Temple Bar Wall

It's been forever, and I wonder if you still remember me, but I haven't forgotten you. Even if it seems that way. I have one or two posts to retroactively post that I wrote on a bus and just haven't found time to post. They're coming soon, no really they are.

I found this this weekend, yesterday more specifically on a wall in Temple Bar here in Dublin. I had to take a picture of it.

There are over 1,000 pictures from Italy and traveling with my mother and grandmother. I'm working on picking out the best ones and gathering them in a common location. They'll show up randomly. There's a link somewhere for the pictures from Connemara....I'll find it for you....

Till next time, Sláinte.

Ummm...ooopies...*

So uh...its ah...been a while... I'm alive I swear. And I'm enjoying myself here. The past few weeks have been mostly the same. The semester is about half way through. And while i don't have midterms, I do have a series of papers and projects i've been working on.  I've had a few, 'wait, that's due WHEN?!?!' moments.

I've been doing work and going to class and carving out time to spend with my friends and time for myself. Its an interesting balancing act, but I like to think I've gotten rather good at it.

So what have I really been up to since the last post you ask? Well, I did go to Connemara as i was telling you about last time. Wow that feels so long ago...don't kill me...

Connemarra was beautiful. There was a bit more hiking then I would have liked, but (and you'll never hear me say this again) the views were worth it. I did have one moment when the guide pointed out an easier path and said 'we could have taken that path...its easier, but its not as much FUN!' I didn't kill him, I promise :)

I've seen three castles since we've talked. There was the one in Connemara that I can't remember the name of...I'll look it up if I have time. Then there was Maynooth, link here, and pictures here. And then there was my favorite, Trim. Now that was an amazing adventure despite the almost torential down pour and standing at the bus stops wondering if i'd ever feel warm and dry again. So totally worth it though. :D

Thursday afternoon I leave for italy. Rome to be more specific. I'm looking forward to it. More importantly, I'm meeting my mum and grandma there. I'm really hoping to get to florence while we're there. I'll have to go back for venice another time.


*Retroactively posted...don't kill me?

Wait! Don't shoot, there's a new post!

Oh dear...it's been a week and a half since my last post...how did that happen? I really...don't know... My apologies guys, last week and this week kind of got away from me. I am still in one piece, there just isn't much to say right now.

I've been going to class and doing some of the reading and homework. Starting next week, I have three assignments due, and I'm still trying to figure out the library system. We have to scan the bar codes on our student IDs to get in and out of the library. We have to buy special cards to photocopy things. Printing, requires topping up the money linked to your student ID (yes it's not that different from home, but we don't automatically have anything on out account).

For my castles class, I have to pick a castle to do a report on. The problem, or its not really a problem so much as a snag, is that I have to go visit the castle. That means I have to be able to get there using the public transportation system. After some discussion with my professor, I'll be doing Trim Castle.  There's a bus that takes me right up to the castle, and back to Dublin, which will make it very easy to get to. I'm trying to figure out a field trip with some friends.

The package from home came in last week. I have Grits, and Double Stuffed Golden Oreoes, and Reeces Pieces. I'm all kinds of happy about that :) I finally have some pictures up of people from home so there's pictures to match the cards given to me before I left. I've recently discovered that grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches are very good, and I now remember how much I love apples with peanut butter.

The weather here is really nice. It stays between 60 and 40, being 60 most of the day, and sometimes it'll drop to 48 at night/early morning, but that's really about it. I actually love the weather.

Friday, I leave for Connemara for the trip organized through Rutgers. When I come back, there will hopefully be tons of pictures for you guys to look at. My camera will definitely be coming with me. I've been told it will be cold and wet, and we'll be walking through bogs and such.

I know it's not much, but I can't think of anything else to say. I'm getting ready for bed right now, so my brain has moved passed fried and into the slightly charcoaled area. I hope everyone is doing well. Till next time, remember, you are not allowed to hurt the little shiiii...I mean students ;)

Yes, I'll have a....

Friday was Culture Night. Find info here. Basically the city's art galleries and museums and such were open late, and open for free. As a student on a budget, it wasn't something I could pass up easily. I wandered around the city for four hours. I saw several live musical performances and wandered into a few museums and learning centers, such as the Dublinia and the Dublin Castle. I should have gotten a pin, but they were a euro apiece, and I needed it for bus fare home. :(

Pictures can be found by clicking the thumbnail below. I walked around for four hours, there's more pictures than I have the patience right now to post individually. There are some pictures that have previously been posted here, and it is where I will post picture publicly in the future. Bookmark it or the blog or make a note, or just come back here for the link if you're interested.

Ireland

There's comments for the pictures only on Facebook (which only has some of the better ones) currently, but I will get around to putting them up on Picasa, just give me time. 

For those of you who have been hassling me, I did finally go to a pub last night. No, I was not hungover smartass. I'm totally fine. I took a page out of my great grandfather's book and enjoyed a few gin and tonics. Ya know, for the malaria and all that ;)

I've added a few pages to the blog which I will update throughout my time here. As of right now, there's a Things I miss from home, Things I've learned (in addition to a previous post), and a Girls Night page.

There are permanent links to the pages to the right near the top of the page ------------>

That's all for now folks, I have a s*** ton of reading to do for tomorrow, I just wanted ya'll to know I was still alive and what not. :)

This is the song that never ends...

It's stuck in your head now isn't it? SUCKER! Ahahaha *cue maniacal laughter*

Sorry, I just had to do it. Did you know that it's not a well known (and hated) song over here? Can anyone else see Lamb Chop and Shari, the two of them bobbing up and down as they sing it?

Now it's really stuck in your head isn't it? Good. My work here is done.

What's that? You still want an update? Well, since you asked so nicely. ;)

I spent most of yesterday afternoon in the City Centre just walking around. For three hours. It was wonderful. I had my headphones playing some old favorites in my ears as I wandered aimlessly. Yes, they are loud and a bit in your face but they suited my mood perfectly. I do like softer, more slow songs too, it just depends on my mood. The loud ones are for when I'm blocking things out or avoiding something and the softer ones are for when I feel calm or want to sing. Yes, I sing and yes, not well. lol

Back to the city. How about some pictures? They were taken with the camera on my phone, so they aren't great quality, but they're not horrible either and they'll give you a better idea of what I've found along the way. I stepped off the bus and turned to walk towards Grafton Street and saw this:

And might I just say, it was not the first time I had seen people in such dress. I believe it's actually the third. The second time, was an middle-aged woman in a beautiful cornflower blue dress walking with a gentleman in a full tuxedo. With duck tales, a cane and a top hat. Made my day, it did! :D

This is the bridge that most people would use when crossing the Liffey to get to the other side. I don't know what the red and green things are, but they amused me and I thought you might want to see something less random...or not less random I guess...

There's a bunch of little shops in the bottom of this building. There's a liquor store, or off-license as they call it here, a cigar/smoke shop and a costume shop I think. And a woman playing a harp on the corner. No, really, a harp. See.

There are always street performers around. I meant to get a picture of the guy who stands in front of Stephen's Green and lays on a bed of broken glass, but I didn't get back there as I planned yesterday. However, fear not, it is coming, and I hope to know his name by then too. Besides the woman playing harp, you're (or I'm) also quite likely to find random musicians on the street such as this man playing the electric guitar.

The street performers amuse me, can you tell? I don't know why, but they do.

There's a bunch of shops of all sizes on both Grafton Street and O'Connell Street and the streets off to the sides and in between. You've got your designers like Chanel, you've got your more main stream stores like H&M and you've got your little shops like the Harlequin which are most likely run by one or two people.

So we all know I'm not some skinny-mini, right? Well, I'm having a problem finding cloths and such that fit me. I haven't given up hope, but its a bit hard. I have found some stores that might carry a few pieces that fit me. For example, I found Monsoon. They have two truly beautiful coats that I might just have to go back and actually try on. They aren't cheap, or even close to my budget, but I might be able to find a reason to justify the expense. I did forget my rain coat after all ;)

This first coat is a beautiful deep emeraldy green. Move your mouse to the picture on the right for a better idea of what it looks like. Or see below:

Again for details: 

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/coats+macs/lindsey-velvet-coat/invt/77201510/

Isn't it beautiful? It's velvet, so I don't know how practical it would be...This second one on the other hand might be much more useful:

Again, for details: 

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/coats+macs/stella-wool-coat/invt/77201003/

I've also found some interesting shoes, in some shopping centres. Yes shoes. Wipe that look off your face or go away. I'm a girl, I like shoes! So there :P

These adorable flats have purple roses and skulls on them, just in case you couldn't see them :)

Below are some gorgeous Doc Martens.

Truly exquisite.

Some heels for the girly girls.

And some sneakers for the more practical girly girl.

More purple roses :)

Okay guys, that's all for now. After three hours of walking, my feet hurt still hurt, but I saw some cool things. I'll try to take more pictures and I hope one of these days to really just be a tourist and just wander taking pictures rather than trying to find stuff on my list of things to get. Yesterday it was a stapler, highlighter and a few *ahem* other things. I found a stapler, but that's it. Low and behold the stapler had no staples in it. I am now the proud owner of a staple-less stapler.

PS. Did you know 'girly' is not a real word? I can't imagine why...

I've survived the first week of classes!

Classes started Monday, yes it seems late to me too. Especially since I still get home in time for Christmas. Not that I'm complaining.


My schedule was finalized this afternoon. What am I taking? Well, since you asked lol. 

1. Pagan Celts
2. Introduction to Folklore
3. Ireland Uncovered (standard study abroad course)
4. The Archeaology of the Irish Medieval Castle

You're jealous. Don't deny it, I know you are. I'd be too. They just sound cool don't they! I mean, a WHOLE CLASS on CASTLES! Lol. I haven't been this excited about ALL of the classes I registered for in...ever. Don't get me wrong, there have absolutely been classes that I was excited about, but I've always tried to balance them with the ones I knew were going to suck (like science classes, no offense to the science lovers, they're just not my thing) so I could still enjoy my semester.

Here's what my schedule looks like: 

Wondering why Friday isn't on here? I don't have class  It just keeps getting better and better doesn't it? :)

So its been a few days since classes started, and you want to know what its like right?  Well...not that much different really. I mean they're half an hour shorter time wise than at home which makes it a lot easier to focus on them surprisingly. They're interesting too, or at least they are to me. 

I've noticed a few things that are different though. We're given a reading list so rather than a list of books to buy so thats a bit confusing really. And they don't tell you what to read or by when. I don't even know which ones are really important and which ones will be used for background reading.  There's no real syllabus for the classes. We're supposed to get a 'handbook' for the classes. I don't really know what that means though.  Its got me a little worried, but I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually.


 Tell me what's going on at home. I feel like a petulant kid wanting to know what's happening. Updates people! I want updates!

Things I've learned...

So it's just after midnight here in Dublin, but I thought it might be time to check in. Between yesterday and today I've been into the City Centre twice. Both time yielded some interesting results. I've learned some strange and not so strange things in the last 48 hours and have the urge to share them. Enjoy :)

Things I've learned in the last two days:

1. I don't think I can find Grits here in Dublin
2. I keep writing/typing "her" instead of "here" and I don't know why. I at least understand why I want to write "befor" instead of "before" we don't really need that second 'e' right? It's just a nuisance after all lol
3. I learned how to sleep with a stuffed toy when I started college. I had hopes to break myself of the habit...turns out it didn't work. I keep reaching for my John bear in the middle of the night only to smack my hand against the wall. Meet my new bear. Any ideas on what I should call him?
4. The specially designed blister band aids really do make a difference when it comes to wearing the same blister inducing shoes three days in a row. (I don't know why they gave me blisters but they did.)
5. I don't have to live in Jersey or even be in Jersey to find a sweatshirt with the words "New Jersey" prominently displayed. No really. I found one here in Dublin.
6. Exploring a city is better done on your own or with someone who thinks like you. Shopping is also best done in a similar manner.
7. Stamps here cost 0.82 euros for an international post card. 
8. I'm not sure if I can find Q-tips or not...(hint hint mommy).
9. Picking a body wash or shampoo when you're really really tired does not mean that you'll like it when it's finally time to shower.
10. Said body wash may have smelled nice when picking it out way back when you were sober....but that doesn't mean it still smells nice when you're drunk/tipsy/what ever the hell I was last night.
11. Drinking half a bottle of wine is not the best idea while trying to write out post cards (the first batch will be in the post by Monday night. I don't know how long they'll take to get there. I probably still have to write yours, be patient).
12. I've still never been hung over despite being drunk/tipsy/whatever the hell I was last night (pauses to knock on wood).
13. Calling home makes me feel better, reinforcing my love of google products. (Calling from google/gmail chat/voice is free from Ireland to the US. GO ME!)
14. Drunk/tipsy/whatever the hell I was last night or sober, the bed here is soooooo not comfortable. I've slept on tables that are more comfortable. 
15. You can buy push pins at a card store
16. In a pinch, a boot makes a decent door stop.
17. I want fuzzy slippers for the cold floors. They have been added to my list of things to find. 
18. My mother will always think Ireland is colder than it really is. It's in the 60s ma, I don't need to wear a Northface jacket, I just need a light sweater ;)
19. I still love her despite it.
20. It very well might be possible for me to go to sleep before 1am....or not...

I've added two gadgets on the right, theoretically, one should work in that if you put your email in it will send you the posts as I create them, while the other will add them to a rss feeder such as Google Reader to make it easier for people if they want to keep up. If the email doesn't work, let me know and for the more technologically challenged, I have room for 8 emails to add to a list to have posts sent to as a last ditch effort to not be asked "How is it?" a million times. Not that I mind ;)

Okay, night all. I still have to...crap I can't remember what I have to do before I can go to sleep...