Are We Out of the Woods Yet?

Sunday, we didn't do very much during the day, because of the weather. Originally, we had planned on going to the festival at the next town over. But, the weather was just too nasty, and we didn't really feel like going. Instead, for dinner, we had some pizza at Pizza Dog, and went on a walk through campus. It was definitely a walk of appreciation.

Maynooth Castle

Behind campus

Candids

Sara even took us to one of her favorite spots on campus, next to a river through one of the wooded areas. It was very peaceful.

Sara's Spot

Warming Up In The Ring of Fire

By ten, we were heading to the bus stop to go into Dublin. I'd been wanting to go to the zoo for months, and now, after many failed attempts to go in America, I was visiting the Dublin Zoo! We walked through the famous Phoenix Park to get there, and there were many beautiful flowers blooming, even though it was chilly out. Once inside, we walked through practically every exhibit. Many of the animals weren't awake, probably because it was so cold.

These flamingos were so funny with their turning heads

So close!

Close enough to touch

My favorites!

Afterwards, we headed to a nice bar down the street to warm up with a very late lunch. Lucky for us, it started raining as we got on the bus, so it didn't ruin our outing. As we passed The Roost on the way home, I remembered that there was going to be a Johnny Cash impressionist there that night. Even though it was raining, we all decided to go, and I'm so glad we did. It's nights like those that I now realize I enjoy the most: sipping a few drinks, watching a good show, dancing a little bit, and laughing the whole time. The singer was really good, and Sara and I even danced during Ring of Fire.

Once, he talked to me from the stage (I'm pretty sure because I had a huge smile on my face). He asked if I was enjoying the show and if I wanted to hear some Elvis. I said hell yeah. So, after a few more songs, he played Heartbreak Hotel and, feeling complete, I went home for the night. 

Great show!

The Most Gloomy Friday

I was very aware of what little time I had left with the kids at preschool, so I was playing with everyone when I got the chance. We played matching games, we talked about our families, and the kids tried to teach me some colors and numbers in Gaelic. One of the girls, Emily, really liked me and drew me a picture of me with half of a butterfly. Don't ask me why there's only half, I don't really know. 

You best believe I brought it back to America

On the way home, I noticed the sky doing what it does so often, dark clouds on one half of the sky, and clear and sunny on the other. It's so bizarre. But this time, as I walked home towards the cloudy side, out of no where it started to down pour. I protected my new drawing, but I was amazed when even the sun moved to my side, it was still raining!

You can see the clock tower on my campus

I ran home and changed out of my wet clothes. After a little lunch and some messing around on the computer. I realized that now would be a pretty decent time to go through papers I had and the things I had hanging up to see what could be tossed. It was sad to watch my room slowly become more bare. It was like watching a part of me slowly fade away. And, in a way, that was what was happening. 

I'm No Chicken: I'm a Roost-er

After another fun day at preschool, I ran to the store to buy cake mix for Bridget. A promise is a promise, and I was going to make that cake. Luckily, when I got home, I found that all the girls were out for a walk, so the cake could be a surprise. Yet, they came home just in time to see me frost it, but it was still surprising to them. Although it's not as grand as my mother's cakes, I think I did a pretty decent job. The mix I used came with edible things with Frozen characters on them, and the girls got celtic knot tattoos, which I failed to make with my icing, but hey, I tried.

Cake Boss here I come

We all enjoyed the cake while we watched Suze dye Sara's hair with the henna dye she bought in Dublin before the girls got their tattoos. Everyone was going through changes! That's when we realized it would be our last student night at The Roost, and while we were sad, we were still really excited for one last party at our favorite pub. 

That night, Carl came over to join our mini party before we went out. I brought out the tripod, in honor of Sara's new hair and our last night out, and we got some pretty good gems out of it. 

We'll call you when we drop our mix tape

Trying to pick up Carl

We may not have always gotten along, but we'll always be friends

The Roost rocked, and it was sad knowing that I'd never have another Thursday Roost night again. But, I'll never forget all my times there, both good and bad. 

Let's Get Tatted

Ireland must have decided that a day of sun was too nice, so she punished us with a rainy day. The kids couldn't go outside, so we had a blast playing musical chairs instead. When kids got out, they had to dance in the corner with me, and I learned, as well as taught, some pretty cool dance moves.

After a while of sitting at home, I got up to walk to the kitchen and walked into a conversation about Bridget being scared to get a tattoo. She and Kat wanted to get them and Dublin, but Bridget was nervous about the pain (and I don't blame her!) and not having Kat by her side. I offered to go to hold her hand, and told her that if she got through it alive, I'd bake her a cake. Bridget really likes cake. Sara agreed to do the same, and then we were all headed to Dublin. This was my first time in a tattoo parlor, and it was pretty much what I imagined it would be. Loud scream music with...let's say... interesting... art all over the walls, and shaved/mohawked, bearded, tatted men welcoming us with needles in hand. The men working there were very nice and polite, which eased my nerves. I don't know why I was so nervous, I wasn't getting my skin cut open. But, just as Bridget feared, she and Kat were separated for the process, but that was why I was there. As backup Kat, I talked to Bridget the whole time, asking her different questions about home and school. Two minutes in though, she tells me she's not even worried anymore, because it just feels like an annoying tickle. She finished strong, and it turned out beautiful.

Nearing the end of the process

By the time they were done, it was dinner time. We needed somewhere cheap, and Kat and Bridget had never been, so we went to The Boar's Head. It was my last Boar's Head meal, and I was pretty sad. If I ever do go back, I'll certainly visit there again, and relive all the memories it gave me. 

The sun came out for a split second before we headed back to Maynooth, and it was the perfect end to the day.

I'll always love a Dublin sunset

Mr. Sun, Please Shine Down On Me!

I continued to do the tests with the kids in the morning. I had a great time asking the questions, but the kids were getting so tired of it. I was able to read the kids another story, which they enjoyed. At recess, I was fought over to play with different groups of kids. It's always nice to be fought over.

For once, the sun was finally shining. When I got back to the apartment, I tidied up for a bit. Cassie, Sara, Kat and I all sat out in the sun after lunch to work, study, and write postcards. After a while, I joined Cassie and Sara on a short walk to make the most of our beautiful weather.  and enjoyed the blooming flowers.

Tulips and roses behind campus

Little rose

Isn't it beautiful?

Thank you, sun!

Alone In The City

Bridget had mentioned that she wanted to join me with Roberta, so in the morning she tagged along with me to head over to Tiddlywinks and Scallywags Preschool. Bridget got to play with the kids, but this time Roberta completely let me run her study while she observed. I knew the kids were getting bored of doing similar tasks over and over again, so I kept asking them questions about their favorite animals and their home lives to distract them or make them laugh. I got to spend more time with the kids, especially during story time.

Miss Bridget reading the story

When we went to the garden, the kids were wondering why the petals from the flowers on a tree were on the ground. I shook the tree to show them how they fell, and the instantly started giggling, and squealing, "SNOW!" As I shook the tree, they pretended to make snow angels and ran around. It was one of the cutest things in the world.

I came home and had lunch, then decided that I would go to Dublin to buy my souvenirs. I wanted to buy them early so that I could measure the weight of my suitcase. No one wanted to come with me, which was a bit sad, but I didn't mind. It was nice to walk the city alone. I was really taking it all in, thinking about how cool it was that I knew the streets of Dublin so well. I'm really going to miss being an hour away from such a nice city. I feel like I could live there if I did live in Ireland. 

My favorite city

 When I did get home, I ate dinner and went straight to bed so that I could be ready for school in the morning.