this one is for mona

Because I woke up to a message from Maura telling me to update my blog, I figured I should make the little princess happy. So, here it goes!

Right now, it's about 5pm, and I'm curled up in my bed, in my sweatpants, with Bear by my side. I just turned the heat on, and I'm settling in. Soon, I'll have to get up and make dinner with the very limited amount of food I have left. But, we are going away for the weekend to the Dingle Peninsula, so I decided it was best to not but anything quite yet. So, looks like I'm going to have a ham and cheese toastie...again. I had one for lunch. But, at least they are easy. I may have to make 2. They are not too filling, and I'm really hungry.

I only had one class today (I know, my life is so hard). But, it was a good one. It was Irish Women in Society. I really like it. The professor (or lecturer, as they call them here) is so funny. She's like the kind of person who is a funny mean, and doesn't really care what anyone thinks of her. I was a little scared by her at first when I met her outside the classroom before I even knew she was my professor. But, on the first day of class, she was not was I expected, and was actually so funny and just doesn't really care about anything. She told us she didn't even care if we came to class because she said she wouldn't want to sit and listen to herself talk for 2 hours, so why should we. Yeah, I like her. HAHA!

After class, I had to hand in a sheet of paper telling the people from Arcadia what classes I am taking. The beautiful woman, Grainne, who ran our orientation was there, and she was so sweet. She asked me how I was doing, remembered who I was, and asked how I was settling in. It is really nice to know that there are people here who remember who I am, especially when the college is so big. It made me feel so happy. We chatted for a little while, then my friend Brenna and I decided to go downtown to shop for some boots for me! But, I didn't find any, of course. They don't really make shoes over here for people with big feet like me. A little bit discouraging. I am definitely not like the Irish girls over here. You think I would be because well, I'm Irish, but it is like a completely different world being a girl here, mainly when it comes to what you wear. The girls here dress up SO MUCH! Like, I'm talking spending hours getting ready to put on a very very short dress that barely covers what needs to be covered, and heels that make them about 7 inches taller than they really are. It's crazy. If I ever dressed like that to go out back in Vermont, I think people would think I was going to a themed party. I look so frumpy next to them, in my jeans and boots, which I think is the cutest outfit ever. But, I look like I am wearing pajamas compared to them. And, since I don't really wear make-up anyway, I look like I am about to go to bed! haha! Maybe one night I'll just buy something really gross and cheap to wear out. Probably not. I think I would die in those heels. I honestly don't know how they do it!

But anyway, I had an amazing cupcake today on my walk back from shopping. So delicious and class (they don't say classy over here, just class...I'm definitely adding that one to my vocabulary). It was some sort of light lemony cake with yes, get this...cream cheese and butter frosting. OH MY GOD. I believe the woman told me that it was lovely, or beautiful, or gorgeous...some sort of amazing silver dollar word like that...to describe it to me. But, let's be honest, she had me at cream cheese. It was amazing. It tasted like a class (heh, like that?) version of my favorite Alden Merrill lemon cupcake. SO GOOD!So now I'm home, resting up from such a busy day filled with one class, which started at 1, which I think I forgot to say! My life is so hard here!

Last night, we went to a few pubs to hear some music. We started at Hole in the Wall, a place we heard was supposed to be great, with really cheap drinks and a good atmosphere. We walked in to what looked like a pretty traditional pub, with all the decorations you would expect. But, as we walked around to find a seat, we found ourselves walking through a dancefloor, with neon lights, and Beyonce playing. Definitely did not fit the vibe we were looking for. But, we stayed for one drink (which was normally priced, not cheap like everyone said) and headed out to one of our favorite traditional places, Taffe's. The band was someone we had heard before, but they were great! We started chatting it up with some of the locals, and met 2 very nice guys, who at the end of the night when we left said that it was "good craic!" (that means good fun for those of you who may be confused) So fun to hear that used on us! We are so Irish now!

Now it's very rainy and dreary out, and I am very comfortable in my bed. I think tonight is a good night to finish my student teaching application for St. Mike's, that is due in a week. I just want to be all done with it so I don't have to worry at all anymore. It will feel good to have it out of the way! I'll force myself to finish!

Hope everything is good at home! Love and miss you all!