Here I am in Eireann (Ireland)! For some reason I decided that I would be able to stick myself in another country for four months, and now there is no turning back. Since I promised my friends back home that I would post a blog here it goes! I plan on updating once a week, I'm keeping a personal journal and anything I feel like sharing will be here! I'll openly put all of my ups and downs of this Irish rollercoaster right here on the internet!
Day 1. 17-01-12 Day of Goodbye and Day of Travel
Here goes the next four months. Once I was through security and realized I was standing there alone...with my parents and sisters on the other side of the glass, all I thought to myself was " what the hell have I gotten myself into." After trekking what felt like miles to gate C125 carrying a duffel bag full of shoes and a bookbag stuffed tight I approached a group of students that had clearly known eachother and other assorted (and strange) members of society. I grew nervous and fearful for what the next four months would bring. I sat quietly contemplating if I should approach the groups of students and introduce myself or not; until a blonde girl with glasses approached me and said "Are you Lauren?" I told her no but that I was studying at the University of Limerick. Her response was a cold shoulder that was turned on me. Alrighty I thought to myself. As the plane began to board I still had not spoken to anyone. When I got to my seat I was greeted by a girl with a smile on her face, I said hi and we began talking. The sweetest girl I've ever met from Wisconsin named Ginna. Quite frankly the only person I've ever met from Wisconsin. It turns out she was part of that group at gate C125 and they all go to school together. When the plane began to take off Ginna and I looked at eachother and said "Here We Go"! The largest smile came across my face, and stayed there until I realized I was way to excited to get any sleep and I was absolutely exhausted. I am so excited for the upcoming adventures that I will experience.
I have approximately two hours until I land on the Emerald Isle of luck, mixed emotions that are so bittersweet!
Day 2. 18-01-12 Arrival Day!
One hour until we arrive at Shannon Airport! For dinner we had some type of chicken (couldn't figure out what it was) but it wasn't bad. We were just served breakfast and it appears to be a croissant and a bowl of fruit. I will definitely need a cup of coffee because I only slept for about an hour. I'm getting more and more nervous.
So I've been flying for 3220 miles and I only have about 25 miles left. A little disappointed that it is pitch black out still and we won't be able to see the coast when we arrive. We're arriving 40 minutes early.
It's 9 am. In my room and it's a bit smaller than I had expected. I haven't met any roommates yet. When we got to the airport in Shannon my first sight of Irish interaction was a man being arrested and screaming at the police calling them "super Nazi's!"
What an interesting day! After this morning Ginna and I went to explore centre city and gather a few things. I picked up my cellphone and the phone numbers are so complicated 0831350813. Prior to picking up our cellphones we got to experience our first two Romas, oh joy. Gypsies to be more precise. Such pushy individuals! They said they were from Bosnia and needed money because they were poor. After that experience we went to a store called Dealz where we got our shampoo, conditioner etc. We went to The Stables for drinks with everyone from Ginna's school. My first drink was Guiness. Then we roamed around campus, I skyped with the family and started to get ready for bed. I met my roommate Peter! He is from Dublin, so cute yet is so hard to understand. His accent is really heavy.
Day 3. 19-01-12 Oh yea, I'm actually here for school
Orientation came way to early beginning at 8:50am. It ran until about 1:30pm and I had a bus tour around the City of Limerick at 2:30pm. It was pretty neat. I then met up with everyone and got dinner, got ready, and went to The Stables. I spotted this really cute Irish boy pretty much as soon as I got there. I decided to go over near him and order my drink, I spent 3 euro all night long on a single Fosters. The rest of the night people were buying Ginna and I drinks. I have a new favorite drink called Southern Coast (Southern Comfort and West Coast Wine Cooler) delicious! This brings me to my first crush on an Irish Boy. Ginna and I decided that after the pub closed we would go hangout with Marc and his friends, quite an experience that's all I have to say.
Day 4. 20-01-12 Heart Throb
My day was fantastic with all sorts of firsts! I made my first purchase in a liquor store and I kissed an Irish boy (sorry Mom!) We went to Stables and Ginna and I left with Marc and his friends again. We were sitting around the living room while his friend was playing the Mandolin and singing. the rest of the boys chimed in occassionally, it was like a scene out of a movie or a really good dream, absolutely magical. Then Marc drove Ginna and I back and he walked me to my house.
Day 5. 21-01-12 Milk Market
Today we took a trip into town and went to the Milk Market. It was like the Eastern Market in DC but better because it's in Ireland. For lunch we went to a pub called Charlie Chapelin's...we were told all they serve is ham and cheese sandwiches. Awkward. So that's what we had! It was pretty good. I went to the UL Eagles v. UCD Marian game tonight. I know basketball players are tall but they were absolutely ginormous.
Day 6. 22-01-12 Irish Clubs?
We went to the Lodge tonight. Maybe a little to much fun but that's okay. I spent the while night dancing with Matt, Ginna, Amanda, Ronan, and Dan. Irish boys are slightly creepy. They were very pushy and if you looked at them they thought that gave them permission to do whatever they wanted. Another words, I never made eye contact.
Day 7. 23-01-12 Oh yea school is why I'm here
Today was my first day of class! I think I'm going to really like them. I had Irish Folklore and Irish Dance and music. I'm starting to feel a little homesick though. I think part of it is that I'm tired and there has been major head butting with one of the girls. We are supposed to go to the Cliffs of Moher this weekend, hopefully that happens. Luckily after all of this Shawnee gave me a bit of a pep talk and I'm feeling better than I did. Ginna and I went out with some Irish girls tonight to a pub called Dolan's. Hermitage Green was playing, they sound so much like Mumford and Sons and they even did a cover of one of their songs.
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