The last days of the first session

Hello Americans, I'm Stephen Nimick. You know what the news is, in a minute, you're going to hear the rest of the story.

Things have gotten a bit quieter here at Dublin City University. Many of the friends who were enrolled in only the first summer session have departed for home or elsewhere. Four out of the six people staying for the second session are traveling in Scotland for a few days. So now it is just my buddies Andy, Ariel, and I being Dublin chums. Our only plans so far: shopping (go figure), eating at a burrito place, and finding the city's best Chinese food.

Last Sunday, some of us went to Croke Park stadium to watch a couple hurling matches. As far as I could tell, hurling is a sport played on a large field in a large arena. The players on the two teams each carry a wooden 'hurley' that resembles a field hockey stick, except a hurley is shorter and wider. The one game ball is spherical and is smaller than a baseball, but just as hard. Players can pass the ball to each other or carry it on their sticks or in their hand. The goals are made up of two components: a soccer-like goal at each end of the field, and attached to the upper corners of that goal are two upright poles, much like field goal posts in American football. Hitting the ball through the uprights earns 1 point, while getting the ball past the goalie into the net is 3 points. There are two 35-minute halves. Players where minimal padding besides soft helmets.

After Sunday, it is about at this time when people began focusing on the three essays that would be due Wednesday at midnight. ~Wait, you mean we're taking a class right now? ~ back to the academic reality of things.

We had a group farewell dinner on Monday evening, and not much has occurred since then, save for going out Wednesday for a last night in Dublin (for most people), and seeing some live music and Irish dancing Thursday night.

I will post again when......when it makes sense. Reporting from Dublin, Stephen Nimick. Good Day.