Dear xAndra,
Thanks so much. Hopefully, I'll be done soon. I'm just taking a little break from a paper to write this. I'm a little brain-blocked and not liking where the paper is going, so I'm hoping a little break will get it back on track. ;)
Sounds like your first semester at college has been a resounding success. Of course, I don't mean to jinx it before your results are in, so I'm sorry. But I'm sure you did fantastically so woohoo and congratulations. Go home and celebrate with some hot chocolate and A Christmas Story for the two of us.
Last week, I went to London with a couple of friends. I got tonsillitis, so that was an adventure. But they dragged me all over the city anyway, and I'm delighted that they did. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can pick yourself up again. I headed to the doctor as soon as we landed back to Cork, and I've now been on antibiotics for a few days. I realized in the middle of the day yesterday that I could swallow without pain, and that was a beautiful moment in my life.
Other than that, nothing much is exciting around here. Most of my friends have gone home for the holidays, with the exception of my housemate, the boy, and a couple of Irish peeps who are working in the city. If I can get these last couple of papers finished, I might actually be able to hang out with everyone. Woohoo!! xx
Anyway, I can't wait to see you either. What's going to happen to this blog when we're actually in the same house for two weeks? It's gonna be weird!!! Can't wait though. Maybe we could just sit down and decorate it together. Or take a million stupid pictures to make a new background. Or play with Angus for hours and post those pictures all over it. So many possibilities.
Alright, I'd better run. But I'll see you in five days.... xx
Love always,
SarleX
Monday, December 16, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Happy Finals!
Hi Sarah,
I hope that your finals are going well. I'm very excited that you're coming home soon! I can't wait to see you. It's been way too long! I just got home yesterday and I'm not leaving again until the second week of January. So I'm home for a good, long time :) I already miss my boyfriend and friends, but it's nice to be home.
I thoroughly enjoyed looking through all of your Thanksgiving pictures on Facebook..looks like the night was a success! You looked quite happy in all of the pictures :) I'm happy to be done with all of my finals and I believe they went well. I had two yesterday and I turned in a paper and then left around 2. Mom and I stopped in a little town on the way home that she had shopped in the day before to do some shopping. The town is called Ligonier and it's very quaint. It's almost like Cabot Cove except without an ocean. There are no big name stores there, but all little privately owned shops which is very nice.
Anyways, I'm very much looking forward to seeing you soon, sis. Have a good rest of the semester.
Love you bunches.
xoxo
Xandra
I hope that your finals are going well. I'm very excited that you're coming home soon! I can't wait to see you. It's been way too long! I just got home yesterday and I'm not leaving again until the second week of January. So I'm home for a good, long time :) I already miss my boyfriend and friends, but it's nice to be home.
I thoroughly enjoyed looking through all of your Thanksgiving pictures on Facebook..looks like the night was a success! You looked quite happy in all of the pictures :) I'm happy to be done with all of my finals and I believe they went well. I had two yesterday and I turned in a paper and then left around 2. Mom and I stopped in a little town on the way home that she had shopped in the day before to do some shopping. The town is called Ligonier and it's very quaint. It's almost like Cabot Cove except without an ocean. There are no big name stores there, but all little privately owned shops which is very nice.
Anyways, I'm very much looking forward to seeing you soon, sis. Have a good rest of the semester.
Love you bunches.
xoxo
Xandra
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Thanksgiving Exists!
Dear xAndra,
I'm so glad to hear that you liked my last post. I really hadn't sat down to give any kind of deep spiritual spiel or advice whatsoever; it was really just word-vomit (or thought-vomit) all over the blog. I'm glad it was appreciated it in the end.
I'm hoping that you had a lovely Thanksgiving after all that. I know it probably seemed incredibly short, but you'll be home again for an entire MONTH for Christmas soon enough! More homemade- read: fatty and delicious- food to come, more family, more hometown friends, more ME... so get excited. Though I'm sure you're also probably sad to leave school for an entire month. I can't remember actually; during my freshman year, was I more excited or less so to go home for Christmas? It seems like it's that perfect time, you're just getting into a comfortable routine at school and you feel like it's a shame to interrupt it. But at the same time, I remember a lot of little things were frustrating me, about my roommates, my professors, my general schooling situation, and I couldn't wait to "get back" to the house and "normalcy" (of course, that never happens...). But I bet you'll be surprised. You see, every single semester at college is different, and every time you get comfortable in any one place, you're suddenly surprised to find yourself in a new situation, new friends, new commitments. It's part of what makes college awesome, but it's also part of what makes it fly by. One year seems like two, and four seems like a million. You look back and wonder how your friend group has changed so many times and how you could've ever gone out as much as you did back as a fresher. ;)
Our Thanksgiving was a great, big success. I'll hopefully narrate the whole thing over on SEDiva soon enough, but since that probably won't actually be soon enough, I'll give you the highlights. E and B came back to Cork again (they should just move in, seriously) for Thanksgiving. They got to the house bearing gifts of shop vouchers and alcohol, right as the housemate and I were finishing up a couple of things in the kitchen. M and K's couple friends all came over, and the boy came over as well. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough seating to put everyone at the same table, though we tried and tried desperately to find a way to do it. In the end, my friends and I were all seated at the "kiddie" table, and it worked out great. We laughed the night away over champagne (brought by the boy, along with glasses, such a nice touch ;)) and turkey and Dad's stuffing. We had a thousand leftovers and a million laughs. It was great craic.
E and B stayed one more night, and we tried to go out. But the three of us were utterly exhausted. We managed to stay out until the bars closed, and I think we should've gotten a medal or something because I didn't think we were going to make it awake. They left Saturday morning. It's super tragic knowing that they won't be back again after we've had so many adventurous visits.
Now I'm just trying to buckle down and finish all this work before Christmas. As it is, I will probably be finishing an assignment or two over the break, but at least I have some January due dates, just in case. Wishing you all the best with your work! And wash those Christmas socks; we're having a movie night in exactly 16 and a half days!! xxx
Love you bunches,
SarleX
I'm so glad to hear that you liked my last post. I really hadn't sat down to give any kind of deep spiritual spiel or advice whatsoever; it was really just word-vomit (or thought-vomit) all over the blog. I'm glad it was appreciated it in the end.
I'm hoping that you had a lovely Thanksgiving after all that. I know it probably seemed incredibly short, but you'll be home again for an entire MONTH for Christmas soon enough! More homemade- read: fatty and delicious- food to come, more family, more hometown friends, more ME... so get excited. Though I'm sure you're also probably sad to leave school for an entire month. I can't remember actually; during my freshman year, was I more excited or less so to go home for Christmas? It seems like it's that perfect time, you're just getting into a comfortable routine at school and you feel like it's a shame to interrupt it. But at the same time, I remember a lot of little things were frustrating me, about my roommates, my professors, my general schooling situation, and I couldn't wait to "get back" to the house and "normalcy" (of course, that never happens...). But I bet you'll be surprised. You see, every single semester at college is different, and every time you get comfortable in any one place, you're suddenly surprised to find yourself in a new situation, new friends, new commitments. It's part of what makes college awesome, but it's also part of what makes it fly by. One year seems like two, and four seems like a million. You look back and wonder how your friend group has changed so many times and how you could've ever gone out as much as you did back as a fresher. ;)
Our Thanksgiving was a great, big success. I'll hopefully narrate the whole thing over on SEDiva soon enough, but since that probably won't actually be soon enough, I'll give you the highlights. E and B came back to Cork again (they should just move in, seriously) for Thanksgiving. They got to the house bearing gifts of shop vouchers and alcohol, right as the housemate and I were finishing up a couple of things in the kitchen. M and K's couple friends all came over, and the boy came over as well. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough seating to put everyone at the same table, though we tried and tried desperately to find a way to do it. In the end, my friends and I were all seated at the "kiddie" table, and it worked out great. We laughed the night away over champagne (brought by the boy, along with glasses, such a nice touch ;)) and turkey and Dad's stuffing. We had a thousand leftovers and a million laughs. It was great craic.
E and B stayed one more night, and we tried to go out. But the three of us were utterly exhausted. We managed to stay out until the bars closed, and I think we should've gotten a medal or something because I didn't think we were going to make it awake. They left Saturday morning. It's super tragic knowing that they won't be back again after we've had so many adventurous visits.
Now I'm just trying to buckle down and finish all this work before Christmas. As it is, I will probably be finishing an assignment or two over the break, but at least I have some January due dates, just in case. Wishing you all the best with your work! And wash those Christmas socks; we're having a movie night in exactly 16 and a half days!! xxx
Love you bunches,
SarleX
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving, sissie!
Dear Sarah,
I absolutely loved your post! In fact there were numerous tears down my cheeks as I read it :)
Happy almost Thanksgiving. Actually, it's officially thanksgiving in Ireland now! Anyways, I think it's fantastic that you're cooking with your friends..that should be great fun! We're waking up early in the morning to go to Mass at 9, and then we're going to brunch straight from there. Nana and Gido are driving out to meet us at the hotel. After that, we're coming back home and relaxing/ watching movies.
I'm quite happy to be home..I'm enjoying being able to take a shower without shoes on, having the luxury of being able to shut the door while showering, having a big bed (which is quite comfortable), and of course seeing everybody ;) Oh, and not to mention the luxury of having a full refrigerator. I saw all the girls I graduated with today at Panera for a while, and then I just hung out with Cristen for a little while. It's very nice being able to catch up with everyone..it's been so long since we've seen each other, and so much has happened, yet at the same time it doesn't feel like it's been all that long.
The rest of this week should be pretty quiet. I have a test to study for and a paper to write..joy. But I really need to get those done. Right now I'm just relaxing and listening to Christmas music and I'll probably go to bed soon.
Have a happy Thanksgiving.
Love you bunches,
xandra xoxo
p.s. thank you for you advice..it's very valuable!
I absolutely loved your post! In fact there were numerous tears down my cheeks as I read it :)
Happy almost Thanksgiving. Actually, it's officially thanksgiving in Ireland now! Anyways, I think it's fantastic that you're cooking with your friends..that should be great fun! We're waking up early in the morning to go to Mass at 9, and then we're going to brunch straight from there. Nana and Gido are driving out to meet us at the hotel. After that, we're coming back home and relaxing/ watching movies.
I'm quite happy to be home..I'm enjoying being able to take a shower without shoes on, having the luxury of being able to shut the door while showering, having a big bed (which is quite comfortable), and of course seeing everybody ;) Oh, and not to mention the luxury of having a full refrigerator. I saw all the girls I graduated with today at Panera for a while, and then I just hung out with Cristen for a little while. It's very nice being able to catch up with everyone..it's been so long since we've seen each other, and so much has happened, yet at the same time it doesn't feel like it's been all that long.
The rest of this week should be pretty quiet. I have a test to study for and a paper to write..joy. But I really need to get those done. Right now I'm just relaxing and listening to Christmas music and I'll probably go to bed soon.
Have a happy Thanksgiving.
Love you bunches,
xandra xoxo
p.s. thank you for you advice..it's very valuable!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thanksgiving Wishes xx
Dear xAndra,
I am writing to you today at 7:30AM, and it's still pitch black here in Cork. The sun doesn't come up until about 8:30 or later, and my old habits of waking up at 5 or 5:30 have been replaced with a later hour while waiting for the sun. Of course, not having to be at work at 8:30 has helped a bit. You're probably proud of me for my new sleeping-in habits, but don't be. I'm still waking up a few hours earlier than everyone else and going to bed many hours before. I'm still an old lady. (You know, one day I actually will be an old lady and then will I still be able to use that joke?)
I don't know what it's like in Pennsylvania, and you'll have to tell me what it's like in Virginia later this week. But in Ireland, it's getting mighty cold. Winter's coming so the rain, the perpetual drizzle, has stopped for a little while. Which is of course made me ecstatic so I keep running outside to frolic. Which of course makes me really cold. So it's a perpetual cycle of weather really, designed to keep sad little me inside.
This week is Thanksgiving! A fact of which I am sure you are very aware because you'll get a little break now until right before exams. We're cooking a big Thanksgiving dinner here for everyone. Well, my housemate is cooking the vast majority. I'm submitting some of Dad's stuffing and a couple of her friends are bringing some things, too. I'm a little apprehensive about the group dynamics, so cross your fingers for us. But who knows? People always say good food is bound to bring people together (so maybe just cross your fingers that we all bring good food?)
I know you're going to be missing a good homecooked Thanksgiving dinner. After a semester at college (and it doesn't change after many semesters), nothing sounds better than some good, old-fashioned traditions. There's not much I can tell you except to say that I understand how you feel. My freshman, my sophomore, all of my college years (even now) I have felt the same. And it's not so much that something changes back home when you move out. It's more a case that something about the way you're seeing home changes. We expect home to be a place of comfort and welcome, and when old traditions (things that honestly died years before and we didn't notice) don't align properly, we're hurt, disappointed, nostalgic, bitter.
My best advice (not that you asked for it) is to go home with a different attitude. As you near the front door, don't get ready to let everything go, all your problems and stress, and relax. If you walk through the door ready to collapse into a familiar place, you will quickly get distressed with the energy that meets you from excited family and friends, each with their own expectations. Instead, prepare for a new challenge. As you walk through the front door, turn on a different energy, the kind that exudes excitement for family and stories and fun. Because if you walk through the door with any expectations of traditions and comfort, they won't be met. Not because they aren't there, but because you've misremembered what those are in your time away. Walk through the door with no expectations except those you've made for yourself and you'll be pleasantly surprised with how comforting home and it's "new" traditions will be.
As for Thanksgiving brunch, you're heading to a free meal at a very classy joint with some amazing people. Have fun, you lucky duck ;) And just think of it this way: if you all are getting brunch and we're cooking dinner, we'll probably be having Thanksgiving at the same time, halfway around the world. xx
Love always,
SarleX
I am writing to you today at 7:30AM, and it's still pitch black here in Cork. The sun doesn't come up until about 8:30 or later, and my old habits of waking up at 5 or 5:30 have been replaced with a later hour while waiting for the sun. Of course, not having to be at work at 8:30 has helped a bit. You're probably proud of me for my new sleeping-in habits, but don't be. I'm still waking up a few hours earlier than everyone else and going to bed many hours before. I'm still an old lady. (You know, one day I actually will be an old lady and then will I still be able to use that joke?)
I don't know what it's like in Pennsylvania, and you'll have to tell me what it's like in Virginia later this week. But in Ireland, it's getting mighty cold. Winter's coming so the rain, the perpetual drizzle, has stopped for a little while. Which is of course made me ecstatic so I keep running outside to frolic. Which of course makes me really cold. So it's a perpetual cycle of weather really, designed to keep sad little me inside.
This week is Thanksgiving! A fact of which I am sure you are very aware because you'll get a little break now until right before exams. We're cooking a big Thanksgiving dinner here for everyone. Well, my housemate is cooking the vast majority. I'm submitting some of Dad's stuffing and a couple of her friends are bringing some things, too. I'm a little apprehensive about the group dynamics, so cross your fingers for us. But who knows? People always say good food is bound to bring people together (so maybe just cross your fingers that we all bring good food?)
I know you're going to be missing a good homecooked Thanksgiving dinner. After a semester at college (and it doesn't change after many semesters), nothing sounds better than some good, old-fashioned traditions. There's not much I can tell you except to say that I understand how you feel. My freshman, my sophomore, all of my college years (even now) I have felt the same. And it's not so much that something changes back home when you move out. It's more a case that something about the way you're seeing home changes. We expect home to be a place of comfort and welcome, and when old traditions (things that honestly died years before and we didn't notice) don't align properly, we're hurt, disappointed, nostalgic, bitter.
My best advice (not that you asked for it) is to go home with a different attitude. As you near the front door, don't get ready to let everything go, all your problems and stress, and relax. If you walk through the door ready to collapse into a familiar place, you will quickly get distressed with the energy that meets you from excited family and friends, each with their own expectations. Instead, prepare for a new challenge. As you walk through the front door, turn on a different energy, the kind that exudes excitement for family and stories and fun. Because if you walk through the door with any expectations of traditions and comfort, they won't be met. Not because they aren't there, but because you've misremembered what those are in your time away. Walk through the door with no expectations except those you've made for yourself and you'll be pleasantly surprised with how comforting home and it's "new" traditions will be.
As for Thanksgiving brunch, you're heading to a free meal at a very classy joint with some amazing people. Have fun, you lucky duck ;) And just think of it this way: if you all are getting brunch and we're cooking dinner, we'll probably be having Thanksgiving at the same time, halfway around the world. xx
Love always,
SarleX
Monday, November 4, 2013
Halloween's over, so.....
Dear xAndra,
I'm so glad to see you posted yesterday! Don't feel bad at all. I haven't posted either. I'm sorry to hear you've been so sick recently! I'd say I got sick a million times my freshman year, so just watch out! It's those icky dorm rooms! haha :) I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, just in time for the snow to come I suppose. The weather here is cold and wet; I'm just biding my time for the real winter to come along, the kind in Ireland where it's apparently just bright, windy, and cold, instead of this constant drizzle that freezes you to the bone.
My week's been pretty uneventful. After almost a full week of entertaining and shenanigans with the girls visiting two week ago, I needed time to recover. And to do all that work that had piled up. I'm still not finished, but I'm getting there. Only one more month of classes for me! It's hard to believe, but it also means crunch time EEP!
So let me explain the title of this post, shall I? It is November 4th today. Halloween was just the other day. And on November 1st, the Christmas decorations went up in the city. Am I kidding? Nope. We've concluded that without Thanksgiving to mark the safe transition to the Christmas season, the poor Irish just plow on without a marker. Until they decided one day that Halloween was as good a marker as any. So now I will have Christmas for two months. Maybe three. I'm not too upset about it. I was feeling a wee bit homesick recently, and Christmas is such a homey time that I was almost grateful. I've started putting on Christmas music in the mornings. SHhhhhhh!
Love you bunches,
SarleX
I'm so glad to see you posted yesterday! Don't feel bad at all. I haven't posted either. I'm sorry to hear you've been so sick recently! I'd say I got sick a million times my freshman year, so just watch out! It's those icky dorm rooms! haha :) I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, just in time for the snow to come I suppose. The weather here is cold and wet; I'm just biding my time for the real winter to come along, the kind in Ireland where it's apparently just bright, windy, and cold, instead of this constant drizzle that freezes you to the bone.
My week's been pretty uneventful. After almost a full week of entertaining and shenanigans with the girls visiting two week ago, I needed time to recover. And to do all that work that had piled up. I'm still not finished, but I'm getting there. Only one more month of classes for me! It's hard to believe, but it also means crunch time EEP!
So let me explain the title of this post, shall I? It is November 4th today. Halloween was just the other day. And on November 1st, the Christmas decorations went up in the city. Am I kidding? Nope. We've concluded that without Thanksgiving to mark the safe transition to the Christmas season, the poor Irish just plow on without a marker. Until they decided one day that Halloween was as good a marker as any. So now I will have Christmas for two months. Maybe three. I'm not too upset about it. I was feeling a wee bit homesick recently, and Christmas is such a homey time that I was almost grateful. I've started putting on Christmas music in the mornings. SHhhhhhh!
Love you bunches,
SarleX
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| The rainbow the girls brought with them to Cork last week! |
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| Soda bread= 1.80euro in the bakery; Soda bread + nutella= priceless |
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| The view from the piano, where I've started camping out... I'll tell you why soon :D |
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Happy Sunday
Dear Sarah,
Sorry it has been so long since I've posted! I've been quite busy and haven't had a chance to write but here I am now. Things have been quite hectic..I'm in the midst of planning out my schedule for next semester which is quite a stressful ordeal. Because I'm a freshman, I'm at the bottom of the barrel and have limited choices for classes. The sophomores will be registering tonight, but I'm crossing my fingers that there will still be open spots for the classes I want. Anyways, I'm only just getting over a miserable cold/sinus infection that I've had for the past 2 weeks. However, today I'm finally feeling a little bit better.Today I will be going to Mass in the Basilica at 11:30 and then I'll probably do some homework. The leaves are changing around here and it's quite beautiful..the other day I took a long walk around campus and through the cemetery and it was quite refreshing. On Friday night, Taylor and I went to Mass and then went to chipotle :) Last weekend, she and I were upset because they shut down for a couple of days. All of the surrounding counties were told not to drink the water because of some filtering problem. Anyways, they re-opened and she and I were quite pleased.
Hope you're weekend has been going well. We gained an extra hour of sleep last night which is fantastic :)
Hope you're doing well and that we can talk soon.
Miss you and love you lots.
Xoxo,
Xandra
Sorry it has been so long since I've posted! I've been quite busy and haven't had a chance to write but here I am now. Things have been quite hectic..I'm in the midst of planning out my schedule for next semester which is quite a stressful ordeal. Because I'm a freshman, I'm at the bottom of the barrel and have limited choices for classes. The sophomores will be registering tonight, but I'm crossing my fingers that there will still be open spots for the classes I want. Anyways, I'm only just getting over a miserable cold/sinus infection that I've had for the past 2 weeks. However, today I'm finally feeling a little bit better.Today I will be going to Mass in the Basilica at 11:30 and then I'll probably do some homework. The leaves are changing around here and it's quite beautiful..the other day I took a long walk around campus and through the cemetery and it was quite refreshing. On Friday night, Taylor and I went to Mass and then went to chipotle :) Last weekend, she and I were upset because they shut down for a couple of days. All of the surrounding counties were told not to drink the water because of some filtering problem. Anyways, they re-opened and she and I were quite pleased.
Hope you're weekend has been going well. We gained an extra hour of sleep last night which is fantastic :)
Hope you're doing well and that we can talk soon.
Miss you and love you lots.
Xoxo,
Xandra
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Sunday seems to be the day when....
Dear xAndra,
Sunday again. Seems to be the only day I actually sit down and do anything productive, like work, talk to you, Pinterest, et cetera. I sit here on my bed (where I've been for a great part of today), gazing out my window at the back end of a beautiful sunset. I know you're home for your Fall Break this weekend (you lucky little b....!!), so you probably won't be posting for a while. So I thought I'd break the ice. Let's see... what could I talk about?
Well, I'm being utterly anti-social right now, sitting in my room with Sister Act 2 playing in the background while I proofread a paper and just sit with my computer in my lap for warmth. M and I finally turned on the heat today; Cork's gotten pretty frigid lately. I slept in a scarf last night; I have Westie imprints on my feet from the socks that I haven't taken off for a few days. I'm a little bit cold still.
Tomorrow starts my #4Liter challenge. I'm going to try to live on just 4 liters of water a day through Wednesday to try to raise awareness for water poverty and to get into the mindset of those without clean water access. I'm kind of thinking it'll be just like living in Blanchisseuse with those stupid water bottles for teeth brushing and stuff, but we'll see. It'll hopefully all be documented on my blog (if I remember to be creative and stuff), so maybe you'll be able to check it out ;)
Except for a quick run yesterday and seeing the boy for about an hour today, I've been pretty boring this weekend, just sitting here with my studying. Being a grad student is way more serious than undergrad, which I suppose is both good and bad. I don't know that the schooling has changed (though obviously it's a more challenging work), but I think I've changed a little. A Bachelors degree is something that the majority of my friends have done. A Masters is something I've chosen to pursue myself. More at stake, more interest. It's a weird thing.
Oh wait, my boring life is about to change. My housemate just asked if I'd meet her down at the corner pub on her way home from work for an evening pint! Woohoo!! People!
Alright love ya, talk to you soon. Sorry for the ramblings, but I suppose ridiculous banter is what a blog is all about right? ;)
Love always,
Sarlex
Sunday again. Seems to be the only day I actually sit down and do anything productive, like work, talk to you, Pinterest, et cetera. I sit here on my bed (where I've been for a great part of today), gazing out my window at the back end of a beautiful sunset. I know you're home for your Fall Break this weekend (you lucky little b....!!), so you probably won't be posting for a while. So I thought I'd break the ice. Let's see... what could I talk about?
Well, I'm being utterly anti-social right now, sitting in my room with Sister Act 2 playing in the background while I proofread a paper and just sit with my computer in my lap for warmth. M and I finally turned on the heat today; Cork's gotten pretty frigid lately. I slept in a scarf last night; I have Westie imprints on my feet from the socks that I haven't taken off for a few days. I'm a little bit cold still.
Tomorrow starts my #4Liter challenge. I'm going to try to live on just 4 liters of water a day through Wednesday to try to raise awareness for water poverty and to get into the mindset of those without clean water access. I'm kind of thinking it'll be just like living in Blanchisseuse with those stupid water bottles for teeth brushing and stuff, but we'll see. It'll hopefully all be documented on my blog (if I remember to be creative and stuff), so maybe you'll be able to check it out ;)
Except for a quick run yesterday and seeing the boy for about an hour today, I've been pretty boring this weekend, just sitting here with my studying. Being a grad student is way more serious than undergrad, which I suppose is both good and bad. I don't know that the schooling has changed (though obviously it's a more challenging work), but I think I've changed a little. A Bachelors degree is something that the majority of my friends have done. A Masters is something I've chosen to pursue myself. More at stake, more interest. It's a weird thing.
Oh wait, my boring life is about to change. My housemate just asked if I'd meet her down at the corner pub on her way home from work for an evening pint! Woohoo!! People!
Alright love ya, talk to you soon. Sorry for the ramblings, but I suppose ridiculous banter is what a blog is all about right? ;)
Love always,
Sarlex
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Happy almost Sunday!
Dear Sarah,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your last blog post. Sounds like you're staying very busy and having fun at the same time. I love seeing all the pictures..and that hot chocolate looks divine!
Today, I slept in and did a little bit of homework..when I say little bit, I really mean very little. :) I also watched Kate and Leopold with Jackie, who had never seen it before. She thoroughly enjoyed it, as did I for the fifteenth time. Yesterday, I went to my weekly service project. For my theology project, everyone had to pick a site to go to every week. Jackie and I chose a nursing home, where we play bingo with the elderly. I love being able to go with her, but also have the opportunity to give some of my day to people who need and enjoy my company.
Anyways, hope you're doing well. Miss you tons.
Post soon.
Love,
A.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your last blog post. Sounds like you're staying very busy and having fun at the same time. I love seeing all the pictures..and that hot chocolate looks divine!
Today, I slept in and did a little bit of homework..when I say little bit, I really mean very little. :) I also watched Kate and Leopold with Jackie, who had never seen it before. She thoroughly enjoyed it, as did I for the fifteenth time. Yesterday, I went to my weekly service project. For my theology project, everyone had to pick a site to go to every week. Jackie and I chose a nursing home, where we play bingo with the elderly. I love being able to go with her, but also have the opportunity to give some of my day to people who need and enjoy my company.
Anyways, hope you're doing well. Miss you tons.
Post soon.
Love,
A.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Little Pleasures
Dear xAndra,
Happy Sunday! I hear you had an eventful weekend with the family! Hope all is well, and I can't wait to hear more about it. My weekend has been fun, though I have very few pictures to prove it.
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| Pencil in bed...?? |
Thursday was Arthur Guinness, which I'll probably write about over at SEDiva Abroad. Friday, exhausted and overloaded with work, I stayed home. I fell asleep around 6 o'clock and woke up around midnight. I proceeded to stay up until about 3 am getting some work finished (or theoretically got some work finished), and woke up the next morning with a pencil in my bed.
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| Secret garden across the street! |
Yesterday, Saturday, was the All-Ireland Hurling Final rematch. Cork played Clare three weeks ago for the title, but the game ended in a draw. Instead of settling it right there and then, as my beloved hockey would have done, the Gaelic Athletic Association set up a rematch between the teams (probably hoping to get another stadium's worth of cash for another match!). We were all a little exhausted, so we watched from our house with a few friends over. Cork lost (tragically, it was pretty close and a good game). And then, the boys wanted to go to town, so we got all dolled up and joined them. M and I were a little sad because we definitely wanted to curl up with tea and movies for the night, but we had lots of fun out in the city in the end.
I managed to run off some of the ridiculous calories that were consumed this weekend with a new route that led me over the highway to the country. I live so close to the city and so close to the country, one step in either direction just takes you away!
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| The hills as seen from my Saturday morning run! |
Anyway, I hope you're having a beautiful, fabulous, and spectacular weekend in PA with the grown-ups. Can't wait to hear about it. And here's a little #MondayMotivation in anticipation for tomorrow (I need it, too!)
Slán go foill!
Love always,
SarleX
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Happy almost weekend!
Dear Sarah,
Today I only had 1 class and it was at 1:00, so I slept in until 11:30 :) I'm so glad that tomorrow is Friday, as I'm sure you are also. Mom, Dad, Joseph, and Miryam are coming here on Saturday around noon to visit for family weekend. There aren't really any events planned for the weekend and there's not much to do around Latrobe, so this will be interesting :) I'll let you know how it goes. I know you only started classes recently..how are they going? I hear you're quite happy in Ireland which is fantastic. I wish you were coming this weekend, but I know before we know it, it will be Christmas and I'll see you then. Hope you'll post soon.
Miss you tons.
xoxo,
Xandra
Today I only had 1 class and it was at 1:00, so I slept in until 11:30 :) I'm so glad that tomorrow is Friday, as I'm sure you are also. Mom, Dad, Joseph, and Miryam are coming here on Saturday around noon to visit for family weekend. There aren't really any events planned for the weekend and there's not much to do around Latrobe, so this will be interesting :) I'll let you know how it goes. I know you only started classes recently..how are they going? I hear you're quite happy in Ireland which is fantastic. I wish you were coming this weekend, but I know before we know it, it will be Christmas and I'll see you then. Hope you'll post soon.
Miss you tons.
xoxo,
Xandra
Sunday, September 15, 2013
TGIS
Dear Alexandra,
I'm just logging on to write a post on my lazy Sunday here in Cork, and I realized that you posted on Friday and I never even saw it! I'm happy to say that I spent a perfectly useless day here in the house, with every intention of doing productive-like things and failing miserably. I did go for a run this morning; I did manage to cook myself both lunch and dinner. But beyond that, I was lost in the folds of my duvet. I watched Hocus Pocus with a hot cup of tea and my Autumn Inspirations Pinterest board, of which I am very proud. I was trying to imagine what it was like exactly one year ago when I was in Virginia for the Fall. Ireland stays very green around this time of the year, and though it's getting to be lovely sweater weather, it's just not the same without the leaves exploding in color.
I also have a favorite spot to walk, well run really. It's a path that runs behind all the housing estates (in one of which I live) and along a new fly-over that just opened a few months ago. I'll take some pictures next time I'm out and about.
I've got nothing much to say today. And no pictures to share (I really need to work on that). But classes start tomorrow, so who knows...! And I do actually have some stories for the blog and for you, but right now, I'm just to tired to elaborate.
Always keep you guessing!
xx SarleX
I'm just logging on to write a post on my lazy Sunday here in Cork, and I realized that you posted on Friday and I never even saw it! I'm happy to say that I spent a perfectly useless day here in the house, with every intention of doing productive-like things and failing miserably. I did go for a run this morning; I did manage to cook myself both lunch and dinner. But beyond that, I was lost in the folds of my duvet. I watched Hocus Pocus with a hot cup of tea and my Autumn Inspirations Pinterest board, of which I am very proud. I was trying to imagine what it was like exactly one year ago when I was in Virginia for the Fall. Ireland stays very green around this time of the year, and though it's getting to be lovely sweater weather, it's just not the same without the leaves exploding in color.
I also have a favorite spot to walk, well run really. It's a path that runs behind all the housing estates (in one of which I live) and along a new fly-over that just opened a few months ago. I'll take some pictures next time I'm out and about.
I've got nothing much to say today. And no pictures to share (I really need to work on that). But classes start tomorrow, so who knows...! And I do actually have some stories for the blog and for you, but right now, I'm just to tired to elaborate.
Always keep you guessing!
xx SarleX
Friday, September 13, 2013
TGIF
Dear Sarah,
I decided to post since I'm currently free and I haven't posted in a while. I was thinking of you today and wondering how your classes are going. Mine are going well..my Tuesdays and Thursdays are sweet because I only have 1 class...and it's at 1 p.m. :) It's extremely sweet. The bad part is that on Friday's I have 4 and I'm usually extremely tired at the end of the day..hence the 2 hour nap I took today. Things are quiet here in Latrobe. Most of my pod-mates have left for the weekend so there's not much going on. It's also very cold outside..55 degrees to be exact and just yesterday it was 90. What is up with that? Tomorrow I'm planning on going for a long walk to do some more exploring. It's supposed to be gorgeous and I'm not doing anything else. I feel like you would really like where I walk to. I recently recalled how just a month ago we were taking walks together and laughing. Oh, how things have changed.
Miss you love you bunches.
xoxo
Xandra
p.s. Happy Friday :)
I decided to post since I'm currently free and I haven't posted in a while. I was thinking of you today and wondering how your classes are going. Mine are going well..my Tuesdays and Thursdays are sweet because I only have 1 class...and it's at 1 p.m. :) It's extremely sweet. The bad part is that on Friday's I have 4 and I'm usually extremely tired at the end of the day..hence the 2 hour nap I took today. Things are quiet here in Latrobe. Most of my pod-mates have left for the weekend so there's not much going on. It's also very cold outside..55 degrees to be exact and just yesterday it was 90. What is up with that? Tomorrow I'm planning on going for a long walk to do some more exploring. It's supposed to be gorgeous and I'm not doing anything else. I feel like you would really like where I walk to. I recently recalled how just a month ago we were taking walks together and laughing. Oh, how things have changed.
Miss you love you bunches.
xoxo
Xandra
p.s. Happy Friday :)
Monday, September 9, 2013
Happy Birthday, Alexandra!!
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Dear Alexandra,
It's your first birthday away from the house, but it's not the first birthday that we haven't been together. Just know that every year on your birthday I'm still thinking of you, still praying for you, and still telling every one I know a) that it's your birthday and b) several embarrassing stories of you. You're welcome!
Love you bunches and miss you always,
Sarah Elizabeth
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Move In stories-SVC
Dear Sarah,
My move in was pretty smooth. I didn't have to carry any of my stuff in which was incredible. Unfortunately, it took a couple of hours to unpack everything which was a pain. However, I believe I have everything I need now. For the past week and a half I've been chewed alive by mosquitos which is really awful. So on Friday night, my friends and I made a Walmart/Walgreens run to get bug spray and anti-itch medicine which I have been using non-stop. It's also been quite boring this weekend so my friend Jackie bought some board games and crafts.
Being at college is awesome and really weird. Sometimes I wake up confused, but then again it feels like I've been here for so long. The people here are so different to the people I knew in high school and my classes and professors are quite different too. I actually have free time now (amazing!) and people don't tell me what to do anymore which is quite nice. The only annoying thing is that people keep calling me Alexandria and they can't pronounce my last name :/ But I suppose over time they will learn. Every day I walk to this gristmill which is about a 10 min walk from campus and I absolutely love it! It's so beautiful and peaceful and not many people know that it's there. My friends and I like to sit by the lake and just relax for a while. Thanks for the advice about the library-It's the ideal place to study and do homework. I also discovered this hallway in one of the buildings with a bunch of private rooms with pianos. I love to go and just sit and play. It's amazing! The only language barrier I'm having is that people around here say "Lay-trobe" instead of making the 'a' short. So I get weird looks when I don't say it 'the correct' way.
I'm not local, so I don't get it.
:)
That's all for now. Good luck continuing your adjustment/moving in period.
Miss you.
xoxoxox,
Alexandra
My move in was pretty smooth. I didn't have to carry any of my stuff in which was incredible. Unfortunately, it took a couple of hours to unpack everything which was a pain. However, I believe I have everything I need now. For the past week and a half I've been chewed alive by mosquitos which is really awful. So on Friday night, my friends and I made a Walmart/Walgreens run to get bug spray and anti-itch medicine which I have been using non-stop. It's also been quite boring this weekend so my friend Jackie bought some board games and crafts.
Being at college is awesome and really weird. Sometimes I wake up confused, but then again it feels like I've been here for so long. The people here are so different to the people I knew in high school and my classes and professors are quite different too. I actually have free time now (amazing!) and people don't tell me what to do anymore which is quite nice. The only annoying thing is that people keep calling me Alexandria and they can't pronounce my last name :/ But I suppose over time they will learn. Every day I walk to this gristmill which is about a 10 min walk from campus and I absolutely love it! It's so beautiful and peaceful and not many people know that it's there. My friends and I like to sit by the lake and just relax for a while. Thanks for the advice about the library-It's the ideal place to study and do homework. I also discovered this hallway in one of the buildings with a bunch of private rooms with pianos. I love to go and just sit and play. It's amazing! The only language barrier I'm having is that people around here say "Lay-trobe" instead of making the 'a' short. So I get weird looks when I don't say it 'the correct' way.
I'm not local, so I don't get it.
:)
That's all for now. Good luck continuing your adjustment/moving in period.
Miss you.
xoxoxox,
Alexandra
Move-In Stories
Dear xAndra,
So moving in is not my favorite thing. I hope your move-in was enjoyable, easy, fast, painless, like a vaccine. I hope you had to do very little, perhaps with cute, strong college boys to help with the lifting. I hope you didn't forget anything at home. I hope you had enough space for all you brought. But most of all, I hope that once you moved-in, it was over and you have nothing more in the way of moving-in still to do. No linens to buy, no dishwashing detergent to fetch, and no pictures to hang.
Even though it's standard practice in Ireland to have rentals fully-furnished (how much money would people save in NYC if this was the case?!), I'm finding a lot of money needs to be invested in a move-in. Sure, you can bring all of your clothes, underwear, coffee (which I totally did). But what about bedding? Pillows? Hangers? Where are you going to store all of that underwear when your fully-furnished room has no drawers? Will you hang it from a hanger, or will you arrange it prettily across the windowsill? I've considered all options, and I'm not sure which it's going to be yet. I've only been here three days. But by the state of my room right now, people are going to think I just got off the plane. Actually, scratch that. No one could have made this mess if they'd just gotten off the plane. It would take a few hours at least!
I arrived at the airport on Wednesday afternoon. My lovely housemate came and picked me up, and we had dinner and drinks on the town, in a last attempt to keep me awake until sundown to avoid atrocious jet-lag. It worked, in a way, I was only partially jet-lagged after that. Thursday, I got a hand running a million and one errands including, groceries, bedding, hangers, and beer. Friday, my friends had work, so I spent the day walking around my new neighborhood and trying to get my bearings. Luckily, I did so in my running shoes because after I got lost the third time, I was exhausted and just wanted to run the whole way home.
There are a few challenges with moving to a new place, and one additional one for moving to a new country. Please note all of them; it will be handy to be mentally prepared. I think it would be anyway. I can't say I was so I couldn't tell you.
1) STUFF. This is a big deal. Never underestimate it. You will need to make several, if not dozens or hundreds, of continuous runs to the shops to pick up more and more little but essential things that you perpetually forget.
2) NEIGHBORHOOD. If you're moving, you're probably now living in a place that you have not lived in before. Which means you're in a new neighborhood. You will probably get lost. Especially when you no longer have a smart phone with a handy GPS feature because you're living in a foreign country. At least carry a cab fare and know your address. Hopefully you won't need them.
Bonus: LANGUAGE BARRIER.
You'd be surprised what a big deal this is, even when moving to another English speaking country. For example, when my housemate wanted to get sheer curtains for the front room, her boyfriend tried to help her. But he had no idea what she was asking for. Because he called them net curtains. My nextdoor neighbor asked what I was doing in Ireland. I tried to tell her I was getting my graduate degree. She would've understood me, if I'd said postgrad degree.
So I hope your move-in was easier than mine. I will probably be moving in for the next three years. Which is how long I intend to stay here now that I've invested all this money in stuff!
Let me know how yours is going! And if it's not as adventurous as mine, you'll have to come up with another adventure for us!
Happy adventuring,
SARLEx
So moving in is not my favorite thing. I hope your move-in was enjoyable, easy, fast, painless, like a vaccine. I hope you had to do very little, perhaps with cute, strong college boys to help with the lifting. I hope you didn't forget anything at home. I hope you had enough space for all you brought. But most of all, I hope that once you moved-in, it was over and you have nothing more in the way of moving-in still to do. No linens to buy, no dishwashing detergent to fetch, and no pictures to hang.
Even though it's standard practice in Ireland to have rentals fully-furnished (how much money would people save in NYC if this was the case?!), I'm finding a lot of money needs to be invested in a move-in. Sure, you can bring all of your clothes, underwear, coffee (which I totally did). But what about bedding? Pillows? Hangers? Where are you going to store all of that underwear when your fully-furnished room has no drawers? Will you hang it from a hanger, or will you arrange it prettily across the windowsill? I've considered all options, and I'm not sure which it's going to be yet. I've only been here three days. But by the state of my room right now, people are going to think I just got off the plane. Actually, scratch that. No one could have made this mess if they'd just gotten off the plane. It would take a few hours at least!
I arrived at the airport on Wednesday afternoon. My lovely housemate came and picked me up, and we had dinner and drinks on the town, in a last attempt to keep me awake until sundown to avoid atrocious jet-lag. It worked, in a way, I was only partially jet-lagged after that. Thursday, I got a hand running a million and one errands including, groceries, bedding, hangers, and beer. Friday, my friends had work, so I spent the day walking around my new neighborhood and trying to get my bearings. Luckily, I did so in my running shoes because after I got lost the third time, I was exhausted and just wanted to run the whole way home.
There are a few challenges with moving to a new place, and one additional one for moving to a new country. Please note all of them; it will be handy to be mentally prepared. I think it would be anyway. I can't say I was so I couldn't tell you.
1) STUFF. This is a big deal. Never underestimate it. You will need to make several, if not dozens or hundreds, of continuous runs to the shops to pick up more and more little but essential things that you perpetually forget.
2) NEIGHBORHOOD. If you're moving, you're probably now living in a place that you have not lived in before. Which means you're in a new neighborhood. You will probably get lost. Especially when you no longer have a smart phone with a handy GPS feature because you're living in a foreign country. At least carry a cab fare and know your address. Hopefully you won't need them.
Bonus: LANGUAGE BARRIER.
You'd be surprised what a big deal this is, even when moving to another English speaking country. For example, when my housemate wanted to get sheer curtains for the front room, her boyfriend tried to help her. But he had no idea what she was asking for. Because he called them net curtains. My nextdoor neighbor asked what I was doing in Ireland. I tried to tell her I was getting my graduate degree. She would've understood me, if I'd said postgrad degree.
So I hope your move-in was easier than mine. I will probably be moving in for the next three years. Which is how long I intend to stay here now that I've invested all this money in stuff!
Let me know how yours is going! And if it's not as adventurous as mine, you'll have to come up with another adventure for us!
Happy adventuring,
SARLEx
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Post no.1
Hello all,
This is Alexandra, the second half of the sissie's team who finally got around to posting on this blog. I hope to be able to post at least once a week. My Tuesday's and Thursday's are nice and free so that gives me some spare time. I hope to be able to post my college adventures (and believe me I already have a bunch and it's only my 5th day here).
Now for some friendly advice to my sister.
Dear Sarah,
I'm not really sure what to say since you're older and you've been through college but..keep in touch with me. You're going rather far away for a long time and I want to hear all of your adventures too. Make good choices, prioritize your school work, and don't forget to have fun. But also make sure you get lots of sleep because no one can function without that :) Make sure you take lots of walks because long walks have a way of making people happier and less concerned, and take lots of time for yourself. I guess that's all I have for now, but I hope to see you post again soon.
For your entertainment: apparently banana splits were founded in Latrobe, so the other day we went to a parade where they made a plaque dedicated to the banana split. Saint Vincent will be in the guinness world book of records because we had a banana flash mob the other day. My new friend Jackie and I decided that we'll never get it because we're not local.
:)
xoxo
Alexandra
This is Alexandra, the second half of the sissie's team who finally got around to posting on this blog. I hope to be able to post at least once a week. My Tuesday's and Thursday's are nice and free so that gives me some spare time. I hope to be able to post my college adventures (and believe me I already have a bunch and it's only my 5th day here).
Now for some friendly advice to my sister.
Dear Sarah,
I'm not really sure what to say since you're older and you've been through college but..keep in touch with me. You're going rather far away for a long time and I want to hear all of your adventures too. Make good choices, prioritize your school work, and don't forget to have fun. But also make sure you get lots of sleep because no one can function without that :) Make sure you take lots of walks because long walks have a way of making people happier and less concerned, and take lots of time for yourself. I guess that's all I have for now, but I hope to see you post again soon.
For your entertainment: apparently banana splits were founded in Latrobe, so the other day we went to a parade where they made a plaque dedicated to the banana split. Saint Vincent will be in the guinness world book of records because we had a banana flash mob the other day. My new friend Jackie and I decided that we'll never get it because we're not local.
:)
xoxo
Alexandra
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Sarah Elizabeth Posting
Welcome to SARLExANDRA. This is Sarah here, one half of the Sissie tag-team. A few days ago, Alexandra and I were on a walk around the neighborhood. I was leaving later that day; she left for college a few days later. In a last effort to stay in touch, we decided to start a blog. What better use of useless internet time than co-authoring a blog with your sister and future-maid-of-honor right? Boom. SARLExANDRA was born.
Welcome! Over the next few months (hopefully longer), both Alexandra and I will be posting from our respective locations. I'll leave all the undergrad news to the little one; I'll share all I can about travelling and living abroad in Ireland. We'll see where this goes ;)
But now for a little friendly advice....
Dear xANDRA,
Everyone says we're so much alike. I don't really see it, but it must be partially true at least. I know you're going to do fantastic, fun, adventuresome, and interesting things with your four years at college. If we're anything alike, it might take you a little while to get comfortable, but you won't let that time stop you from taking advantage of all opportunities and meeting all sorts of best friends. I would advise you to study hard early in the day so you can hang out with your friends all night. I would also advise you to pick a bedtime and stick to it varyingly. As Gido says, you can sleep when you're dead and done. Some good advice would be to spend some quality time with the library because a dorm room will always be a distraction. Some bad advice would be to be sure to party and let off steam at least once a week (but really, you should do that because it makes the week go so much faster sometimes).
But the best piece of advice I can give you is this: know and always be aware that each year and each semester at college is different. So don't go into it thinking that you have four whole years to do things, to accomplish, to meet. Think of each year separately. Make goals for each year, find new loves and niches each year. Know that things will be constantly changing, and don't rely on "all four years" as a safety mat, as a reason to put things off. Do it all today because more ideas will occur to you tomorrow.
And most importantly, don't forget to share. ;)
Love,
SARLEx
Welcome! Over the next few months (hopefully longer), both Alexandra and I will be posting from our respective locations. I'll leave all the undergrad news to the little one; I'll share all I can about travelling and living abroad in Ireland. We'll see where this goes ;)
But now for a little friendly advice....
Dear xANDRA,
Everyone says we're so much alike. I don't really see it, but it must be partially true at least. I know you're going to do fantastic, fun, adventuresome, and interesting things with your four years at college. If we're anything alike, it might take you a little while to get comfortable, but you won't let that time stop you from taking advantage of all opportunities and meeting all sorts of best friends. I would advise you to study hard early in the day so you can hang out with your friends all night. I would also advise you to pick a bedtime and stick to it varyingly. As Gido says, you can sleep when you're dead and done. Some good advice would be to spend some quality time with the library because a dorm room will always be a distraction. Some bad advice would be to be sure to party and let off steam at least once a week (but really, you should do that because it makes the week go so much faster sometimes).
But the best piece of advice I can give you is this: know and always be aware that each year and each semester at college is different. So don't go into it thinking that you have four whole years to do things, to accomplish, to meet. Think of each year separately. Make goals for each year, find new loves and niches each year. Know that things will be constantly changing, and don't rely on "all four years" as a safety mat, as a reason to put things off. Do it all today because more ideas will occur to you tomorrow.
And most importantly, don't forget to share. ;)
Love,
SARLEx
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