Limerick

Hey everyone!

So I think I’ve figured out why I keep posting multiple posts at once. Apparently I’m just used to instant gratification and expect to see my post right away, but I guess I have to wait a few minutes before I try again. Sorry about the multiple posts! Hopefully this will help me. ☺

Wednesday, I had to wake up early to register for the seminar English class that I want to take here. They make all of the visiting students take a number and wait in line to register. We heard that most people get there early to make sure that they get into the class that they want (there are only about five places reserved in each class for visiting students.) So Melissa and I got to the line at 8 (an hour before registration was supposed to start) and I was the 135th person. There were people in line since two in the morning in order to get a good number. After a couple hours of waiting, I got into the class I wanted, so it wasn’t so bad, but there were people that had been waiting since five in the morning and got their third choice. I’m taking Contemporary Irish Writing and I’m really excited for it to start next week. I think it’s going to be really interesting. This was such a frustrating situation…I’m glad I don’t have to do that at home.

I had Imagining Modern Ireland this week and it was really interesting. My classes are so different from the ones at home not only in the way they go about teaching, but the topics are just so cool. I am so lucky to have the chance to learn about Irish history and writing in Ireland. I would never have the chance to do any of this at home, and it’s so cool.

Thursday, I had my appointment with Immigration to register. I had to walk to the office and give them my passport, proof of residence in Galway, a bank statement proving I had 2,000 Euro, and my acceptance letter to the school. They took my fingerprints and I got an Immigration ID card. I had to pay 150 Euro… ugh. I was so nervous for that appointment, so I’m happy it’s over with! Thursday night, I got together with American friends and we had a wine and pasta night. It’s so much fun to do potlucks with each other and have some comfort food.

Friday, we got together and planned some trips. Next Friday, I’m going with the International Student Society to Conamara for a day trip, then the American girls and I are going to Cork for Saturday through Sunday. The next weekend, we are going to Scotland. I’m so excited to have weekends planned and I’m sure they will make the time go by so fast. Friday night we ordered Chinese food and watched a Michael Flatley interview on television. We got to watch Superstars of dance afterward. It ‘s so funny how much American television we get to watch here.

Yesterday, I went with a few American friends to Limerick for the day. We got on the bus at 9 and got to Limerick at about 11. We went to the Hunt Museum that has artifacts that the Hunt family collected from past centuries and donated to the city of Limerick. It was really interesting to see all of the items. They had a lot of jewelry, tools, clothes, and things but my favorite section was the religious artifact section. They had rosaries, crucifixes, chalices, and paintings from so many different time periods. It was so cool! After the Hunt Museum, we went to O’Donnell’s restaurant for traditional fish and chips. It was so delicious, but I felt like I ate my body weight in grease ☺ Then we walked around and looked at St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Church. Next, we went to King John’s Castle. We walked through the museum part and learned about the history of the castle and its importance to the history of Limerick and Ireland. We got to walk through the castle and go up in the towers and into the basement. They even had recreations of what the yard of the castle would have looked like. It was so beautiful. We climbed to the top of the tower and got to see a great view of the city with the Irish countryside in the background. I’m going to put a link to my pictures so you can see them all.

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=254420281/a=157881010_157881010/t_=157881010

I miss you all so much! Thank you for all of the e-mails! Keep them coming! Also, if any of you plan on sending a package, could you just let me know when you send it? Letters come straight to our apartment, but if we get a package, it goes to the front desk of our complex and we have to go pick it up. They don’t call us to let us know that it’s here though, so if you can let me know, that would be great! No pressure ☺ I love you all and I’ll update again later this week!