So hello, again :-)
This weekend I moved into my
apartment, met most of my 
roommates, did a whole lot of walking, tried to set up my room, and used all my money!!My apartment isnt huge, but it works
My bathroom is even smaller. The shower is the same floor as the toilet
My parents helped me move in on Friday and helped me discover Rathmines, the nearby town. It has the shopping center and grociery store. On Saturday my parents toured Dublin on the "Hop on Hop off", a tour bus that stops at different locations, and you can get on and off at your own schedule. That day I hung out with my roommates and got to know them. On Sunday my parents came out to my apartment and we took a taxi to Grosvenor (sounds like Groavner) Baptist Church. The pastor is an English man and I really enjoyed his sermon. The church has got a very international congregation. It was nice. We also checked out St. Stephen's Green shopping mall. Lisa would enjoy that!
My roommates are also varied in nationalities. There's Ona (sounds like 'wanna') from Romania, a 2nd year PhD student, Monique, a French Canadian, Maria from Florida, and Caroline from England. The last 3 are 1 year Masters students like me. We have tried out different public transportations together (the Luas, the bus), we have found the shopping center and the cinema in Dunrum, and we have discovered more of Rathmines. Thankfully, Carolina brought her car from England, so we can drive to the mall!!
This week I have had computer guys come to my room, but alas, I can not get the internet to work in its entirety. :(
Today I tried to wrap up loose ends. My roommates and I took the bus to campus and I got my travel card. I signed up for the Choral Society, and we practice every Wed. It's the oldest and largest choir in Trinity (since 1837) and we will perform this and next semesters and will even travel to Galway to sing. I signed up for dance classes, which means Friday nights. And I also signed up for Cumann Gaelach, the Irish society. We meet every Tues for conversations. As I have no Irish, it will be interesting as I try it out tonight. There will be people speaking English for those of us who are complete beginners. They also go to pubs and are involved with Irish singers and dancers. It'll be a great way to learn about the culture and to learn to speak a little Irish.
Earlier this weekend, I joined the Photography Society, but they dont have regular meetings. I also joined the Christian Union which meets on Thursdays for the 'large group' meetings. So I will basically have a meeting Tues-Fri nights.
I also got an email earlier today with my class schedule, so I feel better knowing more about what's going on. But this Friday at 3pm I should be having an orientation with my group, so I will get to see where my classes are...
Tomorrow night I hope to hit up the computer area so that they can totally fix my internet, then after that I'm going to go to my new Church for the 18-30 small group and try to meet some of the people there.
So anyways, that's what's up with me. It's cooler than it is in South Carolina, obviously, but I dont really feel like I'm in another country. Maybe it's just natural being here. But I look forward to getting involved with the Church and my school. I'm a little nervous about classes and essays and exams and the dissertation, but that's not something I need to worry about just yet. So that's me... :)
Hi Kerry,
ReplyDeleteIt was so good to hear from you! I'm glad about the other activities that you've registered for, and I'm sure they will help you make the most of your time in Ireland! I know you must be happy to have your schedule. I'd love to hear more about it. I'm sorry to hear that your internet is still not working...
We had an interesting trip back to the states yesterday. The flight from Dublin had already started to go out on the runway, when the pilot had to take us back. He said that there was a problem with the hydrolics on one of the engines. Of course, that made the start time late. Then we experienced some really rough turbulence when we were over the ocean (of course that brought to mind the hydrolics situation...). We arrived in Newark late, had to go through customs, retrieve our luggage, re-check it and then RUN across the airport to catch our flight to Charlotte. Even so, we missed it, and Continental had to get us on board the next available flight - which was three hours later:( Tim wanted us to have dinner with him in Charlotte, and even though we didn't make it to our car until about 9 PM, we agreed to meet him (since Dad didn't have to go to work today). We didn't leave the Charlotte area until after 10:30 PM, and didn't make it home until after 12:30 PM. I had an appointment at 9 AM this morning, and didn't really sleep too well (although Jordan and Charlie were really happy to see us).
I have caught probably the same cold/flu virus that you have - really sore throat, cough, achiness, and even some laryngitis. I hope to sleep well tonight. How are you feeling?
Sooo good to hear from you, and hope that you get your internet up and running soon. I tried to call you on my cell phone, but it didn't work. Of course, Dad and I will be working on getting a microphone so that we can talk to you via Skype!
Love the blog sight!
Keep us posted!
Love you!
Mom (and Dad, too)
Karebear! I so proud of you for being the big joiner! Seriously! I know how much you LOVE being in a room full of people you don't know--trying to make small-talk--so I'm really excited for you. I know it's gonna be great, and it'll really help you meet some people.
ReplyDeleteI miss you and can't wait to come and visit you at some point.....in the mean time, sing and dance and study your butt off :) Oh and I'm so happy that you finally got your class info--I know that must be a load off your mind. Keep the blogs coming--even though, I'm not sure you're going to have time, seeing as you've got activities planned every day ;)
Love you, cousin!
Lisa :)