So today was the first day I saw rain in Ireland... it was REALLY windy this morning, but then the wind died down and the rain kept on trickling.
I went to NUIG for a historical talk on Galway presented by a retired lecturer. It was really interesting. Whereas Kansas City only recently had its bicentennial, Ireland has a rich history dating back to the Mesolithic period and Galway has a pretty rich history itself. Plus, the lecturer was pretty b.a. because he himself had, in his younger years, been part of underwater excavations that proved Normans had come to Galway centuries ago.
The tour meant to happen after the talk was canceled by accidental communication. Instead, I joined a couple of people and we did our own exploration, beginning with lunch at a cute bakery. I had a delicious veggie wrap and the treats in the bakery made me think fondly of both Costa Rica and Paris (and warmer days). Then we wandered about the city center and somehow made our way to the Galway City museum and checked that out for a bit. An interesting and warm break from the chill. Then we did a bit of shopping for a combined dinner... I also bought warm fuzzy socks that look like they should be for little girls, but they keep my feet warm so I don't care. Oh, speaking of shopping, we found a couple of really neat fair trade stores. I think if I crack down and decide to buy a scarf (I have so many at home and yet I forgot to bring one!) that I will buy a fair trade one, yay! The fair trade store also made me happy and think of my Gittingers!
We came back to my apartment and a new friend cooked up dinner while I helped with clean up: veggie sausages and sweet potatoes with feta cheese, yummy! We hung around for a bit, enjoying some Will and Grace when my roommate came in. Slightly awkward, sad to say. Her name is Irena, she is from Italy and seems like she is nice. Sadly, her smoking habit and my lungs and allergy induced asthma don't really get along. I felt bad admitting this and even worse finding out that the other flatmate smokes as well... it'll be interesting to see what happens... I mean, I'm not as bad as I was when I was little, oh Lordy I'd be dead by now, but it still really bothers me and I could feel my throat tightening when she was smoking in the kitchen. The nice bit, though, is that they only smoke in the kitchen, not the bedroom. Bad thing is, I also go in the kitchen... maybe we can figure out an open window option... I'm not sure. All that I know is that their right to smoke and mine to breathe sort of conflict and I don't want to be rude/a pain/a bitch... what a great first impression I must've made.
To avoid awkwardness, my friends and I headed on back to the city center to go to a pub. There they got dessert and at another a drink. Didn't stay out long... oddly sleepy here in Galway. For now, I blame the cold and the rain, once I know more people and can get some dancing mates I'll be set to stay out longer.
Tomorrow is the first day in which I don't have anything planned for... except figuring out this smoking situation, oh joy...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Exploring Galway (a little)
Yesterday was orientation and it was actually helpful, go figure! I met Mandy there, the only other person from TSU, always nice to see a familiar face. I met a couple of people, including some very friendly German girls who already know Galway pretty well and offered help in getting to know town. Orientation was long but worth it b/c we were treated with a most delicious lunch at break. My first Irish potatoes. I think if I can learn how to prepare potatoes like that I might become a convert and learn to love those starchy roots!
After orientation I went with Mandy and we got me a cell phone. I was going to hold out, but by "topping off" at twenty euro, you get free text, so now I can talk to people and arrange hooking up before going out and so forth, quite useful. Then we did some shopping for her and I got my duvet... Alleluia!
I went out with Caitlyn, the girl I'd met the previous day who lives in my same complex, and upon leaving we ran into another girl entering the building, another Caitlin. Oh the fun of new friends and ease of learning new names ; ) Meeting up with another girl, we took a taxi (so expensive, ugh) to the City Centre and hit up a couple of pubs. Just a few sips of Guiness off of them tells me I'm not going to like it... I'll try it...later. We found a diverse assortment of pubs, my favorite being the one with live music.
On the famous Shop Street we were directed towards a club called GPO for 90s music fun. First time hearing Spice Girls so close to their homeland... and it wasn't just one song. Dancing was fun, but I wish my company had danced more. I'll have to find some good friends for dancing and loosen up the other ones enough to join me. Only complaint, I was way under dressed! I don't plan on wearing heels out, but I need some kind of clothing on me besides just leggings and a miniskirt! And they were very obviously American... I fail in fashion, but I can dance better than them... lol, ego has entered and is now leaving the building, sorry.
Called it an early night because there was more orientation stuff the next morning.
Today, I tricked the hot water system and got hot water before 8 am! I walked with Caitlin to school, yay, a speedy walker. And we attended different seminars from the various schools. Basically we got time tables for the courses offered to us. Sadly, many of the classes I want to take aren't available after all to visiting students. I will need to email Truman and figure some things out. Registration here is a bit complicated, but once it's all figured out it'll be fine.
Between seminars Caitlin showed me around the Eyre Square center. Between that and tomorrow's walking tour I should have a better hold of what's where.
Now I'm going to try to figure out what classes I'm going to take. So far, if TSU is ok with some of the substitutions I want to make, I wont have class on Fridays! And I'm highly thinking about taking Irish (the language). Hopefully it wont conflict in time!
After orientation I went with Mandy and we got me a cell phone. I was going to hold out, but by "topping off" at twenty euro, you get free text, so now I can talk to people and arrange hooking up before going out and so forth, quite useful. Then we did some shopping for her and I got my duvet... Alleluia!
I went out with Caitlyn, the girl I'd met the previous day who lives in my same complex, and upon leaving we ran into another girl entering the building, another Caitlin. Oh the fun of new friends and ease of learning new names ; ) Meeting up with another girl, we took a taxi (so expensive, ugh) to the City Centre and hit up a couple of pubs. Just a few sips of Guiness off of them tells me I'm not going to like it... I'll try it...later. We found a diverse assortment of pubs, my favorite being the one with live music.
On the famous Shop Street we were directed towards a club called GPO for 90s music fun. First time hearing Spice Girls so close to their homeland... and it wasn't just one song. Dancing was fun, but I wish my company had danced more. I'll have to find some good friends for dancing and loosen up the other ones enough to join me. Only complaint, I was way under dressed! I don't plan on wearing heels out, but I need some kind of clothing on me besides just leggings and a miniskirt! And they were very obviously American... I fail in fashion, but I can dance better than them... lol, ego has entered and is now leaving the building, sorry.
Called it an early night because there was more orientation stuff the next morning.
Today, I tricked the hot water system and got hot water before 8 am! I walked with Caitlin to school, yay, a speedy walker. And we attended different seminars from the various schools. Basically we got time tables for the courses offered to us. Sadly, many of the classes I want to take aren't available after all to visiting students. I will need to email Truman and figure some things out. Registration here is a bit complicated, but once it's all figured out it'll be fine.
Between seminars Caitlin showed me around the Eyre Square center. Between that and tomorrow's walking tour I should have a better hold of what's where.
Now I'm going to try to figure out what classes I'm going to take. So far, if TSU is ok with some of the substitutions I want to make, I wont have class on Fridays! And I'm highly thinking about taking Irish (the language). Hopefully it wont conflict in time!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Second Night in Galway
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!
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!
Monday, January 5, 2009
I'm here!
It is currently twelve thirty in the afternoon in Dublin as I type this in the Avalon House hostel where I hope to meet up with the lovely Meghan Higginbotham for her last night.
The flight went well. There was a bit of a scare with me not having a visa but the stilly air line stewardess/consierge (sp?) finally figured it out. Oh goodness Philadelphia, dont' scare me.
At the airport I found my way to the bus stop and while waiting met the nicest guy from Switzerland. He helped me figure out where I was going and was truly great company while we waited and on the bus.
Then I made my way to the hostel and checked in and got a locker for my luggage and am now waiting and slightly famished... cliff bar time. I'm also exhausted. Very little sleep on the plane... the worst part about travel, the plane ride and the jet lag... oh joy.
No idea what the rest of today will bring. I'll let you know.
The flight went well. There was a bit of a scare with me not having a visa but the stilly air line stewardess/consierge (sp?) finally figured it out. Oh goodness Philadelphia, dont' scare me.
At the airport I found my way to the bus stop and while waiting met the nicest guy from Switzerland. He helped me figure out where I was going and was truly great company while we waited and on the bus.
Then I made my way to the hostel and checked in and got a locker for my luggage and am now waiting and slightly famished... cliff bar time. I'm also exhausted. Very little sleep on the plane... the worst part about travel, the plane ride and the jet lag... oh joy.
No idea what the rest of today will bring. I'll let you know.
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