Keep off the grass? Not in Belfast!

Had the most amazing vocal workshop today. It was other worldly. Out of body almost. My eyes have been opened to a hidden potential. There's so much to explore! This is the end of the first week and I could walk away now and feel fulfilled. (insert deep sigh of contentment)

Anywho sooooo updates:

I bought butter. Did I mention that? A big ol' block of kerry gold. It's delicious. We've also obtained a pot. That's right ONE pot. Haha. At least we can cook a bit more than at the start of the week.

I walked almost all of Belfast yesterday, at least it felt that way. I've actually seen a good bit of the city on foot. Went over to the OMAC aka old museum art center bought a ticket for Alibi. Made my way to City Hall. Took some pictures around there. I love that any open bit of grass is basically an invitation to sit down. I have yet to see a single sign that says keep off the grass.

I have one small complaint. The Belfast Welcome Center. I didn't find it so welcoming. It's basically a big shop for selling key chains and Irish music CDs. I may give it another try later on but I wasn't so impressed. I had better luck at Failte Ireland. The woman was lovely gave me a whole bag of stuff on day tours and such for when my sisters come for a visit. I then took that whole bag of stuff and sat in a coffee shop in a library and read it all. So relaxing.

Went to see Cat play tonight at Common Ground a lovely little coffee shop up the street. I would definitely suggest it to anybody looking for something warm for their belly or a yummy sandwich. Hot chocolate was DE-licious. Big plus all the profit goes to charity.

Translations

So just a few phrases and words that mean one thing in the US and something else entirely here in Befast. I'd love to hear some of your guesses...:)

Fanny
Suspenders
Braces
Wanna go for a ride?
Scored

There are sooo many more I just can't think of them at the moment I'll try and make this a regular installation.

have fun!
jen

I'm typing on a computer from the UK. It is slightly different just like many of the items here in Belfast. Everything is in English, BUT slightly different. Guiness I have to say does in fact taste better here and I'm told that in Dublin, where it is made it is even better.

So we, my house mates and I, still do not have any pots or pans. I just laughed to myself. A box of pots and pans have been promised to us but alas we have not been able to connect with the young lady who made the arrangment. Tears. Tears of sadness for sure. Ah well a little creative kitchen action will do us good. It has so far. We're still alive at least and not starving.

Went out for my friend Sarah's birthday the other night had a grand time. Had a few drinks up the street did some dancing grabbed a cab and came home.

I'm trying to think of funny antecdotes but really I'm just sort of living, you know. I notice things here and there along the way but aside from the real obvious differences and the really annoying little ones like the placement of certain keys on this key board it's not so foreign. I'm especialy seeing that as I get to know my classmates. There are of course words and phrases i don't know and experiences that I've had that they havn't and vice versa but for the most part we're all after the same thing.

In class today we worked in small groups to come up with a basic plan for adapting a childrens book of our choice and each of the four groups came up with fantastic concepts. I would have been pleasd to work on any of the shows that were propsed this afternoon. I'm surronded by some very talented and creative people. I feel really lucky to be here.

I think that's all for now.

jen

best butter?

This morning I went for a lovely run with Aoife. We went, north?, along the river (not sure which river. I shall look into it) then circled back and ran through Ormeau Park. I have to say I truely enjoy the free range park system. Unlike New York you can walk anywhere, sit anywhere, dogs can go anywhere, which I might still agree with NY on that one as some people do not seem as keen on cleaning up after their pets as others. The grassy bits here in Belfast are much softer than some of the rockier bits in New York.

After my time in the park I went off to purchase a few items at the store. I wanted to get some butter but there were so many to choose from and they all come in the little containers because they're spreadable and I didn't want to pick one and end up with margarine because I don't particularly care for margarine unless it's rolled in brown sugar. In the end I decided not to purchase any butter. I don't know why I couldn't have just picked one but it was just too much for me this afternoon. Maybe tomorrow.

Anyway so I think this must be the worst blog ever. I doubt there are any that are worse. Sort of mundane I suppose. Ah well. Enjoy just the same.

Best,

Jen

Trenton, NJ?

I was in a store today called Dunnes which I would say is a smaller version of a Super Walmart, without the guns as my roommate Daithi pointed out. Dunnes carry food, clothing, and home decor items and a t-shirt that says Trenton New Jersey on it. Of all the cities to put on a t-shirt. When people purchase that shirt I wonder if they go home and dream about the day they will actually get to see Trenton. If it had said Princeton I would have accepted it or just New Jersey I might have been excited, but it said Trenton. I was bemused to say the least.

So I am currently sitting in my room in a lovely little house on Farnham St/Rd? in Belfast. I've purchased a pink and purple duvet cover with matching pillow case and sheet. It is far girlier than anything I've owned in recent years, recent years being all that came after the age of 5.

I've had my first walk around the city and I would say that at first glance Belfast reminds me a bit of Philadelphia. There's the busy city center where most of the shops and people tend to be and then splitting off from there you have little roads with houses on them. It's fairly quiet. The stores, like many in Philadelphia, close around 6pm. Not quite the lower-east side, in fact when I tell people where I'm from they don't quite understand why I left New York. As I am feeling a little homesick today (it's only day two I'm allowed) I'm sort of wondering the same thing. However, once class starts I know I will feel differently.

I would say the best part of Belfast is when you happen to look down a little lane and bam beautiful country side rolling up from the edge of the city. It's really lovely. I can't wait to travel a bit outside of the city. I'm sure it will be beautiful.

Adventure Day

I am currently sitting on my couch in my Belfast home place. I've purchased sleeping attire for my twin bed located on the third floor of the afore mentioned home place. I have my own room. It is sunny and I've started to unpack.

haha i started this obviously a while back...

i'll post it now for fun. Adventure Day. Barely.

haha

last night on ludlow

For now anyway...
I'm pretty much packed. At this point if it's not in my bag forget it I don't need it anyway! This time tomorrow I will be somewhere above the Atlantic Ocean. My flight leaves from Newark at 9:20pm so try and think good thoughts.

I find this blog thing slightly bizarre. I'm talking to somebody, whoever happens to take the time to read this one day down the road, but I'm not talking to anybody really, which is for the most part normal for me...

Anyway, another thanks to everybody who made it out Monday. I'm the ass that left a WHOLE bag of stuff behind. No worries though I got it all back tonight, when I realized it was lost. I had an excellent time and I hope everybody else did as well. Looking forward to listening to all the music sent my way. I've sampled a few already and folks job well done. Job well done.

Running errands all day tomorrow. Then I'm off.

All the best,

Jen

Entrance Clearance

My Visa has been issued! Hooray!

not there yet

I'm still in New York. I leave Thursday night and will arrive Friday morning. If you need to see me or tell me something please do some time between now (now being 7:20pm on Monday April 13th) and Thursday afternoon.

I shall be in touch!