Wellies in Action

Today Kat and I woke up at 4:30am and headed over to campus at 5 because we had to register for the English seminars. Registration doesn't start till 9am, but it's so competitive that people line up early. When we arrived - there was already at line - the first people got there at 1:30am. It was unreal. We sat on the cold, cold concrete for two hours and even though we had shelter overhead, the wind and rain still pelted us, not to mention the air was about 2 degrees. It was one of the most miserable experiences of my life. Finally we were let inside and given numbers - I was number 49 - can you believe that?? After a quick breakfast we headed back over to register - and I was closed out of my class - Cinema/Media Studies of John Ford. I'm a Communications and Media studies major....I had to get the class. Instead I picked up Film and Shakespeare - but it's at 9am on Fridays, and Fridays was supposed to be a travel day so now I'm freaking out. I was under the impression that coming as an international student I would get my classes - not get shut out of a class that only reserved spots for 3 international students. NUI is the most backwards place I have been in my life. Three separate registrations is unheard of - and it's 2007- REGISTER ONLINE LIKE AMERICAN SCHOOLS. It's efficient and almost fair. Almost.

However things looked up (after getting hailed on mind you) when I went to my first archery club meeting. Turns out I might have a knack for bows and arrows. My first go-around wasn't too shabby, but my second was pretty impressive. Call it beginners luck, but I hit the bullseye - the 10 point marker on my first shot. My second was just as close - 9 points. But my third was thrown off by a crazy soccer player who ran into our section to fetch his ball. Had he burst in 2 seconds earlier, I probably could've killed him. But I didn't, so let's move on. So far - I love love archery. Even if I wasn't good, I'd still love it, it's just fun feeling like Robin Hood or Legolas. I"ll say it - putting on the arm guard and pulling the bow string - I felt pretty bad ass. Next week I'll head to Irish dance class right after archery practice, which I'm sure will be equally awesome. I Irish danced when I was little, and I miss it. I also signed up for the campus radio station, they seemed impressed I had worked as a reporter for a station back home - WFUV (www.wfuv.org). One note though - even though I paid to join these clubs, I have to pay 1.50 euro every time I enter the gym. I dont think so.

Anyways, the London trip is planned for February, Dublin is possible end of January, and Blarney should be this weekend! It's fun pretending like I have money. Oh and a cutie invited me to the pub tonight, hooweever I hit the wall at about 7pm after being up all day, so I had to pass. Damn you NUI registration!! That's about all the news for this insane rainy cold place!!