Following My Bliss

Can't sleep. I relearned how to nap today & therefore am now awake for the night it seems. Being awake has put my mind in to overdrive right now.

Next week is my last class for summer session grad school. Holy crap. One semester down, two to go. Insane. Still no internship. Still overworked, frustrated, and annoyed by college. I am ready to be done.

But I have NO idea what I'll be doing with my life come next May. None. I don't even know what I'm doing with my life next MONTH. Any know of a good life planner? I need one.

Ireland seems like it was all a dream that happened many years ago to me. It makes me sad. I wish I was there again with my independence and life scheduled. I miss how carefree I was there; how HAPPY I was. My life is so unfulfilled in New York at this moment, and I have no idea how to fix that at times.

I miss getting on buses each weekend to explore. I miss walking to town and shopping. I miss Tesco, Dunnes, Bus Eirann, Pennys, Lattitude, and every bar I ever had a drink in (especially the ones that had live music).

There are SO MANY blogs/stories that I never posted from my time abroad. It makes me sad sometimes that I can't go back to read them. The details are too foggy now to retell those stories in the way they deserve.

I'm looking for new "life-changing" books to read. I want to learn. I want wisdom to ponder. I want to live. I want so much.

This whole growing up shtick can kiss my dupa. (And my Polish comes out.)

I'm restless and noncomplacent here.

I have ambition but no where to apply it. I want to change the world. Someone give me some direction.

Maybe some day I'll work for a nonprofit. That actually really appeals to me all the sudden.

When does life REALLY begin? Do I still have time to put in my application for a better one? Do I even really need a better one?

I know so many would tell me this is exactly how I should feel at 22 but others would say I need more answers and less questions. To the latter I say screw off. To the former I say your support is so unhelpful.

Stay gold.

What.The.Hell.

In 8 hours I'm getting on a bus to begin the trek back to America. Where did these months go??? I cannot believe this. Truly cannot believe this chapter is ending.

I'm going home to graduate and start grad school. I'm going home to family, friends, and familiarity. I think so at least. Maybe things won't be anything like when I left them in January. Maybe they will. Won't know till I get off that plane tomorrow.

I know of a few friendships that aren't the same. Some I'm very upset about, others I know needed to go the course they went. Some in particular have me angry and sad, wondering where we went wrong. Four months is a long time to be away from those you care about. Distance can make the heart grow fonder, or it can make the heart forget. Was it me, was it you, or was it fate? I could have handled some things better sure, but I refuse to take the entire blame.

Just so we're all clear, purposely excluding to tell someone is, in my opinion, still a form of lying. Elizabeth & I have agreed on this, and no, we won't change our minds.

I miss YOU(non-exclusive). This is f#cked up and I admit my part in it, but you're not helping. I hate conflicting emotions.

I have so many stories to yet type up in this journal of adventures passed. Maybe they'll get shared someday, maybe not. They're memories all the same for me.

Where do I go from here?

One day of grad school a week. Get some temp job. Then what?

If you had asked me freshman year where I'd be senior year, Ireland would not have been an answer. And yet, here I am, and here I go. The Future is unpredictable, terrifying, and everything I want it to be.

Who knows what awaits me. Will I find a job I like? Will I find a boy I love? Where will I live someday? Is Ireland in my future again?

My Peter Pan existence is almost over. I'm scared.

I have a lot of loose ends in America waiting for me, or so I feel. Or maybe I don't. There's a couple in particular I can think of, but I don't know other people's thoughts, so maybe there's more or less. Ugh. It's so hard to write it out.

Tomorrow marks page one in another new chapter.

Dana in America: The After 21 Years.

Hopefully this book will be good, and worth the read. If not, blame the author. I hear she's a bit off her rocker.

Class of 2010, SUNY Brockport (and not The College at Brockport). Social Work, and Sociology. Here's to us.

There's some things that I regret,
Some words I wish had gone unsaid,
Some starts,
That had some bitter endings,
Been some bad times I've been through,
Damage I cannot undo,
Some things,
I wish I could do all all over again,
But it don't really matter,
Life gets that much harder,
It makes you that much stronger,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.

There's mistakes that I have made,
Some chances I just threw away,
Some roads,
I never should've taken,
Been some signs I didn't see,
Hearts that I hurt needlessly,
Some wounds,
That I wish I could have one more chance to mend,
But it don't make no difference,
The past can't be rewritten,
You get the life you're given,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.

And all the things that break you,
Are all the things that make you strong,
You can't change the past,
Cause it's gone,
And you just gotta move on,
Because it's all,
Lessons learned.

And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,
Lessons learned.
Carrie Underwood - Lessons Learned




I know there's a blue horizon,
Somewhere up ahead, just waiting for me,
Getting there means leaving things behind,
Sometimes life's so bitter sweet.

I guess it's gonna have to hurt,
I guess I'm gonna have to cry,
And let go of some things I've loved,
To get to the other side,
I guess it's gonna break me down,
Like falling when you try to fly,
It's sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life,
Starts with goodbye.
Carrie Underwood - Starts With Goodbye




When you look back on times we had
I hope you smile
And know that through the good and through the bad
I was on your side when nobody could hold us down
We claimed the brightest star
And we, we came so far
And no they won't forget

Whenever you remember times gone by
Remember how we held our heads so high
When all this world was there for us
And we believed that we could touch the sky
Whenever you remember, I'll be there
Remember how we reached that dream together
Whenever you remember

When you think back on all we've done
I hope you're proud
When you look back and see how far we've come
It was our time to shine
And nobody could hold us down
They thought they'd see us fall
But we, we stood so tall
And no we won't forget

Whenever you remember times gone by
Remember how we held our heads so high
When all this world was there for us
And we believed that we could touch the sky
Whenever you remember, I'll be there
Remember how we reached that dream together
Whenever you remember

Yeah, Oh

We claimed the brightest star
And we, we came so far
You know that we, we showed them all
And no they won't forget

Yeah

Whenever you remember times gone by
Remember how we held our heads so high
When all this world was there for us
And we believed that we could touch the sky
Whenever you remember, I'll be there
Remember how we reached that dream together
Whenever you remember

Whenever you remember

Oh, whenever you remember
Carrie Underwood - Whenever You Remember




Hello you long shots
You dark horse runners
Hairbrush singers, dashboard drummers
Hello you wild magnolias
Just waiting to bloom

There's a little bit of all that inside of me and you
Thank God even crazy dreams come true

I stood at the bottom of some walls I thought I couldn't climb
I felt like Cinderella at the ball just running out of time
So I know how it feels to be afraid
Think that it's all gonna slip away
Hold on, hold on

Here's to you free souls, you firefly chasers
Tree climbers, porch swingers, air guitar players
Here's to you fearless dancers, shaking walls in your bedrooms

There's a lot of wonder left inside of me and you
Thank God even crazy dreams come true

Never let a bad day be enough
To go and talk you in to giving up
Sometimes everybody feels like you
Oh, feels like you, just like you
Yeah

I've met some go-getters
Some difference makers
Small town heroes, and big chance takers
I've met some young hearts with something to prove
Oh, yeah

Here's to you long shots
You dark horse runners
Hairbrush singers, and dashboard drummers
Here's to you wild magnolias
Just waiting to bloom

There's a little bit of all that inside of me and you
Thank God even crazy dreams come true
Thank God even crazy dreams come true
Yeah
Carrie Underwood - Crazy Dreams




There's once in a lifetime
And there's once in a while
And the difference between the two is about a million miles
Oh, you might get lucky while the moon is looking up
But in the truth of the morning, the stars will be long gone

You can hold any girl that you like
Fall in love when it's easy at night
But, you'll wake up wondering why she ain't ever something better
When you're lost and run out of road
Find what I already know
In the end closer's all there is
But you won't find this
Carrie Underwood - You Won't Find This





The world's so big, it can break your heart
And you just want to help, not sure where to start
So you close your eyes
And send up a prayer into the dark

"You're just a fool, just a fool to believe you can change the world"
Don't listen to them when they say
"You're just a fool, just a fool to believe you can change the world"
Oh, the smallest thing can make all the difference
Love is alive, don't listen to them when they say
"You're just a fool, just a fool to believe you can change the world"
Carrie Underwood - Change




How did it come to this?
I think about you all the time
It's no excuse, but i wish
That I never made you cry

I'm not sorry that it's over
But for the way we let it end
I couldn't find the world to say

And you should know, please believe me
I've picked up the phone a thousand times
And tried to dial your number
But it's been so long, it's never easy
It's like trying to spin the world the other way
What can I say?
Carrie Underwood - What Can I Say




What you're gonna do when the show is over
What you're gonna sing when the the song ends
How you're gonna cope when there is no closure
Where you're gonna reach when the goal gets higher
How you're gonna make it through
When you think you lost your chance

Play on when you're losing the game
Play on 'cause you're gonna make mistakes
It's always worth the sacrifice
Even when you think you're wrong
So play on

Even when the floodgates swing wide open
Never let the current take you down, no
Even when you're not sure where you're going
Swimming through a mess and you can't get out
Just going through the motions
Trying not to drown

Play on when you're losing the game
Play on 'cause you're gonna make mistakes
It's always worth the sacrifice
Even when you think you're wrong
So play on

Even through a storm on the darkest night
Don't you ever give up the fight
Even when you feel you're all alone

Play on, play on

Play on when you're losing the game
Play on 'cause you're gonna make mistakes
It's always worth the sacrifice
Even when you think you're wrong
So play on
Carrie Underwood - Play On




Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
The still of the morning, the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted

Oh, I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waiting to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Carrie Underwood - Wasted

Things have been so insanely great lately!!!

Louise told me last Monday that I would be ending my internship on the 30th with her because she has exams the following week and is taking her vacation time then to get that stuff out of the way.
So I emailed Mom telling her this.
Last Wednesday during volunteer night I checked my phone during a break and found a text from her that simply read 'So what do u think if I came to visit the first week of May? Luv Mom'.
Needles to say I FREAKED and immediately called her. And she was totally serious. Everyone at work was sooo excited for me and I'll admit, I got a little teary. That night she sent me her itinerary.

On Friday we were talking and she asked me if I were to go to London how many days would I need? And I said three or four. Her reply? 'Well look in to some hotels & flights and we'll do it'.

ARE.YOU.SERIOUS?!?!?!?!

So I spent the rest of the night researching and organizing and figuring it all out. Mom basically put her week plans in my hands and I went to TOWN.

Our itinerary reads as follows:
She'll arrive the 1st. We will stay in Waterford from then till Tuesday morning in a hotel by the Quay. (Monday is a Bank Holiday and the bus doesn't go to Dublin, which messed up my original plans but I adjusted).
On Tuesday morning we will take the bus up to Dublin and then fly to London. We will stay in London from Tuesday night till Friday early morning. Our hotel is right by Hyde Park and within a couple miles of every major site (Buckingham Palace, Westminister Abbey, ect.). It's also right by the Paddington tube station which makes it easy to get to from Heathrow (there's a 15 minute express train every 15 minutes!).
Friday morning we will hop an early flight back to Dublin. We're going to site see Dublin for the day and stay the night in a hostel before she flies back to NY on Saturday. I will return to Waterford for the weekend (having found out changing my flights is not a financially smart decision) and will myself fly home on Wednesday.

Every time I talk about going to London I shake a bit and can't stop perma-grin. I've dreamed of this since I was a kid. I would buy out of date travel books from used bookstores on London and scour them for hours. I have been fascinated with British culture for just as long. I used to watch the BBC Channel on TV for goodness sake!
This is just...absolutely insane. I won't honestly believe I'm there till we land in Heathrow. Any and all pictures I take will feature the biggest damn smile I can manage, promise.
London, I can't wait to embrace you and love on you for three days. Cannot.WAIT!!!!

Aside from London, I was stoked to just know my mom was coming to visit. I wasn't sure what we were going to do for a week in Waterford (I was planning some crazy Irish travel instead) but just to have her here means a lot. My brother's really upset he can't come out (can't afford it) and I feel bad for him. But he also doesn't know my mom plans on taking us on a cruise for my Grad school present soooo shhhh...his is coming!!! Haha!





On the internship front, I'm sad it'll be ending a week earlier than I thought in a way. I have my hours in, so that's not a problem. I guess I just need to prepare myself to cut ties. Some of these kids I have generally come to really like and become attached to (it was bound to happen!) and to say goodbye will be sad. I know they're in good hands though, and even though I wasn't here long I like to think I made an impact in some way. Maybe something so simple as teaching them something about what it's really like in America; just opening their eyes a bit. I'll take it. I want to come in like four years and see where they're at. Especially some of the boys who are definitely very tough. I'd love to see them as respecful, decent young men with future plans. I'll always hope for them, always.

My coworkers said we need to go out as a goodbye. They want to take me to some place called Jack Mead's (sp?). Apparently it's a kickass restaurant/bar/club out in the middle of no where. It has killer land around it, with like ponds and stuff. We're gonna go the Saturday after my last night, so my mom will be with us too. There will be BBQ for dinner and then a DJ at 9 or so. I plan on having a few drinks and having a lot of laughs. I'm going to miss the coworkers. They've been so nice to me, and so much fun. I always have at least one good laugh at work each day, usually due to Katrina (that woman is pure hilarity I think). Louise has been so sweet and wonderful as my supervisor, and soooo helpful. Same for Maggie, who although not my real supervisor has taught me a lot as well. I really feel I've gained some useful knowledge and skills while at SHY.





On Friday I noticed my leg foot/ankle was swollen twice the size of my right.

This happened once before sophomore year. I ended up in the ER and mom ended up driving up at like midnight to be with me. They did a scan on my leg and found no blood clot and sent me on my way. I went to my ortho not too long after and they put me in this good-awful half-leg walking boot. I only wore it for a couple hours. The swelling went down on it's own. After this, some other stuff happened with my knee and leg and such and it culminated with me having knee surgery Spring Break 2008.
Since then, it's been golden (for the most part). My knee still hurts in cold/rainy weather, which is pretty common. I can run again though and bend and it doesn't wake me up in the middle of the night. My ankles are still looser, and my calf muscles are still too tight at times, but all is much better than it was.

Anyways, on Friday my foot/ankle blew up. I called mom in a bit of a panic because it hadn't happened in a while. She wasn't sure what to do with me, and considering I couldn't find any urgent care clinics online around here we decided to wait until I went the ER route. She said if I was home she would have taken me right away but being a country away I was hesitant to just go (health care isn't like it is back home, trust me). She's convinced I have rheumatoid, if not something else. Her main concern was that this time it was a blood clot which could go to my heart and then it'd be 'Bye Bye Dana'. But because the pain was only in one exact spot in my calf and there wasn't much redness, we decided to give it some time.
So I made a make-shift ice pack (wet towel in a bag in the freezer) and elevated my leg. It didn't really go down too much but I didn't really feel like calling Elizabeth at 11PM for a bonding experience to the ER. So we agreed I'd just say a prayer, go to bed, and hope it was better the next day.

Her phone call woke me up the next day. The swelling had gone down, but my ankle was still big. Throughout the day it blew back up, not as bad as the night before, but still bigger than my right foot. Fabulous. Elevated it some more and just whatever. By Sunday my foot was no longer bad, but my ankle joint is still swollen to this day.

For the past month or so when I walk to work after about 15 minutes my calf/shin start to tighten/hurt. I just assumed it had to do with walking too fast and cramping up. But now with this, I dunno.
Currently there's one spot in my calf that still really f#ckin hurts. Like right in the middlel pure sharp pain as I sit here. It feels like a knot almost, but when I touch it it's not. It don't know what to make of it at this point.

Can't wait to go to the doc when I get home! Gonna be good times, I tell ya!

Also on the schedule for when I get home will be wisdom teeth removal. It will at least be the bottom ones. I've put it off long enough, and now they're starting to come through, and something needs to be done. Sigh. Gonna be great fun on that one too!!




I'm currently working on my papers. I have the WIT portfolio half done. It is sooo easy by comparison to Bport. The sections are 2000 words each, which is like 5/6 pages. That's a JOKE compared to the 20 pages I'm supposed to do for my Comprehensive Case Analysis. Of course I should probably do the Evidence-Based Research paper first, which was due a week and a half ago. It's just hard to be in internship 4 days a week and do papers. When I come back from work at anywhere from 7-10PM the last thing I want to do is write. And I do spend Tuesdays (my off day meant for working on papers) doing them, but one day isn't enough to get all my errands and papers in.
Tonight I'm skipping Roomie TV Night to keep working. Shitty. I feel bad missing Grey's & Desperate Housewives. But I have to get my portfolio to Louise on Monday for review and technically the Comp Case is due then too sooo... Time is certinaly of the essence right now!!

Love & miss you guys!
(I'll try to get stories up from Lehinch/Doolin/Inishmore sometime soon. I know, they happened a couple weeks ago now practically but I've been busy, OK? haha)

New Dana Life Rule: When feeling odd/homesick/PMSy/out-of character, I will not drink and go online to talk with everyone and their brother. I will EITHER drink OR go online. These two things from here on out are mututally exclusive to one another.

Good news is I am out of said weird funk and hindsight is totally 20/20. Mmmm, clarity. I was a dramatic, over-emotional mess. I said uncertain things to waaaaay too many people. I was looking to manifest emotions in the wrong way in the wrong people. Of course, my real friends will know to take everything I said with a grain of salt if it was about a 'serious' topic. Was I sloppy, fall on my face drunk? Negative. But I was just in a happy/emotional/loose place where the filter was broken and my head was all 'Oooo, shiney!!!'. In all honesty, the way I felt Friday night I do not feel whatsoever today. I think about Friday night and go 'Really, Dana? You're an idiot'. I let myself get the better of me, no doubt.

Also, I now know what friends I should take advice from and which ones I should ignore with my fingers in my ears going 'La la la la la la!'.

I just need to grow up. Plain and simple.

That being said, I'm going to pretend Friday night just didn't happpen. You can either do the same or not, your choice, but I'm telling you right now, I pressed the delete button on that shitshow yesterday. It meant nothing and therefore will recieve the nothing treatment of nothingness.

No more country music for Dana for a long time. That stuff brings out the worst in me! LOL ;P

New topics: Only working two days this week. Next week two definitely, maybe three. Friday & Monday are bank holidays (Good Friday, Easter Monday) so my week is automatically shortened.

We moved the groups to the day time because the young people are on Easter break for the next two weeks. Tonight's group wasn't moved (the older girls) so I'm working 5-9. Also with tonight's group we're going to hopefully get the other side of last weeks discussion where the girls that did come told us their group isn't fun anymore and they feel like it's losing it's purpose. It was seemingly out of nowhere and the leaders (who've worked this group for ages) were really hurt by it (understandable). Maybe it was just an off week for them? Maybe it's JUST them? We'll find out.

As for this week, we're leaving Thursday for Doolin/Aran Islands(Inishmore). Going to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Also going to watch the sunset and drink beers with Elizabeth and write down my thoughts and read my book and just BE. Cannot wait to just go and see and be and relax. I'm really excited to see these gorgeous places and take too many pictures and just laugh. Hopefully, we'll just laugh that is. Really sick of the drama that doesn't go away for some people.

They're doing kitchen inspections this week as well. Usually our stuff happens on the first day but still they haven't shown. It's spotless out there (I made sure of it and the boys surprisingly cleaned a ton before they left Fridaay. I was impressed for real). I'm giving them another half hour to get here then I'm making my dinner and they can get pissy at me for 'leaving dishes in the strainer', even though that means their clean and isn't that better than them sitting on the table dirty and getting moldy? Somethings just don't make sense in these apartments. Actually, a lot doesn't make sense in these apartments.

Enjoying the 2 weeks to have the apartment to myself though, not gonna lie. I like being able to watch what TV I want to watch whenever I want. It's nice to not feel like I'm intruding on Emma and her boyfriend (who mind as well just be called roommate #4 in apartment 118 at this point).

I need to go dry my hair, prepare for work after the hellacious Friday night DVD-drop in, and make dinner.

Peace, love, and learning ya'll!!

EDIT: Home from work. Was asked/told not to be in group tonight because the other leaders are obviously taking this very seriously and I'm still the new girl and my presence may effect how open the girls/leaders can be with each other. A little sad but totally understandable.
Instead spent an hour and a half with Louise bitching about DVD night from Friday and going through old pictures of those in the SHY. Best part? I'll get to write I spent 8 hours in today for that! Boom baby!
Now I will make spaghetti & sauce and watch Mythbusters, complete with announcer redubbing of a British man.
Passed kitchen inspection. They appreciated the effort. Good deal.

Gosh I’m behind on updating. Whoopsies? Just haven’t been motivated. No one has been really as of late. I think we’re hitting the mid-point lull. I’m only going to highlight important stuff instead of going on about stuff that is trivial at best.

Kirsten & Kerri Visit, March 5-12, 2010:

Fabulouusssss!!! They got in early Saturday morning and after a nap, we made tacos for dinner. Went to Doolan’s that night to listen to the Irish band. Gotta say, I’m beginning to learn the words to songs and can sing along. Pretty fun. Left there and tried to go meet up with everyone else at Ruby’s. Went in and it was PACKED. The worst I have ever seen it. Literally body to body crushed together packed. Took us ages to get across the bar and to Woodman’s, which was equally packed. What the hell?? So we left there and decided to go to Mason’s for the first time. Compared to Ruby’s, the place was empty. Had a drink or two, talked with some guys, and danced to ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. I’d say it was a good night. :D

On Sunday we went to Tramore beach. It was really, really cold out but sunny and well hell, we were on a beach so can I really complain?? We even made lunch to sit and eat while looking out over the water. Awwww. Tried to walk and find a castle but no dice. Ended the day sitting in the diner drinking tea and talking. Good times. Stayed in that night and Kerri made us chicken parm & spaghetti. DELICIOUS. Way to go on the cooking thing Kerri, way to go.

The girls spent Monday in Cork/Blarney/Midleton while I spent it at work. They enjoyed their outing, kissed the stone, drank some whiskey, and had fun (or so they told me).

Tuesday we spent all around Waterford. First we headed down to the Waterford Crystal building only to find it CLOSED. WHAT? I swear to God when we got here the visitor center was still open! (Later on I went on the website and it quite literally just closed a week prior, and a new center is opening in June just after I leave. Of course it is!) We went on a crazy shopping spree in Penny’s, picking up tons of stuff from dresses to jewelry for really cheap. I’m talking like 14 pieces for like €75. I could NEVER do that back home, ever. The girls loved it, which was probably the most important. Headed over to Doolan’s for pub lunch. Good stuff. Shopped around a bit more, finally finding a place to buy Waterford Crystal. I got mom a shamrock and Kerri got her sister a wedding present. Did some more walking around a shopping at Dunne’s (three more items for like €25, holla!). Finally went to meet Diane (my social work advisor from Brockport that was over on vacation/’visiting’). Met her and her daughters at the Granville Hotel and shared a drink and a chat. Afterwards, headed back to the apartment.

Wednesday & Thursday I worked while the girls spent one day in Dublin and another in the room catching up on schoolwork. Good deal. We spent one night sitting in my room reminiscing about high school and sharing current gossip on people from high school. We realized that we can name like 7 guys who turned out to be gay from our class (not saying that in a bad way, just an odd realization). Also waaaay too many people getting married or having babies (rarely do they do both). We decided by still being in college, without babies and without husbands, we are the normal ones.

Friday the girls went off to Kilkenny while I went off to work. Unfort their bus would get back while I was at work, keeping them locked out of the apartment. So when I got back at 10, I figured maybe they’d be waiting, but they weren’t. I kept going downstairs and outside every 15-20 minutes until about 1AM with no sign of them. Finally I decided to go to back, and just hope for the best.

Not fifteen minutes later do they come stumbling in. And I mean stumbling. They were TRASHED. Apparently they decided to have a couple drinks while waiting for me, which turned in to meeting some Texans, and having people buy them lots of drinks (beer to shots). Any attempts at telling me things (including stuff about buses?) was against their better judgment because neither of them made any sense. I did get out of them that Kerri “puked all over Waterford” and Kirsten “spoke Spanish for a while”. Kerri pretty much just passed out on the floor. Kirsten got changed and attempted to write an email on my computer, all the while falling every which way all over the room. At the time I was more upset because I had been so worried about them, but now it’s effin’ hilarious the state they were in. Holy sweet baby cheese & rice were they drunk!!!

Next day the girls weren’t as in rough shape as I thought they’d be. However they did (finally) manage to explain to me that because they were flying out of Shannon and buses don’t run frequently on the weekends, they’d have to leave today and stay the night up there because there wasn’t an early enough bus on Sunday. Pretty bummed out we weren’t able to go horseback riding then (which we had booked for 2PM and their bus to go to Shannon was at 4PM). Instead we went out to Sumatra cafe for breakfast (soooo good and cheap and I can’t wait to go back) and then came back to pack up everyone’s stuff. My souvenir suitcase was full :)!

On the way down to the bus station, Kerri and I went in to McDonald’s to get our first Shamrock shakes of the year. While in Ireland. It was yet another one of those moments that made me go ‘Yea, coming here was in fact a great idea Dana, good call’. Elizabeth & I saw them off, and I was definitely sad to see my little slices of Americana go (as I took to calling them).

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2010:

Got up and ready. Decided to wear my Ireland ‘Pub Crawl’ t-shirt I bought in Galway (been dying for an excuse and today seemed like a good one). Went up to Jen’s room and opened my bottle of wine at 10:30AM.

Garrett showed up and the drinking games started a bit. Learned and played Asshole and King’s Cup. Pretty fun/funny. By about noon/noon-thirty Marlee and Chris finally arrived. Eventually headed off to the parade with a decent buzz going on (I didn’t finish the bottle of wine, but came pretty damn close, and had a Bud to cap it off).

The parade sucked. My coworkers told me it would, but I still wanted to go cause, oh yea, we’re in Ireland and it’s St. Patrick’s Day and I’m going to take part in the festivities!! But seriously, it sucked. It was pretty much just every children’s sports team or organization marching along. A couple bands. Like two floats. Some cars that were supposed to be vintage but definitely weren’t. And did I mention no one was throwing candy to us??? I wanted a tootsie roll, dammit!

After standing there for a bit, we started to walk down a ways towards the quay. When the parade finally finished we decided to go get lunch at a pub. And apparently so did everyone else. After checking out three separate places, all which were packed, we went to (surprise) Doolan’s! And of course we got a table right away. Hanne met us here and we got lunch. I got bacon and cabbage (though it was more like ham & potatoes), and it was awesomeeee. Not Grandma’s corned beef & cabbage, but I’ll take it because it was made in Ireland and it was St. Paddy’s Day.

We left and headed over to Wacky Apple’s, picking up cards on the way. Did a shot of Baby Guinness before going upstairs. Ended up sitting in Wacky’s for at least two hours playing drinking games and acting like fools. After a bit decided to head back to the Manor hoping to make it to a party in Manor Two, but missing it by a bit. Instead went back to Jen’s room and continued drinking & playing card games with her roommates. I played DJ with iTunes (and I'll brag, I was great at it).

I decided to go to back to my room at 9:30 or so once some drama started and it became apparent despite what they were saying no one was going out to the bars. Instead changed clothes, put on Boondock Saints, and fell asleep.

St. Patrick’s Day was good by me.

Truly bizarre part of the day though was children in pubs/bars. WTF? At Wacky’s a woman quite literally had a baby in a stroller a mere five feet from the bar. What.The.Hell??? Also while we were upstairs her older child was up there yelling at a group of lads for moving a table saying she was going to tell her mother on them. It was insane!!! Apparently the law is children can be in the bars till 9PM on St. Paddy’s Day but no one really follows it? Or something? I don’t know. It’s really fucking weird all around.

Nothing else major to report. We’re planning a trip at the moment to go away for Easter weekend to Doolan, Cliffs of Mohr, and the Aran Islands. Assuming the ferry is running, we have it all good to go with hostels and the like. Really excited to get out of Waterford for a few days and just relax in one of the most gorgeous areas of Ireland. Though to be fair I haven’t really found a part of Ireland I haven’t found gorgeous just yet. Probably because it’s all new to me.

Traveling so much here, and talking to coworkers, has actually given me a better appreciation for America. A lot of the places we visit here in Ireland the people who have lived here for decades haven’t been too. They talk about visiting this and that in Europe or in America. And I realize through this that there are a TON of places in America that I’d like to see and appreciate. I’ve been to a few cities and such, but I want to do more. I want to go to New York City or Down South or to the Mid-West. Chicago? Nashville? Dallas? Seattle? Yes, please, all of the above.

I tried beans on toast today (a “staple” Irish food). Didn’t taste bad, but wasn’t amazing either. However, though my taste buds allowed it my insides are not agreeing with it. Not.Good. In fact, feeling reeeaaaaallllyyyy shitty (double meaning, anyone?). Ugh. The things I do for my kids at work, seriously.

Who am I kidding, I love those little shiests to bits. :D

Love,

Dana

It's been a while.

We didn't have internet from Saturday night to yesterday so I'm going to stick with blaming that and not my own laziness for my lack of entries.

My new internship is stellar. The workers/volunteers are all super fun and amazing. The kids are interesting and fun and keep you on your toes. It's so different from anything I've done before and I think that's why I love it even more. I get to work with girls and boys from ages 8 to 16 (or there abouts). It makes me happy to know I may be able to positively impact them and help them make good decisions in their lives. I have learned the little things truly do matter and anything can be made in to a learning experience.

During my first supervisor meeting on Friday, Louise told me I'm doing really good. She can't believe I've never worked with kids before like this. She praised me for just being like 'Here I am, deal with me' (AKA not being shy and having no shame) and not being afraid to converse with the kids. I take what they throw at me in stride. It's good to know I'm fitting in well and not messing up anything too badly.

This morning I attended a 'training' session with other area youth workers. We learned a bunch of group games we could play with the kids. They are meant to be fun, but there's more to them like learning about one another and instilling trust in each other. It was so, so much fun and I really enjoyed being a part of it. I hope to some day be able to take what I learned here and apply it in America.

Another small world moment: Maggie (the other worker at SHY) and I realized today that her family (I can't remember who specifically) lived in the town near where my brother used to live in Virginia. Absolutely crazy.

Not being able to watch the Olympics is killing me. The coverage is limited here (as the TV stations are even more limited) and online isn't working (NBC said I can't watch because I'm international). This isn't funny anymore.
Dana.Needs.Curling!!!!
Side note: Senior year of high school we had senior study hall which was held in a cafe style room with tables and TVs. During the Winter Olympics, we put on curling on the TVs and I swear mostly everyone ended up watching and getting in to it. 2nd period senior was the best study hall ever. So this whole watching curling thing is a big deal/tradition, if you will.

Tried to go out Saturday night with the crew only to be denied entry to a 'dance club' because I was wearing a hoodie. Are you serious? Seeing as I didn't know this was the place we were going I wasn't wearing a shirt I'd wear in public underneath said hoodie (as in a small white tank top). So I went back to the apartments. Whatever Waterford, the night life in Buffalo is better anyways!!!

I've had a lot of fun lately comparing notes between Ireland and America.

It is cheaper to buy a standard transmission car here than an automatic. As in, it's standard to drive standard. You cannot be licensed to drive both either. You choose what you'll drive and that's the license you have. They also do not have cruise control, hence the title of this post. My 'supervisor' couldn't believe the concept when I explained it to her. Of course, Ireland also doesn't have the highways/thruways like America does so it's a little less usable.

Irish pancakes are not American pancakes. Theirs are thinner, more like a crepe but not that thin. I had my first one on Monday (we're making them all week for Pancake Tuesday). They do not in fact have IHOP here (who knew International didn't actually mean International!) and pancakes are really a once a year deal. I've also begun to understand the love of Nutella. Of all the toppings I tried on their pancakes, it was my favorite.

Mac & cheese really isn't a big deal here at all. When I made Easy Mac in front of Nieve & Louise they about near died (and not in a good way) to see cheese in powdered form. I kept telling them to not judge it because it's the poor college kid version of m&c. Wait till I get some Velveeta or Kraft, they won't be repulsed then (I hope).

They do not have Milk Duds or Twizzlers here. Apparently those that have visited America love them both very, very much. So weird that something so basic to us is a treat for them. Today Maggie got surprised with a pack of Twizzlers. I watched Lindsey (the community drugs worker) and Louise have them for the first time. They kept calling them licorice before eating them (which I wouldn't allow) and understood afterwards that they aren't at all like licorice. They seemed to like them OK enough.

Also on food (what the hell, I must seem so fat with all this food talk!) they do not have graham crackers here like we do. While talking with my one girls' group they asked about smores and if I love Hershey's (something else they don't really sell here because Cadbury is a big deal). They only knew how to make smores because they'd seen it on Hannah Montana!!! That is just NOT acceptable in my view!!
I've asked my mom to ship over some crackers and chocolate so one night with the girls we can make proper smores. Of course, they won't be truly proper because there's not a place to build a fire to roast marshmellows so they'll have to be microwave style. But at least they'll have the real, right crackers and chocolate.

They don't have Pam cooking spray (at least that I've seen). They use something that looks like butter but definitely isn't as cooking grease. Because they don't have Pam, I wonder if the joke in the movie Baby Mama about 'spraying a little Pam down there' isn't as funny to them?
Yes, I think about these things. And I'm a role model for kids! :P Haha!

Topper=pencil sharpener.
Press=cupboard.
Bin=garbage can.
Prom=stroller (for babies).

When you sneeze, no one says 'Bless you'. Ever.

I have my first big paper due to Brockport on Monday. Agency Profile. Thankfully, SHY has folders of info I was able to go through yesterday. They actually have folders called 'Agency Profile' and 'Community Profile'. Of course they weren't nearly as up to date as I would have liked so on Friday I have questions for Lousie to tie up loose ends. Even though it's a longer paper, I can't find it in me to complain because it's technically only one class I'm doing. My internship hardly feels like work 90% of the time but I'm definitely learning.

I am wiped out. Off to reading and bed I go.

Love you all,

Dana

So I left off on the weekend. So I shall pick back up on Monday Funday.

Monday, 2-1-10:
Went to Jonah knowing it was going to be the end. Niamh came to me and told me to begin writing up my goals seeing as our meeting with Joe was later. I told her actually I wanted to talk to her about all that. So we went in her office and I just told her I wasn't going to continue. We talked about it for about five minutes and she was totally understanding. She agreed it's very school-based and if that's not what I want, that's not what I want. It was really nice and really good how it went. Like Niamh said, social care in Ireland is much, much broader than in America.

So I just sat around for the following hour or so until Joe came. Then we met with Niamh & Miriam and it went really quickly. They wished me the best, I thanked them for letting me be there, and that was that. I left with Joe after that.

Did some shopping on the way home, picked up a couple books, strolled around town. It was nice to just be solo with no real direction for a bit.

Tuesday, 2-2-10:
Absolutely no recollection if anything important happened; I'm gonna go with no. Pretty sure I slept late and read books and did nothing of significance in any shape or form.

Not gonna lie, loved it.

Wednesday, 2-3-10:
Spent the day doing nothing with my life. Awesomeeeee!!!!

Decided to go out that night with everyone. And by everyone I meant my Americans, the other Americans, the Belgians, and an Austrian. Um yea, holla to the world!! I didn't plan on drinking but just going out and not being in this four walled white room any more.

First stop, Wacky Apple where we met up with everyone. Definitely sat on hobbit stools around a long table with everyone. Pretty legit and felt like right out of a movie. Realized pretty quickly to get through the night I was gonna need a drink. So I had a Heineken (my first one mind you). Yea, I'll allow it and keep going with that. Definitely toasted in Jamaican and Irish. We're so eclectic. WA closed down at midnight-ish so off we went.

Right to Ruby Lounge, everyone's favorite club. The same cover band was playing as last week; fuuuuuuuuuuuun!!! Had a couple more drinks. May have been pulled in to a 'walk-off/strut-your-stuff' party with some strangers to the cover of 'Express Yourself' (N.W.A, not Madonna). We all pretty much cat-walked across the floor showing our best Zoolander and ass-shaking moves. The band even applauded us at the end. I love this country!!

Definitely saw and lost a lot of people throughout the night. We're not very good at staying in one spot it seems. Alcohol makes us wander around in various pairings/groups. Hanne is also my new favorite person in the world; constant fun. There's never a dull moment when we're all together, that's for sure.

Side note: why is everyone here a Giants fan (be they American, Irish, or Belgian)? WTF??? Chris and I tried to hold our own for the Bills but no luck. We all did rally however when one of the girls said she was a Patriot's fan. Good to know anyone can get along to hate on Tom Brady. It all came down to the fact that Chris and I were bummed we couldn't be watching the Sabres at that moment. Also we realized we were both at the same Pens game in December; too crazy.

Anyways, I eventually went to the bar next door to see people and ran in to Dean, Paul, and Alex, the boys we met our first night here in Elizabeth's room. I definitely spent the rest of the night sitting and talking with them. Hilarious stuff. Compared notes between America and Ireland. They asked me a lot of questions; kinda ridiculous. Their idea of America is kinda skewed on some levels. Paul (who I was told to not believe a word from anyways) thinks we're racist as well as saying he thinks America is like the movie Van Wilder. Killed those ideas pretty fast, even if he was joking.

They totally call snaps 'clicks'. Like snapping your fingers. They tried all night to get me to do the 3 snap thing all ghetto style and also the whatever hand. WTF is wrong with America that this is how the world see us?? Marlee and I did end up doing the snaps only because they kept doing it wicked wrong. But we kept telling them no respectable person actually does that in a serious manner. It's all jokes. We also really miss Jersey Shore and the fact they don't have it here.

That bar eventually closed down and off I went with four boys.

Apparently their drunk food is kabobs. The fact I had never had one was beyond them. And no, it's not a shiskabob, much to my disappointment. It's like an Indian kabob, which is really a wrap with stuff in it. Also the fact I've never had curry was not OK either. I did try a bite of a kabob but it seemed too spicy for me at the time. Knowing how my body has taken to food here I was not about to make that mistake that late at night. I wanted a garbage plate. I explained to the boys what that was; awesome reactions of disgust ensued.

Met a boy who said he was American in said kabob place. Apparently he was born in South Carolina? However, he definitely had an intense Irish accent and called it 'South Caroline' at first. I called him out on it. He told me some life story about parents moving and a brother still being there or something. I don't remember. I don't think I really cared at that point. Still don't really.

Eventually headed back towards the building with the boys. Alex and Paul live here so we went in while Dean and Joey (I think that's his name anyways) went off to their own place. They like to do this drunken goodbye thing where they say goodbye multiple times, calling out to each other. Kinda weird, definitely hilarious. They thought they were awesome so I went with it.

Came back to my room and decided to drunkenly IM. Um, Carter/Drews/Al: WTF was I even talking about?? I think Carter got the most win in his conversation but Drews got a couple good moments too. Here are some excerpts to show what I mean:

xoxAmIWrongxox (3:53:48 AM): me and my 5 litre of water are PUMPED UP
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:53:55 AM): arnold schwagneger style
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:53:59 AM): i hope i spelled that wrong
d4rksabre (3:54:17 AM): you did..excellently
d4rksabre (3:54:32 AM): in fact, it's even better that way
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:54:55 AM): hahahahaha
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:55:04 AM): holla at ya drunk irish girl and what she can do drunk
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:55:54 AM): shiest
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:55:57 AM): i need to stop laughing
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:55:59 AM): this is loud
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:56:03 AM): emma will not be pleased
d4rksabre (3:56:06 AM): seriously though, im laughing so hard at schwaganeger
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:56:56 AM): at least i didn't spell negro or worse
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:01 AM): also, americans are racist
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:02 AM): btw
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:17 AM): the irish judge us based on the movie 'van wildler'
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:19 AM): wtf man
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:19 AM): wtf
d4rksabre (3:57:26 AM): hahaha
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:27 AM): there was a lot of alcohol involved in that discussion tho
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:30 AM): so it may not be accurate
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:35 AM): they tell me paul's kinda BSer
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:38 AM): he looks like overholt
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:57:40 AM): it's insane
d4rksabre (3:57:50 AM): lol paul?
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:07 AM): WHAT
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:09 AM): HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:18 AM): !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:23 AM): o
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:24 AM): wait
d4rksabre (3:58:25 AM): you just said his name...
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:25 AM): i said it
d4rksabre (3:58:28 AM): lol
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:29 AM): hahahahahahaah
d4rksabre (3:58:35 AM): apparently you = more drunk than me
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:40 AM): haahaha
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:41 AM): that's not good
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:44 AM): my liver hates us
xoxAmIWrongxox (3:58:46 AM): hahahahaah


xoxAmIWrongxox (4:02:16 AM): btw drews laughing at me right now
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:02:21 AM): def showed him my moment about paul just now
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:02:22 AM): lol
d4rksabre (4:02:34 AM): lol i think we're all sort of laughing at you a little bit
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:01 AM): shhhhh
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:09 AM): this is the bes tnight so far in ireland
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:11 AM): lemme indulge ok
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:15 AM): geeeeeezzzz
d4rksabre (4:03:24 AM): i'm the last person that would stop anyone from indugling lol
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:33 AM): lol come here
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:34 AM): seriously
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:36 AM): omg carter
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:39 AM): you'd be a friggenng HIT
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:51 AM): did i mentioned i cat-walked in a bar tonight?
d4rksabre (4:03:55 AM): hahahaha
d4rksabre (4:04:01 AM): no, but now you have lol
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:29 AM): lol
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:32 AM): i totes did
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:39 AM): this guy just grabbed me and various friends
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:42 AM): and shoved us forward
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:47 AM): i def shook my s#!t
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:50 AM): i was applauded
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:53 AM): it was grand
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:58 AM): they say that a lot, 'grand'.
d4rksabre (4:05:02 AM): f#ckin grand
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:05:21 AM): no
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:05:23 AM): just grand
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:05:31 AM): but when they say f#ck
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:05:33 AM): it's hawt
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:05:35 AM): :-)
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:05:37 AM): hahahahaha
d4rksabre (4:05:53 AM): yeah i bet it is ya f#ck
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:06:28 AM): hahahah
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:06:36 AM): i did tell them tho that the accent is lost on me already
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:06:38 AM): they were sad
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:06:44 AM): i told them to go to america to get laid via accent
d4rksabre (4:06:52 AM): it's true
d4rksabre (4:07:05 AM): it works on guys too
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:07:23 AM): you're gay
d4rksabre (4:07:30 AM): gimme a spry irish chick and i'm done
d4rksabre (4:07:35 AM): no homo dana
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:07:40 AM): oooookkkk surrreeee
d4rksabre (4:07:57 AM): i know it's a long shot, but ya gotta trust me here lol
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:08:52 AM): ok


dfdtrumpet (4:03:39 AM): so what time/day is it there?
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:03:55 AM): 4AM
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:03 AM): thursday
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:07 AM): the time i would normally be leaving a bar
dfdtrumpet (4:04:10 AM): ok, so you're like 5 hours ahead
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:13 AM): yep
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:20 AM): tho mat hisn't my forte right now
xoxAmIWrongxox (4:04:23 AM): it's 5
dfdtrumpet (4:04:35 AM): lol
dfdtrumpet (4:05:10 AM): i like how you managed to spell forte right in that sentance


Yea, pretty much I was that ridiculous and it still makes me laugh. (Also Drews, I like how you managed to spell 'sentence' wrong in that sentence. Hahaha!)

Moral of the story: I rock.

Thursday, 2-4-10:
Um, who was woken at 930AM by a fire alarm?

Oh right, this girl.

NOT AMUSED MANOR VILLAGE, NOT AMUSED!! Definitely tried to sleep through it (as many students have advised us to do). I almost did pull it off but after ten minutes I texted Elizabeth and asked what to do. She told me to go outside. So I went in the courtyard, still half asleep and somewhat hung-over and what did I do? Stepped in a HUGE puddle soaking through my slippers. Everyone (i.e. strangers) laughed at me. It was not cool.

Turns out Elizabeth overslept and was out front. Um, she's kinda supposed to be at her internship at 9AM. Wut-woh. Heard from her that she was out there with Marlee who was the last to see me the night before (along with Meghan) and was concerned how I got home. They didn't know that I had actually previously met the boys I was with and they weren't strangers I was just gallivanting around with.

Eventually we were allowed to no longer be standing in the rain and I promptly crawled back in to my bed. Definitely did not awake again till 1PM. How anyone managed to go in to their internships after that night was beyond me. Elizabeth, Jenn, and Hanne all said they were falling asleep throughout the whole day though. So thankful I didn't have anything to do till 5PM.

I did however head out in to the crap weather in the late afternoon to get some shopping done. Picked up Kwells, the motion sickness medicine that shall get tested this weekend. Also new Band-Aids for the awful, awful blisters I have that won't go away. Not fun, new shoes. Why must you be so cute yet so painful?

Definitely started to downpour and there was a lot of wind. AWESOME. I knew this sun and stuff was too good to last. Stereotypical Irish weather finally reared it's ugly, ugly head. I trucked on and headed to the grocery store to pick up meat and taco stuff for dinner that night.

Hung around for a bit till 5PM when I went to campus to meet with Joe for my interview at S.H.Y. Project.

It went sooooooooooo well. The girl who will be my supervisor, Louise, is also 21 years old, finishing up in college, and I'm the first person she's 'supervised'. The other worker, Maggie, has been there for a while and will be my other less-supervisor. They are the only two paid workers; the rest are all volunteers, like 50 or so. Amazing.

Louise is super cool and nice. Basically SHY is a place for kids to come to talk and hang out and be in a safe, fun environment. They cook, play sports, have a 'homework club', watch movies, and all that good stuff. They run various 'groups', depending on age and gender. They don't like to run mixed gender groups and I'm OK with that.

Basically I will never start work before 1PM and I'll spend my days with kids making sure they're in a good place. Sign me up! I got to meet one of the girls' groups. They actually requested to meet me because they've never met an American before. They were rocking aviators as they'd just had a fashion show and were playing Twister when we came in. Too precious. So excited to hug kids and support them. This is what makes me heart happy.

I left the interview with Joe with perma-grin. I told Louise this felt really good and she agreed, meaning she liked me as much as I liked her. Even Joe said he wanted to come back and do my internship (Louise sold it that well essentially).

I start Monday at 4PM, an hour before the first boys' group. Kinda nervous, really excited, and can't wait to dive right in.

Came back to the building and had tacos with the crew. Made tentative plans for this weekend. Blarney and Jameson Distillery on Saturday for sure, the old Gaol probably on Sunday.

Back in my room that night I was just getting comfy in bed when Mom called. Um, are you ready for this??

I GOT ACCEPTED TO UB!!!! I will start my social work Master's on May 17th and in one year I will be done with it. Pardon the language but F#*K YEA!!!!!!!!!!!! So pumped, you have no idea. (Side note: 99 days till graduation from Brockport. Woo!!)

Best. Thursday. Ever.

Today, Friday, 2-5-10:
Finally got the laundry situation sorted out. It sucks.

We had tried to find a laundry place outside of here that would be cheaper to do our own at but no dice. So we have to use the laundry service in this building. It's 9.50euro per 5kg. Because this was our first time and I was clearly unsure of the process the lady was really nice enough to not weigh our loads, though she did tell me we'd be over if she had. We had one of whites and one of darks (Elizabeth and I combined our laundry). So a filled laundry basket, a normal load to me back home, is too big here. It really sucks that each week we'll have to spend 19euro to do laundry basically. Totally bogus.

The hostel we're staying at this weekend in Cork does 5kg loads for 5euro so we saved clothes to do there. Sucks we have to lug a suitcase there but we need to save money where we can. Even if we have to do two loads in Cork, it's still the price of one here.

Why did I come to the dirty country that doesn't understand clean clothes and using deodorant?? (Jokes people, mostly jokes.)

Attempted to make plans to go to the movies to see Avatar today. Chris unfortunately had to go to the health office on campus and the plans got cancelled.

So here I sit.

We leave for Cork at 7:30PM tonight. Super excited. Cannot wait to go exploring this weekend.

Before we go Elizabeth is moving rooms. She cannot spend the next three months in a room of people who have their friends over every night to smoke weed and do nothing but keep her up till 2AM. I refuse to go to her room anymore because of the smell. It's not good when you have to reserve clothes to only be worn in said room so not all your clothes smell. Live and learn, right?

When we return on Sunday we'll be heading over to Paddy's apartment to watch the Superbowl. That is going to be so much fun!! Can't wait for some American sports. Heck, I just miss sports altogether. We keep finding random soccer games but it's never ManU. Ah well, I'll take what I can get!

The next blog will hopefully be full of amazing stories of exploring a city we're told is one of the best.

Peace and Love,
Dana

The last American standing, right here. Bam baby, bam!!!!!

Drunkest I've felt in the past two weeks but not pass out drunk. Kinda proud, kinda sad. Oh Ireland, how you and I don't see eye to eye is amazing.

Spent the night comparing notes with Irish boys. Things are just not the same here. Totally hilarious, only sometimes awkward.

To say you've 'met' someone means you've made out with them. Who knew. Won't make that mistake again, I assue you.

Some people are just crazy. I hate having to apologize for other people's actions by association. Just don't want this drama; we're big kids now.

Have an interview at 5PM tomorrow with the SHY Project, a part of the Waterford Youth Services whatever it's called. Sounds more social work related than Jonah. Hope it goes well.

Hope I can drink away any impending hangover with water, haha!! Nah, I'm not that bad. Still managed to take off my makeup, change my clothes, and get in to my own bed. That's what I call a successful night.

The boys I was with tonight are funny/nice. Definitely hope to see them out more if only because the conversation flowed better than with anyone else I've met thus far.

I am the traitor America; no shame. Decode as you wish.

Night beeyotches!!!! Those Heinkikens were for you (yea, I switched it up tonight, wha wha!!! Still hate you Guinness lol).

Past Adventures:

The title of this is a little jingle Kate & Garrett made up to Supermac’s, the fake McDonald’s of Ireland. As in, they were sued by McDonald’s for infringement but won the case and thus still are doing business.

We gave them a try Tuesday night seeing as they were the ONLY place open past 7PM (and I wish that was a joke. Even McD’s was closed. Stupid move on their part). The burger was good, the fries were great. I ordered a medium Coke and was given a can of Coke to pour in to a provided cup with ice. Really guys? Really?

This whole no-24 hour stores and everything closing by 7PM deal is in no way easy to adjust to. America, I miss your overindulgent personality.

I still say we should market the theme song to them though. I wanted it to be ‘supermactacular’ but they voted me down due to too many syllables. Whatever. I think it’s a good make-believe word.

Internship:

I have requested to get a new one. Monday will be my last day and Tuesday the search will commence.

I have a conscience and hate letting people down or upsetting people, so these last two days have been hard for me there. Niamh (the director) asks me how I’m doing each day and I have to scramble to tell her how I’ve learned about this or that. The girls have been super helpful, asking me if I have any questions about ABA process and are willing to explain everything and anything to me.

Tomorrow I have to tell Miriam (the supervisor) that I’m taking the weekend to consider if I’ll continue (though I know I’m leaving on Monday). Niamh doesn’t work Fridays (something that I blanked on) so she’s in for a shock come Monday when she comes in and is told by Miriam that I’m planning on leaving.

The reason it’s going down Monday is because that is when Joe has a meeting with myself and Niamh/Miriam to discuss how things are going and how we feel about me being at their school. We actually set up this meeting on this past Monday (my first day) because it’s better to know progress potential sooner rather than later. In my case, it’s not much potential.

I guess Monday will be good and bad. I just hope they don’t take me leaving badly and/or I don’t say something rude/offensive in explaining my reasons for not wanting to be there.

It’s not them; it’s me.

I respect the heck out of what they do; it’s just not for me on a lot of levels. Too structured, too small, too education major and not enough social work major.

While waiting for the bus today (because it was late, shocker) I talked with a girl from Slievrue whose best friend used to work at TJP. When I told her I wasn’t feeling it so much, so said her friend loved it. I said it didn’t fit me as I’m in social work and she asked wtf I was doing there because it’s definitely for education majors.

Just another sign that I’m not crazy or overreacting I guess. But I know that deep down I’m neither because I know myself and I know when things need to change, and this needs to change.

I did have fun today though shadowing (the first day I wasn’t bored to tears at multiple points). I even was talked in to trying out the slide on the playground. It’s not a normal slide. It’s simply two railings, spaced about 1 1/2 feet apart. You set one leg over each bar and slide down on your thighs. It’s actually really fast and the landing is a beeyotch (sooo much pressure on your ankles). It was wicked fun tho, I have to admit. Gives any other slide I’ve ever been on a poor rating by comparison. (I tried Googling for an image of what it looks like, but I’ve had no luck finding anything.)

One last good thing from work today: one of the boys keeps messing up my name and calling me Dane-yuh. One of the boys back at ASI definitely every time calls me the exact same thing. Made me miss home and made me laugh as well.

Differences:

And now it’s time for an Irish English lesson (things I learned from the girls at work today).

Rubber=eraser. You do not erase something, you rub it out. (Anyone else think of sex and the Mafia immediately? Only me? …OK.)

Full stop=period. This was a fun one to learn as neither of us had ever heard of the other’s term for ending a sentence before. We found each other’s both weird and funny. .=full stop=period (Somewhere one of my high school English teachers is rolling their eyes.)

Tipp-Ex=Wite Out (Ah, a battle of the most popular brand names in their respected countries.)

At the weekend=on the weekend

In the playground=on the playground

(Seriously, we really need to just change the directives? And why does America love the word ‘on’ so much?)

Programmes=shows (be they television or radio).

Crisps=potato chips (I refuse to say it their way).

Chips=French fries (I refuse to say this too).

Pitch=field (and while we’re on football=soccer terms, kit=uniform).

They also say the ‘th’ realllyyyy weird on their words. Bathroom sounds like batroom and thirty sounds like tirty. It’s like the ‘h’ doesn’t even exist. I honestly giggle on the inside each time.

One last thing on the language differences: what is up with the random ‘u’s in words and making ‘er’ turn in to ‘re’? Pretty sure it’s centER not centRE when you pronounce it. And making favorite in to favourite is seriously not  much cooler.

I’m just saying. :P hahaha…

Future Plans:

This weekend will be spent exploring Waterford’s sites and history. Originally we had planned on a weekend in Cork but the hostel is full so that will happen next weekend. Instead we are going to track down the (supposed)Waterford Castle and do some site-seeing around here. Maybe find an ice cream shop or a Chinese restaurant? (I miss you 716, I miss you.)

Next weekend in Cork will be killer though. Blarney is nearby so we’re obviously traveling to the Castle and to see the stone. Also nearby are other legit castles and even a fort!! Pretty pumped to see some good ol’ European history. (Why wasn’t class ever this fun in school? I would have actually liked history if I could have walked through a castle every weekend, seriously.)

Due to the fact that I have yet to have an entirely 100% good experience on a bus, I’m terrified for the 2 1/2 hour drive to Cork. Thus I’m looking in to motion sickness medicine. Apparently Dramamine was taken off the market in Ireland. Fantastic. Tomorrow on my way home from work I’m going to stop in at a pharmacy and get the names of the drugs they do have and give them to mom to look in to.

An alternative that Elizabeth found out about is this bracelet made of metal that apparently uses a pressure point in your wrist and eliminates the nausea. I’m not one that’s all for hippie methods of healing (AKA hand me the medicine and be quiet) but it’s something to think about.

Side not: I have never in my life until I turned 21 experienced motion sickness. I noticed it last fall a few times when I would ride in the backseats of cars but thought nothing of it. Apparently I should have because now busses and planes are not my friends anymore. And that really bites because I love traveling! Oh well. I will remedy it someway, somehow. This will not stop me.

Randomness:

I ride a bus made by Mercedes-Benz to and from work. Can you say you take a Benz to work every day? :)

I’m trying to upload pictures to a Photobucket or Flickr account so you all can see SOME evidence of what I’ve been up to, but with this awful internet connection, it’s going to take quite some time. I’ll let you know when it happens (like four months from now when I’m back in the USA lol).

There are a TON of round abouts in Ireland.

Factoid: I L-O-V-E roond aboots (you have to say it in a bad Canadian accent or else it loses a certain something). Thus, Ireland and I are cool.

One of the girls at TJP is from Niagara Falls, Ontario (I keep forgetting to ask her how she ended up here because it seems she’s been in Ireland for years.) We agreed Canada wins when it comes to NF. The American side is just sad at this point.

We may have found a nearby coin laundry place to use instead of being charged 10 euros per small load here at our apartments. (It’s definitely a way to scam money from the international students as 99% of the Irish kids go home each weekend and can do their laundry there. Oh,and it’s also BS and we’re not happy about it.) If I’m here for four months with limited clothes I am not paying a ridiculous amount to wash them like every other week.

We had pork chops and French fries (or I’m sorry, chips) for dinner. We've totally got this group cooking dinner thing down to a T.

I miss you all!!! Stop having so much fun without me lol

Shout outs to all who read and leave me comments (be there here or Facebook). Feel free to leave more. I love hearing from you all.

I’m done.

El fin.

Supermactacular,

Dana