Workout Classes, Backstreet Boys, and Going in to the West

Ok, here is a post about life at UL and TRAVEL. After reading my last post, my sister Erica told me "I think you've seen too many movies." Haha. Which probably is true. :)

This past school week was normal for the most part. I feel so lazy though, because I have at most 2 assignments per week for my sociology classes, but I didn't have one this week because we didn't have our Social Inequality tutorial. And sadly, I was relieved because it meant less work. I can tell already that going back to UWEC in the fall will be difficult after this insanely light workload this semester. I don't have any tests in my classes except for finals, which makes me nervous, because I haven't really sat down and gone over my notes that much. I have a couple essays to write in the next few weeks, so that will actually require being productive. And my dance tutorial is so fun for the Traditional Music Class, but overall, the lecture is superboring. It's kind of weird because we have had a lot of different lecturers for that. There's one main girl, but she's given like 2 or 3 lectures so far this semester and the other times it has been other people.

On Tuesday night, I went to a workout class with Katie, Kathleen, and Kaitlyn. It was a lot of fun. I was in the beginner's section, which is where I'd like to permanently stay haha. It's led by the Irish equivalent of Richard Simmons, and oddly enough his name is Richie. He's got a fro, too. He's a lot less flamboyant though and slightly more attractive than Richard. Thursday morning I went to the gym again and must have had some pent up energy because I went on the elliptical for like 20 minutes and then did 3 miles on the treadmill which is a lot for me! My hips were SO Sore later. I don't know if it was still from the class or a combo of both workouts because I usually don't get sore after going to the regular gym.

I was really excited for Friday because the Stables was having 90's Night. I LOVE 90's music to this day. Friday afternoon I was really hungry because I didn't have much food left and I suddenly really wanted McDonald's which was weird because I don't eat much McDonald's anymore, unless the situation is desperate. Katie and I walked to the closest McDonald's to satisfy my craving. I'm interested to see though come March (tomorrow actually) if they have Shamrock Shakes here!!

We went over to Lily, Amanda, and Liz's house before we went to the Stables to pregame and play some cards. When we got to the Stables at around 9:30, I was shocked to see no one was dancing, but that's because they were playing 90's grunge, which some of it is ok, but seriously...that is not what I think of when I think of the 90's. For me, it's NSYNC, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, etc, etc. We decided to go get drinks (they had yummy cocktails for only 2.50. Sadly the Blue Lagoon turned my lips and teeth blue) Amanda and I went up to request some Backstreet Boys, but I ended up backing off because I felt like I was 10 years old requesting a BSB song. According to Amanda, the DJ argued with her and said BSB was not from the 90's. Worst. 90's. DJ. EVER. She finally convinced him and he played "I want it that Way" which got things going. The best songs of the evening that I danced to (I actually didn't dance much that night because I was having the infamous boy anxiety) were Ice Ice Baby, TubThumping by Chumbawumba, and Wannabe by the Spice Girls.

Yesterday was our first school sponsored trip. It was called Into the West. It only cost 5 Euro! It started bright and early by leaving around 8:30 AM. First stop was Bunratty Castle, then Cliffs of Moher (sooo beautiful!)

Bunratty Castle

Cliffs of Moher

The weather was gorgeous luckily. It's actually nice to have to expect rain on a daily basis in Ireland, because when it doesn't rain, it's wonderful to have your expectations exceeded. After the Cliffs, we ate lunch at a place called Fitzpatrick's Pub. I had peppered chicken, veggies and it came with three kinds of potatoes: French fries, roasted and mashed.

After we started heading out to the Burren, the bus in front of us started breaking down. There was a problem with the electrical system. We all made it to the Burren, which is a big rocky area. I saw my first Irish rainbow! I took a picture, but it didn't turn out the greatest because it was starting to go away. Before we left the Burren, they decided to combine the buses. I was on a shorter bus so we couldn't squeeze too many other people on, and I think they ended up leaving some people behind for our next stop to Ailwee caves, and then came back for them.

The Burren

Next stop: Ailwee Cave. It was discovered in 1940 by a man walking his dog. The cave was cool, but a relatively short tour. The coolest part was when they turned all the lights off in the cave. It was PITCH black. After the tour was over, we looked around the gift shop, then went outside to enjoy the magnificent view, as the cave was up on a hill.

Inside Ailwee Cave


The Gorgeous View

Our last stop of the day was Portal Tomb, which according to Wikipedia, dates back to 4200 to 2900 B.C. and houses between 16 to 22 adults and 6 children.


Portal Tomb

On the bus ride back, we listened to a rugby game on the radio (Ireland wins!) I was listening to my Ipod at the same time, but the announcers were super excited and I heard them shout things such as "Knocks him out of the way like a bouncer at a night club!" We got back to Limerick at about 6:30 and I was dead tired. I made a grilled cheese, watched the Simpsons, caught up on Facebook and was in bed at about 8:30!

Tomorrow is the first of March! At the end of the week, Ellen will be here!! I'm so excited for visitors!! My mom will be here St. Patty's day. March will also be an exciting month of travel..the weekend of the 12-14 I'm going with the International Society to Belfast, which is in Northern Ireland, and at the end of the month I'm going to Paris for Spring Break! This has truly been the experience of a lifetime! Cheers!