Sweaters and shenanigans

Hello again!

            So I forgot some…interesting…stories from our first night out on Thursday. We walked in and immediately realized we were wearing far more clothing than any of the other girls there. Seriously, like tiny dresses and high, HIGH heels. Actually the “going out” fashion here is a little strange. For those who watch Jersey Shore, a lot of girls sport the Snookie poof and have incredible amounts of makeup on...so unnatural! It’s funny coming to Ireland and seeing that people here dress, not like movies show, but instead like Jersey Shore characters. But we couldn’t find a table ANYWHERE…except next to this couple that was hardcore making out. Like, they were really going at it. It was uncomfortable to see, let alone sit next to. Yet we did, and thankfully they eventually left. But for a while Rebecca and I (who were sitting next to them) were crowding each other in the corner trying not to be anywhere near them.

            Class-wise I’ve been having some difficulty getting my schedule down. Originally UCC approved me for the two Biochem classes I wanted and that will count towards my major at Bowdoin, but suddenly I can no longer take the Biochemical Immunology that I wanted to, which leaves me 5 credits short of the 30 I need. And I may not be able to take the Bioinformatics class either, which totally screws me up. So I’ll be going to see the International Office on Monday…hopefully they’ll help me figure this out.

            I suppose I should actually put my address up here just in case anyone feels like mailing me things:

Colleen Maher

Room 75, Apt 1

Victoria Lodge

Victoria Cross

Cork

Ireland

They told us that, when sending packages, you should declare it to be “student personal effects” so it won’t be taxed. Just fyi in the off chance anyone wants to send anything.

            A funny link to keep you all entertained, here’s the original version of Monty Python’s “The Lumberjack Song,” kindly shown to me by Jeff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiVOG199X2c

            We’ve started planning spring break and weekends already…omg so many places to go in so little time! We’ve kind of planned Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, and the other places are Ring of Kerry, the Blarney Stone (it’s very close to Cork), Galway, Scotland, Wales, Brussels, Germany, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Florence, Rome, The Vatican (b/c I want to be the Pope), and Prague. I’m not sure we’ll make it to all these places, but it’s fun planning regardless. We’re thinking of stopping at the British Royal Wedding in April at the end of break. It will be epic!

            Today we went to a real pub that we call the Old Lady Pub because it’s run and bartended by this wonderful old lady who wears a blazer and skirt. It’s actually adorable. There were no crazy college kids this time...just a few people quietly talking. It was definitely nice to be able to chat with my friends for once. She found a great rugby match (Munster vs Glasgow) for us and told us that this was actually happening right in Cork! So obviously Rafa and I are going to a game ASAP. We will most definitely be revisiting that place.

            Excitement: I got a sweater! And I love it a lot. It’s grey and wool and warm and I plan to wear it often. And I also found Kit Kat for a reasonable price!! So of course I got 2 packs. It was really a wonderfully fantastic day.

Slán go fóill!