Whew! This is like the first afternoon I've had where something wasn't going on. Things have been awesome here, if a wee bit expensive, especially since I've finally gotten over the worst of my jet lag. I just got back from a late breakfast with friends at a nice little restaurant, after slipping and sliding all over the streets. It snowed here last night for the first time in years, and the locals were all talking about what a gorgeous night it was. Every other night has been just raining like crazy, all blasted by this freezing wind, but Last night, with a light snowfall and hardly any wind all under a huge full moon...just amazing. A good group of friends, an almost comically large 'pint' of Guinness (which I have to say beats the pants off of anything I've had in America), and a whole city full of dancing, happy people makes for one fantastic New Years, I'll tell ya.
We've had meetings just about every afternoon now, first on just adjusting to life in Ireland and what we should expect in terms of customs, conversations, taboos, etc., then on specifics with life at the University. I tell you, it's going to be quite an adventure. Study is very different over here, much more reliant on individual determination and independent research than on a carefully laid syllabus and lesson plan. I'm a bit worried, but given the fact that we'll be able to choose from a big list of articles and books, I'm sure I wont have any trouble finding something good and readable.
Ooo right, and we've got a homestay trip planned for the first weekend there, so I'll be with another guy (Justin, great guy) of in the rural Irish countryside with a retired farmer, wife, and thirty year old sons. Apparently, they like golf, chess, and horseback riding. I was worried at first, but seriously everyone I've met here has been very personable and easy to get along with, so I think it'll be a lot of fun.
Bleah, time to pack everything back up. But hey, I'll be in Cork setting up my new room and meeting my Irish roommates by this time tomorrow!
Happy New Years all!
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2 comments:
Kory, great to hear from you! Sounds like you are having a good time despite the rainy weather, and how cool that you are there for the first snow fall in years! I'd be interested to hear what customs and taboos they warned you about (not saying you like English soccer teams maybe?).
And I kinda like the idea of study being more individually driven rather than planned- I bet you'll find it more interesting, if a bit harder.
Also looking forward to hearing about your homestay- brush up on your chess!
Love you Spud!
Spud that sounds awesome! Though I don't know about you, but I like watching snow but not dealing with it when I need to go somewhere. =)
I'm curious about the Irish taboos too! Please elaborate.
Also, do you know yet what kinds of things you'll be studying? Your major or mostly other stuff?
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