Hey all,
I apologize for the lack of blog posts - I have been busy writing, typing, and more writing the 9 essays that I would like to complete before April. So far I have roughly the bulk of 4 completed, but now come the longer essays of 3,000 words...
Anyways,
I have been doing very well these past two weeks. I have not really traveled anywhere, as I've been working on my essays mostly, but I have been keeping busy. I've been trying to keep up with paddling in the NUIG Kayak club, but it has been hard going to sessions due to classes. My primary focus as of late has been playing for the NUIG Soccer team. I had my first game with the team 2 weeks ago, as a kind of tryout game for me. All in all, I made the team, and I played well in spite of our 2-0 loss. Both goals were point blank inside the "6" as I was covering the near side post close to the goaline. I had some big saves, although I was struggling to find my "range." There were times where I should have called for and attacked the ball, but othertimes where I did so, but really shouldn't have. The reason for this being is because there is minimal training of Goaltenders here - essentially, i train as a field player, and then when given the opportunity to play in net on a short-side game, I take it. This in a sense is a rough way to train for a goalie, because the field is shrunken, but you're still defending a regulation size net - challenging, but not game scenario. All in all, I've been having a lot of fun and most of my teammates are extremely friendly and supportive.
My plan for the upcoming weeks is to set things into high gear with the culmination of writing, travel, and playing soccer. This week I've been hitting the library early in the morning, and not coming back until 8 after kayaking and training (soccer practice). This weekend I'll be taking a solo trip to Letterkenny in Northwest Ireland. It's roughly a 4 and half hour bus ride straight North, and lies in between two mountain ranges - one of which being a National Park with huge gardens and a Castle. I'm very much looking forward to spending some time on my own in brand new places. I'm also looking forward to a great concert saturday night in Galway, "Rootical Sound Systems" - Ireland's premier REGGAE group! haha. Apparently 'Jah' vacations in Ireland... And then my 2nd soccer game on Sunday. I big weekend, and I'll be sure to share it with y'all.
Keep an eye out for more posts to come, as the games and travel begin to grow!
Cheers!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
My oh my those Cliffs are high!
This past weekend I had the opportunity to go on a free trip to the Burren and Cliffs of Mohr in County Clare with all of the other MU students. It was an amazing trip, bringing many unanticipated activities, turning out to be one of the greatest experiences of my life.
We headed to the Burren in County Clare, which is a drastic change of landscape that is very rockey with a lot of limestone among other cave formations. We went to see a particular cave that was the largest in all of the Burren, and was formed by an underwater river! Most of the cave was carved up limestone, so there were still some streams and big waterfalls in the cave due to drainage and runoff from the rains. We also were able to do some impromptu hiking on our own up a ridge above the cave.
From there we went to the Cliffs of Mohr - one of the most beautiful and dangerous things I have ever experienced. Just two weeks ago a tourist tragically was blown over the edge by a huge gust of wind. Luckily, we had a great weather all day and the sun was shining bright! After trekking around the edge of the cliffs with all the other tourists, we decided to make a change of plans and not head back with all of the other students. Instead 3 other friends and I decided to take a particular trail and hike back down from the cliffs to the small town of Doolin - allegedly the epicenter of Traditional Irish Music in Western Ireland. Once again, this particular hike was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and truly, truly the most dangerous. I apologize to all who will get mad at me for taking this hike, but if you look at the pictures - you can see why it was worth it!
A great day on the cliffs, and a great night in the small town of Doolin, equals the most amazing experience in Ireland to date, and perhaps one of the best of my life!
Cheers!
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=275212389/a=76959740_76959740/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink
WARNING: These Pictures are not for the faint of heart. I know this because I was barely able to take/look at them, and I'm not usuall afraid of heights!
Enjoy!
We headed to the Burren in County Clare, which is a drastic change of landscape that is very rockey with a lot of limestone among other cave formations. We went to see a particular cave that was the largest in all of the Burren, and was formed by an underwater river! Most of the cave was carved up limestone, so there were still some streams and big waterfalls in the cave due to drainage and runoff from the rains. We also were able to do some impromptu hiking on our own up a ridge above the cave.
From there we went to the Cliffs of Mohr - one of the most beautiful and dangerous things I have ever experienced. Just two weeks ago a tourist tragically was blown over the edge by a huge gust of wind. Luckily, we had a great weather all day and the sun was shining bright! After trekking around the edge of the cliffs with all the other tourists, we decided to make a change of plans and not head back with all of the other students. Instead 3 other friends and I decided to take a particular trail and hike back down from the cliffs to the small town of Doolin - allegedly the epicenter of Traditional Irish Music in Western Ireland. Once again, this particular hike was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and truly, truly the most dangerous. I apologize to all who will get mad at me for taking this hike, but if you look at the pictures - you can see why it was worth it!
A great day on the cliffs, and a great night in the small town of Doolin, equals the most amazing experience in Ireland to date, and perhaps one of the best of my life!
Cheers!
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=275212389/a=76959740_76959740/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink
WARNING: These Pictures are not for the faint of heart. I know this because I was barely able to take/look at them, and I'm not usuall afraid of heights!
Enjoy!
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