Yes, I realize this is true - it was my first week here, you've all been waiting on the edge of your seats to hear about it and live vicariously, and there has been nothing but a great silence in the cyber-world. I extend my sincerest apologies to you all. But let me tell you about it now. I started classes last Monday (the 19th), and while they claimed it was just an introductory week (and mind you the rest of campus didn't start classes til yesterday - the 26th), they still dished out field trips and assignments, scientific articles to read and essays to write. My classmates are wonderful - only 17 in total - but we've got a good sense of comraderie already. We've got a vast array of backgrounds and experience (both academic and personal), so there's a lot to be learned. I was somehow voted class representative without running.....still trying to work that one out. And I hit it off with a really interesting girl named Vivi (short for Vivienne) who's from Finland. We love a lot of the same activities and places, so it looks like I've got a new travel buddy. As part of the more relaxed life style here, class doesn't actually begin until 9 o'clock or later, and large parts of the day are unscheduled to allow you time to get work done - but I can already tell these are not to be wasted. Last Thursday we went a little south to County Wicklow to a national park where we slugged through the bog and hiked up a nicely sized hill and examined rivers and streams to learn about the Irish landscape. It was nice to get a break from the city. But of course we can't just go to the park - we have to write a short paper about it, too. Welcome back to school, Brenna.
I didn't take an apartment right when I got here, but decided to extend my hotel stay shortly to look at more apartments in person. However, I finally made a deposit on one and will be moving my things in tomorrow! (Amidst the paper writing and lectures, of course.) I will be sure to post pictures, though maybe not until I get a chance to decorate a bit. Also, my phone has been working well for the most part. Except when it hasn't. It seems I can receive text messages, though people in America do not receive mine. People in Ireland, on the other hand, do. And usually when I call back to the States I get through just fine, but every now and again I am "unable to connect". I will do my bes to get this straightened out soon, but if it's really important, I suggest you e-mail me. I get all my e-mails.
And of course, I couldn't go more than a week in a new country with new germs without catching some sort of cold. So I am going to go complete tonight's assignment and get plenty of rest before tomorrow and all the moving.....!
I didn't take an apartment right when I got here, but decided to extend my hotel stay shortly to look at more apartments in person. However, I finally made a deposit on one and will be moving my things in tomorrow! (Amidst the paper writing and lectures, of course.) I will be sure to post pictures, though maybe not until I get a chance to decorate a bit. Also, my phone has been working well for the most part. Except when it hasn't. It seems I can receive text messages, though people in America do not receive mine. People in Ireland, on the other hand, do. And usually when I call back to the States I get through just fine, but every now and again I am "unable to connect". I will do my bes to get this straightened out soon, but if it's really important, I suggest you e-mail me. I get all my e-mails.
And of course, I couldn't go more than a week in a new country with new germs without catching some sort of cold. So I am going to go complete tonight's assignment and get plenty of rest before tomorrow and all the moving.....!
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