That's class.

   I've been in Limerick for almost a week now, and am beginning to pick up some of the lingo. For instance, they use words like "class" to mean that something is awesome, and they say "grand" way too frequently for me not to make internal allusions to Jane Austen books.  And since I know you're all wondering, it's spelled "craic." And yes, they do say it constantly.  I think I'm going to try to bring this use of the word back with me to America...

   All the signs and whatnot here are written in both Irish and English.  

   But apparently they sometimes decide to do away with the English part all-together.  This might make things like finding the right bathroom in a small-town pub fairly interesting. 

   Classes began on Monday, but are not actually called classes. They're called modules, which makes me think of building blocks or Legos, but whatever. I've only actually had two so far. Yesterday I had a two-hour lecture for the History of Ireland: Revolution and Independence.  He threw all of these names around as if I'd been studying the troubles of Ireland for my entire life.  I spent most of the class trying to look moderately intelligent, laughing along with jokes I didn't get, and also trying to withhold yawns.

   The reason I was so tired is because Sunday night/Monday morning I couldn't sleep.  See, here in Ireland, Sunday night is the big night to go out to clubs and throw parties.  Yes, I think it's crazy, too.  I mean, Sunday? Really? Anyway, some friends and I opted to be less cool by just relaxing and watching the Lost season premier, while just about everyone else on campus was getting wasted the night before the first day of school.  Some of these lovely people later stood on their porch above my room yelling like lunatics until 4 AM.  Quaint. 

   Today I went to my first lecture in Marketing: Consumer Culture and Consumption, which seems like it will be pretty cool. It's basically about the reasons why people buy what they do. I am especially eager to lean why some feel the impulse to buy something as ungodly as, say, a pair knee-high gladiator sandals.  

   Right now, I think I am just stressed about classes overall. I don't want to take anything too hard, because I want to have fun while I'm here.  Also, I'm kind of lazy.  But at the same time, all of the classes I am interested in happen to be at the same time, and trying to work out my schedule is going to send me to an asylum, I swear.  

   My room is really nice, though.  I get my own bathroom! And a double bed!  I share a kitchen and living room with my five flat-mates. One is an American guy who came in the group with me, and then the others are Irish first-years (aka freshmen).  Three are girls who all play on the school's soccer team, and one is a guy who apparently gets drunk a lot and is a little crazy. But hey, they all seem pretty nice so far. 

   Where I live is about a ten-minute walk to the main part of campus, which is actually in a different county than my residence hall.  Most of the walk is comprised of crossing the River Shannon by way of the LONGEST BRIDGE EVER CREATED. 

Just the beginning of it, on the campus side. You can't even see the end!!

   It is already the bane of my existence, and I have to cross it at least twice every day.  With one especially strong gust of wind, that thing could literally be the death of me.

   I'll write more when I have something more interesting to say...

-B