Loooong time, no post!
Let's see...the past week has been sort of hectic with actual registration (finally!) and textbook buying, etc. The HWS/Union group has settled into a nice sort of dinner arrangement of switching off days/chores. Yesterday, for instance, I made shepard's pie; Zach did the dishes and made cookies, and Courtney's making dinner tomorrow. Tonight we're all about the free food--a club on campus is having a movie showing and pizza; rumor is that there'll be wine and cheese as well.
Although we're really just getting settled, we're gearing up for a weekend trip to Dublin, which should be fantastic. Weekend after next, I'm going up to Castlebar in Mayo to see Riverdance with Courtney and Kelsey. This is apparently Riverdance's last year (but it could just be pulling a Streisand...) so it'll be exciting to see it. Most of my family's from Mayo, too, so I'm glad I'll be able to visit.
Random notes:
According to the Early Irish Law textbook I borrowed from the library (after getting lost for about half an hour), everyone had an "honour price" which had to be paid to them in the event of heinous honour-damaging crimes like murder...or satire. Poets were very important in Medieval Ireland because they sort of contributed/damaged someone's honor by praising/satirizing them. Sort of ridiculous.
As of 2 this afternoon, I am no longer an illegal immigrant. Excellent.
Today marks three weeks in Galway. In some sense, it feels like I've been here for ages, but at the same time, September's almost over! How did that happen?!
22 September 2010
14 September 2010
+14
My history class--Aspects of Modern Irish History--finally started yesterday, and it was awful. The professor walked in with a stack of notes, and read straight from them for the entire class. Not cool. So, today I sat in on another history class, Medieval Ireland 5th- 9th century, and it was fantastic! The professor was really engaging and hilarious as well (he even made a Princess Bride joke). Oh, and he wrote the textbook...and makes jokes about autographing them ("I'll sign them for 'ye and their retail value will triple! But why would you ever want to sell me book?")...it's going to be fantastic.
Today was also the Socs Fair, which is basically a huge club fair. I signed up for the Film Society, the Philosophy Society, the International Students Society, and the Skeptics Society, which should be awesome.
My flatmate from Villanova and I are going to go downtown for a pint in a bit...it's very strange, but Irish students go out drinking/partying/smashing glasses outside my window every night Sunday through Thursday, and then go home and rest on Friday and Saturday nights. Very strange, but when in Rome Galway, I suppose...
Today was also the Socs Fair, which is basically a huge club fair. I signed up for the Film Society, the Philosophy Society, the International Students Society, and the Skeptics Society, which should be awesome.
My flatmate from Villanova and I are going to go downtown for a pint in a bit...it's very strange, but Irish students go out drinking/partying/smashing glasses outside my window every night Sunday through Thursday, and then go home and rest on Friday and Saturday nights. Very strange, but when in Rome Galway, I suppose...
12 September 2010
+12: Inishmore
Today we went to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inishmore. We biked from the port in Kilronan to Dun Aengus, an Iron Age fort. The trip was about 6 miles each way, although it felt a lot longer. Dun Aengus was absolutely gorgeous--even though it was most likely not used for military purposes, it's in a pretty strategic location at the top of a pretty large hill. The climb up was totally worth it, not only for the crazy history--the fort is actually built on top of even older houses, so the area has pretty much been inhabited for over 3,000 years-- but for the awesome views.
As great as the views were, the ferry ride over was really tough. At times it felt like the boat was about to capsize, especially on the way back...I guess that's another reason not to want to leave--the ride back to the mainland is brutal!
The Aran Islands are also the home of the Aran sweater, so I got one, of course.
That's all for now...here are some pictures from today's trip!
The coast:
Biking back to the port:
Biking:
"The Great Wall of Ireland":
Cottages:
Donkey outside of a really cute house:
Most of the group by the cliff (Courtney's):
View from the top of the cliff at Dun Aengus:
Courtney, Kelsey, and I in one of the fort's doorways (Courtney's picture):
Hobart and William Smith!:
Most of the HWS/Union Group (from Amanda, I think):
As great as the views were, the ferry ride over was really tough. At times it felt like the boat was about to capsize, especially on the way back...I guess that's another reason not to want to leave--the ride back to the mainland is brutal!
The Aran Islands are also the home of the Aran sweater, so I got one, of course.
That's all for now...here are some pictures from today's trip!
The coast:
Biking back to the port:
Biking:
"The Great Wall of Ireland":
Cottages:
Donkey outside of a really cute house:
Most of the group by the cliff (Courtney's):
View from the top of the cliff at Dun Aengus:
Courtney, Kelsey, and I in one of the fort's doorways (Courtney's picture):
Hobart and William Smith!:
Most of the HWS/Union Group (from Amanda, I think):
10 September 2010
+10
The first week of classes here was insane! Registration isn't until next Friday, so the first two weeks are sort of a "shopping around" period--unfortunately, that means a lot of students (and professors, surprisingly enough) simply don't show up for class.
So, I've spent a ridiculous amount of time walking to campus only to find out that class is cancelled. Also, I don't actually, officially, concretely know which classes I'm taking yet, which is sort of nerve racking.
Other than that, things have been pretty chill...I'm almost completely settled in, and finally had time to take pictures of mi casa...all of the students from my program are in the same apartment complex, but my apartment is waaaay in the back and is arguably not as nice as the other units. Oh well!
So, I've spent a ridiculous amount of time walking to campus only to find out that class is cancelled. Also, I don't actually, officially, concretely know which classes I'm taking yet, which is sort of nerve racking.
Other than that, things have been pretty chill...I'm almost completely settled in, and finally had time to take pictures of mi casa...all of the students from my program are in the same apartment complex, but my apartment is waaaay in the back and is arguably not as nice as the other units. Oh well!
07 September 2010
02 September 2010
+2
Another busy day!
I accidentally set the time on my alarm clock wrong (not the alarm, but the time itself) last night; I woke up thinking that I had beaten jet lag only to find out that I was an hour behind and due to meet my group to walk to campus in about a half hour.
We had orientation all day, and I stopped to get a SIM card on my way home. I walked by Marks and Spencer and HAD to stop in--once again, I ended up buying much more than I could reasonably carry, making the mile or so walk back home seem unbearably long.
However, my gratuitous grocery shopping meant I could actually make dinner (I'd had yogurt for every meal since yesterday...which isn't necessarily a bad thing-one type with chocolate covered banana flakes to mix in was particularly good- but that's a TON of dairy), which was fabulous.
Appropriately enough, I made a semi-complete Irish breakfast (eggs, sausage, toast, cheese, and tea, of course) for my first real meal here and I was so proud of myself that I took a picture of it!
I accidentally set the time on my alarm clock wrong (not the alarm, but the time itself) last night; I woke up thinking that I had beaten jet lag only to find out that I was an hour behind and due to meet my group to walk to campus in about a half hour.
We had orientation all day, and I stopped to get a SIM card on my way home. I walked by Marks and Spencer and HAD to stop in--once again, I ended up buying much more than I could reasonably carry, making the mile or so walk back home seem unbearably long.
However, my gratuitous grocery shopping meant I could actually make dinner (I'd had yogurt for every meal since yesterday...which isn't necessarily a bad thing-one type with chocolate covered banana flakes to mix in was particularly good- but that's a TON of dairy), which was fabulous.
Appropriately enough, I made a semi-complete Irish breakfast (eggs, sausage, toast, cheese, and tea, of course) for my first real meal here and I was so proud of myself that I took a picture of it!
01 September 2010
+1
I'm finally here in Galway and it's been sort of a whirlwind! I've been up for something like 40 hours by now, and have walked loops around the city several times over (including two trips to Dunne's because I couldn't carry everything!
Anyway, I stumbled upon the Eason's and Marks and Spencers in Eyre Square on the way home; most stores close at 6, so I didn't have a chance to go today, but I was able to get a cell phone...all in all, I got a lot accomplished in my first 12 hours here.
Pictures soon!
Anyway, I stumbled upon the Eason's and Marks and Spencers in Eyre Square on the way home; most stores close at 6, so I didn't have a chance to go today, but I was able to get a cell phone...all in all, I got a lot accomplished in my first 12 hours here.
Pictures soon!
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