My Dublin Life

Wow! I can't believe that Mom and Dad will be here next Tuesday--and I can't believe I haven't seen them since April. I'm really psyched about showing them around "my" city. I've almost gotten used to it, but when you think about it, the cobblestones in Temple Bar are probably older than most communities in Newfoundland.



Walking around and trying to decide where to take them has enabled me to see Dublin through "new" eyes again and also made me realise that I've really settled in. For instance, when I first came, if I'd had any money I'd've stocked up on green t-shirts and Guinness hats, but now that I'm practically a local, there's no way... But I know my folks will want to buy a bunch of that stuff to take home.



Look at this cool Xmas tree on O'Connell Street. Not so much to look at in the daytime, but when it's dark -- which is quite early at the moment -- it's awesome. The spheres all change colour.

That's all folks. It's half past four and I am heading home early. We're going to a gig tonight at the Sugar Club. No idea what to expect.

I woke up early this morning and thought it was Friday for the longest time. Then I realised...it's still Thursday! That means all of today and all of tomorrow in the library before I can take some time off. Boy, am I ready for the holidays.

Anyway, as I have to work I've decided to go to one of my old haunts, the National Library. As it's actually quite easy to go and use it, I'm surprised more people don't. Not that the Trinity library isn't great, but I do get a kick out of reading in the NATIONAL library, right beside the government and ride across from the museum. Makes me feel like a real scholar and not just another Masters student putting off cold reality by doing a post-grad course. I just hope that the guy I so embarrassingly left a note for months ago has forgotten all about me...

But before that, I've decided that I deserve a treat and am going to Bewleys for an Irish Breakfast. With a book. On my own. Fabulous. After carrying out some, ahem, research, I've decided that they do the best one in town. Of course, eating breakfast out means no lunch today but hey...once in a while it's worth it.

Just about a week to go before parents get here! So psyched. Bepe is leaving on Tuesday so I'll have a little time to clean up the apartment and I should really get him a gift because he's letting me use his room for my folks (hopefully they'll be able to wade throught the sports stuff and airplane model controls to reach the bed). He's such a guy's guy though, I haven't a clue. I know he'd love tickets to something but I can't afford it so I'm thinking maybe a rugby shirt? Or something? A friend of mine won free entry to a rubgy event, a questions and answers thingy, in Donnybrook next week so if she doesn't want it, maybe he could use it? Sheesh, though, what the heck do I know? I do have a jar of bottled moose left over from Mom's last care package. Maybe he'd like to bring that back to Italy?

This weekend I want to dedicate myself to getting in to the Christmas spirit, hopefully without spending any/much money so if anyone knows of anything free or cheap, drop me a line please.

Well, my Christmas shopping continues apace.

I did some shopping on Grafton Street today and to my amazement it was snowing!




OK, so it's not real snow. Someone was blasting artificially made snow out of a shop somewhere. But how pretty! I hope it will snow before the holidays are over.

Dubliners might rush by, but for me Grafton Street is still a blast, because whatever time of day you walk down it, there are always loads of performers.

Here's a guy with a cute...oh never mind. He was doin' a good show:



Also, I've had a good idea for a present for my parents--especially because they'll be buying loads of stuff and will need all the suitcase space they can get. How about a carriage ride? That might be fun.



The greengrocer down the road, source of all wisdom, told me that his brother is in the carriage business, and that their father used to work for Guinness with a cart, delivering the beer all over the city. That's how it started. Apparently, when Guiness switched to using trucks, the cart drivers became carriage drivers!

My boyfriend's Dad, it turns out, is playing in a "session" this week... but when I asked if I could come along, He told me that he was "ready" for me to meet his Mom and Dad. When I suggested I might go, it was really just to hear the music. I really like traditional music, and they play in a place in the northside suburbs somewhere, where I haven't been. But now I've been told I *can't* go, I'm a bit upset? Is that normal? I mean, I know we've only been together a week 'n all but still?

It may be only December 8th, but I am so not working hard. I like to think that it's because I deserve it, because I did so much reading before my coursework started, but the fact is that I just feel all Christmassy and stuff although there's still two weeks to go. My parents will be here next week, I have a boyfriend, I will have the apartment all to myself (and my parents obviously) over the holidays and, well, there's loads to do. Plus, the fact that I got some free tickets and that my folks will be paying for meals out and stuff over the holidays means that the financial pressure is off. And a good thing too, 'cause I'm getting bored of soup!

This weekend, I had 2 tickets to A Christmas Carol from Dublin Tourism and although I am supposed to go and write about my own experience, I actually gave them to my man and his kid because he always has to take care of her on Saturdays, and it was billed as a family show. I felt very virtuous--although as I spent the first half of the show shopping on Jervis Street and the second having not one but two hot whiskeys in the theatre bar, I'm not sure that I deserve to. Anyway, apparently the show was great -- and not TOO scary.

Sunday, I had him to myself. He took me to his folks' place near the sea on the northside. They weren't there, but I hope I get to meet them. I also found out that they are an Irish speaking family!!! Originally from the west of Ireland, they all still speak Irish at home, and the Dad plays the fiddle. Well, I like them already. Too bad they weren't there. In fact, I don't even know if they know about me at all...don't want to push things or anything but it would be nice to meet them. I'd promised Saoirse's mother I'd share my entry to the Craft Show at the RDS and I only just made our date on time. Great stuff -- but mostly out of my budget. She, however, went crazy!

Sunday, we went for a wintery walk by the sea.



The girl in the photo is not me BTW.

When I first came to Dublin, I didn't rate the sea very much because I'm from Newfoundland where the ocean is king. But I've had to revise my opinion somewhat. I love the long sandy beaches and I think I like them best at this time of year when you bundle up with a scarf and a had and get blown about like a paper bag in the wind. Romantic AND refreshing!

Well, I am not seeing Him tonight, but I am doing something I haven't done for a while, and that's go for a drink with my roomie. I'm going (alone) to see a movie in the German Film Festival at the IFI and meeting Bepe (and hopefully not Fabia) for a beer in the bar there afterwards. It's a really neat place, very much for the arty-student-about-town.

S'all for now folks.

I am so lucky! I have just been with a lady from Dublin Tourism and she has given me...well, how can I describe it...a CHRISTMAS DELUXE GIFTPACK of free tickets and stuff.

Well, I won't have to worry about spending too much money this Xmas. For one thing, my parents are coming and I daresay they'll be picking up tabs at restaurants and stuff (Thanks, Mom and Dad.I do appeciate it and when I am gainfully employed I will return the favour). For another, I now have free tickets to:

1) the http://www.nationalcraftsfair.ie/at the RDS. That's this weekend and I am going to invite Saoirse's Mom. It's not necessarily my sort of thing, but I think it is hers and she has been so sweet and welcoming to me that I'm happy to have the chance to do something for her, too;
2) The Christmas Carol at the Gate Theatre. Super! And nineteenth century literatre is my thing too. This is practically studying!!!
3) Loads of tickets for ice-skating in Smithfield! I've already been but I'll go again. Might even take Mom and Dad. Dad used to play ice-hockey and will chew your ear off about how he could've gone pro if he'd only been given the chance (etc.)
4) Four Dublin City Cards. She gave me some of these when my sister was over with her family and they saved a bundle so I might try to keep my one for when Uncle Joey so that I can give it to him because he loves a bargain.

Well, that's all good. And tonight? Well, tonight: I AM COOKING DINNER FOR MY BOYFRIEND!

As the only thing I know how to make is soup, we're having soup. However, I have it on the best of authority that it's very easy to cook a baked potato, and for the second course, I have something very special in my kitchen cupboard... something romantic! Something that will knock his socks off! You guessed it: MOM's BOTTLED MOOSE! Who could resist! Ha. So: a cosy night in. Bepe is working until late so we'll have the apartment to ourselves. I think his girlfriend will be staying over tonight so I guess, hm, well, will we be three or four for breakfast?

Bepe and a couple of his loud friends from the restaurants are noisily sprucing themselves up in the living room prior to going to what's got to be the daftist waste of money IMHO: A show about cars.

"Top Gear" is a show on TV that is now...ugh...I mean, how is this better than those Monster Truck Rallies they go to in the US?

I know: we all have different tastes blah blah and sure, I hope he has fun. But I also hope he doesn't bring those noisy idiots back to the apartment afterwards 'cause they'll probably be all over-excited and wake me up.

Yes, I am a grouch. But that's because MY hobbies are COOL and HIS are SILLY!!!

Now I feel guilty. I guess it's a good thing that in this rich tapestry of life we all have different interests. Imagine if everyone wanted to go where I did! There wouldn't be room for me!

Anyway, speaking of tasteful venues, I'm going to have a quick dinner and go to the Long Hall, absolutely one of my favourite Dublin pubs of all time, for a drink. It's so pretty there! Mirrors! Chandeliers! Good-looking bar staff! Traditional and history!

And most of all, appearing tonight, my boyfriend! I already saw him once today but going out in the evening is different; it calls for a change of clothes, some make up and the vintage hat I bought when I was supposed to be shopping for presents. I've never been crazy about being tall but you know what? There are advantages. Let's face it: from up here all those short people in hats look like mushrooms. Instead, I think I look pretty fetching in my 1950s velvet number! Yup: hats were really made for us beanpoles.