HAPPY ARTHUR'S DAY!

Happy Belated Arthur’s Day! This week was truly unforgettable and I can’t wait for the weekend! For those of you not as familiar, Arthur’s Day was yesterday. Arthur’s Day is a celebration of the anniversary of Arthur Guinness. This year marks the 251^st anniversary of the beloved beer, Guinness. Festivities started very early at the Skeff Bar and ended well into the night at Massimo’s. At 17:59 (5:59), people raised their glasses whilst singing and enjoying the atmosphere. Walking through shop street , the path was packed and it was hard to even squeeze through the crowds once in the pubs. It was the best day and I can honestly say it was one of the most monumental experiences thus far. Ireland is just so fantastic and the way they view life and how they treat one another is something in itself. Today, Kim and I went kayaking. I joined earlier in the week (Kayake Club) and couldn’t wait to get on the river and learn how to Kayake. Well, it was awesome or “sound” J . They provided all the gear- wetsuit/kayakes and all. Being out on the river Corrib, playing games and learning the proper techniques and form proved to be challenging yet so much fun! The last activity we did was learning how to dismember yourself if your kayake falls over. One of the instructors came over to me and tried to reassure me that I wouldn’t drown or get stuck. The procedure was as follows: Once under the water, you tap your boat three times, release this latch on the front and then maneuver your way out. Even though this seemed easy enough, when it came down to it things were different. Not to mention, I almost lost a contact lens in the process! Anyways, tomorrow I am going to another session and then experience the Galway Oyster Festival—very famous around here. I hope everyone has a safe and healthy weekend!

Love,

Nicole

Go Raibh Mile Maith Agat!!

Good morning and Happy Yom Kippur!! I hope everyone out there is having a wonderful start to the day. My apologies for the lack of blog posts this past week. With "Fresher's Week" and registration, let's just say things have been quite hectic. Sometimes, it seems so surreal that I am in Ireland, learning and living their culture. This place constantly reminds me that the world is a beautiful place and I feel so blessed to have this amazing opportunity to be here. From my last post, all my roommates had not moved in. Well, now we are all moved in and I love them so much!! They are incredible girls and every day, I learn a million things about the Irish or their colloquial language. When we go out, I am introduced as the American girl roommate which is such a change!! Most people in Ireland have never been to the States and are fascinated to learn about American culture. Last weekend, Kim and I headed to Bunratty to visit the Bunratty Castle-- so amazing! Everything is just so ancient and historical which is fantastic! Today, Lexa, Kim and I toured Galway and I came to realize that I had been running on the other side of a a castle dating back to the 14th century! Nights in Galway have been "sound" and the people constantly amaze me by their kindness and enthusiasm with Americans. Officially I have registered for classes and I can't wait to start my documentary on my experiences in Ireland. In addition, I will be playing Gaelic Football and Coamogie (girl version of Hurling) this semester. There is so much to do and so many clubs! Irish music and dance club should be fantastic and my friend Aoiphe and I will be auditioning for the school musical! I really miss all my friends and family back in the States and sending all my love to you all! Anyways, a couple of my friends and I are headed to the pubs so I will write soon!

Love,

Nicole

Ps. This was written from earlier this morning and due to technical difficulties it just sent! I hope those that celebrate Yom Kippur had a healthy and safe fast.

The luck of the Irish!

Greetings! What's the crack? I am in the library now due in part to the lack of internet capabilities in Corrib Village. My apologies for not updating here as much as I would like too. Days in Ireland seem to go by so quickly and I am still in the midst of figuring out classes and meeting people and so forth. Yesterday was truly the first time I felt homesick because it was Rosh Hashanah and I was unable to celebrate the New Year with my family. However, my Rosh Hashana dinner in Ireland was lovely. I really love everyone I have met here already and my knowledge of Ireland has far surpassed what I expected this soon. It is nice to be able to go to a pub at night to listen to traditional music with an array of people or go running down a path that leads to some sort of ruin or the river. A few days ago, was my first day sitting in on a film studies course. I am really happy I did so, because I met a wonderful group of Irish students. We went out after class and they really embraced me and made me feel welcome. The next day we all hung out, went to a pub, then the clubs. Most of the Americans I have come across, have yet to befriend any Irish students. The nightlife is nothing like I ever seen. Interestingly, the students in Ireland go out everyday during the week and go home on the weekends which is very different than students in the states. There is so much energy and excitement in the air at night. People stop you in the pub and clank their glass to yours mouthing, "Cheers" and others invite you to dance the night away.

Adjusting to the lifestyle of the Irish has been a bit difficult but a great challenge. I have mentioned before how they are really laid back and this proves to be true every single day. Finding your way around campus is always a task and no one seems to know where they are going either when you ask for directions! However, it has been the best journey so far. This weekend, my friend Kim and I might go to Sligo, which is more north of Ireland. My one roommate just moved in and supposedly all the "freshers" move in by Sunday which is going to be crazy! A quick recap of two instances that happened last night. I returned home with Lexa close to 1:00 am and saw the light on in my common room. Dumfounded, I knew I didn't leave the light on. I walked into my apartment to find the light on in the hallway, the common room light on and the TV blasting. Looking around, there was no one in site. I ran out as fast as I could to Lexa's room. There, I met Sean and he told me that he and Lexa would head over and scope things out with me. Long story short, I discovered I had a new roommate, who I still haven't met and there is not a crazy person running around in my apartment. But I admit, it was REALLY scary! After Lexa and Sean left, I went into my room and brushed up for bed. I started dozing off, by this time it was 2:30 am. All of a sudden, I heard a sharp KNOCKING somewhere. My body shot up like there was a fire going off in my bedroom! I opened the door to find no one. The knocking persisted. The knocking seemed to become more clear and concise as the moments passed. That’s when I heard a voice. I went over to my window to find a boy smashed up against the window, begging me to help him. It turns out it was some first year boy named Sean who managed to jump the fence and ended up at my window. The thing is, at Corrib Village, they lock the back gates at 12:00 am and you have to had known this to understand that you can go around the front to get in. The boy figured hopping the fence was his only option. Anyways, pulling up the blinds, I realized this boy must have been a first year without any idea of where to go or what time of night. Still startled and scared to bits and pieces, I talked to him through my window as he pleaded with me to let him in. I didn’t give in right away because I was alone and skeptical about the situation. However, he pulled out his Corrib Village ID and told me that he didn’t know how to enter the front gates and his room number was 72. Seeing as it was 2:45 a.m at this time, I lifted the window and let the desperate boy enter my room. My, was he ever so grateful! He followed me out the door and apologized over and over again. We shook hands, introduced ourselves and he went on his merry way, in the pouring rain.

Well now, this was one of my most interesting encounters. Nevertheless, I am really excited and optimistic about the semester. Happy New Year and I hope the weather is beautiful in the States because it is sure rainy here! I better get used to it haha. I will try my best to update more frequently. Till then, Slain.

Love Always,

Nicole Rosen

Honeysuckles, Berries, Wounds...Hunter-Gatherers?!

Bonjour! Life seems to have passed to quickly because it feels like forever since I last wrote here. Life has been tres busy with friends and adventuring the lands. Also, the lack of working internet in Corrib Village doesn't help either. I think I left off with talking about Corrib Village a bit. However, I have discovered a lot more about this place within the last couple of days. Their policies are pretty ridiculous and they heavily enforce them. We went on a pub crawl two nights ago which was amazing!! Everyone was laughing and having a good ol' time! The various pubs played different music and a good amount of them played traditional irish music! I was excited to be absorbed in the Irish culture that night and even Irish danced a bit too. On our way back from the pubs, we usually have a specific route that leads straight to our apartments--the side entrance. However, at 12am, supposedly they close the side entrance and only use the front. Interestingly, they have a card swiper at the side entrance but does not work? Anyways, to make a long story short, we had to walk another mile and half and hope over a stone wall to the grass in order to get to the front entrance. It just seems ridiculous how many restrictions and rules they have here! Other than that, life in Galway has been fantastic. I am still waiting for my roommates to arrive but I am having a blast with the rest of my village. Each person I have come across from a different country or state is different which is a awesome. There are some nights where we just hang out and discuss our lives back home and the various culture similarities and differences. For instance, Allan, our Irish graduate friend, grew up learning English and Gaelic in school but can't remember much of the language now. Or Batiste, our friend from France, wants to just learn English while he is here and thinks it is wrong that Americans are not as affectionate with one another. These nights just really bring a whole new perspective on life for me and I really love and enjoy the conversations. This weekend Lexa, Kim and I decided to to go Westport, County Mayo to hike and possibly some other fun outdoor activities. The morning started off with a jog to the bus stop since we underestimated the time and didn't know exactly where Bus Eirann met. Unfortunately, we ended up missing the first place but just hopped on an hour and a half later. The bus ride was long and by the time we got off, we were sleepy and achy. The information center was of no help but we managed to find a hostel called "Old Mill Hostel." I have never been to a hostel and was nervous and excited at the same time! We stayed in the mix room which had 20 or something beds! I am not sure if that is normal for a hostel or not. We traveled on our own hiking/walking path, eating blackberries and circling the lake in Mayo. Everything was so picturesque and sharing it with Kim and Lexa was such an amazing experience. Our night consisted of talking with two native Irish people who were very young and fascinating. They gave us information on where to travel to for the future and their experiences in the country. We left early today in order to get ready for school tomorrow. I am thrilled to pick some classes out and meet Irish students! I hope everyone is doing well and had a wonderful weekend!

Au Revoir,

Nicole

Orientation Craziness

Good Afternoon!! Today was the first day of orientation for international students. I couldn't be happier here. It was tough at first after leaving my mom and trying to deal with all of these new changes but I can't see myself leaving this place now!! I have met so many wonderful people and the university is stunning! Orientation started at 9:30 am and I got back to my room around 5:00 (17:00). At the close of the orientation, one of the dean's taught us how to speak some gaelic which was very entertaining. There was so much information presented to us and we took awhile trying to go around campus and figure out what we needed and so forth. Everyone is really confused with class registration and everything. Basically, we register for classes tomorrow and have this cushion period of two weeks of trying out these different classes to make sure we really want to take them. Then on September 17th, the classes officially start. This is how I think it works out but I am not 100% sure. Anyways, tonight is Karoke night which should be a blast! I think a couple of us are hitting up the pubs afterwards to experience the scene there. I really love it here and I can't wait for this semester. I just don't want it to go by so fast!!!! Alright, well time to get ready!

Slain,

Nicoleeeeee

The Flight Continues

Four days later, and I have finally managed to sit down and write about our adventures during these days and now. Tomorrow, Mama Rosen leaves for Paris and I start my journey of independence in the world haha. I am going to miss my mom! We had the best time exploring Ireland together and it is hard to believe the time is almost up! Tonight as I right this, I am feeling a bit homesick for my family and friends. I suppose that this is normal since I am really anxious and nervous to start school—it feels like the first day of college! However, I moved in to my apartment a bit earlier than planned which was fantastic! Along the way, I met another California girl who is living in Corrib Village as well—and very close! Knowing her and a few others from Philadelphia has definitely helped ease my nerves about transitioning into this new lifestyle. Corrib Village consists of individual housing units, each one a different color (orange, yellow, peach, green). My room is a double en suite which means that I have a very small bathroom and a large bed. If I step inside my bathroom and make a full circle, everything is right in front of my face (sink, toilet, shower). In the shower, you literally can only stand in one spot! There are four other students living in my flat and we all share a common room and kitchen. Those areas are lovely and we are provided with items such as: Water boiler, toaster, tv, remote, mops, pots, pans, couches, etc. The place feels like a dorm but in very close courters and with single rooms. I am really excited to live there but skeptical about some of the rules, one in particular. The rule states that you can’t have any overnight guests—they must leave before 12am. Therefore, if they catch someone sleeping over who doesn’t live in Corrib Village, you get fined 130 Euro’s! I find it hard to believe that someone would fine you for having someone spend the night, even a relative. Other than some of the rules such as this one, the place is beautiful and very convenient. I look forward to meeting my roommates and other students. Now back to recapping the last four days. Today, our destination was Spiddal—a lovely Gaelic speaking seaside town in Connommara. However, we ended up lost and two hours North. Our adventure sent us all the way to Griggins, which is an area that James Joyce, the Irish Writer, used to visit often. Nevertheless, the GPS finally managed to acquire the satellite and guided us to Spiddal (An Spideal). We walked around the shops a bit and ate at a Bakery Café next to a cluster of cottages, each one containing individual artists’ wares. Every town we have come across in this trip has been so different from one another yet so vibrant! In this particular area, they all speak Gaelic. When Mama Rosen and I went to check out a store, we could tell they were skeptical about tourists. Mama Rosen had been looking for Clauddaugh Rings and we found them here! It is a well-known symbol in Ireland which shows two hands holding a heart with a crown representing friendship, love and loyalty. After we left Spiddal, we came back to our lovely B&B to tea and disgestive cookies (my new favorite obsession). Now, I am trying to remember most of the last four days and it is so challenging! I left off with Dingle which has been my favorite place so far. From Dingle we took the ferry at Tarbert over to Sheep’s Head Peninsula and went through Milltown Malbay which had a beautiful cathedral. We then ventured on to Liscannor and Lahinch which are two really cute beach towns and well- known for surfing! We went towards Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher. This has to be one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen! We went past the “Do Not Enter” sign to the top of the Cliffs but it was well worth it! Supposevely, there is a number next to the cliffs to call if you need someone to talk too. At the Cliffs of Moher, we walked a few hours and saw O’Brian’s Castle on top. This was such a magnificent and one of the most scenic sites thus far on the trip. After the Cliffs of Moher, we went to a famous pub in Doolin called “ Gus O’Connors.” We listened to live Irish music and I experienced my first Lager and Lime which was introduced to me by Mama Rosen!! The night was truly fantastic and makes me excited for nights in Galway. Interestingly, at a certain hour (11pm) the waiters and waitresses come out and bring complementary chicken wings and smoked salmon on bread bites for everyone. When a man behind me tapped me on the shoulder and offered me a chicken wing, I thought this was odd until he told me that they always do this at pubs. or at least this one. The next morning was slow but Mom and I decided to take a ferry to the Aran Islands (Inisheer). The way there on the ferry was a lot worse then the trip coming back. We spent the day exploring the ruins of forts and walking towards the lighthouse. Mama Rosen and I had the chance to pet Sheep and a beautiful, white horse. There is a bigger Island (Inishmore) and the smaller island that we went on (Inisheer). I wish there was more time in the day to have spent on the other side of the island but it was just a beautiful site. For dinner we ate in Lahinch with a young lady from the states. She shared very interesting stories of her travels with us since her job entails her to constantly travel every 3 months or so. We went to the Burren the next day. Our first stop was the Burren Perfumary which is in Carron, County Clare. We walked through the gardens there and I was intrigued by some of the most exotic flowers displayed! Following the perfumery, we went to Cahermacnaghten- an ancient dwelling (several) dating back to the bronze age (some as far as 1100 BC). We then journeyed on to Poulnabrone Dolmen, the ancient tomb where 33 people were buried in this one tomb (cairn). I couldn’t believe it was stationed right in the center of all these rocks with beautiful flowers growing between them! How people lived in this land where there were more rocks then greenery is dumbfounding! Alilwee Cave was our next stop which was amazing!!!!! We saw a bird show and Mama Rosen volunteered to have an owl fly right on to her arm! I am so proud of her! The animals were beautiful and the cave was fantastic. Our last and final stop was Galway, where I will be for the next four months! I love it here so far. It is more city-esque with lots of pubs, restaurants, people performing on the streets and water. Tomorrow is a big day and orientation is Tuesday! Time flies! Anyways, I wish you all the best and I will update you as soon as possible.

Seachain sibh féin, (Take Care)

Nicole Shayna Rosen

Ps. Happy Birthday Mike!

Ireland Adventures with Mom!

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Here are the pictures so far of Mama Rosen and my Ireland adventure! You can access the site under my facebook picture for up-to-date- ones! Also, a new blog post coming soon!