Scroobius Pip is playing Galway tonight and I could not be more excited. Long story short I discovered one of his songs ages ago, loved it, book marked it, and then my computer crashed so I lost all my bookmarks, couldn't remember his name etc. Fast forward to three weeks ago when Lean tells me Scroobius Pip is coming. I have no idea who he is, the name doesn't ring any bells. So I go back to my house, youtube him and low and behold it is the mystery artist of the song I have been searching for. Talk about a happy coincidence! I heard he is pretty decent live and the show sold out about 3 weeks ago! So happy I got tickets. He is rap/spoken word poetry and does really neat music videos as well. Just seems like a smart guy with a quick wit that doesn't take himself to seriously. Not nearly enough people like that in the music industry...haha.
Anyway that is the highlight of my weekend.
The rest of it is dedicated to working on my paper, reading for class and taking care of a sick Sam.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Visitor
Hello all! I have had my first ever house guest :) Chris, on of my friends from Olaf is working in Cologne, Germany. He had some vacation time and decided to come visit me! Mainly because I was the closest person to him, being that we are both in Europe. I had such an amazing time! It was so nice to be able to do all the touristy things in Galway with someone who had never been to Ireland before. He is an archaeologist so he got a big kick out of seeing the old ruins scattered around the area.
The first day/ EXTREMELY EARLY MORNING, of his arrival (he came in at 3:00 am), we headed up to Horse and Lean's apartment for the tail end of a house party and just to say hello to everyone.
The next day I had class so Sam and Chris did a bit of a stroll around town. We then walked out to Salthill down the Prom, in the pouring rain (my idea) and were all completely miserable and sopping wet. So we stopped up in Sam's Mom's house for a cup of tea, a chance to dry off and to play video games with Sam's youngest brother.
That night we went out to Cuba with Nuala, who was back on break from University in Dublin, and some others. Then on to a house party where I got to play pool for the first time in ages!
The next day we were all exhausted so we slept in till the afternoon. Then went out for a bit of a walk around the bay and were lucky enough to time it so that the mackerel were around. There must have been hundreds of them, and thousands of the little sprat they eat in the water. The mackerel in turn attracted the seals. There were six seals out in the water, barking at each other and chasing after the fish. That is most the seals I have seen in Ireland in the water! To top it all of there was also a rainbow. I could not have asked for a better picture of Galway for Chris.
The next two days Sam's parents were kind enough to take us on a couple of day trips, which really made the vacation.
Sam's mom took us out to the Burren, which is always gorgeous. I had only ever been there on one of the bus tours so it was nice to get out with someone who knew some more secluded spots not seen by many tourists. We went to the ruins of an old monastery which had a round tower on it's grounds. I don't know if this is true or not, but apparently round towers a unique to Ireland. Then after that we went for some fish chowder. A real treat for Chris who loves fish and never gets to eat it in Germany. Then on to Burren National Park where we visited an ruined hermitage. It was in a really beautiful little fairy forest, with a holy well and everything was covered in bright green moss. It was such a contrast to the barren landscape of most of the Burren.
Sam's dad took us out by Roundstone, a little town known for it's Bodhran's (an Irish Drum). We went for a walk along the beach and I saw a hare! This may not seem that exciting, but Irish wildlife pretty much consists of fish and sheep. A hare is by far the coolest land mammal I have seen in Ireland thus far. Then we went back to town for another serving of seafood chowder and out to Ballynahinch Castle for a warm cup of tea and some fruit cake. Then a walk around the grounds of the castle which are absolutely stunning. The castle was the residence of the founder of the RSPCA, Humanity Dick.
We came back, played two rounds of Cranium and then Chris left the next day. It was so nice to see a friend and so much fun to have a little staycation in Galway. Long story short, if you want to come visit I am happy to show you around :)
Now it is nose to the grindstone working on my paper and doing my readings. Luckily I am really enjoying learning about my paper topic, analyzing the use of force in the South Ossetian conflict in Georgia in 2008. I am so happy I am able to do my paper on something that merges so well with my area of interest. Other than that I am keeping busy with Archery and Kayaking.
In other news "we" have still not turned on the heat in the house, ie the housemates, who are apparently much more tolerant of the cold than I. Forced to take drastic measures I have purchased two hot water bottles which I have deemed the best investment ever! I actually got so hot last night I had to take off my duvet and just use a blanket. Unfortunately they only work when I am in bed and do very little once I have to get out of bed. This has made waking up for class and getting out of bed a bit of a challenge. Haha.
Hope all is well with everyone!
The first day/ EXTREMELY EARLY MORNING, of his arrival (he came in at 3:00 am), we headed up to Horse and Lean's apartment for the tail end of a house party and just to say hello to everyone.
The next day I had class so Sam and Chris did a bit of a stroll around town. We then walked out to Salthill down the Prom, in the pouring rain (my idea) and were all completely miserable and sopping wet. So we stopped up in Sam's Mom's house for a cup of tea, a chance to dry off and to play video games with Sam's youngest brother.
That night we went out to Cuba with Nuala, who was back on break from University in Dublin, and some others. Then on to a house party where I got to play pool for the first time in ages!
The next day we were all exhausted so we slept in till the afternoon. Then went out for a bit of a walk around the bay and were lucky enough to time it so that the mackerel were around. There must have been hundreds of them, and thousands of the little sprat they eat in the water. The mackerel in turn attracted the seals. There were six seals out in the water, barking at each other and chasing after the fish. That is most the seals I have seen in Ireland in the water! To top it all of there was also a rainbow. I could not have asked for a better picture of Galway for Chris.
The next two days Sam's parents were kind enough to take us on a couple of day trips, which really made the vacation.
Sam's mom took us out to the Burren, which is always gorgeous. I had only ever been there on one of the bus tours so it was nice to get out with someone who knew some more secluded spots not seen by many tourists. We went to the ruins of an old monastery which had a round tower on it's grounds. I don't know if this is true or not, but apparently round towers a unique to Ireland. Then after that we went for some fish chowder. A real treat for Chris who loves fish and never gets to eat it in Germany. Then on to Burren National Park where we visited an ruined hermitage. It was in a really beautiful little fairy forest, with a holy well and everything was covered in bright green moss. It was such a contrast to the barren landscape of most of the Burren.
Sam's dad took us out by Roundstone, a little town known for it's Bodhran's (an Irish Drum). We went for a walk along the beach and I saw a hare! This may not seem that exciting, but Irish wildlife pretty much consists of fish and sheep. A hare is by far the coolest land mammal I have seen in Ireland thus far. Then we went back to town for another serving of seafood chowder and out to Ballynahinch Castle for a warm cup of tea and some fruit cake. Then a walk around the grounds of the castle which are absolutely stunning. The castle was the residence of the founder of the RSPCA, Humanity Dick.
We came back, played two rounds of Cranium and then Chris left the next day. It was so nice to see a friend and so much fun to have a little staycation in Galway. Long story short, if you want to come visit I am happy to show you around :)
Now it is nose to the grindstone working on my paper and doing my readings. Luckily I am really enjoying learning about my paper topic, analyzing the use of force in the South Ossetian conflict in Georgia in 2008. I am so happy I am able to do my paper on something that merges so well with my area of interest. Other than that I am keeping busy with Archery and Kayaking.
In other news "we" have still not turned on the heat in the house, ie the housemates, who are apparently much more tolerant of the cold than I. Forced to take drastic measures I have purchased two hot water bottles which I have deemed the best investment ever! I actually got so hot last night I had to take off my duvet and just use a blanket. Unfortunately they only work when I am in bed and do very little once I have to get out of bed. This has made waking up for class and getting out of bed a bit of a challenge. Haha.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
An interesting read
My mom forward this article from the New York Times to me and it I think perfectly sums up my Irish experience. The first time I was here I found it extremely difficult to make friends with the Irish in classes or through clubs and found myself hanging out primarily with Americans. Then like the author, I just kinda gave up and decided to just enjoy the culture on my own. This is when everything began to fall into place. It was interesting to read that someone far more traveled than myself found a similar situation and overcame it in much the same way.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Some highlights
Some highlights from my first few weeks. The Corrib princess, site of an epic boat party. The beach, some cows (which I was very excited about) and Sam and I in Roundstone.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Update!
Hello to everyone! Winter has arrived (again). It was wonderfully warm last weekend, t-shirt weather! Now it is foggy and freezing, but at least it isn't raining! I am in the midst of working on my paper. One of my sources is 1,100 pages long! I know that is standard, but it came as a bit of a shock to me. So lots of reading ahead of me, lots of writing as well! Went kayaking again on Friday. I am not particularly good at it. Can't keep my kayak going in a straight line. The embarrassment is worth it, however. Such a great group of people and a great work out. Archery is going well. I am still too much of a weakling to comfortably use a 30 lb bow. Hopefully in a few more weeks I will used to it. My shoulders are currently killing me between kayaking and archery. This weekend some friends had a patio party which was good fun. I ended up leaving around 12:30. I am such a party animal right? Haha. No matter how hard I try I am waking up early and need to go to bed early here. I guess I'm growing up :) Last night Sam and I went to a concert, Mount Kimbie. A band neither of us had ever heard of. DJ Society had cheap tickets though so I figured mind as well check it out. I enjoyed it and Sam really enjoyed it so that was well worth it. A new Asian market opened up right next to my street. They sell baby bok choy (or Pok Choi as they spell it here). So Monday, I made a delicious Japanese Sukiyake and it turned out surprisingly well. This is all thanks to the cook books my parents sent me over with :) I have to head off to archery and hopefully hit some bulls eyes. Hope all is well!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Kayaking and Mars Bars
What a wonderful week! My classes are getting progressively more interesting. I am actually really enjoying my Public International Law class. We are starting to think about out paper topics. I will be doing mine on the use of force by Georgia in the South Ossetia conflict in 2008. So far have just started the research...it's all a bit overwhelming. But, I am pleased as pie that I am able to do it on my area of interest. My other course are going well. Economics could be a bit more exciting, but I love the professor. Introduction to Human Rights Law changes lecturers every week, this last week we had an excellent lecturer talking about Social, Cultural and Economic Rights.
Last weekend I tried my hand a print making for the first time. Galway culture night was last week and Sam and I went to free print making classes for it. We got to use the huge gelatin rollers and a big press. So fun and definitely something I would like to try again.
This week I went kayaking with kayak club. It was freezing, wet suits really don't keep you nearly as warm as expected. It was great fun though! I am trained to use my spray guard so should be a bit more warm and dry this time. I couldn't have asked for better weather, sunshine, blue skies. It was a wonderful day to be on the water. The true test will be whether I can stick with it once it gets cold and rainy :)
Went out last night with Lean. It was really nice to get out and about. It was really nice to have a bit of a girls night.
Today Sam surprised me with my first ever proper bouquet of flowers. They smell absolutely amazing! I can smell them all over my house and they really brighten up my room.
The weather was beautiful again today so we went for a stroll down along the water and watched the swans for a while. Learned today that apparently it is extremely bad to feed swans white bread. There are signs up down by the their hang out in Polish, Russian, English and Irish saying that feeding swans white bread can kill them!
Hope all is well with everyone!
Last weekend I tried my hand a print making for the first time. Galway culture night was last week and Sam and I went to free print making classes for it. We got to use the huge gelatin rollers and a big press. So fun and definitely something I would like to try again.
This week I went kayaking with kayak club. It was freezing, wet suits really don't keep you nearly as warm as expected. It was great fun though! I am trained to use my spray guard so should be a bit more warm and dry this time. I couldn't have asked for better weather, sunshine, blue skies. It was a wonderful day to be on the water. The true test will be whether I can stick with it once it gets cold and rainy :)
Went out last night with Lean. It was really nice to get out and about. It was really nice to have a bit of a girls night.
Today Sam surprised me with my first ever proper bouquet of flowers. They smell absolutely amazing! I can smell them all over my house and they really brighten up my room.
The weather was beautiful again today so we went for a stroll down along the water and watched the swans for a while. Learned today that apparently it is extremely bad to feed swans white bread. There are signs up down by the their hang out in Polish, Russian, English and Irish saying that feeding swans white bread can kill them!
I had my first ever deep fried Mars bar today! It was killer and amazing. Apparently they are fairly common in Scottish fish and chip shops. I had never seen them before in Ireland. I always assumed the deep fried phenomena was an American creation.
Big news! Chris, a friend from Olaf who is working in Germany, is coming to visit me towards the end of October. I have a house guest! I am excited about getting to do some touristy things with him. Definitely take a trip to the Aran Islands and maybe Cork or Dublin. I am so hoping the weather can keep it together!Hope all is well with everyone!
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