Coffees from coast to coast

So another week has gone by. Time is completely slithering away.  I would say slipping, but that indicates that I am trying to hold on to it. Slithering, however, is a more accurate description. I could try to chase it and grab it and hold on to it, but I’m letting it go.

I have really loved my time here in Ireland- but I am ready to be surrounded by people who love me. If there were a way to bring them all here, that would be perfect.

I spent last Sunday in Limerick on our ISA excursion. We went there to do the “Angela’s Ashes” walking tour. It was a great tour and a sweet tour guide, but sadly only about 3 people were familiar with the book or movie. I was not one of them, but the tour was still good. Then, we grabbed lunch at a little pub. I had a Bailey’s coffee, the highlight of my weekend. Afterwards, we went to the Hunt’s museum- an amazing collection of artifacts. Then the day was done. We caught an earlier train back to Galway- short and sweet day. But we did get to see a lot for only being somewhere for 5 hours! And we didn't get worn out walking everywhere, so it was a great little day trip. 

Author of Angela's ashes! (it was closed that day though)

looking down towards the river that is a big part of his book- the River Shannon

The churn Frank McCourt would pray (author of Angela's ashes)

Limerick Castle- sadly it was closed while we were in Limerick :/ 

Bailey's coffee

 The week consisted of a massive amount of studying and the new James Bond movie- Skyfall. It’s brilliant, and that’s from a virgin Bond perspective. Yes, I had never seen a Bond film before then. Thursday was pretty cool- Irish author Kevin Barry came to our literature class and read some of his works. He is a great short story writer and he himself is a great man. I now have an autographed copy of his book. I also got back in to running and managed to run 3 miles 3 days this week. At least that was an accomplishment. One thing I don’t want to talk about are the elections. Obama is our president again and there’s nothing I can do about it, so I am doing my best to come to terms with it. That is all I will say and I believe it says enough.

Author Kevin Barry reading from his short stories

Thursday night ISA went to see our dear Chelsea perform a lead role in the student-run production “Reefer Madness”. It’s a great musical/parody of a political film made in the 1940’s (or 50’s?) about the dangers of marijuana. It was such a fun production, and so well done. There was so much talent! I can’t even imagine how amazing “RENT” will be in the spring. I wish I could have been in RENT, or at least be able to see it. Seeing the production, however, made me wish I had gotten better involved. I mean I am involved with choir, but I am as close with those people as I would have liked. I haven’t made nearly as many close Irish friends as I thought I would, and I wish I had chosen to dedicate myself to something like a play that would have been intense and dedicated and consuming. It made me sad that I am out of time to do that.

This Friday I traveled by myself to Waterford. I was a bit worried about how the day would go- I woke up that morning with a hip out of place, a burn on my leg from my hot water bottle, and the inability to fully extend my knee. I was concerned that I wouldn’t make the walk to campus, let alone catch the train that afternoon. I made it, however. It was a bittersweet Friday, because it was my last Friday class. That is the class that I most enjoyed here, and I am sad that it is over. On the plus side, I still have a paper to write for them, so it’s not truly over yet! Thank goodness…

But in all seriousness, that was the most intense and invigorating class I have experienced probably in all my college career. It was amazing to have such passionate professors- not one, but two of them, and so knowledgeable on their subjects. I was even paid a compliment by one of them- I was going over my last paper topic and making sure he approved of it, and he said “After seeing your first paper, I’m not worried about you. I’m looking forward to reading it.” That definitely put a spring in my limp of the day.  I managed to gimp home and caught the train promptly at 3:05 after class. When I arrived in Dublin station I got myself a little treat- a cookie hot chocolate. I thought it was just the name of the hot chocolate. Oh nay nay- it had actual cookies in it- what? And, I got a free chocolate out of it. Mmmhmm, the sign of a good day.

I arrived at Waterford  safely and checked in to my accommodation. I stayed at a lovely little B&B called the Anchorage Inn, right on the waterfront. I even had a river-facing view, and my choice of a double or single bed in the room. Having a double-bed to myself is a joy I had forgotten. And all of the hot water I could want. Ahhh, hot showers. Again, it’s the simple pleasures.  Woke up the next day refreshed and had breakfast with all my friends!

Yeah, that happened. I then roamed down the Quay with camera out and at the ready. Before I knew it, I had found the clock tower, the marina, and Reginald Tower, the only Viking Tower in Ireland. Pretty cool, right? It was also attacked by Strongbow, you know, the guy the hard cider is named after. Then, I wandered upon the Waterford Crystal store. WOW- what an experience. I intended on going anyways, but I didn’t realize that I was heading straight for it when I left the hotel that morning. The store and the merchandise were gorgeous and I got real pleasure out of seeing these beautiful works of art. After that I did a bit of exploring around Waterford. I tried to see St. Paul’s Cathedral, but it seemed closed to visitors that day. What a bummer- you all know how much I love churches. I also saw the Theatre Royal (which sadly didn’t have anything going on that night) and I waved at the Bishops museum. I more than likely would have enjoyed it, but at this point in the semester I am a bit museumed out. Instead, I headed to the shopping centers.

The clock tower

The other side of Waterford

The marina

The Tower

So cool! 

The Theatre Royal

Just a church- pretty, but no idea which one

There it is! 

Yep- taste of home right here! 

They had JUST finished their Christmas display layout. There were crystal glasses in the trees. Amazing 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

St. Paul's Cathedral- and a man playing with a puppy :) 

I've got a latta love (bahaha...ha) Gingerbread Latte! 

I did a bit of window shopping and generally just roamed around. I of course found a great little chocolate shop and indulged just a bit J I also found a coffee shop serving Gingerbread Lattes. Oh the tastes of the holidays! I ventured back towards the square to look at the local market. Then, all of the sudden… there were people. People- everywhere. I thought at first it was just a mini-parade. Boy oh boy was I wrong. I got caught smack-dab in the middle of a gigantic health care protest.

I quickly got anxious and overwhelmed, so I decided it was a good time to head back to the B&B for some R&R. Only one problem to that- the B&B was a great price, but as the owner informed me when I came downstairs as a popcicle -after an hour in my room and about 15 min trying to get the heater working- that at the prices they charge, they can’t afford to run the heat during the day and that it would come on at 7. This was at 5pm. So. Very. Cold.  I burrowed under as many blankets as I could and layered myself into jeans and sweatpants and jackets, but those only help if you already have body heat. So I whipped out the laptop. I knew that thing would generate some heat for me. I then finished one of my 5 papers. That was such a good feeling!! Then, I went out and had dinner with a hot date at a lovely little café….

Yummy food! Salmon, mash, and veggies :) 

Meet Mr. Handsome....

Paper time :) 

At first I was massively looking forward to traveling alone. I was going to prove to everyone that I am fine with being on my own. I can be every once in a while and I definitely enjoyed being on my own schedule. And being able to shower when I wanted to or needed to, being able to focus on my papers alone and have some me time was great. But- there are few things more depressing than sitting on your own in a tiny restaurant surrounded by families or couples on a Saturday night, out celebrating birthdays or anniversaries or simply the fact that they are not alone. I can laugh it off most of the time, but Saturday night I was just wishing I had a friend there with me. So I decided I would go make a friend in Waterford. After paying, I headed out to a local pub where they were playing live traditional music. The place was called T.H. Doohlan’s. and boy was that interesting. I had a good time, but yet again my weirdo magnet was in full swing. Between the 48 year old who backed off when he found out that I was only 21 and the severely drunk Irishman who decided to debate American politics with me, I decided that maybe it was better to be alone at the time… and then I turned and saw this on the wall

Ignore the RT- it says WAR EAGLE on the other side!!! 

Yes, I had a War Eagle moment in the coastal Irish town of Waterford. On one hand, awesome! On another hand, homesickness. No one else in the pub understood why I was so excited about this dollar. I decided to pack it in and call it a night. I was very happy to make it back to the B&B and discover the heat was in fact on for the night. It was the best news all day.

Waterford At Night

Artistic Waterford at night

This morning I slept in and got myself organized to travel back to Galway. I checked out at about 11 and headed in to town to sit at a coffee shop and study for a little while before my 3:05 train. I got a crème brulee latte and was insanely productive. I have a plan to be done with the next essay by Tuesday, another by Friday, another by next Monday, and then one by next Thursday. Then the last one isn’t due until Dec 3^rd, so that will be a breeze. Plus, I have to figure out the best way to work the library. They only allow you to check out 5 books at a time, and aren’t open 24/7, nor do they allow coffee or food. And boy, are they strict on it- trust me, I’ve seen people kicked out for it. Oh RBD, I never thought I’d miss you and your odd ways.

Creme brulee latte :D 

So as I write this I am on the train back to Galway. My cart is full of young children and three poor mothers. DIsney on Ice was in Dublin this past weekend, and I am very glad that I didn't end up going. These kids are your typical kids- hyped up on ice cream and their moms got them every Disney toy available at the show. As soon as one starts playing with a toy, the other wants it. As soon as the moms get one seated, another one is up and running about. One has a meltdown while another shouts and one throws a toy while another gets it stuck in her hair. I miss being that age, when I wouldn't be mondo stressed about papers, but the biggest concern in the world was whether or not I'd make it to level 40 on my gameboy and homework was only a worksheet or two a night. 

I need to spend the rest of the journey working on my papers while I am still motivated and have nothing else to do.Wish me luck for concentration. I bid you all adieu. And here are some festive photos- since there's no Thanksgiving here, everything is getting decked out for Christmas already. I am so in the spirit- besides, "I'll be home, for Christmas" <3 and I may or may not be listening to Bob River's Twisted Christmas CD collection- have I mentioned I have the best parents ever? Happy Holidays!