'Cause sometimes we don't really notice, just how good it can get.

Again, not much has been going on here.  I’ve been staying in a lot lately, de-toxing.   On Wednesday, we had a “family dinner” and Alyssa and Jenny came over.  I cooked chicken teriyaki with rice, and it was pretty good (if I do say so myself!)  After that we went out for a little bit.  

I’ve also been hanging out with Alison a lot.  She’s not my official cousin, and pretty much not even close to being cousins. But we call each other cousins because it is easier than explaining our situation.  She’s a really cool girl, and really fun to hang out with. She fits in nicely with the group.. 

I am looking forward to February though.. I have quite a few trips planned.  On February 5^th, I’m heading to the Cliffs of Moor with the international society that I’m in.  From February 10^th-13^th, I’m going to Glenfarne with Anna.  I’m really excited to see the family up there. I’ll pass on hellos from all of the Kennedys.  On February 18^th-20^th, I’m going to Cheathru Rua.  This is an Irish speaking town in Connemara, just outside of Galway City.  I’m going there with my Irish for Beginners course. 

Speaking of Irish for Beginners, I had my first class yesterday.  The language seems pretty intense.  The words are not spoken how they are written.  In some words, they only speak the first 3 letters! My teachers says it’s cause Irish people are lazy and don’t want to finish saying words.  But if they were truly lazy, they wouldn’t include all of the letters!  It seems like it is going to be a fun class though. I can now have a beginning conversation in Irish, and tell you my phone number and email address.  I’m looking forward to weeks to come!

My forensics class is pretty awesome too!  Well, the last class on Victimization was pretty boring, but I am really enjoying reading the textbook.  It’s fascinating stuff!  Next week is the lecture on Criminal Behavior… I’m excited!

On Saturday, Shaun is going to be cooking for us.  We have been told that he is a good cook, but he has yet to back it up with evidence.  Then on Sunday, we will have an Italian family dinner provided by Alyssa.  Earlier this week, Jenny made tacos.  And before I left, everyone said I should get used to pasta! I am still reallyyyy craving Panera Bread though, so if someone could mail over a Caesar Salad, and Mac n Cheese, that would be great! 

I’m going to go explore more of the school now.  I’ve only been to half of the campus!  Then I have a skype date at 5 with Patti.  I’m excited to “see” her! 

This is a picture of Jenny, Alyssa and me at The Hole in the Wall

Oh! Just got a text from Alison that Vincent and Annlouise are going to be in Galway tomorrow! I’m going to meet up with them during the day.  Really excited to see them again!

Til next time, Slainte!

Dreamings not so hard once you've found your shooting star....

So not really anything has been going on lately.  I went to my first classes, and they were pretty awesome… well some of them.  The forensics class seems like it is going to be absolutely amazing.  The professor is really smart, and really funny. So I’m going to be looking forward to that class every week.  I signed up for Irish for beginners, and I’m also looking forward for that class to start next week..  I think that I am going to drop Celtic Mythology, religion and folklore, because the professor who is teaching it practically falls asleep while he is talking. I really don’t know how he expects us to stay awake.  I’m also thinking about switching out of the southern literature course as well.  It seems pretty cool but really intense.  We need to read about 8 books by the midterm.. I don’t know how well that is going to work out.  I’ll figure things out though! I have until the 27^th to change my mind on things. 

Today I met Anna for lunch.  It was nice to hang out with her.  We then did some shopping, she needed an outfit to go out in tomorrow.  I found a really cute coat for 9 Euro.  And since my other coat got stolen, I figured why not? 

Here’s the story behind the missing jacket.  I went out with Alyssa and Jenny, to a few bars.  Then they headed home, and I was going to meet up with Bridget.  She was at Central Park night club (CP’s).  I headed over there, and tried to find her.  It was packed, and my jacket was getting annoying.  I put it down on a couch (at any pub around here, you can put down your jacket, go to the pub next door, and come back and it will be waiting for you) and went to look for her.  When I came back for my jacket, it was gone.  I then realized that my camera was in the jacket pocket.  After searching for a bit, I went home..  I called up CP’s the next morning, explained the situation, and they told me that they had my camera.  I basically ran there, and got my camera and asked about my coat. Long story, short, Someone took my jacket, realized that my camera was in the pocket, handed in the camera, and walked away with the jacket.  A thief with a conscience. Oh well.  I’ll never do that again!

Tonight  I am eating dinner with Norma, and then heading to a pub with the girls and Shaun.  We are going to Patrick’s gig.  I’m excited to hear him play!

I think that’s it for now. 

This is a Picture of Galway Bay.  Its really gorgeous here.

Slainte!

A brand new day, more things to do, so many plans to make...

Today was a fantastic day.  I got up around 9:30, made toast, then headed out around 10.  It looks like I only have class on Wednesdays and Thursdays, so I decided that I would go exploring today.  I headed to the school first because they needed to make a copy of my EU passport so that they can prove that I don’t need a visa.  Having an Irish passport is very handy, because if I didn’t have one, I would have to go register with the Guarda (Irish police) and pay 150 Euros to get a visa-like thing. (It’s not technically called a visa, but it acts as one).  But I didn’t have to go through this because I’m a citizen here.  It’s quite lovely knowing that I can buy beer with the money that most international students are spending on visas. (Just kidding)

After the international office, I wandered through the campus. I then made my way to the Cathedral in town.  This is the huge Cathedral in the center of town.  It is gorgeous and massive on the outside, and I can’t even describe how beautiful it is on the inside. I stayed there for about 20 minutes either just walking around, or marveling at how incredible it is. I also had another mini “I’m in IRELAND” freak-outs.  After that, I walked around and made my way to the Spanish Arch.  A few days ago, Bridget and I found the Spanish Arch by the Galway Bay, and it’s gorgeous over there.  Yesterday, Bridget explored a bit more, and went on the other side. She then showed me, and since it was a bit cold yesterday, we didn’t explore much more.  Today was an amazing day though, so I decided to go there again.  

As I was walking there, people were feeding the swans literally on the side of the road.. I stopped to look at them, and a lady drives up behind me.. She gets out of her car, then fills up this big silver bowl with water and calls to the swans.  I look at her strangely, and she shows me that the bowl is filled with some sort of grain.  She asks me to help her get the swans off the side of the road so they don’t get hit by a car.  We manage to coax the swans down the side of the river with the food, and then about 8 swans show up to eat.  She was telling me about the various birds she has rescued before, and was pointing out what was wrong with them, and how you catch swans.  If anyone ever wants to catch one, you should grab it by the neck, then swing your other arm over its wings, and under its chest. That way, the only other defense against you is its feet, which hardly work anyway.  The feet I observed are very weak, and the swans tend to fall when they are walking.  They are much better for wading in the water.  I also learned that white bread is not good for swans.  They turn the feathers pink.  Brown bread is good for swans, so when feeding the ducks and swans at the park, bring whole wheat instead of white bread.  The whole time I thought that this was just a crazy lady that likes birds, but then I saw a sign for the “Galway Claddaugh Swan Rescue,” so I’m assuming that she is a part of that.

I spent the rest of the day exploring the coast-line of Galway.  I got a few seashells, and spent my day on the beach.   There were 2 dogs that were also enjoying the sunshine.  One was a black lab, and another was a mutt.  They were running through the waves chasing after rocks that their owner was throwing in the water.  They actually reminded me of what Sandy used to do, and what Watson does now.  Only they were really a lot more enthusiastic about it.  When they left, I perched myself on a rock and just sat there for a bit.  I love listening to music and looking at the waves.  It was very calming.  I’m excited for the days to come that are sunny so I can go there again. 

Tonight it looks like the girlies are heading out again.  I really love the fact that all of us get along so well here.  We’ve grown pretty tight so far, and it’s fun to have someone to make dinner with and drink wine with.  I’m glad that I didn’t go out last night though, because I don’t feel tired tonight.  No school until Wednesday!

Oh! Before I forget, this is my killer class schedule!

Wednesdays
Celtic Mythology, Religion & Folklore 9-10
Cinema/Media Studies 5-7

Thursdays
Irish for Beginners 10-12
Forensics Abnormal & Clinical Psychology 1-3
Celtic Mythology, Religion & Folklore 4-5

I’m so happy things worked out like this. It makes for ample time to travel, and explore things.  So exciting!

I’m super excited for the Forensics course, and I’m kinda scared about the Gaelic course.  Shaun, (also from NY) is taking it with me though, so I won’t be alone in making a fool out of myself.
Till next time,
Slainte

I was feeling so happy I was humming a song, and I sang "You're as free as a bird"

Yesterday, Colin went home.  There was a few things he had to take care of, and hopefully he’ll be back.. We miss him already though. He was a lot of fun.

this is a picture of Colin, me, Alyssa, and Shaun on Colin's last night.

Not much has really happened.  Everything kinda dies down during the weekend.. All of the Irish students usually head home.  We stated this in a taxi and the driver said that they go home to have their mothers do their laundry and cook them meals.  I think this is defiantly true. 

It has been pretty rainy here lately.  Today is a nice day though.  I have to get out and walk around a bit.  I basically stayed in the house all day yesterday because it was so crappy out.  I did however suffer through to go out last night.  Moral of the story, I left my house with straight hair, and got to the pub with curly hair… And I had an umbrella! It was pretty bad.  I even thought of taking a taxi, but decided against it. Oh well, it was fun anyway.

I think that is about it.  Other than the fact that I have to upload pictures so that people who are not on facebook can see them.  I’ll do that later today hopefully. 

I’ll write soon.. Slainte

and the clock on the wall has been stuck at 3 for days and days...

So we just moved into our new apartment yesterday.  I didn't have internet for a bit, and was going a little stir crazy without it.
Last night I just stayed home, and pretty much detoxed.  It was a comfortable night, although I do wish our shower worked with hot water, because that would have topped off the night.

Today I went to the meteor store to "Top up" on my phone for the 3rd time since I've been here. This is not normal since it is supposed to be free meteor to meteor phones, and just about everyone in this country has meteor phones. So apparently, I was supposed to wait until things activated before making calls/ texting.  But thats fixed now, and I think this 20 Euro should last me a bit.

After the meteor store I decided to go explore the school a bit and get timetables for each class.  I got hopelessly lost, and was very happy when I saw a friend, Shaun (fellow American), in the hallway.  Even though had no clue where I needed to go, it still calmed me down a bit.  I searched for another half hour, and decided to give up and hopefully I'll find what I need online.  I then met Bridget in the library (after getting hopelessly lost in there as well).  We went to figure out how to get internet and were soon directed back to the meteor store, and bought personal modems.  I think this should work out just fine.  Although, we were told that we have 7 GB per month, and wont be able to Skype a crazy amount.  But if I'm on campus, I'll defiantly be able to Skype because internet there is free.  So, like I said, this should be good.

Next Bridget and I headed to grocery store, bought spaghetti, penne pasta, tomato sauce, bread and of course, wine.  We went home, cooked and drank wine, and tried out the internet.  Tonight it seems that Alyssa and Jenny are sick (not from the Irish flu), so Bridget and I are heading out with a few girls Bridget is friends with for probably just 1 drink..

Tomorrow seems like it will be a long day. I am going to try out Social Psychology which starts at 8 and Forensics which starts at 12ish.  Then I think I'm meeting up with Annlouise's goddaughter. I'm excited to meet her! After that, of course, I think we are heading to the pubs again.

I'll probably write again in a few days.. unless anything exciting happens.
Till then,  Slainte <3

Great Craic!

  So here are a few updates. The girl Bridget I met on the plane, is now staying at my cousins house with me.  Things didn't work out with the apartment she originally had, and was going to be homeless for a bit, and my cousins took her in.  We have quickly grown to be really great friends, and are going to be moving into an apartment on Tuesday together.  We sign the lease Monday!
   Galway so far is absolutely amazing.  I love it so much.  Everyone is wicked nice, and Im having the time of my life.  I really do miss everyone at home, but I am loving this place so much. 
  The rest of the people that came from New York are quickly growing into my subsitute family, and we are going to start having "family dinners" soon.  I really love all the people that are here with me. Of course I've been missing everyone, but I havent been homesick yet.  I think it is because I just skype everyone when I miss them.
  Things have been pretty cool around here.  The nightlife is insane.  This is the first time I've been home before 4AM since I got here.  A few nights ago, we met some locals and have been hanging out with them.  The second we walk into a bar, we are pegged as Americans.  Alyssa and I were sitting in the corner of a bar called "The Hole in The Wall" and a group of 10 Irish "lads" walk past, and gives us the peace sign and said "Obama!"  It was pretty funny, because we didn't say one word so it couldn't have been our accents that gave us away.  It must be how we dress.  Also Colin wears his baseball cap a lot, and yesterday someone asked him where his skateboard was.  That made for a good laugh.
Thats basically it. I'm excited to get into the apartment on Tuesday, so I can feel like I've settled in.  I really havent unpacked yet, and I'm still living out of my suitcases.  I'll definatly try to start to update this more frequently.. Time has just been flying here. I can't believe its just about been a week already! It's crazy!!!
Welp, thats it! I love you all!!
Cheers!

Here!

I'm am officially in Galway, Ireland. I still can't believe that I am actually here, and I don't think it will hit me until I walk outside tomorrow. 
The flight to Ireland was ok. I'm officially the worst traveller, and got sick a few times, but I'm here in one piece.  I was lucky enough to sit next to a girl named Bridget, who is also attending NUIG.  We clicked instantly, and I  hope we'll be hanging out a lot.  Bridget, Colin, and I were picked up by my cousin Vincent (mom's side) Shannon Airport.  It felt like the drive took forever, but we probably got there in about an hour and a halfish.  The scenery was gorgeous, and all 3 of us were mesmerized.  I'm so excited to see the school tomorrow and to just walk around.  I'm hoping to get a place closer to town soon.  I'll probably stay here for a week or two, and then hopefully get an apartment(maybe in Bridget's complex). 
I'm currently living with another cousin, Anna, her husband Patrick, and their son Luke (Dad's side). It seems that I have won Luke's heart with the Toy Story, and Car's figurines that I brought for him.  He's still a little shy, but I think he'll warm up soon. 
Heading to bed now.. Can't wait til tomorrow!