28-1-10
I would first like to point out the date. Tomorrow, it will have been a month since Mary and I sat on a plane on our way to Dublin... whoa.
This morning I woke up to my mother's text informing me that I had missed the State of the Union this morning at 2am... they'll probably play it today then. That, or I'll youtube it. I hope he followed through on his statements about increase spending in education.
Tuesday I volunteered for the first time at a homework club for a primary school. I was scared as we walked to the door, but the kids were great and I really enjoyed myself. I haven't really worked with any kids since open skate back in high school so I felt I might be out of practice. All I have to say is thank you Quintin, Shane, and Finnian! I worked with two fellows of 6 and 7 and had the best time. I did get nervous because they were doing timetables and all of a sudden I could not remember 7x8 for the life of me! The whole time I was just hoping they wouldn't ask me. Don't worry, I remembered shortly thereafter. It'll be a short nice walk for me on Tuesday afternoons. Hooray for community involvement!
Wednesday was Australian Day which I found out is a big deal for students around here. I personally think students here just like an excuse to go crazy like they do every other night. A group of us decided to have a more calmer night and headed to Monroe's. We walked in and were disappointed that the regular stand tables had been removed. We found out later that they were moved so that people could do Irish dancing to the band who was playing.
COOLEST thing ever. There were couples of varying ages and a mom and daughter couple. Mom, if you were there, you would probably have gone crazy if none of us danced with you! The girls had to hold me in my seat. The partners whipped each other around while clogging and joined in group dancing at parts too. I found that the older gentlemen were the best dancers. The guy in the white shirt was the best though.
Later we headed over to Roisin Dubh to some great music and a VERY different crowd. We headed upstairs after a bit into what I call "the Mary room." They played all the music Mary loves which was great dance music. The people watching was off the charts. I decided men with bob haircuts either make me cackle loudly or are ironically very handsome, unless they had pencil mustaches... which left about two. HAHAHAHA I think I was the ONLY American there.
Then to round out the night, on my way back to my apartment, and in front of a very busy fast-food place, a young guy started talking to me as if he were Mr. Glass. I nearly DIED. I just stared for a bit and then started laughing as he and his friend started to wrestle WWE style. I laughed all the way home.
Inline hockey tomorrow night and hopefully I can get to the town museum in the afternoon tomorrow or Saturday.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Reservoir Dogs the play
26/1/2010 Reservoir Dogs (Play) MURRAY VS. NADAL (Australian Open)
Last night two of the girls and I went to Galway Town Hall Theater to see Reservoir Dogs, the play. I did not really think about it, even after I bought the ticket, until sitting in the lounge before the show started. Were they going to fail horribly? What is the stage going to be like? I had not been to a play in FOREVER.
The last play I went to was freshmen year of college and I couldn’t tell you what the name of it was!
Turns out, the stage was as large as two of my house’s living rooms with two groups of props in front of seats which were equivalent to one set of bleachers at Alexander Park (number of seats and size). I freaked out for a couple seconds… WHAT IN THE HECK. I thought it was going to be like amateurs beatnik-ing around for hours on end interpretive dancing out the movie.
But do not worry, the show was awesome. Although it was slow at times, the actors were great and Mr. Blonde was AMAZING. He nailed the mannerisms and dance scene perfectly. I didn’t like one actor though, his lines consisted of yelling everything all the time and always sounded like he was just about to forget the lines.
All in all it was a great experience.
This morning I am watching the much anticipated Australian Open quarterfinal between Nadal and Murray… EXCITING. I really don’t know who to cheer for. Nadal doesn’t look like he’s in tip top shape. But Murray has always been my favorite underdog. I would go berserk if I was playing a sport and camera guys stuck cameras in my face when I was resting.
I am trying to get to the French Open the week directly before my flight home in June.
Maybe I can see Murray in Scotland if that doesn’t work out?
Last night two of the girls and I went to Galway Town Hall Theater to see Reservoir Dogs, the play. I did not really think about it, even after I bought the ticket, until sitting in the lounge before the show started. Were they going to fail horribly? What is the stage going to be like? I had not been to a play in FOREVER.
The last play I went to was freshmen year of college and I couldn’t tell you what the name of it was!
Turns out, the stage was as large as two of my house’s living rooms with two groups of props in front of seats which were equivalent to one set of bleachers at Alexander Park (number of seats and size). I freaked out for a couple seconds… WHAT IN THE HECK. I thought it was going to be like amateurs beatnik-ing around for hours on end interpretive dancing out the movie.
But do not worry, the show was awesome. Although it was slow at times, the actors were great and Mr. Blonde was AMAZING. He nailed the mannerisms and dance scene perfectly. I didn’t like one actor though, his lines consisted of yelling everything all the time and always sounded like he was just about to forget the lines.
All in all it was a great experience.
This morning I am watching the much anticipated Australian Open quarterfinal between Nadal and Murray… EXCITING. I really don’t know who to cheer for. Nadal doesn’t look like he’s in tip top shape. But Murray has always been my favorite underdog. I would go berserk if I was playing a sport and camera guys stuck cameras in my face when I was resting.
I am trying to get to the French Open the week directly before my flight home in June.
Maybe I can see Murray in Scotland if that doesn’t work out?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Volunteering
23-1-2010
I started my Literacy Service Learning class this week and am starting to understand why a ton of my friends are education majors… IT’S FUN. Along with our class, we are required to volunteer at a homework club here in Galway. That is what first attracted me to the class. I wanted to get involved in the town and thought it would be great to tutor.
I was fortunate enough to hear back from a homework club early this week and am looking forward to meeting Irish primary students. I hope I can still do long division… heck, maybe they can tutor me!
This morning I walked to Russia and back trying to find the school so I hope I can get exact directions before Tuesday. Everything here is “straight over the roundabout on the left a ways.” Can you define a ways? And there is no “straight” across the roundabout! GAGH!
Hey, a little/lot of exercise never hurt anybody.
I went to hockey again last night and was shocked to see the number of students that showed up… we’re moving up in this world! It was fun but it could have been better if they would quit making us play girls vs. girls. Nearly all of the girls are beginners. One ran into me because she couldn’t stop/ change directions, and I went flying and now have major sticky-outy bruises all over my arms and a huge, black pinky finger to boot. I feel at home once again.
I am planning a trip to Killarney two weekends from now that will be an adventure. I could work at a travel agency upon repatriation!
I started my Literacy Service Learning class this week and am starting to understand why a ton of my friends are education majors… IT’S FUN. Along with our class, we are required to volunteer at a homework club here in Galway. That is what first attracted me to the class. I wanted to get involved in the town and thought it would be great to tutor.
I was fortunate enough to hear back from a homework club early this week and am looking forward to meeting Irish primary students. I hope I can still do long division… heck, maybe they can tutor me!
This morning I walked to Russia and back trying to find the school so I hope I can get exact directions before Tuesday. Everything here is “straight over the roundabout on the left a ways.” Can you define a ways? And there is no “straight” across the roundabout! GAGH!
Hey, a little/lot of exercise never hurt anybody.
I went to hockey again last night and was shocked to see the number of students that showed up… we’re moving up in this world! It was fun but it could have been better if they would quit making us play girls vs. girls. Nearly all of the girls are beginners. One ran into me because she couldn’t stop/ change directions, and I went flying and now have major sticky-outy bruises all over my arms and a huge, black pinky finger to boot. I feel at home once again.
I am planning a trip to Killarney two weekends from now that will be an adventure. I could work at a travel agency upon repatriation!
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