Quick Update

Well everyone had fun on their various interludes over study break and the quiet here was nice...though oddly creepy at night. I've been spending much time on my own, just watching movies as I don't have anything better to really be doing. I've caught up on some classics and been able to fulfill my quest to watch some new ones that I haven't gotten around to yet. Examples include Zoolander, Avatar, and Year One.

Everyone arrived back home in time for Arti's birthday on Saturday which turned into quite a fun night. We played flipcup, which I haven't played in years and much loved it. I didn't drink as much as some of my fellows but being a birthday, I was obligated to go out. We once again try to storm the Palace gates, but to no avail. One of our members was under 20 and did not have an ID. The bouncers were not willing to let her in even though it was a birthday celebration. So once again, we ended up across the street at one of our favorite haunts, Flannery's.

We of course moved from floor to floor, taking over various areas at a time. Saw a guy in a prison outfit, obviously having a stag party, which was entertaining. The guys left later than us and met us at the bar. In Arti's honor, there were several tequila shots taken by a few people and many pictures of course, always a fun time ;) I really should have written about this sooner as I can't really remember much of it now. Let's see, saw a girl almost fall down the stairs, stood behind Mike making obscene motions and the girl he was talking to with Alex did not even notice, quite entertaining. I left early in the night with Mike and Alex because I was tired, I think it was around 2am. Everyone else managed to wander back by 3:30am, after closing and most likely getting food.

The next day, we had a roommate dinner down the road at a nice bar called Clarendon. This was also in celebration of Arti's birthday. We sat and relaxed and chatted. There was also a soccer game on, but I didn't watch, not being very interested in it myself. Everyone seemed to be enjoying. Kara and Morgan had the vegetable soup which they were raving about. Others got sandwiches or paninis. I had a Guinness and Beef pie, which turned out to be very good. It was beef, potatoes, carrots, and peas, covered in a Guinness gravy and topped with a puff pastry, quite delicious for myself, the carnivore. We came back and did the cake thing for Arti, Dora the Explorer style, quite tasty looking.

After Sunday, lots of people buckled in for a week of studying, Wednesday was the earliest that anyone had a final. Finance for Mike and Doug. Today was a marketing final for Morgan, Caitlin, Arti, and Katie. Apparently several courses at UCD from several schools are all gathered in one big room to take finals. So you have music and med students mixed in with the business ones. Should be an interesting and possibly overwhelming time. I don't have my first final until Monday, which is history along with everyone else. But I actually started studying yesterday, to much surprise including my own. I hope this means I will ace it by studying 5 days ahead of time. But in all honesty, I'm so bored that I don't really have much left to do except study.

Of course, I have carefully budgeted the rest of my money in order to send my package home and buy gifts for the family. But other than doing those things and eating, Ireland is winding down. Even the city seems more subdued than usual. I've been running in St. Stephen's to make up for selling my bike back, which I hate to do. But I can't slack off now, that would just be wrong right before summer. Although considering the list of foods I'm going to eat when I get back, I'm going to have to work out often to keep all that at bay. But it will be worth it. I've missed home. I miss the sun and quiet of Maine and of course all my family that will be waiting for me. I've missed my friends, of course at school, but more importantly the ones who are also returning home. I'm hoping this summer turns out better than it's starting. Getting shut down hard by Enterprise was not the ideal way to start off. But I can't complain, I have a job and I will be home soon, sleeping in my queen sized bed and having my head cuddled by a 22 pound cat at 8am. Can't wait!