Meet Greg and Kathryn!

Greg's from the Republic and Kathryn's from Northern Ireland. And you would never believe how well we all can get along!!!

new friends and first nights out!

First Week...CHECK!

Alright, I've finished my first week of med school. Yay! It feels like a big milestone. It was stressful and fun, emotional and event filled! I had my fair share of ups and downs and I've somehow managed to survive. By the skin on my teeth but still, its the surviving that counts, not by how much. So, I feel a little bit embarrassed by what I did this week but I thought I would share anyways. There is a lot of context around getting myself into the situation that I did but I'll just come right out with it. I was careless and got my wallet stolen or lost or whatever....its gone! I had to cancel all my cards, borrow a bunch of money from my new friends to get by on until I get my loan money or get my new cards to take money out of my American accounts, whichever comes first. I got a new student card (3 days after getting my first student card). I got an extension from Immigration so that I can register late and I got over the fact that I lost a bunch of money of which I could have used to come home or go somewhere else or have someone fly out here to curb my mounting homesickness. But all is better now and I've learned some very valuable lessons. I won't even get into any of the details surrounding the disappearing wallet because as someone very important said to me, "money isn't what matters. If you have love that's what really counts. " well it was something like that...at least that's what I got out of it. And I know that I have plenty of what matters so really I am rich! OK, well other than that I had 5 subjects of 2 lectures each plus anatomy lab. I've met a lot of great people in my class and feel lucky that so many of them are nice, fun and caring! I have good feeling about all of them really. Friday night we all watched Ireland play France in the Rugby World Cup and then went out dancing. Ireland lost and it was quite sad but then the great fun I had dancing made up for the disappointment, plus I learned a lot about rugby too. Well, I hope that you are all having much better luck than myself and lets hope that I got all of my bad luck out of the way and now onto just the good stuff! finger's crossed!

Cricket anyone?

Cricket game in Phoenix Park

Irish Polo Match

I loved the clouds...the ever changing Irish clouds.

Gates to the President's House

Now isn't that the most perfect latte?

I guess that's how its done in beautiful Phoenix Park (the central park of Ireland...only twice as big)

Farmleigh House

I can take you there if you want :)

What the pubs look like before an Irish Football match

Pretty crazy looking huh?

Its actually just what they mean by "Full Irish Breakfast". You can get this anywhere around here but especially so when you stay at a bed and breakfast. It includes: 2 sausages, 2 bacon strips, an overeasy egg, a tomato, white and black pudding (more meat), toast, and a few sides such as fruit, cereal, juice and of course you can not forget tea! By full, I think they mean that you won't get hungry again for a very long time. (Hey Kennedy, maybe you'll get some ideas to assist you in your bulking up hmmmm?)

The lovely B & B in Dundalk

I'd highly recommend it. In addition to being ridiculously nice and cozy it was very close to the ice rink.

Game 2...I know a little out of order...but thats ok

This game was fantastic. It was the Latvia Hawks v. Dundalk Bulls. There were so many Latvians screaming the entire game that my ears were ringing when we left. It didn't seem to matter too much that they were down the entire game either. They still fought hard and the fans never gave up. I like this picture because it shows the Bulls' goalie. I sat next to his mom. He is 16 and just started playing ice last December and he was amazing. Such a great game to watch. There was one fight that broke out but it wasn't typical. One of the refs was a woman and one of the Latvian players pushed her (I think). Apparently, the Irish team had enough and a brawl ensued. I was told that this fight was a long time coming. The Bulls won and I will definitely have to go back to see them play again. So young and so full of love for the sport! (Oh, and I think that one of the bull's players might have broke his ankle during the game. Dad, I was thinking that these Irish players may be in need of a good trainer!!!)