Another Thing

So I meant to do this once a week, I think I got a little behind. Oops. It is a little early in the game for me to be getting behind, hopefully I can get back on track. Anyways, the weather has improved and the streets and sidewalks have finally been cleared of ice, just in time, because it's supposed to snow Friday! My flatmate has decided that the weather is my fault and that I have brought it here with me. It is possible considering my plane was hit by lightning, maybe I have some weird electric charge.
I went to Howth on Sunday, a small fishing town just north of Dublin. It was lovely. I saw boats, and old churches, and even some seals. Or perhaps they were selkies, though they were a bit fat. Then of course I had to have a bag of chips (as in "French fries") with vinegar, naturally.

I've made friends with an Australian, I've given up completely on Canadians. I also think that if I come across another person who asks me if I am a "tea-partier" I will have to slap them, not that it's their fault really.
I'm realising, now that's the proper spelling, that I know my around better than when I first got here. Now when I get lost I can eventually find my way to where I meant to go. I don't have to walk around with a map like a silly tourist anymore.
Time for me to watch some Irish television that won't make sense! With adverts (commercials) that while short, also don't make sense! Oh well.
I'll be back with more soon!

Some Thoughts

I've been in Dublin for a month now, it's incredible how time can simultaneously drag and fly by. I've finally started to realize that I do in fact live in this wonderful, strange place and am beginning to feel more at home. It snowed last weekend, which I have been told by several people is not a regular occurrence. The city shut down leaving everyone to explore the new, surreal Dublin. Unfortunately no one really is prepared for the snow here and the roads and sidewalks have remained uncleared. It's been a bit slippery! I saw a sign that read "Be careful on the step as it is slippery, like a sexy eel." I'm not sure that eels are sexy, I think they are rather creepy actually.  In addition to the unexpected snow, Ireland has been facing political trouble, largely due to the failing economy, there have been many protests and more are on the way. As an outsider I am not sure what my feelings are towards the political turmoil. On the one hand, I am not a citizen and perhaps it is not any of my business, but on the other hand, I am living here and am currently more affected by Ireland's politics then I am of US politics. The Irish people are angry, though their spirits seem to remain upbeat as we approach Christmas. It has been very refreshing in an odd way to see a country so celebratory of Christmas and not the "holiday season" with which the politically correct US has replaced the month between Thanksgiving and New Years. By the way to all you grammar nerds out there, ahem, this is not a blog about grammar.

Speaking of English, though I suppose it isn't really English here. I am told that I don't speak English I speak American, we prefer the term Freedom language.  I am learning all sorts of new words and spellings of old words. From now on it will be colour, centre, and recognise. I'll keep the curse words out of here, for now.

Also has anyone noticed that the Euro really looks too much like Monopoly money? It's so colourful (see that?) and sparkly.

Well, that's all for now. Cheers!

First Post

After three weeks here in Dublin I'm finally settling in. I left the US on election day, a great choice seeing as how the country has decided to step backwards and elect a party that got us into the current economic mess in the first place. The political scene in Ireland is not much better, though they are facing a much worse recession than anyone in the US could possibly imagine. I have no doubt that the Irish people will prove to be resilient as they often have in the past. Hey, at least they don't have Sarah Palin. But enough about politics.
I've come to Ireland, a country that has been in my heart since I was a child, to experience a new culture and broaden my views. If only everyone who set off to a foreign country would do the same. Since I've been here I've found the Irish people to be extremely welcoming, no surprise there. It is, however, with much regret that I must write that I have received a cold shoulder from any Canadian that I meet. In fairness, they are often confused to be American and perhaps have experienced some mistreatment due to the poor reputation of Americans abroad, but that is why I am traveling (and perhaps writing this), to prove that not all Americans are ignorant capitalists. Perhaps my Canadian comrades will learn a thing or two as well.

I work with a theatre company here doing theatre for social justice. I can't divulge too much here because I work with people and their personal stories regarding various subjects from the Troubles to heroin use.
In other news the craic is good and the Guinness is always flowing. Oh and it rains here which is probably going to be the hardest thing for a desert girl to adjust to.
I'm still deciding whether or not I want to write this blog so bare with me while I struggle with the idea of baring my thoughts to the world.
Until next time!