Little Piece of 'Murica.

Hello hello!

Welcome to the last update of February (Holy..)

This last week was pretty much dedicated to writing a paper. I had to take it pretty seriously because the paper is for one of my archaeology classes that I'm trying to transfer over. I really need this class to transfer because I do not want to take another theory class at home! It was a hefty 10-pager. The shocker? I started it 6 days before it was due! As an avid procrastinator, I guess this is one step closer to becoming an adult? Naw, probably not. I learned how to print things at the library (after some minor technical difficulties) and slid that sucker through the archaeology mailbox. 50% of one course done. #feelsgoodman

As it's been 2 months since I've been here, I've finally got a bit of a routine. We went to the silent disco again this week. I just love that place, it's so fun. I also visited the farmer's market again yesterday. I end up going food shopping about once a week. This is because the grocery store is about a 20 minutes walk from my house, so I have to carry all the groceries back. This really has its benefits/drawbacks because I'm like, "Do I really want to carry that bottle of soda? Nope." I really do appreciate my orange dream machine at home A LOT (my lil' Ford Focus). Ireland has also banned plastic bags, so you have to bring your own reusable bags. At first it was annoying because I kept forgetting the bags. Now it's cool--I'm down with saving the world. Ireland just has to get rid of the plastic soda can rings (you know, the plastic ones that get stuck around animals necks).

This week I also participated on a journey to locate the lost package that my parents sent me. Luckily, Eris also had to traverse to said post office. The hunt for this package was kind of spur of the moment because I had NO idea if it would even be there. After an hour long--but very pretty--walk, we found the post office! And my package was there! Hooray! Since then, I have been stuffing my face with unhealthy American snacks. Enjoy those Hot Cheetos at home, people.

Sunset over the city, Galway

Yay America! (I've missed you fake grape flavor)

Something that I haven't mentioned... I'm participating in a society called SUAS here at school. This is a group where you dedicate a few hours a week to help tutor children at a local primary school. I'm paired up with a fourth year boy & I help him with his homework. Found out that I really suck at remembering how to do forth grade math. It's the darn fractions that get me. Gonna have to work on that if I end up becoming a teacher haha. But I've been really enjoying it! Glad I got involved.

I do miss home! But I'm doing really well! I'm heading to Edinburgh on Thursday!! Really excited to see the city--it's a place I've always wanted to go! Catch you next week. x

Pancakes & Dancing.

Hello again!

Last Sunday Anne & I trekked out to Salthill to meet up with Crystal & some of her flatmates to watch a rugby game. It was about a 50 minute walk from my house to the pub, Oslo, that we were meeting up at. Anne & I found Grattan Beach & the Galway Aquarium on the way--definitely have to check out the aquarium some time!

Grattan Beach, Salthill, Ireland

We made it to the pub with a little bit of time to spare. The rugby game that was on was Ireland v. England. I never have really watched an entire rugby game but I really enjoyed it! Rugby makes American Football players look like babies. Unfortunately  Ireland lost. :( & I honestly was really sad. Even though I've only been here about 2 months, I have already made such a connection to the country.

Had to.

I also helped to make the most epic pancake of all pancakes this week with Eris, Melissa, & Anne. It was a pancake with pieces of stripy rashers (what Americans call bacon) mixed in. We dubbed it... the MANCAKE. I can say that it was pretty amazing! Tuesday was actually Pancake Day here in Ireland. Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday & was originally created to use up all the milk, eggs, & flour. I'm not complaining about a day dedicated to pancakes!

Eris, Melissa, & I with the MANCAKE

Expert pancake flipper.. Anne's work.

Tuesday night I went to the Silent Disco! It was so so so so so fun! Basically you put on the headphones they give you & you can switch between two DJs. It's so funny because you can't hear what anyone is listening to but everyone is dancing & singing to themselves. I'm definitely trying to go back again this week!

Valentine's Day was also this week. It definitely isn't as commercialized in Ireland as it is in America. But there isn't anything wrong with that. I went out with one of my roommates & a few of her Irish friends that night. It was a really fun night! It was kind of a girl's night & I think it made Valentine's Day just that more awesome.

Not too much going on this next week! At least until I finish my paper... Which is what today will consist of. Back to the school grind. Until next time! x

Dilapidated Village.

Heyloooo!

What to write on the bloggity-blog today... Well, a few exciting things happened this week.
I finally got my travel plans together and purchased a few plane tickets! At the end of this month I am going to Edinburgh(!!) to meet up with the program that I'm studying abroad with. So I will be with a bunch of Californians for the weekend. I also get to see my friend Cammi who is studying abroad in Edinburgh! I can't wait to see a bit of Scotland! I also bought my tickets for my Spring Break trip to Madrid in April! Wooooooo! Really, really stoked for this trip... even though I only know a few words in Spanish. A lot to look forward to!

I sent out some mail last week. I want to send out a bunch of stuff back to California, especially candy! All the American candy is a bit different. For example, Skittles and Sour Patch Kids have a blackcurrent flavor. We decided that is tastes um... kind of sweaty. So I'll let some of you be the judge of that. As you can see Rocky and my parents got their postcard already:

Gotta send my best friend some mail

I spent yesterday on a field trip! It's awesome because this is something I would never be able to do back at UC Santa Barbara because the Anthropology classes are just way too big! So I woke up bright and early (except it's never bright in the morning here, har har) and met up at school with my class. We took about an hour long bus ride to The Burren. I visited before when I went on my Cliffs of Moher trip. This time I got to check out a village that was abandoned during the famine. It was a wild experience to get to the village to say the least... It has been really storming the last few days so the mud was in full effect. I bought some Wellies (AKA less-fashionable rainboots) and I'm so glad I did. There were some people who chose to wear regular shoes and the mud got all in their shoes and socks. All while my feet were clean and I got to stomp in the mud and puddles!

We finally made it up to the village. My professor gave us a run down and lectured a bit on the site and then she let us walk around freely. Not sure if you want too many details on it (and I can't really give out too much anyways I think...), but it was a settlement used during the 19th century up until the Irish Potato Famine. It's pretty crazy to stand in the remainder of a house that was lived in. I can't imagine sharing a room with your entire family and your livestock.

We also checked out a few churches that people from this settlement and a few others worshiped at. Out of the three churches, two had burial grounds. It is said by the locals that people from the famine were buried here. Famine burials were marked with large rocks that were not too fancy.
All in all, it was a very interesting experience. Now I have to write 2000 words on it...

Have you ever heard sheep? They're so loud and funny.

Famine Burial marker and beautiful countryside

Remainder of a 19th century house

Wall of a 19th century house

Haha, sorry for all the archaeology stuff! While I'm "studying" abroad, I have to talk about studying a bit, right? But the scenery in Ireland is absolutely breathtaking! Today was one of those days that I sat there and thought "Is this really happening!?" It's incredible.

Anyways, hope you all are well--where ever you are. I appreciate you all taking the time to read about my experiences! Talk to you next week! x

Sun!

This week flew by. Wow.

The hair, man.

Anyways, hello! Commerce Ball finally rolled around on Wednesday night! It was a really grand time! I never thought I would get to wear a long dress after High School, but Ireland has debunked that thought. I picked up a nice purple number while I was in Dublin and some heels in Galway. Actually, can we just talk about girls and heels here for one second? At home, as soon as you walk into a dance you throw your heels underneath the table and pretty much dance barefoot the whole night. Here... you have to wear your heels the whole night otherwise your feet will get destroyed by other girl's heels. I don't know how they do it! Also, it is NOT easy walking in heels on cobblestone streets. It's gonna take some getting used to, haha. I almost had a few crazy falls.

I did my makeup and one of my roommates, Sarah, did my hair. My hair turned out amazing! Who would have thought that it could defy gravity. The ball went from 9pm-2am the next morning. A lottttt of dancing happened. After, I indulged in some delicious taco fries.

Commerce Ball 2013

A few roomies and new friends

Joyce & I

Oh, Commerce Ball

Got my student visa this week! Now I can enter & leave Ireland freely. It costed 300 euro(!). Ouch, says my bank account. Had a bit of trouble finding the immigration office. I gave myself 45 minutes to find it & it took about an hour and 15 minutes! We had to take a picture for an ID and I am making the most mean-muggin' face. At least I can laugh at my picture since I only need it for 5 months.

Class was standard this week, nothing really worth noting. I have a trip with one of my archaeology classes next weekend where we get to tramp around in the mud and check out a village from the famine. Definitely going to need some Wellies for that! Also, a fire alarm ended one of my lectures. It was a glorious moment. That's about as interesting as it got, haha.

This Saturday I went back to the farmers market to try to find the woman who made crocheted animals. I couldn't find her but I did end up buying a little owl purse thing. Purchased another delicious doughnut from the doughnut man. So. Good. Really loving the farmer's market! I look forward to Saturday every week now. Ended up going exploring with Eris, Anne, Erin, and Maggie after the market. First off, the weather was absolutely amazing. It was about 45 degrees F and it felt SO WARM. It's crazy how that's actually warm to me now. Found the Galway Harbor and the houses that are painted all in different colors. It's a pretty notable/picturesque part of Galway.

Welcome to my life, little owl.

Beautiful day in Galway, Ireland

Ashore. Galway, Ireland

Postcard scenery. Harbor in Galway

I will be watching the Super Bowl from a pub today! Who would have thought this would be my life when looking back at last year's Super Bowl.. Until next week! x