17 August, 2010
The last days
Well I'm home now. I'll quickly recap the last few weeks for consistency's sake before jumping into some closing comments.
The weekend spent in Kilarney and Lahinch was spectacular. On Friday Jimmy picked me up a bit early from work and we headed off to Kilarney.
View Kilarney + Lahnich in a larger map
After one night in Kilarney, eating at a great restaurant (whose name escapes me) where I had a grilled peaches salad (divine!), we attempted to go to the Skellig islands. Sadly, the islands were closed to visitors that day because the water and weather were too dangerous. This is sad because they seem so amazing! But we rolled with it, and toured some local sites instead, like Dunloe Castle and Muckross House. We also visited Muckross Abbey, which was my favorite. It was kind of hidden by a walk through some rambling country trails, reminiscent of a Pride and Prejudice scene.
The Abbey itself was not as well restored as the other sites we went to. The weather had beaten down on it, leaving some graves unreadable.The oldest we found was 1626, as I recall, which is still older than the European knowledge of my home continent. The Abbey itself was founded some time in the 1400's; mad! It was beautiful, in a kind of cult of ruins kind of way, covered in ivy and moss, framed by a grey sky and aging, weathered stone walls. Some of the graves were recent too. Obviously, this spot had been significant to people for many, many generations. It felt sacred and intimate in it's continuity.
We drove around for a bit after that, partly because the weather was such a rainy mess. We went up a road called the Ring of Kerry that was outstandingly beautiful. Small, winding roads framed with over hanging trees, climbing higher and higher up large stony hills and overlooking miles and miles of wild country side, lakes and stone.
That evening we headed through Limerick to Lahnich and spent the night in the little beach town, eating another wonderful supper. In the morning we headed to the beach for some surfing. I kid you not, I went surfing in Ireland. Though it was my first time on a board and even in the Ocean for maybe five years, I was still confident. I would have to do it a few more times (ie. lots and lots) to confidently call myself decent at the sport, but still loved every second. I love being in the water, surrounded by waves and salt. It feels so natural.
After a full day in the water and standing up on the board a few times (yay Libby!!), we got in the car and came back to Dublin. I rested and cleaned up a bit then watched some Michael Collins with Jimmy. I think I should have watched this movie before I even came to Ireland. It featured so many places I had been and offered significance and insight into Irish history and mentality. Like Croke Park and the stands I sat in, the Cusack stands, were the sight of a massacre by the British soldiers less than a century before I visited. Thats only two or three generations. This is still an emotional memory for the Irish, something that I can only witness, never fully grasp. I have so much more respect for Ireland and the Irish people after seeing that film.
I worked the week as usual, trying to finish things up for Sarah and for my internship. I saw Jimmy again on Monday, when we finished the movie, then on Wednesday we went for a cycle in Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed park in Europe. We even saw some of the deer in the park! It was absolutely lovely!!
Friday was a big day for me, at work and with friends. The night before, on Thursday, I went to a table quiz to raise money for CMRF (look, name drop!!). Johann, Nicola M and Sue were all on a team with Jimmy and I, though I don't think it's a stretch to say I didn't contribute much. We did well, placing third after dropping from a steady hold on first the entire game. Jimmy and I went out afterwards to Flannery's, making a rather late night.
In the morning I came in a bit later than usual and Sarah and Hannah picked my little tech brain! I think I passed on a lot of knowledge that I had amassed while interning at the Children's Medical and Research Foundation (again, shameless name drop!!). I was exhausted by the end, but that's when the tears and sadness began. I think I had been putting off being sad until the last day, saying that only then was the appropriate time for tears. And tears surely came.
Sarah and Hannah both brought me to tears with their kindness. Then they told me we needed to go upstairs for something, I didn't pay much attention. And when I opened the door, there was everyone, a full spread of food and tea laid out and a CMRF banner on the wall. This part is kind of a blur, words were spoken, I too spoke and was overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. Then they played a little slideshow they created from my Facebook photos of Ireland. I cried some more and tried to express how much the past two months have changed my life, so much in part to Sarah and the Foundation.
I made a little video, which I'm going to place at the end of this post, to try to capture the moment a bit. After work I headed home to get ready to go out with Jimmy for the last time. We went to an Indonesian restaurant where we had a lovely and exotic meal.. it was fantastic! Then we went to the IFI, one of my favorite spots in Dublin, to see Five Easy Pieces. The Irish Film Institute was having a little monthly thing on Jack Nicholson and we decided to catch this surreal little classic. Maybe not the best film to see the night before I left, but still a great film.
The next morning I finished packing and headed, very sadly, to the airport. Jimmy dropped me off as I cried and found my way to the gate. A blubbering mess of a girl got on a plane headed for Arizona, only a semblance of the one who, two months previous, had stepped foot on Irish soil.
I think insights will have to come later. Even going over the past week is making me sad that I don't get to be there tomorrow for work or to go ride bikes with Jimmy. I think I do better with the adjustment and culture shock when I'm not thinking so much about it, but I just felt like I wanted to finish this blog and not leave it hanging in the interwebs. More tomorrow.
The weekend spent in Kilarney and Lahinch was spectacular. On Friday Jimmy picked me up a bit early from work and we headed off to Kilarney.
View Kilarney + Lahnich in a larger map
After one night in Kilarney, eating at a great restaurant (whose name escapes me) where I had a grilled peaches salad (divine!), we attempted to go to the Skellig islands. Sadly, the islands were closed to visitors that day because the water and weather were too dangerous. This is sad because they seem so amazing! But we rolled with it, and toured some local sites instead, like Dunloe Castle and Muckross House. We also visited Muckross Abbey, which was my favorite. It was kind of hidden by a walk through some rambling country trails, reminiscent of a Pride and Prejudice scene.
The Abbey itself was not as well restored as the other sites we went to. The weather had beaten down on it, leaving some graves unreadable.The oldest we found was 1626, as I recall, which is still older than the European knowledge of my home continent. The Abbey itself was founded some time in the 1400's; mad! It was beautiful, in a kind of cult of ruins kind of way, covered in ivy and moss, framed by a grey sky and aging, weathered stone walls. Some of the graves were recent too. Obviously, this spot had been significant to people for many, many generations. It felt sacred and intimate in it's continuity.
We drove around for a bit after that, partly because the weather was such a rainy mess. We went up a road called the Ring of Kerry that was outstandingly beautiful. Small, winding roads framed with over hanging trees, climbing higher and higher up large stony hills and overlooking miles and miles of wild country side, lakes and stone.
That evening we headed through Limerick to Lahnich and spent the night in the little beach town, eating another wonderful supper. In the morning we headed to the beach for some surfing. I kid you not, I went surfing in Ireland. Though it was my first time on a board and even in the Ocean for maybe five years, I was still confident. I would have to do it a few more times (ie. lots and lots) to confidently call myself decent at the sport, but still loved every second. I love being in the water, surrounded by waves and salt. It feels so natural.
After a full day in the water and standing up on the board a few times (yay Libby!!), we got in the car and came back to Dublin. I rested and cleaned up a bit then watched some Michael Collins with Jimmy. I think I should have watched this movie before I even came to Ireland. It featured so many places I had been and offered significance and insight into Irish history and mentality. Like Croke Park and the stands I sat in, the Cusack stands, were the sight of a massacre by the British soldiers less than a century before I visited. Thats only two or three generations. This is still an emotional memory for the Irish, something that I can only witness, never fully grasp. I have so much more respect for Ireland and the Irish people after seeing that film.
I worked the week as usual, trying to finish things up for Sarah and for my internship. I saw Jimmy again on Monday, when we finished the movie, then on Wednesday we went for a cycle in Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed park in Europe. We even saw some of the deer in the park! It was absolutely lovely!!
Friday was a big day for me, at work and with friends. The night before, on Thursday, I went to a table quiz to raise money for CMRF (look, name drop!!). Johann, Nicola M and Sue were all on a team with Jimmy and I, though I don't think it's a stretch to say I didn't contribute much. We did well, placing third after dropping from a steady hold on first the entire game. Jimmy and I went out afterwards to Flannery's, making a rather late night.
In the morning I came in a bit later than usual and Sarah and Hannah picked my little tech brain! I think I passed on a lot of knowledge that I had amassed while interning at the Children's Medical and Research Foundation (again, shameless name drop!!). I was exhausted by the end, but that's when the tears and sadness began. I think I had been putting off being sad until the last day, saying that only then was the appropriate time for tears. And tears surely came.
Sarah and Hannah both brought me to tears with their kindness. Then they told me we needed to go upstairs for something, I didn't pay much attention. And when I opened the door, there was everyone, a full spread of food and tea laid out and a CMRF banner on the wall. This part is kind of a blur, words were spoken, I too spoke and was overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. Then they played a little slideshow they created from my Facebook photos of Ireland. I cried some more and tried to express how much the past two months have changed my life, so much in part to Sarah and the Foundation.
I made a little video, which I'm going to place at the end of this post, to try to capture the moment a bit. After work I headed home to get ready to go out with Jimmy for the last time. We went to an Indonesian restaurant where we had a lovely and exotic meal.. it was fantastic! Then we went to the IFI, one of my favorite spots in Dublin, to see Five Easy Pieces. The Irish Film Institute was having a little monthly thing on Jack Nicholson and we decided to catch this surreal little classic. Maybe not the best film to see the night before I left, but still a great film.
The next morning I finished packing and headed, very sadly, to the airport. Jimmy dropped me off as I cried and found my way to the gate. A blubbering mess of a girl got on a plane headed for Arizona, only a semblance of the one who, two months previous, had stepped foot on Irish soil.
I think insights will have to come later. Even going over the past week is making me sad that I don't get to be there tomorrow for work or to go ride bikes with Jimmy. I think I do better with the adjustment and culture shock when I'm not thinking so much about it, but I just felt like I wanted to finish this blog and not leave it hanging in the interwebs. More tomorrow.
04 August, 2010
Days 42-50
It's been a week since I've written. It's not that I'm dead and it's not really that I'm busy, though I am tired and working hard.
What I'm feeling is similar to what I felt when I was in Phoenix before I left: a combination of panic, grief, excitement, dread, fear, exhilaration and joy. It's overwhelming. I feel like I haven't been myself for the past week because of all this emotion.. kind of like how I used to feel leaving Mingus when I was in Junior High, but a longer period of time and much more extreme.
I guess I should begin by asking for understanding and forgiveness. This is me, of course, but me in an extreme. I'm "freaking out" on the inside and it's hard to keep it together on the outside.
Today the CEO of CMRF asked me what I'd learned in Ireland. Or what had I experienced that I didn't expect. I thought for a second and I told him something I've been churning but hadn't spoken yet.
What I learned in Ireland:
1) People in Ireland are a lot like the people in the United States. In fact, they're the same. "They," the Irish, are just people, just people who want to be seen as individuals. I learned to look past the generalizations about a population and listen to people. That's when you see what makes you miss a place, it's the real relationships and emotional connections you make with people.
So I didn't find the Irish to be friendly or rude or uneducated or drunk. I found some young people to be insightful and some older people to be crass. I found them as individuals. I hope they found me to the be the same.
2) That the things you have don't make you happy. Or, that happiness is a choice. Humans are flexible, adaptable to a variety of situations. The things we have don't make our lives happier, they make us comfortable, give us the imitation of control and predictability. I can be happy without endless wireless or a car or my clothes or my cat or my family. Happiness is a choice. I can be happy without things. I cannot be happy without a smile.
3) Opportunity is not passive. You have to get your hands dirty and work hard to find something worth seeking. And along the way, you find out all kinds of things you didn't know you could do. I am more capable than I ever imagined. The confidence that comes with that self discovery is a gift I worked hard for and will never leave me.
4) As Sarah said "turn your what if's into even ifs." This concept of "ready" is just another way to make an excuse. Instead of what if I fail, what if it doesn't work, what if we break up, instead it's even if I fail, even if it doesn't work, even if we break up.. I'm still here, I'm still me, I still love my family.
So America, I'm returning in about ten days. I've gained 5 lbs, at least, but what I carry home in my soul cannot be weighed. I feel different, the same, but different. Not happier, but more satisfied and content.
I won't be writing much, I don't think, because I've got things to do, things to finish and people to spend time with.
Quickly though:
Last Wednesday: Hung out with Jimmy, went to dinner at Thai place, watched Donnie Darko
Thursday: Worked, went out for last time with all the American girls to Flannery's, Carolyn was a crack up, wore green dress, met up with Jimmy, ate a kebab, got a mirror
Friday: Went to Dun Lagohaire with Jimmy, ate pizza, was tired, looked for Michael Collins
Saturday: Was sick. Went out with McKenna to Whelans/the Globe. Had a great time. Ate chicken nuggets. Danced the two-step on Grafton Street
Sunday: Was sick again. Boo. Watched 500 Days with girls in room. Went to sleep early.
Monday: Went to Kilarney Jail, learned a whole bunch about Irish history, walked on every bridge on the Liffey. Loved the jail, love Irish history. Hung out with Jimmy in Dun Lagohaire, walked a bit and drove around Dun Lagohaire, ate Thai food (this was a bank holiday)
Tuesday: worked, ran, made dinner for girls
Wednesday: worked, made dinner, kesley back from Paris
I'm still in a funky mood.. I think I'll head to bed. Night
What I'm feeling is similar to what I felt when I was in Phoenix before I left: a combination of panic, grief, excitement, dread, fear, exhilaration and joy. It's overwhelming. I feel like I haven't been myself for the past week because of all this emotion.. kind of like how I used to feel leaving Mingus when I was in Junior High, but a longer period of time and much more extreme.
I guess I should begin by asking for understanding and forgiveness. This is me, of course, but me in an extreme. I'm "freaking out" on the inside and it's hard to keep it together on the outside.
Today the CEO of CMRF asked me what I'd learned in Ireland. Or what had I experienced that I didn't expect. I thought for a second and I told him something I've been churning but hadn't spoken yet.
What I learned in Ireland:
1) People in Ireland are a lot like the people in the United States. In fact, they're the same. "They," the Irish, are just people, just people who want to be seen as individuals. I learned to look past the generalizations about a population and listen to people. That's when you see what makes you miss a place, it's the real relationships and emotional connections you make with people.
So I didn't find the Irish to be friendly or rude or uneducated or drunk. I found some young people to be insightful and some older people to be crass. I found them as individuals. I hope they found me to the be the same.
2) That the things you have don't make you happy. Or, that happiness is a choice. Humans are flexible, adaptable to a variety of situations. The things we have don't make our lives happier, they make us comfortable, give us the imitation of control and predictability. I can be happy without endless wireless or a car or my clothes or my cat or my family. Happiness is a choice. I can be happy without things. I cannot be happy without a smile.
3) Opportunity is not passive. You have to get your hands dirty and work hard to find something worth seeking. And along the way, you find out all kinds of things you didn't know you could do. I am more capable than I ever imagined. The confidence that comes with that self discovery is a gift I worked hard for and will never leave me.
4) As Sarah said "turn your what if's into even ifs." This concept of "ready" is just another way to make an excuse. Instead of what if I fail, what if it doesn't work, what if we break up, instead it's even if I fail, even if it doesn't work, even if we break up.. I'm still here, I'm still me, I still love my family.
So America, I'm returning in about ten days. I've gained 5 lbs, at least, but what I carry home in my soul cannot be weighed. I feel different, the same, but different. Not happier, but more satisfied and content.
I won't be writing much, I don't think, because I've got things to do, things to finish and people to spend time with.
Quickly though:
Last Wednesday: Hung out with Jimmy, went to dinner at Thai place, watched Donnie Darko
Thursday: Worked, went out for last time with all the American girls to Flannery's, Carolyn was a crack up, wore green dress, met up with Jimmy, ate a kebab, got a mirror
Friday: Went to Dun Lagohaire with Jimmy, ate pizza, was tired, looked for Michael Collins
Saturday: Was sick. Went out with McKenna to Whelans/the Globe. Had a great time. Ate chicken nuggets. Danced the two-step on Grafton Street
Sunday: Was sick again. Boo. Watched 500 Days with girls in room. Went to sleep early.
Monday: Went to Kilarney Jail, learned a whole bunch about Irish history, walked on every bridge on the Liffey. Loved the jail, love Irish history. Hung out with Jimmy in Dun Lagohaire, walked a bit and drove around Dun Lagohaire, ate Thai food (this was a bank holiday)
Tuesday: worked, ran, made dinner for girls
Wednesday: worked, made dinner, kesley back from Paris
I'm still in a funky mood.. I think I'll head to bed. Night
27 July, 2010
Day 42 & 43
First a map!!
View Larger Map
Okay double post for Monday and Tuesday!!
Tuesday was the designated day for me to give my BIG (not really) presentation to the Children's Medical & Research Foundation staff about the work I've been doing with social networking sites and how they can use them. Sooooo Monday was spent preparing like mad! I really just worked the whole day and got back around 8:30. I went and hung with Helene and Kelsey for a bit, then went to bed early.
The presentation was today! And it went really well. There were other people presenting, like Edel and Joe, and Sarah and I went at the end. Even some of the doctors from the research centre came over to speak! I was pretty nervous and intimidated, but I think it all went well.
After it was over I went home a bit early, but the bus got stuck in a traffic jam caused by a car and motorbike accident, so I had to walk pretty far. By the time I finally got home it was normal get home from work time and I was spent! I took a nap for what seemed like forever, but was actually only 15 minutes, then went for a run.
I ran for a super long time, I just had so much built up adrenaline from the day and stress from the past few weeks. It was still very light and the area I ran in was safe. The sidewalks were lined with big old trees and the houses were old brick.. just a beautiful scene in the fading day light. I went to the park for a little bit too, just to get myself beyond tired.
I returned, typed some blog, then Helene and Kelsey came over to my apartment for dinner. Helene cooked some pasta and noodles, which I will make in return for her on Thursday.
Now I'm just tired, but happy. I'm really proud of myself for getting up in front of people. It's something that you have to practice to get better at, though I hate it. I need to get into practice again for the school year and my new class :)
That's really all for today! Tomorrow I'm going to hang with Jimmy in Dun Laoghaire and go swimming in the sea! It's going to be cold! I'm so excited though!
View Larger Map
Okay double post for Monday and Tuesday!!
Tuesday was the designated day for me to give my BIG (not really) presentation to the Children's Medical & Research Foundation staff about the work I've been doing with social networking sites and how they can use them. Sooooo Monday was spent preparing like mad! I really just worked the whole day and got back around 8:30. I went and hung with Helene and Kelsey for a bit, then went to bed early.
The presentation was today! And it went really well. There were other people presenting, like Edel and Joe, and Sarah and I went at the end. Even some of the doctors from the research centre came over to speak! I was pretty nervous and intimidated, but I think it all went well.
After it was over I went home a bit early, but the bus got stuck in a traffic jam caused by a car and motorbike accident, so I had to walk pretty far. By the time I finally got home it was normal get home from work time and I was spent! I took a nap for what seemed like forever, but was actually only 15 minutes, then went for a run.
I ran for a super long time, I just had so much built up adrenaline from the day and stress from the past few weeks. It was still very light and the area I ran in was safe. The sidewalks were lined with big old trees and the houses were old brick.. just a beautiful scene in the fading day light. I went to the park for a little bit too, just to get myself beyond tired.
I returned, typed some blog, then Helene and Kelsey came over to my apartment for dinner. Helene cooked some pasta and noodles, which I will make in return for her on Thursday.
Now I'm just tired, but happy. I'm really proud of myself for getting up in front of people. It's something that you have to practice to get better at, though I hate it. I need to get into practice again for the school year and my new class :)
That's really all for today! Tomorrow I'm going to hang with Jimmy in Dun Laoghaire and go swimming in the sea! It's going to be cold! I'm so excited though!
Day 40 and 41
Saturday, day 40 (seriously), was grand! Kelsey and I took a series of awesome buses to Dun Laoghaire for the Festival of World Cultures!!! The buses took forever, as usual, because they stop every 5 seconds, but we got to see a part of the city we rarely spend time in. The South of the Liffey (the major river that divides Dublin in two parts) is very different than the North, though now less so than it used to.
The South is very clean and neat, with immaculate houses and shops, unlike the often derelict North, where I live. Though my neighborhood isn't bad, it is much more industrial than the ones we drove through in the South.
There were tons of people in Dun Laoghaire and the festival stretched out across the long pier area from parks to shopping centers and on the pier itself. The city is beautiful but the natural scenery is outstanding. The beach, as shown in the picture, is quite rocky and the water is clean and shallow. There are little fishing ships lined up next to the pier, their colors contrasting with the water, making every glance seem like a perfect post card. I can hardly believe my eyes.
When we arrived Kels and I were both super hungry but also wanted to find the best bang for our buck. We did a smell tour first, nasally sampling all the available foods. Then we decided to eat hot dogs (vegetarian shame!!) and fries (chips). Yum. Yum yum yum. We walked around more, looking at the international markets and wandering into the little kids are (and quickly speed walking out). We then found Kels and ATM and made a plan.
We walked south along the pier, with a few detours, to the main stage. The sun was finally coming out and the big fluffy Irish clouds framed the stage beautifully. I don't think I ever really saw the entire stage, we were so far back, but it was no matter. The sound was wonderful. The man playing was an international world music superstar named Khaled. Kelsey and I lounged among the beautiful people in the grass, listening and soaking up the sunshine. Kesley asked "if you were just transported here and didn't know it was Ireland, where would you think you were?" and truly, that captured the diversity of the crowd. I think sitting there, not necessarily talking, but just taking part with our presence was one of my favorite times I've had in Ireland.
After the music we got a brew and hung out for a bit. It was getting a bit cold and late for the buses, so we headed back up to City Centre to meet Helene after we ate a yummy burger! I haven't had one of those in years and years, and honestly, it just didn't do it for me. I think I might be a pescatarian, but continue to skip on chick and red meat. Back to the main story: Jimmy was going to meet up with us, but he had to work and wasn't feeling well. It was all fine though, because Kelsey and I wanted to go hang with Helene and her cousins anyway :)
Helene, Kelsey and I went to our "usual" spots: the Bleeding Horse (a small pub with good music and good prices), the Odeon (a dance club) and this awesome Kebab shop that I can never name. But it is so good and we always meet funny Irish people there. I think we finally got home at 4:30 or so.
Sunday, day 41 was spent in recovery. I originally typed most of this on Sunday, but am finally getting around to edit it today (Tuesday). I ended up going back to Dun Laoghaire in the evening to hang out with Jimmy at his parent's house. We ordered pizza and made profitta rolls (they're like mini eclairs) after going to the grocery store and my first Dunnes (the coolest store in Ireland, kinda like Target, Ikea and Walmart all in one).
We watched some TV, including some hurling stuff, then watched this special channel on RTE (public TV company) that only broadcasts in Irish (Gaelic). It was really interesting because, first, I've never really watched TV here since they cost money and I don't really care to rent one. Second, the TV show was about American history, in particular, Tammany Hall and John Croker. So it was American History from an Irish perspective. Weird, right! I like listening to Irish being spoken and the show was awesome! Kind of surreal but really neat.
Jimmy drove me back after we listened to some music that's popular here, like The XX and Lisa Hannigan. I got to see the new stadium and part of Dublins docks, though it was at night.
The end for Saturday and Sunday!
24 July, 2010
Days 37-40 1/2
I have been very remiss in my entries lately. After spending the entire day at work on the computer playing with blogs, it's not a huge priority when I get home.
So Tuesday through Friday.5 (meaning part of Saturday).
I'm going to be doing a presentation with Sarah on Tuesday for our entire organization. (Holy holy holy cow). I'm freaking out more and more as the time gets closer. That's why I'm spending part of today getting things ready though it is a weekend. I want to finish the slideshow and the document I wrote to be more ready that I was.
I've had some problems with the internet at work, but bringing my laptop and working from the slower desktop and the laptop at the same time is helping. So now I have all the documents here, for better or for worse. I may be developing a problem with work... ie I'm a chronic overachiever and find happiness/purpose/identity in working. Hmm.
So yeah I've started running more which feels good, but I'm eating far too many carbs. I feel like I drink tea and eat toast for 90% of my meals. Especially after last week's eating of an invertebrate, I've become very wary of fresh food and only ate something unprocessed on Thursday, when I had an AMAZING salad with chickpeas, hazelnuts, feta and spinach at Cafe Bar Deli (new fav restaurant). Every time I think of eating fresh food I imagine that freaking worm and I get the heaves.
I need to say one more time how much I LOVE love love Nutella. Yes, they have it in the States, but I've never had it or loved it until now. Toast will never be the same.
I can't believe I've written this much about food.
Moving on to non-dietary subjects, I saw Inception with Jimmy on Wednesday and it was fantastic! I have to see it again because everyone has a theory. I almost think watching it with a notebook to catalog the details would help. Or maybe I could just chalk it up to being entertainment and let it be. It is just a movie, a great one, but only entertainment.
Lets see, Thursday I went to dinner at Cafe Bar Deli with Kels and Helene, then came back here and chilled with the gals who went to London this weekend, chatting it up in our living room. Then last night Jimmy came over and I made him dinner while we talked. It's so fun to talk to someone who is Irish without the worry of being judged and just ask questions about what you see and what it means. For instance, there are signs for "ramps" everywhere, and I've been very confused. I see no ramps. But ramps are speed bumps and yes, those are everywhere.
Or bigger stuff, like the class system. In the United States the class system seems to be more defined on terms of race and ethnicity, so it's easy to distinguish where a person fits. But here, with so many light skinned people, you can't tell based on color. It seems more common for people to talk in slurs about people's class and there are so many categories for these people to fit into, words rarely overlapping but truly capturing where that person is.
In the United States these categories also exist, but to point out what a person "is" or where they "fit" is taboo. Here, it's out in the open. It makes me very uncomfortable when Irish people make these descriptions about people during conversation. But I wonder, if we all notice them and categorize people anyway, what does it matter if its internal or external. Don't we treat people differently because of that anyway? I don't know if there is a right or wrong way, but it's certainly something I've picked up upon and discussed with Jimmy.
I feel like I'm forgetting so much, but I think that's okay. At least I wrote :)
Today I'm going to the Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leary.. don't even try to sound that beast out) after some yoga and perhaps running. It's pretty rainy though, as usual.
I know I can't stay here, but I'm coming back. Dublin, you are amazing.
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