Laundry and trips

Saturday was laundry day. This means that I have not done any laundry since leaving the United States on December 29th...yeah, I brought a lot of clothes with me. However, once it came down to buying another set of new socks or doing my laundry, I chose laundry (finally).

So, I awaken to (what else?) but rain, and call up my friend Andrew to come along. We wandered along the empty streets of Corrib Village toward the closed registration building and tiny mini-mart, to the laundry room. The room itself resembles a prison cell. Its large enough to fit 6 dryers on top of 6 washing machines, as well as a row of folding chairs and a pop machine. Excellent. We took our positions, sorting and separating. As soon as I put in my two loads, I was hit with some news...three of the washers and three of the dryers were so jammed with money that they didn't work. I learned this after putting in a two euro coin and having ten cents roll out. Fun. So, we got some pen caps and went to work making some extra change...hahah. We are going to go back with a wire hanger and make bank soon.

Anyway, this basically meant that there were only three washers and three dryers for my two loads and Andrew's two loads. To end this pointless story, we ended up sitting there for almost three hours and finally got everything done. We went from talking about our night, to our roommates, to BC, to sports, to our hometowns, where we've travelled, the Discovery Channel, animals we don't like...everything. I feel like I know that kid really well now, haha. It was fun I guess.

In other news, a bunch of us booked tickets to fly to Madrid and Sevilla in February to meet up with a lot of friends who are abroad there and celebrate Carnivale. I'm so excited. That is February 7th-11th, the first weekend in Feb. The second weekend we are all going to Dublin on a BC-sponsored weekend with Margaret and her husband. I'm sure it's going to be a riot. The third weekend in Feb. is when both Meg and Molly's families are coming to visit, so that will be nice. It's also incidentally "Rag Week" at school that week, which stands for "Raise a Grand" week. Basically, it's a drinking festival on campus used to raise money for the school. Apparently none of the teachers hold classes and instead everyone participates in events to raise money for NUI. Last year they made $100,000 in five days. This should be great.

I need to get to London and Scotland soon to see Ashley/Tim, etc. and Dan, respectively. Other than that, I'll probably go on the International Student Society trip to Belfast, and I'm sure I'll make it to Cork and Limerick on weekends when we are here. I also need to plan Spring break which will probably lead to me to Greece and Italy.

I expect to be in serious debt upon returning to the states. And probably about ten pounds heavier after Italy/Greece.

I start student teaching on Thursday and this weekend two BC friends of Tara's are visting, so it should be fun.

I'm also considering applying to spend a weekend in an Irish homestay, which could be a great experience.

Everything here is still really fun. We went out every night this weekend except for Tuesday, and it all starts over tomorrow. The people here are so friendly and welcoming, the Irish boys all love to dance, we've found some more great places to go, and I am getting used to all the walking.

Everyone should really come and visit me ASAP. <3 Caro