what my life should be. It's the year of the Dragon in the Chinese New Year and that is the year I was born. I see this as my opportunity at a "rebirth". Changing things and moving forward and being happy, not looking back unless it is to learn from what I have done. My number one focus right now is finding a job. I took a huge risk coming out here without having one lined up. The interesting thing is, even without a job I am happier here than when I was in Arizona. It is true about what I have said before. I'd rather be poor and happy than wealthy and unhappy. The wealth I have here are my friends, the beach, Zoe being able to go outside with me, even my neighbors are wonderful. I think I can only name 1 or 2 neighbors I ever spoke to back in Phoenix. I have full conversations with them here and they are so kind and helpful.

Here's to no resolutions for the new year. I'm staying focused on making each day a good one and bringing positivity to myself and those around me.

I wish for good fortunes, health, and happiness to all my friends and family.

XOXOXO