Enjoying a sunny day in Dublin

I just came from speaking at the Dublin Rotary Club and I'm sorting myself out on campus to prepare for tomorrow's classes. The club visit was great. I met some interesting and nice people who were very welcoming. The Dublin club is the largest club I've spoken at (around 60 people) but I think it went well.

Last Friday, I turned in my last paper for last term! It was a great feeling but I cannot help thinking about the thesis that is yet to come. Classes are in full swing for this term - we are into our fourth week and we have to submit a summary of our thesis topic at the beginning of March. Guess I should start seriously thinking about that!

The three Fates and me, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin

My friend, Diana, was visiting for about a week after Christmas and we had a chance to travel south of Dublin to Glendalough and west to Galway and County Kerry. It was a lot of fun - especially Galway Bay...
the Cliffs of Moher at sunset

and celebrating New Year's Eve in the streets of Dingle, C. Kerry!


In a couple weeks, I am heading to Northern Ireland to speak at the Newtownards Rotary Club then I am off to Rome for a long weekend. I cannot wait!

A quick breath

I'm swamped with essays right now so I haven't had a chance to update this blog for a while. However, my last 2 essays are due this week (gulp!), so I'll try to give an update on life next weekend.

Just a quick summary:
December 9-25
I was in Boston with family and friends

December 26-January 2
My friend from Denver was visiting me in Dublin and we traveled around Ireland a bit. Super fun, especially New Year's Eve in Dingle!

January 2 - present
ESSAYS! Researching for and writing 4 essays and preparing for a presentation has taken all my time. I have been working by 7:30am every morning just to get things done. It is pretty interesting stuff though - neoliberalism, global human rights, labor organizing and killings in Columbia, and language and ethnicity in Taiwan.

I am looking forward to sleeping in next weekend!