exploring a homeland, one adventure at a time

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Exams and Visitors

May has been a kind of crazy month here in Cork. The way the UCC works is that the whole month is dedicated to taking exams, I think because Irish students are sitting for exams from both semesters. And while most of my friends only had a few to take, not only did I have an exam for each one of my six classes, but they have also been spread out over 18 days! I started taking exams on 9 May, and I finally take my Comparative European Politics exam on Tuesday--I can't wait for freedom! But I can't really complain, because I had a break in between my exams on the 12 and 21, and I had a bunch of visitors! My cousin and my best friend from high school both brought friends and visited Ireland, so I got to show everyone around Cork, which was a TON of fun! And in between my studying after everyone left, I also got to fit in my birthday and some rugby.

My visitors and me at the tour of the Beamish Factory! While we were there, Gina and I randomly ran into a girl we went to high school with who just happened to be visiting Cork...turns out she had been studying abroad this semester, too! Small world.


The 19 was my 21st birthday! Even though it was a little weird to celebrate it in a place where turning 21 is no big deal, I still had a fantastic birthday. Tatiana cooked a huge (delicious!) Russian meal, and those of us who didn't have exams went out to the pubs later. Here I am with a few of the girls!


Oh, the Three Musketeers. Friday was Megan's last night in Cork, so we went out for one last pint! It was so sad. I can't believe that we've only known each other for five months! After all the adventures we've had, it feels like a lot longer.


I took a little break from studying yesterday to go watch the Munster-Toulouse rugby match--it was the Heineken Cup final. The crowd went wild when Munster won, 16-13. It was SUCH an exciting match, and even better because I recognised some of the players (a lot of Munster players also played for Ireland in the 6 Nations Tournament).


Cork was all dressed up for the game (this is actually nothing compared to how many flags and banners were flying all around the city--I just liked the huge jersey)! Remember, "Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of God."

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