Tanya Sue's Adventures

Rompous, im really going to miss this greenland!

2010-04-28T13:13:00.002-05:00

Now take into consideration i wrote this on April 25th
Leaving Dublin is a bittersweet feeling. Ofcourse I want to see everyone (Especially my cats) haha but I do not want to leave my family. I do not know why it has not hit me yet. I am a very sensitive person but for some reason I am not sure how to feel about everything. I am worried that when I get home the reverse Culture shock will hit me. Living in Dublin for four lifes seemed like an entire part of my life. I got use to the ways, the people and what not. I liked my freedom of being able to do what I want and learning how to be more independent! SO here are a list of things I will and will not miss.
Will Miss:
1) Walking into my neighbors rooms in my cheetah Pajamas with my retainer in and no bra on. No one ever judged me for looking like a scary cheetah.
2) All the people I have met are beyond amazing. Everyone in the American group was great. I loved everyone living in Blackhall. It was like my own family and I always had someone to go too.
3) Being able to take the dart to the countryside for a little getaway to think and ponder life. That is where the true Ireland lies.
4) Butlers Chocolate Café. Umm can we say DELICIOUS. This place had the most amazing hot chocolate and my newest obsession, “Iced Chocolate!” I discovered it a few weeks ago, thank god. OH my ROMPOUS I can honestly say I have never tasted something chocolately as amazing as this. It tasted like a cold brownie. Also every time you get a drink there you get a free chocolate. Life is good!
5) Diceys!!! This was the place for savage Craic on a Wednesday night. It was the best club ever. Yes there was cover but we had it worked out that if we got there early enough it would be less. Us girls were always the first ones on the dance floor. That’s how we roll. Although I will not be missing the jager bombs all my friends peer pressured me into! Hahaha. OMG but we did discover an amazing beer there called Desparado. I am not huge on drinking beer but it was pretty grand with a lime in it.
6) I will miss all the pubs/clubs in general. I will miss Porter houses Strawberry beer and live music. I will miss Turks Head, the real Temple Bar, H. Mathews where we sang Karokee everynight, and the local pub the Glimmerman.(My faborite bartender was Stewart) I always tried to convince him that they need to have a popcorn machine there!!!
7) The random people you meet on the streets. Some of the strangest people. Drunk or druggies or just people in their own world. Also I will neverforget the “tooting” man as I like to refer to him. Lauren and I had a good laugh from him.
8) Dame Café and Spars 3 euro Chicken Baguette. It was cheap and delicious and we ended up here many nights after being out. Also Apache Pizza was quite amazing but not as good as blackstone back home, but it worked.
9) Not having to do homework and only having class 3 times a week. That was epic. Schooling here was much easier and more relaxed. It was nice to have a break, but it might have given me a bad habit. We’ll have to see.
10) Sleeping in whenever I wanted (Mostly)
11) Not having a job. Although I honestly don’t mind working if I enjoy the place. It is money
12) The accents! They all vary. The irish from the south have such strong accents I cannot hardly understand them. But you fall in love with the accent. Especially when the older people call you “love” For example, “Have a good day love. It was so nice to hear.
13) The Irish phrases. Again this varied by location. Haha I will never forget “WHats the craic” or “That was savage Craic,” that’s some good Craic” and many more. Also the Irish swear like its their job. Its quite funny hearing them swear with their accents. Also banter to them means fun!
14) In general everyone here was kind and helpful.
15) My Irish friend Lauren and Jenny and my big boy British friend Connor (Eighty niiiiinnne)
16) PENNY’S- The cheap and amazing store which has everything you need. Cutest clothes shoes and jewelry ever!!!
17) Walking along the beautiful liffey at night when the lights are shining on all the bridges.
18) The nightlife
19) Jogging at night with my roomie Monika. I hate jogging so this is a big thing for me. We both loved jogging at night because less people could see my rolls jiggle and my endurance seemed higher.
20) Finding places through names of bars! Forget a map just learn all the bars!
21) Going to eat after being out at night either at Ricks Burgers, Apache Pizza, or DameCafe/Spar!
22) Talking to all the different people and learning about their life
23) The walk to school(Sometimes)
24) The Chocolate(Lion, Double Decker, Cadbury) and all the gummies! Thank god I walked a lot!
25) Centre(Little Shop across the street open 24 hours) I will miss the 2 euro pizzas!

Things I WON’T miss
1) The children. Ok so you might think im crazy but there are many sassy children here. They actually call the Farrel Children. They swear and throw rocks, sticks and snowballs at anyone even their own Irish people. It is sad but it is said that they will go nowhere in life. All I can say is they scare me more than a pack a men.
2) Druggies/prostitutes on our street
3) Anti American comments. If I heard one more person say Americans are dumb I might have drop kicked them! But these comments came a lot from other foreigners from other countries as well.
4) The smells of poop and poop on the sidewalk. I wonder if people with animals have heard of a poop bag.
5) The long walks to everything. I actually did not mind it in the end but some days when the weather was bad it seemed forever. Darn it I better have some muscle by now.
6) Laundry. I felt like I was back in the 18oo’s washing my laundry in the sink. The pants were quite a pain to wash. Also I will not forget Andy the kinda crazy maintanence housekeeper who always and I mean ALWAYS told us when using the laundry you “empty yourjhzflkjhaj pocketsjhklaj, then you SLAM THE DOOR kjhfahfj and then you put your token in, but make sure you’ve SLAMMED the door kjfhklajhlkjh. The extra not making sense words are because normally you couldn’t understand a word he said. Moni, my roommate and I would always giggle when he came in.
7) ENERGY CARDS! These are the most pain in the arse thing ever! I disliked them so much especially when they went off at night and kept beeping. You had to grab a chair and climb up in the dark and shove in a new card.
8) Never having heat!
9) No ventilation in the bathrooms so the growth of mold was crazy Also the toilets never flushed properly!
10) Runnning out of toilet paper.
11) Having to know codes and have 5 different college buildings in all different areas. Also the steps were a killer for some reason! Haha
12) The aggressive men Grabbing at you! I do not mind aggressive but there is a limit, men!
13) My foot getting stepped on every single night we are out. I am pretty surea bone in everyones foot has been punctured while being here. The Irish girls love their high heels. High heels + alcohol= your foot getting smashed. Which then equals ROMPOUS!!!
14) NO ONE is ever on time!
15) Having to cook for myself…. Well I guess it made me learn how too because I still have too! I tried to eat healthy! Hahah
16) Lack of street signs(They are on the buildings in the tiniest scratched off writing ever!

Overall these are not complaints I mean well they are but only minor. My experience has been one that is unforgettable and life learning. I am sad as I write this on the plane back home. I am thinking that maybe Ireland and all the European countries could move a little closer to the U.S. I don’t think that is too much to ask? Is it? The more I write the more emotional. Well I knew it would hit soon. I was getting worried for awhile.
My life will forever be changed by everyone and everysingle thing I did while in Ireland. I was able to see 5 plays, “Little Gem,” “Off Plan(a little weird),” Christ Deliver Us,” Les Liasons Dangeruses,” and “Macbeth.” I will never forget these plays. It was such a cultural experience seeing plays in a different country. After each play I had to write a critique. It really made me focus a lot more on the play itself.
The classes were quite different. I only met three times a week with each class being two hours and only having a few papers in them at the very end. Actually since we were leaving all ofus Americans did not have to take the final exams, which I hear are really hard! WooooHOOO! Also no one is ever on time to class especially the teacher. So weird!
Oh Blackhall(The apartments) I will miss your one minute showers and coldness! Haha Actually I loved it. We each had our own room which was nice. I will miss being able to walk into everyones room and just talk to them. Everyone was so friendly. We all have this bond that no one will ever forget. The apartments were run down but we brought the party/life. I loved sitting out on the decks with some girls just observing and taking in the Irish air.
I am so thankful for everything I have encountered on this trip. I would love to travel back. Yes Volcanoe jkhzjhajk put a damper on my Germany plans but I know I will see my god friends from there again someday. It gave me more time to experience and explore the different parts of Ireland. When asking for advice where to go abroad, I will always say Irealnd. Sure I may seem bias but I look at it like this. Ireland is near so many other European countries and the U.K. The Dublin airport is great. The people are the kindest you will meet(Well most of them, minus some of the sassy children haha). Yes they like their drinks, but they are so laid back and willing to talk to you and are actually interested in why you are there and what you think of it. The elderly men with the missing teeth and Guiness bellies are quite cute as well. I was fortunate to make friends with two Irish ladies Angie 65, and Eileen 81. I met them at karaoke Mondays and I have a feeling we will be staying in touch.
I feel like I am missing so much. lets sum it up
While in Ireland I traveled outside to Scottland, Rome, Athens, Santorini, Budapest, Berlin and London. Within Ireland I was in the northern parts like Derry and Belfast. In the south I was in Galway. I was able to take the dart(the train) to little towns along the water Dalkey, Brey, Howth, Dun Lerie, and a few more. I experienced the nightlife, the fresh food markets, the people both wonderful and some a little crazy, the food(Especially my favorite: VINEGAR!! I will have to carry a bottle around with me in the states! ), walking on cobblestones causing all of us to go through many pairs of boots, codes to get into buildings, Grocery shopping less and more often and having to walk a long distance with the groceries, Making sure to look the right way when crossing the road(I hope I wont look the wrong way when I get home now!) jogginf to beautiful Phoenix Park, walking down Occonnel Street and so much more.
Hahah One note id like to put are the walk signs that tell you when to walk and when not too. There is a certain area where you meet in the middle of the road and have to wait for the other cross walk. Now the beeping is for those who cannot see, which is smart. But in this one area you can easily get confused which one is beeping. I have always been curious about that one!
Maybe I have too much time to think while on the plane!
Friends and family. Thank you for following me on my amazing Cheetahlicious journey. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity in my life!!!

COunting down the days :(

2010-04-28T00:39:00.004-05:00

Well folks it has been a very busy week in the life of Tanya Sue Cheetahlicious Pollard As you all know jhalkfjhajkhfjkdh volcano kept erpting shutting down the airports for quite a few days. NOT GOdd. SO many of my friends flights were cancelled and what not. It is crazy how mother earth can turn the world upside down so quickly. Our taxi driver today told us there is another huge one next to the current one that they say once it erupts flights will be stopped for 2 years. I really am not sure if that is accurste or not but if it is, “Holy ROMPOUS!!”

Anywho since I was unable to make it to Germany I had planned a few day trips. On Wednesday I went to Cork to kiss the Blarney stone. Yes, I know there are stories of people going potty on it but I was willing to take the risk. I needed the luck somehow and I was hoping my kiss would help get flights back on track! Ha! We climbed the million spiral tight/small steps to get to the top of the castle. Boy oh boy if I lived back in that day and tripped down those steps it be the end of me. ANywho once to the top there was such a beautiful view. An elderly lady was going to kist the stone but they couldn’t even get her to go down on her knees. She was ooohhhing and screeching! Hahaha Watching her reminded me of my Grandma Sue because im a almost positive she’d be the same way! She was a cute lady who cheered everyone else on! Now folks I did not know that you had to lay on your back and bend backwards to kiss the thing. 1) I am afraid of heights. 2) my shirt rose up a little displaying my rolls. 3) my legs were the only thing holding on , everything else was hanging. There was a man who helped us there, but still I thought I might wet myself a little. I really hope that stone is goodluck. It was not what I was expecting but I am so glad I made it there. After we wandered around for awhile and went to the witches steps which you have to walk up and down with your eyes closed and only thinking of your wish you want. Well I did this but my friends got busy taking a photo of themselves , did not tell me I was at the top because I cracked my head on part of the rock. But the good news is I did not open my eyes. After that we went to a Dolmen, a huge rock tent looking thingy having to do something with the Vikings. It was cool. Ive decided to call this whole area BLARNIA. Haha it reminds me of the world Narnia. We had a nice lunch in the park while we were surrounded by ducks who decided to attack eachother. I was quite scary. That night was our last night at Diceys, our favorite club. We had become regulars there. I will really miss that place. It was savage Craic!

OMG I also forgot to mention I traveled to Howth again on Sunday because I wanted to hit up the fresh food market one more time! I was on a mission to eat!!! Your only in Ireland once. We got there and I got a crepe with egg, ham and cheese. It was splendid. Then I got a huge brownie probs the best I have ever tasted so far in my 21 years of life. Finally I found myself a mixed berry scone. DELECTABLE!!!! We went and found the seals this day. They were so darn adorable, I cannot even explain. There were a lot of them, maybe 10. They were right by the shore area and people were feeding them fish. The seals got so excited about the fish that they were making squeally noises and flapping their flippers/paws/ whatever you call them. I fell in love with them. Also they are pleasantly plump like me… I told them that I know how it feels! Haha. I probably looked crazy talking to them but I don’t care. I prefer animals over people most times because they always love me! Haha –Seeing them made my day and made me feel better about my double chin because they had a triple one.

Then jumping ahead again on Friday I took a day trip with Wild Wicklow tours. We traveled up into the Wicklow mountains and to Glendalough. IT WAS BREATHTAKING. In the mountains you could look down upon a pure blue lake. Then at Glandalough there was the two huge mountains with the beautiful water between it. It was so surreal. I could not believe it. We also saw the oldest Celtic cross in all of Europe in the cemetery there. We learned that the pope and other Catholic leaders have nothing to do with Celtic Crosses because they have the sun around the top which represents a god for the Pagens. Interesting. This was a really cool bus tour and I also got an amazing blueberry cinnamon scone and Avocca. I will miss scones. The only problem about this trip is that I was very sick on it. I had the terrible aches and swelled up tonsils with a horrible sore throat. I do not know why I am cursed to always being sick when traveling. It is so bizarre and kind of getting old.

Ok also we celebrated my good friend (Baby) Becca's 21st at Spy! Holy romous was it fun. It was a skins party where you paint your skin with glowy stuff and get glow necklaces and what not. It was so epic and fun! I basically looked like an indian chief!

Yesterday was my last day in the city. It was sad. But I feel that I am ready to come home for a break and to see everyone again. I miss them.

Im thinking a cruise looks good about now. Darn Ash Rompous.

2010-04-17T17:57:00.005-05:00

Hello all. If you have not been aware of it i will let you in on what rompous is currently taking place. Basically Ireland and most other European countries are covered by a huge cloud of Ash from Eyjafjallajökull a volcano in Iceland. Yes that is its name folks. What the crack. Also, EUROCONTROL estimates that approx 16,000 flights have been cancelled in European Airpace TODAY. Rompous. WHat is this world coming too. Also i do not like people talking about that 2012 end of the world rompous. I DO NOT beleive in that but it makes me worried. :(
Anywho i am quite dissapointed right now. I was supposed to be seeing my host family in Germany whom i have not seen for 4 years. Well thats not happeneing anymore thanks to WHatever its name is. I am so fortunate for this trip, do NOT get me wrong, but it was one of the most special trips i was looking forward too. But, i guess Everything happens for a reason and hopefully ill see them again soon. I would rather not be flying in a plane that sucks in too much ash.
Too look on the brightside i get to spend time with my wonderful family here in DUblin. When thinking about it i wouldnt choose any other group of people to be stranded on this island with. Were kinda like a Giligans Island crew just a few 20 or 30 more people. Mother nature is just stomping on Europe but she will not tkae our high spirits away. We stand United as one! Anywho why not celebrate and explore the beatiful green land some more. I might just have to watch the monetary spending but i can do it.
SO to lighten this blog i would like to let ya all know how i almost wet well kinda a little did this weekend. While in London we met these really cool girls from O.C. who are studying in Spain. They are currently in DUblin so we met up at Diceys(The most amazing club ever) Wednesday night. While saying goodbye we were walking down the road/alley and i heard someone just rip major rompous. Now this was not a soft short toot but a long carried on one. AT first i thought it was Lauren until i looked to the side and saw a man in the doorway kinda croutching. I burst out laughing i could not hold it in. I really think he needed to check his pants!!! hahah I guess it might be one of those moments that you have to be there to understand how funny it is! Anywho that completed my night.
Also Yesterday the 17th was my German roommate, Moni's birthday! Gahd i love this girl. She is one of the most sincere and honest person i have ever met. We had a little celebration in my neighbor Ryans room(The one that cooks for me :) ). Then after that we had a Blackhall social at the GLIMMERMAN the pub nearby with my favorite bartender Steward. it was so nice just haning out with everyone, the French, irish, Americans, Germans, and British. I loved it.
Today i went bumming around and finally bought a few things at Penny's. I waited this long before caving in. oh also the other day we did voluntary work. So we had to wear Orange bright vests and work along O'Connell street the main and most busiest Street in Dublin. We were raising money for the homeless. Genevieve the lady involved had us singing songs and wlaking around. It was crazy and fun... It was for such a great cause. What was sad was how rude people were and how they couldnt even spare a few coins. I mean the money was going to a good fund. SO today while walking along Grafton street i saw people out collecting Donations for animals and i totally gave them some money. I love animals and they deserve help too. Also, last week I went with my friends Suzy and Olivia to Dun Leary to see the movie "Remember Me." Gahd it was wonderful then broke ones heart at the end. Rompous.
Oh my goodness i almost forgot to mention i went to the LEPRECHAUN MUSEUM!!! It is about 4 weeks old. It was so cool. They told you the history of leprachauns and fairies and giants, then we went into a room set up like a giants place and everything was loads bigger then us. I loved sitting in the huge chirs. it was like a bed!!! It was such an experience one should do when in Dublin!
Anywho folks, ill be seeing you in a week if the smoke decides to blow away and let me leave. The Cheetah is ready to see everyone back home. I love Ireland but right now the Luck of the Irish is missing. I might have to go searching one last time for that Leprachaun. Wish me luck!!!Love you all!!
xoxox, Stranded in ireland.

For the 1,000th time "Mind the Gap!!!"- Dear London, I Love you!

2010-04-16T21:38:00.000-05:00

You know how people joke about the saying "Mind the gap" Well they are not lying. I believe that while on the tube you are reminded of this about hmmm let me see 38 million/trillion times. Now i understand if there was a huge gap, but there isnt much to it. Anywho, just thought id fill you all ion that! London was purely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!
I was able to see one of my wonderful roommates Kelly and my sorority sister, little miss sunshine herself, Anna! They were so hospitable to us. it was so nice and appreciative. We arrived and me and my friend Marie toured around the Chelsea area. My friends live in South Kennsington, the nice, rich part of London... NICE. ANywho we wandered around to some stores and had to make a stop at Mcdonalds. Now dont judge until i tell you! They had there something called "GO for the goo." It was a smashed up cadbury egg in vanilla icecream. We could NOT pass that up. It was actually quite splendid. Then we sat in a park area with water squirtter thingys and watched all the people and cute children... I have noticed something. The men in London dress so stunningly. I was impressed. Quite a few have that RObert Pattinson scruffy rompous going on but others dress so neat and nice. Maybe that wave will hit American bnoys. J/K. We met up with Kelly and Anna that night and went to dinner. It was in the area by all the musical places and what not. Lancester square We also went to Picadilly Square (A smaller version of time square). I love saying that over and over:Picadilly hahaha I cant remember the name. we then wandered around to Buckinham Palace and climbed the Lions nearby there. They were huge lion statues and those buggers were hard to climb up onto, but i did it! Also that night me and Marie did not realize we were staying in a hostile room with men and women. We walked in to find an older man sleeping in tight undies with his legs open. You can picture what we saw and it was not a pretty sight! haha. I still giggle about that.
The next morning we went to Portobella road. On the way we found a store with everything for 5 pounds!!!! I couldnt beleive it... Also i found a CHEETAH dress there for only 5 pounds. Brilliant! Then we walked through to all the cute stands of different things. We tried an amazing cupcake with chocolate and cheesecake and then frosted with cream cheese. It was delectable. After that We ate pasta at the girls apartment then me and Kelly went and saw "Avenue Q." It is a play involving sassy puppets, but it is so funny!!!! Later that night we went to another musical called "Priscilla, Queen of the desert" OMG it was a bunch of drag queens heading across Australia. The plot wasnt the best but the costumes were out of this world. Also it is so sad how good men look in dresses with their nice legs and bodies. I was jealous! lol. I was so pumped for hitting up 2 musicals, because that is what i wanted to do while in London. I just love musicals!
The next day we toured around town seeing Buckingham palace in the daylight along with Big Ben! Also the London Eye was quite a sight. I was on a smaller version of the London eye in Belfast because Northern Ireland is modeled after Britian and has many of its ways. We also went and had High Tea near Princess Dianas old Palace. OMG At first i was like, "I dont like Tea." Well let me tell you it was not just tea. Along with my cinnamon tea(WHich tasted delicious after 3 sugar cubes) there was a three layer stand with first plate holding four finger sandwiches(ham,cheese, and cucumber). The second plate had a huge amazing orange scone which we ate with butter and jekky. I was looking the most forward to eating a sco ne while in London and i finally had one. FInally the third and highest plate had a little chocolate cream donut and a passionfruit tart thingy. DEALICIOUS!!!! It was so worth the 14 pounds it cost, It was a true English experience. I cannot beleive that so many people have high tea everyday later in the afternoon. I think i could get use to that. ALso ummm i got to see the arena/stadium the SPice Girls performed at in their movie "SPice World." ALl the areas i saw reminded me of that movie for some weird reason. Another note id like to make. The english men dress so stylish! I Love it. There are 2 styles. The scruffy Robert Pattinson style(Thats ok) But then theres the Stylish nice jeans shirt rompous. SO classy! Another thing we did this day is found PLatform 9 and 3/4. I wish i could be like Harry Potter and run through the wall! Maybe in my later life.
That night we went on the "Jack the Ripper" or as i kept referring to him, "Jim the Reaper" walking tour. The man who gave the tour has written a few books on this mystery and was really good at telling all the stories. The scary thing being that no one ever caught this sick murderer who killed 5 prostittes and would slit their throat to the neckbone, then cut them up from their crootch to their chest. SICK. We got lost in this sketchy area after that so that was great. Also on the way to the tour we met some crazy man on the tube. I think he had elephantitus in his feet and he was drunk. He threw his can out of the tube on a stop and would not stop harrasing the peopl across from him calling the one guy a hippie! It was quite funny/scary at the same time.
That night it was off to the airport for a nice rest.... haha NOT. ALso we got our phone booth picks which everyone has to get when there. Those red phone booths are quite classy looking.
I absolutely loved London, minus the bathrooms in our hostile. While in the bathroom one would be able to reach their hands out of the shower to wash their hands and sit on the toilet at the same time. ALso seeing the older man in his tight underwear sleeping was unforgettable as well! How precious! hahaha ANywho when traveling to London, please do NOT forget to "MIND THE GAP!"
Love you all!
Remember "Tanya Sue Loves you!"

Whomever said a stroll in the park is supposed to be relaxing is somewhat incorrect!! ROmpous!

2010-04-08T06:22:00.010-05:00

HOPPY BELATED EASTER everyone!!! Boy ogh boy you really miss the family and appreciate them more when away especially in a different country. It was a splendid day though. Some girls and i went to Christs Cathedral Church.... where we did not have to pay to see inside it and enjoyed a nice mass there. The singing was amazing but they sang such depressing never ending songs!! But yet, they were amazing. There was also a million preists and other holy leaders there! After that we took a stroll because it was a beautiful sunny day with NO RAIN!!!! That night the girls and i gathered together a nice dinner consisting of my favorite, deviled eggs, ham, salad, garlic bread, beans, assortment of cheeses and ofcourse a chocolate dessert. To say the least it was splendid!!! My friend Becca and i exchanged little easter gifts. She got me this awesome Easter bag full of candy and coloring pages with crayons and sweet Liger/tiger/panther huge tattoos. I might be sporting one when i arrive home! hahaha.
Anywho, my time is dwindling down here and i am sad..... But so excited to go home. OMG a few weeks ago i was surprised with being asked to be the queen of TKE a sweet fraternity on our campus! I was so overjoyed i jumped around in my pajamas in my room by myself. It was quite classy, if i do say so myself!! hahaha! I am so excited to go home and see my boys!!!
Now on to my story pertaining to the title of this blog. So i have been going for a jog everyday to try and get back into shape and try to loose some of this darn weight i have put on even though i already walk everywhere else and it makes no sense. ANYWHO! I was jogging to the Lovely Phoenix park where i met my friend Julie. She told me she just got attacked by a bunch of 12 year old children. SHe was sitting by the monuement doing some homework when the children started spitting on her. While walking away they were throwing sticks at her and a big one hit her in the back of the head. Now let me tell you all a little about the young Irish/ghetto children here. When we first arrived and it would snow the children would come out of nowhere and throw snowballs at anyone walking by. I seriously could have thrown one back... but i resisted. ANywho theres a little insight. Julie and i were walking around the park for my cool down and just talking. We came across the playground and she pointed saying there are some of the children. I asked her if she wanted to go up the other way and she said no. We both said they wont bother us because there were so many adults there with their children... BOY were we wrong! As were walking by the oldest 12 year old boy starts yelling to his friends! 'There she is, Sky, there she is' Next thing you know all these children in their highschool musical jumpsuits/trackee outfits come running at us. Julie and i start walking up the steps and they trap us on both sides. Im thinking to myself, "Seriously there are like 10 12 year olds right now waiting with huge sticks in their hands... nice." ANywho let me tell ya the language they were using was just so sick i have heard little children swear before but never like this. Theri words were so vulgar, i still cant get over it! Nex thing i know they are grabbing sticks and what not and right next to us. I am talking to the 2 little high school musical girls and asking them why they are doing this to people they do not even know.
They were very sassy back and so innapropriate to us. I tried talking calmly even though it was pointless. SOmeone with a baby carriage came down the steps and they stopped throwing then but that person didnt ecven help us, just swore at the kids. I cannot beleive that the parents in the park saw these children doing this and didnt come to help us. Finally a adult Irish woman came and apologized to us about the children. SHe said they do this to so many people even her. SHe said she use to take it personally but not anymore, she said you cannot. While we were standing down below the hill they kept throwing rocks at us hitting us here and there. i did not turn my back because i didnt want to get hit in the back of the head. I can honestly say i wanted to go after those children. The lady told us that they call children like that a certain name, fannies or something and that they will sadly never go anywhere in life and they are just like their parents. I felt sorry for them and so angry with their parents. As a rock hit my foot it was time to leave. As another rock hit my foot i had enough and we began walking away after ignoring them for a long time. The Irish women turned and snapped at the children after another deragatory comment and she said " Your Irish and so am i and you are making our country look bad to Americans!" They replied with a horrible comment back to her. We kept walking. SHe looked so sad like she wanted to cry she was just so embarrassed. But Julie and i Love it here and know that not all Dublin is like this.
So off we go home trying to get over what just took place when a beggar gets all up in our grill... It was just so crazy, i mean us out of all the people around us and he bothers us! Then there was a special ed girl walking across the Luas tacks with a gaurdian of some sort. The girl trips the lady and keeps walking. The lady is laying on the tracks yelling at the girl!! I felt bad but i had to laugh.... What the CRACk was going on. Thank God me and Julie were able to experience this other crazy world together... No one around could have went through and saw what we did that day let alone everyday!!! Theres the outside world and then our world!! hahaha
Just the other day i went to Dalkey with some friends of mine who are staying with a host family. It is so beautifuol there and Bono from U2 lives there. Enya also lives there in a huge castle, my dream house!!! We were having a photo shoot when a cute cat reminding me of my handsome boys because its colors were put togwether the same as my cats! He was so precious and loved the camera. I had a spklendid meal at their house... Huge portions! It reminded me of home!!!! hahaha I love Olivia and Suzy. They are such kindhearted girls!!
Anywho, my week has been pretty much amazing... and interesting. I am off to London tomorrow to see some friends!! I am so excited for scones!!!!!! Yummy!!!!
Hope all is well! Also remember a stroll in the park may not be as peaceful as one may think. When you see a gang of little ones here is my advice: TURN AND RUN!!! I know this sounds crazy and your thinking why are you afraid of a bunch of 10-12 year olds. COme to DUblin and i will show you!!!
Remember, " Tanya Sue Loves You!!!!"

Guten Tag- Ed, WHat ya doing on the Bathroom Floor??

2010-04-01T16:19:00.007-05:00

GUTEN TAG!!!!! Wie hast du?
Well friends it was off to Berlin, germany this past weekend. Boy oh boy was i pumped. We were fortunate enough to stay with one of my sassy German friends. He has been interning at a company for awhile in Berlin and was leaving a few days after our visit so timing was perfect. I was excited for my girls to meet this sass. We arrived in the morning and headed straight to the Brandenburg Gate, basically the center of Berlin where the government building (Bundestag) is near. Gahd i realized how much i had missed this place. it had been 4 years since i was last here and all the memories were flashing back into my head. I came four years previously with my German teacher Frau Grimes and some class members and we were able to experience the world cup and everything Germany had to offer. I kept thinking back to meeting everyone and remembering how close we all got. It was grand to be back but i wish my sidekick Jason was with me. I could picture all his funny impersonations!.
We took the free 3-4 hour walking tour, the same one we took in Scotland. Again it turned out to be purely amazing. I remembered each place we hit. The place of the burning of the books, the wall, Check Point Charlie, The holocaust monuement and more. We were also able to see where Hitler's bunker is(Well its underground). It is a parking lot and our tour guide said often times people walk their dogs to the spot and the dogs have a little job to take care of. haha. Thats right.
Anywho, after the splendid tour we hit up the jewish museum which was right underground. It was very informational and sad. I am very interested in this subject but am always left feeling so sad and wishing things could have been different. After we met up the famous sass of them all Christoph. it was so nice to see him after so long. Even his voice seemed deeper... could he possibly have grown up... hmmm No! haha jk. Anywho we went to dinner and i had my first Becks. Gahd i have missed that stuff. I am telling you it for sure beats Guiness!!! Also I need to mention, I love Berliner Weiss. frau Grimes got me hooked on this precious raspberry beer four years ago. I wish you all could try it, it tastes like juice. Anywho it was off to bed, we were all pooped.
Next morning us three girls woke up and hit up the concentration camp called sachsenhausen. Words cannot describe how me and the 2 others felt walking in and around the place. I have never been in a colder, darker place. By the end i wanted to run out because i was so scared. I do not know how to describe it. I felt just sick and awful and i wanted to leave and never return. I cannot even imagine how those poor people felt. I will never understood how people could do such awful things.
We met up with Christoph after he was done with work.... It was his last day so we went oout and celebrated at this disco called Lido!! it was so much fun. it unfortunately down poured on the way there but we worked it out. I love traveling with Allison and Alexis.... never a dull moment. The next morning was probably a moment i will never forget. haha I laugh just thinking about it. Christoph fell asleep in the bathroom and Lex had to use the bathroom so i had to wake up the snoring bear. It's one of those moments when you have to be there to understand the extent of funniness! After that we were up and out the door. I was so pumped me and Lex shared a huge bratwurst. The Brat was so long with a tiny bun, but sadly there was no sauerkraut... What the crack? Anywho we hit up the German museum. It was so big and had lots of information. It was well worth my 5 euro! On a random note i would like you all to know that Mc Donalds here sells chocolate cake, yes that is right my friends, CHOCOLATE cake. Lex and i may or may not have eaten one before hitting up the airport. ANYWHO....
That night our wonderful host, Christoph brought us to the Ritte Sport place! Can we talk about temptation..... I love German Chocolate. All the bars were .79 cents. I had to limit myself to three. Then you know we couldnt pass up the desserts they made with this chocolate. I was in heaven. it was pure rompous.
Also id like to mention that we were unaware of this time change taking place if it hadnt have been for Allisons alarm on her blackberry. We would have missed our flights.... But we made it! Im telling ya, its the luck of the irish.... it is starting to stick with us...
SO over all this trip was more successful then Budapest(although Budapest was funn we just had horrible luck). I was sad i did not get to see my other German friend Malte, but im sure we will meet again sometime. The whole trip was better because we got to stay with my friend. He was such a sass but so hospitable. But i cannot say too much without his head blowing up! hahha
I felt that having my german roommate Moni has helped me remember some of my German, ein bissen ( a little) at least. I love Germany and i LOVE the people. It is a place everyone needs to check out. Also the food such as breads are pure amazing..... Thank gahd i am not living there. It be temptation city.
Hope all is well!
Ich Liebe Dich!!! xoxoxoxoxo

ST. Paddy's day, not Patty's-thats a girls name!

2010-03-21T14:52:00.006-05:00

Ladies and gents, I experienced the most savage Craic because i was able to spend St. Paddy's day in the one and only Dublin, Ireland, home of the clovers, leprechauns and beer. Well, well well, where to begin.
Let me reverse back a few days. One of my best friends and roommate came to visit me. It was so splendid spending time with Rachel aka the Overgrown. We traveled to the beautiful countryside in Bre which was only a halfhour on the dart. We arrived towards sun down but were able to catch it while walking along the beach. We climbed halfway up the monster hill but then it was getting too dark and i did not feel like being one of those "gone missing" peoples. It scares me sometimes at night in areas i do not know. Anywho we climbed back down the hill and hit up what we thought was an Irish restaurant but turned out to be owned by a Polish couple. They were so sweet and we had nice conversation. We headed back into town and sang a few tunes at karokee. Here Rach tried her first Bulmers (Cider). Goodness i love that stuff. They have a berry kind now! it is pure Class.
The next day we went to St. Patricks Festival Ceili. Many people attended this and they were teaching us Irish dance moves(Celtic). It was fun prancing around. it reminded me of my good old days dancing celtic style. There were so many people from all over here to celebrate. i think their were more tourists out then Irish. Funny! Anywho that night i introduced Rachel to my favorite dance place called Dicey's. We had a blast dancing together just like back at SNC.
Rise and shine!! Next morning we were up at 8 a.m. My roommate Moni, Rach and i all applied green eyeshadow and put on our accesories. I wore my Irish Rugby jersey along with a cowgirl hat!!! Stylish! We hit the city and headed to Oconnel street to watch the parade. The parade started late and we were only able to catch a little bit of it because we had tickets to a hurling and Gaelic football match. What we saw of the parade was pretty crazy and fun. We saw St. Patrick himself, i felt so tickled. Anywho we headed to Croke par for the game. I did not quite understand the rules but the older swearing men behind us clued us in. All i know is that in hurling i would NOT want to get hit by one of their sticks. Also i do not understand how no one wears pads in any sports here. its so crazy.. They must be some really BIG boys here. I am so happy i was able to experience Irish sports and actually see them first hand! I have become a big rugby fan while here as well. Unfortunately Ireland lost to Scotland on Saturday( But i was secretly rooting for Scotland as well!! SHHHH.) ANywho we celebrated in Temple bar area St. paddy's night. There were so many people out dressed crazily in green and shamrocks and everything imaginable. I was kinda digging the short green bobbed hair whigs. Maybe next year ill invest in one! I also was shocked to see all the medical people out and about... My goodness how drunk did people get. but then again i am in Ireland so what kind of a question is that!!
Overall it was a wonderful celebration. I was so fortunate to be here in the native town. It was fun seeing all the different people although i am dissapointed i didn't drink any green beer!!! haha thats minor. I will forever remember being in Ireland for this special day. The pictures will always flash in my head. I am still looking for the lucky charm man and i only have a little while longer.. Wish me luck! I know he is out there! Hope all is well and remember "Tanya Sue Loves you!"
Have a grand day! xoxoxoxo

Galway is the way!!- Savage Beauty!!

2010-03-20T09:52:00.004-05:00

Top of the morning to ya. My latest expedition was the beautiful lands of Galway. Let me tell you it was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. It was another class trip all of us Americans took within the program. We headed there thursday morning and were able to bop around the main city part the first day. Two of my friends were getting peircings and i had to leave the room due to my weakness of needles and the "B" word which i cannot mention without getting weak and my fingers feeling as though they are paralyzed. Anywho, i wandered around the town for awhile by myself and stumbled into a salon where i had my bangs or as they call it "fringe" trimmed. It was cheap and i needed it done. My hair is getting so long, i cannot wait to get it cut when i go back home but for now it works. I also bought myself some more hairspray, what an achievement! I can honestly say this trip has helped make me a more independent person! I really like that rompous!
That night we went out to a bar with a friends parents of mine where they had coctails for 5 euro! BARGAIN!!! We topped the night off with an amazing gyro and fries with vinegar( Im going to miss this but i am thinking of carrying a bottle of vinegar around with me in the states for fries!)
Next day we were off to Connermara which is savage beauty and one of the last unspoilt areas in ireland. It has also been regaurded as the real EMERALD of ireland! It was so busy minus the fact i got bus sick on the bus and needed a garbage bag. We were basically offroading it times 5. I had to move to the front of the bus which was great because me and the bus driver became bofofs! Anywho we arrived at a Kylemore Abbey (Castle) which was now turned into a nun convent area. We got too go inside a few rooms. It was built back in the day by some rich irish man! It was interesting. We wandered to the garden area but it was more like a dead garden right now, but i am sure it is beautiful in the in season. I figured this castle could be my third castle for summer days. I have my castle in Scotland, Dublin and now here in Galway- life is grand. that night i took it easy and stayed in and watched American Idol and some sassy vampire show that i became addicted too. Its something about Vampires.....
The next day we traveled to the Aran island. We climbed up to the cliffs. it was so MAGICAL. Although i was nervous at first getting close to the edge. My luck would be id trip or something and then bye bye ireland. I sat with my feet dangling over the edge just pondering life, something i tend to do a lot! It made me wish everyone i loved could be there with me at that very moment. I am so thankful for my life. We toured the small city of about 800 and even went into their only supermarket!! The big sale item there was sweaters. They were so beautiful but expensive. They were so beautiful and handmade(At least some were). That night we hit the town. It was so crazy how there would be people outside who would stamp you and take you to the bar and give free drinks. it definitely is a college persons trap! But i loved it. it was fun!! We danced the night away. On the bus ride home i was thinking how bloated i was from all our 3 course nightly dinners. blahhhhh! Also i bought an official rugby jersey in Galway! its black and has green on it with the Puma cat!! SO PUMPED!!! Now i fit in!! Love it!!! Anywho remember folks that Galway is the way to go! It was so nice to see yet another part of Ireland! I cannot get enough.
Anywho it was time to get back and prep for the one and only ST. Paddy's day!!!!!
Catch ya all on the flip side! Love you!
xoxoxo CHEETAH

Budapest- ED, HEV, Christian, Sarah, Bad Luck, no Credit Cards, Tickets, PURE ROMPOUS

2010-03-14T17:01:00.016-05:00

Hello Friends, i am sorry i am behind in my blogs but i am catching up!! Life has just gotten crazy here with everything going on! Budapest was my last big adventure. Folks, brace yourself for the stories i am about to tell you. Do not judge Budapest based on our misfortunes and bad luck!!!
Now i would first like to say i am so thankful the 3 of us that went found humor in all our misfortunes because otherwise the trip would have been miserable. I am so thankful to have friends like Allison and Alexis. Away i go!!!
After arriving in Budapest i realized i was missing forents(Hungary money) Before we left i went to the Bank of Ireland and exchange 60 euros for 15,000 forents(its cornfusing, I KNOW!) Anywho, the lady had only given me 11,400 in forent. I was very upset because that means i lost over 15 euros which equals more than 25 dollars. ROMPOUS!! What made me upset was that the lady was very rude to me and was busy yelling at other workers rather than helping me out. She counted out 15,000 forents and gave it to me and at that time i beleived it was all there. I Always check my money but i figured it was a foreign money, shed get it right. Ok so anywho i was just looking at the fact that we were all safe. Yes its a bummer to loose money, but there are worse things in life. Well, that was only the beginning of our bad luck. We were heading to hop onto the metro when Alexis realized she left her backpack on the bus from the airport to where we were. We went sprinting after the buses, but couldnt find bus 93. We were asking all the bus drivers and ofcourse with all our luck none of them could speak English. We wandered around for 45 minutes. It was terribly cold, colder than Dublin, almost like i was back in the U.P. We took the metro and walked our way to our bed and Breakfast. The whole way there we had the giggles from what just all took place. Thank goodness Alexis could laugh about it. We settled in with some nice MILKA chocolate( You need to try the biscuit and white cream one-Take my word, you'll become addicted). Next morning we woke up still feeling pretty much like P-Diddy!! haha.
We headed into town on our favorite train, the HEV!!!!! haha. We had to wait for it at this ghetto building everyday. it was entertaining. We went to the mall so Alexis could buy things she needed. Then we headed to my favorite place of the trip; the Hous of Terror. It contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in 20th century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building. It was very touching and sad. it reminded me of the Holocaust, it was very upsetting. We were able to go into the basement and look into the cells. There was an eerie feeling in the air the whole time. After that we hopped on the subway to encounter our next misfortune.
We are all sitting peacefully on the metro when the metro police come on and ask to see tickets. We sho the woman ours and she says "You do not have it validated, you owe a fine" We were thinking what the crack. We told her that we just got there, were tourists and did not realize you had to stick it in some machine, i mean we did not see the people before us do it. The lady was very rude and not very nice. A few Hungary natives next to us were trying to defend us and trying to talk to us, but we could not understand what they were saying. The only words i made out were "Watch, keep the ticket, they might pocket." The ladies mean sidekick came over then and i asked her if she spoke English and with a smart reply she said "I do not speak English" and walked away from me! The lady grabbed 10 euro out of Allisons wallet and walked away with our other money. We were fined 12,000 forents which is like 45 euro. I went up to the women and said you took too much money from us. She gave us only a little back and hopped on the metro before we could catch her. We were VERY upset. How dare they treat us that way just because we are young tourists. We were all so angry. To make matters better no one would take my 2 2oo forents because those bills were expired last year! THANK YOU AGAIN BANK of IRELAND WOMAN!!! AT this point we were all frustrated and hungry and just worn out from everything going on.
That night we tried finding this cool club with graffitti walls that the 20009 tour book told us about and we ended up walking into a hostel party. Oh and then we found the place: it was a huge pile of dirt. Apparently the club was torn down. Fail. So we ended up at this other class that had about 100 steps you had to climb to get to. it was chill and nice girl time.
Darn it, the next morning we slept in and missed breakfast! Bummer. It was Sunday so a lot of things were closed. We went sightseeing to different places. The Opera House was my favorite. it was very elegant from the outside, it would be so cool to see a show in there someday! That night we were looking for places that took credit cards because we needed to use them. We finally found this really cool submarine looking place. The people were so nice. We also had a shot of hungarian raspberry(It was STRONG!) Then came our luck again:\; the credit card machine would not work. WOOOOO! So, Christian our waiter walked with us all to an ATM. He seemed so cool and was telling us how he was going to be a dr. and what not. We walked back to the resturaunt, paid and our new friend, Christian invited us to meet him and the cook at a pub later. We thought why not. We went to a pub called "For Sale" where we met a Canadian couple who were visiting there old foreign exchange students one from Hungary the other from Sweden. It was so nice talking with people who spoke English well. They were so sweet! Also the 2 guys playing guitars and singing were entertaining because they were singing American songs with their thick Hungarian accent!! haha Christian and his friend met us and seemed really cool. The bar closed and we were going to catch the bus. Well it was now 3 A.M. we missed the bus because we were pointed in all different directions, there was a beggar following us and random men walking by. I have never felt as scared and cold as i did then!!! Then, Alexis received a creeper text from Christain saying very perverted things. We all felt so disgusting and sick. How could someone think and say such a thing. We all had our scarfs wrapped around our heads. We went back to the bar and asked the guy for help. He called over a taxi and asked how much. He said 3,000 forents. The bar tender then took a 2,000 forent from his pocket and gave it to us. That was so sweet of him. See we always had bad luck, then something good to happen. Laying in bed it was 4 a.m. once again we all had the giggles thinking about all the rompous taking place. Then ofcourse we were thinking oh great, what bad luck is coming our way next? hahaha.
Well we missed breakfast again, bummer. We packed our stuff and went to the lobby. Lex was trying to call her mom and the guy at the desk said hed help. He dialed the number on the phone then once she hung up he said "That costs 300" OH Rompous...... i guess you had to be there, but did we ever have the giggles. We went to a huge flee market thing and walked around that after having a nice lunch. After wandering across the bridges we came across the Turkish Baths(Which we SHOULDVE went in) But by this point we had no money and were just burnt out. I would love to go back someday to see them. We hopped on the metro and off to the airport we went.
While sitting in the airport we made up some new lyrics to the song "Tik Tok" which us 3 will record soon and it involves all our experiences! Just wait!
Overall the trip was quite hillarious even though that may seem like an odd way to describe such a disastrous/fail trip. But the 2 girls i was with made it funny. They truly are 2 amazing people to travel with, thank God for them on this trip. We felt budapest had it out for us. As soon as i was back in Ireland I seemed to regain some luck. I was given back my 15 euro from the bank! Hallelujah!!!
SO Budapest might have not liked us at the time but it is a city with beautiful buildings and shops. If your ever there check out the Turkish baths and let me know how they are!!!! We all said someday we'd go back and see how our luck was then!!!
Love you all times a million!

Athens, CHOCOLATE and Santorini and 7 different ways of transportation! ROMPOUS!

2010-03-14T12:55:00.011-05:00

My friends, if there is anything i can say is in your lifetime you need to try something at a Greek bakery in Greece. OMG!!! AMazingness cannot even begin to describe it!
So once the planes landed we all met up together and searched out our hotel. We legit were in the ghettos of Athens... If only you could have seen what we saw. We finally found the place and hit up a cute bakery along our walk into town. I had the most delicious ham and cheese croissant i have ever tasted in my life. I could have ate a few more. We then wandered into town and found the Acropolis but were dissapointed when we couldn't enter in to go to the top where it was. It was still a beautiful sight from below. It is so weird seeing these things up close in person. I had never imagined seeing it unless it was through a book or something. Then it was time to put on our hiking boots. We climbed up a huge hill of rocks (Which is famoous for one of the Apostles speaking from). The view was astonishing. You could see everything. I sat and wrote some lyrics for a song and took in all of Gods beauty. It are times like these that are my favorite. it is nice to relax and think about life and how fortunate i am to be on an adventure like this. I truly am thankful for my family and friends.
We met this man named Apollo and ate at a Greek restaurant where i had a real GREEK Gyro... it was deilicious!!! The rest of the story is crazy... Ask me sometime about Apollo and i will tell you!
The next morning we were up at the crack of dawn and hit up that same bakery one more time. This time i had a chocolate croissant that melted in my mouth. it was like i was in heaven and helped me to forget that it was 6 am in the morning. We headed to the port to catch our 9 hour boat ride to Santorini. We figured we could see the beautiful scenary rather than taking a plane. True statement!! There were 4 dogs in the port and one of them was an older one with bad hips. it reminded me of our neighbors dog Sarah who visits all the time and is basically part of our family. Then i saw a man kick a dog and i LITERALLY yelled at him. It is so sad seeing these dogs at least some people were kind enough to acknowledge them. I took my Dramamine hoping it would knock me out for a few hours, but of course my wonderful Bronchitis cough would wake me up as soon as i was falling asleep and id have a coughing attack for about 5 minutes. Once wiping the water from my eyes and trying to take a deep breath i would ponder at the beautiful surroundings. I am so lucky to be here is what i thought.
We reached the island and were picked up by the owner of our bed and breakfast. We slowly made our way up the mountain. I had a little panick attack when the van was slowing down and making a sputtering noise..... i was sure we were going backwards. The hills were so steep!! The bed and breakfast was cute. We had a nice porch overlooking the land. One of my most memorable moments is us renting the four wheelers. Us three girls had our helmets on and cruised the island looking like 3 bad ass chicks. We rode down to Oia(the town where they taped "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" scenes) . OMG!! We looked up into the cliffs and saw so many cute greek looking houses, just like in the movie. It was so crazy!!!! I loved everything about this moment. Everything for once seemed perfect. We cruised back into town and ate at "Mamma's house" where i had a delicious garlic Pasta, then ended our evening with some delicious Greek Chocolate( Although i had a candy bar that tasted like 25 1/2 year old chalk-Boof).
The next morning we hit up the red and black beaches. There were not many people on the island especially around this time of the year but it was nice. it was nice to have peace and quiet and just drive our four wheelers instead of worrying about hitting someone or something. Because let me tell ya, those beasts could move. Anywho, sadly we had to return them. Also i forgot to mention the owner of the shop had the cutest pregnant cat. She jumped and sat right on my lap.. Gahd i love animals! Our hotel was nice as well, although i am not sure how much i like showers where i have to hold the shower head. I cannot just stand there and relax then. Its a European thing i guess, part of the experience. We scooted our way down the many steep hills to get back to shore to wait for the boat. I said my prayers before heading down. Once on the boat, round two of Dramamine and again FAIL. Let me tell you something else i got a rash on my legs somehow. Oh goody it was just another little treasure to add to my cough and lack of hearing from my left ear!! hhaha I do not mean to complain. I did love my time. It just would have been nice to not have all these various rompouses going on. Once off the fairy we missed our bus to the airport because we were waiting in the wrong place but then caught another one.
WOOOOHOOO another night in the airport.. I took all my cough medicines and pills and couldnt sleep. Next thing i know we landed in Zurich, Switzerland... haha I barely remember getting on the plane due to the lack of sleep and drowsiness from all the meds. I really am not a druggie! Any who we landed in Dublin and were soon back at home in the ghettos of good ole' Smith field.
Overall this trip was amazing. I traveled with amazing people and got to see 2 of my best friends. Who could ask for more??? Also i will never forget the night at a bar. We were eating there along with another family. They left and we didn't. Next thing you know the lights dimmed and it turned into another type of bar, hahaha... Ask me about that.
I Loved seeing all the ruins in person. I cannot believe this whole experience i had. Also during these 8 days we were on a plane, metro, train, subway, boat, 4 person bike and fourwheeler..... 7 different ways of transportation! I find that to be an accomplishment. My trip here will never be forgotten even the itchiness of the rash.
SO when your feeling the itch to experience something great my friends, hit up Italy and Greece. You cannot go wrong with the food, people, food, landmarks, food, beautiful scenary and food. Also, the Sisteen Chapel In Rome is an unforgetable experience that no one can even imagine until there in the building seeing all the beautiful paintings.
Note the picture with the toilet paper blowing in the air. Laura and i were both sick and took toilet paper rolls with us everywhere we went because you never know when your nose was going to decide to run. hahaha I will never forget this!!!
Remember, Tanya Sue Loves You!!!!

Ciao Bella- Not leaving Rome so fast.

2010-03-09T19:52:00.004-06:00

Hello my dumplings. Now i am adding this lil segment on because i want to make sure i have covered everything even if i double up a little.... Get my drift???
To start off, i will tell you about the Flower man! Allison and i were walking along, minding our own business when a man with flowers approached. He handed them to us and i gave them back because i knew he'd make me buy them..... Well he handed them back saying "a gift for you." Now i don't know if this is just me but a gift means you do NOT pay anything... right?? Well Flower man said he "Gave us luck" so now we need to give him some Moola.... Ummm Sir are we talking the same meaning of gift. So allison gave him 50 cents and another for me....he was not happy so i tried giving my flower back and he would not take it..... welll..... then he got angry with us and walked away to his other possy's. Rompous.
Flight rompous: We received a message(Thank goodness for Allisons blackberry) about our flight being canceled from Rome to Athens due to Air traffic strikers in Athens. So Lara and i switched planes ending up paying extra money.... woohoooo. Now heres the only good thing. We flew swiss airlines and got miniature Toblerone bars!!! Now im talking!!!
Champagne and orage juice(I cant spell that darn word they are called, Mamosas) haha
One night us three girls enjoyed a relaxing night consisting of girl talk and these lovely drinks. We were able to take in the noises of Rome through our apartment window! What splendid times it was. I still cannot get over the fact that it was like we were living in a mans apartment... I mean where was he sleeping on the roof??? Cornfusion!
Also another thing id like to mention is the cat sanctuary.
It was this area with rundown rompous and it was on a lower level then the road. When i looked below in it i saw cats everywhere. This was a home for them. It made me miss my handsome boys Gerald Deeney Weeney and Thomas lee immediately. One of the cats came up to me and was purring so loud. OFCOURSE i had to pet it, but NO worries i immediately washed my hands. It was so precious though.
OK so we decided while there we found exactly what id look like when i am 70 or 80. I will look exactly like that sideways picture of the elderly lady in the cheetah print!!! hahahah I love her style. We totes have the same AMAZING taste. She was so CHEETAHLICIOUS!!!!!!
PiZZA is legit coming out of my head. We ate so much of it, but i enjoyed every bite..... I feel as though my daily diet if living in Rome would be Chocolate croissant for breakfast, Pizza for lunch, Pasta for dinner with wine, topping it off with some gelato. Hence why i can never live there.
Anywho it is now time to move on to Athens! Ciao <3

Ciao Bella!! Rome here we come!!!

2010-03-04T13:10:00.003-06:00

Hello all my fellow followers.... My goodness it has been quite awhile, and i am sorry about that. I have missed you! This will be a long blog!!
Last Friday, Lara Allison and i set out on our adventure to Rome!! Colosseum here we come!! We arrived later at night because our flights were being a sass and then we had to fly into Zurich Switzerland(I wanted Swedish Chocolate). After getting lost, we found our 'interesting' bed and breakfast later finding out there is NO breakfast! haha. The place we stayed was just funny because it seemed like this man literally rented out his apartment of 3 rooms to people., Where the crack did he sleep?? haha anywho we had a nice big room and bathroom so it worked. That night we met up with some guy friends from SNC and went to some bars and ofcourse got gellato. Although we were lost at first due to there being too many different water fountaiins to pick from to meet at. haha we were at the wrong one, for awhile.
We were a 5 minute walk away from the Vatican. I was so excited because id soon be seeing my best friend Jason who is studying there. WOW.. The Vatican!!! Beautiful area with St. Peters Basilica facing us with the Popes apartment building off to the right, beautiful water fountains, cobblestone and tall collumns. It was like a movie because as soon as i saw Jason we slowly ran together to hug. It was by far quite Precious if i do say so myself. To make things even better, we were able to see the Pope speak to us. YES, a red carpet was rolled out of his window and he emerged greeting everyone in 7 different languages and saying a prayer! HOW COOL IS THAT!!! One does not get to see that everyday!! ROMPOUS!!! There were so many people gathered from all diferent place and everyone fell silent when the Pope Spoke. It was such an experience. After that we wandered with Jason to find a "Cheap" pizza place.... Let me just say i gained about 78 1/2 pounds on this darn trip. Anywho then we proceeded to get gelatto, bc i mean you cannot not get it when in Italy!
Next stop was the Colosseum. It was crazy walking down a huge road flooded with people and off in the distance is a broken down building that i have only seen in pictures. Along the walk there are many ruins that are just so intriguing to see. I was also fortunate enough to meet one of my roomies from SNC kelly M. along the path.... It was like a little reunion!!! We all went on and toured all the different ruins, taking many pictures. Although we did not have enough time to go into the Colosseum, so we would the next day! That night we had a nice italian Dinner!!! Jason took us around the area he lives which is Trastevere. May i say how much i love the multiple courses.
The next day we hit up the Colosseum!! It was so crazy!! Such huge rocks to create something where gladiators once fought and people were persecuted by men or animals. Some of the stories are just terrible. In Highschool Jason and i were in this play, "when in Rome" where most of it was set in the Colloseum. For a minute we got into our characters of Senator Altilis and the Princess. haha. Next we headed off to the Spanish steps. Gahd those were a climb. We kept walking up the hill till we came across a park. Here is where the amazingness starts. We decided to rent a 4 person bike!!! 2 in the front and 2 in the back..... guess who was driver first.... ME!!! We each proceeded switching off and driving, my goodness it was a lot of work pedaling. Then It was Laras turn... She tends to like to off road things more rather than sticking to paths. We flew down a rocky, grassy hill full speed and clipped part of a bush!! She always tells me exaggerate the story but i do no such rompous. We then were in the middle of a road which led to a highway... But i do have to say that was the ride of my life. We could not stop giggling!!! After our big day we were hungry and once again ate at a nice resturaunt. We had chocolate cake dessert and inside it was like an apricot filling... i think i wouldve preferred like raspberry or strawberry.!
I cannot remember all the exact orders of everything so i will just list the other things we did.
Well after getting stranded in Rome for another day, due to air traffic strikers in Greece, Allsion and i wandered off to an outside country area in italy. It was so beautiful. We could see the town below and the place was filled with beautiful water fountains. It was so picturesque. Here is where i got to eat my first Nutella and banana crepe and let me tell you it was delicious!! After our day out we went back to the Vatican city square and wandered around in St. peter's basilica. It was so beautiful inside.
Another day we traveled through all the holy building were able to enter the Sis teen Chapel. I was felt with such a refreshing feeling as i stared at the beautiful paintings all over. It is one of those feelings of happiness and releif that can not be described. it was perfect. we also went to many museums where we saw all the stone figured people. Boy oh boy i saw so many guys crouch aeas for that day!! Those statues are sassy!.
Ofcourse we shopped or as i like to describe my shopping as window shopping. I bought myself a scarf and green jacket. I loved all the different stores although i felt so out of place walking down the stretch where all the very expensive stores like Gucci and what not were. Maybe in years to come if i marry a sugar daddy or rich man i can shop there and look. But until then i steer clear!! ahahaha!
OH my rompous! I had this amazing pastry with Nutella all in the middle of it! Pure Rompous is what that was. Also i would like to mention that once again i was sick. What i thought was a sinus infection turned into bronchitus and i had the worst cough ive ever had in my life. it was awful. You know when your coughing straight for 5 minutes, your eyes are watering and ur gettig those hot sweats. Yes, that was sexy ole me the whole trip oh and the loud nose blowing. In rome alone we visited 5 different Pharmacies and i was drinking the cough syrup from the bottle to try and stop coughing!!! haha I am so thankful to how nice the girls were to me.. i felt bad keeping them up at night with mmy horrenous cough! We might have one night had orange juice and wine mixed while sitting in our beds one night!! No judging please.
Finally we hit up this resturaunt that looked like a hole in the wall place. All i saw were blue blinking lights and i was like! Hey Lets go there. The place was decorated with candles along the steps opening to a bar and then sitting area. There were also 2 other rooms filled with squishy couches and chairs. it was so cute in there.!! The food was great as well. I ordered this meatball thing that she said is the places most popuar... i just got two meatballs expecting to have spaghetti too!! hahaha But they were actually quite filling! Then we all just hung out there for a few hours drank hot chocolate and talked with the owner who is only 20!!!! I give her huge props for what she is already doing at that age!! So when your in room look for the blue lights, you will not be let down.
There are so many things i am sure i am missing from Rome! but i will add them in the next blog if need be. Well it was now tim to hit Athens, Greece..... and all i can say is the food... Out of this world, especially the fattening pastry's!
My friends, this is only a little of my story and will continue on in the next blog!!! Brace yourselves!! Love you!

Scotland, MY NEW LOVE

2010-02-14T18:37:00.003-06:00

Hello Friends. It has been too long. I am going to let you in on a little secret. I LOVE Scotland!
Last weekend 2 of my friends and i left for Edinburgh Friday morning. Also we slept in the airport thursday night to Friday, Gahd that was the best sleep ever... NOT! Anywho we arrived in Edinburgh at about 8 Am and took a bus to our hostile. As we were walking outside i glanced to my right and saw this huge beautiful castle up on the rocks!!! Can we talk about A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I basically decided that, that is my new house in the future. As we continued walking we saw more and more of the old town. It was so magnificent. That type of olden preserved style is my favorite. I am so happy they restored and kept most of the town the way it was back then.
Next we went on a free 4 hour walking tour!!! Pure Rompous! Our tour guide was from Chicago so we were able to understand her. She took us all around Edinburgh and told us the history and present. We saw the elephant Cafe where J.K. Rowling created and wrote Harry Potter. it was cool because if you walk around the cemetary you will find some of the names used in her books on the gravestones... Also we saw a wall made out of "Supposed" witches ashes!!! CREEPY! Also we learned about Friar Bobby. He was John Grays dog who was on watch with him. John Gray died and Friarbobby stood next to his grave for 12 years never leaving its side. TRUE STORY!! Gahd i Love animals so much and this story makes me love them even more! So that was pretty cool. That night(Friday) we met up with our new Australian friend, went out to eat, and hit up some scottish pubs and clubs! It was a blast!
Saturday morning we were off to Glasgow to meet mary, my grandmas pen pal of 60 years and her 41 year old son Robert. Mary is just the cutest thing ever, next to my 2 grandmas ofcourse! Her and Robert had lunch reserved for uus then took us on a walking tour of Glasgow. Robert worked in the tour industry for many ears so we had our own personal tour guide. Also for mary being 72 she kept up with us climbing the hills never complaining or needing to sit! What a champ. Then we headed to her home in Lanarkshire where Robert served us a 3 course elegant meal with white wine. We were in Heaven!! Also we had a nice warm shower and bed to sleep in. I have not been in an actual house for over a month. it was so nice. What really made the trip for me was when after dinner we looked through picture books till 1 a.m. in the morning of Mary and all my relatives. There were pictures of her holding me as a baby. Even pictures of her and her husband Robert with my relatives i never met because they passed aways before i was able to know them. It was so crazy and emotional. It is one of those moments that you never forget.
The next morning we went to some museums and the oldest house in Glasgow which dates to the 1400's-Now thats some old rompous!!! It was hard saying goodbye to Mary and Bill Because i consider them part of my family! We were off on our way back to Edinburgh- I was so pumped to see the castle again!
Sunday night we met up with some Scottish friends and went out to eat and then on a ghost tour!! it was so awesome. We climbed the hill and had a look of all the lights and city at night. it was perfect. Also we were told quite a creepy story that took place in 2004. if you ever want to know it, just ask... its totes creepy! Anywho then we wandered to some pubs and listened to live music ending our night by going to a 4 floor dance club called "Espionage" The next morning we hit up some museums and did a little window shopping-although i wish i couldve bouth everything!!! We flew back to Dublin late that night.
Overall i am in love with Scotland and its beauty... Ireland now has competition!!! SO if anyone is wanting to visit me... we should take a trip to Scotland. it is very cheap!!!! Wish you all could have traveled with me, but if you ever have a chance someday take my word and journey to Scotland.
I am missing everyone more and more. Happy Valentines Day. Tonight my neighbor Ryan made a huge nice dinner for us all! he is so sweet. I also attended a wine and cheese and chocolate party. It was so posh!!
I love you all! Stay in toch. I love hearing from you!!!

Well hello, almost one month!

2010-02-02T20:54:00.003-06:00

ROMPOUS!!! I cannot beleive that in only 2 more days i will have been in Dublin for a solid month! Holy Cow. Time is flying by even though it seems like i just arrived yesterday. I am still fighting with my heater to not make me feel like a fat man on a leather couch when it makes my room so darn hott. I have still yet to get use to washing my clothes in the sink. I feel by the end of this trip i will be more civilized. My Mom will be proud. So i have been quite proud of myself in that i have been sauteeing vegetables and cooking stuff in the oven. This is a huge step for me!!!
Also I have been wandering around the city by myself lately. I feel so much more independent than i ever have. I like to go into a coffee shop get a hot chocolate because i dont like coffee(ALthough i wish i did) and sit and write lyrics. It is so relaxing. I love obseerving all the people especially the cute elderly Irish man who call everyone "Love." I will miss that. I also have been wandering into grocery stores comparing prices, i feel like a mom or something! haha.
This past weekend a bunch of us went out to the pubs in the Temple bar area because Tradfest was going on.It was packed everywhere!! It was all weekend and involved music and dancing! It was really neat, although i wish i could've seen more! Oh yes, and i lost my cellphone at a club, that was grand, NOT!! For the record i had nothing to drink and still misplaced it! Gahd i was upset. But my mom always tells me "You cant sweat the small stuff." My tonsilitus ordeal that has been lagging on for hmmm lke the entire time i have been too is getting somewhat better. I can breathe and swallow again. Yipppeee-time to hit up some Irish scones!!
As mentioned i am heading to scottland this weekend with two other girlfriends. We will be visiting Edinbourgh and Glascow. I am excited to meet my grandmas life long pen pal Mary and her son Robert. They will be able to give us a true Scottish tour! They seem like such kindhearted people. I cannot wait! I also booked a trip to Berlin for a weekend and Budapest. Budapest was reccomended to us by a lady working with us. She said it is so cheap there and beautiful. I'll feel cool saying i've been to Budahpest! hahaha During our reading week which is only a few weeks away i am heading to Italy (Rome&Athens&Santurini(the place where "Sisterhood of the traveling pants" takes place)) I WANT TO GO THERE. Also being on that island will make think of Mamma Mia and i might just break out in some Abba tunes. I will get to see Jason in Rome!! uhuhuhuhuh I am hoping to make it to London and paris as well!
I am so fortunate for my friend Allison who is this mighty master at trip planning even though she says she's never done it before. I admire the girl! Its the 2nd week of classes so hopefully things are figured out. I am ecstatic to let you know that i can finally find all 3 buildings by MYSELF now! Yes it was a big thing for me! With all the darn winding streets all changing into others thing can really mess a person up.
Today i received a package from my mom consisting of hot chocolate and other munchies! THANK YOU MOM!!! It made my entire day! Well folks i miss you all more than you know and wish everyone could come visit me and cross all the bridges there are to cross here with me! Maybe someday when i get that castle! hahaha
Hope all is well!
"Tanya Sue Loves You"
xoxoxoxoxo

Wondering what castle i should live in when i am older!

2010-02-01T16:40:00.003-06:00

Good evening followers! Top of the morning to ya! hahaha!
This past week i was able to tour the Dublin Castle. I was so excited to go inside because i love looking and touring old places that have a history. Goodness gracious the stairway inside reminded me of the titantic staircase. I was pretending to be Rose walking down to my non existent Jack. I Wish!! The inside was so gorgeous with high painted and detailed sealings with carpteting that matched so well with the decorations. I loved how in the party room, there was mirrors on both sides of the wall to reflect off oneanother, 1 to help by giving more light and 2 for making the room seemwider rather than so narrow!! The castle was started back in 630's by the vikings and was later built over by the Normans followed by the English. In August 1204, King John of England commanded the erection of a (larger) strong castle. A fire brokeout igniting the gunpowder and burned down most of the castle. So it was built over once again. The tour guide took us to show us the remains of one of the four towers that had been there. It was so cool. There was the original stone steps and even the original building from the vikings beneath the british building. Also the water that once flowed around the entire castle is now under the town here. Although we were able to see some of the stagnant water under us. Loved it! it
What else is new? Well i am sick once again and have no voice this time!! haha But that happens. I am not having the "luck of the Irish" with my health. Maybe its because i havent found that lucky charm guy yet. Ill have to look into that.
This past weekend i also went to Killiny Bay and Dakyl, towns just south of Dublin. They are so easy to get to with the train. They were along the coast and so beautiful, for a second it reminded me of Florida but then i remembered how my body wouldn't feel frozen in Florida!! It was a lot colder near the coast. There were remains of some rock castles that were so beautiful and made me imagine what they once looked like and what took place in them!
So after seeing these castles i am imagining what mine will look like someday. It will have a lot of purple and Cheetah print(Fake ofcourse) and don't worry id make it classy. i also envision a possible waterslide but i am only at the begginning of my planning! A girls gotta dream!!!
Anywho I love you and miss you!!
P.S. I am heading to Scottland on Friday!! I AM SO PUMPED!!!!!!! I get to meet my grandma Sue's lifelong penpal and her son. It will be so cool!
toodles!
Love always&forever,

I really have to go to school here and not just have fun??

2010-01-28T09:35:00.003-06:00

Well friends, the days has come where i started my first official" classes at Dublin business school! This first week is kinda stressful because no one knows what is going on and i am just not as laxed about this as the irish. Anywho it looks like i will be having classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! AMAZING!!!! I have a night class on wed. night but i dont mind it because i am more awake at night so i will be less likely to doze off! haha. I am taking this class called irish Drama and Performance and it involves us going to about 6 different plays within the area! I am so psyched about it minus that we have to pay ourselves for each one! I am also taking to media/film classes. One is "Current issues in Broadcasting and film" and Musci and popular culture! My fourth class is one i need to take to reach my GS at SNC and that is called Racism/ethnicity.
I have so much time off it is weird. I do not know what to do with myself. We are unable to get jobs here so that is weird. I really dont mind the time off though.. I like to take my ipod and wander around the city going down new streets and discovering new interesting sights and shops. But goodness gracious i am always tempted to buy food!!! For some awful reason i CANNOT, like CANNOT stop craving chocolate! Something needs to change about that!! I wish there was some sort of pill to heal my obnoxious chocolate cravings. I am trying to limit my spendidng... each day it is a new task!! hahah
Anywho i have been booking my flights with my friend Allison and trying to get them out of the way now that we have our schedules! I am heading to Scottland next weekend with two girlfriends and am so excited. My Grandma Sue has had a pen pal friend there since she was in highschool. I will get to see my grandmas friend /pen pal Mary and her son Robert. I was just talking to them on the phone and just LOVE their accent! it is so cute and it reminded me more of Jude Law's voice!! I cannot wait to go!!! it'll be another new experience to this wonderful journey i am on!!! Also, everyday i hope the walk to school will get shorter, but i think that is hopeless, hahaha!!! But i do not mind walking back at night because that is when the city is seriously the most beautiful! I wish i could explain it better!!! I will try someday!!!
Hope all is well!! Miss and love you!
Love always& forever!
xoxoxox

Northern ireland!

2010-01-27T07:19:00.002-06:00

Hello Followers! Boy oh boy it has been awhile! Bright and early last thursday morning we headed our way to Northern Ireland. Also, i was still a little sick on the trip but i did NOT want to miss it!
Our first stop was Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge! Now I am going toake a guestemate here and say that up in these mountains the winds were blowing about 100 miles an hour with splashes of rain. I am afraid of heights and this bridge legitally made me wet my pants! Please picture a bridge made out of rope high above splashing water and rocks, that was this one! Well made it across, barely. As i was nearing the middle the winds picked up and it started blowing, i thought id be a goner!! Sadly on the way back i had to have the cute older Irish helper man walk with me over it! He was so cute and was giving me a pep talk. I definitely got a picture with him. How cute. I felt better when another boy froze up in the middle and needed help getting across. I still cannot beleive i made it out alive.
Next was Giants Causeway. This is the only place in the world where you can find rocks in this certain shape. There is some story that the rocks got this way when a giant from Scottland was trying to fight one here in Ireland. The scottish giant got scared turned around and ran leaving a rock path! it is so amazingly astonishing to see these rocks in such shapes! Almost breathtaking! While climbing the rocks i got dreched by rain, but it was well worth it!
Next it was off to Derry. It is the 2nd biggest city in northern Ireland. it is known for its history of fighting between Catholics and Protestants. On Sunday January 30, 1972, 13 unarmed civilians were shot dead by British paratroopers during a civil rights march in the bogside area. Another 13 were wounded and one further man later died of his wounds. This event came to be known as bloody Sunday.
We learned about this even in our history class. We went on a tour of the town and looked at all the murals that were made in memory. Then we went to the Derry Museum where we met the brother of one of the victims in Blopdy Sunday(Michael kellys brother). It was so heartwrenching but interesting at the same time. I love learning about history like that. SOme people call the town Derry(meaning its free from British rule) where others call it London Derry. Such conflicts. I loved that town.
Next we went to Belfast which had a lot of british influence ranging from the cars to the ferris wheel mimic of the one in London. it is the second largest city on all of Ireland. it reminded me alot of Dublin! I did a lot of window shopping. Also things were more expensive because we had to use the pound there instead of the euro, it was kinda a pain. Oh well!
This whole trip we were given breakfast and 3 COURSE DINNER MEALS!!! My favorite was by far the dessert! Oh nAlso i got to go to the place where the TITANIC was made and launched. OMG it was so amazing. I cannot get over how big that ship was! lol Anyways overall it was such a fun and amazing trip. It was great learning about the conflicts within northern Ireland and seeing the differences compared to Dublin!
Hope all is well with everyone. I miss and love you!
Love always&forever,
xoxoxoxoxox

VINEGAR!!!!!

2010-01-20T18:00:00.002-06:00

Hello fellow followers! Top of the morning to ya!! haha
I just wanted you to know i will be leaving tomorrow morning and be gone until sunday evening. I am sure i will have a lot to tell you then! We are heading to Belfast in Northern Ireland which takes about 5 hours to get there. Today i can actually swallow a bit! Also my day was made when i received a card and a package from my Grandma Donna!! DOUBLE BINGO!!! I love her so much! Also i have been fortunate to be able to talk to my grandma Sue because she has some special calling plan! Also love her tons! Anywho, i was able to eat some soup, jello and icecream today! Yes! haha anywho on to the Vinegar!
Now if you ask some of my friends from school about me and vinegar they will just make a funny/ disgusted face and say ewww! I LOVE vinegar especially on my fries. My parents first got me hooked on it by taking me to the Escanaba fair where they had Norm's fries. These were fries with vinegar! Well Hello to the vinegar capitol(not really) but there is vinegar in every restuaraunt i go to!!!! AHHHHHH it is like vinegar heaven for me! Anywho the other day when in Howth there was a huge bottle of vinegar and i dowsed my french fries with it using most of the vinegar.... ooooops! Your only in Ireland once! I also noticed at some resturaunts when they bring a bowl out of all the different itemas like ketchup or mustard and what not there is also a tube of vinegar, Heintz vinegar!! hahah My friends here laugh at me too, but i am so darn happy with my vinegar packets! Just thought youd all love to know that. So if you love vinegar as much as me come and VISIT ME in Ireland!!!! Till we talk again on Sunday! Best wishes!!
Tanya Sue loves you, always&forever!!!!!
<3

tonsilitus in Dublin! Not some good Crack!!

2010-01-19T11:02:00.003-06:00

Of course i always get sick especially when im in a completely different country!! ROMPOUS! I went to the Doctors today where he prescribed me an antibiotic. I have never had this tonsillitis junk and let me tell you it hurts really bad! I am so thirsty but cannot even swallow without my eyes watering up from my throat hurting so much! Anyways, now that thats out of the way i will talk about the latest.
Sunday we went to Howth, a small fishing town not far from Dublin. It is a little town with huge cliffs that you can walk on. It was so beautiful to see the water, the boats and all the rocks/cliffs. It was like a private getaway place. Here we were able to walk around amongst the cliffs and rocks getting beautiful pics. Sitting on the rocks and gazing out into the water was such a serene and relaxing feeling. It made me think about a lot of things within my life, especially how grateful i am for my family and friends.
There was also a fresh food market!! BINGO!! OMG it was filled with Bakery things like cupcakes, scones, cookies, breads and much more. There was also fresh produce. Everything was reasonably priced. I bought a cupcake(Unfortunately when i went back there was only a few left!) I also bought some grapes a scone and a loaf of bannana nut bread(which is supposibly healthy being gluten, milk free and other things!) We took the Louis(Train thingy) It was a nice trip.
When we got back my roommate Moni and friend marie went to a grocery store that was somewhat cheaper than others. Again i had trouble checking out, because they wouldnt accept my debit card. I am thinking i will need a pint of something after every grocery store visit! Goodness!

Monday we went to Kilmainham Jail. I love historical rompous like this! It was such a great tour because the tour guide told usThe Gaol was built in 1796 on a hill with the idea that the fresh air would be good for the prisoners, although no glass in the windows & porous limestone walls illness quickly spread. Heres a little history on it!
Men & women were kept separate in the Gaol & even children were sent here for petty crimes luck stealing potatoes. One man was held for 7 years for stealing a cart wheel. Photo’s were taken with a mirror to get the side profile. 14 leaders of the 1916 Easter uprising for Irish independence were held & executed here. Joseph Plunkett got married to Grace Gifford & executed 2 hours later. Grace said as she was walking out she heard the gunshot! how terrible!

The East wing was modernised & it was known as the all seeing eye. Prisoners were not allowed to talk & there were carpets on the floors outside the cells so prisoners could not hear the footsteps of the gaurds. During the famine the jail was overcrowded, sometimes up to 6 in a cell made for one, people were committing crimes so as to get their 2 small meals in jail many stories and events that happened along the way!

It felt so strange in the jail, almost like i could picture the people there in the tiny cells. Also outside along the premisice there was the place where they blindfolded the 14 leaders of the rebellion with their hands tied to their back and shot them! How horrible. I just cannot believe some of the stories!
We will be heading to belfast on Thursday with my class. I hope i feel a tad bit better by then!As always i love you! I am going to go gurggle this mouthwash rompous the Doctor gave me!
xoxoxoxo-Stay in touch!
P.s. I walked to school by myself today without getting lost! SCORE!!!! :)

Forgotten Posts & Some black rompous!

2010-01-16T19:21:00.002-06:00

Good evening! As mentioned earlier i knew id forget to mention things so i will add them in now, so please be patient with me. I would like to start and mention why i am naming my photo album, "I see a Boat." I find this story quite humorous and hope you do as well!
On the plane ride here not only did i drink too much causing me to keep using the bathroom, my new AMAzing friend and partner in crime Becca thought i had lost my mind. We were over water almost near Dublin when i looked out the window and said, "I see a boat!!". Becca who was in the window seat thought i was crazy because when she looked out the window it had disappeared! Then I figured maybe i just saw the clover which was on the wing of the plane. I was going crazy!!!!!! Once off the plane i told the other girls about my deliourious incident and one of them said they saw a boat too!! Becca and i laughed forever!! I guess this might just be one of those stories you have to be there for to understand its humor! Anyways just thought id mention that moment.
I want to mention how thankful i am to my wonderful friends. Becca is my little gaurdian watching over me!!! I am so thrilled with all the people i have met. if it wasn't for them id probably have been in the liffey(waterway seperating North and South Dublin) and getting lost everywhere. Seriously i am so thankful for the people i have met. It is so weird because i feel like i have known them all forever. I feel like i have formed many new, longlife friends. Also the gang of girls also from St. Norbert ae absolutely splendid!
Alright now to what i actually did recently. Last night we went out to Fit Simmons which is a realy cool dance/pub area for my friend Sarahs birthday! So much fun as always. I just love the atmosphere! Then today a group of us went and looked around the Dublin Castle and plan on touring the inside soon! Next i went to the GUINESS FACTORY! Alright i'll be honest in admitting that i do not like Guiness beer at all, infact it makes me want to boof. But I had to tour the place where tis famous beer is produced. It is so interesting going through al seven layers. On the top is an open glass bar area where you get a free pint of Guiness along with a beautiful overview of the Dublin area. It was quite breathtaking if i do say so myself.
We ate at a cute Bistro area which was pretty inexpensive. Like always the girls and i had fun!
Oh yes and i also created my budgeting chart tonight with Sarah, my new amazing friend. So i feel quite accomplished. Tomorrow it is off to Hoath to feed the "pleasantly plump whales" and hit up the fresh food market. Im going Shopping!!!!
Hope all is well with everyone! I miss you all.
Love always&forever!

SASSY!

2010-01-15T11:34:00.002-06:00

Guten Tag!! I am loving Dublin more and more every day, minus all the walking. haha Heres a little new info:My german roommate has arrived and i just love her. I love my roomies we are suck a diverse room. Tobi is originally from nigeria but has lived in the states for 6 years and Moni is from a town in Germany. you can find us around our kitchen table just giggling together. I am so lucky for them!
SO i forgot to mention that last week we went to this place called the Braisin (I beleive) and we were able to listen to a band play Irish/American music. it was so awesome!!! Also a few nights ago i went to Temple Bar and was amazed at three men who were playing guitar and an accordian!! It was real Irish music and they were so good!!! It reminded me of my younger days when I use to river danced!! I just love all the different types of music i hear. SOmetimes when i am on my break from class there are people in the streets playing and singing music.
School has been kinda lonnnng, i have to get myself back in the swing of things! Also i am now on this new kick of budgetting. I am so nervous with how expensive everything is so a friend of mine that i met here is helping me set up a plan, which will really help me now and in the long run. We celebrated her birthday last night and tonight we are going out to a club to shake our groove thing!
All the foreign students have arrived and a lot of them are from France. I am excited to speak more with them. I love hearing about their culture and ways of life. I try talking German to my roommate and she is always so proud of me! hahaha I remember very little but i try, so thats what counts i guess!!
This coming week at school we are going to visit a jail. I will tell more info once i tour it. Also i am super duper pumped for our coming up weekend trip to the countryside. I am sure i will have a lot to write about then!
I am trying to remember everything..... if i forget anything i will post it! Oh Ya, me and some friends saw a stray dog the other day and felt so bad for it. We tried to see if it would come to us but it was scared. I really hope it has not been abused. It was that moment i wish i had the skills of the lady on aminal planet who can read animals minds and communicate with them! Maybe in my next lifetime!!!
Another random thing.. I always use the word "sassy" and everyone here finds it so amusing and funny. I feel the word fits perfectly when describing many things and people. I have taught many of the foreign students this word and now they use it!!!! I feel as though i have accomplished something!!!!
Hope all is well! I love you all!
xoxoxoxoxo

Down Pour!!!!! Welcome to Ireland!

2010-01-12T13:27:00.002-06:00

Today was the first day i experienced the well known weather for Ireland; RAIN! I am not talking about litte drip drops of it, rather huge puddles and massive winds. I kind of had to giggle to myself because the snow and ice finally melted and they are expecting the dirt in next week to get rid of the ice that is now gone. Although my sturdy rain jacket held up pretty darn well. Also spraying my boots with water resistant stuff is the way to go. SO if any of you plan on venturing to Dublin, remember that repellant.
This past weekend i kind of hung low because i was so darn tired. Sunday night we had a girls film night. it was precious! Then Monday we started a few classes. I am taking four classes but they are only us Americans right now and they last until next week. The classes involve the history of Ireland, politics and about the culture. it is quite interesting, i just have to learn to stop dozing off during class. I guess i am still wanting a vacation, haha! Today was crazy we had 6 hours of class. 3 two hour classes. it just stunk because we havent gotten a schedule yet so none of us expected it to be that long... crazzzzzy! Anywho, i am now back sitting in my bed hoping the heater will heat up faster!
Boy oh boy, i sure do hope after all this walking i at least loose some weight or build muscles. Walking 30 minutes to class everyday and 30 back really makes me realize how lazy i am back at school. I thought walking across the street and some was long!!!! I dont mind it, as of now!! We'll have to see how i feel about it in another week or two.
This weekend a group of us plan on going to the Dublin Castle. I am excited. I have always wanted to look and go into a castle. Maybe ill find my Prince charming? haha, ya right. Then Sunday we plan to take the Dart(train) along the cost to Hoath where they have a frresh food market and you can feed obese seals!!! I bet they are so cute.
Other than school and surviving the sporadic changing wether of Dublin i think all is well here with me. I am so happy i have some diet coke in my fridge right now!
Hope all is well with everyone! I love you all and would love to hear from you! Hope all is well!
Remember, "Tanya Sue Loves You!!!!!!!"
xoxoxoxoxo <3

Mustard Mashed potatoes, Really?

2010-01-09T00:25:00.002-06:00

Hello Fellow followers! Today i wore two layers of leggings to try to stay warmer, but that didnt help too much. They say the weather is going to get colder... once again, Hello HOME!! haha. Today i was able to sleep in and finally catch up on my sleep from being so darn jett legged! A few of us wandered around to find a path to our school. Heres the issue: there are three different locations of the school. Rompous!!! Well, we got lost like usually and by the time we found it i forgot where we came from, go figure. We shopped around for awhile then had orientation dealing with the FIE program we are involved in. Geneveive is the lady who works with us through the program and there are only a few schools involved in it! i feel so priviliged. She is such a cool lady. She has lived in Dublin for 6 years. She will let us know upcoming events and fun activities for cheap. I feel i can learn a lot from her, and she is someone who is easy to talk to since she studied abroad when she was younger!! After orientation we wandered around and went to Starbucks.. haha Ofcourse it would be here in ireland! After that Genevieve arranged a dinner for us Fie members at a resturaunt that was, i swear about 45 minutes away. Here at the resturaunt we had 3 courses. I started out with the cream celeraic(or someting like that) (It was like celery and cheese flavored: it was good) then i had a steak with beans and MUSTARD mashed potatoes. I did not care for them very much because they tasted like someone dropped a whole bottle of mustard into them. they even had the mustard seeds!!! to finish off the meal i enjoyed a nice chocolate and hazlenut torte!!! YUMMY!!! We then went to a pub which is across from Trinity College. Here we were able to meet other college students! it was so much fun. I love the night life of Ireland. I think i could get use to it.
I start my class on Monday involving us learning about Ireland. This class will only be us American students. Actual classes wont start for two weeks... I am kind of nervous!!!
Heres some advice for those of you who dont like mustard, "Steer clear of mustard mashed potatoes!!!!

30 some years

2010-01-07T11:12:00.002-06:00

I love how every Irish person keeps reminding us that this is the coldest winter they have had since 30 some years ago. It is official, features of Michigan are still with me: the ice and snow. Another thing i find interesting is that they have already run out of their shipment of salt from spain. So they use dirt instead or nothing at all. It was so interesting watching the people try to drive on the ice. They were all stepping on the pedal while their wheels just kept a spinning.....They need some good winter tires like my dad put on my car! haha. Im really liking all these little coffee shops around here. The hot chocolate is delish! The pubs are quite fun and interesting. There is one nearby that is a SHORT walk and many of us students go there. I love conversing with the Irish. Things are so different here, it is another world. The only thing i wish is that stores would have bags.... is that too much to ask for??? ANyways walking back next to the Quey(River dividing North and South) everything was foggy. Dublin is so mysterious and it keeps me wanting to see more!!!

Getting lost is part of being in a different country!

2010-01-06T14:49:00.002-06:00

I woke up still feeling tired today and still couldn't believe i was here. It seems so unreal. thankfully i was able to work the strange switches which are located in the kitchen to be able to take a hot shower. A bunch of us got lost walking to the Dublin Business School main building, but it was fun and exciting checking out all the old and new buildings; they all seem to have a story to tell. We then went on a bus tour which was really nice although i wish i could have understood the tour guide better... I hope that i will soon be able to understand what they are saying instead of always just smiling and nodding my head! Then We ended up eating at a McDonalds because we were so hungry, although the meat is quite different tasting! While in line at the grocery store i realized there was no bags. I was using the self checkout line and the people behin me were getting angry and yelling at me in a different language. What an experience that was. The best part was walking back with a huge overloaded reusable bag and my heaping purse. I then had to walk back because my friends needed help carrying their things. Gahd, i really better be loosing weight after all this rompous! Although once again, not even walking 45 minutes again could ruin my mood. Dublin keeps me smiling!

flying & Arriving to a white not green covered land!

2010-01-06T14:40:00.002-06:00

It was about 4 ish when i gave my hugs and kisses to my parents and grandmas. I left Chicago at 7:00 and boy was it a long 8 hour flight! Ofcourse i could not fall asleep probably because of all my excitement! It also brought memories back of when i was in Germany. We landed in Dublin Ireland at 8:45 A.m. The time change is always the hardest thing to get used too. When walking out of the plain instead of seeing nice green land i saw green covered with white snow and ice. I thought i was back in my hometown of Norway, MI.After waiting for a few hours we were picked up and brought back to our apartments. I like that there are only three of us sharing and we each get our own room. It was very cold in the rooms like we had been told by those who were here before. A few of us went out to by the bare essentials which took us about 25-30 minutes to get there. Everything is so magical though and beautiful in its own way. it is hard to describe. After walking back i got situated in my room and tried organizing in my head what time it was, that i was actually in Dublin (How Awesome!) and how to work my heater in my room. My first impressions of Ireland are magical! Now if only i can find the Lucky Charm man!!!

3 days!

2010-01-02T00:43:00.005-06:00

Hello
Welcome to my very first blog. I am writing it while i am currently sitting here in bed pondering my soon to be adventures. I cannot believe i will be leaving the U.S. in 2days and entering a whole new place. I feel like this 987rrhnfajfkajfr7rbf, anxious/nervous/excited/ecstatic. I know i will be partaking in an adventure of a lifetime. I do feel bad that i have to leave behind my handsome boys(cats) and my friends and family. Although i know i have their support 100%. But four months will fly by faster than i think and i hope to return home as a stronger, more independent women. I am so grateful for the opportunities i have been given in life, this being just one of the many. I also hope to continue my music/theater while in Ireland. I will see it through a different perspective, and maybe traveling will inspire me to write some interesting songs. To those whom i am leaving behind, Remember
Tanya Sue Love's youu!
<3