and classes begin

Well there is really not that much to update. We've been going out to different bars and pubs- one had a live band that played cover songs like Green Day and Snow Patrol and they were really good and friendly and Madison and I talked to them a little bit before the show. Then an hour and a half later the pub/live concert venue turned into a dance club and we danced to songs ranging from 'Build Me Up Buttercup' (is that even the title) to 'Gimme More' by Britney Spears. Apparently she has taken over the entire world.
I've been getting to know my roommates more and they all are really cool. Since it rains all the time here we've been having movie nights every few nights since we can't really afford to go out every night. The other night we made scones (right) and watched Wedding Crashers upstairs in room 7, which is pretty much our party room. And then last night we all made dinner and then watched the Notebook. Friday night we went to another club which was called the Qube- where all the international students go on Friday nights for a free pint and music. One of my roommates who is German taught us their version of 'quarters' which is different than the American one (left). We spent about an hour trying to toss quarters into cups before we left for the Qube, which meant that we were late and didn't get the free pint but we still had a really fun time.

So as far as classes go- here are the ones I'm taking as of right now...
1. Women in Early Modern Europe- taught by this nice woman and the class is full of girls (obviously) and then a few kind of creepy guys who are most likely taking the class because they assumed they would have a good guy/girl ratio. Kind of like why I was an engineer at one point. But not as creepy.
2. Human Nutrition in the Developing World- taught by this guy who looks like a 50 year old version of Albert Einstein and who hasn't changed his outfit all week. Other than that, though, he seems really smart and he's very interesting so that class should be pretty good.
3. Nutrition and Toxicology- taught by Albert also
4. Introduction to Irish Traditional Music- we spent the first class just listening to different types of fiddles, but all the songs were really good and I think this one will be one of my favorite classes. Our essays in that class have to come from experiences going to live concerts/bands around the area and apparently this is the season for music festivals.
5. Introduction to Irish History- not much to be said for this one.
6. Contemporary International Issues- may or may not take this because the guy who teaches it is kind of intense/bordering crazy. Its either this one or this other class taught by this old man who just reads out of a textbook he wrote for the 2 hours. Both sound equally thrilling so it's really just going to be a matter of closing my eyes and picking one.

I'm planning on joining the Mountaineering club here which meets every Sunday to go on hikes around Ireland. I was going to go today but we woke up at like 7 and it was pouring so we vetoed this plan. They also meet on Wednesdays to go rock climbing at the campus gym and then to the pub afterward. I'm also thinking about joining Amnesty International but it conflicts with one of my classes so we'll see.

I can't believe I've been here over a week. I'm kind of getting used to living here and its starting to feel like home already.