Firsties

I came into Dublin with a hearty breeze meeting me off the east coast (believe it or not, Pop.) The time difference and sleep deprivation couldn't keep my excitement contained. After making friends with the bus and taxi driver on my way to my homestay, I was greeted with open arms by my host mum, Vera. What a peach. I've heard that we've (Maggie my housemate and I) made out like bandits with having Vera and Pat as our host parents.
The students that decided to stay in the apartments, on the other hand, have learned they have to pay for everything; groceries, heat and electricity. Maggie and I foolishly bragged about how we couldn't finish our dessert. We won't make many friends that way...
But during our break at orientation today (after arriving 45 minutes late from being lost in Dublin) we met some girls and took a lovely stroll in the rain through St. Stephen's Green. It's only about a block away from the school, and I plan on making it a habit to go there as much as possible to soak up the day and find inspiration. I want those moleskins filled by the time of my return...
A "brilliant" young man took us students on a tour around the town today and had much useful insight on Dublin. He was saying how amazing the economic turnaround has been in the past 15 years, but with that has come much disposable income, turning the youth materialistic. These are strong observations I'm agreeing with, but after living in the states all of my life I believe it's safe to say that I can make a fair comparison.
Tomorrow is Maggie's 21st birthday. We're going to spend the day exploring Dalkey and take a hike up to the castle on the hill. We'll rap up the day by finding a pub to have a couple pints.
But for now, my first Friday night in Ireland will be spent ridding myself of the rest of this jet lag, and preparing for a "luvely" weekend.