Singing in the rain is so overrated

The inner courtyard of the Cork City Gaol, right
past the gate where they would hang people.

Sometimes stereotypes are true…for example, “it rains a lot in Ireland.” Like a lot a lot. It’s rained every day I’ve been here, though mostly drizzle. However, today it POURED! We were supposed to go to Blarney Castle but this morning when I woke up and saw the miserable windy rainy day that awaited us, I realized I have a lot of other weekends that will at least be partially dry. So a bunch of us decided to go visit the Cork City Gaol (Jail) instead. It’s not the rain that’s the worst part (umbrellas help with that)—it’s the wind that breaks my umbrella when I try to use it. But the Gaol was so cool! Literally cool—it was definitely colder inside than outside in the rain. There are these wax people that they’re placed around to make it more realistic, and boy, lemme tell you they are pretty real looking. Like really scary. I would walk around the corner and BAM there’s a random guard who almost looks alive, but not quite. Very creepy, actually. They do nighttime tours where they tell ghost stories, but unfortunately we would have had to sign up way in advance and have more than 20 people. The gaol was plenty freaky in this storm, though.

Me next to Creepy Wax Prison
Guard #3. Very scary

I know I’ve updated some on my internet situation, but let me just put it all out there and explain the shenanigans that have occurred. Basically, to get internet in my room (Ethernet only) I needed to register with Victoria Lodge which happened last Friday, then someone in IT had to accept my registration, which happened Tuesday. BUT since Macs are apparently strange I needed to stalk the IT guy again on Wednesday so he could configure my browser, since although I was registered and everything my computer wouldn’t recognize the Internet. Now, finally, Safari works (I have to go back to get Firefox configured), but none of my video chats do. Apparently the network is run through a proxy (basically it protects the users of the network from dangerous things on the Internet, like viruses and weird stuff such) and to get Skype to work I need to change my proxy settings, but on Macs there’s no way to do that through Skype. So I had to download this app called Authoxy which is supposed to allow me to change the proxy settings for my whole computer. Only problem: guy who told me to do this a) didn’t know how to fix Macs and b) told me what to do kinda and left before I downloaded the program. So I’ve been Googling a lot to try and figure out how to use Authoxy and also what the freaking proxy settings are. If anyone knows what to do or knows someone who may, pleasepleaseplease let me know. I am so desperate here. And to top it off, my computer will no longer connect to the dorm wireless, so I can’t even Skype on that! Oy.

CHEESEBURGERS

Last night Rafa and I made burgers! OM NOM NOM RED MEAT. The English Market has amazing fresh local food and we got 4 burgers there for 4 euro along with buns and cheese. First red meat I've had since I've gotten here lol and boy they were delish. Then we went to the Old Lady Bar again except this time it was really really crowded. Dislike. But I tried hot whiskey—heated whiskey, hot water, sugar, and lemon—for the first time and it was actually pretty good. I mean, small sips were necessary but with a little more sugar I think I’d really love it. And I am so not a fan of whiskey plain, so I was surprised I liked this not-mixed drink. There is apparently a place downtown that sells real cocktails (Long Islands, martinis, etc) but is really expensive so we’re waiting for someone’s birthday so we can go there and not feel as guilty. Or else we might have a “bar night” where we make our own drinks and be super classy. I tried Bailey’s for the first time and it is rather good.

The tissues I bought from Centra. I'm not really
sure why they're Mansize or even what that
means, but I really needed them so no
complaints here!

Well for the rest of this day I plan to catch up on Castle episodes and drink tea and eat my Kit Kats (I bought more!!!) and not do anything productive because it is absolutely miserable outside. Today is such a duvet day.

Slán go fóill!