All good things...

...must come to an end.

My three months in Eire have come to a close and mantra at the moment is..."don't cry because it is over, just smile because it happened. "



An entire day will be set aside for uploading more shots and sharing some stories from my last month...but for now I'm off to wrap my head around being home.

A heavy heart...but so incredibly grateful for the experience.

Paddywaggin along...

Just returned from a crazy 6 day all-Ireland trek with Paddywagon tours. We started off in Dublin...actually just returned back here today. Shit...where to start. Well, since the clock is running in the ol' internet cafe...I'll just list some of the highlights (pictures to follow...promise!)

1. serenaded by a 50 year-old drunken derryman...oh, did i mention, he yodeled too!
2. kissed the blarney stone...yeah, yeah...such a touristy thing to do, I know. probably the most germ infested rock in the world.
3. sang mj's "Beat It" karaoke style in a pub in Annascoul
4. realized sleeping in 16 bed hostels = at least 3-5 incredibly loud snorers
5. imbibed copious amounts of Guinness, which then drastically decreased the above equation
6. drank a pint of the black stuff up at Gravity Bar at the brewery...the absolute best pint in the world
7. checked out a mural up in Belfast displaying Bush's complete stupidity, arrogance and greediness...good to know me and the Irish are on the same page


so many more to write about. no worries...the stories and pictures are on their way...

ahh, fer fecks sake...

It's been too long friends! So I find myself back up in the North...(London) Derry to be specific. Jess got in early on Thursday night...so incredible to see her face here. Meaghan, being in rare form to say the least, had a big of a send off party Wednesday night, as I wasn't sure if we were to hit Galway city again. Woke up around half 8, and had little to no mobility with my left knee. I've been schleping on the Chinese anesthetic my acupuncturist gave me before I left...and it's been treating me well.

We spent our first night in Dublin...a complete nightmare of a city (as all the Irish folk here agree to)...but fun enough. We head up to Belfast tomorrow, then down to Galway on Sunday -- looking foward to showing the bus of 50+ (amazing) people "my" city. Funny, the majority of the group is Austrailian, with a few Kiwis, Americans, Canucks and 2 very straight faced Russians. The invites to Australia and New Zealand have already been put out there...obviously not something I'd turn down.

I'll find myself an internet cafe within the next few days, so the phots will follow.

Hope this finds everyone well!

Much love.

Somewhere over the rainbow...

You must be wondering if the pot of gold is waiting for me on the other side, right? I feel like I should be on the front of a Lucky Charms box!

Had a great trek today through Salthill and Knocknacarra...the sun was shining, and for once...sunburn precautions were taken! The forecast looks good for the next few days, with of course, the occasional "break through shower.

Connemara, Inis Mor and my dancing debut!

I took a daytrip last Monday to the Kylemore Abbey, out in Connemara. It's a 13,000 acre estate that now is the home to a community of Benedictine nuns. There is a beautiful Neo-Gothic Church down a ways from the Abbey as well as a Victorian walled garden. It was a pretty grey and rainy day, so the tour around the gardens was short lived.






The following day out in the Aran Islands...

in front of one of the thousands of dry-stone walls out on Inis Mor. I'd say I've never had a more beautiful bike ride...









Just a partial glimpse of the walls again. Rory, our tour guide, told us there are over 4,000 miles of dry-stone walls on the island!











My view from the top of Dun Aonghasa...note the lack of any walls or fences. I think this was just about where the ol' vertigo set in.





















Out at the ruins of the "Seven Churches" on Inis Mor. There were three cemeteries out on the island and Celtic crosses were commonly seen on each grave site.














Okay, despite the silly facial expression on my part, the audience looks like they're enjoying themselves, huh? This was last Monday down at Richardson's Pub--where both Sandy and Patrick work. Every Monday and Wednesday they have a beginner session where anyone and everyone can bring their guitar, bodhran, tin whistle, accordion or pipes and have a go! This night there were a few Italians that joined in...and the music was just incredible. After a few pints...I felt a few reels were a must.

Back from the Arans...

It's so true when people say things move a bit slower on the islands. It's been over 6 years since my last visit out to the Arans, well...Inis Mor, and luckily (unlike most of Ireland) still remains untouched. Okay, there are a couple new pubs...bringing the total number to 6, but overall, its simplistic ways carry on. One grocery shop, a few restaurants, bicycle rentals, and of course, Aran sweater shops. My good friend (and partner in crime) Sandy and I caught the ferry from Rossaveal Tuesday, hired some bikes and cycled until we could no longer feel our legs. What an experience...and with the sun shining (finally!) it was just a picture perfect day. Wednesday we decided to give the cycles (and our asses) a break and go on a small tour bus. Had a great guide, Rory, who's sense of humor earned him a well deserved tip at the end of the day. We were dropped at the bottom of Dun Aonghasa, a 2,000 year old Celtic dry-stone fort. Little did I know that once I reached the top of the semi-circled fort, my view would be atop a 300 foot cliff. Gotta say...my first real experience with vertigo, but worth every minute of it. Pictures to come...

So now I'm "off-island" and trying to put together a plan for my last month here. It's absolutely insane how quickly 2 months have passed. I think a visit back down to Kerry is a must...plus, there is a family friend down in Kenmare who is willing to show me around, which is always helpful!

My first real reel...

Much more to follow as well as pictures of my irish dance session here. Off to the Aran Islands with Sandy for the next couple of days...

Rootical Sound System

...was the name of the reggae group I went to see last night. It's like the cosmos knew exactly what I needed. I felt like I was back in Vermont...free flowing skirts, heads of dreads, the scent of patchouli in the air. It was just perfect. My soul needed it, you know?

After several days of interviews, it looks like without the work visa, no work will be happening. Even the pub connection I had said he could be fined 10,000 euros and be put in jail if "they" were to find an illegal worker. Things have a funny way of working out. Luckily I have been pretty tight with my summer teaching money, so all is well. Jess, my friend from VT, will be coming over on the 6th of September and staying until the 20th (my original departure date). The plan is to get a longterm car rental and trek about for 2 weeks or so. It will be great, as I have yet to see a lot of the midlands as well as the east coast. A stop back up the Antrim coast is a must. So I continue to take it day by day here. Many day trips on my own...as well as evenings out with some new friends and acquaintances.

We're off to the Roisin Dubh for another reggae show tonight -- both Sandy and Patrick have the day off so it'll be good to have some housemate bonding time.

Non-alcoholic shots from galway

Galway Bay

St. Nicholas's Cathedral

down at the Salthill promenade

Not sure how these two crazies got into the mix?! Sandy and Patrick...my kind new friends that have an extra bed in Rahoon. If you are wondering...yes, Patrick has cling-wrapped Sandy a new gown.

I was thiiiis close to stealing these boats

employment in galway?

Is it possible? Based on my last weeks experience, it's not looking too hot. Every restaurant and pub in the city are first and foremost looking for a work visa. That's something that without dual citizenship is a bit tough to come by...anyway...I went into Salthill today to meet Owen (part-time solicitor in Dublin and Salthill, part-time owner of The Bal Pub), who has connection's with one of mom's good teaching friends from Boston. I was told to "call in at 11" (which, by the way does not mean to actually call, but rather stop by...the Irish never call someone, they phone...). So there I was at 10:45, a bit nervous, actually...only to be greeted by a nice receptionist who tells me that Owen won't be in until after lunch. So I frolic around Salthill for 3 hours, trying not to get too sunburned or sweaty before the "interview." I walk back to his office to have...get this...a less than 2 minute meeting where he basically told me to walk down to the pub and talk to the new manager. Don't get me wrong, he was very warm and welcoming for the entire 120 second encounter. Ok...so off to the pub I go. But of course, by the time I get there, the manager is out...not returning until 7 (Irish time=8/8:30). I left my name and number with a (far from charming) Polish bartender...but will take it into my hands to check back in tomorrow. Until then...

The idea of volunteering at a school come September is a possibility, as that could possibly lead to a paid position. I'm hoping to hear back from a production potter in Galway as well. Oh the possibilities for little ol' me.

Some pictures...and a check-in

Working hard to help out a wee one with her "masterpiece" down at Louis Mulcahy's studio
The new fashion trend in Clogher, Co. Kerry: pottery soiled navy blue overalls. So hot.
I didn't realize they had a marble statue in Cork made in my honor?!
The next cover of Irish American magazine ( a breathtaking spot we saw during our scary, yet beautiful drive through Conor's Pass)

So...it's been sometime. I should have posted some blogs over the weekend during my trek to Tralee, Killarney and Cork, but couldn't find it in me to leave the sun for a stuffy indoor internet cafe!

I currently find myself a bit overwhelmed, as the Galway Races are on this week, bringing thousands of more tourists into the city. What a change from quaint little Ballyferriter. I feel like there is so much to write of my past months experience down at the studio, but feel it difficult to sum up in a simple paragraph. That's what my journal is for, I guess. All of life's questions are still waiting to be answered (sorry Mom, no real epiphanies quite yet). My mission by Tuesday of next week: secure some work, whether it be at the pub or elsewhere, and get a place of my own. My friend Sandy (who, like my last housemate, hails from England) has opened her place in Rathoon, a 30 min walk west of the city, to me which has been incredibly kind of her.

Oh, before I forget, I have to write of my first "true" Irish cinematic experience. Last Tuesday, Giselle and I drove into Dingle City to do the usual grocery shopping and email checking...and stumbled upon an old cinema. We saw that Tuesday night at half eight (aka 8 thirty) the film club meets. So we buy our tickets to Black Snake Moan and head in. If any of you reading this have actually seen this incredibly awful movie...you're probably thinking..."why in the hell would a film club in Ireland waste their time on a Hollywood movie that basically consists of a scantily clad Chritina Ricci and a let down performance from Samual L Jackson?" I know. Despite the movie itself having no real entertainment value, it was the cinema itself that had the charm...ripped, yet very comfy blue seats, a huge golden velour curtain hiding the small screen, the free tea and (exceptionally strong...aka bad) coffee, and of course, who could forget the verbal preview of next weeks movie. Yup. With a homemade spotlight consisting of a light bulb in a metal can attached to an old coat rack shining down on his papers, the owner of the place reads aloud the plot of the movie. He then holds up the glossy poster for the film reading snippets of reviews by Rolling Stone, New York Post etc.

What a riot. And of course...only in Ireland.

Pictures from our drive out to Sleahead

Gizelle (my new English housemate) and I ventured out to Sleahead on Wednesday night. As we arrived the gray clouds came with us. My favorite shot thus far in my journey...
Now you know why they say there really are 40 shades of green here...

Within the hour the sun once again graced us (Sleahead Pier)

As my nana said, "you got a goose, you'll get a goose..."

Meaning..since I'm working the weekend, I had my choice of 2 days to take off during the week...and I, of course choose yesterday and today, the only 2 days with severe rainstorms! I've been out and about anyway here in Dingle all day...finally got to western union to cash in on my 2 stolen travellers checks. shit! the exchange rate is insane right now. I've no idea why all the Irish aren't spending their summer in the states the way things are going! at this rate, working at the pub sooner than later seems like the best plan. although(not sure if I already wrote this) i have decided to stretch out my stay here for another week. OK... i have a minute to spellcheck before i go over the 15 minute marker here in the cafe. more later...

Has it really almost been a month?

Clogher Beach - where I got "lost" for a bit today before heading to the studio and below...my journey on foot this morning...


So I've a new housemate...Gizelle (no, not Bundchen) from England. She's quite the character. She has it in her that in the next two weeks she'll teach me every English swear/slang that exists. I have yet to try to stop her. Conor has headed back to Limerick, so it's really nice to have her energy in the house...especially now since the tv, cd player, bongos and the "good" pots and pans are gone.

I've decided to extend my stay down here for another week. I originally planned to head back up to Galway on the 24th - I just can't go quite yet. I haven't got my fill down here, you know? I'm sure the pub work as well as the apartment can wait until the end of the month anyway.

The pottery studio still continues to impress me. I've decided to walk a few times a week...the 3 miles are just incredible, plus the exercise makes me feel less guilty about the evening Guinness consumption. I took a detour walking today and wound up an hour and 15 minutes late...I think the shots that I got were well worth being a bit late.

The simple life

This is actually the view from Louis Mulacahy's pottery studio...you now know why I choose to eat lunch outside, rather than in the canteen, even on rainy days! Home sweet home...
My newest discovery...Beal Ban. A gorgeous beach, only 15 minutes away. Haven't taken a swim yet, although I feel it coming.
My neighbors. No really. I walked out back last night to take some pictures of the sunset and Lou and Harry wanted to send you a warm Irish smile.

Maybe I'll stick with one picture per blog...that just took f-o-r-e-v-e-r. So...

I'm staying in a room in Tig an Tobair (Gaelic for house of the well) with another intern at the pottery studio, Conor. He's in his third year at Limerick Art School and had some family ties with Louis Mulcahy, so here he is. I forgot the joys that come with having a roommate...cooking dinner, drinking beers, having some good laughs, cleaning out the hair in the bathtub drain...you know! Speaking of bathtubs. We actually have no shower. Yup, three or so baths a week does it for me...but I must remember to turn on the boiler 2-3 hours before I actually want to bathe. Cold baths=no good

Ballyferriter is a quaint little village that at the moment is flooded with teenagers at "Irish School." They come down here to live in a Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking region) and learn a bit. I've genuinely tried to learn some, but it's like no other language ever created. So far I've got...

Failte-welcome

Slan-goodbye

Slainte-cheers

Good enough for now.

The majority of folks both in Ballyferriter and Clougher (where the studio is) speak Irish as their main language, and in a way, I feel, look down a bit on English. Families and groups of Irish camp kiddos come into the studio speaking Irish and I just turn and point to Joan, the local woman who runs the "Open Room," I'm working in.

Basically my job is to center 1-1 1/2 pounds of clay for kids and their parents and let then "have a go" with their future masterpiece. It can be a lot when it gets busy, but come on...does it get any better than that? Especially when I get to walk outside and see that view above! Pretty incredible.

So many of you are thinking...what a great adventure...what amazing things she is doing...it's all so wonderful...I agree. But I must share with you the chaos I've been dealing with since my first night in Dingle last Saturday night -- that is, the night that my wallet was stolen. Yup it sure was.

We (myself, Conor and his 7 insane friends from Limerick) started on "the black stuff" a bit early in Ballyferriter then taxied it into Dingle for our first night on the town. We went into The Little Bridge, a renown place for it's djs and dance floors. Long story short, despite keeping my bag on me, a fellow dancer must have unzipped and reached in! After having a panic attack in the taxi on the way home, my next step was to call my Aunt Lul. Calling mom was absolutely out of the picture...you know how moms worry. Anyway, the next morning I get a call that the wallet itself was found, but of course lacking the 250 euros I had been carrying in it! I know what you're thinking...what in the hell are you carrying 250 euros on you? I had no idea what the ATM scene would be like out in the country, so I went to the bank in Galway and cashed in a few travellers check.

SIDE NOTE: when travelling in Europe DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get travellers checks! No one uses nor accepts them anywhere here! ok...

so...my license , debit card, and credit cards were all in there, but Lul had already cancelled them, so I still had no access to cash. I've been on the phone almost daily with TDbanknorth trying to get a new card send to Ballyferriter. It should be here tomorrow. Although I thought I heard a knock earlier today...I went to open the door and a sweet woman was wondering if we sold cards. See, Tig an Tobair used to be a shop and cafe back in the day, and with all the signs still up, people can knock every once an awhile. She saw the note I had left FedEx on the door (Please knock loudly) and saw that I was a bit disappointed the she wasn't clad in all blue Fedex gear...and of course asked what was going on. Twenty minutes later, she refused to walk away without putting 20 euros in my hand. She reminded me that good things happen in Ireland too.

So here I am...2 hours and 3 minutes later at the local internet cafe in Dingle...off to get a kebab with my newly acquired 20 euros.

The pottery studio with a view

I am in quite a rush, so I'll be unable to get pictures up today...but, the view from the pottery studio in Clonagh is absolutely unbelievable. Had my first day of work. What a place! The day consisted of counting some inventory (fairly monotonous) in the morning, but then got more exciting, as we unloaded the biggest kiln I've ever see in the afternoon. My last few hours were spend teaching some little kiddos how to make a masterpiece out of a pound of clay...we even coaxed some parents to hope on the wheel as well. All in all, I think this will be an incredible experience--if it's three weeks or three months. Okay, we're off to SuperValu for some super cheap groceries

Dingle is it...

Actually it's Ballyferriter where I'm living. Dingle is a 20 minute, 15 euro (one-way!) taxi ride...so I won't be in town too much. Ballyferriter has really all you need: a small, way over priced shop, a Post, and 4 pubs. The views from my back door are absolutely spectacular. (Sonny, I'll take your advice on the program to upload some more pics)

I'm living with Connor McQuire, a nice guy from Limerick, who will be here with me for the next three weeks or so. He's a student on summer break working as an intern, like myself. He's only 22...and has been in the house by himself the past few weeks, so he decided to invite his 7 closest mates up for the weekend. Let's just say there were some crazy bongo sessions, lots of off-key singing and plenty of Bavaria imbibed (that's basically the Dutch version of PBR). If they had can deposits like we do the States, Connor and I would cash in this morning!

The crew of them went up to the Aquarium today...I passed up the offer, to walk around Dingle a bit, get some laundry detergent, toilet paper, and of course...hit the Internet cafe. I'm unsure if I will have access to a computer at the pottery studio, so my next post may not be for a few weeks once I return up north to Galway. I'll find out soon enough, as my first day is tomorrow!

Pretty excited to get my hands on some clay and meet the production artists. I wonder how different it'll be from good ol' River Street potters??!!

A rainy day in Ireland. Surprised?

I've been in this damn Internet cafe close to 2 hours...I had no idea uploading a mere 35 pictures to Kodak gallery would be so mind-numbing! Let's see if I can attach a few of the photos from my trip to the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren...

Keeping it all in the family...

Met up with a Bostonian, Manchester, New Hampshirite, and several of their Irish friends last night. One turns out to be Patrick Joseph Kane! What's the icing on the cake...his sister just married a 'Breslin,' Nana's maiden name. Insanity, I know. He's a big footballer here in town, and knows a lot of folks. He said working at the Bal (the pub in Salthill, where I'll be after the pottery gig in Dingle) should be no problem. It's always useful to be able to drop a name, you know?! Especially if it's family.

Just returned from Fat Freddy's with my Norwegian hostel-mate, Tuva-- actually had a great veggie pizza. I'm glad I went back to my carnivorous ways, as eating out here isn't all that welcoming to vegetarians.

On tap for tomorrow...
-need to check out the bus timetable for Dingle
-buy a soap traveling case (as the ziplock plastic bag is getting quite gross)
-find an electrical converter for my ipod charger...someone said hooking it up to the USB on the computer can work too, so we'll see

Clearly, it's a packed day! Kidding. It's just so insane not to have ten thousand things on my "to do" list, you know?

So if any of you are actually reading this, post a comment, will ya?

I've got a new cell phone number here, so if you want it, drop me an email at redhead31980@hotmail.com, and I'll send it to you!

Off to sleep for me...

I crashed a stag party

Yup, sure did. Headed out out last night to Richardson's pub, one of the few places that seemed a bit mellow for Saturday night. I sure as hell was wrong. A rowdy crew of "Dubs" (Dubliners) celebrating a stay party invited me over to the table, told me I had the face of Drew Barrymore (clearly they had a few more pints than myself) and took me under their wings for the night. A crew of guys ranged from 22 -61...we had a wee bit of craic. No, no...not crack, as in sticking a rock in a pipe and smoking it. The irish use the term craic to describe a fun evening with laughs, and typically a lot of beer consumption. Anyway, good to know I've friends now on the Eastcoast to visit.

Still trekking around Galway city. As the days pass, I find myself loving it more and more. Don't get me wrong, I am most definitely looking forward to spending a month in the country and making some pots, but the pulse is here is pretty incredible.

Made some new friends at the hostel...two lovey ladies, one from Norway and the other from Australia. We just went out for quick pint, and being the three most sober people in the pub, decided a sociological study was a must. More on that later...

Also met up with Tristan, my fellow blogging American , at the Crane today for my first real trad Irish session. Incredible musicians. Really. It's amazing to see such a motley crew of new people sit around a table with pints of Guinness and make music that sounds like they've been playing for decades. I've promised myself that getting up and dancing a reel is an order! It'll happen...I have no doubts.

Fe and I (my hostel roommate from Australia) will head out to the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher tomorrow with a bus crew. I've been before, but 6 years seems so long ago. I promise some pics will be uploaded soon!

Day 3 here in Eire

Settling in. A bit overwhelmed, I won't lie. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm coming from a town of 7500 with only 5 bars or so...this place feels like New York City. Plus, I have mom to thank for my incredible sense of direction (being completely facetious)!

Have a great single room at the Sleepzone hostel in Galway...then it's off to the 6-bed female bunks for the next 5 nights. Erica and Kambria headed off to Holland sans Meaghan at 3:30 this morning. As much as it killed me to pass up a trip to Amsterdam, I thought I'd get myself reacquainted here in Erye Square.

Last night we took the bus out to Salthill...the location of The Bal, the pub that I could be "working" at when I return from Dingle. It's quite the pub. Built just two years ago, it's got quite a swanky feel to it. It's 4 floors high, with some great local musicians in Thur-Sun and very friendly, easy-on-the-eyes bartenders. It's right on Galway Bay, which makes it a huge spot during the summer months here.

Where oh where to have my Saturday night pint(s)??

Destination Ireland...

Completed! I'm here...trying to figure out just how much money I have spend at this per minute internet cafe. Met up with Erica and her great (and my new) friend Kambria. We are shacked up at Marriott that Brendan so graciously booked for me for the night...then off to discover the hostel scene in town for my next few nights. Had my first few Guini(that's the plural for Guiness, in case you were unaware) at the hotel and we are now in search of what chaos we will create this evening. Is this really happening?

15 days and counting...

A brief check-in.

Great news...I will be teaching and throwing pots at Louis Mulcahy's ceramic studio in Dingle...Barry emailed me back and let me know that I'll be staying in a house with a few others in Ballyferrier. Incredible. It also seems like the pub up in Galway is still "a go" when the pottery gig winds down. I also got in touch with one of the old singers from Cherish the Ladies...she may have an apartment opening up in July. Fingers crossed.

Top things on the to do list...
-sell the Passat (a hell of a lot more complicated than I ever could have imagined)
-keep packing...slowly but surely it will get done
-write, or continue to write the keynote speech for my 8th graders graduation on the 14th
-finish up the plans for my farewell party out in Brookfield
-pack up a very small portion of what I've collected in my classroom over 5 years
-check on the "living-abroad-with-a-debit-card-and-travellers-checks" situation with my bank

There are plenty others on the list...which, by the way, is in its 4th draft.

Teacher Talent Show

I thought I was "tech savvy" enough to get this video directly on a post...oh well.

Check out www.youtubecom/watch?v=xv0xXNJY9EA

Hilarious.

PS- I'm the one with the vest (oh, and the only female)

Sweet North Carolina...

I'm sitting here in Asheville (Black Mountain) and loving every bit of this adventure. Granted it took Dave, Brandy and myself 20 hours instead of 16, but every minute has been worth it. So many times has Ireland crossed my mind as we wind around the green hills of North Carolina. AHHHHH. I've got about 2 months. At this point the ceramics gig has been laid to rest. Fortunately these guys who are lawyers/pub owners are willing to give me some work. Again, I'll see what happens, when it happens.

Feeling really good here. In a good mental space.

ah ha! acupuncture heals grumpiness

Met with Josh Singer today and had my first acupuncture session. After sitting down and answering a series of questions, having him examine the shape and color of my tongue, and checking the "thickness" of my pulse, I had 5 needles put in. Very little stinging and pain...which from a girl who has passes out during 98% of blood tests, I thought I did pretty well!
The foot (lets hope for dancings sake) is on it's way to being cured. There's nothing like a little Eastern medicine to cure you of all your ailments. All in all, the session was incredible and I look forward to my return to Josh's space in a few weeks.

Taxes have yet to be completed...goddamn TurboTax keeps asking me the same question about the Homestead and Declaration Act!!?? I need some type of SPAN number from my landload, who has yet to call me back. Interestingly enough it seems Ms. Kane has entered a new tax bracket and will not be getting near of a return as last year. Huh.

Ready for bed. Going to check my email just one more time in hopes of hearing about a work visa. Cross your fingers...

lower back pain sucks

Feeling very grumpy. I have tried not once, but two times to file my taxes electronically. I am kicking myself in the ass for not just sucking it up and going to H&R Block!

Good news on the work visa front. Heard back from a pottery studio in the dingle pennisula looking for someone to teach some summr classes. No more than 3 days later I get an email from a family friend saying there is a pub in Galway owned by her nephew. They need some help with the bar so...I know, I know third hand messages. But honestly, I've got to just go with this.

Exhausted and sick of talking to people today. It seems that all I surround myself by, I get annoyed with. Time for sleep.

Crackhead zombie...

I've just spent 5 hours and 46 minutes at the cafe grading papers and filling out rubrics. If I assess one more piece of work, I'm going to physically hurt someone. My hand is permanently in the shape of griping a fine-point red sharpie. That is just the beginning too. Tomorrow, I have to put in all the assigments and grades into our (fucking awful, time-wasting) computer system. It takes about 20 minutes to simply log on to the program. There's nothing like sitting for hours watching a rainbow colored circle rotate clockwise over and over again. I'm out of my body right now. Am I tired? Am I hungry? Do I go home a watch Stranger Than Fiction again?? I think, by the looks of the counters being wiped down and the floor being mopped that I better get out of here. I just hope my ass hasn't permanently reshapened this wooden chair I've been in all night.

Weird day

Slept well last night after watching "Stranger Than Fiction." Wil Ferrell was in a new light, which was interesting. Makes you contemplate your life...where you're at...where you are headed, you know?

Had to work at the ceramics studio today. I was actually very productive...I blew through a 25 lb. bag of clay in less than 2 hours. So I'm feeling good about that. Maybe I had too much coffee. Hence, the weirdness. I know too, what is missing. My soul sister (utter cheese, I know), Clare, has moved her little hippy ass back down to Asheville, NC. She's the kind of cerebral/spiritual/connected person who you can totally impress you with an immense vocabulary and intellectual converstions...describing her favorite writers and musicians, explaining the herbal remedy for foot pain and sharing how she aligns her chakras. On the other hand, she is incredibly comfortable when describing (still with an impressive vocab) her last experience on the toilet. I love that. We burp, think, fart, roast, eat, and laugh our asses off when we're together. I am planning on heading down there during April break -- just trying to connect with Dave and Brandy on the days we will be down there. Can't wait to see that face of hers and sink into the comfort and ease of her presence.

Why does wine give me the worst hangover?

I'm telling you...the worst, I mean the absolute worst hangover I have ever had did, in fact, come after a night of heavy cab/shiraz/syrah drinking. You think I would learn. Celebrated two of my colleagues 40th birthdays last night. They supplied the food, so all I was asked to bring was some vino. Long story short: it's 5:52pm and I still get dizzy when I bend over. My liver needs a break. Wondering if there are any good flicks out on DVD to help appease my nausea and headache...

Sitting at the cafe in town. The sun is just beaming right in on me -- beautiful blue sky, not a cloud in sight. I can see in my fellow Montpelierites faces that spring has sprung.

Really trying to figure out what will become of me in less than 3 months. I feel pressure to have a job, work visa, apartment all lined up, but I'm just not feeling it. The excitement for this adventure is slowing being released by my pores (alcohol too is seeping through my pores as well right now) and putting myself in a place where I feel like everything has to be mapped out stresses the hell out of me. So with that, I continue to research grad programs and possible ceramics classes -- and we shall just see where that goes. I'm thinking I'll take my first month to trek around the south -- Co Cork and Kerry. I'll be meeting up with a great friend I met while studying abroad in Belfast shortly after I land in Eire and we hope to score some cheap flights out to Amsterdam and possibly Spain. Personally, I'd like to stay in Ireland for a bit before jumping back on a plane to experience other countries...but Erica is basically coming over to see me and reconnect, so we'll see where we take it.

Brendan got me a hotel for my first night in Galway...the rest of my evenings, I'm assuming will be spent in a bevy of hostels in and around the west coast. Ideally, I'd love to find work that will offer housing as well but c'mon, beggers can't be choosers.

I'm off to continue the never ending research that this trip has sprung upon me...

The Irish lass herself

I'm a beginner...

It was just a few months ago that I finally put 2 and 2 together...and realized what a "blog" actually is. So here I am. Trying desperately to create my own. I like to think of this as a "check in" method (a hell of a lot more personal than massive monthly emails). My plan thusfar: fly out of Boston for Shannon on June 20th. Less than three months...the clock is ticking.

Currently in Tampa for my cousin's wedding, so I better go visit with the family...they're thinking I'm a crack head computer addict from Vermont.