Keep Going Sure It's Grand

This week started off on the wrong foot with an awkward moment where I had a job and then didn't anymore, but the week ended quite nicely. The Temple Bar Tradfest was on this week. There was Irish music in most of the pubs in Temple Bar all day long. Additionally there were events during the weekend with food, step-dancing, and sheep. I saw Altan playing in Christchurch Cathedral. The setting was beautiful and of course the cathedral made the acoustics incredible. I was not sure if the Tradfest was going to be an event filled with tourists and I was glad to see that many of the locals come out to appreciate a good jig and a pint.

I am still really enjoying my internship. The company is doing well after the seminar we had and I am happy to be working with some wonderful people. Next week they are sending me to Sligo to help with a workshop there.

Irish Parliament will officially be dissolved tomorrow as the Prime Minister will be stepping down. Elections will be held at the end of February, but until then we are, in a sense, without a government. Can you imagine if the Congress and Senate dissolved? It is something that I am still trying to wrap my head around. I realize that this is actually quite normal for many countries all over the world and it will be business as usual soon.

The title of this post comes from an Irishman who has created a campaign using that slogan to try and help Ireland's economy. It is a play on the posters that the English used during World War II that said "keep calm, carry on."He is donating a percentage of the proceeds from the products he sells to help with the government bailout. Here is a link: http://grandgrand.bigcartel.com/
So in the spirit of consumerism buy something and give us a hand over here!

Random fact for the week: Saw a pony on the sidewalk on my way to work the other day.

Slainte!

And We're Back

A short side note: As I was flying home on New Year's Eve I had a long lay over in Atlanta. While waiting in line for some food I struck up a conversation with a soldier. He asked me what I was doing for New Year's and I told him that I was on my way to Ireland where I had been living and was sure to have a good night out with some friends. He was going to Kuwait. While I have been critical about the States in my past posts I do realize that I am very fortunate to come from a country where I have the opportunities and freedoms to pursue many experiences, such as spending time here in Dublin. Best of luck to the soldier I met and all the others.

Ok, now back to this week in Ireland! Thanks for indulging me. I have returned from Donegal, the northernmost county in Ireland. I was there with the theatre company I work for doing a seminar on using drama as a means of reconciliation of the violence between Ireland and North Ireland. The seminar was highly successful, we also toured a play based off interviews of people who lived in towns along the border during The Troubles, the era of the most violence. It was very exciting to be a part of this, especially since it was one of my reasons for coming here. A guest artist was flown in from Israel  to lead a workshop on using drama for conflict resolution, he is an ex-combatant and uses drama as a reconciliation tool between Israelis and Palestinians. There was a lot of great discussion and emotion, as the conflict in Ireland and the North is a delicate issue. Unfortunately sectarianism is very much a part of our lives all over the world, but hopefully this seminar will be the groundwork to bring it to an end.
I was also able to see some of the beautiful Irish countryside on the long drive. I am always amazed by how green it really is. Of course there were many sheep, cows, and ponies to be spotted along the way.

That's all for now!

Hello out there!

Sorry for the delay, been busy I guess. I have now been in Ireland for about 2 months. I dashed home for Christmas (most of you reading already know this) braving the snow and getting trapped in the airport for five hours. Though if you are trapped anywhere Ireland is the place to be. Had a pint with some fellow Americans while we waited. Ironically the Dublin airport has an exhibit on immigration due to the potato famine, yet their we were trying to get out again!t was great to be home for Christmas and see my family although I definitely felt major culture shock when I arrived in Atlanta which was surprising as I hadn't been away all that long. Why are airports in the states so huge? Seriously some of them are cities entirely on their own. I got back in time to ring in the new year properly in Dublin. Got free drinks from the bartender (not too shabby) and finished the night with a classic-curry cheese chips.  The Christmas decorations are still up as the Orthodox Christmas was only the other day so it still looks like Christmas here. Can't really complain about that! Even the weather has been lovely, a balmy 7 degrees Celsius, which is about 45 F.

The infamous Smithfield Horse Market was last Sunday and is held the first Sunday of every month. Unfortunately because of my jet lag I was unable to make it out of bed but I did hear horses clip-cloping down the cobblestone streets whinnying. Next month I will be sure to go out and see them.

I'm off to Donegal on Thursday with the theatre company I work with to put on a seminar and tour the play that we have been working on. I'm very excited to see a part of Ireland I've never been to. I've read the scripts and sat in on rehearsal and it's going to be a great play.

I have heard about the recent tragic events in the states and am sad to say that I will stay here forever if things continue in this direction. Political asylum, anyone? What upsets me the most is the gun-toting right-wing rhetoric. Sarah Palin's "gun-sight" map of the states is certainly not what our founding fathers had in mind. Hopefully this is a slight blight on 2011 and it will only improve. I saw this today and it made me feel better. "When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always."~Mahatma Gandhi


Let's see if I can wrap this up on a more positive note! How about I'm in Ireland? Cool. 


Ok, I'll try and get better at posting more regularly. Miss you all at home!


Love,
Lili