Ireland Day 14 - No Pictures

Sort of. Mostly. I took two bad ones.

I was bad today and didn't take any. I brought my camera along with me as per usual, but it was a fairly uneventful day and it rained the whole time and was bitterly cold and windy. Not many chances to bust out the camera. I had every intention of photographing interesting items around the house, but then I started taking quizzes on this quiz site Sporcle. Does everyone remember Spark quizzes? This is worse because they're better and they're timed and they're about things you actually care about. Like Harry Potter and Pokemon.

What do you do when you make a new friend in a different country? I talk about Pokemon, apparently.

So. many. quizzes. Thanks a lot Dave.

The bus was late this morning and then I was late for work a bit, so that sucked. Normally I arrive around 9:40, giving me time to settle in and prepare for the day and clean and see what'll be happening. Today it didn't arrive until almost 9:50. I'm already a totally seasoned bus rider (ahem), so seeing huge groups of people get on and NO ONE has change ready pisses me off now >.> This happened at three stops, I believe, making us fairly late. I was not happy. Stupid unreliable public transportation.

Things exploded at work right when I opened, that's how it goes when you're late though, right? Nothing was unmanageable, but it was still a lot to adjust to. Do you realize how thick Polish accents are? I also got my first earful of true Scottish Burr today and damn was that a challenge. At least all the lights were working. I guess.

The highlights of my day surround my UH-MAZING hot chocolate experience and my baked potato lunch. I wish I had my camera with me when I bought the hot chocolate (too much rain, remember?). It was glorious to behold. It was beautiful in every way, I almost didn't want to drink it for realz. It was like in The Simpsons Movie when Flanders makes that amazing hot chocolate for Bart. This one wasn't quite that extravagant, but you could tell someone put effort in with decorations and embellishments. I drank it happily. I will be buying many more while I'm here. At one point it became too busy for me to drink it so I set it down away from the computers and by the time I came back to it it was cold! Still so very good though, and that is an uncommon trait for hot chocolate. Butlers Chocolate Cafe, I love you.

My delicious baked potato came from a place called Couch Potato(es?). It was all baked potatoes on the menu! Smelled great in there too. I bought myself a cheese and broccoli one and gobbled it right up. Filing and hearty, just what I wanted. I'll probably go back and try a more adventurous one before too long.

Things slowed down quite a bit near the end of the day so I was able to prepare to leave a little early. I wanted to catch the 5:45 bus, I was tired and wanted dinner. After double checking that everything was ship-shape I went off for the bus. I arrived in time for the 5:45 to show up and there was very heavy traffic in the square. I resigned myself to accepting the bus would be late and waited next to some really noisy teenagers.

5:50. 5:55. 6:00. 6:05. 6:10.

TWO, yes that's right, TWO number 33 Knocknacarra buses pull up at 6:10. I can only assume they were the 5:45 and the 6:15 showing up. I sighed and sat down, thinking "That teaches me for trying to hurry". It took us another 14 minutes to get to the opposite end of the square to the other bus stop. It was a torturous ride home.

I suppose I'll say I deserved the camera break, it was nice to relax. I stuffed my face with lasagna, corn on the cob and a very decadent citrus cheesecake that Catherine made at work today. Yum!

So now here I sit, with my pathetic photos and music. I wonder when I'll go to bed?

These are my keys. One goes to my bedroom door and the other goes to the studio! I love these keys. That in the background would be some information about powerful Pokemon moves... >.>

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11:14 am: photo one: rough day so far. The experience here truly is invaluable in helping me decide if I want a studio of my own.

12:27 pm: photo one: on my lunch I have to post something. hehe. (that means mail it!)

2:21 pm: couch potato: at a little restaurant called 'couch potato'. It's an all baked potato place! I'm very excited about this. Oh, and Butlers Chocolate Cafe really does make the absolute best hot chocolate. That place needs to be in the tour books.

3:02 pm: GameStop: The GameStop here sells CDs and DVDs. It also has a horrible organization system. It would be hell to keep this place alphabetized, I'm sure that's why it's not. They do the 'put all the As together' system. Ugh.

6:15 pm: bus: Irony? I hustled to make the 5:45, waited and waited, then at 6:10 two #33s showed up; the 5:45 and the 6:15. Traffic is just atrocious.

(From yesterday, July 20th)

7:11 pm: Joyces (store): nadia's Irish doppleganger!

-MJ

Ireland Day 7 - Working Alone

Well, I wasn't alone the whole day, but from 10-1:15, and then again from around 4 to 5:30. A fair enough chunk though, I think. It would appear that I nabbed enough sleep last night, because I managed to make it through the work day without feeling excessively tired. Woo! All of the customer interactions went fairly smoothly, at least I feel that they did. Brad set me to learning tasks while he was away and the day just buzzed on by. In the morning I did a passport for a woman and when she paid for it she gave me €5. I was extremely confused and she asked me what was wrong. I wasn't sure what it was for, seeing as she had already paid me. She explained that it was for me, as a thank you and a good luck. I was bewildered and a little worried, I didn't know if Brad had a "no accepting tips" policy. So, I left the money where I would remember to mention it and ran it past Brad. He said that was extremely unusual, very nice of her, to go ahead and keep it and thanks for telling him. No one can ever account for the things people will do when the boss it out!

Fat fat fat pigeon. It made me think of Jake :3

I'm getting very anxious to find new things to do. My internship started straight away and now that I'm feeling settled in I am ready to get out! I want to visit Aran Islands, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Caves, West Cork, Kerry and another place whose name I can't remember at the moment. I'll be able to see all of those places no problem after this week or so I'll have two days off in a row the rest of the time that I'm here. I'm just ready to go! Friday will be such a relief, I can spend the day shopping and exploring, instead of just walking up and down in under an hour. I may bring my backpack to store my camera. Brad said I could go in late tomorrow (whee!) so to rest and sleep in a bit. Since I don't have to get up early Friday I may go out to dinner tomorrow night and have some pints at Neactain's.

I can't get enough of the colorful buildings. I've eaten at La Salsa, that lime green building on the left!

Today as we were leaving the studio Brad asked me what my plans were. I told him I was going to head home and he told me I should go out for a pint or something. I said I'd been meaning to, but everyday since arriving I was just so tired so I hadn't gotten around to it yet. So he suggested we go get a pint together. It ended up being a very nice time. We walked around Shop Street and went to Neactain's, his favorite pub and where he used to work. Afterwards we walked around a bit more and he showed me good places to eat and historic sites of interest. Great tour guide! I was hungry before we had our drink so it got me pretty good, not anything like the one I had during the World Cup (I drank that pint after having a decent sized meal). That made for a fun walk down the street and to the bus stop.

"Guinness Grin"

Before we got out of the shopping center he commented on my volume again. We decided that if I'm getting too loud he'll give me the peace sign and I'll know to quiet down a bit. I have to say it's a great system! He did it about two or three times while we were out and I immediately dropped and he'd smile. I'll come back home a changed person, much quieter! He explained a bit more about how the Irish like American's just fine, but really dislike being overly prideful and drawing attention to oneself. I guess they see being loud as being boastful and attention seeking. I nodded and said I'm just loud, even among other Americans. I want people to dislike me for me, not because I'm American! At one point he commented that my volume control was going very well. Progress! He also mentioned that the Irish have this idea of American's as being too excitable and bubbly, which makes me laugh because currently that is me to a T. He said that Irish folk that have been to the States understand it a bit better and realize we're not always like that, we're just on vacation :D Although I like to think I'm still excitable and bubbly, for better or worse.

I put my laundry in last night and I'm still waiting for it all to be dry. I don't know if it's damper indoors here or what, but I feel that my clothes are taking extra long to dry completely! It didn't occur to me that I wouldn't have access to a dryer (even though I've heard that they're rare on this side of the planet). It is a very good thing that I brought a pair of khakis, because if I hadn't I would have been in shorts today and it is too rainy for that.

A little side road that empties out near Shop Street.

This week marks the start of the Galway Arts Festival. I had no idea I'd be here for such a huge and celebrated event. I should be able to see a lot of it during my hour break, so I'm looking forward to interesting photo opportunities. In two weeks it'll be the Galway Raceweek, another huge event here, and another thing that I had no knowledge of before a week ago. I've never been to a horse race before, so I'm very excited! Thursday the 29th is Ladies Day, so I'll be going to that with Maisa and Catharine. I guess we'll be getting dressed up? Maybe I'll bet on a horsey! So much to look forward to. Brad even gave me the 29th off so I could go (I was originally scheduled). Very kind of him. I also have the 25th off now. Surprises! This Saturday I want to go to the market that they have setup near Shop Street. Apparently it's a very nice street market with a lot of vegetables and hand made crafts. It's next to this huge cathedral, the one that Columbus was at before departing for the Americas. Awesome, right? I haven't taken any photos yet. Soon though.

A great old church, but not the Columbus one.

Tonight I had lamb and mashed parsnip/carrots. The parsnips and carrots were like mashed potatoes, but I didn't really care for them. I did receive two little potatoes though, so I ate those very happily. Finally, potatoes in Ireland! The lamb was really good too. Miriam gives dessert, which is fantastic and unusual for me. There was this very sweet bread with a sort of custard in it, along with strawberries and pineapple. Yum! And then tea. It's just black tea, but I put milk and sugar in it and it becomes tasty P:

Here's to sleeping in a tiny bit and staying out for dinner tomorrow!

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9:09 am: home: Each day I check the weather it shows that in two days it will be sunny. Each day, which means the sunny day just keeps moving up. What's the deal?

9:38 am: 33 bus: Budweiser ads everywhere.

12:06 pm: Photo One: First day alone! I think I'm getting on alright. Had to call Brad twice but hey, I'm training!

12:26 pm: Photo One: Uh oh, serious double booking issue.

2:39 pm: Eyre Square Center: The Claire's here has "impress Jacob" and "impress Edward" signs in its windows with warm/tribal and dark/goth dressed women, respectively. (no idea if this ad campaign is in the States as well)

2:48 pm: In line for ice cream (using the money from my €5 tip!): Some guy just walked by wearing a shirt that said, "I'd Do Me". Ugh, gross.

4:55 pm: Photo One: Almost time to go! I'd like to be on the 5:45 bus for dinner at a decent hour and maybe a stroll around the block.

7:17 pm: Bus stop: Heading to the bus from a pint with Brad. We came up with an easy system for him to let me know when I'm being loud: the peace sign. He did it a few times while we were walking down Shop Street as he was pointing out good places for dinner and/or a pint. At one point he made sure to let me know I was doing well xD

7:38 pm: Walking: Super nice old Irish man on the bus!!!

-MJ

Ireland Day 5 - Diving into work!

Shop Street.

I don't actually have any photos from work, but the highlight of today is how busy things got! I managed to take a decent amount of photos once I left for the day, and I even did a teeny tiny bit of exploring past Shop Street. Woohoo!

Today was lots of training with Brad. I took notes and followed him around the studio listening to him talk about procedure. We had a very slow morning with only the phone ringing and someone scheduling a viewing for 4:30. The day was actually kind of perfect because he was able to train me without interruption, and then after we returned from lunch a whole slew of customers showed up and I was able to participate in a hands-on recreation (a real one!) of the scenarios he explained to me.

Rothar glas!

Every person that came into the studio was a drop-in, except for the very last person: they called and scheduled a time to view. Other than that, lots of questions and passports! Passports seem to be the bane of everyones' existence, they're such a huge hassle. A regulation on size would be awesome, I think, but really only for eases sake. I helped with a man's Vietnamese Visa photo, another guy's Irish passport photo and a baby's passport photo. Pretty much all of these people showed up at once, mind.

Shortly before closing he had me call a customer to get some information on a print. Before I arrived, he told me that it's easiest to just talk like the locals do because that way they'll understand me. So, on the phone today I used the words, "bump you up on the queue" and also, "ring us when you've decided". That was pretty exciting. I smiled and looked at Brad when I said, "bump you up on the queue" and he kind of laughed and gave me a thumbs up. I'm turning Irish!

It was a very good day. There were a few moments when I felt quite worthless and irritated because I was unable to help move the customers along since I'm still training. As the day wore on and I was able to get past the tiny hang-ups that stop me from being helpful (and instead make me a menace) and actually learn what to do the next time it rolls around.

I'm nodding off between sentences so I'm going to wrap this up.

I love the doors and buildings!

My walk around Shop Street was very enjoyable, I took some nice photos and discovered another bus stop where I can ride home. I found some swans and quite a few stores that I'd like to go in. Friday is going to be laundry and shopping! Woo! Tomorrow I have to pull some more money out so I can pay Miriam for food for the week. For dinner she made me a cheese burger, a salad and a bowl of fruit. Delicious! I can't wait for the weather to clear so I can explore! I know I've said this almost everyday, it's just so true.

I was offered a ride to Connemara by both Brad and Steve, which is really exciting! Perhaps I'll love it and I'll have two different occasions to go! Steve's family lives up there and he said he'd be more than happy to take me to the non-touristy places. I'd really prefer to avoid a coach and all of the other tourists. I want to be able to stop when I want and take lots of photos! I'm hoping to make a friend that has a car so I have someone to go on leisurely day trips with. I'll give them gas money!

After dinner, Maisa, Catherine and I played quite a few rousing rounds of Egyptian Rat Screw. I haven't played in ages, so that was good craic! I'm learning Irish vernacular. Craic is Irish for "fun". They use it frequently, "How's the craic?". There are many other examples but that's the only one I can think of right now. I'm seeing how many new words I can slip into my vocabulary :P

And now for throughout the day updates!

Interesting bramble.

8:44 am: bus stop: Today has dawned steely and cool with a different scent in the air than other mornings. A bit fresher and oceany than the others. I'm told there's a nice beach very close by, I'm anxious to be able to explore. I want food available to me in Steve's house, not just Miriam's. It wastes just enough time getting into her place that I can't eat before I leave for the bus. I grabbed an apple. I hope Brad is OK with me taking an early lunch.

8:53 am: bus stop: I think I missed the bus but I'm not sure how that is. It's supposed to be here at 8:48. I saw two buses drive past the stop while I was still walking.

9:08 am: 33 bus: The bus arrived as I was writing earlier. It was very crowded. I had to stand. A lot of people just got off so now I'm sitting. The bus is very stuffy.

9:13 am: 33 bus: This thing always squeezes through such tight spaces it's like like I'm on the Knight Bus. Oh gosh someone farted and it is awful.

12:11 pm: Photo One: I have my schedule! It is subject to change though. I have enough two days off in a row to visit quite a few places!

Another friend!

1:40 pm: La Salsa: Brad is taking me out to lunch. We were walking down Shop Street and he told me I was being too loud and that people really notice and dislike the loud Americans. I apologized and told him that even at home my friends tell me I'm too loud and I'm afraid of being too loud here and he should tell me when I'm being too loud again. He said he would so long as I didn't mind. He insisted he wasn't trying to be mean/rude, but he didn't want me to get into a position of being that person. I thanked him.

3:52 pm: Photo One: The studio got very busy after we returned from lunch. I was unable to do anything without asking Brad for help, which was unfortunate because he was helping people order prints. I don't like the new employee/training phase :(

5:55 pm: Photo One: What a day! My next helping excursion went much better than the first!

6:30 pm: Eyre Square: Brad is super nice. Excellent placement for my internship. I am going to learn soo much.

6:55 pm: Somewhere near Shop Street: People here drive like maniacs!

Does it look slimmer to you?

7:08 pm: Eyre Square bus stop: Bough a Coke and a caramel Galaxy bar from Holland's. It's 500ml, the bottle is very skinny. Drinks aren't very cold here even if they're coming out of a fridge.

7:13 pm: 33 bus: It looks as though someone egged the bus, a little gross.

-MJ