Okay, so lets see..I missed yesterday because I was just too beat from orienatation. Jill and I had orientation from 9am to 5:30pm yesterday and about three hours of that involved walking non-stop, and the other part was sitting and listening while various people tried to cram way to much information into our heads. The day ended with me feeling like I had a million things to read and think over, and I'm pretty sure that every fiber of my being was screaming in agony from over doing it both physically and mentally. I can handle walking, but that was more walking then any one person should have to do in that period of time! After we finished the orientation, I ran back to the apartment to change and I went to dinner at The Stables which was decent. We got the meal for free, because we were given a voucher in out orientation packets (gotta love free stuff!). The Stables was ok, it was a little awkard because we couldn't find anyone we knew so Jill had a drink and then we came back to the apartment, where we preceded to stay up until 4am. Jet lag is just sooo great. Did I mention that we got up at 7:30am today, yea 3 1/2 hours so sleep. Not that cool, So yesterday was just baseically was too much for one day. It would have been better if they had split the information and all that into two days. On the upside two good things did happen. I got to finally talk to my mom on the phone, and Tommy and Sofia too. Which was nice, I was dying to say hi and fill her up to speed on all my happenings and what its like here. There are some things that amuse me, like the fact that the lightswitches are opposite the ones back home in the States, and the toilets have no tank behind them, its just the seat and bowl with a handle attached to the wall. Oh, and another funny thing is that they are completely and utterly oppsessed with the Swine Flu. They are like panicked at the thought of getting it, and must say something to use about it a few times a day. They constantly tell us to cover our mouths if we sneeze or cough, to wash our hands, use tissues, and to make sure we throw our tissues in the refuse. And there are a million hand sanitizing stations set up all around campus. When I walked into the library today there was a stand in the middle of the entry way with five or six different hand sanitizing pumps placed all around it for people to use. There are tons of these things all over, its really funny, but also getting a tad bit annoying. And, they also have posters every few feet warning you about it, telling you the symptoms, and telling you to be clean etc. The other good thing about yesterday was that I learned some more new phrases:

catch you out=point out

tick boxes=check boxes

hob=stove

cooker=oven

done & dusted=finished

runner=sneakers

And one of my personal favorites because it make sme laugh is F*** off! Which, unlike in America, means "Get out!" or "you've got to be kidding" They swear here all the time, but they do it in a very none derrogatory way. Its strange, they just sort of pepper it in, and use the words in ways that we don't. Very strange!

Today was a decent day. I was obviously very, very tired, and really wanted to fall asleep during orienataion today (but I didn't). Orientation was good, it went quick. They mostly talked about all the clubs and socs (clubs and societies) there are to join and about the different venues they offer. After orienatation was over, Jill and I came back to the apartment and ate lunch and then just relaxed and focused on staying awake until dinner. After dinner, we got ready and went to The Stables for "Fast Friends" (think speed dating, but instead your making freinds). We actually never even got to play, but it was ok because we got to meet a ton of other people. I met someone from Spain, Germany, Japan, Thailand, a few from France, Sweden, and of course loads of other Americans. I also finally had the chance to meet a few Irish people, so that was nice. We actually just got home a few minutes ago and after this is done I plan to head off into bed so I can get some rest for tomorrow. Tomorrow, I am going into the city to do some sightseeing (for free!) and hopefully some shopping for postcards and shoes! On Sunday, Jill and I will prolly head back into town to do some grocery shopping at Aldi's.

Alright, well I think thats about it for now. I'll try and come on tomorrow to write about the trip into the city. Until next time...