As this Monday comes to an end, I am wrapped in my big sweater on the couch... with lots of sociology and american drama reading ahead of me! I actually picked up a 6th class in order to make the transfer of credits go smoother, so I'm a bit busier than the average TCD student, but this isn't really that new for me considering the fact that at PC I am just running all over the place all the time! I'm taking Art in Ireland, which is really interesting and not a ton of work. It's good to learn about while I'm here, and even after one class I noticed different things walking home from class.
I had my first tutorial experience this past week, which reminded me of Civ Seminar at PC. We had an assigned reading, and our TA Paul lead us in a discussion. We did work in groups and shared our opinions on the subject, which for this week was about how to rejuvenate formerly industrialized regions. That's what we had been discussing in lecture the past week, and my professor brought up the subject of Detroit. He compared formerly industrial cities in the US and in Europe, and his thoughts on the American response to the financial crisis in Detroit were very interesting to hear, but I disagreed with him. During tutorial, TA Paul asked my thoughts (I'm the only American in my tutorial), and we had a good conversation and I think I offered an opinion very different from that of my lecturer.
My European Societies class (the one mentioned above) is a lot of work, but I am learning a lot from it. The beginning of the class was very economically focused, which is very different than anything else I've ever studied, and it got me thinking about money. My professor mentioned something to the point of the transfer of money internationally, but that it isn't actual cash being transfered. A number somewhere in electronic limbo increases or decreases. It got me thinking about money, and how we value so much in our lives based on this unattainable number-- it blows my mind a little bit, actually. Who decides where that number is stored? How is it magically changed so that everyone (other banks, creditors, investors, etc) can see it? Things to consider...
Speaking of money decreasing, I booked a few trips last week!! This weekend I'm headed to Oxford with Danielle to see Tom and Kate, two very good PC friends of ours who have been at Oxford since October. I can't wait to see them! The next weekend I'm heading to Belfast with my program, and the weekend after I'll be in London to visit Kaitlin and Kristy, ND friends :). We also have a trip in the works to go visit Namur, Belgium, where St. Julie Billiart is from, and I think I may go to Paris for a few days beforehand in order to fall in love with the city again and live in the Louvre. I'm waiting to book because my Dad is coming to visit and I'm not quite sure of the exact dates, but I'm so excited to see him!!!
This weekend my friend Sarah and I wandered around Dublin (after Queen of Tarts breakfast... if they'd let me move in there, I would in a heartbeat) and came upon an EXCELLENT farmer's market really close to my apartment! I got some great produce and delicious hummus and bread, and everything was so inexpensive! And organic! I was quite a happy camper when I got home :).
Last night I got to skype with my friends Kelly, Emily, and Chris from the Campus Ministry Center... and Fr. Cuddy made a surprise appearance!! It was so great to talk to all of them (I miss them so much!), especially since I had gone to mass at Trinity for the first time yesterday, and it was nothing like PC. The chapel is beautiful, and we sat antiphonally (facing each other... $5 word, thank you Fr. Cuddy!) like the Dominicans do which made me very happy, but there were not many students there at all and I definitely didn't feel the community feeling that I do at Providence. I think I'm going to hunt for a parish for the next time I'm in Dublin for mass (which isn't for almost a month!)
I'll end this fairly long post with some Irish observations I thought you might be interested in:
Carrying books to class: Some students use backpacks, I have a giant shoulder bag that my mom got me for Christmas that I use, but some Irish students use sports duffel bags to carry their books! It always looks like they're off to practice a sport, but in reality they're just on their way to class! It's something I still haven't gotten quite used to.
"Jorts," or jean shorts: Yes, it is January. Yes, Irish girls wear jorts/other types of shorts. With tights under them. Very frequently. I might have missed some fashion memo, but I think it looks kinda rough...
Library Hours: PC, you think it can be annoying to have to leave the library at 2? Try 10! Every night of the week!* Except Saturday, when it closes at 6, and Sunday, when there are no librarians there and the library closes at 4:30. You can go in and use books there, but you can't check any books out or access the ones that are reserved by professors. That's how I do most of my work, but since most Irish students go home on the weekends, it's not expected that students are in the library on the weekends. This makes me feel better about planning my weekend trips!!
* There is a 24-hour reading room and computer space, but it's not very big and a little sketchy. Plus, I wouldn't want to walk home to my apartment very late!
Shoes: Irish girls have an amazing ability to walk on cobblestones while wearing heels. This is a talent that American girls do not possess, no matter how hard we try. I left my high heels at home due to sheer lack of suitcase space, but boy am I glad! I think I've just mastered the art of walking on them in my TOMS, let alone stilettos.
That's all for now... I hope all is well in the states, and I hope to hear from you soon!
xo Julia
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