Red Sox are World Champs

The Red Sox have blasted the Rockies 4-3 in a successful four-game sweep, thus making them the victors of the World Series. It was a nice moment to wake up to, but it really makes me miss the mood at home in Massachusetts. It's tough being here in Ireland, with no access to anything Red Sox. I am sure everyone is pumped back home.

My mother is here visiting, and we have a great couple of days so far. We have wandered the city and cooked some favorites from America. Getting all of the ingredients necessary for my favorite meals required going to all three grocery stores, the Dunnes, Aldi and Tesco. It was an adventure. Yesterday, we went to mass at the Rathmines Church and took a bus tour of the city, stopping off at the Writers Museum and grabbing dinner in Temple Bar.

Tonight we are taking a ghost tour, and getting into some more Dublin adventures.

-Liz

Free Tacos For All

Another day in Red Sox fandom, and the Red Sox have pleased again, not only by winning game two 2-1 against the Rockies last night, but also by giving everyone in America the gift of free tacos. Thanks to Jacoby Ellsbury, on October 30 between 2-5 everyone can get their free taco on. Unfortunately, ( or maybe fortunately) Ireland does not participate in Taco Bell. So, I am missing out on an amazing deal. I never say no to anything free. Especially food, so everyone be sure to get out there and show your Red Sox pride by eating a free taco Tuesday!

My mother will be here tomorrow morning bright and early, so I must get back to preperations.
Be back in a few days!

-Liz

New Music and Grocery Store Finds

I am currently deep within my third listen of In Defense of the Genre the latest album from the band Say Anything. My friend Andrew Valente from Stonehill was nice enough to send me over a copy, so as to not miss out from everything fun and musical at home. It is always great to get new music, and Say Anything is no exception. The band started off as a guilty pleasure for me, their songs bordering on absurd, with offensive (often politically incorrect) lyrics over catchy pop-punk riffs are just too addictive to ignore. Having seen the band three times live, I must say I am proud to call myself a fan now. The lead singer/mastermind of Say Anything Max Bemis is such a tragic figure, that he begins to stand out from the other bands of his genre. Although, I feel the media focuses too heavily on Bemis' mental health (or lack thereof) it is clearly a heavy influence on his art. It is empowering to see someone like him being not only open about their condition, but to have the strength and bravery to share it with the world in a free form such as music. This album is epic, covering 2 discs, clocking in at over 90 minutes. Listening to it more at once is a chore, but worth the time. I cannot stop listening to it. In a few weeks I am sure I will know all the songs by heart, all 27 of them. Believe it or not, there is no dead moments in between any of the songs, not to mention such great cameos from people like Gerard Way and Chris Carrabba. The style varies from archetypal pop-punk to harder bass driven songs, and even breaks down into electronic beats and hooks. It was a great surprise.

People in America, can go out and buy the album and see for themselves.

Today, my visit to Dunnes was punctuated by a couple of new finds. I was able to get coffee milk! I have yet to try it, but it was sitting right next to the jugs of chocolate milk. I had to do it. I also found a substitute for pepper jack cheese in chili pepper cheese. Subtract jalapenos for chili peppers, and its basically the same. Add some turkey, panini it, and you get a magical taste bud experience. They also sell Pop-Tarts here in obnoxious orange and yellow packages, as if to say "This item is dangerous! Hazardous! Chemical! AMERICAN!" I also bought some legitimate from an Irish Dairy vanilla ice cream, which was basically frozen cream. Surprisingly good for 4 euros. Topped off the brownies nicely.

In academic news, I am three acts into Shakespeare's King Lear for my lecture in Theatre tomorrow.

First game of the World Series tonight. I have noticed some Red Sox gear emerging in the Irish population (all Americans no doubt). I trust the Red Sox will make quick work of the Rockies tonight, and for the rest of the week . A girl can dream. I met another baseball fan from Los Angeles in my Theatre tutorial who was so thrilled to have another American to talk baseball with for a few minutes. Baseball is everywhere. He is also rooting for the Red Sox, obviously.

Hey Ortiz- hit one for the girl in Ireland. :)

-Liz

Swans and Free Dinner

Walking home from class this afternoon, I spotted some swans in the Grand Canal. I have never seen so many swans assembled in one place, it is a very calming sight. I look forward to spotting them on my way back to Lissenfield. Today, I snapped a few pictures of them to share with everyone. I can't wait for spring to see all their little signets! Adorable.

Today, I had my poetry tutorial and another amazing lecture for Literature and Sexuality. I must say, Literature and Sexuality has been my favorite class so far here at Trinity. It really has kept me engaged, and I think that if i do end up going to grad school, I could definitely see it as my focus or speciality. I have just been so interested in the lectures, and the tutorial was the first one where I really was into the discussion. It is a shame it only goes on for Michaelmas Term, I would really love to be in there all year. It is nice to be excited about an English class, makes me feel less awkward about not being sure what to do with my major. Time will tell.

Tonight was also an opportunity to get together with the other Stonehill students who are currently undergoing internships in Dublin for a dinner with Mrs.Cronin from the Study Abroad office. We went to Ciao Bella Roma in Temple Bar for some Italian food, which of course was on the Stonehill dollar. :) I ate way too much calamari and gnocchi, but it was great to catch up with some other students and realize that they are having a very similar experience as I am. I am not the only one panicking, or missing home, or having problems feeling like a foreigner. I feel better about being here now.

My mom gets here Friday, I cannot wait! I am sure she is as excited, if not more.

I was also very happy to see the Red Sox had won while I was sleeping. The 5 hour time difference has been a real killer. I can only imagine how everyone is feeling at home! Shoutout to Lori who managed to get Game 2 tickets! Yell "Youk!" for me!




-Liz

Red Sox on the Other side of the World

To the left, is a photo of a beautiful pub I discovered while walking along Pearse Street near Trinity. The name is obscured by the growth of flowers, but I liked it just the same. I might have to take a trip there some night and see the inside. I am very curious.

I am having alot of difficulty this October, being separated from the Red Sox. All of my updates come from emails, accounts from Lee, phone calls with my father, and visits to MLB.com. I can only imagine the amount of tension and excitement in the air at home. Everyone is probably so anxious about tonight's game. I really miss the anxiety. Here, I see alot of Yankees apparel, worn mostly by people who probably know very little about Baseball. A visit to a local sporting goods store proved my fears, the only non Rugby and Soccer items in there were Yankees hats, jackets and shirts. Blasphemy

Meanwhile, the Yankees are out, and the Red Sox are still in, hanging on by a thread. This seems very familiar, because the Red Sox have done this before. Oh yeah, 2004. Which got me thinking about 2004, and I miss camping out on the couch with my Dad nervously watching every pitch. There is something really magical about the wanting to know what happens, but not wanting to see it at the same time mentality of watching the game. Sometimes, the policy of ignorance as bliss works best.

It is amazing how integrated into New England culture the Red Sox are. You literally can walk into any plac eof business and find some sort of Red Sox related product, item, or hat wearing customer hanging around. It is everywhere. I miss it most from Dunkin Donuts (In general i miss consistently good coffee, iced or not) and WB Mason, who emblazon the Red Sox logo all over their products. I even have a Red Sox sticker on the G-Ride. The Red Sox are just a way of life.

Today, during my daily check of MLB.com I stumbled on this article. I found it very worthwhile, and very nostalgic, even for me, a Red Sox fan of barely 20 years. I live with two Yankees fan, and an apathetic non-fan from New Jersey. I could not be more seperated from Red Sox Nation here in Ireland. My heart is with the Red Sox. And more importantly, with all the Red Sox Fans who will be watching tonight, biting their nails to see if Schilling can do it again. Game 6 is a magical thing.

I will check MLB.com tomorrow and see how it all panned out. Until then, ignorance is bliss.

-Liz

Tutorials and More

Sorry for the delay in posting. the past few days I have begun tutorials, and unfortunately have also been battling my first cold here in Ireland. Nothing is more uncomfortable than being sick in a foreign country. I am starting to feel better, albeit congested.

Tutorials are an intersting beast. For the most part, the tutorials are fairly straightforward. Out of the four I have had, two are taught by professors, and two by grad students. That being said, each is about 10 students or so and are basically an effort to enhance the content of the lectures with student discussion and debate. My tutorial for Fables looks to be the most difficult so far, half the problem being the grad student has such a thick accent I can barely understand what he says half the time, but the subject matter is also quite difficult as it is. Alot of Chaucer. Lame. My other grad student is alot more relaxed, and was dressed head to toe in Abercrombie and Fitch. Tomorrow is my busiest day of lectures.

A phenomenon I have recently observed in fashion here in Ireland is the sheer amount of Abercrombie worn by everyone. I see more here, than at home. Everyone from 14-30 is decked out in Abercrombie emblazoned sweatshirts and polos and sweatpants. I did some research. The closest Abercrombie is in London. All of the other locations are in America and Canada. This is always couples by a pair of attractive Ugg Boots, and bleached blonde hair. I do not know what to make of this. Eight of ten of these people are Irish, not all American tourists and students. Maybe they all long for the mall culture of America? I do not know. But Abercrombie also does not sell the standard of European fashion that is typical overall. The clothes are decidedly American. Hoodies, fake fur, logos. Slouchiness. None of that screams Ireland to me, but hey apparently it is cool. I do not pretend to understand.

What is going on with the Red Sox. I am so out of the loop. I am still baffled at the Colorado Rockies making it to the World Series.
I hear Stephen Colbert wants to run for President? Sounds like I miss everything fun in America!

How are things where everyone is?

-Liz

Day Trip to Powerscourt and Glendalough

This morning, Meg and I were brave enough to rise early, and go on a free day trip sponsored by Arcadia to the Powerscourt Estate and Glendalough in County Wicklow. I was surprised more students on the program did not take advantage, to be honest many were too hungover. I never say no to a free trip anywhere, and I do not party my nights away too often, so I was obviously there. It was a busy day but an excellent chance to go out and explore some of the beautiful scenery Ireland has to offer, and get outside of the hustle and bustle of Dublin for a few hours.

The day started at the Powerscourt House and Gardens. The house itself is gorgeous and unfortunately due to a fire in the 1970's, only the facade remains original. The exterior style reminded me alot of the Breakers in Newport. The gardens on the estate are magnificent, and include two separate ponds, a tower, a Japanese Garden, and a Pet Cemetery. Not to mention countless beautiful trees, plants and flowers. It was a great chance to wander around in fresh air. I really think Lee and I should settle in a huge house like it someday. :) ( A girl can dream)

My updated Flickr link includes a new album featuring more pictures from the estate and everywhere else I went today. I am considering upgrading to a Pro Account so I can upload more pictures and share more of what is going on with everyone. It is a great idea for a birthday gift! (hint hint)

After a lovely lunch at the house, we went on to see the Powerscourt Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Ireland. It truly was a gorgeous sight, and they allow you to get right up next to it and climb the boulders surrounding the bottom, Our Graduate Residence Advisor Rory was all over this and led a couple of people over the rocks. I kept my distance and took pictures.

We finished the day with a tour of Glendalough, the sight of an ancient Monastic City from the 12th century. I had been here in 2005, the last time I was in Ireland, but the pouring rain prevented me from truly enjoying the place. Today there are alot of ruins significant to St.Kevin, and two lakes. We got a chance to take a walk to the lakes, and also explore the ruins ourselves. Lois and I engaged in some ice cream from "Kevin's Cones" before the bus ride back to Dublin.

All in all it was a great way to spend the day. Tomorrow's priorities are laundry and reading.

Go SOX!!

-Liz