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.
21 July, 2010
18 July, 2010
Day 34 & 35
vlog again! blog + video = VLOG
didn't realize how loud the background music was.. apologies.
you should consider watching this on mute. my hand talking is out of control.
i will upload tomorrow AM
16 July, 2010
15 July, 2010
day 31
uuggg so I made a WONDERFUL video blog for today, but the sound isn't working so. I'm going to post it anyway. It's pretty funny without the sounds.
I went to work, then came home and went to Howth with Jimmy. I'm definitely going back. There's beautiful cliffs and birds. Jimmy said that I could see whales from there too, on a clear day. So I'm thinking, shoot man this Ireland thing is pretty cool. So I asked him what kind of whales. He meant Wales. Humble moment!
We walked down the pier a little ways and I tried to go touch the Irish sea, which then attacked me with big waves for my ocean inexperience. Silly desert girl. Then we went to a chipper and I had some fried cod and chips, complete with tartar sauce, vinegar and salt. I've become a pescatarian.. fish is so good.
I just had some late night tea and now it's bed time :)
13 July, 2010
Day 30
I've been here a month! It seems like so much longer, but I have the same amount of time left as I've been here. Half way through and I can't believe it.
Today I went to work. Did work. Had break. Had lunch. Ate ice cream. Did more work. Came home. Went running then ate dinner. And some how its 9:20 and I feel like I did so little and have nothing to write about.
It was very rainy today, but a different kind of rain than I'm used to. First of all, it lasts forever. Second, its soft and pretty. Soft Irish rain is kind of cold, but very soothing. Perfect for some Simon and Garfunkel relaxation time. So here I sit, watching the rain, writing, drinking tea and cleaning my room.
I've been thinking about some of the reasons I like it here so much. One of the big ones is the life expected of young people. It seems like people date longer before getting married and they are discouraged from getting married more than once. Post college many people go abroad for a long period of time before returning and working in Ireland.
I think this creates a different feeling to dating and expectations for young people.. something that I relate to. I don't feel ready to be settled and often I feel cultural pressure to do that back in the US. I've felt that for a long time, that I'm no where done living and exploring and adventuring. Maybe it's Europe. Maybe it's Arizona. Whatever it is, I like not having the pressure on me.
Today I went to work. Did work. Had break. Had lunch. Ate ice cream. Did more work. Came home. Went running then ate dinner. And some how its 9:20 and I feel like I did so little and have nothing to write about.
It was very rainy today, but a different kind of rain than I'm used to. First of all, it lasts forever. Second, its soft and pretty. Soft Irish rain is kind of cold, but very soothing. Perfect for some Simon and Garfunkel relaxation time. So here I sit, watching the rain, writing, drinking tea and cleaning my room.
I've been thinking about some of the reasons I like it here so much. One of the big ones is the life expected of young people. It seems like people date longer before getting married and they are discouraged from getting married more than once. Post college many people go abroad for a long period of time before returning and working in Ireland.
I think this creates a different feeling to dating and expectations for young people.. something that I relate to. I don't feel ready to be settled and often I feel cultural pressure to do that back in the US. I've felt that for a long time, that I'm no where done living and exploring and adventuring. Maybe it's Europe. Maybe it's Arizona. Whatever it is, I like not having the pressure on me.
12 July, 2010
Day 29
First thing that happens today, my phone dies. Sweet.
After work I met up with Kelsey because I saw her walking down the street as I rode my 77 bus, jumped off and caught up with her. Then I went to Hoggis Figgins (I totally spelled that wrong) and looked for this book by Ray Bradbury called The October Game, but to no avail. I think I'm going to head over to the American book store tomorrow to give it a search.
After a failing but lovely time in the beautiful book store, my personal international happy place, I met up with Jimmy at Starbucks. After a cup of coffee we headed over to the Irish Film Institute and caught the new Woody Allen flick, Whatever Works. I've seen almost all of his movies and this one was in the same vein as the other New York pictures, but was surreal characterization of a Woody Allen movie.
The theater the movie played in was beautiful, old and huge, with sunken red velvet seats. Just the experience of seeing a Woody Allen in that theater in Dublin was very memorable. I want to go back to the theater to see the Kristin Scott Thomas French film Partir sometime soon. Basically, I love the cinema.
Jimmy and I had tea then departed. That's all for today!
After work I met up with Kelsey because I saw her walking down the street as I rode my 77 bus, jumped off and caught up with her. Then I went to Hoggis Figgins (I totally spelled that wrong) and looked for this book by Ray Bradbury called The October Game, but to no avail. I think I'm going to head over to the American book store tomorrow to give it a search.
After a failing but lovely time in the beautiful book store, my personal international happy place, I met up with Jimmy at Starbucks. After a cup of coffee we headed over to the Irish Film Institute and caught the new Woody Allen flick, Whatever Works. I've seen almost all of his movies and this one was in the same vein as the other New York pictures, but was surreal characterization of a Woody Allen movie.
The theater the movie played in was beautiful, old and huge, with sunken red velvet seats. Just the experience of seeing a Woody Allen in that theater in Dublin was very memorable. I want to go back to the theater to see the Kristin Scott Thomas French film Partir sometime soon. Basically, I love the cinema.
Jimmy and I had tea then departed. That's all for today!
11 July, 2010
Day 25-28
Thursday:
Work, brews after work with girls at the Ivy House, Libby tired, went to bed early
Friday:
Work!
The girls minus Michelle (she had the day off) went to Mickey D's at a local shopping center for lunch. Great discovery: McDonalds here serves veggie wraps with falafel and they are SO GOOD and super cheap. So had a yummy lunch and went back to work. The conversations we have are always so interesting to me, hearing how they talk about things using colloquialisms I'm unfamiliar with or about the cultural expectations for dating or clothing or other girl stuff. They're such nice girls and a wonderful part of my experience here.
I took my laptop in on Thursday and left it there Friday so that I could work from both computers cause I'm a super nerd. But I've been getting a lot of neat stuff done and I think things are really coming off quite nicely.
After work I took my computer to Starbucks and handed it off to Kels and Helene, then I met up with Jimmy to go see a comedy show. We went to a Tex Mex restaurant for dinner and I had a margarita and a yummy enchilada. Definitely not the Mexican food I'm used to! The stuff wasn't very spicy and the ingredients are far from authentic Mexican. Dinner was very good though!
We went to The Academy afterwards to watch Michael McIntyre, an English comedian, do a trial bit. It was so interesting to see comedy from a different side though. Instead of jokes about the dumb stuff Americans do pitched to an audience of Americans, it was, of course, the dumb stuff Irish people and English people do. Stuff like the Irish phrase "What's the story" to "Gaelic" and gaelic sports... stuff that sticks out to me as a foreigner was brought to their attention through comedy and of course, was hilarious.
Then he started making fun of Americans and how we don't really speak English, but our own dumbed down version of it. Instead of pavement, we say sidewalk. Or rubbish bin its waste paper basket. Or, my personal favorite, aubergine being eggplant. I laughed so hard, but at the same time, felt somewhat out of place. I like being a fly on the wall and a pretend Dubliner, but I'm American to the core and will always feel a sense of national pride for my linguistically challenged country.
After the show Jimmy and I got drinks, then I went home to get ready for Galway!
Saturday:
Woke up SUPER early and packed for Galway. We took an early bus to catch the bus to Galway with no stops on the way. I slept almost the entire time, thankfully, and arrived in Galway ready to roll.
Helene, Kate, Kelsey and I didn't arrive with much of a plan, just a general outline of activities. This can add to the stress of a situation, but I think we all rolled with the flow pretty well. After checking into our hostel by the pier in Galway, we got a bus ticket to the Cliffs of Mohr. This bus took about 2 hours, going south around Galway bay and stopping in tiny cities along the way.
As I watched the rain pour down from the bus and listened to some David Gray, I remembered taking a bus through Connemara last year. The Irish landscape is striking. Last year it captured my heart with its green electricity and rhythmic vivaciousness. It's almost so green that it glows, even in the rain. The stone walls enclosing sheep and cows, wild grass and bog, grey stones covering rolling hills, still hidden by mist. It's like looking backwards, the continuity and timelessness brought tears to my eyes again. This scene is why I returned to Ireland: the wild beauty of its land.
The Cliffs, while sublimely beautiful were a hilarious adventure. It was absolutely pouring rain, sheets of sideways wind soaked us all to the bone. We got a few shots of the Cliffs, and I think this one really shows what the day was like. I could barely even open my eyes for the picture without losing a contact.
The visitors center was obviously packed with tourists, overpriced souvenirs and now, four soaking, cold and cranky American girls. I bought some shamrock boxers to change out of my jeans and we got a few other trinkets and food, then headed back to Galway, our attempt to see one of the most beautiful sights in Ireland defeated by the weather.
Upon returning to Galway we dried off, got some food and headed on to High Street for some craic (I'm trying to learn how to talk like I'm Irish.. hopefully I phrased that one right). I took a beautiful walk for my alone time along the Spanish Quarter and down the River Corrib. The sky was a moody gray and framed the river wonderfully. I saw forty swans taking shelter on the river, and a series of fly fisherman further up the river. The most beautiful thing though was the Cathedral topped with oxidized copper, a striking turquoise contrasting with the rainy sky and dark stone walls. My camera died, so no picture!
I went back to meet up with the girls and we had a great time drinking and talking along the High Street. I find the people of the West coast to be almost impossible to understand, both from their thick accent and tendency to speak at warp speed. We all had good craic (Irish for fun, I think) and went to bed quite late.
Sunday:
Today we woke up and got ourselves ready to head home. We had four hours to kill, so we went to the Claddagh area of Galway, which is a large park spanning from Wolf Tone bridge and the Latin Quarter over to the Bay. We walked quite a ways, then found some stairs leading into the sand and water of the bay. There were barnacles, shells, rocks, sea glass, dead jellys and all colors of kelp along the beach and we had a great time looking amongst the treasures. I haven't been to the sea in quite some time, maybe not since Ireland last year. I forgot how much I love the water and the beach, there's something so powerful yet calm about it all. It was probably my favorite thing we did in Galway.
After McDonalds and some more veggie wraps, we got back on the bus to Dublin. This bus took much longer because it wasn't a direct bus but we got to see lots of little Irish towns along the way home.
Finally, I'm home and recuperating before tomorrow and some more time at CMRF. Amazing weekend for sure
Work, brews after work with girls at the Ivy House, Libby tired, went to bed early
Friday:
Work!
The girls minus Michelle (she had the day off) went to Mickey D's at a local shopping center for lunch. Great discovery: McDonalds here serves veggie wraps with falafel and they are SO GOOD and super cheap. So had a yummy lunch and went back to work. The conversations we have are always so interesting to me, hearing how they talk about things using colloquialisms I'm unfamiliar with or about the cultural expectations for dating or clothing or other girl stuff. They're such nice girls and a wonderful part of my experience here.
I took my laptop in on Thursday and left it there Friday so that I could work from both computers cause I'm a super nerd. But I've been getting a lot of neat stuff done and I think things are really coming off quite nicely.
After work I took my computer to Starbucks and handed it off to Kels and Helene, then I met up with Jimmy to go see a comedy show. We went to a Tex Mex restaurant for dinner and I had a margarita and a yummy enchilada. Definitely not the Mexican food I'm used to! The stuff wasn't very spicy and the ingredients are far from authentic Mexican. Dinner was very good though!
We went to The Academy afterwards to watch Michael McIntyre, an English comedian, do a trial bit. It was so interesting to see comedy from a different side though. Instead of jokes about the dumb stuff Americans do pitched to an audience of Americans, it was, of course, the dumb stuff Irish people and English people do. Stuff like the Irish phrase "What's the story" to "Gaelic" and gaelic sports... stuff that sticks out to me as a foreigner was brought to their attention through comedy and of course, was hilarious.
Then he started making fun of Americans and how we don't really speak English, but our own dumbed down version of it. Instead of pavement, we say sidewalk. Or rubbish bin its waste paper basket. Or, my personal favorite, aubergine being eggplant. I laughed so hard, but at the same time, felt somewhat out of place. I like being a fly on the wall and a pretend Dubliner, but I'm American to the core and will always feel a sense of national pride for my linguistically challenged country.
After the show Jimmy and I got drinks, then I went home to get ready for Galway!
Saturday:
Woke up SUPER early and packed for Galway. We took an early bus to catch the bus to Galway with no stops on the way. I slept almost the entire time, thankfully, and arrived in Galway ready to roll.
Helene, Kate, Kelsey and I didn't arrive with much of a plan, just a general outline of activities. This can add to the stress of a situation, but I think we all rolled with the flow pretty well. After checking into our hostel by the pier in Galway, we got a bus ticket to the Cliffs of Mohr. This bus took about 2 hours, going south around Galway bay and stopping in tiny cities along the way.
As I watched the rain pour down from the bus and listened to some David Gray, I remembered taking a bus through Connemara last year. The Irish landscape is striking. Last year it captured my heart with its green electricity and rhythmic vivaciousness. It's almost so green that it glows, even in the rain. The stone walls enclosing sheep and cows, wild grass and bog, grey stones covering rolling hills, still hidden by mist. It's like looking backwards, the continuity and timelessness brought tears to my eyes again. This scene is why I returned to Ireland: the wild beauty of its land.
The Cliffs, while sublimely beautiful were a hilarious adventure. It was absolutely pouring rain, sheets of sideways wind soaked us all to the bone. We got a few shots of the Cliffs, and I think this one really shows what the day was like. I could barely even open my eyes for the picture without losing a contact.The visitors center was obviously packed with tourists, overpriced souvenirs and now, four soaking, cold and cranky American girls. I bought some shamrock boxers to change out of my jeans and we got a few other trinkets and food, then headed back to Galway, our attempt to see one of the most beautiful sights in Ireland defeated by the weather.
Upon returning to Galway we dried off, got some food and headed on to High Street for some craic (I'm trying to learn how to talk like I'm Irish.. hopefully I phrased that one right). I took a beautiful walk for my alone time along the Spanish Quarter and down the River Corrib. The sky was a moody gray and framed the river wonderfully. I saw forty swans taking shelter on the river, and a series of fly fisherman further up the river. The most beautiful thing though was the Cathedral topped with oxidized copper, a striking turquoise contrasting with the rainy sky and dark stone walls. My camera died, so no picture!
I went back to meet up with the girls and we had a great time drinking and talking along the High Street. I find the people of the West coast to be almost impossible to understand, both from their thick accent and tendency to speak at warp speed. We all had good craic (Irish for fun, I think) and went to bed quite late.
Sunday:
Today we woke up and got ourselves ready to head home. We had four hours to kill, so we went to the Claddagh area of Galway, which is a large park spanning from Wolf Tone bridge and the Latin Quarter over to the Bay. We walked quite a ways, then found some stairs leading into the sand and water of the bay. There were barnacles, shells, rocks, sea glass, dead jellys and all colors of kelp along the beach and we had a great time looking amongst the treasures. I haven't been to the sea in quite some time, maybe not since Ireland last year. I forgot how much I love the water and the beach, there's something so powerful yet calm about it all. It was probably my favorite thing we did in Galway.
After McDonalds and some more veggie wraps, we got back on the bus to Dublin. This bus took much longer because it wasn't a direct bus but we got to see lots of little Irish towns along the way home.
Finally, I'm home and recuperating before tomorrow and some more time at CMRF. Amazing weekend for sure
07 July, 2010
Day 23 and 24
This is a pretty good explanation of the past few days, taken from an email I wrote to my mom today:
"Like I said, I'm super duper busy at work. By the time I get home in the evening, after over two total hours of commuting, missing my tea breaks and only taking a half hour for lunch, I'm spent. I literally sit in the office staring at a computer in the same position the entire day and staring into a computer screen when I get back is the last thing on my mind.
Work is going well. I really like who I'm working for and the people in my office. Slagging, or teasing, is a bit strong here, and the line is hard for me to find. They exaggerate a lot too, so it's hard for me to find the truth, and the proper line between things that are ok and not ok to slag about.
That being said, the actual work work part of my job is going well.
Today I set some people up on Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, then integrated all three of these sites for them, changed colors and layouts, pictures and user names, then wrote a user guide for all three systems, tested each phase to make sure it was perfect, then got the okay from my supervisor and published them. It doesn't sound like it would take so incredibly long, but I have a tendency to be very thorough and it literally takes the entire day.
I've also been flagged as a spammer by Facebook. We've messaged tons and tons of people and finally FB has caught on. Now I can message about five before I get messages about verification of my humanity and blah blah. Its pretty fun though."
In other news I'm going to Galway this weekend and to the cliffs of Moher. Supposedly they're incredibly beautiful! I'm so looking forward to not being in the city. I miss the wild deserts of Arizona, haha, but really, the land that isn't claimed and fenced. Hopefully I'll get to do a bit of hiking on Saturday. I want to get down to the wildlife preserve in Wicklow sometime in the next few weeks, or go surfing over in Kerry. Yeah, I said surfing.
Last thing I want to add is this thing that happens to me daily. It's called my humble moment. Everyday, without fail, I do something absolutely stupid. Like last week I zoned out at the bus stop and fancied myself some one who people would mistake for a real Irish person. Then I got on a bus going the wrong direction, had to get off and wait for the next one. Ohhh humble moment. I did another one today, sitting on the top of the bus, big smile on my face, sunglasses on, some Jimmy Eat World on my ipod, when I realized that the bus had been sitting in one place for a LONG time. The bus driver was yelling at me to get off. I was in Dolphins Barn, pretty far off the original bus route. Once again, wrong bus. Humble moment.
I literally have to factor these silly moments into my daily life because inevitably, they will happen. And I laugh a little bit, then just move on to the next one. I'll be sure to keep telling you all my humble moments and you can relive the humility and hilarity with me.
05 July, 2010
Day 22
Well I've been here for four Mondays now and I've still managed to escape doing laundry. I did wash stuff in the sink last week, but yeah, I need to do laundry something awful.
I'm actually not feeling so hot today, so this will be really short. I ate some curry mess thing for lunch and I think my stomach is trying to kill me. I think some water and reading should do the trick.
Today was good. I'm very very busy at work and I love it! Can I stay longer?
I'm actually not feeling so hot today, so this will be really short. I ate some curry mess thing for lunch and I think my stomach is trying to kill me. I think some water and reading should do the trick.
Today was good. I'm very very busy at work and I love it! Can I stay longer?
04 July, 2010
Day 18-21
Well I've obviously been busy considering I haven't posted for a few days.
Work on Thursday and Friday was good. Things keep getting better. I've been able to track the impact of the social networking experiments I do using some empirical data that Facebook provides and I've really increased their numbers since I started. That always feels good!
Still playing with stuff at work to make it operate more simply, but I think I'm getting there. Sarah gave me a memo to write for Tuesday with recommendations for my coworkers and is now proposing that I make a presentation to the higher uppers of what I've been doing. It's fantastic!
Went out after work on Thursday and Friday but Friday was much more intense.. in a good way. We got all prettied up and went to some bars on Grafton and Leeson street. Then we played some American games in the courtyard of the apartment complex yesterday and celebrated America! Gooo USA
Today I'm cleaning, because my room is super gross and I need to clean up the living room. Then we're all going to Croke for the hurling championships! It's a beautiful day and I'm looking very forward to this.
In the words of the Irish... bye byebeyebeye bye bye (they say bye over and over.. it's a crack up)
Work on Thursday and Friday was good. Things keep getting better. I've been able to track the impact of the social networking experiments I do using some empirical data that Facebook provides and I've really increased their numbers since I started. That always feels good!
Still playing with stuff at work to make it operate more simply, but I think I'm getting there. Sarah gave me a memo to write for Tuesday with recommendations for my coworkers and is now proposing that I make a presentation to the higher uppers of what I've been doing. It's fantastic!
Went out after work on Thursday and Friday but Friday was much more intense.. in a good way. We got all prettied up and went to some bars on Grafton and Leeson street. Then we played some American games in the courtyard of the apartment complex yesterday and celebrated America! Gooo USA
Today I'm cleaning, because my room is super gross and I need to clean up the living room. Then we're all going to Croke for the hurling championships! It's a beautiful day and I'm looking very forward to this.
In the words of the Irish... bye byebeyebeye bye bye (they say bye over and over.. it's a crack up)
30 June, 2010
Day 17
I was thinking today about how much a positive attitude changes things. The sky is grey today, will be grey tomorrow probably. Surely, it's not the most uplifting weather I've seen. And I was listening to S&G, feeling kind of angsty and depressed. Then I realized, WHY am I wasting any time being sad! I am in Dublin! I am having the time of my life! And then I quietly rocked out to some Jason Derulo and felt better.
That being said, work is fantastic. Food is good. I'm going for a run.. update more later :)
That being said, work is fantastic. Food is good. I'm going for a run.. update more later :)
29 June, 2010
Day 16
I hate to say it, but yes, another day at work. Today was very good though! Sarah is working on the website from home, so I worked at my desk without major interruption almost the entire day. Right now I'm starting on the Facebook plan, which includes writing contact templates to begin conversations with different members of our Facebook groups thanking them and encouraging them to get involved. With over 60,000 fans, I have my work cut out for me.
I also began branding and formating Tumblr and Twitter for visual continuity with the rest of the CMRF look. I really love web design and the work I was doing with Shadow Rock's website and newsletter has really come in handy as I have a basis for knowledge. Tomorrow should be more of the same, just getting stuff set for the integration and education portion coming in a few weeks.
So the girls at work are great. Hannah, Pam, Michelle and Rachel really go out of their way to include me the best that they can. The Irish slagging can be hard for me to pick up on, it's kind of dark and harsh, but these girls are sensitive to my confusion and keep things simple and nice. Sadly, Pam just found out about a family tragedy and the whole bunch of girls is pretty upset. Her mother has surgery tomorrow and their family will be in everyones thoughts as the day progresses. I'm so very sorry for her and her family.
So I think I decided not to go on my 5 mile Dublin run and go to Oxegen instead! It's a huge and I mean MASSIVE international music festival going on the same weekend. I can't afford to go for more than one day, but I think it's going to be amazing! Lots of music, lots of people, lots of FUN! Now, I just need to save a bit this weekend so I can go.
I want a foot amputation please. No more of these pesky toes. It's making enjoying Dublin kind of difficult cause I limp around the city. Thankfully Compeeds are the best blister plasters (bandaids) of all time, so my blisters are finally healing and becoming callouses so I can wear shoes again soon!
Not a whole lot else going on. I'm really enjoying the time I've spent getting to know some of the Americans here, and I wasn't expecting that. Sometimes I feel really fed up with the US, the politics, the attitudes, the bad health, the disregard for the environment, the food.. but because we're all experiencing something so new and scary, our little group has gotten pretty close. I've had the chance to get to know each one on a different level and see how individual we all are yet so the same. Running with Carolyn, talking about music with Mckenna, talking with Kelsey, Helene and Kate, late night chats with Kaytlyn, laughing with Andrea.. I'm really fortunate to be surrounded with a great support group here. They're incredible.
I think yesterday was a big sad day, but I'm feeling good again. Going to bed early after I do some sleepy girl yoga. Good night!
28 June, 2010
Day 15
Another day at work!
I got on the wrong bus (note to self: learn numbers) so I was a bit late. Still doing the same stuff; tracking, analysing and practicing setting up sites. I even did a little bit of coding today. That computer science class totally came in handy.
On the way home I was feeling a little sad, just kind of alone in this big world and that feeling has stuck with me until now. I just ate some pizza and watched some Wedding Crashers, so I should get back to normal soon. I think I get a little addicted to the feeling of comfort and control, always being certain that things will work the way I'm used to. Washing machines that properly clean your clothes, shoes that fit right, beds that don't give you allergies. Most of the world doesn't have it as good as we do, as I do. Some level of discomfort is fine and normal.
Tomorrow I'm starting to train for a run in Dublin so I should be spent by the time I write.
I need to remember to write more about the people at work and the people I'm hanging out with here too. They're all really excellent and I want to remember them.
I got on the wrong bus (note to self: learn numbers) so I was a bit late. Still doing the same stuff; tracking, analysing and practicing setting up sites. I even did a little bit of coding today. That computer science class totally came in handy.
On the way home I was feeling a little sad, just kind of alone in this big world and that feeling has stuck with me until now. I just ate some pizza and watched some Wedding Crashers, so I should get back to normal soon. I think I get a little addicted to the feeling of comfort and control, always being certain that things will work the way I'm used to. Washing machines that properly clean your clothes, shoes that fit right, beds that don't give you allergies. Most of the world doesn't have it as good as we do, as I do. Some level of discomfort is fine and normal.
Tomorrow I'm starting to train for a run in Dublin so I should be spent by the time I write.
I need to remember to write more about the people at work and the people I'm hanging out with here too. They're all really excellent and I want to remember them.
27 June, 2010
Day 14
First, thanks for all the nice comments :) It's nice to read your reactions to my adventures!
There's some stuff about yesterday that I didn't get a chance to write about, mostly because it hadn't happened yet!
After I wrote, some of these lovely ladies to your left (the picture is, left to right: Kate, Kelsey and Helen) and yours truly headed to get some food at Gourmet Burger Kitchen down near Grafton. I went there a few days ago and loved it, so I shared my happy discovery. I think the place is aussie and their menu is very fresh. I got another super good veggie burger.. happiness was found. We met up with some other girls who had gone on a little tour of the Guinness factory earlier in the day at the restaurant, then we split again, Kate, Kelsey, Helen and I heading to go check out some pretty parks we see on the buses.
We walked down Dame Street and along the way were confronted with the end of the Pride Parade. One person was even dressed like my favorite Lady, Miss Gaga. It was a total riot to see such a vivacious population of people enjoying themselves!
We took a bunch of pictures of each other standing next to the colorful doors of Dublin on our way to Christchurch Cathedral.
Once there, we headed to another church, St. Patricks. We decided we didn't really need to go inside because the weather was so incredibly beautiful. After lounging on the greens for a bit, we headed to some different pubs (yes, Mother, they are called pubs, not bars) to watch the most heart breaking game ever! I'm still pretty upset about the way that one turned out. Poor United States. Poor us.
Slagging is what the Irish call being teased and sure did we get slagged for losing. I was still really bitter so we went out and had a good time in the Temple Bar and Graton area of town. There are some super fun places over there and Kelsey and I really do well at having a great time down town.
It seems that from any point in Dublin you are either in the sight of a church or a pub, so I guess my day was spent in a very Dublin way, spending time at both.
Today I just got my life back in order while the other girls went on a bus tour of Wicklow. I did laundry and cleaned and will go to bed early here in a bit. I don't sleep very well here because it never gets very dark and there's lots of noise. Hopefully I can catch up before work tomorrow!
Well love you all!
26 June, 2010
Day 11-13
Yeah I've been missing postings. Too much is going on.
I don't have a lot of time to write right now because, of course, I'm tired and there's more fun stuff to do!
I have been working furiously at my job to finish an assessment of their online communications, then to make a plan and work on implementing it. I've looked the Facebook, Twitter and blogging habits of people who care about Crumlin and I wrote a single spaced, 7 page memo about what I found. Since then, it's been read and edited by Sarah, who then called me brilliant. :) She was so pleased that she gave it to the CFO, Adele, who said it was excellent and food for thought. I'm really proud of what I did and the initiative that I took. Next week I'll begin my plan and track my results. I'm so happy!
Thursday I went out for some after work drinks with the girls, then met up with Patrick for a mini-downtown pub crawl that only lasted one pub because Bulmers is too big for me to drink! Then we went to dinner at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen. I know what you're thinking and NO, I didn't eat a burger. I ate a mushroom burger and it was fantastic!
Work on Friday was a little different than usual because they are transitioning a new CEO in and the old one out. There was a little party at lunch time and then the "girls" and I went to a local pub for lunch. Hannah, Pamela, Michelle and (I'm blanking her name.. dangit) all are around my age and work in accounts. It's nice to be included in their breaks and working habits. We talk a lot about differences between our cultures and we ask each other a lot of questions. On Friday Nathaniel went to lunch with us. He works in a different part of our large office and is from Hungary. He's very nice too and lunch went well.
After work I went down to Grafton, my favorite part of the city to walk in, for some quiet time. I just put on some Ryan Adams and walked around for a bit, then came back and got ready to celebrate Kayt's birthday! We all hung out here for a while, listening to music and talking, then we went out to Copper Jacks!
It was a fun night, took some pictures and such. Right now I'm just sitting around. I'm probably going to work on stuff for school and do some emailing and picture stuff.
Love you all. GO UNITED STATES!
I don't have a lot of time to write right now because, of course, I'm tired and there's more fun stuff to do!
I have been working furiously at my job to finish an assessment of their online communications, then to make a plan and work on implementing it. I've looked the Facebook, Twitter and blogging habits of people who care about Crumlin and I wrote a single spaced, 7 page memo about what I found. Since then, it's been read and edited by Sarah, who then called me brilliant. :) She was so pleased that she gave it to the CFO, Adele, who said it was excellent and food for thought. I'm really proud of what I did and the initiative that I took. Next week I'll begin my plan and track my results. I'm so happy!
Thursday I went out for some after work drinks with the girls, then met up with Patrick for a mini-downtown pub crawl that only lasted one pub because Bulmers is too big for me to drink! Then we went to dinner at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen. I know what you're thinking and NO, I didn't eat a burger. I ate a mushroom burger and it was fantastic!
Work on Friday was a little different than usual because they are transitioning a new CEO in and the old one out. There was a little party at lunch time and then the "girls" and I went to a local pub for lunch. Hannah, Pamela, Michelle and (I'm blanking her name.. dangit) all are around my age and work in accounts. It's nice to be included in their breaks and working habits. We talk a lot about differences between our cultures and we ask each other a lot of questions. On Friday Nathaniel went to lunch with us. He works in a different part of our large office and is from Hungary. He's very nice too and lunch went well.
After work I went down to Grafton, my favorite part of the city to walk in, for some quiet time. I just put on some Ryan Adams and walked around for a bit, then came back and got ready to celebrate Kayt's birthday! We all hung out here for a while, listening to music and talking, then we went out to Copper Jacks!
It was a fun night, took some pictures and such. Right now I'm just sitting around. I'm probably going to work on stuff for school and do some emailing and picture stuff.
Love you all. GO UNITED STATES!
23 June, 2010
Day 10
Meh I may be a day off. I don't much care. I can barely keep my eyes open.
Full day at work. Analyzed our Facebook pages against the pages of others. Full memo due tomorrow.
AND HECK YESSSS the US moved on!! I was at my desk and pretty much had a hissy fit.
Just got back from Green Day at Marlay Park. Pretty much the best day of my life. It was gorgeous.
And I officially miss the United States today. I wanted to tell someone so badly about our win, but everyone was Irish and didn't care. Then, as I sprinted down St. Dame to meet Kayt at the bus for Green Day, I got heckled by some guys wearing an American flag. I stopped, turned back and said "Are you really Americans?" they replied "yeah..." and I said "f*** yes!" high fived and took off again. They understood and cheered me on.
We're loud, blunt, annoying, and obsessed with ourselves. And I love us. I love the United States. I love Landon Donovan, Green Day and America. I love high fives and real Mexican food. I love diversity and having a tan. I just really love my country and it took being lonely on a bus in Ireland to realize it.
America, you are my love.
Full day at work. Analyzed our Facebook pages against the pages of others. Full memo due tomorrow.
AND HECK YESSSS the US moved on!! I was at my desk and pretty much had a hissy fit.
Just got back from Green Day at Marlay Park. Pretty much the best day of my life. It was gorgeous.
And I officially miss the United States today. I wanted to tell someone so badly about our win, but everyone was Irish and didn't care. Then, as I sprinted down St. Dame to meet Kayt at the bus for Green Day, I got heckled by some guys wearing an American flag. I stopped, turned back and said "Are you really Americans?" they replied "yeah..." and I said "f*** yes!" high fived and took off again. They understood and cheered me on.
We're loud, blunt, annoying, and obsessed with ourselves. And I love us. I love the United States. I love Landon Donovan, Green Day and America. I love high fives and real Mexican food. I love diversity and having a tan. I just really love my country and it took being lonely on a bus in Ireland to realize it.
America, you are my love.
22 June, 2010
Day 9
This will have to be a quick one because I'm exhausted!
Today at work Sarah gave me the assignment to assess social networking sites for their possible impact and effect on their organization then to make a plan and implement it. It's super cool because I have a lot of freedom to make this as epic or as low key as I want. So yeah, I tweeted, tweet decked, facebooked, tumblred and youtubed all day, setting up new sites and trying to see what would work for them. I have a report due to her on Thursday, and if it works, it's going to the CEO! Shoot!
After work I went to dinner with the girls for Kayt's bday! So fun!
That's pretty much it for today. My feet are in agony and my legs are tired. It's bed time for sure.
Today at work Sarah gave me the assignment to assess social networking sites for their possible impact and effect on their organization then to make a plan and implement it. It's super cool because I have a lot of freedom to make this as epic or as low key as I want. So yeah, I tweeted, tweet decked, facebooked, tumblred and youtubed all day, setting up new sites and trying to see what would work for them. I have a report due to her on Thursday, and if it works, it's going to the CEO! Shoot!
After work I went to dinner with the girls for Kayt's bday! So fun!
That's pretty much it for today. My feet are in agony and my legs are tired. It's bed time for sure.
21 June, 2010
Day 8
Well I've officially been in Dublin for a week and today was my first day at my internship!
I got there just in time, leaving a little after 8 this morning. I'm still confused by the buses because they're so poorly marked and cryptic. And street signs are non existent about 90% of the time. So if you don't have a pretty excellent idea of where you're going and the entire cities streets, you'll probably end up frustrated and lost. If you're me and also cannot remember which directions cars come from, you're really in a mess. I probably need to continue giving myself at least 1.5 hours for commuting and at least that amount of time to get home.
I have also acquired quite a nice limp due to being forced to wear shoes and walk everywhere. I never understood the value of comfortable closed toe shoes until now. I am going to have the toughest and more gnarled feet when I get home. I just want flip flops!
At work I got to meet all 20 some people who work there before I got to my very own desk with computer! I have a cube! I was psyched for like an hour before I realized the implications of that. I'm an adult for 7 weeks. This stinks. :)
At work Sarah, my supervisor, asked me to surf the web and facebook! Yeah.. I'm serious. I pretty much played on facebook, youtube, blogs, twitter and google today, trying to find what people in the community were saying about the Crumlin hospital. I told Sarah that I was familiar with all of the applications and she told me to get back with her tomorrow about using them for the hospital! So I wrote a "report" about using those applications and what kind of impact they would make for CMRF.
Between "work," I ate lunch at the hospital canteen with all the hospital employees. The hospital itself is pretty old and the canteen is very small. It's been interesting to see the children's hospital and compare it to Phoenix Children's. Honestly, the differences are striking. While PCH is rather new, bright and sleek, OLSCH was built in the 1950's and looks it. The building itself is divided into separate wings exposing the healthcare philosophy of the time, something about keeping children isolated. Anyway, ate some rice and broc for lunch with almond crumb and custard. Custard is NOT pudding. Pudding is horse blood. I'm serious. I wanted to throw up when I found that one out.
So yeah came home, went for a run at the park next to the apartments, now going to drink epic amounts of water and eat some veggies before yoga DVD time and washing some clothes.
Goodnight! Love you all!
20 June, 2010
Day 7
Day 7! Already! It's flying by!
Today I went to watching hurling at Croke Park! It was so so so cool! I was invited by a guy named Patrick to go to the games today and sit in the Adidas box with him and some of his friends. He picked me up at about 1 in the afternoon and we walked down to the park. The closer we got the louder and louder the stadium got. When I first heard the crowd cheering I thought it was a low flying airplane instead!
Hurling is a Gaelic sport only played in a few countries and every county (there are 22) in Ireland has a team. The players, while great at their sport, are unpaid and can only play for the team in the county they were born. Therefore, everyone in Ireland has a team they are born to cheer for, and it certainly seems like they cheer a lot!
The sport is kind of like lacrosse, but with elements of basketball, tennis, soccer and rugby. The field has 15 players and a goalie and everyone wears a helmet and carries a bat like thing called a hurley. The end of the bat is flat and in length is about 2 feet long (I think!). The players can carry the ball, but only for a few steps before they have to pass it with a toss, or they can kick it, hit it on the ground with their hurley or hit the ball like a tennis player. There are two ways to score, either hitting it between two poles, almost like the end zone in a football field (but the poles are closer together), to score 1 point or by making a goal by getting the ball (called a sliotar) by the goal keeper. Players wear no protective gear besides their helmets and were only mandated to do so within the past year.
The players are constantly hacking each other with their sticks and there is lots of physical contact. Fouls are called and cards are used to punish flagrant and dangerous fouls. The ball travels very quickly and the players get hit often. It's pretty high scoring, very quick and super exciting. Needless to say, I loved it!
I watched two games (about 70 minutes each), one between Dublin and Kilkenny and the other between Galway and Offaly. The Kilkenny and Dublin game was a blow out, the Kilkenny team being the best in the country. But the Galway and Offaly game was very, very good! The stadium, the third largest in Europe holding over 82,000 seats, wasn't very full but still loud and colorful. The game ended in a tie meaning they will have to play again next weekend! The stadium is also a significant site for Irish history, being that it is the site of Bloody Sunday in 1920 when British soldiers fired on a rugby match, killing 18 people.
Patrick and his friends play hurling and talked me through watching the game. They all play club hurling and have played for many years. I felt like it was a proper introduction to hurling and a wonderful way to spend my Sunday.
Afterwards I went to a restaurant close to Dublin City University for dinner and now I'm back at home!
Tomorrow is the first day of my internship and I need to review and prepare! Have a nice evening!
Today I went to watching hurling at Croke Park! It was so so so cool! I was invited by a guy named Patrick to go to the games today and sit in the Adidas box with him and some of his friends. He picked me up at about 1 in the afternoon and we walked down to the park. The closer we got the louder and louder the stadium got. When I first heard the crowd cheering I thought it was a low flying airplane instead!
Hurling is a Gaelic sport only played in a few countries and every county (there are 22) in Ireland has a team. The players, while great at their sport, are unpaid and can only play for the team in the county they were born. Therefore, everyone in Ireland has a team they are born to cheer for, and it certainly seems like they cheer a lot!
The sport is kind of like lacrosse, but with elements of basketball, tennis, soccer and rugby. The field has 15 players and a goalie and everyone wears a helmet and carries a bat like thing called a hurley. The end of the bat is flat and in length is about 2 feet long (I think!). The players can carry the ball, but only for a few steps before they have to pass it with a toss, or they can kick it, hit it on the ground with their hurley or hit the ball like a tennis player. There are two ways to score, either hitting it between two poles, almost like the end zone in a football field (but the poles are closer together), to score 1 point or by making a goal by getting the ball (called a sliotar) by the goal keeper. Players wear no protective gear besides their helmets and were only mandated to do so within the past year.
The players are constantly hacking each other with their sticks and there is lots of physical contact. Fouls are called and cards are used to punish flagrant and dangerous fouls. The ball travels very quickly and the players get hit often. It's pretty high scoring, very quick and super exciting. Needless to say, I loved it!
I watched two games (about 70 minutes each), one between Dublin and Kilkenny and the other between Galway and Offaly. The Kilkenny and Dublin game was a blow out, the Kilkenny team being the best in the country. But the Galway and Offaly game was very, very good! The stadium, the third largest in Europe holding over 82,000 seats, wasn't very full but still loud and colorful. The game ended in a tie meaning they will have to play again next weekend! The stadium is also a significant site for Irish history, being that it is the site of Bloody Sunday in 1920 when British soldiers fired on a rugby match, killing 18 people.
Patrick and his friends play hurling and talked me through watching the game. They all play club hurling and have played for many years. I felt like it was a proper introduction to hurling and a wonderful way to spend my Sunday.
Afterwards I went to a restaurant close to Dublin City University for dinner and now I'm back at home!
Tomorrow is the first day of my internship and I need to review and prepare! Have a nice evening!
Day 6
I forgot to post yesterday! So here's what I did on Saturday:
Got up feeling pretty tired and did some odds and ends, like went running, took a shower, made lunch, and cleaned my room. It was a pretty slow day to be honest.
Then I met up with Kayt, Andrea, Mckenna and Carolyn at Temple Bar. We were all pretty tired and decided to head back.
Then Kelsey and I decided that in fact we did want to go out. So we went down Grafton and had some drinks. After the bars closed we went and got a kebab. Yum!
18 June, 2010
Day 5
I got up late to a phone call from my internship. I totally start on Monday at half nine! I'm so excited!
Then we went to the Temple Bar area to watch the US World Cup game and found an American to cheers us when we finally tied! After a late lunch at Quays we walked down through Grafton to find this bar we keep hearing about called Copper Jacks. Kelsey, Helen and I went to the Bleeding Horse instead to watch the
England match and had a blast.
On our way to find Cooper Jacks again we met some Irish guys who told us to follow them and we went to a dance club instead. It was fantastic! Glad to not be out all night though.
More later. Loving Dublin!!
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I really didn't do much on Friday, mostly because I hurt my foot. I got a blister a few days ago and it's gotten worse and worse because I haven't been taking care of it. My whole foot swelled up so bad that I couldn't wear my shoes :( It's looking much better now, and I'm happy I wont have to chop off my foot ;)
My flip flopped self, Kayt, Kelsey, Andrea, Carolyn, Kate, Mckenna and Helen all went down to OConnell Street to watch the US vs Slovenia game, but didn't make it out there until about half time. I was completely devastated! We found a bar that catered to Americans where we could eat and drink a bit while we watched the second half. Obviously the game ended up all right, besides the offsides call.
We decided to head up Grafton Street to find a bar we keep hearing about called Copper Jacks and wound up at St. Stephens Green, a beautiful, large park along Grafton. We walked around for a bit and laid in the grass watching people and loving the beauty of the park. We finally got up and then split into two groups: Helen, Kelsey and me in one that were looking for a bar to watch the England-Algeria game and Kayt, Andrea, Carolyn, Mckenna and Kate to head over to Grafton.
Helen, Kels and I walked around and went into some shops, then wound up further down Grafton at a bar called the Bleeding Horse. The bars outside of Temple Bar are much cheaper, with a better selection of drinks and a different group of people. We finally found Irish people!
We watched the game from a balcony/loft area that overlooked the bar (and a great view of the TV). It was obvious that the Irish people at Bleeding Horse did not think highly of Rooney, or any of the other English side. They had all sorts of chants for when Rooney got upset and got into hysterics when Algeria had shots on the English goal.
After the game we met up with another American who was studying in Ireland for the summer and talked with him for a bit while we waited for the other girls to come meet up with us. Our group split again, Kayt, Andrea and Mckenna going to a house party in Maryland, Carolyn going home, and the rest of us staying out.
We went and got Helen, my fellow vegetarian, some food at an American restaurant called Eddie Rockets. On the trip to the restaurant we talked to more Dubliners about Copper Jacks and they told us better bars to go to instead. After our yummy dinner (I ate sweet potato fries and drank a Coors.. just like home) and a great table conversation about football, we went to some different clubs, finally meeting some Dublin boys who were going to a place called the Odeon.
It was a very nice bar, lots of pillars and dark wood. We drank and danced there with our new Dublin friends and headed out about 2. I still have no idea what time bars actually close here because some stay open until 3 while others close at 11:30. Some day we might actually get to Copper Jacks, though it does cost 10E and is probably not worth the money.
Day 4
I also need to come back to this post. I'm super tired (it's 5 am) and I really want to sleep. Just got back from night two out in temple bar and i think it's safe to say we're not going back out there. Well, not until after tomorrow's world cup game. Go USA!!!
Today I interviewed at CMRF and was truly inspired by them. They didn't hire me right off though, so I'm supposed to get a ring today (Friday) to find out if they wanted to take me on. Once again, a little stressful! If they do take me on I'll be using social media to reach out and make emotional connections with their potential donors and fans of their cause, which is totally up my alley. I really hope they hire me because the work they do for children and scientific research is incredible and I would be so thrilled to work in their ranks.
Like I said, I'm super tired. I will come back to these posts on Sunday to edit them and make sure I include what I did. I want to remember these days forever.
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On Thursday I had my interview at 4 in a district of Dublin called Crumlin, so most of the day was devoted to getting ready for the interview.
I got up with a little headache but went for a run with Carolyn at the park next to Dublin City University, DCU. The park is pretty large and full of paths perfect for runners. While we were running, I mostly walking because I didn't feel so hot, we saw lots of dogs off their leashes. There were cute little westies, hearding dogs, corgis, welsh terriers, everything! And they were all so well behaved. They pretty much ignored us completely.
After that lovely run, I got showered and ready for my interview. I wore a light blue button down with my gray suit and let my hair dry naturally (it's impossible to get my hair straight here with the moisture and voltage difference). I felt pretty confident, though very tired, and headed out for the interview.
I left the DCU and Santry area at around 2:30 and hopped on a bus that went down to St. Dame Street, right next to Trinity and the Old Bank. From there I had to walk down to find the correct bus to take me to Crumlin Children's Hospital, which was kind of difficult. Though I spent time trying to figure out the bus system on Wednesday, the only way I was going to learn about their public transit was to just go out and get on a bus. I finally found the right stop and the right bus and asked the driver to "call" me at Crumlin, since I had no way of knowing what the building or stop looked like.
While I was on the bus I changed my shoes to my heels and put on knee highs to cover the large bruises and cuts from my Georgia tubing adventure. I asked the people sitting behind me if they would help me identify my stop, which they were very helpful about. After getting off the bus and wandering around to find the building, which is totally unmarked and hidden by a large wall of hedge, I found the right place.
It's a rather new brick building that's a few floors high, but I had to circle the building a few times to find the door. It probably looked hilarious to the receptionist watching the closed circuit television, some random, dressed up girl, hobbling around in heels, trying to get in. I did get in though, and sat in a conference room until my interview started, arriving only 20 minutes before my interview. That's at least an hour of commuting in just one direction!
My interview went really well. I met Adele and Sarah, who will be my "boss" at CMRF. They told me all about the company and their current needs. What I'll be doing for them is connecting with the people who have become fans of their facebook page, listening and establishing relationships with them. CMRF has a unique perspective of their donors, looking more to establish real relationships with communities of people who care about the hospital, developing small and large fundraising events to fit the needs and interests of these communities. So while they'd like some of their facebook fans to donate and support the hospital monetarily, mostly they're looking to interact and empathize with them. I feel like I'm a fantastic fit, and I'm so excited to get started getting to know 60,000 fans of an amazing hospital.
My homework for the weekend is to become a fan and witness what they're up to on facebook. Also, I'll need to start learning about the healthcare system here in Ireland and the prevailing political atmosphere. If I want to listen to people, they need to know that I understand them and the issues they're facing. I'm an outsider, a foreigner, and I need to gain their trust.
I start at 930 on Monday and I'm so excited! My office is with Sarah, and they office place has a lot of people. I think my internship will be amazing and I'm looking forward to Monday.
After my interview I went down to St. Dame Street to waste some time before our special EUSA arranged dinner. I was feeling lost in the hustle of central Dublin, so I ducked into the nearest Starbucks. I was immediately comforted by the familiar smell and taste of a pipping hot soy latte. I ran into some friends from Arizona who were on their honeymoon (Hi Jeremi and Erin!!) and talk to them for a bit.
The coffee was just what I needed. I set out for the Brazen Head, walking along the Liffey and feeling on cloud nine, some thanks to the coffee and other to the excitement about my internship. At the Brazen Head we had a three course meal and listened to a storyteller speak about Irish history, Irish superstitions and a few traditional Irish folk tales.
The food was great, but listening to this man speak was the highlight of the evening. A major difference between Ireland and the US is the sense of living a history. In Dublin people interact with history daily: living in older buildings, walking in ancient Dublin, driving on old cobblestone streets, worshiping in old churches and communicating using old words for ancient villages. For instance, everyone knows where we live in Dublin when you say Santry or Crumlin. They're part of Dublin, but are the names of old villages that have been incorporated. The streets are straight, they change names and they have no grid, which frustrated me at first. But I've come to appreciate it because its a way to live the history of Dublin while I'm here.
I feel like my "people" in the US have a different sense of an emotional connection to history since it's much shorter and we don't live amongst our history in the same way. We, at least in Phoenix, like to build new things and plan perfect, predictable communities further and further away from the old. The potato famine, the 1916 rebellions and the 1918 Gaelic shootings are as big of the identity of an Irish person as 9/11 is to Americans. It's the struggle, the chaos, the fear, that gives a people a reason to come together and appreciate each other.
I'll have to write more about the cultural differences between the US and Ireland due to the affinity for oral versus written tradition another time.. I'm getting hungry for some lunch.
A few of us went out after the Brazen Head, this time sticking mostly to the Quay Bar in Temple Bar. Again, it's a tourist trap but we had a wonderful time!
I'm really loving it here in Ireland, but I miss you all in the US a bunch too!
Today I interviewed at CMRF and was truly inspired by them. They didn't hire me right off though, so I'm supposed to get a ring today (Friday) to find out if they wanted to take me on. Once again, a little stressful! If they do take me on I'll be using social media to reach out and make emotional connections with their potential donors and fans of their cause, which is totally up my alley. I really hope they hire me because the work they do for children and scientific research is incredible and I would be so thrilled to work in their ranks.
Like I said, I'm super tired. I will come back to these posts on Sunday to edit them and make sure I include what I did. I want to remember these days forever.
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On Thursday I had my interview at 4 in a district of Dublin called Crumlin, so most of the day was devoted to getting ready for the interview.
I got up with a little headache but went for a run with Carolyn at the park next to Dublin City University, DCU. The park is pretty large and full of paths perfect for runners. While we were running, I mostly walking because I didn't feel so hot, we saw lots of dogs off their leashes. There were cute little westies, hearding dogs, corgis, welsh terriers, everything! And they were all so well behaved. They pretty much ignored us completely.
After that lovely run, I got showered and ready for my interview. I wore a light blue button down with my gray suit and let my hair dry naturally (it's impossible to get my hair straight here with the moisture and voltage difference). I felt pretty confident, though very tired, and headed out for the interview.
I left the DCU and Santry area at around 2:30 and hopped on a bus that went down to St. Dame Street, right next to Trinity and the Old Bank. From there I had to walk down to find the correct bus to take me to Crumlin Children's Hospital, which was kind of difficult. Though I spent time trying to figure out the bus system on Wednesday, the only way I was going to learn about their public transit was to just go out and get on a bus. I finally found the right stop and the right bus and asked the driver to "call" me at Crumlin, since I had no way of knowing what the building or stop looked like.
While I was on the bus I changed my shoes to my heels and put on knee highs to cover the large bruises and cuts from my Georgia tubing adventure. I asked the people sitting behind me if they would help me identify my stop, which they were very helpful about. After getting off the bus and wandering around to find the building, which is totally unmarked and hidden by a large wall of hedge, I found the right place.
It's a rather new brick building that's a few floors high, but I had to circle the building a few times to find the door. It probably looked hilarious to the receptionist watching the closed circuit television, some random, dressed up girl, hobbling around in heels, trying to get in. I did get in though, and sat in a conference room until my interview started, arriving only 20 minutes before my interview. That's at least an hour of commuting in just one direction!
My interview went really well. I met Adele and Sarah, who will be my "boss" at CMRF. They told me all about the company and their current needs. What I'll be doing for them is connecting with the people who have become fans of their facebook page, listening and establishing relationships with them. CMRF has a unique perspective of their donors, looking more to establish real relationships with communities of people who care about the hospital, developing small and large fundraising events to fit the needs and interests of these communities. So while they'd like some of their facebook fans to donate and support the hospital monetarily, mostly they're looking to interact and empathize with them. I feel like I'm a fantastic fit, and I'm so excited to get started getting to know 60,000 fans of an amazing hospital.
My homework for the weekend is to become a fan and witness what they're up to on facebook. Also, I'll need to start learning about the healthcare system here in Ireland and the prevailing political atmosphere. If I want to listen to people, they need to know that I understand them and the issues they're facing. I'm an outsider, a foreigner, and I need to gain their trust.
I start at 930 on Monday and I'm so excited! My office is with Sarah, and they office place has a lot of people. I think my internship will be amazing and I'm looking forward to Monday.
After my interview I went down to St. Dame Street to waste some time before our special EUSA arranged dinner. I was feeling lost in the hustle of central Dublin, so I ducked into the nearest Starbucks. I was immediately comforted by the familiar smell and taste of a pipping hot soy latte. I ran into some friends from Arizona who were on their honeymoon (Hi Jeremi and Erin!!) and talk to them for a bit.
The coffee was just what I needed. I set out for the Brazen Head, walking along the Liffey and feeling on cloud nine, some thanks to the coffee and other to the excitement about my internship. At the Brazen Head we had a three course meal and listened to a storyteller speak about Irish history, Irish superstitions and a few traditional Irish folk tales.
The food was great, but listening to this man speak was the highlight of the evening. A major difference between Ireland and the US is the sense of living a history. In Dublin people interact with history daily: living in older buildings, walking in ancient Dublin, driving on old cobblestone streets, worshiping in old churches and communicating using old words for ancient villages. For instance, everyone knows where we live in Dublin when you say Santry or Crumlin. They're part of Dublin, but are the names of old villages that have been incorporated. The streets are straight, they change names and they have no grid, which frustrated me at first. But I've come to appreciate it because its a way to live the history of Dublin while I'm here.
I feel like my "people" in the US have a different sense of an emotional connection to history since it's much shorter and we don't live amongst our history in the same way. We, at least in Phoenix, like to build new things and plan perfect, predictable communities further and further away from the old. The potato famine, the 1916 rebellions and the 1918 Gaelic shootings are as big of the identity of an Irish person as 9/11 is to Americans. It's the struggle, the chaos, the fear, that gives a people a reason to come together and appreciate each other.
I'll have to write more about the cultural differences between the US and Ireland due to the affinity for oral versus written tradition another time.. I'm getting hungry for some lunch.
A few of us went out after the Brazen Head, this time sticking mostly to the Quay Bar in Temple Bar. Again, it's a tourist trap but we had a wonderful time!
I'm really loving it here in Ireland, but I miss you all in the US a bunch too!
16 June, 2010
Day 3
I'll have to do more of this in the morning when I wake up because it's about 3am here and there is no way I can type for a long period. We just got back from a night clubbing in Temple Bar and I'm exhausted. It was a wonderful day and an especially wonderful night! We had so much fun! Go elbow crew!
we did find a terrific taxi driver who we tipped well and gave us some tips about the bars. no more creepy creeps.
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I'm coming back to this post today to give more information about my day!
I took it pretty easy on day three, Wednesday. I woke up on my own without an alarm to make sure I was closer to getting over the jet lag. After I got dressed and cleaned my room a bit, I made a list of things I needed and headed over to the Omni Plex, the large shopping center about 10 walking minutes away.
I did a little bit of clothes shopping, mostly looking for shoes and a safer, smaller purse, then got food and a few odds and ends at Tesco. I found some good looking produce, but I'm definitely on the look out for fresher markets to get my food. Also picked up some supplies to make myself lunches for work so I won't have to rely on the availability of veg and picky eater friendly foods.
I got home and cleaned the apartment for a few hours, wiping down and disinfecting surfaces and filling out our apartment inventory. Then I got out my travel steamer and located the iron and got my suit and work clothes ready for my interview.
When Kayt got back from her interview, which went really well despite being very far away, we figured out what we wanted to do for the evening. We settled on going out to the Temple Bar area (which actually has a bar called Temple Bar, it's kind of confusing). We invited our friends Andrea, Caroline and Kelsey to come out with us too and headed out on the buses to Temple Bar.
Temple Bar is a street/few streets of your typical tourist "Irish Pub," filled with Irish folk music played by small bands. The prices are high and the people are mostly all foreign. I think we met more Greeks, Spaniards and British people there than Irish.
Regardless, we had some Irish beers, Carlsberg, Smithwicks, Bullingtons Cider (so good!) and of course, the Guinness, and had a great time navigating the crowds and having a good time. We ended up going to a different club, called Fitzsimmons, to go dancing. It was wonderful to hear music we knew and dance to some Lady Gaga!
All in all, it was fantastic. I'm getting more confident in the city and dealing with situations that are a bit different. The people I've met from the other schools in our program are great too, I think we really have a wonderful little group of girls who are both fun and sensible.
we did find a terrific taxi driver who we tipped well and gave us some tips about the bars. no more creepy creeps.
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I'm coming back to this post today to give more information about my day!
I took it pretty easy on day three, Wednesday. I woke up on my own without an alarm to make sure I was closer to getting over the jet lag. After I got dressed and cleaned my room a bit, I made a list of things I needed and headed over to the Omni Plex, the large shopping center about 10 walking minutes away.
I did a little bit of clothes shopping, mostly looking for shoes and a safer, smaller purse, then got food and a few odds and ends at Tesco. I found some good looking produce, but I'm definitely on the look out for fresher markets to get my food. Also picked up some supplies to make myself lunches for work so I won't have to rely on the availability of veg and picky eater friendly foods.
I got home and cleaned the apartment for a few hours, wiping down and disinfecting surfaces and filling out our apartment inventory. Then I got out my travel steamer and located the iron and got my suit and work clothes ready for my interview.
When Kayt got back from her interview, which went really well despite being very far away, we figured out what we wanted to do for the evening. We settled on going out to the Temple Bar area (which actually has a bar called Temple Bar, it's kind of confusing). We invited our friends Andrea, Caroline and Kelsey to come out with us too and headed out on the buses to Temple Bar.
Temple Bar is a street/few streets of your typical tourist "Irish Pub," filled with Irish folk music played by small bands. The prices are high and the people are mostly all foreign. I think we met more Greeks, Spaniards and British people there than Irish.
Regardless, we had some Irish beers, Carlsberg, Smithwicks, Bullingtons Cider (so good!) and of course, the Guinness, and had a great time navigating the crowds and having a good time. We ended up going to a different club, called Fitzsimmons, to go dancing. It was wonderful to hear music we knew and dance to some Lady Gaga!
All in all, it was fantastic. I'm getting more confident in the city and dealing with situations that are a bit different. The people I've met from the other schools in our program are great too, I think we really have a wonderful little group of girls who are both fun and sensible.
15 June, 2010
Day 2
Now, on to Day 2.
The day began with me missing the alarm and us hustling to make it to the orientation. Thankfully everyone runs on Irish time (about 20 minutes late.. seriously) so we were just fine.
My large blue packet gave me some great information, namely, that my internship placement is at Children's Medical and Research Foundation! I have an interview later this week to secure the position, probably tomorrow or Thursday. My commute will be about an hour on bus. Thanks ASU for the month bus pass! I start my position, assuming it's a good fit, on Monday and will work M-F. I'll find more out about my hours and specific job expectations at the interview.
From what I understand from the website, CMRF is a fundraising body for the Crumlin Children's Hospital, the largest of its kind in Europe. I think it's pretty similar to St. Jude in the US. They did an amazing job fitting me with this company, having raised money for St. Jude, working with children for so many years, and doing event planning with Shadow Rock and Tri Delta. I'm told I should dress "sharp," which I'm thrilled with also!
The location of my job is also fabulous! I'll really be in the center of the city, on the South of the Liffey and close to the area of Dublin I already know from last year. Big yay!
We sat through orientation for about three hours, covering all kinds of information, like cell phones (mine comes tomorrow), safety, housing, work place environment and interview tips. I'll be practicing and preparing for a while tomorrow and stalking them all over the internet. I want this internship and I will nail this interview!
(I promise to write more about the cultural differences they told us about and what to watch out for, it was so interesting!)
After that we took a little walking tour around Dublin City University, finding the bus stops, health center, gym, parks and other helpful landmarks. I'm so glad to know where the gym is! I'm ready for a run!
Kayt and I invited some friends we'd met to come with us to the City Center to find the shop to fix Kayt's computer. Caroline, Jessica and Andrea are all from different Universities with different majors and totally different internships, so we had a lot to talk about as we navigated the streets of Dublin. Kayt and I left the others at Trinity College while we went to find the shop. I remembered a lot from last year, like St. George St. and oriented myself well.
The guys in the shop, who were all very helpful, told Kayt the problem was the software in her computer. We decided to buy a router instead of fixing the software though, and I just fixed us up with wireless in our apartment (named after Herta's book, The Land of the Green Plums)! Go us!
We then met up with the girls again and went to the Temple Bar neighborhood on the South of the Liffey. There are lots of steriotypical Irish pubs down there with traditional Irish music and food. We choose one as our minds and feet began to rebel, The Auld Dubliner. I got a yum salad and a glass of Guinness, my first taste of heaven since I've been on the Island. It was so perfect.
We had a very nice and inexpensive dinner, then headed back to Shanowen Square. The buses are pretty confusing and we kept getting on the wrong ones. Finally, at about 9PM, we got back to the apartment complex.
It's almost midnight, though the sun only went down an hour ago, and I'm so exhausted! It was a beautiful sunny day and tomorrow promises to be the same. I'll probably head over to the gym in the AM, my body really wants some yoga and meditation time. Then over to Tesco again, this time for a light bulb, sponge and other odds and ends.
Good night, United States! I don't miss you as much tonight :)
Day 1 Continued
I can't believe this was only one day because it was so jam packed with greatness! I finally have a non-jet-lagged minute to write about stuff that happened yesterday too. So.. Day 1 continued first, then a Day 2 post
So Sunday in the US was spent first on the lake doing more tubing. I think I finally got the hang of it and was able to go back and forth across the wake with out the tube annihilating me. I did manage to scrape all the skin off my knees in the process, which is rather unsightly. Regardless, very fun!
I then packed and got ready for the flight. I repacked a lot of my clothing and reconsidered a few items (do I really need 3 black dresses? 3 high heeled shoes? 15 tank tops.. the answer you can guess). I repacked my bags down to two checked and only carried my backpack on. Then began the longest 12 hours I can imagine.
The flight from Atlanta was delayed some, which of course delayed my arrival into NYC and sent me into a little panic about my connection. But my flight from New York was delayed too.. I lost track of how long we taxied and sat in the airport.. probably somewhere around an hour and a half to two hours. Then the flight across the Atlantic. I need to remember how COLD those flight get! I can barely sleep with all the shivers. Food was great (I selected a vegan food option before the flight) and the movies were hilarious. I watched Leap Year and Dear John. Then played some trivia and took some little naps.
I was convinced that I would miss my coach to Shanowen Square because the flight was so late, but I managed to de-plane, go through immigration, get my luggage and customs all within 30 minutes and met up with the coach and EUSA people in plenty of time. And I found Kayt!
Kayt and I met in a class at ASU in the fall semester and were so glad to find out through facebook that we were both going to Dublin! It was so great to see a familiar face after all that insanity.
It was about 2 in the afternoon before we got our keys for our apartment and started to get settled. I was able to connect to the internet rather easily through a LAN modem and Ethernet cord, but Kayt's computer was not as lucky. After multiple failing attempts we looked for an Apple store and took it in today (Tuesday).
We also went to Tesco, a grocery store, down the road a ways. It's in the closest shopping center called Omni. We only got a few things because we were so overwhelmed with the trip. I never realized how comforting familiarity could be until that moment. I was finally coming to terms with the reality of living in Ireland. There is no Target, no Morning Star Fake Chicken Patties, no Tom's of Maine. Even the things I recognized were in weird small bottles. I just wanted giant Dove Shampoo for Damaged Hair in the dark blue bottle. But no. Only little bottles with weird words. Retail therapy became a nervous breakdown pretty quickly.
I did manage to find some food I can eat. Apparently the water is safe from meat contamination... Thanks Ireland!
After a dinner of pizza, water and diet coke, Kayt and I were still without our other two apartment mates and decided to get some rest. After a nice shower with my new small white bottles of Dove hair care products I finally got to sleep. As I laid in bed listening to Jason Mraz's song "Life is Wonderful," it hit me. This is amazing. Even the crap travel delays were amazing. I am doing something I always thought was out of my reach. But I'm here, buying vegetarian water and loving it.
I'm just so very, very happy to be here, living this new thing.
So Sunday in the US was spent first on the lake doing more tubing. I think I finally got the hang of it and was able to go back and forth across the wake with out the tube annihilating me. I did manage to scrape all the skin off my knees in the process, which is rather unsightly. Regardless, very fun!
I then packed and got ready for the flight. I repacked a lot of my clothing and reconsidered a few items (do I really need 3 black dresses? 3 high heeled shoes? 15 tank tops.. the answer you can guess). I repacked my bags down to two checked and only carried my backpack on. Then began the longest 12 hours I can imagine.
The flight from Atlanta was delayed some, which of course delayed my arrival into NYC and sent me into a little panic about my connection. But my flight from New York was delayed too.. I lost track of how long we taxied and sat in the airport.. probably somewhere around an hour and a half to two hours. Then the flight across the Atlantic. I need to remember how COLD those flight get! I can barely sleep with all the shivers. Food was great (I selected a vegan food option before the flight) and the movies were hilarious. I watched Leap Year and Dear John. Then played some trivia and took some little naps.
I was convinced that I would miss my coach to Shanowen Square because the flight was so late, but I managed to de-plane, go through immigration, get my luggage and customs all within 30 minutes and met up with the coach and EUSA people in plenty of time. And I found Kayt!
Kayt and I met in a class at ASU in the fall semester and were so glad to find out through facebook that we were both going to Dublin! It was so great to see a familiar face after all that insanity.
It was about 2 in the afternoon before we got our keys for our apartment and started to get settled. I was able to connect to the internet rather easily through a LAN modem and Ethernet cord, but Kayt's computer was not as lucky. After multiple failing attempts we looked for an Apple store and took it in today (Tuesday).
We also went to Tesco, a grocery store, down the road a ways. It's in the closest shopping center called Omni. We only got a few things because we were so overwhelmed with the trip. I never realized how comforting familiarity could be until that moment. I was finally coming to terms with the reality of living in Ireland. There is no Target, no Morning Star Fake Chicken Patties, no Tom's of Maine. Even the things I recognized were in weird small bottles. I just wanted giant Dove Shampoo for Damaged Hair in the dark blue bottle. But no. Only little bottles with weird words. Retail therapy became a nervous breakdown pretty quickly.
After a dinner of pizza, water and diet coke, Kayt and I were still without our other two apartment mates and decided to get some rest. After a nice shower with my new small white bottles of Dove hair care products I finally got to sleep. As I laid in bed listening to Jason Mraz's song "Life is Wonderful," it hit me. This is amazing. Even the crap travel delays were amazing. I am doing something I always thought was out of my reach. But I'm here, buying vegetarian water and loving it.
I'm just so very, very happy to be here, living this new thing.
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