Still Alive...

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!