Finals Begin. Dum dum dum daaaaa

Who wants to take a final when it looks like THIS out?


not me!

Unfortunately, finals start today. I've already handed in papers for two classes and have 3 exams to sit plus 1 more paper (with no word length OR due date, so that's last). I have to leave in an hour to catch the bus because lecture finals are in the community center or the Racetrack. In order to get there, you have to pay 3 euro to take the bus to your mandatory final. These Irish are connivers...not even Fairfield stoops that low! I've been studying for a few days and am surprised at how well I know the end of the 100 Years War (although don't ask me about the beginning or the middle of it) and am definitely ready for history. Philosophy and Northern Ireland politics are next week - one week at a time!

This weekend I'm going to visit my friend from home, Kyle, in Derry. That should be lots of fun especially because I haven't gone to the north of Ireland or Northern Ireland at all yet. That is my last trip outside of Galway until I take the bus to Shannon Airport on the 15th. Yikes! Two weeks from Thursday!

Yesterday we had our Fairfield "farewell meal" and went to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for a medieval banquet. Although no Medieval Times, this was definitely fun. We ended up at the table right next to the king! Who got really into his voluntary surprise role by the end of the night..I think maybe he had too much of the free flowing wine and mead? We had to eat with our hands and drink our soup; unlike Medieval Times we got the benefit of a "dagger" (steak knife that was made in Brazil). I really just felt so barbaric stabbing my food and eating it off the end of the knife. It was a little too Errol Flynn-Robin Hood for me. The castle is very cool and the entertainment was medieval ballads, Irish songs and ended with 'Danny boy,' of course. One of the madrigals they sang I sang in high school! There was a bagpiper outside at the end in full bagpiper attire - I didn't know bagpipers had attire but they do including big fluffy hats - which was interesting, and once my friend did some step dancing to it, you kind of forgot it sounded like fighting cats. In general, a grand evening.