Another day at the office. I'm starting off my morning eating a cherry scone and drinking coffee. I was so tired when I woke up this morning, but I managed to get out of bed and talk to Mike. It was a nice conversation, and he's such a trooper for waking up at 3am to talk.
Today Laurie is meeting with Nigel at 10 and I am meeting with him after that, with ten minutes for a chat with both of us. I guess it'll help the morning go by a little faster, plus, Brent's not here and Rob is leaving for a meeting, so I might have the office to myself for a while.
Last night I finished my resume and cover letter for the American Irish Historical society, Hannah is looking over it this morning, and I plan to send it off today. I really hope to get that internship, and hopefully it won't be too difficult to get my job at AE transferred over to NYC. I don't know that I'll be making enough money to pay half the rent, but I sure hope so.
Hopefully today will go by quickly, because I want to take a nap. My weekend looks promising, but I'm not going to be able to sleep in too much Saturday. Ariel and I are going to an all-you-can-eat buffett tomorrow night, following that I'll be able to talk to Mike for as long as I want, Saturday morning we're going to go to the market and then Victoria's square. Sunday I'm not sure, maybe a resting day and also some time to get something together to send home, and Monday we'll go to the Saint Patrick's Day parade here in Belfast, maybe with Stefan and his housemates.
Hopefully today isn't too long of a day. My body and mind are very tired.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
So this is irritating.
Being involved in an organisation like Mediation Northern Ireland is a wonderful experience. Though I feel like my involvement here is kind of half-assed. I was asked to go to a meeting in Ards with ex UVF men to talk to them about their work with mediation. Unfortunately, this meeting is on March 19 which is our day of class in Derry for the week. I emailed Nigel to tell him that I had to miss class to attend this meeting, and he doesn't want me to miss class.
This is so annoying. I hate that I was signed on to do something half-assed for this organisation. I don't want to miss this meeting because it will be essential to my project for MNI and very helpful for the GSP, too. I don't really understand what's so important about going to the Fountain estate. Sometimes I feel like this program takes up far too much time for what I get out of it. We will have to leave the Elms at like 7 in the morning and won't get home until at least 7pm. Plus, we have to drop £13 of our own money for the bus. I'm sorry, but to me that's more trouble that I want to go through for this stupid program.
Northern Ireland: Democracy and Social Change is very carefully designed and Nigel has put a lot of work into it, but I don't understand why this one day of class is more important than a meeting that is significant for both my internship and my study project. I just don't get a lot of things, I guess, and this is one big one.
I'm tired. I'm tired of a 9-5, and I'm tired of stressing out over stupid shit to do with this program.
This is so annoying. I hate that I was signed on to do something half-assed for this organisation. I don't want to miss this meeting because it will be essential to my project for MNI and very helpful for the GSP, too. I don't really understand what's so important about going to the Fountain estate. Sometimes I feel like this program takes up far too much time for what I get out of it. We will have to leave the Elms at like 7 in the morning and won't get home until at least 7pm. Plus, we have to drop £13 of our own money for the bus. I'm sorry, but to me that's more trouble that I want to go through for this stupid program.
Northern Ireland: Democracy and Social Change is very carefully designed and Nigel has put a lot of work into it, but I don't understand why this one day of class is more important than a meeting that is significant for both my internship and my study project. I just don't get a lot of things, I guess, and this is one big one.
I'm tired. I'm tired of a 9-5, and I'm tired of stressing out over stupid shit to do with this program.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Edinburgh
"You say that like such an American Ed-IN-Bor-OUGH"
"Well I've said it a million different ways and each time I'm looked at funny, so I've started to not give a shit."
---
Such was the beginning of my work week. After getting lost on the way to work because I couldn't see out of my contacts. This week has just been GRAND so far. And it's only Tuesday, I know it's just going to get worse.
Edinburgh was ridiculous. It was beautiful--much prettier and more historic looking than Belfast--and it was very European. A much different feel than Belfast, I'm not sure which I liked better. The people were nicer, albeit harder to understand, but it seemed tame compared to Belfast. Everything here feels so volatile and Edinburgh was much more laid back.
The weekend was exhausting. After traveling for about 7 hours by bus, ferry, bus, bus, and foot, we ate dinner and sat around for awhile before heading to Becky's to drink and hang out while waiting for Ariel. When Ariel arrived we drank some more and decided to go out to a club. It was the most fun I'd had in a while. The men in Edinburgh were much more interested in Ariel and I than the men here seem to be, and the guys we danced with were all pretty respecful and the one I got was actually a good dancer. The music was AWESOME. Unbelievable, actually. Nothing I would have danced to in the states, but everything I would listen to. We got home at about 5am and went to bed pretty soon after that. I think I woke up at 945 or 10 and Ariel and I went to get coffee.
After Hannah woke up we went and got some (cheap) lunch. Then we went to do some sightseeing/shopping and I bought the jeans I've been lusting after for 2 weeks. I was so tired and feeling completely run down, so we headed back to take a nap.
Haggis and mashed potatoes were in our future for dinner, so I rested up and prepared my stomach. Honestly, the way I was feeling told me not to do any drinking, but I knew it was in the cards. It doesn't really seem like they do much else in the UK.
Dinner was great, we drank too much, almost killed a girl while in line for the club, got in, hated the club, wanted to go home and sent a few desperate text messages as I was just about to black out from drinking so much. Then I got into a shouting match with a bouncer and we all went home in terrible moods. I'm glad I didn't end up losing anything, because I was so drunk that I wouldn't have even known I'd lost it.
I woke up early again on Sunday because, apparently, my body hates me and sleep. The ride home was a blur because I took dramamine and it knocked me the fuck out. Class yesterday was also a blur because I think my brain was in sleep mode. Or maybe I just killed one too many brain cells over the weekend.
All in all, Scotland was lovely. I would have liked to experience more of it, but I don't think I could have taken one more day of the events we took part of. I also don't think I'll be drinking that much again for a very long time. I didn't even get sick, I just didn't remember a good chunk of my weekend away.
It was good to see Hannah and make a new friend in Becky. It was also nice to try new things and experience Scotland in a way that most tourists don't. I do wish we could have seen more, but due to the weather and lack of sleep, none of us were really up to it on Saturday and we didn't have another day for it.
Okay, back to work for now. ha.
"Well I've said it a million different ways and each time I'm looked at funny, so I've started to not give a shit."
---
Such was the beginning of my work week. After getting lost on the way to work because I couldn't see out of my contacts. This week has just been GRAND so far. And it's only Tuesday, I know it's just going to get worse.
Edinburgh was ridiculous. It was beautiful--much prettier and more historic looking than Belfast--and it was very European. A much different feel than Belfast, I'm not sure which I liked better. The people were nicer, albeit harder to understand, but it seemed tame compared to Belfast. Everything here feels so volatile and Edinburgh was much more laid back.
The weekend was exhausting. After traveling for about 7 hours by bus, ferry, bus, bus, and foot, we ate dinner and sat around for awhile before heading to Becky's to drink and hang out while waiting for Ariel. When Ariel arrived we drank some more and decided to go out to a club. It was the most fun I'd had in a while. The men in Edinburgh were much more interested in Ariel and I than the men here seem to be, and the guys we danced with were all pretty respecful and the one I got was actually a good dancer. The music was AWESOME. Unbelievable, actually. Nothing I would have danced to in the states, but everything I would listen to. We got home at about 5am and went to bed pretty soon after that. I think I woke up at 945 or 10 and Ariel and I went to get coffee.
After Hannah woke up we went and got some (cheap) lunch. Then we went to do some sightseeing/shopping and I bought the jeans I've been lusting after for 2 weeks. I was so tired and feeling completely run down, so we headed back to take a nap.
Haggis and mashed potatoes were in our future for dinner, so I rested up and prepared my stomach. Honestly, the way I was feeling told me not to do any drinking, but I knew it was in the cards. It doesn't really seem like they do much else in the UK.
Dinner was great, we drank too much, almost killed a girl while in line for the club, got in, hated the club, wanted to go home and sent a few desperate text messages as I was just about to black out from drinking so much. Then I got into a shouting match with a bouncer and we all went home in terrible moods. I'm glad I didn't end up losing anything, because I was so drunk that I wouldn't have even known I'd lost it.
I woke up early again on Sunday because, apparently, my body hates me and sleep. The ride home was a blur because I took dramamine and it knocked me the fuck out. Class yesterday was also a blur because I think my brain was in sleep mode. Or maybe I just killed one too many brain cells over the weekend.
All in all, Scotland was lovely. I would have liked to experience more of it, but I don't think I could have taken one more day of the events we took part of. I also don't think I'll be drinking that much again for a very long time. I didn't even get sick, I just didn't remember a good chunk of my weekend away.
It was good to see Hannah and make a new friend in Becky. It was also nice to try new things and experience Scotland in a way that most tourists don't. I do wish we could have seen more, but due to the weather and lack of sleep, none of us were really up to it on Saturday and we didn't have another day for it.
Okay, back to work for now. ha.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Week 5. over.
I spent a lot of money today.
Well, maybe not A LOT, but more than I needed to, and more than usual.
I bought:
- A chocolate all-butter croissant. Totally awesome for the waistline.
- A postcard and a greeting card.
- Mini salt and vinegar flavored rice cakes, and
- Postage for the postcard and greeting card.
It's been better here since I started at Mediation Northern Ireland, and I'm starting to feel like I can get away from the other people on the program and just live a life abroad. I really hate that I'm forced to be so close to the people that suck asshole (I have a whole blog dedicated to this saved to my drafts, but I don't know if I should publish it). It's nice to hang out with Rob (and Mairead when she's not in Berlin, Stefan, Ariel and Ira. I think we might do that again tonight, too.
I want the spring to kick in. I wish I were somewhere where I could see the baby lambs all of the time. THAT would be ideal.
Tomorrow I go to Edinburgh to see Hannah!! Ariel is coming, too, but she's going to get there later. I can't wait to see a familiar face and to introduce Hannah to Ariel. It'll also be nice to explore another city and get away from particular fucktards. I'm so happy that someone as close as Hannah is as close as Edinburgh and that it's only costing me £33 to get there and back. I'm more than excited, and I'm happy that Peter/Laurie/Rob are kind enough to give me time off when I ask for it.
Thank God I'm not as worried about money anymore. This would be a nightmare if I was on as strict of a budget as I thought I was.
Current feelings (on a scale of 1-10):
STRESS 4
EXCITEMENT 9
ANNOYANCE 5
EDIT: Ugh, I just calculated that I ate about 440 calories-worth of biscuits alone today. Jesus Christ. I'm going to be 600 pounds by the time I get home.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Fáilte go Béal Feirste
Welcome to Belfast.
Gaelic is a fascinating language, and, I'm sad to say, isn't much like English or Spanish. DUH. But, yeah, "Fáilte go Béal Feirste" means "welcome to Belfast."
This weekend was a good one. Friday night I had the first REALLY good time since I've been in Northern Ireland. Good people, good pub, good beer, good walk home. There were even people handing out coffee and chocolate on the side of the road at 130am. Fuck yes.
Besides allowing myself to be a hostile bitch to my boyfriend, it was a fantastic night. If it can stay like this for the next 7 weeks I'll be very happy. The people at my internship kick some major ass, and I'm happy that I could introduce Ariel and Ira to them.
For next weekend, I am planning to visit Hannah in Edinburgh with Ariel. Hopefully it all works out and it doesn't break the bank. :)
Gaelic is a fascinating language, and, I'm sad to say, isn't much like English or Spanish. DUH. But, yeah, "Fáilte go Béal Feirste" means "welcome to Belfast."
This weekend was a good one. Friday night I had the first REALLY good time since I've been in Northern Ireland. Good people, good pub, good beer, good walk home. There were even people handing out coffee and chocolate on the side of the road at 130am. Fuck yes.
Besides allowing myself to be a hostile bitch to my boyfriend, it was a fantastic night. If it can stay like this for the next 7 weeks I'll be very happy. The people at my internship kick some major ass, and I'm happy that I could introduce Ariel and Ira to them.
For next weekend, I am planning to visit Hannah in Edinburgh with Ariel. Hopefully it all works out and it doesn't break the bank. :)
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