First Week!

I have been in Dublin for just 5 days now and I feel very far away from Strawberry Lane!
I've been so busy that I haven't had time to write yet so I'll go day by day.

On Monday I arrived into Dublin Airport around 8 am. I didn't manage to sleep on the plane (because I was so nervous) but I did manage to meet two very friendly Canadians.. go figure! After I made my way through customs I hailed a cab and went to meet my GW friend, Caitilin, at her hotel, The Shelbourne, in Dublin's City Centre. After we had a loving reunion in the lobby we made our way to a tasty cafe where we enjoyed a lovely, and I do mean lovely, chocolate muffin! Then we went back to the hotel and took a cab to University College Dublin (UCD) where I will be studying for the next few months. However here is where the journey really starts. Now it rains in Ireland; I know it rains and you know it rains, but this rain is really indescribable. So we arrive on campus with our luggage, naturally I have two 50+ pound suitcases packed to the brim and a carry-on. However, we are informed that the cab can drive no further and we must walk to get to the Student Centre to pick up our Student ID cards before we can drop our luggage off in our rooms. So in the rain we trek to the Student Centre, naturally not knowing where to go and stopping to ask for directions several times. Finally with the help of a nice Italian man we get to the Student Centre where we wait in a two hour line for our Student ID cards. Now here's the thing about Ireland; the Irish have a different approach to life than we do in the States. And let me tell you though it's kind of unsettling as a somewhat structure-loving American I am really starting to get used to this laid back attitude! However, after traveling for several hours, soaking wet all I wanted was an expedient line, but this I did not get. After we finally got our ID cards we began our trek to our dorm. I am living in a residence hall called Roebuck Hall and it's lovely, truly grand. However, the trek across campus from the Student Centre to Roebuck Hall was one of the worst experiences of my life. It is probably no more than a 10-15 minute walk but in the rain, with 100+ pounds of luggage, jet-lagged, this was not such an easy feat for Kate Chaloux. I was kind of in that state between shock, exhaustion, irritation, and overwhelming bewilderment that produces that kind of nervous laughter that is really just suppressed tears. But alas, I did not cry and I made it to my room. Where I promptly called my mother and said that I didn't think this was such a good idea.  However, after putting my room together and unpacking I felt much better. Caitilin and I spent the next few hours introducing ourselves to my roommates and organizing a trip to a pub where I had my first Guinness in Ireland of the trip. It was a very fun night after a day of travel and nothing felt as glorious as my bed!

On Tuesday and Wednesday I went back into the City Centre a few times to get some things that I needed and continued to explore the UCD campus. I've found a pub with spectacular cheesy bread, a fabulous Milkshake Bar and stores which we all know I will be patronizing in the coming months! But let me tell you, Dublin is mighty expensive. So for the first time ever, this shopaholic will be budgeting and reigning in her spending! Stay tuned! In the picture below I am with two of my friends and we are on O'Connell Bridge overlooking the River Liffey. As a James Joyce enthusiast seeing the River Liffey as he commonly wrote about was somewhat of a religious experience. As I find myself walking the streets of Dublin and attending UCD, the college of James Joyce, I cannot help but feel the palpable wonder that is the exploration of an old country with rich history and engaging stories about places such as the River Liffey and O'Connell Bridge!

On Thursday our orientation really started and there were several events that we had to attend. Everyone in Ireland is so incredibly friendly and helpful and quite frankly very funny that each orientation session was pleasant. The common theme was that school in Ireland is different than school in the States. For starters, they go to class significantly fewer hours per week than we do and are quoted to be somewhat "lazy" but we shall see when I start my classes next week! They also warned us of cultural differences despite our common language which I have been surprised about. Even though our cultures are quite similar, they are actually not as akin as I had imagined. I am really looking forward  to exploring these similarities and differences in depth over the next few months!
Later that evening after an Orientation dinner, which really consisted of free wine and finger foods, a group of us, mainly comprised of other American students, went out to a pub in Rathmines, a different part of Dublin. We had a lot of fun dancing the night away while enjoying a few Guinness' and we finally made it home well after 2 am. But it was all worth it..well until I had to wake up this morning to go to registration which brings me to Friday.

On Friday I woke up to register for a classes. Now, like George Washington, I cannot tell a lie. Pulling myself out of bed this morning was difficult but well worth it! We've been going and going for the last few days and my little feet were screaming at me, probably because they could benefit from sneakers. But it was a lovely morning in Ireland complete with a blue sky, and lovely green grass all around! And no rain actually which made it mighty specials! As I walked to the Arts Building (where most of my classes will take place) I thought to myself, 'How blessed am I to be in such a lovely place enjoying such a great opportunity with so many supportive people at home caring about me and so many new friends in my future.' I am a very lucky girl so you must know that I was thinking about all of you this morning as I walked to Registration and will continue to do so while abroad! (A special thanks to my Mom and Dad for making all this possible and Unkie for BBMing me every day to make sure I'm okay.) I managed to get the class I wanted and later attended another orientation session regarding my history class. I am really excited to start my classes. I'm taking 3 History classes and 3 English classes. The majority of them are surrounding all things Irish and as many of my interests in these subject areas lie in Ireland I am very excited to get learning! I am very excited for everything that this semester will offer me and I will keep you all updated with any new developments!

Thank you for reading!
All my love, Kate