I've finally got my internet all set up. I was worried for a while that I wouldn't be able to get it in my room, but I went to the equivalent of OIT last night and someone set up my ethernet for me. Now I can use Skype for a whole lot cheaper than phone. Speaking of which, I also got my first cell phone ever. It's been very exciting figuring out how it works. If anyone wants to buy a cheap cell phone for Ireland next semester, let me know.
It's amazing how different the Irish system of education is. First, all of the Irish students go home on the weekends. I probably won't be too lonely since I plan on traveling, but it does make it harder to interact with them. They all party during the week and then go home to study to impress their parents, while I have to do it backwards if I want my weekends free. They also more or less refuse to go to classes on Fridays, which means my Fridays will probably be free too.
I'm definitely missing the Williams administration. As a visiting student, I don't have to limit myself to one course, or subject, but it's very difficult to find out what I can take. I don't actually register for classes until after the first week, but I don't get the official copy of timetables until then. Instead I have to find the offices of the departments I'm interested in and see if they have them. Usually there is no one there as everyone goes out to lunch until 2 and leaves at 4. Theology is particularly confusing, as it is a part of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, rather than the National University of Ireland where I'm officially a student. Math isn't one of the "popular courses" for visiting internationals, so they didn't have a representative at the academic talk this morning. I've been trying to figure out myself whether there's an extra fee I'd have to pay to take a class. As far as I can tell, there is, so I probably won't take it.
So far I'm planning on taking a few Theology and Celtic Studies courses and a special international students' Beginning Irish. We don't find out the schedule for the last one, of course, until next week, so I don't know if it conflicts with anything. Some of the Theology courses might count for my major, but they probably won't.
I know, I'm terrible about updating, but I have to go to dinner.