Dia Duit!

So, I left off just before I headed to the Cliffs of Moher.  That was such a fun trip.  I went with the International Students Society, and mostly hung out with my friend Shaun.  So, we got on the bus at the grueling hour of 9:00am.  We had the wonderful idea of going out the night before.  Thinking that this would just be a straight through, quiet bus ride, we were pretty sure we could make up for lost sleep on the bus.  How wrong we were.  Just as I fell asleep, the bus driver comes on the loud speaker.  He was also our tour guide.  To tell you the truth, it was actually a pleasant surprise.  We got to see and stop at places and take pictures.  The first stop of the tour was a farm.  Here we went up to the top of the mountain, passing a cow that gave birth to a baby calf just an hour before hand.  The calf was so cute!  We also passed a cow that was pregnant with twins!  She was one of the biggest cows I’ve ever seen! This farm was a great place to take pictures, and it was a wonderful view.  After our hike, we went down to the mini café for tea, and cake.  It was a wonderful treat.

We then stopped at a few places to take pictures and then the last stop before the Cliffs, was a bar.  How smart..   We then arrived at the Cliffs in one piece. It was raining a bit, but the view was still amazing.  Shaun lives in a complex with priests, and one of them said that there is a sign that says something like “Danger: Do not enter.” The priest said, that we should disregard that sign, and continue on the path- just make sure that we don’t fall off.  So, we took the path less travelled, and I don’t regret it at all.  It was really amazing. Great pictures. 

After we disobeyed and wandered far, we decided to turn back in order to not miss the bus.  We get back basically halfway, when Shaun realized that he dropped his camera.  I waited for him while he ran back to try to get it.  About 5 minutes later he shows up, unfortunately without the camera. But in order to not miss the bus, we had to start running.  As we come to the clearing, we see the bus driver pull away.  We start running after it, and I manage to do a face-plant into a nice muddy patch of grass.  Unfortunately, the bus driver was just playing a trick on us late-comers, and called all the attention to us.  So I managed to do a face-plant in front of about 60 people.  After we got on the bus, the driver comes on the loud speaker and says, “I’ve had women fall in love with me, but none have actually fallen!”  Needless to say, I was a celebrity for the rest of the trip.  I think that people still recognize me around campus.  Still, face-plant and all, it was a great day.

I was supposed to head to Glenfarne this weekend, but Anna’s son Luke had Scarlet Fever, and Anna didn’t want to bring him out just yet.  I will most defiantly be going when Anna goes.

So, since we had Sunday free, Alyssa, Jenny, Mike and I went on a bus tour to Connemara.  This was a wonderful day.  I don’t think I have seen anything as pretty as this place.. It is really amazing. I can't wait to take my parents and Ashley here. 

This is Kylemore Abbey... It's my new house..

I’m heading to Limerick tomorrow with Norma.  This weekend I’m going to Chertu Rua. It’s an Irish speaking town in Connemara.  I’ve very excited.  Next weekend we are heading up to Belfast with the International Students Society.  Alyssa, Jenny, Shaun and I are going on this one, so it should be reallyyy exciting.

That’s it for now. I’m gonna head to sleep! I’ll pass on everyone love to Limerick!
Until next time, Slainte!

And all the roads we have to walk along are winding....

Wow. Today marks one month since I stepped off the plane in Ireland.   I feel like it was only yesterday that I hugged my family goodbye at the airport.  This first month has gone so fast, I’m afraid that the next 4 will too.  In the past month I have made friends that I know I will keep for the rest of my life.  I have made memories that I will hold close to my heart, and will think about often.  I’ve met so many different people, and seen different parts of Galway.  I’m so excited to go to London, and see other parts of Ireland.  I think we are even heading to Italy instead of Paris.  I’m defiantly excited for either. 

I joined volleyball, and had my first practice yesterday.  It was so much fun! I’m pretty sore today, but it feels great! I have to start running or something, because I feel like I’m getting lazy.. I’ve been walking a lot, but I kinda want to exercise a bit more.  I wish it wasn’t so much to join the school gym.

I left off my blog a week ago (has it really been that long?) saying that Vincent is coming up to Galway.  He did visit, and it was a lot of fun.  It was Vincent, Ann-Lousie, Mave and Louise that came up.  Alison came too!  Vincent picked me up , and we went to lunch at a café in Salthill.  We then went to a swimming competition where Limerick won 3^rd in Ireland for Girls Relay Race.  After that, the girls went shopping and Vincent, Alison, and I went on a tour of Connemara.  We went to Barna, Furbo, Spidal, and Moy Cullen.  It was a lot of fun.  Vincent is very knowledgeable about everything.  There were a lot of detours and pictures taken.  I’m really upset that I forgot my camera, but luckily my phone has a decent one.    It was great seeing other parts of Galway.  I can’t wait to get out to Connemara again.. I think that Alyssa, Jenny and I are planning on going on Sunday if the weather permits.

Tomorrow I am heading to the Cliffs of Mohr with my International Students Society.  Alyssa, Jenny, and Bridget didn’t get tickets, so I think they are planning on meeting us over there.  If not, Shaun got a ticket, so I’m excited that I have someone to go with. 

I’m really really excited for Glenfarne next weekend.  I CANT wait to see everyone there! I’m also excited to go to Dublin. I think we’re going there for St. Patty’s day.  I’m really excited for it. 

I’m also probably heading to Belfast at the end of this month.  The International Students society is going.  It depends on the price of it, but I think I’m going to end up going.  We’ll see!

Welp, I think that is it.  We’re having another family dinner at my place tonight.  It’s really surprising how close I’ve gotten with these people! I don’t know what I would do without them!

Till next time, Slainte.

this is a picture from my walk home from school.   It is the best commute ever.