Recap:
First night in Dublin was a blast. I met up with Meghan after a lovely nap and we went out shopping for her souvenirs, came back, picked up her brother Sean and went out to eat. Like horrible Americans, we ate at Quiznos. Don't judge us, it was the cheapest we found. Then we went to two pubs. I didn't drink yet, but still had a fun time! I love live music and good company!
Next morning, I took a bus to the airport and then another to Galway. I tried to stay awake to enjoy the scenery, and just couldn't. However, I did catch the stereotypical rock fence and random sheep before totally passing out. A taxi from the bus station brought me to my apartment. Holy crap was it ever freezing! After two weeks of no one living there it got cold! Ew, and one or both of my roommates left a bit of a mess in the kitchen, and one smokes... hopefully it'll all work out once they return, which should be by sunday I'm thinking. I believe my actual roommate is Italian and the other girl is Irish. Can't wait for them to return: 1- less lonely when at home, 2- to show me around of course!
Yesterday was kind of Hell. I went on a walk to figure out how to get to the University, got a bit lost but lovely Irish people helped point me in the right direction. On my way back I bought a few groceries: bread for my pb and j that I brought, yogurt on sale and frozen veggies and oranges. I'd done cliff bars for lunch three times now, but I finally got some vegetables and fruit and dairy in my system!
Once home again, I was cold! For some reason my computer has issues with Centrepoint's wireless and so I was without computer access and had to call home to make sure Mom knew I wasn't dead or anything. From then on, I was cold and wrapped myself up in two throws i found in a closet. I watched some Friends and Will and Grace and felt a little less lonely (I sound so pathetic). That night, I froze my ass off! All I had was my sheets (which I should've brought flannel now that I think of it), a light sleeping bag liner and then the two throws I found. I kept myself with a hoodie huddled inside that pathetic excuse of a bed. Except, due to stores closing before I could get there, I'm doing the same again tonight b/c I've yet to buy a duvet/comforter, ugh! I am tempted to steal the one my roommate left on her bed, but that'd just be weird... so I wont. To top that off, around 3 in the morning I woke up to my fire alarm/heat alarm going off! I woke up, found the instruction sheet on what to do, called the number and had the guy walk me through turning off the alarm since it was only in my room. I turned off the heaters b/c I was afraid I'd done something wrong... thus adding to the cold and now worried there'd be a fire! Looking back, I hope it is just that dust accumulated during break and was burning, causing the alarm to go off... I hope! But isn't that a great first night?!
This morning, I found hope again! (not to be dramatic or anything). I walked to the reception office shortly after they opened and asked for help to figure out my shower. The lovely woman walked back with me and showed me that the water too is electric and we have to flip this switch near the ceiling to get it going. Hot shower=first time warm in Ireland!). then she helped me feel not so bad about leaving the heat on b/c I guess it's been colder in Galway than it normally is, just in time for my arrival, yay. So, heat went on! Then I started trying to do inventory, kind of hard when I can't tell what is the apartment's what is my flatmates?
Then I made my way, a new route, to the university for a tour. There I met some American students, one being a girl who also lives in my apartment complex. We went to a grocery store for her and looked aorund for a cat5 cable for me (no luck, but it's ok b/c it's just an ethernet cord and I have one!). by the time we finished, the other stores were closing and so I didn't get a duvet, dammit! But I think I'll just sleep with my coat on tonight. A new friend, internet access and a better day makes this a win to me.
One last weird thing. Speaking of internet >> computers, today, while charging my comp, I had it on the low wattage by mistake, well, let's just say this was the first time I saw an outlet smoke! Crap, did I not have enough troubles this first day around or what?! Anywho, I have it on the higher wattage now, but my ac adapter is still humming, making me nervous, but as soon as the charge reaches 100 percent I think I"m turning my baby off!
Wow, that was a lot, but a lot of shit happened. Despite (or because of ) the bad first night and morning experiences, I'm optimistic about what tomorrow (orientation and maybe pubs?) will bring. This is certainly already become an interesting semester. Let's pray I don't freeze to death in my sleep tonight before I get out and get a comforter... does Galway have a thrift store? No worries, I wont let my cheapness kill me, I will cave to the cold for sure!
Love!
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