Snowmen in Ireland

This week was filled with more eventful nights than any other thus far, however most of the stories are in the vein of "you had to be there." So I will just give a brief outline of the week. Monday was the traditional live music at the Fran Well. Tuesday was an epic night filled with more live music followed by a free visit to the Club Classic. Many of the group was present and we all danced the night away. Wednesday night Marnie, Carson, Alyssa, and I went to the Brogh for the night and drank and danced again. We came back to Leeside and made BLTs, quite scrumptious. Thursday was another night at the Well and Brogh, most of it though I spent shepherding people around but still a night of many fun stories. On Friday, Marnie and I planned and executed an absolutely perfect meal. Cheesy potato soup in bread bowls, shrimp and steak with peppers, and Ice Cream Alexanders for dessert. Saturday was a trip to the other Jameson factory which was fun but not as fun as Dublin's. From there the group I was with went to a pub to watch the rugby match which ended up being canceled. After returning to Leeside we made more of the potato soup from the night before and watched the movie Trailer Park Boys. After a fairly chill Saturday, Carson Joe, Chris and I went on an adventure with the Mountaineering Club. We went to a fantastic mountain and waterfall. While climbing the mountain it began to snow and sleet terribly. The wind picked up making the hike very intense, especially on the way down which was easily the roughest terrain of the trip. Once the hike was finished we warmed up with a trip to the pub. A dinner and movie later, along with a final trip to the Fran Well and the week is feeling complete.

How is Joe Rogen this popular?

Well I am fresh off of my journey to Ireland's fair capital of Dublin, and what a wondrous city it is. Cork may be the second largest city in Ireland but Dublin dwarfs it entirely. There seems to be some fantastic piece of history on every street from the beautiful churches to the statues commemorating famous citizens on every street. Megan, Allison, Chris and I arrived at about noon and immediately proceeded to get lost. After some reorienting of the map we were on our way to Trinity College to see the campus and its famous Book of Kells. Sadly the book was not on display but there were still some other very interesting attractions like some of Darwin's field notes. From here we went to the Irish Museum of History which had some absolutely grizzly peat bog corpses on display. Sounds gross but is actually really cool how well the bog preserved the bodies. After that we met up with a friend of Megan's named Shane who is studying at local seminary. Shane took us to a great authentic restaurant and pub and I had my first Guinness Stew which was absolutely divine. Afterwards we went to a another pub to watch the Munster v. Sale rugby match. Munster absolutely decimated the Sharks in a superb performance. Afterwards we all retired to our hostel, but little did Chris and I know that our night was far from over. We were visited that night by three spirits. No I'm just kidding but at about 4 in the morning our other hostel roommates came storming into the room in a drunken stupor and spent the next hour and half entertaining Chris, Sebastian (our other roommate from France) and myself. Apparently our new friends, Ross, Ryan, and Phil were from Northern Ireland and had come to Dublin to watch the UFC tournament that weekend. They were full of praise for the host Joe Rogen.



The next morning we all awoke and went to breakfast. Afterward our group of four went to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, the best part of the trip according to the group consensus. The tour was fantastic and at the end all four of us were able to participate in an authentic whiskey taste test, where we matched Jameson against Johnnie Walker Black and Jack Daniels. Jameson won hands down. After that distillery we found a fish and chips joint on our way to the Guinness factory. The tour was incredibly modern with a lot of very grandiose architecture. At the top of the Guinness tower which is actually shaped like a giant pint glass we enjoyed our complimentary pint and a 360 view of Dublin. We were all thoroughly tired after the days events and went for an afternoon nap. Dinner after the nap was found in the Gin Palace where we enjoyed another tasty beverage. We returned to the hostel after dinner to play pool and watch a movie while we awaited the return of our new friends from the match. Upon their return we hit the town finding a huge club where we enjoyed a couple of pints before finding our way back home one last time.



The next morning we all checked out and went out for breakfast. Then we journeyed to Ireland's Art Gallery to look upon some stunning works of art. The paintings were simply gorgeous, and there was even one of Bono, he really is a legendary figure here (and thankfully still more popular than Joe Rogen). We caught the 2 o'clock bus and arrived back in Cork at 6. We joined up with the rest of the CSB/SJU group for our second group dinner and shared our stories from our perspective trips. Perfect

A Weeks Worth in a Single Blog

Well it has been a bit since my last post and I know that my readers must be feverish with anticipation for the next insightful writing. Anyway Ireland has become home, the day to day routine has been established, and comfort has been achieved. Now to ruin that feeling with adventures into the unknown (or maybe the touristy). This last Sunday most of the CSB/SJU crew visited the Blarney castle and kissed the famous stone of the same name. The castle and grounds surrounding it were quite the sight made even more stunning by the rain which seemed very fitting for the area. That night the group had a giant potluck, Chris and I supplied the main course of pork chops, and everyone else brought a side. It was a very fun and filling evening. Most nights have been fairly chill checking out the local music scene within the pubs and chatting with locals. Classes have ranged from tolerable to almost enjoyable, the teachers are clearly well informed on their perspective topics and the class lasts about 45-50 minutes which is nice. I plan on going to Dublin this weekend to check out the sites their and we will see what Ireland's mighty capital has to offer.

Matt

Control yourself take only what you need

Today I learned not to overstep one's bounds when registering for classes. I think I have my schedule mostely mapped out but we'll see what the future holds. The only class I attended today, which was a class about Geoffery Chaucer was absolutely superb. I will return from Ireland with a supremelly elitist vision of myself. Fun fun for everyone and how very pretentious at the same time. That seems to be a word that will be used often, pretentious, I don't actually think myself pretentious, but I find it more fun to act that way. You tend to either get on people's nerves or confuse them. Either way you see a side of the people they don't intend to show, and as such you learn more about them. Pieces of what they try and hide from the world because they are embaressed of showing themselves because what they call home is something strange and weird to another. So what, it is better to be different than similar, to be different is to grow as a human, species, or being however deep you want to be. Just because your beliefs may differ from the norm doesn't always mean you are wrong.

Although I do believe there are universal laws like:
1: Never kill unless absolutely neccessary (up to interpretation)
2: Never lie (there never is really any reason even a "white lie")
3: Never try and destroy another's belief just try and enlighten. It is never your right to tell another what to think.
4: Always try and fight in the Weekend Wars ( who will win, time will tell (however some believe time is irrelevant))


Feeling melancholy yet.


Well I am having a blast whether thinking either blissfully or depressingly I think that I am having a good time and right now that is all that matters. As the Beatles said "Happiness is a warm gun" and none of them did anything to end their own lives so I think it is ok to think ANY thoughts as long as we consider the implications said thoughts could have on our or others lives.

Amen and long lives to everyone,
Matt Harren

p.s. And for those who may seem concerned I am completely content and full of the ambition to continue my life until every person in the world is somehow affected by me.

p.p.s I'm a little drunk.

And so it begins...again

Classes started today and I have a head cold. Maybe not the best of conditions but still very enjoyable. Today I attended 4 classes, 3 of which the professor also showed up for. For the most part they all seem interesting and the teachers all appear intelligent. No real explorations, just getting used to the campus and Irish system of education. I am having a blast getting better at cooking. Other than that everything is tip top.

Matt Harren

Better Taste

It is official the Atlantic Ocean is a one way filter of music genius. Everything the Europeans listen to that is from the States is great music, and everything that they send to us is fantastic. How come the US can't like as good as music. While at the Franciscan Well pub which is right across the street from my apt. I was blessed to hear a cover band that did justice and better to each song they played. The amount of talent these guys had was incredible.
And now for something completely different. I had orientation today which was pretty rudimentary. Learned a bit about the campus and things of that nature. Tomorrow is when classes begin and we'll see what becomes of that.

Matt

Sweet Murphy's and fried chicken

Today was another smashing day in the realm of Ireland. I awoke to find my new roommate Brendan from Loyola had arrived. After a late breakfast of eggs and toast, Chris and I ventured once again into Cork to find adapters to charge our computers. After a nap, an adventure to UCC and dinner, most of the CSB/SJU Cork group gathered for some drinking games. After everyone was good and buzzed most of us ventured out into the Cork nightlife finding some new pubs and good times all around. Carson and I left our last pub together and found a fantastic fast food fried chicken place. (talk about alliteration) After some last hurrahs together we all are ready for some more of that fantastic Ireland sleep.

Cheers
Matt

One More

Another night finished and another good time. Chris is currently under the weather but f0r the most part we are all fine. Some exploring done and some cursing by Chris and we are all feeling quite good. Tomorrow is a day we all look forward to. Here's to the Irish Isle and all it has to offer.

Cheers,
Matt