On the downhill

Well I've got just under a month left in the wonderfully green country that is Ireland. On Friday classes commenced and now all that's left are the dreaded exams. This coming up week is called "Reading Week" or study week. Pick your favorite. Truman only has a "Reading Day" so this is a real treat. I've got exams on the 5th, 14th, 15th, and 16th. I plan on using study week to its full potential so that during the week I have off during exams I can travel some more. Time really has flown, but I am looking forward to a St. Louis summer full of baseball, 100+ degree weather, Ted Drews, and family :)

This past week I was lucky enough to have another visitor. My friend from high school Katie came last Wednesday. On the weekend we went to Cork to visit a friend that is doing volunteer work there for a year and on Saturday went to Blarney. It was great doing a second time because the flowers were in bloom this time so it was even more colorful than the first time. Also, I must have missed this last time, but at the top of the castle, there is a plaque that says "Beware of Imitation" and explains how during the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis a replica of the Blarney Castle was built for people to climb and kiss the stone. So that was cool that St. Louis Missouri is gets a shout out at the Blarney Castle. Katie and I had planned on doing more traveling but for one reason or another didn't work out. So, Katie spent some time getting well acquainted with the Limerick nightlife. On her last night, she got the pleasure of seeing my Irish Traditional Music and Dance recital. And lucky for all of you it was recorded. So for your viewing pleasure....There are a few places that I was little off, but hey we can't call be the lord of the dance. I still have time to perfect my talent before I come home.

Today I am spending my Sunday straitening up my room and baking. My wonderful parents sent me all of the necessary ingredients that Ireland is lacking in order to make gooey butter cookies. So, hopefully these turn out better than the first batch. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful weekend! Peace.