It's a bittersweet symphony

I can't believe it, but this is it. The last day. The last supper. The final countdown. The end. The fat lady's singing. It's over. Donezo. It's a fact, listening to Bing Crosby's rendition of "Galway Bay" on repeat does not help the situation.

I spent this morning shopping in town a bit, yesterday I had a perfect day. I read by the Spanish Arches (and got a ridiculous sunburn) and went shopping, lunched at 4, ate banoffi pie, had a pint, and then went for my last trad at the Crane Bar. It was perfect. Today, I'm obviously procrastinating packing by writing this last post. I had coffee and a muffin by the bay today after I finished getting some last-minute items, and it was glorious. Still though, I guess Mom's right when she says I'm melodramatic. I kept thinking, "This is the last time I'll..." fill in the blank with every possible thing I can think of. But I think I'm just emotionally attached to life and people. I took this quiz online that said I'm too emotional because sometimes it can take me days to get over a story from a movie or book. So I guess it will obviously take awhile to stop missing Galway. Running around with rugrats in Maine all summer should help.

Things I'm leaving behind (on purpose, of course...they're just 'misplaced')
a pair of my favorite earrings
half of a pair of another favorite
4 earring backs (not including the aforementioned earrings)
facewash, that could have been stolen by an Australian couple in Cinque Terre
holey sheets and socks
old towels
2 umbrellas, snapped by the Irish wind
a couple pictures that were eaten by the wall behind my desk
a camera case
a pair of flats, mourned in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
a sweet bike...that wasn't really lost though it was returned for 50 euro (Score!)

So really, Ireland can never forget me because I have all this crap all over the place.

I could write a list of what I'll miss, or what the high points of the semester has been, but that would be too long. I'll just have to talk non-stop about Ireland for the next 5 years, and maybe then you'll hear the whole story. Maybe even the non-censored version! (Yeah, I'm wild and crazy and hitchhike and stuff) (I'm kidding, I don't hitchhike).

Tonight the last meal will be fish and chips at McDonagh's and pints at Tigh Coili. Can I just say I am so sad to leave my Irish bartenders? What lads. They're class. I don't know what I'm going to do about it...maybe Fairfield or Rutherford will get an influx of Irish bartenders? Maybe Shane will open a proper Irish pub in NJ instead of Poland? We'll see.

I cannot wait to see everyone. I am so excited to be home even though I hate to leave. I miss everybody so much, that is why Galway could never be perfect. I am so glad there are two family events before I move to Maine so I can see everyone. and of course, First meal of beefsteak! First breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes! First chance, hugs for all! I miss the U.S. of A.

In parting, lyrics to 'Galway Hooker' (remember, it's a boat, not WT)

At the end of the day down in Galway Bay
We set sails for the very last time
Now I cannot believe for you and me
It's time to say goodbye...

"Stop the drama, vote Obama"

It is SO FRUSTRATING to be in Europe and not at home in the middle of all of this political primary craziness. What is the deal with the Democrats...at this rate Senator McCain could just skip into the White House because Hillary and Barack are already telling the country why not to vote for each other..and one of them will be the nominee..so really McCain's campaign staff just magically lucked out. Ahhhh. And the Irish just can't stop talking about it.

The St. Nicholas Market

These are displays from one of my favorite things about Galway - the Saturday St. Nicholas Market. The market is all day Saturday behind St. Nicholas Church in a sweet alleyway. According to local hearsay, Christopher Columbus stopped by for a prayer on his way to "Asia" in 1492 (when he sailed the ocean blue).
The market has crepes, chili, hand knit sweaters socks gloves and hats, jewelry made of wood silver glass and pottery, doughnuts, muffins, fresh fish, flowers, organic vegetables, handmade ironwork, fruit, pies, homemade apple juice, vegetarian specials, south african sausages, cheese, fruit compotes and honey----I can go on and on. I live for the Saturday market.
Yesterday was a great day because I got there around 10, pretty early, and could buy all of my vegetables early. I usually bring a backpack and fill it up with vegetables for the week - it's cheaper and tastes better than the veggies at Aldi or Dunnes. Then I make sure to get some food! Since I was there in the morning I decided to go with an apple-pecan homemade muffin and bought a white hot chocolate at Butler's Chocolate Shoppe (mixing it up! usually a mocha coffee from Cafe Express). Sigh. I bought a present and got something for free so that way I would remember Peter and Bertie and remember, "make sure you come say hello now, when you're at the market like."
One of my favorite things is the doughnut man. He has a green and white striped tent w/ his daughter and they fry doughnuts and then toss them in sugar for you. Cocoa powder or cinnamon is optional. It tastes like funnel cake a little bit, and they are delicious. The doughnut man wears a straw hat with a flat top and a band around the edge and is always singing, no matter what. If you go to the market by the end of the day, there's a 1 in 2 chance he's already drunk! In the afternoon you could probably sit and watch the levels in his pint of Guinness all afternoon as he slowly works his way to happy drunk straw hat doughnut man.
Today was a lazy day. Last night we had a Passover sedar in my apartment because my roommate Lea and our friend Jake from downstairs are Jewish and they decided they wanted to host a sedar. There were 15 of us and we made huge quantities of food and had maybe 10 bottles of wine. It was so lovely, we cleaned and cooked all afternoon, Lea and Jake said a couple of prayers and we passed around herbs and charoset and horseradish and salt water--the boys from downstairs even put on collared shirts and ties! Or a sweater instead of a tie. It was all very adorable. Lea made matzoh ball soup, we were all very proud of her. We went out for some drinks afterwards, it was a great celebration!
In general though, I am getting homesick. I miss everyone terribly, especially because Mom left. I had been seeing my friend Liz almost every 2 or 3 weeks since I came over and I miss the girls from FU TERRIBLY as well. I had to call Sarah today. Sorry Mom I will give you $$ for that phone call. Anyway, I miss everyone at home. I will see the Carrolls at Jess's graduation and the Strahles at Jenn's wedding and I am so excited. Watch out, I am a professional drinker of Guinness now.
love. me.

The Rat Race of Guinness

I've decided to embark on a journey. This past week has been fabulous because everyone has come back from spring break and there were 3 birthdays! and Mom is coming tomorrow, I cannot wait for her to be here. Basically, that perfectly sets the scene for me to continue my going out journey of Guinness...at least two weeks straight of going out every night. Tonight, Sunday, will be the only challenge because I have to write a paper--but luckily the Hanley Oaks Hotel and Bar is right next door! Won't that be fun...

I've officially booked my plane ticket home for May 15. Now that I officially have a booking for a plane ticket home on May 15-------it's so close! I can't imagine leaving and yet at the same time I really want an American crumb bun....no. I really can't imagine leaving. If I thought my body could handle it I'd hit the 5pm,6pm,9pm,10pm trad sessions nightly until the Aerlingus Aerbus takes off.

Since it's approaching the end, I have also decided-to hell with it! I will buy the not-sixty-cents-cheese if I want to. In fact, I will buy the good cheese! And I do not have to buy the sale wine or beer for my apartment. In fact, I will buy the 11 euro bottle of shiraz and 750ml of Hoeegarden! Unfortunately I have already noticed the budget crunch. This pattern may not continue for long, but by God I hope so.
My room is vacuumed and dusted for Mom's visit, so I need to go write the paper that's due...until later this week!