This past week was full of navigating our classes, sightseeing, and sadly, getting sick. Luckily, we’re all almost over it, and we’ve managed to power through and still have a good time!

Monday through Thursday we all had classes, but we also had fun at the pubs and tried to see the city a bit more. Classes in Ireland are very similar to what they’re like in the states, but I’d say Iowa State has some much bigger class sizes.

Friday none of us had class, but while Quinn and Evan were sleeping in (they got sick a little “harder” than the rest of us.) (We don’t actually know how/why they got so sick…. buuut we’ve been giving them crap about kissing random girls) (Tim/Christy/Cordt fam: Evan literally deserves his own blog post because wow…. he is very entertaining) Gustavo and I went to see Fitzgerald’s park and the English Market with my friend Melanie that I met in an astronomy class last year.

The museum at Fitzgerald’s was closed for the day, but we still got to walk around and see the college’s gym, which is nearby. After, we went to the English Market, which was very neat! It’s on the way to/from classes, so I think I know where I’m going to do some of my grocery shopping from now on! Also on Friday, I got ice cream for the first time since I’ve been here. I was a very happy person.

On Saturday we decided to visit the Blarney castle and gardens, which was a fun day trip, as it’s less than a thirty minute bus ride (shout out to Mel and Gustavo who figured out how to get there.) While we were at Blarney we toured the castle, kissed the stone, checked out the poison garden, (yes, that’s a thing,) climbed trees, almost got attacked by “Lance and Ellie,” and explored the rest of the grounds. We spent over three hours there, and it was a lot of fun!

Once we got home, we all took a nap before deciding to go out. I only went out for a couple hours since the busy day caught up to me FAST. Regardless of being exhausted, I think everybody had a fun time.

Like last week, Sunday was spent recovering, sleeping in, and grocery shopping. Next weekend we are wanting to see the Cliffs of Moher and maybe some other attractions, so some serious planning will be taking place before then.