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Ireland Pictures

enjoy

Ireland

when Irish eyes are smiling

*warning...long post*
I learned so much on this trip.
I guess I'll start with the history. You always here about the fighting in Ireland, but actually seeing the cities and hearing peoples stories about how much they are affected by it made it so real. We went to 2 big cities in the north, which is part of the UK and not part of the republic of Ireland. There are walls and barbed wire fences separating the Catholic and Protestant sections. There are murals about the fighting everywhere. The one city we were in, Derry (or Londonderry depending on where you're from) just had it's military occupation leave this past October. My prof's husband lived in Ireland for a long time, and he didn't think we'd ever be able to get into that city. Hearing people's stories was really sad. Our one tour guide is a professor now, but out of 3 other families on his block where he grew up...the kids he was friends with...one family was killed in an attack, one kid became a member of a paramilitary group and went to jail for killing people, and another girl is now president of the republic of Ireland. He said out of the kids on his soccer team growing up, only 5 of them are still alive. Our bus driver had his best friend die in his arms. I can't even imagine growing up in a situation like that.

Teaching
We taught 2 classes while we were there, one in the south and one in the north. There was a huge difference between the 2 classes. The school we taught at in the south was in a very bad area and the kids were really poor. Their teacher told us that one of the girls had been found under a bridge as a baby, abandoned by her drug addict mother and was now in foster care. My group taught a learning support class of 8 and 9 year olds who were so adorable, but we didn't even get through half our lesson. They were all over the place. They weren't bad, just out of control...asking questions all the time, not sitting down, wanting to take a million pictures with our cameras. When we got to the north, it was a much more upper class school. The kids were incredibly well behaved and we got through everything, which was nice since we had it prepared...lol.

Social problems
Drug abuse and related issues as well as homelessness are the biggest social issues in Ireland. We visited a women's reform prison. Definately nothing like a prison in this country, although it is the 1st kind of this type of prison. It's pretty much a locked down dorms type of thing. They see the loss of freedom as punishment enough so the women aren't stuck in cells with nothing to do all day. Also, most of the women in prison are there for drug related reasons such as theft or prostitution. Being in prison gives them a safe place to live so they're not on the streets. We talked to 2 of the women there, which was heart breaking. The one girl started doing drugs at 13 b/c her father taught her how to administer drugs to him when he was too fucked up to give himself more. One of the girls cut herself so much it looked like she should've had stitches. The other girl was supposed to get a 3 year sentence but her mother told the judge she wouldn't be alive in 3 years b/c of all the damage her body had sustained due to her heroin addiction.
We also visited a homeless agency, and they told us about how they're set up. Their type of homeless shelter would never be allowed here. They look at from a harm reduction perspective (yeah, I know, social work talk...sorry) which pretty much means what is the most harmful to these people and how do we make them safer. So providing food and shelter is the top priority, not making sure they're not doing drugs or drinking. The shelter has a wet room for people to drink alcohol and lockers where people can keep their drugs. They're not kicked out for doing drugs as long as they do it safely. They have a clean needle program to help ensure that the drug addicts at least are using safely. I think it's a good idea. Why deprive someone of shelter b/c they're an addict? They need help, not to be kicked back out to the streets.
So yeah, those visits were really eye opening.

Now on the the fun stuff. We did so much of that too. Hopefully I'll remember the best parts at least. Let's see...we toured the Guinness Factory. Yes, I did try some Guinness, and no, I do not like it...lol. (bad pic at Guinness factory) We went on a musical pub crawl, which was kind of interesting b/c they expained the difference between reels and jigs, etc. and played some for us.
We went to see the Hill of Tara, but it was pouring so didn't really go outside and look around.
Newgrange was pretty awesome. It's the ancient passageway tomb - a huge mound of earth with a passage and room in the middle surrounded by these stones with megalithic art. It's older than Stonehenge and the pyramids. Also, there's this window box and during 5 mornings of the winter solstice, the rising sun enterse through the box and illuminates the passage and room. We saw a pretty rough simulation, but it was pretty incredibly.
Giant's Causeway was beautiful. It's this rock formation of about 40,000 perfectly formed hexagons, octagons, and even 1 9 sided stone, formed by lava...or as the myth goes, a friendly Irish giant who was to fight a Scottish giant, built this passageway to Scotland for the giant to walk across. He then realized the Scottish giant was even bigger then him, so he had his wife dress him up as a baby. When the Scottish giant got there, the wife told him not to wake the baby. He got scared and left b/c he thought if the baby was that big, he didn't want to meet the father...haha. I liked that story.
We crossed this rope bridge that was 85 feet about cliffs and water to this little island. It was pretty scary, especially since I'm really scared of heights, but definately worth it. I was shaking when I got to the other side though. The island was gorgeous. Luckily it was a really clear day, and you could see across the sea to the coast of Scotland, 30 miles away.
We saw a bunch of castles...very awesome. We even had dinner in a restored castle, A medieval banquet type thing, very touristy, but fun and cool b/c it was actually in a real castle.
This is the part where I'm a total dork. My friend and I had milk cravings one night, so we went to the pub in our hotel and asked for a pitcher of milk. The bartender goes and gets us one and walks away. So we're trying to catch his attention and finally do and ask him how much we owe him for the milk. He gives us this look like we're crazy (which we probably are) and goes it's just milk, nothing. It was pretty funny. Then Peggy (one of my profs) walks in and asks us what we're doing. We tell her we're drinking milk. She's like aww, wouldn't your parents be proud of you. lol.
We also took a ferry to one of the Aran islands - Inis Mor - and rented bikes for the day. I think that was my favorite part of the trip. We did 7 mile round trip bike ride up to this fort on top of cliff...well, you rode to the bottom and hiked up...it was amazing. There are no safety barriers in Ireland...you can go right to the edge of the cliff. If you slip, you're dead. It was about 250 feet high I think. Crazy. Beautiful. Incredible. I really enjoyed riding too. The island is gorgeous. It was also a nice work out...lol.
Our last night, we went to this pub that's been continuously in operation since 1620 (the year the pilgrims landed in america). that was pretty cool. hung out with my profs and talked to them for most of the time there which was nice.
I also discovered my favorite potter/pottery...haha...I'm such a dork. Go check it out. Colm De Ris Pottery is going to be my present to myself from now on, until I get it all...lol.

just another entry

1st of all...I won a $1000 psych scholarship that I applied for. That was exciting to find in my mailbox yesterday.

But now onto the weekend...
Friday was Liz's birthday, so Lisa came out and so did their friend Tim, and we went to a bar in Harrisburg and met up with a bunch of Liz's friends from Messiah. It was a lot of fun.

Liz, Lisa, & I


Saturday, Lisa had to go to her grandfather's funeral so she couldn't hang out with us =(. Liz & I did homework all day.
Saturday night we went to Harrisburg and slept on the street to raise awareness for the Invisible Children in Uganda. These kids are kidnapped by a rebel army and forced into being soldiers, which has devastating effects on them mentally & emotionally, and later economically b/c there is a generation of kids growing up in fear and having no skills other than to kill. The girls are raped or used as sex slaves. So every night these children walk sometimes hours to a town center that is "safe" to sleep and do their homework so they won't be kidnapped. They sleep packed together like sardines. The guards that are supposed to protect them don't always care. They rape the girls, get drunk, etc. but it's better than being out of the town where there's a much greater risk of being kidnapped. Anyways, people in major cities all over the United States and in I think 5 or 6 other countries participated in a Global Night Commute Saturday night to raise awareness. I think there was about 250 of us in Harrisburg. It was a really awesome experience. I met some cool people, and it was neat talking to people walking by who wanted to know what we were doing. It was freezing, and we didn't sleep much, but it was good.

Liz & I at the Global Night Commute


us freezing cold around 6am



This morning I went to York to meet with the director of Bell Socialization Services about an internship for next semester. I'd be working at their drop in center for mentally ill/mentally retarded/homeless people just kinda interacting, building relationships, and maybe teaching some classes (possibly cooking and/or basic computer skills). I need to think about it. I really want something paid so i can save a little money for when i graduate, and this wouldn't be. Plus, it's 45 minutes away and gas is wicked expensive. If it wasn't for that, I'd definately do it b/c it would be a great opportunity.

schedule update

add one more class:
international social development
A study of global issues focusing on social issues affecting the Global South. Issues to be examined include AIDS/health care, modern slavery, human rights, and discrimination. The history and development of these issues, how culture of individual countries or regions affect the development and response, as well as future possibilities for resolution will be examined. Students will be actively involved in projects of their own design to help create solutions.
tues/thurs 2-3:20

i am more excited about this class than any other class i've taken in the past 3 years. =)

Birthday Weekend

This weekend was fun. Friday night, Sara, Kimmie, & I went to a bar in Mount Joy for a little while. Saturday a bunch of us went out for dinner. Most of the weekend Sara and I lounged around relaxing and having an OC marathon. It was nice. I don't remember that last time I just sat around doing nothing. Sunday was the orchestra concert, which went well. (I was only playing in the first song so I didn't stick around). I then did work for most of the afternoon and evening. Tonight was the percussion ensemble concert, which also went well.
The rough draft of the research article for the first part of my research is due tomorrow. I was talking to my prof, and I need to test about 10 more people this week to see if some of the marginally significant results are actually statistically significant. The final draft is due next week.
I still have a lot of work to do, but only 2 more weeks of classes, a week of finals, then off to Ireland. I'm really excited about that!

Here's a few pictures from the weekend:

Kimmie, Sara, & I at the bar


at the bar


eating pizza & watching the oc


Me & my girls at dinner (Sara, Amanda, Mel, me, Liz)
(and that big fishbowl in front of me is the 60oz voodoo juice
Rockwells is famous for that they got me)

almost official schedule for next semester

Mon 3:30-6:20 Leadership Development
Tues 12:30-1:45 History & Systems (psychology)
6:30-8:30 American Sign Language
Wed 11-12:15 Leadership Development
Thurs 12:30-1:45 History & Systems
8-9 Percussion Ensemble

Mondays & Fridays I will most likely be doing fieldwork at Bell Socialization Services. I just got in contact with the woman there today about placement opportunities for the fall.
I am also doing an independent research study to continue work on my thesis. I will be meeting with my professor at least once a week about that.

total credits: 18 + percussion ensemble which i'm taking for 0

Etown Jr/Sr

Our Jr/Sr Formal was last night. It was lots of fun. Everyone gets a hotel room. You go around 4 to get dressed and hang out, dinner was around 7:30 except we didn't eat until almost 8:30, but it was delicious. Then we went and visited people and went to the dance around 12. I went with Amanda, Mel, & Sara. Here's a few pictures:

Amanda & I


Kristi & I


Sara, Me, Mel, Amanda


Sara & I at dinner


Jared & I


Gary & Liz, Me, Elise & Bill


Elise, Liz (my roomie from last year), Me


Me & my hot date Sara

it's been a while

not too much has been going on.
The EPA conference was a good experience. It was nice seeing how it's set up and what other people are researching and getting to know people in the department.

The Thailand trip filled up almost immediately, so I guess I wasn't meant to go to Thailand next year.

I'm looking into doing a directed study next semester, which is kind of like an internship 2 days a week, but I wouldn't get paid and it would be for credit.

The Emotion Show (dance) went very well last weekend. I'm a little sad it's done, but someone's offering jazz classes once a week so I think I might do that.

Tomorrow is the Jr/Sr Formal. Amanda, Sara, Mel & I all got a room together, so that will be lots of fun. I'll post pics of that sometime next week.

Other than that, nothing big has happened lately. Lots of work as usual, but nothing out of the ordinary.

hope you're all doing well!
<3



*birthday present hints =)*
-scrapbooking stuff
-gift certificate to Michaels so I can get scrapbooking stuff
-snapfish gift certificates (if they even have them) to get prints of my hundreds (a thousand+ ?) of pictures

scheduling for the fall

It looks like next semester will be at least a little less stressful than this semester. I meet with Dr. Price tomorrow to talk about my schedule, but here's what it's looking like so far:

Mon 3:30-6:20 Leadership Development
Tues 12:30-1:45 History & Systems (psychology)
6:30-8:30 American Sign Language
Wed 11-12:15 Leadership Development
Thurs 12:30-1:45 History & Systems
8-9 Percussion Ensemble

Possibly Research in Perception Tues/Thurs 11-12:15, but I'm looking into doing an Independent Study instead since perception really does not interest me at all. That would give me an independent research project as well as finishing my thesis, so a lot of research, but more free time to work on it. I'm also hoping that in having a lot of open time I can get sexual assault hotline training and certification at the YWCA, something I wanted to do last year, but did not have time for because I think it's Tues & Thurs afternoons.

I really want a more relaxed schedule next semester because I'm feeling incredibly overwhelmed this semester and want to be able to focus on my thesis and research.

Another thing I'm looking into is a winter break trip to Thailand. I went to the informational meeting today, and it looks like a good trip. We'd be going to Bangkok and Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) for about 2 weeks, Dec 27-Jan 10. We'd be touring some of the more famous sites as well as visiting students at Thammasat University to see what college is like in Thailand, a "monk chat" program at a temple where we learn about Buddhism and the lives of monks, we'd spend a day at an orphanage, an elephant training facility, and possibly an agency dealing with sex trafficking. It's about $2400 plus most lunches & dinners and spending money. I'd like to go, but really can't afford it, so I'm praying about it. A friend of mine knows someone who works at a sex trafficking agency and might go on her own to help out there. I think a more hands-on trip would be more of what I want to experience, so we'll see what happens.

quick update

I just got back from a meeting with the honor's director for my thesis prep class, and she suggested presenting my thesis at the National Collegiate Honors Conference in November. (I presented research at this conference in New Orleans sophomore year) Their registration form definately needs to be improved. You need to register in March, and they want a presentation content description for the program and visual elements description. I haven't even started researching yet. How the heck do I know what's going to be involved? And even what I intend to research now could drastically change over the next 8 months. They should ask those types of questions in September or October. Oh well. I'll just make something up.

spring break

break was good. i hung out with kim a lot which was really nice even though we were just doing homework together most of the time. (yes, i spend half my break doing homework) i almost caught up on my reading for one of my classes where getting the reading done on time really doesn't matter, and did a lot of research on my thesis. alice came over one afternoon and we scrapbooked together which is always good fun. friday i went to amanda's house in nj to meet up with her and dimitri (our friend from greece who was visiting for the week) we then went to northern nj to meet up with sara and catch a bus into nyc where we met courtney. we just wandered around for a couple hours, pretty much times square, rockefellar center, central park (near the zoo), and all the designer stores. we even saw something (tv show? movie?) being filmed which was cool. it was a really fun day and of course wonderful to see dimitri again. here's some pics:

Sara & I on the bus


Sara, Amanda, & Dimitri walking down the street


me, Sara, Courtney, Dimitri, Amanda in front of the Rockefellar Center


Sara & I in front of the Rockefellar Center


Dimitri & Amanda in front of the Rockefellar Center


Sara & I in front of Tiffany's (Sara showing off her Tiffany's bracelet)


Dimitri & Amanda on the bus


Sat night I went to a St. Patrick's Day party which was a lot of fun. It was nice seeing people I haven't seen since New Years. We all just kinda sat around and chilled all night =)

Matt & Lauren's son Dylan


Lauren & I


Me, Amanda, Steph, Matt



this week is another crazy week with too much work and not enough time (i had to stop reading tonight b/c the centers of my visual field were getting gray and blurry) don't worry, it'll all get done somehow, and i'll try to take care of myself a little too. thursday afternoon i head to baltimore for the Eastern Psychological Association conference. if no one wants to meet up sat evening to go salsa dancing, i'll probably head back to etown to see the mr. etown contest since joe is in it, then head home for gretchen's bridal shower =)
so that's what's going on in my crazy life. hope everyone's doing well.
<3

2 more days until spring break

life is pretty hectic...here's my schedule for today
9 breakfast
9:30-10:50 theories of personalitly
11-12 ireland meeting - presentations & working on lesson plan
turn in scholarship application
breathe
1-1:30 working the emotion table for shoutouts in the program
1:30-2 study
2-3:20 thesis prep
breathe/get changed for dance practice
4:30-6 band
6-7 dinner/study
7-9 psych club movie & discussion: kinsey
9-10 dance practice
10:15 floor meeting
10:20 - 11 watching the rest of rent w/ amanda & mel
11- 12+ study for neuro midterm

spring break will be a lot of research, reading, and paper writing, especially since michelle will have the car some days. tuesday i'm probably scrapbooking with alice, and thursday or friday i'll probably be in nj. give me a call if you want to do something.

an update

not much to say. i'm going to the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference march 16-19 in baltimore. i'm excited for that. mr. etown is that sat night, and i'm going to miss it. that makes me sad since joe is in it this year. oh well. that sunday is gretchen's bridal shower (jeff is finally getting married!) so i'm going to try to come straight home early sunday morning to go to that then head back to school mon morning so i can go to the bridge sunday night and see kim and whoever else is there. i might see if liz wants to meet me in baltimore fri or sat night so we can hit up the latin palace for some dancing. we'll see.
one more week of school then i'll be home for spring break. i'm probably going to go to nj for a day b/c dimetrios is coming from greece to see amanda, and i want to see him!!!!!

<3

the percussion ensemble conert

is no longer april 9, it's now monday the 24 at 7:30 in zug

Valentine's Day...

...was lots of fun. I got candy from Tom, mom & dad, and my friend Jills. Roses from mom & dad.
Then Amanda, Sara, Jills, Mel, & I had a glass of wine while watching American Idol and the olympics, then watched just like heaven and ate a ton of snack food.


Amanda, Me, Sara & our sangria while watching American Idol


Sara, Me, Jills...ready with our popcorn for a nice chick flick















Sara, Mel, Me, Jills

important dates as of right now

Emotion Show - March 31 & April 1
Percussion Ensemble Concert - April 9
My 21st Birthday - April 21
Band Concert - April 30

update

so...what's been going on in the life of me lately...

*i performed brain surgery last week
(and by brain surgery i mean dissected a sheep's brain)
that was kinda cool once i got past being really grossed out

classes are going well so far. for the most part they're pretty interesting.

all my honor's stuff is going to kill me. i need 4 credits for my honors thesis/honors in the discipline thesis. the psych program doesn't have a course for a senior thesis unlike most departments. so i'm contracting my research course for this semester to do extended research into next semester, which means i'll most likely take an incomplete for this semester and finish next semester since i have until october to complete an incomplete. after finishing the extended research portion of my thesis, i'll have another month and a half or so to finish the thesis which needs to be formally presented before finals in december...yeah that's a little scary. my thesis also needs to be judged excellent/honors quality by at least half of the faculty in my department. the formal presentation aspect is just an honors program requirement, not honors in the discipline req. my prof for my research class seems pretty cool so i'm kinda looking forward to working with her. i'm looking to combine positive psychology with developmental psychology since my research course is in developmental psych, fortunately, they go together pretty well. also, while talking to the honors program director, also the prof directing my thesis prep seminar, she suggested getting in contact with dr. seligman, the founder of positive psychology, about possibly meeting him and visiting his lab since he's a prof at upenn. i'll have to look into that.

dance is going well. i really like the number i'm in although it's a little rough on my knee. my water aerobics class was cancelled for this week b/c my instructor had to go to a funeral then this weekend is MACs, some big final competition thing for the swim team, so i got to the gym monday and hopefully will tomorrow if i have any free time during the day.

i think that's about it for now.

<3

pics from the semester

Me & Bethany


Amanda & Sara

Sara & I


I was hungry...


Kristi

i'm a postcard addict

i brought back some stuff to decorate a little since our walls were so bare

it's about 4'x4' at the moment and that's maybe half my postcard collection i also have a couple small paintings from my world painting collection near my bed...1 from new orleans, 1 from santorini, and 1 from rome. my one from france is at home, i'll have to bring that back to add to a wall.

ps. feel free to send me more =)