nothing feels as good as cutting your mullet off

So I got a hair cut today! yeeeeah, my hair was growing out in such a way that a mullet was forming. It's in a nice and tight rounded bob-like shape now. See, at first I thought I wanted the mullet *shout out to Tiffany..sometimes I should just listen* ... but then after seeing the back of my head in a picture taken on Saturday I like, whoa.. its time.

Speaking of Tiffany, I went to see the movie Bridesmaids! It was so funny and I haven't laughed that hard in a good long while. I totally visualized Tiffany getting engaged and me going to DC to help plan the luncheon, shower, bachelorette party and all that... and then meeting her real successful, skinny, best friend, colleague blah blah blah.. the next thing you know I'm stomping around Capital Hill Club throwing tiny sandwiches without the crust in the floor...screaming, "I hate politics anyway!" Its real crazy like that.... Just go see the movie ;)

So much to be Thankful for

I have met an amazing friend group through the USIT program. Sara and this girl from Australia named Ashlee, and I went to Galway on the Summer Solstice (Tuesday and Wednesday). It was the longest day of the year and luckily we were graced with beautiful sunshine. It was a little windy but gosh it felt amazing to sit by the bay, walk around town, and play in the park. Sara and I took a ferry on Wednesday to the Aran Islands.

This is a picture I found online so you could see how dramatic the cliffs were on the island. There is no barrier up like there was at the Cliffs of Moher.. I literally got on my hands and knees and peered over the edge! We sat there for about 30 minutes, had a picnic and a chat with the guard on duty. It was one of the most surreal moments I have ever had.

Thursday (yesterday) was the USIT social. They plan one every month so new and old members can meet each other and hang out. It was pretty perfect timing for me because I recently found out that I have until the 16th of July to find a new place to live. long story but trust me its for the best.. so I was late to the social because I went to see an apartment in the same building I am currently in (convenient move) but it did not seem that it would work out so on the walk to the pub I was a little bummed. I was prepared to forget about my living situation for the night and just have fun...cut loose if you will ;) As soon as I got there the organizer of the event came up to me and said there were two girls who have been in the program for about a month now and they are from FL...Tampa to be exact!! so we got to chatting and they said they were looking for a roommate because the girl they live with now is moving out July 10th. whoa, it was meant to be! We exchanged contact info and plan to hang out a couple times before then but it seems like its gonna work out just fine! :) Plus, I am excited to live with girls.. these guys are loud and messy.

I am one lucky lady and I so appreciate the good fortune that has come my way. Everyone back home has been extremely supportive (shout out to the best Grandmother in the WORLD!) and the people I have met here have really welcomed me. I have so much to be thankful for.

living situation

So I was considering moving out of the place I am in because the bathroom really really sucks. Ya know I have to turn on the boiler at least an hour before I shower so the water heats up and then the bathtub has a crack in it so it was flooded all last week and this. I asked my friend if she would help me move since I have acquired more stuff and such.. and I even made an appointment to see a place tomorrow. However, today after my moaning and complaining about the bathroom dilemma, the plumber called me back! He came and ripped up the rug and my roommate and I took turns mopping up the water. He said he would have to install a new shower. So it might be another week until it is completely fixed but at least there is progress being made. Also, my bank account is going to mail my debit card to this address and most of you already have this address and it would just be a huge hassle to change houses...so I'm gonna stick it out for another month and then evaluate then. I think all the roommates will be moving out at some point this summer so there will be a new rotation of people in here.. I hope they are cool and a bit tidier than the group I've got now. I just love this apartment and the location so I would hate to give it up.. Next month is going to be way better!! I say 'next' month cause we pay the rent on the 16th so it will be the start of another renting period. I will be glad to meet the landlord on Thursday....we can have a chat about things :) Stay positive, right?

Europe

so I just booked my flights to Brussels and Spain! I met this really cool girl who is from the States and is doing the same Work in Ireland Program as I. We have planned an 11 day trip from Belgium to Barcelona by train. I have booked my flight from Dublin to Brussels and from Barcelona to Dublin. ahhhhh its really happening... I'm gonna go on a Euro-trip! Its gonna be less like the movie cause there will be no drugs involved! (you are welcome Loy and Aunt Joy) the point is... I will be traveling through multiple countries throughout Europe and cannot fricken wait to see it all! ahhhhhhh! (imagine me dancing, jumping, and screaming in front of a full length mirror) oh its gonna be amazing. The plan is still in the works as far as what all we are going to see and do along the way.., We will be sleeping on the train at night as to maximize our time in different places.. wish me luck that it will be a 'good nights rest'. I am super pumped about this and will enjoy your feedback as it arrives.. I'll need a camera for this endeavor and will be scouring the town for cheap chargers.. unless my friend Jena sends me one before then! :) Love you Yena.

On the same note as traveling... my friends Sofia and Marco are planning a trip both to the west and east coast of the United States (its a little condescending to call it 'America' because there is is both North AND South America. The Americas both went through trials of hardship apon there 'discovery'. We should address our country in such a way that doesnt undermind Canada, Mexixo, or South America

reminders of home

Thought I would go shopping

and just meander around town..

I needed a warm coffee and as

I turned the corner there was

Sofia waiting for me :) I felt

like I was having coffee with her

.....sorta, lol. I love walking around

aimlessly and finding cool

places like this that remind me

of home. I found a thrift store and

got some cheap black pants and a

shirt..I really need to get a job instead

of shopping but at least it was

inexpensive! I am absolutely in love

with Dublin, but I absolutely love

reminders of home!!!

xoxo

such a great weekend

Friday was really cool.. I went to Trinity College and there was a cricket game going on.. the weather was the first real warm day of summer here so there were loads of people sitting around. After the match, two guys ran all the way around the field.. NAKED, no clothes no shoes. I mean these were real streakers.. they were fist pumping to the crowd and everyone was yelling for them.. I have never seen real streakers before well except for Will Ferrel in the movie Old School. It was definitely a sight! We went to a pub after to see some live music. Great night!

Saturday was the Forbidden Fruit music festival.. that was amazing.. it was from 2 to 11pm. We did a lot of walking but it was worth it! There was this dj called Beardyman.. he did some cool stuff and then two other bands played and we were up close center stage! I had to back out during the last show of the night and sit on the hillside cause the crowd started doin a bit of a mosh pit and i was afraid my foot would get trampled on.. but it was really something amazing to see. The lead singer got in this big huge bubble and jumped out into the crowd. It was epic.

I just lounged and watched movies on Sunday...at bit of a recovery.

Into the Wild....watch it.

I figured out how to watch movies online...without Netflix or any TV for almost a month (other than news and sports in hostels and pubs) I wanted desperately to watch a movie.. I met this guy in the hostel that told me to watch Into the Wild. I did and it was the kind of film that changes you. I have always had the urge to travel, move, experience...but this guy in the movie took it to a whole new level. Its scary really when you think about it.. The desire to travel and be free is so overwhelming. I love it here and I have only been here for almost a month but I find myself already looking into the future.. looking into the wild... where am I going to go? how am I going to get there? there are so many places and things I want to experience. ahhhh it feels so good. I am ready to experience living in Dublin and then after that....well I wish so badly I could read ahead and find out but its one page at a time folks. read carefully.. dont miss anything..there is a test at the end.