My First Week

Hello all! Well I apologize for not posting in a week but I've been busy figuring out my normal schedule (which isn't that blog worthy). However a few things were: On Monday, I took the bus for the first time ever to school. Which was kind of awkward because I didn't know anyone and sat in a two seater by myself, but it was okay because I was able to just look at the town and embrace it all by myself. I do continue to ride by myself, but I don't mind. There's also a store called Hanrahans that I can go to before the bus arrives for a warm croissant for breakfast. Tuesday was pretty boring, but on Wednesday, I have Home Economics, a class I've never taken, nor had the opportunity to take. So, like the food addict I am, I was so excited to spend two periods making a delicious meal (My partner Naimh and I made a butternut squash, carrot and potato soup-it was so good I almost forgot to save some for my mom to try at home)! Thursday and Friday were just normal school days that consisted of me just learning more about how the girls all interact and the way they speak and their society than the actual subject. On Saturday,  I met two of my cousins- Aine (Anya) and Fionn, who are absolutely adorable at the ages of 3 and 5. They're my first cousin Jane's children and my second cousin Danny's (who I used to play with all the time when I was younger as he is just a year older than me) siblings. Danny is away in Spain for about a year, with only his school Spanish to speak with, which makes me feel as tough it's my duty to keep going on my trip, and not even think about giving up. Anyways, Jane, Aine, Fionn, Fergal (Aine and Fionn's dad), Lilli, my mom, and myself all went to the new Swim and Gym center, fully equipped with a sauna, a kiddie pool, lap lanes, and a water slide that goes out side the building! It was super fun hanging out with all my cousins and helping them learn to swim. After a few spins on the waterside for us kids and a good relaxation in the sauna for the adults, we took our showers and headed home. Now, this part is going to get a bit hard to follow, but stay with me. We had two parties to attend (my mom and I); a dinner-dance for the Pantomime, and my cousin Anthony's 40th birthday party. Lilli was so excited for the dinner-dance, she couldn't stop talking about it and making sure I was excited too. I was, but also nervous because I'm not a great dancer, and I wouldn't know anyone. All four of us (my mom, Aunt Carol, Lilli, and I) coincidently dressed in all black dresses and shoes, we were "like a clan of witches" as Aunt Carol said.The dinner-dance was actually quite fun! The food was delicious and during a little award ceremony for the cast and crew,a very close friend of Grandpa Tony spoke welcomed my mom and I over the microphone and spoke bait about my grandfather, even getting a bit choked up which of course made my mom tear up. I am a little upset that I never had the pleasure of meeting the famous Tony Stacey, but I know I will someday. Anyways, after the ceremony, there was lots of dancing and I requested California Girls and dedicated it to my mom, and I even led a conga line! So later my mom and I headed to The Bullet, a pub my grandparents owned, for Anthony's 40th birthday party. And at that party I met some more cousins, and chatted with my Uncle Neil who is a really really funny guy. And I mostly hung out with Megan, Neil's daughter, who was really really nice to me the entire time which I appreciated a lot. So, after a full night of dancing and meeting a whole bunch of people, our night was finally over and I could rest. On Sunday the only thing that was notable was a little get together for some of my cousins so I could say hello to everyone. I met Liona and her daughter and saw Dean, Megan, and Samantha and was able to meet her daughters Keeva and Kelsey. Tomorrow, I will post about Tuesday's work experience and I will try to post a family tree so those of you who are so overwhelmed by all these names, as I am, can stay on track.
Aoife