My Morning Palaver (look it up)

What a week. The sun has been out pretty much every day and it's warm enough to wear a t-shirt. OK, so it's only 50 degrees, but after the weather we've had it feels warm. So whatever... t-shirt again today.

Not much going on these days, unless you count endless papers and group presentations. I've never missed standardized tests and scantrons so much in my life. I also miss continuous assessment. This whole one paper and one test bullshit sucks. At least at UIC if I screwed up a paper or a test it was only worth 15-20% of my grade, max. Not so here. But I found out that the way grading works here and the way it's converted back to grades in the US is gonna be sweet. If I get a B+ here, it's an A- back home. If I get a D- here, it's a B- back home. How sweet is that?! Hell, I'd have to get an E+ here to fail back home. Yes, that's right, they give Es here. Ireland is strange.

Side note. There's some sort of moth or flying creature in my room. And I can't find him now. That's just great.

Jen was here last week. She also brought the flu though, so she spent about 50% of the time in bed. Poor sis. But we had a good time regardless, and she got to see a lot of the country. I really wish I was able to go with you to the Cliffs of Moher (I'm assuming you're reading this so I'll speak to you) since it was such a nice day out! Devon (AKA: Sgt Moss) and his wife are coming over next week, and that should be a blast. I have a feeling I'm going to drink more in that week and a half than I have all semester. Which isn't really saying alot, because I think I've had maybe 15 beers in total since I've been here. Shit's not cheap. Stupid weak dollar.

Then of course is the much awaited "pilgrimage of the friends." Jill and Jen et al will be making the leap over the pond in May. Right around finals of course, but whatever. We're gonna party like it's 1999! Friends in Dublin, it doesn't get much better than that.

Megan, Bryan...I'm still waiting to hear when you're coming over. AHEM!

Well, that's it for now; mostly because my coffee cup is empty. Gotta prioritize.

My Trend Setting Friends

Another weekend, another Quinn School of Business trip! This weekend we went to Croke Park, the home of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) Hurling and Gaelic Football teams. It was awesome. We got a tour of the stadium, including locker rooms and the Player's Lounge! It's where the players take their hoes after the game. At least that's what I like to think. We even got to try our hand at hurling, which I've decided is my new favorite sport. Everyone needs to start playing it.

After that, it was off to Malahide Castle. While not as cool as Kilkenny Castle, it was still an alright trip. But the main attraction was the park. OK, so it was the main attraction for me and my friend Sarah at least. Ireland needs to start exporting their parks to the US, cause this place was the frickin Disney World of parks!

After that, it was off to Malahide Beach. For being a cloudy day, it wasn't really cold. Here's a picture of my friends and me atop the bathroom. Haha, seriously, we jumped a railing and climbed onto the building to get a better view. Apparently we set the trend, and soon everyone was up there.

All in all, a great day.

My White Week

Snow?! Why is there snow? It's been falling for the last week. It's strange to see people excited about it. Apparently it hasn't snowed here in quite a long time, so even the college kids are acting the maggot. They're throwing snowballs at random people walking around the campus. It's funny till they target you. I made it out unscathed, but I almost threw down Chi-Town style at one point. It's beautiful though, as you can see from the pictures. Almost makes UCD look like UIC. And apparently desert boots are not designed for cold, wet weather.


Tomorrow is the Quinn School of Business day trip to Kilkenny. I'm excited, I haven't really done as much traveling as I had expected to, but it's still early. Things at school are going great, though. I've gotten a handle on how the classes will be this semester, and I think they'll be easy enough where I don't have to worry about them and can do some sight seeing. Two of them were cancelled on Wednesday cause the snow was so bad. By so bad, I mean it wasn't even snowing! Crazy, I know. But apparently the three inches we received the previous day caused such a traffic jam that the professors didn't get home till late, and didn't feel like coming in the next day. I'm not complaining!


I'm addicted to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney-Justice for All on the DS (thank you Susan.) Of course, it's filled with ridiculous Japanese magic and voodoo story lines, but what can you do. Why can't they make games for normal people? I'm spending my nights catching up on 24 these days. Sites like http://www.megastic.com/ and http://www.quickflicksnow.com/ let you watch full length episodes for free anywhere in the world! It's pretty stellar. We all know I can't miss my LOST or Supernatural.

My Redhead

Today I had my second class of the semester, and so far I'm two for two with loving the classes and professors. Monday was "The EU and Business Environment" and today was "Mgmt of Innovation & Change." Both professors seem active and passionate about the subjects, which always helps. Tonight is the inauguration of President Elect Obama. I can't say I'm excited, but I am hopeful. He's taking many pages out of Lincoln's book, and if he continues to do so, perhaps this won't be so bad after all. UCD is hosting an event for all American students to watch the broadcast live and provide us with (free!) food, so I am excited about that.

(Us at Oliver St. John Gogarty's; the BEST pub in Dublin)

Nothing compares to my excitement about being this close to Susan though. I'm sure everyone around us will get completely sick of us, but feck 'em. (Or frak, since BSG has started back up...YAY! PS, Ellen as th 5th cylon?! WTF?!) It's gonna be hard to fight the urge to see each other constantly, but just having that desire is such a welcomed change for me. It's been forever since I've wanted to spend time with my significant other. And for the first time in my life, I'm actually the one bringing up the future. It's really true; when you know...you know. =)

OK, I should really get going. I have to get to Argos in the city centre and back before 6pm for the inauguration speech. And we all know how public transport is ALWAYS on schedule; things are no different here in Dublin.

My Goodness, My Guinness!

Well, I've arrived safely in Ireland. I've actually been here for a week now, this is really the first time I've had both consistent internet access and the time to compose my thoughts.

Surprisingly enough, the weather hasn't been "traditional." By that, I mean it's actually been quite sunny (off and on.) It is a tad cold though, only about 45 degrees. Though I have been told it's been negative 17 at home, so I should be greatful.

The first few days were nice and relaxing. Susan and I spent Thursday thru Sunday in the city centre at the Mespil Hotel. Super swank. They gave us an executive suite for the same price as any other room, probably cause we're rockstars. After that, I took the train out to Limerick for orientation. The countryside was beautiful. Too bad it was raining and I couldn't snap any pics out the window.

Orientation went well enough. I was a tad drawn out, but that's to be expected. How many time though can you be told to study? Ridiculous, we're adults (or should be) and that's on us. We did get to see a few sights, like the Cliffs of Moher. It was beautiful! They are VERY tall, and the pictures do NOT do it justice.

I would love to go back there some day, possibly with Susan since she's never been. It's definately a place that needs to be experienced once in your life.

While in Limerick I also got a chance to see King John's Castle. It was pretty impressive. We don't have these giant castles in the middle of our cities. Right on the river, they let us go into the towers and the lokout areas. They also had an archeological dig going on a few years back that was still open to the public.

As for now, I'm in my room here on campus. I've got a few more things to take care of today, then I'm off to celebrate Sue's birthday (actually on the 27th) in the city centre this evening. Life's good. I'm having a blast. This is one of the greatest adventures I've set off on in my life.

My Resolution

Wow. It seems like only yesterday it was the beginning of 2008.

This entry is written with much anticipation for what the year ahead will hold for me. I'm going to be embarking on quite a journey here in a few short days. My semester abroad in Ireland kicks off on the 19th, but I'll be leaving here on the 7th to spend time with my gorgeous girl and then hit up orientation week.

This isn't the first time I'll have been far from home. It will, however, be the first time that people aren't shooting at me while being so. I've been looking forward to this since before the fall semester began, and now it's about to begin. I can't wait!

I'm sure 2009 will unfold with it's own unique set of challenges and opportunities. It's sure started out better then 2008 did. For one, I'm not miserable today! hahaha! I was in such a toxic place a year ago, it's hard to imagine that was even me. This past year was somewhat of an awakening for me. And in shedding the weights of that, I have found myself in a place I never thought possible. I'm happy. More specifically, I'm happy in my relationship. I had forgotten that a partner was supposed to love and nurture you, they are supposed to bring out the better person in you, and they are supposed to be the one person you can't be without.

I'm taking steps to ensure that I'm not without you anymore, Susan.

And that's part of my resolution. I'm not going to be passive in my own life anymore. I've already begun this so it's more of a renewal of sorts. But I won't stand idly by and let the things that I want slip past me. I finally have something worth holding onto, and I'm not going to let it go. No excuses, no regrets. I'll never look back and have to ask "what if?"