Been a long time

Well, it's been over a month since my last post. Not to make excuses, but it's been a bit hectic that I literally have not found a good slot of time to actually write up a post. My studies are almost over here and for the past week I have been non-stop preparing presentations and papers (had to write a 2000 word essay in under 2 hours once!) As I am writing this I have 2 more classes left until I'm done with the school here and 3 papers I need to hand in. So I know what you're thinking now, what is the next grand adventure for the life of Andrew Clay, well it starts next Saturday. All the goodbye dinners and speech's about life changing experiences will be over and I'll say goodbye to all the american friends I've made. Emily and Mike will be flying in on April 17th and our journey westward beings during the week after that. Our basic plan will be to see family and go west, but we still need a bit more planning. After they depart my company I have a couple things on my list I want to do before I come home on May 17th:

Surfing at the Bundoran Surf Lodge for a weekend
Biking the Ring of Kerry
Dingle Peninsula
Cork/Kilkenny
Seeing the family farms both Touey and Callaghan
*if possible London

I have not planned any of this out but hey, that's what an adventure is all about. I will plan it out better later.

On to what I've been doing over the past month or so... well I've played in a couple traditional Irish music sessions at Devitt's, found myself at the all-Irish speaking pub on two different occasions, and met a lot of interesting players in Irish politics and the Northern Irish Troubles (Bertie Ahern spoke to us two weeks ago). Also, for a week, I was lucky enough to see Mom & Dad, Katerine, and Steve! They came during one of the craziest weeks in Ireland. While here they got to see Glendalough, Howth, all around Dublin, St. Patricks day parade (sorta) and the GAA Hurling and Gaelic Football finals, a great session at Devitt's, my 20th birthdayyyyyyy wooooo!!! and also Mom, Dad, and I were able to watch the crazy match between Ireland and Wales where Ireland won the Grand Slam! There's a mouth full right there. It was fantastic to see them and I hope that despite a city with no street signs or right turns, that they had a good time while they were here. I think they went to nearly 20 different pubs while I was here, party animals! I never thought there would be a day that they would call me while out and I would say I'm too tired to keep up! Also, thank you for the birthday gift, I can now add to my eclectic instrument collection.

Most of the past month has been spent in Dublin watching the seasons somewhat shift and the weather has actually been surprisingly not very Irish since I've been here. It doesn't rain nearly as often as you would think! If you have gone through my pictures at all, some of them were taken on a gorgeous day in the Wicklow mountains. We were led to one of the most serene lakes and I think I was the only one with a camera to capture it. If you notice a very large lake with ducks in it, that's the ticket.

After seeing family, Americans, and other friends families, I have realized how assimilated I have become into the society. Things that at first appeared strange no longer phase me. It is incredible the experience and knowledge you can gain by immersing yourself in another way of life.

I just wanted to give you a quick update in-between my classes and I will be sure to post more thoughts, experiences, and updates during this upcoming week. I will have much more time now that most of my work is out of the way.

Most Recent Photo Albums:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006745&id=1480470118&l=51eafdd8c1

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006748&id=1480470118&l=f761a3c8f9

P.S. I can't grow a cool looking beard, but I can go a creepy looking mustache... oh the things you learn.