Week 1
After days of final preparation, it had
come. It was Sunday the 25th, the day I was to leave for Ireland. As I awoke
many thoughts flew through my mind. But none were clearer than the thought that
the next time I laid my head down to sleep I would be in another nation and not
just that but another continent! While joy over filled me and eagerness lay
around every corner, a feeling of sadness lurked behind me none the less. The
fact that it will be nearly 5 months until I return home and once again with my
family weakened my step. The fact that I would be away from many of my friends
for 5-8 months weakened my pace even more. But as tough and hard as it may be,
I must move on and remember that this opportunity will most likely never occur
for me again in my lifetime. So with a heavy heart I left home in route for
Ireland but backed by the thoughts of those who care for me. I arrived in the Toronto
airport and after some time, I said my farewells to my family and departed. The
flight by KLM from Toronto to Amsterdam was a decent flight overall. There was
some turbulence and horrible air food but I arrived in Amsterdam safe and
sound. There I waited exhausted from the flight over pondering how long the
hour wait would really take. (Yeah it only ended up taking an hour and a half
but when you're fighting to stay awake, that seems like forever!) Once bordered
for the Aer Lingus flight to Dublin, we had no later taken off and I had passed
out. It was only an hour nap but what a great nap it was. But more of a tease than
anything. After arriving, claiming my bag and going through customs I was
forced to wait for my shuttle. Of course my flight was supposed to arrive at
10:30 am so I deferred on trying to catch the 10:50 shuttle and opt to get the
12:50 shuttle. But alas my flight decided to arrive early. 10:10 early. And
with the ticket I had pre purchased I was forced to wait for 2 hours and 40
mins. Now I can promise you, I had a great urge to find a table and just crawl
underneath it for a nap. But that’s not very practical nor would it be good a
good idea in any fashion. After forcing myself to pay 3 euro for a small bottle
of "mineral water" I sat and waited for my shuttle. After some time I
left the confines of the warm airport and made my way to the shuttle station.
After conversing with some other students (also on their way to NUIM) the
shuttle finally arrived. We were dropped off and eventually we made it to our
apartments/halls. There I unpacked and afterward met my flat mate and RA. Great
guy and very helpful. (He was just grateful to have a new flat mate that would
continue to fit into the group. After conversing and getting the tricks and
tips to the apartment, we went our separate ways (cue journey! .... well I
thought it was funny.) I went in town and had a small look around. I went to
one of the local pubs, O’Neill’s for dinner. I decided to mix American with
Irish and had a cheese burger along with a pint of Guinness. (When in Ireland,
Drink as they do... actually don't, your liver won't thank you if you do.)
After my burger and pints I returned to my room full and exhausted and I passed
out. slept for a good 14 hours woke up long enough to check the news, my phone
and put a few things away. But then I realized, I can go back to sleep and so I
did. a few hours later I woke up feeling fantastic! (I'd say my unnatural sleep
cured my jet lag as I am in tune to the local clock)
But what a difference there is here to
back home. green hills like you'd picture, rustic and authentic looking
buildings that hold modern stores and don't get me started on the metric
system, the driver's wheel on the wrong side of the car and driving on the
wrong side of the road! (well wrong to most of us at least.) Accents come in
all sizes and tones from light and clear to heavy and barely distinguishable.
But I will get used to that in time and I’m sure I sound odd to them too (but I’ve
been told I have that typical American accent (whatever that means))
the next day the 27th (yeah time
differences!) was a semi lazy day. I went into town to get some necessary
supplies: sheets, food, towels etc. after that I went lazy. Netflix is nice
when all your other flat mates aren't around. As the evening progressed and my
RA returned from his duty I joined him and his friend on their journey to the
local pub to watch the game (soccer.) A few beverages were had and many topics
of conversation covered. I learned many things that night that I’m sure will
come to use before my time here is gone. We joined some international students
after striking up conversation with them and stayed with them the rest of our
time there. After several more hours we returned to our apartment where we
talked even more and I was given the travel do's and don’ts.
Wednesday the 28th was a true lazy
day. there was no ambition what so ever and I wanted to do nothing more than
relax, so that’s what I did.
Thursday the 29 was far more eventful. It
was the first day of orientation. There was a presentation after presentation.
these were followed by a tour of the campus and of the library. And all I have
to say is this campus is beautiful!!! I couldn't be more thankful that I’m
studying here. After the tours everyone was given pizza but really you were
lucky if you got one. So the group that I meet at the pub (a few days earlier)
and I decided to go to Aldi to acquire dinner. Oh and did I forget to mention,
in the midst of the tours it starts snowing. By the time were headed back from Aldi
there had to be about 3 inches of snow on the ground. After returning to campus
and talking with my other flat mate I find out it’s the worst snow they've had
in years... why can’t buffalo or Cleveland be like that. I came to Ireland to
have a break from the snow not to see more of it but it is what it is.
realizing the next morning would come earlier than I’d like, I turned in early
in an effort to fall asleep at a semi decent hour.
Friday the 30th was module (class) sign up
day. It was a little bit confusing due to the fact we were all cramped together
in one small room. After several hours of waiting and getting things in the
proper order I was finished. I then waited for the sign ups to Newgrange (Newgrange)
because why not! I want to see as much of what this beautiful country has to
offer while I'm here. I then went to make myself lunch (yeah eggs and a bagel!)
after a little while we had another meeting to listen the international society
and then Andy Steves (a guy who sets up travel opportunities for students
(mostly in Europe)) his info. I
chilled out for a little while and then decided to go to the ghost tour offered
by the school (cue scary ghost noise) It was fine; I enjoy the history aspect
of the stories more than the paranormal aspects. (a few of the
stories we heard (may not be suitable for children ;) After the tour
me and a couple people went to the Roost for dinner. Afterwards I came
back to my room and started this blog (got to about here but then decided to
call it for the night)
Saturday the 31st was a LONG and
COLD day. We were supposed to meet up on the north campus (about 5 mins from
where I am thankfully) at 9am to catch the bus. To say the least, I was one of
the final 10 people to get on (yes I know, I have to get up when my alarm goes
off... but it’s so hard) I sat with a very nice gal and we talked for most of
the ride. we first ended up in Mainistir Bhuithe Monasterboice Monasterboice info. It's
the sight of a monastery built near the end the 5th century. While none of the
original buildings remain from its founding, there are some remains from
buildings from later on including graves, portions of 2 churches, a cross
depicting stories from the bible and the bell tower. It was very nice but it
was generally an open area and the wind was leaving a chill bone deep. After
hearing the history and taking a few photos, everyone rushed back inside in an
effort to warm up. Next was the Mellifont Abbey the first Cistercian abbey to be built in Ireland. Again
we listened to the history, took photos and then hurried back inside. We were
then off to Newgrange. And by the way, the scenery is gorgeous here and when
they say rolling green hills, they mean it. Upon arriving at Newgrange everyone
stampeded to the dining area in an effort to get a hot cup of anything!
Unfortunately our tours were scheduled and required the majority of our group to
leave for it prior to their hot beverage. The tour was again very nice and the
scenery was beautiful. Inside the tomb itself (yes in case you didn't look at
the link before, we were visiting a massive tomb) was very cramped. I was
buckled over (as to not smack my head (yet I did... twice)) and twisting and
turning to fit through the various and tight rocks. In the midst of all this, I
missed one protruding rock and it cleared my glasses straight off my face. So
imagine being nearly blind, holding broken glasses, with very little light to
see, in a small cramped tomb.... Yup fun times. After listening to the guide
inside we returned outside where I attempted to and mostly fixed my glasses. We
then returned to the visiting center where I joined some international students
whom I’d talk to on and off through the day for a cup of coffee. We sat and
chatted together until it was time to leave. On the way back to NUIM I had
another good conversation with a German gal (I always find it interesting to
get the opinions and perspectives of other people especially when it comes to
Americans) After returning to campus plans were made to cook dinner with the
international group I had had coffee with. Dinner was good and the
conversations were great. It was funny to hear one conversation in French and
another in English while one in German was going on behind it. Over the course
of the evening I was invited and persuaded to go with them into Dublin the next
day. While being as tired as I was, I can't let any opportunity pass me!
February 1st, my first adventure into
Dublin. I was a group of 10 of us that went. We were nice and diversified. A
few Americans, some Germans, Chinese, Austrian, French and French Canadian. We
left on the train to Dublin before noon. the ride was nice and faster than the
bus. Upon arriving in Dublin, we went to Trinity College. Another
beautiful campus but I don't think I could ever tolerate living in a major city
while studying (to many distractions.) But I could definitely try it,
especially because the coffee shop right outside campus has Tim Horton’s coffee
(yes my inner WNY white girl was screaming with glee!) The city was clean, the
people were nice and the traffic wasn't completely crazy. We got some pictures
of Trinity college and some people got in line to see the book of Kells. I went
with half of the original group to explore around. We waked around looking at
various sights and shops and ended up in St Stephen's Green.
After taking in its beauty we stopped at a cafe for coffee. After conversing
for a little while we returned to Trinity college to meet up with the rest of
our group. We then made our way to the
national museum of Ireland archaeology exhibits. There was a lot of
information so not everything sunk in there but I’m sure everyone felt the same
way. Especially since by the time we were done, we were all really hungry.
After determining that we had to eat in the Temple Bar district we went out in
search of finding it. After a bit of searching and some helpful locals we
eventually arrived at our intended destination. We ate a great dinner then
hurried back to catch the 6:40 train back to Maynooth. After returning back to
my apartment I was exhausted. There was only one small problem. The Super Bowl
was on that night (11:30pm local time was kickoff.) So I introduced myself to
my flat mates who are now returning to campus from their break. We talked for a
little while then I went over to make sure the game was playing at the on
campus pub. But of course why could anything happen as planned. The SU (as it
is usually called) was closed. I had heard that the roost might be playing it,
so I went with a few people to see if the reports were true. Thankfully this
time they were right. I notified a few people who I knew were planning on
watching it to come to the Roost if they wanted to watch it. It was a good
night and a great game! (aside from the outcome... but seriously, why would you
throw in that situation!?) Afterwards a few of us went to a pizza shop for some
late night munchies. We then made the track back to campus and went to bed.
Classes started that morning and for some of us that meant a matter of hours.
Thankfully my first class was at 11. Anyway, that was week 1. It was full of
interesting events, great memories and new friends. If the first week is just
an example of what is to come than this semester is one that will never be
forgotten!
