Dun Laoghire

This morning my parents called and it was comforting to hear their voices. I miss them a lot. I told them everything I've been up to and about my host family, other DBS students, and about Dalkey. Then, earlier this afternoon I went into Dun Laoghire (pronounced like Done Leery) with Kristyn. We both were starving so we bought our first fish and chips with salt and vinegar. It is definately a once in a very great while food because it is so greasy and heavy (they say we Americans eat poorly!), but it certainly is delicious. Afterwards, we went to a €2 store and got some shampoo and soap, then to the Dun Laoghire Shopping Center to find hair straightners. We were ultimately unsuccessful, but we came out with some paper for school, postcards, and an umbrella for me. Krista called so we met up with her at the pier where we saw a folk dance group of some kind. All in all it was a gorgeous day. Now I'm going down to sit by the harbour and read until dinner. I'm going to try and take it easy tonight after being out in the pubs at Temple Bar all last night. I just went to make sure Kristyn got home alright since none of us had taken the Nite Link bus home yet.

Pictures!

Today I went on a bus tour (me? on a bus tour...who'd have thunk?) around Dublin with other American DBS students. I met a lot of nice people including Kristen and Krista who are living up the street from me in Dalkey. They seem like great people. We went to a pub in town this evening and chatted for a few hours about our life stories. It was really enjoyable and everyone seems laid back so far. Without further delay, though here are some pictures I took today!

No Dignity Left in Flying

I just got through security at the Newark Liberty International Airport. It was fairly simple, I guess. No major complications and no one stopped me to search through every one of my personal items (thank goodness!). I hate going through security, though. You’re barefoot and are expected to shove everything you’re carrying into tiny boxes as fast as you possibly can. Luckily I only made one mistake. I didn’t take my laptop out of my backpack and put it in it’s own box because I’ve never flown with one before. There weren’t too many people in line and I still have 2 ½ hours left before my flight departs. So now I think I’ll wander around for a few minutes. No use sitting around at my gate for all this time…

I boarded as easily as possilbe, got my baggage, entered Ireland smoothly, and was dropped off at the doorstep of my host family. They are very nice people and seem very laid back about what I do and where I go just as long as I check in once in a while. I'll write more when I am not falling asleep in between words.

On My Way! Well, Sort of...

Written Friday, August 24th - 7:45am

About 15 minutes ago I boarded the eastbound train for Philadelphia. This is the first part of my long journey to Ireland. I’m stopping in Philly for a few days to visit Christopher and celebrate our one-year a little early. I’ll be in Philadelphia until Tuesday evening, when I will take the Regional Rail to Newark, NJ International Airport. My flight takes off (supposedly) at 7:00pm and I should be in Dublin by 7:00am. Thank goodness I don’t have any connecting flights. Flying is complicated enough anymore without having to get on and off planes at the right time (and of course your first flight lands late and your connecting flight is always the only one that takes off on-time). I managed to pack just about everything, got halfway to Pittsburgh and realized that I had forgotten my passport, which is safely in our filing cabinet. My mom is being very sweet and priority over-nighting it to Christopher’s apartment.
I’ve been reading the Lonely Planet travel books that my mom bought me and I think by the time my plane hits the runway, I will as confident and ready as I’ll every be. Of course, things are simpler due to the fact that I’m going to an English-speaking country. All I have to get used to is the accent and then never-ending use of slang. You think people in the States speak a different language outside of a class or conference room, but we are nothing compared to the Irish, and English for that matter. Not only is there Gaelic mixed in everyday conversation, but on top of that is the rhyming slang (it would even baffle the clever writers of The Gilmore Girls). I’ve only really picked up a few phrases myself. I remember apples and pears – up the stairs and Johnny Rocket – pocket. It’s a really amusing way to say things, but it is damn confusing for an outsider.

Just felt like writing...

I am having a rarely serene and easygoing day at work. Maybe it's because I've been browsing blogs in between scanning and texting Christopher all morning. Y'know, it's a wonder that I get any work done, but I actually do. Without distractions I'd go insane here, quite literally I think. Tonight after work I'm going to Hollywood to work some more, but I actually like that job. Then tomorrow I'm going to Cook Forest to hang out with my sister who just got back from her tour in Japan, her boyfriend Nick, my mom and dad, and probably Christopher's sister and brother in-law who are coincidentally going to be there as well. I'm very excited to see Sarah (my big sis) and hear if the Japanese people like Hairspray and all about her hike up Mount Fuji.
It should be a fun weekend, followed by only 1/2 a week of work and a train ride to Philadelphia to see Christopher!

Cheers!

Long Distance Call

Yesterday I took the afternoon off of work and after doing a bit of relaxing and movie watching I called Dierdre, my host mom in Ireland. She seemed very nice and excited to have me stay with her and her family. They have 4 kids, 2 that are 18 and 16ish and 2 that are a little younger than 10. I guess they've hosted 10-12 students before me, which is good because they'll be well-versed in answering all of the crazy questions I'll probably come up with. It also means that they'll probably be very prepared for me, and that I won't be sleeping on a little cot in their laundry room or anything. She also said that they are pretty laid back and have few rules. I'm not a wild child, but I don't think I'd do well with strict rules.
She told me that the University will provide transport from the airport directly to their house in Dalkey, so that's good to know. Other than this brief call, I haven't heard anything else about my trip. Today at lunch I'm going to call my travel agent to verify that I have everything I need for my flight and tomorrow I'm going to go to Best Buy with my dad to get a plug adapter with my dad so I can use my laptop, charge my DS, and straighten my hair over there.

I'm sure more updates on their way...if there is anyone who even reads this! :)

Weekend

Well, this weekend wasn't very productive as far as my trip to Ireland is concerned. My mom did buy me a couple of travel books, though! She got me a Lonely Planet one on Dublin and another book on Ireland.
Most of the weekend was spent at Hollywood Video, which I'm not really complaining about, but I would have liked to spend more time with my cousins. Luckily they ended up staying an extra day on Sunday. I watched a lot of movies over the past few days. I saw Wild Hogs, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Film for Theaters for DVD, and The Transformers along with a few I've already seen a bajillion times. In my next post I'll have my thoughts on all of them. It was nice getting to catch up on some films that I wanted to see, and some that I didn't know I wanted to see. Tonight I'm going to see Rush Hour 3 with Mr. and Mrs. Nies. I haven't gotten to hang out with them in a while, so this should be fun!
Tomorrow after working at St. Vincent's I'm going to call my Irish family since Elizabeth still hasn't not gotten back to me about the email address I requested. I'm very excited to speak to them, but I'm also kind of nervous. I'm not sure what about. I guess probably a little nervous that they won't like me, but my excitement overshadows any apprehensions.
I will most definately have a post on that conversation. And that's it for this one...