I have not blog in a while. Part of that is due to the internet being down at the flat and having to improvise on when and where I can blog. I also got laryngitis last weekend I have been sick in bed for a week. I lost my voice for five days! No joke! I still have a little rasp to my voice, but it isn't a strain to talk. It is nice. However, I think I am talking off peoples ears.

Last night I went with Paul's home. (I will add his photo to the directory of people). He took us there and bought us pizza. Then we went to a castle. We ended the night enjoying a gig at the John Hewitt (a local pub). Paul is a funny guy. I met him through Abbey because they are in the same course together. He isn't hard to read, but he is a little odd at times. He is like the super goofy kid brother who you can't help but pick on type of guy! He takes it well! He has been coming over often, which has been enjoyable!

I am planning on posting more once I get back from staying at Niamh's this weekend in Lurgen. I home and family sound so good to be around. I am planning on taking pics and bloging about my weekend! Yay!

Saturday, October 3

It was a super windy day. An umbrella would not keep me from the rain that whirled up to touch my face. The nip in the air was bone touching. There was a little tree blown down by the Europa Hotel {this is the most bombed hotel in Europe}. Abbey and I went to lunch at a Baptist Church who invited the international students to come and visit. We had very spicy chili with rice. We also had apple pie! The funny thing about food here is everything tastes slightly different. So the apple pie was good, but the crust was more of a cookie {unsweetend} type of thing, not a lighter crust. We went shopping. I needed some shoes that would keep my toes warm. I also got a belt and a new shirt. Had a late night desire for pint of cider in the Duke of York. It is a cute ½ outside bar in a little alleyway. It defines a wee Irish pub. The day was topped off with a yummy plate of Chinese noodles!

Directions

I am happy.

Twice {2 times} yesterday I was asked for directions from people from here! Well, I am assuming that they are from Northern Ireland, but not from Belfast. Either way, I was stilled picked out of all the people walking down the street as someone who might know! The {BEST} part is that I {KNEW} and {DIRECTED} each of them to their destination!

Night In.

Abbey and I are having a night in! Super excited. I just took an {AMAZING SHOWER} with some new LUSH products. {Lush is having a sale: buy 8 for 10 pounds. I do not know how I am going to live when Lush is not a 5 minutes walk from my home.} I {SMELL} and {FEEL} like I have fallen from {HEAVEN}. It is 9pm and I haven't eaten diner yet. I am undecided with what I am going to have. Most likely my trust grilled cheese {I'll add some pesto to spice it up}. We will then sit our behinds on the sofa and enjoy Accross the Universe {a modern day music based off of the Beetles music.} Tonight is a good {GOOD} night.

Me & the Metal Club

Yes...I went to a Metal Club {the famous Electric Ballroom to be specific} for a friend of a friend's birthday. I nearly had a {PANIC ATTACK} even thinking about going, but it {SUCKED IT UP} and went. {SHOCKINGLY} I had a {BLAST}.

The next night the house I was staying at had their {House Warming Party}. It lasted {17 Hours}. I {SLEPT} through {10 Hours} of it.

Birthday Boy. {Rab}.

Niamh and Kate. {Both from Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Went to high school together. Kate is studying in London.}

Niamh and I. {Lovely Girl}. {Very good friend}.

Niamh. I did {NOT} edit her eyes.

Nuala, Niamh and I.

Nuala and I. This {SUMS UP} our friendship.

Kate.

Nuala, Kate and I.

Nuala.

Eliane and Niamh. Eliane is a {Long Time} friend of Niamh. We stayed at her house.

{Classic}. Nuala and I. {Love it}.

I.

Niamh, Nuala and I. I truly {LOVE} these girls.

Side note: My dad saw this photo and later said that I had him worried because of my "kissy kissy" photo. Whatever that means. I personally {LOVE} this photo!

Whirl Wind in London

The last weekend of September Niamh, Nuala and I ventured on our long awaited getaway to London. Niamh and I bought the tickets last spring and it was her birthday gift from a couple of her friends. On Friday we walk {ALL} over London.

Here are snapshots...

I was {SO HAPPY}.

The Queen's London House...a.k.a. Buckingham Palace.

Side Note: I was shocked at how unappealing it really was. It is on a very small lot of land with very little greenery.

Niamh visiting the Queen.

{Super} Excited.

Nuala, Niamh, Kate and I. Lovely Bunch.

Westminster Abbey. {Really Big}

Big Ben.

Side Note: Did you know that the clock is not the actual "big ben" but the bell is?!? Also, it really isn't that {Big}. I was sort of unimpressed with it pressence, yet {super cool}.

The Former Home of the Garfield Bar

On a previous post I talked about this building near my flat that has is closed down due to what looks like a fire. It was once home to the Garfield Bar. It is now a boarded up garden..

Something about this building is {haunting}. I want to know its story. The five W's...who, what, where, when, and why?

The rooms inside are dark, the roof is a vastness of vegetation and its presence is astounding in a little alley way in this developing city.

There is one piece of life in the decaying building. An all red barber shop {Tivoli Barber Shop}. The red {ScReAmS} in its loudness.

A Doozy of an Update

***I added a People Directory of the people who I refer to in my blog…more coming soon!***

Sickness…

My throat is feeling much better. I have to say that this was a very odd virus, but I think my white blood cells have defeated the intrusive enemy and I am going to survive.

Upon my mom’s arrival back from her Virgin Island escape {or as she claimed work trip} I received an email from my mom. After giving my blog a {standing ovation} she told me she {fell off her chair with laughter}. She exclaimed {I do declare your pictures put me on the floor. Good grief, for you to show the world your tonsils, do you not have any modesty. But oh no, my daughter takes the liberty of exposing herself on her blog and sends it half way around the world for all to see.} Upon analyzing the photos she claims {you most likely have a virus and it will run its course.} She gave me the remedy of {PUSH THE FLUIDS and take some ibuprofen for your throat. Also gargle with salt water, warm water to dissolve the salt.} She ended the email with {Hugs and Kisses}. I truly do love my mom beyond words! She always makes me feel better, even if she is half way around the world!

School…

Classes have started! It is hard to believe that I have been in classes for two weeks already. I have a large paper due next Monday and have already started the research needed and have started to outline it. My entire grade is based on the papers that I write to each of my classes {units} and they are graded by an external examination board. So, I need to write strong papers so that I pass my classes! It is really intimidating to think about and to do, but I am willing to put work into and I expect to see positive results in return!

I have to admit that some of the classes that I am in seem to be very elementary. For instance, I have taken both Quantitative Research Methods and Qualitative Research Methods at Edgewood. I am taking a Research in Health and Social Care, which currently is covering research methods. So, I am not learning a ton of new information and the information is on a very basic level compared to what I have already studied. I realize that once I start my research project things will become more individual and I will learn much more. Yet, it is still hard to sit in this class when you know everything that is being covered. I am however enjoying learning things from a new perspective! For instance, I am taking Supporting Significant Life Events and we are looking at how to support someone through adolecense. I have learned through high school health general information about life stages, but this is geared specifically for helping them through this point of time in terms of social work. It is really interesting all the variables that play into someone’s adolescent experience. It makes me wonder how anyone can live through it!

Housing…

My roommate from the U.S. arrived a week ago. Her name is Abbey and she is from Kansas. She goes to school however in Iowa! So she is a complete Midwest girl herself. It has been nice to have someone to joke around with and make light of some of the cultural experiences we have been going through.

Events…

On Thursday (9.17) Abbey and I went to a Celieh {a party with Irish music and dancing} and we learned how to Irish dance. I actually volunteered to be one of six people to introduce a new dance {note: this is in front of 200 people}. It was a ton of fun. After a couple of dances we met up with Niamh and Pj for a co-workers birthday party at Queen’s student union! It was a fun time of relaxing, having a couple of drinks and talking!

On Saturday (9.19) tagged along with Nuela to one of her friend’s birthday parties! It was a crack {really good time}. They had balloons with lights in them, which I found very fascinating! I was impressed!

On Sunday (9.20) I went to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs with Abbey and then we went to a Chinese buffet. So, this movie is 3D and supposed to be decent for all ages. I was disturbed by this movie! There were a couple of things, but one of the most disturbing is when huge gummy bears come to life and then a monkey attacks and kills them. He savagely tears the heart out of the gummy bear, rips the hair off of them and then they come back to life!

I also walked 5 feet away from Natalie Portman, who was right outside of my flat! I knew she had been in Belfast shooting a movie, but had no idea that I would be casually walking down my street and be walking right by her. She is very petit. Lovely girl.

A Whatchamacallit...

Theoretically I speak the same language as all those around me. Well, I come to know in a close and personal way the different dialect of English that currently surrounds me. There have been occasions where if I were a betting woman I would have lost a small fortune on if or not someone was speaking another language as me. The differences within the Northern Irish accents is basically like the stars in the sky! Everyone has a slightly different accent. Some have a really gruff accent that sounds like mumbling. Others have a light and whimsical accent. There are British sounding Northern Irish accents and Irish sounding Northern Irish Accents. People can identify a city of where someone is from based on the accents! I think that is pretty impressive! I realize that in the U.S. there are Boston accents, southern accents, Wisconsin accents and so on. But, to be able to say, "They must be from Cork because of that slight twang" is highly impressive. Also the fact that this island is much smaller than a majority of our states should tell you something in the amazing diversity of accents. The Northern Irish people and culture continues to impress me!

Hit the Ground Running

My first day of classes what a painful reminder that I am here to study.

I was assigned on Monday a 750 word paper on the nature of research and how that relates to health and social care, which is due tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. I was also given very few guidelines on what is expected for their papers. I do know they use the Harvard Referencing system, which I have never heard of. I am a APA girl myself! It is 10:46pm and I have my paper written, but I still need to do the referencing. I also have to get to school by 8:45 (when the library opens) to get the paper printed by 9am (when my class starts). Which means I have to get up at 7:45 and do the "grungy" look tomorrow...leave my flat by 8:15...which means I only have 9 hours to finish the paper and sleep! And my sleep is most likely going to be hindered because of my worries about getting a big fat red F

I know how to write papers. Actually I am sort of good at writing a paper. But, I know how to write a paper at home. I am unsure of writing one here because the papers are reviewed by an external review board. The person reviewing my paper doesn't know me. All they know about me is what they are reading! I seriously have a THOUSAND "what ifs" running through my mind regarding this whole paper writing and getting reviewed from an outside body thing. I just want to do well, but I am worried that my best isn't going to be good enough. I want to tell myself that I am just being silly, but what if I am not being silly and these worst fears happen; I fail! Sorry for this rant...I think I am going for a walk and get calmed down and reorganized mentally!

Sitting in my Throat

My mom is a nurse. Because of this I am used to getting very special care when

I am not feeling well. Of course I am also used to hearing about these random and unpronounceable names diseases that I might have as well and their not so fun prognoses. Well, sense my mother is on the Virgin Islands away from any type of communication with me and I am in Northern Ireland. The best I could think of was to take photos of my throat and email them to my mom, but they didn’t turn out the best and I doubt she would be able to make one of her diagnosis from them!

Is this a bit WeIrD???

Well, even so! I have to share my medical issues with someone…



Friday, September 11th: I felt fine when I got up to go to the last day of orientation at school. I felt fine when I met up with Niamh and Lisa for lunch and Burger King. I felt fine eating my very yummy burger on the lawns of city halls while enjoying the warm sunshine! My throat started to feel very dry while we went shopping. As my mom would say, “I couldn’t spit if you paid me”. I got a drink, but that dryness never went away.



Saturday, September 12th: Woke up at 11:30am with a mildly swollen feeling throat with mild irritation when I swallow. Thought it might just one of those mornings that take your body a little more time to adjust! Well, it never went away. It feels like that part that hangs down is sitting annoyingly on the back of my throat, which causes a sensation of needing to swallow or caught something up. It’s more annoying than painful. After weighing my pros and cons I decide to continue with the plans for the day! My throat is at the same place at the end of the day as at the start.



Sunday, September 13th: I realize upon waking that something isn’t right. It is more annoying and more irritated then on Friday. Yet, I don’t feel sick! I am not tired, weak, stuffy, icky stomachy, or anything else. Now I am worried I am going to wake up tomorrow morning and be sick! It this something that is going to spread. Is it the start of swine flu! WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME??? This is why I was given a mom who is a nurse. She would either get me some soup and rub my head or she would tell me that nothing is wrong with me and I need to “buck” up and get on with it!



I’ll keep you posted!

Me and My Thoughts...

I still feel a little huffy about this. I will try to be pleasant as express my thoughts. I am hope I am tactful and do not cause offense. If I do, please forgive me...

I am struggling with understanding the fascination with the U.S. and why so many people around the world get their emotions deeply invested in the political actions of my home country. I understand that people should take stock in the international and economical decisions and situations that are occurring, which does mean that the U.S. should be of concern due to its global impacts. But what about the issues that are just for the people whom call the U.S. of A. home? Health care and education reform are too topics that come to mind. I was confronted publicly by a third party who was not from the U.S. and seemed to have no person connection to it because they overheard a very basic conversation about the state of the health care system currently. I was deeply embarrassed and offended by this, but it went further than that. I wanted to yell, "Why do you even care what type of health system the U.S. has when you don't live there? Who do you think you are to make huge generalizations about a very huge and complex situation? Who in the world are you?!?!" I didn't ask any of those questions. Yet, I am still deeply bothered by this! Why do people look to the U.S., study what is going on in the U.S. and scrutinize the U.S. over its decisions when they do not affect that person? Like I said, I think people should when the topic is international affairs and economic issues. I am really am stumped on this issue. My brain actually is hurting from thinking about it! I can say this! I am very proud to come from the United States of America! I have been very blessed in my life!

No Flags Flying at Stormont

Stormont is the parlimentry building in Northern Ireland. The D.C. of N.I.! Niamh, through her summer job, was given a pass that allowed us access to have a wee nosie around! One thing that stood out to me is that there was no flags flying on the roof, although there were two very prominant flag polls. Niamh's explination is that half of the politicians wouldn't come into work if there was a British flag flaying and the other half wouldn't come if the Republic of Ireland's flag was flying.

I Went to Paris...

My Canon Rebel XS stopped working during my time in Paris and all the photos I took on it were lost. Thankfully I did have my smaller Kodak with me and I was able to still get a couple of great pictures.

Fajita Quesadilla

This was so good! I think I will be making this for YEARS to come!