Regular Life Begins....sort of...

(my room in Galway - I bought kids sheets with boats on them to liven up the place =>)
WHOO!

So much to write about – So I am now back in Galway and school started…well today actually! However I still am not registered for classes – in fact I was not even a registered student of NUI Galway (National University of Ireland) until about 4 o clock this afternoon. I think the Irish are much more laid back than Americans. I am used to being completely signed up for classes at least a month in advance, sometimes more!

Luckily I have decided not to take any classes on Mondays and Fridays (convenient huh?). So I start tomorrow, with International Business Law. How exciting!

But I guess I should rewind a bit, starting with student Orientation, which was last Thursday, but feels like it was 8 months ago. We pretty much just sat there and listened to people speak from 9 until 4, but it was all worth it in the end when we had a wine filled ceremony, along with a party at the college’s bar (yes the college does have a bar on campus…).

I guess what makes it all seem so long ago is the fact that the people I met during that day now feel to me like old friends. It really amazes me how just one comment, look, or physical bump towards a stranger can change so quickly into a friendship. For example, I overheard the girl sitting behind me during orientation saying that she had not met any Americans. Hearing this I introduced myself, and just hours later she, along with the two people sitting next to her and I all had dinner together at the hostel that night. An even rapid example: I bumped into a guy while waiting in a line and just after a small conversation I ended up joining him and his friends for lunch about an hour later – and now he, his friends, and my roommates all might go to Cork this weekend together! It’s just simply amazing!

Ok so after orientation night, the next two days were filled with trying to figure out school class timetables, take campus and city walking tours (we visited the church where Columbus said his last prayers before coming to discover the New World), AND the worst part: trying to move in! I discovered that my little dorm-esce type room is nicely located near campus – but about a good mile and half away from the city. So you can imagine how ridiculous I looked walking through the city (twice) with my luggage, trying to wheel it along the cobble streets, then once more again holding bags of groceries. My back does not like me at all right now.

Yet, I have finally found a home, after many days! And I love my place. Although I feel as if I am back in freshman year, I do have my own room and space, and share a kitchen with three other girls: one older, very smart, and very talkative Netherlands girl named Judith, a much more reserved, yet very adorable and very nice German girl named Julia, and then there is Elisa the Italian girl – who can barely speak a word of English, and thus far has been mainly hanging out with her other Italian friend. Judith and Julia are some great girls to live with, and I have been hanging out with them watching episodes of Sex and the City and CSI while drinking tea nearly every night. Its been really good so far – but I am also interested in meeting Irish people sometime soon. A German friend of mine is living with all other Irish people, and today she said that the Irish people “make party” all night in her room, and left a big mess in the kitchen the next day…ahh a reminder of home back at UW – I think UWers would get a long well with the Irish folk!

Anyways, I think I could go on forever on the little things/people/situations I have encountered in the last few days! I’m sure I will have many a rainy day where I will have time to write (in case I have not mentioned it, it does not stop raining here – ever.) so you will all be updated – whether you like it or not!

Until next time

xoxoxoxo