So Many Costellos

I hope you have time to read  cause this is a long one :)

So I know I haven't actually posted anything of substance on here this week, and I totally didn't even talk about the Ironman, but that's because it completely exhausted me. Even now I don't know if I could explain it all, so I'm going to borrow Colleen's words and let her explain it....

"There were over 1,000 athletes that were competing in the triathlon, so once it started things were quite chaotic.  I was stationed in the Blue Bag Tent, and it was the transition between the swimming and the biking portion.  My task was to help athletes take off wet suits and retrieve their bag from them when they were done, as well as do any other weird things they needed, put socks on, hold something, you name it.  It was weird at times, but overall it was a great experience!!  Later on in the night when everything was done, we were invited to the Ironman after-party.  Finn and Kevin (my resident directors here in Ireland) knew someone and had some major in at the party and because of them we were able to snag Awards Ceremony wristbands and go down to the party where all of the athletes-and the food- were at!! " -Colleen Smith

I know that's kinda cheating but I like how she put it and I'm lazy. Here's my favorite picture from the morning--

Katie, Sarah, Colleen, Molly right before dawn

Finn and Kevin, who are our API program advisors, took us to see a fantastic show last night. It was called Trad on the Prom and it was a show filled with traditional Irish music, song, and lots of Irish step dance. The world champion step dancers were there to perform and it was an amazing show. I think it was the first time I've felt like I am in a different culture and country and I loved it. I decided that I'm going to download some Irish music and listen to it. Maybe that way I'll feel more like I'm in Ireland.

This isn't a picture that I took, but I wanted to show you just how close we were to them, and maybe you can see how pretty all the dancers are. It was a really nice night, and I've felt like I haven't seen my other API friends all week so it was great to spend time with them too. It made me really think I'll enjoy our big trips together. 

This week has been an interesting one, that's for sure. Today was without a doubt the most stressful morning of my life. We had to register for our Seminar classes this morning, and the seminar that I am taking is the class that counts as one of my theatre major requirements...the class that if I don't take it here will mean not graduating on time back at home. Aka I NEEDED to get into that class. Registration started at 11 this morning and I got there at ten. I met up with Colleen and Kate to go stand in line, and there wasn't one...The single man who was there told us that people had been queuing up for hours and we had to take a number and then come back at 11:15. The numbers had started at 570, and I got 706. Feeling a little dejected we went and had breakfast at the college cafe and then went and stood on line around 11. Near noon we reached a big room, in which all the course sign up sheets were spread out. It was tantalizing to be in the same room as my class but not able to sign up, because our numbers hadn't been called. Meanwhile, seminars were filling up and being deemed unavailable to those standing in line. Which stressed me out, because there were a lot of classes going up on the unavailable board. Around 12:30 we made it to the front of the line, and I snagged the next to last space in my seminar. THANK THE LORD. I was worrying so much about it and even though it was still early in the day I was emotionally exhausted.

I was having a really hard time processing any words and so I went into my emergency reserve and had a Lion bar...which if you don't know, are the BEST candies in the world. It's like rice crispies and caramel and chocolate and creme. Which is the recipe for Katie's happiness. It helped perk me back up, but if you can't tell I look a little shell shocked right there.

For the rest of the day I went to shop street and did what the name suggested and shopped. It was nice, and Molly, Sarah and I went out to lunch at the coolest place ever...Couch Potatas.

Obviously I got a baked potato, but it was DELICIOUS. It was loaded with corn and mushrooms and carrots and broccoli and covered in cheddar. yummmmm

This weekend we're off to the Aran Islands to bike around and learn about the famous Irish sweaters....hmm maybe a place to buy one? It's going to be my first night in a hostel and I'm a little nervous, but I know it'll be uneventful.

Thanks for pushing through to the end,

k