mickan in world

Dear diary,

It's been a while since I wrote last and that can be explained only by the lack of time I'm experiencing at the moment. As you know I love being busy and keeping occupied, and thus I am not too anxious about my current situation, the truth is though that I am glad the weekend's here so that I can enjoy some much deserved rest.

This week has held much leisure but also a fair bit of work. My tutorials have begun and I must admit that even though they only amount to four extra hours they made the week a fair bit busier. I am also struggling to keep up with the reading; it is not too hard, it's just quite a lot and it takes time. Time is precious.

As I mentioned before it's been quite a lovely week despite the fleeing time.

On Sunday the sun was shining bright and I felt I needed a brake from the city's hazzle and noise. Hanna and I took the opportunity to take the Dart out to Howth. We enjoyed a lovely excursion and some exercise and after a brisk climb we enjoyed a succulent picnic on the hilltop gazing out over the rough Irish sea.

Monday held a bit of an indoor party (as in not leaving the house) with my housemates, something we have all come to enjoy sincerely. But it was Tuesday which held the event we've all been waiting for: The Freshers Ball. It wasn't a formal gathering in the sense that a gown was required, but it was an amazing party at Tripod, a top Dublin venue, with amazing bands and a great TCD crowd. I enjoyed it thoroughly, even though the pre-party was almost as good with our whole bunch in house 80.

Even though I was not too spunky on Wednesday I was still in a sari. Actually a quite nice costume for my friends birthday fancy-dress party. I had a bindi and everything. That night wasn't too heavy though since the Warden broke up the party at 23.15. I wasn't that sad about it to be honest...

Yesterday was a Thursday and what is a Thursday without a pint at the Celt? Before heading out though, me and Henry, an English friend, actually hosted a small dinner for some friends form here. I made an exquisite broccoli gratin and Henry performed magic with chicken. Succulent!

Today held something very special. I don't know if you are familiar with Ian Paisley but over here you wouldn't find anyone who doesn't know who he is. He is the first minister of Northern Ireland and quite an outspoken unionist (not a big fan of the Republic of Ireland that is). Well, he was speaking at Trinity which is quite a big thing since he's only set foot in the Republic twice before. And I was there! It was all thanks to Clare (my roommate) who got lucky and got a ticket in the draw (demand not equal to supply), but she couldn't go so I got her ticket. It was really interesting although I thought it would be a little more bloodshed (figuratively speaking of course), everyone was remarkably civil. But as the bloke beside me stated: "These are new times. If this was held a couple of years ago there would surely be at least one bomb in the room." Don't be scared parents; the security was rigorous, Ian Paisley even brought his own crew of life guards (there were more than 10 of them).

As a contrast, afterwards I went to the Pav (College bar) and met up with a whole bunch of my friends. It's funny we haven't even known each other a month, we get along great. Speaking of great: Things in general are great. Great, great, great! Great.

Have a great time now friends!

It doesn't take very long in a new place before you start to make out some future "patterns" for what it's gonna be like. Take my schedule for example; It onlu took one week to make out that I'm gonna hate Thursdays. I'm in at nine and have one tutorial and then four lectures in a row including Math & Stat and two hours of Economics in the same lecture theatre.. mon dieu! And that's just before lunch...But that'll probably be the day I hang at the Pav (Pavilion Bar, college pub, right y the sports fields) and catch up with the classmates over cheap cans of beer.

That's roughly how this Thursday looked anyway. But I had an extra soccer practice too (so much fun!!!) and then I met up with Hanna at the Pav, had a few cans with some engineering students and then headed over to meet up with Naomi and Fia at the Celt for the usual Thursday pint and music. A pint later Hanna and I decided to go to a student party at th Citi Bar. Really good fun appart from two things: 1. The music. Irish clubs still play Vengaboys and Sean (da) Paul. 2. Two euro tequila (well it was great fun at the time but waking up for my Math & Stat class Friday morning wasn't pleasurable). After getting a bit sick of lemon and salt we headed over to appartement 14 in house 30 of Trinity Halls, cause that's where it's all happening apparantly (atleast we keep ending up there).

Friday held a non wanted morning but I got up and actually kept awake and on my toes the whole of my one lecture. Then I went and bought the Economics book which broke my heart and dug a deep hole in my wallet. It did make up for it a bit in the first chapter though, which I spent most of the day reading, where I learnt that: "The opportunity cost of more goods and services in the future is less consumption today." Which in extent means: Buy and read the bloody book and you'll earn loads of money in the future (ain't that right Hugo and Bengan?). It better keep what it promises cause it was darn expensive!

In the afternoon I had an hour with my precious little sister before she returned to the land of our ancestors (eh, Sweden that is). We had a lovely time over giant Mocha mugs on Starbuck's (her treat) and discussed all things homey. It was quite sad to say good bye (eventhough we are killer e-mail wrighters) I wont see her til Christmas.

I had a big task to performe on Friday aswell. An ancient task. I had to get food. Empty, empty cupboards equalls empty, empty stomach, didn't have to study Math to figure that out. So I went to Tesco and did some major shoping. Draging home vegetables, fruit and tins for a whole week almost killed me though, much more work than the boxing actually.

And then I had a dinner party for Naomi, Fia and Hanna. Made mum's famous lasagna and it was thuroughly apprecieted by the half starved student/ hostel habitants.

Very niiiice and then we watched movies in house 30 (surprisingly). I'm starting to see the pattern of who my friends will be too.

Love love love

Today I studied and Naomi came by.

What a week. I don't know where to start. Maybe on Monday. Or Sunday might be better: I went to a toga party and it was great fun. I didn't wanna use my one sheet or one towel as a toga so I improvised with a scarf. Hence a green toga; very faschionista.

Monday I went into College for the first time as an actual Trinity student and I was impressed. This week is Fresher's Week which basically means a lot of events, a lot of parties, a lot of free stuff and a lot of information. The whole of the front square was turned into a giant "fair" with stalls from all the different societies and sports clubs. There are a bunch of societies on different topics you can join. They're created for the students by the students and they house everything from parties to debates and from plays to volunteering oppurtunites, all depending on what you're interested in. I've joined loads, but that's kind of what you do: you try it out and stick with the ones you like. I've so far joined The Phil and The Hist (very old traditional debating societies, who basically houses everyting from movie stars to politicians), The One World Soc (Fare Trade and such), Players (Drama, they have a play in the college theatre at least once a week), The Trinity News (College Newspaper), The DUBES (for my course), DUISS (International Students Society), Tradsoc (for traditional music), the Political society and a few more.. thinking of joining the Japaneese society just for the sushi. For sports I joined the boxing club and I found a girls soccer team! Yay! First practice on Tuesday.

There have been so much going on, events here and there. I've been to debates, trad sessions, gay bar birthdays, free lunches, comedy shows and so much more. There have been concerts and speed dating and lectures and registrations and candy floss.... Tonight there's a play/game show on in the theatre, Hellen Miror (actress in the Queen) in the Hist, an Iron Stomach competition and a club night in the Phil. It's the chosing and the sleeping which are hard to master.

But my friends believe me when I say that this is darn fun. And in this second of my life I feel like this might have been the best choice I've ever made. There have and will be ups and downs, I'm very aware, but I'm pretty sure the high I'm on right now will last me a while. Especially since I feel I've made some really good friends over here.

I hope your well. Love you to pieces.