people watching

Today for Devising class we went to the National Art Gallery to see the Edvard Munch(you know..."The Scream"? Ya. That guy) prints. Really cool stuff. We were instructed to people watch... so we wandered around the museum... I saw the 20th Century Irish Art exhibit I had missed on my last visit along with the Yeats Exhibit. I left earlier than most people, though I did stop in to see my favorite "Connemara Girl" ( by Augustus Nicholas Burke), before I left.

I walked across the street to Merrion Square Park and walked around for a bit taking in the beautiful scenery before I settled down on a bench and finished the play I was reading. It was a lovely relaxing afternoon. I wandered a bit more around the park and went to hang out with my good pal Oscar Wilde (his statue is in the park) then headed back to the apartment which is literally 2 minutes away.

I spent the next 2 hours calling and searching and finalizing my trip to Leenane this weekend. I must be out of my mind, but I am going alone. Yup. My first solo trip. I haven't even been to a movie by myself, for goodness sake. But as all of my tutors seem to say, I "didn't travel 3,000 miles to be comfortable." I got all the details figured out so I am extremely excited. It is actually quite complicated to get out there... that whole area is basically cut off... not a big touristy place.

Well, I still have more plays to read before tomorrow and I need to make myself some dinner or something. More later.

working my way through the alphabet... glendalough, howth

I am getting really bad at doing this... I have even slacked on my private journaling.

Hokay so...

On Friday I got up at around 7am in order to make sure I wasn't going to be late to Voice class again. Cathal will seriously end me if I am again. Yikes. So I was there early. That class is ridiculously relaxing. So after we all rushed to the Center to make the bus to Glendalough. After about an hour we got there and started our trek to the top of the mountain.
This is just a taste. It was awesome face.
Me and some of the lads being epic on the top.

We took a really long time walking up and then back down so we couldn't make it to Johnny Fox's (Ireland's highest pub) so instead we went and saw some beautiful monastic ruins, which in my opinion, was much more awesome than drinking... again.

We got back on the bus after that and headed back. It was Culture Night in Dublin so we changed and got ready to go out. Culture Night is a night when most of the museums and other cultural type things are open late into the night and are free. A few of the lads and I went over to Trinty College and went to the international student reception and joined the International Student Club. I met a some French guys who were baffled by my name and some cool German girls.

After that we headed to the Science Museum because there was a Bubble exhibit. I stood inside a bubble. Literally. The bubble was formed around me. I also got put my hand through a bubble. It was flippin' sweet. Then we kind of wandered around for a bit trying to find more stuff to do. Half the group went to The Stag's Head and the other half went to Temple Bar area. I went with the Temple Bar group but after a while I walked my friend back to the train so she could go home. Then I tried to find The Stag's Head and got horribly turned around. I ended up walking around Dublin for about 2 hours on my lonesome. Finally I went to meet up with some people at Doyle's and danced for a bit. Discussed the Lisbon Treaty with a man named Andy at the bar. It was quite funny yet informative.
After a while I decided I needed to sleep so I headed home. So walking done the streets of Dublin around 1am I ran into my friend Ethan on the street. We both agreed it was a completely bizarre happenstance but he walked me part of the way home since it was 1am.

Saturday I went to the Temple Bar market for breakfast and got a Blueberry Scone. YUM. :) Spent the day catching up on some work then got Indian food with some folks for dinner. They all went out dancing and I stayed home (like a lame-o) and read an awesome play by Marina Carr.

This morning I woke up and the roommates and I headed to Howth, a seaside town just outside Dublin. There was a lovely market, which was unexpected, which we bought some delicious baked goods at. We walked by the seaside for a while then ate the lunches we packed, enjoying the view. Headed back on the train after a few hours.

I bought Carrot Cake at the market which is currently sitting in my fridge and it is taking most of my will power not to devour it.

Carrot Cake is amazing. Ah.

galway,inishmor,burren,cliffs of moher and more... haha.

So Galway.

Got off to a bad start. We miscalculated how long it would take us to get to the train station so we ran the last 6 minutes of the journey. I went to pick up the tickets I had purchased online but they couldn't find my reservation. We went to the kiosk to try to buy more but our student cards weren't working. Finally, as we were about to miss our train, Nina bought adult tickets and we RAN to catch our train. Since we got there just in time we lost our seats so we stood in the luggage section for about an hour and a half. We found seats and played 'MASH' and 'Soulmate' for the remainder the trip. Awesome.

We got to Galway about 5:15pm and went to figure out the ticket situation. Turns out we only bought one ticket on accident. But we got it all sorted and headed to the hostel. We got there around 6pm. Met some French Canadian guys only to find out that the website I had booked through didn't communicate with the actual hostel so they didn't have beds for us. They apologized a bunch and got us beds at another hostel one block over. It was okay though because we all adored the guys who worked at the new hostel's reception who were awesome and Australian.

We got to our room that we were suppose to be sharing with another girl. We changed and head out for dinner. We walked around trying to find some place to eat and decided on The King's Head pub. We all shared a bottle of wine and I tried my first mussel! Bah! Not half bad. Then I ate potato and leech soup with brown bread. YUM. We chatted with some English guys who were at the table next to us who recommend pubs for when we go to London.

We walked around after dinner for a while and went to a pub called Tuffes and Nina and I had James and Ginger and listened to some Irish music. Best ever. Then head to Supermac's ( an Irish fast food chain) and got Italian icecream. Weird? Then headed to another pub we had heard about that had a live band. Jenni and I ordered a Cider and Black (Cider with Blackcurrent... so gooooood). Nina then decided I need to talk to the group of guys that were eyeing us. To all of you who know me well, you must realize how completely against this I was. Jenni and I went to listen to the band, Molly and Nina talked to them. Finally, I sucked it up and went over.

We spent the rest of the evening talking. They were very interesting guys actually. Their names were, wait for it... Andy, Andrew and Jaime. Sadly, not an Eamonn or Seamus or Patrick in sight.

*giant frowny face*

Jaime and I hit it off, as he was a complete bro. I don't think he realized that that was the only reason I talked to him for so long. That, and he was attractive. But I digress.
He was impressed with my knowledge of Hurling and Irish things. He said I was smart for an American. He was from County Kerry and completely offensive.

Andy was from Kilkenny and was really nice so we talked for a while. He wants to visit America... I recommended Texas; he agreed. He asked how I had liked his town and we had a lovely chat about how its not REALLY 'Medieval'.

We were exhausted so finally around 11 we head back to the hostel. We ended up talking for a while about random things which was really nice.

The next day we all woke up, enjoyed free hostel breakfast and headed to catch the bus, then the ferry to the Aran Islands. We got to Inis Mór around 11am, rented bikes and set off on a fantastic adventure.

It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my entire life. I can't really describe how peaceful and wonderful it was to take a leisurely bike ride. It is the only way to see the Island in my opinion. Little tour buses kept passing us and I felt bad for them actually... they were really missing out.





Just an example. Pictures can not do the scenery justice.

We rode for about 2 hours and stopped for lunch at Dun Aonghasa, a Celtic ruin that dates back to 2000 B.C. We debated taking the hike up to see it as we were having such a fantastic time biking. The lady at the visitors center basically told us not going would be like going to the Grand Canyon and then not going to see it. She was a little intense about it, but we paid our euro and went up.

IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE. I was completely and utterly dumbfounded by how spectacular the view was. You could see for hundreds of miles. The view of the Atlantic will be ingrained in my mind forever. At least I hope so.

We stayed for more than an hour, talking and looking, relaxing and being generally flabbergasted. We reluctantly started our decent as we needed to bike back to port to make the last ferry back to the mainland. Unfortunately about half way through that trip my camera broke so I don't have pictures from the second half of the journey which is really, really sad because it was amazing as well. We got back just in time to make the ferry.

We got back to Galway around 8pm and were exhausted and starving. We had delicious dinner and coffee and discussed our amazing day. We all agreed it was out favorite thing we have done so far. We got some dessert crepes at a local crepery. Greeeeeat stuff. Headed back to the hostel and played cards since no one wanted to spend more money. Spent the night talking, which again, was great.

The next morning we parted ways. Jenni and Molly stayed in Galway to see the sights and Nina and I head out on our bus tour of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. The tour was nice, though we were spoiled by the day before and the bus was not as awesome (especially for pictures). We had a large Irish lunch followed by coffee and cheesecake at a pub called Fitzpatricks then went to the cliffs.

The cliffs were incredible, obviously. We went out past the "Don't go past this point" sign... as everyone does. That was totally worth it because the pictures were so much better.


We spent about and hour there then got back on the bus and saw a Celtic burial site then toured a cave (in which they found bear skeletons). That is a big deal here as bears haven't inhabited Ireland in 1000 years. The cave itself was kind of lame but Nina and I made the best of it.

We got back to Galway around 5:30 then went to the train station to catch the train back to Dublin. However, our train had a technical malfunction and we ended up spending 2 hours on the platform before FINALLY leaving. That got us in to Dublin around 10: 45 and we didn't get home until 11- something. Needless to say I was exhausted.

All in all, it was a completely fantastic weekend.

Jeez, that was a lot to write. If you got to the end of this and read it all, you really are a true friend. ; )

paaaaacking part deuce

Favorite sandwich:
Turkey, Swiss and Blackcurrent Jam.

:D

Leaving for Galway... and missing everyone from home.

packing

Saw some crazy theatre tonight... a show called PowerPoint. The jury is still out.

Packing my backpack for Galway. I have more food than clothes right now. Ah... the life of a student traveler.

Friday- Train to Galway...

Saturday- Aran Island tour... Galway for some night life.

Sunday- Cliffs of Moher... train home.

Its gonna be INTENSE. Like camping, or the circus.

That was for you, Claire.

Ok. Back to paaaaacking.

annnnnd...

My evening entertainment.





























Random goofiness.

AWESOME.

I got up today and ate LOTS of Nutella.

Then Jenni and I went to the National Gallery of Art which is about a 2 minutes walk from my apartment. It was so much fun... the art was beautiful. I saw a collection of miniatures illustrations done for a Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales as well as loads of Irish painters from the 18th and 18th century.

After about 2 hours we head back home and made lunch (which included me eating more nutella). Then headed to Devising class. Then rushed from Devising to the show, 'La Clique' which was a 20 minutes run-walk from Gaiety.

The show... was INCREDIBLE. Oh my goodness. Let me just take a moment.

Fun Fact: I have been wasting my time dating actors and singers. I should pursue circus performers.

The show began with a large wonderful black man in drag singing Nessun Dorma.

The first act was two (extremely attractive) 'English' men (The English Gents... look them up.) in pinstripe suits who performed so FANTASTIC feats of acrobatics. I mean, this guy stood on his partner's head. Literally. Then switched and was on one had. Balanced on his partners head. Oh right... then they preceded to strip down to their Irish flag underwear... and do more crazy stuff. I have never seen muscles like that in my life.

Fun Fact: It was awesome.

The second act was a fabulous man named Mario, Queen of the Circus. The fun thing was... he performed juggling to a Queen song. Hence the name.

Then the was a man dressed as Betty Doll doing a hilarious Silks routine.

Then there was the beautiful awesome girl who performed hula hoop tricks.

Captain Frodo, the clutzy, hilarious contortionist who threw confetti for emphasis. He was a crowd favorite.

Then, was Bathtub guy. At least that is how we describe him. He was basically was in the bathtub... then he did this intense rope routine thingy. I can't really describe it but it was sweet.

Fun fact: Its called being an 'aerialist'. Good to know.

Intermission. And yes... I am going to describe ever act and YOU WILL ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

Ok.

Nessun Dorma came back and sang "Circle of Life/Umbrella" wearing a zebra print jump suit, a giant hot pink fro and matching leg warmers.

My old pal, Mario road a unicycle to Queen's "Bicycle Race" and juggled a bit more. I love him and his fake (painted) mustache.

Then this BEAUTIFUL (not using that word lightly) young woman performed the most haunting trapeze routine. Her feet were bleeding by the end... my friend Joey( who had worked with Circus people) told me that trapeze is all about the pain and that it never stops hurting. Made the whole thing more haunting and sad. Ah!

Then my adorable zebra man came back and sang some Radiohead. Made me think fondly of Rockband.

Then. Oh.My.Goodness. Came the The Skating Aratas. A moment of silence please. They are 7th generation circus performers. Yah. They... well basically I am not sure I can explain what the heck they did on that stage... there was some crazy stuff happening. It was like being ON the skating rink during an ice skating routine but 10 times more intense. I was literally about 8 feet from a woman being spun around at HIGH speeds holding on with her ankles around her partners neck. Then they did this thing wear she had the rope thing around her neck and was like spinning herself ... wait for it... BY HER FLIPPIN' NECK. Youtube that stuff, NOW. OH.MY.GOSH. It was act was extremely sexy actually which was a little weird when I found out they were brother and sister. But I digress.

Then we crowd surfed Mario to "We are the Champions". A whole new meaning to crowd interaction.

Captain Frodo came back and did some more double jointed awesomeness...

They all came back and the crowd was on their feet screaming and yelling and clapping like mad. It was insane. I haven't been that excited by a show is FOREVER. I mean I was literally beside myself. BLAH!

I came home feeling quite un-extraordinary and decided to eat more Nutella. I bought the jar Saturday... its basically gone. Yep.

The show was... AWESOME. Today was AWESOME. Dublin is AWESOME.

luaaaaaas

I basically did nothing today. Except eat. I did a lot of that.

Saw Dorian Gray with some folks. Very entertaining film actually.

Got out and got distracted talking to people and missed the last train home. :(
Hung out with some people for a bit then Nina and I caught a taxi home. Our taxi driver was so cool though and chatted with us. He was a native Dubliner and told us that he works the night shift so he often gets people to give him directions via Pubs not streets. Brilliant. He didn't over charge us either which was refreshing.

I am exhausted but hopefully I will get my butt out of bed tomorrow and go to the Museum of Art.
I have class in the afternoon then going to see 'La Clique' afterwards. First piece of Dublin Fringe Theatre... I'm intrigued.

the wild rover...

Had Pub time with the roommates and Joey and Josh last night then went to the Eddie Rockets for Cheese and Garlic Chips. Not as 'yum' as I had desired.

This morning we all got up to go see a Fringe show... which was sold out. We did stumble upon a open air market. Bought a fruit scone. :) Wandered a bit more. Found another market and bought some fresh fruit. Decided that we were going to have Irish Breakfast for dinner.

Headed home for a bit then I took off on my own to find a closer grocery store because I was positive their had to be one. I wandered for about and hour with no success but it was so beautiful and nice out I didn't really care. I finally found a shop and bought groceries then began my trug home. Stop in the park since it was so wonderful out... I read " Protrait of Dorian Gray" in the park for a while before walking the rest of the way home.

I get lost in the city every time I go about myself. I don't care though. I love walking through this city so much it doesn't bother me.

Currently everyone is crowed around my apartment making Breakfast. Its loud... and smelly. I am listening to Irish music loud to drown out the arguing.

Dropkick Murphys are awesome.

thirsty thursday...

Started the day out right with some yoga followed by Acting with Donal, where, within a period of 2 and a half hours I was a blind, a bumper car, a child, and a prostitute. I learned a very valuable life lesson too... the answer is always Mel Gibson. Always.

Then we had Movement/Dance. This class kicks my butt. Bikrama yoga warm up to start. We continued learning this strange right brain/left brain dance/ movement combo-thing... I seriously don't know how to describe what the heck it is.
Then we spent forever walking around the room emphasizing different traits we have followed by a lot of very Movement-y things.

Then, ladies and gents, came Contemporary Irish Drama. By this time I am so tired its a bit ridiculous. Its also 6:30 at night with no dinner break in sight. So the combination of low blood sugared tired sickness... but I digress. I titled my notes "Contempary Irish Drama." Yes. Re-read that. Off to a bad start, Jule. Bad form indeed. My professor, however, is... how do you say... a fox. Yes. I said fox. He could be described with the term foxy without any qualms from anyone. And not a "Oh he is an artist and a doctor and Irish" foxy. Just plain foxy-foxy. I am going to stop using the word foxy now.

Anyway. He also will more than likely eat my children. He is a scary quiet angry Irish man. With a PhD. Who has written a book. Who could not possibly be older than early 30s, and I mean EARLY.

Fun Fact: His name is Dr. Walsh. I know... mind blown.

No one came to the class having read the required first day reading... because we never got the syllabus. But before he knew that... he was very very angry. I coward in my seat. I got slightly more relaxed as the class progressed but not comfortable. No, that is not a feeling I believe I will feel during that class.

8:45 Voice tomorrow then WEEKEND time. :)

the irish name game

OK. Quick update. Classes are good. Great, in fact. I had Voice class this morning ( Movement/Dance, Acting and Devising yesterday). Went grocery shopping because I had run out of food because I eat way too much here.

Dublin is legit. I live literally a block away from where Oscar Wilde lived. A block. I walked by it not an hour ago. Now it houses the Irish American University, but still. I feel like every literature major HAS to come here. Its like a literature mecca. James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats...

Oh, and guess what?
Conor McPherson is giving a talk in two weeks at the Gate Theatre. Conor Freakin' McPherson, ladies and gents. I have been re-familiarizing myself with his plays since I found out and its ridiculous because he talks about these pubs and streets and places... that I go to every day.

We aren't allowed to wear makeup to class, at all. Also, we wear all black to class every day. My individuality is waning... but getting ready in the morning is so much easier.

Today in Voice class we did individual hands on work with Cathal (our 'tutor' as he is called here). My 'tutors' are named Antoinette, Diane, Cathal, and Donal. Sweetest names ever, right? I think next month when my Voice and Devising classes become integrated with Irish students who are studying at the Gaiety we are going to meet Padreig, the head of the Gaiety School of Acting. The man who kicked Collin Farrell out of his school. Good lookin' out, Padreig. He is a large, very intimidating man I am told.

A large, very scary pigeon just landed loudly on my windowsill. People here have the weirdest obsession with pigeons. I have never seen people feed pigeons (and not old ladies in the park, we are talking young business men too) as much as they do here. Its the oddest thing.

More later!

Oi, TIPP!

Today was an very Irish day. I woke up late (not an Irish thing really) and had Nutella on brown toast and Earl Gray tea with milk and sugar (a VERY Irish thing). Then I proceeded to tidy up around the apartment, had a tea time snack and then got ready to go out. The roommates and I went down to Ryan's Pub to watch the Hurling Final on the telly.

This is Hurling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmzivRetelE

It is legit. Probably the most intense and impressive game I have ever watched. All the players are amateurs who aren't paid or sponsored who have jobs and families and stuff and only play for their hometowns as a matter of pride. This match was Kilkenny( the reigning champions) vs. Tipperary. We decided that we would go for Tipperary... as the pub had Tipperary flags hanging from every surface imaginable. It was exceedingly fun. Screaming "Get 'um Tipp!!" and what not. Matches are 7o minutes with only one break (a half time 35 minutes in). That in itself is impressive considered this game is considered the fast game on grass and is very brutal (no pads and most of the players were not even wearing helmets). During half time my roommate Erin and I went to get Abrakebabra (Ireland premier fast food restaurant).

Fun Fact: Irish fast food is nothing like American fast food.

It was soooo freakin' good. We ate then headed back to the Pub and finished the game. Tipperary ended up losing but the match was really close.

We walked home through St. Stephen's Green which is a beautiful park that I am gonna start running in.

Fun day all in all. Classes start tomorrow. OH my gooooooodnesss!

curiouser and curiouser

Today started off with a bang. I woke up to a cold shower (crazy European heating systems) and started my laundry (which takes 2 hours... not including dryer.) OH and no one actually uses a dryer here... yah. I have to hang dry my clothes so my apartment looks ridiculous right now.

Took a horrifically touristy bus tour around Dublin which was actually quite fun. Learned LOTS of fun facts.

Fun Fact: You can smell the Guinness Brewery from miles away.

2nd Fun Fact: It smells AWESOME!!!

It was a get on/get off kinda deal so after we road it one full time through I got off at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was absolutely stunning inside.



Just an example.

We then headed to the Kilmainham Gaol, the legendary jail in Dublin where the leaders from the Irish Rebellion for Independence were held and executed. It considered a national landmark and one of the most famous and historic building in Dublin.


Its been used in tons of films and TV shows. It was a little ridiculous however because people were literally taking pictures in the cells smiling and goofing off which would have royally pissed me off if I was Irish. The tour guide took us in too a courtyard with no windows and everyone crowded in and were snapping pictures of stone walls (which I did not understand... but I digress) and then the tour guide informed us that we were standing in the execution arena where the revolutionaries died by firing squad at dawn, one of which was 3 hours newly wed, whose wife was standing on the other side of the wall listening. Yes, well, that cheered me right up and I quickly departed the courtyard. My friend Owen pointed out later that that kinda thing always makes you grateful you are not the kid of the 6th Sense. I could not have put it better myself.

We jumped on the bus and headed back to our stop because we were all exhausted by then. I met up with some of the Wyckams ( people who live in a different apartments... its like the Sharks and the Jets... except there is no dance fighting and we basically all get along swimmingly) for dinner at the Barge, which is a lovely (very crowded and expensive) pub for dinner. We watched an World Cup qualifying match on the telly and we all cheered very loudly when Ireland scored(which I only knew occurred because everyone was cheering.) George informed me that my wide eyes, animated expressions and dry, sarcastic sense of humor makes him think of combination of an Alice in Wonderland character and Chelsey Handler . Hmm...

After dinner I walked back to my apartment alone since they all lived in the opposite direction. I had a lovely 20 minute walk but the good news was I DIDN'T GET LOST! HUZZAH!!!
That is actually a HUGE feat for me so I was very excited.

Tomorrow looks to be a fun filled day indeed as the plan in to watch the Hurling Match on the telly down at the local pub. What will that have in store for me? You shall bloody well have to wait and see.

never have I ever...

Never have I ever sung Karaoke- Build Me Up Buttercup in an Irish Pub...

*Jule puts a finger down*

Legendary.

Grand. :)

Today was the last day of orientation and now we are freeeee for the weekend!!! I got my Irish phone number so I am feeling snazzy. I bought groceries ( I am such a local) and then proceeded to get lost getting back to my apartment (I am such a tourist). My roommate and I made pizza (I know, we are so American) for dinner which was lovely. Last night we had a lovely group dinner then every one headed back to our apartment to hang out. These 8 year old boys followed us back saying quite un-8 year old things to us. They then proceeded to break into our building and run around. Finally one of the guys kicked them out so they stood of the streets and took their clothing off.

...

I am going to give you a second to read then re-read that. Yes. They stood outside my window and proceeded to STRIP and say very very grotesque things. Kegan then said "Well, this evening just took a bizarre and unexpected turn." At that moment I decided I loved him. Finally, the kids cleared of and the lads and I went down to the pub at the corner which is called...wait for it, wait for it... The Ginger Man. I know. I was so happy. After enjoying a pint we returned to the apartment and I attempted to set up my phone. This was a very bad idea. I was complete rubbish at it and basically incapacitated my phone with in 12 hours of purchasing it. Lucky, Joey, from across the hall, fixed it for me. Joey is a stage combat person too. We bonded.

Tomorrow, I'm doing a touristy bus tour of Dublin. And Sunday I am watching the Irish Hurling Final in the Pub. It will be grand.

I have developed Irish speaking patterns. My roommates make fun of me. A lot.

puuuuub.

Just got back from the Pub. 3 mile walk in the rain... I am sensing a pattern.

dublin' or nothin

So, I moved in to my apartment today in Dublin. Saints preserve us!

Yesterday was AWESOME though... despite the fact we got horribly, terribly lost again. (Sensing a pattern?) We walked from the hotel through Green Park, right past Buckingham Palace,down Parliament, across the Westminster Bridge, then got turned around and wandered. Once we lost sight of the London Eye, we were basically screwed. After about an hour walk we finally found the Globe Theatre. The tour was enjoyable, but the freakin' SWEETEST thing was that when we walked in to the theatre they were running fight rehearsal. I know. Legend... dary timing.

By far, though, the coolest thing was the tour of the Rose Theatre excavation site. I literally got to stand in the space where some of Shakespeare's first works were performed and where Shakespeare performed as an actor. I was basically awe struck. We kept walking but wandered away from the tour group to go back and stand there for a bit longer. The tour guide came looking for me... when he finally found me he just looked at me and asked me if I was an actor. I told him yes and he basically said "Yah, I was that way when I first came." So us actors bonded over that. Mom and I then did a quick walk through of the Tate Modern before heading back to the hotel.

This morning I woke up at 5:30, showered and caught the Tube to Heathrow. When I got to Dublin, I caught a cab to a corner of a street where I had been instructed to wait for someone to meet me. Sketchy, I know. Finally, Eammon, my "RA" came bounding across the street dramatically proclaiming "So, there I was, stranded in Dublin...". He is basically wonderful and hilarious. He informed me that "RA" was not a good term for him because he was NOT going to tell me not to drink. Quite the opposite in fact. I met my flippin' sweet new roomies and after a get to know you chat we went grocery shopping and then walked 2 miles back to our apartment carrying heavy grocery bags.

FUN FACT:
You have to pay for grocery bags here. wtf.

It began to rain. A lot. We arrived back to our apartment soaking wet and, after drying off, made dinner. We are leaving for the pub for a "get to know you" drink with the other students in the program in about 30 minutes. I need to got and get ready/finished unpacking.

I promise my next entry will not be lame.

defending the baracade... and what not.

Spent the day walking around Camden Town. I went a LITTLE crazy with the buying/shopping bit. A foreign man walked up to me as I was browsing at a little shop and started chatting me up.
(I am picking up loads of fun British phrases. That means 'flirting'. I feel so cool right now.)
I was being polite but trying to ignore him. He asked me where I was from and I considered saying Russia (yet again) but I realized that out of the loud, abrasive club my accented sounded a lot like a bad French one. So, in light of my inability to think on my feet, I decided to go with the truth (SHOCKER). He was very interested in the fact that I was American and he liked my name a great deal. He then informed me that he was from, wait for it... wait for it... IRAQ. He then asked me if I had heard of Iraq. Yah... I am serious. I replied that "Yes, I had." when what I REALLY wanted to say was... well, it doesn't really matter what I wanted to say because I was just basically dumbfounded that he asked me that.

After shopping a bit more we headed to Leicester Square for dinner. We had Mexican food and margaritas. Made me miss Fuzzy's. We then walked around for a bit. I saw the infamous TigerTiger and thought of all you London folks. We finally headed to the Queen's Theatre to see Les Miserables.

Seeing as it is quite late here, please excuse the fact that I can not describe in detail how FLIPPIN' AMAZING the show was. It was just... BAH! So good. I almost leapt to my feet in a fit of joy at the curtain call. I laughed, I cried, I mumbled 'Vive la France' under my breath and punched my mother in the arm quite hard when they started waving the flag during 'One Day More'.

Jean Valjean was twice my age and I would have attacked him and kissed his face if I had be allowed to stand by the stage door. I think my extremely observant mother realized this so, to avoid the humiliation, she skillfully guided to the the bus stop before I could make a complete fool of myself.

I could seriously gush about how wonderful it was forever and since I am getting very vicious looks from my mother I believe it is time to bide you adieu and go to sleep.

Tomorrow I am going to my own personal Mecca; The Globe Theatre.

Oh yah. Get excited, readers. Its gonna be a good one.