Duvets are really stupid.
I'm on a bit of a classical music kick.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Settled in
Well, we've been in our flat for almost a week now and I really do like it here. A few things still don't work (drier, microwave and the shower is... finicky) but the landlord is working on it. Good enough for me. Originally we were kinda meh because it's a bit of a walk to town but we've walked it several times now and it's really not so bad. Getting wicked amounts of exercise too, lol. Which is good, because it's been a few days now since I haven't had chocolate. Kylie would love it here =P
Olivia and I meant to do a video tour of the flat to post up on facebook and what not but I forgot about it until right now, so maybe we'll do that today. Our list of things to do is pretty minimal today, beyond job hunting anyways. I have a list of places I want to call today and we'll see how that goes. Ugh, I hate job hunting. I did talk to a pet store but they recently opened and it might be another few weeks before they know if they need anyone else. I'm guessing I'd have a good shot at it, but they might not even want to hire anyone else. Murr.
So, we have a plant... and are getting a fish. Our place is actually pretty cute. Hmm, I should probably clean up my room before the video tour. Since the drier doesn't work, there always tends to be laundry hanging everywhere. Plus, I don't have any drawers so theres a lot of random crap on my desk. Anyways, I'm going to go be productive.
Olivia and I meant to do a video tour of the flat to post up on facebook and what not but I forgot about it until right now, so maybe we'll do that today. Our list of things to do is pretty minimal today, beyond job hunting anyways. I have a list of places I want to call today and we'll see how that goes. Ugh, I hate job hunting. I did talk to a pet store but they recently opened and it might be another few weeks before they know if they need anyone else. I'm guessing I'd have a good shot at it, but they might not even want to hire anyone else. Murr.
So, we have a plant... and are getting a fish. Our place is actually pretty cute. Hmm, I should probably clean up my room before the video tour. Since the drier doesn't work, there always tends to be laundry hanging everywhere. Plus, I don't have any drawers so theres a lot of random crap on my desk. Anyways, I'm going to go be productive.
Friday, September 25, 2009
September 24th... no internet
September 24th, 2009- 1:01 AM
Well, no internet connection in my new flat yet, so I’m writing this on word. Anyways… So rumour has it that materialism is bad, but I have to say that there is something to be said for having “your stuff”. I’m sitting here in my bed… with a duvet, sheet and pillows I just bought today and am feeling more at home than I thought I would, and I think it’s because just a few feet a way is a desk full of my stuff. My books, my cd case full of tv and computer games. I’ve also got the picture frame that all my friends signed, even though it doesn’t have a picture in it yet. It is just a bunch of stuff that was important enough to me to lug it along on two plane rides and then from Navan to a hotel, to a hostel in Galway, to my new flat. I also adopted a pirate pillow from a box marked free at the hostel.
Olivia and I love it here so far. We cleaned like mad today and then did a little rearranging and now we are basically in love with it. There are still some final touches that we want to get, but it is already a pretty excellent home base for our Irish adventure. Once we get the damn toilet fixed anyways.
So, last night we went to 90s night at Cuba, one of the seven clubs here (that I have counted so far). Coyotes, the Texas themed bar we went to on the weekend had more atmosphere, and a nicer looking set up, but you really cannot go wrong with 90s music. I want to talk to my friends about it, bah.
I think I want to make Kraft Dinner tomorrow for lunch. Well, something along those lines, using the cheese packs I have with me.
It kind of sucks not having the internet, the guy isin’t coming to set it up until Monday. I won’t be able to talk to anyone. I should let KKG know that I won’t be able to make it on Sunday. I’ll probably pop by an internet café sometime between now and then to work out all that funny business.
But yeah, I’m tired… just wanted to take a moment to appreciate my stuff. I will try to give more details on the new place later on.
3:03 pm
Busy day so far, getting some stuff accomplished. The day started off with a plumber coming to make the toilet less insane. Then I showered, I wanted to get an early start on job hunting but, alas, no hair dryer yet so I had to hang out here for a bit. Then I called the number I have for Petworld, the store I’ve been talking to about applying. I had sent an email and been asked to drop off a CV at the store, but it turns out that store is pretty far away. But when Olivia and I were walking around and checking out our new neighbourhood, it turns out the newest Petworld franchise is just a 15 minute walk up the street. Score! Assuming I can get a job there. Even if not, yay that there is a pet store nearby I guess, I can just keep pestering them til they hire me.
Once I got back I took my turn doing laundry, although I am now thinking I should have waited a bit, since electricity is cheaper at night here. Oh well, one load each wont break the bank and it means less clutter in my room, I had definitely accumulated a lot of laundry between home and here.
I also called my mom, I wanted to make sure she knew I was okay, since I wont have the internet til Monday and made my first pot of KD here. Does not taste even a little bit the same, or even a little bit delicious. It’s tolerable, but the noodles I have to get make for getting a lot of powder cheese mixed in with the rest. Blah.
Annnnd, final note. Today is Arthurs day, celebrating 250 years of Guiness. Olivia wants to go out tonight, not sure I’m really feeling it (Guinness = ick) but yeah, we’ll see.
Well, no internet connection in my new flat yet, so I’m writing this on word. Anyways… So rumour has it that materialism is bad, but I have to say that there is something to be said for having “your stuff”. I’m sitting here in my bed… with a duvet, sheet and pillows I just bought today and am feeling more at home than I thought I would, and I think it’s because just a few feet a way is a desk full of my stuff. My books, my cd case full of tv and computer games. I’ve also got the picture frame that all my friends signed, even though it doesn’t have a picture in it yet. It is just a bunch of stuff that was important enough to me to lug it along on two plane rides and then from Navan to a hotel, to a hostel in Galway, to my new flat. I also adopted a pirate pillow from a box marked free at the hostel.
Olivia and I love it here so far. We cleaned like mad today and then did a little rearranging and now we are basically in love with it. There are still some final touches that we want to get, but it is already a pretty excellent home base for our Irish adventure. Once we get the damn toilet fixed anyways.
So, last night we went to 90s night at Cuba, one of the seven clubs here (that I have counted so far). Coyotes, the Texas themed bar we went to on the weekend had more atmosphere, and a nicer looking set up, but you really cannot go wrong with 90s music. I want to talk to my friends about it, bah.
I think I want to make Kraft Dinner tomorrow for lunch. Well, something along those lines, using the cheese packs I have with me.
It kind of sucks not having the internet, the guy isin’t coming to set it up until Monday. I won’t be able to talk to anyone. I should let KKG know that I won’t be able to make it on Sunday. I’ll probably pop by an internet café sometime between now and then to work out all that funny business.
But yeah, I’m tired… just wanted to take a moment to appreciate my stuff. I will try to give more details on the new place later on.
3:03 pm
Busy day so far, getting some stuff accomplished. The day started off with a plumber coming to make the toilet less insane. Then I showered, I wanted to get an early start on job hunting but, alas, no hair dryer yet so I had to hang out here for a bit. Then I called the number I have for Petworld, the store I’ve been talking to about applying. I had sent an email and been asked to drop off a CV at the store, but it turns out that store is pretty far away. But when Olivia and I were walking around and checking out our new neighbourhood, it turns out the newest Petworld franchise is just a 15 minute walk up the street. Score! Assuming I can get a job there. Even if not, yay that there is a pet store nearby I guess, I can just keep pestering them til they hire me.
Once I got back I took my turn doing laundry, although I am now thinking I should have waited a bit, since electricity is cheaper at night here. Oh well, one load each wont break the bank and it means less clutter in my room, I had definitely accumulated a lot of laundry between home and here.
I also called my mom, I wanted to make sure she knew I was okay, since I wont have the internet til Monday and made my first pot of KD here. Does not taste even a little bit the same, or even a little bit delicious. It’s tolerable, but the noodles I have to get make for getting a lot of powder cheese mixed in with the rest. Blah.
Annnnd, final note. Today is Arthurs day, celebrating 250 years of Guiness. Olivia wants to go out tonight, not sure I’m really feeling it (Guinness = ick) but yeah, we’ll see.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sick of being sick!
I'm so done with having this cold. I have been blowing my nose non stop today, its driving me up the wall. On the bright side, Olivia and I went and checked out some flats today, it was definitely an experience. The first one, an old b&b, and smelled really bad. The lady renting it out was kinda weird and not terribly enthusiastic about getting rid of the place, or anything in general. She did have a plate of cigarette butts though, classy lady.
The next was like a half hour walk or so from the city center (more or less, we didnt walk the whole way, because when we stopped for directions, we got ourselves a ride), was nicer and a little more spacious than the first. The last one we went to was sooo super nice. We fell in love with it right away! But it would be impossible for us to get. Not only is it in high demand, but you need a ton of stuff (bank account, PPS number, employer) that we just dont have yet. So we're going for the second one, going to work it all out tomorrow. Hopefully anyways. I could be out of here in no time. Silly hostel, with silly people. Olivia has a roomate that walks around naked. Bah!!
This whole thing has been kind of confusing, don't want to make the wrong decision, or ask stupid questions, or forget to ask important questions. So glad I'm not doing this by myself. Olivia and I make a good team so far, and she can cook! Woot woot!
Alright, bored of writing and getting sleepy.
The next was like a half hour walk or so from the city center (more or less, we didnt walk the whole way, because when we stopped for directions, we got ourselves a ride), was nicer and a little more spacious than the first. The last one we went to was sooo super nice. We fell in love with it right away! But it would be impossible for us to get. Not only is it in high demand, but you need a ton of stuff (bank account, PPS number, employer) that we just dont have yet. So we're going for the second one, going to work it all out tomorrow. Hopefully anyways. I could be out of here in no time. Silly hostel, with silly people. Olivia has a roomate that walks around naked. Bah!!
This whole thing has been kind of confusing, don't want to make the wrong decision, or ask stupid questions, or forget to ask important questions. So glad I'm not doing this by myself. Olivia and I make a good team so far, and she can cook! Woot woot!
Alright, bored of writing and getting sleepy.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Galway!
Slept 11 hours last night, take that jet lag!!! So, I managed to get some sleep, and now I have a cold... but whatever, I'm in Galway. It is so fantastic, I already like it way better than Dublin. It really is beautiful here, and friggin impossible to find anything. Street signs are not their thing. Oh well.
I've got an appointment to view a flat on Monday, which I'm looking forward to. I wanted to go drop off my CV at the petstore I've spoken with today but my feet just hurt tooo much from yesterday when all I had to do was walk around Dublin. I've switched shoes three times today to see if it helps, it hasn't. So yeah, theres no way I'm walking the hour or so to Terryland and I'm not quite confident enough to try their buses yet. You have to flag them down, theres no route map, and you pay based on how far you're going. Madness!
So, of the three roomates I had when I got here, two were fantastic (german girl and korean girl) and one doesn't seem to want to chat (at first I thought maybe she doesn't speak English.. but she's reading in English, so just not chatty) annnd the two great ones left this morning. Boooo! Oh well, Olivia should get here soon enough. I met her in Dublin (after talking to her on Facebook) and she seems like she'd be a lot of fun to live with. Not only does she love Wicked (the musical) but has also ready the book that it's based on.
A slovanian girl (woman really, I'd say late 20s) showed up and took the Korean girls bed, but her English isin't great and she has disappeared. Not to worry, I haven't been sitting around in the hostel all day. I found the subway, BK, McDonalds, closest pet store and closest book store, as well as some Irish/British stores I've been told are essential. But theres only so much wandering around a strange (and hard to navigate) city by yourself, with sore feet you can do. A day to just relax won't kill me though. Plus, there is still one more bed to fill in my room, maybe she'll (or even the Slovanian) will want to go out tonight. Maybe not.
I've got an appointment to view a flat on Monday, which I'm looking forward to. I wanted to go drop off my CV at the petstore I've spoken with today but my feet just hurt tooo much from yesterday when all I had to do was walk around Dublin. I've switched shoes three times today to see if it helps, it hasn't. So yeah, theres no way I'm walking the hour or so to Terryland and I'm not quite confident enough to try their buses yet. You have to flag them down, theres no route map, and you pay based on how far you're going. Madness!
So, of the three roomates I had when I got here, two were fantastic (german girl and korean girl) and one doesn't seem to want to chat (at first I thought maybe she doesn't speak English.. but she's reading in English, so just not chatty) annnd the two great ones left this morning. Boooo! Oh well, Olivia should get here soon enough. I met her in Dublin (after talking to her on Facebook) and she seems like she'd be a lot of fun to live with. Not only does she love Wicked (the musical) but has also ready the book that it's based on.
A slovanian girl (woman really, I'd say late 20s) showed up and took the Korean girls bed, but her English isin't great and she has disappeared. Not to worry, I haven't been sitting around in the hostel all day. I found the subway, BK, McDonalds, closest pet store and closest book store, as well as some Irish/British stores I've been told are essential. But theres only so much wandering around a strange (and hard to navigate) city by yourself, with sore feet you can do. A day to just relax won't kill me though. Plus, there is still one more bed to fill in my room, maybe she'll (or even the Slovanian) will want to go out tonight. Maybe not.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
So beyond tired
Jet lag is killliiinngg mee. I didn't sleep on the airplane (my bad), on my first day here I got about 6 hours of sleep, counting a two hour nap in the afternoon, then last night I slept from about 12:15 to 2:45. I got woken up by drunken hooligans outside my window. I could not manage to get back to sleep, and now I am so beyond tired.
I am just hanging out at the USIT (irish SWAP) office, since I have nothing to do. This morning I woke up early in order to go 'immigrate', which didn't take that long to do, maybe an hour and a half or so. Then I wandered around Dublin for a bit, with no memory card in my camera, bah! I wanted to take pictures of these two places that are freakishly similar to North American places. Ricks, rather than Licks, in the same font. And Eddie Rockets, which looks EXACTLY the same as Johnny Rockets. His brother perhaps. Maybe at the irish version they dont drop trays of milkshape on your lap. Maybe not.
I saw a pet store too, that was nice, and an art store Kylie would lovveee. Then I ended up coming here because my laptop is tucked away at the hotel, and if I go back they will probably want me to take all my stuff which I don't want to deal with until I'm in a cab on my way to catch a bus to Galway. I'm calling a cab despite it being a 1 minute drive (according to google) cause I'm a wimp and hating the idea of lugging 55+ pounds of stuff over cobbled streets. Doesn't mesh well with wheely suitcases.
Right now I'm just waiting for a text from Olivia, so we can go to lunch and I can get on my way. Also need to call someone in Galway back about maybe arranging an apartment viewing for tomorrow. They're going to want references though.
I am just hanging out at the USIT (irish SWAP) office, since I have nothing to do. This morning I woke up early in order to go 'immigrate', which didn't take that long to do, maybe an hour and a half or so. Then I wandered around Dublin for a bit, with no memory card in my camera, bah! I wanted to take pictures of these two places that are freakishly similar to North American places. Ricks, rather than Licks, in the same font. And Eddie Rockets, which looks EXACTLY the same as Johnny Rockets. His brother perhaps. Maybe at the irish version they dont drop trays of milkshape on your lap. Maybe not.
I saw a pet store too, that was nice, and an art store Kylie would lovveee. Then I ended up coming here because my laptop is tucked away at the hotel, and if I go back they will probably want me to take all my stuff which I don't want to deal with until I'm in a cab on my way to catch a bus to Galway. I'm calling a cab despite it being a 1 minute drive (according to google) cause I'm a wimp and hating the idea of lugging 55+ pounds of stuff over cobbled streets. Doesn't mesh well with wheely suitcases.
Right now I'm just waiting for a text from Olivia, so we can go to lunch and I can get on my way. Also need to call someone in Galway back about maybe arranging an apartment viewing for tomorrow. They're going to want references though.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
My Trip To Ireland
September 14th
4:47- So I got through the airport without any issues. Unless you count being a little sad as an issue. My flight to Newark will start boarding in about 15 minutes then I am on my way. The airport stuff was actually so easy that there is kind of nothing left to say. I wish I had my Canada phone here so I could call my parents so I could tell them it's all good and no worries.
5:05- I bought an iced tea. Isin't that exciting? Still waiting but I hear irish accents already. Exciting.
6:32- I'm on an airplane right now. Woot. I'm also listening to Veggie Tales. I watched it with Kale today and felt inspired to download it. As we tookoff I had a nice view of the CN Tower, it was very very fitting. I like flying, I don't want to sleep. I'm loving writing on this pocket pc. That's it for now.
8:57- Now I'm waiting around at Newark. I had A&W for dinner, blegh. I also bought a book with my extra American cash. Blee!! Should be another half an hour or so til I'm out of here. I got 20 minutes of free wifi but mom didn't answer her skype. Oh well. She sent me a message on facebook but I ran out of time before I could respond. I feel a lot better now. More like a fantabulous world traveller and less like a kid who is going to miss her dog. PLUS! I'm kinda sleepy. Lugging all this crap around is wearing me out.
9:30- I'm sitttttinnggg on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll take off (again). Sooo, close to getting to sit beside someone my age but he's on the opposite side window seat. Still don't know who my travel buddies are. Damn, two girls my age are now sitting in front of the first guy. Two guys in front of them. I'm on the wrong side of the airplane, lol.
2:44- I think this is the last time I can use Canadian time. So, no one ended up sitting beside me so the flight attendant gave the seat to the guy in the seat opposite me. On one hand, if I'd had the whole bench I might of slept, but he still made an entertaining travel companion. Not too long left, maybe an hour. Ah, I wish I could talk to my friends. Miss you all already. Listening to 'Time of your life'
4:47- So I got through the airport without any issues. Unless you count being a little sad as an issue. My flight to Newark will start boarding in about 15 minutes then I am on my way. The airport stuff was actually so easy that there is kind of nothing left to say. I wish I had my Canada phone here so I could call my parents so I could tell them it's all good and no worries.
5:05- I bought an iced tea. Isin't that exciting? Still waiting but I hear irish accents already. Exciting.
6:32- I'm on an airplane right now. Woot. I'm also listening to Veggie Tales. I watched it with Kale today and felt inspired to download it. As we tookoff I had a nice view of the CN Tower, it was very very fitting. I like flying, I don't want to sleep. I'm loving writing on this pocket pc. That's it for now.
8:57- Now I'm waiting around at Newark. I had A&W for dinner, blegh. I also bought a book with my extra American cash. Blee!! Should be another half an hour or so til I'm out of here. I got 20 minutes of free wifi but mom didn't answer her skype. Oh well. She sent me a message on facebook but I ran out of time before I could respond. I feel a lot better now. More like a fantabulous world traveller and less like a kid who is going to miss her dog. PLUS! I'm kinda sleepy. Lugging all this crap around is wearing me out.
9:30- I'm sitttttinnggg on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll take off (again). Sooo, close to getting to sit beside someone my age but he's on the opposite side window seat. Still don't know who my travel buddies are. Damn, two girls my age are now sitting in front of the first guy. Two guys in front of them. I'm on the wrong side of the airplane, lol.
2:44- I think this is the last time I can use Canadian time. So, no one ended up sitting beside me so the flight attendant gave the seat to the guy in the seat opposite me. On one hand, if I'd had the whole bench I might of slept, but he still made an entertaining travel companion. Not too long left, maybe an hour. Ah, I wish I could talk to my friends. Miss you all already. Listening to 'Time of your life'
Friday, September 11, 2009
Decorating my suitcase
Ahh, about time to go. Anyways, I am just in the process of decorating my suitcase. Kylie did a great job on it, but I wanted to add some sort of travel quote to the back, just for kicks and so that I feel I did a little more to contribute to it.
I stumbled on this list and thought I would share. 50 Best Travel Quotes
It is a list of travel quotes and well, it just makes me want to get up and go... which I am doing very soon. So far, I like both.
Not all those who wander are lost. -Tolkien
and
We travel not to escape life, but so life does not escape us.
I stumbled on this list and thought I would share. 50 Best Travel Quotes
It is a list of travel quotes and well, it just makes me want to get up and go... which I am doing very soon. So far, I like both.
Not all those who wander are lost. -Tolkien
and
We travel not to escape life, but so life does not escape us.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
8 days
I leave a week from tomorrow so I figured that warrented a post. All that's really left to do is buy a couple more things and pack. Ahhhhh! I bought fabric paint to decorate my plain black suitcase (Kylie is going to help) since this suitcase is the best size I could find but like I said, plain and black. My Nannie (grandma) gave me this huggee green suitcase but I really cannot see myself lugging that thing around an airport. This black one is still pretty big, but it means I'll have a decent amount of stuff with me.
The guide book says to pack minimally because you'll be bringing a lot of stuff back with you, but a year is a long time to go on a limited wardrobe (they seem to think you can shop for stuff there but apperently its expensive and there is limited options) so on that topic I'm just going to ignore the advice and do what I want anyway. Muhaha.
I keep putting off doing the things that I need to before I leave. Like clean my room, get all my non clothing stuff together and other fun stuff like that. I dunno, maybe I'm just lazy, but I also don't want to do it too soon and then need the stuff I've packed or something. Heh, I guess I'm just lazy. There is just other stuff I'd rather be doing with my last days here.
My mom and I went a little skype crazy yesterday. For some reason I had always thought it cost money but Kait and I were playing with it the other day and it is going to be a perfect way to keep in touch with everyone. It was actually really fun to talk to and see Kaitlyn who lives in Ottawa. Not that it wasn't fun to talk to you, Mom, from another floor of the house =P Either way, I'm pretty excited about that. I'll be able to show my friends and family where I am and they'll be able to show me... Molly!
Wellll, I think I'm going to go hang out with my dog now... but here are the things I need to do today.
1. Pack for Barrie/ Go to Barrie
2. Do a load of laundry
3. Order custom dart flights
4. Tidy bottom of the stairs
5. Change part of the fish filter
6. Tidy futon room
The guide book says to pack minimally because you'll be bringing a lot of stuff back with you, but a year is a long time to go on a limited wardrobe (they seem to think you can shop for stuff there but apperently its expensive and there is limited options) so on that topic I'm just going to ignore the advice and do what I want anyway. Muhaha.
I keep putting off doing the things that I need to before I leave. Like clean my room, get all my non clothing stuff together and other fun stuff like that. I dunno, maybe I'm just lazy, but I also don't want to do it too soon and then need the stuff I've packed or something. Heh, I guess I'm just lazy. There is just other stuff I'd rather be doing with my last days here.
My mom and I went a little skype crazy yesterday. For some reason I had always thought it cost money but Kait and I were playing with it the other day and it is going to be a perfect way to keep in touch with everyone. It was actually really fun to talk to and see Kaitlyn who lives in Ottawa. Not that it wasn't fun to talk to you, Mom, from another floor of the house =P Either way, I'm pretty excited about that. I'll be able to show my friends and family where I am and they'll be able to show me... Molly!
Wellll, I think I'm going to go hang out with my dog now... but here are the things I need to do today.
1. Pack for Barrie/ Go to Barrie
2. Do a load of laundry
3. Order custom dart flights
4. Tidy bottom of the stairs
5. Change part of the fish filter
6. Tidy futon room
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