Happy St. Patrick's Day! (yes, a bit late)

So...I've been overwhelmed with stuff.

But I had a lovely St. Patrick's Day!

Did you?

I can bet mine beat yours...for the simple fact that I'm in Ireland. Not Dublin, but still...

We celebrated. The French boys got all dressed up. See Tommy in the background with a hula skirt?

Aren't those some awesome glasses? Never mind that I haven't seen a single clover, let alone a four leaf one...

Not gonna lie. I find this odd. Really really big guns...and smiling soldiers casually riding next to them...he's about to wave...

A LEPRECHAUN!!! FOLLOW HIM!!!!

It was a very multinational parade. This is the Filipino group! There was dancing and everything!

That's right. It's not a St. Paddy's day parade until someone breathes fire.

Erm....Did we travel through space to Scotland? Who cares! Kids in kilts playing bagpipes (semi)decently!

Raise your hand if you dressed up your dog for St. Patrick's Day! Really?

You know what a national holiday parade needs? A protest.

What?!

Okay, these dancers had skillz. Sadly they did their dance before they passed us so I didn't get a great pic. Actually, my friend Magnus snagged this one for me.

Here's the rest: 

Click here to view these pictures larger

Afterwards we went home for a couple of hours to lay low...then to a pub for a couple of drinks followed by a trip to a friends apartment! Fun times. 

Hope yours was just as good ;)

Baci,
Mari

P.S. The past few days have been GORGEOUS. Definitely a mood improvement. It's been a hard past few weeks emotionally, plus midterms now followed by the wrapping up of a semester...eek.

Let's go to the Market!

I have a new Saturday morning plan...that doesn't involve sleeping to about, oh, 3PM every week.

True story.

So this past Saturday morning I managed to roll out of bed at 9:55AM. At approx. 10AM (i.e. 10:05) I walked two blocks up my street to the famous Milk Market! There I met up with some other international students and basically started to really appreciate Limerick more.

There were several garden stands set up.

Not only was the permanent market filled to the proverbial brim, the streets surrounding the market were filled as well with stands and people.

She had free samples of really really good chocolate.

There were all kinds of vendors - fresh produce, smoked meats, organic veggies, cheese, pastries...

My favorites as you probably know by now.

The most impressive part for me was the spirit. Rather than the tired Limerick filled with abandoned buildings and empty lots I was used to, here was a Limerick awake and bustling with a very apparent sense of community.

Fresh fish! Didn't smell that bad actually.

So guess what I'm doing this Saturday? Before taking the bus to meet my friend Natalie (of last semester's adventures) in Dublin I'm going to the market. I won't be buying anything - though that chocolate will be calling my name....

This is my tea guy. He sells high quality loose tea! And coffee beans...

I take that back. I probably will get a nice fresh cup of coffee. I'll have a breakfast of samples. 

The food everyone thinks of when they think of Ireland.

I must say, one of the things I will miss most about Europe is the prevelance of fresh food markets. It's one of my goals to shop Farmer's Markets when I get back to the States. It's about more than the food - it's for the sense of community and closeness as well. 

Baci,

Mari

The Perfect Sunday Afternoon

Guess what guys...I'm a model!

Just kidding, I have NO PLANS on entering the fashion industry. But, yesterday afternoon another foreign exchange student, Janne Cecilie of Norway, wanted to take some pictures. For some reason I was her only volunteer. The rain stopped, the sun peaked out, and we went down to the Park...

You can see more pics on her bilingual blog! It was so much fun - when it warms up we hope to do a shoot with dresses! 

Baci,

Mari

Artsy Fartsy Thursday - Paper Flowers!

Here's the first edition of Artsy Fartsy Thursday! I don't know why, but since arriving in Ireland I've become very arts and craftsy...perhaps it's necessity birthing creativity. Or maybe a little too much Pinterest (feel free to follow me!).

Whatever the case, it's inspired me to start a new weekly feature called...Artsy Fartsy Thursday! Kitchy and a bit crass? Yes. But I can hardly take myself seriously since I've turned into a...crafty person...Really, I look at a paper towel roll and start thinking "What can I do with this?"

Anyways. This might be a travel blog but part of travel is adaption, especially when you are staying in one place for more than a few weeks. You want it to feel like home. Which brings me to...

Paper flowers! Neither of these are original. The first you've already seen on my blog when I discussed decorating on a shoe string budget. You can find the tutorial for the rose-like flowers (and yes, hers look much better than mine) and pics here.

Today I made two new ones from a new tutorial. I like these as well. They definetely add diversity to the table display and kind of freshen it up. And yep, I used the Atlas I bought (it will play a central part of the next few Thursdays).

Basically, this flower is origami + double sided tape (aka one of the greatest inventions evah!).

As you'll see in the tutorial, she says to fold down part of the paper to make it flush. I made a smaller flower without doing that and here's what happened...

Kind of reminds me of a juicer, but I like it nonetheless. 

Well, that brings us to the end of our first Artsy Fartsy Thursday! Hope you enjoyed! 

Also, hope you had a wonderful Valentine's day.

Baci,

Mari

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!

In case you're unaware, Emma is my roommate. She's the Ausome Aussie I've mentioned before. And guess what...

TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!!! In fact, she turns 19. Which means she only has one year left of the "But I'm a teenager" excuse.

Isn't she beautiful?

Happy birthday Emma! I'm so glad to get to experience it with you! Thank you so much for everything you've done for me over the past weeks. It has meant so much.

Baci e abbracci,

Mari

Weekend Plans! 2/3 -2/6

I stole this idea from One Sheepish Girl. She's adorable! (Notice the book she has on the top of her page...!!!)

Anywho, it's been another long week, but the weekend is finally here. Unfortunately, I'm so tired. No suprise all things considered. So this weekend I'm going to take it easy. Most of the other international students are going to Cork or Dingle. Me, I'm having some quality time with my duvet.

It's really warm and comfy.

I also have a really long to-do list. But since I don't have classes on Mondays I have a three-day weekend to do it. Several of the things are pretty easy - like go out and have a cup of tea or file taxes.

Oh, wait.

That second one probably won't happen this weekend.

I'm also planning on finding some hiking boots. Ireland has some amazing hiking opportunities! I'm planning on taking advantage of it. There are supposed to be some trails around Limerick - I might try out one of those on Sunday.

Other than that, make some Potato and Leek soup and sleep.

Baci,
Mari

Self Portrait

Today I'm participating in a self-portrait challenge hosted by The Paper Mama, my latest blog find. I love her freshness and honesty. I found her via Pinterest - are you on Pinterest yet? 

Currently I'm...

Obsessing over… what to have for dinner. Not an object - though that would have to be new hair-dos I suppose, but my stomach pretty much determines my day...I'm thinking left over soup and a peanut butter sandwich! YUM.


Working on… Videos for another blog I write for. I'm kind of in love with container gardens - they seem so easy! Too easy...also, all my school work for tomorrow.


Anticipating… Getting cards from my family! I have an Irish address, and there's nothing like getting mail from home, especially when you're thoughts are there.


Listening to… the telly (like my local slang thrown in there?). Currently it's on Scrubs reruns. Can you believe I'd never seen a full episode until I got to Europe?


Eating… Well, drinking coffee. About to eat my homemade lentil-potato-onion soup!


Wishing…  I had more time and energy to do everything I want on my blogs, for school, and with my new friends (and old!).


And yes, that is a bright, red, lipstick - Rimmel No. 12 in fact. It's a corral because I thought that would work well with my skin tone. I got several compliments today at school about it. Why, when I am a strong proponent of natural looks, have I suddenly donned a bright red? Confidence. I'm a firm believer that only the most confident women can truly pull off reds. And as a sign of my new found confidence (which, I should let you know is a work in progress) I wore red lipstick today.

What do you think? Does it work with my skin tone?

Baci,
Mari

P.S. There's also this Red Lipstick Challenge. I agree with pretty much everything she has to say on the subject and once I figure out how to add buttons, I'll by announcing my participation in her challenge.

How to Decorate Your Apartment With No Money and No Desire To Accumulate...

Okay, the long title says it all.

Emma and I have no money. Emma and I have no desire to accumulate things.

The decorations you are about to see are things that I got to take home, found, and otherwise spent 1.50 Euro on.

Hah!

I found the tray in the bottom drawer of the kitchen. We got the candle for 1 Euro at the Euro store. The pinecones were given to me by the family in Spain. And I made the flowers using this tutorial out of a 2007 Ireland atlas I got for 50 cents at a Charity store.

Aren't the flowers so pretty? You're supposed to use a hot glue gun but since I don't have one of those I used safety pins through the bottom.

Next, we have the walls! The first one is my Barcelona wall.

I used the city map I got while there and added the postcards I picked up. It's a little sparse - I might find some ticket stubs that are still in good shape. 

This is the Ireland wall! It's a work in progress and a team effort. The letters and hearts I cut out of the same atlas I used to make flowers. The map of Ireland and the Limerick page also come from it. The other pieces are things we've done and picked up. 

Map, ticket stub, pamphlet, and some Indian food (because we've had it twice since we've been here!)

Well, there's two really low budget, low effort options for giving a very personal touch to your apartment - and spending very little money!!!

Baci,

Mari

Well hi! From Patrick St.

And now, for the long awaited and anticipated first blog post from my new apartment!!!

I have an Irish address. As in, Ireland. How flipping cool is that?!?!

It's above an art gallery (which is why I say we have a pet dog....because during the day they play this art film that is a black lab howling inside what sounds like an echo chamber...we can hear him two floors up). It's right across from the grocery store (which is a good thing, except being able to just run in and get something isn't good for my bank account). It's right downtown amongst all the stores (again, bank account). And...right around the corner from the best pubs (I don't need to explain that, do I?).

Got these pics from Emma.

We finally have internet, we have cable, we even have a home phone (because it was in the bundle). We have a washing machine. A dish washer. We added a coffee pot.

The stuff on the wall is a map of Barcelona and post cards I got there. Working on a similar one for Limerick.

Life is going.

Except for the whole bills part...that's fricking terrifying. Frickin. Terrifying. And being responsible and what not. Which is not to say that I'm a stranger to responsibility. I'm not. But on my own, in another country...well, it can get overwhelming.

Fortunately, I have a roommate. An ausome aussie roommate.

We did some touring of the city, I suppose you might want some pictures....

Click here to view these pictures larger

Baci,
Mari

*drafted a week ago - only published once pics could be added.

So you want to live in Limerick....

Not a problem! (apparently)!

Emma the Ausome Aussie

Emma (my Ausome Aussie roommate) and I arrived Thursday night. Friday afternoon at three we saw an apartment (in a prime location I must say) and pretty much decided it was the one for us.

We submitted our paperwork and, barring natural disaster, we move in tomorrow! (at which point you'll get pics - they've taken it off the listing site).

I'm waiting for the ball to drop. This was too easy. As I said, it's in a great location near the river in the city centre of Limerick. It's right across from a large grocery store and pharmacy. It's just down the street from Penney's  - which might be more con than pro ;) - and...yeah.

I've had my eye on it for over a month. Emailed the lister, inquired about a four month lease, made an appointment for Friday afternoon, gave our reference letters (bank statement, letter of acceptance at MIC), paid the deposit...and we move in tomorrow!

I thought it would be harder. Something tells me it won't be this easy in August when I get a place in Chicago.

Don't worry, more posts to come about Limerick, Ireland, and the Irish...I'm working on compiling lists of witty observations.

Baci,
Mari

Dublin, or...

...how I almost got deported before ever leaving the airport.

Yes, you read that right.

from babypicturesphotos.com

That's how I felt (and looked for that matter) yesterday at about 12:30PM or so Dublin time. 

At approximately that time the Immigration Official (Mr. Grumpy) informed me that since I didn't have an official letter from MIC stating enrollment I was going to be sent back "to where I came from". (Which, I suppose, would have been Barcelona). 

Heart. Stopped. 

He refused to let me enter as a tourist (because I couldn't "be both student and tourist and I said I was a student and now I just wanted to change my story"?). I couldn't check my email because I couldn't register for 10 minutes of free wifi because I didn't have a cell phone for it to send my password to. I couldn't be escorted to a phone to call MIC because there was a line of people and, as Mr. Grumpy put it, "Did I expect all those people in line to wait on me to be escorted to a phone?" Also, he refused to give me my passport back. 

He told me to just go sit down. I did. I tried not to dissolve into a mess of salty water. 

After Mr. Grumpy and his partner, Mr. Unconcerned (now with his feet up on the desk - not kidding), had dealt with the other 12 or so people in line he waved me back up. He asked for the name of the school I was supposed to be enrolled at. Then he asked how much I paid for these classes I was supposed to be taking. He looked up the number, called MIC, and said "I have a young woman here by the name of Mari Lynn Thompson who is presenting herself as a student at your university for the semester but she doesn't have a letter."

OF COURSE I DON'T HAVE A LETTER. IT'S SOMEWHERE ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER AT HOME IN KENTUCKY WHERE I HAVEN'T BEEN FOR FIVE MONTHS. 

They confirmed my enrollment. As he began to stamp my passport eh said "You didn't present yourself very well here this morning."

Um, no shi* Mr. Grumpy. I've NEVER had to go through immigration when going from one EU country to another. I didn't know I needed the letter - I've been in Europe...

"And I am very very sorry." Truer words never spoken. 

Mr. Grumpy took my picture, gave me my passport back, further instrctions about having only a month to go to the local police station and get all my blah blah blah. 

I got my suitcase and dissolved into a salty water mess. 

Then, bus to Limerick where I met Emma. She's awesome. She brought me peanut butter. 

Baci,

Mari