One Month Down, Four More to go.

I was late in posting my last entry by about 3 weeks, so for that I apologize! Today I am going to write an entry in honor of my one-monthaversary of being in Ireland!

My first weekend trip was to Galway with ESN and all of my friends. It was amazing! We got to see the country side of Ireland along with the Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands. Some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever witnessed was on this trip. I cannot wait to drive through the country side on my spring break and visit Galway again! Below are some pictures from my trip :)

Anyway those are some pictures from my Galway trip...so much fun!

Now a little bit about Dublin in honor of living here for now over a month...

1. It costs money for EVERYTHING here...laundry alone is 3 euro just to wash and 1.50 to dry. Don't even dare try to eat or talk on the phone in the library otherwise you will be fined 20 euro. The student bus pass is a joke; it hardly saves you any money at all but always handy to have instead of change. I mean, Dublin is listed as the 26th most expensive city in the world. That number may not sound impressive, but when you look at the entire world and all of the cities that exist...it is actually quite remarkable.

2. I was surprised at how many women/girls here have husky voices. Back in the states I thought my voice was unique but after being here I just fit in with the crowd. It must be genetic because not all women here smoke...but then again, a large majority of them do (just to clarify I do not smoke lol).

3. The weather is literally bipolar here. One minute it's raining and ten minutes later is sunny or there is a rainbow. Below is a series of pictures that I took outside my window within a time frame of 15 min.

4. Fun fact: There are more Irish people calling the United States than are calling within Ireland itself. Ireland only has 4 million citizens.

5. The roads in the city have painted on them "Look Left" and "Look Right" because there are so many foreigners who are used to driving in the opposite side of the road that come to visit.

6. Slancha is an Irish term meaning "cheers" and is often used by non Irish speakers and non-speakers.

7. Rugby is HUGE here, along with Irish football.

8. Whatever you do, don't ask for a ride or say you shifted something.

9. I have been here a month and I am still struggling with which side of the sidewalk is most appropriate to walk on...seriously they need to just pick a side!

10. And for my final ten I would say that it seems no matter where you go and how cold the weather is there will always be girls in the evening walking around the streets of the city wearing hardly anything at all.


*** If there is anything you would like to know PLEASE comment so I can answer any of your questions!!

Update: This weekend I will be traveling to London and meeting up with my old roommate from San Jose State! Two of my friends from here will be going as well. I can't wait to update you!

Thanks for reading :)

A Week to Remember

Since the last time I wrote so many things have happened, but now I finally have found some time to sit down and describe it all. The first event since my last blog was Australia Day. Since my friend Sarah is from down under we all wanted to celebrate by cooking some snags, and drinking tinnys (sausages and beer). We all dressed up and started by pre-drinking at my place, as they call it here. Gold and green jello shots shaped in the outline of Australia covered my coffee table while everyone listened to Australian music (I don't remember the artists). Below are some picture from Australia Day!

The evening was very epic and all of us had blast! It wasn't until after we left the pub and went to McDonald's when the night took a steep turn. My parents had been trying to reach me for over and hour and I had multiple missed calls and messages on my phone, skype, and even Facebook. When I took a look at my phone while eating my chicken mcnuggets I decided to give them a call back. I was shocked with the news my grandfather had died. The whole night just came to a complete stop and I am so thankful to have my group of friends who supported me and make me feel better. I cannot have asked for a better group of friends that night here in Ireland. SO, if you guys are reading (yes that means you Marc, Jenny, Mike, Emmanuel, Sarah, and Hilary) then I thank you so much! Anyway, the night before this point was quite a great night! Below is a picture of me and my Grandpa Ken when I was a little girl. His service is this Saturday and it makes me sad that I will not be able to attend.

The next day was Sunday and I spent most of the time in my room reading for class, skyping my family, and doing laundry. Later that evening my friends all came over and we enjoyed each others company on a quiet school night. 

Monday was a great day because I went to my class and then went to the gym right after. The gym here is amazing! They have more than one gym in the same building complete with a rock climbing wall, squash courts, 50m pool, and so much more. I will be so sad to go home to San Jose State's gym....it is seriously nothing compared to here. Monday night my friends and I all went to a stoplight party hosted by ESN for international students. They even surprised us with a party bus for only 2.40 euro per person (same as the public bus)! It was nice to blow off some steam after hearing the news of my grandfather, so my friends and I  focused on just having a great time, which we did! 

The following day I went to immigration so I could continue to stay in Ireland. I spend about an hour an half there which wasn't too bad compared to my friends who went and had to wait five hours! I had to spend 300 euro for a card which basically says I am allowed to stay here...ugh such a hassle. Anyway at 6pm that night Marc, Emmanuel, Jenny, Hilary and I all decided to go to this cardio boxing class. It was definitely not boxing by any means!!! The only "boxing" we did was learn some of the moves, but the rest of the class was spent doing circuits and our trainer was so intense! He did not let any of us slack around and I am pretty sure took everyone by surprise. We decided that it was a great work out and to go every week! 

The following day a few of my friends came over and we booked our spring break! The first week (march 9-14) will be spend on a road trip around Ireland :) We still have to plan our itinerary for the road trip, but at least we know generally what we are going to accomplish. After we get back from the road trip my old roommate Jenna from back home will be coming to visit with her flatmates from England!! She and her friends fly in on March 15 and will be staying the weekend for St. Patrick's day!! After Jenna and her friends fly out Monday the 18th my friends and I will be leaving for Berlin! Two days each will be spent in the following places: Berlin, Prague, and Budapest. All of our flights, train rides, buses, and hostels are all booked :) I cannot wait for spring break!!!