Ireland 101

The first week of class is halfway done and I'm very grateful. Since we get to pick and choose, it feels a lot less stressful than the first week of class at the UW, but trying to get the right combination of modules(classes) is more difficult than it sounds. I was hoping to take more Irish culture classes, but I think I'll get two biology related ones, which will help in the long run.
I've learned a lot already, but not neccessarily scholarly things. I've learned that it's true, Irish boys do sing when they're drunk. Very loudly. It's entertaining for me, because mostly the boys stay upstairs by the kitchen, but it's hard for Megan and Jamie, our roommates that live on the top floor. They have to leave by 11pm, though, if they want to continue partying (campus rules). I've also learned that you can't leave a permanent marker with drunk Irish college boys, because they will decorate the kitchen walls with, um, colorful phrases. But the next morning, they usually clean up their messes. And by tomorrow night, we should have a newly painted kitchen. A few nights ago, I actually found myself alone in downtown Limerick with no idea of how to get back to the University, but thanks to a bartender and two very helpful women, I made my way back, with time to spare to get groceries. And know I've got a much better feel for how to get around Limerick. I've also learned how quickly a bag of apples and bananas will disappear and that there must be something addictive in my crackers and cookies.
Tonight, Rachel, Megan, Jamie, and I went out to the Scholar's Club, a pub on campus and listened to some traditional Irish music. It was our first night out, (even though we didn't leave campus, we were dressed up, so it counts!) and it was a lot of fun!! We each had a huge cup of hot chocolate, no alchohol; we're saving money for either a trip to the Ring of Kerry or a day in Limerick this weekend. The music and the noise of the full pub blended excellently; I think it was the first time that Ireland matched what I had thought it would be before I came. The best description I have of the performance is actually borrowed from a lecturer: the musicians play in a circle and ignore the audience and the audience talks as loud as possible and ignores the musicians. Tomorrow is another early day, so I better go to sleep. Good night and Lord's blessings to all of you!