::walks in and blows dust off of blog:: Sorry for neglecting to write anything for a very long time. I have been either very busy or doing nothing at all these past few weeks (mostly been busy, though.)

Erin and two of her friends from Strathclyde visited about a month ago and we spent a few days trekking around Ireland, visiting Cork, a little village right outside of Limerick city called Adare, and finally Dublin-which was AWESOME.

We went to the Dublin Writers Museum, which had student admission (always a plus) and get this-the audio tour was included in admission! That doesn't happen often, so it was pretty cool. Part of the script was an actual recording of James Joyce reading some of his work-how awesome is that? I listened to that track three times.

We also went to the National Gallery of Ireland. Sadly, the rest of the national museums (such as the museum of Irish history, which has Granuaille O'Malley's wedding chalice) were all closed for renovation or something. Bummer! However I plan on going back and spending the night in Dublin before I fly out of Scotland, so hopefully I can spend the early morning and afternoon at the museums. Thankfully my flight doesn't leave until that evening.

After Erin, Victoria, and Patricia got up that Sunday morning and left the hostel to get to the airport at 6:30 AM, I decided to visit Powerscourt House and Gardens in Wicklow. I love gardens, I love old houses, and Celtic Woman may or may not have had an influence in my decision to visit. Just sayin'. In order to get there I had to take the commuter train, also know as the DART, out to Bray and catch a bus to Enniskerry. Once I arrived in Bray I saw that the next bus wouldn't be coming for another hour so I decided to take a walk around the village and boy am I glad I did! Bray is a nice little seaside village not too far south of Dublin. It was such a nice place and I'm sure that a holiday there would me most relaxing. I was really lucky that the weather was so nice. It was nice and warm, and by warm I mean I was able to roll up the sleeves of my undershirt and even out my flip flops on! I enjoyed a 99 cone, took plenty of pictures with Jesus and Cocky, and fought off my mermaid instincts that were screaming 'WATER-MUST SWIM!!!!'

Powerscourt was GORGEOUS. I didn't tour the house (broke college student on limited funds and I was also on a time schedule) but I did walk around the gardens. GORGEOUS. The Great Sugarloaf Mountain, rolling lawns, and of course, dead camera batteries. Bummer, but no big deal. I actually found myself humming 'The Call' as I walked back towards the gate to leave.

Now for the not as fun and adventurous part: exams. I have known since the beginning of the semester here that all of my exams are essay form, every single one of them. Regardless of how well I know the subject I ALWAYS run out of time on essay questions (it even happened when I took my AP US History exam back in 11th grade. Didn't keep me from passing, but still.) I had my first exam earlier this week and guess what happened as I rounded the final leg of my second essay question? Yeup. I ran out of time. I did exactly what the professors have advised us to do. I read each question once and as I did wrote down any words that came to mind. I looked back after I read and decided which two would be my best option. I spent about ten minutes per question with a little brainstorming. Nope. Didn't work. This is where I get a little nervous because I don't have the safety net of multiple choice, fill in the blank, or short answer question. Two hours is not a lot of time to write 1,000+ words! I had plans to go back to Wicklow yesterday but I decided that staying home and studying would probably be in my best interest.

Another intimidating part of the exam is how you actually take them. Think about that scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when all of our favorite Hogwarts students are sitting in those long rows in the Great Hall taking their O.W.L.s. And yes, I just went there. Yeup-take away the wands and Dolores Umbridge and that is pretty much how exams are given here. Three or four lectures together in one huge room, rows of desks with 30 or 40 people in them, monitors walking around, periodically stopping people to check their ID number. Normally I don't feel intimidation from my surroundings, but this had me thrown for a bit of a loop.

However, this is when I do my best to remind myself that I am smart, I do know my stuff, and that all I technically need to do is pass in order to receive proper credit. One exam down, three to go. I CAN DO EET!

Photos for your enjoyment.