I suppose I owe everyone an update of my last few days and my current mental and emotional state.
I've been pretty sick all week (a growing sense of nausea I can attribute only to stress) and it pretty much climaxed on Friday night when I spent hours throwing up at all hours of the morning.
I am, however, on the mend now. I feel a lot better as it is but still can't do too much and my sleeping pattern is a little erratic.
On the topic of sleeping patterns...I've been running on pretty much the minimal level of sleep necessary for human survival over the past few days (blame the illness) and am currently staring blankly at everything. The problem? I need to be up by 5am and I need to finish a 2000 word essay before then. FUN!
I refuse to become upset though and instead am focusing on the good things (like how this essay allowed me to use the old english equivalent of the "c" word). I can't put in to words how satisfying it feels to subvert the protocols of class etiquette in that manner.
400 words - 1600 still to go.
By God I will finish this even if it means no sleep at all!!!! (Then I'll proof read sometime on Monday and the world will be in balance again).
Have friends coming to visit this week and am SOOOO excited to show off Dublin so I'm going to try to finish this early and get at least two hours of sleep so I can at least appear lucid when they arrive.
Yay!!!
Love you all!!! Talk to you soon.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
On never really knowing...
So somehow this week the conversation of never knowing the one right answer to something came up about 3 times.
I had quite a few friends who were worried about how you can just never be certain that your answer is the right one (whether it's history, literature, art or religion).
So I started to think about my approach to those situations. I could remember being frustrated by it in the past but it never seemed to bothered me for too long. I tried to figure out why that was and I came up with two different reasons that help me get through those moments of confusion and frustration.
The first reason (the one I use when I'm not hugely bothered by not knowing) is my grounding in my faith. If I really do believe in this all loving, ALL KNOWING God and my goal is to make to Heaven then all I have to do is wait it out until I get there and then it just won't matter anymore
I had quite a few friends who were worried about how you can just never be certain that your answer is the right one (whether it's history, literature, art or religion).
So I started to think about my approach to those situations. I could remember being frustrated by it in the past but it never seemed to bothered me for too long. I tried to figure out why that was and I came up with two different reasons that help me get through those moments of confusion and frustration.
The first reason (the one I use when I'm not hugely bothered by not knowing) is my grounding in my faith. If I really do believe in this all loving, ALL KNOWING God and my goal is to make to Heaven then all I have to do is wait it out until I get there and then it just won't matter anymore
because I can just ask Him and know the truth behind all these mysteries like what really happened in history, what's been erased by time, what things would have been like if soemhting happened in a different way.
(like if Parnell didn't get caught in a sex scandal how would Irish history be different? Well one thing's for sure, I wouldn't have my super badass poster of the 1916 Proclamation).
(like if Parnell didn't get caught in a sex scandal how would Irish history be different? Well one thing's for sure, I wouldn't have my super badass poster of the 1916 Proclamation).
But when something really bothers me a whole lot, when I work myself into a complete frenzy over it, I need to engage in some mental processing that's a bit more active and engaged.
You know how people are when they look at a painting or hear a song - everyone in the room gets something different out of it. Well, that same thing is true for EVERYTHING that we do. We all have different interpretations of daily events and how we look at life, religion, morality and humanity - everything.
And these different interpretations come together to make this spectacular (spectacularly beautiful and sometimes even spectacularly violent and cruel) world that we live in.
It's okay to not be sure of something because it's at the very core of creation!
Yay...my deep moment for the day!
Also, my little way of maintaining sanity while floating in a sea of confusion and disorder.
Love you all! Goodnight!
And these different interpretations come together to make this spectacular (spectacularly beautiful and sometimes even spectacularly violent and cruel) world that we live in.
It's okay to not be sure of something because it's at the very core of creation!
Yay...my deep moment for the day!
Also, my little way of maintaining sanity while floating in a sea of confusion and disorder.
Love you all! Goodnight!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Two birthdays and A LOT of sleep
Hi hi everyone!
So here's a little update about my weekend (and what a weekend it was).
I'll make this very short because I'm still recovering from just how eventful it was and I really want to get in my bed.
My roommate's 21st birthday was this week and she had about 6 friends visiting so her sister planned a surprise party for her (from the U.S.) so we went out to a club.
That was awesome and hilarious and I sort of ended up sleeping for the majority of today as a result of it. Actually, I fell asleep on my bed at 4am in everything but my boots and woke up at 7 and changed, brushed my teeth and took off my makeup...then I went back to bed.
lol.
Then tonight was my friend Jackie's birthday so they had a little dinner and Kayla cooked Chilli and it was AWESOME and then we went out to a pub and made it back here by midnight. BUT IT SNOWED!!! Out of nowhere it literally started DUMPING snow on us. It was insane. I was drenched by time we made it into the pub.
Anyway...I feel like I still need more sleep.
So here's a little update about my weekend (and what a weekend it was).
I'll make this very short because I'm still recovering from just how eventful it was and I really want to get in my bed.
My roommate's 21st birthday was this week and she had about 6 friends visiting so her sister planned a surprise party for her (from the U.S.) so we went out to a club.
That was awesome and hilarious and I sort of ended up sleeping for the majority of today as a result of it. Actually, I fell asleep on my bed at 4am in everything but my boots and woke up at 7 and changed, brushed my teeth and took off my makeup...then I went back to bed.
lol.
Then tonight was my friend Jackie's birthday so they had a little dinner and Kayla cooked Chilli and it was AWESOME and then we went out to a pub and made it back here by midnight. BUT IT SNOWED!!! Out of nowhere it literally started DUMPING snow on us. It was insane. I was drenched by time we made it into the pub.
Anyway...I feel like I still need more sleep.
Friday, February 19, 2010
If these bits of wisdom were pearls they'd be South Sea.
So here's a little list of things I've learnt this year (and a few fears/quirks I've overcome).
I am now over my fear of having a bedroom on the first floor (but that only applies to dorms - I still refuse to have my bedroom on the ground floor of a house).
No matter how nice a person is to you - if they are rude to your waiter they are not a nice person.
If Notre Dame Catholics had to vote on a favourite word you can bet your bottom dollar that "discernment" would win.
Radical feminism still exists and women who practice it are still morons. (Yes that means all you idiots who think you're doing a good thing by "reclaiming" the C word. No you are not. You are just objectifying yourself EVEN MORE).
Sometimes the best response really is to curl up under your desk and cry. Not only will you feel better but you'll be safe from earthquakes too.
Despite almost crippling arachnophobia events this semester have forced me to (wo)man up and kill my own spiders. However, I still do the weird thumb thing when I think of spiders (see Nicolas for details).
Work on primping your soul, not your body. But if you must primp your body might I suggest dishing the money on a good pedicure and flawless mascara.
If you like to read, don't become an English major. You're much better off staying home with a stack of books.
Glitter makes everything better, and I mean everything.
Traveling around Europe is best done when you only have a vague plan of what you want to accomplish. Having no plan at all results in a wasted trip and having too detailed a plan means you will probably find yourself freezing in a train station in Tralee waiting for the next train home.
After a while, all the churches in Europe start to blend together into a vague blur of mosaics and gold.
If you want to make someone stop drinking alcohol ask them why they do it.
You forget how powerful England used to be until you visit their museums and see how many precious artifacts they've stolen and refuse to give back.
It's only when you stop looking for a suitor that one comes along. This is precisely why, as most girls will tell you, dating is a series of dry spells followed by floods. Just when you're content to be single (or get a boyfriend) about 5 other potential candidates show up.
No matter how neat you normally keep your room, unannounced guests will always show up mere minutes after you've ransacked it.
Okay that's all I've got for you guys right now. Really I should have been in bed 5 and a half hours ago but I'm sick so I spent most of today in bed and now I just can't force myself to go back to sleep. That being said my heater is off for the night and I can no longer feel my fingers they're that cold...so yeah...under the comforter I go.
No trips this weekend but I'll prob be confined to my bed or dragging myself to birthday parties.
Love you all and miss you!
Let me know how the Beyonce concert was all of you who went!
I am now over my fear of having a bedroom on the first floor (but that only applies to dorms - I still refuse to have my bedroom on the ground floor of a house).
No matter how nice a person is to you - if they are rude to your waiter they are not a nice person.
If Notre Dame Catholics had to vote on a favourite word you can bet your bottom dollar that "discernment" would win.
Radical feminism still exists and women who practice it are still morons. (Yes that means all you idiots who think you're doing a good thing by "reclaiming" the C word. No you are not. You are just objectifying yourself EVEN MORE).
Sometimes the best response really is to curl up under your desk and cry. Not only will you feel better but you'll be safe from earthquakes too.
Despite almost crippling arachnophobia events this semester have forced me to (wo)man up and kill my own spiders. However, I still do the weird thumb thing when I think of spiders (see Nicolas for details).
Work on primping your soul, not your body. But if you must primp your body might I suggest dishing the money on a good pedicure and flawless mascara.
If you like to read, don't become an English major. You're much better off staying home with a stack of books.
Glitter makes everything better, and I mean everything.
Traveling around Europe is best done when you only have a vague plan of what you want to accomplish. Having no plan at all results in a wasted trip and having too detailed a plan means you will probably find yourself freezing in a train station in Tralee waiting for the next train home.
After a while, all the churches in Europe start to blend together into a vague blur of mosaics and gold.
If you want to make someone stop drinking alcohol ask them why they do it.
You forget how powerful England used to be until you visit their museums and see how many precious artifacts they've stolen and refuse to give back.
It's only when you stop looking for a suitor that one comes along. This is precisely why, as most girls will tell you, dating is a series of dry spells followed by floods. Just when you're content to be single (or get a boyfriend) about 5 other potential candidates show up.
No matter how neat you normally keep your room, unannounced guests will always show up mere minutes after you've ransacked it.
Okay that's all I've got for you guys right now. Really I should have been in bed 5 and a half hours ago but I'm sick so I spent most of today in bed and now I just can't force myself to go back to sleep. That being said my heater is off for the night and I can no longer feel my fingers they're that cold...so yeah...under the comforter I go.
No trips this weekend but I'll prob be confined to my bed or dragging myself to birthday parties.
Love you all and miss you!
Let me know how the Beyonce concert was all of you who went!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Sooner than you expected?
Yeah, I know I JUST posted something so I should shut up and leave everyone alone but I'm going to post this anyway because it seems to me that complaining to other people makes things seem so much better.
I'm in a crappy mood because I'm sick and I keep having ridiculous nightmares (and I really mean it when I say they are totally absurd) and now my bedroom light is out so I only have my desk lamp until tomorrow when I can go buy a new bulb. It's pretty much just dark and depressing.
So yes, I feel like complaining.
Also...Carnival :(
I miss Trinidad.
It's not even really that I miss Carnival...I do a little bit. Mostly I just miss having people around me who know the first thing about Carnival and would never dare to compare it to something like New Orleans' Mardi Gras or Carnaval in Rio.
I miss people who know all the oldies, who've felt the way your heart wants to burst out of your chest when you're sitting listening to a steel pan band, who want to cry every time they hear Rally Round the West Indies, or who want to jump when they hear a Machel song.
I miss being understood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay depressing enough? I actually do feel better now that I was able to articulate why I feel so sad. Thanks for being my shoulders to cry on!
I'm in a crappy mood because I'm sick and I keep having ridiculous nightmares (and I really mean it when I say they are totally absurd) and now my bedroom light is out so I only have my desk lamp until tomorrow when I can go buy a new bulb. It's pretty much just dark and depressing.
So yes, I feel like complaining.
Also...Carnival :(
I miss Trinidad.
It's not even really that I miss Carnival...I do a little bit. Mostly I just miss having people around me who know the first thing about Carnival and would never dare to compare it to something like New Orleans' Mardi Gras or Carnaval in Rio.
I miss people who know all the oldies, who've felt the way your heart wants to burst out of your chest when you're sitting listening to a steel pan band, who want to cry every time they hear Rally Round the West Indies, or who want to jump when they hear a Machel song.
I miss being understood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay depressing enough? I actually do feel better now that I was able to articulate why I feel so sad. Thanks for being my shoulders to cry on!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Chilled to the bones
For those of you who have been monitoring me you'll realise that I'm back a day early from my trip to the south of Ireland. (Also - link for my London photos - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=200702&id=504857518&l=e454c27141 ).
Let's just say that this trip was characterised by extremes.
My trip got off to a spectacularly negative start when I woke up at 6:20am (to meet people at 7:30am to catch the train) and stepped out of my room to make breakfast. Unbeknownst to me, I had not actually deactivated the lock on my bedroom door the previous night (or if I did it had reset itself) and I didn't take my keycard with me. I was consequently locked out of my bedroom in my pajamas. I had to wake my roommate up and we used her phone to call security and get them to call the RA to come open for me. Three phone calls and an hour later the RA showed up and I got back into my room at 7:30 exact. I took what I then thought was the fastest shower ever (later to be shattered by an even faster shower) and made it out of my room by 7:39am.
We caught the train and connected in Mallow - which should ring a bell to those of you who benefited from the ABRSM exams and any ND students. Yup the town that inspired Mallow Fling aka Rakes of Mallow aka "that song we dance the jig to."
We got to Tralee and decided there really wasn't much to do there so we rather spontaneously took the next bus to Dingle and found ourselves a hostel. Dingle was AWESOME and we met some great characters in the pubs.
Here's a brief summary of the highlights of Dingle:
1. The Scenery!
2. Fungie! - (pron. FOON - ghee, with a hard "g"). Really more of a running joke this weekend. Fungie is the dolphin that took up residence in Dingle bay about 20 years ago. We kept hoping to see him and our response to just about everything was to yell excitedly "FUNGIEEE!!!!!!" lol. Actually...we did see him from a distance on the bus as we were leaving.
3. The Pubs - O'Flahertys was AMAZING! It was really early so there was hardly anyone there and the bartender sang and played about 3 instruments over the course of the night and one middle-aged guy we were just chatting with turned out to be a former champion Irish dancer so he danced right there in the pub. It was spectacular in a thousand different ways and I was so happy sitting there with my Bulmers next to the warm fire.
Dick Macks was another fun pub we went to - Where is Dick Macks? Opposite the Church. Where is the Church? Opposite Dick Macks!
Anyway, as briefly as possible I will explain the rest of the trip.
The heaters in the hostel turned off at some point and we woke up freezing cold. THEN I had to take a shower in water that was cold I'm amazed it hadn't turned to ice. That was the fastest shower in history! I swear it was cold my skin actually burned when I stepped out.
After that there was no fixing it. No matter what we did we felt freezing cold for the rest of the day. This was not helped by the fact that I'm sick.
We eventually took the bus back to Tralee and checked the train schedule for the next morning. Then we all simultaneously decided "screw it, I'm going back to Dublin right now."
Then I finally got here and well...one 43 degree Celsius shower, two cups of tea and three layers of clothing later I'm still freezing to death.
*sigh* I miss everyone and I am freaking cold.
Let's just say that this trip was characterised by extremes.
My trip got off to a spectacularly negative start when I woke up at 6:20am (to meet people at 7:30am to catch the train) and stepped out of my room to make breakfast. Unbeknownst to me, I had not actually deactivated the lock on my bedroom door the previous night (or if I did it had reset itself) and I didn't take my keycard with me. I was consequently locked out of my bedroom in my pajamas. I had to wake my roommate up and we used her phone to call security and get them to call the RA to come open for me. Three phone calls and an hour later the RA showed up and I got back into my room at 7:30 exact. I took what I then thought was the fastest shower ever (later to be shattered by an even faster shower) and made it out of my room by 7:39am.
We caught the train and connected in Mallow - which should ring a bell to those of you who benefited from the ABRSM exams and any ND students. Yup the town that inspired Mallow Fling aka Rakes of Mallow aka "that song we dance the jig to."
We got to Tralee and decided there really wasn't much to do there so we rather spontaneously took the next bus to Dingle and found ourselves a hostel. Dingle was AWESOME and we met some great characters in the pubs.
Here's a brief summary of the highlights of Dingle:
1. The Scenery!
2. Fungie! - (pron. FOON - ghee, with a hard "g"). Really more of a running joke this weekend. Fungie is the dolphin that took up residence in Dingle bay about 20 years ago. We kept hoping to see him and our response to just about everything was to yell excitedly "FUNGIEEE!!!!!!" lol. Actually...we did see him from a distance on the bus as we were leaving.
3. The Pubs - O'Flahertys was AMAZING! It was really early so there was hardly anyone there and the bartender sang and played about 3 instruments over the course of the night and one middle-aged guy we were just chatting with turned out to be a former champion Irish dancer so he danced right there in the pub. It was spectacular in a thousand different ways and I was so happy sitting there with my Bulmers next to the warm fire.
Dick Macks was another fun pub we went to - Where is Dick Macks? Opposite the Church. Where is the Church? Opposite Dick Macks!
Anyway, as briefly as possible I will explain the rest of the trip.
The heaters in the hostel turned off at some point and we woke up freezing cold. THEN I had to take a shower in water that was cold I'm amazed it hadn't turned to ice. That was the fastest shower in history! I swear it was cold my skin actually burned when I stepped out.
After that there was no fixing it. No matter what we did we felt freezing cold for the rest of the day. This was not helped by the fact that I'm sick.
We eventually took the bus back to Tralee and checked the train schedule for the next morning. Then we all simultaneously decided "screw it, I'm going back to Dublin right now."
Then I finally got here and well...one 43 degree Celsius shower, two cups of tea and three layers of clothing later I'm still freezing to death.
*sigh* I miss everyone and I am freaking cold.
Monday, February 8, 2010
I'm back!!
I'm back from what can only be described as a mini-sabbatical. I have accomplished nothing over the past few days but travel and relaxing. Consequently, I am now going to have to spend the upcoming week/weekend reading books and writing essays. Parents, before you start judging me I must say that these things aren't due for another 3 weeks so I'm not behind. I just am not as ahead as I had aspired to be. I will still have them done long before the due date (or at least that's the plan).
So I know its been a while since I've updated anyone so I'll try to summarise everything as best as I can.
Facebook is AGAIN not letting me upload pictures and I'm really pissed. So I'll post the links as soon as I get the bleeping photos uploaded.
London was spectacular and we did just about everything. Hopefully the pictures will speak for themselves.
Galway is WONDERFUL!
We went down in the morning with a friend so she could give surveys on the train for her sociology thesis and then we walked all over and bought Claddagh rings IN CLADDAGH!!! Which is just amazing because that's where they're from. We also got to see the mini-museum in the store that actually designed the original ring. Legally they're the only company allowed to print "original" on the ring.
That night we had dinner and went on a pub crawl ( I think we hit about 6 places) and the next day we went for a walk along the river (to see some churches/cathedrals). Then we walked to Salthill and along the Salthill promenade before setting up in a pub to watch the Ireland vs Italy rugby match. Ireland won, of course. It was an easy match but fun none the less. Then we jumped on the train and went back to Dublin. Also, we sang Galway girl about 500 times over the course of 2 days but it was SO worth it.
Talk about a busy weekend.
In other news....my friend got bed bugs...now I'm paranoid and feel itchy every time I thin about it but i KNOW i don't have any. Grrr mental powers are scary.
We had a Superbowl watch at the O.C. because Joe set it up so that we could get the U.S. version (Ireland doesn't get the commercials) and that was pretty awesome. Then we slept on the floor there...not so awesome. But yay for breaking parietals in an ND building! haha.
Kk I'm off to class. Love you all!
So I know its been a while since I've updated anyone so I'll try to summarise everything as best as I can.
Facebook is AGAIN not letting me upload pictures and I'm really pissed. So I'll post the links as soon as I get the bleeping photos uploaded.
London was spectacular and we did just about everything. Hopefully the pictures will speak for themselves.
Galway is WONDERFUL!
We went down in the morning with a friend so she could give surveys on the train for her sociology thesis and then we walked all over and bought Claddagh rings IN CLADDAGH!!! Which is just amazing because that's where they're from. We also got to see the mini-museum in the store that actually designed the original ring. Legally they're the only company allowed to print "original" on the ring.
That night we had dinner and went on a pub crawl ( I think we hit about 6 places) and the next day we went for a walk along the river (to see some churches/cathedrals). Then we walked to Salthill and along the Salthill promenade before setting up in a pub to watch the Ireland vs Italy rugby match. Ireland won, of course. It was an easy match but fun none the less. Then we jumped on the train and went back to Dublin. Also, we sang Galway girl about 500 times over the course of 2 days but it was SO worth it.
Talk about a busy weekend.
In other news....my friend got bed bugs...now I'm paranoid and feel itchy every time I thin about it but i KNOW i don't have any. Grrr mental powers are scary.
We had a Superbowl watch at the O.C. because Joe set it up so that we could get the U.S. version (Ireland doesn't get the commercials) and that was pretty awesome. Then we slept on the floor there...not so awesome. But yay for breaking parietals in an ND building! haha.
Kk I'm off to class. Love you all!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sorry for my disappearance
Hi everyone! A thousand pardons for not updating anyone as to my existence in a while.
I'm still pretty busy, this week has just been hectic, but here's a quick update and i'll give you all more details later.
I went to London last weekend and it was amazing and tons of fun! We did SO much. I think we accomplished in 2 days what takes most tourists a week so I'm really proud of this.
Also, we saw Avenue Q which was absolutely hilarious if not a little bit crude at times.
This week has been busy because I've had a lot of reading and sleep to catch up on and I spent last night planning a girls lime for tonight. We're going out for dinner (yay real meals) and then going on a pub crawl.
FINALLY, you won't hear from me this week because I'll be headed to Galway with 3 friends so that Kaitlyn can hand out questionnaires for her sociology research. I'm so excited, Galway is supposed to be absolutely beautiful and the people are spectacular.
I'll hopefully have half a chance to upload pic etc soon.
Love you all!
I'm still pretty busy, this week has just been hectic, but here's a quick update and i'll give you all more details later.
I went to London last weekend and it was amazing and tons of fun! We did SO much. I think we accomplished in 2 days what takes most tourists a week so I'm really proud of this.
Also, we saw Avenue Q which was absolutely hilarious if not a little bit crude at times.
This week has been busy because I've had a lot of reading and sleep to catch up on and I spent last night planning a girls lime for tonight. We're going out for dinner (yay real meals) and then going on a pub crawl.
FINALLY, you won't hear from me this week because I'll be headed to Galway with 3 friends so that Kaitlyn can hand out questionnaires for her sociology research. I'm so excited, Galway is supposed to be absolutely beautiful and the people are spectacular.
I'll hopefully have half a chance to upload pic etc soon.
Love you all!
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