Early Observations from an English University

Never underestimate the incompetence of people. Things will get confused, you will end up with the wrong stuff, life will stress you. However, neither should you underestimate the effectiveness of smiling, always smiling, a pleading tone and a Kiwi accent to fix your problem. Thus, I have a new phone friend Jamie, who managed to fix the fact that I had 3 kettles, 2 irons and 2 toasters plus bedding for a single bed, when in fact i only needed 1 of all of the above appliances, bedding for a double bed and useful things like a cup, plate and fork. I have also enlisted people to help me carry stuff, collect stuff and give me directions, proving that Niamh's 6 months of training has well and truely paid off. The campus is beautiful and lots of people on it are beautiful. Its freshers week which means a load of over-enthusiastic 18 year olds, dressed to kill, wandering around campus - full of the joys of spring. Bless. It makes my head hurt. They're joined by the slightly older "we've been here for at least a year" folk, who are trying to get you to sign up for kitesurfing, lacrosse, football, and other such pursuits. They are ALWAYS garbed in denim shorts, rugby/and or polo shirts and extremely tanned. That much enthusiam is to be avoided at all costs. This part of the world has a lovely accent, very cut glass. None of your common-as-muck London accents here (I joke). This makes me feel like I am on a movie set or a TV programme. Having spent the last 10 months with Irish accents I say, " Can I go back to Dublin now?" The food is extremely cheap, unlike Dublin's Fair City. Like, ridiculously cheap. It is also cheaper to drink. This is advantageous for me, as I am very ridiculously poor. I have however, after many hours of waiting yesterday, set up a bank account into which my millions will be paid shortly. I hope. Tomorrow is my first departmental meet-n-greet which should be interesting. Hopefully I can rustle up a posse sometime soon, otherwise its going to be a long three years. I have also come to realise that I have an unhealthy dependence on the Internet, Im having laptop withdrawals. Hopefully that will be fixed by next week - fixed as in, I will have a new laptop, not that Im over my dependence issues.Right, I must dash. I am attending a Philosphy lecture on the Morality of Sex. Why? Because what the hell else do I have to do around here?? xox

New Beginnings (again)

Well here it is, my last weekend in Ireland. It seems to have come round surprisingly fast, I'm still a little stunned that it's been 10 months since I left home. I'm heading out tonight for some farewell drinks and then the weekend shall consist of me frantically trying to get myself organised for a Monday morning flight outta here. Ive had such a good time, and I feel really lucky to have met such great people as I have in Ireland. It really is a beautiful country and will always be (one of) my homes. Life is odd sometimes, and throws up things that you never thought possible but I'm sticking to my mantra that life turns out the way its meant too, even if its not always the way you had planned. Ive made so many new beginnings recently and now Ive got one of the biggest of them all. I'm a little terrified but mostly excited and looking forward to whatever happens next. And in 3 years, hopefully the hard work will pay off. I'm going to miss everyone from both sides of the world, but the world seems much smaller with Skype and email and chat... So sending you all lots of love and I'll be seeing you across the pond! xox

Happy Birthday!!

To Niamh for today and me for tomorrow!

All That You Can't Leave Behind

At the moment, I'm trying to get myself sorted for my Exeter-move, which is looming with alarming impendingness (don't think that is a word at all, but there you go). Because I have to move my stuff from Ireland and because I'm coming with nothing practical AT ALL, Ive decided to order these handy packs from the university. Hence, my new home (room) will consist of:
Saucepan
Frying Pan
Dinner Plate
Side Plate
Rice/Cereal Bowl
Mug
Drinking Glass
Fork
Knife
Dessert Spoon
Tea Spoon
Slotted Turner
Serving Spoon
Wooden Spoon
Bottle Opener
Butterfly Can Opener
Cheese Grater
24cm Chopping Board
Utility Knife
Silicon Saucepan Handle
Oven Glove
Tea Towel
2L Cordless Kettle
Two-Slice Toaster
Breeze 1200W Steam/Spray/Shot Iron
Duvet cover
2 Pillowcases
White Fitted Sheet
10.5 TOG Double Duvet
2 Pillows
2 Bath Towels
1 Hand Towels
5 Coathangers
Plus: A bed with mattress, wardrobe, curtains, mirror, operator chair, desk, shelves, notice board, waste paper bin, desk lamp or built-in lighting above the desk, a shower room with handbasin, toilet, shower or wet room, mirror, light with shaver point, combination/Microwave and two ring hotplate; fridge with ice compartment; kitchen cupboards; work surfaces; sink and drainer. And me.

Now how bout that!! This is of course, not to mention the twenty tonnes of stuff I have to figure out how to move from Dublin to Exeter on a plane... Luckily best-friend-KP has volunteered (politely been informed) to lug a suitcase load of stuff back to London and then down on the train for me. And a warning: anyone making the Dublin-Exeter trip will be expected to do the same!
Its actually quite a fun time, planning all of this. Ahh the lists I have made. They really do soothe the spirit. Now all I need are some decent recipes so that I don't starve. We're thinking easy-peasy here people, nothing complicated allowed. If anyone has any good ideas, please let me know!

xox

Pretty Things

I am full of jealousy that there so many beautiful, talented, creative people out there, that I felt I had to share some of the coolest things I have seen this week.

First, this vintage inspired wedding which is not only gorgeous but the video is to die for. It reminds me of an old home movie and I think its just lovely.

Second, this amazing photo stream on flickr, by Olivia Bee. I cant believe this girl is only 15. Horribly horribly jealous. But her photos make me happy...

And third, this song which Ive seen on a load of blogs but really is just too dotey not to share. I dont care if Lisa Mitchell was from Australian Idol, I still like her a lot. And the video is charmingly quirky, which I'm all for.

I love things like this, and I love that the internet has opened up a new way for people to share beautiful things that inspire or make them happy. Hunt around the blogosphere and there's plenty out there. The only thing that gets my occasional cynicism going is the never ending cheerfulness of some bloggers...I don't have that much sugar. Enjoy my pretties!

Abject Apologies

First of all, I have to say sincere apologies for not maintaining this blog better. I have no excuse. I was going to try and invent one, but the truth is, I was just terribly lax. So apologies all round and a promise to try and keep it going much better this time.

In the meantime, the highlights of the last 3.5 months of my life:

April - Trip to Norway, full scholarship to Exeter (!!)

May - Trip to Spain, Boyzone concert

June - Trip to Manchester, Trip to London, Beyonce concert

July - Springsteen concert, weekend in Longford

In addition, Ive been to GAA matches, run a betting syndicate, went to some of the dodgiest niteclubs in Dublin, attempted to learn how to cook, given advice on wedding dresses, watched a lot of the Gilmore Girls, sold water by the bottle-full, learnt how to bag free food from fancy restaurant-stands, bought more stuff than I know what to do with, become a supporter of the Irish rugby team and even done some temp work. Ahhh, its been a busy few months mes amis!

All my holidays were absolutely brilliant and again, a big thank you to all the people who had me to stay on their couches/sofa beds/spare rooms/guest wings. It was truly appreciated. And as you can probably tell from the listings above, I will shortly be on my way to Exeter University, where I start a new part of my life as PhD student! So for the next 3 years, if anyone wants to find me, that's where I'll be. I'm currently waiting on my accomm offer to come through but I'm hoping to score one of the cute little postgrads rooms with a kitchenette and en-suite. Then, I don't have to share my space. I'm not really that good at sharing....

Anyway, Im off for a girls weekend in Longford this weekend (http://www.longford.ie/) which should be good fun. In the meantime, everyone have a good weekend and I leave you with these words of wisdom: If you ever get a chance to see Springsteen play, go. The man is a god.

xox

Da da da da da... and celebrations.....

Well, its been good news all round here in the last week. Firstly there was the EPIC irish win, not only over Wales but of the Six Nations Grand Slam - first time in 61 years people. Now obviously, I am not usually a rugby supporter. In fact, in NZ I was the girl who had never been to an All Blacks/Canterbury match. But here, Im a fan. I think it comes down to the fact that New Zealanders are a little complacent about their rugby. We know we're the best in the world, we expect to win. But here, it means such a lot to everyone - the irish are not internationally renowned for their rugby playing, so winning seems that little bit more special. Anyway, I digress. Other good news: I finally booked my trip to Norway to see Tor, which will be fun and Im looking forward to seeing some of the country. Im pretty sure any attempts to speak Norwegian will end very badly, although I do remember trying one nite in Wellington after a few wines, and I was pretty good so......Ive also been working for the last week and a bit which makes a nice change, so looking forward to payday. (and saving for Norway, of course)

But the best news of all: I got accepted into Exeter for my PhD. Very very stoked about this but it is tempered (sigh) with the harsh reality that regardless of my acceptance, if I dont get some financial aid in the form of a scholarship, there will be no studying for me. Still, thats another month or so away, so please lets all keep our fingers x for a bit longer. In the meantime, I will be celebrating.

Hope everyone else is having happiness in this time of general doom and gloom. And big ups to our girl Helen, who has landed herself a top UN job. Nice! Lots of love xox