So yesterday it was great sleeping in until 12 after the long day in Dublin.  I wanted to go to the cathedral but there are plenty more services to go to.  I met up with some girls and we ventured into the city for some food and shopping.  It was drizzling, so a good day for shopping.  We stopped at McDonagh's since it was highly recommended for fish and chips.  And it was goooooood.  My first fish and chips while here actually!  The tartar sauce was even good...and I don't do tartar sauce.  I think it had dill in it.  Super tasty.  Anyway, afterwards we just looked in different shops and I got a few things for people.  We even went in the shop of the original claddagh ring makers.  They had a small room set up as a museum with old rings and such.  She explained how the original rings are uniquely casted one by one with intricate detail and have an official stamp on the inside from Ireland...kind of like a registered trademark I suppose.  I'd like to have one but definitely not buying for myself...defeats the whole purpose of the ring.  After that, we went to Butler's, the Irish chocolate shop.  I bought some chocolate and we all got a hot chocolate since it was chilly out.  Soooo good with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top!  I think Kelly would love this store as much as she loves Godiva haha.  On the way back to the apartments we stopped by Aldi's for a few groceries and the rest of the day I just chilled out at the apartment.

Today I had class at 11:30.  We talked about the first farmers and how those kinds of communities spread.  We also looked at different types of pottery that went along with the farming communities.  I honestly was spacing out from staying up too late so I guess I'll go find it in the book and read over it...though I think this class is pretty chill.  Our first test is next week and from what I understand he's going to be very clear about what is on it.  Tomorrow is our first field trip to the Burren to look at prehistorical archaeological sites....can't wait!!  I'm hoping it doesn't rain.  After class I just hung out with some girls and waited for the optional Irish language class to start.  Let me just say, the Irish language is sooo confusing...I'm gonna have to study my pronounciation charts and stuff they gave us because Spanish and Latin was a breeze compared to this.  I'm really excited they are offering these optional classes because there is so much Irish, in this region especially, and it's going to be great to at least know how to say the words!!  I think she said there were 7 or 9 Celtic languages...craziness.  I love it though and am definitely pumped for these classes, which are twice a week.  After Irish was over, I chilled out on the couches in the concourse and waited for the optional seminar on emigration to start.  I was really wanting a nap but I also want to soak up as much as I can while I'm here, so I toughed it out.  The seminar was pretty interesting.  I never realized how normal it was for young Irish people to go live in other countries for a period of time.  It's interesting to see the cultural differences between the Irish and Americans.  I think that while we are a melting pot of many cultures, we are cultured very little in the rest of the world.  We have so many opportunities right here that we don't need to go other places, and many people don't go see how other countries are.  I think it's really sad.  They pointed out now how fewer people are going to other countries from Ireland because of security issues, along with the Celtic Tiger of the 90s of course that was a major economic boom for Ireland.  I think traveling and experiencing other cultures should definitely be encouraged.  After the seminar I was soooo tired but went back to the apartment to finalize travel arrangements to Scotland (:-D) and have dinner.  I discovered that we have house keeping...they changed my sheets, gave me a new towel, emptied the trash, and maybe washed the dishes?  Not sure if one of the roomies did that or not...anyway, I was shocked that we had all that! Definitely not complaining...it was nice to come home to that, though I wish I had known so my room would be a little neater :-p

After dinner I was just laying in bed contemplating whether to read something or just go ahead to sleep...even though it was around 8 PM.  Then I heard Libby and Jordan calling my name (I keep my window open all the time for the amazing breeze here in Galway).  I love it, talking to them from my window haha.  Anyway, we wound up going to Dunnes for a few things and drinks and went back to Rachel's apartment.  We hung out for a while painting nails and reading magazines while True Blood loaded and then watched it in Rachel's room, complete with munchies and alcohol.  It was such a good time...definitely something we have to do every Monday night.  I'd love to go out to the pubs every night but it's just really expensive and we always wind up staying out late.  Having a girls' night was definitely a lot of fun and a good alternative.

Anyway, so I am going to Edinburgh, Scotland with Libby ( and hopefully Ali and Jordan as well) July 15-17th.  I'm really excited and went back and forth as to whether or not I should do this but I finally decided (with some words of wisdom) to just do it.  So, I'm nervous about figuring out my way into another country but that's half the fun.  I have the airfare and hostel booked and will be booking my bus ticket to the airport later.  After that, who knows what will come up but I'm excited!!