Irish Tidbits

Major Cultural Differences/Oddities: (Thanks Ellie!)

• They keep all rooms SO WARM, and it's always stuffy!
• "What's the craic?"= "What's the fun/ How's life?"
• Most Irish girls wear 5 inch heels constantly
• They have weird flavored chips like pickled onion and bacon.
• They call 'yards' 'gardens'.
• My recent yogurt purchases: Blackcurrant, gooseberry, rhubarb. Interesting.
• They call fries chips, and they call chips crisps.
• They don't tip taxis unless its after 2am.
• 18 to drink & buy alcohol (they hardly card)
• Cooker= our burner/stovetop
• They drive on the wrong side of the road and I feel like we're going to crash all the time.
• They call classes modules.
• Independent study in your classes is a HUGE part of succeeding. 1 class = about 150 hours of independent study.
• Local students go home every weekend, so the parties take place during the week.
• There is no such thing as a 'school night'.
• Traffic lights turn yellow before they turn green too.
• They celebrate Halloween here, which I thought was odd.
• 'For here' is 'sittin' in' and 'to-go' is 'takin' away' when ordering food.
• It costs more to sit down and eat.
• Everybody drinks tea! Long classes even have a 'tea break' in the middle.
• WAY more smokers
• The rugby guys seem like celebrities to everyone.
• The trendy man-mullet is the most common haircut. 
• All guy's hair must be gelled at all times
• They are many different Irish accents (I can't decipher between any!)
• People say 'wee' here. As in 'I just took a wee walk down the street.'
• All the stores close at 5:30pm!
• Theres a switch on the electrical outlets that you have to turn on before it will charge anything.
• We have the best conversations with taxi drivers.
• Literally every Irishmen whose ben to the U.S. has been to: New York, LA, Las Vegas & Florida
• Car parks= our parking lots
• The cars are all tiny...I've seen maybe 2 SUVs
• Rubgy, cricket, gaelic sports

If I think of any more, they will be added :)

Classes & A Trip to Derry

A week has flown by since I last updated this---sorry, it all went by so fast!

As you all know, this week was the start of my regular classes.  And the jury's still out on my seminars (small groups aka Whitworth's "discussion groups"), but I each of my 3 classes! Each individual prof is hilarious in his own unique way. Let's start with my "Rise of the Novel" professor, Jan Jedrzejewski (I had to cut and paste his last name from an email, that explains the awkwardly large font lol).  He is a very effusive and expressive Polish man who talks a million miles a minute and is the authority on Victorian literature. Hard to understand, but definitely interesting when I can understand him ;) Next is my quirky "Irish Author Studies" prof, Bruce Stewart: A short British man who wears a murse (man-purse) and is obviously passionate about the history and literature of Ireland. And finally, Kevin De Ornellas, the lead tutor in the huge "Shakespeare & Renaissance" lecture. Although his name sounds rather Spanish or Latino, he is what I consider, a stereotypical Irishmen. He has a fiery red beard, thick accent and is sassy.

Sidenote (this might be inappropriate): But I have seen 2 profs & the Catholic priest of my first mass in the gym---all wearing extremely short shorts, of a 70s ish style. This should not be allowed. It's awkward.

I have much reading to do for these classes, however; a similar amount to Whitworth. So I will cope. I also was able to score a Northern Ireland library card, so I can check out my textbooks/novels, rather than buying them :) Yay more money!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention Kelly's---the most legit dance club ever. Imagine 5 floors of different music/dancing with its own DJ. It was so big and Wednesdays are 2 pound cover fees for students, so it was PACKED! Great times though.

My fake hitchhiking

A third highlight of this week was a day trip to Derry, which is located on the most Northwesternly corner of N. Ireland, almost in the Republic of Ireland. The beautiful 45 minute train ride to the city held 2 interesting conversations for me and my fellow travellers (8-10 friends).  I had a most pleasant conversation with a local elderly couple who had just gotten back from Florida and a squeal-fest in front of this 19 year-old guy 'Ross' who was proposing to his girlfriend of 5 years that evening!!! He was so excited and nervous, and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Way to go for watcha want Ross ;)

The Walled City of Derry

We took a wonderful walking tour of the city walls of Derry, led by a fabulous guide John McNulty. ***Fun Fact Alert---Derry is the only completely walled city left in the world...who would have guessed!*** The history of Derry (or Londonderry) is full of troubles. The "Troubles", in fact. The clash between Unionist/Protestants and Nationalists/Catholics has been major news throughout the second half of the 20th century, and has only very recently calmed mostly down. John gave us a full history lesson and it was fascinating to get to know an insider's take on all the fighting and resentment.

Magee Campus in Derry

After the tour we got our free coffee and headed to Uni. Ulster's Magee campus, where we met up with a couple friends I had made from the airport. Carolyn, Courtney, Jasmyn and Steve. We had a scrumptious but stressful dinner (we ALMOST missed our train because the food took soooo long), and I will add that I am exhausted now. So I wish you a good night and I would love to hear from you all!

PS- Even though I am having a good time, I definitely miss family and friends and any updates/hellos are always appreciated :)

My First Irish Weekend

Hello again friends and family! Orientation has wrapped up and now we are on our own to make it in Ireland! Ha, not completely true, but orientation is done and today is the first day of classes.  I do not start until Tuesday, consequently I have this fabulous day to myself.  The Irish sun is shining and all the students are finally here, making the campus feel much more awake and alive.

Recap on my weekend: Saturday I had an organized adventure to the coast and three major tourist attractions: Dunluce Castle ruins, The Giant's Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. Saturday morning I woke up with quite the cold and sore throat (from lack of sleep I assume), however I refused to miss this opportunity.  Dunluce was beautiful and our Greek tour guide was a great storyteller and he recounted the tragic tale of the castle's inhabitants who all fell to their deaths in the sea when the castle walls gave way.  While we wandered through the ruins, the rain started its daily onslaught, which ended up continuing through our whole trip.  The Giant's Causeway, which is the number one attraction in this part of Northern Ireland, lived up to its great reputation.  Folklore asserts that an Irish giant named Finn MacCool built a huge bridge of basalt columns so a rival Scottish giant could visit and they could have a battle to determine who was the strongest giant.  When Finn saw how big the Scottish giant actually was he ran back to his wife.  She decided to disguise Finn as a baby and when the giant of Scotland saw Finn as the baby he grew greatly afraid and thought "If this is his baby, how big is the father?!" And he ran back to Scotland, but in his panic he ruined the bridge leaving only some leftover columns.

The columns were very unique, but honestly, my favorite part was the view of the sea.  Stunning. And the rain let up for a few minutes so we could enjoy the scenery in peace :)

Next, we bussed to Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, which was also on the coast.  More luscious landscape to feast our eyes upon, and a rickety wooden/rope bridge to cross. I have a slight fear of heights, which usually never rears its ugly head, but oooohhh my, this bridge was super high up and did not look stable whatsoever. But I squelched the screaming voices in my head and held on tightly to the railing. My perfect reward for my efforts was seeing DOLPHINS!!! If you know me at all, you know that I have an obsession with them.  I might have done a little screaming and girly clapping---I just couldn't help it.

Saturday also happened to be my friend Shamos's birthday and so of course we had to celebrate that night.  Picture dozens and dozens of international students packed into a small flat living room. Very chaotic and fun. On Sunday I went to my first Catholic mass with my friends Erica and Maureen. We went to St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church. I was nervous because I didn't know what it was going to be like, and even though I didn't understand anything that Father McCullough said, it was a new cultural experience. The sanctuary was marble, lofty and cavernous and the service was very solemn and reverential. I enjoyed the beauty of it all, but it was definitely a big change from my community church back home.

Tonight my new Irish friend Cat is taking myself and some girlfriends out to a pub and rugby night and I'm so excited! Monday nights to the Irish are like Fridays, it's so funny.

My pictures

I'm pretty sure everyone can see some of my pictures at this link to my Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2074311&id=1456770054&l=b0f37326c4

5 Days In

I wanted to give another update on what I have been up to since my last post.  Everyday is packed with fun events and it is quite hard to find time to write in a blog, let alone find time to sleep ;)

On Wednesday, there was an optional welcome party at Coleraine's Mayor's "City Hall" type place, and of course I took advantage of that opportunity. They had a beautiful luncheon and tea set for us with fine china when we arrived and we all got to file past the Mayor and his wife and shake his hand. I was so excited that I took a picture of him from very close and I think it made him feel pretty awkward (Oh well---it was worth the picture!). I was ever so lucky to become engrossed in conversation with him and a Counselor, who was the mayor in the last term of office. They love their country so much and they shared some interesting Irish history and folklore and lots of laughter of course!  Then we got to walk outside, in a pleasant and rare break from rain, and feast our eyes upon the River Bann. Simply gorgeous.

The landscape here is breathtaking! It's greener than Portland (if you can imagine) and everything is separated by 'wee' hedges. I've only seen the coast at night, but I am going to go back into Portstewart and Portrush today to see in the sights in the daytime. I also have to agree with the common conception that the Irish are friendly---it is most fortunately true! People here love to chat and have a good time, especially with a pint 'o Guinness in hand.  The international group here is also great, I think we have about 150 students! And although I've mostly spent time with other internationals, I've heard classes help connect people to more local students. Can't wait!

Last night I went to a very cute pub called Spring Hill with a big group of friends.  Right away I knew it was mostly locals because it was so small and relaxed.  The best part was the traditional Irish folk music! I loved it! And all the musicians were old Irishmen who looked like Santa Clause. What more can you ask for?  The drinks were cheap, the atmosphere cozy, and the locals friendly. Those three elements and the fact that I walked on the beach for the first time here made it a most excellent evening!

Today was rather hectic because it was registration.  Rather unorganized and confusing, but eventually I got signed up for all the classes I wanted.  I am taking: Shakespeare and Renaissance, The Rise of the Novel, and Irish Authors...all English literature courses.  They should be fun, and the best part is---the lectures are only on TUESDAY-THURSDAY! Ahhhhhhhh! So that means I have four day weekends to travel! And I will not lie to you, I worked hard to make sure that happened :).

"What's the craic?"

Wow. I made it to Ireland and I am having the time of my life!  My full day of flights were pretty uneventful (in a good way), but I did have a few highlights.  The first one was on my flight to Seattle where I happened to be seated in front of a large man with the hugest ginger beard I have ever seen.  He provided much amusement for myself and the other passengers by being the most sassy to the poor stewardess---he refused to put his IPod away and grumbled for half of the flight.  Oh ginger beard man :)  My second moment of excitement was when I arrived in Seattle and I was so busy talking on the phone to mom that I didn't notice I walked myself right out of the airport! So I had to go ALL the way back through security, which was mobbed with people leaving their cruise ports, and the margin of time was so close that I almost had a panic attack though....

But I obviously made it, so all is well!

Once I arrived in Newark, I finally had a moment to rest in the boarding area.  The my extreme delight, I was already surrounded by Irishmen! Three couples (who had just met each other) were drinking beers (who knows where they even got them...lol), laughing hysterically, and most importantly speaking with thick accents! It worried me a touch that I could hardly understand them :)  Upon arrival at the Belfast, Northern Ireland airport and a breeze through customs, I met the contact person and students going to the Uni. Ulster campuses.  We quickly connected and it was comforting to make some friends right away.

After a wild cabby ride through Northern Ireland's gorgeous countryside and driving on the LEFT SIDE of the road, I was dropped off at my quaint dorm "The Cranagh Village".  My room is simple but perfect because I get my own full bathroom, closet, desk and share a spacious living and kitchen area with my four flatmates.  I unpacked a few things and then rushed by myself off to an informal gathering for international students in a student bar/lounge.  I got horribly lost, but thank my lucky stars that a kind sophomore 'Marty' helped me locate it.  He also was a chatter, but all I could do is nod my head because I couldn't understand him at all!

God also provided some friends right before I entered the overwhelming meeting in the likes of Ellie (Seattle!), Shamos (Athens, Greece) and Emily (Toronto, Canada)---and I have hung out with this wonderful trio since.  After my first sip of Guinness, I like it!, and lots of talking, I was exhausted.  The next day was filled with international student orientation and many, many introductions.  The most common places students are from are: GERMANY, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Hong Kong, US.  Meeting everyone has already been such an interesting cultural experience and I feel like my perspective about the world has broadened.

That night we went out for the first time, to the Anchor Bar in the coastal town of Portstewart. Quite the experience, let's just say ;) It was a beautiful, old authentic pub with lots 'o jolly folks.  Lots of Guinness, alcohol in general, karaoke and locals as well.  And a dance club upstairs that was packed to the brim with dancing people---they listen to the same music we do! Transportation from the club and everywhere actually, is very easy: cheap cabs, walking and buses are the modes of choice here.  Some of my best conversations with locals have been with cabby drivers, they sure love to talk!

Overall, I absolutely LOVE Ireland. Gregarious people, beautiful nature and green rolling hills, the best accents, history, shopping, and international friends.  It has been literally non-stop, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world!!!

The Beginning

Well tomorrow, bright and early, is the big day!  My flight leaves at 8:45 am and I go to Seattle to Newark, New Jersey, to Belfast, Northern Ireland...a full 24 hours of flying. I am going to be eight hours ahead once I am there too, which will be quite the transition.  Can you say jet lag?

The one thing I was very worried about was transportation from the airport in Belfast to my university's campus in Coleraine.  I spent a quality three hours working on getting a shuttle, train and taxi schedule figured out, only to read my email and have them tell me they will be meeting me at the airport with a free shuttle!

So not only will I save money, but I will have a ton less hassle hauling my two huge suitcases and backpack (yes...I overpacked...) and I will get to meet other international students right away!  And then after my grand arrival, I have four packed days of orientation and -fingers crossed- making new friends.  It's going to be quite the whirlwind :) Prayers are appreciated!