That's some brilliant crack!

CRACK MEANS FUN. I've had a TON of fun the last few days here. Yesterday, we had uni orientation, and I soon discovered what "Irish time" really means. As Americans, if we are told to be somewhere at noon, we will be there at noon or at least a few minutes beforehand. However, if you tell the Irish to meet youat noon, you'd be lucky if they meet you around 12:30. Needless to say, EVERYTHING is super laid-back here. It even seems that classes are pretty laid-back.

I got a tour of the campus yesterday, and it is a GORGEOUS campus. Just look at the bridge I get to cross to go to some of my classes! (pictured above) AND the gym/sports center is really impressive. The University houses an Olympic-sized pool, the largest in the entire country! The Munster rugby team practices at our sports center, too. How cool!

After the tour I came back to my townhouse to relax with the housemates before we all went out to the university pub. The social scene here is one to be rivaled. The Irish definitely know how to hold their liquor and have a good time, and they love playing American music, especially 90s rap music and Bon Jovi covers...

Today I went on a bus tour of Limerick city-it wasn't the most exciting thing I've done here, but the bus driver was pretty comical. I ate lunch with the housemates afterwards. I haven't introduced my housemates yet! There's Maureen (Mo) from Michigan, Tara from New York, Flo and Cindi from France, Steph from Germany, and Becky and Julia! They are pretty wonderful people, and they'll be mentioned frequently.

I figured out my class schedule today! (and by figured out I mean I have two weeks to try these classes out, and if I don't like them, and I can take something else--basically the first two weeks of class don't even count!) I'll be taking:

Biochemistry (with lab)

Microbiology (with lab)

20th century Irish literature

Introduction to Spanish culture

I'm happy with the way things turned out. I don't have class on Wednesday, and on Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays I don't have class till noon, which means I'll be going out with the Irish every Sunday and Tuesday night. (Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays are big nights for going out). Friday I have class at 9am so I won't be going out much on Thursdays.

I plan to do a lot of traveling while I'm here. I figure I won't be back on this side of the world until after medical school (IF i get into med school), so I might as well take advantage of the time I have here.

Tomorrow I'm going into the city with some friends to see King John's Castle and the Hunt museum. I'll post pictures soon!

May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow

For every tear, a smile

For ever care, a promise

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.

Lindsey