I'M ALIVE!
Hello everyone!
So, I FINALLY found a computer in the library (it's a survival of the fittest type of thing....30 computers and about 500 students attempting to use them at the same time) and therefore...this is my first e-mail to you all!
My apartment is wonderful...It is very cozy and we're working on making it clean. The views are unbelievable...Galway bay is beautiful. I can see the harbor right outside of my bedroom window and see and smell the sea. Our living room has a bay window and I often have found myself sitting there writing letters (I just found a post office today so now I can send them!) and reading tour books on Europe. The rooms are small, and the water that comes out of the taps yellow...but what can I say? It's all our very own. There are two small bedrooms for two girls in each, and a built in closet with drawers. I would send you all pictures, but as my silly digital camera only allows me to take 15 pictures to a set of AA batteries, and I am told by my roomates that I need to find rechargable batteries and a recharger SOMEWHERE here in Galway, I have none uploaded yet...my batteries went out before I could even upload them! *Sigh* But I promise they will be coming soon.
The buildings here are unbelievable...they have really worked hard to preserve as much as possible all of the original parts of the city from the 7th century and all of its subsequent medieval additions. Lynch Castle, which is now being used as a bank is literally a five minute walk from my apartment. You cannot walk more than 20 feet down a street without seeing a pub. I've been trying to visit a few of them for lunch (soup is WONDERFUL) and it is unbelievable the pieces of Irish culture than you can find in there. I sat in one the other day, The King's Head, which proclaimed itself to be one of the favorite writing places of James Joyce whenever he visited his mistress (whose house is not too far away) here in Galway. I went to an Irish music night at The Cellar my second night here with my roomates...we couldn't resist...the musicians looked so cute on their picture outside!
I cook for us all every night. My roomates are amazed that not only do I know how to cook, but I can actually cook extremely well. It's like a dream come true...my very own kitchen...FINALLY! Although I broke down the other night and called Mom...I couldn't remember how to bake a cake from scratch and it was my roomate's birthday. I can't tell you all how long I've wanted a kitchen of my own to just cook in...and the fact that now I have one...it's almost too wonderful to be true. It works out rather well as I hate to clean up and do bathrooms and the other girls hate to cook...so everyone is very happy.
I'm still working on my class schedule...they are very disorganized here and send you on a wild goose chase around campus (which is already confusing enough as the campus maps are horrible and all of the buildings are in gaelic...EVERYTHING is in gaelic on the West coast of Ireland) just to find out when classes MIGHT be meeting. UGH! Once I get my schedule figured out...I'll let you all know what I'll be taking.
I have to run now...but I'll try to get to my computer and send out an e-mail tomorrow along with pictures of the Aran Islands (which we visited yesterday).
SO much love and hugs...ESPECIALLY to my KELLY whom I love SO very very very very VERY much and adore (hey...my Development of the Castle in Medieval Europe is considering taking a trip to Wales to look at LOTS of fun castles while you are going to be here...wanna go?)Sam is very very very adorable and must love you so incredibly much.
My Autumn...please cheer up? I'm really worried about you.
So, I FINALLY found a computer in the library (it's a survival of the fittest type of thing....30 computers and about 500 students attempting to use them at the same time) and therefore...this is my first e-mail to you all!
My apartment is wonderful...It is very cozy and we're working on making it clean. The views are unbelievable...Galway bay is beautiful. I can see the harbor right outside of my bedroom window and see and smell the sea. Our living room has a bay window and I often have found myself sitting there writing letters (I just found a post office today so now I can send them!) and reading tour books on Europe. The rooms are small, and the water that comes out of the taps yellow...but what can I say? It's all our very own. There are two small bedrooms for two girls in each, and a built in closet with drawers. I would send you all pictures, but as my silly digital camera only allows me to take 15 pictures to a set of AA batteries, and I am told by my roomates that I need to find rechargable batteries and a recharger SOMEWHERE here in Galway, I have none uploaded yet...my batteries went out before I could even upload them! *Sigh* But I promise they will be coming soon.
The buildings here are unbelievable...they have really worked hard to preserve as much as possible all of the original parts of the city from the 7th century and all of its subsequent medieval additions. Lynch Castle, which is now being used as a bank is literally a five minute walk from my apartment. You cannot walk more than 20 feet down a street without seeing a pub. I've been trying to visit a few of them for lunch (soup is WONDERFUL) and it is unbelievable the pieces of Irish culture than you can find in there. I sat in one the other day, The King's Head, which proclaimed itself to be one of the favorite writing places of James Joyce whenever he visited his mistress (whose house is not too far away) here in Galway. I went to an Irish music night at The Cellar my second night here with my roomates...we couldn't resist...the musicians looked so cute on their picture outside!
I cook for us all every night. My roomates are amazed that not only do I know how to cook, but I can actually cook extremely well. It's like a dream come true...my very own kitchen...FINALLY! Although I broke down the other night and called Mom...I couldn't remember how to bake a cake from scratch and it was my roomate's birthday. I can't tell you all how long I've wanted a kitchen of my own to just cook in...and the fact that now I have one...it's almost too wonderful to be true. It works out rather well as I hate to clean up and do bathrooms and the other girls hate to cook...so everyone is very happy.
I'm still working on my class schedule...they are very disorganized here and send you on a wild goose chase around campus (which is already confusing enough as the campus maps are horrible and all of the buildings are in gaelic...EVERYTHING is in gaelic on the West coast of Ireland) just to find out when classes MIGHT be meeting. UGH! Once I get my schedule figured out...I'll let you all know what I'll be taking.
I have to run now...but I'll try to get to my computer and send out an e-mail tomorrow along with pictures of the Aran Islands (which we visited yesterday).
SO much love and hugs...ESPECIALLY to my KELLY whom I love SO very very very very VERY much and adore (hey...my Development of the Castle in Medieval Europe is considering taking a trip to Wales to look at LOTS of fun castles while you are going to be here...wanna go?)Sam is very very very adorable and must love you so incredibly much.
My Autumn...please cheer up? I'm really worried about you.