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American Idiot

It's like Green Day once said, "I don't want to be an American Idiot". That stupid song has taken over every thought I've had whilst in this foreign land. You see, even though they speak English here, the accents are so thick I often find myself just nodding in agreement followed by a polite giggle after the third time of asking for clarification. For instance when I was at the FINE Wines store (sorry mom and dad), I couldn't understand the cashier and gave up asking the desperate "sorry, what?". Ironically, the only thing I did understand was when he handed me the receipt and under his breath said, "sign your life away here"…he was utterly shocked when I finally heard what he said. Then we briskly left the building, arms full of wine and imminent ragrets (thats my creed though).

But other than being the definition of an American idiot and continuously being told, "Oh, you're American.."(still haven't come up with a clever response for that one yet), Ireland seems to be a bit of a time warp. I'm talking about the 90s here- jelly shoes, velvet skirts, daisy crop tops and doc martins, all things of American yesteryear, but all very prominent in Irish society and clubs (think Sabrina the Teenage Witch mixed with Clueless). Hey, I'm not complaining in the slightest, are you kidding?! The 90s were the best, not to mention it is the time period when Disney Channel actually made some real good stuff (DCOM anyone?!) To clarify, the 90s fad has not only taken over the clothing aspect of society, it's also taken over the music too. Take for instance twin singers, JEDWARD, tell me something isn't weird about that.

Anyway, we finally saw some cops take action- I mean, the ICPD could totally take a few notes! That was fun, and slightly terrifying as we were cut off  by two guards taking after two "track suit heads"(Guys in matching track suits- gross). The guards caught them and grabbed their necks and shoved track-suit boyz into a wall, it was quite the show. Rory, a nice man we met as this was unfolding, and ourselves (slightly inebriated and very American) cheered and whooped because as Rory said, "I always like to see the Guards get the win".

On Saturday, we went to a UCC Rugby match. I knew rugby was aggressive, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Watching rugby made me feel so un-athletic- like worse than that time I shanked that PK at a soccer game. Dear God, they just tear each other apart out there- one guys ear was gushing blood, so they just slapped some tape on him and he went back out. I've never seen anything more masculine and terrifying at the same time. I feel like I'll never cringe at a football game ever again- so I guess that's a positive. Pretty excited to go see some Munster rugby later this semester- and those Munster men, if ya know what i mean?

I have also officially partaken in a UCC Club (sport)- trampoline club. That's right, a trampoline club that teaches you how to do magnificent tricks and flips and what not. My goal in joining this club was to conquer my past failures of trampoline mishaps and whatnot, and to simply say, that while abroad, I was on the trampoline club. Because undoubtedly, that's cool- even in America.

The most important thing that's happened to me this week though: I saw three corgi's all at once and I ran to them like a woman lost in a desert with the mirage of an oasis ahead. I physically ran down the street to nonchalantly bump into a man walking his three corgi pups (truly, the plumpest I have ever seen) and was mauled with kisses and nibbles by all three of them. I have never been happier.

P.S. Mom and Dad, I made dinner tonight. Like real food. Like I cooked chicken and stuff. (I'm learning, yeay).
Gill (in the middle) was our peer advisor. Then we had some shots.

Oy, Rugby.

Look at those bums! 

Look mom and dad, I can survive on my own!

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